Willing to thank God

“In the same way that I am willing to thank my husband for a gift even before I have opened it—because I trust his love of me—I am willing to thank God for my life even before I know how it turns out. This is brave talk, I know, while I can still pay the bills, walk without assistance, and talk someone into going to the movies with me. My hope is that if I can practice saying thank you now, when I still approve of most of what is happening to me, then perhaps that practice will have become habit by the time I do not like much of anything that is happening to me. The plan is to replace approval with gratitude.”

-Barbara Brown Taylor, An Altar in the World

Link to order book on Amazon

Willing to thank God

“In the same way that I am willing to thank my husband for a gift even before I have opened it—because I trust his love of me—I am willing to thank God for my life even before I know how it turns out. This is brave talk, I know, while I can still pay the bills, walk without assistance, and talk someone into going to the movies with me. My hope is that if I can practice saying thank you now, when I still approve of most of what is happening to me, then perhaps that practice will have become habit by the time I do not like much of anything that is happening to me. The plan is to replace approval with gratitude.”

-Barbara Brown Taylor, An Altar in the World

Link to order book on Amazon

Check out "Faith Rules" by Ian Markham

I am always looking for new resources, books, videos, materials of all sorts which can help us delve deeper into our lives, and grow and transform.  I happened across the "Faith Rules" resources assembled by Ian Markham, the Dean and President of my seminary, the Virginia Theological Seminary.  Looks to be some great resources.  I recommend them highly!

Blessings on this Tuesday,

Peter+

From the Very Rev. Dr. Ian Markham:

"For those searching for a gentle version of ALPHA, Faith Rules can help. Sam Gottlich and I have created the guidance notes for leaders on the website www.faith-rules.com (under resources). It is great to see the interest the book is generating. When at Trinity Episcopal Church in Wilmington DE, I had some fun reading some of the Rules relating to the Episcopal tribe. Please click here for the downloadable resources"
- http://www.faith-rules.com/resources

Archbishop of Canterbury Lent Books

If you were looking for a book to read in Lent, why not go to the Archbishop of Canterbury and see what the occupant of that office has recommended over the last several years?  This year, Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury has made "Barefoot Disciple:  Walking the Way of Passionate Humility," by Stephen Cherry his "Lent Book of 2011."  I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and am now working my way through sections of it for a second time.  


One of the central questions of the book is whether we can develop our humility?  There is an implicit problem with the idea of developing one's humility, which is, as soon as we might recognize, "hey I'm building up my humility, I am doing a great job," we actually are probably not embodying humility as much as before.  We can fall into the trap of being proud about our humility...


Stephen Cherry works the reader through this potential pitfall, and also develops his concept of the "Barefoot disciple" who embraces what he calls "passionate humility."  


It is a wonderful book, and I highly recommend it.  Also, below are several of the Archbishop of Canterbury Lent books from the last several years.  I have read several of them, and highly recommend them.


Praying that we may keep a holy Lent,


Peace and Blessings,


~The Rev. Peter M. Carey

Archbishop of Canterbury's Lent Books

1983 The Truce of God by Rowan Williams

1988 Looking Before and After by Helen Oppenheimer

1992 Tested by the Cross - Wesley Carr

1993 Mary's Story, Mary's Song by Elaine Storkey

1997 Pilgrims by Stephen Platten

1998 The Shape of Living by David Ford

1999 Living Well by Robert Warren

2001 Christ on Trial by Rowan Williams

2002 The Meaning in the Miracles by Jeffrey John

2004  I Thirst by Stephen Cottrell

2005 Other Temptations of Jesus by John Henson

2006 Free of Charge by Miroslav Volf

2007 Power and Passion by Sam Wells

2009 Why go to church? by Timothy Radcliffe

2010 Our Sound is Our Wound: Contemplative Listening to a Noisy World by Lucy Winkett

What you should be reading? #5 - Stanley Hauerwas's "The State of the University"

Dr. Stanley Hauerwas always has challenging and interesting things to say about theology, the church, politics, and many other subjects. In this book, "The State of the University," Hauerwas examines the place of theology in our universities. He also takes on the challenge of examining pluralism and Christianity as they are manifested in our institutions of higher education. There is a lot to digest here: read, mark and inwardly digest it!

~ The Rev. Peter M. Carey

What you should be reading? #5 - Praying for England, edited by Samuel Wells and Sarah Coakley

Praying for England: Priestly Presence in Contemporary Culture


As a somewhat new priest, I am finding that to be a priest in the changing landscape of religion and culture to be a fascinating thing to be. There are some wonderful ways that embodying the priesthood in a time of both rapid change and longing for continuity to be a particular gift and challenge. In this wonderful book of essays, edited by Samuel Wells (dean of Duke University and Anglican Priest) and Sarah Coakley (wonderful theologian and Anglican Priest), the reader will find a spectrum of ways that priests are living out their calling, and working to be present with and reflective about their people. The picture on the cover is compelling, a man praying deeply, it appears, for his football team (soccer, for us Yankees) - how ready we are to pray and hope and be devoted to such things as sports, while our dedication to church may not be as strong. Have a look at this book if you are a priest, or if you have ideas and questions about the role and the place of the church in our contemporary world.

~ The Rev. Peter M. Carey

What you should be reading? #4 - Ian Markham's "Understanding Christian Doctrine"

This is a wonderful introduction (or review) of Christian Doctrine by the Very Rev. Dr. Ian Markham, Dean and President of VTS. It is highly readable, could be used for an adult education class or even for students in college or the upper secondary school years. I found it to be helpful to outline the various streams of theology, and helped me link some areas where I felt very strong in my own education with those areas where I still have work to do. I plan to use it (I think) for a class I will teach next year to High School seniors - an honors class in Theology.

A wonderful book, do check it out!

~ Rev. Peter M. Carey

What you should be reading? #3 - Kathleen Norris's "Amazing Grace, A Vocabulary of Faith"

This book came out some time ago, so I'm sure that many folks have read it (or at least purchased it, as it was a NyTimes Best Selling Book). But, just in case you haven't purchased it, or haven't read it, do get a copy and check it out. Norris is a fantastically grounded writer, and reflects deeply about a whole range of theological concepts. I am currently using excerpts from the book to have my students reflect upon in their own writing. There are some wonderful essays in this book and could be a great book to spend some time with as we move into Advent. Check it out!

~ Rev. Peter M. Carey

What you should be reading? #2 - Diana Butler Bass's "Christianity for the Rest of Us"

I heard my former professor and friend, Diana Butler Bass, speak today at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Richmond, Virginia. She gave a summary of a bit of her work on Practicing Congregations, with some emphasis on the final parts of her study which lead her to find that the Christian Practices that "popped to the top" were Hospitality and Theological Reflection. She is a wonderful speaker, and loves and understands churches in a deep way. She challenged the hearers to practice some Discernment (another Christian Practice) to see what the Spirit might be calling us to spend our time and energy on at this point in our lives. I appreciated her reminder that what is so important is to develop depth and focus in our practices, rather than spreading us thin. She gave me a lot to think about both for my spiritual life, and also for my work as a priest and chaplain. I am spending some time re-reading her wonderful book, "Christianity for the Rest of Us," and I hope you will also check it out!

~ Rev. Peter M. Carey

Holy Week Readings and Viewings

In my first Holy Week as a priest, I will be leading nearly a dozen services this week, and will be presiding at three Good Friday Services in which we will be doing the Passion. I have several plans for the week in terms of reading and watching ...

First, I am reading the Passion Gospel readings from all four canonical gospels, good to start there, (even if some people think we Episcopalians don't care about Holy Scripture ... come on, we love the Bible!!).


Second,
I am re-reading parts of Rowan Williams' Christ on Trial: How the Gospel Unsettles our Judgement which I have read several times (and wrote about in my master's thesis) and plan to re-read parts of his Resurrection: Interpreting the Easter Gospel, but only as early as Saturday.

Third,
In addition, I plan to watch three movies this week, first, I am going to watch Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ," which I have never actually seen in totality but am going to hunker down and watch it. Many of my students here at St. Catherine's have mentioned it, as well as students at Episcopal Academy where I used to teach. I guess I need to see the actual thing, and someone gave me a copy of the movie, so I don't even need to use up a Netflix rental for it. Secondly, I will watch "The Last Temptation of Christ," which I have seen several times and was reminded of David Bowie playing Pilate by a friend on Facebook ... that is a thought-provoking film, and well-worth some time.



Thirdly, I am going to watch "Monty Python's Life of Brian," which is a nearly-annual ritual for me, alongside the wonderful liturgies of Holy Week. Monty Python does it all very well.



Lastly,
I am reflecting upon those who do take up the cross in their lives in small and large ways to serve others, to speak the truth, and some of whom "lay down their lives for their friends." Figures such as Romero, Bonhoeffer, Gandhi, MLK Jr, and others come to mind. Also, I am particularly aware of those in Tibet right now who are speaking out and protesting, and who may face imprisonment, torture and death for these actions.

I pray for the people of Tibet, and for all those who are caught up in the repression of Tibet!



What about you, how are you experiencing Holy Week? Any plans?

Those Seven References, book by John Dwyer

My friend from seminary, John Dwyer, has had his senior independent study published. It is a study of the Bible's seven references to homosexuality. I have not yet read it, but know John and his work well, and know that it will be excellent. So, I am putting a plug in for everyone to get this book and read it. I know that his will be an important voice in the discussion of Homosexuality, the Church, and the Bible. Check it out HERE on Amazon.com.