Veterans Day November 11, 2011

As some of you know, I worked ten years with the US Army’s Peace Keeping Force (KFOR) in the Balkans Region in Europe. Daily, I saw, the dedication and sacrifice of our soldiers in an active foreign military region. Their service and dedication protects our rights to individual freedom. They insure our right to liberty, justice, and life. Their actions guarantee our right to worship without fear of reprisal. Honor with Prayer our service men and women that stand in formation every day to protect our freedom. Remember and Pray for the souls of those that paid the ultimate price for our freedom. The patriotism shown by these men and women reflect great credit upon themselves and the United States. No finer soldiers are to be found throughout the free world.
In Europe, my Brother and I toured the locations where our Father had served. He served with General Patton during World War II and took part in eight major campaigns (dd214). Visiting the American Cemeteries, I learned that untold numbers of American Soldiers not only gave their life defending our country, but are interred in foreign soil. Many are still missing and unaccounted for. Give Thanks and Remember them today. I think of the words from Flanders Field, although it was written during World War I, it still rings true today.

In Flanders Fields
John McCrae, May 1915
In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row,That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, flyScarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throwThe torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who dieWe shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

September 11 th Prayer for Peace

Father God, Healer of my Soul, I give you thanks and praise in all things. Today, I remember the tragic events of September 11, 2001, when the world was shaken by an act of hatred and evilness of incomprehensible proportion. An act resulting is such tremendous loss of human life, property, and trust. Teach me to return love for hate, and to love my neighbor as myself.
As I remember the tragic events of September 11th, I think of the Prayer of St. Francis, words he lived by, such wise words quoted many times by Mother Theresa. Father, make me an instruments of thy Peace,

Pray of St. Francis

Lord Make me an instrument of thy peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon,
Where there is doubt, faith,
Where there is despair, hope,
Where there is darkness, light,
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Devine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive. It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen

Ever Present God, My Savior and Rock. You guide me upon the sand; Lead me that I might know the path you have for me. Make my way straight and clear to you. You are my rock and foundation in shifting sands. Keep me safe from the snares of the devil that waits to ambush me. Lift me up and hold me in thy strength. Give me courage when I falter, and grow weary. Console me and lift me up should I faint, draw me to your side. You are my resting place. Never release me, Lord.

Psalms 121

A Song of degrees.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills. From whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, Which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper: The Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, Nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in From this time forth, and even for evermore.

For God so Loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son,
that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish,
but have everlasting life.

St Nicholas of Myra, Demri, Turkey

This photo is the Original St. Nicholas
he lived in what is modern day Turkey,
in the Region of Myra, Demri, near
Antalya. This photo was taken at the
Miseum in Antalya, Turkey, where
part of his relic is enshrined.


St. Nicholas the Gift Giver

Eddius Nicholas

The Young Claus Eddius Nicholas

Somehow I knew when I was a child that I was going to grow up to be a Saint Nicholas! I just knew.

Liturgy of St Mark, 2nd century

O Soverign and almighty Lord, bless all thy people, and all thy flock. Give thy peace, thy help, thy love unto us thy servants, the sheep of thy fold, that we may be united in the bond of peace and love, one body and one spirit, in one hope of our calling, in thy divine and boundless love.
Amen

Isaiah 61:1-3

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.” (KJV)

Isaiah 61:1,3

Prayer of Ambrose of Milan, C 339-397

O Lord, who hast mercy upon all, take away from me my sins,and mercifully kindle in me the fire of thy Holy Spirit.Take away from me the heart of stone,and give me a heart of flesh,a heart to love and adore thee,a heart to delight in thee,to follow and to enjoy thee,for Christ's sake.
Amen
(Ambrose of Milan, c 339-97)

Your Value to God

Most Precious Lord Jesus, Gentle And Wonderful God, Truly Awesome And Ever-present Holy Spirit, Precious Lord Jesus, I love you.Too often I look at others to find my value in their eyes.In truth, I know they cannot know me as you know me.Whenever I am full of doubt, misgivings, and feel inferior, I need to see myself as you see me.Whenever I feel like I do not count, show me how much I count in your eyes.Whenever I feel like I do not belong, help me see how much I belong to you.Whenever I feel inferior, show me how you fully love me.Whenever I feel like I am nothing, show me the wonders of your creation so I can see I am your most wondrous creation of all.Help my spirit rise into your heavenly realms.Let the joy of my salvation overtake all the sadness and grief I could ever feel.I praise your name for all you are, for all you have done, and for the home you have built for me in Heaven above.All these things I humbly pray in the name of my most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ, my Mighty God, and my Ever-present Holy Spirit upon whom I can rely. Amen

Peace be With You

Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37: 3-4