Message of 6-30-10
Published: Thu, 06/24/10
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of
God's grace. And your best days are never so good that you are
beyond the need of God's grace.
- Anonymous
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Am 5:14-15, 21-24; Ps 50:7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 16bc-17; Mt
8:28-34
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
"Hear, my people, and I will speak;
Israel, I will testify against you;
God, your God, am I."
"Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before me always.
I take from your house no bullock,
no goats out of your fold."
"For mine are all the animals of the forests,
beasts by the thousand on my mountains.
I know all the birds of the air,
and whatever stirs in the plains, belongs to me."
"If I were hungry, I should not tell you,
for mine are the world and its fullness.
Do I eat the flesh of strong bulls,
or is the blood of goats my drink?"
"Why do you recite my statutes,
and profess my covenant with your mouth,
Though you hate discipline
and cast my words behind you?"
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SCRIPTURE MEDITATION
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"... two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him."
We all suffer from our personal demons. The effects of sin and
guilt can make us feel isolated and unworthy to be in the presence
of those whom we consider whole and holy. Whether we seek the
Lord's healing or accidentally come across him on the road as we
struggle with our transgressions, the outcome is the same. Evil has
no hold over the Lord. He confronts it directly and triumphs. The
Lord wants to free us of our afflictions and to welcome us home.
Let's allow him to drive the powers of evil from our midst.
"Lord, release us from the bonds of sin, we pray."
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AT THE MASTER'S FEET
- by Sadhu Sundar Singh
4. Many who are immersed in sin are unaware of its load, just as
one who dives into the water may have tons of water upon him, but
is wholly unaware of its weight until he is choked in death. But he
who emerges from the water and seeks to carry some away soon finds
its weight, however little he takes up; and he who, finding the
burden of his sin, comes to Me in penitence will freely receive
true rest, for it is such I come to seek and to save (Matt. xi.28,
Luke xix.10).
- Part II, Section 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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