O Antiphons - An Overview and O SAPIENTIA

for December 17

O Antiphons - An Overview and O Sapientia:

Ed Riojas Art

I love Mr. Riojas' artwork. He did the Ecclesiastical Art CD that I use (Thank you, Rachel!) for bulletins, banners, Sunday School projects, blogs etc.

He has also made pieces for churches and now, for all of us to purchase!

The LITURGY and The CATECHISM are related! Who knew??

I read a blog post today that blew my mind.

Truly.

Why did I not notice this before? I mean, I have been a Lutheran every one of my born days, have rarely missed an opportunity for worship all of those many years and the only obvious correlation I've made is Baptism=Invocation!

Look and see for yourself!

Yet one more reason to hold fast to the Liturgical traditions of The Church catholic!!!

What is in a Name?

 * L a u r i * 




So, just for fun, someone on Facebook suggested I go over to Kabalarian Philosphy to check out the meaning of my first name. Well, it wasn't the meaning, exactly, it more of a description of qualities  that would likely pertain to me.

Let's see:


1. Your name of Lauri has created a practical, patient, scientific nature able to concentrate on the finer details of a project or undertaking.

2. You would function best in settled conditions where you are not called upon to meet and mix too closely with others, but are able to work on your own.
 
3. This name restricts congenial expression and association, creating much aloneness.
 
4. You could express your thoughts more easily in writing than in speaking.
 
5. You seldom experience the peace of mind that comes with composed thinking and emotional control.
 
6. Health weaknesses could appear in the digestive system, causing constipation and other related problems, or in disorders affecting the heart, lungs, or bronchial organs.

I must go through these one by one, just for fun, of course.

1. Practical?    check

Patient?  (so I have been told)    check

Scientific nature? *I* think so    check

Able to concentrate on the finer details of a project or undertaking? 

             To a fault..so much that I don't even begin a task because I know the right way to do it, right down to the last detail, and that would take a very long time, which makes the task overwhelming so I don't even start. :(  But when I DO actually tackle a project, even the details make me proud. A long way of saying   check

2. You would function best in settled conditions where you are not called upon to meet and mix too closely with others, but are able to work on your own.

              I think that this means likes to work as a team and/or works well with others. Or maybe even likes to work in a quiet room with little interruptions. It doesn't matter because the reality is check.  I have a very hard time (in my mind) working with others - see quality 1d. If my name is going to on or associated with something, it had better be top notch.  Why is my house not top notch? Again, 1d.

3. This name restricts congenial expression and association, creating much aloneness.  I don't know what this even means!  

4. You could express your thoughts more easily in writing than in speaking.

          C H E C K

5.  You seldom experience the peace of mind that comes with composed thinking and emotional control.         C H E C K

            

6.  Health weaknesses could appear in the digestive system, causing constipation and other related problems, or in disorders affecting the heart, lungs, or bronchial organs.

           And yet again, check. Asthma and allergies since birth.

SO - what does this mean????

I don't know, but it sure makes me think about what names to give my children! Wait. Aw, rats!

Ranting. Soap Boxes. Judgement.

I think I am going to start blogging again so that I do not have to fear offending someone on FB.

I am so sick and tired of watching my every word to make sure every single one is pc and cannot even possibly be misconstrued as racist/gay-cist/age-ist/sexist/ etc..-ist.

It is just too exhausting.




If you read my blog, you expect to hear my thoughts. Some of them might even be sinful.  I am warning you now that I AM all sorts of judgmental inside and those thoughts might even fly out of my mouth or fingers. Don't judge me! You don't have to read what I say if you don't like it.



There. Go finish what you are supposed to be doing. I am exhausted.

Burial clothes

During church today, I had an inspiration as I was singing the hymn, "My Song is Love Unknown." It is one of my very favorite hymns and I was debating whether or not I wanted it to be sung at my funeral. (I often think about that during hymns....)

In case you have never heard it, or want to hear it again..here it is with the stanzas.

Anyway!
As you can tell, my mind wanders a bit during church..and it is no longer due to having babies and toddlers in the pew. 

Back to my original thought. I was thinking about my funeral. My mom told my sister and I years ago that she wanted to be buried in either the dress she wore at my wedding or Lisa's.  Ever since that time, I've always wondered what *I* should wear when the time comes.

I finally know. And I am very, very happy.  I want to wear my wedding dress.

The Church is the bride of Christ. He bought her with His Blood to be His own..despite her continual unfaithfulness. He suffered on her behalf. He protected her from sin, death and the power of the devil. His whole life was a life of service for her. He  purchased her wedding garments of pure holiness with His blood. He is the One who prepares a feast for her. It is all about His giving up everything for her safety and care. She, as unworthy as she is, is precious in His sight.

When I was 20, I spent many, many months obsessing over this subject. I was convinced I would never marry. (Stop laughing.) After reading my Bible constantly on all the things God's Word had to say about marriage, I was surprised to find out that we are Christ's bride! I was blown away! I was finally content. No more disappointing guys for me. (Stop laughing, really, it is getting embarrassing.)

So there it is. I want to be a picture of the Bride of Christ while I lie in that temporary tomb. I want all to know that like Lazarus, on the Last Day, when He calls for me and indeed His Church, to come forth, He will raise me up in the robe of righteousness as His Word proclaims.

(Don't worry, I will cut away much of it to use for baptism gowns and ring bearer pillows etc! No need putting all that expensive fabric in a hole in the ground!)

This is the record of John - O. Gibbons

My freshman year in college, we learned and sang this beautiful piece in Tour Choir. We learned many beautiful pieces of music under our director, now Rev., Gerry Coleman. In fact, the reason I wanted to attend Concordia Bronxville (now -NY) was to be in their Tour Choir. It truly was one of the best decisions God ever let me make. While our rehearsals were rigorous, they were more like Bible Studies to me. Gerry painstakingly explained everything we were to sing, not just what the words meant, but the implications of the Word we were singing. I will be ever-grateful for those days. (Which Sarah so lovingly reminded me were 30 years ago. :/ How that happened I do not know.)

ps-Happy Advent!!