James Derkits

  Music has been central to my spiritual life since before I learned to play guitar. Both the songs we sang at camp each summer (and then introduced to my home church in East Texas) and discovering new bands, learning a different spiritual language that wasn't always churchy. music was formative to my young worldview helping me to grow in my understanding of God in my life and in our world.  I have been in several bands since I was in high school, and when I moved to Port Aransas in 2012, besides getting to know our congregations, I wanted to get to know the music scene, and find my place in it. I was fortunate to get to play at the Tarpon Ice House while it still existed, and on some of those late nights I learned the owner was  one of my flock!  I knew that in order to be myself and follow my calling, I needed to continue to play music not just in church as part of my life as a priest, but outside of church. I discovered I especially enjoy playing at that little pi...

Whether you are taking on a spiritual practice, or abstaining from something for the 40 days of lent, the season is about spending more time with God so that we can share Christ's love with others. Our Ash Wednesday service invites the church to self examination, repentance, prayer, fasting, self denial, reading and meditating on scripture, or alms giving. ( Book of Common Prayer p. 265) That list is offered to the whole church; I would encourage choosing one thing to adhere or holdfast to during the entire season. When you miss a day, or fall off your practice, simply start fresh the next day.  Often times we try to take on too many things at once, or feel shame when we stray from our practice. The point of the season is not to try to earn God's love or blessing, we have already been given that by virtue of our existence and Christ's sacrifice for the whole world. In the knowledge of God's love for us then, this season is a time to clear our some of the clutter and noi...