MAC KIRK

We were coming into Panama after having flown from Monterey, Ca airport on a C-5 . The seats were nets . I thought , “ is this what war is like?” It was Christmas 1989 a few days before and the 7th Infantry Division was mobilized to liberate Panama from Manuel Noriega. The unit I was in was called light infantry, “ The Wolfhounds.” Then we were supposed to be landing into a hostile zone or so it was said. I was thinking, “ it sure would be nice to be home for Christmas “. Someone from the S1 shop ( the administrative headquarters) said they forgot to load the guns with bullets. This is when I thought of the verse from Hebrews 12:5 “ ..he has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” What is making you fearful? What are you and I afraid of? It is certainly difficult to do certain things that we do not want to do. One of those things is flying. That being said, I know...

Easter. Acts 10:34-43 Today’s lesson from Acts 10:34-43 tells us of a Roman Soldier, Cornelius , a man outside of the covenant of Israel yet one “ who feared God with all his house” and in this account we read of the drama of Easter played out for the whole world. For Cornelius is the beginning of how God’s plan to save humanity was not limited to a certain race or creed but is for all men & women who trust in the living God . So today while we celebrate Easter as these truths illuminate our minds and hearts, we a present application to our own lives as well : 1. The means of salvation- to him (Christ) bear all the prophets witness, that through his name every one that believes on him shall receive remission of sins 10:43 2. The universality of salvation- “ to every one that believes” 3. Nature of salvation- “ remission of sins” which gives us life eternal. (outline from The Acts by Charles R. Erdman) The Means of salvation is believing in him. Who? In Jesus . Jesus who was h...

Good Friday. Is.52:13-53:12;Heb 10:16-25;Jn 18:1-19:42 “ Follow Through” John 13:1 tells us ,” Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, HE LOVED THEM UNTO THE END.” On this solemn Friday when we remember the death of our Lord on our behalf , it is good to know that he did not swerve from the task He was given by the Father and which He willingly accepted. He set his face toward Jerusalem like a flint . His purpose was plain and planned. Many verses tell us this: one is Matthew 20:18 “ Behold we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.” There was follow through in our Lord’s mission to go to the cross despite its difficulty...

Palms or Passion?” Mark 11:1-11; 14:1-15:47 “Dearly Beloved, the Solemnity of the Lord’s Passion is come; that day which we have so desired, and which same is precious to the whole world. …even though it be hard to preach often on the same solemnity Beloved, the Solemnity of the Lord’s Passion is come; that day which we have so desired, and which same is precious to the whole world. …even though it be hard to preach often on the same solemnity, and do so meekly and well, a priest (presbyter) is not free to shirk the duty of preaching to the faithful concerning this so great mystery of divine mercy.” The Anglican Breviary, p. 503 The scenes of this Holy week are familiar to most of us. We read the account of the palms thrown in the path of Jesus as he rode the colt into the city of Jerusalem. The people said, “Hosanna : Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” 11:9 It was a triumphal entry but without the next readings we will not know the purpose of this week. It is ...

“ Seeing Jesus-not always what we expect” John 12:20-33 The week was one of sorrow and new understanding for some of the disciples. It was the time of sorrow because Jesus was on His way to the Cross. The Church calls this passiontide, once this was Passion Sunday and it some senses that is still a good term. The Greeks came to see Jesus. They represent all of us who are the nations. Not just for the people of the Jews did He come, but Jesus came for all people. These Greeks , God-fearers were attracted to the Jewish faith for its belief in one God and its system of teaching and morality. There were others as well. Remember the magi at the manger? Also do you remember the Gentile captain at Capernaum and the Canaanite woman ? Also in the Old Testament we recall Melchizedek in Genesis, Ruth, Job, Naaman the Syrian, and the queen of Sheba. They represent us all outside of the nation of the Jews who God calls to Himself. They had come to worship at the feast but also wished...

“ Better of Bitter? Grace makes it all Better.” Numbers 21:4-9; Ephesians 2:1-10; Jn 3:14-21 Impatience , murmuring, discouragement, complaining are the setting of the Scripture today from Numbers. The people forgot their deliverance. “ And the LORD hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites and their cities” 21:3 What are you and I discouraged about? We could make a list but you already know what is causing you to doubt the faith and the actions of God. Have you ever heard of the expression “hurry up and wait?” I remember how we were all directed by the company commander to get our vehicles in line. This was early in morning . I was taking my time because it was dark and there did not seem to be any rush to me at least. Then I got yelled at by the Commander. So I got my vehicle in line post haste ; then we sat there for two hours.” Hurry up and wait!” It is a fine line between stress of life, impatience and doubt to lack of faith and spiritual de...

Exodus 20:1-17 Third Sunday in Lent Psalm 19 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 John 2:13-22 What is the church exactly? What is this place where we come every Sunday to bring our concerns, to worship, to share our joys and sorrows? We would say a community of faith where Jesus is the Head. It is His body and we are His followers. There are laws which we read a few minutes ago which form the background of its laws, the so-called moral law of God which is binding and gives us form in our lives here now and for eternity. In the lessons we see some talk of that. Why come ? We come because in community we share the body of Christ together. We are its members. All week long I have been thinking of that . I like what a writer on a book on retreats said about community: “ one of the most powerful things community brings to individuals is courage---courage to be and do things we would never think of doing alone.” Seeking God Alone Together by Linus Mundy. There is...