Category: Personal

hard to say …

Do you practice religion?

So the problem is … How does one define “religion”?

I am not part of an institution that is considered “religious”. I go not no church, either do I consider myself part of a denomitation. There is no collective answer for an individual problem. My sin, my problem!

Institution, no matter how holy and other-worldly, can answer for me. Yes, community is nice. But in the end I stand alone before God. Or, another way to put it, change for me comes from inside, never from outside.

I do, however, think of myself as standing within a tradition of spirituality. For me that is the Book of Common Prayer. But that is not the answer – it is simply a way to shape my life. It describes my life but does not define it.

The only answer to the problem of my darkness is the Light of Jesus. No one else can take the steps that I need to make. No one else can take responsibility for me. No one else can make the “act of faith” for me. Faith in Jesus is a resolution rather than a conclusion.

So do I practice a religion?

RESTORATION DAY, 29 May

Almighty God, who art a strong tower of defence unto thy servants against the face of their enemies; We yield thee praise and thanksgiving for the wonderful deliverance of these Kingdoms from The Great Rebellion, and all the miseries and oppressions consequent thereupon, under which they had so long groaned. We acknowledge it thy goodness that we were not delivered over as a prey unto them; beseeching thee still to continue such thy mercies towards us, that all the world may know that thou art our Saviour and mighty Deliverer; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O LORD God of our salvation, who hath been exceedingly gracious unto this land, and by thy miraculous providence hath delivered us out of our late miserable conditions, by restoring to us our dread Sovereign Lord, thy servant, King CHARLES; We are now here before thee with all due thankfulness to acknowledge thine unspeakable goodness this day shewed unto us, and to offer up our sacrifice of praise unto thy glorious Name; humbly beseeching thee to accept this our unfeigned though unworthy oblation of our selves; vowing all holy obedience in thought, word, and work unto thy divine Majesty; and promising in thee and for thee all loyal and dutiful allegience to thine Annointed servant, and to his heirs after him: whom we beseech thee to bless with all encrease of grace, honor, and happiness in this world, and to crown with immortality and glory in the world to come; for Jesus Christ his sake, our only Lord and Savior. Amen.