Sunday, August 28, 2005

Hurricane Katrina

Please pray for our CEC Church in New Orleans:

Lamb of God (mission) | Website

The Rev. Fr. Mark McNary | Email

Worship address
At: Felicity United Methodist Church
1816 Chestnut St.
New Orleans, LA 70130

Phone: 504-324-0057

Time of service is 10:00 AM Sunday

Also, pray for friend of mine, Andrew Waites who is in Hattiesburg, MS and is a Regent alumni and business associate.

Have faith,

Fr. Kevin

Thursday, August 18, 2005

Brother Roger of Taize Community Murdered in Worship

I am going to post one of the saddest stories I have seen in awhile here. Brother Roger, the 90 year old founder of the Taize Community http://www.taize.fr/ was murdered by a crazed Romanian woman during evening prayer.

When things like this happen, once we pray and entrust our emotional sorrow and concern to God, these events raise what we philosophers and theologians call "the problem of evil." David Hume, the skeptic philosopher, set the challenge as he said about God and evil: "Is He willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then He is impotent. Is He able, but not willing? Then He is malevolent. Is He both able and willing? Whence then is evil?"

When we are challenged by this kind of thinking, first of all remember that we as Christians present the faith presuppositionally. That is, we ask "What are the presuppositions that this person who is challenging God holds?" Then, also realize that everyone has a worldview, and as you discuss things with others, DO NOT EVER ALLOW THEM TO USE OUR CHRISTIAN INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL AGAINST US. Example: A person who says they do not believe in God turns around and says something (like the crusades) is evil or wrong. Ask them, on what basis to they claim that something is good or evil? In our Christian worldview, we can explain good and evil. But, in your evolutionary atheism, is there good and evil; morality? In the evolutionary scheme, if a stronger fitter man rapes your wife and kills your children and takes everything from you, that is just survival of the fittest--not good or evil. Challenge people to be consistent with their own presuppositions.

Back to the "problem" of evil. Dr. Greg Bahnsen, whom I studied philosophy under, provides a great answer to the problem. I encourage everyone to read it, and post back your thoughts.

http://www.cmfnow.com/articles/pa105.htm

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

On Reaching Out--Our Apostolate

The Church has often referred to the work of being sent out into the world by Jesus Christ as our apostolic work--sent ones going forth. Each one of us are sent ones according to the Great Commission Matthew. 28 and Acts 1:1-8. In a spirit of sincerity, love, and deep personal conviction we go forth into the world as individuals and as the Church to make others aware of the love and truth of God in Christ.

The four means of our apostolate are:

1. Speech
2. Action
3. Prayer
4. Example.

How can our church make others aware of the blessings God has given us in order to share them with a searching and hungry world?

Kinship Picnic Week

This week, all of our kinships are having a cookout as the summer seasons ends. I just wanted to say Tuesday night's Clarence cookout was a blessing! It was great time of fellowship, and our ladies can really cook! The desserts were out of this world--heavenly. Better than any restaurant are St. Patrick's potlucks and cookouts! Looking forward to Thursday night's Batavia picnic and our annual church picnic August 28.

Fr. Kevin

Monday, August 15, 2005

Welcome

This is a place in God's space to share from the heart and mind the things God is doing in and through St. Patrick's Charismatic Episcopal Church. We are a multi-campus church with locations in Amherst and Batavia, NY. We worship at the Park Scool Theatre, 4625 Harlem Rd. In Amherst between Main and Sheridan at 10:00 a.m. Sunday. See you! Our website is www.stpatrickscec.org