Message of 6-16-10
Published: Sun, 06/13/10
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Of this at least I am certain, that no one has ever died who was
not destined to die some time. Now the end of life puts the longest
life on a par with the shortest... And of what consequence is it
what kind of death puts an end to life, since he who has died once
is not forced to go through the same ordeal a second time? ...
They, then, who are destined to die, need not be careful to inquire
what death they are to die, but into what place death will usher
them.
- St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430), "The City of God"
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
1 Kgs 2:1, 6-14; Ps 31:20, 21, 24; Mt 6:1-6, 16-18
R. (25) Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
How great is the goodness, O LORD,
which you have in store for those who fear you,
And which, toward those who take refuge in you,
you show in the sight of the children of men.
You hide them in the shelter of your presence
from the plottings of men;
You screen them within your abode
from the strife of tongues.
Love the LORD, all you his faithful ones!
The LORD keeps those who are constant,
but more than requites those who act proudly.
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SCRIPTURE MEDITATION
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"If you forgive others ... your heavenly Father will forgive you."
We can easily misinterpret the concept of divine forgiveness in the
Lord's Prayer. In our narrow hearts, we lean toward a tit-for-tat
mentality, as though God's love and mercy were conditional upon our
own. God loves each of us absolutely, unconditionally and always,
even in our sinfulness. But in order to complete the circuit, love
must not only be given; it must also be received. When we truly
forgive others, we empty our hearts of bitterness,
self-justification and the desire for revenge. We soften our hearts
toward the offender and perhaps even extend some compassion to
them. Only then are we capable of receiving God's mercy.
"Lord, teach us to forgive, that we may know forgiveness."
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AT THE MASTER'S FEET
- by Sadhu Sundar Singh
- continuing:
The Disciple: "Master, it is clear to almost everyone that to
disobey God and to cease to worship Him is sin, and the deadly
result is seen in the present state of the world. But what sin
really is is not absolutely clear. In the very presence of Almighty
God, and in opposition to His will, and in His own world, how did
sin come to be?"
2. (continued) First of all, the boundless love of God was made
manifest in the incarnation and redemption, which under other
circumstances would have remained hidden; and in the second place,
the redeemed, after having tasted the bitterness of sin, will more
richly enjoy the happiness of heaven, just as after a taste of
bitterness the sweetness of honey gives greater delight. For in
heaven they sin no more, but in meekness and obedient love they
serve their Father God, and abide with Him in joy for evermore.
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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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Groups now open include the following:
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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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