@ bibledude . Jun 30

I had the opportunity to help some family (and friends of my uncle) say goodbye this weekend to a good man who lived large.

It was a beautiful memorial, complete with a full 21-gun salute from the local American Legion (led by an old Marine who goes by "Bulldog").

I feel like the readings and prayers from the Book of Common Prayer for this kind of event are so amazing, and filled with peace and hope...

"O God of grace and glory, we remember before you this day our brother [John]. We thank you for giving him to us, his family and friends, to know and to love as a companion on our earthly pilgrimage. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see in death the gate of eternal life, so that in quiet confidence we may continue our course on earth, until, by your call, we are reunited with those who have gone before; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

I pray nothing but blue skies and tailwinds, John! And may light perpetual shine upon you.

#episcopal #deaconlife #bookofcommonprayer #lightperpetual #blueskiestailwinds

@ bibledude . Jun 21

🙌 "I will, with God`s help."

This simple phrase from our baptismal covenant reminds us that we don`t walk alone — and now you can wear that truth in style!

🖤 Grab one of our brand-new tees to support #EYCmountdora — your purchase helps fund youth group activities, retreats, and service projects.

👕 Available now: [link in bio]

#IWillWithGodsHelp #EpiscopalYouth #YouthMinistry #FaithAndFashion #YouthGroupFundraiser #SupportYouthMinistry #cfdioceseyouth

@ bibledude . Jun 14

📜 "A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you, and make you follow my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances." -- Ezekiel 36:26-27 NRSV

That`s a wrap on an amazing week of camp with the high-school age kids!

Thank you @campwingmann, for a great week filled with lots of fun times, deep conversations, and incredible worship! And I`m so proud of everyone who was in on winning the coveted Silver Bible Award (which was everyone). 🤓

I pray that all of the youth there remember whose image they are created in, and that they walk confidently in that identity. And that they would learn to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit in their lives. 🕊

#EYCmountdora #cfdioceseyouth #episcopalyouth #youthministry #episcopal #summercamp #biblecamp

@ bibledude . Jun 11

"So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!" - Paul the Apostle of Christ (formerly known as Saul, persecutor of Christians)

It`s day three of camp at @campwingmann, and these youth are wrestling with some big ideas, like what it really means to die to the flesh so that we can live in Christ. And they`re asking some serious and deep questions.

But what I notice most is a very real hunger to learn more of the things of God. Their wrestling with the faith reminds me of Jacob wrestling with God, saying, "I won`t let go until you bless me!"

This generation is hungry.

And I`m just happy to show up here with a giant serving spoon in my hand.

Thank you, Lord, for the front row view!

#EYCmountdora #cfdioceseyouth #episcopalyouth #youthministry #episcopal #summercamp #biblecamp

@ bibledude . Jun 9

"Who am I?" That`s the big question I posed to the students at @campwingmann on Day 1 of the program.

It`s all about figuring out where we get our identity from. Too often we let all of the other outside forces define who we are. Political parties, activity groups in school (jocks, nerds, etc).

The truth is that our identity starts with the fact that we were crafted in the image of a loving God. Everything else flows from that place.

We studied Psalm 139:13-16 (among other things), and we discovered how we start answering the question...

Who am I?

You were personally, uniquely, and purposefully made by and for Jesus Christ.

#EYCmountdora #cfdioceseyouth #episcopalyouth #youthministry #psalm139 #summercamp #biblecamp