January 24, 2008

• I receive this weekly and even though it is meant for the clergy wives I think most of my readers would also appreciate the encouragement as we strive to live as Christian wives, mothers and friends and to ”fight the good fight”. I would highly recommend the book mentioned at the bottom of this post. Sr. Magdalen is a dear friend who took me under her wing while I was a college student living in London.  I am forever grateful to Fr. Sophrony, St. Silouan and to all the Fathers and Sisters at the monastery.  ~Pres. Lisa

   

  Dear Sisters In Christ, 

  
  

  Quote for the Week:

  “Prayer is a conversation of man with God.  He who prays with a broken and humbled spirit is filled with divine gifts and blessings – that is, with joy, peace, comfort, illumination and consolation – and he, too, becomes blessed.  Prayer is the double-edged sword that slays despair, saves from danger, assuages grief, and so on.  Prayer is a preventive medicine for all diseases of soul and body.” 

  Elder Ephraim of Mt. Athos

   

  Scripture for the Week:

  “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”  

  Hebrews 4:16

   

  Question for the Week:  

  There was a popular song that came out several years ago that had a line in it that was unusually striking.  It simply said that “there’s more room in a broken heart”.  Do you recognize this ability within your own heart to receive so much more when it is broken?

   

  Thought for the Week – Growth in Pain

  Why is it that we grow more through painful situations than through joyful ones? You cut a rose plant and it hastens to grow into ever more beautiful blooms. This is true also in our lives. Sometimes we wish we would not make errors, that somehow God would prevent us from saying and doing things that, even unwittingly, harm others. But it seems God does not always guard us in this way. He knows that it is through these moments of pain, embarrassment, humiliation, whatever the case may be…it is then that we have our most lucid moments, seeing the glory and holiness of our Creator and the sinfulness of us, His creation. As difficult as it is, these are the moments to thank God for…that we may truly see who we are and use that vision to propel us onto true repentance; that we may, like the rose, blossom forth into a sweetly fragranced flower, and become a witness of the creative energies of the Master Gardener, our Lord Jesus Christ.

  
  

  With much love,

  + Pat, Stacey, Donna, Eleni and Candace

  
  

  “Prez to Prez” was created to encourage and support Presvyteres of the Holy Orthodox Church in faith, in love, and in relationships with their husbands and families.

  
  

  It was such a joy to share in the San Francisco Metropolis Sisterhood Retreat last weekend. We were blessed to have Sister Magdalene of the Community of St. John the Baptist in Essex be our guest speaker.  We wanted to include her address this week, in case any of our sisters and their parish bookstores are interested in ordering her most recent book entitled “Conversations with Children” Communicating our Faith.  It is extraordinary!   This book is very costly when purchased through bookseller throughout the United States, but if you write directly to Sister Magdalene, she will send you books at 40% off + shipping costs.  (Your final payment will need to be made in British Pounds).  Well worth the effort for a fabulous book – especially for families in your community!  Her address is:

  Sister Magdalene

  Community of St. John the Baptist

  Tolleshunt Knights 

  Maldon

  Essex CM9 8EZ

  ENGLAND

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