Say hello to my dog

His name is Lil' Joe.

We rescued him at the Fort Worth Animal Shelter about two years ago. He's been a good addition to the household. He's not always good at doing chores, but he more than makes up for it by being a good watchdog, providing plenty of affection, and taking naps (like the one I woke him up from to take this picture).

Always be closing

Mitch and Murray sent over a guest speaker from "HQ" for a little evangelism conference. Here is the gist of it:

A - always
B - be
C - closing

A - attention
I - interest
D - decision
A - action

The word is that the person with the highest number of conversions this month gets a Cadillac Elderado. The one with the second highest gets a set of steak knifes. Third place gets excommunicated.

The Lenten Array

I am partial to violet during Lent in most cases. But I think the sackcloth-black-crimson array does work in others, especially in large Gothic churches that are filled with ornament. Most of our churches are relatively colorless and plain. Here is the section from The Parson's Handbook (Pocknee's revision--sorry) on the subject:

The Lenten Array. The adopting of this striking custom during the forty days of Lent is strongly urged as an alternative to prolonging the Septuagesima colour until Easter Even and Holy Week. The Lenten array is not a colour, but is a shrouding or veiling of the colours and gilt as far as possible during that season of the Church's year when the more enervating things of life are laid aside for a time by devout churchmen. Materials of unbleached linen or light-toned holland are used to veil reredoses, pictures, images; and crosses may be veiled in like manner. All these veils may be relieved with symbolic devices stencilled in red, black, or blue; or motifs may be cut out in red, blue, and black felt and applied to the veils. The symbol on the veil should give some hint of the nature of the thing that is veiled. Thus a reredos connected with the Blessed Virgin Mary could have some emblem of our Lady on it. The chasuble and the frontal for Lent will also be of the same material. Dalmatics and tunicles should not be worn. Where there is a triptych, its leaves can be folded and their backs painted to tone with the Lenten array.

Care must be taken that too many devices or symbols are not introduced on to the hangings and veils, or the austerity of the Lenten symbolism will be lost and it will give a 'festive' rather than a restraining atmosphere to the interior of the church.

For the last two weeks of Lent, starting with Passion Sunday, the frontals and the chasuble are replaced by those of Passiontide red with black orphreys, but the veils remain in situ until Easter Even. The red used during Passiontide should be crimson and not vermilion.

The Veiling of Crosses during Lent. It is sometimes asked why crosses and crucifixes are veiled during Lent and Passiontide, that is, at the season when the Cross and Passion are supposed to be predominant in the Church's teaching. Until the eleventh century crucifixes showed Christ reigning and alive on the Cross, with the wounds in his hands and feet glorified by emergent rays or scintillating jewels; and his body was clad in the colobium or kingly raiment and the head was crowned with a diadem.

From the twelfth century popular piety gradually turned to the personal, emotional aspect of pity for the crucified Lord. This frame of mind found no emotional stimulus in contemplating the triumphant Christ on the cross. Hence the custom of veiling the 'Christus Rex' type of crucifix during that season when it was particularly desired to think upon the sufferings and anguish of the Saviour rather than upon his triumphs.

The growing devotion to the Passion of Christ in the later Middle Ages resulted in a change of style in crucifixes and gradually there evolved the type of crucifix showing Christ as the Man of Sorrows with his head crowned with thorns and in the anguish of death. (To the same period belongs the Latin hymn, Salve caput cruentatum, ascribed to St. Bernard of Clairvaux, and known to us in English as 'O sacred head, sore wounded'.) Whereas in the earlier centuries there was considerable reluctance to portray the crucifixion in a realistic manner, by the fourteenth century the custom of veiling all crosses and images during Lent and Passiontide had become so firmly established that it was applied to the later and more realistic type of crucifix also. But there would seem to be a need for a more intelligent discrimination in this matter. A cross showing Christ as the Man of Sorrows might be left unveiled during Lent and Passiontide, while the type that depicts the triumphant Lord or 'Christus Rex' should be covered.

Masculinity and the priesthood

Fr. Stephen J. Rosetti discusses the recent Vatican document on priestly formation. In the course of the interview, he noted:

In my book, there’s a chapter titled, The Priest as a Male: In an Era of the Ascending Feminine, where I talk about how there is an underlying, subtle, and sometimes not-so-subtle negativism toward maleness today, and that it is likely a backlash from centuries of male dominance and discrimination toward women. Today’s men are suffering from the sins of their fathers.

Within this cultural bias against masculinity and maleness, the priest as a man needs to be courageous enough to welcome his masculinity, embrace it, and express it in a balanced way. Ironically, the priest who’s not able to do this is prone to lapsing into one of two destructive extremes. He may either repress his masculinity and become “wishy-washy” and indecisive, feeling guilty and apologizing for his maleness, or he may fall into the other extreme, becoming aggressive, power-hungry and domineering.

Becoming a mature male means being comfortable with one’s masculinity, not needing to hide it or exaggerate it. We ought not to apologize for being a man. At the same time, we should not use our masculinity as a weapon. But we need to remember, if you have 150 priests in a diocese, you’re going to have guys all over the lot. The strength of the priesthood is in the communion, of all being together.

Read it all here.

Lenten Lessons: life as a quest

Walker Percy, the late novelist and metaphysician, once said in coversation, "I have learned that the most important difference between people is between those for whom life is a quest and those for whom it is not." The vision of a quest confers meaning on our lives. It enables us to see all that happens as moving us closer to or further from our goal, and to make distinctions between what helps and hinders us in our journey.

from Spiritual Theology: The Theology of Yesterday for Spiritual Help Today, by Diogenes Allen, page 23

The Holy Hour

"He is the image of the invisible God." Colossians 1:15

The Holy Hour
(contemplative prayer in the presence of the blessed Sacrament)
is held at St Alban's Episcopal Church on first Fridays from 5-6pm.

Happy anniversary to Texas, our Texas

Original boundaries of the Republic of Texas, first flag of the Republic

The Declaration of Independence for the Republic of Texas was signed this day on 2 March 1836, establishing the new (but short-lived) nation. Following the resounding defeat of Mexican General Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto on 21 April 1836 (my birthday), Texas' independence from Mexico was secured. My alma mater, Baylor University, was chartered in the days of the old Republic in early 1845. You can read about its history here.



"Father of Texas" Stephen F. Austin (left), President Sam Houston (right)

Following the leadership of President Sam Houston, Texas was annexed to the United States in late 1845. The resolution of annexation included two unique provisions: first, it gave the new State of Texas the right to divide itself into as many as five states with approval of its legislature. Second, Texas did not have to surrender its public lands to the federal government, which means that the US government actually owns very little land within the State of Texas today in comparison with other states.

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust

Almighty and everlasting God, we beseech thee to spare them that are patient, and to be favorable to them that call upon thee: vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to send thine Angel from heaven to + bless and + sanctify these ashes, that they may be a wholesome medicine to all them that humbly call upon thy holy Name, who in their consciences are accused by sin, who bewail their sins in the sight of thy heavenly mercy, and meekly implore thy gracious loving-kindness. We beseech thee to grant to all them that call upon thy holy Name, that being sprinkled with these ashes for the remission of their sins, they may be preserved evermore both in body and soul; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

O God, who desirest not the death of sinners, but that they turn from their wickedness and live: we beseech thee to have compassion upon the frailty of our mortal nature, and of thy goodness to + bless these ashes now to be set upon our heads for a token of humility and for the remission of our sins: that we, acknowledging ourselves to be but dust and ashes, and that by reason of our vileness we must return unto the same, may of thy mercy be found worthy to obtain the pardon of our offences and the reward that thou dost promise to them that are penitent; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

O God, who turnest unto them that abase themselves and art favorable unto them that offer atonement: incline thy merciful ear unto our prayers, and of thy pity pour forth upon the heads of thy servants now sprinkled with these ashes the grace of thy heavenly benediction, that they being filled with the spirit of true repentance may effectually obtain those things that they have asked according to thy will. And we beseech thee to ordain that we, being established in these thy blessings, may cleave unto the same to life everlasting; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty and everlasting God, who upon the people of Nineveh, repenting in dust and ashes, didst bestow the healing of thy loving-kindness: mercifully grant that we who do now imitate them in outward fashion, may be made like unto them in the obtaining of thy pardon; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

The Celebrant blesses the ashes with incense and with holy water, saying
Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; *
thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

After the ministration of ashes, the Celebrant says
Let us pray.
Grant us, O Lord, to begin with holy fasting this campaign of our Christian warfare: that as we do battle with spiritual wickedness, we may be defended by the aids of self-denial; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Caught in the act

No, not breaking the fast, of course. Someone sneaky caught this picture of me enjoying the delicious walnut pancakes at our Shrove Tuesday pancake supper. Even bunnies love pancakes.

Don't be slow to fast

From the Apostolic Constitutions (c. 390):

"If any bishop, priest, deacon, lector, or cantor does not fast the fast of forty days, or the fourth day of the week [Wednesdays] and the day of the Preparation [Fridays], let him be deprived, unless he is hindered by weakness of body. But if he is one of the laity, let him be suspended."

Most practicing believers are familiar with the reason for the custom of the Friday abstinence (in honor of the crucifixion). Not as many are aware of the fact that Wednesdays are also a traditional day for fasting (and among Anglicans, for reciting the Great Litany). According to the Third Council of Constantinople (680), here's why the day is significant:

"Wednesday is to be fasted, because the Jews conspired to betray Jesus; Friday, because he then suffered for us. We keep the Lord's Day as a day of joy, because then the Lord rose for us."

Timely wisdom from the Office

Here's St Paul's comment on controversy in the Church, from today's reading at Morning Prayer:

Philippians 2:1-2
"So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind."

The black halo

Speaking of Judas, from the St Matthias post, here is one of the most interesting pictures I have seen from Christian art. Normally, when Judas is depicted, he is distinguished from the other apostles and saints because he has no halo (or "nimbus"). This is the only case I've seen where he's depicted with a black halo. Kinda creepy. Judas is in the front, second from the left. Notice he's holding the purse in his hand. No comment about what he's sitting on (let the reader understand).

As you may be aware, Judas Iscariot has undergone something of a rehabilitation in an effort for scholars to understand why de did what he did. You can also read more about it here.

The search committee results are in

It's Matthias! Judas didn't work out too well as one of the Twelve (see Psalm 69:25, "Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein;" and Psalm 109:8, "Let his bishopric another take.") It was a challenge to find a new Twelfth Man for the team, but it's a good thing someone brought lots to help decide (read the story in Acts 1:15-26).

O Almighty God, who into the place of the traitor Judas didst choose thy faithful servant Matthias to be of the number of the twelve Apostles: Grant that thy Church, beings alway preserved from false Apostles, may be ordered and guided by faithful and true pastors; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Welcome home a hero

I saw a story on the news this morning about this wonderful program from DFW airport. Check you local airport to see if this opportunity is available in your area.

"Every day, more than 100 soldiers come through DFW Airport on their way home for two weeks of much-anticipated rest and recuperation (R&R). Under the R&R program, American servicemen and women receive these brief vacations from tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. DFW Airport welcomes home these members of the armed forces as they return from duty. One R&R flight lands every day at DFW, and this warm welcome home starts their two weeks of R&R on a high note. DFW has assisted thousands of men and women since the R&R flights first started in November 2004. DFW would like anyone who wants to show these soldiers how much their commitment means to the North Texas community to participate. . ."

Diabetes and healthier living

Thanks to Mom for the following from the ADA:

There are 20.8 million Americans with diabetes--and nearly one-third of them (or 6.2 million people) do not know it. Take the Diabetes RiskTest to see if you are at risk for having or developing Type-2 Diabetes. The ADA offeres this tool in Spanish and Chinese Diabetes is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. If you are a member of one of these ethnic groups, please pay special attention to this test. Take the test today.

Separated at birth

I've always has a fascination for people who look alike. I couldn't always find the best pictures for comparisons, but here are some favorites that I have observed over the years.


The late Pope John Paul II and The Very Rev'd M.L. Agnew,
Dean of St Mark's Episcopal Cathedral in Shreveport, LA


Actresses Helen Hunt and Leelee Sobieski


The "Queen of Mean" Leona Helmsley and actor Martin Landau


Retired football coach Tom Landry and retired Bishop of Texas Claude Payne


Steroid-soaked bodybuilder Gregg Valentino and the Ripping Friends
(boy, I really miss that cartoon)


Bible prophecy guru Hal Lindsey and the late Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin


Actresses Sophie Marceau and Monica Bellucci


Someone once told me I look like actor Kevin Pollack. I'll let you decide.

Click here for more fun celebrity "separated at birth" comparisons.

And from Louise's comment, here's . . .

Bible prophecy preacher Tim LaHaye and entertainer Spike Jones

If David Letterman hosted a summit

"Gorby, Gipper, Gorby, Gipper, Gorby, Gipper."

I miss "The Inclusive Worshipper" blog

Now the wife can't send me to that Re-imaginging Masculinity Conference.

I take my stand

The Most Rev'd and Rt Honorable Lord Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury

Thanks to Kendall for bringing out the great ++Rowan quotes.

From the ACC Presidential Address:
“So there are two issues coming out of this that need patient study. What is the nature of a holy and Christ-like life for someone who has consistent homosexual desires? And what is the appropriate discipline to be applied to the personal life of the pastor in the Church?”

From the Global South Encounter:
“The Church overall, the Church of England in particular, the Anglican Communion has not been persuaded that same-sex sex can be holy and blessed. Were it to decide that by some process--unimaginable to most of you--it would be by an overwhelming consensus and only at that point would it be possible to say in the name of the Church, this is holy and blessed. So I take my stand with the Church of England, with the Communion, with the majority of Christians through the ages.”

Presidents' Day

In honor of Presidents' Day, I'd like to post my two favorite pieces of President Lincoln's writing.

Letter to Mrs. Bixby
November 21, 1864

Dear Madam,—

I have been shown in the files of the war Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts, that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.

I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours, to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of Freedom.

Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,
A. Lincoln


From the Second Inaugural Address
March 4, 1965

. . . The Almighty has his own purposes. "Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!" If we shall suppose that American Slavery is one of those offences which, in the providence of God, must needs come, but which, having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that He gives to both North and South, this terrible war, as the woe due to those by whom the offence came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a Living God always ascribe to Him? Fondly do we hope—fervently do we pray—that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue, until all the wealth piled by the bond-man's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash, shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord, are true and righteous altogether."

With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan—to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.