Diocese of Florida Daughters of the King
Fall 2005
October President's Message
(This message was adapted from a devotional given by John Fisher on September 21, 2005)
I'm going to attempt the impossible. I am going to try to make sense of THE BIG QUESTION especially popular in the wake of hurricane Katrina and Rita, that being: the question of God's sovereignty. If God is in control of everything and He is a loving God, how can He let something like this happen?
As human beings who claim to follow God, we are often put in a position of having to answer for Him. This is unfortunate, since none of us can even come close to being God. And, if God is not going to give us an answer, on what grounds can we possibly think that we might be able to explain one to someone else?
Put on the spot with questions like this, we usually end up trying to show how good ultimately comes of these horrific things, but that is never a satisfying answer, especially for one who is in the middle of experiencing nothing but loss and devastation.
Here is a believer's dilemma: The Bible has absolutely no qualms about presenting a world where bad things can happen to good people and good things can happen to bad people. It is entirely un-self-conscious in this way. God does not seem at all challenged about accepting responsibility for that which befalls us that we determine is good or bad.
The pill we have to swallow is this: Our inability to accept these paradoxes is our problem, not God's. God is not hauled into court by our questions. God simply will not sit on the witness stand and have His activity scrutinized by us. I suppose we can scrutinize it all we want but that will get us no closer to understanding God or having Him reveal His motives to us.
So we are left to make our way - to figure out, as both Job and Solomon did, how to accept difficult things from Him and still honor and worship Him.
By saying this, I am not suggesting we have a faith that has nothing to do with our feelings of frustration or desperation. We don't just paste a scripture verse, or a “God knows what He's doing” over the question and walk away, unconnected with the feelings that forced us to Him in the first place. Even God's Son cried out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” from the agony of the cross… and He knew why all along! He just wasn't a robot. I think He was merely being entirely human in that moment. It's human to ask. It's human to not get an answer. It's human to be frustrated. It's human to alternate between trusting God and fighting God.
So where does this all end up? Well, here's my best attempt: Never stop asking, seeking, and pounding on God's door for answers; just don't expect Him to always come out and give you one. However, He will always come and put His arm around you and comfort you. That much I know.
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor? Romans 11:33, 34
DOK Corporate Communion on All Saint's Day
Tuesday, November 1, 2005 at 7:00 P.M.
at St Paul’s Episcopal Church,
5616 Atlantic Blvd., Jacksonville, Florida
Sponsored by the St. Lydia Chapter
Click here for more details.
Join us for a Quiet Day at Trinity St. Augustine
Quiet Day with Bishop
John Howard on
Saturday, November 5, 2005
8:30 AM - 12:00 Noon
at Trinity
St. Augustine.
Three meditations focused on
"Be still and know that I am God".
Click here for more details
and
a registration form. (PDF file).
Men and non DOK members are also invited to this quiet day!
Lunch is available at the conclusion of the morning.
Sponsored by the St. Monica's Chapter.
November President's Message
Dear Daughters,
Have you ever thought about the difference between Religion and Spirituality? In my recent devotions I was confronted by this and wanted to share these thoughts with you.
“Religion is a woman in church thinking about her to do list. Spirituality
is a woman who thinks about God while completing her to do’s”.
Religion is the nemesis of Christianity, and this type of contrast point that out. Religious people are stuck in a religious points system that keeps track of everything. Spiritual people don’t keep track because they know that they deserve hell, but get heaven by God’s grace. Spiritual people are constantly pinching themselves because they just can’t believe their good fortune.
Religion is a system; spirituality is a state of being, made possible by a relationship with God. Religion is trying to please God; spirituality is enjoying God.
I can’t think of a better way to communicate what true worship is. True worship is not going to church and getting worship points. It is thinking about God in relation to everything else. Worship is not something you do once a week, but what goes on in your head and your heart all the time.
So, when you worship and pray for others this month, do it with a full heart of gratitude that God has called you into relationship with Him.
FHS,
Carole
Dear Daughters,
Do you want to know how to have the best Christmas ever? You can by focusing on what matters most. Outlined below are some thoughts from Rick Warren in his article, “The Purpose Driven Christmas”.
MAKE IT A TIME FOR MEANINGFUL FELLOWSHIP- Real fellowship occurs when there is heart to heart sharing. Ask thoughtful questions and listen, truly listen to the answer. When real fellowship happens, families and friends grow closer to each other.
MAKE IT A TIME FOR PERSONAL GROWTH – At the first Christmas the angels announced: “Peace on earth, goodwill among men.” In other words, Christmas is a time for reconciliation, for forgiving and restoring broken relationships. So this Christmas, make peace which requires courage, patience, openness, initiative and maturity.
MAKE IT A TIME FOR HELPFUL SERVICE – In this busy season this can be the most precious gift. Look for opportunities to do simple acts of kindness during the season. Run an errand, baby-sit so a young mother can finish her shopping, and hold open the door for someone with a smile on your face.
MAKE IT A TIME FOR JOYFUL WORSHIP – Rejoice, Celebrate, Praise. Use this time as an opportunity to worship God in your daily activities for his Christmas gift to you: He sent our Savior. Perform each activity as if you were doing it for God. Take heed of the words in the Christmas Carols playing everywhere and let them sink into your mind: “Oh come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.”
MAKE IT A CHEERFUL TIME FOR SHARING – Sharing of your gifts, talents and your faith. During the Christmas season people are more open to discussing spiritual issues. So share the message of God’s love and his Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. It is the best news they will ever hear.
St. Paul's by the Sea
Installation
The St. Julian of Norwich Chapter admitted 4 new members on October 30th at St. Paul's By the Sea, Jacksonville Beach.
Jean Barnwell, Atwood Brewton, Mary Williamson, and Mary Wilson were welcomed into the order.