another good one

(i'll have to post again later about this fabulous day, but i couldn't let saint patrick's day end w/o a post. even if it's only a wee one.)

i was going to read saint patrick's confession in full again today - i think it's been a year or two since i read it - but time got away from me and i only ended up reading the first little bit. he references 2 corinthians 3:3:

“your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you. Christ Himself wrote it—not with ink, but with God's living Spirit; not chiseled into stone, but carved into human hearts.”

and though i know i've read it numerous times, i was struck by the image of Christ writing on my life with the Spirit; the replacement of ink with Spirit. how amazing and beautiful is that?

people always ask me why saint patrick? why ireland? one thing about patrick is that it seems once he admitted his need of God, he didn't turn from Him. he fashioned the rest of his days to follow Him and share His gospel with whomever he came into contact. why not celebrate such a person?

hope your saint patrick's day was a good one.

May the strength of God pilot us,
may the wisdom of God instruct us,
may the hand of God protect us,
may the word of God direct us.
Be always ours this day and for evermore.
- Saint Patrick

saint patrick

a man who was stolen by irishmen from his home in scotland at the age of sixteen.
a man who in the midst of slavery found & surrendered to God.
a man who after six years finally ran away to freedom, only to seek out enough learning so
he could return to his captors and preach the gospel of Christ to a nation of pagans.

The determination to accept suffering and success with equal indifference guided the life of God’s instrument [Patrick] for winning most of Ireland for Christ.

and a little something from his own confession:

I am, then, first of all, countryfied, an exile, evidently unlearned, one who is not able to see into the future, but I know for certain, that before I was humbled I was like a stone lying in deep mire, and he that is mighty came and in his mercy raised me up and, indeed, lifted me high up and placed me on top of the wall. And from there I ought to shout out in gratitude to the Lord for his great favours in this world and for ever, that the mind of man cannot measure.

Therefore be amazed, you great and small who fear God, and you men of God, eloquent speakers, listen and contemplate. Who was it summoned me, a fool, from the midst of those who appear wise and learned in the law and powerful in rhetoric and in all things? Me, truly wretched in this world, he inspired before others that I could be-- if I would-- such a one who, with fear and reverence, and faithfully, without complaint, would come to the people to whom the love of Christ brought me and gave me in my lifetime, if I should be worthy, to serve them truly and with humility.

my favourite day

i love saint patrick's day. for the past several years i've taken off work and made an irish dinner. last year i was actually in transit to ireland from scotland. this year - i had to work. started a temp job on wednesday, packing up an office. so i was wrapping things in newspaper and bubble wrap all day, trying to celebrate in my mind. :) i did make myself an irish supper when i got home, after stopping by the grocery to pick up essentials like dubliner cheddar, corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, soda bread, irish cream. mmmmmmm.

actually, the same year (2000) i started my saint patrick's day dinners, i came across a passage from saint patrick's breastplate, which is a hymn of sorts. it was in a little irish book i'd had for a while, but hadn't fully looked through. when i read this particular bit, i felt like everything was suspended around me. it was so beautiful.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise.
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

i ended up making a bunch of bookmarks of this and giving them out to friends. my friend, isaac, after reading it, said it should be put to music and my church (jacob's well) sings his song. one of my favourites.

may the LORD be with you all on this day.