Message of 9-10-09
Published: Mon, 09/07/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
- - -
MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Here is the great secret of success. Work with all your might; but
trust not in the least in your work. Pray with all your might for
the blessing of God; but work, at the same time, with all
diligence, with all patience, with all perseverance. Pray then, and
work. Work and pray. And still again pray, and then work. And so on
all the days of your life. The result will surely be, abundant
blessing. Whether you see much fruit or little fruit, such kind of
service will be blessed...
- George Muller
(And don't forget to "play" while you're at it! ;-) )
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Col 3:12-17; Ps 150:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6; Lk 6:27-38
R. (6) Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise the LORD in his sanctuary,
praise him in the firmament of his strength.
Praise him for his mighty deeds,
praise him for his sovereign majesty.
Praise him with the blast of the trumpet,
praise him with lyre and harp,
Praise him with timbrel and dance,
praise him with strings and pipe.
Praise him with sounding cymbals,
praise him with clanging cymbals.
Let everything that has breath
praise the LORD! Alleluia.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
GOSPEL MEDITATION
from "Praying the Daily Gospels," by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- Luke 6: 27-38 (Love your enemies)
Jesus never denies that we will have enemies, but he does command
us to recognize our enemies .as fellow children of God. How to love
those with whom we disagree and who oppress people is one of the
most challenging tasks facing Christians today. If we do not meet
this challenge, we shall be no different than animals who respond
kindly to those who treat them well.
- Do you believe that Christians should do something to resist
evils present in the world? Do you believe that such resistance
should never be violent? Why? Why not?
- How do you feel when your efforts at kindness are unappreciated
by others? Why should you persist in kindness? What will happen to
you if you do not persist?
- Pray for the strength and wisdom to learn to resist evil in a
loving spirit.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE (Carmelite Method)
A. Introduction: settling in, relaxing in awareness of God's
presence.
B. Reading the text slowly, prayerfully.
C. Meditation: imaginative representation of the material;
reflection
on the meaning of the material and its application to one's life.
D. Affective prayer: conversation with God, attentive to sharing
feelings awakened in meditation. Prayer of petition, thanksgiving,
remorse.
E. Resting in God in silent loving awareness, if moved to do so.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
- "Imitation of Christ," by Thomas A. Kempis
The Voice of Christ
My child, often, when the fire is burning the flame does not
ascend
without smoke. Likewise, the desires of some burn toward heavenly
things, and yet they are not free from temptations of carnal
affection. Therefore, it is not altogether for the pure honor of
God
that they act when they petition Him so earnestly. Such, too, is
often
your desire which you profess to be so strong. For that which is
alloyed with self-interest is not pure and perfect.
-------- Bk. 3, Chapter 49
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Amazon.com gift cards - good for any occasion
- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00067L6TQ/?tag=christianspiritu
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
You can help to "grow" this newsletter by forwarding copies to
friends and family members. Subscribe info is listed below.
Thanks for your support.
- - - -
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!
--------------------------------------
- - -
* Web Archive: http://www.aweber.com/z/article/?dailyseed
* RSS: http://www.aweber.com/z/rss/?dailyseed