The Darth Vader Blues (Now That's Funny)

Merry Christmas

And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins. (Matt. 1:21 NASB)

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Behold the Virgin shall be with Child, and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His Name Immanuel, which translated means, "God with us." (Matt. 1:23 NASB)

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I wish everyone a blessed Christmas. May the Mercy of God and the Love of Christ be with you this Christmas season.

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam

The Fourth Sunday of Advent

God of mystery, in Christ you created the world. In Jesus you have redeemed it. Even now you are returnng all creation to your purposes, and you have called us as your partners. But we neglect your call. We disrespect oursleves, disbelieving that you make us in your image. Disrespecting ourselves, we ignore our neighbors in need, though they also bear your likeness. Disrespecting our neighbors, we abuse the earth and its resources. We take more than we need. We clutter the creation with rubbish. God, forgive us. Renew our trust, that hoping in Christ, we may honor one another and your creation. And by doing so honor You. Amen.

Third Sunday of Advent

God of liberation, in Jesus Christ you promise release from all that binds us. In you, we find freedom from guilt and death. Nonetheless, O God, we choose imprisonment. We are captivated by false idols and selfish lifestyles. We invest in prisons of addiction and self-aggrandizement. We lock ourselves within walls of willfulness and self-centered pursuits. Forgive us, God, and free us yet again, that this Advent will welcome our full freedom, in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Second Sunday of Advent

Collect for the Second Sunday of Avent:

Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of the holy Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

- Taken from the Collect at the Morning Prayer service of St. Andrews Episcopal Church.

First Sunday of Advent

Advent is a term from the Latin word adventus which means "arrival". Advent is the new year of the Christian Church and the church season that leads to Christmas Day. It means that the Lord is coming, Jesus Christ, our brother in our humanity and our God in His divinity is about to arrive. Thanks be unto God. May God richly bless you during this Advent season.


Prayer of Confession:

"God of the future, you are coming in power to bring all nations under your rule. We confess that we have not expected your kingdom, for we live casual lives, ignoring your promised judgement. We accept lies as truth, exploit neighbors, abuse the earth, and refuse your justice and peace. In your mercy, forgive us. Grant us wisdom to welcome your way, and to seek things that will endure when Christ comes to judge the world."

Assurance of Pardon:

"Hear the good news! Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ, and Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us. Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life has gone; a new life has begun. Know that you are forgiven and be at peace. Amen."

Turning Pages: Books I'm Currently Reading or Have Recently Purchased

Below is a list of books I am currently reading or books I have on my near future reading list. As you can see, my interest is currently the issue of justification.



I also have on my reading list an article a very good friend of mine recently published in a popular philosophy of religion journal. The article is titled Weighing evils: the C.S. Lewis approach. So, as you can see, I am playing catch up on some new reading and have fallen behind due to work related studies.