Weekend Edition - A Daily Spiritual Seed
Published: Thu, 11/04/10
- readings, teachings, references and reviews -
Contents:
- Ad - Amazon.com gift cards
- Spiritual Growth Resource of the Month
- Weekend Readings
- Theology Note of the Week
- Saint of the Week
- Book of the Week
- Shalom Place Discussion Board
- Personal Spiritual Guidance
- Affiliate Web Sites
- Website of the Week
- Joke of the Week
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Amazon.com gift cards
- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00067L6TQ/?tag=christianspiritu
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SPIRITUAL GROWTH RESOURCE OF THE MONTH
"Becoming a New Person: Twelve Steps to Christian Growth"
This was the first book [1984] on the Twelve Steps of recovery
groups published so that anyone in the Christian tradition (even
those not in recovery) could benefit from the wisdom of the Steps.
It integrates traditional teachings on Christian spirituality with
the Twelve Step approach in such manner that any Christian working
the Steps can benefit from its basic transformative emphases.
See http://shalomplace.com/view/bnp.html to preview and for
purchase options (paperback, pdf download, ebooks).
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WEEKEND READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Saturday: Phil 4:10-19; Ps 112:1b-2, 5-6, 8a and 9; Lk
16:9-15
Sunday: 2 Mc 7:1-2, 9-14; Ps 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15; 2 Thes
2:16-3:5; Lk 20:27-38
R. (15b) Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.
Hear, O LORD, a just suit;
attend to my outcry;
hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit.
My steps have been steadfast in your paths,
my feet have not faltered.
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my word.
Keep me as the apple of your eye,
hide me in the shadow of your wings.
But I in justice shall behold your face;
on waking I shall be content in your presence.
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THEOLOGY NOTE OF THE WEEK
- Homiletics
That branch of theology concerned with preaching and sermons and
the proper way in which to deliver them.
- http://www.carm.org/h
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SAINT OF THE WEEK
- John Duns Scotus (1266-1308): Nov. 8
A humble man, John Duns Scotus has been one of the most influential
Franciscans through the centuries.
Born at Duns in the county of Berwick, Scotland, John was descended
from a wealthy farming family. In later years he was identified as
John Duns Scotus to indicate the land of his birth; Scotia is the
Latin name for Scotland.
John received the habit of the Friars Minor at Dumfries, where his
uncle Elias Duns was superior. After novitiate John studied at
Oxford and Paris and was ordained in 1291. More studies in Paris
followed until 1297, when he returned to lecture at Oxford and
Cambridge. Four years later he returned to Paris to teach and
complete the requirements for the doctorate.
In an age when many people adopted whole systems of thought without
qualification, John pointed out the richness of the
Augustinian-Franciscan tradition, appreciated the wisdom of
Aquinas, Aristotle and the Muslim philosophers--and still managed to
be an independent thinker. That quality was proven in 1303 when
King Philip the Fair tried to enlist the University of Paris on his
side in a dispute with Pope Boniface VIII. John Duns Scotus
dissented and was given three days to leave France.
In Scotus's time, some philosophers held that people are basically
determined by forces outside themselves. Free will is an illusion,
they argued. An ever practical man, Scotus said that if he started
beating someone who denied free will, the person would immediately
tell him to stop. But if Scotus didn't really have a free will, how
could he stop? John had a knack for finding illustrations his
students could remember!
After a short stay in Oxford he returned to Paris, where he
received the doctorate in 1305. He continued teaching there and in
1307 so ably defended the Immaculate Conception of Mary that the
university officially adopted his position. That same year the
minister general assigned him to the Franciscan school in Cologne
where John died in 1308. He is buried in the Franciscan church near
the famous Cologne cathedral.
Drawing on the work of John Duns Scotus, Pope Pius IX solemnly
defined the Immaculate Conception of Mary in 1854. John Duns
Scotus, the "Subtle Doctor," was beatified in 1993.
- http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1193
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BOOK OF THE WEEK
"The Power of a Praying Woman," by Stormie Omartian. Harvest House
Pub. 2002.
-
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0736919880/ref=noism/christianspiritu/
"I have come to know that God can smooth my path, calm the storms,
keep me and all I care about safe, and even make my way simple when
I ask Him to carry the complexities of life for me. But these
things don't just happen. Not without prayer." This is Omartain's
invitation to her readers. No matter your age or marital status ,
or the condition of your body or your soul, or even how long you
have been a believer, she thinks this book is meant for the
average reader.
In the introduction Omartain answers these questions:
- Why is it so hard to pray for myself?
- Where do I go to get my needs met?
- How do I move in the power of God?
Chapter one begins with this petition "Lord, draw me into a closer
walk with You". She then proceeds to tell her story, how she
followed false gods, and how she eventually found there is only one
God. She credits her change of heart to the fact that she began to
pray, even when prayer didn't seem to bring about what she most
desired. She persevered in prayer and God blessed her abundantly.
Each chapter ends with Scripture quotes related to perseverance in
prayer and the need for prayer. The chapters are loaded with short
and long prayers. She shows the reader how he/she might grow
closer to God, how one might know God's plans and purposes for
one's life, and how to receive comfort , help and strength for
every day. "Trust God moment by moment with the concerns of your
heart and discover the awesome power that prayer will release in
your life."
- thanks to Sr. Irene Hartman OP for this review.
Make the Christian Spirituality Bookstore your starting point for
online shopping at Amazon.com. You can buy books, cds, videotapes,
software, appliances and many other products at discount prices.
As Amazon.com affiliate, we are paid a small fee for purchases
originating from our web site. Every little bit helps!
http://shalomplace.com/books/index.html
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- PERSONAL SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE -
Need a companion for the spiritual journey? We have several
wonderful people ready to help, using email and telephone
conferences to bridge the miles.
- Now providing -
Consultations: this option is best for short-term guidance
pertaining to a specific issue.
Spiritual Direction: ongoing relationship with a spiritual director
to become more attuned to God's presence in all of life.
See http://shalomplace.com/direction/
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SHALOM PLACE DISCUSSION BOARDS
A variety of topics are under discussion.
ObamaNation - Religion and Culture forum.
Reflecting and non-reflecting consciousness - Christian Morality
and Theology forum.
- see http://shalomplace.org/eve/forums for this and hundreds of
other discussions.
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AFFILIATE WEB SITES (please give them a visit)
The Ark: Providing a variety of scripture and lectionary study
resources.
http://www.theark1.com
Kyrie Places of Pilgrimmage and Renewal.
http://www.kyrie.com/places/index.htm
Contemplative Rudder: "In the midst of Consecrated Silence
atmospherics ... a Rudder!
http://www.contemplativerudder.com/
Inner Explorations: a vast array of spirituality resources for the
mature Christian.
http://innerexplorations.com
The Sanctuary Foundation for Prayer: resources for spiritual growth.
http://fromholyground.org/index.htm
Institute for Women's Spiritual Dynamics: holistic, flexible,
sensible Christian spirituality for women.
http://www.womensspiritualdynamics.com/
SeeScapes. Picturing the deeper dimensions of our spirituality.
http://www.seescapes.com
Temenos Catholic Worker: support for homeless youth in Polk Street
neighborhood, San Francisco
http://www.temenos.org/
Contemplative Ministries of the Pacific Northwest: teaching and
support on contemplative practice
http://www.prayeroftheheart.com
Heartland Center for Spirituality: retreat center in central
Kansas..
http://heartlandspirituality.org/index.html
Emanuella House of Prayer: a place for prayer and silence in
British Columbia
http://emmanuellahouse.shawwebspace.ca/
Serenity of the Mind: supporting those who served and who suffer
from PTSD.
http://serenityofthemind.com/default.html
(Reach other people who have a similar interest in Christian
spirituality. Simply publish a link to Daily Spiritual Seed--
http://shalomplace.com/seed --on a prominent place on your web site
and we will reciprocate with a weekly link to your site in the
newsletter. Contact the Editor when you're ready to begin.)
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WEB SITE OF THE WEEK
Sayings of the Desert Fathers
- http://www.cin.org/dsrtftin.html
There are many ways to convey faith and spirituality. Sayings and
stories are among the most effective, it seems, and this web page
provides links to a wide array of sayings and stories from the
Desert Fathers and Mothers. For example:
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A hunter in the desert saw abba antony enjoying himself with the
brothers, and he was shocked. Wanting to show him that it was
necessary sometimes to meet the needs of the brothers, the old man
said to him, "Put an arrow in your bow and shoot it." So he did.
And the old man said, "Shoot another," and he did so. Then the old
man ssaid, "Shoot yet again," and the hunter replied, "If I bend my
bow so much, I will break it." Then the old man said to him, "It is
the same with the work of God. If we stretch the brothers beyond
measure, they will soon break. Sometimes it is necessary to come
down to meet their needs."
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JOKE OF THE WEEK
- The Plaque
One Sunday morning, the pastor noticed little Alex standing in the
foyer of the church staring up at a large plaque. It was covered
with names and small American flags mounted on either side of it.
The six-year old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so
the pastor walked up, stood beside the little boy, and said
quietly, "Good morning Alex."
"Good morning Pastor," he replied, still focused on the plaque.
"Pastor, what is this?"
The pastor said, "Well son, it's a memorial to all the young men
and women who died in the service."
Soberly, they just stood together, staring at the large plaque.
Finally, little Alex's voice, barely audible and trembling with
fear asked,
"Which service, the 8:30 or the 10:30?"
(Thanks, Carol.)
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