Posted on 04/30/2010 8:03:48 AM PDT by Quix
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7 “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. 8 Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! 9 Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, --New Living Translation 7And when you pray, do not heap up phrases (multiply words, repeating the same ones over and over) as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard for their much speaking. [I Kings 18:25-29.] 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. 9Pray, therefore, like this: 15But if you do not forgive others their trespasses [their [j]reckless and willful sins, [k]leaving them, letting them go, and [l]giving up resentment], neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses. --Amplified Pray with Simplicity 5"And when you come before God, don't turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat? 6"Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace. 7-13"The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don't fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this: 16-18"When you practice some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God, don't make a production out of it. It might turn you into a small-time celebrity but it won't make you a saint. If you 'go into training' inwardly, act normal outwardly. Shampoo and comb your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face. God doesn't require attention-getting devices. He won't overlook what you are doing; he'll reward you well. |
Mark Kirby: O Mother of Good Counsel, I am all thine, Most Holy Mary, There is no part of my life that is not open to thee, I want to be completely transparent with thee, Praying in this way, I can be at rest, |
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Harley. Nice to hear from you!
I think that certainly the impulse behind this post is good and important. What many years ago was referred to as “misbelief” is harmful for the person “misbelieving” and for the body.
On the other hand, I worry about making “fides quae creditur” a kind of work, or freighting it with the anxiety that “works righteousness” can carry.
Also, frankly, there is a number of people who do not have the capacity to ‘do theology.’ Among these are many, I imagine, who have a great grace to cast all their care on Him who cares for them, who have a humble and faithful gratitude for the saving love of God in Christ Jesus, and who, in general, could put a lot of learned and articulate people to shame here on earth and will shine far brighter than they in the hereafter.
So, I’m not so much saying “right” or “wrong.” I guess I am asking you to comment on the proposition: There are many rich in the grace of saving faith who are not called to teach or to expound on their faith because they lack some of the tricks of wit and imagination and some of the verbal skills to give a good account of Him in whom they place their trust.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Interesting and well worth considering. Yet one must take into account that the Apostle John quotes Christ, and Paul does admit that he also preaches his own gospel as well as that of Christ. The earliest Christians had word of mouth and appeared to concentrate mostly on the Beatitudes / Sermons on Mount and Plain and the Two Commandments of Christ (Matthew) until the rest of what we now consider Scripture (along with hundreds of other books) started to circulate and be accepted.
Peter disagreed with you. But heretics through the millennia do agree with you.
Agreed.
I listened to the local evangelical station on the radio for a while today. They said pretty much the same thing.
But then, I do have a weird sense of fun.
Deus autem noster in caelo;* omnia quaecumque voluit fecit.
Of course I was happy to help out. But wasn't anybody there graven or molten.
Of course, wasn't anybody there bowing down or worshipping either ....
THAT is priceless! Thank you. I have about 5 friends in the Dominicans who NEED this image! Just about hurt myself laughing!
Mine, as well. When you leave the Church to either have Sundays open for recreation or else join some tent preacher's feelgood session, you really really need some sort of strong justification.
I’m praying for you, Quix. Give it all to the Lord, even when you don’t understand the purpose of his plan. Trust that God’s word will not return unto him void, but will accomplish all that he wills it to. You are NOT responsible for the outcome, dear brother in Christ, that is the Holy Spirit’s job. He is faithful, merciful and eager for all to come to the knowledge of the truth of the gospel. We sometimes plant, sometimes we water, but God gives the increase! Do not get discouraged.
Happy to help, sir.
Let us not forget justification...
All of them. And all of them say that Jesus has the keys to hell. Our separated friends do not appear to appreciate what that means.
It seems some can swallow whole camels, but then they strain at gnats.
Seriously lovely post, D00d!
Oh My! That is FABulous!
Perhaps; but where is the justice in one bearing pain due to the actions of others?
I care nothing of what the papist church teaches, but what God’s word clearly states.
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It was just FYI since you said that her body was in the earth.
A Catholic would not even acknowledge that so it’s kind of a waste of breath to try to explain it.
I was so impressed with the level of certainty surrounding this doctrine about her that they believe so wholeheartedly that they even make a feast day for it.
But God forbid one tries to show them some truth out of Scripture.
QUITE SO.
QUITE SO.
THANKS TONS AND TONS.
LUB
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