I just finished watching a program about Gethsemani Abbey, the home of Thomas Merton. The commentator made the observation how monasteries are counter to popular culture, yet are still in the forefront of study and theological/philosophical thought - and, most importantly, centers of prayer. I am not as concerned that most people today are not seeking appropriate knowledge as I am about the impression I have that they are not seeking any knowledge and are content to be fed by popular media. Let us thank those who are aware of the situation and strive to guide us in the right paths by generating enthusiasm for learning.
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My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Hosea 4:6a

After this morning's funeral service, I was told by a relative of the deceased that he had seen the hand of Jesus reach down from the cross behind the altar and lead the deceased to himself. I truly felt the man was sincere about his vision. Was it his imagination? -- or did he really see the Lord? My rational self would have me not believe -- my spiritual side wants to accept the reality of the Lord's presence. Coincidentally, I just finished listening to a homily about Franciscan saints and friars who have devoted their lives to the adoration of the Eucharist. We do believe in the real presence of our Lord in the bread and the wine -- don't we? Why should we doubt that some of us may be blessed to see him?
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Funeral service this morning.

Tomorrow I'm attending the funeral of someone I haven't seen since high school - someone who had the dreams of family, home, a good job - but who was devasted in recent years by despair, alcohol, and divorce - and took his own life. Yet he was a person who loved his neighbor, was humble and generous to a fault (we should be so generous). What a loss to his family and friends! When his room was cleaned out, there was only one picture on the wall - a picture of Jesus. There were also several Bibles and medalions with the serenity prayer. I am confident that he is with the Lord in heaven. "God did not send [his] son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." John 3:17
May his memory be blessed.
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My old nature often stands in the way of serving Christ. Yesterday, I turned down a wonderful opportunity to witness. This morning I was despondent for having let it go by. Yet our Lord is gracious and merciful and kind. The missed opportunity became available again. Thank you Lord!
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First snow of the season + pax

If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has his foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.
Desmond Tutu
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This Thanksgiving I'm thinking how often I do not have the faith to trust in God's provision - how often I worry instead of asking God to send the Holy Spirit to strengthen my faith - to strengthen my trust. Let us pray for the Holy Spirit's presence and the faith to accept it, listen to it, obey it.
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So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Mark 11:24

It was good to attend a Thanksgiving Eve service. We thanked for the whole spectrum: health, wealth, friends & family, etc. But as I came to the Lord's Table at the end of the service I realized that what I am most thankful for is my Lord and Savior and his sacrificial death, which freed me from sin and granted me eternal life with him.
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You were made by God and for God -- and until you understand that, life will never make sense.
Rick Warren
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There once was a monk who said "Sext

Always gets me so very perplexed.

I say the wrong verse

And I find I'm in Terce,

And I can't think of what's coming next."
Prof. Eric Mascall
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Mariah Carey: "Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can't help but cry. I mean I'd love to be skinny like that, but not with all those flies and death and stuff."
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It was a blessing & joy to receive the Eucharist this morning and have my sins forgiven.
Martin Luther: "The best preparation is that a soul, deeply moved by sins, death, and temptations, hungers and thirsts for healing and strength."
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What I should have said re the preceding post, courtesy of the Moravians:

I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. Job 42:2

From God and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Romans 11:36

Father, you help us to see the possibilities that are all around us. You encourage us in our daily walk with you. Give us the steadfastness to hold on to our truths and beliefs. Amen.

An honest plea:
Why doesn't God do something? I'm having a hard time with the usual, "He works in ways you can't see/He alone knows what's best/in His time" stuff. Sometimes, when I feel really angry about something that seems so obviously wrong, it seems like those are just cop-out statements. When something goes right, we say that's God at work. When something goes wrong, we say God's still at work, we just can't see it. I know it sounds horrible, but some days that kind of talk sounds like a rationalization, and I really wonder if he's abandoned me or is punishing me.
My answer: God is all we have.
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Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

As an urban hermit I used to spend a lot of time downtown Minneapolis. However, during the past several years I've become more hermit & less urban. So tonight it was a treat to wander around Hennepin Avenue, even though it was raining (but at least not snowing). The street people are beginning to disappear to their enclaves and aren't as visible as they are during summer. How many will perish as the below freezing - below zero - weather sets in? Will the commuters ignore them because they cannot see them from their SUVs?
Then [Jesus] will answer them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me." And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. Matt. 25:45-46
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Pray!

The Lord protects all who hope in him. Ps. 18
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As they came from their mother's womb, so they shall go again, naked as they came; they shall take nothing for their toil, which they may carry away with their hands. Ecclesiastes 5:15
What does it take for us to recognize our mortality? - a close call or an accident? - diagnosis of a terminal illness? Let's not ignore death - let's not pretend it doesn't exist. Let's look forward to our union with God!
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I was reminded again today to treasure our friends while we are with them. Take a moment & reflect on who you appreciate; then give them a call -- or better yet -- write a short note of thanks for their friendship. Notes are something we can touch -- something we can hold.
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This is just a test to see if this old man is getting the grasp of new technology. Thanks for your patience.
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Thanks to Pastor Ivars, I now have a Palm Pilot w/which to share my thougts on this blog. This is my first & test posting; we'll see if this old hermit can make use of new technology.
I wonder if there is anyone who needs some slightly used quills. +pax