(Not to say every day is pleasurable or without obstacles.)

Throughout history, the saints have referred to the desert or wilderness as the setting for the ultimate battle between the flesh and spirit. During a period of 40 days and nights, Christ found himself confronted by Satan. However, this experience only served to strengthen his resolve as he remained steadfast in his identity as the Son of God. Despite the devil’s attempts at persuasion and perversion, Christ was not overcome.

I have the privilege of calling a national forest my backyard. “The wilderness” aspect is not just a figurative expression. If you were to take a peek outside my 1999 Dodge, you’d be greeted by a legion of Sugar Pines. It’s a place where one can truly disconnect from the distractions of the world and confront their innermost struggles head-on.

Yes, the forest is beautiful but it’s not all kumbayah, om chants, and hugs from mother nature. Being in the wilderness can be dangerous if you are not aware of your surroundings or allow your ego to compass your actions. For structure and sanity, my daily rhythm includes praying, working, eating, resting, praying again, and sleeping. Spiritual discipline aid in the goal of Christlikness.

When we go toe-to-toe with the devil our victory is dependant on our ability to cleave to Christ. Our refuge is in the Lord, who equips us with armor and grants us strength and authority to cast out demons and trample the pesky serpent underfoot. As followers of Yeshua, we experience true rest and daily renewal of our souls through the Spirit. The Holy Spirit, also known as the counselor, ensures that we are never without direction or guidance.

Praise be to God!

Seed of Contemplation

Our thoughts differ greatly one from another. Some are altogether free from sin. Others do not initially involve sin: this is the case with what are called provocations, in other words, conceptions of either good or evil, which in themselves are neither commendable nor reprehensible.

What follows on these is known as coupling; that is to say, we begin to entertain a particular thought and parley with it, so to speak; and this leads us either to give ascent to it or reject it. After this comes the stage at which our intellect struggles with the thought, and either conquers it, or is conquered by it.

When the soul dallies for a long time with an impassioned thought there arises what we call a passion. This in its turn, through its intercourse with the soul, becomes a settled disposition within us, compelling the soul to move of its own accord towards the corresponding action.

Water

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

I arise todayThrough the strength of Christ's birth with His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion with His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection with 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 the obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In the predictions of prophets,
In the preaching of apostles,
In the faith of confessors,
In the innocence of holy virgins,
In the deeds of righteous men.

I arise today, through
The strength of heaven,
The light of the sun,
The radiance of the moon,
The splendor of fire,
The speed of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of the sea,
The stability of the earth,
The firmness of 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 shield to protect me,
God's host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptation of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill, afar and near.

I summon today
All these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel and merciless powerthat may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black 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 man's body and soul;
Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me an abundance of reward.

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

St. Patrick's Breastplate