Message of 1-31-08
Published: Mon, 01/21/08
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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- Lenten spiritual enrichment series:
THE FIVE CONSENTS: Co-operating With the Spirit to Grow in Grace
Internet/email series begins Ash Wednesday and continues through
Easter week.
Leader: Philip St. Romain, M.S., D. Min.
Cost: free-will donation
This spiritual enrichment series will consist of 35 messages sent
to your email through Lent and the first week of Easter. Themes
for the presentations will focus on giving consent to:
1. Life, and living to the full (the virtue of hope)
2. God's providential care (the virtue of faith)
3. Loving service (the virtue of love and the gift of community)
4. Hardship, suffering and death (the way of the Cross)
5. The gift of the present moment (resurrection living)
A special discussion board forum will also be available for
participants to interact and share experiences. For more
information this series and and to register for it, see
http://shalomplace.org/fiveconsents
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Our wickedness shall not overpower the unspeakable goodness and
mercy of God; our dullness shall not overpower God's wisdom, nor
our infirmity God's omnipotence.
- John of Kronstadt
(God really is in control . . . and that's good news!)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
2 Sm 7:18-19, 24-29; Ps. 132:1-2, 3-5, 11, 12, 13-14; Mk 4:21-25
R. (Lk 1:32b) The Lord God will give him the throne of David, his
father.
LORD, remember David
and all his anxious care;
How he swore an oath to the LORD,
vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob.
"I will not enter the house where I live,
nor lie on the couch where I sleep;
I will give my eyes no sleep,
my eyelids no rest,
Till I find a home for the LORD,
a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob."
The LORD swore an oath to David
a firm promise from which he will not withdraw:
"Your own offspring
I will set upon your throne."
"If your sons keep my covenant,
and the decrees which I shall teach them,
Their sons, too, forever
shall sit upon your throne."
For the LORD has chosen Zion,
he prefers her for his dwelling:
"Zion is my resting place forever;
in her I will dwell, for I prefer her."
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
- from http://www.dailyscripture.net/
Jesus remarks that nothing can remain hidden or secret. We can try
to hide things from others, from ourselves, and from God. How
tempting to shut our eyes from the consequences of our sinful ways
and bad habits, even when we know what those consequences are. And
how tempting to hide them form others and even from God. But,
nonetheless, everything is known to God who sees all. There is
great freedom and joy for those who live in God's light and who
seek this truth. Those who listen to God and heed his voice will
receive more from him. Do you know the joy and freedom of living in
God's light?
"Lord Jesus, you guide me by the light of your saving truth. Fill
my heart and mind with your light and truth and free me from the
blindness of sin and deception that I may see your ways clearly and
understand your will for my life. May I radiate your light and
truth to others in word and deed."
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PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE (Carmelite Method)
A. Introduction: settling in, relaxing in awareness of God's
presence.
B. Reading the text slowly, prayerfully.
C. Meditation: imaginative representation of the material; reflection
on the meaning of the material and its application to one's life.
D. Affective prayer: conversation with God, attentive to sharing
feelings awakened in meditation. Prayer of petition, thanksgiving,
remorse.
E. Resting in God in silent loving awareness, if moved to do so.
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
- "Imitation of Christ," by Thomas A. Kempis
- The Voice of Christ
It is only a temptation that troubles you, a vain fear that
terrifies you.
Of what use is anxiety about the future? Does it bring you anything
but trouble upon trouble? Sufficient for the day is the evil
thereof. It is foolish and useless to be either grieved or happy
about future things which perhaps may never happen. But it is human
to be deluded by such imaginations, and the sign of a weak soul to
be led on by suggestions of the enemy. For he does not care whether
he overcomes you by love of the present or fear of the future.
-- Bk. 3, Chapter 30
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Thanks for your support.
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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!
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