|
|
|
|
| |
| Signed up: |
7 years ago (11/01/05)
|
|
|
Last signed in:
|
4 days ago
|
| |
|
|
|
Block |
|
|
|
|
|
| cloudstrifeX |
 | Sponsor |
|
|
|
|
|
Journal EntriesI'm behind on my journal entries now. The main reason for this is that I'm really busy with the end of the school semester winding down. This is my last semester as an undergraduate students, and i'm having some small difficulties with making sure that all my classes work out well in the end. So I may not post the entries for a bit. I'm only doing once a week anyway.
I will catch up with the entries when I have the time. By this I mean that I will post two journal entries by the end of this Friday, or perhaps three by the end of Next Friday as time permits. A great deal of thought and picture hunting preceeds the journal entries, which is why it takes a bit for me to complete them. When I do a thing, I like it to be done right. In order to do that in this case, I will have to devote more time to it than I am currently able to. Hopefully they will be up soon.
|
|
|
A Journal Entry from March 9 2013The next journal entries become more centered on Celtic spirituality. For these I will write an entry and then put pictures of the places that i reference at the end of the entries.
Today was something altogether out of this world. This morning we ate breakfast at the Kippure estate where we are staying. We drove a ways South to Glendalough, the ancient monastery. We saw a video about the history of the beautiful place. Afterwards we were shown around the monastery by an old Catholic priest named Father Michael. We walked a labyrinth where we contemplated ourselves and our walk through life. After, he took us through Glendalough and taught us the 4 pillars of Celtic Christianity. These are creation, redemption, solitude, and community.
These were all portrayed by St. Kevin who founded the monastery in the 11th century. He lived there, and many stories were told about him. One of the most notable was a way in which he was on in prayer with the Maker and Nature. St. Kevin stood overlooking the greater lake of Glendalough praying with his arms outstretched. He prayed so long that a blackbird laid an egg on his palm. So as not to disturb the egg, St. Kevin remained praying with his arms outstretched until the egg hatched. This story displays his good stewardship of Nature, as well as his dedication to prayer.
Father Michael then took us down the mountain a ways to where St. Kevin lived. The building was still mostly intact. It was as if we had stepped back into the past. A beautiful work of stone and mortar surrounded by a small cemetery. Father Michael then led us back to the base of the mountain so that we might have a better look at the Loch or Great Lake (also spelled Lough).
It was quite vast and had a cave close to its center where St. Kevin was said to have met a monstrous beast. From there we walked to the center of the ancient monastic community. There we saw an ancient bell tower that was used at the time. It also had a cathedral, as well as some smaller chapels and buildings that were still intact. The inside was a marvel to see, the cathedral was something from an age gone past.
Father Michael spoke to us about the Celtic cross and its meaning. The Celtic cross is a standard cross, but has a circle through it at the top. The circle represents creation, and the cross through it represents Christ's entrance into creation, his redemption of it, and creation's cycle that continues through it. There was a custom there of wrapping your arms around the cross backwards and making a wish to the Maker.
After this, Father Michael departed, and we went to a nearby cafe, where we ate and discussed our experiences of the day. In every way, it was a rewarding day. We went back to the Kippure estate and rested from our journey.
May the Maker watch over us all as we continue our journey through this land. The Maker is the Alpha and the Omega. May his name endure forever and ever.
Kippure estate, where we stayed
Another from Kippure
Glendalough entrance
Glendalough Bell Tower and Cathedral
Glendalough Scenery
Where The story about St. Kevin Took Place
St. Kevin's Home
The Great Loch of Glendalough
SHEEP!!!
From the Inside of St. Kevin's Cathedral
|
|
|
A Journal Entry from March 8 2013We have landed in Ireland. Today we went to Trinity College in Dublin, where we saw a fantastic library.
They based the Star Wars Archives in the capital after this library. There were busts of philosophers and other famous men who have had an impact on history.
The book of Kells was not on display which was disappointing, but there were still a lot of amazing things to see. I took several photographs, as I though there were significant things. This is definitely going to be a great trip, and on that I will never forget. Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to wake up early and take some pictures. The country is so beautiful and I want to be able to remember it. We are staying in the middle of a very rural area, and it has a beauty and simplicity I did not think could still exist in this world. I am very fortunate to be here, and am eagerly looking forward to everything that this trip has to offer. I will now include a small prayer that we have been asked to say. I will conclude each journal entry with this prayer, and perhaps add more to it as the trip progresses. May the maker watch over us all and shift every mind here to his purpose. The maker is the alpha and the omega. May his name endure forever and ever.
Another Picture from Ireland of a sculpture in the middle of Dublin
|
|
|
A Journal Entry from March 7 2013My companion and I are sitting in terminal D of DFW airport. We are waiting to embark on our flight to London, where we will board another to Dublin, Ireland. So many people moving about the place. So many different destinations lie ahead of them.
Traveling always brings out an apprehensive streak in my companion. We are among a large group of students. We will be doing a number of mission work activities while we are there, as well as visiting many places that hold importance for Celtic spirituality. I am also involved in a three hour course called Recovering Ancient Spiritual practices (Celtic). I believe that this trip will be a wonderful opportunity, as well as a good chance for my companion and I to meet new friends and grow closer. Hopefully this trip will lead to long lasting friendships as well.
Bathroom and baby changing room sign in London
Be sure to check in next week for another journal entry. More pictures, and more story to come!
|
|
|
Beginning of a Journal SeriesI just recently went on a trip to Ireland for about 11 days. I had a great trip, and as I went I journaled about what all the group and I did there. I went to Ireland as a part of a class that I'm taking called Recovering Ancient Celtic Spiritual Practices. This is a theology class at the university that I go to. Once I got back I decided that I would post a weekly journal here on the site from each of the days that I was gone. The reason I'm only releasing one journal every week, one for each day, is because I plan for them to include pictures and other descriptions of what I journaled about.
Please not that because I was taking a theology class, the journals will make mention of religious practices. Please do not comment on this, it is simply a large part of the experience of the trip. If you have any questions about any of the things that I describe, please do comment and I would be happy to elaborate as much as I am able on any and all things that I describe in the journal.
The point of these entries are entertainment only. I cannot stress enough that I in no way am trying to persuade any one to a religious belief. I hope that all readers will enjoy these journal entries, descriptions and experiences that I had in Ireland, and as I said before, please do not hesitate to ask if you have any questions. The first entry will be put up next Friday, and I will continue in that fashion, until all the journal entries have been posted. These journal entries will therefore probably continue for about 11 weeks. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them. Check in next week for the first entry.
|
|
|
Is it really okay when it's in a three way?
|
|
|
Captain America!I finally ponied up the dough to go and see Cap. America yesterday, and I have to say it was better than I expected it to be. Obviously they had to glaze over some of the better parts of the story with how much they wanted to get accomplished in the movie, but other than that I'd say they did a pretty good job with it. I would have liked to see more interaction with the red skull because it seemed like the movie was mainly focused on cap. and didn't really show enough of what hydra was doing to keep me interested. Hopefully in the avengers they will get to have more of a chance to investigate the doings of the villains. All in all though it was a great movie i think the funniest thing was when i finally figured out that dum dum dugan was the same guy who played tin man. I hadn't really seen him in anything besides tin man and was surprised i recognized him.
|
|
|
ComicCon!It's been quite the ride these past few days, but i've seen great previews for batman year one, alcatraz, tera nova, and of course going to some great panels like chuck, psych, game of thrones, among others. I've really had a great time here in San Diego and I'm looking forward to getting home and waiting for these new shows, comics, and books to come out. Everything so far has been really awesome, and I hope it continues to be, GO COMICON!
|
|
Watch
Add Friend
Invite to Group
