Message of 10-16-09
Published: Mon, 09/28/09
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
The question, you see, is not to prepare (for something specific)
but to live in a state of ongoing preparedness so that, when
someone who is drowning in the world comes into your world, you are
ready to reach out and help . . . to let them be part of your life
in God -- that's ministering.
- Henri J. M. Nouwen
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Rom 4:1-8; Ps 32:1b-2, 5, 11; Lk 12:1-7
R. (see 7) I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me
with the joy of salvation.
Blessed is he whose fault is taken away,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt,
in whose spirit there is no guile.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
my guilt I covered not.
I said, "I confess my faults to the LORD,"
and you took away the guilt of my sin.
Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you just;
exult, all you upright of heart.
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SCRIPTURE MEDITATION
- from http://dailyscripture.net/
What does fear have to do with the kingdom of God? Fear is a
powerful force. It can lead us to panic and flight or it can spur
us to faith and action. The fear of God is the antidote to the fear
of losing one's life. "I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and
delivered me from all my fears. ..O fear the Lord, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no want! ..Come, O sons, listen to me,
I will teach you the fear of the Lord." (Psalm 34:4,9,11) What is
godly fear? It is reverence for the One who made us in love and who
sustains us in mercy and kindness. The greatest injury or loss
which we can experience is not physical but spiritual - the loss of
one's soul to the power of hell. A healthy fear of God leads to
spiritual maturity, wisdom and right judgment and it frees us from
the tyranny of sinful pride, deceit and cowardice - especially in
the face of evil and spiritual deception. Do you trust in God's
grace and mercy and do you submit to his word?
"Lord Jesus, may the light of your word free my heart from the
deception of sin and consume me with a burning love for your truth
and righteousness."
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
- "The Practice of the Presence of God," by Brother Lawrence
I know not how GOD will dispose of me: I am always happy: all the
world suffer; and I, who deserve the severest discipline, feel joys
so continual, and so great, that I can scarce contain them.
I would willingly ask of GOD a part of your sufferings, but that I
know my weakness, which is so great, that if He left me one moment
to myself, I should be the most wretched man alive. And yet I know
not how He can leave me alone, because faith gives me as strong a
conviction as sense can do, that He never forsakes us, till we have
first forsaken Him. Let us fear to leave Him. Let us be always with
Him. Let us live and die in His presence. Do you pray for me, as I
for you.
- 12th Letter - to one who is in great pain.
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PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE (Benedictine Approach)
1. Relax. Settle in. Be aware that God is here, now, loving you.
2. Read a short passage of Scripture as though God were speaking
directly to you in it.
3. Choose a phrase from the passage that strikes you and repeat it
slowly, prayerfully, non-analytically.
4. When your heart is full, express to God the needs and sentiments
awakened by your meditation. When you're done, read another passage
and repeat steps 3 and 4.
5. If, at any time, you feel moved to simply be present to God in
loving silence, put the Scripture aside and rest in God.
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