A Positively Poetic Priest

As a child, I wanted to do what Steve Jobs did: have one outfit I could wear everyday and have it work for everything. I have never liked shopping or thinking much about fashion. I have tried, in the last decade and a half, I have tried. But I still mostly get hand-me-downs, buy from thrift stores, etc. As long as it is comfortable and functional (and these days in black), I'm good.  So, earlier this year, I thought about the Wool& 100 day challenge. I bought a Wool& dress and I was amazed by it. I bought a second one, and I thought, I could live the rest of my life in this dress. If you don't know what the 100 Day Wool& Challenge is, you can read about it  here . I am going to do it, but taken up a notch. A 121 day challenge! (Sept-Dec, 4 months) I am going to do both the 100 Wool& Challenge, which means I need to wear the same Wool& dress everyday for at least 8 hours. I am going to work that into my own 121 day challenge of only wearing wool clothing, ex...

Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 27 BCP 233) Unfortunately, things are not going as well as we all would like. With Delta variant cases on the rise here in Venango County, we are going to have to return to everyone wearing masks while inside the church buildings. While we might wish this wasn't necessary, we move in this direction out of God's love for all people. Not a single person should be put at risk for illness (or worse!) while worshipping God.  God's love for us and for other people informs all our decisions. When we are steeped in true religion, in following the example Jesus has set for us, love is always the way forward. We may not always be happy with some ...

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 16 BCP 232) Oh, unity. I read the Collect for this coming Sunday and I sigh. The Church, the global church of all Christian believers, hasn't seen unity since... well, ever. In our country, a country with United in the title, unity is a sacred word, its on our money (in Latin: e pluribus unum), its in our documents, and yet, it is definitely not a way of life for us. Unity doesn't seem to be a value we remember on a daily basis.  Unity by definition means being in full agreement or oneness. While many Christians will fully agree on some aspects of our faith and life together, but there are many aspects we do not all agree on. I am sure that this brings God some sadness, and it brings the glob...

Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of his redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Proper 15 BCP 232) Sometimes we need examples, sometimes we need experience to teach us lessons. Jesus is a wonderful example of godly life. Jesus lived a wise life. We struggle mightily with living into the wisdom God gives us. If we didn't struggle so much with it, perhaps the world wouldn't be in the major world crises it is now in. But, of course, it is the world's problems, not ours. We are doing fine here in our quiet little beautiful Franklin. Yet, we are not either. We are struggling with many issues too. We cannot be blind to them. It seems like many of us are turning blind eyes to the issues at hand,...

Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 14 BCP 232) Don’t Hesitate BY MARY OLIVER If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy, don’t hesitate. Give in to it. There are plenty of lives and whole towns destroyed or about to be. We are not wise, and not very often kind. And much can never be redeemed. Still, life has some possibility left. Perhaps this is its way of fighting back, that sometimes something happens better than all the riches or power in the world. It could be anything, but very likely you notice it in the instant when love begins. Anyway, that’s often the case. Anyway, whatever it is, don’t be afraid of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb. I love reading poetry which reminds me to be incarnational. To remem...