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

Worship Music

Sr. Clare (one of our nuns) handled the music at Chapel of St. Francis long before Shirley and I got here. She plays keyboard. When I joined her on Sunday mornings, I brought percussion instruments--bongos and shakers.

Now we've "stepped it up," and I'm excited. I purchased a triangle Saturday, and we added that and the drum kit to the worship music Sunday. It was awesome.

Our music is blended--we combine hymns and praise music. A good bit of our stuff is John Michael Talbot's. We're probably going to add some of the stuff from Monk Rock . We've taken the name "Sanctus." If you're on the OKC area and play guitar, and would like to be a part of a worship band for a Communion service, email me.

Lenten blessings.


br. francis

Wednesday Class

Our part of the Church, the United Convergence Church, was so named because we came out of the Convergence Movement.

What is that? A movement of the Holy Spirit in the Church which sought to recover the basic elements of belief and practice of the early Church: evangelical, liturgical/sacramental, and charismatic--a blend, or "convergence" of these elements is a move to our roots in the ancient Church, and makes for balanced, relevant worship in the Church today. Many denominations and independent churches are "convergence" in their worship, or have a service that is. We think that's great.

Recently in our Convocation, Abbot/Bishop Jim spoke of the need of our church to continue to be a Bible church--we believe it's the written Word of God, inerrant, infallible, our authority as Christians. He reminded us that we are to read and meditate in it, as the Psalmist wrote, "day and night." He encouraged us to have our private devotions include some Bible reading.

We then agreed to begin a Bible class on Sunday mornings before Eucharist. We began studying Ephesians. Concurrent with this was the graduate/seminary level class the Abbot/Bishop and I were doing, to train me for ordination. Our clergy expressed interest in attending this class as a "refresher." Last week, most of us attended the class. We believed the Spirit moved to combine both classes. So we did.

I am working on a hefty assignment--explore and discuss the Biblical, historical, and theological origins of the Eucharist and the liturgy, and write a separate paper describing both to a person who has an evangelical and/or charismatic background but not a liturgical/sacramental background. I then offered, after I completed that, to do the same with the Sacraments.

So, here's what our Wednesday Class is like: Eucharist at 7pm. Then I orally present the next part of the assignment (tonight it's the primitive, 1st-century Eucharist) and the apostolic teaching regarding. Anyone can ask me questions, and/or discuss what I'm presenting. Then Abbot/Bishop Jim then uses that as a "launching pad" and teaches more in depth. Fr. Joe and Dcn. Laura Mathy will be with us from St. Timothy Church in Broken Arrow. If you're in Oklahoma and are interested in the beliefs and practices of the ancient Church, we invite you to attend. Come worship with us in the Eucharist and then stay for class. We are meeting here at the hermitage (the home of my wife Shirley, our cockatiel Athalia, and myself), 5901 NW 62nd St at MacArthur, in Warr Acres (NW Oklahoma City). We'll have tea (and coffee, if anyone desires).

Come as you are--dress is casual. It will be interesting!


br francis

Tornado Warning Siren

It is just past Noon here at our hermitage. I had a particularly tiring night at work last night, and Shirley was working on things here, so we slept in very late this St. Patrick's Day. We had just finished Morning Prayer together out in the Bonny, and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, when the Tornado Warning Siren went off.

They test it every Saturday at Noon--and the thing is mounted on a tall pole right outside our back yard ! As it sounded, being as we are in Lent, the Spirit brought to my mind and heart that our spiritual forefathers, the Israelites, were warned many times by the prophets that God's judgement upon them was impending. At times that warning from them was proclaimed in a loud voice, and at times it was loud in other ways--for instance, Ezekiel cooked his meal in public over crap. Jeremiah walked naked. God tried to get His people's attention. He wanted them to be close to Him, to walk in His ways, and to have His full blessing.

Recently, I was with Abbot Jim, our Abbot and Bishop, at his old home (he recently re-married and moved--his first wife passed due to a stroke). He made a statement to the effect that he wouldn't have wanted to be an Old Testament prophet--they lived pretty awful lives. Yet they were blessed in their obedience.

God uses ways to warn His people today. He gave us His written Word, the Bible, and our spiritual leaders. He wants to bless us and to fully give us His life in Jesus. But that is up to us.

This Lent, we should at times be still before the Lord, and ask Him to show us by His Spirit what things He wants to clean up in us, to make right. He wants to show us where we are sinning or making mistakes in our lives, so that we can receive forgiveness from Him, and live in His full, abundant life.

If I spend time with my wife, share my heart with her, do things for and with her that show my love for her, and tell her I love her often, we will have a good marriage, and our relationship as husband and wife will be good. It is the same with our God. So I pray that we may do that this Lenten season--draw close to Him, confess and receive His forgiveness for our sins, do things for and with Him that show Him we love Him, tell Him we love Him and give Him our praise, and our very lives, He will be with us and bless us. And He will make us happy. I pray that for my wife and myself, and for you who read this this Lent.

If you are in or near Oklahoma City we invite you to worship with us tomorrow at 10 am here at the hermitage.


br. francis

St. Patrick observance

We mostly observe saints' days at our Wednesday Eucharist. St. Patrick's Day is this Saturday, so we observed the radical missionary bishop's feast tonight at Eucharist at the hermitage.

The Abbot's and Shanna's dog Katie was with us tonight (a miniature pit--she really wanted to meet our cockatiel Athalia) and we had a great time. After Eucharist, we enjoyed some goodies--Heineken, and Ryan's Cream--a liqueur made with Irish whiskey (the stuff is chocolate--yummy!) and a chocolate cake with white icing, a shamrock and green lettering--"Happy St. Patrick's Day." I grabbed some cool Celtic music and threw it on after Eucharist as well. (No Guinness today--I'll have to enjoy some Saturday.)

Normally, Morning Prayer at the hermitage on Saturday isn't open to the public. This Saturday we'll offer it at 6:30 am and observe Bp. Patrick's day again on his feast day. We'll have coffee and tea as usual and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament after. If you're in the Oklahoma City area, we welcome you in the Name of Christ.

We hope and pray you're having a blessed, Christ-centered Lent.


br. francis

Forty Martyrs/Covers

If the Fourty Martyrs of Sebaste had some covers on the night of their deaths, it wouldn't really have done them any good. So their story doesn't really involve covers, or blankets--the covers are another topic.

It is the second century after the resurrection of Christ. (Sorry, Mr. Carmeron--you blew it and your research blows, as well--but we do greatly enjoy Titanic. Your new documentary is the same formula as your great Titanic movie--some truth blended with some fiction. Those names were common in that day, sir. Blessings on you and we pray you find the Truth--Him Who is the resurrected One.) Persecutions in the early days of the Church were common, and these fourty soldiers were ordered to renounce Christ on pain of death. They, of course, refused. So they were stripped naked and forced to lay out on a frozen lake all night. To entice them to apostocize and renounce Christ, a fire was lit and a warm bath provided on the shore. One gave in, and another was sent out to take his place. Ten degrees with rain and a cold north wind is enough for me (we've experienced that of late here in OKC). I can't imagine what that must have been like. May we be as faithful.

Covers would have done them no good. But in In So Deep, the rock band I play drums in, covers do us a lot of good! We are beginning to write originals, but clubs want covers. I just got out from behind the kit. Here's what I'm working on for rehearsal today: our version of the Rush covers of "Heartful of Soul" and "For What It's Worth," Rush's "Temples of Syrinx" (I'm playing that on a 5-piece kit!), and Frampton's "Lines On My Face (the Frampton Comes Alive version--the studio version is nice, as well, but I like the feel of the live version better--thank you, Mr. Siomos: may God shine light upon you There). We're also intending to cover Journey's "Wheel in the Sky" and "Stone in Love." I've learned "Stone" but don't have "Wheel." Supposed to get a copy today (can you burn me the whole album, guys?). Their drummer back in the day, Steve Smith, is a great drummer. Oblate Andy gave his instructional video to me on my birthday last year. Need to get a little tv and a dvd out in the Bonny so I can work on it.

It's a beautiful day here in OKC, lots of sunshine, cool temperatures. Nice day to hang with Shirley, check out the Abbot's and Shanna's open house, and do band rehearsal.

Blessings to you this 2nd Saturday in Lent.


br. francis

Monastic community

The Order of st. John the Beloved (Franciscan) to which I belong, since its beginning, has been a group of Christians who feel called to a lifestyle of radical discipleship, as have all monks, nuns, and oblates. We have felt called to times of prayer, reading and meditation, and also to be serving Christ and people out in the world. (Some would call us an "active" order.) Like the early Celtic orders, we live as each of us is called--married or single. Since the beginning, we also know that, like the Celts, some of us would eventually be called to live together in an "integrated" monastic community--with part of the housing for married and family and part for singles. Yet some would still be called to remain living in their own homes, and still be a part of and serve with this Order.

I am excited to share that we just had a meeting about community! Those who are presently called to community met on Ash Wednesday, and shared with one another what ideas we felt God had given each of us for that community. Now we begin to look for property.

We feel led to purchase land in the OKC area. We are looking for a wooded property, far enough out from the city and noise, so as to have space to pray and meditate.

We will have a part for married and families and a part for singles. The community will have a "common area" with a kitchen, living room/fellowship area, chapel, and a library. There will also be a music room. We are praying about how often to do shared meals and prayers. Chapel of St. Francis parish will meet there, and continue to offer Morning Prayer weekdays, Eucharist on Sundays and Wednesdays, and probably eventually Eucharist on weekday mornings. Our intent is for those of us who are presently called to begin this intentional community some time next year.

We ask you to pray with us as we move toward this. If you feel you may be called to be a part of a monastic community, either living in the intentional community or in your own home, please feel free to contact us. If we can help you in any way with your prayer life or reading and meditating on the Scriptures, or want to know about the ancient Church and why it is relevant for today, please contact us. My email is br.francis@yahoo.com. You can reach us at Mercy House hermitage (home of my wife Shirley and myself and Athalia the cockatiel) at 405-470-0174.


blessings,
Br. Francis

Music

I love music, music of all kinds. There's not much music I can't appreciate. I am blessed to be able to play drums and percussion. Blessed now to have a home where there is a music room where my kit is set up and I can play. And I do, pretty much daily.

The rock band I'm working with now is called In So Deep. This is a 3-piece band--bass/vocals, guitar, and myself on the kit. They had some originals before I came on board, really good stuff, I think, and we're going to do some covers. Some of the bands we're going to cover are Rush, Neil Young, Journey, Frampton/Humble Pie, and KISS, to start. Nice thing is, they have a kit in the rehearsal room, so I don't have to drag mine back and forth.

We're being loaned a kit for Chapel of St. Francis, and when we get into our new worship space this next week (hopefully....!), we can add drums to our worship music. For a long time Clare has played keyboard by herself. Since Shirley and I came we've been able to add percussion--shakers and bongos. I am looking forward to adding a full kit. I'll be playing it with soft rods (drum sticks for quieter, acoustic, worship settings). I enjoy using mallets for cymbal rises in the right places and just making it pretty when I am privileged to do worship music, not much attack in that setting. (now when I do rock, well, I save most of my attack for THAT setting....!)

I am enjoying the fact that Van Halen will be touring this year with David Lee Roth. I saw them several years ago with Sammy Hagar, and really enjoyed that. But I've never been able to see them with original singer Roth, and I'm looking forward to it (gotta see if they are, indeed, playing OKC). Although I would say--the attitude belongs ON the stage--and leave it there! : )

I'm really enjoying the new John Michael Talbot album Beautiful City. It rocks! He pushed the envelope last time with Monk Rock, and this in many ways is a continuation of that. JMT plays all the electric guitars on this one, and plays some nice lead (although I did enjoy McPherson's and Keaggy's contributions last time on MR). There's some funky elements on this one, and a nice mix--some interesting eq's on the kit. Looking forward to seeing this live. Brother, I don't see an OKC date yet........we'll drive to Tulsa for it, but somebody book it here pllleeeeease!

I will be listening to a lot of worship music this Lenten season, as is my custom. Shirley and I visited the Episcopal cathedral bookstore downtown yesterday, and I was really wanting to get some of the worship cd's they had there--they had a Celtic one there I wanted to check out. Next time.



Blessings,
br francis

Athalia

Let me introduce you to another member of our family. She is a cockatiel, and her name is Athalia. Athalia means, "Yahweh is exalted," according to my wonderful Wife and her Bible name book. (Now she's going to find it, to make sure.) As I type, Athalia is perched on her Daddy's shoulder. (She is cleaning herself. I think she just pooped.) Athalia was Shirley's long before we met, and over the months before our marriage, I spent so much time at Shirley's, that I became Athalia's Daddy.

I like being Daddy. I was already a Daddy--I have an eight-year-old daughter, Cheyenne. So, I know the joy of being a Daddy. I know the work of being a Daddy.

So, when I became Athalia's Daddy, I knew what I was in for (in a sense--this is a bird).

She talks a lot, like her Daddy. She is messy, not unlike her Daddy. She sometimes wants attention, like her Daddy (thankfully Jesus and my Shirley give me plenty of that). And she can be affectionate, like her Daddy.

The last couple of days, she has wanted some more attention. She has been vocal about it. We had a new Black Crowes live DVD on yesterday, and I think she liked it--she was singing with it. When we took it out to watch Monty Python and the Holy Grail and eat, she became quite vocal.

Shirley then said, "Why is she out of her cage?" I turned to look, and she, indeed, was sitting on top of the cage. Somehow her door was open. She ended up on Daddy's shoulder, we shot a little video, and kinda figured it might be OK for her to be out from time to time.

So, this morning, Ms. Athalia was very vocal again. Daddy took her out of her cage, she got on my shoulder, and we are spending some good time together.

She's gray,white, and yellow, with a grey tuft over her head. She's a cute bird. Her cage is next to the consecrated altar in our living room. (we're Franciscans--what better place for her?) The other altar is in front of the house in the Oratory of St. Bonaventure, the "Bonny Room," our chapel/library/music room--where we have the Reserved Sacrament. It has the San Damiano altar cross. The living room altar has a large grey celtic cross--a gift from the Order when I took my temporary vows a few years ago. That one is next to Athalia. She is quite vocal at times when we both (or even one of us) leaves the room, and she knows we are still in the house. Like her Daddy, she can be a mess. Oh, well. We love her.

Shirley got her Bible name book. Athalia does mean, "Yahweh is exalted," in Hebrew. Fortunately, this Athalia is more faithful to the Lord than the Athalia she was named after. : )

Well, now you've met Athalia the cockatiel.


br. francis

Convocation

We had our United Convergence Church convocation Sunday after church and lunch. Why is that significant for anyone else?

First, our Bishop and Abbot Jim Beckett re-affirmed who we are, a people comitted to Jesus Christ and to His body, the Church. He said the Lord has called on us to worship with and serve with our brethren in Christ. Not that we were to give up ouir Anglican heritage, but that we affirm the WHOLE body of Christ.

He re-affirmed us that we are convergence--evangelical, sacramental/liturgical, and charismatic, the elements of the ancient Church. We remain in the Anglican tradition, which at its best is balanced, Biblical, and true to the ancient Church. We agreed that we all felt that the Lord was not leading us to attempt to join any other Anglican jurisdiction or body at this time, and that although we stand with Biblically faithful Anglicans (and all Christians) everywhere, we are grieved at the harsh words spoken to one another and of exclusivity by fellow conservative Anglicans.

We affirmed that we are a Biblical part of the body of Christ, and that the Bible is our rule of life. Abbot/Bishop Jim encouraged us to spend more time in it. It was suggested that Chapel of St. Francis begin a Sunday School or Bible study class before Eucharist on Sunday morning. The Abbot said, "Good, here next Sunday at 9 o'clock." Yours truly has the privilege to facilitate a study in the book of Ephesians. I have missed teaching since we have been here, and I am thrilled at the opportunity to again facilitate a group.

Hmmmm..........already have seminary studies, just began playing in a rock band, am a new husband and a father od an 8-year-old. Lots to do. We must remember to BE, first.


Blessings in Him,
br. francis

Snow, Brigid, Candlemas

What a great joy to see SNOW in the middle of winter! (we rarely had any in Houston) It was a welcome sight after the big ice storm we just got finished with. Shirley and I had to throw a couple of snowballs at each other (of course, I had to start it....!).

WE commemorated Brigid on Feb. 1. She was an abbess over a co-ed monastery in ancient Britain. We think that, in a lot of things, the celtic Church had it right. The Church was monastic-based. They ordained women deacons (not as priests and bishops). Their clergy were allowed to marry. Monks and nuns were permitted to marry, and, we see here with the example and practice of Brigid, orders were co-ed--even their communities. She was a strong, compassionate, Spirit-filled woman, who loved Christ above all else. Let us follow Him as she did. Brigid, pray for us.

The Presentation, Candlemas, was yesterday. Simeon and Anna, prophets, prophesied and told about our Lord, Who He was and what he came here for--His light was to shine to all the world. Some churches use more candles on that day to commemorate--so, the day is called Candlemas by some worshipping communities. We will celebrate Candlemas tomorrow at Chapel of St. Francis, and I am looking forward to it very much.

And I am getting to used to working in the snow and ice-cold air. But I STILL say it beats Houston, with its 100 degrees and nearly 100 percent humidity all summer, and high humidity all year long. Oklahoma is home!


br francis

Slam

Sometimes I read news posts and comments on Virtue Online and other blogs, where folks discuss developments in the church today. I like to keep up with the news, especially things Anglican and Anglo-catholic, and to read comments. It aids me in thinking things through.

I know God wants us to be able to think critically, to analyze things from every side. And I know He wants us to stand up for the Lord Jesus Christ and His written Word, the Bible. He wants us to stand against heresy.

And yet He also wants us to live with compassion. We could all learn from the way Francis confronted an erring bishop. It grieves me when I see posts that claim a certain minister, parish or group isn't really catholic or Anglican, because they don't use the same prayer book their minister and parish uses. Or claiming someone isn't orthodox when they state or articulate their theology a little differently than that person does. Or saying that a church or group isn't catholic or orthodox because they make women priests and bishops.

Our branch of the Church doesn't ordain women as priests or bishops (we do ordain them as deacons, however, and they may do a deacon's mass with pre-consecrated elements). But we would never say another group who does ordain women as priests and/or bishops isn't orthodox or catholic. We need to be very careful making statements like that.

There is a lot of posting, a lot of talk in this day and age of the Church. And their probably needs to be. But in my humble opinion, I've seen a lot of brothers take shots at fellow brothers, in a way that isn't warranted, it's just simply uncalled for.

Let's encourage one another to faithfulness and good deeds, as Paul commanded us. We should be very careful about opening our mouths and being offensive--yea, sinful--toward another brother or sister, minister, church, or group, by saying they are not really catholic, Anglican, or orthodox because they use a different prayer book, articulate their theology differently, or ordain women as priests and bishops.

The Church is being sifted today. Let us stand together as His Church, and lift up Christ. And let us do it with the love that comes from Him.


under the mercy,
br. francis

snowstorm saturday epiphany

We've driven in the ice most of this week--to job hunt, grocery shop, and purchase cool rods and an egg shaker (cool rods are drum sticks for quieter applications, i.e. an "unplugged" set or worship). Clare and I are going to begin to play together tomorrow morning at church. I am excited, and she is, too.

It's been lightly snowing off and on since last night. I've got the crock pot out--making some homemade soup (I like to cook). I added a lot of marinated stew meat to the mix, so some may say it's a stew. OK, that's fine--call it what you will. Just enjoy it. Shirley is doing boxes (mostly kitchen and dining area stuff). We've just listened to Frampton Comes Alive!--I really enjoy the late drummer John Siomos' playing. Shirley had never heard the material, but she enjoyed it, as well (albeit not as much as her husband....!). I learn something new every time I listen to that album. Now we've got on an early offering from The Choir (Hindalong and Daugherty's group). Really enjoying it, too. The crock pot is on low, and now I begin to shelve the rest of the books in the Bonny Room (Oratory of St. Bonaventure), our combination chapel/library/music room.

Maybe later we'll go out and check out the snow. Pretty sure we will.

Blessings


br. francis

Ice!

What a big lot of ice. A big ice storm rolled in here last week, and Shirley and I didn't leave the house all weekend. Everything is white, but it's not snow! I said I wanted cold, and a real winter--here it is! Thursday the temps are supposed to come back up above freezing. Then we're supposed to have another one this weekend--but this one's supposed to be snow. Maybe this one will be more fun.

May the light of Christ shine is us all this Epiphany season.


br. francis

Advent/Christmastime/Prayer

So this is Christmas....and what have you done? I love that John Lennon song. Although for years, when I heard it, the song depressed me, and I don't really know why. Now I love it, and for me it adds to the joy that is present in the Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany seasons.

Christmas has snuck up on me this year. We have been so busy planning a wedding, a honeymoon, and a move, that Advent was upon us before I knew it (maybe because it began when we were on honeymoon. Hmmmm....maybe I was distracted). Years ago some church friends told me that all married couples "backslide" somewhat when they first marry, because they are so into each other and their new life together--i.e. they miss church, don't pray or read their Bibles as much, etc. I have not found this to be true, but I do think they have a point--when we marry we do get distracted, and have to remind ourselves (esp. on honeymoon) to pray and read, and worship as usual (or do the best we can). While in Orlando Shirley and I didn't make church, either Sunday or Wednesday--but I did Morning and Evening Prayer as usual and sometimes we prayed it together, which was good, and rich. We should often pray with our spouses (and children), extemporaneously and liturgically (if it is our habit to pray liturgically). Shirley and I pray the short Compline (or Bedtime Prayers) in the St. Augustine Prayer Book nearly every night, and sometimes she joins me for morning or evening prayer when I pray it out of Augustine's. And we pray together at other times, too. I love praying with my wife, and enjoy hearing her pray.

It's Saturday, and we've worked so hard all week on the hermitage that we're just kind of laying around today. We both have hurting muscles, her much more than I. Tomorrow will be the third Sunday of Advent. We never really finish the fourth week, do we? Advent, we know, means "coming." Jesus came to be in our hearts (and does so daily and moment by moment), will come again, and we will again celebrate this year His first coming next week at Christmas, the Christ-Mass.

All thanks be to God. We wish you a blessed and wonderful Advent and Christmas season, and much joy in your life from Him Who came new as a baby and Who makes all things new.


your brother in Christ,
br. francis
Mercy House hermitage
Warr Acres/OKC

Friday night worship/Bonny Room

We normally have Eucharist on Wed. nights. When one of us has a conference or ministry obligation, we move Eucharist to Fri. nights.

Midweek Eucharist of Chapel of St. Francis is mainly from the Hippolytus liturgy. Worship was good tonight, although different--Abbot Jim turned his ankle today, so he preached the homily, consecrated and served us Eucharist sitting.

Shirley and I have worked hard to unpack and get the hermitage in order. We are both tired and sore tonight, although she more than I. I worked hard on the front room last night. The porch on the house was closed in, so I set it aside for a special purpose--it's a combination chapel/music room/library. I threw up a makeshift altar with the San Damiano cross above it and placed the Advent Wreath on the coffee table in front of the small couch. When you shut the door, it's pretty quiet in there. I've called it "The Oratory of St. Bonaventure." There's still unpacked boxes on the floor (mostly books), but it's a peaceful place to pray, read, and meditate in.

Shirley's parents, brother-in-law and nephew came up to see the hermitage today--they really liked it. We are really thankful. What a true blessing from our great God.


br. francis

OKC!

We are here! Praise God! Our wedding was wonderful. Thanks to the great brothers and sisters at Southwest Chinese Baptist in Stafford, Texas--the church that allowed us use of their great facility for our wedding. Much thanks to Pastor and Mrs. Leong, wedding coordinator Jasmine, reception coordinator Peggy (how's that French roast coffee?), and all the folks there who did such an amazing job with everything. When Shirley and I walked into the FLC for the reception, my jaw hit the floor. What a layout! Beautiful! Hats off to you all. I played my last show with Stage Dive at the reception (minus our bass player Krystal). The food was great, too.

Abbot/Bishop Jim and Sr. Clare got iced in, in OKC, so they couldn't get there. Fr. Joe and Dcn. Laura Mathy stepped in and handled the wedding, and did a great job. Thanks! Pastor Leong gave a challenging homily. The pictures are great and looking forward to seeing the DVD.

Then we honeymooned in Orlando--sick. We still had a good time and got to go to Magic Kingdom and Universal Studios. Lots of fun.

The move was grueling--'nuff said. We are unpacking boxes and trying to find everything. But Shirley, Athalea (the cockatiel) and I are very thankful to be in our new home--mercy House hermitage.

Thanks be to God!

Here in OKC? Like to have a Bible study or learn about the ancient Church? Looking for a church family to be a part of? Our church is the Chapel of St. Francis, and we're small and friendly. Email or call and we'll give you times and directions.

OKC is home now. We're glad to be here!


under the mercy,
Br. Francis

Giving Thanks

Had a good time today with Shirley, my future Mom-in-law Ladia, Mom and Dad, and Trish. We were at Trisha's, and her boyfriend and his son and daughter were there and we enjoyed eating and hanging together.

What a feast! A turducken and a turkey, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, corn, dressing, 2 kinds of rolls, sweet potatoes w/marshmallows on top (mmmm!), and pies -- 2 pumpkin, a pecan, and a sugar-free apple (for me, of course!).

Better that that, of course, was the time to be with family and thank our God for all His many blessings to us.

I used to be a pretty hardcore Calvinist. Meaning, I believed that God only chooses to save some of us--the offer of salvation is only to a chosen few. He only loves those chosen few. And His blessings are only for those few elect. I now believe (and have now for a few years) that, based on Scripture and the Church Fathers (the apostolic tradition--our first and best commentary on Scripture), He loves us all. And He extends His offer of salvation to all, to each one of us, and wants each of us to come to Him in repentance in faith. He wants to fill each of our lives up with Himself. And all good things really do come from Him--even good things that people who don't know Him enjoy. It's just that, as believers, we are blessed more--we enjoy life more, and all things that He gives us, because we're rightly related to Him. When I came to this realization, all my questions about God's goodness and the unbeliever were answered.

Thankfully, He manifests Himself to all, many, many times in this life, and perhaps in the life to come. We pray that each person will respond to Him in faith.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving weekend.



under the mercy,
Br. Francis

St. John the Divine

Shirley and I want to say thanks to the folks at SJD for welcoming us in your midst the past several months. We have worshipped at the the 11am Contemporary Eucharist led by Fr. Reagan Cocke, and music by Kemper Crabb's worship band "The Living Creatures". I also went to Eucharist 5:30pm Wednesdays in the Chapel. (Shirley joined me some on Wednesdays, too.)

The Contemporary Eucharist is a great convergence service, and Reagan and Kemper really do a great job at making it a balanced, relevant and vibrant service. We've also enjoyed being a part of the "Marriage Course" that Reagan led. And we've had a good Sunday School class--the Blain/Hill/Temple group--we've really enjoyed some good, lively discussions and good fellowship with these folks.

St. John the Divine is a faithful parish that holds to the Scriptures and lifts up Jesus Christ as God come in the flesh, the only way to salvation. And they are a caring, alive parish with many different outreaches. And the church's priests are faithful--Fr.'s Larry Hall, Doug Richnow, and Reagan Cocke. God richly bless you guys. We will miss you.


Br. Francis

1st OKC move

Last Friday, Nov 3, Oblate Andrew and I loaded up part of my house and then part of Shirley's house for the first move. Shirley, her mother, sister and brother-in-law also helped load and pack the truck (thanks to all!). We left early Friday evening and arrived in OKC and were welcomed by Abbot Jim at 4 a.m. (yes, you read right!!!).

We signed the lease and moved the first load in Saturday at Noon (thanks Abbot and Matt!), bought blinds and curtains and watched the Sooners win that evening. Sunday afternoon, we cleaned, unpacked some, and hung blinds and curtains Sunday afternoon, then flew back and got home late Sunday night. Then--back to work Monday morning!

15 days working. I have to say, we have both been tired and I have been dealing with aching muscles all week. Needless to say, we both slept in this morning (I more then Shirley...!).

After the wedding and honeymoon, we take load 2 (the last!) up to Mercy House. It's 3 weeks away--getting close!

Thanks be to God.

Br. Francis

Jesus is Lord. He is our God and King. It is a privilege to know Him and to serve Him.

Chimay

Thanks to Spec's for providing us with boxes for the move. Stopped by there today for some, and ended up leaving with more. Belgian Trappist monks brew a very good beer -- Chimay. They had a special package there today -- 3 beers and a glass (Chimay on it), and a small pamphlet introducing the reader to the Trappists in Belgium -- who they are, their prayer and service, and the history of, and why they brew beer. Of course, I enjoyed one of the bottles this evening. I also picked Shirley up a funny card and white chocolate candy bar (her favorite) there, as we are enjoying quite a bit of stress lately.

We've prepared inserts for the invitations -- they have a map to the church where the wedding will be held, and an email address to r.s.v.p. We cut those tonight and are praparing them to be mailed this evening.



Pax,
Br. Francis

Comments

I want to let you know--if you'd like to comment on any of the posts here, feel free to do so. While I don't want theological debate, or debate about anything really, your thoughts are welcome. Please feel free to comment. If you disagree or want to add something, feel free. All I ask is that you do it in a kindly manner. There are places on the web to discuss and debate the current Anglican crisis (I read them!), and obviously they have their place. Any dialogue we have here, I'd like it to be positive. So, again--post a comment if you'd like. Had a brother post a while back, and I enjoyed talking with hm. I welcome fellowship here on the web.

Pax Christi.



Br. Francis

Hermitage of St. Francis in the Woodland Heights

Spent part of the morning packing and throwing stuff out. Stacked the boxes of packed books back in the closet, ready to be moved. Got about a quarter of the books packed. Will have to spend a couple of days this next week getting the rest done and ready to move the first load to OKC. Shirley has a lot packed, but more yet to do. We would appreciate your prayers as we try to get everything done before the wedding and move. The stress levels have been getting pretty high. But our God has it all in His hand.

Oklahoma City. Jerusalem. Mecca. God's Country. THE place to be. OK, I'm having a little fun here, but truthfully--wherever God calls you, that is the best place in the world. He has called us there. And, while we enjoy Him and see His hand here, we are excited about getting there and seeing Him move there. It's coming pretty quickly.

As I looked around the hermitage this morning while I was packing, I grew a little nostalgic. God has been very good to me here. It has been my favorite place of all the places I've lived. I've enjoyed the Presence of my Lord Jesus here for four years. And yet, the time I have much-anticipated is finally here: the move to OKC to be with my Order. What I wonderful surprise that Shirley is now with me. What a sweet gift from our God. I was settled in the idea of celibacy. But God had other ideas. I am very thankful that he brought Shirley into my life, and that we get to share our life together.


So -- Oklahoma, here we come. Abraham, we follow behind you, our brother.



Br. Francis

Mercy House 2

I am very happy with what the Lord has provided for us. The house that will be our new hermitage has a large living room and kitchen (make that ROOMY kitchen--two people can easily move around it it). It has a room that we think will work for a Music Room/Library (yeah!) and three bedrooms. It also has a storm shelter and a shed in the backyard. (Storm shelter bcause we'll be in Tornado Country. Was the Van Halen song in the "Twister" movie "Humans Being"? I think so. The line in the song is -- "Shine on, shine on!" That's what we want to do when we get there.)

I am very humbled and thankful tonight as I consider where God is leading us.


Br. Francis

Mercy House

The Lord directed last weekend, and we have found in OKC what will be our new home--Mercy House hermitage. We have been packing, but now we've stepped it up, and are packing in earnest now!

So, how is the planning coming? Invitations are about to go out (finally...!). One more meeting with the wedding folks at the church. Need another usher. Waiting for the musician to get back with me. Finally getting back with the travel agent about the honeymoon. Lotta stuff, and I have felt pretty stressed from time to time. Yet, our God is good. And He is blessing. We are happy and excited.


Br. Francis

Catholic

People have asked me a few times in the past few years, "Why would you call yourself 'catholic'? Don't catholics believe in salvation by works, and worship Mary and the saints? You don't believe in all that, do you?"

Of course not. What I do believe is that, in the early Church, you were either catholic or a heretic. Catholic then meant believing in Christ for salvation, saved by his grace, and in the teachings of the apostles (what they wrote in our Bibles). It also meant keeping the traditions that the apostles taught (also recorded in Scripture)--of a weekly Eucharist, fellowshipping, praying prayers and breaking bread from house to house (which included the agape meal and a liturgical Eucharist). By that definition, I am catholic.

I have a friend who is an orthodox, evangelical believer, who would not call himself catholic. We have talked often about the word "catholic." I have maintained in our discussions that "catholic" also means "interdenominational". Now, follow me here. According to our definition above, all baptized, orthodox (doctrinally) believers in every branch of the Church are catholic, whether they would call themselves that or not. So by that, we can see that catholic and interdenominational are synonymous.

The word "catholic" was defined by Vincent of Lerins as what has always been believed, by all, everywhere. The apostolic teaching. The basic beliefs of our faith that we all believe.

I am a part of that family of the catholic Church that we call "Anglican" or "Anglo-catholic"--that branch of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church that developed in the British Isles. (Most of our churches in the U.S. came out of that part of the Church--and retain part of it in their life today, in varying degrees.)

I don't normally walk around and tell everyone that I am catholic--they would naturally understand me as saying that I am Roman Ratholic, which I am not. I usually answer that I am a Christian--and hope and pray that they see it in my life. And I hope and pray the same for you.

What's important, I think, is not that we label ourselves--or hopefully not have an inordinate amount of pride in our denomination (or lack of one)--but that we believe in Jesus, and live our lives for Him, believing in what is recorded in Scripture. We should not allow our differences in what we believe--whether we can lose our salvation, in gifts of the Spirit, eschatology, structure of the Church, and etc.--to keep us from sharing the life that is in Jesus, fellowshipping, worshipping, and serving Him together.


Blessings,
Br. Francis

Woohoo! and church stuff

7 weeks from now, Shirley and I will make covenant with our Lord and receive the Sacrament of Marriage. We are excited, but at the same time we're tired from wedding planning. We have one meeting left with the wedding coordinator and the food person, still have the honeymoon to plan (waiting for the travel agent to call me back...!), and invitations to mail. We're working on getting housing and work in OKC, as well.

Our small monastic church there is called the Chapel of St. Francis, and Shirley and I are looking forward to weekly worship there. If you are in the OKC area, we welcome you. We are a small, friendly group, centrally located, and dress is casual. We also have a parish in the Tulsa area. Please feel free to call or email Abbot Jim for service times and locations.

We are evangelical--the Blble is God's Word to us, inerrant and infallible, and to be read, taught, and obeyed. Jesus Christ is our Lord and God, He is the way, the truth, and the life, and worthy to be worshiped and for us to fully give our lives to. His suffering and death on the cross and resurrection made the way for us to have relationship to Himself (salvation!) and we are to share Him with the world, in our words and lives.

We are a charismatic church--we believe in the life of the Holy Spirit (see the book of Acts) and His gifts. We believe the gifts are here now as they were in the New Testament, and that the Spirit, as Paul wrote, gives gifts to whom He wills. (We don't believe a person has to speak in tongues to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Some would call us "mildly charismatic.")

We are a liturgical and sacramentalchurch--we worship with a written order of service, which is commonly called a "liturgy," and believe in the sacraments of the early Church.

"Liturgy" means "the work of the people," i.e. the "work" we do in worshipping God. Ancient Israel, the Lord Jesus, and the early Church worshipped using a written liturgy. We have used liturgies for Eucharist from the 1928 and 1979 prayer books, the New Zealand Prayer Book, and from the ancient Hippolytus liturgy. For Morning and Evening Prayer we have used the '28 and '79, and now use the St. Augustine Prayer Book for public and private prayer. Arguments have been presented against using a written liturgy--that it stifles the flow of the Spirit. The early Church enjoyed the flow of the Spirit while using a written liturgy, and liturgy with spontaneous prayer and praise is a beautiful combination.

The early Church believed in and practiced seven sacraments. A "sacrament" is an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace of God, and a means by which He brings that grace into our lives (from the definition by St. Augustine). Two main--Baptism and the Lord's Supper, the Eucharist, as it was called ("Eucharist" means "thanksgiving.")

Historically, the Church has believed that Baptism brings an infant or young child into the Church and into covenant relationship to God and His people, and brings His grace and forgiveness to work in the child's life (see Acts 16 for two examples of household baptism when one parent becomes a believer). The parents publicly promise, with the help of God and His Church, to bring the child up in the Lord--then the child must choose: receive the Lord into his/her life and live for Him, or reject the Lord and the faith he/she was baptized in and brought up in. If a believing child, teen, or adult, Baptism is a profession of faith--a public promise to live for the Lord. Receiving Christ brings His life, forgiveness and grace into our lives, and Baptism officially and publicly completes that initial faith in Christ, bringing His grace and forgiveness, as well.

Eucharist is a sharing in the life of Jesus, in His Body and Blood. Historically, the Church has taught the apostolic teaching of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Over the centuries, there have been many debates as to how that specifically works. We don't have an official position--other than to say that it is more than a memorial or symbol (it is both of these--yet more)--in some way we are receiving the Body and Blood of Christ. We receive Jesus into our lives, and have His life in us, and also receive Him in a different and special way in the Eucharist. The first-century Church offered it often--at the minimum weekly each Sunday, and often during the week, as well. Most of the Church today believes we enjoy His Presence in a special way when we partake, and are strengthened in our faith and our life in Him. The Scriptures or the early Church didn't require confession of sins to a priest before partaking, and neither do we. It is always an option, but what is required is confession to the Lord and receiving His forgiveness before we partake. It is part of our liturgy to pray together a General Confession, at which time we may silently confess any known sins to the Lord, and then receive absolution from the priest--a declaration and assurance that our sins our forgiven by the Lord. We believe in our spiritual lives being centered around the Eucharist, which we receive often, and daily Morning and Evening Prayer.

Confirmation is God's grace in the filling of the Spirit and giving His gifts, based on the practice of the apostles to lay hands on the newly-professed believers--as we see in Acts. We see there that the apostles ensured the uniform beliefs of those Christians, and prayed for them to be filled with the Spirit, which imparted and/or stirred up gifts in those believers. The apostles handed the practice to the bishops they ordained, and bishops confirm today in accord with that ancient teaching and practice. The bishop prays for the believer to be filled with and strengthened in the Spirit, it is a public profession of faith for that believer, and it is normally the final step for the initial receiving of the believer into the full life of the Church (faith, baptism, confirmation). Today there is instruction in the basics of the faith before the bishop confirms--churches call this catechism class, new member class, discovery class, confirmation class, etc.

Reconciliation/Forgiveness is God giving His forgiveness and grace to a repentant believer, either in public worship, or in private confession to a priest.

Unction/Healing is God's grace to heal and restore mentally, physically, or spiritually. It is often given when someone is near death, but also at any time when healing is needed.

Holy Matrimony or Marriage is God's grace to a man and woman for them to live together in a covenant relationship with Him and each other. Marriage has always been, Scripturally and historically in the Church, between a man and a woman only. We believe that Christ offers forgiveness--so that a believer who caused a divorce, even if they committed adultery, if that person is repentant, may be forgiven by Christ and restored to full life in His Church (including receiving Eucharist), and allowing that believer to remarry.

Holy Orders/Ordination is grace from God for men and women to minister in specific functions in His Church--bishops, priests, and deacons. After academic preparation (seminary or "reading" for Orders under a bishop), a person is ordained (set apart) by a bishop through the laying on of hands. We ordain men as bishops, priests, and deacons, and women as deacons, according to Scripture and apostolic practice.

We believe in apostolic succession--in an unbroken line of ordinations back to the apostles, and the grace that comes through that ordination. The apostles themselves taught this in Scripture--they wrote of ordaining faithful men who would then teach and ordain faithful men, unsuring the correct faith being taught and perpetuated. Those ordained by the apostles, and those they ordained and so on in the next couple of generations (we call these the "Church Fathers"), wrote of this and practiced it, as well. Simply put, it is the ordination of the faithful by the faithful so that the apostolic faith may be carried to the next generation. What do we say about ministers not believing in or ordained in apostolic succession? Unfortunately, ordination in apostolic succession doesn't atomatically guarantee Scriptural teaching or a holy life from those ordained--we see examples of this in Church history and today. After the Reformation, many groups rejected apostolic succession due to this, and/or from their perspective that they don't see it in Scripture. We understand that, and recognize as ministers those ordained in every faithful branch of the Church, and pray for God's blessing on them as they minister to the Church and to the world.

I see us as a welcoming and friendly group. Because we have the monastic base, I think we feel more like family than just a church. If you haven't found a church in which to be a part, come worship with us. You are welcome wherever you are on your spiritual journey. We welcome you to worship and pray with us while we're still here in Houston, and in OKC if you're in that area.

And wherever you are, we're here to pray with and for you, help you along on your spiritual journey, help you to bring monastic practice into your life should you wish, and introduce you to the Order of St. John the Beloved, should you believe you are called. We have Oblates (friends of the order, unvowed), and vowed monks and nuns--single, celibate, and married.

Let's share the life of the Lord Jesus Christ together.


Br. Francis

OKC move

As I've shared before here, the calling of the Lord is for Shirley and I to move to Oklahoma City after the wedding. Although the intention of the Order is to eventually buy property in which we'll be able to have a monastic community, the core of our order currently lives in OKC. So we are looking for rental property there, in the Warr Acres area, preferably near N. Portland Ave.

If you have, or know someone who has a duplex, house, or 3-bedroom apartment for rent in that area, please email and let me know. Thanks. br.francis@yahoo.com


Br. Francis

October music

I "retired" from the band Stage Dive on the 1st of September, so Shirley and i would have all the itme we needed to prepare for our wedding. They had a good show last week at the 19th Hole in the Woodlands, with their new drummer Joe. I'm hearing he's a good drummer (have seen some video-he is a good drummer) and has well-learned our music. And I, of course, wish him and the band all the best.

But I already miss playing with them. I am not currently playing at church either, so I am really missing playing. I remember the Chariots of Fire movie when Eric Liddel said, "When I run I can feel His pleasure." There is something similar that happens when a musician plays his/her instrument(s). It is truly a spiritual experience -- a sacramental thing, if you will. Now note that I did not say it WAS a sacrament--an outward and visible sign of the grace of God, and a way by which He gives that grace to us. We, like the ancient Church, believe there are 2 main sacraments--baptism and the Eucharist; and 5 others, confirmation, forgiveness, healing, marriage, orders (ordination). But anything in Creation can be sacramental, i.e. there is something about that thing or action that, while we are enjoying or doing that thing, we feel closer to the Lord, and feel His strength, joy, and peace. Music is that way for me, especially playing it.

Was on Kerry Livgren's and KANSAS' web sites last night--really love their music. I enjoy the mix of rock and classical.

When we get to OKC, I am looking forward to putting together a new musical effort.


Br. Francis

Close

We nearly have everything ready for the wedding. I was thinking today just how close we are. The wedding and OKC is around the corner. It's a great feeling to know that you are doing what the Lord has asked you to do. I've done both--either said no or not now, and yes. Saying no or not now eventually catches up with us. We cannot expect the full blessing from the Lord when we know He has led us to do something, and we find all kinds of excuses to not do it. I'm thinking about Moses when the Lord called him to lead Israel to the Promised Land. Talk about excuses! Our God answered each one. I especially like it when Moses said that he had a stuttering problem, and the Lord answered that Aaron would go with him, and help him speak. I grew up with a huge stuttering problem, and always had a dream of being a disc jockey. I never would share that with anyone, because I figured I would be laughed at. Back in the early 80's, I began at a college radio station. When I began, I had to carefully plan what I would say on the air--I had incredible difficulty beginning a sentence with words that began with certain letters. But the Lord used radio to heal me of stuttering, and now I can say pretty much anything. I have done radio for 24 years this Fall, and God has blessed my time with opportunities to work in a few different formats. Just now I presented a child over the air who needed a sponsor, for Compassion International, and a listener called in to sponsor that child. It's a great feeling to be used of the Lord in that.

Let me encourage you--if you have a dream, or a skill--and you feel or hear the Lord call--step out and begin to do it, or begin the preparation that is neceassary to do it. I will continue my studies toward ordination when we get to OKC, and God called me when I was 14. We may not immediately obey, but He will bless when we do.

under the mercy,
Br. Francis

September musings

The wedding planning continues. We've got it narrowed down to 2 invitation styles. The special music, food for reception, and photographer are lined up. We still gotta plan the honeymoon (that I WON'T post here--not till we come back......! : ) )
Still gotta get fitted for my tux, gifts for groomsmen, guest book, and petals for my daughter Cheyenne the flower girl. We can't think of anything else--it's getting late and we're tired.

Been trying to keep up with all the Anglican news. The Windsor bishops and the Global South Primates meet tomorrow until Friday. Let us pray for faithfulness to the Lord Jesus and to His Word the Bible to be shown throughout the world in all groups who are Anglican and Anglo-catholic in tradition.

The Lord is reminding me of late of three things our order has tried to emphasize--humility, compassion, and faithfulness. We must be faithful to the Lord Jesus and to his Word the Bible. We must show His love, compassion, to all. And we must exemplify humility, that people may see the Lord Jesus in us. I think this one is the hardest. We all have some pride that we would do well to lose, myself definitely included. We should worry less about making ourselves look good, and more about making the Lord Jesus look good to the world.

The Hermitage of St. Francis in the Woodland Heights is my small home here in Houston. Of course, it is named after St. Francis of Assisi. When Shirley and I marry, and move this hermitage to Oklahoma City, we have to change its name: we worship together in OKC as the Chapel of St. Francis. So, after discussing it with Shirley, we think we're going to change the name of the hermitage to "Mercy House" hermitage, focusing on God's mercies to us, His covenant mercies to us His people.


Br. Francis

Church thoughts

I have tried very hard to hold off on making any comments here concerning the crisis in the Anglican branch of the Church today. I will make these few comments here tonight.

The Church is not about us--it is about Jesus. We are to receive Him, draw close to Him, and serve Him with our whole lives. He is the unique God-Man, the only way to be saved. He fulfilled all the prophecies of the Old Testament concerning the Messiah. He lived a sinless life, one of simplicity and compassion. He died for our sins and was raised from the dead for our justification. As far as people in other world religions, I would say this: Jesus said that if we seek Him, we would find Him. I take that to mean what it says, that if any person sought Him, he or she would find Him. He will reveal Himself to that person. All will have an opportunity to see Jesus for Who He is, and be able to receive Him. I am sure of that because the Scriptures teach that.

The Church is to "teach all things I have commanded you," Jesus said. That means the Bible, and the plain meaning of any verse or passage is usually the one that is correct. When we have question about the interpretation of a verse or passage, our practice is to go to what the Church Fathers wrote--what did they say about that. We may then also go to the writings of the monastics and to the Reformation leaders, especially those who were in the English Church. But we go to the apostolic traditions as written by the Church Fathers first.

The Scripture teach us as believers in Jesus to show love and compassion to all. We are to share Him with the world. We are to hold to the teachings of Scripture and serve Jesus above all else. Love does not mean that we say sin is OK. It means we love all, reach out to all, and help each person live the life in Jesus that we're called to live. And we are to stand with all orthodox (in doctrine) believers around the world.

We should be in prayer for the Church, that in whatever it is in error, God will correct it. That wherever it is corrupt, He will purify it. Wherever it needs renewal and reformation that He will bring that. And He does that through us His people as we serve in the world.

I believe that is all I need say. I won't use my blog to rail on events or on specific people. We must pray for them. We must pray for Church leaders that they will be faithful to Jesus and to His Word the Bible.


Br. Francis

Home stretch

Well, we're in the home stretch--we have just 3 months til the wedding. You would think we'd have all ready--but alas, we don't. We met with the wedding coordinator last week. We're still trying to decide on a photographer. I think the catering is decided. The special music may be on discs. I'm discovering that a small wedding has just as many details to work out as a large one. We need to put our lists together of folks to invite, and trying to keep it under 300. We've asked our bridesmaids, groomsmen, maid of honor and best man. My best man will be my Dad--he's put up with me for 43 years, so I think I should honor him. (I don't think he knew what to do with the whole monk thing at first, but I think he's OK with it now. He calls my habit a "robe." Dad is a Methodist believer, and raised my brother and I in that branch of Christ's Church, and it is in that church that I was baptized at age 13. I first received Jesus as Lord and Savior, as far as I can remember, at my grandmother's Baptist church in Spring Hill, West virginia, at age 12.)

Shirley and I are excited, and happy about what God has done, and about moving to OKC. The plan is to continue our Tuesday night Bible study and Evening Prayer group at Todd and Becca's, hopefully until close to Thanksgiving, and we welcome you if you're in Houston. I have begun to do Evening Prayer at St. John the Divine Church at 5 p.m. Wednesdays, just before spoken Eucharist there at 5:30. Join me if you're here in Houston.

Lots of discussion in the past week or so about the move, logistics, jobs, etc. It will be interesting. We know our God is with us. I cannot tell you how good it feels, cannot describe the awesome feeling we have as we're obedient to King Jesus. He is worthy of all praise and the giving of our lives to Him.

If you're in the OKC area, and are called to do rock music for the Lord, email this drummer-monk and let's get together when we get moved up there. I am called to put together a band when I get there. Looking forward to it. The psalmist said to "play skillfully with a loud noise" unto the Lord. There are some of us who have been spoken to by the Lord to put together a contemporary Eucharist. This band would play that, as well as other things.

OKC bound! I am ready--the crime rate here in Houston continues to rise, and we have a shortage of cops. We are ready. OKC or bust!


under the mercy,
Br. Francis

Dennis Welch and friends at Ovations

Shirley and I saw Dennis Welch and a small group of friends play at Ovations last Sunday night. We came in late, but saw a nice bit of the set. Really enjoyed it. It's folk, but there was some nice lead in there and some rocking parts. But folk it was, nonetheless.

The players were: Dennis on guitar and lead vocals, I can't remember the guy's name to his right on bass and acoustic guitar (sorry!), Chris Whittington on acoustic guitar, Kemper Crabb on mandolin, and Dave Marshall on acoustic and electric guitar. Dennis' talk between the songs was interesting and thought-provoking.

I have known Kemper and Dave for many years, and became aquainted with Dennis back in the 80's when he did rock. A former roommate of mine and fellow church member was Dennis' keyboard player for awhile back then "in the day". I remember a great rocking set one Friday or Saturday night at Rockefeller's. It was great to see Dave again -- hadn't seen him in several years. Dave is a Reformed Episcopal deacon and does the music at his church. Really enjoyed his bluesy, rockin' leads. Kemper does the music at the 11:05 Contemporary Eucharist at St. John the Divine here in Houston, where we attend. Kemper and Dave headed up the pioneer band ArkAngel back in the 70's, which evolved into the band Radiohalo in the 80's. Chris has played with Kemper and Dave for many years, and does the music with Kemper on Sunday mornings at St. John the Divine.

Really enjoyed the evening. I like Dennis' stuff. Ovations is a nice little club in the Rice Village. Last time I was there was in the 90's and saw a nice little jazz band called Moons of Jupiter that Kemper and Dave played in.


love good music,
br. francis

August Thoughts

Four months from now Shirley and I will make covenant with our God in the Sacrament of marriage. And we are glad, and looking forward to the day. We're still working on preparation for the wedding. We have the church and the minister (Bishop/Abbot Jim Beckett). We have our rings, her dress is being altered, and we thnk we have the photographer, flowers, and food lined up........we shall see! I thought we had the special music lined up, but he has a gig that day, and can't play in the wedding. Oh, well. If worse comes to worse, I'll hand the sound guy some discs and a playlist, and say, "Here,......."

I will miss my hermitage. Four years ago, I found a small, 100-year-old efficiency apartment in the Woodland Heights area of Houston. The neighborhood was developed northwest of Downtown just after the turn of the 20th century. The building is a former boarding house, built around the same time. Some time later, it was converted into efficiency apartments.

The place is small (living room and bedroom are the same) and as I've gathered things over the past few years, it has begun to get cluttered. Now, clutter is no good for a monk. To live simply means, among other things, without clutter. So, I'm due for a "clean-up." This year's big "clean-up" will involve packing.

Yeah, the room is small, and just allows for a bed and a little furniture. Truthfully, the a/c (a window unit) doesn't really adequately cool the place in the hottest part of the Summer (as in--right now). So, this big boy sits most of the time where he can get the cold air from the a/c. And since that would be the couch, in the Summer that would be my preferred place to sleep. The place has one bathroom and a small kitchenette, which includes a regular-size (thankfully!) fridge and a small stove, and is just large enough for a small table.

You may ask, "Why live in such a small place?" It's a hermitage, and should be humble. And it is. But I've enjoyed this place more than any other place I've ever lived before. I have grown closer to our Lord Jesus here. I met and became engaged to Shirley while living here. God has been very good to me here.

But now begins the task of collecting and packing small boxes with books. I have learned to not get the big banana boxes from the store and loading them up with lots of books. Why? Because big boxes with lots of books makes for HEAVY boxes! Moving is always hard, but since we're looking forward to this move , maybe it will be less difficult and even fun......! Well, here's to wishful thinking, anyway.

One thing we know for sure: God was with me in other moves, and He will be with us in this move. I've begun to get restless. He always makes me restless when He has something new for me. So I'm excited, and thankful. I'm ready to marry Shirley, finish my studies and be ordained to the presbyterate, and looking forward to to putting a new band together. And looking forward to living in OKC. He is with us. I am thankful for that.


under the mercy,
br. francis

Summer thoughts

It is the end of July, and a few things are in my thoughts.

I am at peace in that I surrendered to the Lord my desire to be disobedient to my calling.

A few of years ago, He won our wrestling match as to whether or not I would be obedient, and serve as a presbyter, a priest in His Church. When I was 14, the Lord spoke to me and said that I was to be a minister in His Church, in His Name. He had spoken to me before through His written Word the Bible, through sermons, Bible teachings, Sunday School, through friends. and through the Holy Spirit. But never like this, and not in quite the same way since.

The voice was audible, yet it was not. I was eating alone in the cafeteria at school. My girlfriend had just broken up with me, and I was backslidden -- away from the Lord. He said -- "I want you to be a minister in My Name," and I knew what He meant. In my backslidden state, my reaction was not good -- I told Him to forget it using some choice words, turned my tray in, and walked out of the cafeteria.

At 16 I repented, and at 18 was in Bible college, but still full of fear and fighting it. After college I did a year of seminary, but dropped out after that due to finances and simply, disobedience.

I did ministry over the years and was licensed after college, but my attitude still was, "Lord, I'll do it but my way. But I'm still doing it, at least partly. Isn't that good enough?" His answer was, "For now."

He was patient. But compromise catches up with all of us, and the Lord's disciplining hand through consequences of sin can be severe. My friend, you don't want that. There is a joy in full obedience that can only be experienced, not explained.

It's wonderful to be obedient and walk in the calling He has for each of us. We are planning the wedding, and the move to Oklahoma City.

Knowing and serving Him, and coming Home to the ancient Church -- its beliefs and practices, has been awesome.

Is your life spiritually dry? Feel like you're missing something? Want more out of your Bible study/meditation? Want to learn about the beliefs and practices of the early Church? We would be happy to pray with you and help you in any way we can. Please feel free to email. May God richly bless you,

under the mercy,
Br. Francis

Summer doings

It has been a (too) busy and interesting Summer. Some things are working 10-12 hours daily (weekdays), Summer visitation with my daughter Cheyenne (and taking her to work with me -- she's at that question-asking phase), and keeping up on the Anglican news around the world (can't go just one place for that). And planning our wedding.

Reading this Summer; Bob Lepine's book on a Christian husband, Cintra Pemberton's Soulfaring book on Celtic pilgrimage, daily Scripture reading, and reading/outlining Bishop Moorman's English Church history (for ordination studies). A lot of good reading.

We hope and pray you are having a good, Christ-filled Summer. Peace to you.


under the mercy,
Br. Francis OSJB

Morning prayer on Sundays

Oblate Andrew have prayed Morning and Evening Prayer at varying times and places since we became part of the Order, But for several months, due to schedules, we've had to take a break (we have our Sunday night group).

We've worked out the details,and are very happy to begin again! We'll begin this Sunday, June 11 (which is Trinity Sunday). We're praying in the outdoor chapel at St. John the Divine church, a faithful ecusa parish, at 8:15 am. The chapel has a small altar and places to sit and kneel. We will pray Morning Prayer from the St. Augustine Prayer Book (which is available in the church's bookstore) and pray for about 15 minutes.

If you're in the Houston area, we invite you to join us and for Eucharist after, either at St. John the Divine or at another faithful church. (We recommend and have a list of faithful Anglican, convergence and orthodox services and churches.)


under the mercy,
br. francis

Racquetball

Well, I finally did it. I have begun to play racquetball again.

You may think, well, great, good for you. And it is but it is also very painful for me...............!

Yes, painful. It's been 20 years since I've picked up a racquetall racquet. And my friend who is playing with me, the guitarist in our band, also hasn't played in 20 years. But he's 10 years younger than me, and he's not hurting like me. That's just not fair. Just kidding.

The first week we played, my upper arm and shoulder hurt on the 2nd serve! The muscle right under my knees (what is it called?) hurt right after we were done. And every time after. And my muscles ached the rest of the week, the first week we got back on the court.

The 2nd week we played, the arm and shoulder began hurting the first game, and the knees right after, again. But the muscles stopped hurting after a few days.

This week, the arm and shoulder only began hurting in the 3rd game. Yes! Progress! The knees only hurt somewhat. Progress! But, the shoulder still hurts. And the back. : ( OK, I pushed harder the third game....! Our nun who is an M.D., Sr. Clare, told me today to back it off a bit. Don't push as hard. I told her, yeah, good idea, but I'm a man! We gotta be dumb and push! She said yes, she knows. And we chuckle, but I know I gotta listen to her.

But overall I feel better since we started playing. My goal, you understand, is to play the way I played, and to have the stamina I had when I was 16! Tall order, but I will not give up until I reach it. It's gotta be.

Oh, yeah. One other thing. The court we play on is one at the guitarist's apartments. So we don't pay to play. But, the thermostat is torn off the wall and there is no air in the court. And this is Texas! I am soaked when we walk out of the court. But, fun, and good for us.


Shalom!
br francis

Music

Haven't discussed music here yet, so I figured it's about time...........

I believe that as Christians we are to create good art, and thus emulate our Creator. I believe in the teachings of Francis Schaeffer and Kemper Crabb concerning Christians and the arts. It saddens me that in the Church, for many years, what I regard as a heresy has been taught: that if a Christian doesn't make or use art for the purposes of evangelizing or building up other Christians, he/she is sinning. I disagree with this. I hold to the view that we are to make good art; that we are to be passionate about our faith; and that our faith necessitates that we make good (make that, excellent) art. But nowhere in the Scripture is it commanded that the art we make must evangelize or build up the Body. Sadly, churches have sometimes made artists feel unwelcome, especially if they make art, specifically music that their Christian brothers and sisters might call "secular".

Shame on us for this! (I once did this, as well.) I think there is a principle for us to understand here: some believers are not called to do public ministry! Over the years, I have seen rock musicians who became Christians immediately put in the "spotlight" -- and expected to demonstrate a level of Christian maturity that they could not, in reality, possess. They had only recently become Christians. The pressure put on them was enough to nearly shipwreck their faith.

Do we criticize J.S. Bach for writing what we would today call "secular" pieces of music? Of course not! We know that Bach lived his life for Christ, and that all his music was not written for the Church. Can we not allow our brothers and sisters who are artists today the same freedom in Christ? Can we not give them the benefit of a doubt that they, too, are attempting to live out their faith in Christ the best they can, and make art the way they are called to, as well? I believe it is an awful thing for us to say that Christians who don't evangelize or minister to the Body with their art aren't living for Christ.

The Psalms were written lamenting life's woes. And they are part of inspired Scripture. It would be appropriate, then, for Christians to struggle with life's ups and downs in their art.

Some of my years were spent playing blues/rock behind the drum kit. A few years ago, I was asked to join a modern hard rock (may I add, creative) band, our music written by Christians, struggling with life's dirt. We cannot run from the hard things in life--we have to grapple with them, and continually offer them to the Lord. We have Evening Prayer and Bible study on Sunday nights at the singer and guitarist's home (husband and wife songwriting team -- her voice at times reminds me of Pat Benatar), and discuss living life as a Christian from the Scriptures. We look at the teachings and practices of the ancient Church and their relevance for our lives today. Check out our music if you like -- www.stagedivetheband.com. (We all use different, fun names in the band--the name "Kane" I chose is Celtic, and its' root is "John," our patron for the monastic order I belong to.)

Unfortunately, this will be my last year playing with the band, as Shirley and I will move to okc to serve with my Order after we marry at the end of the year. I've enjoyed playing with SD, but on this earth, we know good things come to an end.

I've also enjoyed playing drums and percussion in the worship bands of a couple of churches. Had to take a sabbatical on this for now -- the parish we worship at now in Houston requires Wed and Sunday rehearsal, and visitation with my daughter is on Wed nights. Family first. There will be music opportunities in the future that involve evangelization, building up the Body, and hard, loud rock -- the Lord has shown me this. I'm looking forward to it. (Christian guitarists, bass players, vocalists in okc -- you called? Email me -- we're coming!)

How funny it is to me that I enjoy the quiet worship music of John Michael Talbot (he is my favorite artist) as well as hard rock (really, rock of all kinds). I feel that I am blessed in that I enjoy a broad spectrum of music.

So, please pray for those who are called to make art, especially music -- that they will be obedient to the calling that the Lord has given to them, and that they will be welcomed in Christian churches and groups, and encouraged by them. And be an encouragement to them yourself.

I welcome your emails -- but I don't wish to debate on the issue. If you disagree, then please pray for me! : )


blessings,
br francis

Memorial Day and stuff...

Hello. It's been a bit of time since I've posted here...Br. Francis has been quite busy. So I'll share some of it.

Memorial Day has been good this year. Had a nice, long Morning Prayer time this morning. Really have been making an extra effort lately to do more Scripture reading, so did all the readings for this morning. Then, spent part of the afternoon with my fiance Shirley and my future mother-in-law, and cooked burgers and ranch style beans for us.....mmm-mmmm. Pulling an extra radio shift from 3-7pm today. Been pulling a 6-hour shift on Sat. nights for 4 years now, playing Christian music and programs. This Fall it will be 24 years in radio for me (: o ), in which a lot of it I've been privileged for it to have been in Christian radio. So far, I've resisted the temptation to post stories here. Maybe I can continue to resist......

Shirley and I are glad we have some time to plan the wedding, but we're slowly getting things ready. I think (?) we have chosen the colors, the music is lined up, the church is lined up, and we have the minister (Abbot/Bishop Jim). Still deciding on a photographer, caterer, and trying to get the remaining members of Led Zeppelin to play the reception (ok, just kidding on that part, although that would be very cool...!). It would be very difficult for me to fill Bonham's shoes behind the kit! (he's my favorite drummer) Incidentally, had my "How the West Was One" dvd out and watching it the last couple of days....really been getting into the first disc.

We return to okc next month and looking forward to it! Honestly, I really am burned out on Houston Texas--the construction and traffic here is horrendous. Shirley and I are looking forward to our life together and the move to Oklahoma.

Promise to post more! Feel free to email--we'd enjoy hearing from you.


Blessings,
br francis

Holy Week and Easter

Shirley and I had a good (but stressful) Holy Week and Easter.

Palm Sunday was great -- we gathered outside the church building with palms and flags, acoustic guitars and percussive instruments (of course I had a shaker!). We walked around the church and shouted and sang "Hosanna!", then processed inside and had a wonderful Palm Sunday Eucharist.

Then things happened during the week that weren't very enjoyable. I think I'll just call it persecution, : ) 'cause that's just what it is. There are people who hate us simply because we're Christians, and say we are judgemental because we attempt to live by, and hold up the standard of God's holy Word the Bible. We must show them the Lord Jesus and His love.

Maunday Thursday we had a very good Eucharist, and the priest delivered a well-done sermon on the "Real Presence" of Christ in the Eucharist. Then they stripped the altar, and we remembered Jesus' betrayal and arrest and the disciples fleeing, sat in the silence after, and "kept watch" and prayed.

Good Friday morning at 8:00 am we flew out to OKC. We did the Stations of the Cross after noon on Good Friday, and Eucharist and Veneration of the Cross Friday evening. Saturday the Abbot showed us Bricktown, the downtown district -- the older brick buildings are renovated and have shops and restaurants, and the baseball field is there, too. Looking forward to seeing some games there! We spent some time in a Native American art and gift store, and I had a hard time leaving. I wanted a flute, but it was a bit more than I wanted to pay. And they had a wooden Latin cross with a turquoise stone in the middle, which I nearly bought. (Wish I had, now...!) Then we went by and saw the Memorial of the bombing -- next time we plan to go in and see the museum. They weren't able to do their Seder/Maunday Thursday Eucharist Thursday night, so we combined it with the Vigil on Saturday night. So we had Seder, Maunday Thursday Eucharist and footwashing, and Easter Vigil, all on Saturday night. What a service! Sunday morning we had Easter Eucharist with our friends at St. James Anglican. Then late Sunday afternoon we had Easter dinner with the rest of the Order. It was a great, restful weekend, and I really wasn't ready to come home.

We really like Oklahoma City. It's a medium-sized city, and has a lot of what Houston has -- except it's not as spread out and the traffic isn't as bad. I like the rolling plains. The neighborhood we'll be in there with them is pretty quiet, which I enjoy tremendously. The city is pretty, and we're looking forward to moving there.

It's Monday, after work, and I'm tired. But God is good. Time to ask Shirley what we should do for dinner. We hope your Easter weekend was as wonderful as ours was.

under the mercy,
Brother Francis, O.S.J.B.

Concerts and study

Shirley and I have been to see a couple of good concerts lately. We saw Rebecca St. James and Barlow Girl (Jadon Lavik opened). The sound was good, the volume good, and the ministry was excellent. I was especially impressed with Barlow Girl, 3 sisters who rock and love our Lord! The concert appeared sold out. May God bless their ministry.

We went with Todd and Becca, my bandmates in a mainstrean rock effort, to see Warrant last night. They rocked! We saw the end of the set for the female-fronted opening band, Troublemaker--very good. The overall sound was good, despite a couple of technical problems during Warrant's set, and the volume was a little too loud. But Warrant rocked, the musicianship was exceptional, and we had a good time. Lord, we thank you for the talent we heard and saw displayed last night, which came from You. We pray that each person in the bands knows You and the joy of walking with You.

I am studying Anglican history today, as part of my preparation for ordination to the priesthood. I count it a privilege, and right now I'm humbled and awed that our Lord would call me. The coffee is on--this week it's Chocolate Rasberry, and I ground the beans. Yummy!

under the mercy,
br francis