Category: choose

It is a decision

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I-Believe-In-GodDuring this time where we all are living differently than usual there may be many questions we would like to ask God.

Why did this happen?

Did you let it happen?

What kind of God would do this?

Is this punishment for our sins?

Some people will give answers depending on their point of view. Some people may decide that if this is the kind of God we have they don’t want it. Some people will blame God. Some people will blame themselves or others.

This is a theological conundrum.

The truth is the answer is a matter of faith. It is, mostly, in your image or idea about God. No one can prove any answer. Answers need belief not proof.

Bad things happen to good and bad people. It has been that way from the beginning of life. You have to decide what that means to you and how you will move forward with what you believe.

Deep roots

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Victory
Send down your roots into deep soil, so that when trouble comes, you can remain steadfast and unmovable, knowing that God always has the final word. And rejoice. Always and everywhere. No matter what circumstance you find yourself in. Easter is Love’s Victory over evil and death; all fear is washed away. You – yes, you! – are a beloved child of God.

-Br. David Vryhof
Society of Saint John the Evangelist

wind and tree

This is so true. Our roots must be anchored in God but what we have to remember our branches must be flexible or the wind will blow them down.We have to be able to adapt to changes and bend to survive. So we must have deep roots in God and still be able to bend with change. God will strengthen us with both.

 

 

 

Trust

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There are so many wonderful posts from the brothers in this group. I hope this has as much meaning for you as it did for me.

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Trust

It’s not that God can’t, or doesn’t, or won’t work during the brightness of the day, but we need God most in those moments of our life that are full of darkness and fear. If you have ever been or are even now afraid of the dark – afraid of the darkness of your own life, afraid of the darkness of the life of another, afraid of the darkness of the world – take courage for as terrifying as it can be, Holy Week promises us that God is at work even there, even then, even now.

-Br. James Koester
Society of Saint John the Evangelist

Seek Christ

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Life Together

Life together is the best … except when it’s not. Life together will reveal our “control issues,” and expose us at our best and at our worst, and a lot of mediocre in between. Struggles are signs of invitation as we live out our lifelong conversion to Christ. Look on the people to whom you belong and remind yourself: “I need you.” And that will make all the difference.

– Br. Curtis Almquist, SSJE

The Times In Our Lives When We All Need Jesus - Heather Gerwing

This was written back in January. It seems as if it was written for us right now. We are certainly finding out about ourselves in a way we never imagined. We see clearly those we need and even more clearly the Christ that is there for us. This is a time to draw nearer, seek him more often and listen for his voice. It will be there.

Sing, pray, wash

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People have been posting things to do to help us to wash our hand properly. For me this is not hard. There are several things I enjoy doing and have taught them while I was at the church as parish nurse.

This is one of my favorites. Just one verse will do.

 

Saying The Lord’s Prayer is also good.

For children I always told them Jesus Love Me.

There are so many things that will work. I hope you find something that you enjoy and get in the habit of washing well and continue when this is all over. May you and yours be safe and filled with God’s peace during this time of anxiety.

The ten commandments

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Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who maintains covenant loyalty with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,

Deuteronomy 7:9 NRSV

God is asking us to do two things. One is to keep a covenant. A covenant is something that both parties have agreed to. We are called to keep our part of the deal. God will be our God and we will remain loyal to him.

We are also called to keep the commandments. You would think this is not hard so they are basically a way to live without hurting each other. Not so, just read them from The Message in more modern language. I wonder how many we mess up on each week.

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3 No other gods, only me.

4-6 No carved gods of any size, shape, or form of anything whatever, whether of things that fly or walk or swim. Don’t bow down to them and don’t serve them because I am God, your God, and I’m a most jealous God, punishing the children for any sins their parents pass on to them to the third, and yes, even to the fourth generation of those who hate me. But I’m unswervingly loyal to the thousands who love me and keep my commandments.

7 No using the name of God, your God, in curses or silly banter; God won’t put up with the irreverent use of his name.

8-11 Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Work six days and do everything you need to do. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to God, your God. Don’t do any work—not you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your servant, nor your maid, nor your animals, not even the foreign guest visiting in your town. For in six days God made Heaven, Earth, and sea, and everything in them; he rested on the seventh day. Therefore God blessed the Sabbath day; he set it apart as a holy day.

12 Honor your father and mother so that you’ll live a long time in the land that God, your God, is giving you.

13 No murder.

14 No adultery.

15 No stealing.

16 No lies about your neighbor.

17 No lusting after your neighbor’s house—or wife or servant or maid or ox or donkey. Don’t set your heart on anything that is your neighbor’s.

A Holy Lent

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Today is Ash Wednesday. I was crushed because things conspired against me getting to the service. I love Lent. Some people find it depressing but I see it as a time to reflect, to read something uplifting and search ourselves. It is a time to think.

Whether you choose to give up something for Lent or take something on or both Lent can bring us closer to God. Have a Holy Lent.

Matthew 9:9
[ The Call of Matthew ] As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him.

Seek the Lord

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For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart,

Jeremiah 29:11-13 NRSV

The Lord is waiting for us. He wants the best for us. All we have to do is seek Him.

Coincidence or miracle?

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It’s my experience that we’re much more afraid that there might be a God than we are that there might not be.  from The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

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Are we willing to believe that God loves us and is present in our world? Many times things happen that we slough off to coincidence when it could be a miracle. Do you have your eyes open to see the works of God? Pay attention. Miracles happen every day.