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July 2006
Now
faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction
of things
not seen.
(Hebrews 11:1 NRSV)
Dear All Saints’
Family,
Do you remember
the song by Bobby McFerrin that was so popular a few years ago? The
first verse included
In every life we have some trouble
But when you worry you make it Double
Don't Worry - Be Happy
McFerrin wrote
this lighthearted melody at a time of great uncertainty and for many it
was a reminder that we run the risk of being worn down with anxiety.
McFerrin’s answer for life’s troubles seemed to be just to ignore them,
treat them like they aren’t there. God has a better answer, it is the
promise that he will always be there to answer prayers of those who put
their faith in him.
I am writing this
article in the midst of many uncertainties. On a person note, Julia's
wedding hasn’t happened yet, (though it will be over by the time you get
this), our newest grandchild has not been born, (he/she is due
mid-July), I don’t know the status of my sabbatical grant, (we will find
out in October) and we haven't made plans for vacation. There are
uncertainties in the church too. General Convention is underway and we
do not know how it will respond to the Windsor Report, (again, we will
know by the time you receive this), what our status is in the Anglican
Communion, (This will take time to work out) and on a more local level,
what kinds of cuts do we have to make to balance our budget at All
Saints’. All of these events are potentially life changing, yet I/we are
called to live each day with the assurance that God is working His
purposes out, and we are called to live by faith and not by sight.
Sometimes it is
hard to be optimistic in light of all of life’s uncertainties. Doubt,
fear, and anxiety always seem to knock at the door during such times,
but we must remain faithful. The writer of Hebrews defines faith as “the
assurance of things hoped for, the conviction things not seen.” My
definition of faith is to look forward with the same assurance of God’s
grace as I do when I look at the past and see His comfort, protection,
guidance and providence throughout my life. I cannot think of a time
when the Lord has not been present and either guided, provided or gotten
me out of trouble. God indeed has been faithful even when I was not.
Often I didn’t see or even perceive the Lord’s presence in tough
situations until after they were over. These experiences have helped my
to grow in faith, and they are the reason I am optimistic in light of
all the uncertainties that we face.
Will General
convention choose to walk away from the Anglican Communion and what will
be our response? What will we need to do to balance our budget? Cut
services, programs, ministries and staff? What will our lives look like
next year, in five years, ten? Yes, life is full of uncertainties, abut
the Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever. Whatever the future
holds let us continue to live our lives everyday in the Lord’s service,
and to his glory. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than
all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all
generations, for ever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians
3: 20-21 NIV)
In Christ,
Fr. David+
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