tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1456470194618867272024-02-07T20:52:18.925-08:00The Life of Ó DhorcaighOr Ó Dhorchaidhe, which is my name, Darcy, in Irish Gaelic.Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373803658770605253noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145647019461886727.post-60316226924039962372012-03-31T20:13:00.036-07:002012-04-01T20:07:36.944-07:00An Abyss na farraige (The Abyss of the sea)<div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;">It would be difficult to restrain myself from not being humbled at the very idea that I would selfishly prevent the words of my petty pen to flow onto pages, those words which mean to recollect nautical and theological tales of the works of the Lord on these waves of trials. Ah, my friends, my brothers and sisters in Christ! I pray that the individual members of my audience would find the necessary mercy to pardon the great transgression which I have foolishly committed. I more than vividly recall making <a href="http://darcyireland.blogspot.com/2011/11/serenity-fior-agus-scithe-foirfe-true.html">a similar plea</a> in the past, requesting the forgiveness of my audience those many weeks ago. May my audience collectively turn to the love of our Lord to forget my iniquitous action. As the threatening waves of trials of this vast, but beautiful, sea perpetually attempt to take our meager boat asunder, Bréanninn, the brothers, and I continue to stand fast by the Lord Christ Jesus, He Whom we clap our hands for (cf. <i>Psalms</i> 47.1), Whom we undeservingly consult as our unfailing and mighty stronghold (cf. <i>Psalms</i> 18.2), and Who unceasingly blesses us to establish our spiritual vitality (cf. <i>II Corinthians</i> 9.8). When the waves seem overwhelming, we worship Him (cf. <i>Psalms</i> 23.4). During the days when the waves are tamer, we “praise Him in His mighty firmament” (<i>Psalms</i> 150.1b). Indeed, we still recall why we are together on this anointed nautical voyage, that is to “praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!” (<i>Psalms</i> 150.2). We suffer the waves of trials that we may be found even remotely worthy in the awesome Presence of God (cf. <i>Isaiah</i> 6; <i>Ezekiel</i> 1), for “the Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit” (<i>Psalms</i> 34.18). </span></span></p></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10DRoGXG-uRGLphs0t90HYdjqT-3eszJhWEm_iZ4FupM6xwvbsbj_lkhz516XJFRqEx2jXKjhbgIBtIaAv9VjzgpqwE4EErrJwLcjoZ2M2v6z3k5PppFCsf66FpJ27zU-kMAgJz8dGUdb/s1600/St_Brendan_Technicolour.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10DRoGXG-uRGLphs0t90HYdjqT-3eszJhWEm_iZ4FupM6xwvbsbj_lkhz516XJFRqEx2jXKjhbgIBtIaAv9VjzgpqwE4EErrJwLcjoZ2M2v6z3k5PppFCsf66FpJ27zU-kMAgJz8dGUdb/s320/St_Brendan_Technicolour.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726629692032924226" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:78%;">[Source: http://www.newmiamiarch.org/Atimo_s/articles_images/11112224518349.JPG]</span></div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;">In my last dated <a href="http://darcyireland.blogspot.com/2011/12/tuairimi-agus-smaointeoireacht-shioladh.html">entry</a>, I noted that Bréanninn strongly “...believes it to be best that we finally leave this isle within the next few days.” Well, not before receiving the assurance and the blessing of the Lord, the brothers and I left that comforting “iota of an isle” at last. Yet, that was many weeks ago. Now, that duration of time is merely a distant memory in the back of my mind. Other than a stop at a different isle to celebrate the birth of the Word Incarnate on Christmas together, we have been warring with the waves of trials on this wide-spanning sea. One day, the waves may quietly slosh by the edges of our humble little vessel. The next day, the waves may violently react to quite the tempest, noisily and ruthlessly beating against the sides of our boat, which leaves the brothers and me no choice but to “sing to the Lord” (<i>Psalms</i> 98.1), that He might awaken “...as from sleep” (<i>Psalms</i> 78.65) and have mercy on our lives. Thus far, He has been compassionate to us by saving us from potential death in this life, which would mean nothing better than rejoicing and “being exceedingly glad,” for He has said that “...great is your reward in heaven...” (<i>Matthew</i> 5.12), which includes that “crown of life” given to those who are “faithful until death” (<i>Revelation</i> 2.10). During the time I produced not a single word onto this space of parchment, we have been tested by the waves, tried by the uncertainty of the features of the horizon, and tempted to complain over the lack of corporeal sustenance. Yet, we have remained faithful to our beloved Lord Christ Jesus, in whom we trust and love, for He is the “way, the truth, and the life” (<i>John</i> 14.6). By His revelatory knowledge and His saving graces, we know true life and true love. This opportunity to contemplate our Lord God is a beautiful one, and everyone on this tiny vessel is quite thankful to be a participant in this anointed voyage. </span></span></p></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjj0GfKLFFoNdG7LEm_AV7Rquyt9sDCeoXHAxiI8dEe9QaNh5ijXoBYiARRMQW_j_k878AIUBoRPzeA6fpUwsZKM9yV9H5hmScnwhgl8WUSq0CXnz76cQsPrJ0FZG3W1OcPGKoIiZWOAV/s1600/Sea_Galilee.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjj0GfKLFFoNdG7LEm_AV7Rquyt9sDCeoXHAxiI8dEe9QaNh5ijXoBYiARRMQW_j_k878AIUBoRPzeA6fpUwsZKM9yV9H5hmScnwhgl8WUSq0CXnz76cQsPrJ0FZG3W1OcPGKoIiZWOAV/s320/Sea_Galilee.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726629285034108562" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:78%;">[Source: http://www.stainedglassinc.com/images/glass/panels/medium/146601.jpg]</span></div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;">Remembering why we band of Christian brothers set sail from our beloved County Galway, and having compiled the experiences with the Lord which we have had, I would not hesitate to remark that this divinely anointed odyssey is not for vain. Rather, we have grown closer as a small contingent of spiritual siblings who would love nothing better than to see “...that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (<i>Philippians</i> 2.11), to whose unfathomable and unattainable perfection we strive to achieve (cf. <i>Matthew</i> 5.48) out of love for He who is the very embodiment of Love itself (cf. <i>I John</i> 4.8). </span></span></p></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDl8a2A0rHasZIFr6K-CIikHKLI0GlbA6uAExxMMReh_mQkW64F84qDVCNhZ9BfNXI7j5_MNUk3GcO7P7tsAes_ZgQXtxbZqpLFpB-JhjioO3ExHKMcBEMfrtYC_nrFXBB4Y0CWevZj3V/s1600/Henceforth_Fishermen.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDl8a2A0rHasZIFr6K-CIikHKLI0GlbA6uAExxMMReh_mQkW64F84qDVCNhZ9BfNXI7j5_MNUk3GcO7P7tsAes_ZgQXtxbZqpLFpB-JhjioO3ExHKMcBEMfrtYC_nrFXBB4Y0CWevZj3V/s320/Henceforth_Fishermen.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726628882056814786" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:78%;">[Source: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:78%;">http://www.stainedglassinc.com/images/glass/panels/large/414617.jpg]</span></div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;">It is out of sheer honesty, compassion, and love that I write of the abundance of thanksgiving which simmers well within my soul due to the care the readers of this entry have exercised whilst pondering its words, which merely seek to sing the praise of our Lord Father, whose glory radiates from Heaven (cf. <i>Psalms</i> 19.1). It matters not how many pairs of eyes may glance over the marks of my pen; rather, the edification of those readers toward satisfaction in He who is “the resurrection and the life,” through belief in Whom, “though he may die, he shall live” (<i>John</i> 11.25). As the brothers and I continue to sail on these waves of trials, with a myriad of days having passed since the last landfall, our supply of water has shrunk to its last drops. But through my faith in He who is the embodiment of Wisdom (cf. <i>Proverbs</i> 8.22-30; <i>James</i> 3.17), who is “the bread of life” and the reason why I “...shall never hunger...shall never thirst” (<i>John</i> 6.35), I have the wonderful and awesome response to my song, that is the song of the psalmist, to our Lord:</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-family:'times new roman';" ></span></span></p><blockquote><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-family:'times new roman';" >O God, You are my God;<br />Early will I seek You;<br />My soul thirsts for You;<br />My flesh longs for You<br />In a dry and thirsty land<br />Where there is no water.</span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;" >So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,<br />To see Your power and Your glory.</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;" >Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,<br />My lips shall praise You” (<i>Psalms</i> 63.1-3).</span></p></span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;" > </span></p></span><p></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;">Out of love for our King of kings, we “...will bless [Him] while [we] live” (<i>Psalms</i> 63.4). It was our beloved Lord of lords that quite recently revealed our next destination to Bréanninn. It is at that next island that we intend to celebrate the Holy Week of Easter, with its sacred days of Maundy Thursday, the Good Friday, and the day of the resurrection of our Lord Christ Jesus itself, that is Easter Sunday. Bréanninn has remained tight-lipped about this enigmatic isle, merely saying, “As our Lord lives, we shall arrive at that place in due course.” I suppose that my brother is right, for so long as we remained focused on our beautiful Lord, nothing else truly matters. Not even our upcoming source of solace and corporeal nourishment can hold a light against He who is light (cf. <i>I John</i> 1.5), Whose “word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path” (<i>Psalms</i> 119.105). May our Lord preserve our unworthy lives as we slowly approach this mysterious, but apparently soothing isle. </span></span></p></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdG_mEzkGz4PVL1SREylrCh6o6o_DkQzmvN82Jk8ZrDMLXMNv4BSdpVo3iF77UNM9xWlBQNpNEiGvSgUse8RaSuo50VGBdMMX5-NnF7dvocc6BjUKCHDDIv377FTcSNA781TN78UMge8D/s1600/Santa_Barbara_Blurry.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdG_mEzkGz4PVL1SREylrCh6o6o_DkQzmvN82Jk8ZrDMLXMNv4BSdpVo3iF77UNM9xWlBQNpNEiGvSgUse8RaSuo50VGBdMMX5-NnF7dvocc6BjUKCHDDIv377FTcSNA781TN78UMge8D/s320/Santa_Barbara_Blurry.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726628077675048226" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:78%;">[Source: Darcy Ireland.]</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 19px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><br /></span></p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:85%;" ><blockquote>‘But, O man’, saith the sage, ‘if thou deem it difficult to believe in this miracle of the Resurrection, consider the other works of the Lord; and though these are more numerous, not the less are they miracles. Behold the breadth of the sky and its amplitude, the size of the earth, the abyss of the sea which surrounds that earth on every quarter, and all the creatures that are therein. Behold, again, the angels of heaven, yea, behold those creatures and the other creatures that have been made of nothing through the strength and might of the Lord. For it is much less of a miracle to make of matter at present any structure through the Word of God than to make there at the beginning all creatures of nothing through that Word. For the Voice of God which is now declared here (as being that) whereby the Resurrection will be for all the dead is the same as the Word whereby He made at first all creatures out of nothing.’</blockquote></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"> - (Author Unknown), <i>The Tidings of the Resurrection</i>, 36. (Trans. 1903).*</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_N4y0mDJA32hjtrV-4cKWXNeWV2UsW4Z2Py8IhUwsvAW8Zle1WHROkPlKvzfVQnqstsLb3tzs_9T6iqV2PfJDjaHmzsIAsOSJYYJ1oscfZ4y1lr7brwXSfaLyNzuj-GTFt8VSEch07qp/s1600/Crosses_St_Matthews.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_N4y0mDJA32hjtrV-4cKWXNeWV2UsW4Z2Py8IhUwsvAW8Zle1WHROkPlKvzfVQnqstsLb3tzs_9T6iqV2PfJDjaHmzsIAsOSJYYJ1oscfZ4y1lr7brwXSfaLyNzuj-GTFt8VSEch07qp/s320/Crosses_St_Matthews.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726626963509959650" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:78%;">[Source: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:78%;">http://i.ytimg.com/vi/4hdZ-g6ngaE/0.jpg]</span></div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; color:#000099;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px ;color:#000000;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; color:#000099;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px ;color:#000000;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; color:#000099;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px ;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:85%;color:#000000;" >*Source: <a href="http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T207001/text036.html"><span style="text-decoration: underline; letter-spacing: 0px; ">http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T207001/text036.html</span></a></span></p>Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373803658770605253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145647019461886727.post-24527238795585768072011-12-04T19:10:00.001-08:002011-12-06T10:28:59.457-08:00Tuairimí agus Smaointeoireacht shíoladh an pheaca (Feeling and Thinking propagate the sin)<div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;">One of the most beautiful gifts the Lord God granted to undeserving man, the creature which was formed in His own image and likeness, is a sound conscience. With that necessary tool, one can comprehend if something is right, that is morally beneficial for all involved persons in a given situation, or wrong, that is morally degrading for all. Even though one still must look to the Holy Spirit for His useful gift of spiritual discernment, the conscience is nevertheless a vital gift. For that, among a plethora of other reasons, I offer exultations of praise to the Lord who reigns over all creation. Although I sincerely and lovingly offer these phrases of praise to He whom I cleave onto, I have on at least one recent occasion betrayed my conscience. Were not for the great mercy of our Lord, I would not know what to do, other than mull the realistic possibility of spending an eternity not in Paradise, but rather in the fiery and corrupted abyss that is hell. Having sought his compassion, I believe I am ready to commit that particular account of the defiance of my conscience to writing, that I may muse upon my errors in a later time without a shred of guilt to be found in my being. Even now, what I offer to my Lord is that which this verse of the Holy Scriptures entails:</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span></p><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:85%;">“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,<br /> A broken and a contrite heart—<br /> These, O God, You will not despise" (<i>Psalms</i> 51.17).</span></blockquote><p></p><p></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;">For the moment, I offer to my Maker ‘a broken and a contrite heart,’ that very heart upon which the law is written (cf. <i>Hebrews</i> 8.10). In time, I shall fully grasp that godly sorrow which ‘...produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted’ (<i>II Corinthians</i> 7.10a). At this time, I merely recount that which has attempted to overtake my portion of the Holy Spirit, which dwells in the temple within me (cf. <i>I Corinthians</i> 6.19-20). </span></span></p></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLtng8OGfiqFg2YRIRvu_VHLiRfLzGOwOGy7-K5GNHgt5gIfVJ6yk0YGjaPWwGpbqsKChXLF6OG6AMgWWyql9eq9LnJhRp5A_Xde76RLWg2YHQSMPwgnImzZcq9uGjL07qS5HmBk4ji2q/s1600/StThomasBecket.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLtng8OGfiqFg2YRIRvu_VHLiRfLzGOwOGy7-K5GNHgt5gIfVJ6yk0YGjaPWwGpbqsKChXLF6OG6AMgWWyql9eq9LnJhRp5A_Xde76RLWg2YHQSMPwgnImzZcq9uGjL07qS5HmBk4ji2q/s320/StThomasBecket.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683080739674612466" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:78%;">[Source: http://www.wf-f.org/WFFResource/StThomasBecket.jpg]</span></div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;" >In the past few days, something legitimately dangerous and trying has played with me. That conniving lady, Lust, has attempted to seduce me, to play the harlot with me. Her aesthetically-pleasing looks, along with her sultry voice, were enough for her to have a bit of success in luring me to dishonour and defile the Lord, whom I truly love. But how could I possibly allow myself to even contemplate the idea of compromising my conscience in the name of a fleeting and an ultimately trivial moment of pleasure? How could I possibly allow myself to turn the focus of my wretched and scarred face from His magnificent appearance? Such thoughts have haunted me. Ah, but that serpent of old greatly desires that I would be in such a moral and spiritual predicament. His scheme is all too simple, yet disgusting, to one who calls himself a Christian: To become addicted to the wiles of his deceptively intimidating agent of iniquity, and consequently be judged unworthy of entrance into Paradise by the Lord of all creation. In other words, that snake wants nothing else but to see myself ruthlessly destroyed. I believe that he covets my desolation not because he despises me for myself, but due to his envy of our Lord. Since He crafted all that exists, including myself, that serpent shall unceasingly work to see the demise of everything which He lovingly created and said ‘was good’ (cf. <i>Genesis</i> 1). </span></p></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0RsHc0VYBhzZqRRr8YtCNfkISMvVFFewLELo5Jhbn3hUMac19usarfahET3F7fynqbO7qfnKSNfliuucL96ZNWfRKbPt4GcCU_lHpEGJ_7n3m6A15wXlM7oXoZplUwFEeqq1vg0Aw2qT/s1600/Adam_And_Eve_StainedGlassWindow.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 236px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0RsHc0VYBhzZqRRr8YtCNfkISMvVFFewLELo5Jhbn3hUMac19usarfahET3F7fynqbO7qfnKSNfliuucL96ZNWfRKbPt4GcCU_lHpEGJ_7n3m6A15wXlM7oXoZplUwFEeqq1vg0Aw2qT/s320/Adam_And_Eve_StainedGlassWindow.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683080496348031154" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;">[Source: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;">http://accad.osu.edu/~zmaynard/images/Artists_Work/stained%20Glass/Adam_And_Eve_StainedGlassWindow.jpg]</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;" >But the Lord God reminded me of precedent. His people, Israel, once played the harlot against their God. The prophet Hosea explicitly relays how the relationship between the Lord and Israel, that being a covenantal sealant, pictured as a marriage contract, was ruined once Israel was lured to the wicked reverence of the Canaanite fertility deity, Baal, and its related cult (cf. <i>Hosea</i> 2). Israel, through punishment by the Lord, would ultimately realize that relying to temporal means of ‘success’ and ‘stability’ is futile, and would decide to turn back to its God as if captured by the secure and comforting embrace of love the first time.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "></span></span></p><blockquote><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span>“Therefore, behold,<br /> I will hedge up your way with thorns,<br /> And wall her in,<br /> So that she cannot find her paths.<br /> She will chase her lovers,<br /> But not overtake them;<br /> Yes, she will seek them, but not find them.<br /> Then she will say,<br /><br /> ‘ I will go and return to my first husband,<br /> For then it was better for me than now'" (<i>Hosea</i> 2.6-7).</span></blockquote><p></p><p></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;" >From her decision to turn back to Her husband, the Lord is able to proclaim this beautiful statement regarding the renewal of the ‘marriage contract’ between the two parties, by the lips of Hosea:</span></p><p></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:85%;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:85%;">“I will betroth you to Me forever;<br /> Yes, I will betroth you to Me<br /> In righteousness and justice,<br /> In lovingkindness and mercy;<br /> I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness,<br /> And you shall know the LORD" (<i>Hosea</i> 2.19-20).</span></blockquote><p></p><p></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;" >Through the compassion of the Lord, there is the realistic possibility of the refreshing of the heart, provided one is ready and willing to accept such a renewing of the heart. Through the mercy of the Lord, there is true freedom from spiritual bondage.</span></p></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5bWZr_dImQaH3f5C6MHDklVlGsCylxiNETGTAXiITwJMZQWykBLzOqWK3fi7cIylI80Kn-wnxsRy-dzdyqMbh1ReUEZfYeby2JUGnxEn-sN7lL4efLqmHTszu8hTvJhkWpGEXba0s-8F/s1600/Christ_Temptation.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5bWZr_dImQaH3f5C6MHDklVlGsCylxiNETGTAXiITwJMZQWykBLzOqWK3fi7cIylI80Kn-wnxsRy-dzdyqMbh1ReUEZfYeby2JUGnxEn-sN7lL4efLqmHTszu8hTvJhkWpGEXba0s-8F/s320/Christ_Temptation.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683080157012003458" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:78%;">[Source: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:78%;">http://vidimus.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/issue_19_2008_news17.jpg]</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: small; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">Yet, one may question the validity and strength of my faith in the Lord Christ through such a trial. One would think that I would be in love with my God enough to be absolutely unswayed by that vile serpent Lust, who believes that she is a queen amongst ladies. Ah, perish the thought! She is a deceiving, conniving, and scheming agent of the serpent of old. By choosing to love and worship the Lord God, the Alpha and the Omega, I have made a choice to not be overtaken by the attacks of the enemy, no matter what agent that serpent may send my way. I have the words of the psalmist to take solace in:</span></span></div><div><p></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-family:'times new roman';font-size:85%;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-family:'times new roman';font-size:85%;">“The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed,<br /> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span> A refuge in times of trouble” (<i>Psalms</i> 9.9).</span></blockquote><p></p><p></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;" >Through the Lord, who is ‘my stronghold... the rock of my refuge’ (cf. <i>Psalms</i> 94.22), I have the confidence and courage to proclaim</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-family:'times new roman';font-size:85%;"></span></p><blockquote><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-family:'times new roman';font-size:85%;">“The LORD is my light and my salvation;</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:85%;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Whom shall I fear? </span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:85%;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The LORD is the strength of my life; </span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-family:'times new roman';font-size:85%;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span> Of whom shall I be afraid?” (<i>Psalms</i> 27.1).</span></p></blockquote><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;" >He is the strongest of strongholds. By His might, by His encouragement, the brothers and I have the necessary means to fight the wiles of the spiritual smiths and wizards, and the righteous state of mind needed to boldly confront such ladies of iniquity as Lust. Indeed, that serpent of old, along with his agents of darkness, have already been defeated by He who chose to give His life up on the tree of Calvary out of merciful love, and take it back up again three days later, just as He said He could do to His disciples (cf. <i>John</i> 10.17-18).</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;" >Honestly, it is a relief to my healing soul that Bréanninn believes it to be best that we finally leave this isle within the next few days. We have had an extended time to minister to the Lord God on dry land, he has said. Now, we must once again face the flows and ebbs of the trials, the waves, of life, in the name of our Lord. The brothers and I have sworn not only chastity and continence, but also a wholehearted effort to honour the Lord God by this adventure through the vast unknown that is this sea, which shall become a mere pond of grace should we fulfill our goal of completing this mission for His sake with clean hearts. May our Lord see the successful end of our laborious, yet enriching nautical trek, provided that be His will. </span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></p><p></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman; color:#0e141b;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:85%;"></span></p><blockquote><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman; color:#0e141b;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:85%;">Conscience is instinct bred in the house,<br />Feeling and Thinking propagate the sin<br />By an unnatural breeding in and in.<br />I say, Turn it out doors,<br />Into the moors.<br />I love a life whose plot is simple,<br />And does not thicken with every pimple,<br />A soul so sound no sickly conscience binds it,<br />That makes the universe no worse than 't finds it.<br />I love an earnest soul,<br />Whose mighty joy and sorrow<br />Are not drowned in a bowl,<br />And brought to life to-morrow;<br />That lives one tragedy,<br />And not seventy;<br />A conscience worth keeping;<br />Laughing not weeping;<br />A conscience wise and steady,<br />And forever ready;<br />Not changing with events,<br />Dealing in compliments;<br />A conscience exercised about<br />Large things, where one <i>may</i> doubt.<br />I love a soul not all of wood,<br />Predestinated to be good,<br />But true to the backbone<br />Unto itself alone,<br />And false to none;<br />Born to its own affairs,<br />Its own joys and own cares;<br />By whom the work which God begun<br />Is finished, and not undone;<br />Taken up where he left off,<br />Whether to worship or to scoff;<br />If not good, why then evil,<br />If not good god, good devil.<br />Goodness! you hypocrite, come out of that,<br />Live your life, do your work, then take your hat.<br />I have no patience towards<br />Such conscientious cowards.<br />Give me simple laboring folk,<br />Who love their work,<br />Whose virtue is song<br /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:85%;">To cheer God along</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman; color:#0e141b;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:85%;" ><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> - Henry David Thoreau, ‘Conscience’ (1841-2).*</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman; color:#0e141b;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:small;"><br /></span></p></blockquote></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFS3vwK-ZZwMCZ2E8XOvsAjaFZDv6o7jwB8ZlCbi-LwYJEWERgHtSuXLCklu8uyZssWc2PIIYqKKUjUTZCwstplFJG2GndjOPyFJBCosQSIKHL3vimy2oMJKOUHpWvCyKT02EXsqr96WKj/s1600/Detail+John+Harvey+lower.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFS3vwK-ZZwMCZ2E8XOvsAjaFZDv6o7jwB8ZlCbi-LwYJEWERgHtSuXLCklu8uyZssWc2PIIYqKKUjUTZCwstplFJG2GndjOPyFJBCosQSIKHL3vimy2oMJKOUHpWvCyKT02EXsqr96WKj/s320/Detail+John+Harvey+lower.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683079383989993250" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:78%;">[Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwU8ZcdynYw0hySHzJeStuM1dNCczrFWsY_5Xf8CoT968O12_ZiQ2mUQ_3mADs8bOGqVnyvWZipy45X_cgQkf3RQgxL2IYsWyGj6s0XIWLTq7gMR1-VlYWKzV7_lWyYptv-9RnPJTo80E/s1600/Detail+John+Harvey+lower.jpg]</span></div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman; color:#0e141b;"><br /></p><p color="#0e141b" style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:78%;">*Source: http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/transcendentalism/authors/thoreau/thoreaupoems.html#conscience</span></p>Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373803658770605253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145647019461886727.post-77865624670014344022011-11-22T15:29:00.001-08:002011-11-22T17:40:31.410-08:00An serenity fíor agus scíthe foirfe (The true serenity and perfect rest)<div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;">Ah, my friends! An apology is in order for seemingly dropping off the face of this corporeal earth by not composing an entry in quite a number of God-given days. I have been plagued. If my esteemed audience is confused as to my usage of the term ‘plagued’ to describe my recent state, despite that ‘distant smote’ I mentioned in my last journal entry truly being an isle upon which I sit, I shall attempt to clarify those events which have transpired these past several days. Before I begin to recall those events, though, all I can do at this point regarding the anomaly that is the unusually long duration of time between my last entry and this one is to beseech my loving audience for its compassion. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></p></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_mbmo-1-fUcnNKejKsPN3KMOeXJ4blJju8K4lG7Af8pRPNMJlmSeI43CdVGJ3p4sjLehf3iAQ61ULHxR1SVBF7FwpAm4FQjqSk5yxHiaLIb47ypYB0CFNJ7JMwW-BlwbdnhMfdq7vnof/s1600/OceanCliff_Revised.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 175px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_mbmo-1-fUcnNKejKsPN3KMOeXJ4blJju8K4lG7Af8pRPNMJlmSeI43CdVGJ3p4sjLehf3iAQ61ULHxR1SVBF7FwpAm4FQjqSk5yxHiaLIb47ypYB0CFNJ7JMwW-BlwbdnhMfdq7vnof/s320/OceanCliff_Revised.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677989407521478066" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:78%;">[Source: http://reyven.jreyven.com/gallery/Na/StainedGlass/OceanCliff.jpg]</span></div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;">As I previously wrote, one of the brothers apparently spotted something promising in the horizon that looked like a grain of sand through the lens of the naked eye. His estimated guess as to the identity of that speck was proven to be correct. By the grace of God, our leather boat did reach a curious iota of an isle a few days after I logged my last entry. Out of devotion to my band of brothers, I have left my journal aside while we have thoroughly scouted the isle, which poorly explains my recent silence. Bréanninn seemed confident that the Lord certainly had willed us to spend some time here; that confidence was well-founded, for not only did we arrive at this island safely, but we also have been blessed by our time here. The Lord knew that we were running low on staples, primarily our rations of fruits and fresh water. Here, an abundance of gorgeous and rich fruits have been discovered. Additionally, glimmering pools of fresh water have been scouted. Naturally, the band of brothers and I had found yet another reason to offer exultations of praise to our Creator and our Sustainer.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;">Bréanninn had told us on numerous occasions that the power behind prayer cannot be understated or underestimated, particularly by we believers who live through faith in Christ. From our recent adventures, I certainly can do nothing but concur with my brother. After all, Paul did charge the Thessalonian church to “pray without ceasing” (<i>I Thessalonians</i> 5.17). Our first night here was simply memorable and beautiful. After preparing a magnificent fire on the shoreline, we spent the twilight hours offering our wholehearted praise to our Lord Christ, like Paul charged to that aforementioned church (cf. <i>I Thessalonians</i> 5.18a). One of the greatest experiences one can have in this life is the ‘warm’ sensation one can feel whilst the Holy Spirit is ‘working’ within oneself during a time devoted to worshipping the one true God. The reality of such an experience cannot be denied: To a different audience, Paul wrote that the body of a saved Christian is “...the temple of the Holy Spirit...” which is within one (cf. <i>I Corinthians</i> 6.19-20). That supernatural sensation is one that grants me a reason, among a multitude of them, to thank the Lord that I used his gift of free will to acknowledge His Son as “the way, the truth, and the life” (<i>John</i> 14.6).</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></p></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXfSdUkvIZP94mvmHOKO1dWa8YRvxSw0Y3c8y6EiVRLXXSud0RKB5jfNUIo0Ksy1yflWFAzpsjPMkMW2Gj6jD2qb1bOztXnFNmVJPmGrqZvKJjtWIc10TGmPggP1cZnzRODxJ9a-65K1D/s1600/Cape_Cod_Beach_Fire.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXfSdUkvIZP94mvmHOKO1dWa8YRvxSw0Y3c8y6EiVRLXXSud0RKB5jfNUIo0Ksy1yflWFAzpsjPMkMW2Gj6jD2qb1bOztXnFNmVJPmGrqZvKJjtWIc10TGmPggP1cZnzRODxJ9a-65K1D/s320/Cape_Cod_Beach_Fire.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677988151632410818" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:78%;">[Source: http://www.boston.com/community/photos/raw/Cape_Cod_Beach_Fire.jpg]</span></div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;">Now, I must document the other significant happening, which is one that can be called ‘unfortunate.’ I am not afraid to admit that complacency has toyed with me in recent days. Although temporarily staying on this island has been a perfect rest, that serpent of old, being one who never ceases to bombard my brothers and me with temptations and attacks, seems to believe that my content state can be manipulated to one of ungratefulness or complacency. Even though the rich fruit was have found here has been fulfilling and has been a new reason to thank the Lord, complacency has nevertheless plagued me, albeit disguised as boredom. Humans are weak and constantly need the strength of He whom I love. In the Holy Scriptures, the complacency of the weakening and wandering Israelites in the Wilderness of Sin is well-documented. In <i>Exodus</i> 32, while Moses is experiencing the Lord God atop Mount Horeb, the Israelites grew impatient and particularly complacent, as can be seen when they asked Aaron to construct an artificial calf out of their gold. Rather than continue to fear and believe the Lord, as they had done after the wonder at the sea (cf. <i>Exodus</i> 14.30), they collectively chose to disobey the Lord by making an idol. Instead of finding a way to strengthen their trust in the Lord, they unfortunately chose to be complacent. In <i>Numbers</i> 11, the Israelites chose to complain before Moses, saying in apparent unison, </span></span></p><p></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"></span></span></p><p></p><blockquote><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:85%;">“'Who will give us meat to eat? We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, "'the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; but now our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this "'manna before our eyes!'” (<i>Numbers</i> 11.5-6).</span></span></p><p></p></blockquote><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;">Through the intercession of Moses, the people received quail to eat along with the manna. However, the wrath of the Lord struck them “while the meat was still between their teeth” (<i>Numbers</i> 11.33). Rather than finding a way to strengthen their faith in the Lord, or instead of choosing to be grateful for what food they did have, the people of Israel chose to be complacent by not choosing to strive diligently enough for God. I am thankful that the brothers and I have persevered in our faith thus far, even with the distractions this island has offered. The serpent of old has tempted us, but by the grace of our Lord, we have remained in His light and have chosen life. </span></span></p></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijg8WhfMd8sQhQBFtAbIqX8UlTMMs-vehqNOMqjrf_vPS28FrJo_xO4p0t77nV7YT54XRMqrnkzOuMM-JgliNhsWhVYSsuAHQK4BEwlpKiu7OO1DQbzxdFF6UHV8BMWarjMy1WO7XunqjU/s1600/Manna.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 233px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijg8WhfMd8sQhQBFtAbIqX8UlTMMs-vehqNOMqjrf_vPS28FrJo_xO4p0t77nV7YT54XRMqrnkzOuMM-JgliNhsWhVYSsuAHQK4BEwlpKiu7OO1DQbzxdFF6UHV8BMWarjMy1WO7XunqjU/s320/Manna.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677986929399427170" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:78%;">[Source: http://www.stlukeschurchmaidenhead.org.uk/Pages/]</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:78%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:78%;"><br /></span></div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;">The most important subject of my prayers throughout the past handful of days has been that the Lord God would keep us from giving in to the wiles of the serpent of old, particularly and pertinently his attacks of the spirits of complacency and ungratefulness. The Lord God has charged us to praise His beautiful name in the best of times, and to worship His majestic name in the worst of times. As it is truly written, “If He takes away, who can hinder Him? Who can say to Him, ‘What are You doing?’” (<i>Job</i> 9.12). In another place, we are charged to “Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful” (<i>Psalms</i> 147.1). Finally, it is written that “The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul” (<i>Psalms</i> 121.7). The brothers and I, by the influence of Bréanninn and the Lord, chose to embark on this spiritual mission to exult His magnificence and to show both the Lord and ourselves that we are zealous enough to obey the call to “rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (<i>I Thessalonians</i> 5.16-18). We have been call as thus: “Do not quench the Spirit” (<i>I Thessalonians</i> 5.19). My prayer is that during the rest of our stay here on this blessed island, we shall not falter in our adherence to His calls, for we love Him through the passionate love of our Lord Christ. “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (<i>I John</i> 4.8) always resides in the back of my petty and undeserving mind. But through even so much as knowing the Lord, we shall eternally prosper and flourish. </span></span></p><p></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><i></i></span></p><blockquote><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><i>Thou joinest and diffusest through the whole,</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><i>Linking accordantly its several parts,</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><i>A soul of threefold nature, moving all.</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><i>This, cleft in twain, and in two circles gathered,</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><i>Speeds in a path that on itself returns,</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><i>Encompassing mind's limits, and conforms</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><i>The heavens to her true semblance. Lesser souls</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><i>And lesser lives by a like ordinance</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><i>Thou sendest forth, each to its starry car</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><i>Affixing, and dost strew them far and wide</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><i>O'er earth and heaven. These by a law benign</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><i>Thou biddest turn again, and render back</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><i>To thee their fires. Oh, grant, almighty Father,</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><i>Grant us on reason's wing to soar aloft</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><i>To heaven's exalted height; grant us to see</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><i>The fount of good; grant us, the true light found,</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><i>To fix our steadfast eyes in vision clear</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><i>On Thee. Disperse the heavy mists of earth,</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><i>And shine in Thine own splendour. For Thou art</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><i>The true serenity and perfect rest</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><i>Of every pious soul, to see Thy face,</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><i>The end and the beginning; One the guide,</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><i>The traveller, the pathway, and the goal.</i></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><i> </i></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span>Boethius, Invocation 20-42.*</i></span></p></blockquote><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><i></i></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica; min-height: 12.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span></p></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZV6Fh18AP6L2ae_XvA9ehXy86xwHWesFPj3pG3jOIFxPxRXEBT0kFQp7sot0_KBlKoK_B9KvSDVdx2ujhIyFp3FnqLf1D2mogX6h6ds7ufc-KooVVZoap5sRW5OeWswYJ34l-q5M_Pc-6/s1600/NevCal.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZV6Fh18AP6L2ae_XvA9ehXy86xwHWesFPj3pG3jOIFxPxRXEBT0kFQp7sot0_KBlKoK_B9KvSDVdx2ujhIyFp3FnqLf1D2mogX6h6ds7ufc-KooVVZoap5sRW5OeWswYJ34l-q5M_Pc-6/s320/NevCal.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677984620223065346" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;">[Source: Darcy Ireland]</span></div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:78%;">*Source - http://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/B/Boethius/Invocation.htm</span></p>Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373803658770605253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145647019461886727.post-90761963515604454252011-11-06T19:24:00.000-08:002011-11-07T08:39:07.698-08:00Meáchan na n-uiscí whelm an domhain (Weight of waters whelm the earth)<div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The divine gift of life is a bittersweet one. Although it has lovingly been granted by the Lord to an arbitrary person, that life, due to the perverted and wicked spiritual state of the world, is quite a race to endure. Even though the maelstroms have plagued the brothers and me, it is with spiritual confidence I can declare that the ‘light at the end of the tunnel,’ so that saying goes, can be seen. Trusting in the Lord with wholehearted faith is not only vital for the pious Christian, but also is necessary to survive this life, which is rampant with lusts and temptations. As Bréanninn has said, we are not to doubt the real presence of that serpent of old, for thus it is written: “And the Lord said to Satan, ‘From where do you come?’ So Satan answered the Lord and said, ‘From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it’” (</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Job</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 1.6-7). However, the truth that lies behind the idea of looking to Christ to overwhelm the agents of Satan cannot be denied: “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe - and tremble!” (</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">James</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 2.19). With the gift of life, one is faced with two choices: Either one can choose to submit oneself wholeheartedly to the omnipotence of the Lord or one can succumb to the wiles of Lucifer, that serpent of old. It is my prayer and hope that not only would all people would choose the former option, but also that this aquatic voyage would help affirm my intent to choose that former option. </span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGsHXyiNd6IgK4Xf9EpBnXRoc-_0sQWfQmSBYQlpPh-GPg-9Wok_XV7hFw-0tyiTOnYY91CwbXHaW3z4QWFu1sihv8tfTLwHsMNGJexFe1ICyG3OmhTIh3L5aIr3sgfofYCWHJZJfCKV4/s1600/Inuit_Arctic_LeatherBoat.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGsHXyiNd6IgK4Xf9EpBnXRoc-_0sQWfQmSBYQlpPh-GPg-9Wok_XV7hFw-0tyiTOnYY91CwbXHaW3z4QWFu1sihv8tfTLwHsMNGJexFe1ICyG3OmhTIh3L5aIr3sgfofYCWHJZJfCKV4/s320/Inuit_Arctic_LeatherBoat.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672292298890186834" /></a><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i></i></span></span></p><i><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">[Source: http://bertan.gipuzkoakultura.net/23/argazkiak/g/022.jpg]</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span></p><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">The voyage is producing spiritual fruit, despite that our frugal approach to managing what rations of fruits and water we have is being undermined by the long stretch of time on the sea without having spotted a shoreline. My yearning to serve the Lord Christ Jesus has merely grown more profound since the brothers and I set from the shore of our home in County Galway, particularly in the past week. The necessary perseverance to endure dwindling staples would be an apt method by which to describe my true and most pertinent situation. As the weeks have passed by without a graduate assistantship, let alone any sort of job, through which not only to sustain myself but also to fund my education, I have been tempted to give up my hope in the loyal provision of Christ. However, thanks to the support of His holy church, pertinently through the church which I attend each Sunday morning, along with reassuring words from my pastor, I wholeheartedly comprehend that I shall survive “and my God shall supply all [my] need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Philippians</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> 4.19). Spiritual doors have cracked ajar recently, thanks to my trust in He who is unfathomably wealthy.</span></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"></span></span></span> <p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The Lord has not brought me on this mission viz. to Providence without properly equipping me for what tasks He would have me undertake. In more general terms, the Lord shall honour those who strive to honour Him by actively longing for the perfection of the Father. When Samuel was about to be raised into the priesthood by the Levite Eli, the priest was told, “‘for those who honour Me I will honour, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed’” (</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I Samuel</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 2.30). Under the terms of spiritual surrender to an unconditionally-loving God, it is vital to heed the words of His apostle Peter: “[Cast] all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I Peter</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 5.7). It is by His unfathomable caring for the transpirations in my life that I am able to be assured that He shall grant me what tools I shall need to ensure, including perseverance. </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I must stop here for the moment, for one of the brothers has spotted something of significance in the horizon. Although he believes that speck to be land, I cannot confirm such a speculative remark for myself. However, we have been drifting by the winds of the Lord for quite a number of weeks now. I choose to trust that He shall being us to land, whenever that may truly be, in His timing. He understands the needs of the band, and He shall replenish our staples according to His purpose. Perhaps He shall have us undertake a fast for a certain number of days. Maybe that speck is truly land. Even though I honestly hope the latter is true, I choose to be content with the will of God. With patience shall we soon see what that distant smote is, that grain appearing amidst the flows and ebbs of the vast ocean of trials....</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p></i><br /><p></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i></i></span></span></p><blockquote><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Maker of earth and sky, from age to age</span></span></i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Who rul'st the world by reason; at whose word</span></span></i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Time issues from Eternity's abyss:</span></span></i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">To all that moves the source of movement, fixed</span></span></i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Thyself and moveless. Thee no cause impelled</span></span></i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Extrinsic this proportioned frame to shape</span></span></i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">From shapeless matter; but, deep-set within</span></span></i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Thy inmost being, the form of perfect good,</span></span></i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">From envy free; and Thou didst mould the whole</span></span></i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">To that supernal pattern. Beauteous</span></span></i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The world in Thee thus imaged, being Thyself</span></span></i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Most beautiful. So Thou the work didst fashion</span></span></i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In that fair likeness, bidding it put on</span></span></i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Perfection through the exquisite perfectness</span></span></i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Of every part's contrivance. Thou dost bind</span></span></i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The elements in balanced harmony,</span></span></i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">So that the hot and cold, the moist and dry,</span></span></i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Contend not; nor the pure fire leaping up</span></span></i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Escape, or weight of waters whelm the earth.</span></span></i></span></p></blockquote> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">- </span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Boethius</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">'Invocation</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">'</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">1-19.*</span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span></p></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSBy5lNwMHZaC_NSaryG1M6FdC04Imy-4RS1L8UtDIdHPt7Xm9s90bT97XcRBU_SiakGs7ItSclFsgjFRclhWS8NrgLXnzkU7kssT1-QIfSBG4rGeI-0xfY39-DTCEp1vURRdkkaiS6rT/s1600/Vast_Ocean.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSBy5lNwMHZaC_NSaryG1M6FdC04Imy-4RS1L8UtDIdHPt7Xm9s90bT97XcRBU_SiakGs7ItSclFsgjFRclhWS8NrgLXnzkU7kssT1-QIfSBG4rGeI-0xfY39-DTCEp1vURRdkkaiS6rT/s320/Vast_Ocean.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672290871301992946" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">[Source: http://50essentialexperiences.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/OceanThumb.jpg]</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">*[Source: http://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/B/Boethius/Invocation.htm]</span></div></span></span>Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373803658770605253noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145647019461886727.post-55283885405706174192011-10-30T17:59:00.001-07:002011-10-30T20:44:09.142-07:00As Aigéan ar a gcladach wintry (Of Ocean on his wintry shore)<div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><blockquote></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The air is cold. Now, when I state that the air is cold, I actually mean that the air is much colder than it has been the past fortnight. The brothers and I have begun sailing on frigid waves. The maelstroms have begun to take on an icier identity, which seemingly does not bode well for my spiritual family sans the strength of our Lord Jesus Christ. However, we know that we are to “stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free” (</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Galatians</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 5.1a). Additionally, is it not written that “neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Romans</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 8.38b-39)? With that verse having been given, I am confident that not even the forthcoming maelstroms shall separate my brothers and me from that wondrous and indescribable love of God. </span></span><p></p></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTMyjsAtsILEKbz4841PE69wBK84Azx-DRP3usNzxk0vT1Nx8ocBoUv4mdryKVQD4x8Np4EDyRZethx2wv6jEx7GojHhB-_sCaQQzWPUqmjumtYLNO7GoC7cfyflcELUb2drj0eQV-ItL/s1600/Ocean_View_giclee.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTMyjsAtsILEKbz4841PE69wBK84Azx-DRP3usNzxk0vT1Nx8ocBoUv4mdryKVQD4x8Np4EDyRZethx2wv6jEx7GojHhB-_sCaQQzWPUqmjumtYLNO7GoC7cfyflcELUb2drj0eQV-ItL/s320/Ocean_View_giclee.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669492296642511682" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">[Source: http://www.reigngallery.com/artwork.php?id=14&giclee=1&showit=1]</span></span></div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Now, the obvious conclusion to surmise is that the increasingly colder state of the ocean has generated more temptations to fall away from the mission (and thus, fall away from spiritual life in Christ). Well, that proposed result is founded in truth, and, indeed, it is fair. It would be unwise to believe that the brothers and I would embark on such a spiritually-encouraging journey without meeting challenges in waves. The brothers and I choose not to fear. After all, Satan once even tried to tempt our Lord, which was a predictable failure of an action from the onset (cf. </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Matthew</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 4.1-11). Certainly, it is written that the “sword of the Spirit” is the word of God (</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Ephesians</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 6.17b). It was by that powerful weapon that Christ our Lord gained an unquestionably great victory over that serpent of old (cf. </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Luke</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 4.8). Satan should have known better than to even contemplate baiting our Lord, let alone actually uttering such words of temptation. We serve a wise and mighty God, who has charged us not to “put the Lord your God to the test” (</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Deuteronomy</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 6.16). Having written of that divinely-ordained commandment, I nobly, yet humbly, choose to serve that Lord God without question and without temptation.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Yet, this weak servant of the Lord could use another source of spiritual strength. In such a seemingly-bleak state of mind, I am thankfully reminded by the First </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Book of Kings</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, chapters 17 through 21. In other words, the stories of the prophet Elijah could serve well to be that by which the Lord can sustain my spiritual sanity. Now, in the eighteenth chapter, Elijah has a great showdown between himself, representing the Lord of Hosts, and the northern tribes of Israel, which very much had succumbed to the evils associated with the Canaanite god Baal (cf. </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I Kings</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 18.20-40). When the prophets of Baal failed to see their animal sacrifice miraculously alit by the false god, Elijah not only sees his sacrifice to the Lord honoured, but also sees it alit despite the sacrifice being drenched in water (18.38). In the nation which the Lord had specifically chosen to be God over (cf. </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Exodus</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 6.7), a mediator of His sovereignty was necessary. Fortunately, as the Lord had undoubtedly foreseen, the pious prophet Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead (cf. </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I Kings</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 17.1a), was more than willing to answer the spiritual call. Such an influential prophet of the Lord was Elijah that the reader of the Holy Scriptures ought not to be surprised by his appearance at the Transfiguration of our Lord Christ Jesus on that anonymous and high mountain (</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Luke</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 9.30), along with Moses, whom God had used to grant the Israelites their freedom from corporeal bondage. It is the will of this petty servant of the Lord to strive to be as pious as the prophet Elijah, as mighty as the Lord Christ Jesus, and as perfect as our God. </span></span></span></p></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQSKDwCW1STEyTbuLxsO0XN-HvgoJ1rhzA09Zw9Ss-zRqEz835KmzsAbyjenEdMl9uBcONtn2s9r9oS_9izSSFtDNSE1DLXOy_eRIKy5m1bW_s5Han9Rc5-rvy8n3bIlk5WHCIeRnT_Yz/s1600/ElijahCarmel1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 319px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQSKDwCW1STEyTbuLxsO0XN-HvgoJ1rhzA09Zw9Ss-zRqEz835KmzsAbyjenEdMl9uBcONtn2s9r9oS_9izSSFtDNSE1DLXOy_eRIKy5m1bW_s5Han9Rc5-rvy8n3bIlk5WHCIeRnT_Yz/s320/ElijahCarmel1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669491963458999426" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">[Source: http://cdn.blog.mrm.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/ElijahCarmel1.jpg]</span></span></div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">On another subject I have recently pondered as this ship has sifted through these frigid waters, one wonderful consequence of the fulfillment of the innumerable prophecies through the incarnation of Christ is that the torah, the law, is no longer necessary, as especially Paul advocated and expounded admirably (cf. </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Romans</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 7.1-6). From this great occurrence, we realize that our Lord views no sin as better or worse than another, with the lone exception of the blaspheme of His unknowable name (cf. </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Matthew </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">12.31-32). After all, the astute readers of the Holy Scriptures ought to recall the presentation of the Lord before Moses at the burning bush.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"></span></span></p><blockquote><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"'Moses said to God, ‘When I come to the Israelites and say to them, </span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"'The God of </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">your fathers has sent me to you, and they ask me, </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"'What is His name?, what </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">shall I say to them?’ And God said </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"'to Moses, ‘Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh’”</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Exodus</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> 3.13-14a).</span></span></span></p></blockquote><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Now, ‘Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh’ is Hebrew for ‘I Am Who I Am,’ a clever and accurate way to simultaneously provide Moses with an apt answer to his inquiry and to show who the Lord is by descriptions. Whenever a person blasphemes the Lord, He is essentially denying both His access to the person’s heart (not denying His existence in the while) and His sovereignty over everything in existence. Against that idea do I choose to identify with Joshua, who once said, “‘As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord’” (</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Joshua</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 6.24). </span></span></span></p></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fbiM3im8pUvBSVGAClaysjVs5N9bnMbXgYMb96sl1Q-aX5B3489bgJ8iVZ03RFlL2-FC-CrHj_JqX0JQSMUCJ_QB-uLgTIcm3VgmiIy5cNVFzKo5xn41pNKH2zh0xb8ssf1PWietFQ_w/s1600/moses_burning_bush_stained_glass.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fbiM3im8pUvBSVGAClaysjVs5N9bnMbXgYMb96sl1Q-aX5B3489bgJ8iVZ03RFlL2-FC-CrHj_JqX0JQSMUCJ_QB-uLgTIcm3VgmiIy5cNVFzKo5xn41pNKH2zh0xb8ssf1PWietFQ_w/s320/moses_burning_bush_stained_glass.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669491428686272386" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">[Source: http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-79279966/stock-photo-victorian-stained-glass-window-showing-moses-and-the-burning-bush-window-over-years-old-on.html]</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Although I have expounded on the possibility of blaspheming the unknowable name of the Lord as the lone unforgivable transgression one can commit, a renowned theologian once wrote that the greatest of sins is pride (C.S. Lewis, ‘Mere Christianity’). When one steps back and examines the plausibility of pride truly being the most significant sin, the idea is not insane. After all, it is written that “pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Proverbs</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 16.18). However, the Holy Scriptures point to blasphemy as being the unforgivable sin. As Christ once said,</span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"></span></span></p><blockquote><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"'Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, </span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"'and whatever </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"'against the Holy Spirit </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">never has forgiveness, but is subject to </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"'eternal condemnation’”</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Mark</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> 3.28-29).</span></span></span></p></blockquote><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">But that renowned writer Lewis is correct, for it could be argued that blasphemy comes about due to an asinine measurement of pride within a given person. Such a person, bounded by pride due to choosing to view personal accomplishments from a rather ungodly and sinister angle, is so committed to the wiles of that crazed agent of Satan, that is haughtiness, that he is even willing to rebuke the name of the Lord out of a sickening likening towards himself. I, this meek servant of the Lord, zealously pray for such people, that they may find the great Saviour, the Lord Christ Jesus, before they drive themselves to such rash and foolish acts as blaspheming the name of the Lord (whether blasphemy or pride is the greatest of sins). </span></span></span></p><p></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; color:#0e141b;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Regarding the immediate future with my band of spiritual brothers, Bréanninn confidently anticipates more time in the ocean, amidst the icy, but still challenging, waves. The clouds shall grow darker still, he envisions, as I had previously conjectured. With the increase of the smoky clouds shall likely come thick, nautical fog. The dark mist shall tempt us to abandon our mission, to subsequently turn our wretched and shamed faces from the incomprehensibly wondrous face of our Lord, who sent His Son to atone for our iniquities and evils. Since He understands our plight, particularly through the petty temptation episode with Satan himself, we are assured that He shall not forsake us (cf. </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Psalms</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 37.28). No matter how ruthlessly we are tempted, and no matter how many times we succumb and comply to the wiles of the enemy, we have the knowledge that He shall not forget about us. Through love, through His Son and His Holy Spirit, He encourages us to not forget about Him, even if that means that He has to find an unthinkable avenue by which to break the pride from any one of us. Such a beautiful thought uplifts me even now, as the thick mist onsets, as the murky fog begins to envelop our ordained vessel....</span></span></span></p><p></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; color:#0e141b;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"></span></span></p><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><blockquote><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A hard, dull bitterness of cold,<br />That checked, mid-vein, the circling race<br />Of life-blood in the sharpened face,<br />The coming of the snow-storm told.<br />The wind blew east; we heard the roar<br />Of Ocean on his wintry shore,<br />And felt the strong pulse throbbing there<br />Beat with low rhythm our inland air.</span></i></blockquote></span></span><p></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; color:#0e141b;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">- John Greenleaf Whittier, ‘Snowbound’ 11-18.*</span></span></p></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA01pfaok3ALWxORGhkWRrDSK4AdHFWg1nZtDjuoclAc9WZ-6VWqb3tISEXeMSmZ3mebpX3bS6_NoId-zb_FI53tdmz_sBBvCs7AIyP2kpTUgU8m30WQuXAfAECQ0gsnbOhfLDvNyffWHG/s1600/snow_storm_steam_boat_oil_painting.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA01pfaok3ALWxORGhkWRrDSK4AdHFWg1nZtDjuoclAc9WZ-6VWqb3tISEXeMSmZ3mebpX3bS6_NoId-zb_FI53tdmz_sBBvCs7AIyP2kpTUgU8m30WQuXAfAECQ0gsnbOhfLDvNyffWHG/s320/snow_storm_steam_boat_oil_painting.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669490809166442418" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">[Source: http://interwar.tumblr.com/post/5618169296/snow-storm-steam-boat-off-a-harbors-mouth]</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">*<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">[Source: http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/transcendentalism/roots/legacy/snowbound.html]</span></span></span></div>Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373803658770605253noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145647019461886727.post-45246177659745388872011-10-25T09:24:00.000-07:002011-10-25T09:59:32.632-07:00Ar an drear seoltóireachta dorcha Aigéan (On the dark Ocean sailing drear)<div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">On the subject of the incomprehensibly great act of creation that our Lord so undertook many millennia ago, I do have at least one inquiry to make that has likely rested on the hearts of many other curious souls. Did the Lord God have a specific purpose in mind by primarily colouring a given vast ocean-scape with various shades of blue? Forgive the brashness of the pen of this poor, wretched, and undeserving servant of the Lord. However, the Lord did lovingly create this world not only to be well-populated by that race which initially encompassed both His image and likeness but also to serve as an avenue by which that intelligent race may offer Him well-deserved psalms, hymns, and odes. Besides, it is written that Christ said to “ask, and it will be given to [one]; seek, and [one] will find; knock, and it will be given to [one]” (<i>Matthew</i> 7.7). In this case, I ask about the similarity in hue between the open ocean and the clear sky. Given my situation, that is being in the ocean for about a week (since the brothers and I left that blessed isle), it is not surprising that I ponder such things. No matter what His answer to my inquiry is, I can certainly praise Him for crafting such a beautiful world, pertinently the ocean-scapes that cover a majority of it. </span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></span></p></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTINnmLoYonIeHvoB8UwYzljG2Xg73Hyt8nuogaGUXfPCPnljOOUpMAV7Zn5PoZ7gzmp3Pui76cAzUQNQ338f-IrKjNZyTMKtYTOCrlMB_P3sgx09aDi189eAaZZEGgIm1e2D9kmxwACR/s1600/DSCI0184.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTINnmLoYonIeHvoB8UwYzljG2Xg73Hyt8nuogaGUXfPCPnljOOUpMAV7Zn5PoZ7gzmp3Pui76cAzUQNQ338f-IrKjNZyTMKtYTOCrlMB_P3sgx09aDi189eAaZZEGgIm1e2D9kmxwACR/s320/DSCI0184.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667473476388151682" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; ">[Source: Darcy Ireland]</span></span></div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">As I previously indicated, Bréanninn, the other brothers, and I left that blessed and green isle approximately a week ago. The abbot of the monastic community there oversaw a humble, yet tasteful meal, which his brothers helped prepare. After the blessed occasion, the brothers saw us off with provisions, including fresh water, loaves of brown soda bread, and several varieties of fruit, and a prayer of prosperity. Relating the author’s own life, my family and I had a blessed and wonderful time together. I am thankful for what provisions they gave me, including furnishings for my frugal and lightly furnished dwelling-place. Although I shall see them at the end of the semester, I am grateful still for the ten days’ time we spent in one another’s company.</span></span></span></p></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://plus6.safe-order.net/magellannarfe//Iceland/charrier_raiders.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 291px;" src="https://plus6.safe-order.net/magellannarfe//Iceland/charrier_raiders.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:x-small;">[Source: https://plus6.safe-order.net/magellannarfe//Iceland/charrier_raiders.jpg]</span></span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">An increasing number of maelstroms have plagued our wee leather vessel these past few days, which surprises neither Bréanninn nor myself. Being Christians, we know what great lengths we must go through to “be perfect” as our Lord is (cf. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Matthew</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> 5.48). Given the unfathomable sacrifice Christ made to atone for the sins of mankind, I would argue that making temporal sacrifices of my own ought not to be seen as terrible. After all, the choice to carry one’s own cross for the sake of honouring our Lord is just that; one chooses to follow Him (cf. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Luke</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> 14.27). However, Scripture does provide the unfortunate, yet just, consequences to one who “‘...does not bear his cross and come after [Him]...’” that he “‘...cannot be [His] disciple’” (</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Luke</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> 14.27). Christ charges all to follow Him through all maelstroms, that is through all trials, and be faithful until the end. Really, He does not ask much, for the average life span of a man is insignificantly small in the eyes of the Lord After all, to God, “...a thousand years in [His] sight are like yesterday when it is past, and like a watch in the night” (</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Psalms</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> 90.4). Before one even considers doubting the awesome power of the Lord, was it not He who honoured the covenantal promise of Abraham by delivering his descendants from the oppressive grip of the Egyptians through marvels and wonders? Also, was it not Christ who fulfilled a multitude of prophesies by being a man and performing spectacular feats before all? I believe that He was, is, and always shall be omnipresent and omnipotent. With that stated, I trust that He shall grant us the necessary gifts to persevere through these physical and spiritual maelstroms.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p></span></i></span><i><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This day, the one during which I am writing this entry, the water is surprisingly calm. Given the maelstroms that have attempted to wash me and my company out, that the ocean is calm seems eerily sublime. However, for such a temporary peace, I thank our Lord. After all, offering such thanksgiving, complimented with many odes and psalms, are what I, a petty and unworthy servant of the Lord, can give to He who “fearfully and wonderfully made” me (</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Psalms</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> 139.14). Through trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ, I have the strength and confidence to face the waves, along with Bréanninn and my other brothers. The words of Joshua are on my heart and on my lips: “‘But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord’” (</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Joshua</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> 24.15b). As for me, I can do nothing but refocus my attention on the Lord and the ensuing maelstroms that visibly loom on the horizon of this beautiful ocean-scape.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p></i><p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"I die but when the grave shall press</span></i></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"The heart so long endeared to thee</span></i></span></div></i><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"When earthly cares no more distress</span></i></span></div></i><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"And earthly joys are nought to me</span></i></span></div></i><p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"Weep not, but think that I have past</span></i></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"Before thee o'er a sea of gloom</span></i></span></div></i><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"Have anchored safe and rest at last</span></i></span></div></i><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"Where tears and mourning cannot come</span></i></span></div></i><p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"'Tis I should weep to leave thee here</span></i></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"On the dark Ocean sailing drear</span></i></span></div></i><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"With storms around and fears before</span></i></span></div></i><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"And no kind light to point the shore</span></i></span></div></i><p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"But long or short though life may be</span></i></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"'Tis nothing to eternity</span></i></span></div></i><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"We part below to meet on high</span></i></span></div></i><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"Where blissful ages never die</span></i></span></div></i><p></p><p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal; font-size: 16px; "><i></i></span></span></i></p><i><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">"For life is but a passing breeze</span></i></span></div></i><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">"Nothing that we gain can we enjoy</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size: 16px; "><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">"Nor can we delight in its devulgant pleasures</span></i></span></div></i><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">"Above waiteth thy bliss of glory</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><br /></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">"Above waiteth thy noble hearts peace</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">"Thy victory in the grave shall be proclaimed</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">"For thou art converted in splendour."</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><br /></span></i></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></i><p></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Emily Brontë, 'Lines' (Dec. 1837). </span></span></span></i></p><p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></p></div><a href="http://www.blogstaugustinelighthouse.org/blog/storm.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://www.blogstaugustinelighthouse.org/blog/storm.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">[Source: http://www.blogstaugustinelighthouse.org/blog/storm.jpg]</span></span></div>Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373803658770605253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145647019461886727.post-56126127260790553712011-10-16T19:37:00.000-07:002011-10-16T21:06:58.372-07:00An Oileán na Sléibhte Glas (The Isle of the Green Mountains)<div><div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Those people among my audience who are familiar with my musings, writings, and patterns have rightfully expected my latest - and my most wretched - timed entry to have been completed this past Lord’s Day, that is Sunday. An apology is in order for those people who would benefit from it, for I have neglected my self-imposed obligation to write an entry for this past Sunday. This green island, and the adventures which have occupied virtually all my free time, has distracted me from my writing. However, I have been working on this hypothetical entry for the past handful of days now. My recent distractions have deterred me from successfully completing my latest entry at the target date. Yet, I did indicate when I began my writings on my voyage with my brothers that certain scenarios would occur which would quite likely prevent me from completing a given target entry. Apparently, this visit to this island is one of those times. Please forgive this tired and wretched servant of the Lord for his failure to complete an expected entry for this past Lord’s Day. It is my hope that this latest timed entry would be an acceptable token not only of my undeterred love for my audience but also of my undying care for the continuation of this series of, well, nautical writings.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://floridairishheritagecenter.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/6f2f2a6550353efb1d78c22b7f621dd7.jpg?w=300" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://floridairishheritagecenter.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/6f2f2a6550353efb1d78c22b7f621dd7.jpg?w=300" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 181px; " /></a><p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:x-small;">[Credit: http://floridairishheritagecenter.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/6f2f2a6550353efb1d78c22b7f621dd7.jpg?w=300]</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"></span></span></span></p><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Regarding my most recent escapades, I must say that I have never before seen such luscious green landscapes as those that cover this island. Slightly amusing, that admission is for me to utter. This island seemed familiar to me from afar. Having spent a week’s time scouting this beautiful island with Bréanninn and the brothers, I can conclude that that plausibility is simultaneously a reality and a fantasy. Perhaps the time I have spent both in allowing myself to be further immersed in the presence of the Lord Christ Jesus and in being encompassed by the physical beauty of the island has tempted me to lose myself completely. Bah, but a mere monk - a humble servant of the Lord - ought not to think as such. After all, the vows I am bound by perpetually remind myself of what unnecessary, yet admirable, lengths I have chosen to undertake to serve He who lovingly created me.</span></span></span></p></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlUdkU1PopNefbsnwNc6uKTrzpEHaeuyRqTjbDSTsclTod67QTdyks7Untw6QpZ_eUkOiHkDL1aBKgpjpDryrIHEcPmDa_KgmnOlTs94ZY32hXbXi3Aqbf2m41VzT15q0AHrLiq2VtpP1/s1600/DSCI0219.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlUdkU1PopNefbsnwNc6uKTrzpEHaeuyRqTjbDSTsclTod67QTdyks7Untw6QpZ_eUkOiHkDL1aBKgpjpDryrIHEcPmDa_KgmnOlTs94ZY32hXbXi3Aqbf2m41VzT15q0AHrLiq2VtpP1/s320/DSCI0219.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664298125887338562" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:x-small;">[Windsor, VT. Credit: Darcy Ireland.]</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"></span></span></span></p><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">As I have indicated, our divinely-orchestrated visit to this island has satisfied my heart and soul. Exploring this lively island has enchanted my spirit. Through enjoying the natural beauty that encompasses this island, the Lord has found an avenue by which to minister to me. Over the past handful of days, the brothers and I have seen such sights as maple trees, jays, and nestled barns. The serenity and warmth the island has provided to us certainly has edified my soul, if not any one of the other brothers. More realistically, my earthly family has spent the past week visiting my sorry self, this petty author. We have been been sightseeing on a vacation. Sights such as Colby College (Waterville, ME), Bowdoin College (Brunswick, ME), Dartmouth College (Hanover, NH), and Cape Cod (MA) have caught a majority of my total attention this past week. It has been a delight not only to enjoy the company that is my family, but also to use the gift of astute navigation the Lord granted me to show them about my favourite region of the United States of America that is New England. Playing tour guide and traveling about the great region with my family was a great chance for my pious Irish persona to see how much the Lord loves an earthly family he has created. But my character, through his still brief voyage with Bréanninn and the brothers, is beginning to realize for himself, with the Lord’s aid and strength, what true love is. After all, the Holy Scriptures has this to say regarding His love: “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (<i>I John</i> 4.8). Also, is the Christian not to “Honor [his] father and [his] mother, that [his] days may be long upon the land which the LORD [his] God...” grants to him? (<i>Exodus</i> 20.12). Finally, it is written that a Christian loves “because He first loved us” (<i>I John</i> 4.19). As surely as I was reminded of the great spiritual warmth the Holy Spirit provided to me and continued to kindle due to the chaste love I expressed (and still do) to my family, my Irish monastic archetype is truly beginning to thrive in a spiritual love of his own for his fellow Christian brothers. </span></span></span></p></span></span></span><p></p></span></span></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg522j7DK6cgb5GnGyAcoA55ZFJcaA-Q6mbngSHuN1BLz7N2DpTUNEn7qURbFNu2gKFoe80T9BUCBCTsfFzjT9U1p7DSPtNo3ne8j_6EtLyTPu13OrCpz1sbotcjt-IB0dvbhuW004in0co/s1600/DSCI0235.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg522j7DK6cgb5GnGyAcoA55ZFJcaA-Q6mbngSHuN1BLz7N2DpTUNEn7qURbFNu2gKFoe80T9BUCBCTsfFzjT9U1p7DSPtNo3ne8j_6EtLyTPu13OrCpz1sbotcjt-IB0dvbhuW004in0co/s320/DSCI0235.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664302307791410386" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">[Hanover, NH. Credit: Darcy Ireland.]</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"></span></span></span></p><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Although the sights of the green island have been nostalgically wonderful to me, one particular feature raises special attention in my mind. Coláiste Dartmouth, that is Dartmouth College, is a place I had once previously longed to visit, if not attend for a duration of time with the purpose of earning a certain degree of higher learning, such as a doctoral degree. Well, certain circumstances have played out in my life that have prevented me from fulfilling that bid (I refer not to earning such an advanced degree, but to attending Coláiste Dartmouth particularly). Perhaps the Lord means to tell me that the possibility of my attending that certain prestigious institution is not part of His will for my life. If so, then I choose to be content with my having seen the place with my own eyes and nothing more. It seems that it is not meant to be, that is my enrolling as a postgraduate student at this school. To me, Coláiste Dartmouth represents an unattainable fantasy that will likely not be realized and is likely not of the Lord’s Will, as I have already indicated and supposed. Still, to have the chance to be familiar with such a sight as Dartmouth leaves the author content.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"></span></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Of all the islands the brothers and I could possibly have landed upon, I am particularly thankful that we are here, on An Oileán na Sléibhte Glas.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> The Lord certainly willed us to be here, that we may be a spiritually-edifying type of blessing to </span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">the monastic community here, and vice versa. The abbot of the community has been quite hospitable and caring to me and my merry band of soldiers (as Bréanninn likes to refer to the lot). Our brother Bréanninn did convince us to believe that this nautical voyage is ordained by the Lord as one that is righteous and good. This week has been beneficial not only for me but also for Bréanninn. This visit has been a great opportunity to live out the word of the Lord through the apostle Paul: “[Pray] always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” (<i>Ephesians</i> 6.18).</span></span></span></p></span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"></span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><p></p></span></span><p></p></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXf5v5Ji8j67lPq2FSFve5stq6z5IL4n8PgWtT20pPTSC6ycMY09putJQs8uv1wURmp2MHruuwPrgZRFNUWMh2I3zU6TJCgQPj3B8pl3DqmQCLjvoz3RMn5MIOQAdYSQYK31D0_QnytEig/s1600/DSCI0300.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXf5v5Ji8j67lPq2FSFve5stq6z5IL4n8PgWtT20pPTSC6ycMY09putJQs8uv1wURmp2MHruuwPrgZRFNUWMh2I3zU6TJCgQPj3B8pl3DqmQCLjvoz3RMn5MIOQAdYSQYK31D0_QnytEig/s320/DSCI0300.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664302991939756242" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">[Wellfleet, MA. Credit: Darcy Ireland.]</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"></span></span></span></p><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Bréanninn and the abbot both seem to agree that the Lord would desire to see the former, the brothers and myself set sail for whatever he may have for us on the seas by the end of the day that is third from today. From what Bréanninn has told me, the Lord foreknows the outcomes of many more maelstroms and waves of trials the brothers and I have yet to encounter. Already from this time on this lush, prosperous island, I have envisioned and asked the Lord about the upcoming tribulations I must face. I am not afraid to face such trials, for I know that the Lord was, is, and always shall be with me. He cares for nothing less than the best for me. After all, it is written that as a Christian, I must “[cast] all your care upon Him, for He cares for [me]” (<i>I Peter</i> 5.7). Additionally, I need to “trust in the LORD with all [my] heart, and lean not on [my] own understanding” (<i>Proverbs</i> 3.5). He and I both know that by honestly confiding in Him, I shall not falter, but will spiritually thrive. My prayer is that the song that would fall from the lips of everyone is that which I hope to sing even should I fail in my bid to make it through all these maelstroms fully intact (cf. <i>I Chronicles</i> 29.11):</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><i>“Yours, O LORD, is the greatness,<br /> “The power and the glory,<br /> “The victory and the majesty;<br /> “For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;<br /> “Yours is the kingdom, O LORD,<br /> “And You are exalted as head over all.”</i></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">For now, I must rest. The maelstroms, those trials that flow and ebb in waves, loom ahead.....</span></span></span></p></span></span><p></p></span><p></p></span></span><p></p>Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373803658770605253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145647019461886727.post-38072903237659765432011-10-02T14:21:00.000-07:002011-10-02T18:21:57.609-07:00Maelstroms trialacha (Maelstroms of trials)<div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It has been a week’s time since we cast off from the beloved shores of County Galway, from our home. Even so, I am tempted to think that it has been a year’s time, if not that of a fortnight and a half. Such realistic entertainment of a false truth is one example of what damage a nautical voyage can induce to one’s spirit, provided one allow such erosion. In all fairness, these bland thoughts are in mere infancy. After all, the sheer excitement of sailing the open ocean had enchanted me this past week. As I noted to my Christian brother Bréanninn a few days after we had cast off from our native Eire, I am grateful and thankful before our Lord to be a part of such a voyage. To that, Bréanninn concurred, but with a word of caution. This voyage will try your soul, he warned. It is like life: As a wave is a potential hindrance to the progress of a ship, so a given trial in life is a plausible stoppage to one’s advancement towards entrance into the eternal paradise that is heaven. In my prayer to the Lord, I pondered these words of caution. Indeed, I heed my brother Bréanninn’s words like as if they were from the Lord Himself. As I’m sure Bréanninn would have told me had he spoken further, it is with the Lord’s help that any wave can be overcome. After all, Christ once said, “‘If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea, and it would obey you’” (<i>Luke</i> 17.6). Through the Scriptures, I also understand the consequences that would ensue should I ask for the Lord’s help without faith: “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind” (<i>James</i> 1.6). It is all too fitting that the very waves that this leather boat has been cutting through this past week have failed to stop our holy voyage. They are aimlessly tossed about by the wind. Without my faith in the Lord, I would be as one of those waves.</span></span></span></p></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlPpR1BlcJJK9-LS67xiYfHJ6kfDSU6mRVwlV7F5AVEdVNK92M8_cmXEofdX8wu9voqp-D7mK6bkw4UlmpfmY4nPG7Tk36f3jv4EbCiqDdsMQYUT7_WVWfO0QaurvtsQCy7wtCz7WoT0d/s320/2_Oct_Brendan_Window_Ship.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659008374603071762" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">[Credit: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4012/4354455719_aabe072193_b.jpg]</span></div><div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span></span></span></p><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">One sea wave differs from another in size and intensity. Similarly, one tribulation differs from another one. Although all trials require the Lord’s aid, some waves, or tests, can be lightly tackled and overcome. Recently, I was tasked to write my first critical essay as a postgraduate theology student. Initially, handling this assignment didn’t seem easy, for a number of months had passed since I had completed my last academic essay. Complimenting this excuse was a shred of anxiety at the knowledge that this essay would be my first as a postgraduate student. Excitement and nervousness attempted to cloud my thoughts. That the construction of an academic essay is like riding a bicycle would be a fair simile to use to describe the outcome of this situation. Once I sat down to begin the necessary research to structure and write this paper, the anxiety departed from my being (with His aid). The result - a seven-page analysis on <i>Genesis</i> 18-19 - put to rest any doubts that clouded my thoughts. To me, the process of writing such an essay is like an ‘easy’ wave, or a light trial, that must be overcome. Compared to other tests, this one proved not to be as heavily taxing on my soul as I had initially surmised. Despite that conclusion, the trial still required me to trust in the Lord. As the apostle Paul once wrote, “‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’” (<i>Philippians</i> 4.13).</span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></span></p></span></span></span><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">In contrast to the light 'wave' of writing an essay, the Lord also expects me to overcome more significant ones. The larger waves are typically found during thunderstorms or hurricanes in the open ocean. It is how one approaches these sort of waves that one experiences the greatest spiritual growth - or decrease. The Lord particularly enjoys helping one through the more powerful waves, for His desire is to see all men love Him dearly. Even though He realizes that a man cannot undeniably be “‘perfect, just as [He who] in heaven is perfect’” (<i>Matthew</i> 5.48), He also knows that a believer ought not to err simply because the state of perfection by a carnal man (sans Christ Jesus) is impossible to attain. After all, Christ Jesus did utter this: ‘“If [one] loves Me, keep My commandments’” (<i>John</i> 14.15). These commandments are rooted in true love: “This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it” (<i>II</i> <i>John</i> 1.6). The test of overcoming my diagnosis of autism with the Lord’s help is arguably the greatest wave I have had to pass through. The Lord has taught me that not even the most gifted medical doctors, whose profession and experience gives them license to prognosticate the outcomes of patients, can correctly forecast the ‘logical’ effect of a given medical cause. One such doctor, who was employed by the medical center of a prominent university, predicted that I would be so mentally low-functioning that I would likely be confined to a sort of resting-home for the rest of my life based on that medical diagnosis. Instead of being angry at that doctor, I choose to forgive him for incorrectly forecasting my fate. He is only a man; I let the lady Fortune place me as she wills, for she is limited by the mighty hand of the Lord. From such a bleak prediction, here I stand. I am not entirely sure whether this particularly rough wave was just that or if it was really a series of several rough waves that became due to a maelstrom. My uncertainty notwithstanding, I still need the Lord to help me, “That the genuineness of [my] faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (<i>I</i> <i>Peter</i> 1.7).</span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></span></p></span></div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">My friends, there is at least one more aspect to this metaphorical interpretation of my walk with the Lord that is crucial. The waves of the unpredictable ocean of life are chaotic, with no apparent pattern, as perceived by man. Now, a set of tools is available to combat any given intensity of wave, or of trial, no matter the positioning of one’s ship in the waters. To add to the metaphor, a navigator’s reliance on the alignment of the stars in the sky, and trust in that alignment, is a Christian’s reliance on the Lord in the spiritual realm, and trusting His existence. As a navigator must look to both the positioning of the stars and to his maps, so a Christian must look to both the Lord and to the Scriptures. Although the Lord Christ once said, “‘...do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on’” (<i>Luke</i> 12.22b), it is also wise to do what one must do in a given day to be as prepared for whatever the Lord has for the next day as one can possibly be. With these notes, one of the Lord shall be ready to allow Him to be the “...shield and the One in whom [one may] take refuge” (<i>Psalms</i> 144.2) against whatever waves one may have to subdue. In the end, the Lord blesses those who tackle a given wave in His name with the assurance of the maps, or Scriptures, and the affirmation of the positioning of the stars, or His eternal presence.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">The Lord initially created man to lovingly worship Him. With that in mind, He understands that even though the world has fallen into the clutches of corruption and iniquity, the occasional event that somewhat mirrors heavenly paradise can be known by man. Knowing that the Lord created man to be happy, He allows such occasional times, so long as they are in line with His master plan. One could compare these moments in life to calm stretches of seawater. Such a type of time is one in which “...the wind [drops] and the sea [coagulates], as it were - it [is] so smooth” (Anon., <i>Voyage</i> xiv.). Without a wave to be seen for many knots ahead, one savours such a time that evokes feelings of serenity and security. As for me, I celebrate such times by doing as I ought: To lift up words of thanksgiving to the Lord God, who knows the afflictions of all mankind and honours those who long after His own righteous heart. It was in a similar calm that the patriarch Noah sent from his ark the dove that would find the “freshly plucked olive leaf” by which Noah “knew that the waters had receded from the earth” (<i>Genesis</i> 8.10-11). By that olive branch, Noah knew that the Lord was confirming to him that his faith in Him through the myriad of waves - physical and spiritual ones - had its reward, that is life...</span></span></span></p><p></p></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1BsejgiEVffBDOFsxj84UY7M2_HpboR4NihSOJ0gWT5vAtk_N8NTntaQhuNvvLba7tlmpdRRIjThrGBOuo-FjICxZDXedPSikpkTGwDXFBKeU8CZEupZcEZSALWgjyd3ueZhpdrPUSEO/s1600/DSCI0279.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1BsejgiEVffBDOFsxj84UY7M2_HpboR4NihSOJ0gWT5vAtk_N8NTntaQhuNvvLba7tlmpdRRIjThrGBOuo-FjICxZDXedPSikpkTGwDXFBKeU8CZEupZcEZSALWgjyd3ueZhpdrPUSEO/s320/DSCI0279.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659008477317223682" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">[Credit: Darcy Ireland]</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Ah, my friends! Although I would like to expand on this subject, I need to cease. My brother St. Bréanainn calls for my attention now. I thought I heard him thank the Lord for something a mere few seconds ago. Oh, he has spotted a shoreline! It’s still several knots afar - it may take a couple days to reach - but provided it be the Lord’s will, this leather boat shall soon strike land. It is strange, though. This particular shoreline reminds me of a pleasant time in my past....</span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373803658770605253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145647019461886727.post-39894833941646834902011-09-25T19:40:00.000-07:002011-09-26T18:46:38.586-07:00Ó Dhorchaidhe<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cease your present activities for a moment. Now, close your eyes. Imagine yourself standing in a country field in the middle of County Galway, Ireland. If you cannot picture such a scene (I refer to modern-day Northern Ireland), at least envision yourself standing in a field in the middle of Eire. Now, let your senses free! You can hear uilleann pipes playing from afar. You can smell a multitude of pleasing and natural smells. You can almost taste Shepherd's pie, washed down with a brewing spot of Irish breakfast tea. You can feel the smooth sensation of the soft, grassy surface beneath your bare feet. Now, you rejoice and beam from ear to ear as you then hear a few people calling from a distance. After a few moments, you stroll to the nearby ocean. You see me and what appears to be a sage, the two of us loading up a leather boat. You wonder if we are preparing for a long, long journey.....</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/101/263061408_818f53f21e.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/101/263061408_818f53f21e.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">[</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:x-small;">Credit: http://www.photodump.net/blog/photo/dunguaire-castle-in-kinvara/</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">]</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 15.0px; font: 11.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 15.0px; font: 11.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 15.0px; font: 11.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">That aforementioned 'sage,' a great spiritual inspiration of mine, is once credited to have said the following:</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 15.0px; font: 11.0px Lucida Grande; min-height: 13.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 15.0px; font: 11.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> "'</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Soldiers of Christ, be strengthened in faith unfeigned and in spiritual weapons, for we are in the confines of Hell. '"So, be on the watch and be brave</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.'" </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 15.0px; font: 11.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span>(Anonymous), 'The Voyage of Saint Brendan.' xxiii.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 15.0px; font: 11.0px Lucida Grande; min-height: 13.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 15.0px; font: 11.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Thus spoke the Irish missionary and oceanic navigator Saint Bréanainn of Clonfert to his pious band of Irish monks on the open sea. With this quote I can easily compare my life. To me, that story of that Irish Christian of old is a spiritual tool specifically meant to constantly remind me why God created me. I am here to humbly be used to inspire and bless other people. Nobody is better or worse than I am, no matter the social status, the wealth, and other pertinent factors.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 15.0px; font: 11.0px Lucida Grande; min-height: 13.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 15.0px; font: 11.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> To begin this new trek, allow me to bring readers 'up to speed,' so to speak. Through this link, one can find a download, which is a general letter I wrote.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 15.0px; font: 11.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">[</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">NOTE: Within the link, it would be prudent to click the smaller download button toward the button of the page.]</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 15.0px; font: 11.0px Lucida Grande; min-height: 13.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 15.0px; font: 11.0px Times New Roman; color:#0000fb;"><span style="text-decoration: underline"><a href="http://www.2shared.com/document/zyhdH4ki/darcy_sept_letter.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">http://www.2shared.com/document/zyhdH4ki/darcy_sept_letter.html</span></a></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 15.0px; font: 11.0px Lucida Grande; min-height: 13.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 15.0px; font: 11.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Most readers of this initial post at the time of its publication are friends and acquaintances that shared a connection with me through that ever-popular social networking medium known as Facebook. Some among those very readers may recall that I once made a serious effort to cut myself free from the deceptively aggressive ties of that same virtual reality by creating three separate blogs, each with its own distinct purpose. That previous attempt to divorce myself from Facebook ultimately failed because I was not motivated to constantly update one of the blogs, let alone all three. Well, after a period of praying to the Lord for guidance, I have come to believe that this next attempt to declare my independence from Facebook should be undertaken and shall be a success. This time, I am certainly driven to begin this healthy compromise between being absorbed by Facebook and not having a virtual life whatsoever. Also, I believe that my spiritual life is much healthier than it was during my last shot to break from Facebook. Finally, that this freshest attempt to cast myself from Facebook is one that is realistically manageable (trying with one rather than three separate blogs), given my generally-hectic life. It is my hope and prayer that this group of readers understand my position and are willing and excited to see out the duration of this particular blog, however long that lifespan may be. It is my expectation that given my previous attempt to break from Facebook, at least a handful of my readers are not certain whether following this blog is worth their time. Well, in response to such a plausible assertion, I offer this: Should I fail to update this blog according to the rate of posting I shall soon give, then those readers are free to cease following this blog. All I ask my readers, pertinently those that are routed here from my expiring Facebook account, is a fair and second chance with this newest attempt to blog the significant highlights of my insignificant life.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 15.0px; font: 11.0px Lucida Grande; min-height: 13.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 15.0px; font: 11.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Now, regarding the expectation of updates, my readers should look out for a new post at least once a week. I'm convinced that given my previous shot at blogging, I ought to set a time that is not too frequent, yet not too infrequent. That time should be one that is apt to cover what few highlights I may have over a certain period of time. A week seems right to me. That weekly post shall likely be published during a given Sunday afternoon or evening, but please do not hold me accountable to that time.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 15.0px; font: 11.0px Lucida Grande; min-height: 13.0pxcolor:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 15.0px; font: 11.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> A fresh start, one could argue, is a suitable avenue through which a wonderful influx of inspiration can ensue. This 'brave new world,' this new blog ought to ensure such inspiration of words. Also, perhaps this blog can serve as a means to offer hope to someone God believes needs it. When I type such words, I mean not to think myself as above God. Perish the thought! Rather, I mean that I harken back to my Christian belief that God created a given human being to be used by Him (provided that human being chooses to allow God to use him) to bless other people. Although I am a wretch and a sinner (cf. I John 1.8), thanks to my choice to serve the Lord Christ Jesus, I understand that I have chosen to be used by Him to humbly bless others and inspire others to be like Him. After all, for those that believe as I do, there is this verse: "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5.48). For those friends and acquaintances of mine that do not share my beliefs in Jesus Christ, then I ask that you still respectfully acknowledge my Christianity, and that you still decide to enjoy this adventure of a blog anyway....</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 15.0px; font: 11.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 15.0px; font: 11.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></p></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://www.sbshepparton.catholic.edu.au/exportimages/window1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 347px; height: 194px;" src="http://www.sbshepparton.catholic.edu.au/exportimages/window1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; line-height: 15.0px; font: 11.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">[CREDIT: http://www.sbshepparton.catholic.edu.au/Areas/StBrendan/stbrencontent.htm]</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; line-height: 15.0px; font: 11.0px Lucida Grande; min-height: 13.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; line-height: 15.0px; font: 11.0px Lucida Grande; min-height: 13.0px"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; line-height: 15.0px; font: 11.0px Lucida Grande; min-height: 13.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 15.0px; font: 11.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Right, then. My dear friends, St. Bréanainn and myself are loading up his leather boat with fruits and nuts for the seven-year journey across the open seas. We trust that God shall guide us to where He wants us to sail to. A few of the Gaelic brothers are a tad squeamish at the thought of undertaking such an arduous journey. Are you as well? The boat is about to be cast off from these Celtic shores.... are you ready to join us, wherever the wind may take us?</span></p><p></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Times New Roman; min-height: 18.0px"><br /></p></div>Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373803658770605253noreply@blogger.com0