Dear Diocesan family,  

WHITE HOT FAITH

Canon Jim Hobby prayed such a radical prayer on our recent clergy day. Referring to Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego facing the furnace to which obedience in Babylon took them, Jim prayed, "Lord, would you give us that white hot faith that, without calculation and without hesitation, we would be bound and thrown into the furnace rather than displease You?"

My friends know that this Bible story is close to my heart. In my experience, there is always a 'furnace' aspect to obedience, a fire to be faced, but with joy waiting on the other side of the scary furnace door. Too often I am tempted to shrink from the door of obedience and so miss the celebration with Jesus on the other side.

We have had some 'vigorous fellowship' (euphemistic for heated conversations!) as our family has gathered this summer... about what makes people willing to follow Jesus "without calculation and without hesitation". I suppose some calculation is appropriate in the sense that Jesus told us to "count the cost" of following Him before we commit to it. (Luke 14:28-30) But we agree with Jim that we are hungry to see... to be... a Church that is passionate and radical, ready to follow wherever Jesus leads, whatever the cost.

So how do we get there? Increasingly the Church in the West looks just like the surrounding culture. Statistically, our lifestyles, conversations, habits, spending patterns, even our divorce rates, mirror those of our unbelieving friends. Why isn't knowing Jesus making us braver... clearer... more radically loving?

One answer seems to be that we haven't really believed what we claim to believe. We haven't deeply understood the shattering, heartbreaking love of God - for each of us. We don't take it personally - that the love expressed on the cross was just that - deep, personal, individual, forgiving love for us. We don't take the power of the empty tomb personally either. What if we were willing to take that personally - to lean on the reality of the power that raised Jesus from the dead as we go about our days? How would our lives change... how would the world change... if we cried out for a deeper vision of his love and power?

When Israel was similarly chameleon-like, reflecting the idolatrous cultures of surrounding nations instead of reflecting their God, Isaiah promised that God was waiting "to show you his love and compassion". (30:18a) "He will be gracious if you ask for help. He will surely respond to the sound of your cries."(30:19b)

What if we each cried out to God for a deeper understanding of his love and compassion?

King David is a good example of someone who got it. He had such a deep confidence in the character of God that he seemed not to hesitate in the slightest to face the giant Goliath. We can ask for that kind of confidence.

But now here's the other side of our family's vigorous fellowship: (In the Jewish context of Jesus' day, and into the present, one doesn't so much seek to resolve seemingly opposing truths as to hold them in tension!) Often we come to an understanding of God's love... to a greater vision of who he is... by simply obeying him.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego met the Lord, gloriously and profoundly, on the other side of the door obedience took them to. (Daniel 3:25)

Gideon had to be willing to drag his meager strength out of hiding and take some risks before he saw the God of Israel act in power for his people. (Judges 6:14)

When Jesus sent out his disciples on a ministry tour, they left in straightforward obedience, but came home elated! (Luke 10:17, 21)

For these saints, their vision of God's love and glory followed their obedience.

In John 4:34, Jesus says, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent me..." If the Church in the West is often listless, conflicted and bewildered, could it be that we are starving for lack of the food of obedience? Through neglect of 'taking up our cross' in practical ways, have we starved ourselves of God's intended food?

What if we each committed to asking, and then simply doing, whatever God told us to do?

Where will we find that "white hot faith" Jim spoke of? Will it be in crying out for a deeper understanding of the love and power of Jesus? Or will it be in first obeying whatever he says to us and then discovering his love and power in response? Jesus' words to the Ephesians in Revelation 2 seem to say... both! While he commends the church for their stand for the truth and their patient endurance of suffering, he charges them with losing their first love. The antidote? 'Turn back to me and do the works you did at first.' (Rev. 2:4-5)

I learned a quirky fact this summer in a passing conversation... that when Europe was gripped with the plague in the 14^th century, while multitudes were rushing out of the cities where disease was spreading, some Christians were streaming in to care for the sick in the name of Jesus. I want that same 'white hot faith' with which to meet the cost of discipleship, a faith that has deeply understood the love of Jesus and is willing to put myself at his disposal without reserve. They go together! May we 'spur each other on to love and good deeds'! (Heb. 10:24)

(PS May I commend to you the link below? My friend, Jonathan Miles, is an American Christian who years ago moved, responding to God's direction, first to Gaza, and then to Iraq and to other Muslim lands. In each place people began to seek him out to take their sick babies to Israel, where he arranged for Israeli doctors treat them at cost. His ministry is called Shevet Achim, Hebrew for the brothers 'sitting together' in Psalm 133. It is a remarkable demonstration of the Gospel and of true reconciliation. He and those who work with him do so with great love and at great cost to themselves. His reflections on the Sermon on the Mount are right on...)

http://www.prophetsstreet.org/our-community/about/sunday-letter  

Three New Deacons in the Gulf Atlantic Diocese 

Saturday, June 4, at 1:00 pm, was the ordination of two new deacons at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Tallahassee, Florida, by Bishop Neil Lebhar.  Michael Richard Boone and Irma Christa Daleen were made deacons in Christ's one, holy, catholic and apostolic church when Bishop Lebhar laid his hands on their heads and set them apart to be servants of the divine mercy of God, particularly for those in need.

The service was grand and glorious.  Each ordinand processed behind the banner of their congregation, St. Peter's, Tallahassee, for Mike; and Holy Cross, Tallahassee, for Irma.  Bishop Lebhar both preached and celebrated at this service.  The music included the Litany for Ordinations, chanted by Forrest Boone, the St. Peter's choir, trumpet and organ.  Many thanks to all who worked behind the scenes to prepare for this special time of worship, including many acolytes and vergers.  Both Anglican and non-Anglican clergy vested and processed.  A reception was held in the Parish Hall following the service, a joint effort between St. Peter's and Holy Cross.

Mike Boone, recently graduated from the Duke Divinity School, has been offered a position as the Minister for High School Students at Christ Church, Plano, where he will continue to prepare for his ordination to the priesthood.  Mike's wife, Katie, will also be working part-time and writing as she starts her MFA degree online through Seattle Pacific University this fall.  Pray for Mike and Katie as they move to Texas and begin this new chapter in their lives.

Irma Daleen, serving as a Permanent Deacon at Holy Cross Anglican Church in Tallahassee, will be working under the Bishop and her Rector, Bob Coon, particularly in the area of Pastoral Care.  Irma has many pastoral gifts, and will use them not only at Holy Cross, but in the Diocese as well.  Pray for Irma, and her husband, Paul, as her Diaconal ministry unfolds.

The deacon ordination for David Anderson "Bo" Ubbens was held at 3:00 pm, on Saturday, June 18, at St. Barnabas Anglican Church in Jacksonville, Florida.   

Bo recently graduated from Trinity School for Ministry. He is currently living in Jacksonville, FL and is attached to St. Barnabas Anglican Church while he and his wife, Lilly, who also graduated from Trinity, discern God's call for ministry. Please pray for Bo and Lilly as they decide between a church plant in Tallahassee or college ministry in Gainesville.

There are many in our diocese who are responding to a call from the Lord, and are beginning the Discernment Process for Ordained Ministry.  It is an exciting time for our church as we have the privilege of participating in what the Lord is doing.  If you would like to know more about the Ordination Process in this diocese, please go to the Gulf Atlantic Diocese website, click on the "Clergy" icon and then "Discernment Process for Ordained Ministry," which will get you to the right page.