Everlasting God,
In whom we live and move and have our being:
You have made us for yourself,
So that our hearts are restless until they rest in you.
–Augustine of Hippo (Algeria/354-430)
Tag: Quotes
Our First Learning Group is finished.
Here are a few quotes from participants:
“All in all, one of the major things I gleaned from Brother Lawrence, was the similarity of my struggle to his battle, to get past punishing myself for my failures and losing my focus on God. It seems that when BL finally internalized the concept of God’s grace, he realized that as soon as he saw the disconnect in his life it was foolish to waste time beating himself over it (asceticism, which could take that quite literally, especially in BL’s day!). He learned to immediately return to the position that was already his because of God’s grace, continuing in the joy of His presence.”
“I’m glad Brother Lawrence seems like such a regular guy. He prays things like “God, I can’t do this unless you help me,” and when he messes up, “God, I *always* do that, and if you don’t help me I won’t ever do better!” That I can relate to!”
“I loved that Brother Lawrence was his own man – it was just him and God becuase everyone elses ideas confused him, so he just went straight to God. It was nothing in between – he would just get up – own the difficulty and carry on!!”
“For me, Brother Lawrence broke down some of my pre-assumed barriers by helping to break the secular and sacred divide that has happened in my life. I have often thought… okay, now it’s prayer time, then work time, then church time, then social time… etc. In reality, those separations don’t exist, and it’s immensely helpful to integrate our whole lives.”
Learning exchange invitation to YOU!
- Brother Lawrence-Practicing the Presence of God
For more on -Explaining “online Learning Groups”- click on the tab above called “Learning Groups-Updates”
A Prayer For Tuesday
God,
Today is Tuesday.
I feel small in the world.
In the little things I do, be with me, near me, and hold me dear.
Let me not forget your faithfulness, your grace, your power, your love.
Show me, my God–or help me glimpse–that your ways,
and your plan, are beyond my sight.
(But, that isn’t so I should worry, but so I can rely on you, and trust.)
If you are not all together good, then good does not exist.
But since I know what good is at all, surely I know you some.
Breathe into me your breath of life, and let me know you more.
When Tuesday seems like a small day, with nothing to offer,
show me that you delight in me,
just because I am yours.
Surely, you are mine.
Sincerely, with love,
Your girl,
Lisa
Reader Responds with quote (i.e. Lust: an Opportunity)
“If there is an Enemy of Souls, one thing he cannot abide is the desire for purity. Hence a man’s or woman’s passions become his battleground. The Love of Souls does not prevent this. I was perplexed because it seemed to me He should prevent it, but He doesn’t. He wants us to learn to use our weapons.” ~Elisabeth Elliot
En garde!
It would seem that we must take up armor against attacks that target our weak points, yet use the attacks themselves as God’s inescapable challenges to strengthen ourselves, enrich our dependence on Him, and I dare say, hone our passions for our best interests, and God’s work.
Thank you for writing, friend! “Allez!”
How about you? Leave your thoughts and comments, please. :)
Prayer: The Preciousness of Harmony
How wonderful it is, how pleasant, when brothers live together in harmony!
For harmony is as precious as the fragrant anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard and onto the boarder of his robe.
Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion.
And the LORD has pronounced his blessing, even life forevermore.
-Psalm 133, a psalm of David