Author: Sistertech

Psalm of the Day

Two of Sistertech’s favorites. Each calls for just the right amount of celebratory shouts of thanksgiving and praise. Sort of reminds me of the press clippings I read about the iPad release.

Psalms 66

1 Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;
2 sing the glory of his name;
give to him glorious praise.
3 Say to God, ‘How awesome are your deeds!
Because of your great power, your enemies cringe before you.
4 All the earth worships you;
they sing praises to you,
sing praises to your name.’
Selah


Psalm 67

1 May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us,
Selah
2 that your way may be known upon earth,
your saving power among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.

Bernard Mizeki

I just left a celebration for Bernard Mizeki. He’s an amazing fellow.

He reminds me of Ephrem in his ingenuity and adaptability in using the target community’s existing resources, be those resources their beliefs or aspects of their culture, to relate messages from The One In Charge.

Sistertech wishes others were as willing and adept at thinking outside the box.

The Psalm appointed for him today references what we remember about his martyrdom.

Psalm 124

1 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side
—let Israel now say—
2 if it had not been the Lord who was on our side,
when our enemies attacked us,
3 then they would have swallowed us up alive,
when their anger was kindled against us;
4 then the flood would have swept us away,
the torrent would have gone over us;
5 then over us would have gone
the raging waters.

6 Blessed be the Lord,
who has not given us
as prey to their teeth.
7 We have escaped like a bird
from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken,
and we have escaped.

8 Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

Psalm of the Day

The Psalm for today does remind one of the reputation of The One In Charge as a bit of a grouch.  Mind you, it isn’t that folks don’t get called on the clouds. They do, from time to time. But from my point of view, dealing with The One In Charge have always been a piece of cake. Remember Nancy Reagan’s mantra? Well, I’ve adapted it and it works just fine: Just Say Yes! Works for me.

Psalms 97

[1] The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;
let the many coastlands be glad!

[2] Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

[3] Fire goes before him
and burns up his adversaries all around.

[4] His lightnings light up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.

[5] The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the Lord of all the earth.

[6] The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.

[7] All worshipers of images are put to shame,
who make their boast in worthless idols;
worship him, all you gods!

[8] Zion hears and is glad,
and the daughters of Judah rejoice,
because of your judgments, O LORD.

[9] For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.

[10] O you who love the LORD, hate evil!
He preserves the lives of his saints;
he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

[11] Light is sown for the righteous,
and joy for the upright in heart.

[12] Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous,
and give thanks to his holy name!

Bishop Berkeley and Bishop Butler

These two! Not again! It’s not that they caused a lot of commotion up here, because there is always quite a bit of activity.

No. It’s just that, well. How can I put this nicely? Let us start with Georgie, um, I mean Bishop Berkeley. First of all, he is quite particular about how one pronounces his name. The One In Charge knows that for some reason the Bishop prefers “Bark-lee” instead of the perfectly reasonable “Berk-lee” as in the name of one of Sistertech’s university clients in California.

Continue reading “Bishop Berkeley and Bishop Butler”

Evelyn Underhill

You might wonder why Sistertech is such a big fan of Evelyn Underhill. I’ve been talking to the Lenny in the Public Relations Department about the branding problem. Well, I think it is a problem.

You see, try as I might, when I suggest people read Underhill, they visibly shudder. It is as though I were telling them that the clock is ticking on the Second Coming and that they had better, well, get busy. I mentioned this to Lenny. My clients tend to be either Type A personalities or at least addicted to frenetic activity. Navel gazing and frenetic activity don’t mix, as far as they’re concerned.

I agree. Continue reading “Evelyn Underhill”

St. Basil

Basil (d. 379) is a favorite of one of Sistertech’s clients. It has something to do with his having studied in Athens in the 350’s. He was an ardent advocate of the Nicene formula that quite a few of Sistertech’s clients recite. It’s that bit about the Logos being fully God and fully human. These theological matters are a bit above Sistertech’s pay grade, but she is glad that there are others who do look after such matters.

As with all the saints, Basil was steadfast in his faith. This may be a dicey affair. Humans are often ill-informed and ill-advised. Ask anyone who handles computer support calls! You’ll hear the horror stories. Trust me. So I do not want to suggest that all who are stubborn are saints. Far from it. But Sistertech does admire those who are correct and have the character and courage to remain steadfast even in the face of fierce opposition or under the threat of death.

The Psalm appointed for today highlights Basil’s brand of monastic spirituality. Notice the notes of spiritual intimacy and the confidence that arises from the presence of The One In Charge.

Psalm 139:1-9

1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me.
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from far away.
3 You search out my path and my lying down,
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
O Lord, you know it completely.
5 You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is so high that I cannot attain it.

7 Where can I go from your spirit?
Or where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there;
if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning
and settle at the farthest limits of the sea,

Psalm of the Day

Psalm 34 sets the bar rather high. But Sistertech believes that a high bar is better than no bar at all.

Psalms 34

[1] I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

[2] My soul makes its boast in the LORD;
let the humble hear and be glad.

[3] Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
and let us exalt his name together!

[4] I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.

[5] Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.

[6] This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.

[7] The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.

[8] Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

[9] Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!

[10] The young lions suffer want and hunger;
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

[11] Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

[12] What man is there who desires life
and loves many days, that he may see good?

[13] Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking deceit.

[14] Turn away from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.

[15] The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous
and his ears toward their cry.

[16] The face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

[17] When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles.

[18] The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.

[19] Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the LORD delivers him out of them all.

[20] He keeps all his bones;
not one of them is broken.

[21] Affliction will slay the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

[22] The LORD redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.



Psalm of the Day

A wonderful Psalm with which to return to the blog. (In case you were wondering, I was on special assignment. It’s top secret, though. Sorry.)

The One In Charge is indeed a constant companion and a source of endless love.

5Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.
6Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your judgements are like the great deep;
you save humans and animals alike, O Lord.

Isn’t this a nice touch? This bit about saving “humans and animals”? All you animal lovers should take notice. The One In Charge has got your back.

7How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
9For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.

And this lovely closing: “in your light we see light”. Things a brightening up a bit. Winter is over. Spring is here. Easter is approaching quickly. May our thinking and speaking be graced by more light from above.