Be Still

The optimist sees the rose and not its thorns;
the pessimist stares at the thorns,oblivious of the rose.

Kahlil Gibran

I don’t know why this showed up in the inbox today - during another Global Warming blizzard.  AN interesting read though.  Also an article from Friar Jack.

Minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas State Senate on 23 January 1996, everyone was expecting the usual generalities, but this is what they heard:

"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance.
We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good', but that is exactly what we have done.
...We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.
...We confess that we have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it Pluralism.
...We have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism.
...We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle.
...We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
...We have neglected the needy and called it self-preservation.
...We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.
...We have killed our unborn and called it choice.
...We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.
...We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem.
...We have abused power and called it political savvy.
...We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.
...We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.
...We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
...Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts today; try us and see if there be some wicked way in us; cleanse us from every sin and set us free.
...Guide and bless these men and woman who have been sent here by the people of Kansas, and who have been ordained by you, to govern this great state.
...Grant them your wisdom to rule and may their decisions direct us to the center of your will. I ask it in the name of Your Son, the living Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen."

Friar Jack is a Franciscan friar and sends out a newsletter.  Today’s is on contemplative prayer:

Once again, Christmas has come and gone. If your yuletide has been filled with lots of hustle and bustle, you are probably ready for some quiet time. In short, you may be longing for a little time of silence and reflection—in other words, for contemplative prayer.

Friar Jack

For those more of a Baptist bent, who are familiar with Charles Spurgeon or Matthew Henry, there is more on the New Age Christian website:  http://www.christiananswersforthenewage.org/

Comments?

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Psalm 46