Love God, Love People

2007-10-22T14:40:00.000-07:00

Prayer of Stillness

All of our lives can be fast paced making it difficult to slow down and be still. The following is a good way to slow down and get closer to God.

Repeat the following from Psalm 46:10. It is important to pause and mediate on each phrase.

Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.

Continue repeating until you let go of your thoughts. When you let go of your thoughts, you allow God to work in you.

2007-05-21T18:48:00.000-07:00

Walking the Labyrinth

During the Middle Ages, the practice of making a pilgrimage on foot to Jerusalem became impossible for Christians. Labyrinths were created in cathedrals for the purpose of making a symbolic journey to the Holy Land.

Walking the labyrinth is prayer in motion. Some say it is a threefold path bringing about a deeper union with God.

The walk from the entrance of the labyrinth to its center represents a letting go, or purging of things that block communication with God.

The second stage may be found in the center of the labyrinth; it is here that the walker rests in whatever the experience offers.

The process of retracing one’s steps to exit the labyrinth provides an opportunity to integrate any insights gained into one’s daily life.

If you have never walked a labyrinth, simply begin. There is no “right” way to pray the labyrinth, and you can’t get lost, because there is only one way in and out.

Some suggestions to get started:

Make your walk one of gratitude. You can pray, “Thank you Jesus for...” and list everything for which you are grateful.

Pick up a stone and hold it in your hand until you can identify a burden you are carrying. As you start toward the center, feel its weight grow heavier as you move to the center. When you arrive in the middle, leave it there, giving it to Jesus who will transform it.

Pick a word or phrase to repeat such as, “Come Lord Jesus”, or the Jesus pray, “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me”, as you walk the Labyrinth.

Remember, there is no right or wrong way to walk the labyrinth. Do whatever is most comfortable for you and begin your journey.

2007-04-02T16:56:00.000-07:00

Let us begin to reform the world by a serious attempt to reform ourselves. The world will find itself being changed at the speed of each personal conversion.

If I myself am different, the world will be different.

Ed Hays

2007-01-22T15:09:00.000-08:00

Scripture Meditation

Psalms 119: 15 I will meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.

Meditation is a combination of reviewing, repeating, reflecting, thinking, analyzing, feeling and even enjoying. It is a physical, emotional and intellectual activity.

Scripture meditation is applying the principles of meditation to reading scripture.

Key Point:

1. Take time to read a verse or passage several times.

2. Memorize a passage.

3. Quiet yourself and allow the Holy Spirit speak to you through God’s Word.

4. Consider how a passage applies in your life.

5. Try to imagine what God feels.

2007-01-22T15:07:00.000-08:00

Centering Prayer

Centering prayer is a method of prayer that allows you to experience the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

How to Do Centering Prayer

1. Sit quietly and relax. Enjoy your own inner silence. Be calm. Listen to hear whatever God wants to share with you. Savor God's presence and open your heart, allowing yourself to be touched by God in the deepest part of your heart.

2. Respond to God's presence with an act of faith. Do not allow your thoughts or feelings to get in the way. When thoughts come into your mind, gently let go of them and focus on a single word, such as - Jesus, Lord, Love - or a phrase that is meaningful to you, such as - Jesus Christ, Son of God have mercy on me; Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world. This sacred word or phrase is a symbol of your intention to allow God's presence and action within you.

3. Put your faith and love into the word or phrase. Whisper it softly. Repeat it slowly and effortlessly, letting it lead you more deeply within your being.

4 Center your attention and desire on God. Leave your thoughts and feelings peacefully. Let Jesus draw you into His perfect prayer of adoration, love, and praise. Let it happen. Don't try to force it, simply go with God's leading. Whenever you become aware of any distracting thoughts or images, gently return to your word or phrase.

5. When you end this prayer time, move slowly to a silent awareness of God and then move to a conscious prayer such as The Lord's Prayer. Say it slowly. Savor the words. Listen to their meaning and make them your own.

6. Centering prayer may be used once or twice daily for 20 minutes. If you are faithful to pray, you will soon experience the fruits of the Holy Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control. You will abide in God and God in you.

2006-11-05T15:38:00.000-08:00

One Body, Many Parts

For we are all baptized by one Spirit in one body–whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free –and we were given the one Spirit to drink.

I Corinthians 12:13

Let’s all come together in one Spirit and follow Christ’s command:

Love One Another

John 15:1-17

2006-11-05T15:33:00.000-08:00

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.

Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.

With God as Creator, united all are we.

Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me; let this be the moment now.

With every step I take, let this be my joyful vow.

To take each moment, and live each moment, in peace eternally.

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.

2006-10-16T15:35:00.000-07:00

In acceptance there is peace.

Lord, I don't pray for tranquility, or that my problems may cease; I pray that Your Spirit and love would give me the strength to abide in You during adversity.

Worry is a thin stream of fear trickling the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained. A.S. Roche

Lord, help me to release my worry and fretting to You - knowing that You hold the future and You want what is best for me.

2006-05-29T18:05:00.000-07:00

Do not look forward to what might happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield you from the suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace then and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.

St. Francis de Sales

2006-05-21T19:04:00.000-07:00

Love is more than a characteristic of God; it is His character

2006-04-16T17:26:00.000-07:00

You must be the change you want to see in the world.

Mahatma Gandhi

2006-04-12T17:30:00.000-07:00

There exists only the present instant... a Now which always and without end is itself new. There is no yesterday nor any tomorrow, but only Now, as it was a thousand years ago and as it will be a thousand years hence.

Meister Eckhart

Not living in the present moment can rob us of our joy. Too often people live with regret from the past and worry about the future. Trust God and realize the gift He has given you, the present moment. The only thing that exists is the present moment.
Ask yourself what is keeping you from living in the present moment? What are the worries and regrets that you need to let go of and give to God?

2006-02-12T17:22:00.000-08:00

Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light, and where there is sadness, joy.

O Devine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

2006-02-01T18:47:00.000-08:00

Prayer of Deliverance

Galatians 5:22-26 speaks of the fruits of the Holy Spirit and living by the spirit. The fruits of the Holy Spirit are:

Love, joy, peace, patience, faithfulness, kindness, gentleness, generosity, self-control, honesty, perseverance, humility, serenity, wisdom innocense, truth, goodness and prudence.

Whatever thoughts and/or actions inconsistent in some way with these fruits direct us to evil rather than to a God-oriented way of living. Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit to provide the assistance and power needed to be transformed and released from negative thoughts and actions. The prayer of deliverance can be a great assistance in becoming a new creation by the renewing of our mind.
(Romans 12:2)

I bind the spirit of __________ anger, criticism, anxiety, fear, jealousy, etc. – naming is important, cast it out in the name of Jesus, and breathe in the spirit of ________ The fruit of the Holy Spirit I wish to incorporate in myself.

What do we cast out?

Fear, uncontrolled anger, anxiety, worry, revenge, manipulation, resentment, jealousy, envy, gossip, gluttony and negative criticism.

Negatives in the mind lead to harmful words and actions.

2006-02-01T17:53:00.000-08:00

Scripture Prayer

Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you through the scriptures. You are seeking a union with the Holy Spirit through scripture.

Read through the scriptures thoughtfully and prayerfully until a verse speaks to you in a relevant and personal way.

Concentrate on the verse that you find meaningful. Reread the passage slowly several times. There may be a word or phrase that speaks directly to you. Meditate on that word or phrase. This should continue as long as you feel inclined.

Be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Pray about the verse. You may be led to prayers of praise, thanksgiving, gratitude, intercession or direction. Do not plan your prayers but be lead by the Holy Spirit.

Should the verse identify a need for change in your life, ask the Holy Spirit for help in making that change.

2 Timothy 3:16

The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. TLB