Daily Word: Joy

As soon as I read this devotion, I knew I needed to pass it along so that others might also be blessed by these words.

+ + + + + + + + + +

Today's Daily Word - Thursday, March 25, 2010

Joy

The Holy Spirit is my source of joy forever.

An artesian well is a natural water source that emanates from layers of rock deep within the earth. Without priming or pumping, it sends an ever-flowing supply of cool, refreshing water to the surface. Spirit is an artesian well that fills me with joy, a wellspring of joy from which I may draw at any time. I may experience this joy as profound bliss or a simple awareness of well-being.

If circumstances weigh me down, I go to this well. If I am troubled or hurting, I go to this well. If I am lonely or afraid, I go to this well. There, in quiet prayer, I turn within and experience the cool, refreshing free-flowing Spirit as joy and peace.

The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.--John 4:14

A Point to Ponder: Required Insurance

In the ongoing debate about health care reform in the United States, I have heard a number of folks who are critical about the possibility that all Americans would be required to purchase health insurance. "Why should people who are healthy and who don't want coverage be required to purchase insurance?" goes the query. "Why should we be subsidizing the medicals bills of those who are unhealthy?"

In response I ask: how is that different from requiring all drivers to purchase auto insurance? Most (if not all) States require all drivers to have some form of liability coverage--regardless of driving ability and accident history.

I have been driving for 26 years. During that time I have been involved in only one accident where I was at fault. The result was only $300 worth of damage. So why should I be required to purchase something I don't ever use? What if I'm content to cover accident expenses out-of pocket? Why should I be subsidising the accidents of reckless and dangerous drivers, not to mention uninsured motorists?

Just a point to ponder.
—Clayton

Lorica of St. Patrick

Lorica of Saint Patrick
(also known as "St. Patrick's Breastplate")

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth and His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In preachings of the apostles,
In faiths of confessors,
In innocence of virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.

I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me;
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's hosts to save me
From snares of the devil,
From temptations of vices,
From every one who desires me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a mulitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and evil,
Against every cruel merciless power that opposes my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against dark laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts human body and soul.
Christ shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that reward may come to me in abundance.

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 in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through a confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation

--St. Patrick (ca. 377)