Poetry: Keble – Ash Wednesday

“Yes—deep within and deeper yet   The rankling shaft of conscience hide,Quick let the swelling eye forget   The tears that in the heart abide.Calm be the voice, the aspect bold,   No shuddering pass o’er lip or brow,For why should Innocence be told   The pangs that guilty spirits bow? “The loving eye that watches thine   Close as …

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Of Days and Seasons

It is that time of year again when we gather with family and friends, celebrating the season's particular feasts and memories, and I find myself contemplative. It is somewhat interesting, and maybe a bit sad, that we call these last couple months of the year The Holiday Season. In reality, there are holidays, and Holy …

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Etymology: Quinquagesima

“Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.”Anthony J. D'Angelo It always amazes me the things that I don't know. I hope that amazement and discovery never ends. I recently became aware of a rather old word: Quinquagesima. I am actually surprised that I hadn't heard of it before …

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Somebody’s gotta pay!

My first thought when I hear the above title is of a scene from the movie Night at the Museum. The plot is a little long, but in short the night guard gets caught and is tied down to the train tracks. He asks the characters, "Why are you doing this?" The character Jedediah says, "Somebody's gotta …

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Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs

What sort of songs should we be singing in worship? This debate has been going on for some time. I have known people who think this or that type of music should be sung and another that or this type. I have known people who refused to go to services because they played contemporary music. …

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