Weekend Edition - A Daily Spiritual Seed
Published: Mon, 06/08/09
- readings, teachings, references and reviews -
Contents:
- Weekend Readings
- Spiritual Growth Resource of the Month
- Theology Note of the Week
- Saint of the Week
- Book of the Week
- Spiritual Growth Resource of the Month
- Shalom Place Discussion Board
- Personal Spiritual Guidance
- Affiliate Web Sites
- Website of the Week
- Joke of the Week
- - -
WEEKEND READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Saturday: 2 Cor 12:1-10; Ps 34:8-9, 10-11, 12-13; Lk 2:41-51
Sunday: Jb 38:1, 8-11; Ps 107:23-31; 2 Cor 5:14-17; Mk
4:35-41
R. (1b) Give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting.
They who sailed the sea in ships,
trading on the deep waters,
These saw the works of the LORD
and his wonders in the abyss.
His command raised up a storm wind
which tossed its waves on high.
They mounted up to heaven; they sank to the depths;
their hearts melted away in their plight.
They cried to the LORD in their distress;
from their straits he rescued them,
He hushed the storm to a gentle breeze,
and the billows of the sea were stilled.
They rejoiced that they were calmed,
and he brought them to their desired haven.
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his kindness
and his wondrous deeds to the children of men.
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SPIRITUAL GROWTH RESOURCE OF THE MONTH
The Chakra System: A Christian Understanding
- http://shalomplace.com/inetmin/chakras/index.html
Eight audio conferences plus handouts presented by Philip St.
Romain, M.S., D. Min.
The encounter between Eastern forms of mysticism and Christian
spirituality is one of the most significant "signs of the times."
One extreme response to this is syncretism, in which various
elements from different traditions are extracted and synthesized
into a new spiritual tradition. This seems to characterize much of
what is called "New Age" spirituality. The other extreme is to
minimize the importance of the East-West interaction, or to view
these traditions as inherently contradictory. Some of the far right
of Christian thinking tend toward this view. Finding a middle
ground which respects the uniqueness of differing religious
traditions, while learning what is useful in them to enhance one's
spiritual growth is a difficult challenge.
In this workshop, Dr. Philip St. Romain avoids the extremes of
syncretism and triumphalism as he reflects on the significance of
the Hindu/yogic metaphysical view of human nature. Similarities and
differences between this paradigm and the traditional Western,
scholastic view are noted, along with parallels between the powers
of the chakras and various developmental theories. Practical
implications for growth, healing and spiritual direction are noted,
while helpful resource handouts are provided.
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THEOLOGY NOTE OF THE WEEK
- Covenant Theology
A system of theology that views God's dealings with man in respect
of covenants rather than dispensations (periods of time). It
represents the whole of scripture as covenantal in structure and
theme. Some believe there is one Covenant and others believe two
and still others believe in more. The two main covenants are
covenant of works in the O.T. made between God and Adam, and the
Covenant of Grace between the Father and the Son where the Father
promised to give the Son the elect and the Son must redeem them.
Some consider these to be one and the same. The covenants have been
made since before the world was made (Heb. 13:20).
- http://www.carm.org/dictionary.htm
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SAINT OF THE WEEK
- June 27th. St. Cyril of Alexandria.
This outstanding theologian and Bishop was born in Alexandria in
376 and died in 444. He gathered together and refined, with many
insights of his own, the earlier teachings of St. Athanasius, St.
Basil and St. Gregory Nazianzen on the Holy Trinity and the Person
of Christ. He attracted many opponents, including the Imperial
Governor of Alexandria, and it is impossible to deny an impulsive
streak in his character. As a debater he has been described as
"vigorous", which is something of an understatement. Cyril opposed
the teachings of Nestorius, who held that in Christ humanity and
divinity were not truly united, and thus Mary could not properly be
called 'Mother of God'. In 431 the Council of Ephesus was convened
and, after first agreeing with Nestorius, was then swayed in the
opposite direction by Cyril's pleading and duly defined Mary with
the title by which she has been known ever since: 'Mother of God'
[Theotokos]. Despite his impulsive nature, and tendency not to
listen to what others were really saying, Cyril is a real champion
of orthodox Christianity and the true inspiration of the third
Great Council of the Church (after Nicaea and Constantinople). His
sermons contain important contributions to the understanding of the
Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and the role of Mary in
the Incarnation. He was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1882.
- http://www.hullp.demon.co.uk/SacredHeart/saint/index.html
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BOOK OF THE WEEK
"The Cup of Our Life: A Guide for Spiritual Growth," by Joyce Rupp.
Ave Maria Press. 1997.
-
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0877936250/ref=noism/christianspiritu/
In "The Cup of Our Life," Joyce Rupp, OSM, offers practical
suggestions and meaningful content to aide the spiritual pilgrim in
developing a deeper and more intimate relationship with God. Once
again, she draws on her own lived experience in offering insight,
prayer practices, and meditations that will help the reader connect
the routine of her/his life to a growing communion with a loving God.
Organized on a daily basis, Rupp's book encourages the reader to
use an ordinary cup (or mug) to invite God more closely into one's
pain, suffering, joys, hopes and struggles. She explores six major
themes in the spiritual life, each one followed by prayer
suggestions including litanies, creative writing, ideas for
reflection and journal-keeping, and a celebratory ritual.
Throughout, the author manifests a profound trust in the
transformative power of the in-dwelling God, and in the dailiness
of God's presence with all those who seek with a genuine heart.
Rupp's style is informal, accessible, poetic and, at times,
profoundly moving. She is a fine writer and spiritual guide,
sharing her experiential insights with great freedom, clarity and
lyric simplicity. This is a book I have returned to more than once
for its prayerful sensitivity, poetic language and wisdom. I
recommend it highly.
(Amazon.com book reviewer.)
Make the Christian Spirituality Bookstore your starting point for
online shopping at Amazon.com. You can buy books, cds, videotapes,
software, appliances and many other products at discount prices.
As Amazon.com affiliate, we are paid a small fee for purchases
originating from our web site. Every little bit helps!
http://shalomplace.com/books/index.html
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- PERSONAL SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE -
Need a companion for the spiritual journey? We have several
wonderful people ready to help, using email and telephone
conferences to bridge the miles.
- Now providing -
Consultations: this option is best for short-term guidance
pertaining to a specific issue.
Spiritual Direction: ongoing relationship with a spiritual director
to become more attuned to God's presence in all of life.
See http://shalomplace.com/direction/
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SHALOM PLACE DISCUSSION BOARDS
The discussion board has a new home:
- http://shalomplace.org/eve/forums
A few active discussions:
Bernadette Roberts responds to Jim Arraj - Christian Spirituality
Issues forum.
From false gods to Christ - Transformative Experiences forum.
On the nature of evil - Christian Morality and Theology forum.
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AFFILIATE WEB SITES (please give them a visit)
Emanuella House of Prayer: a place for prayer and silence in
British Columbia
http://members.axion.net/~massf/
The Ark: Providing a variety of scripture and lectionary study
resources.
http://www.theark1.com
Kyrie Places of Pilgrimmage and Renewal.
http://www.kyrie.com/places/index.htm
Contemplative Rudder: "In the midst of Consecrated Silence'
atmospherics ... a Rudder!
http://www.contemplativerudder.com/
Inner Explorations: a vast array of spirituality resources for the
mature Christian.
http://innerexplorations.com
The Sanctuary Foundation for Prayer: resources for spiritual growth.
http://fromholyground.org/index.htm
SeeScapes. Picturing the deeper dimensions of our spirituality.
http://www.seescapes.com
Temenos Catholic Worker: support for homeless youth in Polk Street
neighborhood, San Francisco
http://www.temenos.org/
Contemplative Ministries of the Pacific Northwest: teaching and
support on contemplative practice
http://www.prayeroftheheart.com
Heartland Center for Spirituality (sponsoring Internet workshops
year-round).
http://www.heartlandspirituality.org/index.html
(Reach other people who have a similar interest in Christian
spirituality. Simply publish a link to Daily Spiritual Seed--
http://shalomplace.com/seed --on a prominent place on your web site
and we will reciprocate with a weekly link to your site in the
newsletter. Contact the Editor when you're ready to begin.)
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WEB SITE OF THE WEEK
Christian Wallpaper
- http://www.christian-wallpaper.com/
Pretty straightforward. They provide a wide range of wallpaper
(desktop pattern) you can download to your computer. There's an
annoying audio ad for each page, so turn your sound off (unless you
really believe you have been selected to win a free Apple iPhone
and want to find out how to get it).
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JOKE OF THE WEEK
- The church horse
There was a preacher that was trying to sell his horse. A potential
buyer came to the church for a test ride.
"Before you start" the preacher said,"you should know that this
horse only responds to church talk. Go is praise the lord and stop
is amen."
So the man on the horse says " Praise the lord," and the horse
starts to trot. The man again says "Praise the lord," and the horse
starts to gallop.
Suddenly there is a cliff right in front of the horse and the man
yells "Amen!!!" The horse stops just at the edge of the cliff.
The man wipes the sweat from his brow and says "Praise the Lord."
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Please help support Heartland Center's Internet ministries:
- For more info on tax-deductible donations, see
http://shalomplace.com/seed/donations.html.
Thanks for your consideration!
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