A Passionate Plea and Prayer

O My God, I believe in Thee,I hope in Thee, I love Thee and I grieve that I have so often offended Thee by my sins.
(from The Practice of Religion by Archibald Campbell Knowles,D.D.)

A Lost Capacity

The question arises is modern man----confused and exhausted by a multitude of words,opinions,doctrines and slogans----psychologically capable of the clarity and confidence necessary for valid prayer? Is he not so frustrated and deafened by conflicting propagandas that he has lost his capacity for deep and simple trust?
(by Thomas Merton from Life and Holiness).
No wonder Jesus said we must become as little children.

Be at Peace

Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace,then, and put aside all anxious thought and imaginaions.

(from My Prayer Book,Rev. F.X Lasance).

Something to Keep in Mind

In this 21th century there doesn't seem to be a week that goes by where there isn't something being done in the name of,or under the guise of Christianity, that doesn't contribute to it being viewed unfavorably by the public.Whether it's the farce that is going on in Lakeland,Florida or the obscene and greedy hustlers disguised as "ministers" you can see on cable television making outrageous and unscriptural claims,it's all an insult to our Lord and Saviour.Discerning Christians should know the fakers and the liars but one only wonders what damage this does to those who are searching and in need of a relationship with Jesus.Also,are they turned off by the articles they read and features they see on television? Because lets face it,the majority of news items run in the media these days about Christianity are of a negative and questioning tone,not a positive and edifying one.As believers we must pray daily that the truth of His Love will touch those in need. More importantly,let us pray for the opportunity to share the real Jesus with others.

His Love in Us

Let brotherly love continue.Do not forget to entertain strangers,for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.

(from Hebrews 13:1,2).

When you have done it unto the least of them,you've done it unto Him.(Paraphrasing the words of our Lord). Pray for and help those less fortunate, for there by the Grace of God go you and I.

A Collect For Sunday

O God, who knowest us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers,that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright: Grant to us such strength and protection, as may support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(from The Scottish Book of Common Prayer,1929).

A prayer for each and every morning.

Some Advice and an Assurance

Let your conduct be without covetousnous; be content with such things as you have.For He Himself has said,"I will never leave you." So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper;I will not fear,What can man do to me?"

(from Hebrews 13:5,6).

So many seek more than they need or should have.Believers must cling to the promise that "I will never leave you."

Remember

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you,whom you have from God,and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit,which are God's.
(from 1 Corinthians 6:19,20).
A reminder that our body is not ours but God's and should be treated as such.It is never to be abused by the way we live or by what we do.

Encouraging Words

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful,who will not allow you to be tempted beyond which you are able,but with the temptation will also make the way of escape,that you may be able to bear it.

(from 1 Corinthians 10:13).

Those are indeed encouraging words.Temptation can lead to sin. A question to those confronted with temptation,Our Lord has promised a way to escape,do you really want to escape?

The World's Wisdom

I have read in Plato and Cicero sayings that are wise and very beautiful; but I have never read in either of them: "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden.''

(A quote by St.Augustine).

The world's wisdom pales in comparison to what you can find in The Holy Bible.

What is Really Important

"We are so obsessed with doing that we have no time and no imagination left for being. As a result, men are valued not for what they are but for what they do or what they have - for their usefulness."

(a quote by Thomas Merton).

Sadly,far too many people these days are judged by what they have, not by what's in their hearts.

A Prayer for Monday Morning

Almighty God,unto Whom all hearts be open,all desires known, and from Whom no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Thy Holy Spirit,that we may perfectly love Thee,and worthily magnify Thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen
(from Before the Altar,The Devout Christian's Manual,Rev. Robert J. Wilson).

Advice From Solomon

"Fear God and keep His Commandments,For this is man's all.For God will bring every work into judgement,Including every secret thing,Whether good or evil."
( quote by Solomon,Ecclesiastes 12:13,14).
At the end of his life,the man who had incredible wisdom and riches,gave the above advice.

Our Role Model

"The true body of Jesus is His teaching. The only way to touch Him is to practice His teaching.I think it is important to look deeply into every act and every teaching of Jesus during His lifetime,and to use this as a role model for our own practice."
(By Thich Nhat Hanh).
Jesus,may we be more like Him as each day passes!

The Things Above

If then you have been raised with Christ,seek the things that are above,where Christ is,seated at the right hand of God.
(Colossians 3:1).
Don't let materialism lead you away from recognizing what is truly important.

For the Unity of Our Country

Almighty God, who dost raise up nations and empires to fulfill thy purposes: Bind into one,we beseech thee,the hearts of the peoples in our country,that, inspired by a common loyalty,they may be strong to further thy holy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
(from The Scottish Book of Common Prayer).

Peace of Mind---Sincerity

Be sincere,truthful,honest and fair to all; be the master of your passions and emotions; be intent on doing God's will; preserve a clear conscience; then you will have peace with God and man.

(from My Prayer Book by Rev. F.X.Lasance).

My Desire

Let the words of my mouth,and the meditation of my heart,be alway acceptable in thy sight,O Lord,my strength and my redeemer.
(Psalm 19:14).

Earthly Wisdom

I have read in Plato and Cicero sayings that are wise and very beautiful; but I have never read in either of them: Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden.''

(A quote by St.Augustine).

The world's wisdom and compassion pales in comparison to Our Lord's.

A Collect for Sunday Morning

Lord, we beseech thee, give ear to our prayers,and by thy gracious visitation lighten the darkness of our heart,by our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
(from The First English Prayer Book,1549).
Yes Lord,please,lighten the darkness in our hearts and minds.

A Collect for Monday

Let thy merciful ears,O Lord,be open to the prayers of thy humble servants; and that they may obtain their petitions, make them to ask such things as shall please thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(from The First English English Prayer Book,1549).

A Genuine Religious Life

"But I think that any genuine religious life must express reverance toward life,nonviolence,communion between man and man,man and the Absolute."
( a quote by Thich Nhat Hanh from The Raft is Not the Shore).

My Prayer

Dear God,let me walk in Your footsteps! May Your Holy Spirit be my guide! Shine on my soul with the eternal rays of love! Let Your goodness warm my soul! May Your justice reign in the hearts of all men! May Your kingdom be our home! May Your glory shine on mankind,that it may know You and love eternal! May the song of Your joy echo in our hearts! I pray You, O Great God,harken unto my entreaties! Amen.
(From Daily Prayer,The Serbian Orthodox Church).

A Daily Prayer

Grant unto me ,my Lord,that with peace in mind I may face all this new day is to bring.Grant unto me grace to surrender myself completely to Your holy will.Instruct and prepare me in all things for every hour of this day.Whatsoever tidings I may receive during the day,teach me to accept them calmly,in the firm conviction that all eventualities fulfill You holy will.Govern my thoughts and feelings in all I do and say.When things unforseen occur,let me not forget that all comes down from you.Teach me to behave sincerely and reasonably toward every member of my family and all other human beings,that I may not cause confusion and sorrow to anyone.Bestow upon me,my Lord,strength to endure the fatigue of the day and to bear my share in all its passing events.Guide my will and teach me to pray,to believe,to hope,to suffer,to forgive and to love. Amen.

(from Prayer Book,The Serbian Orthodox Church).

When You Go to Church

When you go to church,think that you are going to the home of the Heavenly King,where you should stand with faith,reverence and joy,just like you would stand in Heaven before the Heavenly King.
(from Prayer Book,published by The Serbian Orthodox Church).
Far too many people and faiths have either forgotten or ignore the necessity of being reverential in their approach to worship.

A Collect for Monday

Lord, we beseech thee,grant thy people grace to withstand the temptations of the world,the flesh, and the devil,and with pure hearts and minds to follow thee only God: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(from The Scottish Book of Common Prayer).

Something to Think About

In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since then.
"Whenever you feel like criticizing any one," he told me,"just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had."
(from The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald).
The above is a good thing to keep in mind as we try to obey Jesus' command to love our enemies as well as those who curse and hurt us.Only God knows the factors and events in life that cause people to behave in ways that are so contrary to His ways.

For a Sinner

"If only the sinner knew that all his trespasses,transgressions and infirmities were but the point of God's compassion,pardon and forgiveness,and that however great and atrocious they might be,they could never repel God's heart,extinguish His mercy,or fetter His love even for a single moment.If only the sinner knew this,he would never cling to his sin or seek isolation from God as a veil to cover his shame from seeing the face of Christ,who is trying to show love toward him and who is calling them!"
(from The Communion of Love by Matthew the Poor).
Too many of us underestimate the degree and intensity of His love for us.

Stay in the Presence of the Lord

"Let us keep ourselves in the presence of God.In all our ways,let us ever have before us the example of Our Lord, and how He thought,spoke and acted; and in every circumstance of life let us copy His example."

(from My Prayer Book by Rev.F.X.Lasance).

May we all make a daily practice of reading from the Gospels.

At the End of Our Day

"At the falling of another,Be it a friend or be it brother,Never sneer,and ne'er deride,Help the weak and conquer pride.
Let no good by thee be marred,Let no duty seem to hard,In all things bravely do your best,And then to God we'll leave the rest.If we sit down at set of sun,And count the things that we have done,And counting find one self-denying act,one word that eased the heart of one who heard,one glance most kind,that fell like sunshine where it went,then we may count the day well spent."
(Thomas Kempis).

Are You a Modernist or a Traditionalist?

Never before in the modern church era have we seen so many Christian faiths and denominations departing from what were once regarded as the accepted truths of the Bible.Faiths such as the Episcopal Church USA, as well as certain branches of the Methodist,Lutheran and Presbyterian faiths are taking a decidedly modernist approach to the interpretation of scripture.By modernist,I mean they view many parts of scripture,particularly the New Testament, as being influenced by the culture and time they were written in, and are not necessarily relevant to those in this modern and "enlightened" 21th century.Issues of sexuality and what constitutes Godly living are the topics most often disputed by the modernists.Traditionalists of course view The Holy Bible as the unchanging Word of God.
I am often amazed to hear people who say they are Christian express that they accept conduct and behavior that is in direct opposition to scripture.The Bible is filled with statements and admonitions about altering what is written in this book to fit ones chosen beliefs. Once you reinterpret a portion of scripture,where does this process all end? Many, like retired "Bishop" John Shelby Spong, began by questioning certain portions of the Bible and eventually ended up denying who Jesus is.
For those who are leaning towards a modernist approach I say this,read your Bible! Perhaps you should begin by reading 2 Timothy, chapters 3 and 4. In chapter 3, of 2 Timothy we read in the 16 verse:"All scripture is given by inspiration of God,and is profitable for doctrine,for reproof,for correction,for instruction in righteousness.."
It really can't be put any plainer than that; sadly,far too many people view themselves as wise but in reality are fools, following a faith that has nothing to do with what was written of in the New Testament. May God open their hearts and minds to recognize the truth!