New Pet Pics

Lots of great new pet pics posted in the pet section of the picture page! Go check 'em out!

Snow Storm Pics

Be sure to check out pics from our big April snow storm in the Pics section of the website. Go check 'em out!

The Shield of St. Patrick

This is an amazing and powerful poem. I happened to find it on someone else's blog, and as I read it, I discovered that I already knew the words. It was made into a song by the band, Iona, which I happen to love. This particular version is paraphrased by Cecil Frances Alexander.

I bind unto myself today the strong name of the Trinity,
by invocation of the same, the Three in One, the One in Three.
I bind this day to me forever by power of faith Christ's incarnation,
his baptism in the Jordan river, his death on the cross for my salvation;
his bursting from the spiced tomb, his riding up the heavenly way,
his coming at the day of doom I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead,
his eye to watch, his might to stay, his ear to harken to my need,
the wisdom of my God to teach, his hand to guide, his shield to ward,
the Word of God to give me speech, his heavenly host to be my guard.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me;
Christ to comfort and restore me;
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the name, the strong name of the Trinity,
by invocation of the same, the Three in One, and One in Three,
of whom all nature hath creation, eternal Father, Spirit, Word;
praise to the God of my salvation, salvation is of Christ the Lord!

Further Comment On The Church

These are just a few thoughts about the Church.

I think God would be awfully disappointed at how inaccessable the Church is. As a whole we have managed to seclude ourselves from our own culture and alienate the lost.

I don't drink alcohol (I'm too holy for that)
I don't listen to "secular" music (I'm too holy for that)
I don't watch MTV (I'm too holy for that)
I don't watch R-rated movies (I'm too holy for that)
I burn books with stories about witches (I'm too holy for that)
I make a point to praise the Lord publically (so everyone knows I am full of God's love)

I realize this may come accross a bit antagonistic. While we may not do this intentionally, we really do do it. Are we getting better? Yes. Are our morals slipping? No. Am I suggesting we abandon all moral foundation just to save souls? No. I am not suggesting we start having sex to be able to relate to sexually immoral... or start getting drunk to relate to alcoholics. What I am saying is we can embrace our morals and our culture at the same time. When we pretend we are holy and perfect we make ourselves completely inaccessable to others.

We have to be real people to real people in need of God's love. If we avoid our own cultural common ground and seclude ourselves...or to use a Christian phrase...make ourselves "set apart" how does that help us minister to the lost?

We must meet non-Christians in the common grounds of life...through culture. This is the pattern Christ showed us. I will come love you where you are just how you are. And when my love becomes apparent to you, you will be changed...because my love is perfect.

I hope this made sense. A bit of a ramble. I may have to tidy this post up a bit later.