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☧Dedicatio Basilicæ | Sci Pauli viii Kl Mai | anno xv Ecgfridi Reg. | .... Ceolfridi Abb. ejusdem q. | q. Eccles. Deo Auctore | Conditoris Anno iiii. The two monasteries, St. Peter's at Wearmouth, and St. Paul's at Jarrow, were sister houses, and the new convent remained in the strictest connection with Benedict's earlier foundation. The number of brethren at Jarrow appears to have slightly increased after the congregation was first formed by Benedict, and twenty-two settled in Ceolfrith's new house, of whom ten were already tonsured, and the remainder were applicants for the tonsure. During the progress of the building the abbot took no small pains to instruct his brethren how to read and sing the service, in order that they might chant the psalms and say the responses and antiphons as the custom was at St. Peter's at Wearmouth. His monks studied diligently, and good progress was made. The monastery, however, was visited by the plague, which carried off all the monks who were thus able to take part in the service save the abbot himself and one lad whom he had brought up and taught, and who was not as yet in priest's orders. When the history from which this incident comes was written, the lad, grown then to manhood, and in the priesthood, was still a brother of the house, equally famous for what he wrote and what he spoke of his past life, and it is not too fanciful to believe that he was Bæda [q. v.], who tells us that Ceolfrith brought him up, and that it was by his direction that he was ordained priest (Eccl. Hist. v. 24). The abbot and the lad for one week left out the wonted antiphons, but the service seemed too mournful, and with such help as the others could give they kept the service up as it had been before the plague, though not without great labour, until the abbot had gathered fresh monks, or taught those he already had to take their part. On the death of Eosterwini, whom Benedict had admitted to a share in the abbacy of Wearmouth, that he might take his place in his absence, the monks of St. Peter's consulted Ceolfrith as to whom they should choose in his place, for, as it happened, Benedict was at Rome at the time. By Ceolfrith's advice they made Sigfrith abbot, and Benedict, on his return, approved the choice. Soon after this both Benedict and Sigfrith fell sick. Benedict therefore sent for Ceolfrith, and committed both the monasteries to his charge. Accordingly he was constituted abbot of both houses, 13 May 688. Sigfrith died on 22 Aug. and Benedict on 12 Jan. following.
Ceolfrith ruled the two monasteries with diligence. While strictly enforcing the full Benedictine rule he nevertheless won the love of his monks. He took pains with the services, and caused them to be held constantly. Nor was he neglectful of the welfare of his monasteries in other ways. He obtained a letter of privileges from Pope Sergius, which he had laid before a synod and publicly confirmed by King Aldfrith and the bishops who were present. He enriched his churches with many precious things from Rome. Among other matters of good government he especially encouraged the practice of transcription, and, having already one copy of the Scriptures of the old version, which he had brought from Rome, caused three copies of the new version to be written out; one of these he placed in each of his monasteries and kept the other to present to the Roman see. A certain splendid cosmography, which Benedict had bought at Rome, he sold to King Aldfrith for no less than eight hides of land, with which he endowed St. Paul's monastery. When Adamnan [q. v.] visited Northumbria, Ceolfrith entertained him and succeeded in convincing him that the Celtic church was in error. The result of this visit was the conversion of the northern Irish to the Roman Easter in 704 (Eccl. Documents). At the request of Naiton (Nechtan Mac Derili), king of the Picts, he wrote him a letter in 710 on the disputed questions about Easter and the tonsure. When this letter was translated to Naiton and his councillors, the king decreed that the Roman customs should thenceforth be followed by his people. Ceolfrith also, at the king's request, sent him architects to show him how to build the church he was contemplating in the Roman style. In 716 Ceolfrith, feeling that age had lessened his powers, determined to end his days at Rome. He took a solemn and affecting farewell of his monks, who were now about six hundred in number in the two monasteries, and set out on 4 June, taking with him the copy of the Scriptures he had had prepared to present to the pope. While waiting for his ship to sail, he heard of the election of his successor, Hwætberht, and confirmed it. He set sail on 4 July and landed in Gaul 12 Aug. He was honourably received by the ruler of the district, who gave him a commendatory letter to Liutprand, king of the Lombards. He arrived at Langres on 25 Sept., and died there on the same day at the age of seventy-four. On the morrow his body was buried with great honour in the church of the Twin Martyrs. He had been accompanied on his journey by eighty men from all parts, who reverenced him as a father;


Written by Reginald Smith, Director of Diversity CRCNA
In a recent book I read by best-selling author Bruce Feiler on navigating life changes, he suggested that the average adult might experience thirty-six disruptions in their lifetimes. Of the thirty-six, three to four of those disruptions would become major life altering experiences. That means every leader will undergo some kind of involuntary (or voluntary) major league curveball to either change the familiar course or rethink the meaning of their lives. Everything hinges on the choice made after the disruption.
Leaders stand before followers when the air of a major event leaks out energy or they get stuck on a treadmill of keeping some ministry going because of fear. Jesus seems to have always pushed his disciples and people who encountered him to say yes to life because every human being is thirsty for a life worth living and to make a difference in the world.
Check out these examples:
Jesus attracted a pair of brothers to trade in their fishing nets for a bigger catch of men and women (Matthew 4)
Two of John’s disciples followed Rabbi Jesus based on the testimony of their former rabbi who loved the desert life (John 1)
Large crowds followed Jesus for a sermon near a mountain and heard they were “blessed” (Matthew 5)
A paralytic man said yes to life when Jesus demolished a sinful life in exchange for a forgiven life (Luke 5)
A demon possessed man, a sick girl, and a dead woman said yes to life by the power of God’s leader (Mark 5)
Leaders say yes to life because Jesus has “the power to make the barren places bloom and strike water from the rock”. (Kathleen Norris) A leader’s optimism in God’s work can make a difference if people are going to say yes to new possibilities and dream new dreams.
Watching many of his people perish under the death factory known as the Holocaust, the late Viktor Frankel heard these lyrics sung that ”whatever (the) future may hold, we still say yes to life”. Become a leader who says yes to life!


2021 has been an eventful year and I admit that the year has made me crabby and at times very angry at God. My mom’s cancer diagnosis felt like icing on the cake. In full transparency I am aware that all the other things that have happened pale in comparison to my mom fighting for her life. The crescendo to all of this is material and things are just things and we have some beautiful stories as a result of issues this year but mom having cancer was a different story.
Although I’ve been crabby and upset (yes, I know that God loves me and pursues me in my suffering), the hardest part of all of this is how humbling it has been. I have had friends speak to how much they see God moving in my life this year, and the ways in which he must be “preparing me” for something and I don’t see it. It is all I can do to see one day in front of me at a time and be grateful that my kids are healthy and God has given us food on our table, vehicles that run (most of the time), and a roof over our head, and sunshine filled summer days. Truly, the day to day is beautiful but the big picture feels a bit daunting at times so I stay focused on the now.
I am not out there “doing anything” to glorify God or highlight how “good” He has been in my life lately. I feel like my attitude this year would have actually had the opposite effect on people's opinion of His role in my life. Nonetheless, God is still using us in this season and isn’t that the irony? I have never felt so humbled by the fact that God still chooses to use someone like me right now. When I say someone like me, I mean, someone who has been crabby and fussy and whining and complaining and hard-hearted for a lot of this year. I told a friend that one of the hardest things about my mom’s diagnosis is that life was normal and then suddenly it wasn’t.
In my attempt to stay grounded in the day-to-day, I still sit with Jesus, however, before I began reading, I said, “Lord, my focus is limited, I haven’t been getting a lot out of my time with you lately, and truthfully, I am not super into doing this right now.” (Aren’t I just precious? Heck, I’m surprised the Lord didn’t just say, “Ok, I’ll just leave you alone.”) Instead God loves me, and he said, “Ok, just read. I want to show you something.” As I was reading in the new testament, I came to the story of the demoniac. Some people know this as the story of “legion” or the “mob” of demons that possessed one man and then Jesus sent them into a large group of pigs, and they ran off a cliff to their death.
These were my three observations after reading TWO paragraphs (He didn't mess around and listened when I said I had limited focus):
First, the demons asked God not to send them back to the pit of despair. (Luke 8:31) Woah, even demons don't want to go back to hell. Must be pretty bad.
Second, after Jesus performed the miracle, the crowds were temporarily in awe but then “Later, a great many people from Gerasene countryside got together and asked Jesus to leave – too much change, too fast, and they were scared.” (Luke 8:37, emphasis mine)
-->I’m sorry, what was I saying about life being normal and then suddenly it was different? God couldn’t possibly be wanting me to see those exact words in the Bible right at this moment, could he? Yeah right, truth is, He's got my number. <--
Lastly, the man who EXPERIENCED healing, the man who experienced the power of Jesus asked Jesus if he could go WITH him. (Luke 8:38) He knew what power and change Jesus could produce and he did not want to let it go. He had no idea what going with Jesus would entail but he still wanted to be with Him.
So what? Why do these insights matter?
Here we are and as much as has happened this year in our lives, even before this year, at the end of the day I have EXPERIENCED the reality of Jesus too much in my life to ask Him to walk away or leave me alone. Despite my emotions and hard heart, despite my discomfort and whining, He continues to pursue me, sit with me, allow me to wrestle and continues to show me that He ultimately is taking care of us. I once again realize that God doesn’t need my production, perfect mood, or any personal effort to be glorified. He deserves all those things from me and more, but He still chooses to use the fussy and barely put together girl to show the rest of you that He is real.
I’ve decided to begin to write more because it always helps me keep things in perspective and cultivates more gratitude in my heart. As such, please consider this my public service announcement that even though I have been crabby and visibly wrestling with God lately, He isn’t fazed. He isn’t deterred, and He still recklessly pursues my heart and proves He is good, even when I seem (cough cough) ungrateful.
That’s truly how much He desires to show all of us how loved we are. Amid bad attitudes and temper tantrums, He lovingly remains. Ultimately, I’d rather be WITH Jesus and experience him within difficulty than walk away from Him and fool myself into thinking life is easier without Him.
Thanks for coming along with me as I try to keep it as real as possible while also letting God do his thing in the midst of life. I intend to be authentic in this season and I don't believe I do God any favors if I try to hide or mask my true emotions. Writing is therapy for me as well as an opportunity for me to journal God's faithfulness in my life. I look forward to seeing how God shows up for all of us, in the good, the bad, and the uncomfortable.


John W. Ortiz, age 96, of S. Weymouth passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 24, 2021. He was a proud son of immigrant parents from Spain and Ireland. John was raised and educated in his beloved Quincy graduating from Quincy High in 1942. He served in the Army Air Corps during WWII in N. Africa and Italy.
After John’s military service he continued working at South Shore National Bank, a career he started prior to his military service, while attending Northeastern University where he received his bachelor’s degree. John worked at that same bank for 47 years until his retirement in 1989.
John married his beloved wife of 69 years, Marie, in 1952 and they settled in Weymouth where they started a family and have lived since. John and Marie remained active parishioners of St. Francis Xavier Church throughout their lives and put great importance on raising their children in the Catholic faith.
In retirement John enjoyed golfing, travelling, and keeping in touch with extended family in Spain and Ireland. Above all else John enjoyed time spent with his family.
John is the beloved husband of Marie Ortiz (Corbo) of Weymouth, loving father of Anita Ortiz-Ha and her husband Han of Hanover, John Ortiz Jr. of Weymouth, Stephen Ortiz and his wife Valerie of Sterling, Michael J. Ortiz and his wife Kathleen of MD, Mary Ortiz of Washington DC, and the late Michael F., his cherished grandchildren Derek, Steven, Mary, Michael, Marie, Phillipe, Alexandre, Andrew, Isabelle, Marguerite, Sophie, William, David, Daniel, Sarah, and Caroline, and his twelve great-grandchildren. John is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to the visitation for John on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 from 5-7pm in the C. C. Shepherd Funeral Home located at 134 Pleasant St. (Columbian Sq.) Weymouth. Friends will gather for the funeral mass Wednesday morning at 10am in St. Francis Xavier Parish located at 234 Pleasant Street, Weymouth. Interment will immediately follow at Fairmount Cemetery, Weymouth. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Arnold Hall Conference Center in Pembroke at www.ArnoldHall.com.


Mr. Thewes has earned a reputation as a fine composer, as well as an arranger of hymns. This collection includes seven of the most popular and powerful hymns for the Thanksgiving season, or general use. These are designed for use with congregational singing, and each includes an introduction, standard verse, and interlude/modulation to a final verse accompaniment. A sure winner for every organist! Titles: Now Thank We All Our God (Nun Danket) * We Gather Together (Kremser) * Come, Ye Thankful People, Come (St. George's Windsor) * For the Beauty of the Earth (Dix) * All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name (Coronation) * Onward Christian Soldiers (St. Gertrude) * Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven (Lauda Anima).


Featured photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images; ORG XMIT: 160600686
I have recently begun working in the Refugee Resettlement department of Catholic Charities in Houston. As a result, I have become more familiar with the United States’ refugee intake system. The more I learn, the more I realize how many misconceptions there are about refugees in the United States, so the purpose of this post is to boil down the knowledge I’ve acquired and pass it on.
I’m going to take common conceptions and provide the facts. I won’t try to hide that I am writing this because I believe some of the most vulnerable humans in the world deserve to be viewed fairly, but I will do my best to provide objective information without bias.
- “Refugee” is not a broad synonym for migrant, but rather a legal status defined in Article 1(A)(2) of the 1951 UN Convention as “an individual who is outside his or her country of nationality or habitual residence who is unable or unwilling to return due to a well-founded fear of persecution based on his or her race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group” (definition from International Justice Resource Center, emphasis mine). This means a person who has left his or her home because of persecution or violence must apply for refugee status based on one of those five specific categories. An individual cannot obtain refugee status simply because he or she wants to move to a new country for economic betterment, etc.
- We do not need to protect ourselves from a “refugee crisis” similar to what the European Union is experiencing. There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding this idea. First, “refugee crisis” is a misnomer. “Refugee” is not the right word because the people coming into Europe are asylum-seekers, which means they have not been granted refugee status before entering, and are hoping to apply for and be granted asylee status once they reach their destination. The problem is European countries are having trouble registering and processing the asylum-seekers because of the sheer number. The U.S. will not have a similar “crisis” because of geographical placement. All incoming refugees are resettled through agencies, met at the airport, and assigned case managers to help them with their transition into the country. Asylum-seekers are less common, and a different story entirely.
- If you think we should lower our intake of refugees until we can make sure they will go through a proper vetting process, I hope you can tell me what the current process is. The current refugee screening process takes up to two years and is excruciatingly extensive. Don’t believe me? Check out this infographic from the White House. And that’s only after a refugee is set to be resettled in the U.S. After a refugee is granted refugee status in a refugee camp in the country they have fled to (their “second country”), he or she must apply to be resettled in a third country. Many do not apply because they are hoping to return to their own homeland, or because they are waiting and hoping to be reunited with loved ones. Only about 1% of legal refugees are resettled, and while a refugee can state his or her preference for a third country, ultimately, he or she cannot choose where to go. Imagine how frustrating it would be for a potential terrorist hoping to infiltrate the U.S. to wait years to have his or her application processed, only to be resettled in Australia or Sweden. As a result, the resettlement program is an unlikely avenue for terrorists.
- American refugee resettlement programs are based on “early self-sufficiency.” Refugees are expected to have a job and be financially self-sufficient within three to six months. While funds are initially allocated to refugees through resettlement agencies, this is only to help them get on their feet so they can become full citizens of their new country, with all the rights and responsibilities that entails.
- The Church calls for Catholics and other Christians to welcome refugees. While I realize not everyone recognizes the authority of the Catholic Church, I think it is worth noting our pope has called on the U.S. specifically to welcome refugees, and that of the refugees accepted currently, about 30% are resettled through the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and many others through other Christian-based voluntary agencies. For biblical basis, see Matthew 25:35 (“For I was a stranger, and you took me in.”) and the Good Samaritan parable. Welcoming refugees is loving your neighbor as yourself. As Pope Francis said, “If we want security, let us give security; if we want life, let us give life; if we want opportunities, let us provide opportunities.”
All this barely scratches the surface of the complexities of refugee resettlement, but I hope it helps with some common misconceptions. I’m sure I’ll be making more posts on the topic, so comments and questions are always welcome. In the meantime, here’s a couple of resources. The second one is a much better fact sheet than my post, but slightly longer.
What does it mean to be a refugee? – Benedetta Berti and Evelien Borgman
Frequently Asked Questions: Ten Facts about Refugee Resettlement – Migration Policy Institute
About Refugee Resettlement – United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)


Shortly after my divorce, a well-intentioned Christian asked to meet with me personally. He had a heavy heart, and was very sympathetic to what my children and I were going through. He quoted a verse in the Bible found in the book of Malachi 2:16 which states that God hates divorce.
His insinuation was that I was disappointing God, and should have done more to save my marriage.
Christians who use this verse to instill guilt upon divorced people are really missing the point. God does hate divorce.
Because God himself knows what it is like to be divorced. In Jeremiah chapter 3, God “divorced” Israel because of her continued unfaithfulness worshiping idols. He was so hurt by that unfaithfulness, as you read the passage it is much like a spouse reeling from the death of dreams and a shared future.
Rather than insinuating the “wrongness” of divorce God was declaring the incredible, excruciating pain that divorce imparts. The God of the universe was crying out that his own people whom he had shown love and patience through centuries continued to give their affections to another, and he was devastated.
His heart breaks when he sees us going through a breakup. Because he knows what that is like. And that’s the reason he hates divorce…He hates the consequences.
In the same chapter, God says, “Oh Israel, my faithless people, come home to me again for I am merciful” (Jeremiah 3:12 NLT). God seems like a heart sick husband who longs for his unfaithful wife to return, and gives her the opportunity to do so.
Why would he do that?
Because nothing keeps God from loving. Nothing.
So God hates the pain caused by divorce. But make no mistake…God loves divorced people.


We have a few schedule changes for our services this week:
Tuesday night church service (12/20) has been cancelled.
A special Christmas service will be held this Friday night (12/23) starting at 7:00pm. This service is taking the place of our regular Sunday service which falls on Christmas day this year. So there will be no Sunday School or Church service on Sunday, 12/25.
Please join us Friday night if you would still like to attend a Christmas service, but also get to spend time with family on Christmas day!
We love you and pray God’s blessings upon you,
Your friends in Christ
at the Full Gospel House of Refuge


First published in 1732, The History of the Puritans has been a historical standard on the life and times of the Puritan fathers. In The History of the Puritans, the influence of the Puritans in England is carefully documented and traced over the course of over a hundred years, beginning with the time of Henry the VIII. Daniel Neal, a minister and historian, tracks the Puritans’ effects on politics and social change, resulting in a dynamic and contextual exploration of this time frame. This set is essential for understanding how the Puritans helped to shape England, as well as comprehending the key events and figures involved.
The History of the Puritans is an in-depth study of the Puritans and the history of England. The Logos edition provides instant access to the influence of the Puritans, making study easy and comparable with other resources.
Get the complete set by ordering The History of the Puritans (5 vols.) today!
- From the death of King Charles I to the coronation of King Charles II in Scotland
- From the coronation of King Charles II in Scotland to the protectorship of Oliver Cromwell
- From the beginning of the protectorship of Oliver Cromwell to his death
- From the death of the protector to the restoration of King Charles II
- From the restoration of King Charles II to the conference at the Savoy
- From the Savoy conference to the Act of Uniformity
- From the Act of Uniformity to the banishment of the Earl of Clarendon
- From the banishment of the Earl of Clarendon to the king's declaration of indulgence in the year 1672
- From the king's declaration of indulgence to the Popish plot
- From the Popish plot to the death of King Charles II
- Title: History of the Puritans; or, Protestant Nonconformists: vol. 4
- Author: Daniel Neal
- Series: The History of the Puritans
- Publisher: William Baynes and Son
- Publication Date: 1822
- Pages: 517
About Daniel Neal
Daniel Neal, born in 1678, was a British historian and clergyman. With the publication of History of New England in 1720, he was awarded an honorary M.A. from Harvard College. Neal wrote The History of the Puritans between 1732 and 1738. He died in 1743.


010 On Jordan's Bank the Podcast's Cry
Happy new year! Liturgical new year, that is... • Show notes: http://www.riteandmusical.org/2017/11/010-advent.html
Download this episode (mp3).
- Coffee! Available in a coffee shop or retailer near you!
- Advent is the first season in the liturgical year. And in this way, it is also the last season of the previous liturgical year. It's the first and the last. The Alpha and the Omega.
- Sarum Use: Sarum Rite on Wikipedia
- Neil Alexander. Celebrating Liturgical Time.
- August 15 is the Feast of Saint Mary the Virgin, Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ
- Do you know a parish that continues with the Gloria in Advent? Let us know!
- The tradition of having a pink candle as the third candle of the Advent wreath comes from the traditional "lightening" of the penitence of the day. Pink (or rose) vestments were worn in some places on the Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete) on the Fourth Sunday in Lent (Laetare).
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The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Abia State chapter, have urged Igbo people living in the North to stop fleeing the region because of Boko Haram, urging them to stay back and defend themselves.They spoke in reaction to the alleged selective killings of Christians, non-Muslims, and Southerners resident by the Boko Haram insurgents.Speaking with our correspondent in Umuahia, the Chairman of Ohaneze in the state, Dr. Emmanuel Okparanta, said “Ndigbo are very instrumental to the development of Nigeria, and nobody can chase us away from any part of the country because we are one Nigeria, and will continue to be one.”
He urged Igbo people living in the North to be vigilant and wise in the face of the worsening security situation in the region.
The call re-echoed a position taken by the South-East governors in a their recent meeting in Enugu.
A source, who was at the meeting, had confided in our correspondent that though the governors encouraged the Igbo people and Christians living in the North to maintain peace with everybody in their host communities, they asked them not to fold their arms while being attacked.
He said, “They should not fight but if there is any attack on them by anybody whatsoever, they should strongly defend themselves because this is one Nigeria and nobody has the right to intimidate anybody.”
Also, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria has asked Northern Christians not to flee but to remain steadfast in spite of the onslaught by the violent sect.
The Chairman of the Fellowship in Abia State, Dr. Theophilus Anyimson, said Christians should be vigilant and more serious with prayers against any form of insurgency “but while they pray, they should also open their eyes and resist any attack against them”.
“You should take up your arms and defend yourselves; don’t wait to be butchered. As we pray, we should not fold our arms and be killed; we should do whatever we can to defend ourselves”


Kent William Schuette, age 52 of St. Cloud and formerly of Green Isle passed away June 1, 2022 at his St. Cloud residence. Funeral service will be 11:30 a.m. Monday, June 13th at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Green Isle with Rev. Eric Rapp officiating. A gathering of family and friends will take place one hour prior to the service time at the church. Interment will be in St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery.
Kent was born on May 12, 1970, the son of Howard and Sharon (Laabs) Schuette. He was baptized on June 28, 1970 by Rev. H J Malotky and confirmed on June 3, 1984 by Rev. B H Becker. Kent was a 1988 graduate of Arlington-Green Isle High School and attended St. Cloud Technical and Community College. He was a self-employed mechanic, bartender and always willing to help a friend in need. Kent especially liked riding his motorcycle.
Kent is survived by his parents, Howard & Sharon Schuette, brother-in-law, Terry Flynn, uncles and aunts, Elroy and Mae Schuette, Elmer and Yvonne Schuette, Ernie and Diane Laabs, Dave and Diana Grove, dear friend Marie Anderson, cousins and friends. Kent is preceded in death by his sister, Kara Schuette Flynn, grandparents, Clarence and Emma Schuette and Ernst and Dorothy Laabs.


Wayne Alan Moody, 58, of Staley died Sunday, October 16, 2016 at his home.
Mr. Moody was born in Chatham County on January 27, 1958 the son of Samuel Matthew and Mary Ruth Poe Moody. Wayne was formerly employed with Cook Out Restaurant in maintenance. He loved playing golf, working in his garden, cooking and grilling, and loved to hangout in his building. Also he enjoyed shopping at the Liberty Food Lion Store. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers; Sam Moody, Jr., Paul and Toby Moody.
He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Shannon Adkins Moody, daughters; Zandra N. McCrimmon and husband, Aaron "SpongeBob" of Ramseur and Ginger M. Carswell and husband, Shawn of Trinity, sons; Dwayne A. Moody and wife, Jenna of Bear Creek and Trevor G. Moody of the home, sister; Brenda Griffin of Tramway, brothers; Ted Moody of Lincolnton, Terry Moody of Goldston, Donnie Moody of Siler City and Lonnie Moody of Liberty, grandchildren; Ty Moody, Cheyenne Bell and Makayla Wilson.
The family will receive friends Tuesday, October 18, 2016 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at Smith & Buckner Funeral Home, 230 North Second Avenue, Siler City, NC. The funeral will be Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at 3:00 PM at Sandy Branch Baptist Church,715 Sandy Branch Church Road, Bear Creek with Pastor Cecil Tucker officiating.Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
On line Condolences may be made at www.pughfuneralhome.com


Jun 7, 2009 - 07:20 pm .- The Envoy Institute of Belmont Abbey College will host a three-day apologetics conference this July to address atheism and the “culture of doubt.”
Jun 7, 2009 - 02:19 pm .- “No matter how much I gave away, it was never enough.” With these words, Kelsey Wicks, 26, described her calling to religious life. Although she had been studying at the Augustine Institute in Denver, Colorado and working as a campus minister, she always felt called to something more.
Jun 7, 2009 - 01:53 pm .- Part of an incredible team of filmmakers, Charles Kinnane helps give people a glimpse into a world they may have never experienced. Through dramatic filming and powerful images, Kinnane and the “Christ-centered” team lets the dignity of the human person shine through the lepers in Africa, the homeless in New York City, and abused and disabled children in Peru.
Jun 7, 2009 - 09:57 am .- Twenty thousand people gathered in St Peter’s Square for the Angelus prayer on Sunday despite poor weather. Prior to the Marian prayer, Pope Benedict told those present that “the ‘name’ of the Holy Trinity is impressed on everything that exists, because everything comes from love, reaches out for love and is moved by the spirit of love.”
Jun 7, 2009 - 05:29 am .- On Thursday, June 11 the Church will celebrate the feast day of St. Barnabas, one of the original 72 disciples who worked to convert the Gentiles.


Life is a woven intersection of highs, lows, joy, scuffles, vigor, surrender, and brokenness. It is in surrendering to the love of God that the Holy Spirit weaves reconciliation through our hearts and lives. This is a woven pace in the Chilkat technique made with cotton twine and leather.
The cross (t) brings a gospel of peace that is greater (>) than the highs (^) and lows (v) of this life. I might forget that I am completely dependent on God. But when I give in and believe that God is infect God. The battle is not about my strength or ability or valor. It is about God's Love clothing me.
Recognition to the Tlingit village of Klukwan its Master Weavers, community members, and its Chilkat Weaving heritage. Recognition to the men and women, who learn, practice, and pass on this weaving technique. Thank you for the time spent waving together. Thank you Karlie Spud for the small Weaving Loom/coat hanger used to make this weaving. Book’s; The Chilkat Dancing Blanket by Cheryl Samuel, and Ravenstail A Beginning Project by Marcia Stier, Kay Parker, Mary Lou King and Marguerite Fiorella. The form and material are non-traditional, no native stories are represented. I wanted to practice the art form thought to me by my adopted community and celebrate their faith in God.
This will be given as a gift to a tribal member of the Klukwan Village.
To Learn more about Chilkat people visit :
To support the art and culture of the Klukwan community visit:
To support a Christian Native lead church visit:< https://klukwanchurch.wordpress.com/ >
Curious? Interested in submitting artwork to our contest? Know someone who might be? Through April 14th, 2022, the Engage Art Contest is open to the whole world! Get your foot in the door by claiming your Artist Page now!


Click here to view the
powerschool instruction manual.
Feel free to call Deb Brucker
785-562-2831 with any questions.
Mission Statement St. Gregory is a faith-based academic community. Our mission is to challenge all
students to become productive Christian citizens. To accomplish this mission we will: Develop and enhance communication skills
Reinforce problem solving
Provide Technology education for the 21st Century
Continue to foster and model Christian Values
Strengthen the bond between home, school, and community.


I am sure that this must have been posted before but as a refresher in the context of recent posts it may be helpful.
In refuting Eunomios, who claimed that the essence of God is revealed by created things, St Basil the Great writes that ‘created things manifest wisdom, art and power but not essence’. Thus the divine energy made manifest by created things is both uncreated and yet not God’s essence; and those who like Barlaam and Akindynos say that there is no difference between the divine essence and the divine energy are clearly Eunomians.
St Gregory Palamas Chapter 83: “Topics of Natural and Theological Science” in The Philokalia Vol 4. A few more quotes from the same source relating the distinction of essence and energies to will:
If the divine essence does not in any respect differ from the divine energy, then the act of generation and of procession will in no respect differ from the act of creating[,]… then neither does it differ from the divine will. Thus the Son who is begotten from the Father’s essence, is according to these people also created from the Father’s will[,]… and if the holy fathers testify that God has many energies – for… He has creative providences and goodnesses – then God also has many essences. This is a view that no member of the Christian race has ever uttered or entertained.
If the energies of God do not in any respect differ from the divine essence, then neither will they differ from one another. Therefore, God’s will is in no way different from His foreknowledge, and consequently either God does not foreknow all things – because He does not will all that occurs – or else He wills evil also, since He foreknows all. This means either that He does not foreknow all things which is the same as saying that He is not God, or that He is not good, which is also the same as saying He is not God. Thus God’s foreknowledge does differ from His will, and so both differ from the divine essence.
If the divine energies do not differ form one another, then God’s creative power is not distinct from His foreknowledge. But in that case, since God began to create at a particular moment, He also began to foreknow at a particular moment. Yet if God did not have foreknowledge of all things before the ages how could He be God? If God’s creative energy does not differ in any respect from divine foreknowledge, then created things are concurrent with God’s foreknowledge. Thus because God unoriginately has foreknowledge and what is foreknown is unoriginately foreknown, it follows that God creates unoriginiately, and therefore that created things will have been created unoriginately. But how shall He be God if His creatures are in no way subsequent to Him? If God’s creative energy in no respect differs from His foreknowledge, then the act of creating is not subject to His will, since His foreknowledge is not so subject. In that case God will create, not by an act of volition, but simply because it is His nature to create. But how will he be God if He creates without volition?
As St Gregory demonstrates, one gets into many difficulties holding absolute divine simplicity without distinguishing between essence and energies, or by trying to force the God of Revelation into pagan theistic models and categories, which I believe are insufficient to deal with the Trinity, the Incarnation and creation beginning by God’s volition at a particular moment from non-existence. It follows, in line with St Gregory, that only with the essence/energy distinction can one hope to be speaking of the Biblical God. Also, although not to be taken too far, we can see from our understanding of created energy that the uncreated divine energies tell against a static God but rather tell of a dynamic God. Of course God transcends human/created experience of dynamism and He is not subject to changing His mind nor to passions. These things in Scripture are not pointing to who God is but to our synergy in salvation. It tells of our freedom of will because God is unchanging in willing all men to be saved but yet few are chosen. Our choices bring different consequences, which can be described in human terms of God relenting or getting angry, but one should not ascribe these to God in a human way of changing His mind or becoming passionate.


Mentoring is about adjusting Core Values. Core Values are basically our default position for everything we think and do. The best place to examine one’s Core Values is discovered in those situations in which we find ourselves under extreme stress. We all want to be cut some slack when we are under stress, and we need to cut each other slack at these times. None of us is usually at our best when under extreme stress. But the fact is that when we are under extreme stress we think and respond at our Core Value levels. You see, Core Values are not a list of nice thoughts and desired behaviors we have put on paper. Core Values are the default position from which we make decisions and take actions without the need for excessive thought. Therefore, when we are under stress and have minimal time or energy to give to thought, our Core Values are revealed in what we think, say, or do; as well as what we choose not to think, say, or do.
I can remember in my early days as a Christian being mentored by a youth director – he was working with me on my language (cursing). I felt the victory when I stopped using curse words, but my mentor asked me about what I thought, not just what I said. More work. I still remember the day when an event that would have usually resulted in a long litany of cursing actually ended without even a thought of a curse. Wow! I knew then that a change had occurred. My Core Values had been adjusted. More work. Then I remember the day when a very stressful event occurred and my thoughts were of what was best for the other person, not about me. And I felt I had taken a step into a place that was more like Christ.
Please understand me. I’m not saying I’m perfect. I still slip and slide at times (sin). But I struggle to be more like Christ every day in what I think, say and do. These are the Core Values of a Christian. Paul put it this way:
Phil 3:7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Phil 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Phil 3:15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained. (NIV)
As a mentor, my job is to help mentorees to adjust their Core Values to be more like Christ in every area of their lives. My focus is not on the job, it’s on the person.
If you focus on the job, you are a coach, not a mentor. Now, there are times when mentors have to coach, but our focus is not the job, it’s the person.
If you focus on knowledge, you are a teacher, not a mentor. There are times when mentors have to teach, but our focus is not gaining or giving knowledge, it’s the person.
When I say our focus is on the person, I mean every aspect of a person’s life. In order to impact everything in a person’s life, we must help them adjust their Core Values to a Biblical perspective.
Look at what Paul said to the Ephesians.
Eph 4:17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
Eph 4:20 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Eph 4:25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
Eph 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Eph 5:1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Eph 5:3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.
Eph 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
Eph 5:15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV)
So, as a mentor, it’s my job to help my mentorees become more like Christ in all they do. This includes:
- Their relationship to God
- Their relationship to family and friends
- Their relationship to the community at large and the church
- Their fulfillment of God’s call in their lives
- Their vocations (how they put food on the table)
- Their relationship to themselves (including general knowledge, work skills, mental health, emotional health, spiritual health, and physical health)
We cannot achieve this level of mentorship with meetings or seminars. It requires investing in each other’s lives in such a way that we are pressed by the Holy Spirit from all directions to become more like Christ – Adjusting our Core Values to those revealed in the Word of God.
Blessings!David Watson Irving, Texas


St. Barbara’s Day, December 4, is as good a day as any to give thanks for the many blessings of Saint Barbara and for the wonderful city on the California coast named for the martyred saint. I’ve been truly blessed to call Santa Barbara home for more than 30 years.
I moved here after grad school in 1981 and wrote my first hiking book. Not surprisingly, the cover picture of “Day Hiker’s Guide to Southern California” showed a trail on Figueroa Mountain in the Santa Barbara backcountry with two hikers—John McKinney (not yet The Trailmaster) and my cute friend Callie.
I’ve hiked all over the country since then, but there’s not place like home—especially if your home is in Santa Barbara. My home mountains, the Santa Ynez Mountains beckon with wonderful canyon trails and I try to take at least one or two of them a week at the very least. My home shores offer some wonderful beach walks, bluff-top rambles and coastal hikes.
It’s been a great pleasure walking about and writing about Santa Barbara coast and mountains, and taking hikes with friends and family. I particularly treasure the times my children, Sophia and Daniel, explored the local footpaths with their dad.
But I digress and let’s return to how Santa Barbara got its name. It seems when explorer Sebastian Vizcaino’s crewmen found their tiny ship tossed about by a nasty storm on the eve of Saint Barbara’s Day in 1602, they prayed for her to intervene and save them from a cruel death at sea. When the day dawned, and the ship found safe harbor, the grateful men named this coastal refuge for the saint.
Saint Barbara, whose father beheaded her after she embraced Christianity in defiance of his beliefs, symbolizes courage, faith and virtue to Christians all over the world. Mission Santa Barbara was consecrated on its present site on December 4, 1786, coinciding with the feast day of the martyred Saint Barbara. She’s particularly popular to this day worldwide with artillery divisions of the military and those who work with explosives from the Greek Army to the British Royal Artillery to the U.S. Marine Corps.
My church, Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, located in the Santa Barbara foothills on San Antonio Road, holds a special service and celebration on the saint’s name day. After the service and the luncheon I like to continue the celebration with a little hike.
Thank you Saint Barbara, for the protection against thunder and lightning you’ve offered me when I’ve been caught by storms on trails far from home, and for watching over the city I call home.


Seventy five Franklin area youth and more than 60 adults participated in this year’s 30-Hour Famine event, a worldwide movement to help fight global hunger, collecting a record amount of food and funds for local and global relief agencies.
By the final count, participants collected $2,247 for World Vision, a national relief agency that focuses on feeding the world’s poorest children. On a local level, the students raised $1,031 in donations and more than 8,000 cans of food for Franklin relief agency CareNet — all on an empty stomach.
World Vision has organized the event since its beginning in 1992 and tasks young people to go without food for 30 hours while raising goods for hunger relief agencies. By going without food, the students get a taste of what many of the world’s poorest people face on a daily basis.
Franklin participants have participated in the 30-Hour Famine since 1998. Since 2002, they have collected $51,000 for World Vision. More than 42,000 lbs. of food has been collected for CareNet since 2006.
“It’s been great. We have gone over our goal,” said Rev. Margaret Freeman of Franklin First United Methodist. This year, organizers set a goal to raise 6,000 cans of food for CareNet.
“I am so proud of these young people for all their hard work and for exceeding our goal. It’s great to see how they can make a difference and to raise their awareness about issues related to hunger,” said Freeman. Freeman said students get a lesson in the ways of hunger each year. “We realize how much we have and how much God calls us to help others in need,” she said.
Famine funds contribute to World Vision’s response in areas where famine, conflict and other crises make children vulnerable to hunger and preventable disease. This year the organization will focus most of its efforts in Niger, Haiti, the Philippines, Honduras, Mali, Zambia, Tanzania, Myanmar, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This year, the event takes place in 21 countries.
For many Franklin youth, this year’s Famine was not their first, but proved to be just as humbling.
“I love doing this,” said 15- year-old Raven Casada. “This is my fourth year. We always learn a lot. The fact that I have so much and many other people have so little motivates me. It’s nice to be able to donate to them.”
Casada said that in her four years of experience with the event, she has learned that staying busy often staves off the hunger. “When you stop staying busy that’s when you start getting hungry.”
The task of collecting goods was no walk in the park, said organizers on Saturday. Students collected donations throughout Macon County during the famine, in neighborhoods and at grocery stores. “We go all over the place hoping to get something,” remarked volunteer Joe Doster.
Cans of food and toiletry items were dropped off at First United Methodist Church, Dryman’s Chapel United Methodist Church, Bethel United Methodist Church, Hickory Knoll United Methodist Church, Clarks Chapel United Methodist Church, Louisa Chapel United Methodist Church and Bryson City United Methodist Church.
“I just feel like it’s a good cause,” said Kate Jones, 14, who has also participated in the Famine for four years. “We’'re helping people. It’s always this fun and I’m always this hungry, but I think each year it gets easier.”
Jones encourages youth to participate in the future. “Definitely eat before you start,” she laughed.
When the Famine was over, the students got their fill of a pot luck dinner that had just about everything from burgers and hot dogs to casseroles.
For more information on how to get involved In the future, contact Rev. Margaret Freeman at Franklin First United Methodist Church at (828)524-3010, or visit www.30hourfamine.org or call 1-800-7- FAMINE for more information about the 30 Hour Famine.


The ambiguities of life, by their very nature, undermine a believer's sense of standing in the sight of God and thus their grasp on eternal life, ie., it undermines their assurance. Assurance can be further impacted by fellow believers who have left the church fellowship and now claim a superior standing in the sight of God. John, in addressing this issue, affirms the standing of his readers by pointing to the evidence of their relationship with God, their being "sons of God", namely, their right-living (they don't "practice" sin), their brotherly love and their Christ-centered faith. So, assurance again comes to the fore in this conclusion to John's letter with a series of triumphal declarations of what "we know" to be true.
v13. At this point, John explains why he has written this letter; he writes to assure his readers that their eternal standing in the sight of God is secure. John has gone to some length in his letter pointing out that his readers have put their faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and so their eternal standing is secure.
v14-15. John goes on to reinforce the assurance of his readers by pointing out that God not only hears their prayers, but answerers them. In the face of life's difficulties and failures, God stands beside his children. Yet, John adds an important qualification, namely, that the prayer be "according to his will." We can be sure we have what we have asked of God as long as it is "according to his will." We sometimes forget that the Bible records God's promises to us and it is these promises that God will fulfill through prayer. In the next verses John looks at one such promise, the promise of forgiveness.
v16-17. John has assured his readers of their right-standing before God, but what happens when a believer sins? Does a believer, at that point, lose their standing before God? All wrongdoing, injustice, unrighteousness, is sin, and when a believer messes up their life, they can pray about it; ask God's forgiveness. Such a prayer leads to life. John goes on to make the point that there is "a sin that leads to death", a sin that cannot be prayed for, a sin beyond God's forgiveness. Sadly, John doesn't tell us what this sin is and so we are left to surmise. It seems likely that this sin entails a rejection of the person of Jesus as he is revealed to us in the scriptures.
v18-20. Assurance is again reinforced with a list of triumphal declarations of what John's readers know to be true:
A believer, a person "born of God", a child of God, does not practice sin, rather they strive to do the opposite, they guard themselves, and so Satan can't undermine their standing before God. John is not suggesting that a believer doesn't sin, but rather it is not their practice to sin. A believer strives to serve Christ, not Satan, and by facing Christ they leave Satan behind.
The secular world might be in bed with the evil one, but a believer isn't. A believer in Christ has an eternally secure personal relationship with God. We are in with Christ, not in with Satan.
A believer possesses divine knowledge revealed in the incarnation of Christ, of God with us in Christ Jesus. Through the life and teachings of Jesus we possess a revelation of the true God which is beyond human wit. This knowledge entails a knowing of God which is personal and intimate; it is relational. So, a person who believes in Jesus, not only enters into a personal relationship with Jesus, but also with God the Father. And it is he, God the Father, who is the true God, the source of eternal life.
v21. John concludes with an exhortation. It seems likely that he is using the word "idols" euphemistically to refer to false beliefs. Expressed positively we might say "stay true to the gospel."
I want to suggest that the believers John writes this letter to are little different to most church-going Christians today. Many of us are short on assurance; we are not sure that when the roll is called up yonder we will be there. There are many reasons for this, but at the top of the list is sin.
I don't know about you, but I have always been bothered by the constant short-fall in my Christian life, particularly the major versions. So, the question we face is whether God is willing to put aside our constant sinning, or does he take account of it and so hold us accountable?
I want to put it to you that God does not take account of our sin if we ask him to set it aside. If you tightly hold the hand of the Master Carpenter, then you can ask for forgiveness, forgiveness for yesterday, today and tomorrow, and God will grant it - "Jesus came into the world to save sinners." So, when the roll is called up yonder you will stand before the living God as white as snow - the apple of God's eye, sinless.
Now I hear you say; "what about the sin that leads to death", the unforgivable sin? It's so unforgivable that John tells us that there is no point praying for it. The trouble is he doesn't tell us what it is.
In the medieval church they had two classes of sins, venal and mortal, little sins and big sins. The big sins were the ones that are unforgivable, although they did have their ways around it, usually some form of penance. Even in recent times a person who had committed suicide couldn't be buried in the Christian section of a graveyard because it was viewed as a mortal sin, unforgivable. What rubbish! Some people today divide sin up into intentional and unintentional, the intentional sin being the deadly sin - of course, that wipes us all out, unless we quickly say "I didn't mean it"!
There is an incident in Mark chapter 3 that actually helps us understand the unforgivable sin. In Mark we read how Israel's religious leaders not only rejected Jesus, but they claimed that his ministry was Satanic. To this Jesus says that every sin will be forgiven people, except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. In the context this blasphemy involves rejecting Jesus and depreciating his person and work. This then is the "sin that leads to death", the unforgivable sin.
We have all done stupid things in our life and God's gracious kindness covers them all, but there is one stupid thing we must never do. All hope is lost when we turn our back on Jesus and ignore him for the rest of our life. His hand will always be outstretched toward us, but if we reject his offer of friendship then there is no hope for us. All the prayers of our family, all the lit candles in the world, will not save us from our state of loss - unforgiven
1. Compare John's purpose for writing this letter with his purpose for writing the gospel, cf. Jn.20:31.
2. List the truths that assure us of our right-standing before God.
3. What is the "sin that leads to death"?


Archbishop Malcolm McMahon
will host an evening for men who may be wondering
if they are called to serve as deacons
and what the formation involves.
Wives and priests are also welcome.
7.30–9pm Wednesday 17 February 2016
(Refreshments available from 7pm)
Christ the King Parish Room
78 Queens Drive


I am sure that many of you are familiar with Joni Eareckson Tada and the story of the swimming accident that left her, as a 17 year old teenager, paralyzed. Joni has now spent 48 years of her life in a wheel chair totally dependent upon others to feed her, dress her, bath her, get her up in the morning, put her to bed at night. Through it all, her life has been a visible testimony of the redeeming and sustaining grace of God. From her wheel chair she has proclaimed the truths of God’s Word to thousands, she has proclaimed that God’s grace is indeed sufficient, for the hour, the day, the year, and for 48 years. Much like Betsy Ten Boom, Joni has found that there is no pit so deep that He is not deeper still.
While attending a conference in Southern California a couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to hear Joni speak as one of the keynote speakers. Though brutally honest about her struggles over the years and the tole that being quadriplegic takes on her body, it was Jesus to whom she pointed, it was Jesus that she praised for His daily sustaining grace.
Recently, I opened a Christian magazine that displayed a picture of Joni along with the following caption, that I was reminded of the truth of her statement. “Jesus did not come to make me happy and healthy and my life free of trouble. He came to make me more like Him.” Those words seem almost foreign in a day and age that proclaims if one will hook their wagon to Jesus’ star they will be healthy, wealthy, and happy. Many have been seduced by that gospel and as a result have become disillusioned and have walked away from the faith. How about you? What are your expectations of Jesus? When we understand that God’s goal for you and me is to transform us into the image of His Son, we can then accept the valleys of life as readily as we accept the mountain tops, knowing that God, in His sovereignty allows the ups and downs of life that we might become more like Him. He is in the process of shaping us at every turn and through every situation that we might face from day to day.


Revelation 14:8 -
Babylon is Fallen
Revelation 14:8 gives the second angel's message that Babylon is fallen. It is given immediately following the first angel's message of Revelation 14.
"And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." (Rev 14:8)
"Followed" is from the Greek word "akoloutheo" (Strong's #190). It is described as:
1) to follow one who precedes, join him as his attendant, accompany him
2) to join one as a disciple, become or be his disciple
2a) side with his party
It means "to follow" as in "to accompany" rather than to follow in time as in one event following another. In all of its uses (if you were to read the 91 verses using it), to render it something like "later" would not make sense. The messages are given right together, accompanying each other. The message of the first angel does not lose its significance to be replaced by the second. Think of the second and third messages. Once Babylon is fallen it is time to get out (even better to get out before). It would not make sense to give the message that Babylon is fallen and then wait any amount of time before saying "get out." Think of this two-part message: "the house is on fire. Get out, now!" The messages go together.
The word "another" could be "second" in this case. In the next verse, we see yet another angel but it is designated as "the third angel" so the angel of Revelation 14:8 must be the second in the series and that of verse 6, the first.
The word "made" indicates that there will be a degree of coercion and force involved on the part of Babylon to gain acceptance of its way by everyone if possible. For most people there will be no force required - their compliance will be effected by deception as suggested by Rev 13:14.
"All nations" indicates the world-wide extent of the control and influence Babylon will have. It did not have that at anytime in the past such as the time of the ancient city of Babylon, the time of the Roman Empire etc.
"Wine" can be understood to represent doctrine or spiritual belief whether good or bad. Jesus may have been using it this way in this passage:
"And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better." (Luke 5:37-39)
The idea is that new truth (as He was trying to present to them) may not agree with a person's existing system of beliefs. Indeed, they need to become "new wineskins," (new, converted vessels) able to hold new truth.
It could also be related to the grape harvest of the lost that we will look at later in this chapter. Babylon, a false religious system in opposition to God, will deceive many people to believe her false doctrines and join her in an illicit relationship:
"With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication." (Rev 17:2)
Fornication represents an adulterous relationship which the harlot of Babylon is engaged in - more in chapter 17.
This system will employ much deception to get people to accept her false beliefs.
"Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved." (2 Thess 2:9-10)
Babylon has long been recognized to have formed in the early centuries AD as false worship came into the church and men began to seek power and authority for themselves. That many people came to recognize the Roman Catholic church as Babylon is shown by many historical writings. A quick, 5-minute video that documents this shows that many who once so regarded the papacy have changed their views in recent times. Thus, many denominations are now associated with Babylon and, indeed, we are fast approaching the point where virtually "all the world wondered after the beast." (Rev 13:3).
The message of Revelation 14:8 is to be followed by a very dire warning involving
fire and brimstone (Part 4).


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The mission of Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) is to support fellowships on college campuses, whose members experience and witness to the through community life, prayer, service to others and study of the Faith (Acts 2:42). Furthermore, OCF will work to nurture and strengthen love for Jesus Christ and His Church in its fullness at this most critical juncture of human life through:
Communication between OCF's and with the larger Orthodox community
Development of resources for local OCF's
National endeavors such as College Conference, Real Break, website and a national newsletter
To be the presence of the Orthodox Church on the North American college campus.
Andrew the General & Martyr & his 2,593 soldiers; Holy Martyrs Timothy, Agapius and Thecla; Theophanes the New Wonderworker of Macedonia; Afterfeast of the Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary; Eutychianos and Strategios the Martyrs


Amid the bubbling, glittering rush of excitement that accompanies Christmas, a considerable number of people feel themselves outside the whirl of merriment. Whether anyone is to blame or not, many hearts are weighed down with sadness at the time when joy is most widely emphasized. If Charlie Brown were to raise his questions today, he would find himself in very good company.
The reasons vary. Some are going through their first Christmas without some loved one, in whose absence the festivities can easily become painful reminders of how things were when that person was there. Others find themselves left alone, with no family or friends to share any sort of celebration with them. Still others may feel unable to rejoice in the face of physical or mental illness, the suffering of someone close to them, material hardship, family conflicts, anxiety over a troubled past or an uncertain future—any of the things that can cripple the heart and impede even peace, to say nothing of joy, from rising inside.
These are the souls for whom there is no room in the inn—no room in the comfortable space where everyone streams to congregate, no way into the realm of merry cheer that our culture has established.
It is these souls who are especially invited into the stable.
All through Advent, we’ve been hearing the promises of the Old Testament writers: “The wilderness and the parched land will exult, the desert will rejoice and bloom” (Isaiah 35:1), and a few verses later, “Say to the fearful of heart: Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God, He comes with vindication; with divine recompense He comes to save you.” The promised Lord is coming for the parched land, the withered, afflicted places, the fearful of heart who wait in darkness for a rescuer.
Now He is here—and He did not come so that halls could be decked, feasts consumed, lights set to twinkling, or even hymns sung, appropriate as all that may be. He came to become one with His broken, tormented creatures. He came to enter into the entirety of human life, “like us in all things but sin,” to deliver us from sin, from death, and from all the disorders in the world. He came to descend into all of our darkest, most hopeless places, that He might be with us there, our light and strength and life.
Ultimately, He came to raise up our lost humanity to a new life in which every wound, even the deepest, will be healed for good and no evil or pain will ever trouble us again. His Nativity doesn’t bring that about all at once, but it is the beginning of that transformation. It is His promise to us that God’s saving work has begun, that deliverance has arrived, that our God is here among us from now on. We are never alone. He is Emmanuel, “God with us”—He knows and understands everything we experience, and He cares more than we can ever know. His presence in flesh reveals that to us.
If you, then, are one of those who feel only emptiness amid the gaiety of the season, know that the Newborn King, Whose coming we celebrate, is here especially for you. Be strong, do not fear. Here is your God. With divine recompense He comes to save you. You may not be able to feel particularly cheerful, but you can make the choice to believe in His love for you and to accept the gift He offers you of Himself.
Rest in quiet before the Lord in the manger. Lay at His feet all that’s weighing on your heart, as the Magi laid before Him the precious and bitter myrrh. And know that if you have to follow Him from here up the road to Calvary, He will also lead you on beyond the crucifixion to an Easter you can’t even imagine now, one beside which “the sufferings of the present are as nothing” (Romans 8:18). The joy of Christmas is a promise, a bright forerunning glimpse, of that future glory, offered to us to lift up our weary hearts.
I leave you with these excerpts from the great hymn “O Holy Night”:
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn . . .
The King of Kings lay in a lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our need,
To our weakness is no stranger.
Related posts: Glory of a Winter Night


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The apostle John, in his account of the life of Jesus, made an interesting statement:
“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.” (John 21:25)
So here we are, making another attempt to write about a person who is beyond description, and about His accomplishments all of which no individual can fathom! The best we can do is to bear witness and attempt to tell others what He means to us and what He has done for us personally. There was once a blind man who at first was not sure of the identity of Jesus. He could be certain however of one thing: before he met Jesus he was blind — afterward he could see! (John 9:25). So whether we can tell it perfectly or not, we are compelled to describe Him and His work in our lives as best as we can!
Likewise there have been many attempts to explain the change that takes place in the life of an individual who trusts in Jesus as their Savior and Lord. There are also many efforts to understand what happens when believers struggle against their past lives for longer than is to be expected. In fact, we have many lines in the New Testament that deal with problems in the life of the believing community. So for myself, I see this as a worthwhile endeavor.
A better understanding of the Bible, the historical background and the way people thought in those days can help us to more fully understand the teachings of Christ and His apostles. It is the Holy Spirit most of all Who illuminates our understanding of the Scriptures, but even He prompts us to probe deeper for a mature understanding of these events. The fact that the Bible incorporates so much history in its message to us should also indicate that these facts are there for a good reason.
In Acts chapter 17, we find a group of lazy Jews who rejected the Gospel of Jesus Christ as explained by Paul without even considering the Scriptures on the matter. They immediately opposed him and his associates, forcing them to go to another city. In the synagogue at Berea the people were not so lazy and quick to form an opinion against the Lord.
Luke tells us in Acts 17:11-12 that:
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honorable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.”
So while I believe in the simplicity of the Gospel to transform the lives of people of all ages, walks of life and levels of education, it is a noble thing indeed to search out the depths of His wisdom, to grow in the grace and the knowledge of Jesus our Lord. This wisdom with not only equip us to better serve Him, but to help us encourage those who still struggle in their walk with Him.
Our day is a day of quick fixes and clichés. Paul foresaw a time when many would flock to those who tell them what they want to hear. (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Our political leaders know that is the way to gain power, and too often our church leaders do as well. Paul pleaded with the church in Ephesis to examine his life and teachings, not on the basis of how good they made them feel, but on the basis of how honest and truthful they were. (Acts 20:18-27).
He also urged the young Timothy towards diligence and accurate handing of the Word of Truth. (2 Timothy 2:15). In 2 Timothy 3:12-17 his charge to the young minister could encourage us equally today.
“But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (NASU)
Today we must keep in mind that our New Testament was just at that time being written. The inspired scriptures that Timothy knew from childhood, which can give wisdom that leads to salvation and equipment for every good work were the Hebrew Scriptures. Christians refer to them as the Old Testament, in reference to the Old Covenant. The New Testament is so titled to emphasize the reality of the New Covenant established by Christ.
Why do you suppose that Paul placed such a high value to knowing the contents of the Old Testament and the teachings of the Old Covenant? Here is a question that is answered in many and often disparate ways. First let me say that I do not believe anyone is more excited and committed to the New Covenant than I am. My very existence is wholly dependent upon the grace of Christ as revealed therein. I do believe that our zeal for the New Covenant has led to some confusion on this question. Only recently I have found the need to take a closer look at these issues.
To fully understand the reason for Paul’s words both here and elsewhere will take some time and effort. I would prefer a quick and easy answer myself. To do that I would have to either erase or ignore large portions of Paul’s letters to his fellow Christians. No, all of his statements must be considered if we are to grasp the weight of his instructions and the depth of the convictions standing behind them. Above all we should heed his direct instructions to Timothy as applicable to all would-be leaders in the church. We all need to know what God has said to the people of ancient times and how His words to them could help us please Him today.
The New Testament itself cannot be fully understood without the background of the events and prophecies of the Old Testament that came before. Consider another statement that Paul made concerning the Hebrew scriptures. After quoting from the Old Testament, he says:
“For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)NASU
For hundreds of years, believers have known the truth of this statement. Not in theory, but in practice. Some of the words were difficult to understand, yet they were revered and trusted just the same. Many could not explain the finer points relating to the old and new covenants, the law and grace, Israel and the Church. But somehow they lived and died unto the glory of God and left us a marvelous legacy of faith through their love for Christ and His Written Word.
From time to time the Old Testament has been misunderstood and misapplied by Christians with disastrous results. Jesus proved that even the Israelites of His day had done so. Paul, a former Pharisee who met the risen Christ developed a keen sense in this area. After having been steeped in legalism for many years, he was liberated by the life of Christ in a very dramatic way. This might explain why he was more sensitive to the problem than his fellow apostles in Jerusalem.
When Christians were tempted to revert to trusting their own good works, Paul responded with strong and intense words. In the past, his status as a law-abiding Pharisee was no comfort to his soul. In fact his hate-filled heart brought him in direct conflict with the very God he sought to please. That heart was softened by the love, mercy and grace of God in Christ, making him a champion of the Good News of Jesus Christ and one of His greatest missionaries. It would be difficult to find a person whose life was more impacted by a revelation of the glory and grace of Jesus Christ!
Paul could communicate to gentiles the same message that Jesus brought to the Jews, in an extremely efficient way. No one could be justified before God by their own good works. Only by trusting in the righteous, holy sacrifice of Christ can our sins be forgiven and removed. By His grace we are saved and have peace with God!
The Battlefield of the mind
Satan can afflict the Christian in two basic ways. One is to appeal to the desires of our flesh. The other is to deceive us into thinking that the Cross of Christ is insufficient to fully redeem us. Then we might foolishly try to earn favor with God by performing some form of ritual or service, when that favor has already been offered in Christ.
Some of these ideas come from our church traditions, and so we rail against their customs and teachings. Lately I have come to realize that the problem goes much deeper than that. Even the least religiously minded operate on false assumptions about God and our situation with Him. The concept of right and wrong is built into our very nature. When we do the right thing we instinctively feel good about ourselves. When we participate in evil we sense the reality of our guilt. In the first instance we are tempted to a level of self-righteousness and become judgmental of others. In the second we might try to ignore our guilt or cover it ourselves like our ancient ancestors Adam and Eve, who thought fig leaves would cover their shame.
The world is full of attempts to balance our sins and errors with positive actions. Both spiritual and natural death is always the result.
Even in the Old Covenant there were those who understood the problem. Hebrews chapter eleven lists a huge number of individuals, both men and women whose trust and confidence in their Lord and Savior brought them salvation and peace with God. Jesus, Paul, Peter, James and others called us back to that kind of faith, and showed us that the Old Covenant system of animal sacrifices only pointed to the full and final sacrifice of Jesus, the perfect, spotless Lamb of God offered for us.
“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
For who has known the mind of the Lord? or who has been his counselor? Or who has first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”
There are groups of Christians who are fascinated with Jewish traditions and their significance. Some even observe the Sabbath Day and avoid non- kosher foods. I have no quarrel with them, unless they begin teaching that these practices are their means for right standing with God. At the same time a number of Christian groups have developed another standard that is nowhere found in the teachings of Christ or His apostles. They might even have a life style that is more profitable than my own. However, if they teach that all Christians are bound by their standard, and that theirs is the only way to heaven, I will declare this to be heresy, and an affront to the Finished Work of Christ on the Cross!
But who am I to judge? Well, only one who also has the Spirit and Word of God, and charged by Him to preach the word, be instant in season and out of season, reproving, rebuking and exhorting with all long suffering and teaching. (2 Timothy 4:2).
The Curse of the Law
Paul’s negative comments on God’s covenant with Israel under Moses is not at all in conflict with his exhortations to study the Old Testament. He carefully presented the fact that the New Covenant had come and that the Old was fulfilled in Christ. His harsh and bold statements were necessary to move people from the Old to the New.
“So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. 13 Therefore did that which is good become a cause of death for me? May it never be! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by effecting my death through that which is good, that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful. For we know that the Law is spiritual; but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin.” (Romans 7:12-14 NASB)
His argument was to convince us that the problem is not with the law, or even religion. The problem is in us. It is in the weakness of our fallen nature. It is in our determination to justify ourselves and our actions. When ever we attempt to establish our own righteousness, we show our ignorance of the righteousness of God. Those who surrender to Christ have submitted to the righteousness of God so His righteousness can be fulfilled in them! (Romans 10:3-4, 8:4).
It is truly a wonderful day for those who receive Christ as their righteousness. They can have peace with God, be filled with His Spirit, which illuminates their minds to understand and obey His Word. They can love His law because He gave it out of love. Those who seek by their own ability to justify themselves by the law will find it has become a curse to them.
Our pure, holy, and loving Savior deserves only our love, devotion, praise, honor and obedience. Instead He received hatred, spite, abuse, beatings and a humiliating death on the Cross. The very thought of this injustice sickens my heart. And yet, my greatest hope, joy and freedom is the result of His willingness to die for me, receiving my curse upon Himself.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. 17 “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him.” (John 3:16-18) NASB