Protection from terrorism

Psalm 55:9-11 (New International Version)
9 Lord, confuse the wicked, confound their words,
for I see violence and strife in the city.
10 Day and night they prowl about on its walls;
malice and abuse are within it.
11 Destructive forces are at work in the city;
threats and lies never leave its streets.

May it be so for all terrorists and false media, dear Lord.

Henri Nouwen

A brief reflection on spiritual disciplines in the face of restlessness–

My hour in chapel is more important than I can fully know myself. It is not an hour of deep prayer, nor a time in which I experience a special closeness to God; it is not a period of serious attentiveness to the divine mysteries. I wish it were! . . . . But the simple fact of being for one hour in the presence of the Lord and of showing Him all that I think, feel, sense, and experience, without trying to hide anything, must please Him. Somehow, somewhere, I know that He loves me, even though I do not feel that love as I can feel a human embrace, even though I do not hear a voice as I hear human words of consolation, even though I do not see a smile as I can see a human face. Still the Lord speaks to me, looks at me, and embraces me there where I am, still unable to notice it. The only way I become aware of His presence is in that remarkable desire to return to that quiet chapel and be there without any real satisfaction. . . . I do believe that He touches me in places that are unknown even to myself. I seldom can point directly to these places; but when I feel this inner pull to return again to that hidden hour of prayer, I realize that something is happening that is so deep that it becomes like the river bed through which the waters can safely flow and find their way to the open sea.

John 1:1-14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)
      Jesus, come and live in our hearts.

He was in the beginning with God. (John 1:2)
      Thank you, Jesus, that there has never been a time when you were not.

All things were made through him, and without him nothing was made that was made. (John 1:3)
      Thank you for creating us and continuing to mold us by your Holy Spirit.

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. (John 1:4)
      Come, Holy Spirit; come and fill us up.

And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. (John 1:5)
      Jesus, let your light shine forth in all the dark places of our lives. Come and shine forth at the Diocesan Convention.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. (John 1:6)
      Father, thank you for sending your witnesses, the prophets, to us.

This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. (John 1:7)
      Holy Spirit, please help us bear witness to the light of Jesus.

He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. (John 1:8 )
      Thank you, Father, that John was willing to lay down his life for the sake of your commandments. Give us such faith and faithfulness in our generation.

That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. (John 1:9)
      Jesus, you are the true light; give your light to the deputies to the Diocesan Convention.

He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world did not know him. (John 1:10)
      Father, please help us to be faithful witnesses to the world when we tell what Jesus has done for us.

He came to his own, and his own did not receive him. (John 1:11)
      Jesus, please help us receive you into the life of our parishes and diocese. Help us do this without qualm or hesitation.

But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become children of god, to those who believe in his name: (John 1:12)
      Father, thank you for adopting me as your child.

who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:13)
      Father, we ask that your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
      Jesus, help us behold your beauty and glory as we worship you.

“Tradition may be defined as an extension of the franchise. Tradition means giving votes to the most obscure of all classes, our ancestors. It is the democracy of the dead. Tradition refuses to submit to the small and arrogant oligarchy of those who merely happen to be walking about. All democrats object to men being disqualified by the accident of birth; tradition objects to their being disqualified by the accident of death. Democracy tells us not to neglect a good man’s opinion, even if he is our groom; tradition asks us not to neglect a good man’s opinion, even if he is our father. I, at any rate, cannot separate the two ideas of democracy and tradition; it seems evident to me that they are the same idea. We will have the dead at our councils. The ancient Greeks voted by stones; these shall vote by tombstones. It is all quite regular and official, for most tombstones, like most ballot papers, are marked with a cross.” Orthodoxy by G. K. Chesterton, Doubleday Image Book, page 48 © 1908, 1936 by Dodd, Mead & Company
      Holy Spirit, help us hear and abide in the wisdom of the Church Fathers.

STUDY GUIDE: SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 31, May 15, 2011
            Lectionary A, Fourth Sunday of Easter
Theme Verse: “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
Readings: John 10:1-15; 1 Peter 2:1-25 and Acts 6:1-10, 7:2a, 51-60; Nehemiah 9:6-15; Psalm 23
Memory Verse: He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. (Isaiah 40:11)
Next Week: John 14:1-14; 1 Peter 3:1-22; Acts 17:1-15; Deuteronomy 6:20-25; Psalm 66:1-11

      Gospel: John 10:1-15

A word received: I want to be Lord and Shepherd of your souls. I want you to trust me with the circumstances of your life.

A word received: I AM the Good Shepherd. I want you to know me as your shepherd. I will tend and care for you. Turn to me — I AM the shepherd of your soul.

A word received: I want you to know that I AM the Good Shepherd.

See how many different ways you can see Jesus shepherding us in the following lessons:

      Epistle: 1 Peter 2:1-25 and Acts 6:1-10, 7:2a, 51-60

      Old Testament: Nehemiah 9:6-15

      Psalm: Psalm 23

Monday: 41,52 * 44; Wisdom 1:16-2:11,21-24 or Exodus 32:1-20; Col. 1:1-14; Luke 6:1-11
Tuesday: 45 * 47,48; Wisdom 3:1-9 or Exodus 32:21-34; Col. 1:15-23; Luke 6:12-26

      Notes from the Front Line

Jesus Savior Pilot Me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY38n9ediO4&feature=related

Albany Intercessor