simply, Christian
lection reflection (16 Oct 2018)
reading the bible daily with the church
Note: I suffered computer problems yesterday and wasn't able to put down my thoughts on the readings, so this first reflection will be a bonus-sized one, looking at the readings from Sunday through today.
Hosea 11.1-12.14
In the midst of impending judgment for Israel's faithlessness and sinfulness, the fatherly heart . . .
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lection reflections -- new series
reading the bible daily with the church
This Advent, the congregation where we worship is going to start encouraging people to do their daily bible readings from the 2-year Daily Lectionary found in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer and used elsewhere in the Lutheran Book of Worship, For All the Saints, and a host of other daily office resources.
Why this . . .
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prayer during storms at sea
an Anglican prayer
O most powerful and glorious Lord God, at whose command the winds blow, and lift up the waves of the sea, and who stillest the rage thereof: We thy creatures, but miserable sinners, do in this our great distress cry unto thee for help: Save, Lord, or else we perish. We confess, when we have been safe, and seen all things quiet . . .
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on mystery and the modern life (quote)
The lack of mystery in our modern life is our downfall and our poverty. A human life is worth as much as the respect it holds for the mystery. We retain the child in us to the extent that we honor the mystery. Therefore, children have open, wide awake eyes, because they know that they are surrounded by mystery...We destroy the . . .
prayer in the face of Florence
an Orthodox prayer
O Master, Lord our God, Who through Thy consubstantial Word, Who is without beginning, and Thy life-giving Spirit, Who is equal in honor, hast brought everything out of nothingness into being; Who hast set sandy barriers to the sea, and hast weighed the mountains and the valleys in a balance; Who hast measured the skies and holds the . . .
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on wanting to write and writing
the battle continues
I want to write. But wanting to write and actually writing are two entirely different things.
Wanting to X and doing X are always different. In reality, wanting something is incredibly easy. Making that thing a reality is oftentimes incredibly difficult.
There are a myriad of reasons why I don't write every day. I . . .
on individuality (quote)
True individuality is measured by this: how long or how far one can endure being alone without the understanding of others. The person who can endure being alone is poles apart from the social mixer. This person is miles apart from the one who manages successfully with everyone – the one who possesses no sharp edges. God never . . .