Why I Gave Mary Oliver to My Best Friend

This weekend my best friend celebrated her fifty-fifth birthday. Dave, her husband, reached out to my hubby and I to invite us over for a spontaneous pizza party at the new artsy antique shop they are hoping to open soon. It is a cute place which will soon come to beautiful life under her creative vision – with a little help from her hubby and friends, I have no doubt. Meanwhile I scurried out to find the perfect gift…

I wanted to get her something like a novel about someone opening an antique shop, maybe a murder mystery? Or some really good tea. She loves tea, or maybe a fun wine glass, or you know – shopping for a friend is as fun as shopping for yourself. But my friend might be just as happy with a power tool as a poetry book- she’s quite the versatile one, she is!

But it is National Poetry Month. And it just so happens as I came around the aisle of books at my local bookstore there before my eyes on the end display was the best collection of poetry I have ever read. Now it’s important you understand why Mary Oliver is my favorite poet, because…I don’t find many poets to be so wonderfully infused with the essence of beauty quite the way her words are for me. Is all I know is we love what we love. Mary Oliver’s poems are a treasure.

I have read a number of her works, as well as her A Poetry Handbook: A Prose Guide to Understanding and Writing Poetry which I enjoyed with a group of poets at the local library a number of years back. It was probably then when I “met” Mary. The fact that her words were approachable, and simple, yet profound caused me to see all that poetry could be. I came late to the Pulitzer Prize winning author, so it seems to be with much in my life. Even my own writing.

So what does any good friend (who also happens to write a bit of poetry herself) do but grab that book and carry it joyfully to the register at the local bookstore, thinking this is the best gift ever! Of course I think I could have given a power tool, and she would have loved that too, but hey, this is how I roll!

When I got home from the party, I immediatly went in search of my copy of Devotions, that old familiar friend. I opened to all the dog-eared pages and jumped into bed and soon was off sleeping, dreaming of rivers, wild geese, dog songs and blue horses. It is one of my very favorite poetry collections of all time.

I decided to write a spontaneous poem for Mary. However, please note…this was just yesterday, and I am sure it’s not so great, but I hope you like it anyway. Still needs tweaking, but here is where we are for now!

Mary Oliver and Me

Who introduced me to the poet?
I wish I could recall, but no matter
the words breathe life

into my heart, shamelessly expounding
on the beauty and shadow of things,
of the sea mouse, and Lucretius

in the way no explanation is given
to the blue horses about what war is
how no creature escapes the eye, or heart

of the one who dares to ask,
what will you do with
your one wild and precious life?

overhead, the wild geese fly-
and it is a serious thing to be alive
on this fresh morning in the broken world.

What can I tell you about Mary?
I never met her, but I believe my heart
is fuller for the words she left behind.

###

Do you have a favorite poet? Write a poem about them if you dare. We are almost halfway through April, tell me, what will you do with your one wild and wonderful April? Channeling Mary O today!

Keep writing (even if no one else reads your words),

Enthusiastically, Dawn

Richard Younge, a Calvinistic pamphleteer, makes the unsettling point that while grace is free, the presence—or glaring absence—of mercy toward the poor rather suggests something about the state of one’s soul. Not grace plus works, you understand—rather works as the unavoidable fruit. Curious, then, how some fret over prayer minutes yet balk at mercy.

#christian #devotions #grace #sin #blessed #sanctification #calvinist

Acts of Reparation to the Virgin Mary

Catholic tradition & Mariology include specific prayers & devotions as acts of reparation for insults & blasphemies against Mary, mother of Jesus. Often they’re known as the Blessed Virgin Mary to Catholics.

Some prayers like this are provided in the Raccolta Catholic prayer book. The Raccolta (literally “collection” in Italian) is a book that collected the texts of Roman Catholic prayers. They were published in many editions from 1807 to 1952. This was 1st published in association with the Catholic Congregation for Indulgences in 1807.

The 5 First Saturdays is a Catholic devotion which was requested by the Virgin Mary herself in an apparition at Pontevedra, Spain in December 1925. This was given to Sister Lucia of Fatima. Sister Lucia is of the 3 Secrets of Fatima fame.

This is also called the Act of Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This act of reparation has been approved by the Roman Catholic Church.

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#1807 #1952 #ActOfReparationToTheImmaculateHeartOfTheBlessedVirginMary #ActsOfReparationOfTheVirginMary #BlessedVirginMary #Catholic #CatholicCongregationForIndulgences #December1925 #Devotions #Fatima #FirstSaturdaysDevotion #Mariology #MaryMotherOfJesus #Pontevedra #prayers #RaccoltaCatholicPrayerBook #RomanCatholicChurch #SisterLucia #Spain #VirginMary

Thomas Taylor, Anglican priest, says the rich man (Dives) from Luke 16 suffered because of neglect of the poor, which is to be expected next to fine dining. He immediately jumps to pastors needing to be able to endure hunger.

Why the connection?

And what of Taylor’s claim that concentratations of luxurious eating correlate to neglect of the poor. Is this true of our vacation spots today?

How can you take to heart the want of the poor?

#christian #sonship #devotions #dailymanna #worthycause

John Truair, Congregationalist, worked with the American Seamen's Friend Society. Sailors have a hard life, often robbed of their pay. Truair advocates for a ministry which is a bank.

A minster of the gospel is talking about arm-twisting adult men in how to run their finances? But this is gospel ministry. Caring for the whole person.

How can you help those who face difficult social pressure about how to spend their money?

#christian #weareallhuman #christianitylife #devotions #worthycause

I enjoy introducing new rhythms to my #BibleReading. My latest experiment is to try a #JournalingBible for the whole year, as a record, an archive of my personal #devotions. I've gotten a new #Bible to use for that year before, but not one designed specifically for journaling. As a #pastor, I do a lot of reading for #preaching and #BibleStudy. But it's also important to set aside time for #enrichment, #solitude, #prayer, and #contemplation beyond my "job."

https://youtu.be/ItKxd7bis8A?feature=shared

Streams o’ Living Water

Charles H Spurgeon

Date

2024 Augustus 03

Streams of Living Water

Contents

Morning

Scripture

“In summer and in winter shall it be.” — Zec_14:8

Rejoice O’ my Soul

The streams of living water which flow from Jerusalem are not dried up by the parching heats of sultry midsummer. They are also not frozen by the cold winds of blustering winter. Rejoice, O my soul, that thou art spared to testify of the faithfulness of the Lord.

Seasons Change

The seasons change and thou changest. Yet, thy Lord abides evermore the same. The streams of his love are as deep, as broad, and as full as ever. The heat of business care and scorching trials make me need the cooling influences of the river of His grace. I will go at once and drink from the inexhaustible fountain. It pours forth its flood in summer and in winter.

God of Consolation

The upper springs are never scanty, and blessed be the name of the Lord, the nether springs can’t fail either. Elijah found Cherith dry up, but Jehovah was still the same God of providence. Job said his brethren were like deceitful brooks, but he found his God an overflowing river of consolation.

Divine Grace

The Nile is the great confidence of Egypt, but its floods are variable; our Lord is evermore the same. By turning the course of the Euphrates, Cyrus took the city of Babylon. No power, human or infernal, can divert the current of divine grace.

Grace Unaltered

The tracks of ancient rivers have been found all dry and desolate. But the streams which take their rise on the mountains of divine sovereignty and infinite love shall always stay full. They shall be full to the brim. Generations melt away, but the course of grace is unaltered. The river of God sings with greater truth than the brook in the poem—

QUOTE

“Men may come, and men may go,
But I go on forever.”

The Brook Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Poetry Corner

Poetry Corner

The Brook

Poetry Corner

The Brook

A Poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Just as rivers flow into the sea, so brooks flow into larger rivers, as Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-92) highlights in this charming poem, ‘The Brook’: ‘And out again I curve and flow / To join the brimming river, / For men come and men go, / But I go on forever.’

There are many ways to do this task. One method is applying the algorithm we discussed the other day. We talked about this with the other team members.

Poetry Corner

The Brook

I come from haunts of coot and hern,
I make a sudden sally
And sparkle out among the fern,
To bicker down a valley.

By thirty hills I hurry down,
Or slip between the ridges,
By twenty thorpes, a little town,
And half a hundred bridges.

Till last by Philip’s farm, I flow
To join the brimming river.
For men come and men go,
But I go on forever.

I chatter over stony ways,
In little sharps and trebles,
I bubble into eddying bays,
I babble on the pebbles.

With many a curve my banks I fret
By many a field and fallow,
They also set many a fairy foreland
With willow-weed and mallow.

I chatter, chatter, as I flow
To join the brimming river.
For men come and men go,
But I go on forever.

I wind about, and in and out,
With here a blossom sailing,
And here and there a lusty trout,
And here and there a grayling,

And here and there a foamy flake
Upon me, as I travel
With many a silvery water break
Above the golden gravel,

And draw them all along, and flow
To join the brimming river
For men come and men go,
But I go on forever.

I steal by lawns and grassy plots,
I slide by hazel covers;
I move the sweet forget-me-nots
That grow for happy lovers.

I slip, I slide, I gloom, I glance,
Among my skimming swallows;
I make the netted sunbeam dance
Against my sandy shallows.

I murmur under moon and stars
In brambly wildernesses;
I linger by my shingly bars;
I loiter round my cresses;

And out again I curve and flow
To join the brimming river,
For men come and men go,
But I go on forever.

Lord Alfred, Tennyson

https://www.youtube.com/FertiilegroundTV

Video Corner

The Brook Recitation

Alfred, Lord Tennyson

https://youtu.be/qsgeqdglcDo?si=-qOpAR6Pvx2Qz__q

Protect Your Love Walk

Dianne Van Straaten

https://youtu.be/soUy9MefzVM?list=PLaSt97h5Og7XDGD50KeLLc8RaJHs4pR2v

Pray

How happy art thou, my soul, to be led beside such still waters! Never wander to other streams. Lest thou hear the Lord’s rebuke. “What hast thou to do in the way of Egypt to drink of the muddy river?”

Video Corner

Let Your Living Water Flow

Vinesong

https://youtu.be/bzxWhUv8dyg?si=nhx33ebe7b1Ci_J7

The Sun of Righteousness

The Sun of Righteousness

Evening

Scripture

“The voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day.” — Gen_3:8

Retire Awhile

My soul, now that the cool of the day has come, retires for a while. Heed the voice of thy God. He is always ready to speak with thee when thou art prepared to hear. It is not on his part if there is any slowness to commune. It is altogether on thine own, for he stands at the door and knocks. If his people will but open, he rejoices to enter. But in what state is my heart, which is my Lord’s garden? I confidently venture to hope that it is well trimmed and watered, and is bringing forth fruit fit for him?

Sun of Righteousness

If not, he will have much to reprove. But still, I pray him to come unto me. Nothing can so certainly bring my heart into the right condition as the presence of the Sun of Righteousness. He brings healing in his wings. Come, so, O Lord, my God, my soul invites thee earnestly and waits for thee eagerly. Come. Plant fresh flowers in my garden, O Jesus, my well-beloved. I wish to see them blooming in such perfection in thy matchless character! Come, O my Father, who art the Husbandman, and deal with me in thy tenderness and prudence!

Memory Scriptures

scriptures

“But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this,” saith the LORD of hosts.

(Mal 4:2-3 KJV)

Come, Holy Spirit

Psam 51

To the Chief Musician!

<A Psalm of David>

Have Mercy upon me; O God,
According to Thy Lovingkindness:
According unto the multitude
Of Thy tender Mercies
Blot out my Transgressions.
And done this evil in Thy sight:
That Thou mightest be Justified
When Thou Speakest,
And be clear when Thou Judgest.
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity;
And in sin did my mother conceive me.
Behold, Thou desirest Truth in the Inward Parts:
And in the hidden part Thou shalt make me
To know Wisdom.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean:
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me to hear joy and gladness;
That the bones which Thou hast Broken
Would rejoice.
Hide Thy face from my Sins,
And blot out all mine iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God;
And renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Thy presence;
And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Thy Salvation;
And uphold me with Thy Free Spirit.
Then will I teach transgressors Thy Ways;
And sinners shall be converted unto Thee.
Deliver me from Bloodguiltiness,
O God, Thou God of my Salvation:
And my tongue shall sing aloud
Of Thy Righteousness.
O Lord, open Thou my lips;
And my mouth shall shew forth Thy Praise!
For Thou desirest not Sacrifice;
Else would I give it:
Thou delightest not in Burnt Offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit:
A Broken and a Contrite Heart,
O God, Thou wilt not Despise!
Do good in Thy good pleasure unto Zion:
Build Thou the walls of Jerusalem.
Then shalt Thou be Pleased
With the Sacrifices of Righteousness,
With Burnt Offering and Whole Burnt Offering:
Then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine Altar.

(Psa 51:1-19 KJV)
https://www.esword.net/Psalm 51 KJV

If God is for us! Who can be against us!

Romans 8:31 NKJ

Come Holy Spirit #01

Come, O Holy Spirit, and bedew my whole nature, as the herbs are now moistened with the evening dews. O that God would speak to me. Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth! O that he would walk with me. I am ready to give up my whole heart and mind to him. Every other thought is hushed. I am only asking what he delights to give. I am sure that he will condescend to have fellowship with me. He has given me his Holy Spirit to abide with me forever. Sweet is the cool twilight. Every star seems like the eye of heaven. The cool wind is the breath of celestial love. My Father, my elder Brother, my sweet Comforter, speak now in lovingkindness. You have opened my ear. I am not rebellious.

https://www.youtube.com/FertiilegroundTV

Video Corner

Jesus Culture

Holy Spirit, You are Welcome Here

https://youtu.be/qNwnOfZ5N8A?si=5T8ZkPXO1a00DFvW

In Touch Ministries

Walking in the Holy Spirit –

Dr Charles Stanley

https://youtu.be/r-9L2-aVR4I?si=MpEgIuAYVdP-VB1-

Contents

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