Thursday, October 4, 2018 | Message from Bishop Thompson
I get looped in from time to time on topics that seem over the top. For example, I was copied on a long string of emails regarding the placement of the flag in the nave of a church. The writers of these emails had various stances on the flag, whether it should be in...
Wednesday, August 22, 2018 | Diocesan News, Message from Bishop Thompson
August 20, 2018 Dear Clergy and Wardens of the Diocese of Louisiana, It is my honor and privilege as your Bishop, to give you notice of the 181st Convention of the Diocese of Louisiana on October 26 & 27, 2018. Convention will be hosted by and held at St....
Monday, August 13, 2018 | Message from Bishop Thompson
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, By now the word is out on General Convention. The 79th gathering of The Episcopal Church in Austin has been over for a month and let me tell you, it was a successful convention. I want to highlight a couple of items that set the...
Wednesday, May 16, 2018 | Message from Bishop Thompson
Read Acts 16:16-21:26 here How about the story in chapter 16? Paul and Silas were irritated with a woman who had a spirit of divination. She called attention to Paul and Silas in ways that were not appropriate. Irritated, Paul called in the name of Jesus Christ,...
Wednesday, May 9, 2018 | Message from Bishop Thompson
Read Acts 13:13-16:15 here In this week’s readings we primarily focus on the apostle Paul gaining recognition for having a powerful testimony. Did you notice that Paul is retelling the story that the disciples told in the beginning of the Book of Acts? The message...
Wednesday, May 2, 2018 | Message from Bishop Thompson
Read Acts 10:17-13:12 here Of the many stories in this week’s readings, I want to focus on one in chapter 11. The believers in Judea heard that the Gentiles accepted the word of God and the believers were furious with Peter for teaching the Gentiles about Jesus....
Wednesday, April 25, 2018 | Message from Bishop Thompson
Read Acts 7:1-10:16 here This week’s study begins with the calling of others to serve people while the apostles taught. One person that stood out for me was Stephen. In this week’s writings, Stephen got in a debate with some of the religious leaders. Stephen was...
Wednesday, April 18, 2018 | Message from Bishop Thompson
Read Acts 4:23-6:15 here Two scenarios stand out to me in this week’s scripture reading. The first is how the Holy Spirit acted throughout the new community of believers. The people shared everything because they believed in the mission to care for one another. They...
Wednesday, April 11, 2018 | Message from Bishop Thompson
Click here to read Acts 1-4:22 The book of Acts or also known as the Acts of the Apostles is a wonderful story of the beginning of the Christian community. A surprise to some is that the author is unknown to us. We do know that Theophilus was the first reader of the...
Wednesday, March 28, 2018 | Message from Bishop Thompson
Read the passage here We have now entered Jerusalem. The streets are lined with people who have come for various reasons. Some want to see this magic worker and perhaps be rid of their malady, while others are politically inclined, wanting to size up this man who is...
Wednesday, March 21, 2018 | Message from Bishop Thompson
Read the passage here This week’s scripture readings begin with Jesus doing what he so often does, teach. We begin with the story of Lazarus and the rich man. This story is powerful today, just as it was in first century Palestine. Lazarus was sitting at the rich...
Wednesday, March 14, 2018 | Message from Bishop Thompson
Click here to read the passage What excites me about this week’s readings is the progression. The stories begin with Jesus calling those around him to repent. To repent means to stop and turn around and reorient ourselves in the opposite direction of which we...
Wednesday, March 7, 2018 | Message from Bishop Thompson
Click here to read the passage When Jesus sent out the 70 disciples he wanted them to be present wherever they went. I was struck by this insight while praying. Being present wherever we go is the journey. Being present is being aware of our surroundings, the...
Wednesday, February 28, 2018 | Message from Bishop Thompson
Read Luke 6-9:27 here If I were to chose one word that describes Jesus for this week’s reading I would say compassion. Throughout these three chapters Jesus has compassion on those who are broken, despised by the community and in harms way for telling the truth. So...
Wednesday, February 21, 2018 | Message from Bishop Thompson
Click here to read chapter 3-5 of the Gospel of Luke I like the way the third chapter begins by telling us who was ruling. It reminds me of a good storyteller. It is akin to someone saying, “Remember when Mr. Smith was the principle of the high school and Mrs. Jones...
