Pray First

Nine out of ten fitness experts agree that exercising daily is a good idea. If we are physically able, it is advised that we get out and go for a run or for a walk. If we don't do that, someday we might wish we were able to get out and go for a walk.

Ten out of ten prayer experts agree -- praying daily is the best idea. If we have a consistent prayer life, this will save us from having to develop a sudden relationship with God when we are in trouble. For some people, times of illness and heartache are the hardest times to pray. However, if we have developed a tender heart for God, tough times will be the times we have a reservoir of prayer in our soul. We can use it to pray without words, and still feel that we are being heard. This is very much like walking or running every day and releasing those endorphins that raise our threshold of pain. If we exercise on a regular basis, we are much less likely to suffer falls, sprains or other such injuries. We are already limbered up.

Limbering up with daily prayer will cause us to come boldly to God, even if we just sit in his presence and not ask for anything at that time. Then when we are in need we will not be shy about approaching God.

God is not Santa Claus. The true purpose of prayer is not to get all the things checked off our wish list. The purpose of prayer is to get to know God and to rest in the peace and love of God. God created us for relationship with him. God invites us into his presence through prayer and worship. If we pray first, then when we are in trouble prayer will not be a last resort. If we walk with God every day, we are much less likely to fall.

Pastor Linda

The Rev. Linda McCloud

Pastor

The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek

www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org

Experience the Bible

There's a hot new audio product on the market entitled "The Bible Experience." It is a dramatic reading of the New Testament and part of the Old Testament, starring the voices of nearly 200 pop culture people such as Denzel Washington. I downloaded the advertisement and listened. It is truly an amazing work, with appropriate music in the background. I have never actually heard an angel speak, but Angela Bassett sounds convincing as the angel who appears to Joseph in a dream and tells him it's OK to marry Mary.

I hope that many people will buy "The Bible Experience" and enjoy letting the Bible sink into their souls. I wish that everyone knew more about the Bible.

In the Episcopal Church, we read aloud four portions of Scripture at every service of Holy Communion. That is, we read an Old Testament lesson, a Psalm or portion of a Psalm, an Epistle lesson, and a portion of one of the Gospels. I like to think that in the Episcopal Church, we experience the Bible. If you come to services at an Episcopal Church you will hear the Bible read through in a systematic and sensible way.

When I took my priestly vows, I stated: "I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, and to contain all things necessary to salvation . . ." I am all for anyone getting a megadose of the Holy Bible.

"Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen." [The Book of Common Prayer, p. 236]

If we do as this prayer suggests, we will experience the Bible.

Pastor Linda

The Rev. Linda McCloud

Pastor

The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek

www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org

Rendering Unto Caesar

“The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek” is a mouthful, and by the time I finish saying the title, the person to whom I am speaking might have forgotten the first part. So, I have been referring to the new church as “Our Savior Honey Creek.” Sometimes I simply say “Our Savior” when differentiating between this and other churches.

Some of what I am doing as a church planter turns out to be humorous. For example, this week we were setting up bank accounts for the church. The banker asked us for a Federal Tax Identification Number. I had no idea Our Savior even needed one. Someone in the know showed me how to apply for one over the internet, and a few hours later “Our Savior” had its own Tax ID Number. This was also helpful in setting up a new phone line.

It’s amazing what a Tax ID Number can do for a church. Since we applied for the Tax ID Number as a non-profit organization, we can receive financial gifts which the donor can claim as an income tax deduction. If taxes are an annoyance to you, remember that even our Savior Jesus Christ paid taxes. He is the one who said, “Render to Caesar that which is Caesar’s, and to God that which is God’s.” Our Savior did not need a Tax ID Number then, but he has one now.

This is the time of year that many people begin to assess their tax burden and make gifts to charitable causes. If you are interested in becoming a part of this exciting new venture, we welcome your donations. Giving to Our Savior could even diminish that which you will have to render to the U. S. Government come April 15, 2007.

Please make checks payable to:

The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
P. O. Box 326
Waverly, GA 31565

Just remember - “Our Savior” has a Tax ID Number.

Pastor Linda
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org

Road Kill Cabbage

In Colquitt County, Georgia where I now live and serve as Pastor of St. Margaret of Scotland Episcopal Church, there is a certain type of road kill that everyone waits for with eager anticipation. I first ate some of this road kill at a church dinner. It was lovingly prepared by Betty Vaughn, a vegetarian High School English Teacher. Betty was new to our church family at the time.

"Yum, yum," said Pastor Linda. "This is the freshest cole slaw I ever ate."

"It's road kill cabbage." Said Schoolteacher Betty. "The cabbages roll off the trucks on their way to market and wind up in the ditch in front of my house. Whatever rolls off is fair game."

Betty lives on a rural road near a cabbage field that goes on for miles. It's a sea of what Crayola Crayon Company used to call "medium green." I'm going to miss the road kill cabage slaw.

I have not run across any road kill peanuts that have fallen off open trucks on their way to market, but I have seen lots of road kill cotton. The little bolls of cotton are scattered beside all the highways after harvest. It falls off the trucks on the way to the gins. No one bothers to gather it because we have not found a good use for it.

This week I am in Camden County preparing for my move. I have seen road kill here, but it wasn't cabbage or cotton. It was four-footed creatures who didn't look twice before crossing a busy highway. Please help me watch out for these little creatures, because they look so much better alive.

"O heavenly Father, you have filled the world with beauty: Open our eyes to behold your gracious hand in all your works; that, rejoicing in your whole creation, we may learn to serve you with gladness; for the sake of him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." (from the Book of Common Prayer)

Pastor Linda
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org

The Nativity Story

Perhaps you have read The Book. Now it’s time to see the movie. The plot includes several heroes, a strong determined heroine, adventurers, risk takers, a treacherous king, and a quick getaway. Oh, and did I say shepherds and angels and a couple of really cute newborn babies?

Is this sounding familiar? Of course I am talking about The Nativity Story that was released yesterday. This film gathers up every image you ever saw depicting the birth of Jesus Christ and brings the characters to life. Their lines and actions follow the texts of the Gospels according to Matthew and Luke. It is so familiar that you can just sink into the story and let it swallow you. My favorite lines in the film are taken from Luke 1:46-55. This is the Magnificat -- The Song of Mary:

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed;
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel,
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
The promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.

Pastor Linda
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org

One of A Thousand Places

Some time ago I treated myself to a delicious 974-page book – 1,000 Places To See Before You Die, A Traveler’s Life List by Patricia Schultz (New York: Workman Publishing, 2003).

As it turns out, Ms. Schultz has excellent taste. That is to say, I had actually been to some of those same places and I also thought they were not to be missed. To my delight, our beloved State of Georgia gets four of the one thousand entries, three of which are in Savannah.

The fourth Georgia entry is (a little drum roll, please) “The Golden Islands.” In this entry Ms. Schultz devotes almost two pages to the history and wonders of Cumberland Island, Jekyll Island, St. Simons, and Little St. Simons, dropping a few names in the process. She suggests that we visit the Lodge on Little St. Simons because “The food is fresh, simple, delicious, and evocative of the Southern childhood you never had.” (p.612)

As I read this book I felt a little sad for Ms. Schultz, because she did not mention The Georgia Episcopal Conference Center at Honey Creek. Evidently she has never visited there, or else her book would be called 1,001 Places To See Before You Die.

Pastor Linda
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org

Heedless of the Wind and Weather

On this first day of December in southwest Georgia the weather is getting rainy but the air is still warm. In Kentucky where my mother lives , they are having severe storms and tornado watches. The National Weather Service says that the rains will come down at the rate of one inch per hour. They advise: "IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THESE SHOWERS...SEEK SHELTER INDOORS AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS AS STRONG WINDS WILL PERSIST." There will be no driving for my mother today.

As our sisters and brothers in the Philippines recover from their fourth typhoon in four months, we wonder how anyone can continue to survive in such a climate. Scientists now say that 65 million years ago, Dinosaurs were wiped out by a cosmic event such a meteor hitting the earth and causing catastrophic weather conditions. Because of this, such things as typhoons, hurricanes, and volcanic eruptions give me cause for pause.

In Coastal Georgia we have to find ways to beat the heat in summertime, but the winters are a lot milder than those in the midwest or northeast. This is a major attraction of people to the coast. This is one reason why so many of us are flocking to Camden County.

When we can enjoy the outdoors with just a light jacket, let's be sure to keep in mind those who are suffering the effects of severe weather -- especially those who have no homes or who have substandard housing. The children suffer most in such situations. As you go for a stroll on a nearby beach, remember to count your blessings and pray for those who are less fortunate.

Pastor Linda
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org