An Abyss na farraige (The Abyss of the sea)

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 similar plea 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. Psalms 47.1), Whom we undeservingly consult as our unfailing and mighty stronghold (cf. Psalms 18.2), and Who unceasingly blesses us to establish our spiritual vitality (cf. II Corinthians 9.8). When the waves seem overwhelming, we worship Him (cf. Psalms 23.4). During the days when the waves are tamer, we “praise Him in His mighty firmament” (Psalms 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!” (Psalms 150.2). We suffer the waves of trials that we may be found even remotely worthy in the awesome Presence of God (cf. Isaiah 6; Ezekiel 1), for “the Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit” (Psalms 34.18).

[Source: http://www.newmiamiarch.org/Atimo_s/articles_images/11112224518349.JPG]

In my last dated entry, 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” (Psalms 98.1), that He might awaken “...as from sleep” (Psalms 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...” (Matthew 5.12), which includes that “crown of life” given to those who are “faithful until death” (Revelation 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” (John 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.

[Source: http://www.stainedglassinc.com/images/glass/panels/medium/146601.jpg]

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” (Philippians 2.11), to whose unfathomable and unattainable perfection we strive to achieve (cf. Matthew 5.48) out of love for He who is the very embodiment of Love itself (cf. I John 4.8).

[Source: http://www.stainedglassinc.com/images/glass/panels/large/414617.jpg]

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. Psalms 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” (John 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. Proverbs 8.22-30; James 3.17), who is “the bread of life” and the reason why I “...shall never hunger...shall never thirst” (John 6.35), I have the wonderful and awesome response to my song, that is the song of the psalmist, to our Lord:

O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.

So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.

Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You” (Psalms 63.1-3).

Out of love for our King of kings, we “...will bless [Him] while [we] live” (Psalms 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 John 1.5), Whose “word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path” (Psalms 119.105). May our Lord preserve our unworthy lives as we slowly approach this mysterious, but apparently soothing isle.

[Source: Darcy Ireland.]

‘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.’

- (Author Unknown), The Tidings of the Resurrection, 36. (Trans. 1903).*

[Source: http://i.ytimg.com/vi/4hdZ-g6ngaE/0.jpg]

*Source: http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T207001/text036.html

Meáchan na n-uiscí whelm an domhain (Weight of waters whelm the earth)

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’” (Job 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!” (James 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.

[Source: http://bertan.gipuzkoakultura.net/23/argazkiak/g/022.jpg]

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” (Philippians 4.19). Spiritual doors have cracked ajar recently, thanks to my trust in He who is unfathomably wealthy.

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’” (I Samuel 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” (I Peter 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.

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....

Maker of earth and sky, from age to age

Who rul'st the world by reason; at whose word

Time issues from Eternity's abyss:

To all that moves the source of movement, fixed

Thyself and moveless. Thee no cause impelled

Extrinsic this proportioned frame to shape

From shapeless matter; but, deep-set within

Thy inmost being, the form of perfect good,

From envy free; and Thou didst mould the whole

To that supernal pattern. Beauteous

The world in Thee thus imaged, being Thyself

Most beautiful. So Thou the work didst fashion

In that fair likeness, bidding it put on

Perfection through the exquisite perfectness

Of every part's contrivance. Thou dost bind

The elements in balanced harmony,

So that the hot and cold, the moist and dry,

Contend not; nor the pure fire leaping up

Escape, or weight of waters whelm the earth.

- Boethius, 'Invocation' 1-19.*

[Source: http://50essentialexperiences.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/OceanThumb.jpg]

*[Source: http://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/B/Boethius/Invocation.htm]

Ar an drear seoltóireachta dorcha Aigéan (On the dark Ocean sailing drear)

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]” (Matthew 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.

[Source: Darcy Ireland]

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.

[Source: https://plus6.safe-order.net/magellannarfe//Iceland/charrier_raiders.jpg]

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. Matthew 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. Luke 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’” (Luke 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” (Psalms 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.

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 (Psalms 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’” (Joshua 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.

"I die but when the grave shall press

"The heart so long endeared to thee

"When earthly cares no more distress

"And earthly joys are nought to me

"Weep not, but think that I have past

"Before thee o'er a sea of gloom

"Have anchored safe and rest at last

"Where tears and mourning cannot come

"'Tis I should weep to leave thee here

"On the dark Ocean sailing drear

"With storms around and fears before

"And no kind light to point the shore

"But long or short though life may be

"'Tis nothing to eternity

"We part below to meet on high

"Where blissful ages never die

"For life is but a passing breeze

"Nothing that we gain can we enjoy

"Nor can we delight in its devulgant pleasures

"Above waiteth thy bliss of glory

"Above waiteth thy noble hearts peace

"Thy victory in the grave shall be proclaimed

"For thou art converted in splendour."

- Emily Brontë, 'Lines' (Dec. 1837).

[Source: http://www.blogstaugustinelighthouse.org/blog/storm.jpg]

Maelstroms trialacha (Maelstroms of trials)

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’” (Luke 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” (James 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.

[Credit: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4012/4354455719_aabe072193_b.jpg]

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 Genesis 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’” (Philippians 4.13).

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’” (Matthew 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’” (John 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” (II John 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 Peter 1.7).

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’” (Luke 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” (Psalms 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.

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., Voyage 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” (Genesis 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...

[Credit: Darcy Ireland]

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....

Ó Dhorchaidhe

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.....

[Credit: http://www.photodump.net/blog/photo/dunguaire-castle-in-kinvara/]

That aforementioned 'sage,' a great spiritual inspiration of mine, is once credited to have said the following:

"'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.'"

(Anonymous), 'The Voyage of Saint Brendan.' xxiii.

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.

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.

[NOTE: Within the link, it would be prudent to click the smaller download button toward the button of the page.]

http://www.2shared.com/document/zyhdH4ki/darcy_sept_letter.html

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.

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.

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....

[CREDIT: http://www.sbshepparton.catholic.edu.au/Areas/StBrendan/stbrencontent.htm]

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?