One reason why we dont' need health care reform. :)

If bleeding and leeches was good enough health care for the Founding Fathers, it should be good enough for you!

thought for today

This reminds me to be thankful for all those who work in food banks:

Distributing food is a unique act of love because food is the basis for life. When the church can distribute food, it can allay one of people's most primal fears -- that of going hungry -- as a way of helping people come to peace. When sources of food are close at hand, peace may be sustained.

- Pamela Couture, Vice President for Academic Affiars, Dean, and professor at Saint Paul School of Theology

thought for today

Thanks to Karl for this.

Rarely do we find men who willingly engage in hard, solid thinking. There is an almost universal quest for easy answers and half-baked solutions. Nothing pains some people more than having to think.

- Martin Luther King Jr.

thought for today

I don't find anything comparable to the magnificent beauty of a soul and its marvelous capacity.

- Saint Teresa of Avila, from The Interior Castle

Prayers

Prayers for Mary Beth, a young woman having brain surgery, may God strengthen her and be with her, her family, and the doctors and nurses;
Prayers for those traveling, particularly my friends Maria and Peter;
Prayers for those in need, in our own communities and throughout the world.

thought for today

To say that I am made in the image of God is to say that love is the reason for my existence, for God is love. Love is my true identity. Selflessness is my true self. Love is my true character. Love is my name.

- Thomas Merton,
from A Book of Hours

Prayers

Prayers for Dennis for a successful surgery, which reminds me to be grateful for having access to wonderful health care, a blessing not shared by many people in the world and sadly not shared by some in my own nation;
Prayers of gratitude for a roof over my head and a warm place to call home, another blessing not shared by many people in the world and sadly not shared by some in my own nation;
Prayers that God would help remind me that all of the material blessings I have received all come from God and that all I have is truly God's.

thought for the day

Stolen shamelessly from a friend:

We all fall from grace, some take the scenic route, some the expressway.

Prayers

For those pursuing ordination; that all would feel God's guiding presence;
for those who work with the poor and those in prison; that they might be Jesus to the people in their midst;
for those who feel marginalized in the church; that they might know that they are loved and appreciated;
For our pets as many of them are blessed this day; for the unceasing love and companionship they provide for us.

Prayer

For my friend Maria who is traveling, and for all those traveling for a safe journey;
Thanksgiving for the rain, which while I don't enjoy walking in it all that much, provides many abundant blessings!

Prayers

For creation and all the blessings we receive from it, and that we might be good stewards of the earth and its resources;
Thanksgiving as I watch the snow line march down the mountains;
I pray for a grateful heart for all the blessings God has given me, and for a clarity of vision to see those many blessings I miss in my life.

God and Dog

This is absolutely fantastic! Tip of the biretta to Fran!

Prayers

Prayers for my friends Sue and Dennis, one just recovering from hip surgery and one just getting ready to have it; and for all those in hospitals and for those who care for them;
Prayers of thanksgiving for a wonderful summer here in Alaska;
For our pets and all animals; thankful for the blessings they bring into our lives;
For my friends Hank and Karl and for all those in prison.

Prayers

For those without access to health care, but in our own country and the world;
For those who have lost their jobs;
Asking God to make us mindful of the blessings we have received in our lives;
For those in prisons and for those who visit and minister to them.

Prayers

For those whose lives are in danger in the service of our country, that God will protect them;
For those whom we could call enemies, that we might treat them as Christ would treat them;
For my light in our lives, that we might shine forth the love of God in the world;
For those who serve the marginalized, that God would bless them and give them strength and courage in their work.

Prayers

Continued prayers for Mark after the loss of his beloved Nikoli, and prayers for all the bereaved;
For those in the flooded areas of our country, and for those in other parts of the world suffering drought;
For those who went to sleep last night hungry;
For those exposed to danger in the war torn areas of our country;
For God to awaken our hearts to the places where we can best serve and the strength and will and compassion to do so.

thought for today

I am your message, Lord. Throw me like a blazing torch into the night, that all may see and understand what it means to be a disciple.

- St. Maria Skobtsova,
Orthodox nun and martyr (1891-1945)