A Daily Spiritual Seed: 2014

Friday, February 28, 2014

Weekend Edition - A Daily Spiritual Seed

A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
- blogcast from http://dailyspiritualseed.blogspot.com (comments option open)

Contents:
- Book/Resource of the Week
- Weekend Readings
- Spiritual Guidance
- Saint of the Week
- Affiliate Web Sites
- Theology Note of the Week
- Discussion Board
- Joke of the Week
- Advertising and Archives
- Subscribe/Unsubscribe links. Attributions.

- - -

Lenten Study Series

Topic: God and I: Exploring the connections between God, Self and Ego (spiritual theology)
Learning Process: 9 written conferences; private discussion forum for participants; video conferences.
See http://shalomplace.com/inetmin/GodandI for more information and registration options.

Book/Resource of the Week

Prayers from Chautauqua, by Joan Brown Campbell. The Pilgrim Press, 2013.
- http://www.amazon.com/dp/0829819851/?tag=christianspiritu

Sister Joan Chittister gives the forward for this book of prayers and encourages the readers to take to heart the many themes of prayer of supplication and praise to God.

This book is a spiritual treasure for persons of every denomination, culture, and way of life. Campbell seems to touch the feelings and desires of every heart of humankind. She has themes of peace-making, world-healing, and just plain everyday living. Her writing exhibits beauty, religion, and a deep sense of spirituality. It seems that Campbell has insight into the most intricate sentiments of the human heart, and she offers prayers that fit these sentiments.

Message of 2-28-14

A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
- blogcast from http://dailyspiritualseed.blogspot.com (comments option open)

Message of the Day

Our union with God—his presence with us, in which our aloneness is banished and the meaning and full purpose of human existence is realized—consists chiefly in a conversational relationship with God while we are each consistently and deeply engaged as his friend and collaborater in the affairs of the kingdom of the heavens.
... Dallas Willard (1935-2013), "Hearing God"

(. . . "a conversational relationship with God" . . . "as his friend" . . . today.)

Message of 2-27-14

A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
- blogcast from http://dailyspiritualseed.blogspot.com (comments option open)

Message of the Day

Make sure that you let God’s grace work in your souls by accepting whatever He gives you, and giving Him whatever He takes from you. True holiness consists in doing God’s will with a smile.
- Mother Teresa of Calcutta, (1910-1997), "A Gift for God: Prayers and Meditations"

(Be of good cheer this day. It is a choice we can make, to some extent.)

Message of 2-26-14

A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
- blogcast from http://dailyspiritualseed.blogspot.com (comments option open)

Message of the Day

A man’s personality actuates and quickens his whole body. If anyone said it was unsuitable for the man’s power to be in the toe, he would be thought silly, because, while granting that a man penetrates and actuates the whole of his body, he denied his presence in the part. Similarly, no one who admits the presence of the Word of God in the universe as a whole should think it unsuitable for a single human body to be by Him actuated and enlightened.
- St. Athanasius (293-373), "The Incarnation of the Word of God" [4th century]

(Christ fills the universe and all its parts [Eph. 1:23] -- you being one such. Let this awareness stay with you this day.)

Message of 2-25-14

A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
- blogcast from http://dailyspiritualseed.blogspot.com (comments option open)

Message of the Day

He, who begins by loving Christianity, better than truth, will proceed by loving his own sect or church better than Christianity, and end in loving himself better than all.
- Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834), "Aids to Reflection"

(What stirs in you as you read this? What is revealed to you about yourself in the stirring?)

Message of 2-24-14

A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
- blogcast from http://dailyspiritualseed.blogspot.com (comments option open)

Message of the Day

The Present is the point at which Time touches Eternity. Of the present moment, and of it only, humans have an experience analogous to the experience which [God] has of reality as a whole; in it alone, freedom and actuality are offered them. He would therefore have them continually concerned either with Eternity (which means being concerned with Him) or with the Present—either meditating on their eternal union with, or separation from, Himself; or else obeying the present voice of conscience, bearing the present cross, receiving the present grace, giving thanks for the present pleasure.
- C. S. Lewis (1898-1963), "The Screwtape Letters"

(Be here now in love this day.)

Weekend Edition - A Daily Spiritual Seed

Book/Resource of the Week

Only Love Can Save Us: Letters, Homilies and Talks of Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio (now Pope Francis). Our Sunday Visitor, 2013.
- http://www.amazon.com/dp/161278741X/?tag=christianspiritu

Here are one hundred fifty pages of inspirational reading from the pen of the present Pope Francis, written when he was Cardinal in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is no surprise that his main theme is his consistent love for the poor and joy in Christ as he covers these topics: marriage, prayer, faith, education, evangelization, the elderly, the homeless, vocations, and more. His tone gives the impression that he is speaking directly to his readers. His interest in the topics he chose for this book is a portend of his attitudes as Pope.

In a homily on the “Te Deum” in May, 2012, he said, “Only the commandment of love, in all its simplicity—steady, humble, unassuming, but firm in conviction and in commitment to others –can save us.” In August of 2011, he wrote, “Love neither discriminates nor relativizes because it is open to friendship. Friends accept each other as they are and tell each other the truth. It is also communitarian in nature. It impels individuals to accompany, to align themselves with, and to work next to their fellow citizens. It is the basis for social friendship and respect for differences.” In September of 2008, Cardinal Bergoglio wrote, “Establishing love is a work of skillful craftsmanship, the work of patient people, people who do their utmost to listen, to bring people together. This skillful work is carried out peacefully and wonderfully by creators of love. “

Message of 2-21-14

A Daily Spiritual Seed
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- blogcast from http://dailyspiritualseed.blogspot.com (comments option open)

Message of the Day

From my years’ experience I can unhesitatingly say that the Cross bears those who bear the Cross
... Sadhu Sundar Singh (1889-1929)

(The only thing worse than having a cross is resisting it. Invite God to be with and guide your in your struggles and hardships this day.)

Message of 2-20-14

A Daily Spiritual Seed
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- blogcast from http://dailyspiritualseed.blogspot.com (comments option open)

Message of the Day

Let God operate in thee; hand the work over to Him and do not disquiet thyself as to whether or no He is working with nature or above nature, for His are both nature and grace.
- Meister Eckhart (1260-1327), Works of Meister Eckhart

("Let God operate in thee . . .")

Message of 2-19-14

A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
- blogcast from http://dailyspiritualseed.blogspot.com (comments option open)

Message of the Day

The cause of [the cessation of the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost] was not, ... “because there was no more occasion for them,” because all the world was become Christians... The real cause was, “the love of many,” almost of all Christians, so called, was “waxed cold.” The Christians had no more of the Spirit of Christ, than the other heathens. The Son of man, when he came to examine his church, could hardly “find faith upon earth.” This was the real cause, why the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost were no longer to be found in the Christian church; because the Christians were turned heathens again, and had only a dead form left.
- John Wesley (1703-1791), Sermons on Several Occasions, v. II

(Do you think Wesley's critique is still relevant today? How can you fan into flame the gifts of the Spirit in your life?)

Message of 2-18-14

A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
- blogcast from http://dailyspiritualseed.blogspot.com (comments option open)

Message of the Day

". . . whilst you shut yourself up in patience, meekness, humility, and resignation to God, you are in the very arms of Christ, your whole heart is His dwelling-place, and He lives and works in you as certainly as He lived in, and governed that body and soul, which He took from the Virgin Mary."
- William Law (1686-1761), The Spirit of Love [1752-4]

(We [you] are the body of Christ. Let Him live and work in you this day.)

Lenten Study Series

Topic: God and I: Exploring the connections between God, Self and Ego (spiritual theology)
Learning Process: 9 written conferences; private discussion forum for participants; video conferences.
See http://shalomplace.com/inetmin/GodandI for more information and registration options.

Message of 2-17-14

A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
- blogcast from http://dailyspiritualseed.blogspot.com (comments option open)

Message of the Day

One way to recollect the mind easily in the time of prayer, and preserve it more in tranquility, is not to let it wander too far at other times. You should keep it strictly in the Presence of God; and, being accustomed to think of Him often, you will find it easy to keep your mind calm in the time of prayer, or at least to recall it from its wanderings.
- Brother Lawrence (c.1605-1691), The Practice of the Presence of God.

(Taking responsibility for the thoughts we give consent to is one of the most difficult practices, and most essential.)

Weekend Edition - A Daily Spiritual Seed

A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
- blogcast from http://dailyspiritualseed.blogspot.com (comments option open)

Contents:
- Book/Resource of the Week
- Weekend Readings
- Spiritual Guidance
- Saint of the Week
- Affiliate Web Sites
- Theology Note of the Week
- Discussion Board
- Joke of the Week
- Advertising and Archives
- Subscribe/Unsubscribe links. Attributions.

- - -

Book/Resource of the Week

A Travel Guide to Heaven, by Anthony DeStefano. Doubleday, 2006.
- http://www.amazon.com/dp/0385509898/?tag=christianspiritu

This is about all you ever wanted to know about that place of beauty, excitement, challenges, fun, and pure delight, namely HEAVEN. The author provides Scripture quotations to substantiate his thoughts about celebrating all the way to Heaven and thereafter. He contends that heaven is more than fluttering angel wings, harps, and haloes. DeStefano draws on a great sense of logic, fun, and adventure to produce this book of hope and promise.

You may not believe every word that DeStefano writes but you will draw inspiration from the journey he describes. In his flight plan he offers a welcome and describes the luxury accommodations suited for one’s new body. He tells about the fellow travelers who will be one’s next door neighbors in the great beyond. The author bids his readers reflect on the “eterni-ness “ of everyones’s stay.

Message of 2-14-14

A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
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Message of the Day

Throughout the world, in nation after nation, men and women have died for their Christian faith. The very least we can do is live for our faith.
- Anonymous

(How might you live your faith more fully this day?)

Message of 2-13-14

A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
- blogcast from http://dailyspiritualseed.blogspot.com (comments option open)

Message of the Day

Prayer is not a matter of getting what we want the most. Prayer is a matter of giving ourselves to God and learning His laws, so that He can do through us what He wants the most.
- Agnes Sanford

(Pray the grace to be an instrument of God's love this day.)

Message of 2-12-14

A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
- blogcast from http://dailyspiritualseed.blogspot.com (comments option open)

Message of the Day

Our problem is that we assume prayer is something to master the way we master algebra or auto mechanics. That puts us in the "on-top" position, where we are competent and in control. But when praying, we come "underneath," where we calmly and deliberately surrender control and become incompetent... The truth of the matter is, we all come to prayer with a tangled mass of motives altruistic and selfish, merciful and hateful, loving and bitter. Frankly, this side of eternity we will never unravel the good from the bad, the pure from the impure. God is big enough to receive us with all our mixture. That is what grace means, and not only are we saved by it, we live by it as well. And we pray by it.
- Richard J. Foster

(Pray as you pray.)

Message of 2-11-14

A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
- blogcast from http://dailyspiritualseed.blogspot.com (comments option open)

Message of the Day

When God works in us, the will, being changed and sweetly breathed upon by the Spirit of God, desire and acts, not from compulsion, but responsively.
- Martin Luther

(". . . for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Phil. 2:13)

Message of 2-10-14

A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
- blogcast from http://dailyspiritualseed.blogspot.com (comments option open)

Message of the Day

The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion, but, on the contrary, of its liberality and humanity. It is shorter to state the things forbidden than the things permitted: precisely because most things are permitted, and only a few things are forbidden.
- Gilbert Keith G. K. Chesterton

("Sin not, and do as you wish," goes an old saying. Enjoy the freedom of a child of God this day.)

Weekend Edition - A Daily Spiritual Seed

A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
- blogcast from http://dailyspiritualseed.blogspot.com (comments option open)

Contents:
- Book/Resource of the Week
- Weekend Readings
- Spiritual Guidance
- Saint of the Week
- Affiliate Web Sites
- Theology Note of the Week
- Discussion Board
- Joke of the Week
- Advertising and Archives
- Subscribe/Unsubscribe links. Attributions.

- - -

Book/Resource of the Week

Grave Injustice: Unearthing Wrongful Executions, by Richard A. Stack. Potomac Books, 2013.
- http://www.amazon.com/dp/1612341624/?tag=christianspiritu

It is most probably true that United States has executed a number of innocent persons. This author aims to expose the main defects in the capital punishment system in vogue in the States by showing that the death penalty is carried out by flawed humans, and that this irreversible punishment has no place in an imperfect system. By naming the case of Troy Davis who spent twenty years in prison and was then executed for a crime he most likely did not commit, sets the stage for introducing many others whose fate was similar. Stack puts a human face on the tragedy of capital punishment.

Message of 2-7-14

A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
- blogcast from http://dailyspiritualseed.blogspot.com (comments option open)

Message of the Day

I have learned that much of my spiritual progress does not come directly from God, but through my ability to humble myself and hear Him speak through imperfect people. In fact, I have discovered that it pleases Him to hide His manifold wisdom in a variety of people and denominational perspectives. I know that the more I humble myself to others, the broader my understanding of God has actually become.
- Francis Frangipane

(Be open to God communicating with you through other people and creation this day.)

Message of 2-6-14

A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
- blogcast from http://dailyspiritualseed.blogspot.com (comments option open)

Message of the Day

How do you convince a world that God is alive? By His aliveness in your life, by His work in producing reality in your experience.
- Howard G. Hendricks

(Be fully alive in God this day.)

Message of 2-4-14

A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
- blogcast from http://dailyspiritualseed.blogspot.com (comments option open)

Message of the Day

Make it a rule, and pray to God to help you to keep it, never, if possible, to lie down at night without being able to say: "I have made one human being at least a little wiser, or a little happier, or at least a little better this day."
- Charles Kingsley

(A good resolution for today.)

2 SM 18:9-10, 14B, 24-25A, 30-19:3; PS 86:1-2, 3-4, 5-6; MK 5:21-43

R. Listen, Lord, and answer me.

Incline your ear, O LORD; answer me,
for I am afflicted and poor.
Keep my life, for I am devoted to you;
save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God.

Have mercy on me, O Lord,
for to you I call all the day.
Gladden the soul of your servant,
for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
abounding in kindness to all who call upon you.
Hearken, O LORD, to my prayer
and attend to the sound of my pleading.

Reflection on the Scriptures
- http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html

There are not too many biblical stories that bring out the raw emotions of the people involved more than today’s first reading. David is the great king of Israel. However, like many of us, he made mistakes with his children. A number of mistakes with Absalom led to a life that spiraled out of control. Eventually, Absalom led a rebellion against his own father. What a difficult position for David to be in. He loved his son and wanted him to live so that there could be reconciliation between them but he was not prepared to give up the kingdom. So, he sent Joab, the commander of his armies, to battle against the rebels but gave him strict orders to spare Absalom’s life. Joab defeated the rebel armies but proved to be untrustworthy. He explicitly disobeyed the king’s order and personally killed a defenseless Absalom. What a beautiful but heart wrenching picture of a father weeping for his son. “My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!” That is truly “a man after God’s own heart.” If only I had died instead of you. . .

David trusted Joab and he failed David in one of the most important episodes of his life. Jairus trusted Jesus and saw Death flee from the presence of He who is Life. The heading for Psalm 86 is “A prayer of David.” We do not know when in his life he prayed this prayer. We only know that, by now, he knows what Jairus knew. He knew that it makes a difference where you place your trust. He declares: You are my God. I trust in you.

- by George Butterfield

Spiritual Reading

Selected Quotes from St. John of the Cross on the Journey of the Soul to God by Contemplation - from Living Flame of Love
- http://www.amazon.com/dp/1602064296/?tag=christianspiritu

Stanza 1. #6. This soul is so near to God that it is transformed in the ﬂames of love, wherein Father, Son and Holy Spirit communicate Themselves to it. The effect of the living ﬂames is to make the soul live spiritually in God, and experience the life of God.

#8. Love is ever throwing out sparks; the effect is to wound, that it may enkindle with love and cause delight.

- compiled by James and Tyra Arraj

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Amazon Gift Cards: Good for any occasion.
- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00067L6TQ/?tag=christianspiritu

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Please support this ministry with a tax-deductible donation.
- http://heartlandspirituality.org/support.html

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Monday, February 3, 2014

Message of 2-5-14

A Daily Spiritual Seed
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- blogcast from http://dailyspiritualseed.blogspot.com (comments option open)

Message of the Day

Dare to love and to be a real friend. The love you give and receive is a reality that will lead you closer and closer to God as well as those whom God has given you to love.
- Henri J. M. Nouwen

(Sometimes it's good to remember that the core practice is love. Let this your focus today.)

Message of 2-3-14

A Daily Spiritual Seed
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- blogcast from http://dailyspiritualseed.blogspot.com (comments option open)

Message of the Day

Character is not built by battling and excitement alone. The harvest is not ripened by the thunderous forces of nature, but by the secret silent invisible forces. So the best qualities of our spiritual lives are matured by quietness, silence and commonplace.
- A. P. Gouthey

(Only in silence can we discover our deeper thoughts and feelings, and sense that still small voice of the Spirit. Reduce the unnecessary noise in your life. Make silence a priority.)

Weekend Edition - A Daily Spiritual Seed

A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
- blogcast from http://dailyspiritualseed.blogspot.com (comments option open)

Contents:
- Book/Resource of the Week
- Weekend Readings
- Spiritual Guidance
- Saint of the Week
- Affiliate Web Sites
- Theology Note of the Week
- Discussion Board
- Joke of the Week
- Advertising and Archives
- Subscribe/Unsubscribe links. Attributions.

- - -

Book/Resource of the Week

Practicing Peace: A Devotional Walk Through the Quaker Tradition, by Catherine Whitmore. Sorin Books, 2007.
- http://www.amazon.com/dp/1933495073/?tag=christianspiritu

In this book the author applies the Quaker tradition of peacemaking to everyday living in such a way that readers may be truly shaken from complacency. She offers inspirational stories of nonviolence, quotes from great Quaker leaders, and best of all pointed questions for prayer and reflection. This book is well suited for group study as a powerful instrument for peace in a world that knows so much about war. There is little danger that this book will make one feel comfortable.

Some favorite stories include this one about a devout peacemaker who devoted her life to make life better for war victims, by helping to build houses and provide supplies for war victims. She was not Catholic and the law said that she could not be buried in a Catholic cemetery. Many who had profited from her generosity after World War I, devised a plan to bury her just outside the Catholic cemetery, and then when the dust settled, they moved the fence to include her burial site.

Forgiveness is a common theme among Quakers, as shown in this story: A German official, who during World War II had oppressed the people of Finland, came for the 35th anniversary of the rebuilding of that province. All during the two day celebration, the German was treated with upmost respect; no mention was made of his part in destroying the country 35 years ago, although the villagers knew what he had done. The focus of the days was on the recovery, not on the destroyer. His voice broke as he thanked the Finns for their spirit of forgiveness. Generosity had triumphed over vindictiveness.

(On the day that Mandela was released from prison, he was heard to say, “If I don’t forgive my jailers, then I remain imprisoned. “)

This quote from William Penn came in 1682: “True godliness does not turn people out of the world, but enables them to live better in it, and excites their endeavors to mend it.”

(Thanks to Sr. Irene Hartman OP for this review.)

Weekend Readings
- http://www.usccb.org/calendar/index.cfm?showLit=1&action=month

Saturday
2 SM 12:1-7, 10-17
PS 51:12-17
MK 4:35-41

Sunday
MAL 3:1-4
PS 24:7-10
HEB 2:14-18
LK 2:22-40

Spiritual Guidance
- http://shalomplace.com/direction

Need a companion for the spiritual journey?

Consultations and spiritual direction available.

Saint of the Week
- http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saintofday/default.aspx

St. Paul Miki and Companions (d. 1597): February 6

Nagasaki, Japan, is familiar to Americans as the city on which the second atomic bomb was dropped, immediately killing over 37,000 people. Three and a half centuries before, 26 martyrs of Japan were crucified on a hill, now known as the Holy Mountain, overlooking Nagasaki. Among them were priests, brothers and laymen, Franciscans, Jesuits and members of the Secular Franciscan Order; there were catechists, doctors, simple artisans and servants, old men and innocent children—all united in a common faith and love for Jesus and his Church.

Brother Paul Miki, a Jesuit and a native of Japan, has become the best known among the martyrs of Japan. While hanging upon a cross, Paul Miki preached to the people gathered for the execution: “The sentence of judgment says these men came to Japan from the Philippines, but I did not come from any other country. I am a true Japanese. The only reason for my being killed is that I have taught the doctrine of Christ. I certainly did teach the doctrine of Christ. I thank God it is for this reason I die. I believe that I am telling only the truth before I die. I know you believe me and I want to say to you all once again: Ask Christ to help you to become happy. I obey Christ. After Christ’s example I forgive my persecutors. I do not hate them. I ask God to have pity on all, and I hope my blood will fall on my fellow men as a fruitful rain.”

When missionaries returned to Japan in the 1860s, at first they found no trace of Christianity. But after establishing themselves they found that thousands of Christians lived around Nagasaki and that they had secretly preserved the faith. Beatified in 1627, the martyrs of Japan were finally canonized in 1862.

Affliate Web Sites
- Please give them a visit

Heartland Center for Spirituality: sponsoring Internet workshops year-round.
- http://heartlandspirituality.org/

Emanuella House of Prayer: a place for prayer and silence in British Columbia.
- http://emmanuellahouse.shawwebspace.ca/

Kyrie Places of Pilgrimmage and Renewal
- http://www.kyrie.com/places/index.htm

Temenos Catholic Worker: support for homeless youth in Polk Street neighborhood, San Francisco.
- http://www.temenos.org/

The Sanctuary Foundation for Prayer: resources for spiritual growth.
- http://fromholyground.org/index.htm

Philothea.net: promoting the love of God as expressed in The First Great Commandment
- http://philothea.net/

Hearts on Fire: a blog to spark inspiration, thought, wonder, laughter and prayer.
- http://heartsonfire33.wordpress.com/

Stillpoint: Programs in spiritual direction, contemplative prayer.
- http://www.stillpointnashville.org/

The Ark: Providing a variety of scripture and lectionary study resources.
- http://theark1.com/

Contemplative Ministries of the Pacific Northwest: Teaching and support on contemplative practice.
- http://www.prayeroftheheart.com/

Shalom Place: Resources on Christian spiritual living.
- http://shalomplace.com/

Inner Explorations: a vast array of spirituality resources for the mature Christian.
- http://innerexplorations.com

SeeScapes: picturing the deeper dimensions of our spirituality.
- http://www.seescapes.com/

Reach hundreds of people who have a similar interest in Christian spirituality. Simply publish a link to Daily Spiritual Seed-- http://heartlandspirituality.org/dailyseed.html --on a prominent place on your web site and we will reciprocate with a weekly link to your site in the newsletter. Contact the Editor when you're ready to begin.

Theology Note of the Week
- http://carm.org/s

Sacred Tradition

Sacred Tradition is a term used in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox (Holy Tradition) churches that designates that special tradition of apostolic teaching handed down through the bishopric of their churches, generation after generation. Such sacred traditions are equal in authority to scripture and comprise the totality of the deposit of faith. Sacred Tradition is considered to be inspired, just as the Bible is inspired.

By contrast the Protestant position is that the Scriptures alone are the final rule of authority in the Christian church. This is known as Sola Scriptura.

Discussion Board
- http://shalomplace.org/eve/forums

Topics being discussed at this time include:

Lonergan vs. Aurobindo
- Book and Movie Reviews forum

Snippets from the Hard Copy (on universal reconciliation)
- Recommended Resources forum

Apophatic Christian spirituality
- Christian Spirituality Issues forum

Effects of eliminating salt, sugar, wheat and dairy
- Health and Wellness forum

Joke of the Week
- http://www.pacprod.com/jokes.pl

Punny Lexophiles

When fish are in schools, they sometimes take debate.

A thief who stole a calendar got twelve months.

When the smog lifts in Los Angeles U.C.L.A.

The batteries were given out free of charge.

A dentist and a manicurist married. They fought tooth and nail.

A will is a dead giveaway.

With her marriage, she got a new name and a dress.

A boiled egg is hard to beat.

When you've seen one shopping Center you've seen a mall.

(Thanks, Carol)

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Amazon Gift Cards: Good for any occasion.
- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00067L6TQ/?tag=christianspiritu

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Please support this ministry with a tax-deductible donation.
- http://heartlandspirituality.org/support.html

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Message of 1-31-14

A Daily Spiritual Seed
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Message of the Day

“Today, more than ever, we need to recognize that the gift of solitude is not ordered to the acquisition of strange contemplative powers, but, fist of all, to the recovery of one’s deep self, and to the renewal of an authenticity which is presently twisted out of shape by the pretentious routines of a disordered togetherness.”
- Thomas Merton, “Contemplation in a World of Action” -

(Without solitude and silence, it is difficult to be in touch with one’s true thoughts and feelings. Resolve to take time to be alone with your self and your God today.)

Message of 1-30-14

A Daily Spiritual Seed
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Message of the Day

“God did not make the first human because He needed company, but because He wanted someone to whom he could show His generosity and love. God did not tell us to follow Him because He needed our help, but because He knew that loving Him would make us whole.”
- Irenaeus -

(Praise God for the gift of life and the opportunity to serve. Rejoice in this sublime privilege.)

Message of 1-29-14

A Daily Spiritual Seed
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Message of the Day

“Whoever will proudly dispute and contradict will always stand outside the door. Christ, the master of humility, manifests His truth only to the humble and hides Himself from the proud.”
- Vincent Ferrer -

(God is drawn the the open mind and humble heart. Let this be your spirit this day.)

Message of 1-28-14

A Daily Spiritual Seed
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Message of the Day

“Jesus doesn’t want to impose himself upon us, but always leaves us to request his company. He wants us to act freely. And it is easy for us to act as though we have not heard him or recognized him, so that we are spared the trouble of asking him in. . . No one is more docile than Christ. No one is so readily available to heed our wishes. He is faithful always.”
- Louis Evely, “Joy”

(If you haven’t done so lately, ask for the company of Jesus, and his guidance for your life.)

Message of 1-27-14

A Daily Spiritual Seed
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Message of the Day

“You must choose between your attachments and your happiness. You cannot have both. The moment you pick up an attachment, your heart is thrown out of kilter and your ability to live a joyful carefree life is destroyed.”
Anthony de Mello, “The Way to Love”

(What attachment has been keeping your from being truly happy? Resolve to let it go by not indulging it in any way, and by focusing more on loving in this moment.)

Weekend Edition - A Daily Spiritual Seed

A Daily Spiritual Seed
- resources for prayer and spiritual growth
- blogcast from http://dailyspiritualseed.blogspot.com (comments option open)

Contents:
- Book/Resource of the Week
- Weekend Readings
- Spiritual Guidance
- Saint of the Week
- Affiliate Web Sites
- Theology Note of the Week
- Discussion Board
- Joke of the Week
- Advertising and Archives
- Subscribe/Unsubscribe links. Attributions.

- - -

Book/Resource of the Week

The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic, How Engaging One Percent of Catholics Could Change the World, by Matthew Kelly. Dynamic Catholic.com, 2012.
- http://www.amazon.com/dp/1937509265/?tag=christianspiritu

Kelly believes that five holy persons, namely Mother Teresa, Francis of Assisi, John Paul II, Therese of Lisieux, and Ignatius of Loyola had four things in common. Would you like to wager a guess as to what these four things are?

The author calls these four things: prayer, study, generosity, and evangelization. He finds these elements in the life of each of the forenamed persons. The purpose of this book is to take note of the fact that only about seven percent of Catholics are responsible for the viability of any one parish. He deplores this fact and emphasizes this sadly as he encourages the other ninety-three percent to “get with the program”. Kelly approaches this dilemma in a creative way, inviting Catholics to pray just a few minutes longer each day, to study a bit more every day, to give a little more generously than last year, and to reach out to just one person and invite them to join in the body of Christ, the Church.

Message of 1-24-14

A Daily Spiritual Seed
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Message of the Day

“Yet this Being is not remote from any one or any thing. It is in each person and each thing as the ground of its own unique and individual being. The whole creation is grounded in this one Being; every atom and electron, every living cell and organism, every plant and animal, every human being, exists forever in this eternal Being.”
- Bede Grifﬁths, “The Marriage of East and West.”

(Allow yourself to relax into the awareness of this God who in whom all things have their being.)

Message of 1-23-14

A Daily Spiritual Seed
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Message of the Day

“One who watches carefully over the heart will quickly see how the heart, of its own nature, is emitting Light. As a coal catches ﬁre, as as the ﬁre lights a candle, so does God set our heart ablaze as it looks in contemplation at him who is dwelling in our heart.”
- Hesychius of Batos, “On Vigilance”

(Let your awareness be gently and lovingly drawn to contemplate the loving light of God within. Allow this inner Light to warm and direct you.)

Friday, February 28, 2014

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Monday, February 24, 2014

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Thursday, February 20, 2014

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Friday, February 14, 2014

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Friday, February 7, 2014

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

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Friday, January 31, 2014

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Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Monday, January 27, 2014

Friday, January 24, 2014

Thursday, January 23, 2014