Pondering Week One
Walk in the Light
"Trust that the Lord is always a provider for those who take refuge in Him."-St. Macarius the Great
In the goodness and mercy of God, as the season of Advent reminds us, the light of the LORD is not an abstract belief or set of philosophical positions but the presence of a person: Jesus Christ, God With Us.
My prayer: I pray, Lord, that you'll shine your light into the eyes and hearts of the leaders of our country. STOP THE INSANITY!! XDJT Reveal the truth of his wickedness and bring him down. Same for Fernwood.
Remember Your People
"We ought to remember God even more often than we breathe." -St. Gregory Nazianzen
For God to remember His people is to sustain, protect, and draw them into the very story of creation.
My prayer: I remember all the good things you have done for our family and for me personally. I am forever grateful. Remember your faithful staff at Fernwood and help things get better with Matt.
On Our Side
"He who gives you the day will also give you the things necessary for the day." -St. Gregory of Nyssa
In the birth of Christ, we see that God is not only on our side but also at our side. He so deeply identifies with his creation that he refuses to cheer it on from a distance. Instead, he enters the raging chaos to walk with us and lead us into places of peace.
My prayer: Thank you for being on my side...because I am on your side and love you dearly. I love serving you and teaching others!! Help Fernwood to grow in spirit and in number.
A Complete Picture
"If there were no tribulation, there would be no rest; if there were no winter, there would be no summer." -St. John Chrysostom
The same babe that vulnerably entered the chaos of creation now sits above it, commanding the sun and moon, wind and waves, and every human power on earth, speaking justice and bringing peace to every corner of his creation.
My prayer: You are great and powerful. I respect that. You are also good and loving; I live in that goodness and love. Help me to walk in humility and repentance. But most importantly, for the sake of Fernwood, help Matt to walk in humility and repentance. It makes me think of how Dan said "narcissistic personality." Only you in the power of the Holy Spirit can move in a heart and personality like that.
Impossible Dreams
"We must live as if in the heavenly kingdom, dwelling there in anticipation by hope." -St John of Kronstadt
In the hope of God's justice, his people long for a flourishing natural world, good social systems, and governance based on caring for the poor and needy rather than self-preservation. This stands opposed to what is not refreshing, anything that feels like the "same old, same old" power grabs and neglect of the weak.
My prayer: I pray for the miraculous growth of Fernwood. Bring in seekers, Lord. Bring back the weary.
Vulnerable
"What does it cost us to say: My God help me! Have mercy on me! Is there anything easier than this? And this little will suffice to save us if we be diligent in doing it." -St. Alphonsus Liguori
If cries and tears get God's attention-even when the suffering is our fault-then let's be quick to be vulnerable before God.
My prayer: Lord, Thank you for the help you have given Bailie in healing his mind and heart. Continue to work in his life. Continue to help him clarify his church thing.
God's Road
"Humanity's final goal: communion with God. The path to it: faith and walking in his commandments with the aid of divine grace...Here is the path--start walking." -St. Theophan the Recluse
In this life, we are all like fragile grass, dependent sheep, helpless lambs, ewes so heavy with young that, ever at our most fruitful, we can only go slowly. We need God's power to step onto his awesome road. And we need much gentleness and help to walk it.
My prayer: Lead us like sheep. Help us as a nation to "settle down" to seek peace.
