For they

For they [art and religion] are not the thing itself; they are only the scent of a flower we have not found, the echo of a tune we have not heard, news from a country we have never yet visited."

--C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory and Other Addresses

Dealing With Slander 101

"I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man [or woman] who trusts in you."
-- Psalm 84:10-12


I love the internet. It's a great way to see the world without leaving your desk.

But, there are some things about the net that aren't good. Predators and folk not being kind to one another, to name two.

A couple of things I have on my mind and heart here: one, is that people who aren't Christians will do evil to us. Second, is that as Christians, we should be careful to not blog anything slanderous about someone else. Let's face it--we deal with human beings, and those humans are sinners like you and me. They're going to sin against you and me, just like we will sin against them. (Hopefully on our part it's not intentional.... :) )

It's very easy to lash back when someone does evil to us, and then slanders us. Haven't experienced this? Live a while as a Christian--it'll happen. One reason I became a monk is a need to settle and be still before God--and let the world do and say what it will. And allow myself to put Him, and my relationship with Him, above all else. And to learn to live in that daily, in a way I was never really fully able to do before. I allowed distractions of the world to damage that relationship with God often over the years.

The attitude we need to have as believers is that our relationship with God is the most important thing of all. If I'm rightly related to Him, if I've confessed my sins to Him and received forgiveness from Him, and I'm walking with Him the best I can, that's what matters. What others may say does not matter. Paul said he would not allow himself to be judged by anyone. The thing that is next on the important list is to be rightly related to our spouses. That person comes next after God. No one in this world is to come before our husband or wife, not even our children. The children come next. You see, I made a covenant with my wife and God, to love and honor her above all people and things; that would include my children. I didn't make a covenant with God and my child. So Shirley comes first.

The world can be a cold, hard place. It's not supportive of us having a relationship with God, being faithful to our spouses, or being honest with ourselves and other people. The world wants us to "get what's mine" and "do what makes me happy." It doesn't encourage us to be faithful to God, our spouses and children. On the contrary, the world encourages us to do what we want in the moment, and then justify it, even if we have to lie. In fact, the world teaches us that "personal happiness" is a justification for unfaithfulness and lying. And on top of that, the world teaches us to repeat the lie often enough that those around us believe it, and then we may even get to believe it ourselves. We must resist this, in ourselves and in others.

I've resisted sharing any detail here, on purpose. But I pray this is of help to you. As Christians, we will be attacked. We will be preyed upon by those who don't know Christ, and by those who know Him, but are away from Him. They will attempt (and may succeed!) to do evil to us. They will slander us, personally to other people, and on the net. Jesus told us to expect this if we are serving Him. Peter asked us why we're surprised at the trial they are used to put us through (yes, USED, because that is what is happening--they are being used by the evil one). Have you and I sinned against others? Yes, of course we have. I have. And I've repented, and where I've had opportunity, I've admitted it and asked the person I sinned against to forgive me. But I (and probably you) have been slandered, and accused of things we did NOT do.

Again, as Christians we must hold out Christ to them and to all, and His forgiveness. And not slander back, either personally or in a setting like this. We may be tempted to do that (I am!), but we must not. Job's wife asked him, "Why do you hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die."

A good answer from him could have been: "No. You've already done that, even though you're still breathing. And I see what it's done to you."

I chose to bless God and live. And I strongly encourage everyone who reads this to do the same. This means to confess our sins and receive forgiveness from Him, and to walk with Him--which means that above everything else, to read the Bible and do our best to obey it. And let the false tongues wag--our concern is only what our Lord, our spouse, and our close Christian brothers and sisters say about us. God will take care of us, and whatever situation. He is Almighty. We must continue to be His hands and feet to the world.



blessings,
fr francis

Christmas Tree

This is my favorite time of year--from Thanksgiving on, which includes the Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany seasons of the Church Year. (more on these later....check back!)

It's finally cold here, and we've had a wee bit o' snow--maybe more tonight and tomorrow. It's beginning to feel like the Christmas season.

Shirley and I watched the Extreme Home Makeover Home Edition tonight, their 100th show. Yeah, lots of tears--it was a great show. I'm sitting next to her, laid back on the couch and resting, when she asks the question. Now, understand--I've played drums and percussion this morning in church (Abbot/Bishop Jim celebrates Sundays, I on Wednesdays), then led the worship service we do at a local nursing home on Sunday afternoons. So I'm tired, and I have a headache. But Shirley asks the question--"Are we going to get the tree out tonight, my dear?" My body said "no," but my mind and heart said "yes." So I went and got the tree. We found one of those fiber-optic trees on sale last year, and that one went back in the living room. We have a smaller one that will go out in the Bonny Room. (In case you haven't read earlier posts, the "Bonny" is the Oratory of St. Bonaventure--a combination chapel, library, and music room. We have Morning Prayer and Eucharist in there Mon-Fri mornings, I sit behind my Yamaha drum kit out there, and the band Fungeye rehearses, writes, and records out there. It's a really cool little room.)

The tree looks great. I turned out the lights, and it just looked so cool in there. So, I'm glad she asked me to get it out tonight. (My wife's just about always right.) Sometime this week, I'll get out the smaller one and set it up out in the Bonny.

We have a nice, big Advent wreath to go out in the Bonny, and Clare, Shirley, and I will put together a new one this week for Chapel of St. Francis worship--one that will go in the living room, where our parish worships Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights.

The Advent season has come to Mercy House a week early (on Christ the King Sunday). Yeah, I know--you traditionalists stop nitpicking me........! :) I'm traditional, too--I just got excited this year and had to begin early. Besides, my family has always set up the tree on Thanksgiving Day. So it's really not early for that. (I know some Episcopalians who don't set up their trees until a week before Christmas or until Christmas Eve itself. And I understand why and respect that--but to me, that takes all the fun out of it.) We'll set up the Advent wreaths this week, but we won't light them until Sunday--I promise. :)

I'm very much looking forward to this year's Advent and Christmas season. Our Lord has come to earth, He has come into our hearts, and He will come back again to make all things right.



fr francis

Holiday weekend

I love holiday weekends, even if I have to work. Shirley and I had a great time with family in Ft. Worth, and I had to be back at work on Thanksgiving Day at 6pm (hey, somebody's gotta serve the guests at the hotel.....!). But the time together and the dinner was great. And I got my Chinese name this week, too, from Shirley's parents (yes, my wife is mostly Chinese and part Japanese).

I cooked here yesterday, and we ate well. Holidays are good--times to be together, eat, enjoy God and one another. And on this particular one, to give thanks is in order. President Bush's weekly radio address was good today. He spoke of giving thanks and a little Thanksgiving history.

It's finally cold here. We have a little snow, but not enough. Maybe some more tonight. I've been enjoying live Van Halen videos on You Tube today. Love Van Halen. Eventually, Fungeye will have our album recorded and begin to play out. Looking forward to it. I think I'm going to go sit behind the kit for a bit.

I pray Good richly blesses you this Thanksgiving weekend. Good worship here tomorrow, if you're in the area.



under the mercy,
fr francis

Day before Thanksgiving

It's the day before Thanksgiving, and I suspect many of us are working, and will be off tomorrow. I am off work today (I work in the hospitality industry, at a hotel), but I am not "off work," so to speak.

I'm doing laundry, made lunch for my lovely bride Shirley and myself, and am about to run an couple of errands, one of them to the grocery store (I know, today's NOT the day to do that!). Then I need to be back here before 5 and ready to "do holiday" with Shirley. (Is that phrase right??? Oh, well--it's right for me. Did I coin a new phrase?)

We pray your Thanksgiving is good. Like the rest of us, try not to eat too much turkey, or whatever you're cooking up for tomorrow (a co-worker told me they're having fried turkey and bbq brisket. Mmmm....sounds good; I never heard of brisket on Thanksgiving.......next year!

I know the holidays can be hard. If you need an ear or prayer, email or call me. I will answer. If you'd like a christian group to fellowship, hang and eat with tomorrow, we'll be at Bp. Jim and Shanna's in Moore, and you're welcome to join us. Email or call me and I'll give you directions.

I pray you have a good Thanksgiving. Let us give thanks to the Lord, for His mercy endures forever.


fr francis

In the Dust music

Another good time of music for Fungeye last night. Aras, our guitarist and engineer, brought over a disc of the complete (unless we want to add backing vocals) "I Treat My Dog Better Than That." It sounds great! One song in the can. I think we've agreed on the shortened name "Dog" for it. We also listened to a few more songs--vocal and guitar tracks, beginnings of songs he and Harold wrote. Good stuff! and more material to work on.

We began working on music for my "In the Dust." There are two tempo changes on this one--yeah, we're going to have to try and be creative, what a concept! :) --the second tempo begins near the end of the lyrics, where there's closure in the conflict for the person (each of us) in the lyrics, and that's going to be a big, powerful crescendo-type thing (I was thinking of Kansas or an orchestra).There's a brief pause, and a then a big jam tacked on the end for good measure, a chance for Aras to play some more nice, tasty lead.

This one requires a lot more work than "Dog," but now we finally have, after almost three hours, the basic parts of the song on tape, and Aras will take that home and lay down the guitar and bass tracks. Then we'll get together and add drum and vocal tracks, maybe a bit o' keys and violin on the crescendo part (don't worry, those of you who like heavy--the song is heavy, and will remain so--I was just thinking of sweetening it a bit).

I'm sorry if all this detail isn't your cup of tea (hmmm, that sounds good, although I'm still working on a pot of coffee), but the details will interest some--suffice it to say that the music effort is well under way, we are having fun, and although Fungeye isn't a "christian rock band" in the strict sense, the lyrics are certainly written from a Christian worldview. The earth is the Lord's, and all that it contains, the Psalmist wrote. And Paul wrote to us that whatever we do, in everything in our lives, we are to do to the glory of God. As I have written here before, there are some who are called to evangelize with their music, or to build up the Body of Christ with it. Some are called to just simply write about life. My call, as far as music is concerned, is to do both--to write what is in my heart and mind, and attempt to make good, enjoyable music with it--and to also write stuff that directly and blatantly praises our God. The second project, the worship band, will, obviously, have a decidedly more pointed purpose. We will write words and music to do just that--to exalt Him, because He alone is worthy. Do Fungeye lyrics praise God? Yes. They tell the truth, and hopefully, are a catalyst for change in a sometimes harsh world, beginning with each of us.

I hope you're enjoying your Thanksgiving week. I'm off today, and so must go and buy more food, do laundry for the family visit, and whatever else is on the list Shirley wrote for me. Must find it.........! :)


Chapel of St. Francis meets tonight only at Bp. Jim and Shanna's in Moore, for a Thanksgiving Eucharist. Call or email for directions. If you're in the area, you are welcome. Come as you are, and also tomorrow if you don't have a place to go on Thanksgiving. You are welcome to join the big group. No Morning Prayer and Eucharist here tomorrow on Thanksgiving Day--we'll resume Friday.

And if you're having a hard time this holiday week and want to talk or pray, call or email me.


God's peace,
fr francis

Ordination service pictures

Thank you, Ivy, for taking pictures, and thank you very much for the disc. I posted a couple of pictures from the ordination service. Hope everybody enjoys them. Maybe I'll add more later. There is a reason for the order of the pictures below: God and His Creation first (because he is to be first), Shirley and my wedding next, my monastic vows next, and the ordination service last (as it was most recent). Scroll down and see.

No, I didn't cut my hair for the ordination! :) Hope you enjoy the pictures.


fr francis

This morning

I just finished Morning Prayer and Eucharist. It was a good time of prayer and communion with the Lord. This morning, as i was by myself, I chose to use the 1549 Book of Common Prayer liturgy for the Eucharist. (It is our rule, from Abbot Jim, to use St. Augustine's Prayer Book for Morning and Evening Prayer--so before the Eucharist, I made use of Augustine's pb.) I prefer contemporary language for the Eucharist, but it's edifying to me, from time to time, to use the traditional liturgy Archbishop Cranmer wrote for the Eucharist, which was based on medieval liturgy. There are many liturgies that are acceptable, as long as they are orthodox, and as long as, in the Eucharist, there is a place for the consecration of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. It grieves me concerning all the arguments over which prayer books and liturgy to use. I honestly grow weary of it, and I am especially bothered when folks say that those who use the 1979 BCP (and ordain women) aren't orthodox. It is sad.

But again, my prayer time and Eucharist was good. We habit usually for Eucharist, and not for Morning Prayer (perhaps in the future, when we have a monastic community, we will). I normally put on a stole for Eucharist, though. This morning I felt especially like wearing my habit, and was especially reminded that a habit has been called "the habit of repentance." For monks, nuns, hermits, and all Christians, our lives are to be lives of penance, or of repentance. Our hearts are to be always before the Lord, in sorrow and repentance for our sin, remembering that Christ had to die for that sin so that we may be forgiven, and have a new life in Him. Each Christian, as part of that repentant heart, also has with it a joy from the Lord that his/her sins are forgiven, that Christ is with him/her, and that we posses that new life from God now, and will enjoy it fully with Him later, when we go to be with Him. That brings me great joy, and I hope and pray that it brings you great joy, too.

As I type this, I'm still wearing my habit. It is reminding me of the Passion of our Lord whereby He redeemed me and you. Our habits are black. Franciscan orders generally choose a brown for their habit color, but we decided black would be better--it reminds us that we are of the earth, that we came from dust and to dust we will return, it reminds us that we are sinners redeemed by Jesus Christ and His agony before and on the cross for us, and that we are to be humble and yet joyful before Him.

A person doesn't have to be a monk, nun, or hermit for this to be prominent in his/her heart--it's just that, for us, being monastics helps us to be reminded of the truth of this and to help keep our heats and minds focused on Christ, and that we are His, forgiven by His grace.

All that said, I was also reminded by the Lord this morning that I am a monk and servant first, and a priest second. Being a monk is my higher calling.
It is the framework in which I am a priest, and my entire life.

But also, that said, I am a brother to you in the Lord, as a monk, and as a priest. As a priest, I am always available for listening, prayer, counsel, and for the sacraments: Eucharist, confession, and anointing with oil.

Should you wish to receive communion, I am available. We don't require confession to a priest (in Eucharist we confess and receive absolution--so we receive that sacrament in that way). We know we can go directly to God. Yet, there are times each of may feel that we need to go to a minister or priest--his words assure us of forgiveness, and can bring comfort, especially if it's serious sin. The sign of the cross is a physical reminder of the forgiveness to us by the pouring out of Jesus' blood. The counsel given should be of help to us in our walk with God. Yet, again, it's not required, but is always available. I am always available to hear a confession, absolve (declare for the Church God's forgiveness to you), pray with and offer counsel, whenever. It is my call and my joy. I am also here should you wish anointing with oil and prayer for healing. James wrote (ch. 5) for us to call the elders of the church, and they pray for healing, so that we may be raised up. We believe in that, because James wrote it (other passages extend this privilege to all believers, to lay hands on and pray for the sick). James wrote there of confession of sins and forgiveness. We, the elders or presbyters (the Greek word our Bibles translated "elder,") offer those sacraments from God--forgiveness and healing in Christ.

So if you are in the area, and wish for any of these, I am available--just call or email me. I will be happy to pray or offer counsel and/or confession on the phone if you wish (especially if you don't live here).

And if you're in the area, and are looking for a place and group to worship with, and want Jesus Christ, and the teachings, liturgy and sacraments of the ancient Church, we welcome you. Chapel of St. Francis is a house church in evangelical Anglican tradition. We'll have worship in Eucharist here tomorrow morning at 10:30, and Wednesday at 7:00 pm. The music is a mix of hymns and contemporary praise. We may be Anglican, but we're not stuffy--the worship is a "relaxed reverence." Dress is casual, God is here for you, and we are, too. Come as you are. If you don't feel welcome at church, you'll be welcomed here, I can promise you that. If you want Christ, he's here for you. And so are we.

Have a good weekend,
fr francis

Home

Home is where the heart is, the old saying goes. And that's true. What do you do when, as is the case with me and millions of others, the heart at times is torn in two? Frodo didn't completely and fully "go home" until he boarded ship with Gandalf and the elves and sailed to the Undying Lands. I love my wife Shirley very much, and I'm very happy with her, and our home we have here. We are not rich by the world's standards, but God more than meets our needs. We have a lot of love. Our home hosts our parish for Sunday and Wednesday Eucharist, and Morning Prayer and Eucharist weekday mornings. And that adds to this being a special place. So this is home. And it does feel like home. I was reminded this morning, though, that this isn't truly our home.

Everything has limits or is flawed here on this planet. The alarm didn't go off right this morning, and I overslept. The soap dispenser is wanting to jam up this morning, and the toilet paper holder--the same. I'll take my truck in shortly to have a headlight and the cruise control repaired. (Yes, I know, cruise control is a luxury, but if Shirley's going share the driving when we go to see family, with the blood clot in her leg, she'd prefer to have the cruise control working, so her foot and leg doesn't begin to hurt. So would her husband.) We had a great Morning Prayer and Eucharist this morning, commemorating Margaret of Scotland, her heart, and her outreach to those less fortunate; and when I got the house to myself, the music reminds me that we live on a flawed, fallen planet. (what's in the player? Galactic Cowboys and now Coverdale/Page) I, and we, long for that place prepared for us, where everything will be as it should, where we will sorrow or cry no more. No more sin, no more broken relationships, no more suffering and folks being poor. We will be together as one family. My daughter will be with us. All will be well. All will be most well.

Monasteries and hermitages have been called "little pieces of heaven." It has been said that monks and nuns attempt to order their lives so that they experience as much heaven on earth now as is possible, a foretaste of what is to come. And I think that's true. All believers can live in the now with a constant realization that we possess now, in Christ, what we will fully experience after we take our last breath here. (Ephesians 1) We live with that reality and promise, even though we live now as sojourners in a fallen world.

We can allow that truth to sink in, and His Presence now, to bring that home to us--that our home, such as it is and wherever it is--whether in one or two or a few different places, and maybe in a time that we can't get back--is God's Presence and blessing now, a picture and foretaste of what is to come. All the good, the togetherness, and love, that is shared is our piece of heaven now.

A lot of people have a difficult time at the holidays. Memories gone by can't be re-created. Loved ones have passed. Maybe there's a loved one we won't see this year. Our hope, in the holidays and all year, is to find God's Presence with is in the moment, enjoy Him now, and what He has for us now--knowing that all will be full and complete in the future.

The ancient Celtic Christians had "thin places" they frequented--places where the "veil" between earth and heaven seemed to be thinner, and maybe brought God closer to them. Many times a particular spot would be a thin place due to its geography: two things would come together--the shore and the sea, the mountains and the sea, or a lake, a well, geographical anomalies--and God's Presence seemed more intense there.

A sunrise/set seems to be that for many of us. Maybe during the holiday season, each of us can stop whatever we're doing, and go to a thin place, and enjoy God. Find and see Him there. Find a Peniel, and see the face of God, even for a moment. And receive strength for the journey.

Frodo thought that raising the Shire would do it for him. It helped, but not fully. He had carried the ring too long and had felt Shelob's sting. He needed more, more than he could get in the Shire. To be fully healed, he had to go to a place where that could happen. Sam could remain and have a wife and children, and enjoy the Shire, but eventually it was wondered if he wouldn't have to take ship and go, too. So it is with all of us. I'm reminded of the Kansas song "Peaceful and Warm"--when we go back home it's not the same, but we long for that. We need to be warm, whole, and healed in Christ. We have a measure of it here, and I pray we all enjoy that now. Yet there is that time coming, where we take ship, as it were, and go to that place where we shall see Him, and be fully healed, body, mind, and spirit.

The old spiritual goes--"This world is not my home...I'm just passin' through.................."


I pray you have a blessed and warm holiday season,
fr francis

Encouragement?

The concept didn't originate with me (obviously), but I wanted to post here a statement I made this morning. Apply it as you will, according to Scripture and the leading of the Spirit in your life:


(referring to behavior)
Whatever you tolerate is what you encourage.



fr francis

Fungeye recording

The three of us went out in the Bonny tonight and worked on my "I Treat My Dog Better Than That." (we're probably going to shorten the title, and just call it "Dog") We got the rhythm guitar track, and drum track, and the vocal track laid down tonight, and Aras began mixing that. We still need to add bass and lead guitar. The song sounds great so far--it rocks. Lotta fun. And the neighbors didn't call the police--I think we're going to be ok with the volume. :)


fr francis

Spirit

I have believed in the Presence of Christ in the Eucharist since I learned of catholicity and became Anglican, late '92 and early '93, and my belief in that has increased over the years. Part of our Rule of the Order of St. John the Beloved is to receive Eucharist at least twice a week, and with few exceptions, I have been able to do that, since I was received into the Order, and my belief in His Presence in the Eucharist was heightened weekly, as I received. I had a job for a year where I didn't come in until 1:00 in the afternoon, so I went to Noon Eucharist at the cathedral downtown, almost daily, and those were special times--receiving daily, and enjoying His Presence in that special way daily, for a year.

A month or so ago, Bishop/Abbot Jim gave permission for Dcn. Clare to offer a Deacon's Mass (with elements he had pre-consecrated) mornings during the week. That has been a special time. I, and we, have really enjoyed receiving Christ in the Communion (so-called because the elements of bread and wine had already been consecrated) daily during the week.

I have thought all week about sharing, candidly, my thoughts about this week, and how to put this week into words. The words don't adequately or fully describe Sunday and the week, but they are all I have at this moment. So here goes....

We are a charismatic, or Spirit-filled group. Simply, we mean we believe in the life of the Spirit, His indwelling and filling us, and His working fruit and gifts in us (specifically, not all of us will speak in tongues, some will, and all will move in some gifts). Many leaders in the Church down through the ages have believed and taught that, although they may have been cessationists, they knew the Scriptures teach that we're indwelled by the Holy Spirit from our baptism or receiving Christ, and then filled many times throughout our lives as the Spirit wills, for His purpose (the "leaky vessel" analogy is applicable). There are times where the Spirit is especially strong in His moving in a particular situation.

Last Sunday, when Bishop/Abbot Jim and the two other priests present laid hands on me, and he prayed to invoke the Spirit to make me a priest, I felt the Spirit come upon me in a way I never have before. It was all at once holy, gripping, sweet, peaceful, powerful, sanctifying, and sobering. At that moment, I began to sense the seriousness of the office to which I was now entering, and why the Church (with Paul) has taught that it is holy, without repentance, and an utterly serious calling. I felt like I would not be able to speak or to get up off my knees. I felt almost as if drunk, in a way, and that I must work to continue to kneel and to not fall over.

But it was so good, and so sweet. I have to say, that of all the times the Spirit has fallen on me that I would describe as "sweet," this time made them all look like a spark compared to a forest fire. I have never had my world rocked so "violently," if I may use that word to describe this. I would partly describe it as a "jolting hush." I heard the words of the prayer, but nothing else. Although I heard Bishop/Abbot Jim's voice and prayer, and felt the hands on my head, it was as if God and I were alone in that moment, and He took me by the shoulders and said, "My son, I redeemed you when you were 12. I called you at 14. I took you through some very rough times in your life, and you ran away and returned to me many times over the years, but now I have you, and you have Me, in this gift of the priesthood. Enjoy Me and it, and know that I have called you with a sacred calling, and it is for life, and you must now do it. You must bring Me to people in a way that you never have before. And I am, and always will be with you, just as I always have, but now in this very special thing. In a moment you will rise, and with My help, be a priest in My Name, in My House, and in all the world. And, as I said, I promise to be with you. And I Am."

That filling of the Spirit has been with me all week, not as intense as that moment, but I have not felt or been the same this week. Every time I have served as the Celebrant (the one who consecrates the bread and wine) this week, seven times, I have felt the Presence, peace and power of the Spirit, especially this morning. This is a bad choice of words, but I "feel" like a priest. As Bishop/Abbot Jim said in the homily Sunday, 'Brother, the office is an office of service. The stole not only is a sign of authority, but as its roots convey (it was an apron), it is a sign of service.' I am to be a servant.

Yet all believers are priests, as Peter wrote--we are all "Christ-bearers," we are ALL priests in that we all take Him to the world. We all represent Him to the world. That's the calling of every Christian, not just deacons, priests or ministers, and bishops. We're all called to be priests, deacons, and missionaries. Not to go and scream at people, or beat them over the head, but to show Him first, then tell. You who read this are a priest (whether ordained one or not), because Peter called us all priests--he wrote that we're all to bring Christ to the world. So let you and I resolve to be just that--Christ to those around us. Francis said to preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, to use words. Being comes forst, then doing.

May each of us enjoy the Presence and filling of the Spirit right where we are.

Father, I pray You send Your Spirit upon each person reading this blog, and Your blessing for them to do works of mercy and show You to the world. And may each person reading know Your joy and peace in this moment, and forever. Amen.

If you're in the OKC area, and looking for a church, or want Christ and the teachings of the ancient Church, we welcome you here at Mercy House for worship tomorrow morning. Come as you are.


fr francis

Grace

I was reflecting today on how good God's grace is to us.

Grace is God's love and favor toward us, whereby He forgives us and makes us new creatures in Christ. We work with grace, in that we yield our lives to God for Him to work in and to use us for His good pleasure. But our working with that grace isn't a work we do for salvation--it's a work we do to cooperate with the work that God has already begun in us.

Paul wrote that God, in His grace, forgives our sins and doesn't count them against us--He casts them as far as the east is from the west, the Psalmist wrote.

So we have a new beginning in Christ, the forgiveness of our sins, and eternal life in Him. Our lives are free to serve and enjoy Him. And that's a great thing.



fr francis

Amen

I was ordained as a priest today in the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, with several lines of apostolic succession. I must say, I have felt the Spirit and His power before, but I'm at a loss for words to describe the way the Spirit fell on me today when Bishop/Abbot Jim and the two other priests there laid hands on me. I wondered how I was going to get up off my knees, much less stand and consecrate. But I did. I didn't really begin to "feel" like a priest, though, until after we recessed and began taking pictures. Now I feel like a priest.

And getting used to being called "Father"? That may take a while, even though I have been a father for 8 years, in that I have a daughter that old. But now I'm a father, an elder, an presbyter in the Church. I am overwhelmed, thankful, and humbled. I choked up a couple of times, and was nearly speechless for a while.

I was called by God audibly 30 years ago when I was 14. Thank you, those of you who read this blog and prayed--your prayers were felt.

Well, my wife and Extreme Makeover:Home Edition waits. Ty and the crew just blew up their first house and I want to see the rest.

God's blessings be with you,
fr francis

Another Prayer of Columba

My dearest Lord,
Be thou a bright flame before me,
Be thou a guiding star above me,
Be thou a smooth path beneath me,
Be thou a kindly shepherd behind me,
Today and for ever more.

A Prayer of St. Columba

Almighty God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
to me the least of saints,
to me allow that I may keep even the smallest door,
the farthest, darkest, coldest door,
the door that is least used, the stiffest door.
If only it be in Your house, O God,
that I can see Your glory even afar,
and hear Your voice,
and know that I am with You, O God.

Mini retreat

Hello. I was supposed to go to a convent last night, and stay there until Sunday morning (except for work today), for a small mini-retreat before ordination tomorrow. But there was a scheduling conflict, and so now I am doing my mini-retreat here at Mercy House. Just wish I could stop the car noise on MacArthur.....!

Shirley went in to work a while ago, after we enjoyed breakfast and a little time together. I have some reading material I'm working on today, one of them a book called Priestly Ideals, and I intend to read some Merton before I go into work. In addition to my normal routine of Morning and Evening Prayer from the St. Augustine Prayer Book, I'm praying the rest of the Hourly Offices according to Anglican use today. I've really enjoyed and been edified so far. And it's the feast of Richard Hooker, priest. Read up on him today--you'll find him to be an interesting priest. Of course the Starbucks French Roast coffee is on. There may need to be a pipe smoke a little later, as well. : ) I'm enjoying our Lord this morning, and the quiet cool of the morning. It's another beautiful Autumn day in OKC.

I pray you have a blessed day and weekend, and join us tomorrow for worship of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.

Blessings and much joy and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ.

br francis

Eucharist this Sunday

This Sunday only, there won't be a Eucharist here at Mercy House. We'll do it over at St. James AC Church, at 3:00 pm. Thank you, Fr. Neil. So if you show up here for Eucharist Sunday at 10:30, Shirley and I will do Morning Prayer and drink coffee and fellowship with you, and lunch if you want to hang for that. But, everybody worship with us Sunday afternoon at 3:00 in Eucharist and an ordination. We'll have a reception and go eat after.

Today is All Souls Day. We remember and rejoice with all believers who are with Christ now, especially ones no one's ever heard of. And for a lot of folks, this is a day to remember family members who have passed, and to ask for their intercession.

Cousin Sammy, pray for us. (no more cancer for you, buddy)
Uncle Jack, pray for us.
Aunt Louise, pray for us.
Aunt Neda, pray for us. (no more diabetes for you)
Grandma Justice, pray for us. (you showed us all how to do justice and love mercy, and to walk humbly with God))
Granny Gillispie, pray for us. (105 years was long enough here, huh?)
Grandpa Herbert, pray for us.
Mommaw, pray for us.
Aunt Lovie, pray for us.
Uncle Bill, pray for us.
Uncle Oggie, pray for us. (I'll join you and br. Jack Lewis for a pipe smoke when I get there, and you and I will have a Slurpee and sit under our tree again)
Grandpa Cecil, pray for us.
Grandma Margaret, pray for us.
Harold, pray for us. (no more cancer for you either, my brother)