Weblog
Monday, 11 August 2008
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I will rejoice
Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.Habakkuk 3:17-18
Sunday, 10 August 2008
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Help me to yield my will to Yours
I turn to this prayer quite often. I've emphasized my favorite parts.
Lord, how inscrutable are Your ways.
I confess that my thoughts are not Your thoughts.
And my ways are not Your ways.
You love me far more than I love You,
And Your wisdom is far superior to mine.
Help me to yield my will to Yours,
And my puny knowledge to Your Grand Wisdom.
Help me to see Your love behind everything that happens to me.
For You are at work for good in my life when I place my complete trust in You.
You know, Lord, how confused my mind is, and what great distress afflicts my heart.
In my utter weakness I cry out to You, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?"
Have mercy, Lord, have mercy on me.
I confess that You are never nearer to me than when my heart is broken.
Come to me in my weakness, Lord, increase my faith.
Help me to pray as You did in Your agony,
"Shall I not drink the cup which You, the Father has given me?"
You are my only hope, dear Lord, I seek refuge under the shelter of Your wings.
I bow down before You, the God of mercies and bounties.
Full of love for Your children.
You alone are the Physician of our souls and bodies,
And to You we give glory. Amen.
Thursday, 07 August 2008
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25 Reasons You May Be a Racist
Got this from one of my xanga friends, who happens to be a black female Republican. Thank you!
25 Reasons You May Be a Racist
The tendency of Obama supporters to see racist impulses behind every criticism of their candidate has evolved into absurdity. Now even the first black president feels compelled to declare he's not a racist. By this measure, nearly every American is at risk of being branded a racist at some point in the campaign. To assess whether you're at risk just consult the list below (apologies to Jeff Foxworthy ):
1.If you think Obama's the most liberal member of the senate you...may be a racist.
2.If you object to Obama raising your payroll, capital gains and estate taxes you...may be a racist.
3.If you'd prefer a president have at least some foreign policy experience you...may be a racist.
4. If you're in favor of drilling for oil and building nuclear power plants you...may be a racist.
5. If you think "Vero Possemus" is Latin for "Massive Ego" you... may be a racist.
6. If you wonder why Obama was hanging around William Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn you...may be a racist.
7. If your pastor is nothing like Rev. Wright or Father Pfleger you... may be a racist.
8.If you don't want the majority of justices on the Supreme Court to be like Stephen Breyer you...may be a racist.
9. If you're not impressed with Obama's 100% NARAL rating you...may be a racist.
10. If you're not sure whether Obama opposed or supported FISA reauthorization you...may be a racist.
11. If you don't think America is a "downright mean" country you...may be a racist.
12. If you think Obama should've visited wounded troops at Ramstein and Landstuhl you...may be a racist.
13. If you think the surge is working and that's a good thing you...may be a racist.
14. If you oppose racial preferences in employment, school admissions and contracting you...may be a racist.
15. If you think "we are the change we've been waiting for" is a line from a Monty Python skit you...may be a racist.
16. If you prefer that a president have a smidgen of executive experience you...may be a racist.
17. If you're appalled that Obama voted against treating infants born after an abortion attempt the same medically as other infants born alive you...may be a racist.
18. If you were proud of your country even before Obama's candidacy you...may be a racist.
20. If you don't think American troops are just "air raiding villages" you...may be a racist.
21. If your grandmother isn't a "typical white person" you...may be a racist.
22. If you don't think rural, working class people are bitter and "cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them" you...may be a racist.
23. If you're not sure invading Pakistan is a particularly good idea—what with their nuclear weapons and all— you...may be a racist.
24. If you don't want the president to meet without precondition with the leaders of state sponsors of terror you...may be a racist.
25. If you don't care how Hollywood or the European elite think you should vote you...may be a racist.
This campaign has, to paraphrase Moynihan, defined racism down.
National Review Online
Tuesday, 05 August 2008
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Currently Reading
Unseen Warfare: The Spiritual Combat and Path to Paradise of Lorenzo Scupoli
By Lorenzo Scupoli, Theophan the Recluse
see relatedhowever wrong your offenders may be
This book is just so amazingly good.
So make it a rule for yourself: when you meet with injustices, injuries and attacks, pay no attention to them, however wrong your offenders may be, but keep your attention firmly on one thing alone – that God let his happen for your good and that you will deprive yourself of this good if you admit impatience, irritation or contention in connection with it. And do not try to analyze the exact reason why God has allowed this. Do you believe that God is always right and merciful? Then believe that on this occasion too He shows you justice and mercy, although you do not see how.
Man.
It also says that the wrongs done to us that we can see are intentional and are from those to whom we have been good are "the hardest to bear." It continues...
If God sends you this, know that it is precisely what is most useful for you, and to this realization add the inspiring thought: God sees that you are strong enough to bear it and expects you actually to bear it with a good heart, without complaining. So do not disappoint God's expectation...
...Therefore, knowing this, wishing and seeking it, we must accept this cup from the hands of God, shutting the eyes of inquisitiveness, and, with complete faith, clearly see in it the great love of God for us and the assurance of our spiritual progress.
A little intimidating, but very inspiring.
Friday, 25 July 2008
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I came across this prayer in one of my Orthodox prayer books (thank you Presv. Lisa).
I think I know someone who will really like it.
When Children Quarrel
O gracious God, Father of us all, I ask You for help and guidance
when my children quarrel. Often I wonder how these children, loved as
they are, can be so unloving and unlovely. Their teasing, provoking,
and fighting hurt me, Lord, and make me lose my temper as well.
Grant me patience and understanding. Help me to establish within our
home and family an atmosphere of harmony, but help me too, to
remember that my children are not adults and that trying their strength
is part of growing up. Keep me sane, Lord, calm, and unruffled, ready
to quiet, to comfort, and to smile. Amen.
So different from "Lord, help me make them submit," or "keep me ready to punish."
Our example is Jesus with his disciples, His spiritual children.
