Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Stopping to ask directions ...

...because

if I veer to the right I see a Mormon talk show host lining up with a TV preacher to give me times, dates and a political program for the the end of the world,

and if I veer to the left I get a lesbian Episcopalian seminary dean extolling abortion not as a mere choice, but as an affirmative good and quasi-sacrament.

Jesus, you said that the road of truth that leads to real life will be hard to find and tough to travel. There are so many loud, confident voices that want to lure me this way or that into smooth, slick paths toward deception and destruction.

Jesus, come speak to me on this journey. Hit me with the right questions if I am pondering distractions. Be harsh if you must to cut through my foolish thoughts. Open my heart to your inspiration and my mind to your truth. And of your great compassion do this for all who try your path, even with the most tentative steps.

Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day
is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and
awaken hope, that we may know thee as thou art revealed in
Scripture and the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake
of thy love. Amen.
A Collect for the Presence of Christ, Evening Prayer, The Book of Common Prayer

h/ts: retweet @anglicansaints, Matt Kennedy at Stand Firm, Christopher Johnson at The MCJ

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Fr. Tim,

Amen. Amen. AMEN!!!

Michael Shaw +

TLF+ said...

Yikes, Michael Shaw+ - you had a doubled comment showing. I deleted one and now both are gone! So sorry, but thanks for the Amens! from Asbury. The Lord bless your labors.

Jill said...

Hmm . . . on one hand you have some media personality who at worst isn't exactly orthodox in his theology (but does he need to be as he doesn't claim to be a preacher?) and at best isn't always fair and balanced. On the other hand you have . . someone (or something), who along with it's minions, advocates the murder of innocent children and calls it a blessing. (Yes, I believe the womyn to be demon-possesed.)

Of course the safest and sanest thing to do is turn off the tube, the radio, the computer -- shut it all down and read the Word.

TLF+ said...

Hi, Jill, I wouldn't put Beck on the one extreme if it were just his political arguments - the problem is him lining up with Hagee and the end-timers.

Mormonism and dispensational whateverism are not orthodox Christian faith. One day, of course, an end times announcement will be right - we say so in the Creed! But every end times announcement in history,to this point, has been false and has discredited the church's witness for many people.

Ragsdale is horrible - what's more horrible is that most pew potatoes don't care about that kind of evil in their church.

Right on about tuning out the other stuff and staying in God's word!

Jill said...

Oh, didn't realize he was lining up with Hagee now. (I don't watch him religiously. ;o

Thanks again, Fr. Tim, for sharing your thoughts and views here. You're a blessing even outside of your parish!