Sustainable Faith: Retreats
I have been refreshed and revitalized by a number of visits to the retreat center at Vineyard Central. Dave and Jodi Nixon are wonderfully gracious hosts and spiritual directors. Dave also gave input at the SMC annual church retreat in 2005.
Dave says it takes courage to intentionally make time for retreat, for contemplation. We are [...]
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training…. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave…. 1 Corinthians 9:25-27
Lent begins next week. Easter is early this year–March 23 in Western Christianity. Thinking [...]
What is this place where we are meeting? Only a house, the earth its floor,
walls and a roof sheltering people, windows for light, an open door.
Yet it becomes a body that lives when we are gathered here,
and know our God is near.
Huub Oosterhuis, Zomaar een dak boven wat hoofden, 1968
(from Hymnal: A Worship Book)
Gathering…
in [...]
Advent 1 Meditation
Almighty God, give all of us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in [...]
Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love, that through your grace each of us may proclaim your truth with boldness, and minister your justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for [...]
Lord, and Master of my life, take away from me the spirit of laziness, despondency, lust for power, and vain talk.
Rather, give to me, Your servant, a spirit of self control, humility, patience, and love.
Yes, Lord and King, grant that I may see my own sins, and not judge my brother and sister; for You [...]
Here is a wonderful prayer from the daily office yesterday in The Divine Hours (Tickle):
O Lord my God, to you and to your service I devote myself, body, soul, and spirit. Fill my memory with the record of your mighty works; enlighten my understanding with the light of your Holy Spirit; and may all [...]
O God of all the nations of the earth: Remember the multitudes who have been created in your image but have not known the redeeming work of our Savior Jesus Christ; and grant that, by the prayers and labors of your holy Church, they may be brought to know and worship you as you [...]
Lord and Master of my life,
Take away from me the will to be lazy and sad,
The desire to get ahead of other people,
And to boast and brag.
Give me instead a pure and humble spirit,
The will to be patient with other people,
And to love them.
Grant, Lord, that I may see my own sins,
And [...]
By Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic, Serbian bishop who spoke out against Naziism, was arrested, and taken to Dachau.
Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them. Enemies have driven me into your embrace more than friends have. Friends have bound me to earth; enemies have loosed me from earth and have [...]
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