Are you ready to be calm?

When our autisitc kid gets agitated, one of the redirecting phrases we use is, "Are you ready to be calm?" Usually helps call him back to composure.

The Psalm assigned for this morning in the Book of Common Prayer is one of the better "redirection" passages in the Bible. In fact, "It's a Psalm 37 day" became code among some of the men in a prayer group at my last church.

Check it out if you're upset by the headlines, the other driver, the Twins, who- or whatever:


Psalm 37:1-18


1 Do not fret yourself because of evildoers; *
do not be jealous of those who do wrong.

2 For they shall soon wither like the grass, *
and like the green grass fade away.

3 Put your trust in the LORD and do good; *
dwell in the land and feed on its riches.

4 Take delight in the LORD, *
and he shall give you your heart's desire.

5 Commit your way to the LORD and put your trust in him, *
and he will bring it to pass.

6 He will make your righteousness as clear as the light *
and your just dealing as the noonday.

7 Be still before the LORD *
and wait patiently for him.

8 Do not fret yourself over the one who prospers, *
the one who succeeds in evil schemes.

9 Refrain from anger, leave rage alone; *
do not fret yourself; it leads only to evil.

10 For evildoers shall be cut off, *
but those who wait upon the LORD shall possess the land.

11 In a little while the wicked shall be no more; *
you shall search out their place, but they will not be there.

12 But the lowly shall possess the land; *
they will delight in abundance of peace.

13 The wicked plot against the righteous *
and gnash at them with their teeth.

14 The Lord laughs at the wicked, *
because he sees that their day will come.

15 The wicked draw their sword and bend their bow
to strike down the poor and needy, *
to slaughter those who are upright in their ways.

16 Their sword shall go through their own heart, *
and their bow shall be broken.

17 The little that the righteous has *
is better than great riches of the wicked.

18 For the power of the wicked shall be broken, *
but the LORD upholds the righteous.

The church must be out of step with the world

"Brothers and sisters, we ought not to think it strange when there is talk of a persecuted church. Many are scandalized and say that we are exaggerating, that there is no persecuted church. But this is the historical role of the church! It always should be persecuted. A doctrine which goes against immorality, that preaches against abuses, that always preaches good and attacks evil, is a doctrine given by Christ to sanctify hearts, redeem societies. And, naturally, when in this society or in this heart, there is sin, there is selfishness, there is corruption of power, there is envy, there is avarice, well, then, sin jumps up like a serpent when we try to stomp on it, and persecutes the one who tries to pursue evil, sin. For this reason, when the church is persecuted, it is a sign that it is carrying out its mission." Archbishop Oscar Romero, November 25, 1977

"While (God) can love us, He doesn't necessarily agree with all that we do. I know that He certainly doesn't agree with everything that I've done. But when I become aware of when I've fallen into sin, then I, through his grace, repent of that and seek his forgiveness. But blessing individuals who are living a lifestyle that would appear to be outside the bounds of what God has revealed through Holy Scripture, then I think we deny them the opportunity to repent and to seek God's forgiveness.

This is often talked about as a justice issue, and it is! But, for me, I think we do people a great injustice when we encourage them by saying it's OK to do something that I believe God has said, "It's not OK." So it's not a matter of hatred. It's just the opposite of that. It's a matter of love and care and concern for fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, who have been lead to believe that their lifestyle is OK when, at least up until now the Church has said it's not, and God through Holy Scripture has said it's not. And, so, I guess that's all I have to say at this point." Bishop William Love, July 15, 2009

h/t cmsigler

Forget the sex, there's no money!

The Living Church Foundation | Austerity Budget ‘Reflects Scarcity’

GREAT COVERAGE BY STEVE WARING, AS MENTIONED IN THE ANGLICAN TV COMMENTARY.

BADLY DECLINING DONATIONS FROM THE DIOCESES (STATES/REGIONS) UP TO THE NATIONAL BUREAUCRACY; BUT MASSIVE INCREASES IN NATIONAL SPENDING ON LAWSUITS AND OTHER ATTACKS ON TRADITIONAL CHRISTIANS.

Anglican TV - Coverage from Episcopal Convention

George Conger knows the faith and adds some good color commentary.

SOUTH DAKOTA STATE U. LEADS FIGHT AGAINST WHEAT RUST (Never heard of it? Read on...)

A danger to the dinner table argusleader.com Argus Leader

IN 1953, IT WIPED OUT 35% OF SD'S WHEAT CROP. IT PLAYS IN SCENARIOS OF GLOBAL FAMINE AND CHAOS.