Wednesday, November 27, 2013

10 THINGS YOU SHOULD BE THANKFUL FOR

A very humbling and powerful article....  10 THINGS YOU SHOULD BE THANKFUL FOR

A THANKSGIVING PRAYER by Samuel Pugh

O God, when I have food, help me to remember the hungry;

When I have work, help me to remember the jobless;

When I have a home, help me to remember those who have no home at all;

When I am without pain, help me to remember those who suffer;

And remembering,
Help me to destroy my complacency;

Bestir my compassion, and be concerned enough to help;
By word and deed, those cry out for what we take for granted. Amen.

Giving Thanks to the Lord!

Giving Thanks to the Lord.  LISTEN HERE!

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

A Busy and Fruitful Few Weeks

November has been a busy and fruitful month of ministry and I give thanks!  After an uplifting and Spirit-filled Annual Synod, I traveled to Apostles, Knoxville and ordained Doug Floyd to the priesthood and confirmed and received numerous new members into the Anglican Church.  But first I stopped and visited our Diocesan Middle School retreat going on at Camp Glisson in Dalonega, Ga. While in Knoxville, I visited with the folks at Old North Abby and their priest, Patrick King.
At Camp Glisson

Middle School Retreat

Laird Bryson, Jack King, Doug Floyd, me, Ray Kasch
 I returned to Georgia and spent several days at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers, GA on a Prayer and Planning Retreat.  The next two Sundays I preached a two-part series at Holy Cross entitled: Giving Thanks.  Listen Here.

Monastery of the Holy Spirit

Monastery of the Holy Spirit

Monastery of the Holy Spirit

Monastery of the Holy Spirit
 This past week I visited All Saints' Church in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas ordaining Lynda Valdez to the deaconate and confirming and receiving numerous new members.  All Saints is also starting construction on a new building, ans so with their fine priest, Rick Moore, I asked God to bless the land and the construction.
Some of the folks from All Saints after we dedicated the Construction project to the Lord

Rick Moore, a visiting priest, me, Deacons Lynda and Sami Jo, and Michael Pahls.

Upon returning to Atlanta I met with the Board of the Young Anglicans Project (CHECK IT OUT HERE) and then went to an AMiA Ordination Service for a new priest and four new deacons.  Thanks be to God who has saved us, not of our own doing, but because of His marvelous grace and love.


Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Bolivia and Rwanda

It has been a privilege to have fellowship this week with two special bishops.  

Bishop Raphael Samuel, the newly elected bishop of Bolivia, was in Loganville for our Anglican Diocese of the South Synod and then he preached at Holy Cross, Loganville, on Sunday.  A great preaching of the Word of God.

Bishop Raphael Samuel and me


Today, I was visited by Bishop Laurent Mbonda, the bishop of the Shyira Diocese in Rwanda, and his wife, Schantal.  After a wonderful time of fellowship, they joined us for our Wednesday night 242 Dinner, worship, and Bible Study.  A sweet time in the Lord!!

Bishop Laurent Mbonda, Schantal, and me

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Kenya: The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

When I visited Kenya last year, I visited the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage.  I donated as a gift for my wife funds to be an adopted parent of a baby orphaned elephant.  This year we were actually able to visit her baby and see the incredible work these people do.  Poachers and others kill the mothers and the babies are left on their own, and without help would die within days and weeks.  Visit http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/ to find out more about this amazing work.








Kenya: Giraffes!!



Hello




It is sideways...

Kenya: Safari #4

The African Plain

The African Plain

The African Plain

Bill Bugg, me, Allison, and Filmore Strunk

The African Plain

The African Plain

Mt. Killimanjaro

Kenya: Safari #3











Kenya: Safari #2




Dirt-Devil -- Mini Tornado -- they were all over the place!





Two Wildebeests Wrestling

Kenya: Safari #1

On our recent trip to Kenya for GAFCON2, several of us were able to go on a safari in southern Kenya near the Tanzania border.

Our Safari Transportation

The Changing Scenery

The Changing Scenery


The Changing Scenery

The Changing Scenery

Uh-oh... the rough roads caused the bumper to fall off. Fortunately, no problem!
Giraffe hiding from sun under trees



Young Maasai man who is the teacher in the local village - He teaches math, history, and crafts

My new friend!

Local Maasai mother selling goods to the "tourists"

Allison at entrance to Amboseli National Park