Baptized for Life
An Episcopal Discipleship Initative
Reflection from BFL Catechist – Larry Ehren (Originally printed in Listening Hearts Ministries, Explorations newsletter Vol. 31 number 1) It is always a joy when new things emerge that you did not anticipate. One might call these surprise experiences synchronicity; others might refer to them as “graced moments.” Last spring, I participated in a week-long …
Mark 8:34-36 34 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the …
Mark 1:9-13 9-11 At this time, Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. The moment he came out of the water, he saw the sky split open and God’s Spirit, looking like a dove, come down on him. Along with the Spirit, a voice: “You are my Son, chosen …
There’s something in our clay nature that needs to continually experience the ancient, outer ease of the world. It helps us remember who we are and why we are here. -John O’Donohue We are entering the strange church season of considering our fragility; invited to enter the wilderness of dust and ash, our Holy Lent …
Isaiah 43:1-4 Thus says the Lord: … Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, …
Isaiah 40: 28-31 40:28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. God does not faint or grow weary; The Holy One’s understanding is unsearchable. 40:29 God gives power to the faint and strengthens the powerless. 40:30 Even youths will faint …
Isaiah 42:16 I will lead the blind by a road they do not know,by paths they have not known I will guide them.I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground.These are the things I will do, and I will not forsake them. I have a friend who is 99% blind. Everything in …
Psalm 62:5-862:5 For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from You. 62:6 God alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 62:7 On You rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God. 62:8 Trust in God at all …
By Rodney Dean – BFL Spiritual Director/Catechist Summer slowly ripens into August…when crepe myrtles are still blooming, not as they were… yet still lovely with the variety of colors…white, lavender, magenta. Pampas grasses are in their moment of glory with iridescent pink and cream colors. The sun shows up later and says goodnight sooner as …
By Rodney Dean, BFL Spiritual Director/Catechist–– Summer is moving into middle age and beyond. This season of special outdoor experiences matures just like we do. Yet this summer is aging differently. There is a weariness that is part of this summer, this season, this pandemic. Freedom from the normal schedules looks different too. What is …
by BFL Spiritual Director/Catechist: Rodney Dean –– A serious thunderstorm gives way to a beautiful summer rain. Walking barefoot in the wet grass, the warm rain falling, I roll the garbage can out for the weekly visit from those amongst us who take care of what we no longer want or need. A resident bunny …
By BFL Spiritual Director, Kathy Staudt – Something I have heard said often in church circles – and by people I admire – including Verna Dozier and our Bishop Michael Curry – is this phrase: “We have to follow Jesus, not worship him.” The source of this quote is a sermon from the 1920’s by Harry …
