Thursday before dinner

Got a small stash of books at the library, including a trilogy by Susan Howatch (Glittering Images is the first one) with an Anglican setting.  I can't seem to get enough of it, can I?  Anglican this.  Anglican that.  Have read a couple of pages and am hooked...will probably prop up the book while I cook dinner.  Looking forward to some quiet later on, so I can relax and read.

And oldest daughter bought a new copy of Prancer (with dishy Sam Elliott) for us to watch tonight.  Our VCR copy of it is a bit ragged, and besides, our VCR is sorta on the blink.  That'll be fun.  Also, five of our offspring are meeting up with some friends and going to the opening of The Hobbit at midnight tonight.  It's almost three hours long! Gary just asked me about it, thinking I was going with them.  No ma'am.  I consider going to a 3 hour movie at those hours likened to abuse.  Ick.

Reciting The Jesus Prayer (Lord Jesus, Son of God, Have mercy on me, the sinner) to myself throughout the day.  Keeping my heart on track while we/I wait for God's blessing.  It doesn't substitute for other prayers, but is a good way to focus.  There are so many beautiful pieces that are rituals in our Sunday services, and to have them memorized is a comfort.  I'm learning that humility and a contrite heart are key for His working in my life.  That clinging-to-sin stuff has got to go.  Amazing what junk you find in your heart when you get to praying about it.  It's like weeding a garden.  There are always little annoying bits trying to crowd out the flowers.  And they spring up overnight, it seems.  At least that's my experience.

Must go now.  I simmered a dear little chicken and am about to make a chicken pie. Have a restful night.  And one more thing...I've added one of the bits from The Book of Common Prayer.

From the Anglican General Confession.  I think this is beautiful.

ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father;

We have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep.

We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts.

We have offended against thy holy laws.

We have left undone those things which we ought to have done;

And we have done those things which we ought not to have done;

And there is no health in us.

But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders.

Spare thou them, O God, which confess their faults.

Restore thou them that are penitent; According to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord.

And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake; That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, To the glory of thy holy Name. Amen.