Follow Jesus!

Regardless of what the new year brings... follow Jesus.

If you are mistreated, cheated or disappointed by others... follow Jesus.

Whether you are in good health or are faced with sickness... follow Jesus.

Whether you find success or fall into poverty... follow Jesus.

When fellow Christians fall short of what they should be... follow Jesus.

If the ungodly prevail and seem to prosper... follow Jesus.

If the politics of the Nation or the local government goes a different direction than you think it should... follow Jesus.

If faced with injustice, heartbreak and tragedy... follow Jesus.

Whether you find turmoil or peace in your situation... follow Jesus.
Whether you find yourself alone or in a great company...follow Jesus.

Regardless of what happens around you, your calling is to follow Jesus.

May your new year be truly blessed as you follow Him!

The Silence of Worship

With thankful hearts
We enter into the courts of the Lord in praise;
As we draw closer to the Holy of Holies
Our praise turns to worship;
Bowed before the Holy One
Our worship becomes... silence.

Knights of Prayer

Here is a link to a wonderful website dealing with: lay monasticism, prayer, Celtic Christianity and so many other topics I really can't begin to list them. The site has more than 1,300 pages, so you could spend much time there. A highly recommended site for fellow "monks at heart."

http://www.prayerfoundation.org/

If you agree to their statement of faith and their requirements of prayer and study, etc, you too can become a lay monk in the Knights of Prayer monastic order. I've been putting it off long enough, but yesterday I mailed my request to join. 

One starts out as a "Postulant" for the first year. In the second year, "Novice" status is granted. After the second year is completed, full lay monk status is granted.

Check it out!

The Advent Virus

WARNING……WARNING: ADVENT VIRUS

Be on the alert for symptoms of inner Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. The hearts of a great many have already been exposed to this virus and it is possible that people everywhere could come down with it in epidemic proportions. This could pose a serious threat to what has, up to now, been a fairly stable condition of conflict in the world.

Some signs and symptoms of The Advent Virus:

• A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experiences.
• An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
• A loss of interest in judging other people.
• A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.
• A loss of interest in conflict.
• A loss of the ability to worry. (This is a very serious symptom.)
• Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
• Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature.
• Frequent attacks of smiling.
• An increasing tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen.
• An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.

May we all catch this virus!

The Message of Change

"The Gospel is inherently a missionary Gospel. It is a message that changes a life, changes a course, changes affections, changes values, changes world view, changes love, changes loyalty, and should change either our giving or going or both. But the Gospel cannot leave you as you are, the way you are, and where you are, or it cannot possibly be the Gospel you have received."

 --- Kevin Turner, Strategic World Impact.