in reading about the fathers lives, it is hard to ignore their asceticism. i find it hard to overlook my soul's desire to fit discipline into my busy life. as i have begun to make my rounds around prayer knots/beads i have already begun to experience some of the mystery/clarity that comes from trying to center my world around the Divine. also experiencing the Spirit in fresh ways through scripture and other supplementary readings/liturgies.

in the days preceding and the first few days here, i slipped out of a routine i had been recently acquainted with. i can try and blame this on lack of time or sleep, none the less, prayer and reading seemed to become less. with this i truly felt a substantial change in my heart. where was IT? silenced by my little world?  yesterday i really began to experience the divide i had created.

by the grace of our LORD, i locked myself in an empty room and began 'the life of antony' by athanasius. antony's asceticism compelled me to make time always for prayer and reading, and also to pay careful attention to whats in the heart, to live within the heart always being attentive to what dwells there, and to be cautious to keep darkness far from that sanctuary.

how easy to stumble on the subtleties of the crafty one.
grant us strength o  G-D to follow You with discipline.
the harvest is now, empower us to work, for our rest is to come.
may we lie awake, arms stretched upward awaiting Your return.
with every breath comes a new start.
all praise to our Creator, Protector, and Sustainer.