As I read scriptures, the Holy Spirit of God works on my heart and brings to mind a difference between what I’ve been taught (or what has been assumed correct) and what I’m actually reading before my eyes! The following words are not my own but provide a great cursory query into what the Bible says about the One True Christian God and what the man-made dogma of the Trinity has many believing about the Christian God.
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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You
O Heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who is in all places and fills all things, the treasury of good things and the giver of life; come and abide in us, cleanse us from every stain, and save our spirits, O’ Good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (three times)
Glory to the Father and to His Son, and to His Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O’ Most Holy God, Son of God, and Spirit of God; have mercy on us. O’ Lord, cleanse us from our sins. O’ Master, pardon our transgressions. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Your Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy (three times)
Our Father in heavenly places, holy is Your Name. Your Kingdom come! Your will be done upon the earth, even as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our sins just as we forgive those who sin against us. You lead us not into temptation, but You deliver us from the evil one. For Yours’ is the Kingdom, and and the power, and the glory, of the Father, of His Son, and of His Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Arising from sleep, I thank You, O Most Holy God, that, for the sake of Your great kindness and longsuffering, You have not had indignation against me, for I am neglectful towards You and sinful. Neither have You destroyed me in my transgressions, but You have shown Your customary love toward mankind, and have raised me up as I lay in deep sleep, that I might sing my morning hymn and glorify Your sovereignity. Now enlighten the eyes of my understanding, open my ears to receive Your words, and teach me Your commandments to love You and then to love my neighbor. Help me to do Your will, to sing to You, to confess You from my heart, and to praise Your All-Holy Name: of God the Father, and of His Son, and of His Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
I have been in a funk–a long, dark valley; hardly able to see or smell the table that the Lord has set for me–even right in the presence of my adversaries! I’ve been hungry, cold, and miserable (in a spiritual sense). My outcry has been, “Father, is this it? Am I fired? Having been called from childhood–am I now like a poorly released product being recalled? I’ve been so sad. I have come to the place where, like Socrates, I’ve made it my purpose to openly pronounce before God and everybody, “I know nothing!” And like Lot, not anxious to bring any charge against God, I have been surrounded by opinions and platitudes. I am worn out and tired and can’t do, think, or say anything more any longer.
It is at this time, of course, that I feel a power, a particular sense about my person with warm intonations, speaking gently into my spirit saying: you are not fired, silly sheep. Once a king or queen of Narnia always and so forth–even if you stink at it from time to time.
This vision of Integrative Orthodoxy fills my being from top to bottom. I love it. When I think of it, I feel like a child and that it is Christmas every day. Because it is a philosophic approach to Christianity and all Its –ologies (e.g. theology, ecclessiology, soteriology, etc-ology…) I can pretty much make myself at home in any church family and thrive to a great extent. I am super grateful for the Everett Vineyard here in Washington. Through my wife, God has landed us in this church family and we have really fallen in love with them–a gift we haven’t experienced in a long time. I think we shall enjoy a long and adventurous journey together.
At the same time, I feel tonight a prompting that says, “Child, take back up your collar and your broadcasts and perhaps tour your particular music around a bit, openly sharing this integrative vision. Most people will not snuggle up to it, but there are a great deal of folks (ranging from the artsy to the “leave me alone with my mountain lake-type” people) who will receive keys unto great comfort simply from the proclamation. “But Theo, there is no reason for you to be so downcast within and without! Pick up the mantle you were given–that Rock with your new name upon it–and celebrate and serve as this vision prompts you!”
This is the oracle that is within my heart. So the padre is back. Look for activity. I hope to broadcast lessons and music from my new apartment in Mukilteo. I hope to broadcast sessions with a full band from another studio a friend of mine owns. Just do it, I hear in my heart, and see what goodness the Lord God shall make of it all.
Will you bless this in prayer!? Those who are for it in any way are certainly not against it. It may not be “your thing” but that doesn’t mean you can’t laugh along with me and wave a blessing this-a-way.
The Friar, Fr. Theo, is back in the saddle. Be looking for broadcasts and blogs and more. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to THEE o’ Lord. Blessed are those who minister by night in the house of the Lord. Blessed be the name of the Lord!!
Fr. Theo