Dear Lord, please give me
A few friends who understand me and remain my friends;
A work to do which has real value,
without which the world would be the poorer;
A mind unafraid to travel, even though the trail be not blazed;
An understanding heart;
A sense of humor;
Time for quiet, silent meditation;
A feeling of the presence of God;
The patience to wait for the coming of these things,
With the wisdom to recognize them when they come.
Amen.
May God continue to bless and guide you and your family in the upcoming year.
The Rev. Canon Chad Lynch
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
A Prayer for Sam Wyas' Loved Ones
God of compassion, there is such a hole in my heart! Today should be a day of joy, but I feel only emptiness and loss. While the world celebrates around me, I remember Christmas celebrations of the past and I long to have my loved one with me. I bring my sorrows to you, Lord, like some odd gift of the magi and dump them at your feet. In my blind tears I wonder if anyone can possibly understand the depth of my sadness.
I know, you can. You sent your son to be with us in our deepest sorrows and I know that even though I might not feel it now, you are here with me, grieving with me, caring for me in my sadness. Dearest lord, help me to turn to the one I miss so much today and speak. Help me heal the loss of our parting and help me not to regret the things I didn't say. Sorrow tears at my heart, but today I ask that my loss soften my heart and make me more compassionate with everyone I meet, so that my loss may become a gift to others.
We'll miss you, Sam.
5-20-89 to 12-22-09
I know, you can. You sent your son to be with us in our deepest sorrows and I know that even though I might not feel it now, you are here with me, grieving with me, caring for me in my sadness. Dearest lord, help me to turn to the one I miss so much today and speak. Help me heal the loss of our parting and help me not to regret the things I didn't say. Sorrow tears at my heart, but today I ask that my loss soften my heart and make me more compassionate with everyone I meet, so that my loss may become a gift to others.
We'll miss you, Sam.
5-20-89 to 12-22-09
Friday, December 11, 2009
The Joy of Gifts
As we celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent and prepare to light the Candle of Joy, I am reminded of an event that happened earlier this week, which, to me, symbolizes what the Advent season and Christmas are all about. My sister, Kelly, and wife, Amy, had the brilliant idea of getting family photos taken for my mother as a Christmas gift, as mom just loves pictures of her family. I thought it was a great idea, because we hadn't had a family picture taken in over fifteen years. It took some work, but we were able to get my younger brother, my old brother and his wife, my sister and her fiance and Amy and myself to the portrait studio. We also were able to get Dad to bring Mom there, without her being any the wiser. Needless to say, she was surprised!
A week later, Mom is still glowing when she speaks of her family photos. I learned that her and Dad have not had a professional photo taken together since they were married over thirty years ago, and finally understood exactly how much this gift meant to Mom. More than anything else we could have done, this simple gift touched Mom, and warmed her heart.
The best gifts come from the heart, and therefore bring the most joy. On Christmas, we'll celebrate God's gift to us, the birth of the Christ Child, a gift that has blessed, saved and changed countless lives over the centuries. When I think about this gift, it warms my heart, to think that Christ would take upon Himself human flesh, suffer the ignominy of being born and growing up, just to provide the free gift of salvation-to me, and to you.
Let us take joy, at the great love that our Heavenly Father has shown on us, as we remember this year the birth of His Son.
A week later, Mom is still glowing when she speaks of her family photos. I learned that her and Dad have not had a professional photo taken together since they were married over thirty years ago, and finally understood exactly how much this gift meant to Mom. More than anything else we could have done, this simple gift touched Mom, and warmed her heart.
The best gifts come from the heart, and therefore bring the most joy. On Christmas, we'll celebrate God's gift to us, the birth of the Christ Child, a gift that has blessed, saved and changed countless lives over the centuries. When I think about this gift, it warms my heart, to think that Christ would take upon Himself human flesh, suffer the ignominy of being born and growing up, just to provide the free gift of salvation-to me, and to you.
Let us take joy, at the great love that our Heavenly Father has shown on us, as we remember this year the birth of His Son.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Update on Sam Wyas
Sam is one of our parisioners, who is currently preparing for a double lung transplant. She was going to remain home in Port Charlotte over the holidays, and move to Gainseville January 1st in preparation for the transplant. Unfortunately, the doctors determined today that it would be best for her to remain in the hospital in Gainseville until the transplant actually takes place.
While this is discouraging news, I was greatly encouraged by the reactions of our parishioners. All of them have expressed concern for Sam and asked about her, and many have chosen to send cards. To me, a healthy church is not judged by its size, but by its heart. Healthy churches contain people that love each other, and that truly take an interest in each other's lives. I'm proud to say that, while we're are a church that is tiny in size, we are huge in heart. Truly, our people are following Jesus' Great Commandment, while they fulfill His Great Commission.
While this is discouraging news, I was greatly encouraged by the reactions of our parishioners. All of them have expressed concern for Sam and asked about her, and many have chosen to send cards. To me, a healthy church is not judged by its size, but by its heart. Healthy churches contain people that love each other, and that truly take an interest in each other's lives. I'm proud to say that, while we're are a church that is tiny in size, we are huge in heart. Truly, our people are following Jesus' Great Commandment, while they fulfill His Great Commission.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving service last night. Our room was packed, and we had several new people attend. Many agreed that the most moving portion of the service was right before Communion, when everyone shared how God had blessed them and their families this year.
I pray that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, celebrating with your family, friends and loved ones, as we thank our Great Heavenly Father for all that He has done, still does and will continue to do. I leave you will this Thanksgiving prayer by Brian F. King:
O Lord, with humble hearts we pray
Thy blessing this Thanksgiving Day
And ask that at table place,
Where grateful folk say words of grace,
That Thou will come to share the yield
Thy bounty gave to farm and field.
We pray thy love will bless, O Lord,
Each hearth, each home, each festive board;
And that Thy peace will come to stay
Where candles glow, Thanksgiving Day.
I pray that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, celebrating with your family, friends and loved ones, as we thank our Great Heavenly Father for all that He has done, still does and will continue to do. I leave you will this Thanksgiving prayer by Brian F. King:
O Lord, with humble hearts we pray
Thy blessing this Thanksgiving Day
And ask that at table place,
Where grateful folk say words of grace,
That Thou will come to share the yield
Thy bounty gave to farm and field.
We pray thy love will bless, O Lord,
Each hearth, each home, each festive board;
And that Thy peace will come to stay
Where candles glow, Thanksgiving Day.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
I Dress Like Batman, Just Better
As a priest, I regularly 'suit up' for work. Like an decent superhero, I have a special outfit, consisting of a black shirt, black pants, white collar and cross. When in uniform, no one can mistake what I am--a man of the cloth (which can be a bad thing, when I'm impatiently tailgating a slow senior citizen on the road when I'm suited up--no one likes a priest with road-rage, after all).
Some people have an issue with my clergy shirt and collar. To them, it's unnecessary at best, and nothing but arrogant pomp at worst. For some, the clergy collar symoblizes everything that is wrong with the Church.
I think that the best explanation I heard concerning the reasons why clergy where collars (and shirts) came from Archbishop McClanahan. He noted that, in our society, we have many police officers that function undercover. We need such hidden officers, as they can easily catch us at breaking the rules, since we are not expecting their presence. Archbishop McClanahan pointed out, however, that we also need police officers who visibly display their office, as the sight of a police uniform or car is enough to deter bad behavior.
We can easily extend the above analogy to special clergy attire. Sure, some ministers might prefer to 'minister undercover', not wearing a collar; I have found, however, that many people need to see that there are men and women of God among them. On one of my first visits to the local hospital as a priest, I was approached in the parking lot by a sobbing woman, who desperately needed comfort and guidance concerning a rebellious daughter. She saw my collar, and saw a source of comfort and hope. Just this week, while visiting the hospital again, another woman, seeing my collar, stopped me so that I could pray with her ailing father. On both occasions, if I had not been 'suited up', I would not have had the opportunity to minister to hurting and broken people.
In the end, our uniforms mark us, and what we do. Batman wears an outfit specfically designed to take down the isane members of Gotham City, outfitted with the latest and coolest bat-toys and gadgets (being a billionare, Bruce Wayne can afford such a fancy outfit). Superman, being Superman, just needs to wear colored tights in order to fight evil, his flimsy costume marking the fact that he is super (the big 'S'). Police officers wear uniforms with guns, tasers and handcuffs, symbolizing their role in protecting society. And me, I wear a black shirt and collar, special attire of the clergy, wear a cross, a symbol of my faith and the fact that I must die to self each and every day, and carry around a Bible, the Word of God which I use to bring comfort and healing to a world desperate for healing.
Like superheros, we members of the clergy dress special for a reason, and that reason is to stand out and be of assistance to others--nothing more, and nothing less.
Some people have an issue with my clergy shirt and collar. To them, it's unnecessary at best, and nothing but arrogant pomp at worst. For some, the clergy collar symoblizes everything that is wrong with the Church.
I think that the best explanation I heard concerning the reasons why clergy where collars (and shirts) came from Archbishop McClanahan. He noted that, in our society, we have many police officers that function undercover. We need such hidden officers, as they can easily catch us at breaking the rules, since we are not expecting their presence. Archbishop McClanahan pointed out, however, that we also need police officers who visibly display their office, as the sight of a police uniform or car is enough to deter bad behavior.
We can easily extend the above analogy to special clergy attire. Sure, some ministers might prefer to 'minister undercover', not wearing a collar; I have found, however, that many people need to see that there are men and women of God among them. On one of my first visits to the local hospital as a priest, I was approached in the parking lot by a sobbing woman, who desperately needed comfort and guidance concerning a rebellious daughter. She saw my collar, and saw a source of comfort and hope. Just this week, while visiting the hospital again, another woman, seeing my collar, stopped me so that I could pray with her ailing father. On both occasions, if I had not been 'suited up', I would not have had the opportunity to minister to hurting and broken people.
In the end, our uniforms mark us, and what we do. Batman wears an outfit specfically designed to take down the isane members of Gotham City, outfitted with the latest and coolest bat-toys and gadgets (being a billionare, Bruce Wayne can afford such a fancy outfit). Superman, being Superman, just needs to wear colored tights in order to fight evil, his flimsy costume marking the fact that he is super (the big 'S'). Police officers wear uniforms with guns, tasers and handcuffs, symbolizing their role in protecting society. And me, I wear a black shirt and collar, special attire of the clergy, wear a cross, a symbol of my faith and the fact that I must die to self each and every day, and carry around a Bible, the Word of God which I use to bring comfort and healing to a world desperate for healing.
Like superheros, we members of the clergy dress special for a reason, and that reason is to stand out and be of assistance to others--nothing more, and nothing less.
What Defines You?
The Old Testament reading that we are working with this Sunday is I Samuel 1:4-20. As I read and reread this Scripture, what stands out to me is that Hannah is a woman defined, both by herself, her opponent (Elkanah’s less favored wife, Peninnah) and Jewish society at large. Hannah’s label, or definition, was that of ‘Barren One’; her inability to conceive was a label that was cruelly applied to Hannah, and what a cutting label it was! It reminded her of what she lacked, and could not have; it reminded others that she could not provide a proper family for Elkanah. For Hannah, nothing else mattered—not her many positive qualities, not the great love that her husband had for her; all that mattered to Hannah was that she was barren. It was a label given by society, and one that she took willingly upon herself.
I wonder if we are all like Hannah, in our own way. We all have flaws, secret sins past failures, that we allow to define us, sometimes for life. We allow ourselves to be pigeonholed by what we lack, or by our greatest weaknesses; rather than seeing ourselves as God sees us, as men and women created in His image, we see a label that we often allow to be thrust upon ourselves.
We will never be happy until we are willing to let go of what defines us. Hannah needed to accept that Elkanah loved her for simply being Hannah, and did not hold her barrenness against her. She needed to accept that she was so much more than a person who could or could not conceive, and see herself as a person uniquely created by God, with unique talents, strengths and skills. We, too, need to realize this, moving out of our preconceived ideas of who we are into the fullness of who God desires us to be.
I close with some a scene from the move Rudolf the Rednose Reindeer, truly one of the most theological movies of our time. Rudolf is a misfit, and doesn’t fit in with the other reindeers; he is defined by his nose. As the movie progresses, Rudolf becomes friends with Hermey, an elf that desires to be a dentist, and who is defined by his odd career choice (odd, at least, for an elf). Rudolf also makes friends with Yukon Cornelius, a reckless adventurer who doesn’t fit in with ‘regular’ society. Over the course of their adventures, the three friends end up on the island of misfit toys. All of the toys here are defective in some way: a Charlie in the Box, instead of a Jack in the Box; an elephant with bright spots; a toy bird, which swims instead of flying; a ‘dolly for Sue’, which suffers from depression; and many others. Each toy (and character) is defined by their abnormality; in the end, however, they all rise above their labels, and Santa is able to find a home for all of the misfit toys.
We are all like misfit toys. Sure, we come with flaws, warts and defects. Certainly, we’re not perfect. In God’s eyes, however, we are something special. We are not misfits, but rather, misunderstood, being unable to see that, in God’s eyes, we are diamonds in the rough, that God can, and does, shape into perfect, scintillating jewels.
You are so much more than a mere label.
I wonder if we are all like Hannah, in our own way. We all have flaws, secret sins past failures, that we allow to define us, sometimes for life. We allow ourselves to be pigeonholed by what we lack, or by our greatest weaknesses; rather than seeing ourselves as God sees us, as men and women created in His image, we see a label that we often allow to be thrust upon ourselves.
We will never be happy until we are willing to let go of what defines us. Hannah needed to accept that Elkanah loved her for simply being Hannah, and did not hold her barrenness against her. She needed to accept that she was so much more than a person who could or could not conceive, and see herself as a person uniquely created by God, with unique talents, strengths and skills. We, too, need to realize this, moving out of our preconceived ideas of who we are into the fullness of who God desires us to be.
I close with some a scene from the move Rudolf the Rednose Reindeer, truly one of the most theological movies of our time. Rudolf is a misfit, and doesn’t fit in with the other reindeers; he is defined by his nose. As the movie progresses, Rudolf becomes friends with Hermey, an elf that desires to be a dentist, and who is defined by his odd career choice (odd, at least, for an elf). Rudolf also makes friends with Yukon Cornelius, a reckless adventurer who doesn’t fit in with ‘regular’ society. Over the course of their adventures, the three friends end up on the island of misfit toys. All of the toys here are defective in some way: a Charlie in the Box, instead of a Jack in the Box; an elephant with bright spots; a toy bird, which swims instead of flying; a ‘dolly for Sue’, which suffers from depression; and many others. Each toy (and character) is defined by their abnormality; in the end, however, they all rise above their labels, and Santa is able to find a home for all of the misfit toys.
We are all like misfit toys. Sure, we come with flaws, warts and defects. Certainly, we’re not perfect. In God’s eyes, however, we are something special. We are not misfits, but rather, misunderstood, being unable to see that, in God’s eyes, we are diamonds in the rough, that God can, and does, shape into perfect, scintillating jewels.
You are so much more than a mere label.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Autom, a church supply company, sent out this Veterans' Day prayer to all of their customers; it is certainly worth forwarding to others!
Dear Heavenly Father,
In every age, You call certain persons to defend the human family from oppression, tyranny, and evil. Since our founding as a nation "conceived in liberty," countless American men and women have stepped forward to defend our country and many others from aggressors, and to liberate those held captive.
Today we revere all our veterans: those who rest in honored glory, those who still suffer from the wounds of war, and those who, with us, enjoy the blessing of living in the land of the free and the home of the brave.
O God, thank You for the selfless sacrifice of these veterans and of their families. Help us to remember them, to pray for them, and to care for them. Please bring all our departed veterans into Your Kingdom, and console their families with Your unfailing love. Please heal our wounded veterans through the power of Your Holy Spirit, and give to all our veterans the satisfaction of having served You even as they have served us.
Thank You for Your gifts of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. May we fight to keep these rights available to all. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Let us all remember the many sacrifices that brave men and women have made, and continue to make, for our nation.
Dear Heavenly Father,
In every age, You call certain persons to defend the human family from oppression, tyranny, and evil. Since our founding as a nation "conceived in liberty," countless American men and women have stepped forward to defend our country and many others from aggressors, and to liberate those held captive.
Today we revere all our veterans: those who rest in honored glory, those who still suffer from the wounds of war, and those who, with us, enjoy the blessing of living in the land of the free and the home of the brave.
O God, thank You for the selfless sacrifice of these veterans and of their families. Help us to remember them, to pray for them, and to care for them. Please bring all our departed veterans into Your Kingdom, and console their families with Your unfailing love. Please heal our wounded veterans through the power of Your Holy Spirit, and give to all our veterans the satisfaction of having served You even as they have served us.
Thank You for Your gifts of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. May we fight to keep these rights available to all. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Let us all remember the many sacrifices that brave men and women have made, and continue to make, for our nation.
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