Go to Life in the Rocking Rectory
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Dial-up internet access is definitely utterly dire. I had it once before I knew the difference. I'd rather just do without than go back to that. Hope you are having fun.
posted by
TAPS.
on July 14, 2009 at 9:09 AM
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ouch like when I was in Australia it's tough to be without internet when it
has become so much part of your life.
posted by
Kabu
on July 13, 2009 at 10:56 PM
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Rock on, Rocking Rector...!
Internet or not, your sermons and days will continue to be wonderful. You've got the spirit...!
I have faith in you.
Raphael
Here is a poem for you: The man in question you may have heard of his full name is Father Mark Gibbard ssjj and he has written several books on contemplation and prayer.
I once met a man,
A clergyman he would be -
As skilful as skilful,
As only a holy man can be.
He knew what was what
And what was not
And he knew how to keep his mouth shut.
His first appearance was an experience
Quite transfiguring to me.
He sat in his seat and
Took stock of his sheep.
This weekend retreat
Was his to upkeep.
In the silence that ensued,
He slowly stood up
And silently moved
His chair back a pace,
Then sat down again
And we all prayed for grace.
With shining eyes we waited for the seer to speak
Then he stood again and seemed to sniff the air
Unbelievably, he again took his chair
And moved it to the side -
Diagonally a foot or two
At angle 45,
To the position it had been when we started.
Then he sat.
Mesmerized we waited,
Our prayerful breath was bated,
He opened his Bible, the sacred text:
Then, next,
Did close it again.
He looked around,
Stood, and moved his seat back one foot
Seized the roomful of acolytes
At a glance
Then moved his place again!
Just a fraction.
(We knew it in advance.)
Then he sat down,
And started to speak -
Thus began our mysterious retreat.
Some people by above,
Just know how to love.
They are very rare:
I have met few
And Father Mark - he knew!
Very patiently,
Slowly,
Kindly,
He spoke.
And the sun went round the loft
While we sat in silence.
Then he rose
In the middle of the talk,
And changed places again.
I believe he was tuning in
To messages from Heaven.
And beaming them to us
Without any fuss.
--------------------------------------
That afternoon after lunch
I took my forest walk
My mind was racing,
Full of jumbled talk.
As I passed by a field
I stopped, enthralled,
A powerful force came down upon me
Impossible to resist,
When it called.
‘Come back to the grange,’ and it
Turned me physically around.
‘Come back now.’
No one was there;
There was silence in the air,
But the force moved me -
I felt I was floated on a silent sea
I changed my direction,
Went to my room,
Lay down,
And fell into a dreamless swoon.
So powerful was it,
I have never forgotten.
I lay upon my bed as if swaddled in Egyptian cotton
Or Chinese silk.
I knew I was getting
Spiritual milk,
From a force I could not see
And this healing balm
Was love - all for me.
----------------------------------------
And one other time
In the middle of the service,
Something happened which,
I cannot even repeat
For my mind is quite closed
And I have forgotten.
But when I opened my eyes
Father Mark stood over me,
It was plain to see.
His hand was outstretched and he
Revived and brought my soul back
From the very depths of hell, the rack,
That I could tell.
You may think
That this tale
Is imagination?
But while sequences may not be quite right,
The rest is true as light:
This happened to me
In material reality
O glory to God be!
This man whom I met,
Father Mark, has now passed,
But I know I did meet
A being superior,
Who really lived in a realm unseen.
In power, imagination
And prayer that
I could not even dream.
Was he an angel?
A saint, or both?
Was he a spirit?
I do not know.
But this man’s intervention,
I believe was God’s intention
And it changed my life -
This man was truly Love
- An envoy from above.
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Copyright © 2009 by Jonathan Sion. All rights reserved.
posted by
Raphael222
on July 13, 2009 at 5:09 AM
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Sincere sympathies! Losing internet access gives me withdrawal symptoms! I look forward to reading your posts when you come back on line.
posted by
elinjo
on July 12, 2009 at 10:41 PM
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Rockingrector - this does seem unsettling. Will look forward to your posts as and when. Have fun.
posted by
shobana
on July 12, 2009 at 7:23 PM
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rector, hope the sermon came easily and that it was truly a fun day...
Good luck with the new "travelling internet connection"...
...
posted by
Rumor
on July 12, 2009 at 12:43 PM
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Hope it really was fun!
posted by
malcolm
on July 12, 2009 at 11:25 AM
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Will look forward to your posts, whenever you can manage. "Unsettling" is putting it mildly when caught between two houses....here I am, between two houses in two cities! Have a good weekend.
posted by
Nita09
on July 12, 2009 at 4:54 AM
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That was very kind of you.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on July 11, 2009 at 5:15 PM
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What we do for our children...... sending you energy and peace.
posted by
texture
on July 11, 2009 at 2:25 PM
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Hi .. Hope all works well for you soon! 
posted by
BrightIrish
on July 11, 2009 at 1:01 PM
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rockingrector
I shall miss you and I am sorry you have to give up computer and all after just getting to make a new friend. Good luck writing your sermon luv
posted by
WileyJohn
on July 11, 2009 at 12:34 PM
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I adored suitably exhausting! For it should be that way! I can appreciate the two house ordeal! I live in one and am trying to sell the other! The expenses of two homes is unsuitably exhausting! lol Have a great day and do what you can until you are settled! sam
posted by
sam444
on July 11, 2009 at 7:37 AM
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We’re on the same boat. Under my circumstances I hope that I’ll have internet access at home again. BCA, BillJRoost
posted by
BC-A
on July 11, 2009 at 7:34 AM
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