Dear Brothers and Sisters,
"So, why church? The short answer is because the Holy Spirit formed it to be a colony of heaven in the country of death . . .” — Eugene Peterson, Practice Resurrection
These are days where it is so obvious that we live in the country of death. It is such a contrast to our home country, in which the currency is grace — extravagant grace is the foundation for every transaction. We must seek that grace for our own hearts and pray for it for those whose lives are shattered.
The politics of our home country is love — sacrificial love shapes all that we do. We must let ourselves be transformed by that love and carry it into every corner of this world.
This grace and love also means that we find our hearts broken by such darkness. It is a time to mourn. As Paul writes in Romans 12:15, "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” Like the lament Psalms, we recognize and grieve over evil and loss — and turn to God with trust in that grieving.
Shane Copeland sent this article by Russell Moore — which challenges us where we might have grown accustomed to the country of death: After Orlando, Can We Still Weep Together?
I am so thankful for you, and for how you live and love in these times for which there are very few words.
+Ken
The Rt. Rev. Ken Ross
Bishop, Diocese of the Rocky Mountains
Ancient Faith, Global Relationships, Local Mission