All Saints eve and day
On this all Saints Eve, children dress in costumes of their favorite characters, villains, heroes, or monsters. This night has become a remembrance of shackled spirits roaming the earth, fearing,...
View ArticleGod is still speaking?
The United Church of Christ has had a slogan for many years now: "God is still speaking."I agree, God is still speaking. But what does the United Church of Christ mean by this? Not the same as...
View ArticleC. S. Lewis: Imagination steeped in love
October 22nd marks the forty-ninth anniversary of C. S. Lewis’ death. Most know him as the author of the Narnian Chronicles. Others count him a saint in the communion of saints who have gone before...
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The Great Thanksgiving
The word Eucharist means the great thanksgiving. The Eucharist or communion is the focal point of worship. The entire service from driving to church to the recessional is worship. Church is the...
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First week of Advent
It is the first week of Advent. Advent is the preparation of the coming of Jesus Christ into the world.The Lord Incarnate became man (fully human; fully divine) at the moment of conception. Light came...
View ArticleSecond week of Advent: St. Nicholas
St. Nicholas is associated in the West with children—namely Santa Claus. In the East, St. Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors.Saint Nicholas was a bishop in the fourth century. He is remembered...
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Shepherds on Christmas day
“In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they...
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Israel and Palestine: Who is right?
Think you know all about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? No matter where you stand with Palestine or Israel, Dale Bourke seeks to objectively answer common questions of the Israeli-Palestinian...
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The Hobbit: Story mirrors reality
The Hobbit an Unexpected Journey is part one of a three part movie adaptation of The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien.Directed by Peter Jackson, it is a visually stunning film. The adaptation from book to...
View ArticleReligion and government: diametrically opposed? (Part 1 of 2)
It has been said “the government should not tell people what to do.” This article is not a treatise on the importance of government or the lauding of it.The American political system is a far cry...
View ArticleReligion and government: diametrically opposed? (Part 2 of 2)
What tends to happen in legislation is definitions get blurred, philosophies confuse. So the intent of the original law is lost and changes. For instance, homosexual marriage. The definition of...
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Right to life
With the passing of the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade comes the March for Life on Washington, D.C. Friday January 25th marks the 2013 March for Life. Catholics, Evangelicals, Orthodox, atheists,...
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Black history month--Martin Luther King Jr's legacy
Since Martin Luther King Jr. came onto the scene, civil rights has been the focus. In the '60's, segregation was abolished. In the 2010's the focus has turned to gay rights.Alveda King, Martin Luther...
View ArticleCEC Men's retreat 2013
In early February, the Charismatic Episcopal Church held its 2013 men's retreat. Members from Holy Apostles (in Westminster), Good Shepherd (Catonsville), Reconciliation (Bel Air) and others from...
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Ash Wednesday: Repentance and restoration
Ash Wednesday—we remember our mortality. It is a preparation before Christ’s resurrection. We pray; we fast; we ask for forgiveness (which ought to be a daily habit).Ash Wednesday marks the beginning...
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Reflections on Lent: Stewardship
As Lent proceeds, as a personal devotion, I have been reading daily the “Ash Wednesday Litany of Penitence” from the Book of Common Prayer.One that has struck me is “For our waste and pollution of...
View ArticleHoly Apostles CEC: Breaking ground
Holy Apostles, part of the International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church has broken ground on their new building.When Holy Apostles was called to build a larger building three years ago,...
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Pope Francis--hopeful induction (Photos)
A new pope was ordained on March 13th, 2013. His chosen name: Pope Francis.This could be a wonderful refreshing of the Church (in the Roman Catholic expression). The pope is South American, which is...
View ArticleAdversity in the city of man
“Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord and bless his Name; proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations...
View ArticlePassover--beginning of a sacrament (Photos)
Passover in the Jewish tradition is the remembrance and celebration of God's deliverance of the Hebrew people out of Egypt. From slavery to wandering to the Promised Land.The Spirit of the Lord passed...
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