The New Bishop

People are an amazing breed to say the very least. I suppose in all my years of working with them I should not be surprised by anything they do. But I always am and today I must say I am somewhat ashamed of some of them. I have been keeping up with the "Episcopal Convention" highlights simply out of curiosity and I admit that. Curious to see what the stand would be on the homosexual bishop issue.

When I read today that they had elected ( and I might say by a slim margin)a female to be the new US Episcopal Church Bishop I was totally speechless. Didn't we just hear last month and over again that the Church of England refused to recognize a female in the pulpit? Did I miss something? Even more appalling was to get on the web and read what the new ( in November) Bishop had to say about homosexuals. And I quote.."I believe God creates each of us with different gifts. ...Some people come into this world with affections directed at people of the same gender." She goes on to explain how the bible does not apply to some things today...and the great message is how to treat other people...the "great message from Jesus"...What?? Who said that? Jesus? Oh No.. Homosexual are not born they choose that lifestyle. PERIOD!

Excuse me your, Bishopness while I look back at my bible for something to base that on. Let's look at ICorinthians 6:9; and you do that in any translation you like and it all says the same..."Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind...: Mr. Webster defines effeminate as: "lacking in manly qualities: womanish" The New King James Version puts in very plainly ...nor adulterers; nor homosexuals; nor sodomites..." Two different translations from the Greek words:"malakos and arsenokoites". I think that is pretty plain to any of us.

consider the two words respectively in the following versions:
KJV: effeminate: abusers of themselves with mankind
NKJV: homosexuals--sodomites
MKJV: abusers--homosexuals
LITV: abusers-homosexuals
NIV: male prostitutes--homosexual offenders
NASB: effeminate--homosexuals
NRSV: male prostitutes--sodomites

Where is question about this? The other interesting thing to me is she has no vote in the say about gay bishops or priests; however, as the new head of the church in this United States it would be plain to anyone her stand on the issue. Have we any doubt that will be a big influence on the final tally for or against? As a member of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas if you are not to abide by that ruling you may be asked to vacate your church building. Where is the biblical sense of this?
Be not deceived that this issue is addressed in multiple places of the bible: Genesis 19:5; Leviticus 18:22-23; 20:13; Deuteronomy 23:17; Judges 19:22-24; ISamuel 18:1-4; ITimothy 1:10; Revelation 17:5.

We are talking about scripture that is AFTER the "blood atonement" lest any of us become confused. The price for all those sins was and is bought and paid for. But, still not to be excused. You cannot moralize immorality.

Not being a bible scholar, I am sure I am missing a great number of things. This is a bit out of my field, but still not something I am willing to overlook and be quite about.

How about you, Pastor B; and Jeff V.? Some of you well versed gentlemen lend a hand. We just don't abide that here. We are definitely a close knot family here.....up on..

Blessings Hill,
Ruth

Weep My Child

It started as most days do here on the Hill; quite, slightly overcast, and an occasional stray bird floated across the sky as if in total silence, only broken by brief sounds of far away thunder and small flashes of lightening. If you were one of the passing tourists you'd not notice the somberness of the people. Some stood around by the general store, others by the local coffee shop. Some ventured in for a cup of coffee. Probably didn't need the coffee just looking for someone the chat a bit with; share their feeling.

Toward noon the people drifted on home to gather in a while at the big church. It was pretty evident that most would much rather be coming for a good old fashion sing-a-long; a "hell fire" sermon, any reason except why they really were there together. Time began to drift toward the appointed hour and the church began to fill with people but the quietness of hearts that were redundant with love and sorrow. Quite handshakes; hugs mixed with tears; condolences one to the other. Soft spoken words of memories of a much loved man that resonated love and Godliness.

Then the organ began to softly play songs that brought those memories racing back thru the heart and mind. I am sure some people could hear his big booming voice singing those songs and then exclaiming.."Isn't God good?" Then the preacher rose and approached the speaker. A deafening hush filled the air. How do you say how much he was loved? The great things he had given to us all? The multiple deeds he had done for his fellow man? Why did he do these things so freely? If you asked him, his answer was always the same....."The Lord said 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself'.....and I sure do love me!"

When the last song was sang, the last prayer was spoken, the last hand was shaken, the tears were wiped away; the stories began to die down; the people began to stroll away with their own private grieving...then it was time to make that final ride that resting place on earth that was prepared by human hands. It was as if the sky stood still; the birds rested in the quite trees; the little children settled briefly; the wind ceased to bustle the limbs...and the final words spoken; at least on this day.

People will continue to talk for many years about great kindness, music , laughter and all the stories they can remember. The snoring when he occasionally fell asleep during an extra long sermon. Doesn't make any great difference now. Memories are made to be repeated to those who otherwise would never know. Flowers will be planted in kind remembrance.

F.B. Meyer wrote: "The Ephesian converts wept upon the neck of the Apostle whose face they were never to see again. Christ stands by each mourner, saying, 'Weep my child; weep, for I have wept'"

Well, that's the way it was today here...all of us send you..

Blessings from the Hill
Ruth

"I'd Still Want To Go"

Yesterday afternoon one of my long time soul mates went on the be with his Maker. After three weeks on life support and five days off, the body gave up. I personally think he left us during the first twenty four hours. But, the human side said "Don't go....stay with me." I know that was not the proper thing to do, but it was the human thing to do. Sometimes the real side of us overrides the rational side.

During these past weeks I have found myself sitting in the dark pondering the meaning of all this. How ever will we manage without his lovely laughter that could fill a room; a voice that sang above the clouds; a strong arm that never knew a stranger but always seemed to know when you needed that big old bear hug. Could make a small child shake with laughter. Gentle and kind with elderly. He would and had driven hundreds of miles to help a friend......even if it was to sit and pray with them.

He was known around here for his trade mark song.."I'd Still Want To Go". No one else here ever tried to sing it simply because it was definitely "HIS"! No matter where he went they always asked for that song and he always obliged with a big hearty belly laugh. He said to me not long ago..."Honey, you need to learn this song in case I go home. Somebody else needs to sing it. Of course, my answer was just as you'd expect..."Ahhhhh you're not going anywhere!". Maybe he knew more than I did.

That song has a scriptural background, but the reason he sang it was.."it's exactly the way I feel"!
"If there were no mansions on the hills of glory, if there were no streets of gold,
No walls of jasper, no crystal river....O Lord, I'd still want to go.
It doesn't matter to me...just as long as His face I see...Jesus died that I might go free.....and it's all my love ones who went before me.." and it goes on, but you get the picture.

In about twenty four hours we will all say our final farewells til we all get there and sing with him. It leaves an ache in our hearts and a definite emptiness in our lives, but joy that he came our way. We all agree there will be a big empty hole here at the Hill...but then again...I think that's the way it's meant to be..
At least here on the Hill we think God meant it to be a hole for a while...til next time......

Blessing from the Hill
Ruth