Categories: stress, parish-life, bible
Date: 11 July 2007 11:18:48
The game played at work this morning, after I came out in various welts on my stomach and had various blisters and broken skin in the same place.
A flesh-eating virus was the best guess. See how we love one another! :D
The doctor said it may be bacterial, and may also be stress- and nervousness-related given the goings-on at work [though progress was made today, thanks be to God: the cause of the shutting down of the database was determined...though not yet fixed. The consultants are looking at]. Very itchy, though the cream is helping.
I didn't go to the Prayer Service we are holding each Wednesday night at church due to it; it is quite sore and I really just want to lay in bed and rest after a few stressful days. I have missed it though: it is a beautiful service.
Psalm 51 is chanted in this service, and in many other Orthodox services also. Its constant repetition, as well as the repetition of other Psalms and Psalm verses [the Psalms play a key part in Orthodox Worship], means, by the grace of God, the words slowly enter my memory and I can recall them [or at least parts of them], and pray them, throughout the day and in times of need. Thanks be to God. Here is Psalm 51 [not from memory, mind you :) : from Bible Gateway]:
Psalm 51
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem;
then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.