Rebels


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

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

Coffee

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

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

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

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

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

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


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Prayer for bishops

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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Holy Cross/Shirley's Birthday

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

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

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

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

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


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Finally

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

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

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

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

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

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



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Radio

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

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

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

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


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New web page

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

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

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

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

May God bless you and give you peace.


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Phoebe

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

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

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


blessings,
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Good point, Clare & Shorty

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


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Saturday before Aidan Sunday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Praise God for His redemption and deliverance through Christ!

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

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


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Aidan day

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

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

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


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Hello, it's Louis IX's feast day

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

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

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

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

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


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Aidan

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

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

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


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Failure is a good thing

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

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

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

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

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

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



br. francis

Bernard Sunday

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

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

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

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

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



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Hello, it's me

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Our God is with us. Walk in His joy.


br. francis

St Clare day

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

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


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Thoughts Friday

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

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

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

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


Blessings.


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Deacon's Mass

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

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

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

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



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Sunday worship and stuff

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

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

Hope yours was good, as well.




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