Memorial Day 2012

St George and the Dragon

O Savior, who for our sakes has endured the Cross and death, who has put hell to death and raised the dead, give rest, O God, in Thy love for mankind, to those who have departed from us; and at Thy dread and fearful coming, O Giver of Life, in the multitude of Thy mercies count them worthy of Thy Kingdom.

Faithful servant of God and invincible martyr, Saint George; favored by God with the gift of faith, and inflamed with an ardent love of Christ, thou didst fight valiantly against the dragon of pride, falsehood, and deceit. Neither pain nor torture, sword nor death could part thee from the love of Christ. I fervently implore thee for the sake of this love to help me by thy intercession to overcome the temptations that surround me, and to bear bravely the trials that oppress me, so that I may patiently carry the cross which is placed upon me; and let neither distress nor difficulties separate me from the love of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Valiant champion of the Faith, assist me in the combat against evil, that I may win the crown promised to them that persevere unto the end.

Holy St. George, pray to God for us and for our troops, current, past, and future, and for me, a sinner.

Relevant Reading
The Myth and Legend of St George
St George Orthodox Military Association

But when their images I kiss, my heart is at ease

Christ the Bridegroom

Christ Pantocrator

Theotokos of Vladimir

Archangels Gabriel, Michael, and Raphael

St Ruth the Moabitess

St Elizabeth the New Martyr

St Monica of Africa

St Xenia of St Petersburg, the Fool-for-Christ

                                                                                            

St Mary of Egypt

To what, in such a manner, do you my Christian bow,

When you, O my Christian, venerate the icons?
Before the Living God the Creator, I am bowing down,
With all my soul, heart and mind, I bow down to Him.
Mortal am I and, am unable upon Him to gaze,
Therefore, before His image I bow;
What, my Christian, do you so fervently reverence,
When, the icon O my Christian, you kiss?
Christ the God and Savior, I am kissing,
The choirs of angels, the saints and the Mother of God.
Mortal am I and, therefore am unable them to touch,
But when their images I kiss, my heart is at ease.

~ St. Nikolai Velimirovic, The Prologue of Ochrid: Lives of the Saints, Reflections and Homilies for Every Day of the Year,

Relevant Reading
Why are vigil lamps lit before icons?
St Nikolai Velimirovic
Prayers by the Lake by St Nikolai Velimirovic
Bless My Enemies a prayer by St Nikolai Velimirovic
About The Prologue from Ohrid
The Prologue from Ohrid Online by St Nikolai Velimirovic

I Love Books

Words are lenses and books, any books, bound in wood, or leather, or electronically captured in a chip, are their frames. Like glasses enable those with difficulty seeing to see clearly, so do books enable me to open my mind to see the world around me more clearly. Whether the words within are spoken by some great philosopher from Ancient Greece, St. John the Theologian, Stephen Hawking, or Granny Weatherwax from the Discworld, their words impact and magnify the world around me.

I will read forever because I want to really see.

Lord have mercy on me a sinner.

Happy Mothers' Day!

Exemplary Mother of the great Augustine,

you perseveringly pursued your wayward son

not with wild threats

but with prayerful cries to heaven.

Intercede for all mothers in our day

so that they may learn to draw their children to God.

Teach them how to remain close to their children,

even the prodigal sons and daughters

who have sadly gone astray.

Holy St. Monica, pray for me, a mother and a sinner.

Relevant Reading

St Monica, Mother of St Augustine of Hippo

Happy Fibromyalgia and Chronic Illness Awareness Day!

Today is fibromyalgia awareness day. Fibromyalgia is one of the most common conditions causing chronic pain. It also causes severe fatigue, and it interferes with your ability to sleep. It's hard to diagnose, so solid statistics on prevalence are hard to come by, but the estimates suggest that somewhere between 3% and 10% of the population have it -- which means that everyone knows someone who has it. Even you. Cos now, you know me. ~grin~

Lord have mercy on me, a sinner.

Relevant Reading
The Role of Magnesium in Fibromyalgia
National Invisible Chronic Illness Week: How my Illness Affects my Morning
Fibromyalgia

A Better Pain Scale

Thanks to Hyperbole and a Half, I now have a Better Pain Scale so that I can more clearly explain to my doctor how I am feeling from flare to flare.

Here is The Better Pain Scale

0: I am not experiencing any pain at all. I don't know why I'm even here.
1: I am completely unsure whether I am experiencing pain or itching or maybe I just have a bad taste in my mouth.
2: I probably just need a Band Aid.
3: This is distressing. I don't want this to be happening to me at all.
4: My pain is not fucking around.
5: Why is this happening to me??
6: Ow. Okay, my pain is super legit now.
7: I see Jesus coming for me and I'm scared.
8: I am experiencing a disturbing amount of pain. I might actually be dying. Please help.
9: I am almost definitely dying.
10: I am actively being mauled by a bear.
11: Blood is going to explode out of my face at any moment.
Too Serious For Numbers: You probably have ebola. It appears that you may also be suffering from Stigmata and/or pinkeye.

~ Lifted shamelessly from Hyperbole and a Half "Boyfriend Doesn't Have Ebola. Probably."

Today, I am hovering around a 6 or 7 and have been here since Saturday. It could be worse I am sure--I don't want to know about that. Really.Praise God I am at least somewhat functional though. Exhausted but not too foggy, and I can walk and get to the library and, frankly, isn't everything better when you can go to the library? And while you are there, knowing that there is a Savior who suffers with you? Definitely not a bad day really.

Lord have mercy on me, a sinner.

Relevant Reading
National Invisible Chronic Illness Week
Fibromyalgia
Suffering with a Co-Suffering Savior
Broken