"TEARS OF UNKNOWINGNESS"

As the sun set that first night, turning the rocks and cliffs and plateaus red and pink, the moon rose over the altar. Yes. Literally. The people sang. Dare to forgive. God will be with you. Let those who are thirsty, come.

And I wept. Tears of joy. Tears of amazement. Pent up tears. Tears I couldn't name because I didn't know their source. Tears of unknowingness. Tears that carved away a Bad Lands in my heart, exposed strong soul cliffs and washed away the unnecessary earth.

And I was not alone in weeping. And it was good.

Beautiful, powerful, prayerful, eloquent. Read it all.

Bless you, dear margaret.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - FROM IT'S MARGARET

You know --anxiety is an idol... as is bitterness... as is self-destruction....

Oh so true and right.

margaret blogs at leave it lay where Jesus flang it.

OUR MARGARET HAS GOOD NEWS

In this house, I pronounce --Advent is over, our waiting is accomplished. We have a new birth, a living hope --an inheritance imperishable --not in silver or gold --by no means... but a holy invitation to join a people in ministry --a new life, a new way...

Read the rest at leave it lay where Jesus flang it. May God bless margaret and Joel as they venture to a new place to begin a new chapter in their faith walk. I am more pleased for them than I can say.

Halleluia! Praise the Lord!

PLEASE PRAY...

Joel is in the hospital. He has chronic and serious health issues. If you follow their story at Margaret's blog, Leave It Lay Where Jesus Flang It, Margaret lost her job; they are now trying to sell their house; and day before yesterday was their 30th wedding anniversary. In the face of all their trials, Margaret posts:

Paul (to the Philippians beginning at 2:1)

If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus...

Margaret: I consider these words to be a description of the Christian life-style... but was Paul himself ever able to live them? No... which is where the glory comes in --the glory. And that Paul himself was never able to live them makes them not less true, but more true and more the glory.

At least, that is my hope --the glimpses... of glory....

...but all of us do get glimpses of it... every now and then...

The great riddle of the Gospel --it's all ours, not because of what we do, but because we are loved --so we should try to do... but even what we do in faith will need redemption... so it is all grace. All is grace.

From the Book of Common Prayer for which I am so very grateful:

O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to your servant Joel the help of your power, that his sickness may be turned into health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let us pray for both Joel and for Margaret. The prayer that comes to mind is from Morning Prayer for individuals in the Book of Common Prayer.

Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

From the Houston Chronicle:

Texas wildfires claim 2 lives

A wildfire is forcing authorities to evacuate an area of more than 2,000 residents in Waller County this afternoon, according to the Waller County Sheriff's Office. The area being evacuated is south of FM 1488 between Kickapoo Road and the Montgomery County line.

---

Fed by wind and parched vegetation, wildfires continued to rage Tuesday through Central Texas, where an out-of-control blaze claimed two lives and 550 homes, and in the Magnolia area, where officials ordered the evacuation of more than 4,000 households.

Sadly, that's not the end of it. Read it all.

O God, creator and preserver of all mankind, we pray for those who died. May they rest in peace and rise in glory. May God give comfort, consolation, and the peace that passes understanding to all who grieve.

We pray for those who lost their homes, that they will receive help in their time of need and distress, and that God will give them strength and courage to rebuild their lives and their homes.

We pray for the safety of the firefighters.

We pray for all in the path of Texas wildfires, especially for the sick and disabled and those who care for them; for all who watch and wait in uncertainty; we ask you to comfort and relieve them and bring them safely through the fires. And this we pray for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

PRAY FOR KIRSTIN AND ANDEE

From margaret at Leave It Lay Where Jesus Flang It:

Speaking of revealing the Kingdom --Courageous and Compassionate A sent me this response to the prayers I sent her yesterday:

D and I anointed Kirstin, using your prayers, this morning. She was sound asleep when we started, and immediately woke up, sat up, and said, "I want to be awake for this!" She loved it.

Truth be told, I merely took an ancient ritual of anointing --thanking God for every part of the body and sanctifying it, taught me by my teacher --and Kirstin's teacher too --and morphed the ritual a little.

I find myself this morning, doing more of that... taking the ancient bones in the garden.... There used to be whole books to guide one through the waiting for the time of death. Now, in our BCP, there is only a single paragraph --the only transition from Ministration to the Sick, to Ministration at the Time of Death. It reads (p462)

Almighty God, look on this your servant, lying in great weakness, and comfort him with the promise of life everlasting, given in the resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Please read margaret's entire wonderful and beautiful post about our dear Kirstin and commentary on the readings in Morning Prayer.

PRAY FOR THE TRAVELERS

O God, our heavenly Father, whose glory fills the whole creation, and whose presence we find wherever we go: Preserve those who travel, in particular, my son and his children, as they head off for a week's vacation, and it's margaret, as she begins a long journey; surround them with your loving care; protect them from every danger; and bring them in safety to their journey’s end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER REQUEST FROM DAVID@MONTREAL

dear beloved Giants:

before anything else, I'd ask for your ongoing prayers for our cherished sister Kirsten. as you can read in a post on Kirsten's blog by her primary caregiver Andee Barefoot and Laughing. there are now concrete needs in addition to our prayers which are required, and any of you- extraordinary beings that you are- who know of any possible resources..... well you know what to do.

i'd also ask for traveling mercies for our cherished margaret. margaret is about to take a sabbatical month away from her parish in Virginia to visit the Great Leonardo (another radiant Episcopalian, an awesomely talented artist and articulate gay man) living a life of real grace in Guatemala.

traveling mercies this week-end for Christopher also please

i'd ask your prayers please for the repose of my very dear friend and former colleague Louyse, and for the comfort of her family. shortly after my project and employment were cut for financial reasons at the university, Louyse underwent major brain surgery, to remove a large tumor, and essentially since then she has been living with the challenging outcome. a truly beautiful soul of amazing integrity and generosity, Louyse had both the courage and grace to embrace and to live beyond the woundedness of her past and loved nothing more than to invest in the future of her students.

So, beloved giants, you know what to do.

I'M SENDING YOU AWAY...

...to read four sermons:

"A response to the murder of David Kato" by Stephen Neill at Paddy Anglican

Thoughts for a sermon, 4 Epiphany, by Ann Fontaine at What the Tide Brings In

A sermon at St. Mary Magdalene by Neal at Conscientisation

A sermon by it's margaret at Leave It Lay Where Jesus Flang It

You say that's too many? I read them all today and tonight to my edification. Come on now. If I can do it, you can do it.

PIGS FLY IN VIRGINIA

A must-read for today is margaret's post at Leave It Lay Where Jesus Flang It, which brings us news and commentary from the 216th Annual Council in the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia.

In the Bishop's pastoral address at Council yesterday it was announced that the first class of vocational deacons will be ordained.... yes, the blessing of the order of deacons (except as transitional to priesthood) has not been present in Virginia... thirty years behind the curve on this one. And kinda nice to ponder on the day we remember St. Vincent, Deacon.
....

And, the internalized oppression of our LGBTQ sisters and brothers has begun to break apart --we have a year to work on the details... and then in 2012 the blessing of these Christian unions--households--families that endure such wicked discrimination may begin.

Read the rest over at margaret's place. A new day dawns in the diocese. Thanks be to God!