Author: Sistertech

Psalm of the Day

Sistertech loves reading the Psalms. There always is something there to provide encouragement. The Psalm today is no exception.

1In you, O Lord, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.

Some clients are whiners. They complain about any and everything, before, during, and after our service calls. I take refuge in The One In Charge. Nothing anyone say about me can put me to shame.

2In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
incline your ear to me and save me.
3Be to me a rock of refuge,
a strong fortress,  to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.

Psalm of the Day

The Psalm today tells us that it’s not just your enemies who can harm you, it can be you friends. While the Psalms do take us on a roller coaster of utter, carefree bliss, down in the dumps defeat, and everything in between. But through it all, especially when things look bleak, we find encouragement from the first two verses.

1Give ear to my prayer, O God;
do not hide yourself from my supplication.
2Attend to me, and answer me;
I am troubled in my complaint.

Continue reading “Psalm of the Day”

Psalm of the Day

Today we remember one of Sistertech’s favorite artists, the masterful Russian iconographer, Andrei Rublev (d. 1430)

You’ve probably seen this one. It’s my favorite of his icons: The Holy Trinity. It’s based on Genesis 18 and the angles who visit Abraham.

It’s not as though I need icons! I mean what’s the point of being an angel if you can’t see the real thing! But to tell you the truth, I have a lot of them around my office here. The lesser creatures have religious sticky notes scattered about; you can always tell a being by the spiritual “prompts” it has. I say, “Go for the good stuff” and get yourself a Rublev.

When Sistertech looks at these icons, sometimes she enters the scene, sometimes she contemplates the great faith of the saints depicted. The ones with The One In Charge are especially powerful reminders of the words we read today from Psalm 62.

6He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
7On God rests my deliverance and my honour;
my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.
8Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.
Selah
9Those of low estate are but a breath,
those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
they are together lighter than a breath.

Henri Nouwen and Rowan Williams – get your glasses on folks! Rowan, not Robin! – have very good books on icons. Bottom line: they’re not just for the Orthodox. Give ’em a try.


Henri Nouwen’s Behold the Beauty of the Lord: Praying With Icons


Rowan Williams’ Ponder These Things: Praying With Icons of the Virgin

Psalm of the Day

All the big shots, and I mean big, are running around getting their speeches and sermons ready for the conference being held today in honor of Thomas Aquinas. It’s no wonder part of Psalm 119 is being read as it really captures a lot about Tom:

99I have more understanding than all my teachers,
for your decrees are my meditation.
100I understand more than the aged,
for I keep your precepts.

Continue reading “Psalm of the Day”

Brahms – How lovely is thy dwelling place

Here’s that beautiful passage from Psalm 84 in the Brahms Requiem. Enjoy.

How lovely is thy dwelling place,
O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs, yea, even faints
for the courts of the Lord:
my heart and my flesh cries out
for the living God.
Blessed are they that dwell in thy house:
they will always be praising thee.

The freedom to connect

Sistertech could not suppress her glee at hearing Secretary Clinton add “the freedom to connect” to FDR’s Four Freedoms. Brava!

The first four you’re probably familiar with: freedom of expression, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. To those, Clinton tacked on a fifth freedom — “the freedom to connect”:

The freedom to connect is like the freedom of assembly, only in cyberspace. It allows individuals to get online, come together, and hopefully cooperate. Once you’re on the internet, you don’t need to be a tycoon or a rock star to have a huge impact on society.

Psalm of the Day

Sistertech’s iPod is full of all kinds of music. After a slew of my former clients died, I found solace listening to requiems. I really had enjoyed helping them with their computer needs, and now that their souls were now experiencing immortality, those service calls were forever ended. Continue reading “Psalm of the Day”

Psalm of the Day

I’m up early today. I peeked at the Psalm last night and could hardly sleep thinking about verse 4: “They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright; they are gracious, merciful, and righteous.” I hope you all are happy today. May you conduct all your affairs with justice. No flame wars, no cutting people off in traffic. What am I saying? Riffraff like that would not be reading Sistertech’s dispatches.

1Praise the Lord!
Happy are those who fear the Lord,
who greatly delight in his commandments.
2Their descendants will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3Wealth and riches are in their houses,
and their righteousness endures for ever.
4They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright;
they are gracious, merciful, and righteous.
5It is well with those who deal generously and lend,
who conduct their affairs with justice.
6For the righteous will never be moved;
they will be remembered for ever.
7They are not afraid of evil tidings;
their hearts are firm, secure in the Lord.
8Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid;
in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
9They have distributed freely, they have given to the poor;
their righteousness endures for ever;
their horn is exalted in honour.