The Simple Life: calm

March 6, 2015

Paul's Trials, Big and Small

Paul's Example and Teaching*

"proclaim the word;

be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient;

convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching."

--2Timothy 3:10-17

In the days of one's life there come many joys and many sorrows. These sad times are a trial; many of them have to do with personal relationships. And yet despite the angst, the stress and the grief they may also be times of personal growth. For if we master our troubles, they will only make us stronger. Resolving the glitches and contradictions of life are the times when a 'bomb it and pave it' mentality just won't do.

The Gospels tell of a story, James 1:2-3 about the importance of patience; there is another view of trials, they may be opportunities to new ways, better things or a mastery of what formerly bedeviled us. This leads to a calm tranquility, to patience and to the special love that patience may bring to us.
The story of the Christ brings us to the sure knowledge that day in and day out we can make our way, we can succeed, despite the sometimes erratic and dismal behavior of those around us; when we manipulate others, when we fail to see them in their dignity as creation, when we deceive or injure, when they treat us in like ways. Yet the message remains the same: bear the wrongs of others patiently.

Contrary to the secular view, bearing wrongs patiently is not the same as bearing them stupidly, and not the same as if the one who wrongs and supposes they remain undetected--in arrogance or ignorance.
Do remain steadfast; hold out hope that there will come a view, a light, a vision which guides one to the love that our hearts yearn for; that we may not be abandoned for convenience or spite.

On Eagle's Wings

by Michael Joncas

Listen Here

...And He will raise you up on eagles' wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His hand.

The snare of the fowler will never capture you
And famine will bring you no fear
Under His wings your refuge
His faithfulness your shield.

And He will raise you up on eagles' wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His hand...

* Refers to Saint Paul, the disciple of the Christ

October 26, 2011

The Fowler's Snare*

On Eagles Wings

by Dan Schutte

Listen Here

You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord

who abide in His shadow for life

say to the Lord

"My refuge, my rock in whom I trust!"

And He will raise you up on eagles' wings

bear you on the breath of dawn

make you to shine like the sun

and hold you in the palm of His hand.

The snare of the fowler will never capture you

and famine will bring you no fear

under His wings your refuge

His faithfulness your shield.

And He will raise you up on eagles' wings

bear you on the breath of dawn

make you to shine like the sun

and hold you in the palm of His hand.

You need not fear the terror of the night

nor the arrow that flies by day

though thousands fall about you

near you it shall not come.

And He will raise you up on eagles' wings

bear you on the breath of dawn

make you to shine like the sun

and hold you in the palm of His hand.

For to His angels He's given a command

to guard you in all of your ways

upon their hands they will bear you up

lest you dash your foot against a stone.

And He will raise you up on eagles' wings

bear you on the breath of dawn

make you to shine like the sun

and hold you in the palm of His hand...

Inspired by a psalm, the lyric to this song are one of my favorites. The poetry is inspiring, "hold you, bear you on the breath of dawn..." And mostly it is encouraging, "hold you in the palm of his hand." The Psalm(s) it derives from go like this: