Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Prase Christ, all people here below.
Praise Holy Spirit evermore.
Praise Triune God, whom we adore.
Amen.
Friday, December 21, 2007
How do I love thee?
Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Farewell
May the long time sun
Shine upon you,
All love surround you,
And the pure light within you
Guide your way on.
kundalini yoga - farewell blessing
Shine upon you,
All love surround you,
And the pure light within you
Guide your way on.
kundalini yoga - farewell blessing
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
healing
Creator, open our hearts
to peace and healing between all people.
Creator, open our hearts
to provide and protect for all children of the earth.
Creator, open our hearts
to respect for the earth, and all the gifts of the earth.
Creator, open our hearts
to end exclusion, violence, and fear among all.
Thank-you for the gifts of this day and every day.
native american - micmac - alycia longriver - 1995
to peace and healing between all people.
Creator, open our hearts
to provide and protect for all children of the earth.
Creator, open our hearts
to respect for the earth, and all the gifts of the earth.
Creator, open our hearts
to end exclusion, violence, and fear among all.
Thank-you for the gifts of this day and every day.
native american - micmac - alycia longriver - 1995
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Climate
People of Faith Speak Out on Global Climate Change
A Pax Christi USA Sign-On Statement
As people of faith, we return to the creation story in the book of Genesis and echo God’s response at the end of each day: “It is very good.” As people of conscience, we are compelled to speak out on the devastating effects of our continued reliance on fossil fuels and the growing crisis of climate change.
There is no time to argue about the reality of climate change. It is here. Average temperatures have already risen, glaciers are melting, and the sea level continues to encroach. Over the past decade alone, over 2.5 billion people have been impacted and economic losses have exceeded $690 billion. Climate change has been responsible for nearly 500,000 deaths—95% of these casualties occurred in poor countries.(1) Rising sea levels, projected to displace over 100 million people, will create a humanitarian crisis of unparalleled proportions.(2) Many experts say we have no more than ten years to make a difference—ten years to offer hope for all Earth’s peoples or witness the end of life as we have known it.
As people of hope, we are confident that with God’s grace we can accomplish the critical goal of reducing our carbon emissions significantly enough to mitigate the effects of global climate change and act as responsible stewards of creation. We accept the challenge that changing our habits and lifestyles will take tremendous will and effort, but our love for the whole community of life on Earth will provide us the courage and strength to act for the universal common good.
As people of justice, we assert that Earth is a gift to all. The effects of global climate change are already borne by the most vulnerable through displacement and shortages of land, food, and water, leading to increased poverty and desperation.
As people of peace, we acknowledge that the climate crisis exacerbates violence and war among God’s people. Our reliance on fossil fuels already is fueling conflicts from Iraq to Colombia. While people struggle for diminishing land, food and water, conflicts will increase and, without a fundamental break from this reliance on fossil fuels, the worst effects of climate change will become accelerated.
Hearing the call to prayer and action, we commit to:
pray and meet with family, friends, and neighbors in the next several months to learn and incorporate into our daily lives practices to reduce our carbon uses and emissions;
encourage our neighborhood schools and community institutions to teach and act on cutting carbon emissions;
support bold action by the international community to drastically alter the global economy’s reliance on fossil fuels and cut our carbon emissions;
advocate for effective action by the U.S. government to join international community efforts in adopting and pursuing goals for reduction of carbon emissions by as much as 80% by 2050 while simultaneously pursuing a dramatic and sustained increase in funding for the development of alternative energy sources;
call on the international community to establish a Global Climate Change Fund to assist those communities already bearing the burden of the climate change crisis and prepare for future challenges to communities that will soon begin to bear that burden.
What does Earth ask of us? To fulfill our unique role as humans, as stewards of the common good, and to act as responsible members of the whole Earth community, ensuring that the whole of life flourishes, even as the needs of all are met.
(1) from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Tenth Conference of Parties, 2004
(2) from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
A Pax Christi USA Sign-On Statement
As people of faith, we return to the creation story in the book of Genesis and echo God’s response at the end of each day: “It is very good.” As people of conscience, we are compelled to speak out on the devastating effects of our continued reliance on fossil fuels and the growing crisis of climate change.
There is no time to argue about the reality of climate change. It is here. Average temperatures have already risen, glaciers are melting, and the sea level continues to encroach. Over the past decade alone, over 2.5 billion people have been impacted and economic losses have exceeded $690 billion. Climate change has been responsible for nearly 500,000 deaths—95% of these casualties occurred in poor countries.(1) Rising sea levels, projected to displace over 100 million people, will create a humanitarian crisis of unparalleled proportions.(2) Many experts say we have no more than ten years to make a difference—ten years to offer hope for all Earth’s peoples or witness the end of life as we have known it.
As people of hope, we are confident that with God’s grace we can accomplish the critical goal of reducing our carbon emissions significantly enough to mitigate the effects of global climate change and act as responsible stewards of creation. We accept the challenge that changing our habits and lifestyles will take tremendous will and effort, but our love for the whole community of life on Earth will provide us the courage and strength to act for the universal common good.
As people of justice, we assert that Earth is a gift to all. The effects of global climate change are already borne by the most vulnerable through displacement and shortages of land, food, and water, leading to increased poverty and desperation.
As people of peace, we acknowledge that the climate crisis exacerbates violence and war among God’s people. Our reliance on fossil fuels already is fueling conflicts from Iraq to Colombia. While people struggle for diminishing land, food and water, conflicts will increase and, without a fundamental break from this reliance on fossil fuels, the worst effects of climate change will become accelerated.
Hearing the call to prayer and action, we commit to:
pray and meet with family, friends, and neighbors in the next several months to learn and incorporate into our daily lives practices to reduce our carbon uses and emissions;
encourage our neighborhood schools and community institutions to teach and act on cutting carbon emissions;
support bold action by the international community to drastically alter the global economy’s reliance on fossil fuels and cut our carbon emissions;
advocate for effective action by the U.S. government to join international community efforts in adopting and pursuing goals for reduction of carbon emissions by as much as 80% by 2050 while simultaneously pursuing a dramatic and sustained increase in funding for the development of alternative energy sources;
call on the international community to establish a Global Climate Change Fund to assist those communities already bearing the burden of the climate change crisis and prepare for future challenges to communities that will soon begin to bear that burden.
What does Earth ask of us? To fulfill our unique role as humans, as stewards of the common good, and to act as responsible members of the whole Earth community, ensuring that the whole of life flourishes, even as the needs of all are met.
(1) from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Tenth Conference of Parties, 2004
(2) from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Saturday, November 3, 2007
good business
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
desiderata - max ehrmann - 1927
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
desiderata - max ehrmann - 1927
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
PRAY
Pray to whoever you kneel down to:
Jesus nailed to his wooden or marble or plastic cross,
his suffering face bent to kiss you,
Buddha still under the Bo tree in scorching heat,
Adonai, Allah, raise your arms to Mary
that she may lay her palm on our brows,
to Shekinhah, Queen of Heaven and Earth,
to Inanna in her stripped descent.
Hawk or Wolf, or the Great Whale, Record Keeper
of time before, time now, time ahead, pray. Bow down
to terriers and shepherds and siamese cats.
Fields of artichokes and elegant strawberries.
Pray to the bus driver who takes you to work,
pray on the bus, pray for everyone riding that bus
and for everyone riding buses all over the world.
If you haven't been on a bus in a long time,
climb the few steps, drop some silver, and pray.
Waiting in line for the movies, for the ATM,
for your latté and croissant, offer your plea.
Make your eating and drinking a supplication.
Make your slicing of carrots a holy act,
each translucent layer of the onion, a deeper prayer.
Make the brushing of your hair
a prayer, every strand its own voice,
singing in the choir on your head.
As you wash your face, the water slipping
through your fingers, a prayer: Water,
softest thing on earth, gentleness
that wears away rock.
Making love, of course, is already a prayer.
Skin and open mouths worshipping that skin,
the fragile case we are poured into,
each caress a season of peace.
If you're hungry, pray. If you're tired.
Pray to Gandhi and Dorothy Day.
Shakespeare. Sappho. Sojourner Truth.
Pray to the angels and the ghost of your grandfather.
When you walk to your car, to the mailbox,
to the video store, let each step
be a prayer that we all keep our legs,
that we do not blow off anyone else's legs.
Or crush their skulls.
And if you are riding on a bicycle
or a skateboard, in a wheel chair, each revolution
of the wheels a prayer that as the earth revolves
we will do less harm, less harm, less harm.
And as you work, typing with a new manicure,
a tiny palm tree painted on one pearlescent nail
or delivering soda or drawing good blood
into rubber-capped vials, writing on a blackboard
with yellow chalk, twirling pizzas, pray for peace.
With each breath in, take in the faith of those
who have believed when belief seemed foolish,
who persevered. With each breath out, cherish.
Pull weeds for peace, turn over in your sleep for peace,
feed the birds for peace, each shiny seed
that spills onto the earth, another second of peace.
Wash your dishes, call your mother, drink wine.
Shovel leaves or snow or trash from your sidewalk.
Make a path. Fold a photo of a dead child
around your VISA card. Gnaw your crust
of prayer, scoop your prayer water from the gutter.
Mumble along like a crazy person, stumbling
your prayer through the streets.
pray for peace - ellen bass
Jesus nailed to his wooden or marble or plastic cross,
his suffering face bent to kiss you,
Buddha still under the Bo tree in scorching heat,
Adonai, Allah, raise your arms to Mary
that she may lay her palm on our brows,
to Shekinhah, Queen of Heaven and Earth,
to Inanna in her stripped descent.
Hawk or Wolf, or the Great Whale, Record Keeper
of time before, time now, time ahead, pray. Bow down
to terriers and shepherds and siamese cats.
Fields of artichokes and elegant strawberries.
Pray to the bus driver who takes you to work,
pray on the bus, pray for everyone riding that bus
and for everyone riding buses all over the world.
If you haven't been on a bus in a long time,
climb the few steps, drop some silver, and pray.
Waiting in line for the movies, for the ATM,
for your latté and croissant, offer your plea.
Make your eating and drinking a supplication.
Make your slicing of carrots a holy act,
each translucent layer of the onion, a deeper prayer.
Make the brushing of your hair
a prayer, every strand its own voice,
singing in the choir on your head.
As you wash your face, the water slipping
through your fingers, a prayer: Water,
softest thing on earth, gentleness
that wears away rock.
Making love, of course, is already a prayer.
Skin and open mouths worshipping that skin,
the fragile case we are poured into,
each caress a season of peace.
If you're hungry, pray. If you're tired.
Pray to Gandhi and Dorothy Day.
Shakespeare. Sappho. Sojourner Truth.
Pray to the angels and the ghost of your grandfather.
When you walk to your car, to the mailbox,
to the video store, let each step
be a prayer that we all keep our legs,
that we do not blow off anyone else's legs.
Or crush their skulls.
And if you are riding on a bicycle
or a skateboard, in a wheel chair, each revolution
of the wheels a prayer that as the earth revolves
we will do less harm, less harm, less harm.
And as you work, typing with a new manicure,
a tiny palm tree painted on one pearlescent nail
or delivering soda or drawing good blood
into rubber-capped vials, writing on a blackboard
with yellow chalk, twirling pizzas, pray for peace.
With each breath in, take in the faith of those
who have believed when belief seemed foolish,
who persevered. With each breath out, cherish.
Pull weeds for peace, turn over in your sleep for peace,
feed the birds for peace, each shiny seed
that spills onto the earth, another second of peace.
Wash your dishes, call your mother, drink wine.
Shovel leaves or snow or trash from your sidewalk.
Make a path. Fold a photo of a dead child
around your VISA card. Gnaw your crust
of prayer, scoop your prayer water from the gutter.
Mumble along like a crazy person, stumbling
your prayer through the streets.
pray for peace - ellen bass
Saturday, October 20, 2007
anxiety
O God!
Refresh and gladden my spirit.
Purify my heart.
Illumine my powers.
I lay all my affairs in Thy hands.
Thou art my Guide and my Refuge.
I will no longer be sorrowful and grieved;
I will be a happy and joyful being.
O God! I will no longer be full of anxiety,
nor will I let trouble harass me.
I will not dwell on the unpleasant things of life.
O God! Thou art more friend to me than I am to myself.
I dedicate myself to Thee, O Lord.
baha'i prayers - `abdu'l-bahá
Refresh and gladden my spirit.
Purify my heart.
Illumine my powers.
I lay all my affairs in Thy hands.
Thou art my Guide and my Refuge.
I will no longer be sorrowful and grieved;
I will be a happy and joyful being.
O God! I will no longer be full of anxiety,
nor will I let trouble harass me.
I will not dwell on the unpleasant things of life.
O God! Thou art more friend to me than I am to myself.
I dedicate myself to Thee, O Lord.
baha'i prayers - `abdu'l-bahá
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Gilead
There is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole;
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin-sick soul.
Some times I feel discouraged,
And think my work's in vain,
But then the Holy Spirit
Revives my soul again.
There is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole;
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin-sick soul.
If you can't preach like Peter,
If you can't pray like Paul,
Just tell the love of Jesus,
And say He died for all.
There is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole;
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin-sick soul.
there is a balm in gilead - african american spiritual
To make the wounded whole;
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin-sick soul.
Some times I feel discouraged,
And think my work's in vain,
But then the Holy Spirit
Revives my soul again.
There is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole;
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin-sick soul.
If you can't preach like Peter,
If you can't pray like Paul,
Just tell the love of Jesus,
And say He died for all.
There is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole;
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin-sick soul.
there is a balm in gilead - african american spiritual
Monday, October 15, 2007
Peace Prayer
In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful,
Praise be to God, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds,
The Mercy-giving, the Merciful. . . .
O Lord, Lead us from hate to love and from violence to peace,
from fear to trust and from despair to hope. Enable us
to eliminate poverty, prejudice and oppression
so that peace may prevail with righteousness and justice. . . . Amen
Dawud Ahmad Assad
Council of Mosques, USA, New York, NY
http://www.ncccusa.org/iraq/peaceprayers.html
Praise be to God, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds,
The Mercy-giving, the Merciful. . . .
O Lord, Lead us from hate to love and from violence to peace,
from fear to trust and from despair to hope. Enable us
to eliminate poverty, prejudice and oppression
so that peace may prevail with righteousness and justice. . . . Amen
Dawud Ahmad Assad
Council of Mosques, USA, New York, NY
http://www.ncccusa.org/iraq/peaceprayers.html
Friday, October 5, 2007
cool prayer
from the organ dedication service at ELPC on 9-30-07:
"God of majesty, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven: Be with your servants who make art and music for your people, allowing us here on earth to glimpse your beauty. Thank you for artisans and musicians whose skill translates artistic thought into reality, creative inspiration into experience. Through their talent, we are able to exalt and praise your name, which is our deepest joy and heartfelt prayer this day and always. Amen."
"God of majesty, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven: Be with your servants who make art and music for your people, allowing us here on earth to glimpse your beauty. Thank you for artisans and musicians whose skill translates artistic thought into reality, creative inspiration into experience. Through their talent, we are able to exalt and praise your name, which is our deepest joy and heartfelt prayer this day and always. Amen."
Friday, August 10, 2007
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