Prayers for the People (32)

Back again after hiatus! 

32. For the Good Use of Leisure

O God, in the course of this busy life, give us times of
refreshment and peace; and grant that we may so use our
leisure to rebuild our bodies and renew our minds, that our
spirits may be opened to the goodness of your creation;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

-- Book of Common Prayer

Hipsters in Winter

Heard him for the first time today. Love this song and sound from Rocky Votolato. 

White Daisy Passing (Video)

Lyrics (from MetroLyrics)

Please slow it down
There's a secret magic past world
That you only notice when you're looking back at it
And all I wanna do is turn around

I'm going down to sleep
On the bottom of the ocean
'Cause I couldn't let go of the water
At the setting sun

Passing white daisies, taking turns
Close the door, walk to the street
Catching raindrops on your tongue and for a minute it all stops
But it won't last man, just a passing moment gone

Please slow it down
Theres a secret place that I know
If I could a dig a grave, Id then climb underground for good
And all I wanna do is turn around

I'm going down to sleep
On the bottom of the ocean
'Cause I couldn't let go of the water
At the setting sun

Passing white daisies, taking turns
All those evenings on the back deck of our first apartment
They meant everything but the wind just carried them off
And you cant go back now, just a passing moment gone

Please slow it down
Theres a secret magic past world
That you only notice when you're looking back at it
And all I wanna do is turn around

I'm going down to sleep
On the bottom of the ocean
'Cause I couldn't let go of the water
At the setting sun
'Cause I couldn't let go of the passing moment gone

The Girl In the Picture

The Girl in the Picture -- CBS News

Flotsam and jetsam

The Muppet Show: here your viewing pleasure at Tales from Shangri-La, is a bunch of classic Swedish Chef skits all in a row (with a serendipitous cameo of the sardonic balcony guys, Statler and Waldorf)!

Swedish Chef Culinary Delights

Prayers for the People (31)

A reminder that at points in the BoCP we are invited to be specific in our prayers. As you pray these prayers, do elaborate with the names of particular entities to which the prayer may especially pertain -- family, friends, and neighbors, states, governments, school colleges, students, teachers, etc.

31. For Schools and Colleges

O Eternal God, bless all schools, colleges, and universities, that they may be lively centers for
sound learning, new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom;
and grant that those who teach and those who learn may find
you to be the source of all truth; through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.

--Book of Common Prayer

Ecumenicism: Accommodation and Orthodoxy

Here in First Things, Dr. Scott Redd shares a charitable and nuanced approach to ecumenicism in light of a letter from Pope Francis to evangelicals. Redd invites believers to have a respectful and truthful dialogue about what both unites and divides Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox.

Link to First Things article

Here's an outquote that hits at the crux:

In the letter, Francis also cites recent, public instances of Christian persecution around the world and the impact they have had on his understanding of Church unity. “The one that persecutes does not make a mistake, he doesn't ask if they are Catholic, Evangelical, Orthodox. . . . They are Christians, followers of Jesus Christ, and that is enough. This blood challenges us,” he writes. Indeed it does. The global plight of the Christian in the twenty first century ought to unify those who follow Christ and seek to proclaim his gospel in word and deed.

This issue also raises the question of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ and to share in that, for lack of a better word, communion in which the church is united in his suffering. Not all who share in his suffering, for instance, can share in the same sacramental table, due to different understandings of the meaning of Christ's presence at the table or altar. Similarly, not all of those targeted by ISIS or North Korea agree about the meaning of the church or the content of the gospel we proclaim. All religious persecution is horrific and wrong, but we do not define the community of faith by those whom the persecutor victimizes. How ought we to think about other persecuted groups who hold to a heretical understanding of the incarnation or the deity of Christ? We are united with them in their humanity, but are they Christ's church?

These questions are not without significance, touching on the person of Christ and the nature of faith, and the answers will only come from an engaged discussion of the authority of Scripture, the historical witness of the church, and the clarity with which the councils, creeds, and confessions give expression to the teaching of the Bible. These discussions can get into the weeds quickly, to be sure, but they are nevertheless crucial to moving toward meaningful unity. True healing comes once the illness is diagnosed.

"A Most Unlikely Saint"

My friend sent me this rollicking, well-crafted description of G.K. Chesterton's works in The Atlantic.

A Most Unlikely Saint

God covenants with us as Father and King

A short description of God as a royal Father, from my brother, Scott Redd, here featured on Third Millennium's website.

God Our Father

When Suffering Is Bracing

Paul wrote a letter during his imprisonment in Rome to the church at Philippi which described the bracing effect of his suffering on the moral constitution of believers.

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul wrote:

"I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear." (my emphasis)

Paul, not content with the suffering he'd already endured, continued his missionary journeys after leaving this imprisonment. Far from prudently bowing out of danger, he continued preaching the gospel and meeting with believers even though his name and person were apparently well-known throughout the imperial guard (and "all the rest," also -- whoever that means) of the most powerful nation on earth, and one known for it's ruthlessness and cruelty. Imprudent behavior, to say the least. Perhaps his protege, Timothy, was now well-known to the authorities, as well. (One of my parents' former pastors used to say at infant baptisms -- I paraphrase: "Do you love God enough to encourage your children if they choose to do mission work in dangerous places far away?")

In this passage Paul is describing how God prepares believers to be bold by putting the suffering of the faithful on display.

I used to think I was a brave person. But as I got older, I found out that I am really quite a fearful person. As 21st Century Christians, we have recently been given opportunities to have our faith strengthened and our hearts emboldened through the terrible pageant in the media of believers being publicly martyred and tortured for their faith throughout the Middle East, on the shores of the Mediterranean, in Africa, and even in a classroom in Oregon. And we have the bracing visual display of believers in Charleston demonstrating a supernatural, immediate forgiveness of an attacker.

"Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ....not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have."

What is that conflict between? The Love and Light and Truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ for God's glory (and man's sake) -- against Darkness, Hate, and Lies.

And it is my prayer that you love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."

How do we engage? "Not with swords loud clashing." But with the whole armor of God -- weapons of Light. Here's Paul again, in a different letter from jail (courtesy of Bible Gateway).

Ephesians 6:10-20 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God,so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powersof this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me,that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

In our flesh we think of suffering, imprisonment, and death as ways the gospel is halted, stymied, blocked, diminished. But Paul and the Scriptures see things differently, and a now-infamous Paul expresses that here. And goes on to keep preaching.

Kansas and Oz, a "Leap" and a "Yearning"

"Words make you think. Music makes you feel. A song makes you feel a thought." E.Y. Harburg

5 Minutes from PBS celebrating the anniversary of "Over the Rainbow"

Prayers for the People (30)

30. For the Unemployed

Heavenly Father, we remember before you those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work. Guide the people of this land so to use our public and private wealth that all may find suitable and fulfilling employment, and receive just payment for their labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

-Book of Common Prayer p 824

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29. For Agriculture

Almighty God, we thank you for making the earth fruitful, so that it might produce what is needed for life: Bless those who work in the fields; give us seasonable weather; and grant that we may all share in the fruits of the earth, rejoicing in your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

-Book of Common Prayer, p 824

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28. In Times of Conflict

O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us, in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

-The Book of Common Prayer, p 824

What Is a Mum?

One of the good things about moving many times is getting to know lots of places a little more "from the inside." You can get past the official, Chamber of Commerce tourist presentation of a town and get to know the people and what they do every day, their little traditions and unspoken values and stylings.

Without further ado:

Have you ever seen a corsage so big, the petite little high school girl has to hang it on straps around her neck while she wears it to school all day? Maybe this corsage has a back piece to help hold it on/balance the weight? In fact, maybe her homecoming date has to carry it for part of the school day to help take the load off? And perhaps her date's mom or sister made it for her after consulting about her interests and activities?

I wanted to attach a few articles about a Texas tradition which was totally new to me when we moved here first -- the tradition of the Homecoming Mum. It's a purely Texas Thing that has spilled over into some parts of border states Oklahoma and Louisiana.

When you first encounter Homecoming Mums in Kroger or Michaels, you can't imagine what you are looking at. What on earth is that gaudy wall of fake flowers, teddy bears, and metallic streamers for? Then someone explains...but you still feel a little incredulous. Would high school girls really wear that? (And Texas natives, likewise, are incredulous that you don't know about Homecoming Mums.)

However, before you read the below articles and say, "My hometown doesn't do anything crazy like that" -- a word of caution. This coming summer will be my 25th move in 44 years (30th move, if you count the 3-6 month stints), and I promise you that your hometown DOES do at least one crazy thing -- or have at least one crazy point of view -- or at least one very odd but understood-among-the-locals tradition. You just don't see it because you grew up there.

And because your hometown isn't in Texas, it isn't both BIG and crazy.

12 Things Non-Texans Need to Know about Homecoming Mums

This article includes a picture of an original midcentury mum:
Homecoming Mums: A Texas Tradition

Finally: some pics of really over-the-top ones: Massive Mums

Prayers for the People (27)

27. For Social Justice

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart and especially the hearts of the people of this land, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers for the People (26)

26. For those who suffer for the sake of Conscience

O God, our Father, whose Son forgave his enemies while he was suffering shame and death: Strengthen those who suffer for the sake of conscience; when they are accused, save them from speaking in hate; when they are rejected, save them from bitterness; when they are imprisoned, save them from despair; and to us your servants, give grace to respect their witness and discern the truth, that our society may be cleansed and strengthened. This we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ, our merciful and righteous Judge. Amen.

--The Book of Common Prayer, p 823

Flotsam and Jetsam: Carpool In the Texas Suburbs

A few car games for you to play even if you are alone in your car:

Mangle the Song Lyrics Game

We all know about Taylor Swift's "Starbucks lovers." I've been known to mangle lots of song lyrics while singing loudly in my car. Let's play "Mangle The Song Lyrics with Anne."  Can you guess what songs these are?

Song 1:

"Ain't it stormy to my soul?
Stormy just like jelly rolls.
Sto-o-o-ormy."

Song 2:

"I'm not talkin' 'bout the linens.
And I don't want to change your life
But there's a warm wind blowin' the stars around
And I'd really love to see ya tonight."

What If Her Majesty Sang It? Game

As I am driving the miles down the Sam Rayburn Tollway to classes and lessons and appointments for the kids, it's fun to re-imagine the lyrics to 80's rock songs being spoken in the parlance of the Queen of England. Or Mary Poppins. Or some such person.

You can play this game even when the kids have friends in the car, as you need not speak the words aloud, and so the kids need not die of embarrassment.

Do you know the song Elizabeth II is speaking here?

"Look at those fellows. That is the way one does things.
One plays the guitar for the music television station.
No indeed, that isn't working. That is the way one ought to do things.
One gets one's money for doing nothing. One gets one's consorts for free."

Or this one?

"I've been shot through my heart,
And you are the one who is to blame.
Poppet, you give Love a questionable reputation."

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25. For those in the Armed Forces of our Country

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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24. For an Election

Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States in the election of officials and representatives; that by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

--Book of Common Prayer, p 822