Let us be clothed with Christ: for the Rosebud, Day 30

If your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery. Psalm 119:92

From the celebration of Bishop Hare's 15th anniversary as Missionary Bishop of South Dakota:

In the evening, before the guests began to assemble for the public reception, a very happy episode occurred, of which Bishop Hare was the central figure, and the recipient of a very elegant set of Episcopal robes. Rev. J. H. Babcock, of Mitchell, made the presentation speech, as follows:--
Rev. Father in God: This presentation of a Bishop's Robes is the first that has occurred in the history of our youthful diocese. We who have the privilege of making it wish that it may be regarded as an expression both of our gratitude to Almighty God, the giver of all good gifts, and also of our love and respect for our fellow-man who has been placed over us in the Lord. The gift itself is small; but to us it implies much. It means, first of all, that we can, as we ought to be, thankful that during these fifteen years we have had a leader who is fearless and prudent in conducting our Christian warfare; an overseer of the vineyard who is himself a diligent laborer; a preacher of the gospel who, rightly dividing the word of truth, boldly declares the whole counsel of God; a father, who, by precept and example, promotes peace and good works among the members of the household. It means, also, that we duly honor the diligence and fidelity, and thoughtfulness and perseverance with which the weighty duties of your solemn office have been performed, and appreciate the loving kindness and sympathy that have gone out from the heart of our Chief Pastor to the people of his flock. We are glad, also, to express hereby our unfeigned pleasure at being able honestly and sincerely to congratulate all Christian people in South Dakota upon the abundant blessing that has been bestowed upon this field while it has been under your spiritual charge. In the increase of true religion that has followed the increased teachings of the Gospel of Christ in His kingdom, we find good reason to thank God and take courage.

Moreover, we think that we ought to feel encouraged, not only by the success that has crowned our honest endeavors, but also by the trials and hindrances and opposition that we have been called to meet; for these have put us on our mettle, as well as made us show what kind of men we are. Especially may we be thankful concerning the charges and attacks lately made upon your character--which charges, though made against yourself alone, yet, of course, affect us all; for we are members one of another, and if any member suffer, all the members suffer with it. Even for these accusations we may be thankful, because they have been the means of revealing a noble character, and of calling forth a general expression of love and admiration--love of the man, admiration of the Bishop; love for his gentleness, charity and impartiality; admiration of ins patience, firmness and conscientious discharge of duty. Out of a great evil has resulted one great good--it has shown to us all the gratifying fact that there can exist a union of true love and strict justice, even in the soul of one of our fellows. It has drawn out many expressions like that which appeared in one of the papers of our own See City: "Nothing whatever can shake the firm belief of the people of Dakota in the integrity and purity of Bishop Hare."

The old robes put on at your consecration have worn well; doubtless they have performed their part better than any of us have ours; at last they have yielded to the wear and tear that befall all things that accompany a Bishop in his travels. May these new ones do as good service--only may they not last so long. Rather, may they be used so constantly that they will soon have to be replaced. May your long and happy life of continuous diligence and usefulness require many similar presentations at the returns of this joyous anniversary. And may the wasting of these, our present garments, that perish so quickly in the using, cause us all so faithfully to fulfill our trusts, that one day the Great Bishop and Shepherd of our souls may clothe us in the imperishable robes of His righteousness.

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Holy Scripture
For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26-28

Jesus, thank you for clothing us with you. Help us walk in unity, especially in your paths on the Rosebud Reservation. Let your new life displace the forces of suicide. We pray in your Name. Amen.

My former bishop (Los Angeles) says full speed ahead on Same-Sex Blessings, Homosexual Clergy, you name it.

From a lesbian advocacy site:

“I can only say that inclusion is a reality in our diocese and will continue to be. For people who think that this is going to lead us to disenfranchise any gay or lesbian person, they are sadly mistaken.”
The Rt. Reverend J. Jon Bruno, Bishop of Los Angeles*

Well, at least somebody's being honest.

*Trying to fact check. The quote first shows up here.

Friends, false shepherds are guiding our souls toward death

Here's what the Archbishop of Canterbury said at today's end of his Lambeth Conference:

And that’s why the pleas for continuing moratoria regarding certain new policies and practices have been uttered.

These "moratoria" include stopping same-sex "marriages" or blessings.

Here's what the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church said in response:

We have prayed, cried, learned, and laughed together, and discovered something deeper about the body of Christ...At the same time patience is being urged from many quarters, that all may more fully know the leading of the Spirit.

She never mentions same-sex blessings specifically, despite that practice being a significant focus of the the Lambeth discussions.

And here is the reality on the ground:

Rebecca Anne Binder, the daughter of Dr. Martha Connell and Dr. Jack Binder of Scarsdale, N.Y., was married on Saturday to Amanda Elizabeth Laws, the daughter of Oneida Méndez-Laws and the Rev. Thomas Laws of Montclair, N.J. Ms. Binder’s father, who was authorized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, officiated at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Charlestown, Mass., where Ms. Laws’s father, an Episcopal priest, participated in a blessing ceremony.

So we have

• Empty "leadership" at the Anglican Communion level, with the Archbishop of Canterbury "pleading" for some restraint;
• Word tricks and deception from the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church
• The homosexual activists using the church whenever, however and for whatever they want.

These men are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead. They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever. Jude 1:12-13

Sunday Intentions - For the Rosebud, Day 29

In the Prayers of the People or altar intentions, please pray

• For the blood of Christ to close the destroyer's paths of affliction, poverty, frustration and suicide on the Rosebud Reservation.
• For the blood of Christ to open good paths for His word and joy to reach the people of the Rosebud.
• For all intercessors and for all Christians on the Rosebud: for unity and for the whole armor of God.

If your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery. Psalm 119:92

Prayer and Fasting for the Rosebud - Day 28

Self-examination in preparation for Holy Communion

Emissaries of evil had reached the Indians long before the Missionaries of the Cross appeared. "All the white men that came before you," replied a chief, "said that they had come to do us good, but they stole our goods and corrupted our women; and how are we to know that you are different?"
WILLIAM HOBART HARE, MISSIONARY BISHOP OF SOUTH DAKOTA, 1888

• Jesus, show me how I misrepresent or discredited you...
• Jesus, I confess these sins and I make it my purpose to walk in your way.
• Jesus, I thank you for your blood shed to wash away my sins.

If your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery. Psalm 119:92