For me, the beauty of the Presbyterian path is its focus on "having
your loins girt with truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness,
and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace."
Karmically, "peace and righteousness" are very worthy goals for they
lead to the "fearlessness to love" that helps one to advance spiritual
and move "nearer, my God, to thee." The prayer below says it the best:
that the ultimate goal of Presbyterianism is "oneness with creation,
rather than domination over creation."
Eternal God, in your perfect realm no sword is drawn but the sword
of righteousness, and there is no strength but the strength of love.
So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered
under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as your children; to you be
dominion and glory, now and forever. Amen.
We pray that someday an arrow will be broken, not in something or
someone, but by each of humankind, to indicate peace, not violence.
Someday, oneness with creation, rather than domination over creation,
will be the goal to be respected. Someday fearlessness to love and
make a difference will be experienced by all people.
Then the eagle will carry our prayer for peace and love, and the people
of the red, white, yellow, brown, and black communities can sit in the
same circle together to communicate in love and experience the presence
of the Great Mystery in their midst. Someday can be today for you and
me. Amen.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of
his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to
stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh
and blood, but against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole
armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and
having done all, to stand.
Stand, having your loins girt with truth, having on the breastplate of
righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of
peace. Above all, taking the shield of faith, where ye shall be able to
quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and
watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all
saints;
And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may
open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For
which I am an ambassador in chains: that therein I may speak boldly,
as I ought to speak.
NEARER, my God, to thee,
Even tho' it be a cross,
That raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be,
Nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer to thee!
Tho' like a wanderer,
The sun gone down,
Darkness be over me,
My rest a stone,
Yet in my dreams I'd be,
Nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer to thee!
There let the way appear,
Steps unto heaven;
All that thou sendest me,
In mercy given;
Angels to beckon me,
Nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer to thee!
Then, with my waking thoughts,
Bright with thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs,
Bethel I'll raise;
So by my woes to be,
Nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer to thee!
Or if on joyful wing,
Cleaving the sky,
Sun, moon, and stars forgot,
Upwards I fly,
Still all my song shall be,
Nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer to thee!
are available in an ebook (PDF) for a $5 (US) donation
to www.healpastlives.com (Past Forward).
Click here
or on the image of the ebook to
download it instantly.
Web Site Hosted by
by