Holy Week / Last Week of March 2015

I ASKED GOD

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I asked God to take away my pain. God said, No.
It is not for me to take it away, but for you to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No. Her spirit was whole, her body was only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience. God said, No.
Patience is a by-product of tribulations, it isn’t granted, it is earned.

I asked God to give me happiness. God said, No.
I give you blessings, Happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain. God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said, No.
You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. God said, No.
I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things.

I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as he loves me.
God said… now you understand!

LIFE IS SHORT, AND WE DO NOT HAVE MUCH 
TIME TO GLADDEN THE HEARTS OF THOSE WHO
MAKE THE JOURNEY WITH US.SO, BE SWIFT
TO LOVE, AND MAKE HASTE TO BE KIND. AMEN.

                                                          Prayer by Dr. Edmund Jones

Be an instrument of Peace

Think about this:

         

       “An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind.”   

                                                              ― Mahatma Gandhi

How are you loving those around you?

How are you being an instrument of peace in this world?

Peace Calendar by Deepa Chopra

Sunday: Being for Peace

Monday: Thinking for Peace

Tuesday: Feeling for Peace

Wednesday: Speaking for Peace

Thursday: Acting for Peace

Friday: Creating for Peace

Saturday: Sharing for Peace

Life is short, and we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who make the journey with us. So, be swift to love, and make haste to be kind. Amen.

Prayer of Self-dedication

Almighty and Eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you, and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.                            

                                      (Book of Common Prayer pg. 832)

First Week of March 2015

"14 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."  - Matthew 5:13-16

HOW ARE YOU SHARING YOUR LIGHT 

WITH THE WORLD?

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.

                                                                                                               
                                                                                   - St. Francis Prayer