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2004/07/31

Beware of False Prophets
The Eighth Sunday after Trinity

In the Gospel of St Matthew beginning in the vii chapter and 15th verse, Jesus told us to "beware of false prophets". Today we hear a lot of different things from clerics about what is right and what isn't. What is needful and what is to come. How is one to know who is the false prophet and what doctrine is right?

St. Paul instructed Timothy to teach only that which was doctrinally sound [Ti 2:1] and that the Scripture was profitable for doctrine and teaching [Ti 3:16]. How can one tell what is sound doctrine? How can one know a true prophet? Recently a friend addressed this problem in a Bible study on Genesis. He advised his listeners not to take his word, but to test it by the Word of God. He then reminded us of the saints in Berea who "were more noble... in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so" [Acts 17:11]. Let us be so wise and noble that we might cling to that which is True and not be deceived by false prophets and false doctrines. Let us also watch and take care before we stray from traditional teachings, for he also said, "ye shall know them by their fruits".

Visit the Order at www.OrderofCenturions.org

2004/07/28

Christians - A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER?

 
Robert Reich, former Sec. of Labor under Clinton, said,

"The true battle will be between modern civilization and anti-modernists; between those who believe in the primacy of the individual and those who believe that human beings owe their allegiance and identity to a higher authority" (read those who Fear God) . He calls believers "A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER"

Please see critique by David Virturehttp://www.virtuosityonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=1065
This attitude is not limited. I am reminded of a recent remark by Ms. Linda Ronstandt who said, "It's a real conflict for me when I go to a concert and find out somebody in the audience is a Republican or fundamental Christian. It can cloud my enjoyment. I'd rather not know."  http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=39542

The rhetoric against the Church [and God] is broad and intensifying.

Church Vigilant

IN HOC SIGNO VINCES!

Visit the Order at www.OrderofCenturions.org

2004/07/27

CAMILLUS of Lellis

As July closes we should pause to remember the life of
a Centurion whose memorial falls on 14 July.

In the sick he saw the person of Christ. His reverence
in their presence was as a great as if he were really
and truly in the presence of his Lord.


Son of a military officer who had served both for
Naples and France. His mother died when he was very
young. Spent his youth as a soldier, fighting for the
Venetians against the Turks, and then for Naples.
Reported as a large individual, perhaps as tall as
6'6", and powerfully built, but suffered all his life
from abscesses on his feet. A gambling addict, he lost
so much he had to take a job working construction on a
building belonging to the Capuchins; they converted
him.

He entered the Capuchin noviate three times, but a
nagging leg injury, received while fighting the Turks,
each time forced him to give up. He went to Rome for
medical treatment where Saint Philip Neri became his
priest and confessor. He moved into San Giacomo
Hospital for the incurable, and eventually became its
administrator. Lacking education, he began to study
with children when he was 32 years old. Priest.
Founded the Congregation of the Servants of the Sick
(the Camellians) who, naturally, care for the sick
both in hospital and home. The order expanded with
houses in several countries. Camillus honored the sick
as living images of Christ, and hoped that the service
he gave them did penance for his wayward youth.
Reported to have the gifts of miraculous healing and
prophecy.

Source:
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintc09.htm

We are adding Camillus to the Order's pages.


=====

Mark S. Carroll







__________________________________
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2004/07/24

I have compassion on the multitude
Homily for the Seventh Sunday after Trinity


LORD of all power and might, who art the author and giver of all good things; Graft in our hearts the love of thy Name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of thy great mercy keep us in the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


READINGS BELOW: Romans vi. 19 & St. Mark viii. 1

Jesus had compassion on the multitude, and his compassion serves as an example for us. He wanted to feed those who had gathered to hear his Word. They had listened attentively for three days without eating -- perhaps so engrossed in the message of love and salvation that they had little or no desire to eat. What kind of a teacher was Jesus that 4,000 men would remain for three days without food transfixed on his words? The answer is obvious; he was God incarnate. His followers did not quite understand this, but they perceived that he was a man of God. They perceived also that he had a love and compassion for them that had not been seen in Israel before. Certainly the Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes and priests had not shown this kind of love to the people.

Jesus demonstrated his authority through miracles. On this occasion he fed the multitude from only seven loaves of bread. Seven is a key number because it represents perfection and completion. In this and on similar occasions where Jesus miraculously fed the multitudes, he provided a model for the Church's Communion of the Saints. It is a communion open to everyone who abides in Jesus. It is a supper where there is always more than enough for everyone - and all leave satisfied. It is a meal where Jesus himself feeds us. It is a gathering that acts to unify all those who share the meal. It represents the assembly of the all faithful Christians under one authority --- Jesus Christ. It is a mystery that endures through the ages.

The early Christians adopted the symbol of the one loaf to represent the Church and its Communion. Bread was the staple for the people. It represented subsistence and physical wellbeing. It was the staple for the Roman soldier as well, whose daily ration consisted of loaf of bread. I remember in my youth the commercials for Roman Meal Bread, and the image of the legionary saying that he could walk and fight all day on the one loaf. For the Church, the loaf symbolized spiritual subsistence. Through the symbolism of the loaf, the people recalled the Gospel feeding stories. The stories themselves conveyed the essential truth of the Gospel -- Jesus desires to feed us with that which will sustain us through eternity -- his Word and his Body and Blood in the Lord's Supper. Jesus said, "I am the living bread which came down from Heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever" [Jn 6:51].

Throughout the Gospels there are stories of Jesus eating and teaching. Just as we physically require food daily, our communion with Christ and other faithful Christians provides us with spiritual sustenance. Our participation week by week on the Lord's Day, gathering to hear the Word, keeps our focus on the corporate nature of the Church and its worship. Our service includes the Word, praise in psalms and hymns, teaching, and for most Christians the Lord's Supper. Our gathering helps us to understand how we are interrelated. It represents the Communion of the Saints in a very physical way as millions of people in the Church Militant are fed at the Lord's Table. By feeding on him regularly, we are refreshed and renewed. As St. Paul said in today's epistle: "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." The gift of God is freely given. It is given because of his great love and compassion for us. It is the love feast of the Lord, and represents life eternal and triumph over sin and death.

In following Jesus, we are called to compassion; that is our Christian duty. He asks us to treat each one as our neighbor - exercising forgiveness, mercy, and love. He calls us to be hospitable and considerate, especially of those who have the least. As we go forth, let us be alert to those who have need, and seek opportunities to serve God through our compassion for others. Amen


Romans vi. 19

I SPEAK after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
St. Mark viii. 1

IN those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them, I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat: and if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far. And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness? And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven. And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people. And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them. So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets. And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.

Scripture from 1928 Book of Common Prayer


Visit the Order at www.OrderofCenturions.org

2004/07/23

Centurio Epistula – Communion and Affirming Faith in Public Lives

A Salute and Thumbs Up to those bishops that have
taken action to prevent elected officials who support
immoral behavior in their official capacity (i.e.,
voting) from taking Holy Communion (HC).

See the article Catholics Must Affirm Their Faith in
Their Public Lives here
http://www.tfp.org/tfc/bishops_and_communion.htm

Personal Musings

1. It disturbed many that the Roman Catholic (RC)
American Bishops Conference decided to leave the
decision to refuse HC up to individual bishops that
was certainly not the message from Rome. Rome
identified public support of immoral practices as
behavior that should prevent reception of HC. It is
not clear that all the bishops understood that during
the conference. They did not read the actual letter,
but rather had it explained to them. They now,
however, know the wording of the letter and should
understand the position of their primate.

2. Many were disturbed when one RC American bishop
announced that the decision in his diocese must rest
with the individual communicant. Certainly each one of
us is responsible to examine ourselves and to repent
and confess before receiving HC (1Cor 11:28) Yet, a
minister still has the responsibility to speak to
those seeking HC if he knows that the communicant is
living a notorious life, has wronged a brother,
harbors hatred for a brother, or is in doing anything
that precludes reception in the eyes of the Church.
Leaving the decision up to the individual communicant
is to renege on a sacred responsibility and does a
disservice to their clerical office. As Archbishop
Myers in the article points out, this form of HC
discipline has been a function of the overseers and
elders since the earliest days (see quote from St.
Justin Martyr - ca167 AD.)

3. The Order [of Centurions] was established as an
association of Christians to resist the corruption and
error found in the world. It sought to guard the
simple Apostolic Faith as had been formulated in the
Early Church and was articulated in the early
statements of belief and Scripture, to encourage the
practice of a simple, ancient form of worship; and
encourage members to live by the plain Word of
Scripture. This quote is from our History page on the
web. The RC bishops featured in this article are using
their authority to control the HC and discipline
communicants in resisting many errors and evils, and
are taking the right actions in guarding the historic
apostolic faith and morals.

4. It takes courage for these individual RC bishop to
“do the Right thing” in the face of a great deal of
criticism and possible loss of membership. They,
however, Fear God - not man. We salute them. May they
Stand Firm for what is Right.

5. I pray that all churches might critically examine
their responsibility to exercise discipline in the HC.
May they remember the words of Joshua, Thus saith the
Lord God of Israel . . . choose you this day whom ye will
serve but as for me and my house, we will serve the
LORD [Jos 24:15]

msc

2004/07/22

Centurio Epistula - Reading Scripture

One rule of the Order is to "Meditate on Holy
Scripture". This of course necessitating that one read
the Scriptures. In an article entitled "The Demise of
Literature" concerning the very drastic decline in
reading in America (and which probably affects the
entire Western World), George Will offers this
illustration of Christians in combat some 64 years
ago,

In 1940 a British officer on Dunkirk beach sent
London a three-word message: ``But if not.'' It was
instantly recognized as from the Book of Daniel. When
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are commanded to
worship a golden image or perish, they defiantly
reply: ``Our God who we serve is able to deliver us
from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us
out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known
unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods.
...''

Britain then still had the cohesion of a common
culture of shared reading. That cohesion enabled
Britain to stay the hand of Hitler, a fact pertinent
to today's new age of barbarism.

I must admit that I did not recognize the three-word
message, and I doubt that many of my generation would
unfortunately. I, and perhaps many of you, am
influenced by of a vastly changing Western World whose
worldview is often shaped by television, advertising,
and entertainment; but not by Scripture or classical
reading. Without this common base of good literature
and the Truth in Scripture, we are faced with
generations who do not have a foundation based on the
Truth of God's Word, and who lack the insight
necessary so they may "beware of false prophets" [did
you recongnize it from Gospel for the 8th Sunday after
Trinity, BCP, St. Matthew vii. 15
(http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/trinity8.html)]

See the full Geore Will article here:
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/georgewill/gw20040722.shtml

msc

2004/07/17

Centurio Epistula - AME on Same Sex Marriage

A SALUTE and THUMBS UP to the African Methodist
Episcopal Church AME for "Fearing God and doing what
is Right"

At their meeting this denomination (2.5 million
strong) voted unanimously against Same Sex Marriages
in their churches. See World Magazine article " Black
and Right" here
http://www.worldmag.com/newsite/content/subscriber/displayarticle.cfm?id=9425

Concerning the quest for homosexual "rights" compared
with the Civil Rights movement, it quoted an article
by "Star Parker, a black evangelical, in a column for
Scripps Howard News Service. She says that the main
reason is that the civil-rights movement depended on
objective moral truth. Homosexual marriage, on the
contrary, depends on a rejection of objective moral
truth.  Amen

2004/07/16

Reconciliation Before Communion/Offering

Be reconciled to thy brother


From the Homily of the Sixth Sunday After Trininty Gospel of Matthew v. 20

The ancient liturgy as recorded by Justin Martyr included a form for the functions that Jesus taught in the Gospel reading. We read in the Apostlic Teaching and Constitution" that the Prayers included a confession, and absolution was assured before one presented themselves and their gifts. After the Prayers, there was a time for the exchange of the Peace before the Communion of the faithful.

The Order of Centurions, and many churches, use this ancient form. Regardless of what form your congregation may use, before presenting yourself for Communion, ensure that you examine yourself. Recognize where you have fallen short of the righteousness to which Jesus calls us. Repent and confess your sins to God and be assured of his forgiveness. Reconcile with your neighbor if needed, and exchange the Peace of God with your neighbors. Come to God's altar with the assurance that through Jesus you are forgiven and cleansed of all unrighteousness, and partake of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ which was given and shed for you and for many for the remission of sins.


Visit the Order at www.OrderofCenturions.org

2004/07/12

Gods and Liberals

Gods and Liberals

I thought you might appreciate this Ann Coulter quote
that I got from the federalist.com newsletter:

"Conservatives believe man was created in God's image,
while liberals believe they are gods. All of the
behavioral tics of the liberals proceed from their
godless belief that they can murder the unborn because
they, the liberals, are themselves gods. They try to
forcibly create 'equality' through affirmative action
and wealth redistribution because they are gods. They
flat-out lie, with no higher power to constrain them,
because they are gods. They adore pornography and the
mechanization of sex because man is just an animal,
and they are gods. They revere the UN and not the U.S.
because they aren't Americans -- they are gods." --Ann
Coulter

Thought:

Ms. Coulter's quote seems to me to describe to a great
extent Secular Humanism - I believe it is certainly to
be found more often in the liberal camp. Perhaps at
the radical level this is the essence of the emerging
"civil war" in culture and polarization we are seeing
... the essential question might be: "do you believe
in an Objective Right that comes from God, or do you
believe that 'right' is relative and a function of
what the people (powers) define as "right"?

I am reminded of the Original Sin "when you eat of it
your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God"
[Gen 3:4]

2004/07/08

ICHTHUS

The Fifth Sunday after Trinity Gospel in the 1928 BCP is Luke v.1 In it Jesus sent Peter for the big catch, and then told him:
from henceforth thou shalt catch men


This, and other Gospel accounts concerning fish, influenced the ancient Church. The Apostles as a group came to become known as "fishers of men", and Christians as "Pisciculi" the root word being fish. The fish was and still is a symbol, along with the cup and bread, of the Christian communion (At the Legion HQ, the communion paten is inscribed with a large Ichthus fish symbol.) The fish also became a security sign for persecuted Christians. One person meeting another would mark and arc - 1/2 of the fish, and the other Christian would complete the symbol - perhaps still a fitting mark for Christians even in this electronic age. The sign was often used to indicate where Christians would assemble. The fish became a symbol of Christianity and the Greek word Ichthus, meaning fish, an acrostic for a summary of the belief in Jesus: The letters were assigned as follows: Iesous (Jesus) CHristos (Christ) THeou (of God) Uiou (the Son) Soter (the Savior). Ichthus became a hidden form of confession for the Christian. In recent years this symbol and acrostic has seen a revival as a form public confession and identifying places where Christians assemble and work. The Ichthus may have formed the basis for the Jesus Prayer. In Eastern Church the Jesus prayer is the model for continuous prayer. In the Western churches, it is sometimes used in prayer with Rosary devotions. Centurions may also use the ancient acrostic as part of the liturgy of the daily Devotion: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior, have mercy on us".

msc )

sources included religioustolerance.org

Visit the Order at www.OrderofCenturions.org

2004/07/05

Centurio Epistula - Imprecatory Prayer

Centurions

I recommend the article by Pastor Giles at the link
below for your consideration and reflection on
"Imprecatory Prayer."

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/douggiles/dg20040703.shtml

One of my favorite movies is of General Patton - a
dedicated Episcopalian churchman and Soldier of
Prayer. Patton called upon his Chaplain on December 8,
1944 to publish an imprecatory prayer for good weather
and victory and this was distributed to every man in
the Army -- 250,000! On December 19-20 the prayer was
answered. As the Army moved north to relieve Bastogne,
there was an unexpected break in the weather that
lasted a week.

" Almighty and most merciful Father, we humbly beseech
Thee, of Thy great goodness, to restrain these
immoderate rains with which we have had to contend.
Grant us fair weather for Battle. Graciously hearken
to us as soldiers who call upon Thee that, armed with
Thy power, we may advance from victory to victory, and
crush the oppression and wickedness of our enemies and
establish Thy justice among men and nations."

Patton also told his Chaplain to get the troops and
chaplains into continuous prayer and directed so
officially. I highly recommend you see the entire
Patton Prayer story at this site:

http://www.pattonhq.com/prayer.html

Finally, I bid your prayers for the battle success of
our allied forces in Iraq so as to stop those evil men
who wish to destroy the peace, democracy, and freedom
we are trying to establish.

msc

=====

Mark S. Carroll







__________________________________
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2004/07/03

Fourth Sunday after Trinity


O GOD, the protector of all that trust in thee, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy; Increase and multiply upon us thy mercy; that, thou being our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we finally lose not the things eternal. Grant this, O heavenly Father, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


Romans viii. 18 & St. Luke vi. 36


Can the blind lead the blind?


"Can the blind lead the blind?" Jesus asks this rhetorical question in the context of his exhortation to the disciples to exercise mercy and forgiveness while reserving judgement and condemnation to God. The blind leaders were undoubtedly the religious leaders of the day who judged the condition of men and proclaimed them sinners, and yet failed to live up to God's standard. He said both shall fall, the leaders and those whom they led. Both are subject to condemnation because both go along life blindly. They fail to see the way God had laid out for them.

Jesus makes it plain however, that the blindness of the religious leaders is a much more serious matter than that of the people. Both are blind, but the leaders have a beam in their eye, while the people have a small speck. Then he calls them hypocrites, because they preach one thing and do another. They judge the people, and fail to recognize where they have fallen short of God's way. They condemn the sinners, while failing totally to perceive any shortcomings in their lives.

Jesus concludes this little sermon with the solution. Take the beam from their own eye first. The leaders must take a candid look at their own lives. What do they believe? How do they behave? What are their inner thoughts? How do they as men measure up to God's way? Then they must repent of their misdeeds and failures so as to model their lives after the perfection of the Master's. When that is done, they will have the clarity of vision to assist their brother to see the speck in their lives, the indentify those things that blind them and lead them astray, and to do something to correct it.

In the Church today, we are faced with many issues where the beliefs and conduct of the world clearly are in contravention to the Scriptures. In addressing these issues, we often hear very loudly from those who wish to continue leading their blind lives within the Church. These rebellious Christians quote our Lord saying that we should "judge not." Just this week my wife told me of her admiration for Dr. Ralph Stanley of Insight Ministry, and how she thought he approached the issue of judging in his televised sermons. She said Dr. Stanley often says, "It isn't I that say it, but the Bible." Dr. Stanley then proceeds to quote liberally from the Scriptures to demonstrate the lesson. That is the correct standard for us all - the Holy Scriptures. In the Order of Centurions, our Credo is prefaced with, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." We should look not to the customs of the world to determine what is right and wrong, what is sinful and what is not. No, we are called to measure by one standard - the Scriptures both in particulars and generally. Let us be careful too, that we do not read into the Scripture things that were not said. Let the plain Word of God stand as our beacon. Let each man walk focused on the Light of Jesus Christ. As the saying goes, "watch your own lane". Concern yourself first and foremost with your life and how it follows Christ's road to Salvation. Let the Scripture serve you and your neighbor for reproof, correction, and instruction. Be careful that you do not judge your brother unjustly -- St. Augustine's Prayer book lists the sin of Malice under Envy, one of the seven Mortal Sins of the historic Church. Malice includes ill-will, false accusations, slander, backbiting, and reading false motives into others' behaviors. Jesus said we would be judged for every careless word; so let us take today's admonition to heart. Let us search our lives and beliefs against the Scriptures; and strive to amend our lives using Christ's example of behavior, love, and mercy as our standard, Finally, as the collect today says, may God increase and multiply upon us his mercy and be our Guide to eternal salvation.



Hymn at cyberhymnal.org AWAKE, AWAKE TO LOVE AND WORK

___________

Romans viii. 18.

I RECKON that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
St. Luke vi. 36.

BE ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.

Scripture from 1928 Book of Common Prayer


Visit the Order at www.OrderofCenturions.org
Independence Day

[July 4]


O ETERNAL God, through whose mighty power our fathers won their liberties of old; Grant, we beseech thee, that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain these liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


Deuteronomy x. 17 & St. Matthew v. 43


Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve


Our founding fathers were men who feared the Lord and endeavored to follow the command in Deuteronomy, "Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve." A review of the early documents of our nation clearly shows that the people revered the Lord and strove to ensure that the institutions they established to govern their temporal affairs were in accord with the tenets of the Bible. The result was a land where freedom and justice prevailed, a place where all manner of folk from around the world were attracted, and still are, as a land of freedom and opportunity.

We are faced with many challenges today including the control of our borders, illegal immigration, and terrorism from those who hate us for what we are. In all of this concern with our security, we are to remember God's command that we should exercise hospitality for the stranger, "Love ye therefore the stranger." We are to do this in the same way as the Father in Heaven loves the stranger and provides for him. Our Lord Jesus took this to even a higher level of perfection as he commanded us to, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven."

America has traditionally set the standard for justice and mercy. After WWII, our actions in Germany and Japan demonstrated the essence of the command that our Lord gave us. Today, in Iraq, we continue as a nation to try to obey this command by trying to rebuild the country and to work closely with the people to establish a land of freedom and justice, ruled by law, and tempered by mercy.

Finally, we should be concerned with those who wish to see God removed completely from everything public. We have seen the recent actions to take "God" out of oaths, the pledge, public symbols, and from buidings. The hymn below is our National Anthem, written as Francis Scott Key observed the English bombard Fort McHenry in Baltimore during the War of 1812. I recommend you take time to sing or read through all four verses. We normally just hear the first verse, but look closely at the fourth verse. In it you will find the source of the motto on our coins today, "In God is our Trust"

Hymn: National Anthem
---------

Deuteronomy x. 17

THE LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward: he doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name. He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.
St. Matthew v. 43

JESUS said, Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Scripture from 1928 Book of Common Prayer


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2004/07/01

Traditional Values Coalition

http://www.traditionalvalues.org/

Recommend this site for news, comments, and a place where you can take action. At the bottom of the Home Page is the Take Action Network sponsored by the coalition.

"The Take Action Network supports Pro-Christian, Pro-Family issues while strongly opposing issues that go against moral beliefs."

Visit the Order at www.OrderofCenturions.org