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Journal — April, 2008 |
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AN ONGOING
SPIRITUAL WEBLOG
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April 28, 2008
There is an area in Southeast Albuquerque that has long been known as
the "War Zone". It has a history of poverty, gangs, drugs and
violence. One part of this neighborhood, the Trumbull sector, has been
renovated into what many now call "God's Block". If you watched ABC
Television's Extreme Home Makeover last night you saw the story.
The Martinez family were the recipient's a new home and renovated duplexes.
The properties were run down, but Gerald Martinez (pastor of Joushua's
Vineyard Mission), together with his wife and five children, devote themselves
to helping the homeless and poor. They offered housing and support and
didn't charge for any of this ministry. Now, with the renovations, they
have a beautiful home, but also the renewed spirit of the community.
They are doing the work Jesus' calls us to.
Pastor Martinez has been a believer for many years, but there was a time
when his passion for the Lord had waned. His testimony at the Promise
Keeper's website tells the story of how his faith was renewed
through the mission field he's been called to in Albuquerque.
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April 25, 2008
I find that a morning practice of quiet time, meditation, prayer and
some reading of scripture and various daily devotionals helps me start
my day right. But, I have to be careful that I'm not just going through
the motions. The purpose is to center me in the Lord.
Certainly I could overdo it with too many books, reading and mental busyness.
God is speaking to us, if we will only listen.
Hopefully you are using a devotional of some sort. There are many good
ones. Find one that speaks to your heart. And, from time to time, mix
it up and try something new. I often find when I do that I get a similar
message phrased in a refreshing and enlightening way.
For those of you who've felt too much like life is a game you must compete
in and win, visit today's Our
Daily Bread posting.
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April 22, 2008
Today is Earth Day. God created everything and gave
us the responsibility to look after this Creation. Good stewardship means
being environmentally responsible.
Check out Co-Op
America
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April 21, 2008
Pope Benedict XVI's just completed Apostolic visit to the United States
was heaviy covered by the media (here).
He celebrated a mass on Sunday at Yankee Stadium with 55,000 in attendance.
During his visit he called upon U.S. Catholics to use their freedoms
wisely. His message throughout his 6-day visit to this country was to
respect the dignity of all humans. In Boston he reached out in reconciliation
to victims of past sexual abuse by the clergy, acknowledging their great
pain. The pope also paid a visit to Ground Zero in New York City, the
site of the September 11, 2001 terrorist plane crashes into the World
Trade Center towers. He also addressed the Unietd Nations on Friday and
spoke of hte need to respect human dignity and for the wealthier countries
to assist those countries in need.
This historic visit was important for all Christians. The pope's message
of faith in God and the love of Jesus Christ is the hope of all Christian
believers. Furthermore, it is a message to share with everyone, regardless
of their beliefs, because this message of faith, hope and charity towards
all is the way of peace. Our troubled world needs this message more than
ever.
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April 16, 2008
I've been reading in the Acts of the Apostles (New Testament of the Bible)
and thinking about the early days of the Church. After Jesus ascended
into heaven the apostles and followers of Christ had to carry on. They
were inspired and full of love. Jesus sent the promised Holy Spirit and
amazing things were happening. You can read about it yourself.
More than miracles and bold proclamations about Jesus Christ and a loving
God, there was the community of believers sharing and helping each other.
This is how we all are to live, but it is easy for us to stay in our
little worlds, our "protected shells", and not live out our
faith. If we truly believe the Gospel then we must act like it. It doesn't
mean being pushy and preachy. And it is not easy. I know. I struggle
with this.
Think about your daily actions. Are you asking God for guidance? Are
you accepting it when it comes? Live with enthusiasm while staying humble.
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April 14, 2008
Film documentaries can be an effective way to raise awareness and inspire
action for social causes. Nadus Films is doing just
that and currently concentrating on helping to bring about positive change
for war-torn Sudan.
More
here
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April 10, 2008
Society tells men we need to keep our emotions in check, which usually
means stuffing them and not letting others know how we really feel. And
there also is a tendency for us to project an image of strength.
Being strong and brave can be good. But all people also need to be real
and to be vulnerable before our loving God.
If you've never explored men's spirituality then visit www.malespirituality.org.
There are men all over the world awakening to what it means to be a beloved
son.
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April 8, 2008
I was surfing around the web this morning, looking for something inspirational
or pertinent to write about. I felt unfocused and unsure of what to put
in a journal entry. From our links page I clicked on Assist
News Service and then found a story about Pastor Rick Warren
and his recent trip to Kenya in Africa. If you've followed the news you
know of the unrest, violence and death in that country after the national
elections this past December.
There has been a lot of division amonst the people in Kenya, including
the various Christian denominations. Warren is calling on them to put
their differences aside and speak with one voice. This is never easy,
but a call that is pertinent to the situation. It's pertinent to the
United States and elsewhere, too.
“People are most interested in spiritual things when they are in transition
or tension,” Warren said in his visit. “Don’t look at it (the
current crisist) as a breakdown, but rather as a breakthrough. God is softening
the hearts of people across this country; don’t miss this opportunity by
focusing on politics. There is only one thing that will unite this nation, and
it is not politics – it is the Church, your church."
Read
the story here.
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April 4, 2008
We all have dreams. Some of us dream of living
in harmony with each other. We dream of a
world that celebrates equality, justice,
dignity, compassion and humility.
Forty years ago on this day in Memphis, Tennessee a sniper's bullet killed
a man who had such a dream. Martin Luther King, Jr.
has been celebrated as a man who held high the values of civil rights
and human dignity. Sadly so many dreamers are killed, but their legacies
are not so easily cut down.
You can discover more about the legacy
of Martin Luther King, Jr. at the website, www.thekingcenter.org.
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April 3, 2008
I get to see a lot of new books as a result of writing reviews for Living
the Soluion. I regret not having enough time to read and review as many
of them as I would like. So many of these books are inspiring for my
spiritual journey.
I did just finish a highly readable real
life account of a foreign missionary. Wild
Indians and Other Common Misconceptions by
Carol Martin is a powerful insight into missionary
life, full of humor, tragedy, joy and tears.
You can read the review here.
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April 1, 2008
Have you heard the expression, "a Fool for Christ"? The origin
is likely from 1 Corinthians 3:18 where Paul states. "Do not deceive
yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this
age, he should become a 'fool' so that he may become wise." (New
International Version)
You can also find others referring to themselves as a "Fool for
Christ". The site, www.orthodoxwiki.org (patterned
after Wikipedia) has a whole entry on this. Apparently it was widespread
in Russia for a time that some Christ followers were willing to sacrifice
all pride and take on a lifestyle considered mad or insane, all to point
to the glory of the Lord. Saint Andrew of Constantinople and Saint Basil
of Moscow are examples.
A more modern day Fool For Christ was Dorothy Day. She
was one of those rare persons who lived devoutly and was engaged in justice,
non-violence, fighting poverty, teaching and working hard, yet still
finding time to be a mother, lover and friend. She is probably best known
for the Catholic Worker Movement. I discovered a site while searching
Google, www.foolforchrist.com.
Sarah Melici, an actor, has created a dramatization about Dorothy Day.
When you are truly dedicated to following Jesus this can become a badge
of honor. And, besides, it is good not to take ourselves too seriously.
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| IRead 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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