Thursday, January 31, 2008

Water in the Desert

There is still time to sign up for the pre-Lenten retreat Water in the Desert. It will be led by The Rev. Frank Logue, his wife Victoria, and me, and will be held at the conference center at Honey Creek.

The retreat begins tomorrow at 5:30 and goes until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. If you wish to sign up or obtain more information, please call the church office at 912-267-0333 or e-mail me at lxxmccloud@yahoo.com .



In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333

Photo: View from Mount Scopos
Jerusalem, August 2004


Wednesday, January 30, 2008

What St. Paul would have seen


Here's a view St. Paul might have seen when he was imprisoned in Caesarea, just before he was sent off to Rome. When he saw this view there would have been a palace on the property that was sometimes occupied by King Herod.

Here's a snippet of Scripture from Acts 23:

Then [the tribune] summoned two of the centurions and said, "Get ready to leave by nine o'clock tonight for Caesarea with two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen. also provide mounts for Paul to ride, and take him safely to Felix he governor."

Read all about it in Acts chapter 23-28 .


In peace,
Linda+

the Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333

Photo: the ruins of Herod's palace
(his swimming pool by the Mediterranean)
August 2004 - Linda McCloud+

Monday, January 28, 2008

The Feast of Saint Thomas Aquinas



St. Thomas Aquinas (c. 1225-1274) is considered to be the greatest theologian of the high Middle Ages. He wrote so many volumes that no one could begin to condense his writings in a single blog entry, but his Eucharistic theology is distilled in some hymns, one of which I especially like to sing during Holy Week:



Now, my tongue, the mystery telling
of the glorious Body sing,
and the Blood, all price excelling,
which the Gentiles' Lord and King,
once on earth among us dwelling,
shed for this world's ransoming.

Given for us, and condescending
to be born for us below,
he with us in converse blending
dwelt, the seed of truth to sow,
till he closed with wondrous ending
his most patient life of woe.

That last night at supper lying
mid the twelve, his chosen band,
Jesus with the law complying,
keeps the feast its rites demand;
then, more precious food supplying,
gives himself with his own hand.

Word made flesh, the bread he taketh,
by this word his Flesh to be;
wine his sacred Blood he maketh,
though the senses fail to see;
faith alone the true heart waketh
to behold the mystery.

Therefore we, before him bending,
this great Sacrament revere;
types and shadows have their ending,
for the newer rite is here;
faith, our outward sense befriending,
makes our inward vision clear.

Glory let us give and blessing
to the Father and the Son,
honor, thanks, and praise addressing,
while eternal ages run;
ever too his love confessing
who from both with both is One.





In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333

Sunday, January 27, 2008

The Lord is my light and my salvation


Our Psalm for today at Holy Eucharist is
Psalm 27:1, 5-13:


The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom then shall I fear?
the Lord is the strength of my life;
of whom then shall I be afraid?

One thing have I asked of the Lord;
one thing I seek;
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life;

To behold the fair beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.

For in the day of trouble
he shall keep me safe in his shelter;
he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwelling
and set me high upon a rock.

Even now he lifts up my head
above my enemies round about me.

Therefore I will offer in his dwelling
an oblation with sounds of great gladness;
I will sing and make music to the Lord.

Hearken to my voice, O Lord, when I call;
have mercy on me an answer me.

You speak in my heart and say,
"Seek my face."
Your face, Lord, will I seek.

Hide not your face from me,
nor turn away your servant in displeasure.

You have been my helper;
cast me not away;
do not forsake me,
O God of my salvation.




In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333
Photo by Linda McCloud+
Honey Creek at sunrise
December 20, 2007

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Fishing for people


Our Gospel lesson for tomorrow is Matthew 4:12-23 - that wonderful story of Jesus making his home in Capernaum by the sea, where he called two sets of brothers to follow him. They were fishermen by trade, so Jesus met them where they were and said, "Follow me, and I will make you fish to people."

Instantly, they got it. They understood enough about what Jesus was asking that they left their nets and followed him. What was it about Jesus that made them follow Jesus? Was it his voice, calling out their names? Once they heard Jesus called their names, they were never again the same. Jesus became the focus of their lives.



In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com
912-267-0333

Friday, January 25, 2008

From Saul to Paul - Transformation







The
Conversion
of
Saint
Paul







When I was Saul, and walked among the blazing rocks,
My road was quiet as a trap.
I feared what Word would split high noon with light;
And lock my sight, and drive me mad:

And thus I saw the Voice that struck me dead!

Tie up my life and wind me in my sheets of fear
And lay my reason in a three days' sepulchre,
'Till Jesus shows me Easter in a dream!

When I was Saul, and sat among the cloaks,
My eyes were stones. I saw no sight of heaven
Open to take the spirit of the twisting Stephen.
When I was Saul, and sat among the rocks,
I locked my eyes, my mind I made a tomb,
Sealed with what boulders rolled across my reason!

O Jesus, show me Easter in a dream!
O Cross Damascus, where poor Ananias in some other room,
(Who knows my locks, to let me out!)
Waits for Your word to take his keys, and come!


-- Fr. Louis (Thomas) Merton; written on the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, January 25, 1942, at Gethsemani Abbey, Trappist, Kentucky. Published in Entering the Silence, p. 6.


In peace,

Linda+
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333


Thursday, January 24, 2008

He should be in his own dictionary


Don S. Armentrout, long-time professor of Church History and Dogmatic Theology at The University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee, is editor with Robert Boak Slocum of a wonderful resource for Episcopalians or anyone who wants to know about Episcopalians. The book is An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church> a User-Friendly Reference for Episcopalians>.

There is only one missing entry. Don Armentrout is not in this dictionary, and he should be. The entry could be a photograph of him with the description: "Lutheran minister who prays for the Church."

578 pages. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.



In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

The Fruit of the Spirit


Typically people ask, Are there any clues to whether or not I am growing spiritually? Paul suggests there is one test, namely, growth in the fruit of the Spirit: "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23).

So often people erroneously read this text as if it says "fruits." It really describes a single fruit comprised of numerous characteristics. Our spiritual life is improving when all of these dimensions of a single fruit are present.

Indeed, to have one dimension of the fruit without the others turns that fruit into a distortion. For example, to have only patience and not the other characteristics can lead to the vice of complacence. But if patience is added to the others - love, joy, peace, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control - then patience becomes a virtue.

-- John Westerhoff, Spiritual Life, The Foundation for Preaching and teaching, 8-9


In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com
912-267-0333
Photo: Stained glass panel at
outdoor altar - The Duncan Gray Center
Canton, Mississippi

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Out of fallen snow

Beneath or inside the life we lead every day is another life. This unseen life runs like a river beneath the city, beneath work, family, ambition ...In the helter-skelter, in the rush to get an education, to make a career, to make a family, to find material success, to hurry, to do, to survive, this interior life is often subjugated or paved over...But [it] is unstoppable; it comes up in loveliness like jonquils out of fallen snow.

-- John Tarrant, The Light Inside the Dark, p.4


In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com
912-267-0333

Monday, January 21, 2008

The Church

"In deep disappointment I have wept over the laxity of the church. But be assured that my tears have been tears of love. There can be no deep disappointment where there not deep love. Yes, I love the church. How could I do otherwise? I am in the rather unique position of being the son, the grandson, and the great-grandson of preachers. Yes, I see the church as the body of Christ . . ."

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,
"Letter from the Birmingham Jail"
April 16, 1963.



In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333

Sunday, January 20, 2008

The breaking of the bread, and the prayers




He was the Word that spake it;
He took the bread and brake it;
And what his word did make it,
That I believe and take it
.

-- Queen Elizabeth I of England (1533-1603)






In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Come and See, Go and Tell


Our Gospel lesson for tomorrow is John 1:29-42:

The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and declared, ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, “After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.’ And John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.’

The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, ‘Look, here is the Lamb of God!’ The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come and see.’ They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas’ (which is translated Peter).

Andrew the fisherman caught a very big fish the first time he went fishing for people. Peter gets most of the press after that, and to us Andrew's life becomes something of a blur.


In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333
Photo: blurry picture of the Old Market
in Jerusalem, August 2004




Friday, January 18, 2008

Good work if you can get it

"Go out to your work in the world, the toils that custom has staled and long familiarity has belittled. But know that the beaten path of life skirts the kingdom of the miraculous and leads into the divine wonderland, if only we will hear afresh the call of Christ." -- Percy C. Ainsworth


In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com
912-267-0333

Thursday, January 17, 2008

The desert was good for Anthony


From The Sayings of the Desert Fathers, The Alphabetical Collection, page 1-2:

Anthony the Great, called 'The Father of Monks', was born in central Egypt about A.D. 251, the son of peasant farmers who were Christian. In c. 269 he heard the Gospel read in church and applied to himself the words: 'Go, sell all that you have and give to the poor and come . . . .'

He devoted himself to a life of asceticism under the guidance of a recluse near his village. In c. 285 he went alone into the desert to live in complete solitude. His reputation attracted followers, who settled near him, and in c. 305 he came out of his hermitage in order to act as their spiritual father.

Five years later he again retired into solitude. He visited Alexandria at least twice, once during the persecution of Christians and again to support the Bishop Athanasius against heresy.

He died at the age of one hundred and five. His life was written by Saint Athanasius and was very influential in spreading the ideals of monasticism throughout the Christian World.


"Saying" No. 2: When the same Abba Anthony thought about the depth of the judgements of God, he asked, 'Lord, how is it that some die when they are young, while others drag on to extreme old age? Why are there those who are poor and those who are rich? Why do wicked men prosper and why are the just in need?' He heard a voice answering him, 'Anthony, keep your attention on yourself; these things are according to the judgement of God, and it is not to your advantage to know anything about them.'

So, on this his feast day, we remember that Anthony lived to be a hundred and five. The desert was good for Anthony, and Anthony was good for the desert.


In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com
912-267-0333

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Making Choices


"Every time you make a choice you are turning the central part of you, the part that chooses, into something a little different from what it was before. And taking your life as a whole, with all your innumerable choices, all your life long you are slowly turning this central thing into a creature that is in harmony with God, and with other creatures, and with itself, or else into one that is in a state of war. . . . Each of us at each moment is progressing to the one state or the other." -- C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.


In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333
Photo: Grave marker of author Eugenia Price
Christ Church, St. Simons Island, Georgia

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

The noise of your cataracts


As the deer longs for the water-brooks,
so longs my soul for you, O God.

My soul is athirst for God, athirst for the living God;
when shall I come to appear before the presence of God? . . . .

My soul is heavy within me;
therefore I will remember you from the land of Jordan,
and from the peak of Mizar among the heights of Hermon.

One deep calls to another in the noise of your cataracts;
all your rapids and floods have gone over me.

The Lord grants his loving-kindness in the daytime;
in the night season his song is with me,
a prayer to the God of my life.
(Psalm 42:1-2, 8-10)


Almighty God, in giving us dominion over things on earth, you made us fellow workers in your creation: Give us wisdom and reverence so to use the resources of nature, that no one may suffer from our abuse of them, and that generations yet to come may continue to praise you for your bounty; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (The Book of Common Prayer, 827)


In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333

Photo: the headwaters of the Jordan River
Banias, Israel (at the foot of Mount Hermon)
August 2004. The rushing water is so loud that
you cannot hear what your neighbor is shouting
in your ear - LM+




Monday, January 14, 2008

Books in Heaven


'YES,' MY FRIEND said. 'I don't see why there shouldn't be books in Heaven. But you will find that your library in Heaven contains only some of the books you had on earth.' 'Which?' I asked. 'The ones you gave away or lent.' 'I hope the lent ones won't still have all the borrowers' dirty thumb-marks,' said I. 'Oh yes they will,' said he. 'But just as the wounds of the martyrs will have turned into beauties, so you will find that the thumb-marks have turned into beautiful illuminated capitals or exquisite marginal woodcuts.'

--"Scraps" - The Collected Works of C.S. Lewis, 445.

My mother's definition of a rare book: one that has been borrowed and returned.


In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333

P.S. Happy Birthday to Brynda

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Next Sunday

Next Sunday, January 20, we will stay for a half hour after the morning worship service and discuss dreams and plans for the church.

There is possibility of involvement for everyone at The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek. There are committees on which to serve, parties to plan, worship services with which to assist - the list goes on. If each person took responsibility for only one item on the list, we would need at least 125 persons right now. So, please attend the worship service at 10:00 a.m. this morning, meet some nice people, and pick up a list of possibilities. This will give you a week to think about your involvement.

Need directions to the church? Please visit our website at http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/ and click on "directions" at the top of the page.


In peace,
Linda+


The Rev. Linda McCloud
Founding Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333


Saturday, January 12, 2008

The turning point

Our Gospel reading for tomorrow is Matthew 3:13-17:

Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented.

And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."


Holy Baptism is a visual symbol of death and resurrection - death to an old way of life and resurrection to the new. Christian baptism is initiation into the Church.

Baptism marked a turning point for Jesus. For Jesus, baptism was the beginning of his public life and ministry and he never looked back. His life was never again the same after his baptism, but he always knew he was God's beloved. All of that should hold true for all of us.


In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333

Friday, January 11, 2008

Holy Baptism


Photo: Baptizing my great-niece Zoey outdoors near Seattle July 2007 (actually, hugging her after I baptized her)

"It's Friday, and Sunday's coming" as has been pointed out in one of my favorite classic sermons. On Sunday we will be taking a look at the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, and will be talking about how the Episcopal Church views baptism. The short answer is that we take Holy Baptism very seriously - so seriously, in fact, that we have "The Baptismal Covenant" and we take baptismal vows. It goes like this:

Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
I will, with God's help.

Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
I will, with God's help.

Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
I will, with God's help.

Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
I will, with God's help.

Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
I will, with God's help.

The adults in the above photo entered into this covenant on behalf of Zoey, promising also to be responsible for seeing that she is "brought up in the Christian faith and life." They also promised by their "prayers and witness to help this child to grow into the full stature of Christ."

Yes, baptism is serious business.


In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Thought Twisters


Recently someone gave me a copy of the book Ever Wonder by Kobi Yamada. Here is some of that food for thought:

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

In order to find yourself, are you willing to lose yourself?

If you think life is hard, what are you comparing it to?

What do you pack to pursue a dream and what do you leave behind?

Are you the type of person with whom you would like to spend the rest of your life?

How would you introduce yourself to God?

If what's in your dreams wasn't already inside of you, how could you even dream it?

How do you want to be remembered?

If you had five minutes to live, who would you call and why are you waiting?

Have you discovered your mission in life?


Ever wonder?


In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333
Photo: tree at Mepkin Abbey
Moncks Corner, SC January 2008

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

"Water in the Desert"


It's time to sign up for the last "Journey to Wholeness" retreat at Honey Creek for the 2007-2008 season. This one will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, February 1 and end after Eucharist at approximately 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 2. Entitled "Water in the Desert", the focus will be on ways in which we can keep our spiritual lives vibrant during the dry times.

As with the two previous retreats, this one will be led by the Rev. Frank Logue and his wife, Victoria. Please see the recent announcement at http://kingofpeace.blogspot.com/ for more details, and/or call 912-265-9218 to sign up and reserve a room at Honey Creek. Come and get a long drink of water in preparation for the desert of Lent, which is coming up soon.

In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Radical Hospitality: Benedict's way of love


Last week I spent a few days on retreat at Mepkin Abbey, whose monks are in the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (OCSO). When visiting such monasteries, I am struck by their generous hospitality that welcomes all sorts and conditions of people. Such Benedictine hospitality is a basic tenet of the oft-seen sign, "The Episcopal Church Welcomes You."

Here are a couple of paragraphs from a book I bought in the monastery gift shop:

Monasteries are increasingly making room for strangers, by planning their lives to allow room for guests. This hospitality is included in the Benedictine rule, but it is also the current reality of monasteries. People are knocking on the door. People of all faiths or no faith at all are drawn to something about monasticism. The challenge for Benedictines is to preserve their monastic distinction, their way of life, while continuing to welcome the stranger. It is similar to the challenge you face as you attempt to keep time for yourself and your closest relationships while developing an open attitude.

The walking dead stand at the gates of the monastery. If life doesn't kill your wonder, it will at least wound your spirit. The monastic way is sometimes called the path of life, and life is what we seek. People go to the monastery in search of life. Today, Benedictines are not physically saving lives by their tradition, but they do continue to save lives. The spirit of monastic hospitality gives us something healing and rejuvenating. So, while practically speaking, hospitality has changed since Benedict's day
[c.480-c.550 A.D.], the lifesaving spirit of it has remained. -- Radical Hospitality: Benedict's Way of Love, Daniel Homan and Lonnie Collins Pratt

It is little wonder that Benedict of Nursia is sometimes referred to as "the father of Western civilization."


In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com
912-267-0333
Photo: Mepkin Abbey
Moncks Corner, SC
January 2008

Monday, January 7, 2008

"Life is this simple"


"Life is this simple: We are living in a world that is absolutely transparent and God is shining through it all the time. This is not just a fable or a nice story. It is true. . . . You cannot be without God. It's impossible. It's simply impossible."

-- Thomas Merton, from a talk at Bellarmine College, Louisville, KY, 1965.


In peace,
Linda+


The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333
Photo: Garden gate at Mepkin Abbey
Moncks Corner, South Carolina
January 2008

Sunday, January 6, 2008

There is a river



A portion of our Psalm at Morning Prayer (Psalm 46:5-8):

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.

God is in the midst of her;
she shall not be overthrown;
God shall help her at the break of day.

The nations make much ado, and the kingdoms are shaken;
God has spoken, and the earth shall melt away.

The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.


In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333
Photos: January 2, 2008 -

river that runs by the property of
Mepkin Abbey, Moncks Corner, SC

Saturday, January 5, 2008

How the wise got wiser


Our Gospel for tomorrow is Matthew 2:1-12.

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.

They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'" Then Herod secretly called for the wise man and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage."


When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own county by another road.

How did the wise men get wiser? They sought Jesus, found Jesus, and worshiped Jesus.

After the wise men saw Jesus, and knew that the star had guided them to Jesus, they paid close attention to the dream in which they were warned. They wised up to the maneuverings of Herod the king and did not report back to him.

Shortly after the wise men left, Joseph was warned in a dream to flee, and he took Mary and Jesus to Egypt, where they stayed until after Herod's death.


In peace,
Linda+


The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333
Photos from Mepkin Abbey, Moncks Corner, SC January 2008
First: Three Wise Men - wood carving in Abbey church
Second: Jesus, Joseph and Mary - ceramic in outdoor alcove
Third: "Flight into Egypt" outdoor carving in Mepkin Gardens

Friday, January 4, 2008

Morning Prayer


On Sunday, January 6 at 3:00 p.m. in the Chapel we will resume our "Episcopal Lessons" with a session entitled "Prayer - Public and Private". We will focus on how to use The Book of Common Prayer to pray the Daily Office of Morning Prayer.

Here is a portion of Psalm 85 (verses 7-13), which is one of the Psalms appointed for this morning:


Show us your mercy, O Lord,
and grant us your salvation.

I will listen to what the Lord God is saying,
for he is speaking peace to his faithful people
and to those who turn their hearts to him.

Truly, his salvation is very near to those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.

Mercy and truth have met together;
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Truth shall spring up from the earth,
and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

The Lord will indeed grant prosperity,
and our land will yield its increase.

Righteousness shall go before him,
and peace shall be a pathway for his feet.




Please join us for these lessons if you can. All are welcome.



In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333
Photo: sunrise at Honey Creek 12/20/07

Thursday, January 3, 2008

My inmost calm


My life flows on in endless song
Above life’s lamentation
I hear the real, though far-off hymn
That hails the new creation.

Above the tumult and the strife
I hear the music ringing;
It sounds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?

What though the tempest loudly roars,
I hear the Truth, it liveth.
What though the darkness round me close,
Songs in the night it giveth.

No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that rock I’m clinging;
Since Love is Lord of heaven and earth,
How can I keep from singing?

When tyrants tremble, sick with fear
And hear their death-knell ringing;
When friends rejoice both far and near
How can I keep from singing?
In prison cell and dungeon vile
Our thoughts to them are winging.
When friends by shame are undefiled
How can I keep from singing?



SING OUT, Volume 7, No. 1, 1957
Folk revival song popularized by Pete Seeger





In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com
912-267-0333

Photo: wind art on my back porch December 2007

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Reminder - no worship service tonight




If you attend The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek this evening, this is what you will find. That's because there is no worship service scheduled. We will see you on Sunday, January 6 at 10:00 a.m., and on Wednesdays thereafter at 6:15 p.m.

In the meantime, "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 1:2)


In peace,
Linda+

The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333

chair setup and photo: The Rev. Frank Logue

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

The Holy Name



Happy New Year.

On this day we celebrate the naming of Jesus.



Eternal Father, you gave your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: Plant in every heart, we pray, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.



In peace,
Linda+

the Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com
912-267-0333

Photo: Statue depicting Mary and Jesus
at St. Mary's Sewanee Retreat Center,
Sewanee, TN July 2007 at sunset