Departed Brothers: Fr. Basil; Fr. Nicholas

Monastery at Jacob's Falls, Eagle Harbor, MI

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. 

                      (John 13:34-35 KJV)

I met Fr. Basil in 1997. I was the Vicar for a church without walls in the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan. I had up to five services all over the Keweenaw during any given week and by weeks end I needed to be refreshed. I needed to hear the word and not just preach it so I began attending Saturday evening Vespers on the shore of Lake Superior at the Holy Transfiguration Skete, Eagle Harbor, MI; a Catholic Monastery of the Byzantine Rite. When I first began attending worship with the monks, services were held in their living room. It has since grown greatly!

  

I always left worship with the brothers rejuvenated and ready for the coming week. For those of you who have not attended one of their services, they are completely chanted, including the readings. There are no musical instruments to accompany the chanting; just voices. The words are not drowned out by the organ. I can focus more fully on the word when I can hear it. And... they didn't even mind my chanting. After I had moved away and continued to worship occasionally with them, Fr. Nicholas had commented that he always smiled when he heard me chanting behind him because he knew that I had made the trip to be with them once again. Yes, when I attempt to sing or chant people often smile. I am a preacher not a singer! But, I love doing both. Worship at the monastery is also done  mostly standing. The only time that there is any sitting down is during the readings; unless you are disabled. Whenever I hear people complaining about  standing  too much during worship; I think of Jesus being tortured and hanging on the cross for so many hours for our sakes. 

Fr. Nicholas passed away in 2017. As I was surfing the internet this morning I stumbled across Fr. Basil's obituary. He died on November 30th of this past year. It was a bit of a shock as he always seemed so healthy. 

Despite doctrinal differences, these co-founders of the Holy Transfiguration Skete were truly brothers in Christ. I do miss them. They not only  spiritually supported me and my ministry in the Keweenaw and elsewhere, they were  supporters of many people in need whether the needs were spiritual or physical even as the brothers left behind still are there praying for and helping those in need. What I have witnessed is genuine love for others through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Time has been passing here on earth rather quickly it seems. I will not be seeing brothers Basil or Nicholas again here on earth again. But, that is okay as we look to living in the Kingdom prepared for all who believe, in the presence of God, for all eternity.

May God continue to bless the brothers of St. John's Society with love and with his peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Count The Cost This New Year

And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

                                                 (Luke 14:27-28 KJV)

It is a tradition as each new year arrives to look back a bit and evaluate what was good and also what may have been better in our lives. Then we sit down and make a few plans for the upcoming year(s). As we plan for any future changes in our lives it is only wise to count the cost of those changes we desire. Are they feasible? Can we afford them financially, physically, emotionally, spiritually? 

This year we sold one home and bought yet another. It required a lot of praying for direction as the home we purchased had been foreclosed on by HUD. The financial cost was doable. However, this morning my body is aching pretty good. As with many foreclosed homes there is a lot of damage and a lot of work to be done. After a couples of weeks we finally got hot water into the house yesterday so my granddaughter Ashley and I started shampooing carpets and washing walls last night. My shoulders did not care at all for all that reaching up to get the cobwebs out of the corners! After a couple more days of cleaning, I do believe my body will adjust. 

As Ashley and I were digging a trench for wiring last week, she wanted to know why anyone would buy a home if you had to dig trenches before you could live in it. I am so accustomed to having to repair homes that we've purchased that I never considered that digging trenches would be out of the norm! But, her question made me think about whether young people today have a grasp of what it means to be willing to pay the whole price for anything. When they say they are going to get something that they want have they truly counted the cost? There is indeed a cost for the decisions we make because there are consequences, either good or bad, for both what we choose to do or choose not to do. 

As young people plan for their futures after High School are they figuring in their ability to accomplish what they are planning? Many school counselors have pushed for everyone to go to college and to set as many youth on a college bound track for quite a few years now. However, not all students have the gifts needed or even the desire to go for a four or more year degree. Many are more suited to a particular trade which can be accomplished through trade or technical schools.

Other youth might plan to join the Armed Services. I have reminded many young people that they need to count those costs. Not everyone is equipped to served in the military. Military service requires not just physical endurance; but, mental and emotional well being as well. 

Prayer (communication with God) and planning go hand in hand. With His help we can much better grasp what our gifts are and if we can pay the price of whatever it is that we are about to commit to.

Prayer (communication with God) will also help us to know how to take up our cross and follow Jesus. The gift of life and salvation are free gifts from God. But, when you decide to follow Jesus there is a cost. The path; the way of Christ, you follow will not be understood by everyone. Some will even despise you for taking up your cross and following the path that Jesus leads you on. It will not be easy. But, Christ is with you as you journey on the path that he has prepared for you. 

May the peace of the Lord be with you as you journey with him through this and future new years.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Good News! Release! Relief!

For thus saith the Lord of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me.

Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord.

And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee.

                                                                                       (Zech 2:8-11 KJV)

Good news! That's what chapter 2 of Zechariah is: Good News!

As I read this second chapter of Zechariah, I was reminded of the vision of St. Teresa of Avila and her "Interior Mansion." What an awesome place this city of God is! In Zechariah, it is pictured as a city without walls. It doesn't need a wall because God, Himself, will be a wall of fire around it and He will be its glory within. (Zech 2:4,5)

And more... for all those who are oppressed - there will be relief - there will be release!

God, has sent His only Son, born in a barn, died on a cross, raised from the grave, and ascended to the right hand of our Father, so that we might be free to live in His Awesome presence.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Confess The Truth?

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8-9 NRSV)

Let us not miss the word confess in the verses from 1 John. All too often, I have heard apologies without the person who is apologizing even being able to recognize what they are apologizing for. They might apologize for hurting you or someone else; for disappointing you. They might apologize for not doing what they were responsible for doing. But, do they really acknowledge that they did something they ought not have done or neglected to do something that they promised to do? 

Is just saying "I'm sorry" enough to be reconciled to others if we cannot acknowledge the sin that we have been committing and change? Sooner or later others will recognize that we have not been speaking the truth when we apologized. Failure to recognize the sin in us is a failure to recognize Jesus the Christ who is the truth. Do we think that he is so limited in nature that he cannot see beyond the walls we, ourselves, have attempted to hide behind?

Jesus tells us: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) There is no sense in trying to hide the truth of our sins from ourselves or anyone else. The truth is that Jesus knows what goes on in our lives that others may not be able to see. He knows the real motivation for what we do or do not do. He knows our inmost thoughts. We cannot hide our sins from God; so may as well get it over with; confess our sins; and live life reconciled to God and one another.

God's Peace - Pr. J

He Is My Refuge And Fortress

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.
                                                          (Psalm 91:1-2 NIV)

I woke up this morning wondering what life was going to be all about today; what kind of "walls" I'd run in to. I decided to not get up and move for awhile. Instead, I just thought about how comforting it is to know that no matter what happens today or any day, God is with me. I am not alone for I rest in the shadow of Almighty God. In God I an always trust.

It is a great comfort know that world is not all there is. There is so much more. But, even while here in the body we can find comfort in the knowledge that all who trust in Him are afforded the love and protection of the Most High, our Almighty God, the most magnificent that ever was, is, and ever shall be.  We are His!  Thanks be to God!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Take Up Your Cross

Christ Lutheran Church, Bunnell, FL

   But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
   Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.                                                   (Matt 16:23-25  NIV)

Years ago, I was serving as a missionary to remote areas of Upper Michigan where there was no or very little church presence.  I led Bible studies at 3 different sites and led Worship at up to 6 sites any given week.  The worship sites included a state park, house church, an historic Lutheran church, an historic Episcopal church, a community center, a youth correctional facility, and sometimes my home.  The area I covered was about 45 miles north and south and 20 miles east and west.  Yes, it was what would be considered in today's world - wilderness.  I carted everything needed for worship between sites.  Packing and unpacking - setting up and tearing down - the same stuff over and over again. We had one of those big gold crosses for the altar, which was included in the stuff I needed to carry with me from worship site to worship site.  On one Ash Wednesday afternoon as I was rushing between Worship sites about 25 miles apart when I panicked thinking that I had left the altar cross at the last site.  So driving down the road while reaching in the back seat to see if I could feel it back there someplace, I heard myself say:  "I am so sick and tired of having to carry that cross with me all the time."  Fortunately, I said it out loud so that the impact of what I had said hit me full on.  What about the cross that Jesus bore for me?  And... this little cross was a bother to me?  If I couldn't carry this little altar cross, what kind of cross was I really willing to carry?  As a reminder to myself of my own hard heartedness and of what Jesus was willing to do for me, throughout that Lent I carried that cross on the seat next to me; not just between worship sites, but every day, every where I went.  While driving from place to place, that cross would remind me of my weakness, of my sin, and I would take hold of it, confessing my sins and thanking God for the cross he bore for me.  For I know full well that the cross I have been called to carry is nothing compared to the one he bore for me.  And I cannot even carry the little one without the help of God.  

Taking up our crosses and following Jesus is not easy. It will mean that our own will may have to be crucified in order for our Father's will to be done through us. May God help each of us to take up our cross to follow him wherever he would lead us.

God's Peace - Pr. Judy

Thieves Cannot Sneak Into The Kingdom Of God; There Is Only One Way In

"I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:9-10

There is a reason for walls. It is to keep one safe from many things that would harm us. Walls protect us from most storms; from beasts of prey; and from those who would steal from us or do us other injuries. We need walls; but, we also need gates or doors to enter in and depart when the time is appropriate. It would be very nice if we did not need them. If we could all live in peace with one another. But, that is not the reality. Thieves will find a way to go over the walls and through locked doors.

But, there is a door that is always open for anyone who desires to enter. For anyone who would knock the door will be opened. Jesus is that door. He is the gate to eternal life where there is peace and safety for all.

Even the thief can enter through this gate; if only he would. The problem is that the thief would prefer to enter in a way other than the way that he or she has been invited. However, those who would attempt to find another entry into the Kingdom, they will not be successful. There is only one way into the Kingdom of God. Jesus is the way. He is the gate through which we must enter the Kingdom of God. He is the way, and the truth, and the life. No one enters except through him. Anyone who desires is welcome to enter into the Kingdom where there will be safety and peace for all.

Thank you Lord, for opening the gate to eternal life. Help us to enter and live life in your Kingdom.

God's Peace - Pr. J