and i move on to psalm 26, and another psalm of david clearly set before the little bathsheba incident [2 samuel 11] where he starts by proclaiming how good and righteous he has been and inviting God to 'examine my heart and my mind' [vs. 2] which is a great practice to take from this psalm [altho maybe without the assumption of being clean and pure and righteous, unless it's been a good week for [...]
me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, Israel... that is how psalm 25 reads to me - starts off really good and positive and kind of like the sunday picture of a christian - look at me God, everything is together, You are good, i can sing all the words in all the worship songs and even believe that i believe them and You're great and thanks for all You've done and You're control [...]
some more challenges from ‘Prayer: Does it make any difference?’ by Philip Yancey and you really should get the book: 'I remembered reading the account of a spiritual seeker who interrupted a busy life to spend a few days in a monastery. 'I hope your stay is a blessed one,' said the monk who showed the visitor to his cell. 'If you need anything, let us know, and we'll teach you how to live without [...]
more standing out passages and ideas from ‘Prayer: Does it make any difference?’ by Philip Yancey: 'David Ford, a professor at Cambridge, asked a Catholic priest the most common problem he encountered in twenty years of hearing confession. With no hesitation the priest replied, 'God.' Very few of the parishioners he meets in confession behave as if God is a God of love, forgiveness, gentleness and compassion. They see God as someone to cower before, [...]
hm, after the richness of 23 which i could have explored a lot more and in greater depth, i found 24 a bit more of a dig. nice poetic vibe and all, but not a lot jumping out at me and so maybe this is one where a bunch of you can chime in with your suggestions... i guess the one thing that stood out is the beginning which reads - 'The earth is the [...]
some more quotes from ‘Prayer: Does it make any difference?’ by Philip Yancey, which i am really enjoying at the moment: 'In Jesus' day tax collectors, prostitutes and unclean persons reached out their hands to receive God's grace while religious professionals closed theirs into tight fists. In receiving a free gift, having open hands is the only requirement.' [pg. 23] 'Most parents feel a pang when the child outgrows dependence, even while knowing the growth [...]
some more quotes from ‘Prayer: Does it make any difference?’ by Philip Yancey, which you really should read: 'Be still and know that I am God': the Latin imperative for 'be still' is vacate. As Simon Tugwell explains, 'God invites us to take a holiday [vacation], to stop being God for a while, and let Him be God.' Too often we think of prayer as a serious chore, something that must be scheduled around other [...]
i have just started reading 'Prayer: Does it make any difference?' by Philip Yancey which was given to me by two great friends Emiel and Philippa a while back and which i just started reading at the right time... still early days but REALLY enjoying it and highly recommend it [and it is not 'the ten steps to really great prayer' at all] and while you should read the book, until you do, i thort [...]
'The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. [...]
Two more Dangerous Things You Can Least Expect videos appeared this week: the shortest one ever, based on procrastination and how sometimes when we are in the middle of doing something we... and then the longest one by far on art which a lot of people have really seemed to enjoy, despite the lack of actual artworks being used in the making of this video. and i am working on one for a varsity tut [...]