Lord, help me to come to grips with any pride I might have in me that separates me, like a chasm, from the people I just don't feel comfortable with. You had to work on your disciples to get them over the problem of always wanting to be first by teaching them that, in the Kingdom of God, the "first" is last. Work on me, too, Lord. With your help, I can overcome any obstacle to serving You when you come to me hungry. Grant me some of the humility that prompted You to enter our human race as an infant in poverty, hungry and homeless. Amen.
-From the book... "When did I see You, Lord?"
God bless you. And this is for His Glory!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Reflections
As we prepare to enter into a new year, I thought it would be a good time to reflect on the past and also get into the appropriate state of mind for the future.
As part of our ongoing growth as Christians (followers of Christ), the short meditations written (below) are to help us overcome barriers in recognizing Jesus in our midst, so that we can serve Him. Specifically, the seven Capital Sins serve as reference points for our meditations because so often, those common failings in our lives prevent us from seeing Jesus all around us, and moving into the mode of serving Him.
Pride, Envy, Anger, Sloth, Greed, Gluttony, and Lust are among the principal hazards of the spiritual life that prevent us from seeing and serving Jesus. There are others as well - for example, Ignorance and Fear. You may wish to add whatever else should come to mind as you consider these barriers.
However, with the grace of Christ, we are able to overcome these hurdles. Each hurdle we overcome, each struggle that we succeed, each small victory over sin that we achieve, brings us one step closer to preparing us for the heavenly reward that awaits those who see, follow, and act according to His words.
As part of our ongoing growth as Christians (followers of Christ), the short meditations written (below) are to help us overcome barriers in recognizing Jesus in our midst, so that we can serve Him. Specifically, the seven Capital Sins serve as reference points for our meditations because so often, those common failings in our lives prevent us from seeing Jesus all around us, and moving into the mode of serving Him.
Pride, Envy, Anger, Sloth, Greed, Gluttony, and Lust are among the principal hazards of the spiritual life that prevent us from seeing and serving Jesus. There are others as well - for example, Ignorance and Fear. You may wish to add whatever else should come to mind as you consider these barriers.
However, with the grace of Christ, we are able to overcome these hurdles. Each hurdle we overcome, each struggle that we succeed, each small victory over sin that we achieve, brings us one step closer to preparing us for the heavenly reward that awaits those who see, follow, and act according to His words.
Meditations:
There is never a moment when God does not come forward in the guise of some suffering or some duty, and all that takes place within us, around us and through us both includes and hides His activity.
-Jean-Pierre De Caussade, S.J.
(Abandonment to Divine Providence)
If we do not recognize Jesus in the poor, he will not be able to recognize us at the Day of Judgement.
- St. Teresa of Calcutta
The bread which you do not use is the bread of the hungry;
The garment hanging in your wardrobe is the garment of him who is naked;
The shoes that you do not wear are the shoes of the one who is barefoot;
The money that you keep locked away is the money of the poor;
The acts of charity that you do not perform are so many injustices that you commit.
-St. Basil the Great
Many excerpts are from the book "When did we see You, Lord?" by Bishop Robert J. Baker and Father Benedict J. Groeschel, C.F.R.
God bless you. And this is for His Glory!
There is never a moment when God does not come forward in the guise of some suffering or some duty, and all that takes place within us, around us and through us both includes and hides His activity.
-Jean-Pierre De Caussade, S.J.
(Abandonment to Divine Providence)
If we do not recognize Jesus in the poor, he will not be able to recognize us at the Day of Judgement.
- St. Teresa of Calcutta
The bread which you do not use is the bread of the hungry;
The garment hanging in your wardrobe is the garment of him who is naked;
The shoes that you do not wear are the shoes of the one who is barefoot;
The money that you keep locked away is the money of the poor;
The acts of charity that you do not perform are so many injustices that you commit.
-St. Basil the Great
Many excerpts are from the book "When did we see You, Lord?" by Bishop Robert J. Baker and Father Benedict J. Groeschel, C.F.R.
God bless you. And this is for His Glory!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Routines
We all have a routine. In fact, many of us have several. Some routines may only last a few weeks, others a lifetime.
There are many types of routines (yep, we can be very creative)...
Some are essential in order to function in modern society like - showering regularly, brushing teeth, combing hair, etc. Other routines are self created like... needing to drink a cup of coffee first thing in the morning. Or even reading a few pages in a book in order to help fall asleep at night.
We were made in God's image, but that doesn't mean we are consistent in doing what we should be doing. You see, just like us, God has a few routines of His own. The one difference is that His routines are not selfish or self imposed. However, God's routines ARE essential for our eternal salvation.
If I were to guess, I'd say here are a few of God's top routines:
1. Forgiveness
2. Mercy
3. Love
4. Patience
5. Kindness
You see, without God following these daily routines we would have absolutely no chance of eternal life. Salvation would be lost.
So, tonight begin a new routine for yourself. Begin the routine of prayer. Take time to speak to God through daily prayer. It will be something you will never regret.
I know that God won't break His routine.
Will you?
"The miracle is not that I finished. It's that I had the courage to start."
-John Bigham
God bless you. And this is for His Glory!
There are many types of routines (yep, we can be very creative)...
Some are essential in order to function in modern society like - showering regularly, brushing teeth, combing hair, etc. Other routines are self created like... needing to drink a cup of coffee first thing in the morning. Or even reading a few pages in a book in order to help fall asleep at night.
We were made in God's image, but that doesn't mean we are consistent in doing what we should be doing. You see, just like us, God has a few routines of His own. The one difference is that His routines are not selfish or self imposed. However, God's routines ARE essential for our eternal salvation.
If I were to guess, I'd say here are a few of God's top routines:
1. Forgiveness
2. Mercy
3. Love
4. Patience
5. Kindness
You see, without God following these daily routines we would have absolutely no chance of eternal life. Salvation would be lost.
So, tonight begin a new routine for yourself. Begin the routine of prayer. Take time to speak to God through daily prayer. It will be something you will never regret.
I know that God won't break His routine.
Will you?
"The miracle is not that I finished. It's that I had the courage to start."
-John Bigham
God bless you. And this is for His Glory!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
A Prayer of Humility
Dear Lord,
I admit that I am a sinner.
I admit that I am unworthy of your grace, your mercy, and your love.
I admit that I am weak in spirit, perseverance, and patience.
I pray that you show kindness to me even though I don't always show kindness to others.
Oh Lord, please forgive me of my sins.
Help me to always see the face of Jesus in others.
Help me to fight the projection and deceitful lies from the evil one.
Help me to be a pillar of Christ.
Help me to be a rock, just as Simon Peter.
Help me to be relentless in praising your name as Paul.
Help me to trust in you as Abraham trusted in you.
Help me to have the wisdom to discern right from wrong such as Solomon did.
Help me to love just a fraction as much as Jesus.
Amen.
I admit that I am a sinner.
I admit that I am unworthy of your grace, your mercy, and your love.
I admit that I am weak in spirit, perseverance, and patience.
I pray that you show kindness to me even though I don't always show kindness to others.
Oh Lord, please forgive me of my sins.
Help me to always see the face of Jesus in others.
Help me to fight the projection and deceitful lies from the evil one.
Help me to be a pillar of Christ.
Help me to be a rock, just as Simon Peter.
Help me to be relentless in praising your name as Paul.
Help me to trust in you as Abraham trusted in you.
Help me to have the wisdom to discern right from wrong such as Solomon did.
Help me to love just a fraction as much as Jesus.
Amen.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Humility
Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector
9 Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: 10 “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! 12 I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Luke 18:9-14
Most of the time we are not as good as we think we are. Even if we exceed the expectations of others, we probably still fall short in eye's of the Lord. Humility is a word that we are all familiar with, but it is also an act that is difficult to sustain. The word itself is used many times throughout the Bible (several times in Proverbs) and there seems to be clear indication God prefers a humble spirit over a proud one.
Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
1 Peter5:5
Over the next few days consider your outlook on life, your attitude, and how you interact with others. Are you seeking their approval? Are you looking for people to exalt you in some way?
Honor the Lord by honoring His word.
with humility comes wisdom
Proverbs 11:2
God bless you. And this is for His Glory!
9 Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: 10 “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! 12 I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Luke 18:9-14
Most of the time we are not as good as we think we are. Even if we exceed the expectations of others, we probably still fall short in eye's of the Lord. Humility is a word that we are all familiar with, but it is also an act that is difficult to sustain. The word itself is used many times throughout the Bible (several times in Proverbs) and there seems to be clear indication God prefers a humble spirit over a proud one.
Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
1 Peter5:5
Over the next few days consider your outlook on life, your attitude, and how you interact with others. Are you seeking their approval? Are you looking for people to exalt you in some way?
Honor the Lord by honoring His word.
with humility comes wisdom
Proverbs 11:2
God bless you. And this is for His Glory!
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