Tag Archives: David

September 23, 2015 · 8:53 am

Interior Peace

Restrain yourself from affection toward many people, for fear lest your spirit be distracted, so that your interior peace may not be disturbed.

——Abba Evagrius of the Desert

On face value it would seem to be a very harsh thing to say that we should stray away from having many friends and connections. I think we have all heard of the things that people do to gain popularity and power. When someone is obsessed with winning the affection of many people, they have very little time for anything else. Countless hours are spent in front of the mirror and reading tips on how to be the “one.” The more we are focused on such image, the more spiritually restless we become. In this journey we find little interior peace.

Paul tells the Colossian Church to “set their minds on things above.” The Abba says to restrain from our need for popularity. Both of these sayings are directed toward our ability to achieve peace with God. There can be no peace when we are frantically busy trying to be noticed. The only true peace is inner peace – the peace that allows us to thrive in a hostile world. Being at peace with ourselves is the most vital part of our relationship with God. Without the selfless interior peace, we remain spiritually empty.

Solomon tells us in Proverbs that charm is deceitful and beauty is vain. Think about it, the wisest man that ever lived called charm deceitful and beauty vain. Shouldn’t that say something to us in our image conscious world? Our real challenge is to remain focused on the things that are above and to take our eyes off of the crowd that we seek to gather and keep them on our spiritual journey. That focus will help us to achieve the interior peace that is so necessary to walk with God.

Prayer

O Lord allow me this day to focus on the interior peace that only you can give. Suffer me the strength to resist the temptation of self aggrandizement and carry me to a place of peace. Amen

The Hot Head (proverbialthought.com)
Back to school advice on friendship from Solomon (theglobaldispatch.com)

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Filed under Christian Journey, Desert Fathers

Tagged as Ancient Greek philosophy, Anger, Athens, Attention, Authorized King James Version, Book of Proverbs, David, Desert Monks, God, Solomon, Twitter

April 5, 2015 · 5:52 am

The Dance

Many are familiar with the beautiful poem, “Footprints.” In this story, a man dreams that he has a talk with Jesus about his life. Like all of us, this man had a life full of triumphs and tragedies, love and loneliness, happiness and sadness. And like all of us, he had a lifelong relationship with God that was at times close and committed and at times distant and unclear.

The man and Jesus were walking along a sandy seashore and having a conversation that reviewed that man’s life. The man noticed that many times there were four footprints in the sand as the walk of life progressed. Jesus explained, “These are the times when we walked together. The times you shared your life with me, and I stood beside you every step.” But the man became troubled when he noticed that in his most painful, dark times of life there was only one set of footprints. He questioned the Lord as to why he had been abandoned and left to walk those times alone. Jesus explained these times, also. “My child, the reason that you see only one set of footprints is because those were the times I lifted you into my arms and carried you because you could not walk alone.” All was explained to the man except the occasional places along life’s walk where there seemed to be many footprints going in all directions in a hectic pattern in the sand. Jesus smiled and replied, “My son, these are the times when we danced!”

This Easter, remember those marvelous occasions when you have rejoiced in life. Those overwhelmingly happy moments of life when your Lord “danced” with you! Take every opportunity to put on your dancing shoes!

PRAYER: Father – Help me to remember with joy marvelous moments in life, and help me now to “dance” with wonder at the blessing you give me.

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Tagged as Akan language, Ark of the Covenant, Body, Books of Samuel, Dance, David, Easter, God, Jesus

December 23, 2013 · 3:56 pm

Sacred

View of Bethlehem, 1898 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Emperor’s registration has been a great boon for business, but a mass of confusion, crowding, and short tempers here in Bethlehem. Since our humble village is the birthplace of the great King David those of his lineage have been required to come here to be counted. Our sleepy little country town has been inundated by hordes of irritable citizens inconvenienced by the journey. I warned my wife weeks ago that the inn would be filled to overflowing for these days. Together we made as many advance preparations as possible – more lamp oil, food, linens. Still the rush has been more than we bargained for, and we’ve met some real characters.

A few nights ago, a most peculiar thing happened. An exhausted young man came in just before sunset. He had just arrived from Nazareth with his very pregnant wife and was desperate for a room. I told him that I regretfully had nothing to offer him – there was not a corner to be had. Something about his manner really captured my attention, though. He wasn’t angry or annoyed as most were, but he just thanked me and turned to her with such concern and care. For some reason it was terribly important that I help them. It occurred to me that the cave in back which serves as a stable was empty. When offered such humble accommodations they gratefully and readily accepted without a word of complaint.

Sometime during the night, I was awakened by a small group of shepherds that claimed to be looking for a baby. I was bewildered, thinking perhaps they had had too much wine, but they hurriedly explained their reason for coming to the inn. They related that angels had appeared to them in their field and told them of a Special Child they were to come and worship for He was the promised Messiah. The angel instructed them to look for a baby in a manger. I must say, I felt the strangest sensation and thought of the young couple in the barn.

We went back to see and before us was the most beautiful sight. The young woman had given birth to a baby boy. Her husband, I think he said he was a carpenter named Joseph, had cleared out the animals’ manger and put in fresh hay, and there the baby lay all wrapped in warm cloths. The shepherds fell to their knees.

Although, I was confused and somewhat skeptical, I can truly say this was no ordinary child. In that smelly old barn, there was a holy presence. I have been drawn back in there many times in the last few days. Something lingers – something sacred.

Look for opportunities to give compassion. Wherever Christ is, there is a holy presence. Something lingers – something sacred.

Reflection – When has your spirit sensed a sacred presence?

Magical change (thehindu.com)

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Tagged as Bethlehem, Christ, David, Jesus, Joseph, Messiah, Nazareth, Saint Joseph

December 3, 2013 · 5:35 am

The Family Tree

A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord

Isaiah 11:1-3

We are all curious about our family heritage. Many of us take time to go to family reunions. Still others log on to research sites to find out if there is an exciting person in their background. Isaiah traces the roots of Jesus back to show His connection with King David. It is that strong heritage of freedom that Jesus proclaims for the people.

We share in that victory and heritage because we are children of the king.

Meditate on your spiritual heritage and thank God for your experience.
What is something you are most grateful for in your heritage?

Let us delight on these things as we worship Him.

Monica Boudreaux

Reflection on Isaiah 11:1-10 (newlifenarrabri.wordpress.com)

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Filed under Advent, Advent Devotional

Tagged as Advent, David, God, Isaiah, Jesse, Jesus, King David, Lord, Lord's Day

March 18, 2013 · 6:53 am

Psalm 23 Re-visted

Psalm 23 is one of the best known portions of scripture in the world. I have seen it expressed in many version, and the one below is a very thoughtful for today’s times. Perhaps y0u may want to recite it s few times today.

The Lord is my pace setter . . . I shall not rush

He makes me stop for quiet intervals

He provides me with images of stillness which restore my serenity

He leads me in the way of efficiency through calmness of mind and his guidance is peace

Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day, I will not fret, for his presence is here

His timelessness, his all importance will keep me in balance

He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity by anointing my mind with his oils of tranquility

My cup of joyous energy overflows

Truly harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruits of my hours for I shall walk in the Pace of my Lord and dwell in his house for ever.

I don’t want to end up simply having visited this world.

—― Mary Oliver

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Filed under Christian Living, Comfort, contemplative, Psalm 23

Tagged as David, Helium-3, Holman Christian Standard Bible, Lord, Mary Oliver, Psalm, Psalm 23, The Lord Is My Shepherd

December 18, 2012 · 6:31 am

Something Scared

Ancient mosaic of Nazareth (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

me and turned to her with such concern and care. For some reason it was terribly important that I help them. It occurred to me that the cave in back which serves as a stable was empty. When offered such humble accommodations they gratefully and readily accepted without a word of complaint.

This Advent Season look for opportunities to give compassion. In doing so you offer Christ’s presence to the world. Wherever Christ is, there is a holy presence. Something lingers – something sacred.