Chasing the wrong carrot

All of us at some point in our lives have had dreams and goals. We have set them as the dangling carrot in front of our face to encourage us what we are working towards. For some of us though, it may seem like that carrot is a mile away and never getting closer. Every time you believe you have just finished that final step and think of your sweet reward, you look up to see the carrot further away from you.

Life can is chaotic this way. We never really know when or why but we do know how. How can I get the love of my life? How can I get that promotion? How can I land that job? These are questions where it seems the answers land in our lap like a dog or cat wanting attention. Why is it though that when we take the time ask the harder questions we never receive an answer. When will I get that promotion? When will I land that job I wanted? When will I find the love of my life?

Patience. We are always told to have patience. "Good things come to those who wait" after all. So why not be willing to wait? That is the real issue here. We are not a very patient society. We are a society that has become dependent on the now mentality. Everyone at some point in their life has heard the word "Now" being demanded of them, more so if you have children.

So how do we break this "Now mentality" and replace it with patience as one of the virtues all over again? The answer is simple. Remember that all things happen in God's time and not our own. Remember that goals are dreams that we like to achieve however, sometimes God has a different plan for us.

I have had a calling to the Priesthood since I was about 9 years old. My dreams were to be a Priest, even more so a Roman Priest. God called me over and over again, each time louder than the previous. I would ignore this because I had a passion for music. Through high school I kept insisting that I was going to be a music teacher. Next though is where I had my first experience. Immediately following my high school graduation, my family moved to Davenport, IA and I didn't know the area and moved with them. I didn't look at any colleges in Iowa prior to the move. The person we lived with worked for the local college, St. Ambrose University. She told me about them and I went to the school and was immediately accepted into their music education program. It was there that I met a father who helped shape my life. I was only at St. Ambrose for a semester, but it was an important step.

My family came back to Ohio and I with them. I struggled in my jobs because my heart wasn't there. I would get promotions but never the promotions I wanted, always the assistant manager. I attempted a few times to go back to college for music education but each time something would come up and I would have to back out. The story of life right? We all have had this happen to us. Family issues, time issues, transportation issues, you name it. That was sign number two that I ignored.

Eventually my relationship went to hell that I was in. We fought and had issues every day. I wasn't happy and I knew why but still denied to accept it. It was in 2001 when I finally had a therapist I was seeing tell me that I was struggling because I wasn't answering my calling. After all, she should know because although she was great at counseling her heart wasn't their. This was sign number three. With her assistance she helped me reconnect with people who I had rode off. At this point I was a priest but not Roman. I obtained my full ordination, but again not Roman.

I had a church and everything was going great. We were large. We provided services. We were compassionate and merciful to all. We supported the neighborhood. Everything was going great, except for one thing, my calling was still knocking. Next thing I knew I was attending Catholic Mass again different days while attempting to serve my church. Here we have sign number four.

That carrot that I placed in front of my face as my goals was only going further away because I was chasing the wrong carrot. I was chasing what I wanted and not answering what God wanted. If only I would have been patient and actually do what I felt was right I never would have suffered through what I believed to be my own sorrow. I would have been a happier person the entire time.

It works a lot like walking into and windstorm. We are fighting against 35MPH winds when really we should be using the wind to our advantage. Usually after fighting the winds we get where we thought we wanted to go and usually find the item is sold out, it wasn't what we wanted, or no one was there. Take this as a simple sign that if we had patience and waited another time things would have gone differently.

So the next time you say when or why, let the question be why aren't I using my patience right now? The phrase "let go and let God" is not only beautiful but also true.

Yours in Faith,

+++Isaac

Burning a Qur'an

Radical thinking to extremes causes such chaos, hatred, and disorder that it disturbs everyone around them. This is my instant thoughts about Rev. Jones in Gainesville, FL.

The Muslim faith was not to blame for 9/11, specific thinking and people were to blame.

As we are approaching the nine year anniversary of 9/11 many people are living a life of fear still to this day. There are people who believe that something will happen again. There are others who will not let go and insist on blaming a race or religious group. The actions were caused by humans. The actions were caused by people who held radical thinking far more extreme than we usually care for. Radical thinking similar to those of Rev. Jones of Gainesville, FL.

Sadly these people have caused a great deal of injustice to their own lands. Today we are still fighting over placing a mosque close to ground zero.

Let us take a moment to really think about the name "Ground Zero". With a name as that shouldn't it mean something to all of us. Zero means back to the very beginning or end of something. Zero holds no real value. If we are calling it Ground Zero then perhaps the best way forward is a new beginning about healing, love, and humanity. We should allow any organization that is about healing and love, which benefits humanity as a whole, to be there.

Rev. Jones I have a special message for you. Keep your hatred. Keep your chaos and distrust. You should recheck your calling from God because I'm pretty sure Satan is the only one controlling your vocation. May God bless you, feed you, clothe you, love you, and teach you what HE is really about.

To those out there considering this extreme action, stop and pray. Think about what will really come of it. What will actually happen to our troops, to our land, and to our family and friends around us. This action will only lead to a war on American soil started by our own actions. Find self-responsibility for your actions and words. Take a moment and really read the Qur'an. While your at it, read other religious texts and you will find parallels to your own New Testament.

May God bless you and assist you in your actions.

Yours in Faith,

Archbishop Isaac L. Kramer

When there is no tomorrow

We must all take action today, because there could be no tomorrow to take action in. Each of us must open our eyes and look around us. Several countries are fighting the same battle, discrimination by color of skin.

Here in the U.S. we see a battle ground taking place in Arizona and New York. In Arizona the state has taken up arms against the very people who help stabilize their state, the Hispanic community. The Hispanic community in Arizona has existed for years. They have increased profit through the creation of new jobs, working while paying taxes, and spending their hard earned cash locally. There is no reason for Arizona to take such harsh actions against their longtime brothers and sisters, yet they do.

In New York the discrimination of skin is towards the Muslim community. There are good people wanting to help heal the 9/11 aftermath by building a house to GOD there. Though their house isn’t Christian, many view it as a sin or another possible terror plot. Here in the U.S. we are permitted freedom of religion, however there are many who believe that that freedom is only for Christians. I say this to them, cast your stones and see if Christ still stands beside you.

This is a prime example of what Christ was fighting for some 1,980 years ago. The Jewish High Priest were telling others that they were wrong if they didn’t believe in their GOD, their dogma, and their laws. Christ was teaching it doesn’t matter what name or how you worship as long as your intentions were pure and you followed the honor written. Where did those teachings go today? Instead we have Christians saying Christ said this and that but are misinterpreting his words for their own power and corruption.

If we are truly about freedom of religion, then we should allow a mosque to be built at ground zero. We should look past the color of their skin and say, welcome brother and sister.

In France we find for the second day them turning gypsies away and flying them out of their country. They are rounding them up and placing them on planes back to Romania. At least some of the people of France are willing to admit to discrimination due to skin color unlike the United States.

Has history taught us nothing? Was World War II fought and won in vain? Have we come to a point again where we believe that the actions Hilter took were okay, since it isn’t “me”?

Time and time again we have oppressed one another. Today we need to stand united and bravely say, “don’t treat my brother and sister that way again”. We need to acknowledge that everyone has equal rights and freedoms in this world, not just the privileged. Remember that those who are in power now could find themselves in the opposite position at any moment. We must unite and live today for one another.

Let us believe that there is no tomorrow to “try again”. Let us believe that right now is the “end of the world”. Let us believe that when we go to sleep that we will not wake up and have another chance. I believe that only then will we truly love one another and truly want to see each other benefit from all that we have around us. That is the greatest gift that we can give our fellow brothers and sisters. Our moment of success. Our moment of equal rights. Our love for this life. Be brave and live today because there is no tomorrow.

If you don't believe, then why ask.

If you don't believe in GOD, how and why do you expect GOD to believe in you?

When you pray asking for miracles and they aren't answered you get discouraged. You begin to question GOD's existence. You even deny GOD any attention. But why should GOD help you? GOD doesn't truly know you.

Imagine it this way. A stranger comes up to you and says, "I need $50.00 for my family, please help me." You may have the money, hell you may even have enough to spare right now, but you don't know the stranger. Would you give them $50.00 not knowing if they really have a family? Most of us would say no or give them something much smaller as a consolation prize.

Why then do we expect GOD to give us our large miracles if we in exchange do not give worship?

It is through worship that GOD gets to truly know us and know our hearts, our dreams, and our intentions. All of this just like how through interaction that stranger becomes our friend. We learn about their spouse and children. We learn about their goals, their dreams, and their intentions. We then long to see them achieved and go as far to help them. That is because there is a small form of worship in all friendships.

Worship goes beyond chanting, singing, and waiving about of censors and wearing of articles of clothing. It is about prayer and conversations. Worship is the placing of a value on an item or aspect of our lives. If we value a friendship then we worship that friendship. If we value GOD, then we worship GOD.

So what is the moral?

-GOD is like a friend. Don't expect miracles from GOD if you don't know each other. You wouldn't expect miracles from strangers and you aren't likely to provide them to a stranger either.

Start your friendship now and have a small heart to heart conversation with GOD daily.

Yours in Faith,

Archbishop Isaac L. Kramer

The wrong doings of "Religious" men

The vocational world today is faced with a myriad of issues. When you take the time to actually read an article on Yahoo News, AP, or any other internet news source, regarding religion, the same issue seems to be reoccurring, homosexuality. Homosexuality by no means is a sin. It isn't stated anywhere, that is truly written or spoke by GOD, that homosexuals are wrong and should perish. It is written by the hands of man claiming to have inherit truth that GOD wants such a law, to propagate their own hidden agendas.

We have seen in the last ten years alone the number of people speaking out irreverently about homosexuality being caught in their own traps. These confused and misled men and women caught on tape and photo performing same-sex acts. Their own disgrace is only exalted because of their hatred they first spewed.

The Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican church, and many others today are fighting this age old battle. I recently read an article about Pope Benedict XVI calling homosexuals to come out of the priesthood. Let me be clear, no human has a right to determine and force another's vocation. When did these so called religious leaders become GOD? What allowed these religious leaders to take such actions against the words of GOD?

We have been instructed time and time again to love each other; to treat each other as ourselves; and to understand the equality that all of us share. Where has these words gone in our current religious structures? All I seem to see is two large religious leaders dictating their way or get out. The messages of hatred that they share with their members is no better than the words Hitler shared to the Nazis.

Hitler shared a message of hatred towards different groups, but specifically the Jews. Pope Benedict XVI and his Anglican counterpart, are calling for hatred towards the homosexual community. Pope Benedict XVI has even gone one step further and continued to spread the hatred against women's vocation even. All I can say is, GOD must be so proud to have a bigot sitting on a man made throne, in a man made palace, telling HIS people who to hate.

Blind & Deaf

God help the blind and deaf, for they do not fully see nor hear your glory.

For the record, I do not mean the actual handicapped blind and deaf. I mean those who can see and hear but don't fully. They only see what they want and hear what they want. The Lord said, "Let those who have ears to hear, hear".

Today we have several people running around deaf and blind. They are blinded by hatred and long for injustice. They seek revenge instead of peace. They believe that their way is the only way and do not hear the advice of those around them.

I was reading a yahoo article about a recent Supreme Court case. The case disturbed me greatly. It is a case about a religious group picketing the funerals of fallen soldiers. Not just any fallen soldiers but ones who are not Christian and heterosexual. Isn't it bad enough for a parent, loved one, or child to have to see their family member dead? Now we have religious groups flashing signs that say stuff like, "Thank God for Dead Soldiers" and "You're Going to Hell".

This religious group has lost all sanctity for life, both living and dead. Funerals are just as much about the living as the dead. If they truly are believers of God shouldn't they be consoling the family instead of condemning their loved one?

Their website is filled with hatred and spews fragmented bible verses. I always love how if you take a few verses and only use a few words from each, that you can edit and destroy precious scriptures. Doing this twist doctrine to shape it to fit anything you want. I have noticed though it is always the people with messages of hate doing this, never a legitimate religious organization.

So if you "have ears to hear" and "eyes to see" be aware of how you are portrayed by your peers. We may not be God, but we too have a habit of judging.

I intentionally did not mention the name of the religious organization. I do not wish to promote them or add to their rage. I simply hope to allow others to see and hear what they personally could be doing to society as a whole.

Yours in Faith!

Feast of Union

The month of July is always a special time of year. When we look around us we are reminded that we are truly in the full of summer. The sun is fuller, the days are longer, the trees are greener, and life is a bustle everywhere you turn. This is when we find ourselves longing to be outdoors and with friends and family the most.

Let there be no surprise that July to us is marked as the Feast of Union. Union of family and friends; Union of life in general, and Union of the Earth. July is known to be filled with weddings, celebrations, family reunions, fun picnics, and of course here in the United States, Independence Day.

We always encourage togetherness of family and friends, no matter the feast. July is one of those special months where no real pushing is needed. We as humans long to be among others when compelled by the Spirit to do so, and July has always been filled with that Spirit.

With that I say, back your bags with towels, swim wear, and good food. Then call all of your friends and family and have a day of Union with the full sun in the sky. Answer God's call to be with one another because you never know what tomorrow actually brings.

Feast of the Patriarch

When you stop and think about an average household you would be surprised to find that most of them are ran with a mother and child. That leads to the question, "where is the father?" More over today we find that the father is either absent or a poor example to the child. What has caused a society to go from a patriarchcal to a matriarchal?

It has been said throughout history that the mother makes the religion but the father makes the tribe. This theory has held true through thousands of years. The statement could be taken in a sense that the father is only needed for procreation and nothing more. On the flip side, I have begun to see many families run only by the father without a mother present. These families have done just as well.

The Feast of the Patriarch is to show support to all the fathers who are there for their children and families. In times like today where divorce is high and stress is higher, we need to ensure that families have the emotional support to survive. We take much of the year to celebrate and pat the mother on the back. Perhaps just for the month of June the mothers would be willing to allow the father that same moment of "great job" that they are use to. It doesn't mean they aren't appreciated, just fathers are needed too.

Find time this month to say thank you to an active father. Congratulate him on being supportive to his family. This is all dad really wants in the end a thank you said with a sincere smile.

He Was Risen 1,977 years ago

Today to celebrate Easter people around the world are saying not only Happy Easter but following it with "He is Risen". The general response to such a comment is "Truly He is Risen" or "He is Risen Indeed".

There is a fault in this comment though. Christ rose from the dead 1,977 years ago at Easter. He did not die on the cross just 3 days ago. We as a human race desire to feel a connection with things that are important to us. That is the reason why we replay the Passion every year. We want to believe that we were there and have a deeper connection to His pain and suffering. The point of the matter is, we weren't there.

When we say "He is Risen" we contradict Christs very deeds and words. He was crucified because of our sins and to expose them for future generations. He rose after 3 days to show that we too can rise back up when we are down. To say that "He is Risen" is to deny that He exist for 3 days of the year. Christ lives every day now since 33 A.D..

It is alright to want to feel a deeper connection, but remember that we today did not crucify Him. We today did not judge Him. Most importantly, we today live with Him and He lives with us. Think twice before you say "He is Risen" and deny His existence in your life for the last few days.

Yours in Faith,
+++Isaac

The radical changes we forgot

I want to take a moment to address something that concerns, no bothers, me. One of the most common things I hear is, "aren't you awfully young to be an Archbishop?". I respond with "no younger then John, Peter, Paul, or Jesus." I usually get a strange look at that point.

People tend to forget that Jesus was only 33 at most when crucified. Peter was the first Pope while being somewhere between 26-30 years of age. John was baptizing in the River Jordan before turning 30 years old. Paul was 34 when he converted to Christianity and in his early 40's when he began telling others what makes a good minister and bishop. Where does the old men come into play? Where did the women go that Jesus had appointed through Mary to lead? Jesus taught to rebel against the Jewish temple laws and to live a life devoted to God the Father.

Today, it has all been thrown to confusion with old men sitting on thrones telling younger men what to do. Women banned from standing at the pulpit or leading others like Mary once did. Forgiveness has become confused with a blind eye. And most importantly LOVE has been transformed to "not my problem, not my life". We are not practicing the true Christianity that Jesus taught some 2000 years ago. We are teaching a twisted form that has benefited those in power to remain and those without to be subservient to those who have.

We need to have that radical aspect back in our lives today to truly live a life that was taught to us. It isn't easy to love everyone. It isn't easy to be concerned for those around you in their times of need. We have generations of mistakes to correct but I'm confident that if we try others will try and that will be a great start for our children. Stand strong. Stand united. Mostly, stand with faith in what you believe.

Yours in Faith,
Archbishop Isaac L Kramer

Enough. Take a stand already.

Allow me a few moments to stand strong on my soap box and vent.

I do not understand why equality on all levels is such a novel concept here in America. We are suppose to be the leaders of the world, but yet we seem to be falling behind in the pack. Other countries already have gays and lesbians in their military with no problems. They allow same sex marriage with no issues.

I listen to several people telling me what they believe we should do. Everyone seems to have the same want, "treat me with the same respect as I treat you". This give and take needs to be finally exposed for what it really is, double standards.

Everyone is created equally. We are all born from another human and thereby making us human. What we should be doing is treating everyone as if they are ourselves and equal.

When Jesus was faced with Mary not being a man he said, "then I shall make her a man". He didn't mean change her genital, he meant make her equal to all the others. Give her the same education and rights as all the men had at that time. We should all take a lesson from this page and move forward into the 21st century.

Over 2000 years of discrimination is sickening. How long does it take for a country to be considered an adult? I would think that after being over 220 years old, America would finally be wise enough to understand the errors of the past and move forward to truly be the land of the free. Restricting the rights of others is not freedom it is a form of slavery.

People of America, wise up and encourage politicians to vote for equality on all levels not just the ones that make them popular today. And on that same note, love others the way God commanded, AS YOURSELF.

Yours in Faith,
Abp. Isaac L Kramer

Feast of Our Lady of All Time

Our Lady, Great Mother & Queen, who has withstood through all time and who will be in the end. Guide me closer to God through your selfless acts of humanity. Heal me as I pray to you in all your names as one. Nourish my Spirit to allow me to see and feel your everlasting epiphany. Forgive me though I had forsaken you. Wash away my past in your cleansing tears of love. Blessed shall always be your names. Amen.

Throughout history there is one thing in religious connections that hasn't changed, the worship of a mother. The first known reference was to Venus of Hohle Fels around 40,000 BCE. From Germany it went to what is now part of the Czech Republic as Venus of Dolní Vestonice in 29,000 BCE. We find her again around 25,000 BCE as the Venus of Willendorf in Lower Austria. Moving forward, we find another transformation and this time she becomes known as Mother Goddess and worshipped throughout the world in different cultures. Some of her names were Gaia, Isis, Ninhursag, Tiamat, 'Ashtart, Durga, Sophia, Great Goddess, and several others. The names continued forward as new female deities were born. It wasn't until one was born around possible 17 BCE that would change the world practice behind female deity worship, and that was Mary.

The Virgin Mary who gave birth to a new world religion and is viewed more over as a modern day Spiritual Mother. She has many names throughout the world from Mary, Queen of Heaven, Lady of Lourdes, Lady of Guadalupe, Theotokos, Madonna, Mother of God, Our Lady, Notre-Dame, Star of the Sea, Nur, and many others. Her image varies depending on where you are and how she is worshipped. The main spiritual purpose is still the same though, Mother of God, bringer of life, and bearer of wisdom.

We have chosen March as our Feast of Our Lady of All Time because it is Spring and represents a time of renewal. All of life that has been in hibernation is beginning to awaken and creating new life, just as we see Our Lady through history. In regards to Mary, Mother of God, March is the time of her Annunciation when she was informed that she will give birth. In some countries today it is called "Lady Day" and marks the New Year for them.

Let us together say the Prayer of Our Lady Through All Time. Allow it's powerful message to live in your heart this month as we celebrate the feast that truly shows our religious unity for over 42,000 years. It is through her that we are guided closer to God. It is through her that we are forgiven and healed with her wisdom. It is through her that our past is truly our past making way for a better tomorrow.

Yours in Faith,
Abp. Isaac L. Kramer

Where Faith Goes to Die

As a minister is it always our biggest fear to be prepared for service and on time to find a room full of empty seats. We dream of it happening to each of us. Why? Because this is a sign that faith has died. Faith in ourselves as a leader; Faith in our beliefs of our religion; Faith in all we stand for. The problem is we had faith and belief. We can not force faith on others though.

Faith is defined as a Belief, Trust, or Confidence, not based on Logic, Reason, or Empirical studies, but based fundamentally on Volition often associated with a Transpersonal relationship with God, a Higher power, a Person, elements of Nature, and/or a perception of the Human race as a whole. Faith can be placed in a person, inanimate object, State of affairs, Proposition or body of propositions such as a religious Creed.

When you look at this definition it appears to be a broad one. But when you simplify it Faith just means believing when all else fails.

As a minister I have faith that my congregation will grow and that I will not let any of them down. This is a huge step for anyone and those who are in my shoes understand what I mean. To be a minister is a full time job without pay mostly nor benefits as most would understand it. The benefits we really see are the change in someone’s life as they found acceptance. The smiles on a sick persons face as you are visiting them. The benefit of helping someone by being there whenever you are needed, including all hours of the night.

We as ministers can have all the faith we want, but the harsh cold reality is, usually not all of our congregation will. Someone will lose faith in us and stop believing at some point in every minister’s career, even the best of us. As a minister this hurts and we look and turn to see what we did wrong. How did we lose that one person? How could we have done it all different? Where did the faith end?

These are questions that sometimes we have to place into the hands of God and allow Him to guide us. We are not Him, and therefore we do not know all of the answers. Was it a test of our faith? Possible. Will it happen again? There’s a good chance.

Faith has died in most of the people today. They have been burned or scorned in some way by religion. As humans we sometimes have a difficulty in differentiating religion and church. We believe that if the church was bad than the religion is bad so now we have no faith. Why you may ask? That’s because we feel that the next church will do the same. God is punishing us for some reason therefore, if I don’t believe in the church the punishment will cease.

This illogical thinking is driving the world today. Faith is diminishing in front of our eyes and the religious leaders are trapped in the middle. Every day a minister looses their way and falls helpless to the same beliefs mentioned. We fall because faith has died in us. We fall because we believed that our seats will be filled one day with members who respect and love us the way we dreamed of loving them. All of us ministers have faith that we will do well and serve well. We can but our congregation must trust us as we trust them. We vow to have open hearts and not judge, but we are human just the same.

So where does faith go to die? It goes to the internet. It goes to the families who have been wrongly hurt by a church. It goes deep inside to wither into nothing but cold, darkness.

I speak with different people almost daily that tell me why they will never return to a church again. My first question to them is a natural one, where did you use to go? They usually tell me very quickly the name of the church and are more than willing to tell me their story as to why they hate all churches now. My next question to them is usually a little bit more of shocking one to them. Did you try another church afterwards? At that point I usually get a look of shock mixed with “are you kidding me?” To which most usually reply, “No, and I never will”

We as humans are quick to lose our faith for this reason. Just by telling you this story you would question your own beliefs and faith in me and God and church. God is not bad; do not lose faith in Him. People can be bad, it’s in our nature. Church is not bad, but sometimes those who lead are. I just ask that if you are going to lose faith in something, please don’t make it the church or God. Make it the people who lead that church and try again.

We have a desire to worship in groups. We long for companionship. We live for social events and gatherings. Why would you deprive yourself of something as valuable as this? When you take these desires away you find that you lack wholeness and Spirit. When you lack in faith you lack in you.

Remember to keep faith in your hearts no matter how difficult a situation may become. Faith is not a bad thing.

Yours in Faith,
Abp Isaac L. Kramer

Feast of Radiant Light

I must admit that procrastination has kept me from actually completing this months discussion on time. I knew 3 days before the beginning of February what I intended to write but as the time drew near I couldn't find the words. The joys of the month overwhelmed me, as they should. We focus all of our time on November through January that many of us miss the true magic of February. Not because of Valentine's Day, but because of what the month is to truly symbolize. The first day of the month is known to the Pagan Community as Imbolc while the second is known as Candlemas to the Christians. It is amazing how both have different names and on two different days side by side but have the same meaning, Renewal of Light.

You see, with Imbolc it is about the rebirth of the Sun (Son). The Earth is starting to come back to life from the cold darkness that winter has brought. Life as we know it begins to be refilled with hope that longer and warmer days are just around the corner. Imbolc is about getting things ready for the year to come. Not just physically but Spiritually as well. We recognize that we aren't alone anymore and trapped in our homes surrounded by snow. The hibernation has come to an end and we must think of our fellow brothers and sisters. Candlemas is much of the same. It is the "Feast of our Lord" as a reminder that the Light has come and darkness is fading away.

There are two songs that immediate come to mind whenever I think of both holidays. The first one is because of a simple line from the song, "Hallelujah light has come". The other which I find more fitting for this time of year, our Festival of Radiant Light, is the song "Light a Candle" by Avalon. The chorus of the song rings true about every aspect this great feast for us.

Light a Candle
Light the dark
Light the World
Light a heart or two
Light a candle for me,
I'll light a candle for you.

We should spend this time turning towards the needs of one another. February through history has a name associated with it's full moon, storm moon. This month was known as a time of hardships for everyone. People struggle with not only catching up on their debts from the Christmas cheer but their depression as well. As one winter storm after another pounds away leaving people to believe that spring isn't going to happen, we look for hope. We long for something from one another in the communities to help us survive.

I believe that all of us should allow the cupids to aim for our hearts and fire away their arrows of love. Once struck, it will allow us to see the love for our fellow humanity and light a candle in their name for their hardships. This in time will only come back around to us. We should remember that we aren't alone in our struggles and that the renewal of light has already happened and Spring is just around the corner for us all. What we need to do is be the crutch for our friends and family now and then in the Spring watch everything blossom together for a life time of not only renewed but, in some cases, new found love and friends. So I ask you to light a candle for me and I'll light a candle for you.

Yours in Ever-loving Faith,
Most Rev. Dr. Isaac L. Kramer, Ph.D. Meta.
Presiding Archbishop

Look Past

Look past that which is nothing more than a shell that we have given a name. Inside all living things is a Spirit that unifies us.

Look past that name for which we give things and seek it's truest intentions. So often the heart is missed because the name has blinded us.

Look past the books that teach us and seek the wisdom that surrounds you. Life is lived and not fulfilled from pages in texts.

Look deep into the eyes of another and know their Spirit comes from yours and yours from theirs. It doesn't matter what physical shell we have, we all came from the same mother and father.

Look past the generations of lies and hate. Give the love and compassion that we are created to give to one another.

This will generate a new tomorrow and you today can be the seed of a new beginning.

Time of New Beginnings

Throughout history the month of January held different beliefs for everyone. In American culture and other places around the world, it is viewed as the mark of a New Year. What we tend to forget is that January is the marking of a New Year according to the Gregorian calender. Different religions around the world, including the U.S., have already celebrated their New Year together starting as early as September.

Rosh Hashanna marks the start of other New Years throughout the world. It is the first High Holiday for the Jewish communities. Rosh Hashanna is observed on the first day of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar, as ordained in the Torah, in Leviticus 23:24.

The Coptic Orthodox Church is next with their New Year starting around September 11th of the Gregorian calender. Most neo-Pagan religions celebrate New Years on Samhain with we commonly refer to as Halloween, October 31st. Leaving the Muslim religions celebrating on the first of Muharram. Muharram is the first month of the Muslim calender and can occur anytime between the Gregorian December 18th and January 16th.

The Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates New Years on the 14th of January. Since that day is actually January 1st according to the Julian Calender. The Chinese New Years celebration can occur anytime between January 21st and February 21st.

Behind it all New Years can occur anytime of year depending on your beliefs and traditions. That is why here at The Holy Order of St. Raphael Interfaith we have marked the Gregorian month of January as a Time of Beginnings. We encourage you to find those things in your life that you long to change and attempt it. Perhaps you have wished you could have done more last year to help others. It is never too late and you should make that a part of your new beginnings.

If there is one thing that should be noted, it is that all religions and customs believe in a new beginning at some point through the year. Why not make your new beginning now, no matter what your beliefs. Perhaps you had your new year and just need to start again because of personal reasons. I personally will strive to dedicate my life more to having fun as my new beginning. Take a moment and meditate on yours.

Yours in Faith,
Most Rev. Dr. Isaac L. Kramer, Ph.D. Meta.
Presiding Archbishop

The Interfaith Creed

I believe in one God who goes by many names and is worshipped throughout the world. My God doesn’t care what name I use as long as I give honor.

From this God came forth all humans who are created equal as brothers and sisters of this world. Each of us, no matter what we believe, are the sons and daughters of God with the ability to have a oneness with God.

God granted unto all humans unconditional love, peace, and self-responsibility.

As a gift, God gave each of us Spirituality to express it any way we choose. In doing so, we have used it as a way to suppress one another.

God commanded us to “Be Still and Know that I AM”, but we did not listen. God then commanded “The kingdom of heaven lies within you” as a way to remind all of our equality to one another, but again we did not listen.

So to assure that salvation could be reached, God sent forth messengers to all faiths of the world. Through these great teachers, we are able to be saved from our own destruction. They were given many names and many titles but we used that as a way to divide us further.

Their messages were said louder of “You shall love the Lord Your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Yet we still did not listen.

God has promised salvation to any who believe in unconditional love for all, peace, and self-responsibility.

Therefore, I believe in the Spirituality of a loving God who does not care what name I give, but only that I uphold the promise of a better tomorrow through my own actions.

I believe in a Spirituality that does not seek to divide humanity but bring us back together through the foundations of God.

I believe in the message set in stone and parchment that has been told throughout all generations of a God who walks with me.

I believe that when I am silent God is near and that my body is a key that unlocks the spirit of heaven within me.

I believe that one day all my brothers and sisters, made by and in the image of God, will unite again as one for the salvation of humankind. Together we will give honor to God as the messengers have instructed and God has commanded.

Until that day I will know that God is and always will be.

A Miracle

Do miracles really exist and if they do what really constitutes as a miracle? Does it have to be ordained as some large event that requires trumpets blowing and angels singing as the crowd looks on with shock? Is it required to only be performed from those beyond the physical body? If you answer yes to either of the last 2 questions then you may be in for real treat.

Miracles happen every moment of every day. Several of them are just taken for granted by us. They don't require parlor tricks or some spirit without a physical body to create them. You and I alone create miracles.

Every time that we give a coat to someone who does not have one we have given them a miracle. They didn't expect to receive a coat from us. They didn't ask us for it. We willing gave it and that is a miracle for them.

When driving through a fast food drive thru and asking to pay for the person behind you. Especially when you don't know who they are, that creates a miracle for them.

When we walk up to someone without and hand them money of any denomination, that is a miracle for them.

We look at miracles as being cured from blindness, disease, or being saved from a horrific car wreck. These are miracles from a Spirit beyond the physical body. What we do with each other without being asked or expected to is the true miracle that opens our own and touches others hearts.

My question...no challenge to you is, what miracle have you performed lately? It doesn't require money to perform miracles. Giving your time to someone else is the most precious gift ever.

You can read to the elderly. You can teach a child to read who has difficulty. You can listen to someone who just needs a shoulder to cry on. You can volunteer in a soup kitchen or other shelter. There are so many things that don't require money. Even finding something around your home that you no longer need or use and giving it to a needy is the beauty of a true miracle.

Whenever I see the look on their face, either shock, smile, or tears, that is the true meaning of a miracle for me. That touches and warms my heart and allows me to know that I'm doing what I should be doing, helping one another.

Please create a miracle for someone else today. We all have people in our areas that we can share with. Find them and give anyway you personally can. Money is never an issue, time is always free.

Yours In Faith,
Most Rev. Dr. Isaac L. Kramer, Ph.D. Meta

The truth behind the Red Kettles

Giving to the Salvation Army is a way that makes us feel good this time of year. When we see their red kettles and bell ringer standing in the cold for their cause, our hearts are warmed with compassion. We believe that we are doing the right thing by giving to a cause that they are willing to freeze for, but are we really? Many people blindly give without even knowing what they are giving to all because of nostalgia. We grew up as little kids begging mom or dad for a coin to place into the kettle and today as adults it helps us reconnect with our childhood. Before you drop another coin into the kettle there are somethings you should know. Perhaps you may be surprised to learn that their views are opposite yours and you could be appalled at what your money has gone to through the years.

The biggest battle to date in almost every state is the issue of civil rights. Civil rights has been a dominating forefront even in our Presidential election this last year. Everyone wants to be treated equally, after all our constitution clearly states that "all man is created equal". Then why is that the Salvation Army is clarifying that homosexuality is wrong? On their website it is written that homosexual should live a life of celibacy. The website goes on to state that they do "not consider same-sex orientation blameworthy in itself". The Salvation Army believes that "Homosexual conduct, like heterosexual conduct, requires individual responsibility and must be guided by the light of scriptural teaching."

Where is the loving compassion for all that the Salvation Army is preaching? When you continue reading they make it clear that anyone is welcome to attend their church. That's right, their church. The Salvation Army is an actual church with buildings located throughout the world.

I took a moment to visit the Chapel at Worthington Woods in Worthington, Ohio. I spoke with their facilities manager about their sanctuary. He informed me that they don't allow for any weddings to take place there so they can "better control" who rents their facilities. They don't want people who stand against their beliefs renting their sanctuary. He went on to tell me about another chapel who had an issue up north with a homosexual couple wanting to have a ceremony there. That is what helped them to determine their new facility rules.

The Salvation Army's website goes on to state that they are "committed to promoting, strengthening and protecting God's institution of marriage". If you need to think what is "God's institute of marriage" don't worry, the Salvation Army has already defined that for you on their site as well.

"The Salvation Army affirms the New Testament standard of marriage, which is the loving union for life of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others. Marriage is the first institution ordained by God (Genesis 2:24), and His Word establishes its significance (Matthew 19:4-6). Marriage is the only proper context for sexual intimacy."

They have gone as far to determine some of the things that the Catholic church has tried to enforce for generations. Perhaps we are blinded by the Salvation Army because instead of Priest and Bishops they call themselves Captains and Majors. The real question is what are they trying to cover with these military titles?

It is clear that we don't know everything about the Salvation Army. When we drop a coin into the red kettle we don't see how their religious beliefs may actual conflict with our own. Instead we still eagerly give to their red kettles every year and sacrificing our own convictions, without ever knowing.

There is much more you should know about them before you give again. Take the time to really visit their site and see. If you are like me, someone who openly supports same-sex marriage and partnerships, then perhaps you should move onto another worthy organization to donate to this year. With the way the economy is today I'm sure any non-profit would be thrilled to accept your holiday cheer, then you could believe you are "doing the most good".

Season of Family

The air begins to fill with the wonderful aroma of spiced cranberry, cookies baking in the oven, and the crackling sounds of a fire going. As we sit on our favorite spot admiring the music of our favorite holiday tone while relaxing to a cup of hot chocolate. This of course only happens in a perfect world, unless you are Martha Stewart. Today we have the bustling sounds of horns and sirens as we drive like maniacs from one shopping center to another stopping for a quick bite to eat before dashing off to another year end sale. We begin to think about our to do list of presents to purchase and how many more shopping days are left until the dreaded morning of the paper shredding ceremony aka Christmas Day. Let us not forget about the real reason behind this time of year, family.

December always leaves my heart full of compassion and joy for those around me, including my family. Most of us consider family as blood relatives, but let us not forget about those whom we have adopted into our lives. The purpose behind every story related to all religions is always overlooked. When we look at the oil lamps of Hanukkah we think of the miracle of it lasting and the greatness of Elohim. Regarding the birth of Jesus for the Christians we are focused on Mary and the virgin birth. Last we are left with the rebirth of the Great God who left us at Samhain. All of these have a theme of God, but there is another theme overlooked, family.

Each story tells about the struggle of a family who stuck together through difficult times in their lives. Family of not only blood, but of close friends who chose in that moment to be a part of magnificent changes in history, without ever knowing the effect they would have. As we approach the Feast of Togetherness this month, let us not forget the main ingredient in our holiday meal, family. Take a moment and spend time together with those who you consider to yours and have a wonderfully blessed season together.

In the fullness of Faith,
Most Rev. Dr. Isaac L. Kramer, Ph.D. Meta.
Presiding Archbishop