“Ignatius believed that our imagination, senses, and feelings were holy vessels and portals into understanding the sacred. He invites us to read a text prayerfully, and then to imagine stepping into the story ourselves, seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, and feeling what it is like to be in the scene.”
— Christine Valters Paintner, PhD Watershed Moments in the Hebrew & Christian Scriptures: An Online, Self-Study Retreat
The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
After a day of traveling
After a time of inspiration and challenge
Our General Assembly Stated Clerk speaks from his heart
He speaks prophetic words to us
The church isn’t dying, it is reforming
If the church doesn’t reform, it will die
Lord, help us to slow down and hear your voice
Speak to us words of comfort and challenge
Guide us into the way of reformation
Guide us into the way of new life
As we walk this pathway, hear this humble prayer
Dona Nobis Pacem
Grant Us Peace
A wee prayer from the heart of your Padre…
Food for thought as I prepare for sleep. Thomas Merton speaks to me today and to the world today just as he did fifty years ago ❤️❤️
In all the situations of life the “will of God” comes to us not merely as an external dictate of impersonal law but above all as an interior invitation of personal love… Our idea of God tells us more about ourselves than about God. We must learn to realize that the love of God seeks us in every situation, and seeks our good. — Thomas Merton in “Silence, Joy”
The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
As the day draws to a close
A day filled with work and preparation for our Retreat
As we prepared, we prayed for our Deacons and Elders
We prayed for the church in our community
We pray as well for the witness of the church in the world
Where there is hatred, may we sow love
Where there is injury, may we bring healing
Where there is division, may we bridge builders
In all things, Lord, may we be instruments of your peace
To you, O Lord, I lift this humble prayer
Dona Nobis Pacem
Grant Us Peace
A wee prayer from the heart of your Padre…
“We may find ourselves drawn to creative expression because it taps into what is most vital and alive in us. This burning in our blood seeks expression in the world, whether through art, song, cooking, gardening, our work, relationships, or in our presence to others. Becoming fire means saying yes to life by the very way we live.”
— Christine Valters Paintner, PhD Water, Wind, Earth, & Fire: The Practice of Praying with the Elements
Heartbreaking and true… these are God’s children… they must not remain invisible to us!
Thrown Away
As we were talking to some of our homeless friends on the street yesterday I saw a young man shivering and walking down the middle of the street. He has the name of an archangel.
“I have some coats, gloves and beanies. Do you need anything?”
“Yeah, I’ll take anything. I just got here.”
“Where are you going?” I ask after we outfit him with some warmer clothes.
“I’m going to the hills,” he says.
“It’s still freezing at night. Do you have a sleeping bag or blanket?” I ask.
“No, I have nothing,” he says.
We direct him toward a place that gives out sleeping bags. I hand him my last backpack with some food, water, gloves, and beanie. He puts on two coats.
His eyes are unfocused and seem in shock. We say goodbye.
Later I…
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The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
Thank you Lord, for the beauty of this Lord’s day
For wonderful worship and fellowship
For time to study and prepare for officer training
For time to simply be with my sweetheart
For time spent enjoying music and friendship
For all of these gifts, I thank you, Lord
Now, as my eyelids grow heavy
I lift this humble prayer to you
Dona Nobis Pacem
Grant Us Peace
A wee prayer from the heart of your Padre…
