Message of 2-10-10
Published: Tue, 02/02/10
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
The spiritual life is a stern choice. It is not a consoling retreat
from the difficulties of existence, but an invitation to enter
fully into that difficult existence, and there apply the Charity of
God, and bear the cost.
- Evelyn Underhill
(What kind of "cost" is Charity calling forth from you lately?)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
1 Kgs 10:1-10; Ps. 37:5-6, 30-31, 39-40; Mk 7:14-23
R. (30a) The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom.
Commit to the LORD your way;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will make justice dawn for you like the light;
bright as the noonday shall be your vindication.
The mouth of the just man tells of wisdom
and his tongue utters what is right.
The law of his God is in his heart,
and his steps do not falter.
The salvation of the just is from the LORD;
he is their refuge in time of distress.
And the LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
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SCRIPTURE MEDITATION
From "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"But what comes out of a person that is what defiles. Late
educator and humorist Sam Levenson wrote these words of advice for
his grandchild: "For attractive lips, speak words of kindness; for
lovely eyes, seek out the good in people ... for poise, walk with the
knowledge that you never walk alone." As we rout out the evil
thoughts that defile our hearts and minds, we might try identifying
and building on the goodness we find there, as well. As we become
more conscious of what comes out of us -- the words we speak (and
the way we speak them), the way we look at others, the way we carry
ourselves, the attitudes we project -- let us also try to become
more efficient conduits of God's grace and love."
"For hearts filled with gratitude, kindness and love, we pray."
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AT THE MASTER'S FEET
- by Sadhu Sundar Singh
7. A mother once hid herself in a garden amongst some densely
growing shrubs, and her little son went in search of her here and
there, crying as he went. Through the whole garden he went, but
could not find her. A servant said to him, "Sonny, don't cry! Look
at the mangoes on this tree and all the pretty, pretty flowers in
the garden. Come, I am going to get some for you." But the child
cried out, "No! No! I want my mother. The food she gives me is
nicer than all the mangoes, and her love is sweeter far than all
these flowers, and indeed you know that all this garden is mine,
for all that my mother has is mine. No! I want my mother!" When the
mother, hidden in the bushes, heard this, she rushed out and,
snatching her child to her breast, smothered him with kisses, and
that garden became a paradise to the child. In this way My children
cannot find in this great garden of a world, so full of charming
and beautiful things, any true joy until they find Me. I am their
Emmanuel, who is ever with them, and I make Myself known to them
(John xiv.21).
- Chapter 1
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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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