Rolling the Rosetta Stone

Earlier this week I returned from my second trip to Ukraine. This time, I was able to speak some words of Russian and read some of the signs so it didn't seem so "foreign" to me.
I've decided that since I'm very likely to go back in a couple years, I'm setting a goal of being fluent in Russian in the next two years.
Hence..the Rosetta Stone adventure.
Tonight's first foray into increasing my skills, took me 1 hour. That was just to activate the software. Wonder how you say HOLY SMOKE in Russian!!
The activation key didn't work so I spent an hour chatting with a support person on chat.
After just 3 guess..umm deductions, he hit upon the correct solution and now I'm off and running.
Only now, it's 1am and I need to go to bed.

может быть, завтра (maybe tomorrow)

Easter Saturday

From an Eastern Orthodox friend at another blog.


The main icon (illustration) for Pascha (Easter) is a depiction of Christ in Hades, standing on its shattered gates. Squashed under the ruins of the gates is a wormy little creature, Satan himself, utterly defeated. Christ is shown grabbing two people by their wrists and dragging them out of Hades. These two people are Adam and Eve. Around, also being rescued, are various righteous people from the OT such as David, Abraham, Isaiah- and John the Baptist. (The thief on the cross would be in the crowd of rescued people, too.)


Here is a song we’ll be singing later on tonight:

Today hell cries out groaning
I should not have accepted the Man born of Mary.
He came and destroyed my power.
He shattered the gates of brass.
As God, he raised the souls that I held captive.

Glory to the cross and resurrection, O Lord!

Today hell cries out groaning.
My dominion has been shattered.
I received a mortal man as one of the dead
But against him I could not prevail.
But behold, He raises all
Because of him do I perish.

Glory to thy cross and resurrection, O Lord!

Today hell cries out groaning.
My power has been trampled upon
The Shepherd is crucified and Adam is raised
I have been deprived of those I have ruled
Those I have swallowed in my strength I have given up
He who was crucified has emptied the tomb
The power of death has been vanquished.

Glory to they cross and resurrection, O Lord!

Slow your breath down- Future of Forestry

First Coming - Madeleine L'Engle

He did not wait till the world was ready,
till men and nations were at peace.
He came when the Heavens were unsteady,
and prisoners cried out for release.

He did not wait for the perfect time.
He came when the need was deep and great.
He dined with sinners in all their grime,
turned water into wine.

He did not wait till hearts were pure.
In joy he came to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.
To a world like ours, of anguished shame
he came, and his Light would not go out.

He came to a world which did not mesh,
to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.
In the mystery of the Word made Flesh
the Maker of the stars was born.

We cannot wait till the world is sane
to raise our songs with joyful voice,
for to share our grief, to touch our pain,
He came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!


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art found here

Blessing for Advent

Be praised, O God, for the blessings around us that point to you.
Be praised, O God, for the signs of this holy season that awaken us in wonder.
Praise for the steadfast green of this tree, like your love, enduring all seasons.
Praise for the light that illuminates our darkness, like Christ, who brings light to the world.
Join our voices with those of the trees and all the creation who sing at your coming:
Glory to God in the highest and peace to God's people on earth.
Amen

Human Rights Day

Oh God, all peoples have their origin in you

and it is your will to gather them
as one family in yourself.

Fill the hearts of all people with your love

and the desire to ensure justice

for all their brothers and sisters.

By sharing the good things of the earth,

may we secure justice and equality for every human being,  an end to all division, 

and a human society built on love and peace.

We make this prayer in Jesus’ name. 

Amen

Advent Calendar

He will come like last leaf’s fall.
One night when the November wind
has flayed the trees to bone, and earth
wakes choking on the mould,
the soft shroud’s folding.

He will come like frost.
One morning when the shrinking earth
opens on mist, to find itself
arrested in the net
of alien, sword-set beauty.

He will come like dark.
One evening when the bursting red
December sun draws up the sheet
and penny-masks its eye to yield
the star-snowed fields of sky.

He will come, will come,
will come like crying in the night,
like blood, like breaking,
as the earth writhes to toss him free.
He will come like child.

- Rowan Williams

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art by He Qi can be found here

Once in Royal David's City - Aled Jones and Libera

Advent

Advent Prayer- Creighton Univ.Online Ministries

God of Strength,

I need your courage.

You offer to make firm the knees that are weak.

Only you know how frightened I so often am.

And you do offer me strength.

There is the promise of your Son's coming

and knowing that you will save me.

I can't do this on my own

no matter how often I think I can.

Give me the humility to ask for your help

and open heart to accept

your healing and love in my life.

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artwork found here
prayer found here