Where are you taking me?

Jeremiah 1:4-10
Psalm 71:1-6
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Luke 4:21-30

It was a balmy warm summer evening in Huntington Beach. The courtyard of the church was enveloped by a vibrant palette of sunset colors which slowly evaporated into a blanket of cloud cover.

In the courtyard of St. Wilfrid’s, mixed with audio strains of Gregorian chant, lay a hand crafted labyrinth made from blue duct tape. It was nothing fancy, and was obviously designed from a “how to” book. Placed in various areas of the labyrinth were small half domed candles,  you might know those kind I’m talking about; candles made from glass with cargo netting around the outside, but in the center of the maze was a large white candle glowing by itself – - – - it seemed lonely. Read More �

On Saturday I had the distinct pleasure of preaching at Bloy House, Claremont, CA at a special Recovery Service. In reference to a theme of God’s abundance, I  shared the experience of my own special healing which took place at St. Wilfrid of York Episcopal Church in Huntington Beach one Easter Sunday in 2002. Here is an excerpt from the sermon’s closing: Read More �

I just love facilitating small group discussions.  When I thought of starting a weekly small group two years ago at St. George’s held on a weekday, I was not sure if it would take off, but now that I started up again after the Christmas break, it looks as though it is working, and working well.

This week’s readings suggest God’s love, and acceptance for all with the culmination found in the gospel reading from Luke surrounding Jesus’ baptism. Read More �

As is normal, when a decade comes to an end, a review of the past ten years is in order, and being typical, and average, I had to reflect and attempt to come up with a personal theme, a word to encapsulate the last 10 years on earth.  If I had to choose a reflective word, the one which comes to mind would be Trans-formative. Read More �

God came to earth as a homeless baby

Born from an unwed mother, this child transformed the earth.

May we all be transformed, and spread the simple love of God to all people this day, and ever more.

Recently, Public Broadcasting presented a Nova three part documentary entitled, Becoming Human. The three episodes were dedicated to unraveling the formation of our human species. Not only was this three part documentary enlightening, it also made me wonder about our ontological needs, and how we, as a society, might have disrupted our deeper longing to the detriment of daily living.

In part II, we were told of a great discovery by Tim White and Richard Leakey who in 1984 found a complete 5′ 3″ skeleton of an 8 year old hominid they named Turkana Boy who lived 1.5 million years ago. Due to the wholeness of the skeleton, scientists were able to learn much more about our brain development and the social development of our early ancestors. Read More �

A week ago,  Saturday,  I led the office of Compline, and as an opening Orison (bidding prayer), I chanted the opening strains from Samuel Barber’s opus, The Prayers of Kierkegaard.  This prayer has stayed with me for many years ever since I rehearsed the work as a member of a community chorus.

Contained within the prayer, Kierkegaard writes, “The need of a sparrow; even this moves Thee, and was we scarcely see, a human sigh, this moves Thee, O infinite Love!” Read More �

It was in the year 2004, that I was able to pull together St. Wilfrid of York Episcopal Church’s first service honoring National Coming Out Day.  As one who was always frustrated with Gay Pride celebrations, it seemed logical to choose this day which celebrates a transformation in an individual’s life, a time when a person is re-born into fullness, and authenticity, and to have a church available so that God could participate in this joyous celebration. There are three vivid memories which stand out from this very first service: Read More �

Delivered September 26, 2009 at the Episcopal Theological School at Claremont, CA  (Bloy House)

Genesis 2:4b-9, 18-23
1 Peter 4:8-11
Luke 12:22-31
Psalm 16:5-11

I once read an LA Times article about Dr. Francis Collins, a medical doctor, lecturer, educator, and one of the worlds’s most respected DNA researchers whose area of study revolves around finding the source of the origin of our human spices. Due to his scientific nature, Dr. Collins was a card carrying atheist.

Raised by agnostic parents, he was sent to an Episcopal Church at an early age not to learn about God, but to study music; any talk of God in the home was forbidden. As the years went on, and he applied himself to his medical practice, he was confronted by questions from dying patients about the realities of life on earth, and the hereafter. Being a consciences physician and wanting something to say to dying patients, he decided read Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, and not too long after, combined with life experience, God eventually did was God does best……leading Dr. Collins from atheism, to conversation. Read More �

One of the most beloved Hawaiian song “Hawai’i Aloha wass written by The Reverend Lorenzo Lyons, 1807-1886, also known as Makua Laiana, was taken from an old hymn “I Left It All With Jesus” composed by James McGranahan (1840-1907).

I have sung this song in Hawaiian, and performed it in Hawaii during a month long stay (many years ago) during which I also studied hula, and music with teachers from the Kamehameha Schools.

I was always moved by the Hawaiians in the audience who would stand, and hold hands as we sang. Then, on the very last verse, they would raise their hands up to the sky. It was not until years later I found out that the people raising their hands was not out of joy, but gentle, quiet defiance of a people who’s culture was impacted by global imperialism brought on by plantation owners, and American interests. Read More �