Our Guest: Susan Bubbers
The Rev. Dr. Susan Bubbers is the Founder and Dean of the Center for Anglican Theology, Liturgy, and Spiritual formation, Inc. (A.T.L.A.S), Orlando, FL. Since being ordained as an Anglican Priest in 1995, she has served as parish rector, University Chaplain, Bible Institute lecturer, and theological professor. Susan has authored two books: Pet Prayers and A Scriptural Theology of Eucharistic Blessings. She is also a contributing author to a number of books, including the soon to be released Every Woman’s Bible; she has written cover endorsements for monographs, and developed online courses in Hermeneutics and Anglican Studies.
Key Thoughts and Scriptures
1 Peter 5:7 NLT Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
- The only thing we take with us when we go to heaven is our relationships.
- Our relationship with God
- Also, our relationships with other souls
- It’s all about loving others.
- God has made us able to bond with animals.
- He cares about all of His creatures.
Proverbs 12:10 NKJV A righteous man regards the life of his animal…
- “Caris” means “grace”.
- The legacy of Susan’s cat, Caris, was to help her bond more closely with her congregation.
- Yes, pets go to heaven!
Isaiah 11:6 NLT In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all.
“If you need your pet to be in heaven in order for heaven to be heavenly, then yes, your pet will be there.”
John 10:10 NKJV …I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
Revelation 21:1 NKJV Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away…
- Whatever God has created is going to be new and better.
Leviticus 17:11 NKJV For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.
- The word for life/soul in Hebrew, nep̄eš, is exactly the same in all three places in the above scripture.
- Just because an animal can’t be saved doesn’t mean they don’t have a soul.
- God gave animal sacrifice for the purpose of making atonement.
- Atonement by animal sacrifice is like a credit card that covers the debt but doesn’t pay for it.
- Jesus paid our debt with His sacrifice on the cross.
- There’s power in a soul.
- Animal sacrifice was meant to teach humans the great cost of sin.
- All creation had a perfect state of being before the fall.
One of Susan’s first memories was having a conversation with Jesus.
- Jesus was her first friend.
- “I knew the direction, but I didn’t know much about the details.”
- What drew Susan to the Anglican Church was how they allowed everything the Holy Spirit wanted to do and but also were able to kneel in reverence.
- Anglican refers to those Christian churches that trace their origin back to the original Church in England.
- Episcopal is the American term for Anglican.
- A bishop is a pastor of pastors.
- Every pastor needs a pastor.
- A parish is what most denominations refer to as a church.
- The Anglican view of the term “church” is the universal church.
We have to maintain our conversation/relationship with Jesus.
- “No ceilings.”
- God’s word is succinct and powerful.
- He doesn’t waste anything.
- You don’t have to do it the way everyone else has done it before.
- Worship can recharge our batteries because we can sense where God’s holiness is.
- In the holy place, pressure is relieved and hope is revived.
- When God is in something, there will be enthusiasm which will lead you.
- Every human heart desires to be understood.
- Susan has learned to sacrifice her need to be understood by people and rest in the fact that she is understood by God.
1 Corinthians 7 NKJV Paul’s Message on Marriage and Singleness
Philippians 4:11 NKJV Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.
- Don’t mourn away the opportunities that God has given you.
- It’s all about calling.
- You need to have an anointing to have the calling of a wife or mother, just like you would need an anointing to be a minister.
On Susan’s decision to move to the Anglican Church of North America:
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- She took her time making the decision
- Also, she didn’t make the decision alone
- She didn’t take it lightly
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- “Look at all the stuff God has done because I was willing to step out in faith.”
- “When I put the Kingdom first, all my needs are met and God is faithful.”
Deuteronomy 29:5 NIV Yet the Lord says, “During the forty years that I led you through the wilderness, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet.”
- If we fully trust in God, things will last longer, work better, and He will provide in so many ways.
- “Eucharist” means “give thanks” and refers to communion (koinōnia-fellowship).
- God has told us how He wants us to worship Him; He’s not left us on our own to figure it out.
- The communion service is God’s given setting to experience God’s presence in a powerful way.
- God promises to show up if we:
- Put Him first.
- Come in humility.
- Teach the Word.
- Participate in the act of communion (physical prayers).
- We want to position ourselves so we are most receptive to God’s presence.
Mary Magdalene’s Story
- “Magdala” means “pulpit”.
- Mary Magdalene was the first to proclaim that Jesus was resurrected.
- Mary was a woman with no ceilings.
Psalm 32:8-10 NIV I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you…the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.
Philippians 4:7 NIV And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Links:
- Rev. Dr. Susan Bubbers full C.V.: The Rev. Dr. Susan I. Bubbers Dean, The ATLAS Theological Center
- Atlas Theological Center: http://centeratlas.org
- The Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross
Books:
- Pet Prayer book by Dr. Susan Bubbers
- A Scriptural Theology of Eucharistic Blessings by Dr. Susan Bubbers
- At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon, first in the Mitford series
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