Saturday, March 5, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
I'm sorry...what did you say?
The story of the tower of Babel has brought up questions through the centuries. Questions like why would God confuse the language of men, is it not good to communicate with one another? Wouldn't it make things easier in order to share the gospel? In today's mass readings something is explained about the tower of Babel, something that is ignored by naivete and is so obvious if only we pay attention to how mankind really operates. Please take a look at the readings here:http://www.dailygospel.org/main.php?language=AM&module=readings&localdate=20110218
Please read through the gospel and on to the commentary by Saint Augustine, he sheds some very good light on what it means to deny self and it has to do with the tower story. It is one thing to rely on our ingenuity and resourcefulness but it is another thing all together to believe that we have so much going for us that we can handle any difficulty that comes our way, in our own way. For the person who intends to make God their main source of strength and wisdom, their one true hope in life then relying on self is not all that we find we need. We need the love and unconditional acceptance from God and that is truly found by knowing His son Jesus. Peace to you this day.
Please read through the gospel and on to the commentary by Saint Augustine, he sheds some very good light on what it means to deny self and it has to do with the tower story. It is one thing to rely on our ingenuity and resourcefulness but it is another thing all together to believe that we have so much going for us that we can handle any difficulty that comes our way, in our own way. For the person who intends to make God their main source of strength and wisdom, their one true hope in life then relying on self is not all that we find we need. We need the love and unconditional acceptance from God and that is truly found by knowing His son Jesus. Peace to you this day.
Friday, February 11, 2011
The Silent Sermon - from an e-mail today
THE SILENT SERMON
A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the pastor decided to visit him.
It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his pastor's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited.
The pastor made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone; then he sat back in his chair, still silent.
The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead..
Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The pastor glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.
As the pastor reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, 'Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I will be back in church next Sunday'.
We live in a world today, which tries to say too much with too little. Consequently, few listen. Sometimes, the best sermons are the ones left unspoken.
The Lord is my Shepherd ----- that's a Relationship!
I shall not want ----- that's Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures ----that's Rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters -----that'sRefreshment!
He restoreth my soul ----- that's Healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness --that's Guidance!
For His name sake ----- that's Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death--that's Testing!
I will fear no evil ----- that's Protection!
For Thou art with me ----- that's Faithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me -----that's Discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies------that's Hope!
Thou annointest my head with oil ----- that's Consecration!
My cup runneth over ----- that's Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life----that's Blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord -----that's Security!
Forever ----- that's Eternity!
Face it, God is crazy about you!
Send this to the people you are crazy about. I thought this was pretty special, just like YOU!
It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his pastor's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited.
The pastor made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone; then he sat back in his chair, still silent.
The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead..
Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The pastor glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.
As the pastor reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, 'Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I will be back in church next Sunday'.
We live in a world today, which tries to say too much with too little. Consequently, few listen. Sometimes, the best sermons are the ones left unspoken.
The Lord is my Shepherd ----- that's a Relationship!
I shall not want ----- that's Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures ----that's Rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters -----that'sRefreshment!
He restoreth my soul ----- that's Healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness --that's Guidance!
For His name sake ----- that's Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death--that's Testing!
I will fear no evil ----- that's Protection!
For Thou art with me ----- that's Faithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me -----that's Discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies------that's Hope!
Thou annointest my head with oil ----- that's Consecration!
My cup runneth over ----- that's Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life----that's Blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord -----that's Security!
Forever ----- that's Eternity!
Face it, God is crazy about you!
Send this to the people you are crazy about. I thought this was pretty special, just like YOU!
What is most valuable is not what we have in our lives, but WHO we have in our lives.
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