Prayer & Praise
You in our past: gracious,
steadfast,
reliable,
long-suffering.
You are a mouthful on the lips of our grandparents.
The hard part is you in our present,
For after the easy violations we readily acknowledge then come the darker, hidden ones:
aware that appearance does not match reality;
aware that walk is well behind talk;
aware that we are enmeshed in cruelty systems
well hidden but defining;
and we have no great yearning to be delivered from them.
Forgive us for the ways in which we are bewitched,
too settled, at ease in false places.
You in our present: gracious,
steadfast,
reliable,
long-suffering.
We in the shadows asking you to do what you have done;
to be whom you have been,
That we may do what we have never dared dream,
be whom we have never imagined … free, unencumbered, unanxious, joyous, obedient …
Yours, and not ours.
Amen.
Walter Brueggemann. Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth: The Prayers of Walter Brueggemann (p. 32). Kindle Edition.
5 weeks into my new position in the office. It’s about what I expected it to be. I enjoy the camaraderie, interacting with the drivers on the road and the fast paced continual learning process. It’s a great gig and I’m thankful for it.
Scott, I am blessed to read this. So many of us have journeyed with you on your long haul drives, thankful for the Lord’s providing that job, and now rejoicing that you can remain close to home. This praise encourages me to pray for Michael’s job situation and trust the Lord for His provision, regardless the circumstances. He is faithful!
Nonnie, thank you. It’s been an interesting journey indeed.
One thing that has been a bit of a challenge has been the transition of working with people in a close office setting where pecking orders have been in place for years, having to adjust to personality quirks, etc.
I have no problem asserting my alpha male propensities. However, the Lord has given me grace to lay low, do my job diligently and pick and choose my spots with wisdom and not as a bull in a china shop.
I was very independent as a small business owner for 30 years and then on the road four years where I was essentially independent. So, I’m being stretched and challenged which is all part of the challenge and process.
Scott, so thankful to hear about your new position. Praise God! Sounds like you’re approaching it with wisdom.
Thanks, Captain.
We tend to be a little hard on churches here on the PhxP so I thought I’d say a few words about my wonderful parish.
I was looking around this morning at Liturgy and took note of all the countries that are represented in our small parish of maybe 100 or so souls. (The building is small so 100 people nearly fills it up.) There are a lot of Russians, of course, and American-born children of Russians, not to mention the ethnic Russians whose families lived in China and Iran to avoid Soviet persecution. Also: Ukrainians, Moldavians, Greeks, Germans, Mexicans, a large Romanian family, a Jordanian, people from Denmark and Ethiopia and a Canadian. And plenty of American converts of various ethnicities. Pavles and Pauls, Johns and Ivans, not to mention Svetlanas, Olgas, Ludmillas, many variations on Mary, a Mateo, three (3) Xenias and an Oxana (Ukrainian for Xenia), Helens, Annas, Thomases, Faisals and Seraphims! Newborns, toddlers and ancient old ladies, teenagers and young families and middle-aged folk. What a glorious hodge-podge of humanity!
Here’s what the sermon was about today: Father G. took advantage of two Saints whose memories are commemorated today, a pious married couple. Without saying one negative thing about homosexuals (never said the word at all) he talked about all the godly aspects of living a sexually pure life, be it as a single person or as our Saints of the Day, as a married couple, a man and a woman. He shined the light on the godly path without saying anything negative at all. Very effective, I thought. You can condemn evil by talking up goodness.
I love my parish. This is where I plan to have my funeral. You are all invited. 🙂
(Don’t worry, I am not sick or anything but we should all be mindful of our deaths.)
Scott…agree with Nonnie, et al….very happy for you and praying for Michael.
Xenia-thank you for sharing that positive review 🙂
Would you pray for Patrick, who was hospitalized with a high fever, and now doctors think something is wrong with his liver. Thank you 🙂
Beautiful testimony, Xenia! Excellent point!
Praying for Patrick’s healing.
Would appreciate prayer today. Last night was the sleepless night to beat all sleepless nights. Excruciating pain in my knees and ankles. I surfed from the bed to the recliner to the couch back to the bed, but couldn’t find comfort. Pain meds didn’t help. So tired right now my eyes are rapidly shifting back and forth (either that or we’re having an earthquake in AZ).
Xenia, that was beautiful. Hope one day to visit your parish, but long before your funeral.
Oh, Capt. K, Sorry. Praying for you, my friend.
Lord have mercy on our Captain Kevin.
Agreeing with the others for Kevin.
Praying for CK.
Praying for Patrick too.