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Journal — October, 2007 |
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AN ONGOING
SPIRITUAL WEBLOG
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October 29, 2007
What's in the water in Boston these days? The Boston Red Sox just won
the World Series, sweeping the Colorado Rockies in four straight games.
The New England Patriots are undefeated at 8-0 and Boston College has
the number two ranked college football team in the nation. Even the Boston
Celtics look promising with the addition of superstar Kevin Garnett to
their lineup.
Of course, in the realm of what really matters, we as followers
of Christ have been offered living water...the kind
that truly sustains us because we are offered eternal life (John
7:37 —The Message). Not without a cost, though. First
you have to die to self.
Just some interesting thoughts on my mind this Monday.
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October 22, 2007
Being a missionary is always challenging. The Rev. Doug and Liz Searle
are serving with Global Ministries in China and have found that their
best approach there is preaching by example. Missionaries are not permitted
to openly preach in China. The Searles teach English to hundreds of university
students in classes and through satellite transmissions —and try
to serve others through the example of their lives. See
story here.
Carol Martin, author of Wild Indians...and Other Common Misconceptions,
tells about the various trials and rewards of being a missionary for
seventeen years in South America, working with a native group, the Guayaberos. More
here (be sure to scroll down).
Pray for those in remote regions of the world striving to live and carry
the Gospel message to others.
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October 19, 2007
Millions of children who are not covered by health insurance could be
helped by the SCHIP program.
But President Bush vetoed the bill Congress sent to him for funding.
Yesterday the House failed
to overturn that veto, but many in Congress vow to work out a new
bill to keep the attempt for funding alive.
As there always is with politics, critics of the bill are spinning it
as big government and that people with high incomes would be able to
take advantage of the bill for insurance. Certainly there is potential
for abuse of any government program, but in this situation there is a
very real need to provide for health care for children in families where
it otherwise is not affordable. Caring and helping those less fortunate
is a duty of Christians. That doesn't mean we turn to government
programs to fix everything, but in this case supporting this legislation
is the right and moral thing to do. More about quality health care for
children here from
the PICO National Network.
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October 18, 2007
There is an ongoing debate among Christian denominations, pastors, evangelicals,
ministers and priests over the direction of Christianity. It appears
to me that one camp is afraid of questions and doggedly sticks to their
strict interpretation of Scripture and their understanding of Christianity. The
other side is more open to questions, ideas and revelation of God through
Jesus Christ in our day. They are willing to learn from past Christian
theologians, prophets and mystics.
It is easy to label two sides. But that tends to oversimplify. I
think what is going on is that people are thirsty for truth. Many
of us are awakened in our heart and soul to the presence of God, but
we want to know what that means for us and the world. We should
not be afraid to question things and to go deeper and deeper into what
Jesus means to us, both in His words in Scripture and His continued presence
in our world. We are called to follow Jesus Christ and to be Christ
to others. This doesn't mean we are to be God. It means we
are to represent and model Jesus to others and to let Jesus live in,
with and through us.
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October 17, 2007
Today's teenagers live in a world of advancing digital technology. They
are growing up with the Internet as part of their daily life. So it is
no surprise that one in four has learned something about their faith
or spirituality online in the last six months.
This information comes as part of a recent Barna Research study that
shows that teenagers are some of the most religiously active Americans
(72% responded that their most common spiritual activity is prayer and
almost half, 48%, attend worship servicing.
It's good news to know that young people are spiritually thirsty. Young
minds are impressionable and today's teens can also spot phoniness in
adults. Our ways of reaching out and engaging them in learning
spiritual things needs to be honest and positive. And we must learn to
use the tools of new technology, such as online ministry.
You can read more about the recent study at the Barna
Update (here).
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October 12, 2007
"Patience carries a lot of wait."
No, that's not a misspelling of weight. Waiting is a big part of
life, whether we like it or not. I can easily get impatient and
frustrated while in lines at the store, or in traffic. Or when
something I want is not coming fast enough. But that's not how
life goes. Some things take time.
Take a tip from the farmer. He tills the soil, sows the seed and
nurtures the plants. The harvest comes, but during the growing
season there can be adverse weather, insects that eat the crops, and
other "life situations". Eventually the harvest does come.
"Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him" (Psalm 37:7 —NIV).
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October 9, 2007
The tendency for any of us who regularly pray is that we might become
either complacent or think we have prayer all figured out. How you pray
and what you pray for can reveal a lot about what you think about who
God is.
The best prayers are honest, consise ("Lord, help!") and more about thanking
and praising God than pleading for things to go the way we want. If you
find that you are trying to appease God, be "good enough" or that others
should "stand in agreement with you" that God grant your prayer (often
a thinly disguised demand) it might be wise to consider that God is already
providing help. His grace is everywhere - we are the ones that frequently
block the reception of the grace with our self-centered ways.
In our fast paced world we try to do more and more in less and less time.
It is not unusual for us to be multi-tasking several computer functions
while talking on the phone and leafing through a file. I know it lessens
our concentration - I'm guilty of it - but often our jobs seem to demand
that we get more done in less time.
So, it is with a bit of concern that I picked up a new book just sent
to me by Howard Publishing, The Ten-Second Prayer Principle by
Mark Littleton. It sounds like another gimmick book. But, before I rush
to judgment, I'll take the time to read it. I believe quality prayer
requires quality time. Afterall, we are in a relationship with God. But,
the author may have some worthwhile tips. The back cover states "Timesaving
techniques rarely provide more rest or relaxation during the day. More
often they just identify extra spaces for people to cram in more work
and business in teh never-ending cycle of the day-to-day work grind." I
hear that.
But the blurb goes on to state that we can find practical ways to re-connect
in prayer to God when we only have a few moments. I think as long as
we have an ongoing spiritual development that we've put a lot of time
into (living the way, not just talking about it) then these tips might
come in handy.
More about the book here.
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October 5, 2007
It is often hard for us to stay connected spiritually to everything around
us. I know I go through times in the day where I have missed the
presence of God and the beauty of His Divinity in His creation.
The Western mindset cultivates a secular outlook. And we tend to
put our religion or spirituality in a "box". We take it out when
we think it's "time" for that activity. This, of course, misses
the point. Everything is spiritual. Everything is connected. Everything
belongs.
Ste Francis of Assisi, one of the most popular (and profound) saints
must have discovered this. He embraced God's creation with love,
even that which we find distasteful. Yesterday was his feast day. It's
always good to learn more about our brother Francis. Investigate here at
the American
Catholic website.
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October 1, 2007
Reviving
Our Spirits: Transforming Our Politics Can
we truly follow Jesus' commandment to love others, even
- especially - those who don't love us back?
October 19-21 in Cleveland, Ohio a special conference led by Jim Wallis,
Richard Rohr and Naomi Tutu. Poverty abounds - in our economic systems,
in our spiritual lives, and in our relationships with one another. Reviving
Our Spirits —Transforming Our Politics is a weekend of inspirational
speaking, music, teaching, learning, and sharing with Jim Wallis, Richard
Rohr, and Naomi Tutu.
Details
Here
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| Read past Journal entries here. |
Scripture taken from the
Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright © 1973,
1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved
throughout the world. Used by permission of International
Bible Society.
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks
of International Bible Society. Use of either trademark for the offering
of goods or services requires the prior written consent of International
Bible Society.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New
Living Translation, copyright ©1996. Used by permission of Tyndale
House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189, USA. All rights reserved.
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PSALM 118:24
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"This
is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad
in it."
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(NIV)
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