Weekend Edition - A Daily Spiritual Seed
Published: Fri, 11/26/10
- 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
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Amazon.com gift cards
- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00067L6TQ/?tag=christianspiritu
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
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).
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
WEEKEND READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
- first week of Advent
Saturday: Rv 22:1-7; Ps 95:1-2, 3-5, 6-7ab; Lk 21:34-36
Sunday: Is 2:1-5; Ps 122: 1-9; Rom 13:11-14; Mt 24:37-44
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
"We will go up to the house of the LORD."
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
May those who love you prosper!
May peace be within your walls,
prosperity in your buildings.
Because of my brothers and friends
I will say, "Peace be within you!"
Because of the house of the LORD, our God,
I will pray for your good.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
THEOLOGY NOTE OF THE WEEK
- Humility
The attitude of the Christian that teaches us not to "...think more
highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to
have sound judgment..." (Rom. 12:3). It teaches us to prefer others
over ourselves (Rom. 12:10). It is knowing our true position before
God. It is not self-abasement or demeaning one's self. "God is
opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble," (James 4:6).
Humility is necessary to be a disciple of Jesus (Matt. 18:3-4). The
humility of Jesus is described in Philippians 2:5-8, "Your attitude
should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very
nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be
grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a
servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in
appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to
death - even death on a cross!" (NIV).
- http://www.carm.org/h
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SAINT OF THE WEEK
- Blessed John of Vercelli (1205-83): November 30
John was born near Vercelli in northwest Italy in the early 13th
century. Little is known of his early life. He entered the
Dominican Order in the 1240s and served in various leadership
capacities over the years. Elected sixth master general of the
Dominicans in 1264, he served for almost two decades.
Known for his tireless energy and his commitment to simplicity,
John made personal visits--typically on foot--to almost all the
Dominican houses, urging his fellow friars to strictly observe the
rules and constitutions of the Order.
He was tapped by two popes for special tasks. Pope Gregory X
enlisted the help of John and his fellow Dominicans in helping to
pacify the States of Italy that were quarreling with one another.
John was also called upon to draw up a framework for the Second
Council of Lyons in 1274. It was at that council that he met Jerome
of Ascoli (the man who would later become Pope Nicholas IV), then
serving as minister general of the Franciscans. Some time later the
two men were sent by Rome to mediate a dispute involving King
Philip III of France. Once again, John was able to draw on his
negotiating and peacemaking skills.
Following the Second Council of Lyons, Pope Gregory selected John
to spread devotion to the name of Jesus. John took the task to
heart, requiring that every Dominican church contain an altar of
the Holy Name; groups were also formed to combat blasphemy and
profanity.
Toward the end of his life John was offered the role of patriarch
of Jerusalem, but declined. He remained Dominican master general
until his death.
- http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1216
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
BOOK OF THE WEEK
"Spiritual Friendship," by Aelred of Rievaulx, with commentary by
Dennis Billy C.Ss.R. Christian Classics. 2008.
-
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0870612425/ref=noism/christianspiritu/
This a book that probes deeply into the grace of intimate
friendship, the lights and shadows , the blessings and wounds that
come of being intimate with a fellow Christian. The book is based
on a dialogue between Aelred and his monastic friends. Friends ask
the questions and Aelred tries to answer accurately . This makes
for a transforming conversation. This also offers insights and
instruction that are clear and are a faithful presentation of what
friendship means without being sexually orientated.
The author, a twelfth century Cistercian abbot and well-known
spiritual writer, offers three "books" in this book. The first
section is called The Origin of Friendship; the second is The
Fruition and Excellence of Friendship; and the third is called The
Conditions and Characters Requisite for Unbroken Friendship. The
book has an introduction called Spiritual Friendship which gives
the purpose and plan of the book, as well as a short version of
Aelred's life and writings. There is also a section on how to read
this book. Each of the chapters ends with a series of questions
pertinent to the topic discussed .
"Critical translations, accompanied by timely and accessible
commentary and probing questions, revitalizes these works for
another generation of spiritual pilgrims." This book is part of a
series called Classics with Commentary.
- 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
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- 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/
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SHALOM PLACE DISCUSSION BOARDS
A variety of topics are under discussion.
PIIGS in a sty - Religion and Culture forum.
Visions and visitations - Christian Spirituality Issues forum.
- see http://shalomplace.org/eve/forums for this and hundreds of
other discussions.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
AFFILIATE WEB SITES (please give them a visit)
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
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
(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.)
- - - - - - - - - - - -
WEB SITE OF THE WEEK
Advent Retreat Online
- http://www.loyolapress.com/interactive-advent-retreat.htm
Readings and reflections for each day of Advent with meditative
images and music.
(Thanks, Connie!)
- - - - - - - - - - - -
JOKE OF THE WEEK
- Four worms and a lesson to be learned!!!!
A minister decided that a visual demonstration would add emphasis
to his Sunday sermon.
Four worms were placed into four separate jars.
The first worm was put into a container of alcohol.
The second worm was put into a container of cigarette smoke.
The third worm was put into a container of chocolate syrup.
The fourth worm was put into a container of good clean soil.
At the conclusion of the sermon, the Minister reported the
following results:
The first worm in alcohol- Dead
The second worm in cigarette smoke - Dead
Third worm in chocolate syrup - Dead
Fourth worm in good clean soil - Alive.
So the Minister asked the congregation - "What did you learn from
this demonstration???"
Maxine sitting in the back, quickly raised her hand and said,
"As long as you drink, smoke and eat chocolate, you won't have
worms!"
That pretty much ended the service.
(Thanks, Carol)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Please help support Heartland Center's Internet ministries:
- For more info on tax-deductible donations, see
http://shalomplace.com/seed/donations.html.
Thanks for your consideration!
_________________________________________________
Web Archive: http://www.aweber.com/z/article/?dailyseed
RSS feed: http://www.aweber.com/z/rss/?dailyseed