Sacred Space

Prayer is not selfish! Whenever I stop and try to pray, I enter into my own heart. But also in some mysterious way I touch the lives of all who yearn for goodness and truth, and who lift up their hearts in prayer as I do. Through my prayer and theirs, the wide expanse of the world is lifted up before God. Some people’s whole lives are spent in this way – for instance, the Carthusian contemplatives portrayed in the 2005 film, Into Great Silence. These ordinary people who have been called to silence and prayer are devoted day and night to the mystery of the living God, and continually raise up the world and its needs before Him.

We each have our part in that great panorama of prayer - for when we stop to pray in the midst of our practical concerns, we enter the Sacred Space domain and are joined to a multitude of praying hearts across the world. In the film the text from Jeremiah 20:7 appears from time to time: ‘You have seduced me, Lord, and I have let myself be seduced’.Such strong language has a particular meaning when applied to the extraordinary location of a Carthusian monk.  But the words can also be applied to myself. When I feel drawn into quiet and prayer, I am being ‘seduced’ by God! Coming before Him, as best I can, with all my poor heart, the whole world and its needs are present as well.

Your Life Plan - Jeremiah 29:11

1.Your life plan is customized. Psalm 139:16 You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book!
You were born in response to the determined plan of God, not as an afterthought. Before you took even one breath, every day, every step and every circumstance in your plan was recorded. God's plan uses your strengths as well as your weaknesses. We all have strengths - they are part of the plan. We all have limitations - they are also part of the plan. We all have seasons of life that are essential to the plan as well. True success comes when, instead of constantly fighting against or trying to change the plan, we learn to identify and build on our strengths, accept the limitations as hedges of protection from God, and yield to the seasons in life as God's avenue of perfect timing. God's plan for you is not a "one-size-fits all." It is customized and just your size.
2. Your life plan is good. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,” plans to prosper you and not to
For some reason we tend to think that God sat down one day and designed a sinister life plan laced with pain and defeat. Nothing could be farther from the truth. This train of thought contradicts the very nature of God and misunderstands His heart - the heart of a loving Father who wants the absolute highest and best plan for His child. It is a good plan!
3. Your life plan is guaranteed. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
God always empowers what He calls us to do. With the plan comes every resource that we will need to accomplish that plan. For many years, my life mission was really quite simple. I tried and often succeeded in filling every waking moment with activity. Oh, it was wonderful activity filled with good things - but they were not the best things or the highest things for my life. I did many of those things in order to feel worthy and important, hoping they would bring my life into balance and under control. I hoped that doing good things would provide a purpose and plan for the restlessness in my soul. While sitting at the bottom of a deep, dark pit named "Clinical Depression," I discovered a truth that has redefined who I am and altered my soul perception of God. I now realize that the most powerful life flows from a clear life plan not to it! 


How do we discover our life plan? 
At first glance, that question may seem complicated and almost impossible to answer, but when we spend time with the Plan Maker, that question is easily answered as we step out in obedience to God. When we begin to saturate daily life with His truth and continually turn our hearts to conversation with God, His plan naturally unfolds as we take every "next step" in obedience. Consider the following questions when praying about and asking God to reveal His plan for your life:

·         What are your spiritual gifts?
·         What are you passionate about?
·         What are your natural abilities?
·         What is your personality type?
·         What are the spiritual markers in your life?
·         What do others see in you?    

Certainly, I fail and have to begin again. And sometimes I am misunderstood because I have chosen to follow God's plan instead of someone else's. But I would rather be misunderstood than disobedient. I had to choose a new audience for this race of life and so must you. I had to make a decision about the One I wanted to please and so must you. Don’t waste another minute on anything but God’s very best plan for your life.
Let’s Pray
Father, I want to know and live out the plan You have for me. Sometimes my faith is weak but I really do want to please and honor You. Guide my steps, Lord. Give me Your strength to be obedient. Thank You for giving my life purpose and meaning. Today, I choose Your plan above all others and celebrate the joy I find in knowing You.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

RESPECT

“For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord the Church, Because we are memebers of his body” (Eph. 5:29-30).

Respect yourself; you have the right to be here and and you have important work to do.  By the grace of God you are what you are; glory in your selfhood, accept yourself and go from there.  Be gentle with yourself.  Although you can not always control what happens to you, you can always control how to respond to failure.  You know that as long as you keep faith in God and yourself nothing can permanently defeat you.  Keep your heart young and your expectations high and never allow your dreams to die.  Happiness doesn't come from doing what we like to do but from liking what we have to do.  It is found in little things: a baby's smile, a letter from a friend, the song of a bird, a light in the window.  Meet the challenge of each new day with the serene faith that: "All things work for good to them that love God."  Being today is recognizing that the only ceiling in life has is the one you give it and realize that you are surrounded by infinite possibilities for growth and achievement.  Success is having the courage to meet failure without being defeated.  It is refusing to let present loss interfere with your long-range goal.  Through the power of  your own creative imagination you catch a vision... you dream a dream and you see yourself as a triumphant personality striding toward far horizions of constructive accomplishments.  Put the stamp of your unique personality on the work you do.  By pouring your spirit into your task your work is a reflection of your faith, your integrity, your ideals.  Stand on the mountain and see the endless horizon. Dare the sky and reach for the stars.  Allow for your human frailties and foilbles and keep trying.  Believe ! Believe in life's enduring values-that you are big enough to master any problem.  You can do all things in him who strenthens you.

All Is Well With My Soul

Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, forgive me for the times when I try to navigate the broken path of life on my own. When my heart is heavy with burdens, please give me Your strength and remind my soul to trust You. I need Your guidance and power today.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.


Psalm 62 For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYFjikyp7mQ&feature=player_embedded

"All Is Well with My Soul"

I am a member of that great crowd which comes to hear the Word of God - I am part of the Sacred Space community. For a few moments I pray for the other members of this community, and ask that it may continue to grow all over the world.

Alignment and Assignment and God

With so much strife and violence going on in the world these days, do not forget that what God shall accomplish will prosper.
"For you shall go out in joy, and lead forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial, for everlasting sign which shall not be cut off." Isaiah 55:12-13


We are not here by accident. God has called us to the abundant life in Christ. If you pay attention to His calling on your life,  he will protect you against those that would attack you. When God incites you to follow His designated plan, don't be afraid to step out and do it. As you endure to do your part. He will be justified by your morality and faith. Even though you may experience difficulties, stay focused on the promises of God and His commitment to you. Do not allow struggles and hardships to disengage you from the obligation of following God's plan. 

• 
  Jesus is the only sign I need to chart my life well. I ask to be brought close to Jesus now, so that I may read this divine sign well.
• ‘Something greater’ hints at the profound mystery of Jesus. How privileged I am to be his companion!

Choose to be accountable.
Admonish one another with all wisdom (Colossian 3:16b, NIV).
“Admonish” literally means “to warn, to instruct or correct.” Paul is talking about obedience that is guarded by accountability. As John 14:23 (NCV) states, how much we love God is measured by how much we obey God. “Jesus answered, ‘If people love me, they will obey my teaching.’” Obedience is easier in an atmosphere of accountability.

ALL ARE WELCOME

I remind myself that I am in your presence O Lord.
I will take refuge in your loving heart.
You are my strength in times of weakness.
You are my comforter
There are very few people
who realise what God would make of them
if they abandoned themselves into his hands,
and let themselves be formed by his grace. (Saint Ignatius)
I ask for the grace to trust myself totally to God's love.

• The kingdom of heaven is often presented under the image of a great banquet. Could it be that I am slow to receive fully the goodness that God offers?
• Everything that veils and deadens love will be removed in God’s time. I pray that I may play my part in removing anything that prevents people becoming fully alive.

Is there life after death? Do you ever wonder what’s going to happen to you after you die? Jesus talked about Heaven and Hell often. Could be scary, if you aren't sure which one you are going to. You may wonder, "How can I know for sure?" Take a hint from what Jesus said to the criminal hanging next to Him on the cross. If anyone deserved Hell, he did. But he believed that Jesus was innocent and the true King of the world. He said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." And Jesus replied back, "I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise." Paradise for the man that deserved Hell -- all because he believed in Jesus.

How you view life after death determines how you live life before death. Think of the aromas you smell before a really great meal. That's how Heaven compares with right now. Psalm 39:5 says, "Each man's life is but a breath." But Jesus compared Heaven to a great feast. Many were invited, but only a few prioritized it, saying they were too busy with money, things, and relationships. If you understand that this life is relatively meaningless -- and that true happiness awaits you in Heaven with Jesus -- you will care more about what Jesus wants today than other temporary things. But know that there is hope for you if you believe in Jesus as the criminal did. Jesus promised, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am" (John 14:3).

I AM THE TRUE VINE

Jesus spoke to His disciples and said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, thatyou bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:1-8, NIV

The maintenance man doesn't pull the branch off to hurt the palm tree. He pruned it to increase its beauty, health and vibrancy. God does the same for us. He prunes His children to increase our beauty, health and vibrancy for our good and for His glory - to make us more useful to Him and more fruitful.

Are there any dead branches hanging on the tree of you?

"I am of the vine drawing life from the root,

Branching out and bearing fruit.

Sharing the water, absorbing the light,

Renewed and reborn to recieve

And pour out the good wine.

From the fruit of the branch of the wine." 1977

"Lord , crack me and crush me

Like the wheat and the vine,

That I may be made new

Like the the bread and the wine." 1979

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

Shepherding was one of the oldest callings in Israel, even before farming. Shepherds traveled from place to place, living in tents while driving their flocks from one pasture to another. The sheep and their shepherd lived together every minute of every day. In fact, they were so intimately bound together that individual sheep, even when mixed with other flocks, could recognize the voice of their own shepherd and would come immediately when called by name.
A shepherd owned and marked his sheep. In some cases, the sheep were even branded, although branding is no longer an accepted method of identification because of the damage it does to the wool. Today, the ears of sheep are pierced with identification tags, but for thousands of years, shepherds around the world marked their sheep by notching their ears with a sharp knife. Each shepherd had his own distinctive notch that indicated identity and ownership.
When we come to Jesus Christ in complete surrender and begin the journey of becoming a fully devoted follower of Christ, we are redeemed by His forgiveness, made whole by His grace and marked with His love through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. 
You were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13, NIV).

SALT MINE CATHEDRAL

www.kuriositas.com/2011/08/wieliczka-salt-mine-astounding.html 


An Astounding Subterranean Salt Cathedral

Have you been putting off doing something that God has called you to do because you feel like you’re not ready? If so, don’t put it off any longer. Jesus says, “Follow me.” He’ll take care of the rest.

Have you been putting off accepting Jesus as your personal Savior because you feel you’re not ready? If so, Jesus says, “Follow me.” What are you waiting for?

 Sometimes we are hesitant to do what You are calling us to do because we don’t feel that we are ready. But we know that we are  ready the moment You call us and that You will supply all our needs according to Your riches in glory. We are so thankful that we never have to get ready to be saved! You tell us to come as we are. “Just as I am without one plea, but that Thy blood was shed for me.” Hallelujah! “Oh Lamb of God, I come. I come.”

We will get much more out of the Lord’s Prayer if we take each petition separately and see each one as a theme about which we can pray. We can take each petition separately and spend time praying around each one. When we do that seriously and conscientiously we will see that it is a very challenging prayer.
Let us briefly look at the petitions as they are in Luke:


Father:
To begin with, let us not get into arguments about God’s gender. We can address God as either Father or Mother; the basic meaning is that God is the source of life, that God is the Creator of every living thing. In addressing God as Father (or Mother) we are acknowledging that we are children, sons and daughters, of God. But if we are children of the one God, then we are brothers and sisters to each other. And there can be no exceptions to this, not even one.
Is this what I mean when I utter the word “Father”? Am I prepared to see every single person on the face of this earth, irrespective of race, nationality, skin colour, class, occupation, age, religion, behaviour… as my brother and sister? If not, I have to stop praying at this first word. We can begin to see now what teaching his disciples to pray meant to Jesus as well as to them and us.


May your name be held holy:
God’s name is already holy and nothing we can do can make it any more so. In this petition we are rather asking that the whole world recognise the holiness of God, that the whole world sing with the angels, “Holy, holy, holy…” God does not need this but we do. And when we sing like this in all sincerity then we are saying that we belong to him and recognise him as Lord. And it is, in fact, another way of expressing the following petition…


Your kingdom come:
We refer frequently in these reflections to the Kingdom. It is that world where God’s reign prevails in people’s hearts and minds and relationships. A world where people have submitted gladly to that reign and experience the truth and love and beauty of God in their lives and in the way they react with the people around them. It produces a world of freedom, peace and justice for all.
In praying this petition, though, we are not just asking God to bring it about while we sit back and wait. We are also committing ourselves to be partners with God in bringing it about. Our co-operation in this work is of vital importance. To be a Christian, to be a disciple of Jesus is essentially to be involved in this task of making the Kingdom a reality. And it has to begin right now; it is not just to be left to a future existence. (In Matthew’s version we pray: ‘Your kingdom come on earth…’)Like many of these petitions, it is a prayer that God’s will be carried through our involvement. Again it is a really challenging prayer.


Give us each day our daily bread:
A prayer that we will be always provided with what we need for our daily living. There is a highly dangerous word buried in the petition. That word is “us”. To whom does “us” refer? My family? my friends? my work companions? my village, town, city, country, nationality, race?  Surely it refers to all God’s children without exception.
If that is the case, then we are praying that every single person be supplied with their daily needs. But that cannot happen unless we all get involved. The petition is not simply passing the buck to God. The feeding of our brothers and sisters is the responsibility of all. Yet millions are hungry, other millions suffer from malnutrition as well as being deprived of many of the other essentials of dignified living. Clearly, we are not doing all we could to see that all of “us” have “our” daily bread. So again this is a very dangerous prayer.
It is even more dangerous when we say it in the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the sacrament or sign of a community that takes care of all its members and of others in need. It is the sacrament of breaking bread with brothers and sisters. If we leave the Eucharistic table and do nothing about this then our sign has been a sham.


Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is in debt to us:
How easily we say this again and again! Yet it is a very frightening thing to do: to put God’s forgiving us conditional on our forgiving others. Forgiveness and reconciliation must be part and parcel of Christian living and we all know that at times it can be very difficult. Yet, as we see in the book of Jonah (read during Cycle I at this time), our God is so ready to forgive.  To be like him, to be “perfect” is to have that same readiness to forgive. Our deepest urge should be not to condemn and punish but to rehabilitate and restore to life.


Do not put us to the test:
We are surrounded by forces which can draw us away from God and all that is true, good and beautiful. We pray that we will not succumb permanently to anything of the sort. We need constantly God’s liberating hand to lift us up as he lifted the drowning Peter. This is the one petition where we depend totally on God’s help.
The Lord’s Prayer is beautiful. It is challenging. It needs to be taken slowly and meditatively so that we have time to enter deeply into each petition. Perhaps as we pray we can stop at just one petition which at this time is particularly meaningful to us and leave the others for another time. It is primarily not a formula to be recited but themes for prayer. Any one petition is enough to last a long time.

 

HERE IN LIES MY KINGDOM,  IN THE CLEAR , TRUE EYES OF A CHILD. LOVE HIM AS THEY CAN AND YOU WILL HAVE PEACE AND COMFORT ALWAYS.

Towards the end of his Letter to the Philippians, St Paul has words on which we can often ponder. He had written earlier in the letter about his own following of Christ, which is everything for him and which he proposes for each one of us (Phil 3:7-16). But then he adds: ‘Finally, brothers and sisters fill your minds with everything that is true, everything that is honourable, everything that is upright and pure, everything that we love and admire’ (4:8). These are indeed significant additions. Paul is saying that, as we are captivated by Christ and transformed in him, then also every good thing displayed in this world should fill our hearts and minds.
He means especially whatever is True, and Good, and Beautiful. The manifestations of these are worthy of our admiration and interest. They are in fact supremely given us in Christ, so we are invited to have a care for them. Sometimes in life, indeed, we feel overwhelmed by their opposites – when so much that is unjust, and untrue, and ugly, seems to predominate in the world around us.  But all the more then are we called to discern and uphold what is true, and good, and upright. ‘Lord, help me always to revere and uphold all that is true, and good, and supremely beautiful in this world’.