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St. Patrick's Breastplate
There is a treatment update at the end of this message. PHOTOPHERESIS ON MONDAY http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photopheresis www.caringbidge.org/visit/carlstam ===================================== HAPPY ST. PATRICK's DAY from gettymusic.com Three FREE Getty/Townend hymns at http://gettymusic.com/stpats.aspx "Behold the Lamb" (Communion Hymn) "The Power of the Cross" "Come, People of the Risen King" MP3 recordings, piano scores, vocal charts, and more. ===================================== Today's WORSHIP QUOTE is an ancient Gaelic poem known as “The Breastplate of Saint Patrick.” Of course, St. Patrick was the 5th century missionary to Ireland, and a lorica (or breastplate) was a garment thought to protect the wearer from danger, sin and illness. Notice the strong Trinitarian language. SAINT PATRICK’S LORICA (BREASTPLATE) I bind unto myself today the strong name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same, the Three in One, the One in Three. I bind this day to me forever by power of faith Christ's incarnation, his baptism in the Jordan river, his death on the cross for my salvation; his bursting from the spiced tomb, his riding up the heavenly way, his coming at the day of doom I bind unto myself today. I bind unto myself today, the power of God to hold and lead, His eye to watch, his might to stay, his ear to harken to my need, the wisdom of my God to teach, his hand to guide, his shield to ward, the Word of God to give me speech, his heavenly host to be my guard. Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ be fore me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me; Christ to comfort and restore me; Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger. I bind unto myself today the strong name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same, the Three in One, the One in Three. of whom all nature hath creation, eternal Father, Spirit, Word; praise to the God of my salvation, salvation is of Christ the Lord. — Ancient Gaelic poem, attributed to Saint Patrick of Ireland, c. 430, English paraphrase by Cecil Frances Alexander, 1889. This text can be found in several modern hymnals: THE WORSHIPING CHURCH (Hope, 1990); THE LUTHERAN BOOK OF WORSHIP (Augsburg, 1978); HYMNS ANCIENT AND MODERN REVISED, 1984; THE HYMNAL (Church Pension Fund, 1961). For a longer poem and a chance to hear one version of the music, go to: www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/s/t/stpatric.htm Chip Stam Director, Institute for Christian Worship School of Church Ministries The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, Kentucky www.wqotw.org www.sbts.edu/icw ============================== HEALTH UPDATE & PRAYER REQUEST FOR CHIP STAM, CANCER PATIENT PHOTOPHERESIS ON MONDAY http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photopheresis www.caringbidge.org/visit/carlstam ============================== March 17 Treatment Update, Dear praying friends and family, Thanks for praying for us. Don't stop. We are still going to the clinic every single morning. I have been extremely weak, so they are moving some of my steroids to once a week, rather than three times a week. Other medications and treatments change as the doctors read the blood tests each day. NEXT MONDAY — PHOTOPHERESIS One way to treat the rather intense GvH rash (flaking all over my body, including all the the skin on the bottom of my feet) is a procedure called Photopheresis. As I understand it, they will take out some of my white cells and "fry" them in a special ultraviolet light bath; then they will but them back. Again, I am so thankful that the rash does not itch at this point. I am typing this with rubber gloves to keep the dead skin from clogging up my MacBook. The flaking and discoloration is amazing. We are still using steroid cream twice a day (Doris is a champion on patient care). We use lots of other lotions all day long. JESUS SAID: "STUDY THE BIRDS" (Matt. 6) I have mostly been watching live video of barn owls, hummingbirds, and bald eagles. Here they are, and they are stunning: www.ustream.tv/hummingbirdnestcam (Phoebe, the mother hummingbird, sitting on two young hummingbird chicks) www.sportsmansparadiseonline.com/Oceanside_Barn_Owls (six young hatchlings being fed mice, moles, and gophers, PG13) www.ustream.tv/channel/decorah-eagles (two bald eagles in Decorah, Iowa, sitting on eggs—amazing! Well, "God is great; God is good." And the LORD's deeds are both great and good. We see it every day. Don't forget to care for and pray for the cancer patients in your sphere of activity and influence. They are there; I promise you. You could make a difference. Love to all. Jesus is LORD! Keep praying. God is at work. Chip Stam www.wqotw.org carlstam@aol.com www.caringbridge.org/visit/carlstam www.carlstam.org |