It has been a week.
Many of us in the Internet Monk family have had serious sadness and struggles of various kinds this week.
I would urge you to pray for Daniel Jepsen, Mike Bell, Mike the Geologist, and David Cornwell in particular.
For them, and for others who are close to many of us, this is a season of disorientation.
The Apostle Paul stated his goal in life in these terms: “All I want is to know Christ and to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings and become like him in his death, in the hope that I myself will be raised from death to life” (Philippians 3:10).
If we want to know Christ’s resurrection power, we must share in his death. We must pass through seasons of disorientation, which are an unavoidable aspect of life in this fallen world. They are also part of what it means to enter into Christ’s sufferings. The lament is the form of prayer by which God guides us through the wilderness and reorients us once again.
But this is not simply a matter of “me and Jesus” going through a season of life. We belong to each other and we weep with those who weep in these kinds of seasons.
Please join us in praying for one another. And, in your own life and web of relationships, be a little gentler and kinder today, knowing that those around you may be in such a season of disorientation.
If you’d like to share a prayer need today, feel free to do so and we will join together with you in laying it before our listening and loving God.
*
O merciful Father, who hast taught us in thy holy Word that
thou dost not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men:
Look with pity upon the sorrows of thy servants for whom
our prayers are offered. Remember them, O Lord, in mercy,
nourish their souls with patience, comfort them with a sense of
thy goodness, lift up thy countenance upon them, and give
them peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
This kind of medical consult can be confusing, but hopefully, through prayer, you will be able to make a decision that will give you some sense of peace. I’ve asked several healthcare providers what they would do if a situation applied to a loved one of their own, or to themselves. Their answers have been helpful.
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I’ll be praying for you and your doctors, MtG.
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Boy Oh Boy, when it rains it pours. David– so sorry for your loss. I know Marge was you lifetime partner, please accept my sincerest sympathies. Mike Bell– so difficult when someone with mental illness you know takes their life. So difficult… God comfort you and bring you a good new job soon. Update on me– Since I had the appendix rupture in 2005, because of scar tissue and adhesions, I suffer from recurrent intestinal blockage. One started up last Wednesday, I went into the hospital Thursday morning and was discharged on Saturday afternoon. I’m OK now, but I’ve got a conference with a surgeon to explore corrective options. The corrective surgery can help– or make things worse. It’s a roll of the dice, so please pray for wisdom for me and the doctors.
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Terribly sorry.
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For a dancer, for a cyclist.
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I’m glad you were with Marge, David. God bless you.
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A quick update from myself here.
About a month ago I lost my job. Hopefully I won’t be unemployed for too long. Finances are okay for right now.
Last week two sets of acquaintances lost a child to suicide. Both young adults. It hit me really hard.
Charlotte’s death hit me particularly hard. She was an amazing young woman who had been competing in cycling with my daughter for six years. They even set a Canadian record together in the Team Sprint.
Take a moment to read about her and pray for her family.
I am taking a break from writing for a while. I need to focus on a job search and my own mental health.
I am so appreciative of Chaplain Mike and his continued writing on Internet Monk. It has been a real support to me over the years.
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Probably my favourite Cockburn song!
In the past I have listened to it over and over again.
I also like this version by Steve Bell
For those who like Bruce, Steve Bell’s “My Dinner with Bruce” is really worth getting.
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Amen.
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Thank you for the good tears
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David, at times like this, I have few words to say other than I am sorry for the loss of your dear wife. May the peace of Christ be your comfort during these most trying days.
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Yes, lovely.
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God bless as you move into this difficult time. So sad to hear.
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Amen
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Dear David,
You and Marge have been in my prayers since you let us know of her illness. I am sorry to hear of her passing, and trust that her soul is at rest in the Lord’s hands in a place of verdure and light. Christ is with you and yours in all your grief.
Dana
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Grace and peace to the body of Christ, especially those who are in significant personal pain in this hour.
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prayers ror peace that surpasses understanding
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Very beautiful. Thank you.
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Rafael, thank you for the benediction offered in Numbers. This was one of Marge’s favorite passages when someone was near death and on a number of occasions offered it to someone near death. It always seemed to bring some comfort and finality. When my father was dying he lingered beyond the time of expectation moving between consciousness and sleep. A doctor said he had unfinished business with God, which could very well have been true.
His last night we were all tired and needed sleep and so decided to go back to his home or a motel and rest. We knew death was near and we had all told him goodbye. Marge for her goodbye offered this passage from Numbers as her prayer.
During the night he finally died.
Thanks to everyone offering words of comfort and hope. It means a lot coming from the Internet Monk community.
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Can we pray at the end of a difficult day for many known and unknown to us
In the name of Jesus Christ.
The day is now passed and the night is at hand.
Father of lights receive the prayer and praise we offer
as our evening sacrifice;
make us a light for all the world, delivered by your goodness from
all the works of darkness;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.
Lighten our darkness, Lord we pray; and in your great mercy defend us from all
perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son our Saviour Jesus Christ..
May His Grace be with us all.
Amen
BCP
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And this is my offering for those who are wondering what’s next, from the redoubtable Mr Cockburn:
May the darkness be your friend today.
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CM,
You talk about disorientation. Please pray for the people of and in the British Isles this week, who now have no clue as to where their political leaders are trying to take them. Please pray hard that racism and xenophobia are not allowed to take deep root.
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Beautiful.
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So sorry to hear this, David. My sympathies to you and your loved ones.
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may this help someone
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Dear David,
It’s been a while since I’ve last been on iMonk. When I used to visit more often, I’d eagerly read your comments, and I interacted with you a couple of times. So, it’s with great sadness that I receive the news of Marge’s passing, and I offer my most sincere condolences.
“The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.“ (Numbers 6:24-26, NRSV)
Peace to you and your family, brother, may God comfort you.
Best wishes all the way from Brazil,
Rafael
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David,
My sympathy is sincere. You are in my prayers.
Susan
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God be with you, David, and may your wife Marge rest in peace.
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May the Peace of Christ be with you, David Cornwell, in your grief.
Your photograph of the tree above . . . . a silent witness
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Chaplain Mike, thank you so much.
For those who do not know: Marge died last Sunday afternoon after two days of much suffering and pain. She was conscious up until the time of her last breath. She had been given morphine and bowed her head forward. I thought she was finally resting with sleep. Just a few moments later a nurse checked her vitals — and she was gone. At least I was with her as she approached the end, as she struggled to breathe, and she suffered.
It’s been a difficult week.
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When you’re up against the struggle – Russ Taff
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