In today’s segment from Paul’s Letter to the Romans, he gives excellent counsel regarding what we might call “trouble makers”:
I urge you, brothers and sisters, to keep an eye on those who cause dissensions and offences, in opposition to the teaching that you have learned; avoid them. For such people do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the simple-minded. For while your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, I want you to be wise in what is good, and guileless in what is evil. The God of peace will shortly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (Rm. 16: 17-20).
To be certain, there will be times when there is genuine conflict, when a community is struggling to answer an important question and not everyone agrees. These are times of growth and there will be necessary growth pains, but there are some people who enjoy conflict for the sake of conflict. Those are the people that Paul is speaking of today. I am sure that in your daily life you have come across people who thrive on causing unnecessary dissent and conflict. Sometimes you find them in families, at work, and even in Church. They are not content unless people are at each other, and they are generally in the center of it. Paul is right; avoid them. Conflict for the sake of conflict is not healthy. It is a sign of self-centeredness. Such people are not concerned about the good of the community; rather, they are concerned with being the center of attention. When we come across such individuals, we must be Christ like with them, but we cannot give in to conflict for the sake of conflict. The Great Deceiver, Satan, loves nothing more.
Let us pray: Lord God, You are ever patient with us, Your little ones, and through Your Son, Jesus Christ, You have shown us how we are to love one another. At times of conflict, send Your Holy Spirit to be our guide, to lead us to truth and right living. We ask this through Jesus Christ Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS:
Adult Christian Formation: We’re back on track for Adult Christian Formation with our series on heaven and hell, Angels with Harps or Demons with Pitchforks, Or Something Else, on Sundays at 11:00 a.m. in the nave.
Feeding Volunteers at William Temple: On Thursday, 15 July at 6:00 p.m. we will feed 15 volunteers at William Temple. We have a reputation now with the volunteers on providing some of the best meals.
UBE Youth at St. Augustine: 31 July to 1 August. The Youth will stay with us at St. Augustine to learn their history and the place of this Church in the Diocese of Texas, and to use our facilities as a base of operations as they do mission work at St. Vincent's House.
Kitchen Shower: First weekend in August.
The Feast Day of St. Augustine & Blessing of the New Facilities:
Dinner celebration on Saturday, 28 August 2010
Eucharist, Sunday, 29 August 2010
PLEASE REMEMBER ALL THOSE ON OUR PRAYER LIST and especially:
Russ Viska who is having a double bypass on July 14
Sue and Sean Coleman as Sue recovers from brain surgery
Roylene Lemons’ continued recovery
Baby Hayden and for his mother, Clarrissa Blevins
Tammie Taylor’s continued recovery
Gladys Simon
Let us pray for all of those serving in the Armed Forces, especially:
Lewis Lemons
Brian Taylor
Lt. Col. Bryan Leslie Runion
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
I urge you, brothers and sisters, to keep an eye on those who cause dissensions and offences, in opposition to the teaching that you have learned; avoid them. For such people do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the simple-minded. For while your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, I want you to be wise in what is good, and guileless in what is evil. The God of peace will shortly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (Rm. 16: 17-20).
To be certain, there will be times when there is genuine conflict, when a community is struggling to answer an important question and not everyone agrees. These are times of growth and there will be necessary growth pains, but there are some people who enjoy conflict for the sake of conflict. Those are the people that Paul is speaking of today. I am sure that in your daily life you have come across people who thrive on causing unnecessary dissent and conflict. Sometimes you find them in families, at work, and even in Church. They are not content unless people are at each other, and they are generally in the center of it. Paul is right; avoid them. Conflict for the sake of conflict is not healthy. It is a sign of self-centeredness. Such people are not concerned about the good of the community; rather, they are concerned with being the center of attention. When we come across such individuals, we must be Christ like with them, but we cannot give in to conflict for the sake of conflict. The Great Deceiver, Satan, loves nothing more.
Let us pray: Lord God, You are ever patient with us, Your little ones, and through Your Son, Jesus Christ, You have shown us how we are to love one another. At times of conflict, send Your Holy Spirit to be our guide, to lead us to truth and right living. We ask this through Jesus Christ Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS:
Adult Christian Formation: We’re back on track for Adult Christian Formation with our series on heaven and hell, Angels with Harps or Demons with Pitchforks, Or Something Else, on Sundays at 11:00 a.m. in the nave.
Feeding Volunteers at William Temple: On Thursday, 15 July at 6:00 p.m. we will feed 15 volunteers at William Temple. We have a reputation now with the volunteers on providing some of the best meals.
UBE Youth at St. Augustine: 31 July to 1 August. The Youth will stay with us at St. Augustine to learn their history and the place of this Church in the Diocese of Texas, and to use our facilities as a base of operations as they do mission work at St. Vincent's House.
Kitchen Shower: First weekend in August.
The Feast Day of St. Augustine & Blessing of the New Facilities:
Dinner celebration on Saturday, 28 August 2010
Eucharist, Sunday, 29 August 2010
PLEASE REMEMBER ALL THOSE ON OUR PRAYER LIST and especially:
Russ Viska who is having a double bypass on July 14
Sue and Sean Coleman as Sue recovers from brain surgery
Roylene Lemons’ continued recovery
Baby Hayden and for his mother, Clarrissa Blevins
Tammie Taylor’s continued recovery
Gladys Simon
Let us pray for all of those serving in the Armed Forces, especially:
Lewis Lemons
Brian Taylor
Lt. Col. Bryan Leslie Runion
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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