I’m going to use editors privilege to encourage all (myself included) to show a little more charity at this time please. I think we all know what the Eastern dioceses are going to do over the next month or two, and emotions may run justifiably high. Please remember to address the actions, and not the people. The latter are in Gods hands and not for us to sit in judgment upon.
At the end of the day, we’re all accountable for what we write. ‘A soft answer turns aside wrath’, and it’s possible to do that without compromising on the truth. Where possible, please live at peace with one another, whether on the net or in real life.
Thank you!
Here’s something I read today that got me thinking:
“PRAYING HYDE”-Author Unknown. Mr. Hyde had a wonderful experience towhich he owed, I believe, his power with God, and therefore with man. He used to speak of it as one of the most direct and solemn lessons God ever taught him. He was up in the hills resting for a short time. He had been burdened about the spiritual conditions of a certain pastor, and he resolved to spend time in definite intercession for him. Entering into his “inner chamber” he began pouring out his heart to his Heavenly Father concerning that brother somewhat as follows: — “O God! Thou knowest that my brother now is” — (“cold” he was going to say) when suddenly a hand seemed to be laid on his lips, and a voice said to him in stern reproach, “He that toucheth him, toucheth the apple of mine eye.” A great horror came over him. He had been guilty before God of “accusing the brethren”. [Rom 2:15] He felt rebuked and humbled before God. It was he himself who first needed putting right. He confessed this sin. (He claimed the precious blood of Christ that cleanseth from all sin!) [1 John 1:7] “Whatsoever things are lovely … if there be any virtue, if there be any praise,think on ‘these things.’” [Phil 4:8] Then he cried out, “Father, show me what things are lovely and of good report in my brother’s life.” Like a flash he remembered how that brother had given up all for Christ, enduring much suffering from relations whom he had given up! He was reminded of his years of hard work, of the tact with which he managed his difficult congregation, of the many quarrels he had healed, of what a model husband he was. One thing after another rose up before him and so all his prayer season was spent in praise for his brother instead of in prayer. He could not recall a single petition, nothing but thanksgiving! God was opening his servant’s eyes to the highest of ministries, that of praise. Mark the result also on that brother’s life: When Mr. Hyde went down to the plains, he found that just then the brother had received a great spiritual uplift. While he was praising, God was blessing. A wonderful Divine Law, the law of a Father’s love. While we bless God for any child of His, He delights to bless that one! This was the secret of John Hyde`s power with God. He saw the good in God’s little ones, and so was able to appreciate God’s work of grace in that heart. Hence he supplied the heavenly atmosphere of praise in which God’s love was free to work in all its fullness.
Thanks for this reminder. Christian charity is often neglected when (we think) we are fighting for truth.
I sincerely hope what you have said can be shared over in virtueonline.org. Although I really appreciate their editors’ first hand up-to-date Anglican news, I have always felt uncomfortable with their newsletter’s polemics, especially its sardonic and contemptuous tone of voice.
May God have mercy upon us.
Peter – thank you for the reminder. I have deliberately kept away from commenting on the blogs because I have found it very hard not to be angry when I see the persecution of Godly Priests taking place in a once vibrant Church. We know that God is realigning the Anglican Communion, the old feudal system has to go and a new organisation arise in keeping with His will. The Anglican Church of Canada is neither Catholic or Protestant and now it is all falling apart. It lacks the central authority of the Catholic Church but keeps its organisation Catholic, but the Parishes have to pay for everything but have no ownership over anything. A non-geographical Province is exactly what is needed at this time for the work of God to proceed. The process is very hard to take but we must stand firm until it is finished.
thank you, I was going to delete this website from my favourites as the nasty comments, particularly about clergy in the ACoC, were very upsetting. They should know we are Christians by our love. All will be sorted in God’s time.
Well, I find the actions of some of those clergy pretty upsetting, myself. There is no place for personal attack, but criticizing a person’s actions is fair game.
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Carol,
I am pleased to read that you will continue to follow this BLOG. The information posted here is unique and valuable.
As someone who has been the target of nasty attacks by several “ministers”, I also look forward to civil discourse.
Personal growth blossoms in an environment of free flowing ideas. Faith is solidified by patient testing. Churches grow when planted firmly in the Gospel.
My invitation, as always, is “let’s debate”.
Peace,
Jim
Prayer is never a bad thing, it doesn’t condone the action, but does seek to uplift the person.
There’s going to be a lot of angst in the next little while. Let’s bring it to God in prayer – He’s still able to do so much more than we can ask or imagine.
Blessings,
Peter