A Positively Poetic Priest

O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant that they may know and understand what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Proper 10 BCP 231) We are not left to our own power. When we pray to God for guidance and we understand what we are called to do, we are not left to our own power to accomplish what God calls us to. God gives us the power to do what we have been called to do. God never leaves us hanging, knowing what to do without the power to do it. Sometimes we don't realize we have the power we need, but God will make it known at the right time.  In all the conflicts we get ourselves into as people and as a nation, we always have a choice in how to react and how to proceed. When we blow our options by responding with malicious intent, we often escalate situations we could h...

Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Fifth Sunday of Easter, BCP 225) The Call. Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life: Such a Way, as gives us breath: Such a Truth, as ends all strife: Such a Life, as killeth death. Come, my Light, my Feast, my Strength: Such a Light, as shows a feast: Such a Feast, as mends in length: Such a Strength, as makes his guest. Come, my Joy, my Love, my Heart: Such a Joy, as none can move: Such a Love, as none can part: Such a Heart, as joyes in love. From The Temple (1633), by George Herbert I believe that God has given us free will, the freedom to make our own choices, in this world. For better...