Getting back up to speed

I want to apologize for not posting with my normal frequency lately.

Working at a college is a strange schedule. Getting all of the stuff done in the summer (when there are less students) that you can't get done in the school year (because there are many students) can make it busier than the school year.

My prayers and love to everyone who reads this blog. I have so many posts in my head :)

Prayers of thanks and joy

I don't know how many people are familiar with the former Penn State football player Tamba Hali. (link)

He was a class act here on campus and a very good guy with a big heart. He is from war torn Liberia. His father was able to bring him over but since her and Tamba's mother were not married she had to stay.

They have been apart for over a decade. Tamba could not bring her over because her could not meet the immigration laws that required that he was able to support her.

But he knew that eventually he would be able to do just that. This kid worked hard. Got good grades. Played football.

Yesterday Tamba signed his NFL contract and can not begin the process of bringing his mother to live with him in safety in America.

Prayers of Joy and Thanks to the Lord for this. And may our prayers be with all those who still suffer around the world.

A prayer to our Guardian Angel

Viva posted this prayer when I asked for prayers and the simple beauty of it touched me deeply.

Guardian Angel from heaven so bright,
Watching beside me to lead me aright,
Fold thy wings round me, and guard me with love,
Softly sing songs to me of heaven above. Amen.

Think a moment on the concept of the guardian angel. Think of how it refelcts the love of God in a very basic and beautiful way.

God sends an angel to watch over His children. Help guide and protect them.


Fold thy wings round me, and guard me with love,
Softly sing songs to me of heaven above. Amen.


It reminds us that we are all children. We are all children under the loving eyes of God.

Be safe and protected and like a child in the arms of the Lord.

Christ told us to be like children. What does that mean?

To love simply.
To care for others.
To run and embrace or Lord at the sight of Him with great joy.
To listen to the soft songs of heaven above and rest in the love of the Lord.

May we all take a moment in this hectic and distressing world to be as a child.

Back from Vacation

A wonderful vacation, I'm catching up on things today.

Wonderful news from vacation...my brother-in-law proposed to his girlfriend!

They are a great couple and now people are slipping into wedding mode. May their days together be many and blessed.

I might get to start posting again today. First thing is reading through 10 days of work email.

On Vacation 13-23

I'll be on vacation with my wife and In-laws. Ah, the beach.

You will all be in my prayers. There is a beautiful Church near the beach and it is a wonderful time every year.

Judge upholds Egyptian law that allows them to close websites

Reporters without borders has condemned the action. Sandmonkey has the story (link).

It is argued as a threat to national security. Individual thought a threat to national security. Truth a threat to national security.

And before anyone says the USA does the same thing, I've seen the "loose change" flash presentation on how the plane never hit the pentagon. But we don't censor that. To be fair that is more of an anthropology study of what happens when stupidity gets opposable thumbs than a threat to security...but still.

My prayers for those who blog and try to promote free expression in Egypt, this is bound to get very messy.

Prayers: St. Ignatius' Suspice

St. Ignatius' Suspice
aka - "Take Lord, Receive"

Take, O Lord, and receive my entire liberty,
my memory, my understanding and my whole will.
All that I am and all that I possess You have given me:
I surrender it all to You to be disposed of according to Your will.
Give me only Your love and Your grace;
with these I will be rich enough, and will desire nothing more.

Some people are disturbed by this prayer. But after the Song of Songs (and yes, I know I have to do the final chapter and the wrap up:)) I thought it was a beautiful prayer of self donation to God in trust of His love and mercy.

We give all to God. He has given us His Love and Grace. We give all we have to Him and He returns it teaching us how to use it for His love in the love of others. It touches on the heart of true submission to God. Trust that He will show us the way. Turn from self and to God if you want to know the true you. The beautiful you through the eyes of God.

Song of Songs Chapters 6&7

Each of the chapters have a verse that gets across the whole pulse of the chapter.


Whither has your beloved gone, O fairest among women? Whither has your beloved turned, that we may seek him with you?

Seek the Lord. Love is a sign. It is a way. A happy marriage lets others understand and seek love. The love Christ has for us leads others into the love of Christ. The women, who throughout the poem have been a voice that ridicules the woman now aid her and rejoice when she finds her beloved.



I am my beloved's, and his desire is for me. Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the fields, and lodge in the villages; let us go out early to the vineyards, and see whether the vines have budded, whether the grape blossoms have opened and the pomegranates are in bloom. There I will give you my love.

This Chapter is one of the ones often pointed to as overtly sexual. But again, They are each otehrs. There is no sexual license or immorality. There is attraction. The recognition of beauty and dedication to each other. All of this follows the fact that the song says not to "awaken love before it's time." and that the lover is a "garden sealed". There is no action outside of the sacramental bond.

As I have gone chapter by chapter. At first verse by verse and then in more general terms it is amazing how the same themes are brought up over and over. The redemption of the Body. Love as total self donation. All of this moves toward the next and last chapter.

New Coptic Magazine

There is a post over at Neferteeti about a new Coptic magazine that is worth reading. I have not finished it yet, but so far it looks very well done. (link)

Copt Killed in Zagazig (June 27th)

I've been away for a bit and have not been able to post alot. This happened during that time and I wanted to offer my prayers and love.

Free Copts has the story (link).

Some in England want to do away with St. George

First it was piglet now this (link). Here is the link.

Why? To quote:


But the Church of England is considering rejecting England's patron saint St George on the grounds that his image is too warlike and may offend Muslims

My mothers mother was English. St. George was special to her. In many ways it is an identity, a history and someone very special.

He is also well loved in the Coptic faith.

This is all about fear. Fear that makes people want to give up things that are special.

A quote:

However, George has become unfashionable among politicians and bureaucrats. His saint's day, April 23, has no official celebration in England, and councils have banned the St George flag from their buildings and vehicles during the World Cup.

Unfashionable with politicians. So is Christ except as a political end to a means most of the time. So where to next?

I'll write more later on this. Gateway Pundit has the story as well (link).

Priest Stabbed in Turkey

Here is the Story (link).

I'll post more when I can.

Sorry about the lack of updates

I've been out of town for a few days. Sorry about the lack of updates. I'll be getting back on schedule soon. :)