May 20, 2013 PART 4 Understanding-The First of the Sevenfold Gifts, St. Bonaventure First, grant us the gift of understanding, by which your teachings may enlighten our minds. In the words of St. Francis, “grant that I may not so much seek…to be understood, as to understand…” O Heavenly Father, let us be slow in our desire to speak, swift in our willingness to listen. Through Christ, help
May 20, 2013 PART 3 Understanding-The First of the Sevenfold Gifts, St. Bonaventure First, grant us the gift of understanding, by which your teachings may enlighten our minds. I realized long ago that many Christians viewed curiosity as a sign of doubt. To ask questions within an exploitative mindset gave the impression that the person asking the questions did not have all the answers. Well guess what – we
May 20, 2013 PART 1 Understanding-The First of the Sevenfold Gifts, St. Bonaventure First, grant us the gift of understanding, by which your teachings may enlighten our minds. Scripture: Proverbs 2:6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; Thought for the Day: I’m still waiting for the day when God speaks audibly and clearly in regard to the meaning and purpose of life.
May 20, 2013 PART 2 Understanding-The First of the Sevenfold Gifts, St. Bonaventure First, grant us the gift of understanding, by which your teachings may enlighten our minds. Acts 19:17 (the Message) It was soon news all over Ephesus among both Jews and Greeks. The realization spread that God was in and behind this. Curiosity about Paul developed into reverence for the Master Jesus. “The important thing is not
A Simple Spiritual Practice: Before going to bed tonight, review your plans for tomorrow. Think about where you will go and who you might see. Look for potential opportunities to take advantage of what is already going to be occurring. For example, you might be headed to a meeting in the early afternoon, but you know that a beautiful park is near where you will be. Take your
Prayer of St. Bonaventure Focus Prayer For This Week Lord Jesus, as God’s Spirit came down and rested upon you, May the same Spirit rest on us, Bestowing your sevenfold gifts: First, grant us the gift of understanding, By which your teachings may enlighten our minds. Second, grant us counsel, by which we may follow in your footsteps on the path of righteousness. Third, grant us courage, by
“God gives where God finds empty hands.” – St. Augustine What are you doing to empty your hands, heart and mind of those things that keep you from more fully embracing, loving and focusing upon God? Part of your Spiritual Boot Camp
Scripture: Luke 14:10 But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, “Friend, move up higher”; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. Thought for the Day: This morning during worship, we will talk about making ourselves more fully available to the Spirit
Scripture: Romans 6:5-8 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have
Scripture: 1st Corinthians 16:8-9 But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. Thought for the Day: The 17th century English poet, Abraham Cowley, once wrote, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Now I truly believe some people, because of circumstance, race, economics,