Easter 2013

Alleulia, Christ is Risen!!! The Lord is Risen indeed, alleluia!! Don’t you just love being able to shout this out during this Easter Season!! As I write this, I am fully aware of how many of our brothers and sisters in Christ cannot shout this out with their tongues but in their hearts they do indeed shout it out! And indeed, there are millions more that do not know Jesus the Christ and what he has done for them! We had a fantastic SAMS retreat at Ridgecrest during Easter Week (that’s the week that comes right after Easter in case you didn’t know). The Reverend Gary Hoag was our retreat leader talking about the difference between the “Economy of God” and the “Economy of the World.” So, it begs the question: Which economy do you live in? Tough question, is it not? Years ago when I was fresh out of seminary and Bishop Temple came on his first visitation to St. Christopher’s in Sumter, SC. He said, “If you want to know where your heart is, look at your check book!” It was one of those illustrations that you don’t forget. At least, I have never forgotten it. You put your money where your heart is. Back to Gary. He is a New Testament scholar and co-author of “The Sower,” a book about “Redefining the Ministry of Raising Kingdom Resources.” Do yourself a favor and go and get a copy. One of the many things that he said that made an impression on me at the retreat was when he was referring to Paul’s letter to the Galatians concerning the fruit of the Spirit. He said that where some translations say “goodness,” a better rendition of the Greek word is “generosity.” So, it would read like this: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 6.22-23) It’s the difference in being a good person and a generous person. I am well aware that some of us have the gift of giving which makes it easier to be generous than those who have different giftings. However, when you see that “generosity” is part of the fruit of the Spirit, then it means that all who confess Jesus Christ is to have this characteristic. That is awesome!!! We should expect our brothers and sisters in Christ to be generous people or at least moving in that direction. It’s a process of growing and maturing in the faith. I’m not talking about being irresponsible, but I am referring to the fact that we are to be generous in all aspects of our lives. What an insight to ponder! As you read this letter, you are being generous toward us in the fact that you are interested (since you have not told me not to send our newsletters to you) in what we are doing and we thank you for that act of generosity. And then there was the New Wineskins Conference! Glory Halleluiah!!! Abney was able to join us for the conference. She was able to spend some time with her friends through the Re-Mix portion that they had for the teen-agers and early 20’s. It’s gotten to be a great big reunion of the family of our Lord Jesus Christ. Just a little bit of Heaven on this side of the grave. Friends that you haven’t seen in years from all over the world show up for 3 and a half days. You get to spend time together in worship, for meals & workshops, at the various exhibits for the varied ministries throughout the world and just free time (which was not much). Each day began with the Holy Eucharist with different clergy from around the world celebrating and preaching followed by breakfast. Each general session began with worship, general remarks, testimonies, bible study/reflection and the speaker. Just a great time of the Church gathered! We really enjoyed Bishop Ken Clarke from Ireland and the morning devotions that he did. Especially on Saturday morning when the scripture was from Mark 10.46-52 dealing with Bartimaeus, the blind man, on the road to Jericho. He referred to the Church as the blind man. Think about it. How many things the Church does not see!!.... unless Jesus opens her eyes to see. All the speakers were good, but the session with Rev’s Fouad Masri speaking on reaching the Muslims in North America was the best for us. I (Joe) wanted to sign up and go on one of his short term mission trips to Lebanon straight away. And then there were the workshops! Too many to go to, but enough variety for everyone. We decided to go to one led by someone who ministers in a Muslim country. He talked about the stars and altars in the scriptures. He talked about trying to find the “thumb print” of God on a person and their culture. It reminded me of Don Richardson’s book, “Eternity in Their Hearts.” One of the first books I read when we arrived in Louisiana 27 years ago. Then we went to a workshop on “Human Trafficking” with Summer Benton and The Rev’d Brian McVey. Summer shared what she was doing in Cambodia with helping to get the young women off the streets. Fr. Brian was sharing what they were doing in Davenport, Iowa to minister to those passing through at the truck stops. We could not believe the number of people who were being trafficked just through that one portal in the US. Modern day slave trade and it is big business!!! The sad news in this is that over 50% of Christian men help to support this business through the pornography industry. And what is more amazing is that a large percentage of women also support this industry. This industry affects the lives of children, women and men. Unlike the drug & arms trade, humans can be used over and over again. And so, we see the significance of the Easter Event in all of this. New Life!! New Beginnings!! Freedom!! “Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28.18-20 We are now back at St. Mary’s where we are planning for the next school year, the VBS/Retreat coming in June and our teaching mission in Brisbane, Australia in July. Speaking of which, we still need help with the VBS/Retreat for the 160 students at St. Mary’s. We need $15.00 per student (which includes a T-shirt, snacks, and supplies) and $2,000.00 for the service project. The Retreat is on the 7 & 8th of June and the VBS is on the 10th and 11th. Please keep us in your prayers for the VBS/Retreat. We also need some financial help with our WIN-GS Mission to Brisbane and Sydney, Australia in July for air fares to/from Australia and within Australia. ($6,000.00) We will be teaching on the importance of Missions to those clergy who have graduated from St. Francis Theological College in the last 2 to 3 years, to the congregation of North Lakes Anglican Church, where our son-in-law is the priest, to his deanery; and to the Youth With A Mission – Island Breeze base in Sydney where our daughter, Stacey, and her family live. We also have a young musician from here at St. Mary’s that is part of our team that will be going to Australia and he needs help in getting there. He will be attending a conference at Hillsong in Sydney to receive some training concerning worship while we are at the Youth With A Mission – Island Breeze base. St. Mary’s Church is going to pay for his conference fees which is awesome! It’s exciting to see them sowing into Kingdom Work. The first seeds have been sown, help sow more seeds for Jose. He will need around $5,000.00 to be able to join us in Australia. Well, I don’t need to tell you that there are a lot of needs around the world. Some very close to you. All we ask is that you go before the throne of Grace and ask our Father what you are to do. This we do know: You are to Sow Seeds for the extension of the Kingdom of God!!! Where you sow is between you and the Lord. So, go before the Lord and get ready to Sow; and Sow generously. 2 Corinthians 9.6-12 If you are to help financially with any of the above, please let me know. Be Blessed to be a Blessing, Fr. Joe & Tina