I apologize for recycling yet again. We had our annual rummage sale this last week, and Wednesday I'm jetting off to Atlanta for our provincial synod, so things are a bit hectic. Please say a prayer for me, my senior warden, all those who must travel in the coming week, and that the synod would glorify God. 

Blessings,

Fr. Ian

So sorry I forgot to upload the podcast yesterday! Tomorrow is our big parish rummage sale, so it's been a bit crazy.

In this morning's second lesson St. Paul boasts in his folly, and all that has happened to him. Not that these trails are things to brag about, but it is a hope to show how God has used these trials to spread the gospel. 

We may face trial and hardship for the sake of the gospel, but take heart - God will use these trials to his glory. 

Let us boast only in his strength that even in our meakness we may continue to grow and flourish. It is in Christ that we grow, not by our strength but by his. So take heart when hard times come knocking at your door, persevere until even these come to pass and we rest joyfully in the glory of God. 

The past few weeks we have been trudging through II Corinthians which can be hard on the reader. St. Paul is so very frustrated with the Corinthian Christians. They have lost sight of their true love - Jesus Christ. They added and subtracted from the demands of the Gospel. Do we do this in our own lives? 

We want to make things more elaborate than necessary add requirements on top of requirements or subtract those things we don't like to make a light burden lighter. 

This melding of the gospel to our will is not our call; Christ says come unto me all ye who are heavy laden. So we come day after day, come with open hearts to know our Lord and king. It is simple, it is not Christ plus something else, nor is it anything less than striving daily, by the grace we find in Christ, to know God wholly.