as you might know, i am "a living part" of protestant church. it's an old church with its roots reaching to 15th century. nowdays it's a mixture of lutheranism, calvinism and old czech protestant faith (moravian brothers have their roots there too). and we have a ceremony called confirmation, when you, on your very own, express your believes in Jesus and your baptism. for me it's maybe even more important than baptism itself. because yet now it's your word, your faith, your decision. not your parents'. thus i think it was one of the most significant acts in my whole life.
and today, my sister has her confirmation. i'm very happy to see her going through this path in her life and i hope (as has it our parson said) that today it's just a beginning - the whole life is before her... i can't fully describe the feeling of happiness i am experiencing just now... high on live? sure. it perfectly fits to what was the main theme of today sermon. it was based on philippians 4,4-5: "rejoice in the Lord always. i will say it again: rejoice! let your gentleness be evident to all. the Lord is near."
in the world we live in, there's a huge need of such a message. i've seen in the news, that american president, mr.bush is going to break the promise made by last us government about fighting against global warming. there's nothing of more importance than american money for him. in makedonia and other places on our planet, the fight is still on, people are dying. etc. so i'd like to end with the words i hold in my mind firmly. these come from 23. psalm: "even though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death, i fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies; thou anointest my head with oil, my cup overflows. surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and i shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."

when i'm really down (yeah, days of elation aren't that often), i repeat those words... and it works. for real.

          adamm