October 23rd Weekly Word

End of the Stream

"I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing" (2 Timothy 4:6-8).

"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb" (Revelation 22:1).

As I've mentioned at least once before, I love waterfalls. In a previous post, I discussed the different perspectives of looking at a waterfall from a distance versus the view from behind it. But there is another perspective – seeing it ahead as you're floating down the stream.

From that view, it appears as if the stream is coming to an end. But as we all know, that's not the case. Rather what looks to be the end, winds up producing the most beautiful billows of cascading falls as the stream moves over the edge and ever onwards into new rivers, rivulets and creeks.

In our upcoming epistle reading, Paul shares that his time to depart this life is coming soon. He uses the image of being poured out like a libation, which in the Old Testament was a drink offering poured out at the altar as the final sacrifice among others – symbolizing the dedication of one’s life to God.

But how did Paul know his death was coming soon? Maybe the Lord told him. Or perhaps he could simply see that the tides were turning as Christian persecution was on the rise. And as a prisoner in Rome and one of the most prominent believers in the Empire, he likely would have realized that such a turn could mean only one thing for him – execution.

But Paul gives no indication of despair. Rather, he reflects on his service to the Lord and anticipates his future in God's presence where he'll be rewarded for his life of faithfulness.

Friends, if we could see far enough ahead, we'd all be able to view the end of our own "stream" here on earth. But as believers, we need not despair nor fear. Rather, like Paul, we're called to live in a way that will allow us at the finish line to echo honestly his words: "I've fought the good fight. I've finished the race." And let's remember that when that day does come, it won't mark the end for those who belong to Christ. Instead, because of his sacrifice on our behalf, our journey over the edge of that stream will one day have us reveling amidst the beauty, joy and bliss of the waterfalls that billow into the river of life and flow among God's eternal kingdom.

Fr. Darin+

October 16th Weekly Word

How sweet are your words to my taste!

They are sweeter than honey to my mouth.

(Psalm 119:103)

When my older daughter was in middle school, she did the painting pictured above. It's simple, but I've always loved it for its simplicity. The color, position and prominence of the bees and honey jar contribute to how it pops on the canvas – but so does the gray, muted background. Together the effect for me provokes a real interest in the life of the bees and the honey they produce because there's nothing else in the painting to compare it to.

The verses above from our Psalm reading this coming Sunday provide a simile that we can all relate to: the sweetness of honey. The psalmist employs this simile because in nature nothing comes close to the taste of honey. And for David, nothing came close to experiencing Scripture because it connected him to God and shaped his heart, life and actions. This is very clear as this particular Psalm (dedicated to God's Word) is the longest by far with no less than 176 verses!

Do you struggle with experiencing God's Word in this way? If I'm honest, I sometimes do. At times there's just a feeling of dryness, as if I'm not eating honey but rather a piece of crusty bread. So what is the answer?

I think part of the answer for me lies in what else is occupying my headspace. Have I really taken the time to enter in, or are a thousand other things swirling around as I seek the Lord? To truly experience the impact of God's voice in our lives, we must learn to mute our backgrounds so his Word can become the focal point of our hearts.

This isn't always easy, but there are some practices that can be helpful. One is a very simple prayer of release. As you prepare for devotional time with the Lord offer him everything. One author suggests this prayer:

Jesus, I give everyone and everything to you. I give everyone and everything to you, God.

In essence here, you're surrendering all to God and asking him to mute your background, so you can enter more deeply into fellowship with him.

Try it. Say the prayer out loud several times slowly as you take some deep breaths. Of course, this is not like an incantation; mediation takes practice and consistency. But I think as you deliberately slow down and enter into God's presence by releasing all to him first, he will delight you again with his Word like "honey to your mouth."

Fr. Darin+

P.S. There's an excellent app that I sometimes use to help with this. Check it out here.

October 9th Weekly Word

Franciscan Reflections

This past Saturday (October 4) was St. Francis Day, which commemorates the life of St. Francis of Assisi. Francis was a significant figure of medieval Christianity known for his devotion to God and his commitment to a life of poverty. He is also the patron saint of animals and the environment because he taught that humans are responsible for caring for God's creation. As lovers of nature, my wife and I are big fans of St. Francis, and as such we have a Franciscan icon and a couple garden statues in our yard.

This past Tuesday, we looked out the back window and caught sight of a squirrel paying special attention to one of them. We had never seen anything like it before. The little critter didn't really seem to be playing but rather spending time just hugging the stone replica of the saint. Of course, Ginger rushed to get the camera and snapped the photo above.

The whole thing was quite humorous and endearing. But for me, it was also a reminder of the saint. I was so busy that week that I had forgotten all about Francis' feast day as well as the blessing of the animals (sorry pet owners). And I would think this happens to many people. The busyness of life has us rush through our days without contemplating the blessing of God's creation.

In those times, it takes mindfulness to stop and appreciate a sunset, pet our dog, or watch silly squirrels play in the yard. But doing so is, in part at least, a remedy for the tension of a busy society. Nature gazing, in fact, is scientifically proven to reduce stress and anxiety. God intended it to be so.

But beyond that, St. Francis Day reminds us that we are to be stewards of God's creation. We're to love and care for the nature that God made.

Friends, as the busy demands of modern life threaten to blind us to the beauty of God's created order, let's be intentional about opening our eyes and appreciating it. And as we do, may we seek the Lord's guidance on how best to preserve and care for what he has graciously given us in nature.

Fr. Darin+

October 2nd Weekly Word

Scripture, Identity, and Legacy

"...that I may be filled with joy, when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:4b-7).

When I was young, I had night terrors. What I experienced was beyond bad dreams. I wasn't quite awake, but nor was I fully asleep. Rather, I was in some sort of twilight existence as I "dreamed" horrific images. What made it worse was that my family couldn't wake me, and I was even fearful of them during these episodes.

After the first time this happened, my parents taught me the verse above from our epistle reading this coming Sunday. I memorized it and said it often. The terrors didn't go away all at once, but they did eventually subside. I don't know fully what that was about. There might have been something physiological that science can explain, but I'm convinced based on the nature of the episodes and the images in my mind that there was a spiritual component to it.

In any case, my parents equipped me to address it by appealing to God's Word. And through that strategy, I was reinforcing the truth of how God had given me a spirit that was bold and not afraid, which drove home who I was in Christ.

Like Timothy's mother and grandmother, my parents handed me down a gift, a deposit of faith that stuck with me. I was taught how to navigate a spiritual reality in the way that Jesus did when he faced the enemy – by appealing to the Scriptures.

Friends, let's employ this strategy in our own lives. Doing this will help remind us of Scripture's truth's when we face fear, temptation, hardship or sorrow. Not to mention, there is power in God's Word. And as we do this consistently, it also has a healing effect for the hurt and broken in that it reminds us of our identity in Christ and reinforces that truth in our spirits (e.g. I'm a child of God, redeemed, forgiven, declared holy and blameless, no longer a slave to sin but a new creation, bold, powerful, etc.)

But let's also encourage each other in a similar manner. Like Timothy's mother and grandmother, let's offer deposits of faith to those in our immediate family and those who are part of the family of God (the church). And let's do it in a way that demonstrates gentleness, mercy and empathy because we all struggle in one way or another.

Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. (BCP, pg 817).

Fr. Darin+

September 25th Weekly Word

Sunset and Sunrise

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ" (2 Corinthians 1:3-7).

It's been a hard couple weeks. Gail Morrell, a dear parishioner and member of the altar guild, has gone to to be with the Lord. The Reverend Jim William Louttit (associated with Christ Church in the past) also died. And recently, Beverly Stryker, a long time member of our Church departed this life as well. Moreover, on a personal note, my Uncle Donald passed last week unexpectedly.

Perhaps you are dealing with sorrow, hardship or trial right now. Friends, in the midst of the grief, may we look to the Lord. As St. Paul says, through Christ we have abundant consolation. That's not to say that we don't have a hard road to walk when grief strikes. But what it means is that Christ, who suffered for us, will walk with us in our sufferings.

Above is a photo my uncle took. It reminds me that even though the sun sets on us all, a new day is coming – an eternal day that knows no death. Let us hope in Christ who is the light of that day.

Most merciful God, whose wisdom is beyond our understanding: deal graciously with those who mourn. Surround them with your love, that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss, but have confidence in your goodness and strength to meet the days to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP 2019, pg. 255)

Fr. Darin+

September 18th Weekly Word

Tears for the Lost

"My joy is gone, grief is upon me, my heart is sick. Hark, the cry of my poor people from far and wide in the land ...For the hurt of my poor people I am hurt, I mourn, and dismay has taken hold of me." (from Jeremiah 8)

Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet. And this is one of the passages where we see how he earned this moniker. God called him to minister in hard times to people who largely refused to listen. Tirelessly, he warned Judah of looming destruction, but they continued in their sinful ways.

Even so, notice that Jeremiah doesn't dust his hands off and leave the people to their doom. He doesn't say, "Let destruction come, and good riddance when it does."

Instead he weeps for the people and absorbs their hurt in his own heart. Indeed, his heart is broken with grief. What a godly response that points ahead to the grief of our Lord when he predicted the fall of Jerusalem. God, you see, mourns for those who have fallen into sin — those who are unrepentant and heading for destruction. Yes, even those who practice and cheer on evil.

But, in the midst of our politicized world, I fear another approach is very prevalent now, which reflects a different prophet's attitude. Jonah, for his part, fled from God so as not to have to preach to the evil city Nineveh. Why? Because he didn't want to see them come to repentance. In fact, after God redirects him to complete his mission, Jonah sits on a hillside awaiting the city's destruction. When he realizes that God relented and decided to show mercy to Nineveh, Jonah is so upset that he wants to die!

So Jonah saw the people repent and still desired their destruction. Jeremiah's message, on the other hand, was rejected by the people of Judah, yet he wept at the prospect of their judgment.

We live in a polarized world, friends. I understand this. And the truth is that I let it get to me too, or I wouldn't be writing this. But in the midst of it, let's pray that God gives us the perspective of Jeremiah rather than Jonah. May our hearts break for those who are lost on whatever side of the political continuum they may be – remembering that it was God's kindness that led us to repentance.

O God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, pg. 816)

Fr. Darin+

September 11th Weekly Word

Unwinding and Uprooting

"Every one has proved faithless; all alike have turned bad; there is none who does good; no, not one" (Psalm 14:2-3).

"The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15).

Shortly after moving into our Longwood home, I realized I'd have a major project to tackle out of the gate. Right next to the driveway we had a massive bougainvillea bush. As you might know, bougainvillea produce beautiful blooms, but they're also covered with very sharp thorns. And this one had the biggest and sharpest thorns I'd ever seen. After experiencing one going through my shoe and into my foot several times, I knew this thing had to go, especially with a toddler running around.

So I got to work. Over the course of several weeks, I took a few hours on the weekends to get to chopping. It was neither easy nor painless work as you might imagine. But eventually I had all of the branches hacked down. The next step was getting the stump out of the ground. So I dug around it, deep around it, without much initial success of dislodging it. Eventually, after clipping and chopping roots that shot out from the stump, I was able to get it out. What a job that was!

The interesting thing about this stump is that it had some green plastic entangled at its base (see photo). We figured that it was initially planted in a pot, and over the years it busted out of its container and took root in the ground – I mean really took root in the ground to become the bougain-beast that I had to battle!

Our Scripture readings for this upcoming week reveal the reality that sin has likewise taken root in this world. Of course, we know this. We know it from reading history; we know it from watching the news; we know it when we take a moment to reflect on our own thoughts, words, and deeds.

And this sin is not just surface level. It wound its way deep into the fabric of our society (and all societies), and in like manner entwined itself around the inner sanctum of our souls. Although it may have started out small, sin broke out of its confines and took a systemic hold of our world and our hearts. And as Psalm 14 makes clear, no one is immune.

I don't know about you, but sometimes the bleak reality of sin's pervasive reach can be discouraging, especially with recent headlines that include the assassination of a young activist whose family (including a wife and two small children) are now left grieving, likely because he held different political views than the radical who shot him. Moreover on this day particularly, when I remember the horrific events that transpired in New York 24-years-ago, I'm left reeling at the heartbreaking effects of sin that ended so many lives as a result of that evil act. But sin's influence also disturbs me on a personal level when I'm thoughtful enough to reflect on its evidence in my own life.

But friends, as troubling as sin's impact in our world and in our hearts may be, there is good news! In our gospel lesson, Jesus tells us that he is in pursuit of the sinner like a shepherd who goes after lost sheep. Our epistle confirms this when St. Paul says that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

And that means me and you! For our sakes, Jesus took on human flesh and dealt the decisive blow to sin through his life, death and resurrection. He confronted the powers of darkness and there on the cross defeated them by means of his sacrifice. And his rising again demonstrated his victory, not only over sin, but over that which sin brought into the world – death itself.

Why then, you might ask, is the world still bound by sin and death? And why do we, as believers, still engage in what is wrong? The answer is that we're in the in-between age – the already but not yet era. Yes, Jesus has already come and defeated sin, death and the spiritual forces of darkness. But he has not yet destroyed them. The final blow, which entails the ultimate uprooting of sin's thorny hold, won't be dealt until his return.

In the meantime, take heart. Jesus is still seeking and saving sinners. By the forgiveness he purchased, the strength he provides, and the strategy of the kingdom, the Lord is unwinding and uprooting sin's hold on hearts and ultimately its grip on the world. No doubt it's a hard road at times, and our hearts rightly recoil at what we often witness around us and even in us. But one of the most amazing truths that Scripture reveals is that he calls his people not only to experience inwardly an expanding freedom from sin, but also to extend that freedom to others by pointing them to him.

And may we as his Church do just that.

Fr. Darin+

September 4th Weekly Word

Knitting Wonders

by Ginger

I love knitting. I don’t get to do it very often these days, but when I do, there is just something refreshing about it. It’s magical in its own right. You take two needles (sometimes more), this long string of yarn, and through weaving and winding around, you create something beautiful – out of almost nothing.

In this week's Psalm, David draws a parallel from knitting to the marvels of creation. “For you yourself created my inmost parts; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I will thank you because I am marvelously made; your works are wonderful, and I know it well." This Psalm will forever be a reminder of God’s love and protection.

My pregnancy with Haleth wasn’t the smoothest. She registered underweight in an ultrasound, and even though all vitals were healthy and she was moving and shaking in my womb, the doctors were fearful. That’s when this verse first showed up. I didn’t go searching for it though I knew it well; it just started to follow me.

In fact, it was in the lectionary that Sunday, and that’s what Fr. Tom, our priest and good friend at Incarnation preached on. I had peace. God was with Darin and me through it all, and now we have our spunky two-year-old.

Friends, God does wonderful things in the daily lives of his creation. All of us are the beautiful workmanship of our Heavenly Father. Even when things don’t add up, like a piece of string and two needles, God can knit wonders.

August 28th Weekly Word

Imitation vs the Real Thing

“…for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living water, and dug out cisterns for themselves, cracked cisterns that can hold no water" (Jeremiah 2:13).

Do you ever choose the imitation over the real thing? There are all kinds of imitations in the world today. In the food realm imitations abound – from imitation crab to various kinds of imitation meats and cheeses, not to mention the myriad sweeteners that mimic sugar. Beyond that, people often choose a life of screens that imitates real life. In fact, Americans spend 90% of their time indoors. With TVs, tablets, computers and smartphones, I guess that number kind of makes sense. But that is a staggering figure, especially when we consider what beauty there is to experience in the world that God has created for us.

Jeremiah, in our upcoming Old Testament reading, relays God’s indictment against his people – and it’s twofold. 1) they forsook the Lord, the fountain of living water 2) they dug cisterns that had cracks and couldn’t hold any water.

Essentially then, they chose imitation over the real thing. And clearly the imitation was dramatically inferior. Contrast a waterfall, gushing freshwater from a mountain to a leaky, cracked well. There is no comparison. And the Lord uses this imagery to showcase how unwise his people had become to exchange the living God for the lifeless idols of the nations.

Friends, let’s examine our ways. How might we be making the same exchange? Is God on the throne of your heart? Or has he been replaced by an imitation? Of course, we don’t create literal idols, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t things in our life that replace the fulfillment we should be experiencing in God alone. God offers true life, joy and peace that the world can only imitate. But here’s the catch. It doesn’t come in the same way as the world offers, with immediacy as if we were at a drive-thru.

No, what God offers must be cultivated over time spent in prayer, listening, silence and reflection. It means being intentional and mindful about our heart’s affections. The broken cisterns are easily accessible. But what they offer is temporary and ultimately worthless. The fountain of life on the other hand is eternal and worthy of pursuit. Why? Because it entails a relationship with the living God, the likes of which will fulfill and transform us in ways that we can’t even imagine.

Fr. Darin+

August 21st Weekly Word

Forts and Such

"Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe; you are my crag and my stronghold" (Psalm 71:3)

Both of my daughters love forts – love to build them and then just to hang out in them. As you can see in the photo above, they're doing this together. But it's not just forts; it's also small spaces. Whether it's a tiny tent in the living room or a nook created by a gap between a chair and a wall, my younger daughter wants to be there (same for her older sister when she was younger). I think I had a similar proclivity. And even now, I'm drawn to small shaded spots in the woods on hikes. But what is that all about?

I think maybe instinctually there's this natural sense of safety that we crave in physical spaces, a sense that here in this spot I don't have to worry about anything or anyone coming up on me unexpectedly– in other words, a sense that I can leave my cares behind when I'm here.

For David it was more than an instinctual sense. As he navigated the deserts in Israel with enemies in pursuit, he had to find places that were safe. He spent years there avoiding capture, so he became quite familiar with the desert topography, which included crags, rocks, cliffs, caves and crevices. It was in these spaces that he could find safety as he hid from the armies that sought to destroy him. It was also in these spaces that he found an appropriate analogy for the refuge he took in God during such difficult times.

That refuge was based on a close relationship with the Lord. Think of the imagery. A close, confined space that the worries of the world cannot penetrate. That's what he likened God to.

Friends, is God like that for you? Is he like that space where you crawl up and feel safe, restful and comforted? Is God your strong rock, your crag and your fortress? He wants to be. Before you start another day and engage with all it's worries and concerns, go to God and ask him to be your rock.

Fr. Darin+

August 14th Weekly Word

Sign of the Time

"He also said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain'; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat'; and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?"

I used to run a lot. And in Florida that means running in the rain at times. The thing is, I actually love running in the rain. It's a refreshing cool down when you're hot and tired and yet want to press on.

But that all goes out the window when there's lightning. Over the years, there have been multiple occasions when I've found myself in the middle of a thunderstorm, running a lot faster than I thought I could. But that was my own fault. I rarely checked the weather before leaving. And when I did notice a storm coming, I was never too keen on letting it stop me. I was not so wise.

Jesus, in our Gospel reading, is speaking to those who knew how to read the signs of the weather and wisely heed their warnings. But he used their diligence in that regard to rebuke them for their lack of attention to the sign of the present time.

Jesus' own arrival was the clearest sign that the Kingdom had come near because the King himself was present. But sadly most of those whom he preached to somehow missed that truth. It's as if the darkest clouds hung low in the air just overhead, yet those under the shade of such a squall kept jogging without heeding nature's obvious warnings.

Now, I've never been one for promoting end times speculation based on current events. I've found such a focus to be often escapist and a distraction from our mission in the world. But what is the application for us when we hear Jesus telling the Jews of his day to read the signs of the present time?

Well, if Jesus' presence marked the sign of the times for his first coming, then we as the Church should be the sign for his second. Think about it. We go forth in his name, a kingdom of priests, bearing the image of God, empowered by his Hoy Spirit within us. Our very presence, Jesus said, should be as salt and light in the world. When we allow the Lord to fill us, lead us, and use us, we become a sign to the world that God is real, at work among his people, and in the process of restoring all things.

Thinking about it this way moves us from escapist thinking that seeks to be saved from the world, to an engaging faith, which recognizes that we are saved for the world.

So let's do that, friends. As the Church, let's be a sign of the time, exhibiting Christ in word and deed to a world that needs to know him and experience his love through us – his people.

Fr. Darin+

August 7th Weekly Word

Behind the Falls

"By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going" (Hebrews 11:8).

Like most people, I love waterfalls. When we visit North Carolina, waterfall stops are often on the agenda. The one we were visiting in the photo above (oddly called Dry Falls) is one of my favorites in the area where we vacation. You can actually watch the water come down from both sides since there's a path through the stone that goes behind the fall.

Obviously, it offers quite a different view depending on your vantage point. I like both views, but especially the one behind. Granted it can be slippery back there, trudging over wet rock (or icy rock in the winter!). And, of course, the sight from the frontside offers a more clear perspective of the waterfall and its surroundings.

But there's something about being behind the falls that feels invigorating. Anyone can take a picture of a waterfall standing safely on the boardwalk 100 yards back. But going behind it involves participation – which entails the reward of experiencing the waterfall from within.

I think that's kind of what it's like to be on a journey of faith with the Lord. Our epistle reading for this coming Sunday is from the famous eleventh chapter in Hebrews, sometimes referred to as the "Hall of Faith." Numerous Old Testament figures are commended in this chapter for their faith in God, showcasing how they lived out their belief in action.

It's meant to be inspiring for us to do the same. And for me it is. I don't want to just take photos from a boardwalk. Like these godly men and women who went before us, I want to hike behind the falls and participate in the mission that God has called us to, experiencing the reward of being in the midst of God's Kingdom work in this world.

It's not an easy path. And it's often slippery. Sometimes we walk through sorrows, hardships and challenges. But as the Church we do so together in community. Not to mention, we also share our celebrations, milestones and joys with each other as the Lord leads us along this path into the ministry he's called us to.

Friends, I'm thrilled about what God is doing at Christ Church and by what he will do. Let's continue our venture together, seeking the Lord's direction on how he'd have us connect more deeply with him, with each other, and with those around us who need to know him. Will you join me in prayer for God's leading in these areas as we step out in faith and walk behind the falls?

Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with thy most gracious favor, and further us with thy continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy Name, and finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, p 832)

Fr. Darin+

July 31st Weekly Word

Ye Ole Van

"So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God" (Luke 12:21).

I don't know if you name your vehicles or not, but we do — especially when they have character. We called the one van I owned YOV, which stood for ye ole van. It was appropriately named because it was old, evidenced by a number of odd things, including inside lights that randomly turned on and off on their own.

Ultimately YOV didn't last long, but there was one great thing about that van — it was a gift. At the time I was renting a house from a couple who were ministers and missionaries. When they decided to go back to Korea and realized I needed a vehicle, they gifted me the van. Even though it had its issues, we had some great times in YOV (see photo above).

Jesus' words at the end of the parable in our Gospel reading brought YOV to mind. As I pondered what it meant to be rich toward God, I thought about this generous couple and the generosity of many others in my life over the years. "Rich toward God" is not about the accumulation of things, as Jesus' parable makes clear. It's about generous living toward others and toward God's work.

Friends, may we live generously in a way that demonstrates we are image bearers of our God and Father who gave the most extravagant gift of all — his own Son, Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

Fr. Darin+

July 24th Weekly Word

A Big Move!

Colossians 2:6-15, (16-19)

We moved! We’re happy to be in Longwood now closer to much of the Christ Church community.

Moving is exciting. A new space, new neighbors, new restaurants and stores – not to mention, for us, less drive time which equals more opportunities to connect and do ministry in the area.

But moving can be disorienting as well. I haven’t quite missed an exit yet attempting to go back to our old house on “auto-pilot,” but I have come close. That makes sense since it takes our minds a bit to adjust to change.

Our epistle for this Sunday drives this point home on the spiritual level. Prior to our reading, Paul says in Colossians 1:13 that Christ has “delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.” Here is the most significant move one can ever make – getting relocated from the dominion of evil into Christ’s Kingdom!

Our passage for this Sunday follows up on that reality by making it clear that everything has changed because of that move. Now, in Christ, we’re in a place of resurrection life with him rather than dwelling in the death of our sinfulness. And that came when God forgave us our sins by way of the cross – where he turned the tables on the enemy and through Christ’s death defeated the spiritual forces of darkness.

The point of this passage (and much of Colossians 1-2) is that God has spiritually relocated us, and the benefits are beyond what we can fathom. Everything is new in Christ, and it’s an exciting reality.

But it’s important to remember where we live now. That might sound odd, but it’s easy to slip into a worldly way of thinking, especially as the world, by way of media, bombards us with disorienting perspectives that can distract us from where we have moved and what that move entails going forward.

Paul warns us against such distractions when he says: “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe.”

He then reminds us of our spiritual address, saying, "in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have come to fullness in him, who is the head of every ruler and authority."

Friends, our new location, our new life is in Christ and his Kingdom. May we always be grateful for that move. And may our hearts, minds and spirits ever dwell there as we joyfully invite others to join us.

Fr. Darin+

July 17th Weekly Word

A Foggy Journey

"Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers — all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together" (Colossians 1:15-17).

The view was sublime from the rock at the look out point on the mountain. Madalyn (our oldest daughter), Ginger and I had hiked a couple hours to get there. Then we just sat and took it all in. It was a foggy morning, so the valley below was obscured. But I didn't mind. The fog added a bit more adventure, mystique and its own beauty to the whole experience.

Sometimes that's how life feels, doesn't it? Whether it be navigating a new relationship or job or ministry, the unknown can be exhilarating. But we all know that not knowing can also lead to fear. After all, we can't see what's coming. We don't know what the next turn will reveal. And so anxiety can sometimes tempt us to stand still — to stay where we've always been and not venture forward.

But I believe God is always challenging us to move ahead in the midst of the fog. It's true that we don't know what's before us, but we can take comfort in the fact that God does.

Paul tells us in Colossians that through Christ all things were created, visible or invisible. So there's nothing hiding in the shadows or the fog that he's unaware of. He clearly sees it all since through him it was all made. What's more, Paul goes on to say that the very fabric of the created order is held together in Christ. That's quite a remarkable reality to consider, and one we should ponder as motivation to move forward when plagued with the fear of the unknown.

Yes, the fog is mysterious. But that's part of it's appeal — especially once we internalize the fact that Jesus is in the fog. May we follow him there.

Fr. Darin+

July 10th Weekly Word

Bearing Fruit

"You have heard of this hope before in the word of the truth, the gospel that has come to you. Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God" (Colossians 1:6).

“The kingdom of God is like this,” [Jesus] said. “A man scatters seed on the ground; he sleeps and rises—night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows—he doesn’t know how. The soil produces a crop by itself—first the blade, then the head, and then the ripe grain on the head." (Mark 4:26-29).

Another church we attended a while back had a community garden where congregants and others in the area could make use of the plots to grow vegetables and herbs. When we started at the church and found out about the opportunity, we were eager to participate and delighted to get a spot ourselves. We put some time and effort into the endeavor and had a great time doing so. Just getting our hands in the soil and cooperating with nature's means of growth felt fulfilling. And eventually we saw the fruit of our labor in the form of peppers, tomatoes, cilantro and scallions.

In his prayer for the Colossian church from our epistle reading, Paul uses the metaphor of fruit bearing to describe the way in which the gospel message of Jesus' life, death and resurrection has entered the world and is now expanding and bringing transformation in the hearts and lives of believers.

But it's important to note that the growth of God's kingdom is not something we can generate. It's God's work. The gospel message penetrates our hearts like a seed in the soil and begins to sprout up and produce fruit in a way that is a mystery as Jesus makes clear in the Gospel of Mark.

Our job as believers, as those who have received this miraculous deposit, is to cultivate it – to cooperate with the One who has by his grace planted in our souls the seed that is growing into a tree that produces much fruit

Will you allow the Great Gardener to do his work in your heart during this Green Season? The result will mean the bearing of fruit in the form of character transformation and outreach to others.

Fr. Darin+

June 26th Weekly Word

Glimpses of Glory

"As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven" (2 Kings 2:11).

Ginger took the photo above when we were on the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina a number of years ago. The trees, as you can see, were ablaze with the beauty they display when their leaves turn. Just revisiting the photos from this trip the other day created in me an inner longing.

Sometimes it's hard to articulate, but I know we've all had this experience. Maybe for you, it was the sky lit up with the pastels of sunrise or sunset. Perhaps it involved an hour on the beach at night looking up at the stars and listening to the crash of the ocean waves. Maybe it was just a moment on your porch when you sat in silence, listening to the cicadas and crickets. Whatever your times of awe in nature might entail, I think they move us because creation itself points to its maker in a way that has us miss him.

Now, I know God is always close to his people because his Spirit resides in us. But there will come a day when we will see the Lord face to face, and the glory of his presence will light up our hearts and dispel all darkness.

In our upcoming Old Testament reading, that glory broke into the world in the form of a flaming chariot and horses, sweeping Elijah into heaven as it departed. But before he was taken, he told his student, Elisha, that he would receive his request (a double portion of Elijah's spirit) if he saw him as he was taken away. It's an amazing story that gives us a glimpse into the awesome realm of God's dwelling.

But I want to suggest (as I have before) that we also have access to glimpses of glory. Scripture says that creation declares the glory of God. But like Elisha, we must be intentional about setting our gaze on it. So much in this world distracts us from the beauty that God has placed all around us – beauty that points to the glory of the Lord. And it's only when we recognize and bask in his glory that we can be filled and inspired to share the truth of it with others.

So let's be intentional about taking time to revel in it. And may the blaze of trees with turning leaves sweep us up into God's presence where we experience the overwhelming wonder of his glory.

Fr. Darin+

June 19th Weekly Word

Beyond our Boundaries

Years ago, not long after moving into our house, Ginger went out several yards past our backyard to clear out some brush in the woods. While there, she uncovered a stone Celtic cross under the scrub. She dug it up, cleaned it off, and set it up in our garden (photo above).

Reflecting on that experience recently had me thinking about the Church and its mission. Jesus called us to share the good news of his life, death and resurrection with those who don't know him — those who are beyond the boundaries of the church walls. It's an exciting mission that the Lord gave us if you think about it. We are called to participate in God's advancing kingdom all around us. There is no greater call than this because it involves matters eternal, connected to reconciliation between God and humanity and the eventual restoration of all things.

But I understand that this call can also be uncomfortable, intimidating and even messy. We have to be honest about this truth because as the Church we are in the midst of a spiritual battle where the Lord is using us to push back the darkness with his light and love. And the darkness doesn't retreat easily. We need not look further than our own hearts and habits to understand this.

But the comforting thing about this mission is that it's primarily a call of introduction and invitation. We're not the ones who extract people from their godless patterns or practices. Nor are we the ones who bring about healing. Rather we're to introduce them to the One who does the extracting and the healing. The One who has dug us up out of the scrub, cleansed us from our sin with his own blood, and is in the process of bringing inner healing in our hearts.

Along with the introduction, we're to invite them into the "garden" to experience the fellowship of others who have been dug up and cleansed too. It doesn't really matter what order we do this in: introduction then invite or invite then introduction. Either way, we serve simply as channels of God's love, which is operating in our own hearts and in our faith community.

Friends, as we enter this Green Season (also known as Ordinary Time), may God inspire us as a church to go beyond our boundaries to introduce and invite a broken world to experience the healing hand of Christ and the fellowship of his people.

Fr. Darin+

June 12th Weekly Word

Wisdom and Waters

"Does not wisdom call, and does not understanding raise her voice?... At the entrance of the portals she cries out ... 'when [the LORD] made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep, when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, then I was beside him, like a master worker; and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always, rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the human race" (from Proverbs 8).

I love storms. I'm especially enamored with those that adorn the horizon on the beach. Don't get me wrong; I don't cheer on hurricanes. As a native Floridian, I've experienced my fair share of those. But seeing a "regular" storm rolling in shore does something for me. I think it's the display of raw power and beauty in the skies and sea that generates such awe in me. But this always pushes me to consider other things ... like the one who's behind it all.

Who is this God who made this awesome world of storms and shores? Clearly this a God of power, beauty and wisdom. And it is the last of those attributes that our Old Testament lesson from Proverbs highlights.

Wisdom is personified in this passage in feminine terms as one who was with God from the beginning during the creation of the world. God brought forth all that we see through this Lady Wisdom who was there with him as a "master worker."

I love this passage because it's a reminder that in wisdom God created all the intricacies of the world. And now this Wisdom calls out to us, God's people, offering her knowledge, insight and counsel.

I don't know about you, but I so need this. Life is challenging and complicated. We can't know what the right decision is in every circumstance because we don't know all things. But the wonderful reality is that God does. He established it all from the beginning, and in Christ (who is called the wisdom of God in the New Testament) all things consist (Col 1:17). And now this God who has all wisdom and knowledge at his disposal, offers it to us through the Scriptures and the personal guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Friends, we don't have to navigate the challenges and complexities of this life alone. So call out to God. Call out for Wisdom who calls out to you. God delights to grant this request.

Fr. Darin+

June 5th Weekly Word

Under the Tree of Life

"On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations" (Revelation 22:2).

When I was in Tanzania several years ago, I saw the Baobab tree everywhere. The one in the photo above grew right in the middle of a village and was one of the more impressive in terms of the girth of its trunk. Communities in some areas form around these trees since they provide shelter, food and water for people and livestock.

Endemic to Africa, the Baobab can live 5,000 years, reach up to 100 feet high, and grow to an enormous 165 feet in circumference. During the rainy season, these trees absorb and store water in their vast trunks, allowing them to produce a nutrient-dense fruit in the dry season — thereby earning the nickname, "the tree of life."

In Revelation, John also speaks of a tree of life when he writes about his vision of the New Jerusalem,

He says its leaves are for the "healing of the nations," which points to the fact that in the new heavens and earth, people from all nations will be present, at peace and aligned in their worship of the Lord. John elsewhere in Revelation confirms this when he writes that people from "every, tribe, tongue and nation" will be worshipping before the throne of God and the Lamb.

Friends, this is what Pentecost is about — the gospel message of Jesus's life, death and resurrection going out to the ends of the earth, bringing restoration, forgiveness and healing to every ethnic group on earth.

As I mentioned in a previous Beacon, I had the privilege to participate in a Scripture celebration in Tanzania where Burunge speakers (a minority group of 30,000 people) praised God for the completion of the New Testament in their language.

The joy that emanated from that community felt like a foretaste of the day when we will be unified in our diversity — directing our praise to the One who will gather together all his children under the shade of the ultimate tree of life to experience the joy of his eternal kingdom.

May this vision unify, comfort and inspire us this Pentecost.

Fr. Darin+