Streams will flow in the desert,
Fertile soil from a vast wasteland.
Joy will spring from sorrow,
Tenderness of the roughened hand.
There is hope in our tomorrow
Once darkness forever’s banned.
But a virgin is a mother,
Who has never known a man,
Barrenness in one’s story, dear,
Only means God has a plan.
Copyright 2025
The seed has died of stillborn dreams,
No sign of life within it seems,
St Martin, be glorified, saint of Peru,
To Galveston, we could not render you.
Art of Making from Old to New,
An empty canvas still to subdue.
Breathe, O helper, your life in us,
For wandering vines, Your strength our truss.
Angels, hold tight candlesticks within them,
As Council of Saints bow to Almighty Algorithm.
6/7/2024
Here we sit charred embers to stoke a fire warm,
The hearth is cold, Hey! Not for long, Our plan is in good form.
A gentlemanly banter is played for sport at start,
Then, mixing jokes and compliments, kindling’s set to the heart.
Assembling in His holy name we catch a spark of heat
With warm Hellos and bright Howd’ya-dos ‘mongst brothers as we greet.
Young and old together form a merry congregation,
Ensuring fires may be set ablaze with each new generation.
A cool fresh wind like Eden’s breeze turns sparks into hot light,
An enchanted gleam beacons that all will soon be right.
Flaming tongues now all aglow. Rest men, settle in.
The fire’s tamed, a prayer is said; we’re ready to begin.
Hewn logs ‘pon the altar will burn in its own way,
Similar to poker bets that build into parlay.
If any moss or rot be found the fire makes no concern,
Steady consummation serves them equally to burn.
The fire’s not a ruthless killer, tis burns a sacrifice
We’ve laid upon the hearthstone, joint trust the only price.
The fire serves its purpose to set at liberty
The heavy carbon fiber weighed down by gravity.
Sweet bouquets rising up from smoke and ashen snow,
As cigars scent the beard and breath and with each word follow.
An incense to the God above in yielded supplication,
Ceaselessly, we bear our hears in sacred convocation.
Remain in love unquenched, tis our only duty.
If we commit sans limit, we’ll find a treasured beauty.
E’ery man seen as a tree, e’ery man forlorn,
Yielded to this Holy Flame is a miracle reborn.
Strong brew, a clever cheat, measured in loving grace,
Victuals, a hearty meat, and we’re reminded of that place;
A merry room, basin, towel, a table, and a feast,
A cup and bread, Man soon dead made lesser than the least.
But shall we ne’er bicker until our love be ended,
E’er for naught His body beat and for naught his body bled.
He a tree and we each a branch; His shining for our light.
We shall keep our candles lit with oil filled through the night.
Praise God this home and brethren, Tis His Holy Grail!
This is our spiritual house torn out the curtain veil.
Aft all is turned to dust and no more fuel to burn,
What remains refiner’s gold, as rich men we return.
First published in 2014, completed in 2023.
Dedicated to St. Timothy’s “Band of Brothers” Men’s Group
Read for Offertory during Diocese Men’s Retreat morning liturgy in Chafin Lodge, Trinity Pines on September 10, 2023, where the congregation was assembled before the great fireplace.
by Shane Anderson
In seeking to discover how a local congregation may participate in the movement of Global Anglicanism, it is essential to ask the question: What is global Anglicanism? As the third largest Christian communion, with 85 million members worldwide, the issue escaping us is not whether the Anglican communion is global; but more precisely, what does it mean, especially to the local congregation, to be involved and contribute towards the global movement? We hear buzzwords like “global” and “worldwide,” used to describe commerce or technology; but to people of faith representing a God who holds the whole world in His Hands, what role do congregations play advancing the cause of Anglicanism and more importantly the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
A major challenge for any organization, ministry or cause spanning across multiple continents is navigating all the diverse cultures represented. Tantamount to the worldwide advancement of the Anglican church is supporting and celebrating the relevant contributions being made by diverse cultures. Global Anglicanism, made up of people from distinct cultures and backgrounds, makes its goal to find unity amidst diversity. As different people groups across the world come together daily, weekly to partake of the Holy Eucharist, the miracle of Isaiah 9 is revealed, as the glory of Christ refracts like the colors of the rainbow. In the Eucharist, we are reminded that God truly loves the world and has given His Son that the world might be saved. Global Anglicanism, united by the Lord’s table, testifies of the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
On the secular world stage, it seems governments at all levels, as well as secular institutions, are straining, recoiling even, from disparities inherent with attempting to unite peoples of diverse cultural and social backgrounds. Economic unions with states and countries of imbalanced socio-economical and ideological differences often falter; and we have seen this occur most recently with Brexit, as just one example. Institutions made of well-intended people walk a difficult path, trying to play fair with others. That is to say, global secularism struggles to maintain unity within diversity. Whether motivated from toxic xenophobia, from observed fractures and failures of policies and treaties, or from a sincere bent towards conservative values not represented or appreciated by all parties involved, secular institutions strain to remain in unity with one another.
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. – Mark 3:24-25
Apart from a firm foundation established by the grace of God, it is impossible to find unity. How is it possible for Anglicans, as a faith community, to rise above and maintain solidarity and commitment globally amidst socioeconomic, cultural, political, and even moral differences? Certainly, the answer cannot mean compromise of Biblical truth. The question before us, then, is an important one to consider: What is pure, global Anglicanism, and how may we participate in the wider movement in our local congregations without compromise of Biblical truth?
Anglicans affirm the doctrine of Sola Scriptura, that is, Scripture is the final authority for matters of belief and practice, and nothing on a global scale may impose this basic tenet, not even should the headwaters of Anglicanism be polluted. Concerning this good doctrine, one thing we can do as individual congregations is to highly esteem those sincere and worthy leaders within the Anglican faith; those bishops, priests, deacons, and rectors courageously committed to defending both our global and local community of saints from toxic roots seeking to defile many among us.
Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears. – Hebrews 12:12-17
We owe much respect to those leaders who remain faithful to teach and preach Biblical truth amidst growing pressures, from both inside and outside Anglican fellowships, to yield to the decay of moral values especially common within Western culture.
From the midst of global Anglicanism arises, then, the Kigali Commitment, the final statement issued from those many Anglicans gathered in Kigali, Rwanda at GAFCON this year. This statement stands as a beacon in the night to chart a new course for Anglicans seeking to set anew the Anglican Communion on the foundation of Biblical authority and classic Anglican principles of doctrine, discipline, and worship, as articulated in the Jerusalem Declaration (2008.)
To best understand and participate in the global Anglicanism movement, then, I propose that we should consider the following four things.
Firstly, as a local congregation, we must not merely know that the Jerusalem Declaration exists. It is insufficient to let passively lie the important principles set forth before us. We must commit to putting them into action so that we embody these principles. I have taken the liberty for the sake of the question set before us to reframe the statements of the Jerusalem Declaration into actionable commitments, particularly for their application to and participation by the laity within our local congregations.
As a local congregation seeking to participate in the global Anglican movement, we must:
Secondly, and as an underscore to several of the commitments from the Jerusalem Declaration, the local congregation may participate in global Anglicanism by demonstrating the love of God within their local parish. The Lord Jesus’s words in John’s gospel rings out to all followers, to any global advancement of the Cross of Christ:
“Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:34-35
At the Lord’s charge, let us commit to loving one another that the world might know and see the life of Christ evident among us. May our sincere fellowship be a respite for sojourners, a haven for strangers, and a help for people of all walks of life seeking to overcome crippling fear and anxiety plaguing the world today. Let us love, not as the world loves, but as only the Holy Spirit can love through us as we look to the example of Christ’s love to us while we were still sinners. Love does not mean compromise of Biblical truth as Christ Himself demonstrated, but we do well to hold fast to truth in love not thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought and rejoicing in the Lord that in Him we have overcome the world.
Thirdly, the local congregation may participate in global Anglicanism through committing to regular charitable giving within our local parishes and sharing of our time and talents to enrich the spiritual house that exists among our local fellowships. We can participate in global Anglicanism with cheerful and open hearts, loving our faith community through the exuberant sharing of the wealth that God has blessed us with. In this, global missions are supported. In this, we may hear the call to participate ourselves in overseas missions for the strengthening of others and deepening of our walk in obedience to God and to his purpose for our lives.
Finally, and not least importantly, it is important for local congregations under bishops and rectors holding fast to sound Biblical authority to pray for all saints, but especially those congregants and congregations outside the territory of healthy parishes or dioceses. Pray even for those leaders and congregations that have lost the way, strayed from the path, and ask that by God’s mighty hand they may be humbled and return to truth.
The Apostle Paul admonished the church in Corinth with hard words, encouraging them to pray for those who have lost their way that their spirits “may be saved in the day of the Lord.” (1 Cor. 5:5b)
Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. – 1 Corinthians 5:6-8
It is an exciting day in which to live and be able to witness the glory of the Cross of Christ advancing with hope to many across the globe. As the seeds of revolution of Jesus’s kingdom continues to fall upon fertile soil of human hearts, may those institutions and nations once bold to inscribe Christ’s words and God’s law upon their hallowed walls, their constitutions, icons, and statues bear witness to bold statements like the Kigali Commitment, repent and return to Biblical authority as Prodigal Sons in desperate need of the Father’s mercy and grace.
Added post submission to the competition form:
The answer to the question posed, What is global Anglicanism? in full hope may be answered: none other than the resetting, refining, and redirection toward King Jesus and the truth represented in him. From the centrality of Christ our King and High Priest flows the water of life, and any member of His Body, the global Anglican church included, must find the source in him alone. Let us pray that we remained unfettered and fixed to him our Rock and our Salvation, pure and undefiled before God and man.
This essay was written for a writing competition sponsored by the ACNA in 2023. It was submitted at the end of August 2023.
You judged us while we were yet children
As though you could see to our heart.
How’d you decide with us what to do
Before we’d been given a start?
What’s in a name? All is hidden.
Lone YHWH sees Jacob a gem.
Such measures for man is forbidden,
To prune immature fruit from its stem.
You don’t know us, nor did you ever.
Your heart’s shielded from your own eyes.
You feigned bond to father and mother,
Mute heirs raise apt reprise.
The beloved so dull in learning,
And you such a sovereign and king.
We stand beyond all good measure?
Flightless birds not due feeble wing.
Why — Why did you bother
To fill up this world with offspring?!
Weren’t you content sitting and staring
Wantonly into your damned screen?
Were we owed to God as your ransom?
For what are we now in your debts?
Votaries fawning in your shadow
Seeking your favor as pets.
You never have run to our rescue
Or swooped in with ardor to save.
May all your books burn to ashes
And the ashes be placed in your grave.
I know not whate’er we were doing
When foolishly fooled we did fall,
(Just hoping to gain one sure footing)
’Fore cravenly craved we did crawl.
All lessons I’ve learned in my breaking.
I’ve wrestled the cherubs ‘pon earth.
From dust, he did raise me from ashes to save me,
A blessing; though, all you’ve seen’s my dearth.
You never could speak one true blessing
Not somehow was jaded or curst.
No courage to speak strong words in love;
Your descendants, worn for the worst.
Here sits the babe, great learned pontiff,
Pretentious, the proud patriarch.
With rough bended knee, we bow before thee
Bequeathed in our shame with Cain’s mark.
We alone, O Nimrod, your children,
Have shrunken to miserly men.
What hope have the wild, born to a child,
To soar like eagles on wind?
This poem as best I can surmise is about abusive patriarchal authority figures, especially where found in church and para-church institutions and ministries.
Once there was a child
She went to her father and asked
“Will you love me?”
The father went to the child
And at great cost to himself
Made provisions for her to be with him
The child returned to the father and said
“You do not love me.”
He left his home and made a new one with his child.
The child pleaded,
“You do not love me.”
The father met her needs in every way he knew how
The child again returned to the father
“You do not love me.”
He gave her many of the things he knew she wanted.
And again, she replied
“You do not love me.”
He was careful to give the reassurance he believed she craved
She replied
“You do not love me.”
The obstinate child spat at her elders and chased other children
They asked
“Why do you do such things?”
She replied
“He does not love me.”
They asked the father
“Do you not love the child?”
His only reply
Which he could not speak
“She does not love me.”
Verse 1:
Son of man, man of sorrows
Sent down to earth from your heav’nly home
You bid us come, you bid us follow
No more to wander, no more to roam
Chorus:
Draw the hearts of the sons to the heart of the Father
Draw the hearts of the fathers to the heart of the Son
Pour out the love of Jesus upon our sons and daughters
Ignite the flame in this generation
Verse 2:
Come cleanse our hearts today, restore our tomorrow
Bring in the harvest with the good seeds we have sown
The Word you have given, piercing bone and marrow
Building your house with the love we have known
Bridge:
The Father’s ever faithful
To His mercy there is no end
Lay off your heavy burdens
Find your hope in nail-scarred hands
The Lamb, He is a shepherd; he whispers in my ear.
Drinkin’ from his fountain with him I have no fear.
Standin’ at the crossroads he says go left or right.
He knows m’name writ down in his book; he calls me in the night.
The Lamb, He is a lion, a prophet, priest and king.
Four and twenty elders and livin’ creatures sing.
His nation is peculiar, children of the light.
He’s vanquished beast and dragon, none stand before his might.
The Lamb, He is the doorway, the river tree of life.
No man enters by power or might, with envy or strife.
He’s the light, land and sea; He is our all in all!
Our help meet in time of need; He raised us up from the fall.
The Lamb, He is a bridegroom; His bride is dress’d in white.
Darkness flees before her; He has b’come her light.
His death she died, pulled from-his side, wearin’ His wool.
The Lamb, t’ her He is Love, hope, and faith; forever He shall rule!
Behold, behold, the Lamb
Behold, the Lamb of God
The Lamb, the Lion of Judah
Behold, the Lamb
radius poet 