Weekend Edition - A Daily Spiritual Seed
Published: Fri, 06/05/09
- 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 5:14-21; Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12; Mt
5:33-37
Sunday: Ex 24:3-8; Ps 116:12-13, 15-18; Heb 9:11-15; Mk
14:12-16, 22-26
R. (13) I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of
the Lord.
How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
Precious in the eyes of the LORD
is the death of his faithful ones.
I am your servant, the son of your handmaid;
you have loosed my bonds.
To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
My vows to the LORD I will pay
in the presence of all his people.
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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
An agreement between two parties. The agreement, according to
Ancient Near East custom, consists of five parts: 1) Identification
of parties, 2) Historical prologue where the deeds establishing the
worthiness of the dominant party is established, 3) Conditions of
the agreement, 4) Rewards and punishments in regard to keeping the
conditions, and 5) Disposition of the documents where each party
receives a copy of the agreement (e.g. the two tablets of stone of
the 10 Commandments).
Ultimately, the covenants God has made with man result in our
benefit. We receive eternal blessings from the covenant of grace.
(For further study see Gen. 2:16-17; 9:1-17; 15:18; Gen. 26:3-5;
Gal. 3:16-18; Luke 1:68-79; Heb. 13:20).
- http://www.carm.org/dictionary.htm
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SAINT OF THE WEEK
- June 16th. SS. Cyricus & Julitta.
Julitta was a widow from Iconium (now Konya, Turkey) who took her
young son Cyricus, aged 3, south to Tarsus to escape the
persecution of the Emperor Diocletian (304) but was recognised and
betrayed; both were put to death. Cyricus' fame as a child martyr
was widespread and immediate, sometimes divorced from that of his
mother, however. Cyricus' popularity was most marked in France,
which received some relics of him brought back from Antioch by the
4th century bishop Amator of Auxerre. His name was rendered as Cyr;
among other things, St-Cyr is the name of the French military
academy, the French equivalent of Sandhurst. There is also the
story of the child saint's appearance to the Emperor Charlemagne
during a hunt, when the Emperor's life was in danger from a wild
boar. The young saint offered protection to the Emperor provided he
himself were given some warm clothes. Some interpreters assumed
this meant that the Emperor should give alms to the poor, but the
Bishop of nearby Nevers, strapped for cash and with a delapidated
building to see to, shrewdly furnished another explanation of the
vision: it meant the Emperor was to pay for repairs to the roof of
Nevers Cathedral (dedicated as it was to St. Cyr). Later cathedral
authorities needing to raise cash for repairs - including our own -
have unfortunately been unable to have recourse to similar methods.
There are a number of church dedications to St. Cyricus in England:
for example, Newton St. Cyres, outside Exeter.
- http://www.hullp.demon.co.uk/SacredHeart/saint/index.html
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BOOK OF THE WEEK
"Forgotten Truth: The Common Vision of the World Religions," by
Huston Smith. Harper. 1992.
-
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0062507877/ref=noism/christianspiritu/
Huston Smith probes deep into the ideas that underlie all religion.
He does not solely restrict himself to the 'major' religions, but
rather examines the frame work, the ideas on which all religion and
spirituality rest. He even allows himself to delve into science as
he ventures to show how some recent (when the book was written)
scientific evidence only furthers the case that there is
'Something' else to this universe than our simple existence. The
questions that he seeks to answer through the frameowrk he develops
in the early chapters, and in my opinion answers as well as any
human can, are: Who is 'God'; Who are 'we'; What is our
relationship with 'God'; And what does this relationship imply for
our earthly life. This book is not written for the beginner, but if
you are bold enough to take it on it will bring your understanding
of religion to an entirely new level.
(Amazon.com book review.)
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)
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
Emanuella House of Prayer: a place for prayer and silence in
British Columbia
http://members.axion.net/~massf/
(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
Gospel Music Channel
- http://www.gospelmusicchannel.com/
"Gospel music is more than the music of America's churches. From
the soulful voices that fill the storied halls of Harlem to the
contemporary sounds of today's Christian Pop, Rock, Hip Hop and R&B
- Gospel music has never been more diverse. Sales now account for
nearly 8% of all music purchased in the United States, selling
seven CDs for every ten purchased in country music.
With this in mind, Gospel Music Channel has set out to be the first
and preeminent provider of this exceptional breed of music,
delivering high-quality music entertainment and gospel music videos
to a currently under-served market.
This is not just another music channel, but a network that will
entertain, uplift and inspire you and your family. "
- from the website
This is an award-winning website, very well designed, with a wide
range of resources, including music videos, streaming music, and
info on artists.
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JOKE OF THE WEEK
- Three Doctors
Three doctors are waiting in line to get into the Pearly Gates. St.
Peter walks out and asks the first one, "What have you done to
enter Heaven?"
"I am a pediatrician and have brought thousands of the Lord's
babies into the world."
"Good enough to enter the gates," replied St. Peter and in he goes.
The same question is asked of the second doctor.
"I am a general practioner and go to Third World countries three
times a year to cure the poor." St. Peter is impressed and allows
him through the gates. The third doctor steps up in line and
knowing the question, blurts out, "I am a director of an HMO."
St. Peter meditates on this for a while and then says, "Fine, you
can enter Heaven...but only for 2 days."
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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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