August 26, 2018 

Thought for today: 

"It is better to be a has-been than a never-was.” 

C. Northcote Parkinson [1909 - 1993]

THE  DEER  CRY

I arise today through the strength of heaven 
Light  of  sun,  radiance of moon 
Splendor  of  fire, speed of lightning 
Swiftness of wind, depth of the sea 
Stability of earth, firmness  of  rock 
I arise today through God's strength 
to pilot me 
God's eye to look before me 
God's wisdom to guide me 
God's way to lie before me 
God's shield to protect me 
From all who shall wish me ill 
Afar and a-near 
Alone and in a multitude 
Against every cruel, merciless power 
That may oppose my body and soul 
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 to shield me
Christ in the heart of everyone 
who thinks of me
Christ in the mouth of everyone 
who speaks of me
I arise today. 

The "Deer's Cry" is also known by the name "St. Patrick's Breastplate" and is an  example of a lorica -- a "breastplate" or corslet of  faith recited for the protection of body and soul against all forms of evil...  The name of the hymn derives from a legend ... when Loequire, the High King of Tara, resolved to ambush and kill Patrick and his monks to prevent them from spreading the Christian faith in his kingdom.  As Patrick and his followers approached singing this hymn, the King and his men saw only a herd of wild deer and let them pass by.  The word 'cry' also has the sense of a prayer or petition. 

BE THOU MY VISION 

O  LORD OF MY HEART 

Bi Thusa Mo Shuile is the Irish Hymn, Be Thou My Vision, in the modern Irish language. This

translation was rendered by Maire Brennan's grandfather, and sung by Maire Brennan herself.

Artist: Maire Brennan

Album: Whisper To The Wild WaterLicensed to YouTube by

Curb Records (on behalf of Word Entertainment); CMRRA, UMPG Publishing, UMPI, ASCAP, and

Music Rights Societies

1	Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art; Thou my best thought, by day or by night; Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
2	Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true Word; I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord; Thou my great Father and I, Thy true son; Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
3	Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise; Thou mine inheritance, now and always; Thou and Thou only, first in my heart; O King of glory, my treasure Thou art.
4	O King of glory, my victory won; Rule and reign in me ’til Thy will be done; Heart of my own heart, whatever befall; Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

PSALM 46:

VERSES 1 AND 2

Verse 1
God is our shelter and strength,
always ready to help
in times of trouble.

Verse 2
So we will not be afraid,
even if the earth is shaken
and mountains fall
into the ocean depths;

Verse 3
even if the seas roar and rage,
and the hills are shaken
by the violence.

PSALM  79: 

VERSES 3 & 4

Verse 3:
They have shed 
your people's blood
like water;
blood flowed like water
all through Jerusalem,
and no one was left 
to bury the dead.

Verse 4: 
The surrounding nations
insult us;
they laugh at us 
and mock us.

August 25,  2018

HAMMER

If I came back from the dead,

what would I want to be? It

would be a hammer of course.

So solid, so basic, so strong.

A hammer…. Like being 911 -

providing help at a moment’s call.

But I know I won’t be back from the

dead. I’ll be in the soft dark unknown -

with God so solid, so basic, so strong.

© Andy Costello, Reflections 2018

August 25, 2018 

Thought for today: 

“There is nothing more agreeable in life than to make peace with the Establishment - and nothing more corrupting.”  

A. J. P. Taylor [1906- 1990]

Questions:

Who are the Establishment?

What does it mean to make peace with this who?