awhitecrow | Third Prayer

Third Prayer - written

[Once again, Jonathan Hollom has taken up his pen to write a sermon, tucked away in his room in House Seven.]

One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.
Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
Psalms, Chapter 27, verses 4-7.

Even where there is no House of God, the Lord does not abandon those who would lift his name in praise.

Christ entered the city of Jerusalem.

And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;
Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.
And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
Luke, Chapter 19, verses 37-40

Where there is faith, the glory of God and and Christ will be proclaimed. If tongues are stilled, the earth itself will take up the praise.

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Hebrews, Chapter 10, verses 23-25

The [For once, the pen falters. The words he has written and rewritten on a sheet of paper are more difficult to put into this book, where others will see them, but he does, finally, continue] faithful are best served by a place where they can come together and find solace in each other, be it a public space of worship or a private home opened unto them. A place where they can meet and be afforded respectful privacy.

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
Therefore when thou doest [thine] alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites [are]: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Matthew, Chapter 6, verses 1-5

Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay [them] on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
But all their works they do for to be seen of men.
Matthew, Chapter 23, verses 1-5

The faithful must pray and do good works because they are faithful, not to attract the attention and praise of others. It is for this reason a place to worship among one's fellows without making a show of one's worship is hailed.

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Amen.

Perhaps we could build a church here, if only a small one. Certainly we have enough strong bodies to do it. Even a chapel would be manageable.

Edited 2012-02-12 21:30 (UTC)

I would be honoured to help in such a thing.

Till then, there is always the recreation center.

I would not be intruding?

If no one else is using it.

Of course.

Would you be our chaplain then?

Edited 2012-02-12 21:50 (UTC)

[The reply takes a brief while to come, and there's a bit of unsteadiness to the way the words are written.]

My education is only what I have given myself. It has been some years even since I have attended a proper sermon.

[He isn't refusing, but... Surely there's someone actually qualified?]

Still, we'd need someone.

[written]

awhitecrow - 2012-02-12 21:58 (UTC) - Expand

[written]

simplestgift - 2012-02-12 22:00 (UTC) - Expand

[written]

awhitecrow - 2012-02-12 22:05 (UTC) - Expand

[written]

simplestgift - 2012-02-12 22:10 (UTC) - Expand

[written]

awhitecrow - 2012-02-12 22:13 (UTC) - Expand

[written]

simplestgift - 2012-02-12 22:23 (UTC) - Expand

[written]

awhitecrow - 2012-02-12 22:26 (UTC) - Expand

[written]

simplestgift - 2012-02-12 22:34 (UTC) - Expand

[written]

awhitecrow - 2012-02-12 22:36 (UTC) - Expand

[written]

simplestgift - 2012-02-12 22:39 (UTC) - Expand

[written]

awhitecrow - 2012-02-12 22:43 (UTC) - Expand

[written]

simplestgift - 2012-02-12 22:44 (UTC) - Expand

[written]

awhitecrow - 2012-02-12 22:48 (UTC) - Expand

[ by now, buffy summers's particular way of knocking on his door should be familiar. one day, it may grow comforting. ]

[The knock isn't worrisome. Instead, Jonathan Hollom looks up from his journal and over toward the door.]

Come in.

[ she twists the knob and sticks her head through the doorway. ]

Hey. Jonathan. [ and then steps inside. ] Have you seen Liz? [ buffy doesn't normally call elizabeth by this shortened name. however, there's a shift about and it's had buffy fall a little madly in love with one particular housemate. ]

I haven't, no. I'm sorry. Shall I tell her you're looking for her if I do?

[ she crosses her arms and leans on the wall -- just inside the doorframe. ] Please. That'd be great.

...Doing well?

I am, Buffy. [It still sounds strange to speak so informally to a woman, particularly one who opened her home to him.] Thank you.

Are you?

Getting better. [ it's no secret around the house that a man very close to her has recently been sent home -- sent home to a terrible fate, it would seem. and buffy made no attempt to hide her grief for rupert giles.

but she seems to be in better spirits, today. healing. ] Just gotta...keep putting one foot ahead of the other, y'know?

If there is anything I can do for you, please let me know. I should... like to help, if I can.

[written]

[written]

[written]

[written]

[written]

[written]

[written]

[written]

[written]

[ action ] i always go breaking your written posts with my actiony ways. :|

[ action ] I adore your action-y ways

she will ACTION her way into his heart.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

[voice] which defies written

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]