Message of 7-29-09
Published: Mon, 07/20/09
MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Our greatest victories are won on our knees and with empty stomachs.
- Julio C. Ruibal
(What role does fasting play in your spiritual practice?)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Ex 34:29-35; Ps 99:5, 6, 7, 9; Jn 11:19-27 or Lk 10:38-42
R. (see 9c) Holy is the Lord our God.
Extol the LORD, our God,
and worship at his footstool;
holy is he!
Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
and Samuel, among those who called upon his name;
they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
From the pillar of cloud he spoke to them;
they heard his decrees and the law he gave them.
Extol the LORD, our God,
and worship at his holy mountain;
for holy is the LORD, our God.
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SCRIPTURE MEDITATION
From "Daily Bread"
- http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give
you."
Martha appears only twice in scripture -- Luke 10 and John 11 -- yet
these brief passages tell us what is important about her, and also
much that should be important to us. She welcomes Jesus to her
daily life, serves him (never mind her complaint about Mary's
failure to pitch in), trusts him in a time of sorrow and trouble
and is receptive to his radical teaching. Is Jesus welcome in every
facet of my life? Do I serve him in those who are hungry, lonely or
suffering? Do I open myself always to the perfecting of my faith?
"Come, Lord Jesus, into every aspect of my life."
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GOD, SELF AND EGO: Meanings and Discernments
by Philip St. Romain© (doctoral project manuscript)
- see http://shalomplace.com/view/godselfego.html
Considering the relationship between God, Self, and Ego
together, then, one can conclude that no disharmony is implied in
the
nature of the relationship between these entities. The Self which
Ego manifests is God's "habitat" in each person. To the extent that
the Ego is in a harmonious relationship with Self, it is also in
harmony with God, and knows something of the presence of God in
Self. Thus the dignity of Ego is affirmed in this view.
- Part 6 of 15 of general overview
See http://shalomplace.com/view/godselfego.html for the complete
work
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REVIEW OF DAY
- from, "Handbook for Spiritual Directees"
http://shalomplace.com/view/hndbk-lite.pdf
Here is a practice used by many at the end of the day to see what
lessons can be learned and how God was present and active through
the day. Set aside fifteen to twenty minutes at the end of the
day for prayer and review of your day. A suggested format is
described below:.
1. Take a few moments of quiet. Breathe deeply. Ask God to help you
see yourself as you truly were during the day.
2. Look back over your day - not to see what you did wrong but to
honestly acknowledge what was going on with you and others.
* What happened? What did I do today?
* How did I feel? Why did I feel that way?
* Were my expectations and beliefs reasonable?
3. Affirm the healthy things you recognize.
4. Admit to yourself and God the unhealthy things. Ask God's
forgiveness, believe it is yours, then decide if you need to
apologize or make amends.
5. Use creative visualization to grow stronger. Honestly
acknowledge the troubling situations of the day. See and feel
yourself acting honestly and lovingly in these situations. Ask God
for the grace to help you act in this new way.
6. Close with simple awareness of the sights and sounds around you,
grateful for the good things in your life.
This process can be undertaken as a daily journal exercise or by
prayerfully reviewing your day in your own mind. I like to take a
walk before bedtime for examen. The important thing is to do it. It
is a discipline, to be sure, but a very important one.
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SHALOM PLACE PREMIUM GROUPS
- Life-long learning and formation in Christian spirituality.
Groups now open include the following:
A. Psychological Types and Spirituality
B. The Way of Christian Spirituality
C. Freedom from Codependency
D. Christian Spirituality Resources
E. Wonderfully Made (Christian Metaphysics)
F. Growing in Christ
G. Spiral Dynamics®
H. Discerning God's Will
I. Dark Night of the Soul
J. Silence, Solitude and Sabbath
K. Alpha Group -- includes all the above and all to come.
- see http://shalomplace.org/groups.html
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