Much has happened since my election as your second Bishop on May 14th. My excitement to serve you all has not been diminished at all despite my recent health issues. After a heart attack on June 28th, two stents were placed in my right coronary artery giving me immediate relief. Two days later a second procedure placed additional stents in my Left arteries due to chronic buildup. While I am told genetics played a large role in my attack, I have amended my diet to be safe. The doctors say that I should be back to full strength in time....
I remember my graduation from high school. I said goodbye to many friends, but it did not sink in at the time that I would probably never see most of them again. As I come to my retirement, I am reminded of Paul’s farewell speech to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20. He is heading into persecution in Jerusalem and realizes that this will be his last journey in Asia Minor. He says this as part of his farewell: And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again....
Bishop-Elect Alex Farmer suffered a heart attack on Tuesday, June 28 while working in his yard. He drove himself to an emergency room and was sent from there to the University of Florida main hospital where he immediately had surgery to put in two stents. He later elected to have non-urgent follow-up surgery Thursday to insert two more stents in another part of his heart. The prognosis for recovery is very good and Bishop-Elect Alex says that he is feeling great. He should be able to go home on Saturday. After consulting his doctor, he plans to move forward with a previously scheduled retreat with the diocesan staff beginning Wednesday....
I don’t know about you, but I have almost given up on reading diet books. It is not that I don’t need to eat less and eat better. It is more that it almost feels hypocritical to investigate another diet when I have not followed the most recent one very faithfully. I suspect the same is true for many of us when it comes to reading books about discipleship. Why read another one when we haven’t mastered the content of earlier ones?...
I am at a season of transition in life where my heart resonates with the words of John the Baptist, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30, ESV). So for the next few Communiques, I want to focus on three topics, three things that I believe are critically important for the life of followers of Jesus. Today I want to consider Bible study and prayer, just for a moment....
When Archbishop Foley Beach heard that I was heading to Israel for a personal trip, he asked if there was some way I could stop in Poland along the way and ordain a Ukrainian woman named Nina there. His diocese is closely connected to Christ Church, the historic Anglican congregation in the walled Old City of Jerusalem. Nina will serve there, once her visa goes through....
As the season of Lent draws near, it occurs to me how counter-cultural it really is. The culture tells us in many ways that our needs and desires come first, and that limiting ourselves by restraining our desires is somehow generally wrong. We also have a culture that tells us that busyness is required to get the most out of life....
It is common for Christians to teach that we live in the Already–Not yet season. Jesus has already called many to be his people, but the kingdom is not yet fully realized, and will not be until Jesus returns again....
I hope that as we head towards Christmas, you are finding the Lord’s peace in the midst of the flurry of the season. Let me share one perhaps unexpected way to prepare for Christmas....
Much has happened since my election as your second Bishop on May 14th. My excitement to serve you all has not been diminished at all despite my recent health issues. After a heart attack on June 28th, two stents were placed in my right coronary artery giving me immediate relief. Two days later a second procedure placed additional stents in my Left arteries due to chronic b...
Keep ReadingI remember my graduation from high school. I said goodbye to many friends, but it did not sink in at the time that I would probably never see most of them again. As I come to my retirement, I am reminded of Paul’s farewell speech to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20. He is heading into persecution in Jerusalem and realizes that this will be his last journey in Asia Minor...
Keep Reading Bishop-Elect Alex Farmer suffered a heart attack on Tuesday, June 28 while working in his yard. He drove himself to an emergency room and was sent from there to the University of Florida main hospital where he immediately had surgery to put in two stents. He later elected to have non-urgent follow-up surgery Thursday to insert two more stents in another part of his heart....
Keep ReadingI don’t know about you, but I have almost given up on reading diet books. It is not that I don’t need to eat less and eat better. It is more that it almost feels hypocritical to investigate another diet when I have not followed the most recent one very faithfully. I suspect the same is true for many of us when it comes to reading books about discipleship. Why read anot...
Keep ReadingI am at a season of transition in life where my heart resonates with the words of John the Baptist, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30, ESV). So for the next few Communiques, I want to focus on three topics, three things that I believe are critically important for the life of followers of Jesus. Today I want to consider Bible study and prayer, just for ...
Keep ReadingWhen Archbishop Foley Beach heard that I was heading to Israel for a personal trip, he asked if there was some way I could stop in Poland along the way and ordain a Ukrainian woman named Nina there. His diocese is closely connected to Christ Church, the historic Anglican congregation in the walled Old City of Jerusalem. Nina will serve there, once her visa goes through....
Keep ReadingAs the season of Lent draws near, it occurs to me how counter-cultural it really is. The culture tells us in many ways that our needs and desires come first, and that limiting ourselves by restraining our desires is somehow generally wrong. We also have a culture that tells us that busyness is required to get the most out of life....
Keep ReadingIt is common for Christians to teach that we live in the Already–Not yet season. Jesus has already called many to be his people, but the kingdom is not yet fully realized, and will not be until Jesus returns again....
Keep ReadingI hope that as we head towards Christmas, you are finding the Lord’s peace in the midst of the flurry of the season. Let me share one perhaps unexpected way to prepare for Christmas....
Keep ReadingDear brothers and sisters, Greetings in our Lord Jesus, the King of kings. As we head into November, let me share two stories of two different countries. The first country is Israel. Marcia and planned to lead a leadership study tour there from February 20-March 3 next year, 2022. It has recently been on hold due to COVID. Now that Covid is waning, our trip is back on, ...
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