prison cloister
August 19th, 2010 | 
Author: “He died, in short, for our salvation, and not for the mere exhibition of charity…” St. Bernard
We constantly have to disengage and pray… not disengage because we are uninterested or irresponsible… it’s just, that we are up against some major ideological strongholds and we can’t change anyone’s minds for them, can’t market manipulation.
Ideology crafts idolatry, and it has to be the work of God’s Spirit to demolish such strongholds.
Our strength and hope are built on nothing less than His blood and righteousness. Seek first… Persecuted? Struck down? Misunderstood? Falsely positioned by whomever? Ambiguity breeds fear… Yet, no amount of paper, no matter how long the legal doc is, the NDA, the PSA, the security, the exit strategy… people are still fearful. Perfect love casts out fear, and allows us to walk with our heads held high, hearts free!!!
I love the metaphor of Clairvaux, thanks to Napoleon it’s still a maximum security prison abbey (even had an active masonic lodge). All kinds of things have tried to suck the life out of that ancient well of prayer and work. I guess I could have chosen an easier, more manageable, symbol… but it’s beautifully and painfully perfect.
Breaking prayer and work out of prison!
(like something out of the book of Acts)
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Cloister:
1. A covered walk with an open colonnade on one side, running along the walls of buildings that face a quadrangle.
2. a. A place, especially a monastery or convent, devoted to religious seclusion.
b. Life in a monastery or convent.
3. A secluded, quiet place.
tr.v. 1. To shut away from the world in or as if in a cloister; seclude.
2. To furnish (a building) with a cloister.
Prison:
1. A place for the confinement of persons in lawful detention, especially persons convicted of crimes.
2. A place or condition of confinement or forcible restraint.
3. A state of imprisonment or captivity.
tr.v. To confine in or as if in a prison; imprison.
Disengage:
1. To release from something that holds fast, connects, or entangles.
2. To release (oneself) from an engagement, pledge, or obligation.
v.intr.
To free or detach oneself; withdraw.
Stronghold:
1. A fortified place or a fortress.
2. a. A place of survival or refuge: one of the last strongholds of an age-old tradition.
b. An area dominated or occupied by a special group or distinguished by a special quality: a feminist stronghold; a stronghold of democracy.
Idealogy:
1. The body of ideas reflecting the social needs and aspirations of an individual, group, class, or culture.
2. A set of doctrines or beliefs that form the basis of a political, economic, or other system.
Idolatry:
1. Worship of idols.
2. Blind or excessive devotion to something.
Manipulation:
Shrewd or devious management, especially for one's own advantage.