November 19, 2004
psalm 27 and friday musings
13 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the LORD!
The first picture is from Richmond Hill. They have rennovated the chapel. What they did was remove all sorts of facing and odd construction that had obscurred the original space. This image is glorious.
This second image is also from Richmond Hill...the chapel as it was. I spent four years (five?) praying and growing in this space. I am looking forward to an opportunity to see it soon. Trish and I will be in our Chicago home over the holidays. I hope that we can get back to Richmond this winter. I don't know what the realities are. With Reconciler now up and running (Come to our Advent services this year! Jane, Larry and I will share the sermon at First Advent. We may have talked someone into serving at the altar that evening as well. I just eel that I should not reveal whom until the time is right. We are excited about our "Grand Opening."If you feel like contributing to the musical efforts, let me know.), I fell a pull to stay here. Trish has shows and other committments. It is hard to be in two places at once. I never did well in the bilocation classes at SWTS. Sigh.
Our final evaluations for the term are all done. I have a little tweaking to do with mine. I find the brand of sharing we do during these things taxing. Honesty can be rigorous. It should be. But then I am a weary honest man tonight.
Liturgy abounds on the units. There are solemn processions as a patient is wheeled into the SICC. There can be a triumphal exit as someone is wheeled out of the hospital. All of these moments are enshrouded with the presence of God. I find that liturgical language helps me articulate God�s presence in the midst of the chaos. As L�Engle said, being able to give voice to the cosmos in the chaos is the task of the artist. To live into chaplaincy as an art is to live into that task.I will probably fall asleep here in the office this afternoon for an hour so I can be fresh for my evening with Trish. We are picking up a new TV from Target and some pizza from Gullivers. It will be nice to view a dvd that does not change colors randomly. Yeah. It has gotten that way with the old TV.
There is a place for prayer and preaching in the patient rooms. Theological education has its turn as well. These are naming exercises, truth telling exercises. Testimonies are given as a patient shares their diagnosis, their hopes and their fears. Music has its place in the liturgy. If only I had the courage. That too will come.
It seems applaince woes are the norm these days. Sarah expressed some frustration and some humor about her woes. I will take a different route. It sucks. I have to reformat my hard driev. It is screwed my little computer is. So very sad! I will be learning how while I do it. If you have pointers please use the phone number and not the email. I will not be able to retrieve email as my computer will be in small fragments spread generously down the hall.
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold* of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evildoers assail me
to devour my flesh�
my adversaries and foes�
they shall stumble and fall.
3 Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war rise up against me,
yet I will be confident.
4 One thing I asked of the LORD,
that will I seek after:
to live in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the LORD,
and to inquire in his temple.
5 For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will set me high on a rock.
6 Now my head is lifted up
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the LORD.
7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud,
be gracious to me and answer me!
8 �Come,� my heart says, �seek his face!�
Your face, LORD, do I seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me.
Do not turn your servant away in anger,
you who have been my help.
Do not cast me off, do not forsake me,
O God of my salvation!
10 If my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will take me up.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.
12 Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries,
for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they are breathing out violence.
13 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the LORD!
I was reading this psalm this morning with my Iona liturgy. I have been thinking of what an enemy is. You know, I am not certain that I have any. Really. How do you all define enemies? Do enemies have to be persons? I guess that if we can say that habits, trends, systems, attitudes, policies and the like could also be enemies, then it stands that I have many. Otherwise, I have none.
You?
Posted by tripp at November 19, 2004 01:57 PM