The parish is having a two-day mission with a layman from Tucson (turns out he doesn't have a webpage. He probably doesn't have TIME!). He came to the Masses yesterday to invite us, and I was curious. Rich, meanwhile, has had a pinched shoulder (but is reluctant to go to Shoulder School at Kaiser) and was hoping for some healing. I have the odd ache and pain, and had a lot today, but they're fleeting and not serious, I hope.

I found tonight a little disappointing, mostly in my own reaction. The talks were good. They reminded us that prayer is more than "gimme" prayers. They reminded ME about the worth of some time set aside. When I was on the Reservation, we were to spend a holy hour (I believe that included the 30 minute Mass) daily, and there again God math came into play. As long as we did that, there was plenty of time for everything that needed to be done. John only asks for 20 minutes, and he passed out prayer sheets to help. I'm going to try that (as well as the Little Black Books they gave us a couple of weeks ago which I've been keeping up with.)

They (his wife was with him) kept telling us they were going to get to the healing part. Then, at last, we picked prayer partners, and of course Rich and I paired off. We were to list three things to pray for. Rich asked "what's bothering you, aside from me?" and it just shut me down... he should KNOW. I knew what was bothering HIM. So I said "nothing." I didn't WANT him praying for me at that point.

We held hands and asked for specific pains to be taken away in the name of Jesus. Then there was silent prayer. I find I can't concentrate on a prayer for all of 90 seconds, which was one of my major disappointments. Rich's shoulder didn't feel better afterwards, and I think part of it is the weak person praying for him.

Later, we were to pray for people who have hearing problems. To my utter shock (and disappointment) Rich refused to agree that this is him. It's just that nobody speaks up, you see. So I was seething (boy, what a great Christian I am!) during this part. I snuck in some prayers for him anyway, despite him!

At the end, people who felt some healing were invited up. A lot of people we know went up. Of course, there was the brain-damaged young woman who had figured everything he mentioned was wrong with her, and that she'd been healed, but there were a lot of other people we know, as well. I was particularly impressed with the young man being assisted as he walked up, with his mother pushing the wheelchair behind him.

Well, we can hope Rich's shoulder does improve. We did pray some for my hip later in the service, so we'll see.

Mickey Kaus on his Unified Kerry Theory.

Mighod. Ditto.

Lee Harris on Donks' cognitive dissonance.

Kerry--- everywhere you want to be. Heh.

Once more, the Lege is behaving foolishly... this time it's the guy who wants to lower the voting age to 14. I fired off a letter to the Bee which suggested that with this, and feng shui in offices, and naming the State Grass, that these folks have too much time on their hands, and it was time to go back to a part-time Legislature.