His Mercy

"It is only the infinite mercy and love of God that has prevented us from tearing ourselves to pieces and destroying His entire creation long ago.People seem to think that it is in some way a proof that no merciful God exists,if we have so many wars. On the contrary,consider how in spite of centuries of sin and greed and lust and cruelty and hatred and avarice and oppression and injustice,spawned and bred by the free wills of men,the human race can still recover,each time,and can still produce men and women who overcome evil with good,hatred with love,greed with charity,lust and cruelty with sanctity.How could all this be possible without the merciful love of God,pouring out His grace upon us."
(By Thomas Merton from The Seven Story Mountain).

For the Spirit of Prayer

O Almighty God,who pourest out on all who desire it,the spirit of grace and of supplication; Deliver us,when we draw nigh to thee,from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind,that with stedfast thoughts and kindled affections,we may worship thee in spirit and in truth;through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
(from The Book of Common Prayer,1928 edition).

Rejoice!

"Rejoice in the Lord always.Again I say rejoice!"
(From Philippians 4:4).
Ever gotten a real break or opportunity?Perhaps it was a job promotion,extra money or an unexpected gift.Remember how appreciative you felt at the time? That feeling of thankfulness lasted for awhile but it gradually faded.It's human nature to forget about the gifts and blessings we have been given.Most of us have to make a conscious effort to remind ourselves of how fortunate we are.The cares of this life have a way of doing that to us all.
In regards to our salvation,we must always be aware of what a fantastic gift it is, and all that is promised with this gift from God.Scripture tells us repeatedly that despite the hardships here on earth, we have the comfort of knowing that as Christians we will be joined in eternal life with Him; something so incredible, the human mind cannot fully comprehend what it will be like.This gift we have been given should lead us to be deeply thankful and exude a joy that will make others wonder what it is we have. 1Thessalonians 5:16 says: "Rejoice always,pray without ceasing,in everything give thanks;for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." May His will be done.

A Psalm of Praise

Praise ye the LORD.
Praise ye the LORD from the heavens:
praise him in the heights.
Praise ye him, all his angels:
praise ye him, all his hosts.
Praise ye him, sun and moon:
praise him, all ye stars of light.
Praise him, ye heavens of heavens,
and ye waters that be above the heavens.
Let them praise the name of the LORD:
for he commanded, and they were created.
He hath also stablished them for ever and ever:
he hath made a decree which shall not pass.
Praise the LORD from the earth,
ye dragons, and all deeps: fire, and hail; snow, and vapor;
stormy wind fulfilling his word: mountains, and all hills;
fruitful trees, and all cedars: beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl: kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:let them praise the name of the LORD:for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.Praise the Lord!

(Psalm 148)

Let us praise He who created everything.

A Needed Prayer

O merciful God, who hast made all men, and hatest nothing that thou hast made, nor wouldest the death of any sinner, but rather that he be converted and live; Have mercy upon all Jews, Turks, Infidels, and Heretics, and take from them all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of thy Word; and so fetch them home, blessed Lord, to thy flock, that they may be saved among the remnant of the true Israelites, and be made one fold under one shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

(An Anglican Prayer). The above prayer has fallen out of fashion in these politically correct times,but, to deny its relevancy is to deny the words of Jesus.

As Little Children

Then Jesus called a little child to Him,set him in the midst of them,and said,"Assuredly I say to you,unless you are converted and become as little children,you will by no means enter the Kingdom of Heaven.Therefore,whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven."

(Gospel of St.Matthew,Chapter 18).

Jesus says much in these three verses about what is needed to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.We must be like a child as it pertains to our faith;totally trusting and dependent on the words and person of Jesus.How different that is when you compare these verses to what too often passes for faith today.Some Christian denominations and "theologians" have helped turn faith into something that is complex,where there seems to be a dispute over every jot and tittle of scripture.For instance,hundreds of books have been written arguing whether or not there will be a pre-trib or post-trib rapture.In the grand scheme of things,does it really matter? Where does it rate when compared to the necessity of say,a Christian loving his enemies and the necessity of his bearing the fruit of his faith? Granted,there are the essentials of Christian doctrine that cannot be ignored or compromised,but, a preoccupation with every minute passage of scripture does not foster a child-like faith.Too many people have been made miserable by what they perceive as as the demands of their faith.Could this be because they fail to recognize the need to "become as a child"?

A Prayer for the Morning

O My God,Thou knowest my poverty and weakness,and that I cannot do anything good without Thee.Deny me not Thy help; proportion it to my needs.Give me strength to avoid everything evil,and to think,say,and do what is good,and enable me to bear patiently all the trials which it may please Thee to send. Amen.

(from Before the Altar,The Devout Christian's Manual by Rev. Robert J.Wilson,1903).