Book of Common Prayer, 1928

Dedication of Soul and Body to God’s Service, with a Resolution to be growing daily in Goodness. AND since it is of thy mercy, O gracious Father, that another day is added to our lives; We here dedicate both our souls and our bodies to thee and thy service, in a sober, righteous, and godly life: in which resolution, do thou, O merciful God, confirm and strengthen us; that, as we grow in age, we may grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. Prayer for Grace to enable us to perform that Resolution. BUT, O God, who knowest the weakness and corruption of our nature, and the manifold temptations which we daily meet with; We humbly beseech thee to have compassion on our infirmities, and to give us the constant assistance of thy Holy Spirit; that we may be effectually restrained from sin, and incited to our duty. Imprint upon our hearts such a dread of thy judgments, and such a grateful sense of thy goodness to us, as may make us both afraid and ashamed to offend thee. And, above all, keep in our minds a lively remembrance of that great day, in which we must give a strict account of our thoughts, words, and actions to him whom thou hast appointed the Judge of quick and dead, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For Grace to guide and keep us the following Day, and for God’s Blessing on the business of the Same. IN particular, we implore thy grace and protection for the ensuing day. Keep us temperate in all things, and diligent in our several callings. Grant us patience under our afflictions. Give us grace to be just and upright in all our dealings; quiet and peaceable; full of compassion; and ready to do good to all men, according to our abilities and opportunities. Direct us in all our ways. Defend us from all dangers and adversities; and be graciously pleased to take us, and all who are dear to us, under thy fatherly care and protection. These things, and whatever else thou shalt see to be necessary and convenient to us, we humbly beg, through the merits and mediation of thy Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen. THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.

Tears

Whey you cry.

When tears come.

Let them dry

on their own

before the Throne.

The Paucity of Emoticons

None of the Google Mail emoticons are weeping.

Truth for Those Who Suffer and Fear

Isaiah 28:16

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ So this is what the Sovereign LORD says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone,
a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;
the one who relies on it
will never be stricken with panic.

Consolation

A tragedy requires that I write a consolation message to a young couple who lost their unborn twins. I need wisdom from above to write the right thing in the right way.

Book of Common Prayer, 1928

For a Person under Affliction.
O MERCIFUL God, and heavenly Father, who hast taught us in thy holy Word that thou dost not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men; Look with pity, we beseech thee, upon the sorrows of thy servant for whom our prayers are offered. Remember him, O Lord, in mercy; endue his soul with patience; comfort him with a sense of thy goodness; lift up thy countenance upon him, and give him peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Accept

I

accept

your

tears.

God,

please give her

her mind back.

Have mercy on her and us.

Pathetic--Empathic

The deeply pathetic should arouse in us, call forth, the deeply empathic--not ignorance, disgust or anger. God is love and watches all of us, willing to give us God-inspired feelings to fit the devestations of the fall.

A Good Friday Reflection

Suffering, rightly embraced becomes a crucible.

That is no easy skill.

Crucible refers to the Cross of Christ.

Therefore, affirming and accepting the suffering

as a Crucible

can make one more like Jesus Christ,

who died and rose from the dead--

but not one without the other.

Remember not to forget

Unremembered exigencies later emerge

as monsters,

ready to consume

peace and productivity.