In a day when “truth has fallen in the streets,” when moral relativism has captured Western culture, when God has been removed from the public square, I am grateful that we as a church have a rock solid foundation on the eternal Word of God. St. Paul commended the Thessalonians for receiving the Word of God not as the word of man, but as the very Word of God. St. Paul also told Timothy that he (we) must rightly divide the “Word of Truth,” lest we impose our own “private interpretation” on the text. As Anglicans we are blessed with a rich tradition of safeguards regarding faith and practice. The Creeds and our Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion keep us on the correct path to proper understanding of the scriptures.

Our liturgical roots go back to the earliest days of the church. How should one (assembly) approach the Throne of God? Archbishop Cranmer used “Courtly” language in comprising the Book Of Common Prayer. I appreciate the form and due reverence liturgy give us during Prayer and Holy Communion. It is not left to our own personal desires or innovations.

C.S. Lewis’ excerpt from Letters to Malcolm:

"Every service is a structure of acts and words through which we receive a sacrament, or repent, or supplicate, or adore. And it enables us to do these things best...when, through familiarity, we don't have to think about it. As long as you notice, and have to count, the steps, you are not yet dancing but only learning to dance. A good shoe is a shoe you don't notice. Good reading becomes possible when you need not consciously think about eyes, or light, or print, or spelling. The perfect church service would be one we were almost unaware of; our attention would have been on God."

I am convinced that if we (universal church) are going to wage a successful spiritual warfare we need to be “endued with power from on high.” The gifts of the Holy Spirit are to be desired and manifested for the edification of the church, so that we can be strengthened and effective for the furtherance of the Gospel and the kingdom of God.

Abuse of the gifts of the Spirit shouldn’t cause us to shrink back in fear and unbelief. St Paul said, “let all things be done decently and in order,” but let’s allow all things to be done!

I believe the result of embracing the “charismata,” will work in us (the universal church) a more vibrant worship, a greater hunger for God and His word, and a burning desire to fulfill God’s purpose plan for our lives.

Help us Father to hunger and thirst for righteousness and holiness so that you may be glorified in the church through your Son our Lord

Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit. AMEN