Walls and Portals

The Canticle for today's Morning Prayer is from the Third Song of Isaiah....





"You will call your walls, Salvation,"





Cadrieu, France 2009

"and all your portals, Praise."

St. Cirq-Lapopie, France 2009

Hour By Hour

Connecting spiritually in France hasn't been a problem; connecting to my spiritual practice, however, has taken me awhile. Just getting used to being in a new place with a new routine disrupted my practice of morning devotions. I wasn't able to pack my Bible due to its size and weight. I've coped by finding my Forward Day-by-Day devotions online and have used an online Bible site to read the verses indicated for each day. Before I left Des Moines, my friend, Karen, gave me her prayer book, 'Hour By Hour'. The small, slender volume fit perfectly in my carry-on bag. This little book helps me 'pray the hours' in the morning, at noon, in the evening, and at compline. It's been the tool that's been the most helpful in getting me back into a spiritual routine. While I don't think I can make weekly worship happen, praying both 'hour by hour' and when I hear the village church bells chime will keep me connected and grounded in God.Thank you, Karen, for being God's instrument in my life!

"By the Rivers of Babylon"

I am captivated by this land where I am a sojourner...a temporary resident. I live on the banks of a river, the Lot, which flows eventually into the sea many miles west. The river defines this land: It sculpted the causse which has sheltered man in its limestone caves since prehistory. It provides a waterway for transportation east to west. Its valley produces food for its inhabitants. For me, this moving water is an anchor for my spirit. It is my 'river of Babylon' where I sit down to remember. To remember God's spirit that moves through this land and through my life. To remember to be grateful and give thanks to God for His many gifts and blessings. To remember friends, family and people of faith. But above all, to remember to praise my Creator for the simple beauty of this earth.

" By the rivers of Babylon—
there we sat down and there we wept
when we remembered Zion.
 On the willows there
 we hung up our harps.
 For there our captors
 asked us for songs,
and our tormentors asked for mirth, saying,
‘Sing us one of the songs of Zion!’ "            Psalm 137:1-3 

"How could we sing the Lord’s song
in a foreign land?
If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
let my right hand wither!
 Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth,
if I do not remember you,
if I do not set Jerusalem
above my highest joy"    Psalm 137:4-6