Phoebe Palmer and Her Study

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Friday, March 17, 2017

Phoebe Palmer and Her Study

I don’t know quite how to say this, but I couldn’t get into Phoebe Palmer. I sort of understand that she is a big deal, and considered an awesome spiritual and religious writer. Except, her writing and I just did not connect in a meaningful way.

Hypothetical question: what happens if you have no idea of what is going on in the short reading you have for homework? That is, other than following the very bare bones outline—sort of. What then? What if you need to write a one-page response about that reading?

Well, one way to handle it is to do kinda what I’m doing: talk about how it’s difficult to talk about an article you did not quite understand.

I agree with Richard Foster. “To us today Phoebe Palmer’s ‘shorter way’ seems terribly convoluted and torturous. We simply do not have the history of searching and struggling to enter ‘the way of holiness’ that characterized the ‘saints’ of Palmer’s day.” [1] Now, I have read some rather obscure Christian writings, and enjoyed them. (Some people wouldn’t read those various types of writing. I was glad to!) I tend to be accepting, even of alternative topics. Not, I suspect, like Ms. Palmer. She seems a bit esoteric and distant to me. (Sorry, Ms. Palmer.)

Gee, out of sixteen writers, only one did not connect with me. I consider that pretty great! Perhaps tomorrow will bring a different kind of writer. Lord willing!

@chaplaineliza

 

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my companion blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.  #PursuePEACE. My Facebook page, Pursuing Peace – Thanks! And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er.

[1] Spiritual Classics, edited by Richard J. Foster and Emilie Griffin. (San Francisco, California: HarperSanFrancisco, 2000), 105.

Study, by Lilias Trotter

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Study, by Lilias Trotter

I was introduced to a writer I had never heard of before: Lilias Trotter. Her life and adventures sound fascinating. Traveling from a privileged life in upper class London to a mission in North Africa, ministering to the poor of Algeria—quite a story. Quite a life.

Yes, she was a compassionate leader in the region who cared deeply for children. What is more, Ms. Trotter was “welcomed as a spiritual authority figure by Arab leaders.” [1] Impressive, indeed.

As the commentator goes in depth to the themes she discusses, I see some familiar themes. The sheep and the sheepfold of John 10, as well as the hireling and the wolf. Good stuff, here!

However, what touched me the most deeply was something at the beginning of this reading. God has been preparing her readers over the years for leadership that comes from God. “You yield this obedience, first to the founder (waly) of your order, and under him to the sheikh representing him, who can interpret his teaching into your daily life.” [2]

The idea of God being the sheikh fueled my imagination! Believe me when I say that I got all excited. I read Ms. Trotter’s description of the sheikh in this paragraph: “You feel that your sheikh knows you through and through, and into his hands you deliver yourself.” [3]

Quite different view from what I am used to! It is good for me to be shaken up. (Lord, isn‘t it?)

Dear Lord, help me to be regularly shaken up. In Your mercy, hear all of our prayers.

@chaplaineliza

 

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my companion blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.  #PursuePEACE. My Facebook page, Pursuing Peace – Thanks! And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er.

 

[1] Spiritual Classics, edited by Richard J. Foster and Emilie Griffin. (San Francisco, California: HarperSanFrancisco, 2000), 86.

[2] Ibid, 87.

[3] Ibid.

Praying, Giving My Cares to God

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Saturday, August 15, 2015

Praying, Giving My Cares to God

from http://www.dailyoffice.org

As I finish praying the Evening Prayers tonight, I come to this antiphon (or, conclusion for this part of the service). “Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.” This antiphon is repeated twice, near the end of the Evening Prayers.

One thing I’ve noticed over the past couple of decades of bible reading and study: if any word, phrase or sentence is repeated, it’s usually important to someone, for something in particular.

Okay. I went to what is quickly becoming my go-to source for finding out more about Evening Prayer (or, Compline): the website for the Church of England (see below, in the footnote). Behold!

“The service concludes with
¶ a calling on God for protection through the coming night
¶ a simple blessing “ [1]

So, my part in this antiphon is as follows. First, I pray that, when awake, I may watch with Christ. I wouldn’t want to get caught sleeping, like the three disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane. Then, I need to watch with Christ. Watch like a watchman on the city walls or at the gates.

Second, when I sleep (NOT if, but WHEN), I am to rest peacefully. That’s quietly. “Rest in peace.” That is what is commonly said about people, after they die. In all truthfulness, people are often tied in knots of worry, anxiety and despair. But, Jesus says this is not the way to deal with life. Or, rather, to hide from life. Instead, we are to trust God to take away our worry, anxiety and despair. Jesus can handle it

Thanks, Lord, for this deep, heartfelt reminder. Help me to follow You, on a regular basis. And, not just when my tendency is to ignore You. Alleluia, amen!

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Visit the website http://dailyoffice.org/ to find out more about Morning and Evening Prayer!

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er .

[1] https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-worship/worship/texts/daily2/night/introstructurenotes.aspx

God’s Fingerprints on the World

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Wednesday, June 3, 2015

God’s Fingerprints on the World

Today was Wednesday. The day I meet together with a group for bible study. While we were talking in the study, lots of questions came up, including how God made the world. And, I loved each and every question!

I told them I could get all theological and explain different views of different deep thinkers over the centuries to them. Or, I could give them a brief explanation, and we could go back to the topic of the day (the first part of the Lord’s Prayer). The consensus was for the short explanation, then back on topic. As I explained yet again, once we open up the Bible, its various topics are incredibly interconnected!

When I read today’s chapter from Handbook for the Soul, I was reminded so strongly of this explanation. Today’s chapter was written by Rabbi Harold Kirschner on nurturing the soul in the everyday. Yet—what happens when the everyday is normal? Or, so-so? Or, God forbid, less than good? Let’s see what Rabbi Kirschner says:

“We must remember that everything in this world has God’s fingerprints on it—and that alone makes it special. Our inability to see beauty doesn’t suggest in the slightest that beauty is not there. Rather, it suggests that we are not looking carefully enough or with broad enough perspective to see the beauty.” [1]

I need to reflect on the Rabbi’s wise words. God’s fingerprints alone make things special, or of wonderful beauty. Even when God’s creation does not have particular exterior beauty, God still made it. And, that ought to be reason enough for me to marvel in it.

As Rabbi Kirschner said further: “Can you see the holiness in those things you take for granted—a paved road or a washing machine? If you concentrate on finding what is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul.” [2]

I can strive to see the wonder in God’s creation. I can choose to marvel at God’s intricate handiwork. God willing, may I be blessed with the ability to see all the wonder in the everyday.

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er .

[1] Handbook for the Soul, Richard Carlson and Benjamin Shield, editors. (Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 1995), 19.

[2] Ibid.