Message of 8-11-10
Published: Sun, 08/08/10
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
God shows us His love for mankind not only when we do good, but
also when we offend and displease Him. How patiently he endures our
transgressions; and when He chastises, how mercifully He chastises!
- Seraphim of Sarov
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Ez 9:1-7; 10:18-22; Ps 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6; Mt 18:15-20
R. (4b) The glory of the Lord is higher than the skies.
Praise, you servants of the LORD,
praise the name of the LORD.
Blessed be the name of the LORD
both now and forever.
From the rising to the setting of the sun
is the name of the LORD to be praised.
High above all nations is the LORD;
above the heavens is his glory.
Who is like the LORD, our God, who is enthroned on high,
and looks upon the heavens and the earth below?
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SCRIPTURE MEDITATION
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
"Again, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything
for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my
heavenly Father."
What a powerful promise Jesus has made here. How hopeful that all
good things can be accomplished, all problems solved with prayer.
Now we must live as though we believe it. Prayer will often give us
the courage to act on a situation or to challenge the injustice we
long to correct. Prayer will give us the patience to work out a
possible resolution, the insight to see the path to our goal.
Prayer will focus our attention and energy on doing God's work day
to day.
"O Lord, give us the faith we need to believe in and act on your
great promise, we pray."
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AT THE MASTER'S FEET
- by Sadhu Sundar Singh
10. Sin is not an illusion or a thing of the imagination, but in
this state of spiritual darkness, by the exercise of the evil will
of man, such living seeds of evil have come into existence as will
for ever infect his spirit and finally destroy it--just as smallpox
in quite a short time will destroy the beauty of a man for all
time, turning it to repulsive ugliness. As God did not create
wickedness, so also He did not create disease and bodily pains.
They are simply the natural issue of man's disobedience.
- Part 2, 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
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