Peace Prayer Of St. Francis

Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, union;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.

Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
AMEN.

This Morning

Fall is here in OKC. When we finished Morning Prayer this morning, and I stepped out the front door to go to work, I was hit in the face with the cold wind and the drizzle. And it felt great.

I like cold weather. Last December, right after Shirley and I married and moved here from Houston, we experienced an ice storm that really was unusual for this area. But we enjoyed it. We ended up not going anywhere for three days. Church was cancelled that weekend, and not only ours, but by I think everyone else around us (it was constant on the tv--one church after another announcing that their Sunday service was cancelled). If we had been working at that point, it would have proven difficult, if not impossible, to get to work. So we had sympathy for those who needed to work and couldn't get there. But for us, we enjoyed the quiet. No traffic on MacArthur, and I walked (slid!) around outside on the ice. Wonderful.

This morning, I dropped one of our hotel guests off at Will Rogers airport, and when I asked the skycap guy if he had his coffee, he said no, "This is Fall...wait 'til we hit Winter! Then I'll have coffee out here!" I answered, "Oh, yeah, I know...I remember last year!" I had my coffee in the van this morning. A good bit of my job requires driving our hotel guests in the shuttle van, either to and from the airport or to restaurants, the Super Wal-mart, 7-11, etc. I love it. I get to meet a lot of people from all over the world.

It's nice to be in a place where the weather changes from season to season. We get some snow here, which I love.

Praise the Creator for Autumn. I'm ready for the leaves to fall.


br. francis

San Damiano Song


"If you want your dream to be, Build it slow and surely. Small beginnings greater ends. Heartfelt work grows purely. If you want to live life free, Take your time go slowly. Do few things but do them well. Simple joys are holy. Day by day, stone by stone, Build your secret slowly. Day by day, you'll grow, too, You'll know heaven's glory."

-- San Damiano Song, Donovan, from the film Brother Sun, Sister Moon

For Brother Sun...for Sister Moon

"For Brother Sun who gives us warmth; to Thee, O Lord we give thanks...for Sister Moon who lights our night; to Thee, O Lord we give thanks."

--St. Francis of Assisi

New rock band

What a great couple of hours. The guitarist brought a couple of unfinished songs, i.e.without lyrics, and a singer. The guy plays bass and guitar, and had a couple of "songs in the raw" to add, too. We videotaped tonight. The guitarist will record guitar and bass this week. Next week we'll begin to lay down drum and vocal tracks.

It was nice and loud, rockin', and a lot of fun. We've got a tentative name. More as it comes.


br francis

The Presence of God

Bless all who worship you, almighty God,
from the rising of the sun to its setting:
from your goodness enrich us,
by your love inspire us,
by your Spirit guide us,
by your power protect us,
in your mercy receive us,
now and always.



-- from Sacred Space, the prayer book 2007, Jesuit Communication Centre, Ireland (Ave Maria Press, 2006).

Music

After a few weeks of trying to coordinate Shirley's and my schedule with two other guitarists' schedules, I ended the frustration with a phone call.

The guitarist of the failed band I had been a part of here in OKC answered, we spoke....and the world was healed!


OK, I'm being silly and dramatic. The world is, and will be, healed by Christ, directly and through us. But, the music news is, the guitarist and I will get together this Sunday night! We will work again on a couple of covers--Stone In Love (Journey), Temples of Syrinx (Rush), and the Rover (Zeppelin). I want to do a song we did in Stage Dive--"Technical Support." He will bring his 8-track recorder, he has chords ready for lyrics, and I have lyrics ready for chords! We'll video the rehearsals and recordings. I'll probable sing on the tracks to begin with, until we get a really good singer. And he will play bass on the tracks until we get a bass player. Lyrically, what will we do? Ah, it will be fun. Our plan is to do some poking around at problems in the world, do a little satire, as well as some serious stuff. I have pretty much infinite freedom to write as my mind and heart dictates. Musically, what will we sound like? Hard and melodic, I should think.

One new song I wrote (lyrics) yesterday pokes fun at crazy drivers, out of control cops, greedy businessmen, and need of reformation for the prison system. I call it, "I Treat My Dog Better Than That."

The other guitarist can jump in when he's ready, or there will be another music effort with him. We'll see how that plays out. But I'm excited to get it going.

The weekend is here--have a great one and good worship Sunday. Join us if you're here and looking for a place to be.


br. francis

Sunday 10/7

Wow, we had a great worship today. Our Eucharist, Blessing of the Animals, and lunch was great. And something happened today that I haven't mentioned yet--I led singing for Chapel of St. Francis for the first time today.

I have led singing many times before for a service we have done at a nursing home, but never when playing drums. That's difficult. I am told that I did well. Hmm. It's very difficult to play drums and sing at the same time. There are drummers who do it--the two I'm thinking of off the top of my head are Phil Collins (the obvious man to come to mind) and Joe English (former Paul McCartney & Wings drummer).

Playing drums for worship, especially for what we do--a mix of traditional and contemporary music--is a different animal than just doing rock, pop, and blues. I have to "back off my attack"--and play more softly, and be creative with other percussion instruments, i.e. shakers, and triangle, soft rods, and mallets (for cymbal rises). But to SING while doing all that is a difficult task.

But I enjoyed every minute of it. All glory to God.

Our Bishop is beginning dialogue with a bishop in another jurisdiction concerning a merger or concordat of sorts. We ask you who read this to be in prayer with us on this, if you would. Although division in the Church is, unfortunately, a given, and sometimes necessary, it doesn't mean we like it. Our goal, after leaving the larger jurisdiction we were a part of a few years ago (there was no way around it), has been to affiliate again with another that is similar to us. This bishop is known to many in the Anglican/Anglo-catholic/independent catholic parts of the Church. Thank you for your prayers.

Have a good week.


br. francis

bring light

Today is the feast day of Francis of Assisi, from whom I took my monastic name when I took permanent vows. Sunday will be St. Francis Sunday, with worship in Eucharist, the Blessing of the Animals, lunch and fellowship. Even Reba and Rabby, the rabbits out back, will have a blessing prayed over them: Bishop/Abbot Jim will go to their home--they live under our shed--and bless them. I would guess that they won't purposely show themselves or stand still for the blessing, much less let him lay hands on them........! :) All are welcome to bring their animals for blessing. It'll happen around Noon. Come as you are and worship, have your creature blessed, and eat and fellowship with us. (Normally, some of our animals are with us for worship anyway, as we are a Franciscan parish.)

It's a good day, being Francis day, but I was so sleepy I nodded off a couple of times during morning prayer this morning (once during Clare's homily). Brother Shorty (her dachshund) was already out, laying next to me. Sorry, Clare--your homily was good--my mind and heart said so, but my body said no. One point of the homily was that animals aren't far below us on the Creation order. We're sandwiched in between angels and animals, and it's a pretty thin sandwich.

"Most high and glorious God
Bring light to the darkness of my heart.
Give me right faith, certain hope, and perfect charity.
Lord, give me insight and wisdom,
So I might always discern
Your holy and true will."
--a prayer of Francis of Assisi

He would say, "What's all the fuss about? I'm just a human, a sinner like everyone else." He would credit God's grace for everything. And so should we. Have a blessed feast day of St. Francis.


under the mercy,
br. francis

military man

"Saw the light from the Man above
His heart pierced by a sword of love, military man....
He caught sight of the future shock
Defenses crushed beneath the Risen Rock
No more doing time, he tasted the new wine
no more reason to fight for the military man, no more military man"
-- Resurrection Band, Military Man, from DMZ

September 30

We had a great Michaelmas today. Our worship was awesome, and we enjoyed some very good tacos and football.

The feast of Francis is this Thursday, October 4. Our plan is to celebrate Wednesday and Sunday. Wednesday we'll do the blessing of the animals. Sunday, we'll celebrate with soup--lentil and chicken, cornbread, salad, and some good wine.

We invite you to join us. Wednesday is at 7 pm, Sunday at 10:30 am.

Today is the deadline the primates set for ecusa bishops to respond with full repentance. Other posts are here on that. It is a sad day for the Church. But our God continues to be good and faithful. Let us be in prayer together for our brothers and sisters.


shalom,
br. francis

orthodoxy

I don't refer here to Eastern Orthodoxy. I refer to what has been taught by the Church for 2000+ years, of which is primarily communicated to us in the Holy Scriptures. We in the Church must be orthodox. We must continue to hold on to the apostles' teaching, and as it was written down for us in Scripture.

That includes teachings on sexual morality. To be a follower or disciple of Christ involves adhering to His commands: "If you love me, you will keep my commands." His command is simple: sex is to be between two opposite-sex persons in a covenant marriage.

When the Council of Nicea met in 325 to combat heresy, one of the things they addressed was the problem of heretical bishops (chief or head pastors). Their response to these so-called bishops was just that--to declare that they are no longer bishops and pastors in the Church, and that God's people were no longer under their authority or care. And that other faithful bishops were to come in and truly shepherd God's people who were formerly pastored by these rebels.

As I have said before, we have the same situation now, at this crucial point in the history of the Church. Heretical bishops have again arisen in the Church and teach what is contrary to Scripture. According to Paul and the other apostles, and reiterated in the Council of Nicea, we as God's people are not to listen to them, we are no longer under their authority, and we should seek another bishop to pastor us in their place. This is not, as some have claimed, "sheep-stealing," or encroaching on another's territory. Again, according to Scripture and Nicene,
these heretics have lost their place of ministry among us, and sadly, must be replaced by others who are faithful to Christ.

For many of us, this is a reality we have come to, or are now coming to. The question is, who will remain in communion with these rebels? They will then themselves become rebels, whether they are orthodox or not.

Institutions and branches of the Church can and do become corrupt. Yet God has always had His remnant. The Church is not institutions or denominations--it is God's people. And the authority is placed and will remain solely with those who are orthodox and faithful.

Choose ye this day. We must love and welcome all. Let us continue to do that, and learn how to do that better. And let us stand with Christ and His Word, and with those who do, in all the world.

May God alone receive glory. Amen.


br. francis

Michaelmas

When I go out into the Oratory of St. Bonaventure, which we call the Bonny, I can't hear the phone ring, the tv if it's on, or Athalia if she's chirping loudly (which she does when she's hungry, thirsty, or wants attention--especially in the morning; she's a morning person: I guess most birds are). That's very nice when you want to do prayer, meditation, devotions before the altar (where we keep the Reserved Sacrament), or read a good book, either for study or pleasure. Although when you're out there in the day you can hear the vehicles on MacArthur. Oh, well. We'll see what remote location and solitude we have when the Order purchases land for intentional community in the future. I am excited about that. Sr. Sarah's vision was of a forest. Can we add mountains and running water to that?

I just came back into the "house proper" from the Bonny and Morning Prayer and Communion for Michaelmas, and there was an "UNAVAILABLE" on the caller i.d. and an "if you'd like to make a call..." message on the answering machine. Another telemarketer, I suppose, even if we're on the so-called no-call list. Oh, well. I call this part of the house the "house proper" because the Oratory, or Bonny, is an enclosed porch--so originally it wasn't part of the "house proper."

Anyway, on to Michael and the angels. Their feast is observed on September 29, and in England it's called "Michaelmas." Some places there is a celebration, special food, fun, etc. Chapel of St. Francis will celebrate it tomorrow, and our "special food" will be tacos. So we'll have "Michaelmas Tacos," with the meat cooked and seasoned by yours truly. :) Since we're of the "English catholic" tradition, I'll call it Michaelmas. Today (and tomorrow) we celebrate the presence, service, prayers, and protection of the angels around us. According to Scripture, they are in ranks, some circle the Throne of Almighty God and cry, "holy, holy, holy" all the time (for them it's not "all the time," of course, because there's no time there...), pray for us with the saints in heaven (the Church Triumphant) and bring their prayers and the prayers of the saints in heaven to God's Throne (how that's done is not described to us by the Apostle John--I'm not sure there are words to describe it), protect us, fulfill God's will, do battle with demons, and in a way that's not explained in Scripture, are instrumental in bringing God's peace to us (maybe partly through their intercession and protection).

Angels are NOT glorified human beings. We don't BECOME angels when we enter heaven, but Scripture says we are LIKE them. Their counterparts are demons, fallen angels who, according again to John the Revelator (check out Phil Keaggy's version of this blues classic on Crimson and Blue --it rocks!) made war on the holy angels, and with their leader, Satan the dragon and serpent, and were beaten and cast out of heaven. John writes that they went on to persecute Mary and the Church. Paul wrote to us that our war is not really with other humans, but with them. We have authority, and have triumphed over them, in the Name above all names, Jesus Christ.

Recommended Further Reading:
Peter Kreeft, Angels and Demons
C.S. Lewis' 'Space Trilogy'
devotions and litany to the angels in the St. Augustine Prayer Book

Michael, defend us in battle.



God's blessings on you.

br. francis

A Little Grace



"You left a poison thorn in my side and then You dangled a sword above me
You let the devils and angels collide so I would know You loved me"

-- Daniel Amos, A Little Grace, from Mr. Buechner's Dream

Profile

Just updated my profile, if you'd like to have a look at it. Shirley is at work, and I'll head to work after a nice nap. Athalia is enjoying herself today and is quite vocal.

Hope your worship is good tomorrow.




br. francis

"Diversity should not be unlimited and should not contradict the essentials of our faith...not unity at any expense."


NEW ORLEANS: Egyptian Primate says TEC Must Accept Consequences of its Decisions

Archbishop Mouneer Anis addresses the House of Bishops in New Orleans
Sept. 20, 2007

Someone a moment ago handed me this speech. It was just delivered on the floor. I am typing it up and will post updates as I proceed...so keep refreshing... Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Thank you so much for inviting me here to come and listen to you and for giving me the opportunity to share my heart with you. I am very aware of my own shortcomings and weaknesses, but every word I want to say is out of love and concern for the unity of the Church of Christ.

I do not come with great authority, nor am I the primate of a province with a great number of Anglicans; I do however, come from a region where Christ walked and where the Church was born. I come representing the Church of Jerusalem and the Middle East.

The Church in this region has faced many challenges since the first century. Our brothers and sisters in the early centuries were ready to sacrifice their very lives to stay true to the Faith they received from the Lord and his Apostles. Their blood was not in vain; rather it became the seed of the Church across our entire region. Many disputes and heresies took place in our region. In face of all the challenges, persecutions, and heresies our ancestors-people like St. Athanasius, St. Clement, Origen, and Cyril from Alexandria, along with Tertullian, Cyprian, and St. Augustine from North Africa-kept the faith of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. We are constantly learning from our ancient martyrs and forebearers how to serve the Kingdom of God faithfully.

Today our Anglican Church in the Middle East still lives within a very exciting and challenging context. We live among the Oriental Orthodox, the Greek Orthodox, the Catholics, the Jews and the Muslims. We greatly value our ecumenical relations and continue to work for unity.

We also deeply respect and appreciate our Muslim friends and value our interfaith relations while in no way compromise our faith. I have to tell you that many of these relations were severely strained after your decision to consecrate Gene Robinson as bishop in 2003. We are seen as the new heretics and this has hindered our ecumenical and interfaith relations as well as our mission in the region

My friends, like you, we want to be relevant to the culture in which we live. More importantly, we want to be salt and light to our societies. That is not an easy calling but it means we must remain distinct and humble at the same time. Without being distinct we cannot be salt and light; without humility we will not represent the one who said, "I am meek and lowly in heart." We are also continuously challenged whether we should allow the culture to transform the Apostolic Faith we once received, or if we should allow the Gospel of Jesus Christ to transform our culture as it has in the past. As we struggle to answer this question we must never divorce ourselves from the faith that countless men, women and children died to protect. I believer that if we faithfully serve the Church of Christ, He will continue to fulfill his promise that the gates of Hades will not prevail against her.

Rupertus Meldenius said, "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity". Our hope is to be united on the essentials of faith which are defined only by the whole church. WE are not in any way trying to impose rigid views on you. Like you we celebrate diversity, but we believe that such diversity should not be unlimited and should not contradict the essentials of our faith. We are not schismatic, but we are diligent to preserve the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. We want unity but not unity at any expense.

Anglicans are aware with humility that we are not "the" church but we are one member of the body of Christ, the one Holy Catholic Church. We proclaim this every week in our churches. This places upon us the responsibility to listen to and respect our ecumenical partners.

My friends, you may believe you have discovered a very different truth from that of the majority in the Anglican Communion. It is not just about sexuality, but about your views of Christ, the Gospel, and the authority of the Bible. Please forgive me when I relay that some say you are a different church, others even think that you are a different religion.

I understand that it is difficult for you in your context to accept the standard teaching of the Anglican Communion. That is why you refused to accept Lambeth Conference Resolution 1.10. You also ignored all the warnings of the Primates in 2003, 2004, and 2005. Your response to the Windsor Report is seen by the Primates as not clear. You cannot say you value being a member of the Anglican Communion while you ignore the interdependence if the member churches. The interdependence is what differentiates us from other congregational churches. I would like to remind you and myself with the famous resolution number 49 of the Lambeth Conference of 1930 which declares "the Anglican Communion is a fellowship of churches that...are bound together not by a central legislative and executive authority, but by mutual loyalty sustained through the common counsel of the bishops in conference." With respect, I have to say that those who would prefer to speak of laws and procedures, constitutions and canons, committees and process: you are missing the point! It is our mutual loyalty and fellowship, submitting to one another in the common cause of Jesus Christ that makes us of one Church one faith and one Lord.

It is clear that you actions have resulted in one the most difficult disputes in the Communion in our generation. You may see them as not core doctrinal issues. Many like me see the opposite but the thing that we all cannot ignore is that these issues are divisive and have created a lot of undesired consequences and reactions. For the first time in centuries, the fabric of our Communion is torn. Our energies have been drained and our resources are lost and it is difficult for both of us to continue like this.

My friends, if you really believe that the truth revealed to you is different from that shown to the rest of the Communion, then you need to uphold that claim with boldness even at the risk of losing unity. If you think it is right and necessary to ordain and consecrate practicing homosexuals and that you should bless same sex partnerships or even marriages, you should be true to what you believe is right and accept the consequences.

However, if you appreciate being members of the global Anglican family, then you have to walk along side the members of your family. Those who say it is important to stay together around the table, to listen to each other and to continue our dialogue over the difficult issues that are facing us are wise. We wholeheartedly agree with this, but staying around the table requires that you should not take actions that are contrary to the standard position (Lambeth 1.10) of the rest of the Communion.

Sitting around one table requires humility from all of us. One church cannot say to the rest of churches "I know the whole truth, you don't". Archbishop Rowan reminded us in his paper "Challenge and Hope" that "the whole truth is revealed to the whole church". Sitting around one table requires that each one should have a clear stance before the discussion starts. It also requires that true openness and willingness to accept the mind of the whole. We do not have to be in the communion to sit around the one table. We do so when we dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox and with other faiths. It would be extremely difficult to sit around one table when you have already decided the outcome if the discussion and when you ignore the many voices, warnings and appeals from around the communion.

Today I appeal to you to respond with great clarity to the requests that were made in Dar Es Salaam. If you accepted the Primates' recommendations, would you be able to give assurances to the Executive Committee of the General Convention of TEC would ratify your response? It is the responsibility of the bishop to guard the faith as we promise during our consecration. In many of not most parts of the Communion and the historic churches, present and ancient, matters of faith and order, is the responsibility and therefore the authority of the Bishops to safeguard and teach.

If you don't commit yourself to the Dar Es Salaam recommendations would you be willing to walk apart at least for a period during which we continue our discussions and dialogue until we reach a common understanding, especially about the essentials of our faith? Forgive me when I say that for many of us in the Communion, we feel that you have already walked apart at least theologically from the standard teaching of the Communion.

I know that you value personal freedom and independence. The whole world learns this from you. You need to demonstrate this by securing freedom for the American orthodox Anglicans who do not share your theological direction. Show your spirit of inclusiveness when you deal with them. I am afraid to say that without this more and more interventions from other provinces is going to happen. No one wants this.

I pray for wisdom and grace, for myself as well as for you, and I pray that God will lead us both in the right direction. Remember the illustrious history of God's church and remember future generations who will sit in judgment on us. Remember also that the whole world is waiting and watching what you do.

Please forgive me if I have said anything that offends you.

May the Lord bless you.

---Archbishop Mouneer is Bishop of the Episcopal/Anglican Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa. He is President Bishop of the Episcopal/Anglican province of
Jerusalem and the Middle East.


--from Virtue Online. This says it all, it says it well, and it was said in the spirit of the love of Christ. And in this speech Archbishop Mouneer, in my estimation, was doing the thing, besides guarding the faith, that he is called to most--being a pastor.



br. francis

Meeting

Normally, I wouldn't do this on my blog. But I've gotta say these things and get them off my chest.

The Archbishop of Canterbury's response to his meeting with the Episcopal Church's House of Bishops is found wanting. In a nutshell, they continue to say they will continue to ordain non-celibate homosexual persons and to bless same-sex couples (no surprise). He says that the September 30 deadline set by the primates for them to say they will cease this wasn't a deadline, but that there needs to be more discussion. What more discussion is needed? The time for discussion of these matters is done. There has been more than enough discussion about what Holy Scripture clearly states is a sin. We all agree that all persons should be loved, won to Christ, and welcomed in His Church. What we disagree on is whether a person should submit to Christ and be changed by Him--from something His written Word calls sin, to a lifestyle that His Word says is holy unto Him --i.e. either marriage to a spouse of the opposite sex, or celibacy. What is left to be discussed? Your Grace, most of us around the world that are Anglican, yea, the rest of the whole Church, agree that this has been discussed ad nauseum.

God has spoken to His people through faithful bishops and in Holy Scripture. No ecumenical council has ever received the leading of the Holy Spirit that the interpretation of statements in Scripture concerning homosexual behavior were wrong.

We were taught in Bible college from day one: The Spirit of God will never lead us to believe, say or do anything contrary to what is clearly written in Holy Scripture.



br. francis

Rebels


"We are not merely imperfect creatures that need improvement: we are rebels that need lay down their arms."

--C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain

Coffee

I love coffee. I really do. It doesn't need creamer, flavored or not, and in my humble but accurate opinion, flavored creamers mask the taste of the coffee.

That's OK if you like creamer, flavored or not, in your coffee. My wife does. And I'm happy that she drinks coffee with me in the morning. (She didn't before we were married.)

I like flavored coffee. My favorite is French Roast. The flavor that is already in the coffee is perfect for me. Shirley and I buy our coffee (most of the time) from Ross (yes, the clothing store)--they have great coffee and it's half the price of Starbucks--yet nearly as good.

I began to be a coffee drinker my first year in Bible college, when I had to stay up half the night writing papers. And when I was in Chicago, we went to a place that roasted their beans twice a week. So we took fresh bean home all the time, it was better than Starbucks, and fresher! And it was half the price. The French Roast rocked.

OK, once in a while if the flavored creamer is VERY good, I will have a bit. (especially if it's Irish Cream) But, 99% of the time, the coffee is great black.

The only thing I DON'T like about coffee is something that rarely happens, but that just did--the bottom of the pot has grounds. That I don't like. But at 6 am Monday and Tuesday or 7 am Wed-Fri, when Sr. Clare comes over for Morning Prayer, the coffee is ON! The 'Communion Cafe' is open, my brothers and sisters!--every morning and evening that Chapel of St. Francis worships here at Mercy House. Welcome and enjoy prayer to and worship of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ--and a good, hot cup of coffee. So good. :)


br. francis

Prayer for bishops

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, is meeting this week with Episcopal Church USA (TEC) House of Bishops. TEC was in February given a September 30 deadline by the Anglican Communion primates to end all ordinations of non-celibate homosexuals and of blessings for same-sex couples, or face expulsion from the Communion.

Some of TEC's bishops have made public statements that they will not cease these unbiblical practices and that the US province should say "no" to the primates' demand that the church return to faithfulness to Christ and to the apostolic faith as written in the Bible.

We are to welcome all into the Church and lead them to know and follow Christ--yet not condone their sin.

Our God still performs miracles. Let us pray that a miracle occurs this week within the hearts of bishops.

My Anglican jurisdiction is not affiliated with TEC, and you may not attend or be a member of a TEC church. But, brothers and sisters, this is the Church, and we're talking about pastors in the church, chief pastors, who have taken an oath at their ordination to uphold and teach the apostolic faith and remain true to Christ and His Word the Bible. This is a crucial moment in the life of the Church, and millions are affected by the decisions, teachings, and lifestyles of these bishops. We must stand in prayer for God to work a miracle.

There are some of these bishops who are faithful. Some are planning to leave if the miracle does not occur. We must especially be in prayer for them, as well.

Paul wrote that when one part of the Body of Christ hurts, we all hurt with it.



br. francis

Holy Cross/Shirley's Birthday

Last Friday was the feast of the Triumph of the Holy Cross. We celebrated it as a parish yesterday, on Sunday. And we also celebrated my lovely wife Shirley's birthday.

Brother-and-sister-in-law Jeff, Susanna, and nephew Benjamin were here from Ft. Worth. And our friends Mitch and Elizabeth from Southern Hills Baptist visited and celebrated as well.

It was a great time of worship, fellowship, and food. We ate at Jin-Wei (sp.?), a Japanese buffet, authentic according to my wife, and she and Susanna said the sushi was good (I don't eat it..........:) ). Our music was good, as well. Clare and I attempted some new music, and it went fairly well.

We always eat lunch together after worship. If you're looking for a church in the evangelical Anglican tradition with life--come and see.

Next month we celebrate the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. I know he wouldn't want us to make a fuss over him, or eat too well, but...oh, well. Sorry, brother.


br. francis

Finally

The event that millions have waited for, and drummers especially, will now finally come.

The remaining members of Led Zeppelin will do a reunion concert!

Nov. 26, they, with the late drummer John Bonham's son Jason on drums, and a few other bands, will salute the Atlantic Records founder who passed last year. He signed Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and Zep to his label--Zeppelin was the first rock band he signed.

If there is talk of further shows, they're quiet about it.

Two CD's will be released by the band in conjunction with the show.

Bonham is my favorite drummer (he and Peart) and Zep my favorite rock band. This is very nice to see. Sorry that John isn't here to play it. God's mercy be upon Him.



br. francis

Radio

We are to, as best as we can, fulfill the callings God has given each of us. However, as we all know, we have to wait for some of them.

I was privileged to do radio for about 24 years in the Houston, Texas area. Most of it was Christian radio, and some of it was mainstream, or so-called secular. After all that, I know that part of my calling is to do radio in a Christian music ministry format. Thus far, I've had no bites here in Oklahoma. (Although I do have some "canned" breaks running on a 4am-7am air shift at an internet station. Those were recorded before I left with Shirley to come here, almost a year ago.)

Just got a bite. And not only a bite--I was asked to do a show on a station, probably the "afternoon drive"--3-7pm. Once everything is hammered out, the Lord will have me back on the air for ministry, for Him. It is hard to wait to do something we know He has called us to do. But eventually, He opens the door.

Of course, I am thrilled. Thanks be to God!


br. francis

New web page

No, our United Convergence Church web page is no longer online. Look for our new site--www.thecommunionoftheholytrinity.org.

Keep checking back--it should be up soon. I am excited and looking forward to the changes that will be made to the site.

We are an orthodox communion in the Anglican tradition and we welcome you. We stand on the Scriptures as the written Word of God, believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, "the only mediator between God and men." We hold to the ancient catholic faith, believing what was believed by the whole Church when she was one.

If you are looking for a church in the Anglican tradition that is conservative and having the life of the Holy Spirit, we welcome you. Email or call if we can be of help to you. Join us for worship if you're in the area. Chapel of St. Francis parish meets at Mercy House. Our address and service times, and more info, is at www.netministries.org/see/churches/ch07969.

May God bless you and give you peace.


br. francis

Phoebe

Today is the feast of Deacon Phoebe. She is commended by Paul in Romans 16:1.

We had a great time yesterday. My Irish Stew turned out pretty well, and we enjoyed some Guinness and Shiner Bock. And last night--no one will believe me--Shirley and I watched The Sound of Music. Here's what no one will believe--I had never seen it before. True. Loved it--it's now one of my favorite movies. Loved the music and story. Great movie.

I worked today on Labor Day. The hotel was quiet, but I did drive a few folks back and forth from Will Rogers Airport. All in all, a nice, quiet day. Enjoying the evening now with my lovely Bride, trying to help get her well. She's got a nice cold. :(


blessings,
br. francis

Good point, Clare & Shorty

See the comment on the previous post, about Iona. Good point. :)


br. francis

Saturday before Aidan Sunday

Yes, I know that in the Church Calendar there's no such thing. It's just my title for this blog entry so it can be dated and named.

Tomorrow, however, we will, as a parish, celebrate bishop and monk Aidan. I have prepared the Irish Stew and it's in the crock pot (yeah, I know--it's the easy way, leave me alone....! :) ). Gotta pick up some Guinness in a bit. (We have some Shiner in the fridge, too.)

We worshiped with our friends Mitch and Elizabeth at their Baptist church last Sunday night. The music and praise and worship, message and fellowship was good. They followed us here for spaghetti, jammin' by Mitch and me (Mitch is a guitarist), and an impromptu Pipe Club (the first of many here).

I was reminded that we are all the Church. Shirley and I, when asked what kind of Christians we are, often say we are "mutts." To me, that's synonymous with catholic. All baptized believers (and those who believe who are on the way to baptism) are part of the one Church. Jesus didn't institute a bunch of denominations--He instituted one holy, catholic and apostolic Church. That's it. Plain and simple. No one branch of the Church has it all right.

Although I will be ordained as a priest in apostolic succession next Summer, I will be a Christian minister first, and an Anglican one second. My call is to serve everyone as best as I can, not just one branch or part of the Church. That calling involves serving those on the edge or outside the Church, whether Christians or not. I'm also praying about how I may have dialogue (as did Thomas Merton) with those in other religions who are seeking God. We must be ready to give an answer, in season and out, and be all things to all men, as the Apostle Paul wrote to us.

I am grieved at recent statements from Pope Benedict and the Archbishop of York. Benedict said we weren't really part of the Church if we weren't part of the Roman Catholic Church. My faith and baptism brought me into the Church, not what part of it I happen to be confirmed in or a member in. The Scriptures and Church Fathers teach us this. The Archbishop of York recently stated to conservative Anglican primates that if they didn't show for Lambeth next year, they were removing themselves from the Anglican Communion and were therefore no longer Anglican. He said Anglicanism is through Canterbury. I beg to differ, Your Grace. The Christian Church was established on English soil in 63 A.D. at Glastonbury, not at Canterbury. The Gospel was spread from there by monks who were faithful to Christ and His Word, not by so-called bishops who believe more in post-modernism than in Christ as Lord and His written Word, the precepts of which are timeless. The English Church is traced back to Glastonbury. All who are true to the Faith once delivered who are of the Anglican tradition trace their roots back to Glastonbury, not Canterbury.

As a monk, it resounds deep within my heart that monks from the first Christian community in Great Britain, Glastonbury, took the Gospel out from there and brought Christ to those who would receive Him.

Praise God for His redemption and deliverance through Christ!

Join us tomorrow for authentic ancient-future Christian worship. The Chapel of St. Francis parish meets here at Mercy House, 5901 NW 62nd St. at MacArthur, Sundays at 10:30 am and Wednesdays at 7 pm for Eucharist. Morning Prayer and Communion is here every weekday morning--Monday and Tuesday at 6 am, Wednesday through Friday at 7 am.

We welcome you in Christ's Name. Come as you are.


br. francis

Aidan day

Today is the feast day of St. Aidan, the gentle yet strong monastic bishop from Iona who lived Christ everywhere. He gave away all that he might find Christ, and be found by Him, and was compassionate and intense in his faith to all he encountered. He offered Christ as Lord, Savior, and Friend to all. He pastored others and enjoyed times of solitude. When I took permanent vows, I nearly took his name (or Aidan Francis -- I went back and forth on the name for a while). I have been very impressed with this man of God for a few years.

Sunday, we will have an Aidan/Celtic day. We'll have music, fellowship, good worship in Communion, and I will try my hand at Irish Stew. Of course, we'll have Guinness on hand. And at lunch we'll talk of Aidan and Celtic monasticism, and what influence that should have on us today as believers. I think I have a video documentary on Celtic monasticism, too, that I haven't yet watched. Might drag it out.

We're looking forward to a great day. Join us if you're in the area.


br. francis

Hello, it's Louis IX's feast day

He was a good king, a Franciscan, and wore a hair shirt. Besides his two failed crusades, a good example to us all in the living out of our faith.

Quiet Saturday at Mercy House. Shirley is at work, I go soon, and I've updated our Mercy House web page--www.netministries.org/see/churches/ch07969.

Did a lot of surfing today--some of 'emergent' churches in the UK. While I can't much appreciate the doctrinal openness, there's a lot to appreciate. One really good-looking church I found--apostles church. www.apostleschurch.org.

The thing about us, is that we believe in the Creeds--Apostles, Nicene, and Athanasian. We choose to not debate the doctrinal issues that have split the Church (gifts, eschatology, arminian-vs.-calvinism, etc.). Our theology and practice is that of the ancient Church.

We hope your weekend is good and pray you have good worship tonight or tomorrow. Join us if you're in the OKC area.


br. francis

Aidan

Friday, August 31st is the Feast of Aidan. Of course, we're going to move his observance to the next day, on Sunday.

I'm going to make Irish Stew, bring out more green candles, and have plenty of Guinness on hand. We'll have Eucharist, then lunch and fellowship. We'll probably have to add some Celtic music to our worship. It's going to be a fun Celtic Sunday! :)

If you're in the area, you're welcome to join us.


br. francis

Failure is a good thing

Before I begin this post: In the player: Atomic Opera -- Penguin Dust.

Failure teaches us to press toward the goal(s) we have, and to not give up, if it's still possible to reach that goal. Failure teaches us how to "fine-tune" our efforts to reach that goal. it teaches us precisely what is necessary to accomplish that goal. It teaches us how to better accomplish that goal.

The ancient Celtic Christians liked things that were on the "edge" between one thing and another, especially geographically. They found it easier to pray and commune with God in these places. And more so than the rest of the Church, they lived on the "edge"--their monastic communities were on the edge of active and contemplative. They went to the quiet places to commune with God, and then back into the world to be Christians, to live their faith out in the callings they had.

Thankfully, our monastic order is this way. I have long sat on the line between my contemplative practices and my active practice. I am called to play drums in a rock band of some sort, and have prayed through this desire and call for a while--it must be balanced with my study and call to the priesthood. The attempt at a rock band that fizzled here a few months ago was discouraging, but left me with a clarification of how that call was to play out in my life.

The guitarist of that failed band showed up at our door a couple of nights ago, with a desire to begin again. I have more say in the new effort than in the failed one, and will be able to write a lot. The rehearsals and playing out will better fit my schedule. The guitarist has 8-track recording equipment and a lot of studio time at a recording studio. So we'll begin writing and recording, probably next week, and in the future do an album.

I am excited. We must persevere in prayer, and not give up. Our God will answer.



br. francis

Bernard Sunday

Yeah, I know, there's no such thing.........tomorrow is the Feast of Bernard, Abbot of Clairveouax, so we celebrated him at church today. Ivy brought beans and cornbread, and it rocked! (Sorry, got carried away again.!) Our worship was good today. Bishop/Abbot Jim preached on the love of Christ and laying our lives down--something we need to be reminded often that we need to do.

If you're in the OKC area, and are looking for convergence worship--evangelical, sacramental, Spirit-filled--we want to welcome you. Come as you are. Sunday at 10:30 am and Wednesday at 7:30 pm we have worship with Holy Eucharist (Communion). Sunday we eat lunch together after, and Wednesday we have a class after. We always have good coffee and tea (I call it the Communion Cafe). Monday through Friday we have Morning Prayer with Communion (a Deacon's Mass)--Mon and Tue it's at 6 am, Wed-Fri it's at 7 am. It is about 30 minutes, and we have coffee and tea.

Our church here doesn't have cultural barriers--we welcome everybody. Come as you are. Jeans, t-shirts and shorts are expected. Hair style doesn't matter. Neither do piercings or tatoos. Man looks at the outside--God looks at our hearts. This is a house church, and we're not here to show off our new suits--we can do that at work.

Join us Wednesday or tomorrow for Morning Prayer and Communion, if you're in the area.

I'm going to go back in and hang with my wife now. :)



br. francis

Hello, it's me

Yes, I was thinking of the Todd Rundgren song. It's nice to have a couple of days off from work, much needed days, I'll say. I work full-time at a hotel as a bellman--at a monastery I would be the Porter. I also have a second, two-day-a-week part-time job, where Shirley works. I do eight hours a week there to supplement our income a bit.

At the hotel, we are currently short two bellmen--one is on "vacation" (I won't go there, I'll become aggravated) and when he returns next week, he'll be part-time. So my supervisor and I, with the help of a couple of others, have been filling the rest of the hours. It has been exhausting.

As a monk, I believe in the need to have a balanced life. Scripture teaches that. This includes work and time off work. We don't believe in the teaching of the world--work as much overtime as you can, and fill up the bank account--at the expense of our spiritual and married lives. That said, at times we may be called upon to do extra at work. Nothing wrong with that, as long as it has an end, we may soon find time off and for rest, and then return to a more normal, balanced schedule.

Each christian must judge this for him/her selves--I encourage you to ask God for His wisdom, and then receive from Him His leading.

So I am enjoying today and tomorrow. And I need it.

We had a great time Sunday celebrating the Feast of St. Clare (moved from the 11th, the day before). Her order and tradition is the contemplative side of Franciscanism. What a wonderful lady she was and is. Pray for us, Clare. I smoked burgers on the Smokey (I'm told they were very good--I thought so), and we had chips and drinks. This Sunday, Ivy is bringing beans and cornbread. Yes! Sorry, got a little carried away. Join us tomorrow night and Sunday if you're in the area.

I am watching the news in the Anglican world. A couple of things---remember that our God is with us and that He always has a remnant. Also, if you're with a good bishop--you're blessed, no matter which group or province he serves with. And if your bishop is revisionist or liberal--remember that the Scriptures say that our Lord Jesus Himself is the Bishop and Protector of our Souls. Those who have left the "mess" continue to pray for you who are still in it, and for faithful clergy around the world.

Our God is with us. Walk in His joy.


br. francis

St Clare day

is August 11. We'll celebrate as a parish the next day on August 12. Still thinking on what to do, but I do know I'm gonna cook on the Smokey. :)

If you're in the area, join us for worship, lunch, and fellowship.


br francis

Thoughts Friday

Lot of interesting things going on in the Church in the world right now. Especially in the part of the Church known as Anglican.

Thoughts on this. First thing, that I posted before, the Archbishop of York has it wrong--Anglicanism is the tradition ("flavor", I like to say) of the Church which came to us through Great Britain; it is not being in communion with Canterbury. So there are Anglican Christians who aren't in direct formal communion with Canterbury. Him saying that is almost as bad as Pope Benedict (who I like, by the way) saying we're not really the Church if we're not part of the Roman Catholic Church. Scripture and the Fathers tell us that's wrong.

Other thought: a lot of argument about liturgy. Liturgy that's based on the ancient, common liturgy of the Church that is orthodox is good. Period. Saying the 1928 or 1611 liturgies are the best or only is almost as bad as saying the King James is the only Bible.

Final: our worship as Anglicans or catholics must be Holy-Spirit inspired: liturgical AND Spirit-filled. We must not worship liturgy and ceremony, or "our way" of doing Church. We worship Almighty God, with reverence AND joy. Let us be open to the Spirit and have churches with LIFE.


Blessings.


br. francis

Deacon's Mass

is a Communion service, officiated by a Deacon, with elements of Bread and Wine previously consecrated by a priest or bishop.

The Order of St. John the Beloved offers Morning Prayer at Mercy House hermitage Monday and Tuesday at 6 am, and Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 7 am.

Bishop/Abbot Jim has given permission for us to have a Deacon's Mass with Morning Prayer. We are excited!

So now, we'll have Morning Prayer with Communion Tuesday at 6 am and Friday at 7 am. All are welcome. Join us and receive Christ in Communion.



br. francis

Sunday worship and stuff

We had great worship at CSF today. Clare brought tacos and they were good. We also discussed liturgies to use during Sunday morning Eucharist. Our fellowship and lunch together was good.

Shirley and I went to Lake Hefner this evening at sundown and did evening prayer there, and some walking. Had a nice drive after, including a Sonic stop (!) for slushes. Nice day.

Hope yours was good, as well.




br. francis

Monday Thoughts

What a blessing it is to do the work He has given us to do, to the best of our ability. What a blessing to have relationship with Jesus Christ and to have His Word the Bible, and the Spirit, to guide us.

My Monday work continues. I pray yours is going well.

Thank our God that he is with us today.


br. francis

Favorite Music in my profile

Just finished revisions to this part of my profile, including news of my current musical efforts. I'm excited about a new musical effort about to begin. Click on "View my complete profile" and you'll see it.


br. francis

Saturday 7/21/07 Musings, meanderings, prayer

Shirley is at work; I go in a bit later. Athalia and I have done Morning Prayer together and are sitting together in the office at the computer. JMT Songs of Worship 1 & 2 is in the player. We're enjoying a quiet day at our hermitage.

We have been in prayer and are beginning to look for rent houses so Clare can move near us, as to begin community (ala JMT's Brothers and Sisters of Charity Little Portion Hermitage and the L'Abri Switzerland communities' "model"). If you know of a rent house near us, email me and we'll have a look--br.francis@yahoo.com.

While some in the Church are pursuing faithful priests and congregations with threats and litigation, others are continuing to be faithful--affiliating with bishops in other provinces of the Church, some keeping their property, some forced to leave it. Yet we know that the Church is the redeemed PEOPLE that our God has called out, not buildings. Buildings are good, especially those which have worship space that draws our hearts heaven- and God-ward. But again, unfortunately, many will be forced to leave them as they seek another bishop to pastor them. It is a sad day in the Church when faithful believers in the past have given funds to build, and apostates legally take it away from them. But such is the present reality. Let us be in prayer for these who continue to be faithful, no matter the consequences.

We should be encouraged, however, as our God is again sifting, renewing, and reforming a part of His Church. New bishops are being consecrated to shepherd the faithful. As in days of old, false teaching is being withstood, and in accord with the canons of Nicene, God's people are seeking other bishops who are faithful to Christ and His Word to shepherd them. Reorganizings of the Church are happening, and these groups or provinces look good to me.

It is not the practice of the Order of St. John the Beloved or The Communion of the Holy Trinity to make public negative statements about a part of the Church by name. It is is our position that because we are a faithful part of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, that we are to be that--to welcome those who are searching for a place to be, to encourage those who are in the midst of trial, to stand with those who are faithful in prayer and words, and to pray concerning our place in the Church. Our belief and practice regarding this is that our God is good and faithful--and, as I was taught repeatedly in our studies in Bible college (back in the dark ages)--God has and will always have His remnant until Christ returns. He is building a Church, a people for Himself, and Matthew wrote that "the gates of hell cannot stand against it." We know this, and chose to not be negative concerning another part of the Church insofar as our emphasis (i.e. you won't see us slam goups by name in our blogs--God has called others to do so, we believe). This does not mean that we won't state when something is wrong (see above)--it's just that our emphasis is to offer Christ and for people to be a part of His family, the Church, and the life that He and His Church bring.

We are always in prayer concerning another province or group He may be leading us to affiliate with in some way, whether full communion or a concordat. We welcome fellowship, prayer, and dialogue with other groups. Our leading from the Lord is not only to conduct worship services of our own, but to worship and serve with Christians of all denominations and groups, as we are all part of one Church the Lord Jesus is the Head of--it is His desire that we be in unity as much as is possible.

We stand in fellowship with you who are faithful to Him and His Word, and pray for you in every part of the Church, for God's blessing and strength to stand and to serve. Amen.


br. francis

Oh, man!

I worked a lot of extra hours in the past couple of days. So when I got up this morning, I wasn't too keen in following my normal routine--making breakfast for Shirley, Athalia and myself (yes, the cockatiel usually gets some........! :) ).

Shirley said she'd make breakfast. Oh, man! She picked up two flavors of pancake and waffle mix--they rock! It's Kona Coast Hawaiian Style Coffee Chocolate Chip pancake and waffle mix, and Kona Coast Hawaiian Style Almond Amaretto pancake and waffle mix.

The almond amaretto was good, but the coffee chocolate was AWESOME!!!!!!! It says on the can, "We've combined roasted coffee & rich chocolate for the ultimate pancake experience." Ultimate is the word. Man, this stuff is awesome. I'm a cereal and toast man, sometimes eggs, but I could eat this all the time! If you like chocolate and coffee, you'll love this.

Where'd Shirley get it? At Ross, the clothing store. Never went into a Ross 'til I was with Shirley. They have a lot more stuff than clothes. That's where we buy our coffee now, too.

Shirley is an amazing woman and an awesome, wonderful wife. She is God's best gift to me, after Himself. I can't say enough good about her or thank our God enough for her. She is great!

Bishop/Abbot Jim presented my (brief!) paper on stem cell research tonight, I fielded a few questions, and then Sr. Clare M.D. (yep, you read right) took it from there. We uphold life--we take the Biblical stand. It's wrong to create life for the purpose of destroying it, even if the motive is to help someone else. That sci-fi plot has been oft used and it isn't new. Next week: Bishop/Abbot Jim teaches on the mechanics of the Eucharist/mass, and will field questions. Join us if you're in the area.


God's blessings.


br. francis

Birthdays

Great time today. Good worship, including blessing of the parish's new drum kit--a red Mapex, a donation from St. Timothy Church. Nice sounding kit--I loved playing it. What a blessing. And celebration of the Abbot's and Clare's birthdays. Olive Garden was very good.

Join us Wednesday, if you're in the area.


Peace of Christ to you,

br francis

Prayer of St. Bonaventure
(from the St. Augustine Prayer Book)

O Fairest Lord Jesus, transfix the affections of my inmost soul with that most sweet and healthful would of Thy love, with true, serene, most holy, apostolic charity; that my soul may ever languish and melt with entire love and longing for Thee. Let me ever desire Thee, and faint for Thy courts, and long to be dissolved and to be with Thee, the Bread of Angels, the Refreshment of holy souls, our daily and supersubstantial Bread, Who hast all sweetness, and every pleasurable delight. Thee, Whom the Angels desire to look into, may my heart ever hunger after and feed upon; and may my soul be filled with Thy sweetness.

May I ever thirst for Thee, the Fountain of life, the Fountain of wisdom and knowledge, the Fountain of eternal light, the Torrent of pleasure, the Richness of the House of God. Let me ever compass Thee, seek Thee, stretch towards Thee, arrive at Thee, meditate upon Thee, speak of Thee, and do all things to the praise and glory of Thy Name, with humility and discretion, with love and delight, with readiness and affection, with perseverance even unto the end.

And be Thou ever my hope and my whole confidence; my riches, my delight, my pleasure, and my joy; my rest and tranquility; my peace; my sweetness; my food and refreshment; my refuge and help; my wisdom, my portion, my possession, and my treasure; in Whom my mind and heart may firmly and unchangeably be fixed and rooted, henceforth and forever. Amen.

Bonaventure, monk, bishop, reconciler

Today is Bonaventure's feast. I particularly like Bonaventure, for a couple of reasons.

He was Franciscan in the generation after Francis. The order had divided by this point--into those who observed complete poverty and owned nothing, and those who were university professors and owned a few things, necessarily books.

Bonaventure was of the second group, which said they were living the spirit and heart of Francis, and that in their calling, books and few other possessions were necessary.

The order was on the verge of division, and Bonaventure effected a reconciliation. One may now be Franciscan in the observance of poverty in two ways--one way is owning nothing. The other is owning nothing in our hearts, and living in the knowledge that all we own belongs to God, and that we are just stewards of them. We own or are stewards of things; they don't own us.

His theological writings are useful and good, but that isn't the other reason I like him. His contemporaries noted his personal characteristics: gentle courtesy, compassion, accessibility, and humility. He served as the Minister General of the order, and when in 1273 was nominated cardinal-bishop of Albano, and was commanded to not refuse, he had the papal messengers wait while he finished the dishes in the friary of Mugello (near Florence). He told them to hang the miter on a tree branch because his hands were dirty. He also nearly effected a reconciliation between the Eastern and Western churches.

We named our chapel/library/music room after him, thinking it fitting. (The Oratory of St. Bonaventure, "Bonny" room for short, the altar with the reserved Sacrament being called the "Bonny Altar.") The brother has the heart we wish for us, and for all Christians.

We thank our God for his heart and example, and pray to be like Him, as he was like Christ. Bonaventure, pray for us.



br. francis

Rain

It was 22 (?) days of rain here in OKC and in a lot of other places. Then we got a break. We were glad.

Now it's back again. Can't cut the grass with our mower, so we've hired someone. Now it's raining again, and the grass remains high--the guy can't cut it due to the rain. I've never lived anywhere where the grass was so high.

I should be thankful--we could have the drought they say was here before. The rain does wash the earth and make things grow, and that's good. Except the grass part.

Mercy House--in the jungle. :)


br francis

Bishop Jim's Blog

Our pastor and abbot, Bishop Jim Beckett, has a blog up now. Here's how to look at it--www.bishopjimbeckettokc.blogspot.com.

Check it out. Hope your weekend is good. Ours has been great. Shirley, Athalia, and I are enjoying a restful Sunday afternoon.


br francis

Sunday 7/8

We had great worship today. The music was good, Abbot/Bishop Jim spoke on humility (Scripture doesn't teach we're to command God, for instance--He commands us), and our time of receiving the Lord in Eucharist was very special today. Yours truly made chili dogs, Clare supplied chips and salsa and queso, and Ivy made up a delicious fruit dessert. Fellowship was good, too.

Next week, we celebrate birthdays--so we go out to eat after church (wherever the birthday people choose--probably Olive Garden).

It's nap time at Mercy House. Join us Wednesday if you're in the area. Blessings.


br francis

Saturday 7-7-7

In So Deep band isn't rehearsing the third Saturday in a row. : (

Shirley is working. (I work later.) Been reading a blog and looking at Stryper's website, and listening to some of their new stuff. They've reunited (minus bass player Tim Gaines) and have a great new album Reborn. Robert Sweet's voice has, I think, improved with age (I liked it in the day, I just think he sounds better now--see what you think). The live album they released is worth a crank, too. Oz Fox has live video on his site of him with Bloodgood (he's playing with both bands). Worth a look--it rocks!

I'm ready to work on the Christian rock band I've been threatening to do. I think I have a guitarist. Bassist? Vocalist? Keyboardist? In OKC?

I pray your worship is good tomorrow. Join us if you're in the area.


br. francis

4th

Shirley and I had a great 4th. We spent a couple of nights and a day with brother-in-law, sister-in-law, and nephew. Saw Ratatouille--fun movie, especially for a guy who likes to cook. The fireworks show we caught was great. Good time with the family, and thankfulness to God that, even with its flaws, we live in the greatest country in the world.

Hope your Independence Day was as good as ours. If you're in the OKC area, hope to see you Sunday at 10 for Eucharist or tomorrow at 7 for Morning Prayer.

The peace of Christ to you.


br. francis

The Church

is not s country club. It's a hospital. It exists for the healing of people for whom God created, loves, and died an agonizing death for.

The Church is to be a welcoming organism, a place of love, fellowship, and healing.

What an awesome thing it is--that our God loves each of us and wishes to be in close fellowship with us. And that He has made the means. His will is that each of us be forgiven and reconciled to Himself, and fully restored.

We celebrate Him and that reality tomorrow morning here at the hermitage as the worshipping community of Chapel of St. Francis. Welcome.



br. francis

In the player

Rush, Exit Stage Left. Neil Peart is one of the best (if not THE best) rock drummer in the world. Great CD. One to add to your collection, if it's not already there. Enjoying Lifeson's incredible guitar work on La Villa Strangiato.

Just put the new Rush CD on. Incredible. Another must-have.

Hope to see you here tomorrow morning for Eucharist, fellowship, and lunch.

Peace to you.


br. francis

First two icons up

They are up! The Christ icon and the new Thoetokos of the Sign icon are up. Soon we will have the rest. Praise the Lord!



br.francis

Reredos

A reredos is the wall behind an altar. It usually has some kind of ornamentation or icons, and helps to set the wall behind the altar apart from the rest of the room, and thus helps to direct the eyes of the worshipper to the cross and to God.

We have two altars at Mercy House--one in the Bonny Room (Oratory of St. Bonaventure, which is our chapel/library/music room), that has our Reserved Sacrament. The Bonny Altar has part of a beautiful reredos of wood which was made in Germany in the 1800's (the entire piece won't fit--there's not enough room). Morning and Evening Prayer is usually prayed in front of this altar, over which hangs a San Damiano cross.

The other altar, in the living room, is where the Chapel of St. Francis parish worships in Eucharist on Sundays and Wednesdays. Until last weekend, the Celtic cross sat on the altar. I mounted a shelf above the window which is over and behind the altar, and sat the Celtic cross on it. Now we begin putting together our reredos for the main altar--and I'm excited. We've decided to mount icons, not unlike our brethren in the Eastern Church. The icons will be mounted under the cross and above the window in the general order the Eastern Church does it. We already have a Christ icon and Mary with the Christ-child icon, and this particular one that Sr. Clare brought over this morning is called "Theotokos 'Of the Sign'". My intention is to have them up today before Eucharist. Also, we'll eventually have a St. Antony and a St. Francis. The St. John the Beloved by Br. Luke will be on the wall to the left of the altar, over Athalia the cockatiel's room, and a Holy Trinity icon will be mounted on the wall to the right of the altar (because we are now The Communion of the Holy Trinity).

We have two large icons in the Bonny--Christ, and Mary with the Christ-child. We'll add a Holy Trinity icon in there, too.

I'm excited! Now I need to get busy mounting these icons and get to my homework. :)
We welcome you to join us tonight at 7 for fellowship, Eucharist, and class. Topic: stem cell research, a Biblical look.


br. francis

Morning Prayer

Morning Prayer has been at 7am Tue-Fri here at the hermitage for a few weeks now, allowing me the opportunity to sleep in a bit on Mondays, and then pray. Not so now.

Work begins earlier for me now on Monday and Tuesday, so Morning Prayer must now begin earlier on those days. So we now invite you to pray Morning Prayer with us Monday and Tuesday at 6 am, and Wed-Fri at 7 am (except holidays).

We still have good coffee and can make a good, hot cup of tea, if you'd like. We confess and receive forgiveness for our sins, read Scripture together, pray liturgically and extemporaneously, and observe saints' days.

We welcome you. Dress is, of course, casual. We are reverent yet relaxed.




br. francis

In the player

The Essential Journey. Steve Smith is a phenomenal drummer, Perry has a great voice, Schon is a killer guitar player, love the keys. And the songwriting is great, the music timeless.

Got it cranked.




br. francis

Hindsight

is always 20/20. And the grass isn't always greener. How true this is, we all know.

Shirley and I married and moved here to OKC 7 months ago--with no jobs. We both left good jobs in Houston to come here--I in driving and radio and Shirley in banking. Family members and friends were, understandably, concerned about that. It is preferable to have employment secured before moving to another place. But we felt that God led us to do exactly what we did--so we did it. Not that I didn't try--I've worked in radio in the Houston market and outlying area for 24 years, so I sent out air checks and resumes before we moved, thinking I would get a bite. I haven't as of yet. (I haven't given up--and I'm still tracking on an internet Southern Gospel station out of Houston, the Gospel Hiway, 4-7 am. I used to do a midday show there and assisted in formatting the station for a few years--but of course I want on here. God's timing.) The grass that is greener, though, isn't the jobs we left in H-town--it's one I had here.

I worked a job in the hospitality industry not long after we got here, at a hotel, but I needed more hours. So I took another job at an eating establishment that paid better, offered more hours--but that ended up being awful. Let's skip the details--it was just a bad gig. Should have kept the hotel job--but as I wrote earlier, we can't always see the truth until we look back. Shirley and I were then offered to cook and wait on folks at another food place, a chain. The pay is less but the people are better to work with, and we usually get to work the same hours. (Sad that sometimes people who aren't Christians are easier to work with than Christians--that should say something to us.) We have applied and thrown out resumes and we have continued to pray.

And God answered this morning. The manager of the hotel I worked at called this morning and offered my old job back--with more hours and a raise. Praise Him! I really enjoyed that job, and I'm thrilled to have it back. He will answer and provide Shirley with a better gig soon, we know.

I write all this as an encouragement. Jesus said that we should pray at all times and not lose heart, and that if we put first His kingdom and His righteousness, He would provide all we need.

Thank you Lord. If we can be in prayer with you in anything, email me at br.francis@yahoo.com.



br.francis

Thoughts

We are called to "be" as Christians, before we are called to "do". What do I mean? God wants us to be at peace in Him, surrendered in Him, and submitted to Him, first. We are to be who we are in Christ. Then we are to be about doing the work of being a Christian in the midst of this world.

At times, we will experience opposition from the world when we "are," and when that necessarily spills over into what we do. A monastic principle applies here: we answer to no man (or woman). We answer only to God.

Let that be a comfort to you as it is to me.


br. francis

Class tonight

Our class tonight was good, but controversial. We discussed the sacrament of holy orders, or ordination. Our position is that the Scriptures teach that men should be bishops and priests/presbyters, and that men and women may serve as deacons. We note the example of Phoebe as a deacon in Romans 16. We note that the teaching of the Church Fathers and the councils affirm that the apostolic teaching and the consensus of the early church was for men bishops and priests. We also note that the ancient Celtic Church ordained women deacons, and that the Church has had, throughout its history, women abbots, or abbesses, or prioresses, and prophetesses. We see that Scripture has examples of women judges, prophetesses, and the apostle Paul noted women praying in church, a practice that would not have been accepted in his day. We agree that women may teach and pastor, while not holding the offices of priest or deacon. We also noted that women were the first to believe and to witness to the resurrection of our Lord. And we affirmed the teaching of the apostle Peter of the priesthood of all believers.

Next week we will discuss the hot topic if stem cell research and the Biblical position. Soon we will have a "teaching mass" that will double as a practicum for me. You are welcome, if you're in the area.



br. francis

Evening Prayer

One of our Spring storms blew in from the northwest tonight. We had a heavy downpour and 40-60 mph winds. I stepped out the front door of the hermitage and prayed Evening Prayer while watching the hard rain and winds and lightning flashes. What a great prayer time.


br. francis

Life is interesting

I don't think any of us will deny that. Life, to me, is never boring. God is good. There are times I wish He would make people be good, too. Then I think twice about that--and realize that I would rather have people choose to do right, rather than it be a forced thing.

I am blessed in my life. I have a wonderful new wife (married her 7 months ago), we have a great church, and I am looking forward to serving as a priest. There is a couple of things, however, that I would like to change. One of them depends on another person choosing to do the right thing and to cease doing evil. I believe our God is long suffering, and that He still does miracles, but He will never force us to do anything against our own will. There are times in our lives when we can be sure that circumstances will never change, and then we must make a decision. I am purposely being vague here--some will know what I am referring to, and you who do not will still be able to use this (I hope) in your own life.

When we are relatively sure that circumstances will not change in a particular situation, here's a couple of things for consideration:
1) We must always stand against evil
2) We must protect our families from evil the best we can
3) When others wish to perpetuate evil against our family, and persist in doing so, we must, as Christians--take steps to stop it (doing nothing evil or illegal ourselves), or, if that is not possible, distance ourselves from them as much as possible

I have been dealing with an evil perpetuated against me for 7 years now. There is only one legal and moral thing I can do to stop it, and I believe this must be my course of action.

Sometimes we must choose to do the thing we do not want to do. Yet, our wives and families must come before all else in the world. When we are needing to make decisions like this, we know that our God is with us.

I welcome your comments and dialogue.


blessings,
br francis

June 14, 2007

Oblate Andrew has been here from Houston at Mercy House this week. It's been nice to add another to our group for Morning Prayer in the Bonny this week. Shirley and I have taken him to Poblano's Mexican, Jimmy's Egg, the lake, and given him a partial tour of OKC. Yesterday Shirley, he and I visited St. Elijah's Orthodox Church (Antiochan) and had a great time with Fr. Basil there. He showed us the Nave and explained everything, we discussed liturgy, form and function, and had great fellowship with him. Thank you, Father. We felt welcomed and affirmed and we enjoyed it very much. What a beautiful facility! And they have a very cool bookstore, too. We'll go back and pick up a couple of books very soon, I'm sure. (Everybody likes the incense we purchased there a couple of months ago. I don't think anybody makes better incense than the Eastern Church.)

Our Chapel of St. Francis fellowship, Eucharist, and class was very good last night, as well--we discussed the sacrament of Matrimony or Marriage. We had a full room, and I, of course, was very happy with that. :) Next week we finish the sacraments with Holy Orders or Ordination. My presentation to the group before Bishop/Abbot Jim teaches is part of my seminary study and training. It will be interesting to see where we go from here in our study/discussion. Join us if you don't have a church home, or if you have one on Sunday and you'd like something different and a class during the week. Our focus is Jesus, the Scriptures, and what the ancient Church believed and practiced--and why.

Email if we can pray for you or be of help to you.


Blessings,
br. francis

Saturday, June 9

Usually, I get up and do Morning Prayer by myself, or with another person from our monastic order. Shirley and I usually pray the Bedtime Prayers or Compline from the St. Augustine Prayer Book and then have a time of extemporaneous prayer together.

This morning, Shirley and I did Morning Prayer together and read a little about Abbot Columba and prayed the collect in Lesser Feasts and Fasts. It was a good prayer time.

And we're keeping Br. Shorty, our Order dachshund this weekend, while Sr. Clare (his human) does prison ministry. We thought we were going to lose Shorty recently, but the Lord chose to heal him and so he gets to hang around with us still. And that's cool. Shorty was there with Clare at the beginning with Abbot Jim, Sr. Sarah, and Br. Luke when the Order began ('96?) and he was made an honorary brother when everybody else took their vows. He shows us how to live.

Shirley and I are about to take him to the park. Come worship with us tomorrow and meet Shorty.



br. francis

The Communion of the Holy Trinity

I am excited about our new church name. United Convergence Church, the name we are changing from, really didn't convey to people what or who we are. "Convergence" refers to a blending, or convergence, of the 3 "streams" or traditions of the early Church, which when combined makes for a balanced and relevant Church today--evangelical, liturgical/sacramental, and charismatic. By "charismatic," we mean the filling and life of the Spirit. The emphasis isn't on a particular gift or gifts--it's on the life of the Spirit, which includes the fruit and gifts of the Spirit. "Spirit-filled" would probably better describe that aspect. We are still convergence in our beliefs and practice. Our basis is the Anglican tradition, the tradition of the Church catholic as it developed in the British Isles. We enjoy aspects of the Roman and Eastern traditions as well.

So, our convergence worship hasn't changed. A huge thing that also hasn't changed is our main emphasis--our emphasis isn't Anglicanism, liturgy, theology, church polity, arguments over which Prayer Book is the best--none of that. Our emphasis is the Lord God Almighty, Who our liturgy and theology and traditions are to point to. I think sometimes we lose focus--we major on the minors, so to speak. Liturgy is important insomuch as it points us to God and facilitates our corporate, participatory worship. I frankly disagree that use of the 1928 or 1662 liturgy is somehow more Anglican, or more theologically sound than the 1979 Prayer Book--the arguments simply don't hold up. If anything, the 1979 Book of Common Prayer was more of a return to the ancient Church, in my opinion (email if you'd like to discuss why). Also, our understanding of God's sovereignty and eschatology is finite and simple at best--and not to be a test of intelligence or of good hermeneutics. True Anglicanism is a blending of ancient Celtic (which is monastic in root) and Roman traditions, and is based on the Church being shepherded by a plurality of bishops who hear God and the voice of the whole Church--what we would call "consensus" government of the Church. It has a Biblical base (the primary authority) with apostolic tradition. It is liturgical and Eucharist-centered, but liturgy is not a test of true Anglicanism. The above is. The Anglican tradition is, at its best, God-centered, not man-centered.


All this having been said, we are changing the name of our church (I don't like the word "denomination") to The Communion of the Holy Trinity because it simply states Who is our focus. The word "communion" denotes a fellowship, a sharing--of what? The life of the Trinity, and the sharing of that life with all Christians--here and in heaven.

This Sunday is Trinity Sunday. So we're obviously going to celebrate. If you're in the area, come join us. Our worship is contemporary, yet rooted in the ancient Church. We will worship our great God together in music, prayers, confession and receiving of forgiveness, reading and preaching from the Bible, and receiving our Lord Jesus Christ in the special way we do in the Bread and Wine. Then we'll have lunch and fellowship.

And if you're in the area, the Order of St. John the Beloved offers Morning Prayer here at Mercy House Tue-Fri mornings at 7 am. We're usually done around 7:30. You are welcome--come pray with us before work.

We pray your worship this weekend is good.


under the mercy,
br. francis

Memorial Day

Shirley and I enjoyed today and part of the weekend with family. We thank God for those who have given their lives for our country and for our God and His Church.

I'm tired and not feeling well tonight, so I'll blog later on the name change for our church--we are changing our name from United Convergence Church to The Communion of the Holy Trinity. The new name is a better reflection of who we are. I'll blog and explain later when I'm feeling better. Until our web page is updated, you may still find us at www.unitedconvergencechurch.com. When it's updated, we'll be at www.thecommunionoftheholytrinity.org.

Hope your Pentecost Day worship and Memorial Day weekend was good. Have a great Pentecost week.


br.francis

Easter season musings part 2

At ChristChurch, our musicians were in bands who didn't want to be signed to a Christian label or be a part of the Christian music scene. The view was that the labels tended to want to mold you into something they felt was marketable--to the point of influencing lyrics and music style, and forcing bands to be evangelistic or to do music as a ministry--when that may not have been their calling. We were taught there that as musicians, we needed to first of all make good art, good music--and that our music and art should in some way reflect our faith. We were taught that it was to be done with excellence. The bands that were made up of our members did (and do) just that--wrote good music, reflected their faith, and were (and are) noted live performers.

This view has a lot to say for it. I firmly believe that many believers have a God-given talent who are NOT called to be ministers--in fact, at least one of the members of the fore-mentioned bands struggles with his faith. Common sense here suggests this brother (I still call him that) continue to be loved, befriended, and shown understanding to his struggle. Obviously, he's not called to propagate the faith--but to write about his struggles with it and with life, and to continue to make cutting-edge rock. In this and other like situations, the Church should take very special care to not shoot its wounded. Sadly, many times we have done just that. Myself included--I've been on the giving and receiving end of that.

I began playing drums and percussion much later than I wanted. My parents wouldn't allow a drum kit, even in the garage. But I always wanted to play. Around age 30 about 15 years ago, I finally began to play drums. A few years ago, due to the needs of a worship band, I began to learn other percussion instruments, such as congas, bongos, shakers, and triangle (can't say there was any difficulty with the triangle, though. hah.). I was privileged to play in a few different bands, playing modern and classic rock and originals, as well as in worship bands in churches. My calling is to facilitate worship as well as make good music. With my friends over the years, it has seemed to be one or the other. But with a few of us, it has been both.

I want to say something here. I will agree, as someone who has worked in Christian radio for nearly 20 years, that a lot of the music aired is formulaic. The labels do, of course, sign bands who are marketable, and they do influence lyrics, image, etc. However, criticism of these bands and artists is undue. There is a LOT of talent in ccm these days. Christian radio is a lot better (in most ways) than it was when I first worked in it in the 80's--the music on the playlists is definitely more rockin'. There's more freedom to play that now on Christian radio. And I shake my head when I hear believers who don't like ccm say that the artists aren't good or don't write well. I beg to differ. It's similar to when a young teenage or early 20's guitarist says that classic rock guitarists aren't any good, that only the new guitarists are good. To which I say, "Can you play their stuff?" They usually say, no. Then I say that they must be better than you think. Same with ccm. I would ask, "Can you play it?" or, "Can you write that well?" Or I ask them if they can write something as compelling. Sometimes they can. I say, OK, so then let's not criticize.

Our callings are different. Our places and methods of ministry are different. Our God has made each of us different. Let's be encouraging of one another. Let us be praying for one another.

And, by the way....Red Reign is looking for a good keyboard player. You don't have to be a Christian, but it would be nice. You just have to be tolerant of everyone's beliefs. In the OKC area? We're working on covers now. After we learn about 20, we're going to write originals in the prog-rock vein and have some studio time already paid for. Interested? Let me know.

Peace to you.


br. francis

Morning Prayer and pouring rain

May is the "storm month" in Oklahoma. As the seasons change and the air masses meet, thunderstorms and tornadoes form in this part of the country. While we can do without the tornadoes, it is a blessing to rise for Morning Prayer to the sounds of pouring rain. To me, it is a sound and sign of God's washing the earth, of His renewal and blessing, a reminder of our baptism, and--as the Psalmist wrote, that His mercies are new every morning.

Sunday is the Day of Pentecost. We remember on that day the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church in Acts 2, and ask the Lord to pour out His Spirit again on us. The Spirit brings repentance, renewal, change, and life to the Church. In our day, we see that the Church is in need of renewal. Old heresies are still propagated. Sin is excused and even accepted in the Church. What Scripture plainly calls sin is flaunted as life in the Spirit. Let us turn to God and pray for renewal and repentance in the Church. Let us pray that this Sunday, Pentecost, will be a day of renewal in the life-changing Holy Spirit. Let us pray that the Spirit will fill each of us anew and draw us closer to God, make us more like Christ.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your people, and kindle in us the fire of Your love.

We pray your worship and renewal in the Spirit will be good this Sunday.



br. francis

Easter season musings

I grew up listening to a lot of different kinds of music in the 60's and 70's, thanks to my parents. In the 70's, I listened to a LOT of rock. When I repented and came back to Christ in '79, I was involved in a church which believed and taught that it was bad to listen to all music made by non-Christians. Thankfully, at the time I was introduced to good music made by believers.

Also thankfully, I was exposed to the writings of Francis and Frank Schaeffer, and the view that music (and all art) is representative of the human experience--hence, amoral, neither morally good or bad. I then felt free to listen to music I appreciated, and enjoy good art. I also have been privileged to cultivate a dream, that of playing drums and percussion. (I've been privileged to play in worship bands in three churchrs, and in the Rock bands "Stage Dive" and "In So Deep," which we just re-named "Red Reign.")

In the early nineties, I was involved in a Houston church, ChristChurch, where Kemper Crabb and Dave Marshall (ArkAngel, Radiohalo, and Atomic Opera are band names you may recognize) were a couple of the pastors--and who were involved in making music that built up the body of Christ as well as making people think, and trying to transform culture. We were taught at that church to be more of an "outside" church, a people that took Christ to the world, instead of just inviting non-Christians to worship with us and give them the gospel in the context of our corporate worship. They introduced me to liturgical and sacramental worship. (Members of the bands King's X and Galactic Cowboys were also members.)

Later on, I was exposed to the ancient Church's beliefs and practices, and as well to a "missional" and "holistic" way of doing Church. I visited one such church, their coffee house, book store and art gallery in Houston (Ecclesia) and Shirley and I visited another (Fusion) here in OKC.

I am thrilled at these groups, and their movement to real spirituality and toward the ancient Church. I do have some of my own musings that I want to share.

I encourage you the reader here--if you are interested in moving toward the ancient Church and a deeper spirituality, may I suggest that you read the Church Fathers and the monastics? The Church Fathers give us a good idea of what the early Church believed, how they interpreted Scripture (especially those disputed passages about baptism and the Lord's Supper, for instance), what they believed about sacraments and how they conferred grace, and the relationship between works and grace in our salvation. The monastics have a lot to teach ous about working out our salvation, about learning about how to be the Church. All parts of the Church have something to teach us. Not only can we learn from the above-named churches on the subjects of being the Church, spirituality, and the desirability of moving toward the ancient Church--we should jump on the social justice bandwagon with them--read Matthew 25.

As a monk, a seminarian, and a man who will be ordained as a priest next year, my aim is pastoral. My calling is to bring Christ and the ancient Church to you. So I welcome dialogue and any questions you may have. Our number here at Mercy House is 405-470-0174. My cell no. is 713-205-2324. My email is br.francis@yahoo.com. Our worshipping community here in OKC is Chapel of St. Francis (in Tulsa it's St. Timothy), and we meet together Sundays at 10am and Wednesdays at 7pm at Mercy House for Eucharist, prayer, teaching, fellowship, and learning how to be the Church. Two web sites you can check out--www.unitedconvergencechurch.com, and the one for Mercy House--www.netministries.org/see/churches/ch07969.

Please call or email if I can be of any help to you.


br. francis

Red Reign

Just returned from rehearsal with my rock band after a break since before Easter. The band was called "In So Deep," but because we are writing new material and learning different covers than they did with their previous drummer, we all agreed it was time for a name change. So we chose the name "Red Reign," which has numerous meanings. One meaning which will be obvious to us as believers is the blood of Christ and His rule over all.

We had a great rehearsal tonight. We're working on a Rush "medley" of sorts, which will include Priests of the Temples of Syrinx from 2112. I remember as a teenager listening to All The World's A Stage and hearing Geddy say, "We'd like to do for you side one from our latest album. This is called 2112." We'd crank it so loud our ears rang. I had no idea that as an adult I would have the joy of learning to play that on drums.

The band is a 3-piece--a singer/bassist, guitarist, and myself on drums. I think our chemistry is really good and I am really looking forward to playing out. When I was with "Stage Dive" in Houston, I used the stage name "Kane," from the Gaelic which means, "John," the patron of our monastic order. Fitting, is it not? I will be using the name again with Red Reign.

Hope your Easter season is full of His joy.


br francis

Holy Week

It's been a good Holy Week so far. Although the Advent and Christmas season is really my favorite time of the year, Holy Week and Easter run a close second.

I honestly used to dislike the Lenten season pretty strongly (I hated fasting!), but as the years have gone by, I have appreciated more that--not only are there various creative ways to fast, food isn't the only thing we can fast from that will benefit us spiritually. And if done well, the Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday services and observances can be rich for us in our lives.

I look forward every year to re-living the Thursday night experience of Jesus and the disciples--His commands to love and do Eucharist, the footwashing, His agony in the Garden, and the arrest and betrayal, which we remember by stripping the altar. All the visual things that speak to of us of, and convey our Faith to us--are quietly taken off the altar. The altar book, the altar cross, the bread and wine, and the candles--all things that remind as well as convey Jesus' Presence (as in the bread and wine) are removed, and we have an opportunity to walk with Jesus and the disciples again on that dark night. We walk with them as they see Jesus led away to His "trial" and sure death. We know and remember that Jesus knows what is coming and yet He is ready to do the Father's will and suffer and die for us, so He can reconcile us to Himself.

Then on Good Friday we meditate on His "trial," appearance before Pilate, His carrying the cross and agonizing death for us.

Then on Holy Saturday we meditate in His burial with Joseph and Nicodemus, and sit with Jesus by His tomb, as it were. We meditate on how the disciples must have felt on this day.

Some may ask--why do all this? Is this all necessary? No. I can celebrate His resurrection Sunday morning without it. But older, wiser folks than I am long ago saw the benefit of meditation in His Passion and death. They saw how beneficial it can be for us as believers to remember what He did for us. And how good it would be for us to meditate in the Scriptures in the experience of the disciples--who they were, their reactions to Jesus suffering, death, burial, and resurrection--and the explosive way their lives were changed by their Risen Lord sending His Spirit to them.

Chapel of St. Francis parish meets here at Mercy House, Shirley's and my hermitage, 5901 NW 62nd St. at MacArthur (northwest corner), Warr Acres (OKC). We invite you to join us--here or at another church--in Maunday Thursday ("maundy" means mandate or commandment), Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter observances. Walk with us as we walk again in the footsteps of Jesus and the disciples.

Maundy Thursday is tonight at 7pm. Stations of the Cross is tomorrow (Good Friday) at Noon. At 7 pm we have Communion and Veneration of the Cross. The Order of St. John the Beloved offers Holy Saturday Morning Prayer at 8 am--we'll pray the Collect, meditate in the Scripture readings and another reading, sit by the tomb, and pray together. For Easter Vigil, we gather at 7 pm for coffee and fellowship, and begin Eucharist as the Sun goes down. And our Easter Sunday Worship is Communion at 10 am. We welcome you if you're in the area.


God bless you this Holy Week.


br. francis