Welcome to CCS

Glad you are doing well!

Thanks everyone.

I like the long, happy, blessed future, Melina.

Surgery went well and I'm recovering quickly. It's actually a very pleasant hopital and I enjoyed having my sister with me last night and having time to read some of my "Original Blessing".

Marty, I'll keep an eye out. He's definately doing things for me.

Hi Lillian,
You have my prayers for a speedy recovery and a long, happy, blessed future.
Melina

Dia annseo isteach!
God to all here!

Hey Lillian,

Please know we are with you in spirit and thoughts for the next few days! During your stay, look to see what else the Lord is doing through you there....

Slan
Marty

Praying for you, Lillian!

Hi. I'm having surgery tomorrow to close up my ileostomy, which is a good thing. At the moment I am very hungery because I'm on a clear liquid diet today day. The surgery is at 3:45, which is a long time to fast (not even liquids after 9:00 am). That's my only complaint; I'm not worried about the hospital experience. I should be in there about 4 days but may be on line sooner.

Edited by author 11-18-2009 07:24 AM
Dia annseo isteach!
God to all here!

Greetings all,

Its a lovely (very chilly) Autumn day here in the NE. The sun has crested the trees far to the south and the quiet is gently broken with occasional activity as the day progresses towards normalcy. Here is something from Newell's 'Sounds of the Eternal', Wednesday Morning Opening Prayer and Meditations that I think it always good to hold in view. May it speak to your heart this day...

Opening Prayer

In the silence before time began,
in the quiet of the womb,
in the stillness of early morning
is your beauty.

At the heart of all creation,
at the birth of every creature,
at the center of each moment
is your splendour.

Rekindle in me the sparks of your beauty
that I may be part of the splendour of this moment.

Rekindle in me the sparks of your beauty
that I may be part of the blazing splendour
that burns from the heart of this moment.

Scripture and Meditation

‘Strength and beauty are in your sanctuary.’ Psalm 96:6

‘You are the author of beauty.’ Wisdom 13:3

Blessings on you all for your participation here...

Slan
Marty

Dia annseo isteach!
God to all here!

Greetings all,

I followed the link you provided Cindy, and read the review. His opinion of Bitel's book reflects an issue that seems to be developing within the Western Church regarding gender issues. Yet, both are outsiders looking in!

In the Celtic mind, it is never an issue as to 'who' wants to get the job done and organize things. That's true even to this day. Paul had the same approach on his missions to Asia Minor and Greece. In the Greco-Roman mindset, men had the lead publicly but all knew that the wife ruled the roost when he came home. The house was 'hers'! As long as the church meetings stayed within the house, she could lead.

One of the often unstated consequences of Whitby is the early emancipation of women. Thankfully, we are on the road back to discovering the true 'good news' in this generation. God sees us as interdependent equals. We need each other so we may participate in the mystery of His Trinity, conforming the 'self' to the 'other' in love.

Well, as we enter the Holiday Season here, may God grant you peace and his presence though it all...

Slan
Marty

That was interesting, John. Thanks for pointing it out. It's actually a book review. The direct link is here: http://snipurl.com/t9vr8

Not sure if I should disagree with an academic, but I don't think that Brigid's authority as woman was all that unusual during her lifetime. And saying that the spirituality in the Middle Ages in some respects reflects today (if I understood that reviewer) is a bit of a stretch.

I recognized the author's name, Lisa Bitel, but haven't really read her books. I might have referenced them. Anyone read them?

Also, at ChristianHistory.net, there is an article entitled "Bishops in
Fact if Not Name," which mentions Brigid.

Dia annseo isteach!
God to all here!

Hey Cindy,

Thanks for the link! It looks like an interesting site. I listened to the Introduction and it appears they will be setting up a 'hedge school' to teach people. Nice idea! Its not a static presentation but more interactive! I hope it does well...

Slan
Marty

For those you interested in Irish history, which might be all of you!, check out the Irish Hedgerow History Lessons podcast from Irish Roots Cafe: http://www.irishroots.com/content/view/105/158/

Dia annseo isteach!
God to all here!

Hey Scotty and Melina,

(shortest post yet!) - Amen!!

Slan
Marty

Scotty, you're so right about 100/100. Anything else, and you're always keeping track. I remember a song a few years ago by Steve and Annie Chapman, "The Ships Are Burning". Basically, it echoes the Spanish explorers idea of burning the ships in the harbor so there is no way to turn back when the going gets tough. If there's no turning back, you figure out how to make it work. I am not an advocate of staying in an abusive or impossible marriage, but I am an advocate of saying "Whatever it takes".
Gina, I hear you saying he doesn't like your church, he doesn't like outdoors, you don't have much in common. You have two big things in common..the marriage covenant itself, and your baby. Start there. Don't dwell on the negatives, find positives. And sometimes it really will seem like you're doing all the work. That's where the 100% comes in. A marriage relationship is virtually impossible if you look at it with the world's eyes. Look at it through the eyes of God, who said He will make you ONE. My husband and I have been together for 43 years. I can hardly remember who we were back then. I guarantee we aren't the same people who started that journey. It's an adventure, like Scotty said it's alot of work, but it's what we are made for. You have my prayers.

Gina, I will break my silence for this one.

My wife and I had only four dates before we decided to get married. And of that time, I was stationed out of state. We had a long distance relationship for 6 months before getting married. We had never been on a single date even when we did have dates. Our like you we have little to nothing in common. I love outside, she hates it. She is type A, I am Type C. I say yes, she says no. Black, white; left right. But this is were the beauty of love comes in. When life requires us to think things through, she takes the lead. When crisis thinking is needed, I take the lead. And we know that.
We knew from day one that marriage is 75% work, 20% compromise, and 5% fun / pleasure. And that is a daily, weekly, monthly, life long commitment. But once you understand that, the work and compromise becomes part of the fun and pleasure. It is not 50/50, but 100/100. Both have to give all with no expectations expected. I do, because.... Glad to see you are back on track and moving in the right direction.

now Scotty slithers back in his hole........

we have no similar hobbies or interests. yeah, i know. that seems impossible but its true. we dont even like the same music or movies.

we never actually "dated".seriously. i've never really been on a "date". we just sorta hung out at his house and he played video games while i read a book or cheered his game on.

our church will be starting a couple's class at the beginning of next year. he still isnt that comfortable at my church tho. there is a church another town over that is much bigger and has lots of "couples" groups and events. we might start going there, but i will sorely miss my home church. they have become my family. but it's ok i guess :)

i'm wondering if he'll do a picnic... i'll have to ask. i was raised playing in the outdoors, but he's never seemed interested in being outside. he might now tho since we have our lil girl! we are praying together (for the first time ever.) and that has been really nice!

we have got a his and hers daily devotional and we've both been doing that. i think it makes a huge difference to have something to guide your bible study.