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