Message of 10-28-09
Published: Sat, 10/24/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
The Bible calls the good person's life a light; and it is the
nature of light to flow out spontaneously in all directions, and
fill the world unconsciously with its beams.
- Horace Bushnell
(Let the Light of God shine forth through you this day.)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Eph 2:19-22; Ps 19:2-3, 4-5; Lk 6:12-16
R. (5a) Their message goes out through all the earth.
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day,
and night to night imparts knowledge.
Not a word nor a discourse
whose voice is not heard;
Through all the earth their voice resounds,
and to the ends of the world, their message.
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SCRIPTURE MEDITATION
From "Daily Bread"
- http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a
temple sacred to the Lord."
We know very little about the apostles Simon (the Zealot) and Jude,
as is the case with most of the Twelve Apostles. Jesus certainly
chose some unlikely people to be his closest companions and to
guide the church after his ascension -- ignorant fishermen, a
despised tax collector and a one-time member of the rebellious
Zealots. The point is beautifully made in the first reading. We,
like the apostles, are being formed through Christ into a temple
for God. We are perfected by God's grace in Jesus Christ. None of
us earns this or deserves it. It is all God's gracious gift.
"We thank you, Lord, for making us your own; use us as you will."
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WHAT IS CHRISTIAN LOVE?
by Philip St. Romain©
Adapted from "Freedom from Codependency: A Christian Response"
http://shalomplace.com/view/codep.html
- Dysfunctional Beliefs About Love -
part 3 of 5
- "Love means I must never say no to someone in need."
A literal interpretation of this teaching would result in the loss
of boundaries that characterizes codependency. Sometimes you must
say no, even to those in need. If you respond to every request for
charity that comes your way through television, radio, and the
mail, you will go broke. The true Christian value is to remain
open in your heart while giving what you can when you can--and that
includes giving to family and self.
- "It is better to work than to play."
Many adults have trouble with this one. It is typical that people
in dysfunctional families grow up too quickly and miss their
childhood. Their parents discouraged child-play and forced them to
become too responsible too young. As adults, they still feel
guilty when they are not doing something productive. This attitude
distorts the Christian value of productive labor.
(Part 4 of 12 part series)
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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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Amazon.com gift cards - good for any occasion
- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00067L6TQ/?tag=christianspiritu
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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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