Posts Tagged ‘Spiritual Disciplines’
Book Review: Catholic Spiritual Practices
March 7, 2013 | 
Author 
Book Review: Catholic Spiritual Practices
Edited By: Colleen Griffith & Thomas Groome
Publisher: Paraclete Press ISBN: 9781612612461
Catholic Spiritual Practices: A Treasury of Old & New
I love the format of this little book.
Catholic Spiritual Practices is a collection of essays describing various spiritual disciplines and practices, which can be helpful with a person’s development in the Christian faith. The format of the book is very easy to follow with the assorted disciplines grouped into three primary categories: prayer, care, and spiritual growth. The essays themselves are concise, but provide an understandable overview of each practice, their expected outcomes, and a high-level introduction or “how-to” so the reader can have an idea of how to participate in the practice. I believe the essayists and the editors have done an exemplary job of presenting such a rich collection of spiritual practices in a manageable and practical form.
If I were to offer any criticism of the book, it would be regarding the title. Not all of the practices included in the book are exclusive to the Catholic faith. Unfortunate as it may be, titling the book as it has been titled will exclude a significant number of people who could benefit from these spiritual practices.
Title aside, I would recommend this book for anyone. Admittedly, there are some disciplines included in the collections that are not fully embraced by all faith traditions; this should not be considered an insurmountable obstacle. My recommendation is to experiment with the practices that do not conflict with or compromise your tradition and allow yourself and your soul to be enriched by the results.
I am delighted to have come across this gem of a book. I have found new ways to present some of these ancient practices to others seeking to grow more deeply in their faith. I look forward to sharing them and I look forward to growing with them myself.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Paraclete Press to read and post a review on my site. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Advent Week 1 [Thurs. 2012]
Advent 1st Sunday: Year C [06DEC12] Theme for week 1—Waiting & Hope
Readings: Psalm 18:1-20 ◊ Isaiah 2:2:12-22 ◊ 1 Thess 3:1-13 ◊ Luke 20:27-40
Advent Week 1 [Thurs. 2012]
I love you LORD, you are my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. (Psalm 18:1-2)
Joan Chittister writes in her book, The Liturgical Year, “Advent is not about one coming; it is about three comings. The great spiritual question the season poses for each of us is, which coming are you and I waiting for now: at this moment of our lives, at this present stage of our spiritual development, what we are waiting for surely determines how we will wait for it.”
Waiting and hope, in my mind, are inextricably linked. To have one seems implicit you are dependent upon the other. Therefore, value must be placed upon and acted upon the both.
Today I realize and value that waiting helps me to prepare for what comes… what comes next in the distant future or what comes after “now.” Waiting time allows me space to learn new things—to gain new experiences and develop new skills—helpful development and maturity that lead me to where and who God wants me to be. Waiting actively is waiting well.
“We have to learn the artist’s pace.” -Evelyn Underhill
Waiting well increases my focus and attentiveness because I know and believe that waiting has purpose. I am thankful for the realization that waiting has a prominent place in the life of the Christ-follower. Even as I write these words, I remember that the Eternal God “waited” for the fullness of time to come. There was purpose in the waiting then just as there is purpose in the waiting now. O Lord, help my waiting to be with purpose, active and with hope always alert in the now and still always attentively looking forward.
Celebrating Advent means being able to wait. Waiting is an art that our impatient age has forgotten. It wants to break open the ripe fruit when it has hardly finished planting the shoot. But all too often the greedy eyes are only deceived; the fruit that seemed so precious is still green on the inside, and disrespectful hands ungratefully toss aside what has so disappointed them. Whoever does not know the austere blessedness of waiting—that is, of hopefully doing without—will never experience the full blessing of fulfillment. -Dietrich Bonhoeffer; God is in the Manger
Today I am amazed that I am even capable of learning how to wait. This alone is the testimony of God’s grace breaking into and working to transform my life. This realization is cause to celebrate. My hope is emboldened with this knowledge and becomes more real. Hope without the ability to wait for what comes is like a pipedream—a fleeting wish never acted upon—and not much more. Hope incubated and nurtured in active waiting is real—this hope changes us—reroutes decisions and alters our way of living, so when the thing we’ve hoped for arrives, we are ready to embrace it fully…we have been looking forward, planning, and preparing. Emboldened hope, born of patient and active waiting, helps me to prepare.
A Prayer:
Most holy God of heaven, you who paint the shining center of the sky with the brightness of fire, illumine our hearts, banish sordid things, release the chain of guilt, and make void our trespasses.
LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy
Our Father who art in heaven, holy is your Name. May your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and for ever. Amen.
Lord, hear my prayer. And let my cry come unto you.
Posted in Advent, Advent 2012, Liturgical Year, Meditations, Shaping Me, Spiritual Formation, The Christian Walk, The Liturgical Year | 
Tags: Advent, Advent 2012, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Joan Chittister, Spiritual Disciplines, Spiritual Formation, The Christian Calendar, The Liturgical Year | 
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Book Review: The Divine Hours—Pocket Edition
Book Review: The Divine Hours—Pocket Edition
Author: Phyllis Tickle
Publisher: Oxford University Press ISBN: 9780195316933
The Divine Hours: Pocket Edition
Over the years, I have enjoyed the company of many prayer books. I love them, prayer books. I have used the prayer books compiled by Phyllis Tickle for a number of years now, most faithfully, her three-volume set of Divine Hours. While I enjoy the larger, more comprehensive set of the Divine Hours, it is somewhat cumbersome to carry when you are on the road and away from home and study. This pocket edition solves that problem.
The Divine Office: Pocket Edition is set up to meet the needs of the full week of fixed-hour prayers also known as the Daily Offices of Prayer. Phyllis has allowed for each of the seven hours of the Office to be prayed, if that is your habit. She also includes in the indices Traditional, Seasonal, and Occasional Prayers and a listing of authors for prayers not taken directly from Scripture. If you are away from home, simply recycle and repeat the prayers as necessary. See also the online version of the Divine Hours.
The prayer book is a good size, compact, slim, and has a very reasonable and readable font. There is nothing that I do not like about it; however, I do think a few minor improvements might be made. I would like the option of a leather bound edition along with one or two ribbon markers. My copy is a hardback edition and has no ribbon markers. This is certainly no deal-breaker, but it would be a nice option.
Posted in Books, Prayer, Spiritual Practices | Tags: Book Reviews, Books, Divine Hours, Fixed-Hour Prayer, Phyllis Tickle, Prayer, Spiritual Disciplines, Spiritual Formation | No Comments »
Book Review: Living the Christian Year
Book Review: Living the Christian Year
Author: Bobby Gross
Publisher: InterVarsity Press ISBN: 9780830835201
Living the Christian Year: Time to Inhabit the Story of God
I don’t know why I haven’t shared my review of this book sooner. I’ve owned the book since it was first published in August of 2009 (actually, I bought it from Amazon.com in mid-September 2009), but I bought it almost as soon as it was available. The reason I take the time to write the review now is because of the cumulative effect and influence this book, along with a few others, has had with shaping my Christian spirituality.
Although I have espoused Christian ideals most of my life, my church tradition has never practiced the church calendar (Liturgical Year) faithfully; consequently, my first real introduction to the liturgical calendar was back in 2007 when I purchased a copy of Thomas Oden’s Ancient Christian Devotional. Following this first elementary introduction and remedial practice year (for me), I started to self-educate and learn more about this ancient discipline of living the Christian year.
When 2009 arrived, and I started my search for Liturgical Year devotional material and other resources I could use in my education, Living the Christian Year by Bobby Gross appeared near the top of my Amazon search. I appreciated and respected a number of the voices offering endorsements for this book, so I purchased it. I can report that this has become one of my favorite book purchases from the past three years.
Bobby calls this book an introduction and devotional guide and this is an honest and faithful representation of the book. Those words; however, do not share the richness and overflowing experience that Living the Christian Year offers to the person who hungers for a deeper and more meaningful understanding to the Story of God lived out daily in their life throughout the year.
There are a total of eight chapters in Living the Christian Year. The first chapter serves as an introduction to the Christian year and an overview of the practices observed throughout the year. Following the introduction chapter, the book is sectioned into three parts which outline the primary movements through the Christian year. Part one is the Cycle of Light and teaches the seasons of observances of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. Part two is the Cycle of Life and the observances of Lent, The Paschal Triduum, and Easter. Part three concludes the seasons with an explanation on the observance of Ordinary Time. As mentioned earlier, the book is much, much more than knowledge teaching about this discipline. There are 52-wks of devotional reading, exercises, and prayers to assist the reader-observer through the practice of living out the Christian Year. I used the book for both purposes; (1) as a learning tool, (2) as a devotional help. I cannot express enough how blessed I was with this book as my companion through the 2009-2010 Christian Year.
The years that have followed my first reading of this most excellent devotional guide, has found me pulling it from my library shelf again and again. Such is the case and the impetus for this review. We are approaching the 2012-2013 Christian New Year and I am preparing for what is now a regular discipline in my life… living, observing, and practicing the Christian Year as a means of staying connected to the Universal Church and the God who reigns over it.
This truly is a fabulous and beautiful resource for Living the Christian Year. It has become a staple in the list of growing resources I have for practicing this ancient and rich Christian discipline. I continue to recommend this writing as one of my top resources for learning about the Christian Year.
Divine Reading: Psalm 119:162-168
Divine Reading: Psalm 119:162-168
I am enjoying the comforting presence of God and His Word to me this day. Prayerful meditation in the Psalms this morning with my family with our selected reading from the Book of Common Prayer, Psalm 119:145-176. The Word to me came from the passage as follows:
I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil. I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law. Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous rules. Great peace have those who love your law; can make them stumble. I hope for your salvation, O Lord, and I do your commandments. My soul keeps your decrees; I love them exceedingly. I keep your precepts and decrees, for all my ways are before you. -Ps. 119:162-168
“My soul keeps your decrees…” I love this. I receive an affirmation of the highest order when I read these words. My soul keeps your decrees. Yes. I am comforted to know that regardless of what or how I might miss the mark in the throes of my own frailty, the realty I can depend upon is that God’s Law is written on my heart and my soul keeps His decrees. As I go through my day, I know the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, my guide and counselor—my teacher and advocate—communes non-stop with my soul. The two are united in a sacred dance, the dance of the sacred and mysterious divine union… I have been invited to participate and enjoy this beautiful, holy, perechoretic dance (John 17:21-24).
“My soul keeps your decrees…” I know that I am not perfect. I know that I am subject to failure. I also know that I have been released from the oppressive nature of imperfection. Likewise, I am not condemned by or fearful of the idea of failure. While it is God’s best for me that I not miss the mark of reflecting His image fully, if I miss the mark, there is One who is greater than I who intercedes on my behalf (1 John 2:1-2). My confidence and my comfort come from the knowledge that my heart has been replaced by a heart of God’s own design (Ezekiel 36:26-27), my heart can be and is pure because God has made it that way!
“My soul keeps your decrees…” Yes, even when I do not know what to pray—even when I do not know what to say—my soul keeps your decrees. My deepest desires are no longer driven by my self-idolatry. My deepest desires are coordinated and mapped by the Spirit of the Living God who lives within me. My soul keeps your decrees. In my darkness and in my doubt, I am comforted by the word that speaks truth to me; “My soul keeps your decrees.” This word I tell myself, confirming truth when my physical senses would attempt to betray my soul. Yes, praise be to the Most High God, my soul keeps your decrees. Amen.
Book Review: Spiritual Formation
Book Review: Spiritual Formation
By: Diane LeClerc & Mark A. Maddix
Publisher: Beacon Hill Press ISBN: 9780834126138
Spiritual Formation: A Wesleyan Paradigm
I wish I could say I’m surprised this book hasn’t gained more traction than it has, but I’m not… and that’s a shame because this contribution of essays from Leclerc and Maddix is a treasure trove of insight, tradition, and wisdom for those who aspire to become formed more fully in the image of Jesus Christ.
Classic spiritual formation is something that has been largely abandoned by the Protestant Evangelical church, although there seems to be something of an awakening interest to this tradition in recent years. It is for this reason I am greatly encouraged by the work done in this book from Leclerc and Maddix and most especially for the reason that it is written from a Wesleyan perspective.
Regarding a review of this book, I really do not know where to begin, every chapter and every page is chock full of goodness. The book is comprised of twenty chapters (essays) from various contributors and I have over twenty-six “sticky-bookmarks” spaced throughout those twenty essays… lots of very good, insightful, encouraging, challenging, and practical tools helpful in establishing specific disciplines to aid individuals and groups in their spiritual transformation.
It is difficult for me to say what part or parts of the book I enjoyed the most…there really were so many. I do have to admit that the treatment given to “entire sanctification” by Diane Leclerc (pp.59-63) is some of the most readable and practical writing on the topic I have seen in recent years. By this, I do not mean exhaustive or comprehensive, but it is succinct and down-to-earth in explanation. That alone, is high praise when discussing views like entire sanctification or “Christian perfection.” I think Thomas Jay Oord adds to the same conversation with his essay from chapter seven also speaking to the notion of Christian perfection, loving God and loving neighbor. There is some really good reading in these two essays in particular. Brent Peterson has a wonderful treatment in his chapter dedicated to communal worship and the sacraments. I loved the attention he paid to the Eucharist and Baptism (pp102-105).
Other notable chapters for me were chapter eleven, Breathing Faith-Christian Prayer and Contemplation, wonderfully well-rounded and diverse attention to prayer by Gary Waller in this essay! Rhonda Carrim in chapter fifteen, Walking the Journey Together-Spiritual Direction and Mentoring, helps the reader slog through the morass of semantic confusion we’ve created in our “us versus them” discussions in her essay regarding discipleship, mentoring, and spiritual direction.
As a pastor in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition and a person who has been studying the ancient and classic traditions of spiritual formation, I am grateful for the help this book provides me with a common language to share with my peers. Personally, I’ve struggled with sharing ideas about the ancient traditions of the Christian faith because so many of those traditions were established pre-reformation and much of the teaching and writing are from authors rooted in the Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches. Sadly, for that reason alone, much of the conversation regarding spiritual formation in the circles I have traveled stops at that point, largely because of ignorance and unfair biases. This is why I’m so excited to have been made aware of this book; I think it will be a great asset for me going forward assisting me as I share these great spiritual formation tools in a language that is common to my own tradition and helpful making connections where people might have thought there were none in the Wesleyan paradigm.
Very Highly Recommended.
Mark Maddix shares on book, “Spiritual Formation,” co-authored with Diane Leclerc from Church of the Nazarene on Vimeo.
Book Review: The Jesus Life
Book Review: The Jesus Life
Author: Stephen W. Smith
Publisher: David C. Cook ISBN: 9781434700643
The Jesus Life: Eight Way to Recover Authentic Christianity
I like this book a lot. I’ve just finished reading it and I gauge my state of mind and emotion as… serene. There is something about the way the book was written and the overall style of it that seems peaceful, uncluttered, and cleansing. I may not be able to fully articulate what the reasons are for my using those words, but they seem right to me for the moment.
Stephen W. Smith is the cofounder and spiritual director of Potter’s Inn, an international ministry devoted to spiritual formation and the care of the soul. This is the first book I’ve read from him (he has written several others), and I would say that he does indeed write with the heart and hand of a spiritual director. The pace of the book is easy and assuring; I never felt rushed, guilty, over-challenged, or pressured in any way while I was reading The Jesus Life. What I felt through every chapter was welcomed and accepted…encouraged and cared for. Honestly, I think this is the sum of the Jesus life, that is, accepted and welcomed as we are and encouraged to become all that God destined us to be, because He cares for us. I think this was captured in the writing of Stephen Smith.
Stephen begins The Jesus Life establishing the need for humanity, particularly the followers of Jesus, to recover their life. He points out that we have lost our way in the midst of our hurry, detachment, and consumer lifestyles in our contemporary societies. The remedy for reclamation, he asserts, is found in the Jesus way of living; a life of rhythm sustained by the presence and power of God. Beginning part three of the book, Smith defines the eight ways of recovering authentic Christianity defined by the way Jesus “did” his life.
The eight ways described as the “ways of Jesus” include The Way of Dailiness, The Way of Hiddenness, The Way of Family, The Way of Companionship, The Way of the Table, The Way of Doing Good, The Way of Ritual, and The Way of Suffering.
I think all of the “ways” described by Smith are valid and well defined. While I’m not sure the “ways” are listed in a hierarchal order, it seemed fitting to me that the Way of Dailiness was the first way discussed. The way of dailiness introduces the reader to the need for slowing down and entering into a rhythm of life…something without which, it is hard to comprehend understanding or entering into the next seven ways. Perhaps it is intended to “set the stage.” Additionally the Way of the Table and the Way of Ritual both gave me much to think about as did the Way of Suffering.
The completion of each of the chapters includes a handful of “getting started ideas” to begin practical steps implementing the Ways of Jesus in our lives. I think all of these were well thought out and look forward to using some of them personally as well as introducing them in retreat settings. A discussion guide is also included at the end of the book that I found equally practical for group or individual use.
I recommend the book highly, especially if you are someone who wants to regain the promise of the Jesus life in your own life. It is available and Stephen W. Smith helps point in the direction of Jesus.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Posted in Books, Media, Shaping Me, Spiritual Formation, Spirituality | Tags: Book Reviews, Books, Discipleship, Spiritual Disciplines, Spiritual Formation, Stephen W. Smith, The Jesus Life | No Comments »
[24APRIL2012] Eastertide Devotional Series
[24APRIL2012] Eastertide Devotional Series
I will be posting this devotional series as part of my Eastertide reflections for the next three weeks (see this link for other installments in the series). Each week of this devotional series focuses on a specific theme (week one: brokenness, week two: repentance, and week three: renewal). I hope you’ll enjoy the series and I invite you to comment here on the blog or email me direct; I would love to hear your thoughts.
Renewal: Week 3 | Day 3
Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 1:5-14: 2 Peter 1:3-11
“I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline… Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.”
One of the things I have found as I’ve looked backward over the history of my own life are times and places where I’ve wanted to abdicate my own responsibility for past and/or future actions. Even in the present season of my life, there are times when I am reluctant to want to make choices. Choosing or deciding will often mean I need to move or do something and I might not be ready to do that… or at the very least, I might think I am not ready to move.
As Paul writes to Timothy, one of the steps in the process of renewal is taking personal responsibility. He exhorts Timothy to “fan into flames the spiritual gift…” Yes, he tells Timothy to do this. He reminds him also that it was God who has already given Timothy the spiritual gift and he goes on to add that the spiritual gift comes with power, love, and self discipline… “self-discipline.”
There are times when I don’t like assuming the responsibility of self-discipline either. I don’t like the idea of being accountable for myself. I find it easier to pray to God with words like; “God, make me do this or make me do that.” In my subconscious mind I think this would be easier for me and then if I fail, I’m not to blame, but then, I also resent being forced to do things too… even if they are good for me. I think the truth lies in the reality that I’m fearful of the commitment that it might take or scared that I might not have the fortitude to succeed in the life of faith, because overall it isn’t the easy path; it is a narrow path that Jesus has said that few find and sometimes I find that troubling to consider, but there is great hope.
Peter writes in his second letter some remarkable things (2 Peter 1:3-4); “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature” He has given us everything we need for living a godly life. He has enabled us to share his divine nature. Incredible! I have and you have everything we need even to the sharing of God’s divine nature. My part is to fan this great spiritual gift from the “ember” it may have “cooled” to the great roaring holy flame that God has enabled it to be. Perhaps I should get to fanning…
Do you believe God has enabled you to “burn” brightly with Him? Is there anything that holds you back? Have you “cooled” from where you once were walking with God? Have you doubted your ability to return to where you were?
Our Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am ready to take responsibility for fanning into flame the spiritual gift you have given to me. I recognize that I am a partner in this relationship and want to do my part. I pray your holy assistance and Holy Spirit to guide me in the practice and discipline of everything you have given me for living a godly life. I forget sometime that I bear the divine nature, help me to keep this close in my mind and close in my heart as I fan my spiritual gift into flame. Amen.
Book Review: Let Your Life Speak
Book Review: Let Your Life Speak
Author: Parker Palmer
Publisher: Jossey-Bass ISBN: 9780787947354
What a heart-warming, gentle, affirming, and inspiring little book this is. I think it will be hard for me to review this book without engaging in a “what it has meant to me” discourse. This isn’t a bad thing, but I think before starting down that path, I should share a few of the technical specifics about this book first.
As I mentioned in my opening statements, this is a small book…physically small and then only slightly over one hundred pages including notes and credits. Don’t let the size fool you; Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation is a very rich and spiritually deep book. Palmer shares in the introduction that Let Your Life Speak consists primarily as a collection of essays appearing in other publications from the past decade (1990-2000?). He goes on to state the essays have been rewritten (some substantially) so this book would be “coherent whole” and not just a collection of articles. It is my opinion that Mr. Palmer succeeded in his goal. I found the book very organic and flowing in the spirit of its intent.
The book traces Parker’s journey of self-discovery with honest, transparency, and humility. Fitting, it seems, for a book of this nature and caliber. Perhaps “self-discovery” might be a misleading way of portraying the journey unfolded in Let Your Life Speak. The measure of discovery is found in the unraveling of the true-self and the false-self. We are told in the pursuit of the Christian faith that “God has a plan and purpose for your life…” While this teaching about personal and vocational purpose for our lives may be true, discovering it in the truest context of God’s plan can be perplexing at times. Each person’s journey may not be the same and the discovery of the true-self as we pertain to the image of God may be unique to each of us, but there are some similarity and common experience that lead us to and through these discoveries of the true self. Palmer’s journey provides an inspiring parallel for us to examine our own journey…both the inner and the vocational—which are not necessarily separate or mutually exclusive.
“The figure calling to me all those years was, I believe, what Thomas Merton calls “true self.” This is not the ego self that wants to inflate us (or deflate us, another from of self-distortion), not the intellectual self that wants to hover above the mess of life in clear but ungrounded ideas, not the ethical self that wants to live by some abstract moral code. It is the self-planted in us by the God who made us in God’s own image– the self that wants nothing more, or less, than for us to be who we were created to be… True self is true friend. One ignores or rejects such friendship only at one’s peril.”
Parker Palmer; Let Your Life Speak
I have benefited greatly from the writings of other spiritual masters on this topic (John of the Cross, Teresa Avila, Thomas Merton, and M. Basil Pennington to name a few). Palmer’s voice and experience bring fresh insight to these masters as well as sharing practical relevance with them as well. I found the teaching of this little book to be a great addition to my library and a worthy example of the disciple who is truly seeking to answer the question: “Is the life I am living the same as the life that wants to live in me?” I make the assumption; right or wrong, that the life Parker refers to is the Christ-life. Honestly seeking to surrender to the life Christ desires to live in and through us is the sum of what discipleship is about in my understanding. Let Your Life Speak is very helpful in gently walking the seeker along in this process.
Posted in Books, Media, Shaping Me, Spiritual Formation | Tags: Book Reviews, Books, Parker Palmer, Spiritual Disciplines, Spiritual Formation | No Comments »
Lent 2012: Day 6—Reflection
[27FEB2012] Lent 2012: Day 6—Reflection and Meditation
Indeed you love truth in the heart; then in the secret of my heart teach me wisdom. O purify me, then I shall be clean; O wash me, I shall be whiter than snow.
♦ Psalm — 41, 52
♦ Readings — Genesis 37:1-11 ♦ 1 Cor. 1:1-19
♦ Gospel — Mark 1:1-13
A pure heart create for me, O God, put a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, nor deprive me of your Holy Spirit.
Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
What an incredible promise. What a confidence boost! God will keep me strong to the end… free from all blame. Yes, God will do this because HE IS Faithful to do what he says. I have been invited into partnership with Jesus Christ. Wow. Fantastic! Unbelievable, but there it is. How can I not be overjoyed?
I think it is all too easy to get caught up in the entanglements of the day and forget the truths of God’s word that extend to us. Our days are so filled with activities, meetings, deadlines, and more that we get so busy and we don’t slow down enough each day to reflect on what God’s word tells us…reassures us. Honestly, I can’t afford not to slow down and reflect. I need this daily reassurance. I need the constant echo of God’s words reverberating from my heart to my brain. All the time, I need it. I am thankful to know from experience that if I slow down to listen to God, He is faithful to speak to me giving my soul comfort and sustenance “Daily Bread” for my every need.
Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:7-9
Praise Him. Thank Him. All glory be to God the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be; world without end. Amen.
