Okay, so I have epically failed on blogging this past week. Although I wish I would have (because, let's face it, there were some great opportunities to blog this week), I was quite busy with moving into the town home where Sharon and I will live after we're married in 20 days. I do promise to update with photos (or possibly a video?) of the new pad soon (fingers crossed for it to be this week).
On another note, today is Easter or Resurrection Sunday! This day is quite an exciting time for the church as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus. So, in honor of today, I thought I would post one of my most loved hymns. Enjoy!
Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior,
waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!
Refrain:
Up from the grave he arose;
with a mighty triumph o'er his foes;
he arose a victor from the dark domain,
and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!
Vainly they watch his bed, Jesus my Savior,
vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!
(Refrain)
Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior;
he tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!
(Refrain)
Moving on, now that Holy Week is coming to a close and we move into the season of Easter for the next 50 days, the PAftW should now be back on a regular schedule. So, without further adieu, here you are, my friends!
Almighty God, who through your only begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that I, who celebrate with Joy the day of the Lord's resurrection, may be raised to the death of sin by your life giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Palm Sunday / Prayer Appointed for the Week (April 17 - 23)
This will be a double entry this week since we are entering into Holy Week. This week is an exciting time for the Church as we remember Jesus' journey to the Cross, his burial and resurrection. So, to commemorate this Palm Sunday, I thought I would post the lyrics to a song from service today and the account of the Triumphal Entry from the Gospel of Matthew.
Hosanna
Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest!
Lord, we lift up your name with hearts full of praise
Be exalted, of Lord, my God! Hosanna in the highest!
Matthew 21: 1-11
The Triumphal Entry
"Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord needs them,' and he will send them at once." This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying:
"Say to the daughter of Zion,'Behold, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'"
The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, "Who is this?" And the crowds said, "This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee." ESV
Prayer Appointed for the Week
Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that I may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen
Also to come this week:
- the Psalms of Ascents
- Picture update of mine and Sharon's new home!
- Maundy Thursday/Jesus Feast post
- Good Friday post
- Art applicable to Holy Week from St. Celibart (with Craig Davis' approval of course [I've yet to ask him about this but since I'm apparently calling him out online we'll see what he says ;)]). If not though, I do recommend you check out St. Celibart (click on the link above), there are some great works of art as well as some great Scripture study resources that you are sure to enjoy.
- Nick
Hosanna
Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest!
Lord, we lift up your name with hearts full of praise
Be exalted, of Lord, my God! Hosanna in the highest!
Matthew 21: 1-11
The Triumphal Entry
"Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord needs them,' and he will send them at once." This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying:
"Say to the daughter of Zion,'Behold, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'"
The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, "Who is this?" And the crowds said, "This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee." ESV
Prayer Appointed for the Week
Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that I may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen
Also to come this week:
- the Psalms of Ascents
- Picture update of mine and Sharon's new home!
- Maundy Thursday/Jesus Feast post
- Good Friday post
- Art applicable to Holy Week from St. Celibart (with Craig Davis' approval of course [I've yet to ask him about this but since I'm apparently calling him out online we'll see what he says ;)]). If not though, I do recommend you check out St. Celibart (click on the link above), there are some great works of art as well as some great Scripture study resources that you are sure to enjoy.
- Nick
Friday, April 15, 2011
This Day in History
Okay, so I meant to post this yesterday so while you are reading it, imagine that today isn't already halfway over. Holding a degree in History, you'd think I would have gotten around to doing a post like this sooner. However, since yesterday had some interesting historical significance, I thought it would be as good of a time as any to start this series.
I enjoy listening to NPR. Sadly, I don't know too many people that do (other than a coworker, a former roommate, and fellow blogger Kevin Adlesberger). NPR offers quite a wide range of information as well as great classical music. After running a few errands, and while on my way home, I decided to turn on the radio to see what NPR had playing. Thankfully, I turned on my radio at the precise moment that "Writer's Almanac" was coming on. The host began the segment by giving the listeners two interesting "This Day in History" stories. So, now that you know where some of these will come from, I shall tell you two interesting "This Day in History" facts.
April 14, 1865
On this date in 1865, President Abraham Lincoln is assassinated while attending the play "Our American Cousin" at Ford's Theater in Washington, D.C. Just after 10 p.m., Booth entered Lincoln's private theater box unnoticed and shot the president with a single bullet in the back of his head. Booth then leapt to the stage and shouted "Sic semper tyrannis! [Thus always to tyrants]–the South is avenged!" The president, mortally wounded, was carried to a lodging house opposite Ford's Theater. About 7:22 a.m. the next morning, Lincoln, age 56, died. He was the first U.S. president to be assassinated.
April 14, 1939
On this date in 1939, John Steinbeck's classic The Grapes of Wrath is published.
I just thought these were interesting and that you all might enjoy knowing a little about what happened on THIS DAY IN HISTORY! (imagine old super hero show voice over).
Until next time.
I enjoy listening to NPR. Sadly, I don't know too many people that do (other than a coworker, a former roommate, and fellow blogger Kevin Adlesberger). NPR offers quite a wide range of information as well as great classical music. After running a few errands, and while on my way home, I decided to turn on the radio to see what NPR had playing. Thankfully, I turned on my radio at the precise moment that "Writer's Almanac" was coming on. The host began the segment by giving the listeners two interesting "This Day in History" stories. So, now that you know where some of these will come from, I shall tell you two interesting "This Day in History" facts.
April 14, 1865
On this date in 1865, President Abraham Lincoln is assassinated while attending the play "Our American Cousin" at Ford's Theater in Washington, D.C. Just after 10 p.m., Booth entered Lincoln's private theater box unnoticed and shot the president with a single bullet in the back of his head. Booth then leapt to the stage and shouted "Sic semper tyrannis! [Thus always to tyrants]–the South is avenged!" The president, mortally wounded, was carried to a lodging house opposite Ford's Theater. About 7:22 a.m. the next morning, Lincoln, age 56, died. He was the first U.S. president to be assassinated.
April 14, 1939
On this date in 1939, John Steinbeck's classic The Grapes of Wrath is published.
I just thought these were interesting and that you all might enjoy knowing a little about what happened on THIS DAY IN HISTORY! (imagine old super hero show voice over).
Until next time.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Prayer Appointed for the Week (April 10 - 16)
Greetings friends! My apologizes for not updating this past week, with wedding prep and all of the other craziness, it seems that I have neglected to contact the cyberverse. Never fear, though, the 'verse shan't be without me for long.
So, as I stated last week, we have reached the Compline section of Divine Hours and it does not pick up a regular schedule again until Palm Sunday. Therefore, I have had to improvise a little. Instead of pulling from Divine Hours this week, I have decided to take a prayer from Scripture. This prayer is said during every Office throughout the year and I thought since there isn't one specified for this week that this Prayer would fit quite nicely. Enjoy my friends; we shall meet again soon.
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be your Name. May your kingdom come, and your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Currently Listening:
Some Cities by The Doves
So, as I stated last week, we have reached the Compline section of Divine Hours and it does not pick up a regular schedule again until Palm Sunday. Therefore, I have had to improvise a little. Instead of pulling from Divine Hours this week, I have decided to take a prayer from Scripture. This prayer is said during every Office throughout the year and I thought since there isn't one specified for this week that this Prayer would fit quite nicely. Enjoy my friends; we shall meet again soon.
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be your Name. May your kingdom come, and your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Currently Listening:
Some Cities by The Doves
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Prayer Appointed for the Week (April 3 - April 9)
Well friends, we have come to an impasse. In her work The Divine Hours, Phyllis Tickle has added a Compline for the end of each month. This is structured a little differently than the typical week-by-week prayers in that they are to be observed in the evenings only. ALSO, with being this close to Holy Week and Easter, after the March Compline comes a whole weeks worth of different prayers specifically designated for Holy Week and Easter. Therefore, I will be taking our PAftW from different Night Offices until Palm Sunday (which is only 2 weeks away so it's not like it will throw us off that much) and then I may actually post something from The Divine Hours daily throughout Holy Week just because I think they will be fun (I haven't decided on this yet, but we shall see). Anywho, this week I shall take our PAftW from The Final Thanksgiving section of the March Compline. So without further adieu:
Lord, you now have set your servant free to go in peace as you have promised;
for these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, whom you have prepared for all the world to see: a Light to enlighten the nations, and the glory of your people Israel. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be. Amen.
Lord, you now have set your servant free to go in peace as you have promised;
for these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, whom you have prepared for all the world to see: a Light to enlighten the nations, and the glory of your people Israel. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be. Amen.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Feallengod: The Conflict in the Heavenlies - Craig Davis
Alrighty friends, the wait is finally over! It's time for the first (of what I hope will be many) book review(s). Let me first start this post out by saying that I have spent the last day or so trying to come up with a fun way of rating books on here. Should it be stars or check marks or perhaps even smileys? Then it occurred to me: Thumbs. Oh that's right! "Why is this more fun than stars?" you may ask. Well, let me say that there will not be a rating from 1-5. It will simply be 1 or 2 enthusiastic thumbs way up or down. With that said and clarified (I know you were all waiting with bated breath on that one) let's move on to the review.
I am a huge fan of almost all things Fantasy and Science Fiction. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed Feallengod: The Conflict in the Heavenlies and not just because the author is a friend of mine. What I enjoy about Fantasy and Science Fiction is being able to shut out reality for a time and become concerned with what is going on in the story and in the characters lives. However, Feallengod struck me differently (I will explain that a little later on).
Clearly being an allegorical in nature (I mean, come on! Look at the title) Feallengod tells the story of what is occurring in the Heavenly realm and the battle that is ensuing for souls of Mankind. Now, as a Christian (and with the author being Christian as well), we know that the battle was won before the foundation of the world. But that is a whole other post unto itself and can wait for another time.
After Domen (the Satan character) is cast out of Gaegnian to the island of Feallengod, he continues to plot against King Ecealdor (God the Father) and attempts to corrupt the people the King deeply loves. After sending his son, Coren (Jesus), to bring about a new law to the people, Domen's henchmen slay Coren and leave his body on the trash heap. The small remnant of Coren's followers are discredited and begin building an army to fight Domen. During the battle that ensues, Blawan (Holy Spirit) arrives from Gaegnian and takes away those who faithfully followed Coren.
The book continues on through the tribulation period where people are required to be branded with a mark or be killed. Those that refuse sneak away to begin life somewhere else only to be tracked down. When all seems lost, Coren returns in his full kingly glory and banishes Domen to the pit and the darkness he so earnestly desires.
As I said earlier, Feallengod struck me differently because, in a way, it is hard to forget about our reality when this book is about the greater reality that is occurring in the Heavenly realm. That being said, that is something I love about allegory and what really makes this book worth reading (though, I do recommend using the pronunciation guide in the back of the book to help with the names).
So now we've come to the end and I know that you're all waiting for the rating, so here it goes... drum roll please:
Two enthusiastic thumbs WAY up! Again, not just because the author is a friend, but because of the nature of the book, the quality of the writing, the character development and the nature of the plot. Basically, all great things that make a book worth reading.
Where can you find this book? I would recommend following this link if you have a Kindle. If not here are some other links for you to try:
- Amazon.com
- Smashwords.com
So, go buy this book! You will not be disappointed!
- Nick
I am a huge fan of almost all things Fantasy and Science Fiction. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed Feallengod: The Conflict in the Heavenlies and not just because the author is a friend of mine. What I enjoy about Fantasy and Science Fiction is being able to shut out reality for a time and become concerned with what is going on in the story and in the characters lives. However, Feallengod struck me differently (I will explain that a little later on).
Clearly being an allegorical in nature (I mean, come on! Look at the title) Feallengod tells the story of what is occurring in the Heavenly realm and the battle that is ensuing for souls of Mankind. Now, as a Christian (and with the author being Christian as well), we know that the battle was won before the foundation of the world. But that is a whole other post unto itself and can wait for another time.
After Domen (the Satan character) is cast out of Gaegnian to the island of Feallengod, he continues to plot against King Ecealdor (God the Father) and attempts to corrupt the people the King deeply loves. After sending his son, Coren (Jesus), to bring about a new law to the people, Domen's henchmen slay Coren and leave his body on the trash heap. The small remnant of Coren's followers are discredited and begin building an army to fight Domen. During the battle that ensues, Blawan (Holy Spirit) arrives from Gaegnian and takes away those who faithfully followed Coren.
The book continues on through the tribulation period where people are required to be branded with a mark or be killed. Those that refuse sneak away to begin life somewhere else only to be tracked down. When all seems lost, Coren returns in his full kingly glory and banishes Domen to the pit and the darkness he so earnestly desires.
As I said earlier, Feallengod struck me differently because, in a way, it is hard to forget about our reality when this book is about the greater reality that is occurring in the Heavenly realm. That being said, that is something I love about allegory and what really makes this book worth reading (though, I do recommend using the pronunciation guide in the back of the book to help with the names).
So now we've come to the end and I know that you're all waiting for the rating, so here it goes... drum roll please:
Two enthusiastic thumbs WAY up! Again, not just because the author is a friend, but because of the nature of the book, the quality of the writing, the character development and the nature of the plot. Basically, all great things that make a book worth reading.
Where can you find this book? I would recommend following this link if you have a Kindle. If not here are some other links for you to try:
- Amazon.com
- Smashwords.com
So, go buy this book! You will not be disappointed!
- Nick
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