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
Friday, August 31, 2007
Saturday, August 25, 2007
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
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
Thursday, August 23, 2007
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
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
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
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
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
Sunday, August 19, 2007
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
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
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
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
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
Friday, August 03, 2007
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
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
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