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Prince of Peace and Our So-called Rights

The Prince of Peace and Our So-called Rights

The Prince of Peace and Our So-called Rights 2560 1707 Nicole
We just happen to be taking three days’ vacation in Glenwood Springs right now, but our two adult kids are home. The parking lot behind Lakewood’s Hyatt House is the Target pick-up location wherein we can be found far more frequently than I care to admit. It is a weighty thought experiment: that instead of delaying our Target pickup order until today, my daughter went Monday afternoon as she intended, and the shooter decided to turn his gun southward rather than northwesterly. Of course, this did not happen. I thank God that it didn’t. Yet, this kind of musing always forces me to meditate on what it is, exactly, that I believe about God’s direct providence. God wasn’t any less present at the Sol Tribe or Lucky 13 Tattoo Parlors than any other location along the shooter’s route, including the Target pickup lot. And that is precisely it, isn’t it—that God is present whenever and wherever we gather breath. And it is here that by pondering the what-ifs we gather also a sense of being present in the drama, present to the reality, entering the reality of the dead and their loved-ones. And participation in that space-time, in the spirit-to-Spirit-to-spirit communion of prayer then becomes actionable: Intercession. Powerful. Provident. Perennial.  It is also in this eternal space that all that divides us, the politicized or guilt-producing or straight up selfish, hateful attitudes have the potential to be suspended…. read more

Inherent Strength

Inherent Strength 2560 1920 Nicole
Elijah threw his mantle on Elisha. This mantle that, when rolled up and stuck in the Jordan, had the power to part it. Elijah had to give up power in order than Elisha might live into that power. There is no question incomprehensible power flows through Elijah. But he does not use it to manipulate or coerce or intimidate Elisha into doing anything. Real strength, true power, is in the freedom to step aside, to let go of some measure of control (don’t annihilate one another). Or maybe give up some of your free time to give it to another who might benefit from your guidance, your wisdom (love as you want to be loved). read more

Freedom’s Protest

Freedom’s Protest 1890 1512 Nicole

https://eirenicole.com/wp-content/uploads/ep403-Freedoms-Protest.m4a Freedom is a nebulous concept, vague and imprecise, yet for all its deftness to evade definition, we (and N American’s in particular) assert our right to wholesale freedoms. Freedom protests. This week begins Eastertide, the liturgical season that ponders and lives into the resurrection of Jesus. This week also marks the 50th anniversary of…

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Lenten Prayer Practice – Holy Saturday

Lenten Prayer Practice – Holy Saturday 150 150 Nicole

Because God’s love has been poured into our hearts . . . Rm5:5 How might I minister #hope to someone this Holy Saturday? Holy Trinity, center me now that I may notice Your creative intention, nest in the broad, safe space of Your presence, and intentionally nurture another with the same. What word or phrase…

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Lament, See, Act

Lament, See, Act 150 150 Nicole

Lynsey Addario—Getty Images Reportage for TIME. Today’s pray-as-you-go meditation focuses on Revelation 21:1-5a. And as I was listening to, “and God will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more . . . ‘See, I am making all things new,’” I couldn’t help…

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Oration and Power and Ignoring the Rest

Oration and Power and Ignoring the Rest 150 150 Nicole

English: Jesus Christ – detail from Deesis mosaic, Hagia Sophia, Istanbul (Photo credit: Wikipedia)   In the past few weeks, I have been researching discourse in antiquity (approximately 2nd century BCE to 3rd century CE). One particular source by Caroline Vander Stichele and Todd Penner focuses on the role of appearance and outward characteristics that…

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