appointed prayer

week of October 5

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Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon your church the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Anna, Isaac, and Haley the Christmas dogSolomon tells us that “a happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing” (Proverbs 17:22, AMP ). God undoubtedly has a sense of humor; we need only look at some of the animals He created (it’s hard not to smile at the sight of a hippo, a monkey, or a puppy). Or think of some of the married couples you know: don’t you think God was smiling at the wedding as He looked ahead to the interaction of the wildly different personalities that will be living together?

And as if often the case, medical science is proving the wisdom of Solomon’s Spirit-inspired words.

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Posts Tagged ‘Madeleine-LEngle’

do I want to be free?

Tuesday, April 4, 2006 · meditations · no responses · comments closed

In typical fashion, the Holy Spirit pointed me toward another thought on freedom, following right on the heels of what I read yesterday in L’Engle’s Bright Evening Star. The meditation for today in Lent and Easter Wisdom is titled “Freed by the Truth of Christ.” John Paul takes John 8:32 as his starting point: “You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” The Pope says,…

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freedom and power

Monday, April 3, 2006 · meditations, reading · no responses · comments closed

Madeleine L’Engle continues the story of her childhood in the second chapter of Bright Evening Star, writing about the differences between punishment and abuse and about painful experiences in “Beyond the Silver Hairbrush.” Born during WWI, in which her father had been injured in a gas attack, war was a constant presence in her growing up. One of the things I love about her upbringing is that she was free to ask questions, both of her parents and of God. Her parents were wise enough to know that children deserve real answers to difficult questions. When she asked why Jesus, whom she knew as loving and kind, didn’t stop war, her parents told her, “‘We are creatures with free will; God refuses to interfere with our misuse of it.’” She continues,…

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“A Sky Full of Children”

Monday, March 27, 2006 · reading · no responses · comments closed

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