Message of 10-14-09
Published: Mon, 09/28/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
The Vision that you glorify in your mind, the Ideal that you
enthrone in your heart -- this you will build your life by, this
you will become.
- James Allen, "As a Man Thinketh"
(What is the ideal that you enthrone in your heart? How does this
shape your life?)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Rom 2:1-11; Ps 62:2-3, 6-7, 9; Lk 11:42-46
R. (13b) Lord, you give back to everyone according to his works.
Only in God is my soul at rest;
from him comes my salvation.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed at all.
Only in God be at rest, my soul,
for from him comes my hope.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed.
Trust in him at all times, O my people!
Pour out your hearts before him;
God is our refuge!
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SCRIPTURE MEDITATION
From "Daily Bread"
- http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"By the standard by which you judge another you condemn yourself."
This statement from Paul could serve as our daily meditation for a
year. Imagine applying to ourselves every criticism we make of
others. Whoa! Jesus castigates those who follow every prescription
of the law, but fail at compassion. Woe! The modern tendency might
be the opposite -- professing a "feel-good" version of the Gospel
along with a general love for humankind, without expecting much of
ourselves in the way of sacrifice. Our goal might be to love each
other and demand more of ourselves in our daily practice of worship
and care for the poor.
"Lord Jesus, help us to be faithful and genuine in the practice of
our faith so that we may come to know you and inspire others."
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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
In reflecting on the meaning of Christian love, it will be helpful
to consider some common distortions about love. If these
distortions become part of one's value system, they can lead to
codependent behaviors.
First, Christian love is not codependency. Christian love does not
call for a giving of yourself that enables another to act
irresponsibly, nor is it about impressing others or trying to get
their approval. Christian love does not call for a "laying down
one's life for one's friends" that results in a negation of your
giftedness and uniqueness.
Certain teachings commonly heard in Christian circles, however, can
lead to an unhealthy giving of self in practice. Some of these
teachings are listed below:
- "I am my neighbor's keeper."
The codependent interprets this as meaning that we are responsible
for one another's feelings and happiness. A healthy understanding
is that we are all interdependent and have the responsibility to
help victims of injustice.
- "Love equals good works."
The distortion is that only those who do good works can be said to
be loving. If, in addition, we define what those good works would
be, then we would judge people according to whether or not they're
doing those works. Of course, it is possible to do good works and
be empty or resentful inside. That is a further distortion of this
Christian motto. Those who love WILL do good works, is the proper
understanding, but not all good works are done in love.
(Part 2 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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