Fusion Gospel - Theosis - Spring Issue, 2022

WELCOME

ELCOME totheSpring Issueeditionofthe GospelFusion magazinewherewecelebrate thebirthofJesusandTheosis. PriorRobandSisterIrini’s prayerisever, Lordmakeus everythingweneedtobeforour eternalunionwithyouFather. Thisisouroneconsistent prayerforourselvesas individualsandasamonastery. ThisSpring,ourLordhastruly prunedthevine,andplanted himselfmoresingularlyinus. Tothisend,SEASEMnolonger alignswiththeteachingsofthe UrantiaBook.Afteraseasonof uncoveringtheoriginsofthe UrantiaBook,wehave concludeditisnotanauthentic divinerevelation.AsisChrist’s way,thechangewasswiftand thorough.Tothisend,our liturgyandspirituallifehas found�irmfootinginthetime

honouredandtimetested theologyofOrthodoxteachings relatedtothedei�icationofa person:Theosis.

Youwillreadaboutthisinthese pagesandnoticethatmuch aboutFatherfusionremainsthe same.Wepreachandteachthe GospelofChristasusual,and livethesamemessageofunion intheFather.TheLordhas whittledawaythe�lotsamand jetsamtopurifyus,andyouin him,forthesakeofeachofus andourFatherfusion,our dei�icationpath.

Wepraythatyoucelebratethis changewithus.Andifyouhave anyquestions,pleasecontactus byphoneoremail.

Inside,wesharewithyoumore ofourministry,gardenprojects, beekeeping,re�lectionsand prayersforChristmasandan

articlehighlightingthefocusof Mary,themotherofJesus.

Pleasejoinusinthestillness thatisthepeaceofJesusatthis busytimeofyear.Keepaneye onthenativity;onthepurest lovethatmadeitselfincarnate forus.AsoneBodyofChristlet ussharetheincarnationglory withthoseweloveandthose wemeet.Asweshop,cook, gather,create,letusstorywith familyandfriendsChrist’s mass,andbringintoour celebrationsthehostofthe festiveseason,notSantaClaus orFatherChristmasoreven SaintNick,whohimselfwas turnedtoChrist,buttoJesus, ourLord.Inhim,we�inda timeless,everpresentGod, mercifulandabounding.Letus alsobegenerousandkindaswe partakeofhisgiftoflifetous.

Godblessyouandyour family, PriorRobandSisterIrini

EASTERNORTHODOXCHRISTIANITY

explainsTheosisinthis way¹:GodwhoistheFather, Son,andHolySpiritshareone unknowable,divineessence. Thisdivineessencecannotbe experienced,seen,felt,heardor intellectuallyperceivedbyany createdcreature.However,God’s divineenergies,whichGodrevealstousinloveandgrace,in creation,providenceandredemption,arepartofGod’s natureanditistoGod’senergies thatweareunited.

QUESTIONS

TheSpiritoftheGodintheabsoluteandprimordialrealmofcreativity,infinity,eternity,wisdom, knowledge,Paradiseperfection ofcreationandParadiseperfectionofrelationshipbeyondtime andspacehassenthisspiritinto allpersons.Thisdivinegift

dwellsinthesmall,fragmented, conceptuallybound,dislocated, selfishandprone-to-errorminds ofpersons.Theinvitationextendedtoallhumanityisourown unionwithGod’smostpristine energyinus,theSpiritofthe Father.WeatSEASEMcallthis unionFatherfusion.

Twomattersinthisepicareof keyinteresttous:

1.Whatexampledowehaveof

theosis?

TheanswerrestsinJesus.While JesuswasallthetimetheSonof God,uponincarnating,hetook onalltheattributesofanormal humanbeingofhisday.Asaregularperson,likeyouandme,the FathercalledJesusofNazareth toachievehisowntheosiswith theSpiritoftheFatherwithin himbeforeeverhebeganhis

worksastheSonofManandthe SonofGod.Consequently,Jesus couldsaytousfromfirst-hand humanexperienceintheyears afterhisbaptismbyJohn,‘You thereforemustbeperfect,as yourheavenlyFatherisperfect.’² Thisisthissameperfectionthat theSpiritoftheFatherbringsto usthroughhisplansforour lives.Plansthatspanourlives hereonearthandhereafterin theheavens.

2.Whatisthedestinytheosis offerswiththeSpiritofthe Father,thisunionwithGod’s energies,thisFatherfusion?

Theanswertothatrestsagainin Jesus.Hepromiseseternallifeof righteousness.Hepromises wholenessofpersonality.He promisesnever-endingopportunitiestonotonlybeperfectas theheavenlyFatherisperfect, ¹https://www.orthodoxroad.com/understanding-theosis/ ²Matthew5:48,ESV

buttodoworksgreaterthanJesuswhenwedo walkinsuchpersonalperfection.Hepromises ever-increasingfaith,ever-increasinglove,ever-increasingpersonalnessinworship,andever-increasingwisdom.Lifeinabundance.

WITNESSES

StMakariosthe Greatbelieved this,andintypicalmysticallanguage,hewrote: Ifyouhavebecomethethrone ofGod, Iftheheavenly charioteerhas ascendedwithin you Andyoursoul hasbecomecompletelyluminous, Andifyouhave beenclothedin lightineffable

Andfedfromspiritualdelights Anddrunkfromlivingwater, Andallyourinnerlifehasbeentestedandprovenin hope,theninalltruthyouhavestartedtolive Theeternallife, Eveninthispresentage, AndyoursoulhasfounditsrestinGod.³

DrJohnMcGuckin,acurrentOrthodoxpriestand professorofearlyChurchhistory,wroteofSt Makarios:

‘Hestressedinhisteachingstheneedfora‘feltexperience’ofGodinthespirituallife,andhisworks

enjoyedagreatvoguein theirowntimeand againinthemedieval periodinConstantinople,wherethey exercisedaformativeinfluenceover Hesychasm.’⁴

Likemanywho‘livein themountains,wildernessandtheholesof theearthforthesakeof theirtremendouslove forChristtheKing,’⁵St Makarioswroteofthe humanlifeculminating spirituallyinafusionwithChristin theinteriorperson,⁶therebyknowingfromdirect felt experience thecherishedunionwithGodtheDivineOriginof alllifeandbeings.StMakariosdepictedhistemporallifeasbeingfilledwiththehighestpersonal meaningandrewards,butalsohowperfectionin ChristautomaticallyreleasestheParadiseFather’s guaranteeofaneternallifeofever-increasingvirtue,discovery,andeventualfinalityinParadise.⁷

TamavIriniisanothermysticwhoknewthis Fatherfusionintimately,andvolumeshavebeen writtenofhersinceherdeathin2006.Anextraordinarilygiftedpure-heartedCopticnun,and theyoungesteverEgyptianabbess,muchmention ismadeofherfrequentbilocation,ministryofmiraclesandhealing,companionshipwithChristin herconventcell,levitation,visionsofParadise, conversationswiththeFather,journeystoheaven, andassociationwiththosemenandwomenwho arethemostspirituallyaccomplishedinChristianity,the Sowah.⁸She,likeinStMakarios,andthe menandwomenfeaturedinboth The Philokalia

³McGuckin,JohnAnthony.TheBookOfMysticalChapters—MeditationsOnTheSoul’sAscent.ShambhalaPublications.Boston MA,USA.2002,p.137.

⁴Ibid,p.187.

⁵H.H.PopeShenonudaIII, OnTheMonasticLife.(StShenoudhaMonastery,Putty,NSWAustralia) 2016 p.7.

6 Ibid,p.183:‘TheLordalwayscaresabouttheinside,nottheoutside—ourfatherscallit“theinnerperson.”.TheLordsays, “Myson,givemeyourheart”(Proverbs23:26).’

7 Mason,A.J.Trans.(FiftySpiritualHomiliesOfSaintMacariusTheEgyptian), https://stnoufer.files.wordpress.com/ 2015/01/fifty-spiritual-homilies-st-macarius-the-great.pdf:

Ifyouopenyoureyestowardsthesun,youfindhisorbinthesky,buthislightandhisbeamsincliningtotheearthandall thepowerofitslightanditsradiancebearingdownupontheearth.Soalso,theLordisseatedattherighthandoftheFather aboveallprincipalityandpower,butHekeepsHiseyeintentupontheheartsofpeopleonearth,thatHemaybringthosewho waitforthesuccourthatHegives,uptowhereHeis;becauseHesays,“WhereIam,thereshallmyservantalsobe,Hehasraised usuptogetherwithHimandmadeussittogetherwithHimatHisrighthandinheavenlyplaces.”

8 TamavIrene:AMonasticLifeKindledWithLoveAtTheFeetOfChrist—BookThree. TheConventoftheGreatMartyrSt. PhilopaterMercurius“AbiSeifein”forNuns,Egypt.2010.

Tamav(Mother)Irini

StMakariostheGreat

and TheParadiseoftheHoly Fathers,evaluatedtheirFather fusionaccomplishmentnotalone onknowledgeaboutGodandthe universebutalsoaccordingto detailswithinafeltexperienceof Godthatregisteredintheirinteriorlives.

THEREMAININGQUESTION

St.JohnClimacus,7th century AbbotOfSt.Katherine MonasterySinai,hadthissame question.HegrewinChrist.He grewinTheosis.TheAbbotofa nearbymonasteryontheRed Seaaskedhimtowritedownthe stepshetaughthismonksfor theirattainmentofTheosis.Itis in-depth,compactandstyled predominantlyforthosewho followthemonasticlife,orat leastthosewhofollowthelife thatrenouncesgrossworldly attachments.Foranyone, however,whoacknowledges Christandthoselivingspiritual forcesurgingthemtobelike God,St.John’slessonsforhaving amostintimatepartnershipwith theSpiritoftheFatherwillbean overflowingcup.

ToStJohn,Theosisisajourney oflove.Lovebeingunableever tobesatiated,thereisnoendto thedivinejourney—notevenin Paradise.Thecupofloveand

worshipandthepraiseofGod onlygetslarger.Atsomepointin theheavens,itsurpassesthe boundariesoftimeandspace and,asalsofortheangels,the growthinGodandintheloveof Godandintheloveforour fellowsisbornagaininthe eternityandinfinityofParadise itself.Andthejourneycontinues oninmagnificentarray.

Canyouimaginewhatitwillbe likeforyoutolookbackupon yourlifeonearthfromsucha vantagepointinGod?Thevista sweepsourmindsaside.In worship,weapplaudGod’shand inallcreation.Froman exceptionalbountyofloveand mercyandcompassionwelook uponallthosestillontheladder ofdivineascent,thoseonthe earthsofcreationandthosein theheavensofcreation.Weare likeGod.Wehavefinalityinthe HolyTrinity.

St.JohnofClimacus:

SaintJohnClimacus

SacredAutonomousRoyalMonasteryofSaintKatherineoftheHolyandGod-TroddenMountSinai

Allcreatureshavereceivedfrom theCreatortheirorderofbeing andtheirbeginning,andsome theirendtoo.

Buttheendofvirtueisinfinite. ForthePsalmistsays:Ihaveseen theendofallperfection,butYour commandmentisexceedingly broadandboundless.

Ifsomegoodasceticspassfrom thestrengthofactiontothe strengthofcontemplation,andif loveneverceases,andiftheLord willguardthecominginofyour fearandthegoingoutofyour love,thenfromthisitfollowsthat thereisactuallynolimittolove. Weshallneverceasetoadvance init,eitherinthepresentorinthe futurelife,continuallyadding lighttolight.

AndhoweverstrangewhatIhave saidmayseemtomany,neverthelessitshallbesaid.Accordingto thetestimonieswehavegiven,I wouldsay,eventhespiritualbeings—i.e.theangels—donotlack progress;onthecontrary,they everaddglorytoglory,and knowledgetoknowledge.

TheLadderofDivineAscent.9

ENDLESSPERSONALGROWTH

Havingplumbedthedepthof spiritualvirtueaffordedhimby graceinhisquietlifeinthe desert,JohnClimacusearlyon arrivesattheenduringtruththat Jesusbringstous:wenever ceaseexperiencing,learningand growinginlovingkindnessand understanding,andbecoming likeGodanddoingthingsinperfectpartnershipwithGod.

ItisthisfeatureofChrist’srevelationtous,possiblybestexemplifiedontheMountofTransfiguration,thatbeckonsustothe ParadiseFather’sinvitationtobe

deified,tobemadeperfectinour realmofexistenceastheFather isperfectinhisrealm.

WITHTHEEYESOFWORSHIP

DivineloveinusworshipsGod unbidden,spontaneously,wholeheartedly,withchild-likeabandonandgaiety.Twochallenges faceusasweascendSt.John’s ladder.Oneisouryouthfulfoolhardiness.Theotheriswhenwe reachthedrynessofknowledge, thepridefulnessofageandexperience,whencourtesyisoverriddenbythesmallnessofvictoryandpovertyofacceptance ofothersnotofone’sownilk, thenthejourneyintothefullness ofTheosisisarrested.Ourliving loveissouredinourheart.For somepeoplelikethis,existing pridefulnessisenflamedandincreases,butwiththerecognition ofthehaltedjourneyinto Theosis,repentancearises.ReceivingforgivenessandGod’s lovingandopenpartnership again,theSpiritofWorshipenfoldsusandourinteriorlifeis revitalisedinitsagelessness.The eyesofworshipseethingsthat thesoul’seyesoftenmiss.The safetynetisalwayshumilityand theability,theheartfeltdesire,to handallthingsovertoGod. Whenindoubt,letGodleadthe way.

THESHOUTOFVICTORY

Theeyesofworshipfulloveare caughtupinthisunitedmindednessthatinTheosiscanbecalled themindofChrist.Advanced worshipinandoftheFather, however,revealsmuchmoreto uswhenChristdeliversustothe ParadiseFatherinperson.And, afterall,thatisthecalluponthe SonofMan,todeliverhumanity

totheFather.

Thenitisthatwerealisethatthe mostsubstantialEnergythe ParadiseFathergivesofHimself tousisHisSpirit.TheFatherhas senthisWordtousinChristhis son.WereceiveChristandthe WordinusfeedstheFather’s Spiritwhocomestousand abidesinourownminds.As eachsecondofourlifegoesby, theFatherandtheSonimpartto usplansforustoadopt.By meansofourexperienceoflove, ofdivineworship,andofuniversaltruth,theSpiritoftheFather drawsuseverdeeperinGod, higherinheavenlymindedness, andbroaderandmoredivinelikeinourrelationshipsandour creativity.Withagreatshoutwe recognisethedivineauthority thathasbeengiventousandwe claimJesus’wordstoSt.Johnthe Theologianbyfaithandthrough thegraceofGod.Theyareours. Theyspeaktous.Wewalkin them,asJesushimselfwalkedin themhereontheearth.Weare conquerors.

9 http://www.prudencetrue.com/images/TheLadderofDivineAscent.pdf.Step26 Ondiscernmentofthoughts,passionsand virtues. Onexpertdiscernment.153.

SaintJohntheTheologian

‘Theonewhoconquerswillhave thisheritage,andIwillbetheir Godandtheywillbemysonormy daughter.’(Rev.21.7)

‘Theonewhoconquers,Iwill makethemapillarinthetemple ofmyGod.Nevershalltheygoout ofit,andIwillwriteonthemthe nameofmyGod,andthenameof thecityofmyGod,thenewJerusalem,whichcomesdownfrommy Godoutofheaven,andmyown newname.’(Rev3:12)

‘Theonewhoconquers,Iwill grantthemtositwithmeonmy throne,asIalsoconqueredand satdownwithmyFatheronhis throne.’(Rev.3:21)

ItisthepresenceoftheSpiritof theFatherandhisplansforus individually,thatourpersonal deificationbegiftedtousfrom theFather’sheartofpurestlove. TheFather’splanisforthefullnessofTheosisinus.Andwhen weoncerecognisethisandappreciateitforwhatittrulyis,we searchdiligentlyforit,likethe womanofLuke15:8wholost oneofhertensilvercoinsinher houseanddidnotceaselooking forituntilsheclaspeditinher handagain.

Inmanyways,thistheosisisexactlyasextremeasalvation aboutwhichearlyChurchFathersotherthanStJohnClimacus wrote.Theywhowerenotedfor theirpiercingandauthoritative insightintothemindofChrist, alsoexploredthishumanheart

andsoulthatpartakesofthe divinenature.Theosis,for them,becamethelife’smost preciousstudy:‘Howdoes ChristJesusbringmeinto perfectionintheFather?’ Forthat,alone,istheosis.

St.Irenaeuswrote,‘Through theHolySpirit,weare raiseduptoChrist,and throughChrist,weare raiseduptotheFather.’¹⁰ St. Athanasiuswrote,‘Forthe SonofGodbecamemanthat wemaybecomeGod.’¹¹St. BasiltheGreat,whoseliturgiesaresungdailybyavast numberofChristians, wrote,‘thehighestofall gifts,beingmadeGod’.¹²St. AntonytheGreatofEgypt, thefirstmonkintheworldwideChurch,wrote,‘TheacquisitionoftheSpiritofGod inone’sheartistheultimate endofaGod-lovingperson. ThereforeaskGodthatthe god-headmayincreaseand growwithinyourheartsin love.’¹³SeealsoMatthewthe Poorandhischapteron UnionWith God.¹⁴

TheseChurchFathersaretelling oftheirpersonalexperienceof thisdeificationinthemselvesas aworkofGodinthesoulthatis madeimmortalandiseternalisedingloriousloveandworship.Theyaretellingusofit,that Theosismayalsobeourown Christiancompassandimmediatedestination.ItislargelyunknownintheCatholicandProt-

estantChurches.Amongmany Orthodox,isseemsheretical, somethingoftheNewAge.Ideas arejustideasthough.Godalone provestheworthofTheosis,and ifthereisaladderofdivineascentthatwescalebyfaith throughgracetobemadeGodin Christ,itistheFatheralonewho sanctifiesitanddrawsus throughChristtohimself.

AgainstHeresies 5.36.2,ANF1.567. ¹¹ OntheIncarnation 54,NPNF,2nd series,4.65. ¹² OntheHolySpirit 9.23PG32.109BC. ¹³ LettersfromSt.AntonytheGreat, 13. ¹⁴MattaEl-Meskeen(MatthewthePoor). OrthodoxPrayerLife—TheInteriorWay. StVladimir’sSeminaryPress,Crestwood,NY 10707.2003.ISBN0-88141-250-3.

GRAPHIC:Copyright:<ahref='https://www.123rf.com/profile_cherezoff'>cherezoff</a>

RESTORATION

Themonasteryinheritedawealthoffiftyyear oldstonegardenfurniturefromitsoriginal owners,SirJamesandLadyDorisDonald. Muchofthestonewashiddeninovergrowthfrom decadesofgardenneglect.Wediscoveredpieces hiddenamongtrees,someweareyettoextract. Otherswereoutintheopenbutsofullofdirtthey werehardlyrecognisable,likethislovelypairof dovesabove.Visitorsstayingatthemonastery havehelpedtobringthesepiecesbacktolife.

Bridie(above)paintedthesmallbirdbathoutside theofficewindow.Wehavesincecompleteda plinthwithflowerbowl,andhaveidentifiedsix otherpiecesreadytorestore.Theseincludea centralfountain,sundialandplinth,twobird bathsandanothersetofgardentableandchairs.

Fiona(above)beganwithatableand benchsetthathadsatoutsidethefront entrancefordecadesunused.Radiant now,theysitintheTreeofLifegarden offeringviewsofthevalleyandvolcanic hillsbeyond.

TheDonaldswereaChristiancoupleofgreatfaith withahistoryofsignificantcharitableworks.We noticethatwitheveryrestorationprojectatthe monastery,thereisarestorationandadeepening offaithineachpainter.Theseobjectsofbeauty andfunctionbecomeoutwardemblemsofthe innerworksthatourLorddoesinusduringthe dedicatedtimeweparticipatewithGodina project.Togetherwiththeliturgy,thesilence,the worship,thereadingandreflection,andthe anointingontheproperty,theHolySpiritmakesa wayinusforanewnessinChristthatrestoresus beyondourownabilityorimagination.Ifwehave strayedinanyway,ifwehavebeenwounded,if ourrelationships,fortunesorhealthareinneed, allthesearemaderightasGodrestoresourdivine relationshipwithHim.Timeandtimeagain,we witnessthisrestorationhereincottageguests, retreatants,congregationandinourselves.

Andafteryouhavesufferedalittlewhile,theGodofallgrace,whohascalled youtohiseternalgloryinChrist,willhimselfrestore,confirm,strengthen, andestablishyou.

1Peter5:10

Fiona,whostayedforthreeweekssaid,‘Itisthe firsttimeinmylifeIhaveexperiencedpeace.I knewhewasmycomforterbutnowIfeelmuch closertoGod.’

Bridiewhowasonlyhereforthreedays,shared,‘I feelupliftedinmysoulandspirit.Encouragedby thewordandliturgy.Andcleanandclearinmy thinking.Iamhearing...TrusttheLordinallyour ways...echoingProverbs"TrustintheLORDwith allyourheart,Andleannotonyourown understanding;InallyourwaysacknowledgeHim, AndHeshalldirectyourpaths."

AlthoughIknowandfeelGodalwayswithme,and myunconventionalpathhasinvolvedGodinand baredallofmyfallibilityandhumanness.Ialways seeGod'shandinmylifeandknowHislove.Yet, I'vedefinitelyreliedtoomuchonmyown understanding...SittingquietlywithGodreallyis soimportantforlisteningtohisvoiceandways…I seeGodbuildingupmytrustandfaithinthenew pathstocome...andthenewdirectionsheis leadingmeinandIamchoosing.’

Eachrestoredpiecegoesoutintothegarden,a

testimonyofthepainter’sfaithandoftheir journeyintheLordontheproject.Theglorified itemstandsawitnesstotheinnertransformation ofitspainter,andcontributestothebeautythat aboundshereinGod’smonastery.Guestsand visitorsarethemselvesupliftedbytheirblessing, onethat,bythegracethathasfilledtheperson, addstotheproperty’sanointing.

Afterfourdaysofwalkingthegardens,of partakingofGod’sblessinghere,Ngaire,fromthe WaikatoinNewZealand,said,‘Iamatalossfor wordsbutpleaseknowIamgratefulandintears.I amanewperson.FoundwhatIdidn’tknowIwas lookingfor.Feelrecharged,refreshed,focusedand fullofpurpose.Iamgratefulandfilledwith thankfulnessforthisplaceinitsentirety,andfor youwhoprovidethissanctuary.MaytheLord doublymultiplythefruitsofyoureffortsandmay themanyseedssownbringforthanabundant harvestinduecourse.’

Godgrantsusrestoration.Ourinvitationisto makeashiftoutofoureverydaythoughts,ideas, struggles,place,andallowthatgrace.Our invitationtoyou,istocome,comevisit,comestay, comepaintapieceofoldstonegardenfurniture, andseewhatGodcanrestoreinyou.

THELADDEROFDIVINEASCENT

ST.JOHNCLIMACUS encapsulatedkeyfeaturesinthemove frommortalitytodeificationin histextcalled TheLadderOfDivineAscent,writtenintheearly 7th CenturyA.D.Notably,thedocumentiswrittenasaguidefor desertmonks,nunsandhermits. ItisintheChristianlanguage thatemergedfromthosewho foundamysticalunionwith Christ.ThatpathwaywithGodis rareintheChurch.Ithasbeen saidthatitisnotfoundinthe ProtestantChurchesatall,is barelyvisibleintheCatholic Church,andisnotallthatcommonintheoriginalchurches either,theOrthodox.Giventhe paucityofnumbersthatChrist Jesuscallstopersonaldeification,tobeingGod,oneiscompelledtoask,“Isitforme?”And “Whybother?”

Isupposeitisthecompelling evidence for deificationinthe livesoftheremarkablefewthat drewmyattentiontoit.Andthat wasonlyafteryearsofbeing groomedfordeificationbythe FatherhandinhandwithJesus Christ,withouteverknowing thatthereexiststoday,andhave existedsinceJesus’day,Chris-

tianmonks,nuns,anchoritesand hermitswhomtheFatherhas calledtohimselfthroughJesus Christspecificallyfortheirdeification.Itisthosepeoplewho haveameta-viewoftheother vocationsinChrist,andthey haveexpressedtheviewthat theosisistheonlyoriginalcompletecallingbyJesustothe worldofbelievers.

Theproofisinthepudding,of course.Onewillusuallynotbe satisfiedunlessonesees someonewhoisclearlywalking somuchinthewillofGodthat deificationelementsarevisible, orelse,silently,deification creepsupononeself.Asitdoes. AndSt.JohnClimacus’work, The LadderOfDivineAscent,was populartotheextremeand drewmanyintothedesertmonasteriesoftheday,dottedas theywereacrosstheOriental andEasternworlds.

Scaling TheLadder, evenfor thosecalledtoit,canseemlike anarduousandoneroustask. Oftenwelookattheiconand focusmoreonthedevilsandthe soulsbeingpulledofftherungs thanonthosewhoaresuccess-

ByPrior Rob

fullymakingitallthewayto Christ’swelcomingarms.God blesstheBishoporPopedressed inwhitewho,inatrueactofservice,isbeckoninganothergobeforehimtoChrist.

OneanswertothefirstchallengecamefromMetropolitan AnthoniePlamadealawhoisrecordedassaying,“Onecanclimb -atonce-tothe30th stepby practisinghumilityandlove:becauseloveandhumilitysurpass anyvirtue.”Thatmightbeacomforttoyou.Actually,itseems onlytoredefinethepressure cookerfrombeing30rungsto2 massiverungswithwhichmost peoplearewhollyunpreparedto navigatelife.Aswithallgood things,Theosisismadeoutof everydecisionwemake,andnot merelyoutofanincidentalvirtueortwo.

Asyousurveytheheadingsand subheadingsofthevarious rungs,youmightliketoreflect onyourpastyears.Perhapsyou canidentifywhereyouwere draggedofftheladderbyadevil, asembarrassingasthatmightbe totellyourfriends.Perhapsyou canrecogniseincidentsinyour

lifewhenyouhaveexertedaspecificvirtue,likefaithorhumility orlove,andclawedyourway aboveacertainattackonyou.Or, isthereaspecialtimewhenyou knowforcertainthatGodcame andrescuedyou.Youwereabout tobepulledofftheladderbut Godstrengthenedyou,heldyou fast,gaveyoualegupontothe higherrung,orcastoffthedevils thatwereattackingyou.You’ll findyourselfintheruinssomewhere,andyoumightevenknow otherswhoareon theLadder or whohavebeenpulledoff the Ladder.The LadderofDivineAscent isnotanenneagrampersonalitytest,orsuchlike.Itisvery muchaguideand,itsfullcontentsareagreathelptoyourbecomingGod.Isittheonlyguide, orthebestguide?Idon’tknow. OnethingIdoknowisthatI haveturnedmyentirelifeover tothedeificationthatJesusoffersandithasneverfailedme, evenifIcanseehowIhave stumbledon theLadder onceor twice.

TheScalaconsistsof30 chapters,or“rungs",asfollows:

1–4:Renunciationoftheworld andobediencetoaspiritual father

1.Onrenunciationofthe worldorasceticism.

2.Ondetachment.

3.Onexileorpilgrimage; concerningdreamsthat beginnershave.

4.Onblessedandevermemorableobedience

—inadditiontoepisodesinvolvingmanyindividuals.

5–7:Penitenceandaffliction aspathstotruejoy

5.Onpainstakingandtrue repentance,whichconstitutesthelifeofthe holyconvicts,andabout thePrison.

6.Onremembranceof death.

7.Onjoy-makingmourning.

8–17:Defeatofvicesandacquisitionofvirtue

8.Onfreedomfromanger andonmeekness.

9.Onremembranceof wrongs.

10.Onslanderorcalumny.

11.Ontalkativenessandsilence.

12.Onlying.

13.Ondespondency.

14.Onthatclamorousmistress,thestomach.

15.Onincorruptiblepurity andchastity,towhich thecorruptibleattain bytoilandsweat.

16.Onloveofmoney,oravarice.

17.Onnon-possessiveness —thathastensone Heavenwards.

18–26:Avoidanceofthetraps ofasceticism—laziness, pride,mentalstagnation.

18.Oninsensibility,that is,deadeningofthe

soulandthedeathof themindbeforethe deathofthebody.

19.Onsleep,prayer,and psalmodywiththe brotherhood.

20.Onbodilyvigiland howtouseittoattain spiritualvigil,and howtopracticeit.

21.Onunmanlyandpuerilecowardice.

22.Onthemanyformsof vainglory.

23.Onmadprideand(in thesameStep)onuncleanblasphemous thoughts;concerning unmentionableblasphemousthoughts.

24.Onmeekness,simplicity,andguilelessness, whichcomenotfrom naturebutfromconsciouseffort,andon guile.

25.Onthedestroyerof thepassions,most sublimehumility, whichisrootedin spiritualperception.

26.Ondiscernmentof thoughts,passions andvirtues;onexpert discernment;brief summaryofallaforementioned.

27–29:Acquisitionof hesychia, orpeaceofthesoul,ofprayer, andof apatheia —dispassion orequanimitywithrespectto afflictionsorsuffering.

1.Onholystillnessof bodyandsoul;differ

entaspectsofstillnessandhow todistinguishthem.

2.Onholyandblessed prayer,themotherof virtues,andontheattitudeofmindand bodyinprayer.

3.ConcerningHeavenon earth,orGodlikedispassionandperfection,andtheresurrectionofthesoulbefore thegeneralresurrection.

30.Faith,HumilityandLove arethesupremetrinityamong thevirtues. Rung30isabrief exhortationsummarisingallthat hasbeensaidatlengthinthisbookandhowlovespecifically permeatesallthepreviousrungs ontheLadderofDivineAscent.

Unlessyouhavelivedthediscip-

linedandeducatedlifeofamonastic,therungson TheLadder mightnotseemparticularlyrelevanttoyourlifemuchlessyour spirituality.Andyet,whenyou restinGodandcasuallysurvey eachrunganddosowithapure heartandagoodconscience, you’llfindthatGodhasalready versedyouwellinSt.JohnClimacus’observations.

Ofcourse,thereisnograduation of TheLadder perse.Itisaguide only.And,likeallguides,itcanbe spiral,inthatwewilltraverse thesamerungsatdifferentlevels ofTheosisasweascendintoour deification.Practicalguidanceis agreatassetandincludes,forexample,alwayslookingtotheactualityofyoursonshipordaughtershipintheFather,refreshing yourpersonalrelationshipwith Christ,livingintheactualityof

yourdoingthewilloftheFather throughJesus’Fatherfusionand yourworksoflovedoneinthe poweroftheHolySpirit.Youwill repeatedlyfindyourselfentering intothescripturesandjourneyingwithJesusandlettinghim speakintoyourheartandsoul. Andyouwillfindyourselfincreasinglysilentandaloneinthe refreshmentofbeingutterlyat restinGod.Lastly,beingtakento heavenalivelikeEnochorElijah isnotthebenchmarkforyour Fatherfusioneither.But,towardstheproximityofyourdeification’scompletionhereonthe earth,youwillfindyourselflivingtheresurrectionlife.Your spiritualfatherormotherwill neverfailyou.St.JohnClimacus knewthatwhenhewrote The LadderofDivineAscent.

MONASTERY PIZZA

PriorRobhascreatedasumptuouspoolish dough,whichislightandairy,traditionally usedinFrenchbakery.Hehasinventeda signaturestylemonasterydoughforpizza,anditis turningouttobequitethehitwithretreatantsand communityalike!There’ssomethingquite wonderfulaboutturningyourownpizzadough, creatingpatternsofyourfavouritetoppings,baking itandsittingdowninfellowshiptogetherallwithin ahouseofGod.It’sglorioustoseetheindividuality ofahomemadepizza,andtoconsiderourselvesin

SEASEMBEEKEEPING

Keepingbeesisawonderfulwaythe monasteryconnectswiththecommunity. And,it’sbeenafantasticyearatNgahere BeeClubandatthemonasterywithourbees.Lots oflossesbutlotsofgains.Lotsofthingslearntand anumberofnewdevelopments.John,the originatoroftheclubhasbeenawesomein creatingnewqueensandnewhives.Terranwas dazzlinginhisnucraisingwithJohnand harnessingofmanyhivesandframesforclub members.Thismeantthatthesevenhiveswelost towaspinvasionthisyearwewereableto replenish.Afterexperimentingwithsomebelow entryhives,wehavefoundthatitisbesttouse hivesthathavefrontentrancebuthaveawasptrap inthem.Ourprayeristhatthehivessurvivethe summerwell,withourqueensniceandcontent, andallthebloominggardensandlifepollinated well.Thebonusofcourse,istherich,delicious honeythatwewillcollect.Itnotonlytastessweet andflavourful,weaddittoourhotdrinksregularly orjusteatitnaturallyforitsmedicinalproperties.

Mostassuredly,beekeepingisajoyfulchallenge.It hasrichlyconnecteduswiththeHokianga,taught usmuchaboutbees,nature,ourselves,friendships andhowministryismuch,muchmorethan standinginChurchatapulpit.Everybeemeeting wehaveisadelightfulsharingofthepresenceof God,throughthecloththatwewearandthrough thespiritualityandfaiththatourfellowbee keepershaveandsharewithus.ApiaristJohn,the clubteacher,shared,‘Itwasbeeswhobroughtme toGod.Afteryearsofworkingwiththemand watchingthem,IknewthatonlyaCreatorcould makesuchincrediblecreatures.OnlyGod.’

Herearesomephotographsfromourlastmeeting, withChristmascheerabounding.Thereisalsoa picturebelowofPriorRobsuccessfullyhominga swarmthathadlandedandhungahiveononeof ouryoungoaktreesonthefrontlawns.Thishive hasnowbeentransferredtoaprimaryboxandhas settledinnicely.

SPRING CREATION

Forastheearthbringethforthherbud,andasthegardencauseththethingsthataresowninitto springforth;sotheLordGODwillcauserighteousnessandpraisetospringforthbeforeallthenations. Isaiah61:11

TheTreeofLifegardenisthemainfeatureof themonastery’spropertythatshowcases God’sperpetualmakingofthingsnew. Seasonbyseason,seedbyseed,budbybud, flowerbyflower,theLord’smajestyisreflected throughhiscreation.

Howmuchhemustlovehumanitytoadornus withsuchbeauty.Andwedonotneedagardento seethislovearoundus.Everywhere,nomatter thecontext,thehandofGodincreativesplendour canbeseen.Fromthemostmagnificentofnatural wonderstothetiniestdaisygrowinginacrackin thepavement.Oandwepraisehim.Wethank

him.Weworshipevenasweplantforhim.

AtSEASEM,theTreeofLifeisaspecialplacein thenaturalsplendourofGod’sanointingonthe property.Peoplegravitatetothegardentosit, reflect,pray,lettearsfallastheirheartsbreak openbeforeHim.Itisoftenwheretheyaskfor forgivenessandexperiencethejoyofrelease. Otherssimplywalkbytheflowers,standandsitin thepeaceandstillnesswithGod.

IthasbeenonourheartstoglorifyGodby completingthegardenpathways.Thisisaproject deartoSisterIrini’sheartandshehasbeen believingforthefundsforpaversandmaterialsto makethisspaceacentraloutdoorprayerplacefor monasticsandvisitorsalike.SisterIrinirecently hadWordfromGodthat‘allwillbegiven’.The followingweekthemonasteryreceivedamajor donationfromoneofourfaith-filledpartners, completelyunawareofourprayerproject.With colourchosen(seeleft)andpaversordered,we willsoonseemanyapersonwalkingstraight paths(Proverbs3:6),wherethegoodwayis, wherebythegraceofourLord,therewillberest forthesoul(Jeremiah6:16).Pleaseprayforusas weembarkuponthisuprightway.Perhapssoon, youtoowillvisitandpraiseGodatthisveryplace.

EQUIPPINGYOUFORTHEOSIS

ByPrior Rob

Jesus’pathwaythroughHolyThursday iscapturedinthisiconbelow¹. TheSupperofthe NewCovenant.FootwashingthebewilderedApostles.Beingdivinelystrengthenedin GethsemaneGarden.Thebetrayal.Jesus’firstofthreedaysamidstthedeathandthe hopelessnessandtheflailingviolenceofsinfulpeople—hell.

Inthisoneicon,wecansee thefundamentalsofour beingequippedfordeification.Ifyousurveyyourownlife you’llprobablyfindthatthecore promiseofGodthatspeaksto youfromthelifeandteachings andimpartationofJesusChrist, isyourbecominglikeGod.The ChurchFather,Irenaeus,even calledit,‘becomingGod’,sofully wastheFatherfusionoftheDivineandthehumaninhim.

InthisiconweseeJesusour shepherdandourcovering,the forerunneranddelivererofour ownTheosis,ourbecomingGod. OurjourneyinChrist’sTheosis beginswithourreceivinghimin hissanctifyingbodyandbloodas he,theSonofGodandlikea mother,receivesusinhisarms anddrawsusintohisownbreath andlifeandperfectinglove.

Whenyoureviewyourtimeof receivingJesus,youwillrecogniseyouracknowledgementof yourfaults,soonfollowedby yourreceivingoftheFather’s forgiveness.Yourfaithhasglori-

fiedJesus.Byfaith youknowthatheis holyandgood.You sensedeeplyinyour heartandsoulthat heisyourGood Shepherd.Atsome pointyouwillmore thanlikelyhave cometosensethat Jesusisalsoyour BridgetotheFather; andeventhat, throughJesus,the Fatherhasreceived youinperson.

Thissupperisthe firstthingofJesus thatwecanreceive thatenablesusto partakeofhimand hisdesireforustoembodyhis ownTheosis.Beforethissupper, inChrist,itwasasifwewerenot alivetoGod,despiteouryearningforchange,forupliftment, andforrevelation.

WhenJesustellsusinMatthew 5:48,‘Bethereforeperfectasthe heavenlyFatherisperfect,’he speaksofushavinghisown

Theosis—tobedeifiedinthe Fatherasheasahumanbeingis deifiedintheFather,andpartakingoftheDivineNature.

AttheholySupperwith Jesus,itappearsthatnone ofthedisciplesarepartakingoftheDivineNature.They areentirelycaughtupinthematerialityoftheirownhumanness,

¹https://iconreader.wordpress.com/2012/04/11/an-icon-for-holy-thursday/#more-1584 ARussianiconpaintedinthe15th century.

withitspride,argumentativeness,ignoranceand,forIscariot, supposedpersonalprofit.Itis, therefore,agreatleapforwardto Peterinlateryearsashewrites fromhavingleftthispurelyselfcentredconsciousnessandtaken hisownjourneytowardTheosis: ‘…bywhichhehasgrantedtous hispreciousandverygreat promises,sothatthroughthem youmaybecomepartakersofthe divinenature…’

Forthisveryreason,makeevery efforttosupplementyourfaith withvirtue,andvirtuewith knowledge,andknowledgewith self-control,andself-control withsteadfastness,andsteadfastnesswithgodliness,andgodlinesswithbrotherlyaffection, andbrotherlyaffectionwithlove. Forifthesequalitiesareyours andareincreasing,theykeepyou frombeingineffectiveorunfruitfulintheknowledgeofourLord JesusChrist.(From2Peter 1:1-8)

Peter’swritingportrayshis equippingforTheosis.First comesfaith.That’salsowhat camefirstinyourlife.God broughtyouafaithfulheartthat canholdfastbyfaiththatcannot yetseeGod.

Peter’sequippingcontinuedand Godgrewvirtuesinhim.He grewinknowledgeandunderstanding,notonlyofhiswalk withJesusandhisownministry totheworld,buthiswalkinbecomingdeified.Andthatwalk broughtaboutthenecessityfor self-disciplineinhim.

Oncehebecameself-disciplined, Peterwillhavenoticed,justlike youandInotice,theneedfor steadfastness.Endurance.Consistency.Weavoidwavering.We seekthetruth,findthetruth,and

holdfasttoit.Westicktowhom wehavebecomeinChrist.And, whenwedon’t,wesufferthe strainsofspiritualorphanhood, thesin-makingworldclaims dominionoverourlives,andwe repentandbegforrestoration backtothelandofourself-disciplinedspirituallife.

Itisthesteadfastnessofour faithful,virtuousself-disciplined seekingofGodthatrewardsus withgodlinessanditsfruitsof lovingfraternitywithothers, and,ultimately,sharinginthe perfectloveofGodtheFather. Andwehaveattaineddeified lovethroughChrist,andthat onlybythepowerofGod’sHoly Spirit.

WiththisloveoftheFatherin Peter,St.Paultheco-founderof thenewreligionoftheday, Christianity,wasalsoequipped tolovedivinely.Hewrotein1 Corinthians13:13, ‘Sonowfaith,hope,andlove abide,thesethree;butthe greatestoftheseislove’

Worshipisloveadornedwith Theosis,lovedeified.

Theosisisdeifiedworship,andit sparksactivitiesthatareperfect inGod’seyes,perfectforthedeificationofmortalhumanbeings asmuchasperfectasatestimonytothedeificationprocess itself.Worshipisthewitnessof Godunitingwithus.Theosisis themakingusdivine,themaking usGod.

Inthe7th century,attherequest ofanAbbotinanearbydesert monasteryintheSinai,St.John ClimacuswrotehisLadderofthe DivineAscent.Itwasintendedto beamanualforequippingthe saintslivingthemonasticlifefor theirjourneyintodeification.

Firstcomesfaithforfaith—the fulfilmentoftheHebraicCovenantandGod’sworkinAbraham.

Thencomesfaithforsonshipand daughtershipwithGodthrough JesusChrist—thefulfilmentof theChristianCovenant.

Thencomesfaithfordeification itself,receivingtheFatherfusion ofJesusandmakingittheir own—theactualityofheavenly citizenshipandthelivingofthe resurrectionlifehereonthe earth.

John’sjourneyofthesoulwas withworship.Forhim,thejourneydidn’tendwithhimhavinga senseofthepersonalpresenceof ChristandtheFather—theHoly Spirit’sblessing.Hewasfirst equippedforthatdiscovery.But theHolyTrinitytookhimfurther, higheranddeeperuntilhealso hadthemindednessofGodinhis actualexperience.

Intheirdeificationofhim,John wasequippedtopartakeoftheir DivineNature.Inhispartakingof theDivineNature,theywhoare Divinecementedhisnewtypeof consciousnesswithpermanency bytheeternalyokingofGodand creatureasone.Together,they enabledJohn’sFatherfusion— thatunbreakableyokethat makesthemofonemindandone willdespitethembeingoftwo differentessentialnatures:God theCreator,andtheglorified humancreature.

Despitebeinghuman,wearedesignedtobeyokedtoChristand, throughhim,yokedtotheFather. Theyokemightfeellikeaburden toanoutsider,buttoyouwho areyokedtoGod,theunionis thecauseofextremehappiness. Jubilance.Ecstasy.Peakpersonal happinessthatgrowsandbe-

comesmoreandmoreunending.

‘Cometome,allwholaborand areheavyladen,andIwillgive yourest.Takemyyokeuponyou, andlearnfromme,forIam gentleandlowlyinheart,and youwillfindrestforyoursouls. Formyyokeiseasy,andmy burdenislight.’Matthew 11:28-30.ESV.

Youwillnoticesomethingyou mightnoteverhavenoticed before.St.JohnClimacus receivedJesusnotmerelyas ‘Saviour’inthesenseofhe,John, beingsavedasaone-offdecision onhisownpart.No,itismore. HereceivesJesusandis equippedtolearntoliveinJesus’ Theosis.ThismakesJohn’s completedTheosistobethe actualityofsalvationthatJesus bringstohumanity.

Lookintoyourownspirituallife andyouwillfindthesame.God hasbeenequippingyounotonly fortheChristianlife,butforthe endgame,yourpersonalFather fusion.Yourdeification.Your Theosis.

Johnisquicktopointoutthat deificationisdifficulttoreach. Youalsoknowthat.Healso pointsoutsomethingelsethat youknow.Assublimeaheightas itreaches,thisdeificationthatis goingoninyouispowerpacked withaneternityofincrease.You sensethiseternityinyouby knowingthatTheosisislove whollyunbridledinyou.Theosis isyourconsciousnesswithno limits.Theosisisyour understandingofthings,even completelydiversethingsand beings,withsuchperfectunityin yourunderstandingthatyour understandingisever-expanding andwithoutrestraint. Deificationforyouisnotafull

bottle,intowhichnomorecan bepoured.No,Theosisisthe portaltoalltruth,toallgoodness andtoallbeautyoneexperience atatime.TheosisisneverendingDivineWisdomthatyou havealreadybeguntoapplyin yourhumanlife.Anditbeganby God’sworkinyoutobringyou firstintopartnershipwithhim, sothatyoucouldbeequipped withfaith,thenfaithforyour sonshipordaughtershipwith God,andthenyourfaithfor deification,andthenyourfaith forheavenlycitizenshipandits lifebeyondthisworld.

WhenIpersonallysitinthe presenceoftheicon,Iknow clearlythatittellsmetoreceive Jesusinthesacramentalbody andbloodofhisLordshipasthe SonofGod,hishuman deification’sFatherfusion,and hisbeingtheservantofthe ParadiseFather,theSonofMan. Theotherquadrantsoftheicon alsotellmetorejoiceinserving; tofindmypathaheadbyseeking thewilloftheFather;at challengingtimestobe strengthenedbytheanointing touchofangelsandtheHoly Spirit;andtorestmy psychologicalbattlesbyleaning intoChrist’sfinishedworkby whichtheSonofGodtookon himselfallmyweaknessesand sinsandmistakes,andallthe promisesofGodthatarisefrom thatgloriousworkthathadits originintheheartofthe ParadiseFather.

Theiconisnotmerelyapicturepainting.Itisaportalformeto enterintothepresenceofGod. TheHolySpiritupliftsmeinto God’spresenceafresh.Itcauses metoreflectonmanythings.I seenotmerelythefourmain themesoftheicon,buta

completedjourney.Iamdrawn tojusthowwellholyscripture hasfedmeovertheyearsand equippedmeforthedeification journeyandforTheosisliving: thescripturethatfeedsthe multitudesaroundtheworldso perfectly.

MymindturnstoPsalm103.l finditoverflowingwiththe richesofGod’spromises concerninghowHeequipsme fortakingStJohn’sstepsonthe LadderofDivineAscentinto completedeification.Readwith me,now,fromPsalm103.

BlesstheLord,Omysoul,andall thatiswithinme,blesshisholy name.

BlesstheLord,Omysoul,and forgetnotallhisbenefits,who forgivesallmysinsandiniquity. You,Lord,healallmydiseases. You,Lord,redeemmylifefrom destructionandfromthepitsI havefalleninto.

You,Lord,crownmewith steadfastlovingkindnessand tendermercies.

You,Lord,satisfymewithgood thingssothatmyyouthis renewedandIsoaraboveall thingslikeaneagle.

You,Lord,executerighteousness andjudgementformeagainst thingsthatcanoppressme,stifle me,boreme,imprisonme,drain meandconfoundme.

You,Lord,setmefree.

You,Lord,makeknownYour waysformebothinscripture andbyYourwordinmyinner personandbythewitnessof otherswhoaredeified.

You,Lord,givemeYourgrace andmercyintimesofneed.

You,Lord,haveneverbeenangry atme,neverchidedme,never faultedmebutonlyshown enduringandsteadfastperfect lovetowardmeandforme—and bydoingsoYouhavewonmy trustandgivenmethekindof lovethatsatisfiesYou.

You,Lord,knowhowIwas formedandYouispleasedwith

Yourworksinme.

You,Lord,givemeallthatYou gavetoJesusbywayofYour DivineNature.

You,Lord,rejoiceandblessme asIpartnerwithYouand ministerourjointwill,forit poursforthblessingsthathave eternalrighteousnessintheir substanceasthecreationofthe

fusedhuman-divinewill.

You,Lord,leadmebeyond mortalityintoaneternityof beingblessedbymeansof feedingYourblessingstoothers withunrestrictedcharityand divinelove.

BlessYouLord,Omysoul,and forgetnotthegloryofYou,Jesus ChristtheWordofGod.Forget

notthegloryofYou,theHoly Spiritwhounifiesallbeingsand thingsintheFather’swill.And forgetnotYou,theFather,who sendsYourSpirittodeifymein Christ’sTheosisasIam equippedtoclimbthestepsof theLadderofDivineAscent.

MINISTRY

Monasticministryfor SEASEMencompasses alltheareasthatPaul speaksofwhenheaddresses theEphesians:apostolic,prophetic,evangelistic,pastoraland teaching.AswithourChristian BrothersandSisterscalledto ministry,wedrawonourlifein Christinordertobeallthese forthebuildingupoftheBody ofChrist.Inparticularforour monasticcommission,this blessinglendsitselftotheadvancingofanindividual’slifeof unionwithGod.

AsCopticOrthodoxPope TawadrosIIsaid,itisthe monasticlife,theprayerandthe praising,thatfuelshisministry outsideofthemonastery.We tooexperiencethisspiritual energywhenweare ministeringtoindividualsand groupsviazoom,toretreatants, guests,thepublic,orwhenwe areofficiatinganexternal service.Theheartbeatofour monasticlifeistheDivineOffice thatwejoyfullysinginpraise andworship,andwhichpresses usintoGodfortheworksChrist callsustowithinandwithout themonastery.Youmayknow

Hehimselfgrantedthatsomeare apostles,prophets,evangelists,pastors andteacherstoequipthesaintsforthe workofministry,forbuildingupthebody ofChrist,untilallofuscometotheunity ofthefaithandoftheknowledgeofthe SonofGod,tomaturity,tothemeasureof thefullstatureofChrist. Ephesians4:11-13

thisequippingyourselfinyour ownministryoryoumaybe onewhoisfedbySEASEM’s ministry.Eitherway,youwill knowthatitisthelifelivedfully andtruly,courageouslyand honestly,generouslyandlovinglyinChristthatpurifiesthe heartsothatGodcanmake righteousallworksthroughus. ItistoGod’sglorythatweshare nowthreetestimonieswitnessingthemonastery’sministry.

ROBERTFIRESTINE

Twentyyearsagonow,Ihad anencounterwithJesus.He drewmetohisheartandasked ifIwouldbebondedwithhim andrepresenthimintheworld. Isaid“Yes.”butasked,“ShouldI goandbeundertheinstruction, guidance,andauthorityofthe Church?Andwhataboutall theseotherthingsIhave learned?”

Hereplied,“Bepatient,Iwill sendword.”

Sureenough,throughaseriesof unusualevents,Godledmeto RobCrickettwhowasministeringintheUSatthetime.

Whatablessing.Ihavelearned fromhisministryjourney,even whilsttakingmyown.Iamin therighthandsandingood

company,forthis“LaCosaNostra”ismyfaith.Itisrarefor anyonetoreceiveexpandedand deeperrevelation,andrarer stilltoexperienceitasaliving spiritualreality.

Asweapproached2022,Ibecameclearthatitwastimeto simplygoforwardandtrustthe visionandguidancethatGod hasplacedwithinme.Iplanned tostartaseriesofserviceson Sundaysthatwouldfacilitatean experientialencounterwith Godandleadtowardunionwith God,Theosis.Thethemeofeach Servicewouldbecentred aroundaprayerandmissionI receivedwhileinGreece:“God withinme,Godbeyondme,God herewithme,Godinand throughall,Bepresentwithme now,always,andforevermore.” IbeganwithZoomMeetings whilemywife,Suzanne,andI zeroedinonPortugalbeinga physicalplaceforus.Weplanto behereinLisbonforatleastthe nextyear.Mymissionisunchanged,seekingthelostand reachingouttothenextgeneration.Mywholelifeisacreative adventureundertheguidance ofGod.

Iwillcontinuesupportingthe missionofPriorRobandSister Iriniintheirmonastery,andattendingtheirZoommeetingsas oftenastheunforeseenrealities ofourtimeallow.Iwouldalso

RobertandSuzanneFirestoneintheir newhomelandofPortugal lovetovisitSEASEMwhenthe opportunityarises.IamintriguedaboutthedesertFathers andthesaints’livestheyoften mentionintheirteachingson Theosis.

Something“clicked”after40 yearsofbroadreadinganda multitudeofspiritualexperiences.Itcamedowntosimply wantingthefaithofJesusrooted inunionwiththeFather.‘The FatherandIareOne.’‘Ionlydo whatIseetheFatherdoing.’

Ihavepledgedmyeternitytothe ‘SpiritoftheFather’within,ina personalprivatemoment.Ifeel theFathersittingonthealtarof myheartandIamreadyforthe ‘itistheFatherwithinmewho doestheworks’phaseofmylife —eternally.

Itallseemssograndiose,butin truth,itissimpleandsubtle. Whatarelieftoletgoofself-will. Severalencountersthisweek havebeensuchablessing,tome andtoothers.Ihavehesitatedin thepast,tospeakintothe Father’swillforanotherperson.

Now,however,Ihavefoundthat myhesitationhascompletely vanished.

TINACOOPER

Inourcurrentspiritualclimate, itisveryraretocomeacross personswhoembodythepeace andhealingloveofChristintheir verybeing.Theworldisinneed ofspiritualmothersandfathers whoseheartsarelivingabodes forChrist,servingaswellsof LivingWaterinadryandthirsty land.ThisisexactlywhatIhave experiencedinthespiritual motherhoodofSisterIrini.She hasbeenagroundingpresence intimesofdoubtandwavering thathasalwayspointedme towardstheFather'sLove.God hasrevealedthegenerosityand depthofHisLove,mercy(and evenhumour!)countlesstimes throughher.Shehasalways beentirelesslyandreadily availabletolistenandpraywith me,identifyingspiritual strongholds,providingmewith spiritualdirectionandspeaking spiritualwordsof encouragementandTruthfrom theFather'sheartintomine.I

havebeenabletoexperience God'shandonseveraloccasions, pluckingmeoutofstormy watersandplacingmeintothe calmofHispresencewhereallis stillandalliswell.Refreshed, andreinvigoratedbyHis presenceorpeaceinthose moments,Ifindmyselftrustfully anchoredinHim,witharenewed hopeandfaithfulexpectation thatimmediatelytransformsthe veryexperienceofrealitythatI livein.Howwonderfulitisto reflectonthisandknowthatit isliterallyHishand(through SisterIrini)pluckingmeoutof thestorm.

WithSisterIrini'sguidanceIam beginningtoseeshiftsinmy owncapacitytoreorientmy heartanddrawclosertoGod.I havearenewedtrustandfaithin HisGoodnesstowardsmeand thethingsthataredeartomy heart.Herpresencehasbeena soothingbalmtomysoulandI continuetobeeternallygrateful fortheofferingofherlifeasa livingwitnessofwhatitmeans todwellinunionwithGod.

TONYBARTON

PriorRobhasbeensupporting Tony’sspirituallifeand ministry.TonywasledbyGodto recentlyministerinIndia,where hetookaHolySpirithealing ministry,andhadgreatsuccess withlocalbelieversinChennai.

TinaandAndyCooper,instreet ministrytothehomelessintheUnited States,herewithbabyTeddy.

Throughan interpreter, thiswoman whoreceived HolySpirit healing throughTony said,‘Ican hearproperly now.BeforeI washaving problems,aswellasapaininmy ear.Andmypainhasgone completely.NowIamabletosee properly.Ihadlittlebitblurry eyes,andnowIamabletosee

properlyandthepainhasgone frommyear.’GlorytoGod. Thanksforthewisdomand encouragementRob. + ByGod’sgrace,weatStEnoch andStElijahMonasteryare grantedthegiftsofministry, preachingandteaching,not ourselves,butJesusChristbythe poweroftheHolySpiritfor unionwiththeFather.Weinvite yourightnowtoconsider ministryinyourlife;toreflecton

whoministerstoyouspiritually, andinwhatwaysyouminister fortheBodyofChristinthe world.Andifyoucan’tanswer thesequestions,oryou’rein needofspiritualsupport,you mightconsiderexploringthe possibilities.PriorRobandSister Iriniareavailableforyouinthis consideration,asGoddeclares truthoveryourlife.

WhatjoytoreceivethisbeautifulgiftfromlocalBibleteacherandartistHuiaTeHau-wills.Incredibly,Huia-Annused pigmentsfromflowersaroundthepropertytoglorifyGodinthispaintingofthemonastery.

AroundtheMonastery

THEOTOKOS MOTHEROF GOD

BySisterIrini

Mary,‘TheHolySpiritwillcome uponyou,andthepowerofthe MostHighwillovershadowyou; thereforethechildtobeborn willbeholy;hewillbecalledSon ofGod.’AndsoJesuswas conceivedoftheSpirit,andMary borehiminherwomb,andgave birth.AndsheandJosephraised theirson.Ason,humanandGod.

AndwhilemanyintheChristian worldlooktoandveneratethe ‘Blessed’orthe‘Immaculate’or the‘Virgin’Mary,wemight considerspendingamomentnot lookinginattheiconortheSaint ortheTheotokos,butlooking outfromMary’sview.

therewasnojudgementthere; onlyhislove,andamother’slove assheputsforwardthegloryof herinfantsonwhoeveninhis infantnakednessholdssuch resolutepowerthatoneisknees onthegroundweepingforhis glory.Andhismotherwouldlet mesittherewithhim.Andallthe whileMary,quietly,resolutely, bravelyholdsherchildsteady, outtoallwhocome.Pointing andleadingustoHim.Why? BecauseMaryisaservant.And likeagoodservantofGod,Mary alwayspointstoJesus:

‘MysoulmagnifiestheLord,and myspiritrejoicesinGodmy Saviour.’(Luke1:46)

Asweturntoward Christmasandhailthe comingofourLordJesus Christ,bornofwomanbythe HolySpirit,wejoyously remembertheoneGodchoseto carryHimselfinherwomb,tobe MotherofGod.Mary.

ManyWesternandEastern Orthodoxchurchescelebratethe Theotokos(MotherofJesus)and herconceptionwithafastor feastday.WecelebrateMary.

Whenwepausetoreflectonthe Nativity,wetakeaccountfirstof theincarnationofourSaviour, JesusChrist,andthenofthefact thathewasactuallyborn. Gabriel,theangelwhostandsin thepresenceofGod,saidto

Whatthendowenotice?Oneof thefirstthingsthatstruckme manyyearsagowashowMary alwayspointstoherSon,Jesus.I firstnoticeditintheAdelaideart gallery.Betweenuniversity tutorialsIwalkedtotheArt GalleryofSouthAustraliaand satbeforeWilliamBouguereau’s VirginandChild.Mesmerised. Sometimesforhours,I’dstare intotheeyesofbabyJesus. Sometimes,itappearedthathe wouldhopdownoffhismother’s kneeandwalkrightuptome andsimplytakemyhand.Other times,thebabywasjusta magnificentpieceofart.Always though,Ileantintothose outstretchedarms,asifhistiny fingersandbodycouldholdand comfortme.Bythistime,Iknew grief.Iknewloss.Iknewsin, thoughIdidnothavethatword formyseparationfromGod.And IknewthatwhenIsatwithMary andhersmallchildwhoseeyes piercedthroughtomyverysoul thatIwasseen.Iwasloved.And Iwasforgiven.Thatpainting heardsomanyconfessions.Allof mystories.Itlistenedtoevery oneofmylongings,my uncertaintiesanddoubts.And

Mary’sobediencetoGabriel’s, message,thewordofGod,isa magnificentexampleforus.Can weobey?Canwerisk everything?Love,reputation, family,socialstanding,religious affiliation,health,evenlife,tobe thewombthatcarriesourLord? Yes,awombmadeintoathrone. AthroneuponwhichtheKingof Kingssits.Canourhearts becomethatverythronesothat Godbirthsfromushislifeand thefruitsthereof.Arewe obedientenoughtoanswer God’scall,‘Yes,Lord.Yes,Iwill carryyou,anddeliveryoutothe world.’AndIwillnottakeupon myselftheglory,butwillturn thatgazeuponyouLord.Though youglorifymeandIamliftedup intheworld,highestofhighest amongwomen,mostrevered amongallsaints,thoughyou magnifymeFather,stillIwill pointtoyouLord.Mygazeis uponyou,myGod.‘Mysoul magnifiestheLord…forhehas lookedwithfavouronthelowly stateofhisservant.’(Luke1:48)

WewhoveneratetheTheotokos, letusforamoment,evenaswe,

VirginandChild, WilliamBouguereau

agenerationaftergenerations, callherblessed,letusstand alongsidehernowinourown ‘lowlystateof[being]his servant’.TherewithGabriel. TherewithJoseph.Therewith hercousinElizabeth.Therein Bethlehem.There,givingbirth. ThereathomeinNazareth. Thereasawoman,amother. Thereatthecross.Marythe servant.Marytheobedient.Mary thefaithful.Marythe unsuspectingwomanchosenby Godtobethevehiclebywhich Godbecamehuman,andgavehis lifeforus.Letusbewiththat womanamoment.Lookinginto hereyes.Notthesaint.Notthe

Theotokos,butthepersonGod electedofallwomentomakeof herwombathrone.Letour heartsbefilledwithloveforthat servantofawoman.Letusjust foronemomentreallyseeher. Andseeherlookingoutatthe world.MyGod.Howall encompassingisyourlovethat youwouldgiveusthismoment.

Andaswelookon,wemight hearGodspeakintousashe speakstoJeremiah,‘BeforeI formedyouinthewombIknew you’,orasherevealstothe apostles:‘Youdidnotchooseme, butIchoseyou.’(John15:16) GodpreparedthewayforMary

tocarryourSaviour.Heprepared thewayforustocomeintothe world.Andhecontinuesto preparethewayforus.And Mary,withhergazefirmlyfixed onJesus,asshelooksoutinto theworldaswelookinuponher, Maryiseverpointingustothe TruthandtheLight.Andwhile shemayholdthatTruthinher armsorbalancehimuponher knee,orberaisedupbyGodand theChurch,orbeministering evennowintheworld,always, OurMaryhashereyesandsoul uponherLordGod.Andalways, sheisholdinghimouttous, leadingustohisLight.

AkathistotheMotherofGod

Ourgratefulthanks,OMotherofGod, Idedicatetoyou;ourcity’ssongs OfVictory,toourunconqueredheroine, Whosepowerisirresistible, Freeingusfromalldistress. AndthusIcrytoyou:

HailUnweddedBride.

Anangelofthehighestrank Wassentfromheavenabove, TosaytotheVirgin:AllHail.

Andatthisbodilesssound,OLord, Hesawyoucomeintothebody’sform. Hestoodastoundedandamazed, Andcriedouttohersaying:

Hail,throughwhomcomesradiantjoy. Hail,throughwhomthecursehasceased. Hail,lapsedAdam’srestoration. Hail,redemptionofthetearsofEve. Hail,unscalableheight, beyondthemindofman. Hail,greatdepthbeyondallsight, eventoangeliceyes. Hail,royalthrone. Hailtoyouwhobore, TheOnewhobearsallthings.

Hail,starthatshowsthesun. Hail,wombofGod’senfleshment. Hail,throughwhomcreationisrenewed. Hail,throughwhomtheCreator Himselfbecameachild.

AllHail,UnweddedBride.

AttheLightingoftheLamps:HymnsoftheAncientChurchbyJohnMcGuckin,1995,pp25-27.

ChristmasCarols

Decorations

Christmas ReflectionandPrayer

Fgiving,carols,familygatheringandshared meals.ForChristianssharingthese delights,theseasonisafocalpointto commemorateJesus’birth.ThroughChurch, liturgicalcalendarandtraditionwerejoiceinand reflectontheNativityandtheincarnationofour LordJesusChrist.Still,withsomanycompeting Christmasnarrativesatthistimeofyear,itis helpfultoturntoJesus’ownwordsabouthis incarnation.WhatdoesJesussayaboutwhyhe cameintotheworld?Whatmighthiswordsgiveus toreflectandprayonthisChristmas?Let’stakea lookatwhyJesussayshewasbornintotheworld.

TobearwitnesstotheTruth

‘ForthispurposewasIbornandforthispurposeI havecomeintotheworld-tobearwitnesstothe truth.Everyonewhoisofthetruthlistenstomy voice.’John18:37

JesusalwaysspeaksoftruthinrelationtoGod beingrevealedthroughhimself.Jesustellsusthat hewasborntoshowandtotellusthatGod’struth isreality.JesusbearswitnesstoGod’struthbyhis verybeing,asfulfillerofGod’swordthroughoutthe Bibleandineveryaspectofhislife,crucifixionand resurrection.InthiswayJesusisTruth.

BySisterIrini

me,myrelationshipsandmyfaithsoIlivetrue?

Prayer: LordletyourTruthabideinmebyyour SpiritthroughyourSon,LordJesusChrist.Bring yourTruthintoallareasofmylifethatImay worthilyrevealyoutotheworld.Amen.

Toshowobedienceandtodothewillofthe Father

‘ForIhavecomedownfromheaven,nottodomyownwillbut thewillofhimwhosentme.’John6:38

‘ForIdidnotspeakonmyown,buttheFatherwhosentme commandedmetosayallthatIhavespoken.’John12:49

Inhisownwords,Jesusleadsusbyexampleintoobeyingand doingtheFather’swill.

Reflection:AmIdoingthewillofGodinmylife?CanIkeep God’swordsattimeswhenIwouldratherreactwithmyown?

Prayer: Father,Iabandonmyselfintoyourhandswiththe fullestmeasureoftrust.Letonlyyourwillbedoneinme andIwillthankyou,forIloveyouLord.Amen.

TobringLighttoadarkworld

‘Ihavecomeintotheworldaslight,sothatwhoeverbelieves inmemaynotremainindarkness.’John12:46

ThroughoutscriptureJesustellsusheislight.Light illuminates,showingtheway.Itnotonlymakesclearour pathway,butwhenwetakeitintoourhearts,thisLight illuminesandtransformsusfromtheinsideout.

Reflection:HowdoesthelightofChristshineinyourlife? Andhowdoyoushinehislightonthepathofothers?

Prayer: OLord,letyourlightshinethroughmethatallsee youbeforethem,andseeingyoumoveoutofshadowinto yourLight.HeavenlyFatherpourforthyoulightintomy lifeignitingandfuellingmyownresurrectionlife.Amen. TopreachabouttheKingdomofGod

‘ImustproclaimthegoodnewsofthekingdomofGodtothe othercitiesalso,forIwassentforthispurpose.’Luke42:44

GodsentJesusintotheworldtoshareandwitnesstothe truthoftheKingdomofGod,notinanyonetownorvillageor nation,butacrosstheglobetoallpeoples.God’sloveknows noboundariesandhisgraceknowsnolimits.

Reflection:Howhashearingthegoodnewsenrichedmylife?

Prayer: OLord,gobeforemeintotheplaceswhereyou woulddwell,preparethewayHolySpiritthatImaypreach God’sTruthintotheheartsofallwhowillhear.Letmebe allyouneedmetobetoopenheartstoyouLord.Amen.

TosendemissariesofGodintheworld

‘Peacebewithyou!AstheFatherhassentme,Iam sendingyou.’John20:21

JustasGodsentJesusintotheworldtodohiswill andsharehismessage,Christsendsus.Wehavehis commissionandprivilegetoministerashis ambassadorsintheworld,ashewasfortheFather.

Reflection:ThisChristmas,whatstorieswillyou tellaroundthefestivetable?Willitincludethe NativityandsignificanceofthebirthofJesus?

Prayer: Lord,sendme.SendmeLordandletyour wordsbeuponmylipswhenIspeak.Amen.

Tosavethelost

‘FortheSonofMancametoseekandtosavethe lost’Luke19:9-10.

Jesusremindsusthatheisthereforuswhenwe arelost.Heactivelyseeksusouttosaveusfrom ourlostness.

Reflection:InmylostnesscanIstandstillandturn toJesuswhenhecomestome?HowmightIhelp othersIseewhoarelostbecomeawareofJesus seekingthem?

Prayer: HereIamLord.Jesussaveme.Myheart isopentoyou,inallways,atalltimes.Amen.

TocallthoseseparatedfromGod ‘Icamenottocalltherighteous,butsinners.’ Mark2:17

Jesus,byilluminatingGodtheTruththroughhislife giveseachpersontheopportunitytoknowGod.He deliberatelycallsandtendsthoseinneedofthat careandattention,whobytheirownbehaviours liveoutsidethetruthandloveofGod.

Reflection:HowhaveIbehavedinawaythat separatedmefromGod?AndhowhaveImadethat rightwithGod?

Prayer: LordJesusChristSonofGodhavemercy onme.HeavenlyFather,makestraightmypath, bringmeunderyourmantle,letmegivemyself toyouforeverandever.Amen.

Toserve

‘FortheSonofMancamenottobeservedbutto serve…

Jesusneverplaceshimselfaboveothers.Heleads andlovesbyserving.

Reflection:WhodoIserve?DoIservefordutyor outoflove?

Prayer: Lord,letmyheartbefilledwithYouasI serve.LetourunionbeanexampleofyourLove foreachtouniteinyou.Amen.

Togivehislifeasaransomformany

‘FortheSonofMancamenottobeservedbutto serveandtogivehislifearansomformany.’Mark 10:45

Jesusfreesusfromallthatensnaresusandholds uscaptivebyputtinglimitsus-ourself-absorption, ourpassions,ourintellect,ourdistractions...Jesus freesustoworshipGodintruthandinlove.He doesthisbygivinghislife.

Reflection:HowdoIsetasidemyself-concernand giveofmyselftoothersthattheymaybefullyfree tolive?

Prayer: Lord,thankyouforthisgiftoflifethat yougavewithyourlife.Helpmetobevirtuousin myself-forgettingsothatothersmaybeliftedup inyou.Amen.

Togiveeternallife

‘Iamthelivingbreadthatcamedownfromheaven. Ifanyoneeatsofthisbread,theywillliveforever. AndthebreadthatIwillgiveforthelifeofthe worldismyflesh.’John6:51

WerejoicetoknowthesignificanceofJesus’ incarnationasthegiftofeternalunionwithGod;a timelessinvitationtotheosis.

Reflection:Whatnewthingishappeningformeby gracethroughmyfaithbringingmeclosertoGod?

Prayer: OLord,fillmewithourunion.Everypart ofmyeternalsoulunitedinyou,fillingmenow Father.Amen.

Theseedthatyousow withSEASEMforGod’s worksisfruitfulbecause yourfaithisstronginthe sowing.Wepraythatby readingthismagazineandby engagingwiththemonastery yourself,youcanseehow richlyyourseedisplantedhere atSEASEAMandwhatGodis doinginthemonasteryitselfas wellasinthecommunity,both localandglobalthrough SEASEM.

Weknowandtrustthat yougivetheamountoffinance,prayer, time,gifts-thatGodtellsyou togiveinyourtithingor donations.

God’sStorehousePromise Youcanexpecttoreceiveyour offeringmultipliedbacktoyou basedonGod’sscriptural promises.Andweseethistime andtimeagain.

Whenwegivetheexactamount Godtellsusto,andwhenwe expectamultipliedreturnon ourseed,weenterinto partneringasanactofworship. Wepartnerandworshipin unionwithGodthroughthe veryactofgiving.

Wheneveryougivetothe monasterywecelebrateour faithpartnershipwithyou,and thatGod’spromiseisaspiritual

strengthforyourneedsandfor journeyintounionwithGod: Bringthefulltitheintothe storehouse,thattheremaybe foodinmyhouse. (Malachi3:10)

Aswereceiveseedwealsofulfil God’spromisebyalwaystithing onourharvest;whether throughprayer,teachings, mentoring,gifts,foodor financialseedtothosewho spirituallyfeedusthroughtheir Godlyworks.

TheirworksareGod’s storehouse,justasourworks areGod’sstorehouseforother peoplewhospirituallyfeedoff God’sworkthroughus.

Andtherebyputmetothe test,saystheLordofhosts,ifI willnotopenthewindowsof heavenforyouandpour downforyouablessinguntil thereisnomoreneed. (Malachi 3:10)

TheLordfulfilsthispartofhis promisewiththeguaranteeof meetingyourneedsthrough yourfaithbyhisblessing.He doesthisforeveryone.Andin allofthis,wearetrulyblessed andgivethanksthatyouare withus-partneringand plantingseedwithus,evenas wearehandsinthedirt,filling God’sstorehouse.

WhereOurTitheGoes

Everyseedthatyousowwith usatthemonastery,wesow 10%,intothoseprojectsand peoplewhoarespirituallyfeeding usorwhoseworksorministry upholdsusandourcommission withGod.

SupportofDesertMonks

SupportofMonasteryLivingand LiteratureProduction

GardenVegetables

Themonasteryhasitsprimary spiritualconnectionwiththedesert spiritualityoftheOrthodox tradition.Wehaveclosefriends dwellingincaves,ofteninperilous conditionsinEgyptintheWadyel Ryyandesert.Thesemonkscontinue tohostusandourfriendsand ministerswhovisitEgypttostayin themonasteries.Mostrecently,to greateffort,someensuredournew robesweremadeandgiveninto handstoreachus.Aportionofour seedgoestothesemonkswhowould otherwisehavefewmeansofcarving outormaintainingtheircaves.

Wedrawonavastrangeofwritings fromtheOrthodoxtraditionforour ownspiritualgrowthandforthe teachingswepassontoyou.A portionofourtithegoestothe Egyptianmonasteriesthatsolelyrely ondonationstoproducethese works:StMacariusMonasteryfrom whichwebenefitfromthelifeand teachingsofFr.MattaelMeskeen, MatthewthePoor.AbuSeifein Convent,whichwasthemain residenceofTamavIriniandwhich produceshercollectedworksand storiesthatspirituallyblessus.

EasterSupport

Closertohome,eachyearwe contributetotheneedsofseveral individualsorfamilieswhoare strugglingtoprovideforthemselves. Insowingintothespiritof resurrectionandrenewalofthe time,ourtithefortheseasonisgiven withtheChristianmessageofEaster.

FamilyChristmasFund

Wealsogiveaportionofour financialdonationstoafamilyin needatChristmas.HokiangaHealth staffhelptofacilitatethedonation wemakethatenablesaChristian familytogather,eattogetherandgift givewheretheyotherwisewouldnot beableto.Theyknowthatthisisthe Lord’sblessing.

Yourfinancialseedhelpstokeep, grow,maintainandbeautifythe monasteryforthemonastic communityandforallthemany membersofthepublic, internationalretreatantsandour congregationandlocalcommunity whopartakeofGod’sblessingand worksherein.Someofyourfaith generosityliterallygrowsseedin thegroundhereorfeedsthepoultry sowecanhelpfeedtheneedy.This yeargonewedonatedover500 kilosofvegetablestoindividuals andfamilies,alongwithscoresof dozensoffreerangeeggs.

MinistryWorks

Duringtheyearthelocalandglobal ministriesthatweareassociated withorknowaboutbecauseofour ownsupportoftheirworks,might beprayingforseedforaproject,a missionorapracticalelementof otherworksinChrist.AsGodwills us,wesowintotheirworks, knowingtheLordwillmarkout goodsoilforastronggrowthand harvest,enrichinglivesandthe BodyofChrist.

ItisbythegraceofGodthatwe receiveyourseedandthatwein turn,byfaith,sowintothoseplaces Godpointstothroughourprayer. Thankyouforhelpingusspreadthe WordofGod,tosharethelifeand ministryofthemonastery,andto helpsomanyinneed.