tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13183364153104349672024-03-13T19:25:08.830-07:00The Mad-Eyed MonkBecause we are all Monks and our place of work is a seminary, our work a sacrament, our family a monastery, our home a sanctuary;
may we learn what they are teaching us without believing God is elsewhere...The Mad-Eyed Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01033013996246941498noreply@blogger.comBlogger376125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318336415310434967.post-5612117412677505432023-11-13T08:42:00.000-08:002023-11-13T08:43:09.554-08:00<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmeXZF1oT6ktvkdbIrp4kWH1eIZqT-es1swQolia__TeF5ckLlAOeR1Xg7fMGrtTqSMO12kKSqBIB_JbCezZt8u6f6OxoQ4k5GWMyA1jsR0wjeJdOSgm0D-kHUE7LptnScgtKp6EoBDCS79-tvu-CZhdOsIbrvErynG0TsBDvf7-OetEdR3ULpSwpPJzQ"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmeXZF1oT6ktvkdbIrp4kWH1eIZqT-es1swQolia__TeF5ckLlAOeR1Xg7fMGrtTqSMO12kKSqBIB_JbCezZt8u6f6OxoQ4k5GWMyA1jsR0wjeJdOSgm0D-kHUE7LptnScgtKp6EoBDCS79-tvu-CZhdOsIbrvErynG0TsBDvf7-OetEdR3ULpSwpPJzQ=s320" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_7300988237334392978" /></a></div> The Mad-Eyed Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01033013996246941498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318336415310434967.post-65963269549634175332018-01-20T20:00:00.000-08:002018-06-23T08:11:13.620-07:00For My Grand Child On the Way <br />
<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Before I formed you in the womb I knew you...</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Jeremiah 1:5</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></i> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5us2VOXnGfGiip3Vw7b0v9Shq5hljyjTjElh_uYtxC6jzYfOsE1t5J16yeFEyXK37W-6XyjmSj2WmkXEQ7ctM5FPo8TI84FYqwgZm7wF17Kwr7It2gKU-vP2VdTZ72Fa6ezcVjS6SnS0/s1600/jackie+and+casey+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5us2VOXnGfGiip3Vw7b0v9Shq5hljyjTjElh_uYtxC6jzYfOsE1t5J16yeFEyXK37W-6XyjmSj2WmkXEQ7ctM5FPo8TI84FYqwgZm7wF17Kwr7It2gKU-vP2VdTZ72Fa6ezcVjS6SnS0/s320/jackie+and+casey+6.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Photo: C. Scodova</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> You have begun your incarnation here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> You are being beautifully made </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> from the splendorous dust,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> the silence</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> of your mother's womb,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> the abundant allowances of love.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> You are </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">on your way</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> and already </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> we welcome you:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> the earth and its fullness,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> noisy with heaven,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> our disheveled love.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> We hold you now in our hearts' light-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> haven from all dark</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> onslaughts through time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> For our days here are like the grassy fields,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> a brief flowering </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> the wind passes over,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> and the place we are </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> will know us no more</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> except by love, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> the long song we enter into,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> the gracious song </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> God is singing us through.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>The Mad-Eyed Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01033013996246941498noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318336415310434967.post-51138265289638440752018-01-15T14:04:00.001-08:002021-01-26T20:01:42.809-08:00Snow Falling Into Fields<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Let me seek, then, the gift of silence, and poverty, and solitude</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">where everything I touch is turned into prayer:</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">where the sky is my prayer, the birds are my prayer, </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">the wind in the trees is my prayer,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">for God is all in all.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Thomas Merton</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBHWZqT3Hlj1TR7eZ670XQOCqj6X4DAY5Es0dhLSDno_IdANhLalU2n3CVEiDO3eEUEj_GNTJ3PfHQHe6oaLTNhL_29BKc_1EA54CLXn9IvQ_yrDbAi5CuTLSWRzXMIYExTTZNy30Anc/s1600/winter+field+with+snow.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="640" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBHWZqT3Hlj1TR7eZ670XQOCqj6X4DAY5Es0dhLSDno_IdANhLalU2n3CVEiDO3eEUEj_GNTJ3PfHQHe6oaLTNhL_29BKc_1EA54CLXn9IvQ_yrDbAi5CuTLSWRzXMIYExTTZNy30Anc/s320/winter+field+with+snow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> It is the still quiet at first,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> or rather, the still quiet </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> that lowers each of us </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> into the well of His immense silence </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> within and beyond all silence;</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> that guides me gently </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> into the thick prayer of winter evening fields </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> where no paths are visible</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> beneath the falling and filling light; </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> the erasure of my coming and eventual going. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>The Mad-Eyed Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01033013996246941498noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318336415310434967.post-83031046801432269262016-06-22T16:16:00.001-07:002018-01-24T14:37:42.721-08:00Torpor<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"> Then he said to them all: </span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"> “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves </span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"> and</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"> take up</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">their</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"> cross</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">daily and follow me."</span></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Luke 9:23</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> The cost of love</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> again collects</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> against the off-kilter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> eons of our dense egos.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> From the beginning</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> and now </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> we struggle in our deficit</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> to love</span><span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;"> radically,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;"> to go against the hatred</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> that coils </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> in our dark </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> dysfunctions within,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> our resistance to meet violence,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> in all its guises,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> with the strong hands of kindness;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> the taking up of our crosses;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> the dangerous consequences</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> of love.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
The Mad-Eyed Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01033013996246941498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318336415310434967.post-80676205973386940112016-06-15T12:31:00.000-07:002018-02-25T13:42:22.235-08:00Rain Clouds<div class="v gb" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.8em 0px 0px; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> Yours are the heavens and yours is the earth,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> you set firm the globe and all it contains.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Psalm 88</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> As if the clouds were not content to be</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> the nebulous shook over us--</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> violet wings soft fleeting--</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> the grey-thin skin over the blue body of sky.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> As if they wanted to be </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> the soft hands over the world</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> touching the boundaries of things:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> the edges of the myriad </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> leaves and soft palms of wildflowers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> the fields are lifting</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> above the bent blades of grass,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> the delicate root-hairs,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> my looking up </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> as if blind </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> and feeling the rain</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> touching </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> for the first time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>The Mad-Eyed Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01033013996246941498noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318336415310434967.post-39719486996916745982016-05-25T07:46:00.000-07:002017-12-18T11:27:21.833-08:00Regarding Love<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -48px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i> On your exceedingly great mercy, and on that alone, rests all my hope. </i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -48px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span> St. Augustine</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"> Photo:CScodova</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZeQ73Q0ZU2QaZOOGmQbvihJjnnDawK1ayNJbExDjdwrvVO-lezmImKSdVfOeWXic5oDG0Giyu18zifCP9c5wzpMkBK7dM4KX0JOle8ssXiAqQQQM_xyqYWFT7RB5DZEjGGrbpOnpTL8/s1600/Birthday+morning+gifts+flowers+candle+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZeQ73Q0ZU2QaZOOGmQbvihJjnnDawK1ayNJbExDjdwrvVO-lezmImKSdVfOeWXic5oDG0Giyu18zifCP9c5wzpMkBK7dM4KX0JOle8ssXiAqQQQM_xyqYWFT7RB5DZEjGGrbpOnpTL8/s320/Birthday+morning+gifts+flowers+candle+044.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">To regard anything</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> is to regard You.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> The infinitesimal sings its small song of You,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> the hugeness bends,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> the rain's prayer descends</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> to the lowest place,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> the earth, in all its indifference</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> and glory, You sustain.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> And our souls, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> our souls are woven, have their breadth in You,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> for the flesh ensouls, longs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> for You.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> May we do what we are meant to do:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> to be a great many </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> in love with You in each other</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> and any good we may will with You.</span><br />
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<br />The Mad-Eyed Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01033013996246941498noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318336415310434967.post-40844999913600816972016-05-04T11:26:00.000-07:002017-11-25T18:10:05.381-08:00Guests<div class="v gb" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.8em 0px 0px; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large; font-style: italic;"> </span><i> <span style="font-size: large;"> The light shines in the darkness,</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i> and the darkness has not overcome it. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span> John 1:5</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="font-size: x-large;"> </i><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">photo by CScodova</span></i><i style="font-size: x-large;"> </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> The blooming dogwoods stand</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> in the yard, all night, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> like mystical guests.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> I greet them beyond the panes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> as I pass through the rooms </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> of my dark house</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> just before the approaching shift </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> of light changes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> all things;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> their pearling susurruses</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> and petal-crosses </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> held out like heaven's pale-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> hands full of crowns and nourishment,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> after a harsh </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> and lean crusade. </span><br />
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<br />The Mad-Eyed Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01033013996246941498noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318336415310434967.post-40192214205580613382016-02-27T14:59:00.001-08:002018-01-24T14:46:23.330-08:00Visible and Invisible<div class="v" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i> Let the Lord’s name be blessed,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i> now and for ever.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i> From the sun’s rising to its setting,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i> the Lord’s name is to be praised</i></span>.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Psalm 112</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> I have long longed to be a painter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> To whorl thick, creamy hues,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> to lay down a broken language </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> onto the gaping </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">blank of our despair</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> and what we cannot translate </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> from the old </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">country there. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> Or perhaps, interpret the light,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> the way it sings all day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> about You and everything it blindly touches,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> hums its' pallets of shadows,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> then lingers, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> like the evening's blues</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> at the close of day. </span><br />
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<br />The Mad-Eyed Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01033013996246941498noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318336415310434967.post-63396227846478056112016-01-12T16:15:00.000-08:002016-03-15T12:57:07.596-07:00Winter Dawn<div class="v" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i> O Christ, the Light of heaven</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i> And of the world true Light,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i> You come in all your radiance</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i> To cleave the web of night.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Universalis Hymn</span><br />
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzzbvxKbbZ6OZrSLxyqea51pqDxzio-XSd2ltVCx8NLiabSitoazh2Q22os8nk5lTS3aSaWw_lYg9xobJSNTFqN_oRnt2n01NCbQSv0FYo1knfYcK2ewwgt65iZkRPzqrrD5bGYeG6l8/s320/snow+falling.gif" width="228" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> Winter has come</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> with its entourage of wind- </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> birds through the realm of trees</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> shifting their tonnage</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> against the dawn's grey-feathered sky,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> that is just opening its great wings</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> of snow and down of light</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> over the deep nests of the fields:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> the unseeable branches of mystery</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> through our darkly shimmering sleep.</span></div>
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<br />The Mad-Eyed Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01033013996246941498noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318336415310434967.post-89304253983493757782015-12-07T17:15:00.005-08:002021-01-26T20:13:32.627-08:00In Bethlehem <div class="v" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #6b6b6b; text-indent: 0px;"> </span><span style="color: #6b6b6b; text-indent: 0px;">“O come, O come, Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.”</span></span></i><i style="text-indent: -2em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></i><i style="text-indent: -3em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span></i><i style="text-indent: -2em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> We have come to this Bethlehem</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> within, crowded with the noise of the world</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> and little room.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> Spent by the long way</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> through thickets of love and loss,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> our fields of pale bones</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> where we are exiled</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> in this stable's haunt </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> of dry grasses and hope;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> of what we have done,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> and what we have failed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> to do</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> in this feeble shelter of time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> We kneel, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> swathed in our poverty,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> waiting for You Lord,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> for the heat of your hands</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> over the cold clay of our hearts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
The Mad-Eyed Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01033013996246941498noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318336415310434967.post-76188789349517047982015-12-04T07:51:00.000-08:002018-01-24T15:10:08.973-08:00The Night Magi <i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> After their audience with the King they set out. </span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them</span>....</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Matthew 2:9</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4_5Yc44wEldWjuJNi0a3PEWt3IysYb-X8pmUqxI5AvuJFXAKEKgovDxUFIGTWFTF7q3n_aQBWnaGxH2eMVxylcfjwKNuw3WOIf6TEtt_uuyoRu_kJ0wJoITxrtg3REwk66atxRspWUM/s1600/starry+night+with+magi+and+camels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4_5Yc44wEldWjuJNi0a3PEWt3IysYb-X8pmUqxI5AvuJFXAKEKgovDxUFIGTWFTF7q3n_aQBWnaGxH2eMVxylcfjwKNuw3WOIf6TEtt_uuyoRu_kJ0wJoITxrtg3REwk66atxRspWUM/s400/starry+night+with+magi+and+camels.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> They lie down on the brittle- </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> cold, desert floor,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> beneath the dust of starlight,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> the brightest star</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> they read and follow </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> across the expanse of their faith.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> They lie down together,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> weary in the long and difficult miles </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> beneath the light lugging them</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> beyond themselves</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> into a fidelity </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> to the light,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> to the Lord</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> who lies vulnerable and swaddled</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> in the dominion of love</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> across the vast threshold</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> of our parched</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> and dangerous night.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<br />The Mad-Eyed Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01033013996246941498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318336415310434967.post-28124990603888800672015-11-17T16:48:00.000-08:002018-02-19T14:47:58.635-08:00Vesper Stones<div class="v" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> Lord, you have seen our trouble and our sorrow.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> You have heard the prayer of the weak, Lord,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> and you will strengthen their hearts.</span> </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Psalm 9</span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.8px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> In the cool of evening</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.8px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> the light becomes a gravel of stars </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.8px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> across the deep-blue road of night.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.8px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.8px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> Venus rolls over the horizon</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.8px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> like a bright pebble</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.8px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> into dark water</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.8px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.8px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> and our mind's havoc goes under</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.8px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> our long anguish as</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.8px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> we begin to roll the utterances</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.8px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.8px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> of our prayers</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.8px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> into bright blues and indigos,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.8px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> blood-reds, emeralds, and golds</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.8px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.8px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> like rough stones </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.8px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> we long polish and smooth</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.8px;"> with our weary and battered hearts; </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.8px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.8px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 16.8px;">drop into </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 16.8px;"> the vast well</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.8px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> of Your sacred heart.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Inspired by Nancy Shuman's Post: Revisiting 5 Smooth Stones</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <a href="http://www.thecloisteredheart.org/2015/11/revisiting-five-smooth-stones.html">http://www.thecloisteredheart.org/2015/11/revisiting-five-smooth-stones.html</a> </span></div>
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The Mad-Eyed Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01033013996246941498noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318336415310434967.post-68700599914218413742015-11-13T13:19:00.001-08:002018-02-19T14:55:31.812-08:00Violet Veils<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Matthew 11:28</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The plenitude of rest now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I wrap my weariness, the ravages of lightlessness,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">in soft grays and browns </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">of mid-November.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The diminishing cadences of prayer</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">settle like brittle seeds into the dark furrows</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">of my old heart</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">as a fleeting sleep</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">comes over me </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">like violet veils </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">of clouds</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">on a windy day.</span></div>
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<br />The Mad-Eyed Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01033013996246941498noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318336415310434967.post-43619996786012198982015-11-10T10:17:00.000-08:002015-11-10T21:45:15.064-08:00Fire Fighter<div class="v gb" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.8em 0px 0px; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;">
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Our sufferings bring acceptance, acceptance brings hope: </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">and our hope will not deceive us, for the Spirit has been poured into our hearts. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It is through the same Spirit that we pray:</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">– Stay with us, Lord, on our journey.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Universalis Prayer</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> He cannot simply get out </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> of his hospital bed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> without two nurses, our hovering,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> the belt that is buckled around</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> to lead him </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> where he does not want to go:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> the steep and slippery climb</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> out of the ravages</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> of 86 years, the stroke,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> his diminishing frame.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> There is only so much fight left now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> It little flares </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> like the ember-rubble of a burnt house</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> where you once stormed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> through the inferno</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> as a great Fire Chief </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> saving what life you could </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> where you did not want to go.</span>
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The Mad-Eyed Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01033013996246941498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318336415310434967.post-14483813288712968952015-11-09T07:58:00.000-08:002016-02-09T16:10:13.886-08:00All Souls' Prayers<div class="v gb" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.8em 0px 0px; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Love is strong as death...</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -3em;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> The flash of it is a flash of fire,</span></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> a flame of the Lord himself.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Song of Songs 8</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> The jarred flames,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> no bigger than our hearts,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> are carried over the asylum</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> of loss,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> down the long aisles of our grief:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> thin glass wings</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> fluttering against the inevitable</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> that comes all the same;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> rising out of ashes,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> Blessed Mary's altar,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> as great birds of fire</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> carrying our heavy prayers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> into the blinding, boundless flare </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> of His brilliant heart:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> the burning crucible</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> of love.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<br />The Mad-Eyed Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01033013996246941498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318336415310434967.post-17978561803124045902015-11-03T15:51:00.000-08:002018-01-24T15:07:04.399-08:00Magnolia Leaves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i> You have heard the prayer of the weak, Lord,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> – <i>and you will strengthen their hearts.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> The magnolia leaves</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> are falling </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> like old-copper </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">pages </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> from another realm.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> Delicate rustling</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> turning my sweeping </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> distraction</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> to see </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> what made </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> the parched music</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> in the scrolling quiet </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> of the autumn air?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> What persistent prayer </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> haphazard lay</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> beneath the buds'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> velvet fists.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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The Mad-Eyed Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01033013996246941498noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318336415310434967.post-1036761148992946272015-10-31T21:51:00.000-07:002015-11-01T05:26:15.894-08:00Tithing<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -3em;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i></span><i style="background-color: white; text-indent: -48px;">You saints of the Lord, O bless the Lord for ever!</i></span><i style="text-indent: -3em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The whirlwind</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">through the tree groves'</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">gold of leaves;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">the wild currency </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">of beauty</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">tithing the bleak air</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">with baskets of spilling light,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">saints' bright prayers.</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<br />The Mad-Eyed Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01033013996246941498noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318336415310434967.post-2094623897684817162015-09-22T15:31:00.000-07:002018-01-24T15:19:01.509-08:00Autumn Apple<table style="background-color: white; color: black; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">A blessing on the man who puts his trust in the Lord, with the Lord for his hope. He is like a tree by the waterside that thrusts its roots to the stream: when the heat comes it feels no alarm, its foliage stays green; it has no worries in a year of drought, and never ceases to bear fruit.</span></i></div>
<div class="p" style="font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<i> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Jeremiah 17:7-8</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> O Lord, the vast summer</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> In my hands now;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> Crimson-apple globe</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> I cut </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> Halving the sunned world there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> Seeds spill into </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> The tills of loss,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> Where the restless roots begin </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> Composing their poetry</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> Before a dark-blank audience,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> Before Spring's steepening light </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> Calls forth </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> Their recitations</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> In every leaf and blossom's voice,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> Fills t</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">he voluminous verses of shadow</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> Beneath Your light</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> And every stage of ripening.</span></div>
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<br />The Mad-Eyed Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01033013996246941498noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318336415310434967.post-82278012807231631072015-08-31T17:42:00.000-07:002016-01-30T18:15:55.766-08:00The Dance Recital<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp.</span></i></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Psalm 149:3</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">They danced in fairy light</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">across the azure stage-night,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">gossamer ghosts,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">they go gently,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">gracefully against the dimming blue,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">fling themselves into the air</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">as souls shook out in bolts of light:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">wisps of Degas </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">hues spinning</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">into the blinding-bright, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">where we are swept away</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">into You,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">and our dull dust</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> begins to move.</span></div>
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The Mad-Eyed Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01033013996246941498noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318336415310434967.post-89673031355396735342015-05-22T19:22:00.000-07:002016-01-30T18:17:09.306-08:00Sorrow<div class="v" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Do not let the waves overwhelm me;</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i> do not let the deep waters swallow me;</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i> do not let the well’s mouth engulf me.</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Psalms 68</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">She takes her sorrow for a walk.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It runs full out,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">laps the trail</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">as a great stag of fire</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">leaping </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">into the fleeting forever of now;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">becomes black wings</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">circling over</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">the evening's hunkering,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">coiling moon shadows,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">the long </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">nails of night</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">tapping tapping tapping</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">on the closed and dark-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">glass </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">window of her heart.</span></div>
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<br />The Mad-Eyed Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01033013996246941498noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318336415310434967.post-30376499254135033282015-05-21T07:35:00.000-07:002018-02-19T15:00:28.219-08:00Lessons<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Earth<a class="mainquote" href="http://www.searchquotes.com/quotation/Earth_to_earth%2C_ashes_to_ashes%2C_dust_to_dust%3B_in_sure_and_certain_hope_of_the_Resurrection_into_eter/223982/" style="background-color: white; color: #232323; line-height: 19.5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection into eternal life"> to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; </a></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i> <a class="mainquote" href="http://www.searchquotes.com/quotation/Earth_to_earth%2C_ashes_to_ashes%2C_dust_to_dust%3B_in_sure_and_certain_hope_of_the_Resurrection_into_eter/223982/" style="background-color: white; color: #232323; line-height: 19.5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection into eternal life">in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection into eternal life</a>.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>Book of Common Prayer</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> What spring is teaching </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> goes over my head</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> with leaf-bright wings</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> while walking through</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> the glass-green </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> morning dew.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> Lit pollen like schoolroom </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> chalk dust </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> children </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">thunder </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> into clouds</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> with dark </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">erasers;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> their split-second </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">weather</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> against the blank-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> slate sky. </span><br />
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<br />The Mad-Eyed Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01033013996246941498noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318336415310434967.post-78349237565476822772015-05-18T06:25:00.000-07:002015-05-18T12:19:14.245-07:00Shining Gifts<div class="v gb" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.8em 0px 0px; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>My dear people,</i></span></div>
<div class="v" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>let us love one another</i></span></div>
<div class="v" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>since love comes from God</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>and everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>1 John 4</i> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo by C Scodova</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> My youngest daughter brings me fire</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> in a candle-jar,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> shadows falling like petals</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> all around her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> My eldest daughter brings me Mother of Evening</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> she has gathered from the edges of fields </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> in the violet-blue thickets of dawn,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> her eyes bright as tangled bird songs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> They step through the dew-drenched dark</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> to awaken me with gifts</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> on my birthday morning,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> arms full of shining</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> love I am borne,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> by grace, into.</span><br />
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<br />The Mad-Eyed Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01033013996246941498noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318336415310434967.post-58178892130428053712015-05-17T16:39:00.000-07:002018-01-24T15:30:10.447-08:00A Kind Of Prayer<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -48px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i> Christ our Lord urged us to pray and the Holy Spirit came to fill our hearts and minds.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -48px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>Universalis</i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -48px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> </i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Photo by C Scodova</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And what about the Magnolia</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">breaking open in</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> the menagerie </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">of the moment,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">slipping on the pale-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">pink gloves of light?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Rumpled petals </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">spilling </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">their fragrant, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">reckless </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">songs </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">into the cobalt vials</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> of sky,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">the finality of the dark-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">trembling beneath.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Isn't this, also, a kind of prayer</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">in the folding-hands of evening, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">when old rain-clouds begin</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> kneeling into the spring-bright green</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">and miles of every blossoming ascending?</span></div>
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<br />The Mad-Eyed Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01033013996246941498noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318336415310434967.post-76355936456163189072015-05-15T06:42:00.000-07:002016-09-17T19:47:25.687-07:00Thread of Prayer<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><i>Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks;</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i> for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.</i></span></span><br />
<i><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1 Thessalonians 5</span></span></i><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"> Photo by C Scodova </span></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> Prayer awakens me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> as the wandering guest of first light</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> stepping slowly through the field's green-fire,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> the plush of trees.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> Prayer arrives in the redolence of spring rain</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> spilling fragrancies of the leaf-stirred earth,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> blossoms' silk sachets</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> through the open window.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> Prayer nudges its rounded shoulder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> softly as my child climbs,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> in the heavy, shadow-shaped night,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> into the deep refuge of our covers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> Prayer is gliding over our shingled- </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> sleep like glass wings</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> through the pale slips of sky; </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> the everlasting </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">horizon of love.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #121212; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.7999992370605px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>The Mad-Eyed Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01033013996246941498noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1318336415310434967.post-78909137012460375332015-05-14T07:17:00.001-07:002018-02-19T15:07:17.577-08:00As It Is In Heaven<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>The one who rose higher than all the heavens</i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i> to fill all things </i></span></span><br />
<i style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> is </span></i><i style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">none other than the one who descended.</span></i><br />
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>Ephesians 4</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Photo by C Scodova</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> This morning, while heaven is busy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> impinging upon the earth, again,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> leaning its soft shoulder of light</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> into the crowd of darkness,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> may we lay down </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">the difficult </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> miles of our selves, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> for the going forward of love </span><span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> and pure joy.</span><br />
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The Mad-Eyed Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01033013996246941498noreply@blogger.com3