Povey Prattle

The Irish Evangelical Alliance has issued a statement about the proposal which is before the Irish Government regarding “Civil Unions” I find this statement on behalf of Irish Evangelicals to be utterly refreshing, especially in the light of the angry voices we hear from American Evangelicals and Fundamentalists. There are three aspects which I like. 1. Irish Evangelicals are being totally faithful to their own understanding of the Gospel. 2. Their entire tone is irenic and gracious. There is not a single note of anger or judgment. 3. There is a clear recognition by the Irish Christians that they live in a post-Constantinian world. Here is the link for the Irish Evangelical Alliance http://evangelical.ie//index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1 Now click on “Community Alert” (on the right). I’d love to know what you think.

I purchase those easy to use disinfecting wipes.  The ones I use are a store brand, but they are most likely made by Lysol or Clorox. I am not exactly certain that they are any more efficacious than hot water and a bit of dish detergent, but they are mightily handy. I think that it’s the name that seduces me into the purchase.  “Disinfecting wipes” has an allure of safety.  After all, according to the label, they kill 99.9% of bacteria in 15 seconds. I try not to worry about the 00.01% of un-killed bacteria!  And there is also the advertised “lemon scent” .   Who would ever doubt that “lemon scent” makes all the difference!  One of these days I will try to purchase some “lemon scented” lemons. Today, in a fit of curiosity I read the “fine print” on the label.  It included these words: “It is a violation of Federal Law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling”. Having read  this I am terrified that the FEDS will soon be after me.    True enough I have

There was a story today on N.P.R. (National Public Radio) about the possibility that President Obama will next year visit Indonesia, where he lived as a child. The American Ambassador in Jakarta stated that our President would like to take his wife and children to the town and neighbourhood where he once lived. The Ambassador said that President Obama would like to visit his “old haunting grounds” in Indonesia. I have heard of “old hunting grounds” , and of “old haunts”. I am not sure whether the Ambassador uttered a malapropism, or if he truly thinks that the  phrase is “old haunting grounds”.  I am sure that I often regress to an  “old haunting ground” in which my memory takes me to the mistakes, sins, failures, and stupid acts of years gone by. That memory often keep me awake at night. Damn it. I so wish that I could escape the haunting of my memory, despite the facts that --- I cannot change the past. My old haunts were mostly superb. My old hunting gr

After my morning shower this day I grabbed the nearest shorts and shirt to head off to Resurrection House. My appearance was greeted with amazement by the Res House guests, and with laughter by the staff and volunteers. Plaid on plaid. Oh my. I should either be more careful, or hire a dress consultant! I am not proud of this photo', but I hope that it will make you giggle.

HUMA In my sermon last Sunday I ventured to say that many folks say “I’m fine” when they really want to say “go to hell”. One worshiper, as he exited, said:  “Thanks for your sermon Michael.  I am fine” I replied: “go to hell”. Then we both doubled over in laughter. WONDER Before Church I chatted with an Acolyte.  She is in the fourth grade.  She told me about her weekend homework science project.  It involved checking the enzyme levels from a piece of raw liver when it is bathed in hydrogen peroxide.  For goodness sake - this is amazing.  When I was in fourth grade I was just learning cursive (“joined-up”) writing, and had received absolutely no education in any of the sciences. PARNSIPS AGAIN I have re-discovered parsnips. I am on the cusp of being obsessed with them. (I roasted some for dinner tonight -  together with carrots, onions and chicken thighs). As I was checking out at a Publix Supermarket yesterday, the woman in line behind me saw the parsnips in my shopping

 I departed a bit from my prepared  text as I preached it yesterday.  I have included some of my ad-lib remarks, and though those inclusions might not be my exact word - they represent well what I was trying to day. Sermon for 6th December 2009. The Revd. J. Michael Povey at All Angels by the Sea Church, Longboat Key,FL Malachi 3:1-4; Luke 3:1-6 “Go to hell!” I’ve often wanted to yell that at some person who has wronged, annoyed or hurt me. In fact, I have yelled it, usually from the safety of my car, when some idiot or other has cut me off, or forced me in to another lane. If the car that has cut me off has one of those “Jesus” symbols, then I want to call out “repent you hypocrite" “Go to hell” is a fairly safe imprecation, for after all, we no longer believe in hell. Perhaps we believe that there is some dark corner of the universe reserved for serial murderers and rapists, or for monsters such as Stalin, Hitler, Pol Pot, and their many acolytes.  But on the w

Even though I would not have worded it in exactly this way, the following "letter from Jesus" contains first class sentiments.  jmp Letter about Christmas -- from Jesus: It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking my name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate y birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime. (Especially in the Eucharist -  jmp addition) How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate my birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.  Now, having said that let me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth