Message of 2-13-08
Published: Thu, 02/07/08
If we are to follow Christ, it must be in our common way of
spending every day. If we are to live unto God at any time or in
any place, we are to live unto him in all times and in all places.
If we are to use anything as the gift of God, we are to use
everything as his gift.
- William Law
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Jon 3:1-10; Ps. 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19; Lk 11:29-32
R. (19b) A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
For you are not pleased with sacrifices;
should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
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REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
Jonah 3:1-10; Luke 11:29-32
"The people of Nineveh believed God."
As serious as the message is, there is humor in both of today's
readings. Jonah, that most unenthusiastic of prophets, who hoped
the Ninevites would ignore him, trudges through town, reluctantly
delivering God's message -- and doggone it, those darned Ninevites
heed his word. And then there are those who are standing face to
face with Jesus, the Son of God, the Messiah, the One they've been
waiting for all their lives, and what do they ask? "Could you give
us a sign?" Aren't we the same? We want a new truth, the latest
fad, a more exciting or exotic path to eternal life and happiness.
Lord Jesus, speak to us today and help us to hear your voice.
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
- "Meister Eckhart's Sermons"
The third means of attraction is this--that as we see the sun draw
up the mists from the earth to heaven, so the heart of our Lord
Jesus Christ waxed hot as a fiery furnace upon the Cross, so fiercely
burned the flame of love which He felt towards the whole world.
Thus, with the heat of His love, from which nothing could be
hidden, so intense was it--He drew the whole world to Himself. Never
did our Lord Jesus Christ display such great love as when He
suffered the torture of the Cross when He gave His life for us, and
washed our sins with His precious Blood. Therefore with the cords
of Love, He drew us all to Himself upon the Cross that those who
feel the drawing of His death and martyrdom might live with Him in
everlasting felicity.
"The Attractive Power of God"
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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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SHALOM PLACE PREMIUM GROUPS
- Life-long learning and formation in Christian spirituality.
Groups now open include the following:
A. Psychological Types and Spirituality
B. The Way of Christian Spirituality
C. Freedom from Codependency
D. Christian Spirituality Resources
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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