Perseverance

Perseverance:



It is one of those words which means a lot, but not necessarily evokes a lot of fun imagery. It is the image of a long distance runner. Just for the record, I always hated running in school. I liked short running (50 yard dash stuff), but in Junior high our PE class started us running the mile run or the 12 minute run. Those were awful. We would head out there with our class and I would start at my pace for a sprint and then I would get about 200 yards and be fully winded. I would be in front, but that was of limited benefit since I would then have to stop. I would walk, and then maybe jog. I might find someone to walk with for a while, and then finally in the last 50 yards I would run like I was “going for gold”, and when the dust settled. I would have ran a 12 minute mile. Yuck!
I just never got very good at being a distance runner. Often times, if I did run for distance it was because I had a lot of thinking and then I would go for a run, and find myself a mile or two away from home and then I would have to walk back. Goofy, and not a great image.
This, however, has been the correct image for the physical fitness program I have incorporated into the knighthood program I am working on with Josh and I. It is not a sprint. It is more of a marathon, although in my case it is more of a half marathon. We have been working physically on this for a month. I have lost 5.6lbs with another 8.6 left to go. It is not a fast track. It can’t be done overnight, but it can be done. My eldest son is still asleep so I don’t know where he is weighing in this morning. His inspiration level is significantly lower then mine. He likes the benefit of being healthy, but not the effort it takes to get there. This summer was different. He was motivated to succeed, but it is tougher presently. Yet, he has not given up. He continues to strive, sometimes in spite of himself. If he continues, and adopts some good lifestyle choices he will have himself in a good situation for the rest of his life. If he doesn’t, my genetics does not lend itself to naturally being slim and trim. He’s likely to go that way.
As I have mentioned before, the physical aspect of this is only one piece, but it is one that is easier to monitor then some of the others. We are working on building his spiritual growth and his character, both of which need some help. I think success is possible, but it won’t be without effort…and perseverance.

More thoughts on Becoming a Knight

Knights:
O.K. so let’s pretend you wanted to become a knight. Where would you go? What would you do? The reality is actually pretty tough. I just checked the Newswire for news about people knighted by the queen of England. What I found was a couple of “fallen” (polite word for dead) soldiers, are to be knighted in a couple weeks. There was an article about a scientist who recently died who was knighted by the queen 1981, an article about singer Tom Jones (Sir Tom), and a player and coach of “rugby?” who was knighted. So, where do I take that? I have no idea.
These are knights in the ancient sense. They are not warriors and protectors of the kingdom (except the fallen soldiers). Most of the knighting we hear about today are conferred upon people for showing excellence in some area. Often times this is arts (Sir Elton John ) or science (Sir Joseph Flavelle). The sports reward was new to me, but I am not a fan of most British sports. Also, knighting in this case comes from a government. Particularly a government with a monarchy. That makes England the obvious choice for the media (also not bad for Canadians who still live under the rule of the queen).
However, that pretty much rules out any government which lack a monarch…like the US. Also, you see the knighthood is more of a reward for doing something else. It is not knighthood in the traditional visual image that we all can see. Nobody (hopefully) imagines Elton John as the defender of the nation. He’d look cute with all the feathers, over a suit of armour.

So, where else can one be knighted? Well, an internet search will reveal a variety of “false countries and false claims” on real or imaginary property which will allow people to become knights of that area. This is usually designed with a significant cost. But, I could become a knight of Pomerania and Livonia (called a micro nation, or a nation in exile- meaning it doesn’t exist). There are companies which will sell you the legal title “sir”, since there is limited means to keep anyone from being called whatever they want. Remember the musician “formerly known as Prince”?
You could join a society for creative anachronism (SCA) those are places where you go an play ancient knights, lords and ladies. That might be kinda fun, but again, we are looking for real, not for playing.
You find out pretty quick this task is not easy.
There was one other group which had knights as well. That group was the church. People might remember the knights Templar or the Knights of hospitality. Although today both of these orders have been absorbed by the secretive society (The Masons), there is still a sense that the church did (and to some extent still does) have the right to appoint knights. However which church would?

I was a member of the Mennonite Brethren denomination. Not your classic knight warrior group (historic pacifists). I have been a member of other churches that have folded, and I was raised in a non-denominational church, so none of these are helping much. I believe as most people do, an orthodox view of Christianity, but that leaves a lot of room. Also, don’t know of any churches which appoint “knights” in that ancient traditional sense…or at least until last year.
The Celtic church (claiming to hold to the ancient orthodox teachings), the church history would be pre-Roman Catholic (although the Roman Catholic church does not affirm this). It can certainly be said that this church would exist prior to the Roman Catholic domination of the western world found in the Middle ages. So, based on these items I asked to join and was accepted. As I said in earlier posts, there has been almost no response from the Celtic Church. I think the two leaders who contacted me have moved onto something else. I do hope and anticipate that I will officially be chosen as their representative for Canada, but if I never do hear from them I will have to simple start this order independent of their initial work.
The role of the knight is noble. It is filled with hopes an aspirations. It is not an image which one should allow to die out. It embodies a challenge. It is a high goal in a world which endorses the least common denominator. It is a Godly pursuit. It is a physical pursuit. It is like the American slogan for the army “Be all that you can be”. By the grace of God, we will strive for that. Just wanted to share a few ideas there. God’s grace to you and yours, -Brother Bradley Avi

The Confessions of St Patrick

Back in the day when The Roman church ruled the world, they decided to call to task an evangelist who was outside their order to see if he was a "true servant". This was the day when any deemed heretic were killed and little chance to a re-trial. Patrick was not likely sent by the Roman Catholic church. He was an outsider, a Celtic brother who if he did not answer well, would never be heard from again. Although we have little left from the writings of this old saint, we do have a Latin copy, dated from around 450AD, of this document. Thought I would share this on St Patrick's day. God's grace to you and yours, -Brother Brad


The confession of St Patrick:

I, Patrick, a sinner, a most simple countryman, the least of all the faithful and most contemptible to many, had for father the deacon Calpurnius, son of the late Potitus, a priest, of the settlement [vicus] of Bannavem Taburniae; he had a small villa nearby where I was taken captive. I was at that time about sixteen years of age. I did not, indeed, know the true God; and I was taken into captivity in Ireland with many thousands of people, according to our desserts, for quite drawn away from God, we did not keep his precepts, nor were we obedient to our priests who used to remind us of our salvation. And the Lord brought down on us the fury of his being and scattered us among many nations, even to the ends of the earth, where I, in my smallness, am now to be found among foreigners.
And there the Lord opened my mind to an awareness of my unbelief, in order that, even so late, I might remember my transgressions and turn with all my heart to the Lord my God, who had regard for my insignificance and pitied my youth and ignorance. And he watched over me before I knew him, and before I learned sense or even distinguished between good and evil, and he protected me, and consoled me as a father would his son.
Therefore, indeed, I cannot keep silent, nor would it be proper, so many favours and graces has the Lord deigned to bestow on me in the land of my captivity. For after chastisement from God, and recognizing him, our way to repay him is to exalt him and confess his wonders before every nation under heaven.
For there is no other God, nor ever was before, nor shall be hereafter, but God the Father, unbegotten and without beginning, in whom all things began, whose are all things, as we have been taught; and his son Jesus Christ, who manifestly always existed with the Father, before the beginning of time in the spirit with the Father, indescribably begotten before all things, and all things visible and invisible were made by him. He was made man, conquered death and was received into Heaven, to the Father who gave him all power over every name in Heaven and on Earth and in Hell, so that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and God, in whom we believe. And we look to his imminent coming again, the judge of the living and the dead, who will render to each according to his deeds. And he poured out his Holy Spirit on us in abundance, the gift and pledge of immortality, which makes the believers and the obedient into sons of God and co-heirs of Christ who is revealed, and we worship one God in the Trinity of holy name.
He himself said through the prophet: 'Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.' And again: 'It is right to reveal and publish abroad the works of God.'
I am imperfect in many things, nevertheless I want my brethren and kinsfolk to know my nature so that they may be able to perceive my soul's desire.
I am not ignorant of what is said of my Lord in the Psalm: 'You destroy those who speak a lie.' And again: 'A lying mouth deals death to the soul.' And likewise the Lord says in the Gospel: 'On the day of judgment men shall render account for every idle word they utter.'
So it is that I should mightily fear, with terror and trembling,this judgment on the day when no one shall be able to steal away or hide, but each and all shall render account for even our smallest sins before the judgment seat of Christ the Lord.
And therefore for some time I have thought of writing, but I have hesitated until now, for truly, I feared to expose myself to the criticism of men, because I have not studied like others, who have assimilated both Law and the Holy Scriptures equally and have never changed their idiom since their infancy, but instead were always learning it increasingly, to perfection, while my idiom and language have been translated into a foreign tongue. So it is easy to prove from a sample of my writing, my ability in rhetoric and the extent of my preparation and knowledge, for as it is said, 'wisdom shall be recognized in speech, and in understanding, and in knowledge and in the learning of truth.'
But why make excuses close to the truth, especially when now I am presuming to try to grasp in my old age what I did not gain in my youth because my sins prevented me from making what I had read my own? But who will believe me, even though I should say it again? A young man, almost a beardless boy, I was taken captive before I knew what I should desire and what I should shun. So, consequently, today I feel ashamed and I am mightily afraid to expose my ignorance, because, [not] eloquent, with a small vocabulary, I am unable to explain as the spirit is eager to do and as the soul and the mind indicate.
But had it been given to me as to others, in gratitude I should not have kept silent, and if it should appear that I put myself before others, with my ignorance and my slower speech, in truth, it is written: 'The tongue of the stammerers shall speak rapidly and distinctly.' How much harder must we try to attain it, we of whom it is said: 'You are an epistle of Christ in greeting to the ends of the earth ... written on your hearts, not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God.' And again, the Spirit witnessed that the rustic life was created by the Most High.
I am, then, first of all, countryfied, an exile, evidently unlearned, one who is not able to see into the future, but I know for certain, that before I was humbled I was like a stone lying in deep mire, and he that is mighty came and in his mercy raised me up and, indeed, lifted me high up and placed me on top of the wall. And from there I ought to shout out in gratitude to the Lord for his great favours in this world and for ever, that the mind of man cannot measure.
Therefore be amazed, you great and small who fear God, and you men of God, eloquent speakers, listen and contemplate. Who was it summoned me, a fool, from the midst of those who appear wise and learned in the law and powerful in rhetoric and in all things? Me,truly wretched in this world, he inspired before others that I could be-- if I would-- such a one who, with fear and reverence, and faithfully, without complaint, would come to the people to whom the love of Christ brought me and gave me in my lifetime, if I should be worthy, to serve them truly and with humility.
According, therefore, to the measure of one's faith in the Trinity, one should proceed without holding back from danger to make known the gift of God and everlasting consolation, to spread God's name everywhere with confidence and without fear, in order to leave behind, after my death, foundations for my brethren and sons whom I baptized in the Lord in so many thousands.
And I was not worthy, nor was I such that the Lord should grant his humble servant this, that after hardships and such great trials, after captivity, after many years, he should give me so much favour in these people, a thing which in the time of my youth I neither hoped for nor imagined.
But after I reached Ireland I used to pasture the flock each day and I used to pray many times a day. More and more did the love of God, and my fear of him and faith increase, and my spirit was moved so that in a day [I said] from one up to a hundred prayers, and in the night a like number; besides I used to stay out in the forests and on the mountain and I would wake up before daylight to pray in the snow, in icy coldness, in rain, and I used to feel neither ill nor any slothfulness, because, as I now see, the Spirit was burning in me at that time.
And it was there of course that one night in my sleep I heard a voice saying to me: 'You do well to fast: soon you will depart for your home country.' And again, a very short time later, there was a voice prophesying: 'Behold, your ship is ready.' And it was not close by, but, as it happened, two hundred miles away, where I had never been nor knew any person. And shortly thereafter I turned about and fled from the man with whom I had been for six years, and I came, by the power of God who directed my route to advantage (and I was afraid of nothing), until I reached that ship.
And on the same day that I arrived, the ship was setting out from the place, and I said that I had the wherewithal to sail with them; and the steersman was displeased and replied in anger, sharply: 'By no means attempt to go with us.' Hearing this I left them to go to the hut where I was staying, and on the way I began to pray, and before the prayer was finished I heard one of them shouting loudly after me: 'Come quickly because the men are calling you.' And immediately I went back to them and they started to say to me: 'Come,because we are admitting you out of good faith; make friendship with us in any way you wish.' (And so, on that day, I refused to suck the breasts of these men from fear of God, but nevertheless I had hopes that they would come to faith in Jesus Christ, because they were barbarians.) And for this I continued with them, and forthwith we put to sea.
And after three days we reached land, and for twenty-eight days journeyed through uninhabited country, and the food ran out and hunger overtook them; and one day the steersman began saying: 'Why is it, Christian? You say your God is great and all-powerful; then why can you not pray for us? For we may perish of hunger; it is unlikely indeed that we shall ever see another human being.' In fact, I said to them, confidently: 'Be converted by faith with all your heart to my Lord God, because nothing is impossible for him, so that today he will send food for you on your road, until you be sated, because everywhere he abounds.' And with God's help this came to pass; and behold, a herd of swine appeared on the road before our eyes, and they slew many of them, and remained there for two nights, and the were full of their meat and well restored, for many of them had fainted and would otherwise have been left half-dead by the wayside. And after this they gave the utmost thanks to God, and I was esteemed in their eyes, and from that day they had food abundantly. They discovered wild honey,besides, and they offered a share to me, and one of them said: 'It is a sacrifice.' Thanks be to God, I tasted none of it.
The very same night while I was sleeping Satan attacked me violently, as I will remember as long as I shall be in this body; and there fell on top of me as it were, a huge rock, and not one of my members had any force. But from whence did it come to me, ignorant in the spirit, to call upon 'Helias'? And meanwhile I saw the sun rising in the sky, and while I was crying out 'Helias, Helias' with all my might, lo, the brilliance of that sun fell upon me and immediately shook me free of all the weight; and I believe that I was aided by Christ my Lord, and that his Spirit then was crying out for me, and I hope that it will be so in the day of my affliction, just as it says in the Gospel: 'In that hour', the Lord declares, 'it is not you who speaks but the Spirit of your Father speaking in you.'
And a second time, after many years, I was taken captive. On the first night I accordingly remained with my captors, but I heard a divine prophecy, saying to me: 'You shall be with them for two months. So it happened. On the sixtieth night the Lord delivered me from their hands.
On the journey he provided us with food and fire and dry weather every day, until on the tenth day we came upon people. As I mentioned above, we had journeyed through an unpopulated country for twenty-eight days, and in fact the night that we came upon people we had no food.
And after a few years I was again in Britain with my parents [kinsfolk], and they welcomed me as a son, and asked me, in faith, that after the great tribulations I had endured I should not go an where else away from them. And, of course, there, in a vision of the night, I saw a man whose name was Victoricus coming as it from Ireland with innumerable letters, and he gave me one of them, and I read the beginning of the letter: 'The Voice of the Irish', and as I was reading the beginning of the letter I seemed at that moment to hear the voice of those who were beside the forest of Foclut which is near the western sea, and they were crying as if with one voice: 'We beg you, holy youth, that you shall come and shall walk again among us.' And I was stung intensely in my heart so that I could read no more, and thus I awoke. Thanks be to God, because after so many ears the Lord bestowed on them according to their cry.
And another night-- God knows, I do not, whether within me or beside me-- ... most words + ... + which I heard and could not understand, except at the end of the speech it was represented thus: 'He who gave his life for you, he it is who speaks within you.' And thus I awoke, joyful.
And on a second occasion I saw Him praying within me, and I was as it were, inside my own body , and I heard Him above me-- that is,above my inner self. He was praying powerfully with sighs. And in the course of this I was astonished and wondering, and I pondered who it could be who was praying within me. But at the end of the prayer it was revealed to me that it was the Spirit. And so I awoke and remembered the Apostle's words: 'Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we know not how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for utterance.' And again: 'The Lord our advocate intercedes for us.'
And then I was attacked by a goodly number of my elders, who [brought up] my sins against my arduous episcopate. That day in particular I was mightily upset, and might have fallen here and for ever; but the Lord generously spared me, a convert, and an alien, for his name's sake, and he came powerfully to my assistance in that state of being trampled down. I pray God that it shall not be held against them as a sin that I fell truly into disgrace and scandal.
They brought up against me after thirty years an occurrence I had confessed before becoming a deacon. On account of the anxiety in my sorrowful mind, I laid before my close friend what I had perpetrated on a day-- nay, rather in one hour-- in my boyhood because I was not yet proof against sin. God knows-- I do not-- whether I was fifteen years old at the time, and I did not then believe in the living God, nor had I believed, since my infancy; but I remained in death and unbelief until I was severely rebuked, and in truth I was humbled every day by hunger and nakedness.
On the other hand, I did not proceed to Ireland of my own accord until I was almost giving up, but through this I was corrected by the Lord, and he prepared me so that today I should be what was once far from me, in order that I should have the care of-- or rather, I should be concerned for-- the salvation of others, when at that time, still, I was only concerned for myself.
Therefore, on that day when I was rebuked, as I have just mentioned, I saw in a vision of the night a document before my face,without honour, and meanwhile I heard a divine prophecy, saying to me: 'We have seen with displeasure the face of the chosen one divested of [his good] name.' And he did not say 'You have seen with displeasure', but 'We have seen with displeasure' (as if He included Himself) . He said then: 'He who touches you, touches the apple of my eye.'
For that reason, I give thanks to him who strengthened me in all things, so that I should not be hindered in my setting out and also in my work which I was taught by Christ my Lord; but more, from that state of affairs I felt, within me, no little courage, and vindicated my faith before God and man.
Hence, therefore, I say boldly that my conscience is clear now and hereafter. God is my witness that I have not lied in these words to you.
But rather, I am grieved for my very close friend, that because of him we deserved to hear such a prophecy. The one to whom I entrusted my soul! And I found out from a goodly number of brethren, before the case was made in my defence (in which I did not take part, nor was I in Britain, nor was it pleaded by me), that in my absence he would fight in my behalf. Besides, he told me himself: 'See, the rank of bishop goes to you'-- of which I was not worthy. But how did it come to him, shortly afterwards, to disgrace me publicly, in the presence of all, good and bad, because previously, gladly and of his own free will, he pardoned me, as did the Lord, who is greater than all?
I have said enough. But all the same, I ought not to conceal God's gift which he lavished on us in the land of my captivity, for then I sought him resolutely, and I found him there, and he preserved me from all evils (as I believe) through the in-dwelling of his Spirit, which works in me to this day. Again, boldly, but God knows, if this had been made known to me by man, I might, perhaps, have kept silent for the love of Christ.
Thus I give untiring thanks to God who kept me faithful in the day of my temptation, so that today I may confidently over my soul as a living sacrifice for Christ my Lord; who am I, Lord? or, rather, what is my calling? that you appeared to me in so great a divine quality,so that today among the barbarians I might constantly exalt and magnify your name in whatever place I should be, and not only in good fortune, but even in affliction? So that whatever befalls me, be it good or bad, I should accept it equally, and give thanks always to God who revealed to me that I might trust in him, implicitly and forever,and who will encourage me so that, ignorant, and in the last days, I may dare to undertake so devout and so wonderful a work; so that I might imitate one of those whom, once, long ago, the Lord already pre-ordained to be heralds of his Gospel to witness to all peoples to the ends of the earth. So are we seeing, and so it is fulfilled;behold, we are witnesses because the Gospel has been preached as far as the places beyond which no man lives.
But it is tedious to describe in detail all my labours one by one. I will tell briefly how most holy God frequently delivered me, from slavery, and from the twelve trials with which my soul was threatened,from man traps as well, and from things I am not able to put into words. I would not cause offence to readers, but I have God as witness who knew all things even before they happened, that, though I was a poor ignorant waif, still he gave me abundant warnings through divine prophecy.
Whence came to me this wisdom which was not my own, I who neither knew the number of days nor had knowledge of God? Whence came the so great and so healthful gift of knowing or rather loving God, though I should lose homeland and family.
And many gifts were offered to me with weeping and tears, and I offended them [the donors], and also went against the wishes of a good number of my elders; but guided by God, I neither agreed with them nor deferred to them, not by my own grace but by God who is victorious in me and withstands them all, so that I might come to the Irish people to preach the Gospel and endure insults from unbelievers; that I might hear scandal of my travels, and endure many persecutions to the extent of prison; and so that I might give up my free birthright for the advantage of others, and if I should be worthy, I am ready [to give] even my life without hesitation; and most willingly for His name. And I choose to devote it to him even unto death, if God grant it to me.
I am greatly God's debtor, because he granted me so much grace,that through me many people would be reborn in God, and soon a after confirmed, and that clergy would be ordained everywhere for them, the masses lately come to belief, whom the Lord drew from the ends of the earth, just as he once promised through his prophets: 'To you shall the nations come from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Our fathers have inherited naught but lies, worthless things in which there is no profit.' And again: 'I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles that you may bring salvation to the uttermost ends of the earth.'
And I wish to wait then for his promise which is never unfulfilled, just as it is promised in the Gospel: 'Many shall come from east and west and shall sit at table with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob.' Just as we believe that believers will come from all the world.
So for that reason one should, in fact, fish well and diligently, just as the Lord foretells and teaches, saying, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men,' and again through the prophets: 'Behold, I am sending forth many fishers and hunters, says the Lord,' et cetera. So it behoves us to spread our nets, that a vast multitude and throng might be caught for God, and so there might be clergy everywhere who baptized and exhorted a needy and desirous people. Just as the Lord says in the Gospel, admonishing and instructing: 'Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always to the end of time.' And again he says: 'Go forth into the world and preach the Gospel to all creation. He who believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he who does not believe shall be condemned.' And again: 'This Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached throughout the whole world as a witness to all nations; and then the end of the world shall come.' And likewise the Lord foretells through the prophet: 'And it shall come to pass in the last days (sayeth the Lord) that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions and your old men shall dream dreams; yea, and on my menservants and my maidservants in those days I will pour out my Spirit and they shall prophesy.' And in Hosea he says: 'Those who are not my people I will call my people, and those not beloved I will call my beloved, and in the very place where it was said to them, You are not my people, they will be called 'Sons of the living God'.
So, how is it that in Ireland, where they never had any knowledge of God but, always, until now, cherished idols and unclean things,they are lately become a people of the Lord, and are called children of God; the sons of the Irish [Scotti] and the daughters of the chieftains are to be seen as monks and virgins of Christ.
And there was, besides, a most beautiful, blessed, native-born noble Irish [Scotta] woman of adult age whom I baptized; and a few days later she had reason to come to us to intimate that she had received a prophecy from a divine messenger [who] advised her that she should become a virgin of Christ and she would draw nearer to God. Thanks be to God, six days from then, opportunely and most eagerly,she took the course that all virgins of God take, not with their fathers' consent but enduring the persecutions and deceitful hindrances of their parents. Notwithstanding that, their number increases, (we do not know the number of them that are so reborn) besides the widows, and those who practise self-denial. Those who are kept in slavery suffer the most. They endure terrors and constant threats, but the Lord has given grace to many of his handmaidens, for even though they are forbidden to do so, still they resolutely follow his example.
So it is that even if I should wish to separate from them in order to go to Britain, and most willingly was I prepared to go to my homeland and kinsfolk-- and not only there, but as far as Gaul to visit the brethren there, so that I might see the faces of the holy ones of my Lord, God knows how strongly I desired this-- I am bound by the Spirit, who witnessed to me that if I did so he would mark me out as guilty, and I fear to waste the labour that I began, and not I,but Christ the Lord, who commanded me to come to be with them for the rest of my life, if the Lord shall will it and shield me from every evil, so that I may not sin before him.
So I hope that I did as I ought, but I do not trust myself as long as I am in this mortal body, for he is strong who strives daily to turn me away from the faith and true holiness to which I aspire until the end of my life for Christ my Lord, but the hostile flesh is always dragging one down to death, that is, to unlawful attractions. And I know in part why I did not lead a perfect life like other believers,but I confess to my Lord and do not blush in his sight, because I am not lying; from the time when I came to know him in my youth, the love of God and fear of him increased in me, and right up until now, by God's favour, I have kept the faith.
What is more, let anyone laugh and taunt if he so wishes. I am not keeping silent, nor am I hiding the signs and wonders that were shown to me by the Lord many years before they happened, [he] who knew everything, even before the beginning of time.
Thus, I should give thanks unceasingly to God, who frequently forgave my folly and my negligence, in more than one instance so as not to be violently angry with me, who am placed as his helper, and I did not easily assent to what had been revealed to me, as the Spirit was urging; and the Lord took pity on me thousands upon thousands of times, because he saw within me that I was prepared, but that I was ignorant of what to do in view of my situation; because many were trying to prevent this mission. They were talking among themselves behind my back, and saying: 'Why is this fellow throwing himself into danger among enemies who know not God?' Not from malice, but having no liking for it; likewise, as I myself can testify, they perceived my rusticity. And I was not quick to recognize the grace that was then in me; I now know that I should have done so earlier.
Now I have put it frankly to my brethren and co-workers, who have believed me because of what I have foretold and still foretell to strengthen and reinforce your faith. I wish only that you, too, would make greater and better efforts. This will be my pride, for 'a wise son makes a proud father'.
You know, as God does, how I went about among you from my youth in the faith of truth and in sincerity of heart. As well as to the heathen among whom I live, I have shown them trust and always show them trust. God knows I did not cheat any one of them, nor consider it, for the sake of God and his Church, lest I arouse them and [bring about] persecution for them and for all of us, and lest the Lord's name be blasphemed because of me, for it is written: 'Woe to the men through whom the name of the Lord is blasphemed.'
For even though I am ignorant in all things, nevertheless I attempted to safeguard some and myself also. And I gave back again to my Christian brethren and the virgins of Christ and the holy women the small unasked for gifts that they used to give me or some of their ornaments which they used to throw on the altar. And they would be offended with me because I did this. But in the hope of eternity, I safeguarded myself carefully in all things, so that they might not cheat me of my office of service on any pretext of dishonesty, and so that I should not in the smallest way provide any occasion for defamation or disparagement on the part of unbelievers.
What is more, when I baptized so many thousands of people, did I hope for even half a jot from any of them? [If so] Tell me, and I will give it back to you. And when the Lord ordained clergy everywhere by my humble means, and I freely conferred office on them, if I asked any of them anywhere even for the price of one shoe, say so to my face and I will give it back.
More, I spent for you so that they would receive me. And I went about among you, and everywhere for your sake, in danger, and as far as the outermost regions beyond which no one lived, and where no one had ever penetrated before, to baptize or to ordain clergy or to confirm people. Conscientiously and gladly I did all this work by God's gift for your salvation.
From time to time I gave rewards to the kings, as well as making payments to their sons who travel with me; notwithstanding which, they seized me with my companions, and that day most avidly desired to kill me. But my time had not yet come. They plundered everything they found on us anyway, and fettered me in irons; and on the fourteenth day the Lord freed me from their power, and whatever they had of ours was given back to us for the sake of God on account of the indispensable friends whom we had made before.
Also you know from experience how much I was paying to those who were administering justice in all the regions, which I visited often. I estimate truly that I distributed to them not less than the price of fifteen men, in order that you should enjoy my company and I enjoy yours, always, in God. I do not regret this nor do I regard it as enough. I am paying out still and I shall pay out more. The Lord has the power to grant me that I may soon spend my own self, for your souls.
Behold, I call on God as my witness upon my soul that I am not lying; nor would I write to y ou for it to be an occasion for flattery or selfishness, nor hoping for honour from any one of you. Sufficient is the honour which is not yet seen, but in which the heart has confidence. He who made the promise is faithful; he never lies.
But I see that even here and now, I have been exalted beyond measure by the Lord, and I was not worthy that he should grant me this, while I know most certainly that poverty and failure suit me better than wealth and delight (but Christ the Lord was poor for our sakes; I certainly am wretched and unfortunate; even if I wanted wealth I have no resources, nor is it my own estimation of myself, for daily I expect to be murdered or betrayed or reduced to slavery if the occasion arises. But I fear nothing, because of the promises of Heaven; for I have cast myself into the hands of Almighty God, who reigns everywhere. As the prophet says: 'Cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you.'
Behold now I commend my soul to God who is most faithful and for whom I perform my mission in obscurity, but he is no respecter of persons and he chose me for this service that I might be one of the least of his ministers.
For which reason I should make return for all that he returns me. But what should I say, or what should I promise to my Lord, for I,alone, can do nothing unless he himself vouchsafe it to me. But let him search my heart and [my] nature, for I crave enough for it, even too much, and I am ready for him to grant me that I drink of his chalice, as he has granted to others who love him.
Therefore may it never befall me to be separated by my God from his people whom he has won in this most remote land. I pray God that he gives me perseverance, and that he will deign that I should be a faithful witness for his sake right up to the time of my passing.
And if at any time I managed anything of good for the sake of my God whom I love, I beg of him that he grant it to me to shed my blood for his name with proselytes and captives, even should I be left unburied, or even were my wretched body to be torn limb from limb by dogs or savage beasts, or were it to be devoured by the birds of the air, I think, most surely, were this to have happened to me, I had saved both my soul and my body. For beyond any doubt on that day we shall rise again in the brightness of the sun, that is, in the glory of Christ Jesus our Redeemer, as children of the living God and co-heirs of Christ, made in his image; for we shall reign through him and for him and in him.
For the sun we see rises each day for us at [his] command, but it will never reign, neither will its splendour last, but all who worship it will come wretchedly to punishment. We, on the other hand, shall not die, who believe in and worship the true sun, Christ, who will never die, no more shall he die who has done Christ's will, but will abide for ever just as Christ abides for ever, who reigns with God the Father Almighty and with the Holy Spirit before the beginning of time and now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Behold over and over again I would briefly set out the words of my confession. I testify in truthfulness and gladness of heart before God and his holy angels that I never had any reason, except the Gospel and his promises, ever to have returned to that nation from which I had previously escaped with difficulty.
But I entreat those who believe in and fear God, whoever deigns to examine or receive this document composed by the obviously unlearned sinner Patrick in Ireland, that nobody shall ever ascribe to my ignorance any trivial thing that I achieved or may have expounded that was pleasing to God, but accept and truly believe that it would have been the gift of God. And this is my confession before I die.

A Visual Image of a man becoming a Brother

I was talking to my son yesterday about great men who sincerely believed God and gave their all. Of course, one of those men would be Saint Francis. I have a friend who is a Francisican, and although this group has always interested me, I did not choose to become a Fransicican (3rd order, "this order allows marriage and children"). However, St Francis' story is very inspiring, and I had my son watch this old video clip. If you haven't seen it, it is worth the watch. It is often called the conversion scene.
*content warning, appropiate nudity, don't watch unless you can handle this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-TXOsw8Dcc

The Code

I have discussed at this point a bit about some of our physical aspects of "getting healthier" as we strive through the stages of being a Brother (Companion of Christ) to becoming a Squire. However, I have not posted anything about the code of conduct. This ommission is corrected with this post.

The Knights Code of Chivalry and the vows of Knighthood

The Knights Code of Chivalry described in the Song of Roland and an excellent representation of the Knights Codes of Chivalry are as follows:

To fear God and maintain His Church

To serve the liege lord in valour and faith

To protect the weak and defenceless

To give succour to widows and orphans

To refrain from the wanton giving of offence

To live by honour and for glory

To despise pecuniary reward

To fight for the welfare of all

To obey those placed in authority

To guard the honour of fellow knights

To eschew unfairness, meanness and deceit

To keep faith

At all times to speak the truth

To persevere to the end in any enterprise begun

To respect the honour of women

Never to refuse a challenge from an equal

Never to turn the back upon a foe

Week 1 is in the Books

Well, like the title suggests, we are done with our first week. I am still doubtful that I have trimmed down much, but I am up to running for about 40 minutes each time. I got a MP3 player to listen to messages. It helps take my mind off the plodding of the steps. It makes it easier to run. I have chosen right now to put messages from Jim Elliot (a famous 20th century Marytr). My favourite quote from him is:
He is no fool who gives what he can not keep to obtain what he can not lose -Jim Elliot
I have also grown to understand Celtic brothers a bit more over this last week. First, the Celtic brothers seemed to have been known as "Culdees" which is a brutual form of the Latin Phrase Coli Dei The phrase means "Companions of Christ". It is interersting to know that this order of monks (brothers) as reinistituted by the CCY actually possessed a name of some sort, and that the name carries such an honour.

I also discovered an interesting note that the Celtics had a symbol that denoted them. You see, the Christians in the firstc century did not possess any real symbols to identify themselves. We are people who like symbols. Our written communication in through symbols. Israel has the Star of David. The Roman Catholic Christians have the Cross and most Prostants followed suit. Prior to 327ad, the symbol of the fish served to identify the hidden sect of Christians and also a reminder of how to remember some of their theology. The Greek word serves as an acrostic about Jesus.
However, the Celts were not necessarily Romans. Eventually they did adopt the cross symbol, but there was another symbol that they also held to and still tends to identify them today.

The symbol appears to incorporate the fish symbol while at the same time trying to show the symbol of the Trinity. To be honest, I like it. It can be made much fancier, but the core symbol is still the same.

Of course, Heaven forbid this symbol is only used by the Celtic Believers. The symbol seems to show up in almost all modern Hollywood witchcraft depictions. I am told it is seen on the cover of the magic book in the TV series charmed. It is seen often on Led Zeplin's albums, an in the movie Constantine. Go figure.
Any rate, that is some of the things I have found this week as we struggle along as Culdee brethern striving to become true knights. The grace of Ha Shem to All, -Brother Bradley Avi

Day 3

So, today begins day 3 of our adventure. I checked my e-mails this morning to see if I had a response from the CCY, but no such luck. This is not surprising, since in my initial inquiry it was roughly 45 days until I got an answer, and that was the lone communication I got. My daughter, and sister in-law got no response. I did find another web site (under a similar name) associated withe the CCY, but it appears to have been started in 2008 and hasn't had any updates since that time.

So, what have we done, to be honest not much. Josh and I have been significantly more conscience about our weight. We eat better. We have started running again. I ran on day 1 (20 minutes) and day 2 (30 minutes). I doubt I have lost any weight, but I do feel pretty good. Josh ran yesterday, but could only pull off about 10 minutes. He knows he has a long ways to go, but at least it was a start. I have drawn some spiritual material for him to study, but I haven't handed that to him yet. This week in school he has a major exam that he's trying to better on. He bombed a similar exam a few weeks ago, so I am trying to get him enough time to study. He also is working on studying for another competition he is involved with called Bible quizzing (through the Canadian Missionary Alliance churches), and I want him to do well there. Josh is also home schooled, which means he needs time to do his school work at home, before he starts his class at the local high school. We have started to build better habits, as well. Josh suffers from the classic teen ailment which won't allow him to wake early. I have helped him to fight such an ailment.

The plan that I have laid out for him is like such. He and I would be considered (and act as) monks (brothers) in the Monastic order of the CCY. During this time we will train physically, spiritually, and develop the correct character for this role. As we arrive at our target weight, and are physically fit enough we will adapt to "the Squire" stage. I have planned a ceremony and the (receiving of the sword) honour. This stage will also be physical, spiritual and character training, but now the emphasis is not about getting fit for that role, but becoming developed for the role of the knight. There are benchmarks for this as well. When all these benchmarks are reached.

The CCY had set in their information material that a knight should be an expert in swordsmanship, hand to hand combat and other weaponry. Josh and I have used foils before and have become somewhat skilled. The new sword will be a saber. The rules for saber fighting are different then foil or epee', but I think they would be more in line with true swordsmanship.

As far as other weapon expertise. I possess a crossbow, and Joshua has a compound bow. We will refine our skills with those tools until we can effective be considered an expert with those tools. I also went to the hardware store and had some dowel cut for a quarter staff/walking stick. I haven't decided whether we have to master fighting with that as well. This leaves that hand to hand combat situation. Josh and I did take a term of teaching in Karate, and I took a term with Judo, but neither of us would be experts. Unfortunately, we don't have any trainer in the town we live in (or at least we don't know of anyone). I could advertise and see if there might be a teacher. We may choose to attend classes in a another town. I do wonder with our present technology if there is someway to gain instruction without having the commute. Someone must have the DVDs out there that would effectively get us started. I have thought about getting the Kata patterns for the different belts. This would be like studying the exams, but we would have the knowledge of each Kata. That would be a start. I also haven't decided whether we need to be a Black belt, or whether we should be more of a self defense student. As you can see this is still a work in progress.

Somewhere. there must be a question. Why? Sword fighting is a pretty ancient, outdated concept. It is, but it was a requirement for CCY for their knights. As such, we will become experts with the sword. To be honest, in just a few days we would become better (likely) then anyone in town with a sword. I do like fencing as a sport, so the chance to re-learn (and excel) in sword play excites me. Regarding other weapons, the bow and crossbow are the more practical weapons. I sincerely think we need to be ready for these tools. My hope is that when trained we will seek out quests (tasks) that are fit for a knight to undertake. This may require the need for a real weapon, and we will be prepared when that happens. My hope is that we'd never have to use these tools on a human, wild and dangerous animals, perhaps, but not a human. The hand to hand combat, or course, would be the sort of thing one might have to do to another human aggressor. This is not a happy concept, but if called upon to act, it would be nice to not be totally reliant on the weapons which could seriously mame or kill someone.

At the core, we must realize that knights were active and as needed 'aggressive'. This is not a normal consideration for most spiritual communities, but that doesn't diminish the reality of the situation.

A knight without the spiritual and character depth is little more then a bully with skill. remember the difference between super hero and super villain was more about their heart.

During this whole time, we will be establishing spiritual teachings about the role of responsibility, seeking the face of God for direction and acting as a child of God in all circumstances. There are creeds and catechisms to learn, as well as the core teachings of the Bible. There are more basic items of developing character depth. For a 16 year old, this is a lot to take in, but when it is done, I hope people will see that we have fully become the embodiment of this vision.

I will conclude with just another photo of my son and I with a couple of his little brothers, my own brother and my dad. Just a good men shot.

Any road will get you there

The quote is from Alice in Wonderland: Alice is lost in wonderland and she bumps into the catapiller. She asks which way to go, and the catapiller responds casually..."well, that depends entirely on where you want to go."
Alice responds, "well, I don't know where I want to go."
"Then, my dear, any road will get you there."

There are several items I am trying to put in place for my son and I as we become true knights. One of these is the physical aspect. For years I have been involved in Christian ministry. I worked in churches and a Bible College. All of these positions require you to have smarts, but rarely do they require any physical effort. You turn pages, read and talk...not very physical work.
To become a knight is a different challenge. You must be an excellent physically model. You are required not just to be a student or a preacher. You are required to do the tasks that are fitting for a Knight.
So, I needed to know where I stood physically. When I graduated from High School I weighed 129lbs. I was pretty slim, I admit that. The next summer I worked on a ship in Alaska and did more physical work. In Bible college, I worked out, but also ate in residence and so I put on a significant amout of weight. When I was married, I weighed 140lbs. Still pretty slight. Today, I am 39 years old, and have had a career that was not very physically active. So, I am a whopping 178.2 lbs I knew I needed to drop some weight, but how much? I decided to check a body mass index chart. If you haven't used one before, this is what it looks like.



So, this meant that as I did my calculations I decided I needed to pair down 14.2 lbs. This would put me at 164lbs, which would have my BMI numbers under 25%. This is still not great, but should be considered normal, and since I am physically working out (running endurance and weight lifting), as well as hand to hand combat training and weapon training, I think this will be the proper weight.

As for my son, since he's only 16, the normal BMI numbers are all mixed up. Josh would normally be considered significantly overweight. However, his last meeting with his Dr. said his bone structure should have him at about 195lbs. So, in his case he will have to shed 33.8lbs. I thought this would be SHOCKING for Josh, but he took it in stride. I think he must have known that he'd have to pair down, and he seemed slightly encouraged to have a number even if the number is still a very high number to reach.


Again, until you know where to go, any road will get you there. Now at least at this one stage...we know where to go.

A Copy of the Letter to the Celtic Church of Yahweh

Shalom Pastor Fears and Brother Theo:
This last week, I went to a funeral for my grandmother. It was an important time, but a lot of time on the road in prayer and mediation. Among the things I was working through was the concept created through the “Celtic Church of Yahweh”. As I had mentioned when I first got your e-mail, I had suspected that this concept (although excellent) had fallen by the wayside. Perhaps the web site that I found was a something that was already tried and for some reason was unable to come together and no one had gone through the process of “pulling the plug yet”. This happens, and we all know this about certain concepts.
However, your e-mails to me made me think that this was not the case. I spoke to others about this “knighthood” concept and even posted a link on Facebook. I know of others who applied to be a part. My own daughter Seraphina McClanahan applied and my sister in law also joined. My eldest son intended to sign up today, but found the web site inactive. I got positive responses from others, but don’t know if they applied.
I did get an initial e-mail from you, but as you know there were no more responses and since Jolene and Seraphina also got no response, I had to conclude this was a concept which you are unable to put into motion at this time.
As I drove through the mountains of Montana (this weekend) home from the funeral, I felt a bit saddened by this. I sincerely believe that the concept you have put together has the potential to be revolutionary. It stirs the interest of men and women for spiritual depth and a vision of themselves in line with the concept of being a brother/sister and/or a knight. It “scratches where people itch”. It sets an inspiring high standard and invites people to come along. In many respects, I wished that God had given me the directive to run such a program. That was when it dawned on me, that if this is difficult to get started at your place and time, perhaps I could request authorization to start the Canadian division of the Celtic Church of Yahweh.
As I said, I wished I was more entrenched within this organization before I requested this, but I am requesting it anyway. I would like to have your permission to establish the Northern Shire. If this permission is granted, then I will follow the template you have laid out for physical, spiritual and character development. You may or may not continue the American (and rest of the world) side of this concept, and if by God’s grace, He prospers the work we do then these fellowships will merge as they grow. In fact, if you authorize me to take this action then my whole existence within the Celtic Church of Yahweh will be from your directive…essentially, there will be no merger.
Further, I think, if you allow me the helm of this Canadian division, then I will be able to share with you whatever successes we enjoy from this side of the border. Perhaps successes that happen here can be transferred to the American experience. As I mentioned (when there was a delay from my initial application until my e-mail response) I put together some thoughts as to how to make this effective in Canada as if this concept had already run it’s course in the US. I have some ideas and am ready to run with it, if I am allowed to do so.
Also, if you desire to keep the Celtic Church of Yahweh concept running then I would be happy to provide you regular updates about what we are doing and how things are working, and submitting to your leadership.
I would be willing to provide a more detailed accounting of my experience and education and well as any character references as necessary so that you can make the determination whether I would be one who can represent your initiative.
If you simply wish to close this concept completely, then I want you to know that my desire is to do something similar. I have this morning inquired about a church charter from my own non-denominational ordination organization, and will set this in motion. I sincerely believe you are on the right track with this. I do want to be involved. I am a man of independent means (meaning I don’t have or need a day job), so I have the time an energy to commit to make this successful. I have seen others express an interest to be involved, and I think this is the work God intends.
I am eager to hear from you. God’s grace to you and yours,
Brother Bradley

The start

As I mentioned in my introduction, back in the Summer of 2009, I had been looking for something, a gift as it were for my daughter, Seraphina. I had fun giving out heraldic title. My youngest daughter is Lady Alexendria, when I purchase a small square of land on an estate in Scotland. She had fun with that and my other daughter mentioned she would like to be a Knight. She wanted to be Dame Seraphina. So, doing an internet search, I was trying to find out "how to make my daughter a Knight". What I found surprised me. I bumped into an advertisement of the Celtic Church of Yahweh that was not offering some honourary title, for a nominal fee (as most were quite willing to do), but they had a different plan. They wanted to make "Real Knights".
Their program was a spiritually based (ancient spiritual order) program where people would start as Brothers (Sisters) in a monastic orders with the intention over the years of growing and becoming a recognized Knight within this ancient religious order. I was sincerely impressed. I ambandoned my search for an honourary title for my daughter and began to read more and more.
Their web sites were attractive. Their ideals were high. The prospect was exciting. I decided to apply to the order, as did my daughter, Seraphina. Days went by, and no answer, weeks rolled by and I decided that this group was an idea that probably just never worked out. I had decided to abandon the idea, but then (on Oct 17) I got an e-mail from a Pastor Fears welcoming me to the order. Then I got a second e-mail from a Brother Theo with a similar welcome. They had a spiritual training program they were going to send. They understood my Bible college and Seminary background so they knew it would not be difficult.
That was the last correspondence I had with them.
I loved the concept and was disappointed that they were obvious struggling to put this in motion. This last weekend, in a discussion with my wife I made a decision. I would request the authorization from the Celtic Church of Yahweh to run the North Shire (Canada). In my note I told them that my intention was to act either under their authorization, or to start another order under almost identical principles. I sent my e-mail on March 1 (and have not been surprised by the lack of an immediate response). On March 1, I also found that the web site were presently disabled. These posts are the journey (primarily of myself, and my eldest son, Joshua) to knighthood.