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commitment
I've been examining myself lately and not fully liking what I see. I suppose that will always be the case if we're honest. That doesn't mean I think I'm terrible, just sort of in need of a tune-up. We all are from time to time. I think my observation, from epi-skopoi-ing (looking over) vine & branches, that the collective "we" of us are in need of this as well. We're certainly not only individuals.
Many of us are busy, busier than normal. Many of us have new things going on - new jobs, new responsibilities, school, new payments to make, whatever. These things can mess with our focus and cause a certain amount of stress, even if they're good things in general. This is all a part of the great rhythm of life, but we need to be careful not simply let life happen to us. We need to be intentional about living life as it needs to be lived. Lately, I've been doing more of the former - just letting it happen. I'm going to make a commitment to God, me, and to you, to turn that around a bit (by His Grace of course).
I'm, once again, re-committing myself to praying the daily office at least two times a day, as a "focus keeper." Setting aside that time, time we all have in our days - yes we do - to turn our gaze, read, listen, pray, and be intentionally grateful - is a necessity if we are to be in His presence and live the Life that He gives us. I'm not saying that particular kind of setting time aside is necessary - just doing it. We use this liturgy of the hours in our community to a degree already, some of us pray these common prayers, or try to. I would like to encourage us all to pick it up and try to do this together - to make it a communal commitment and not merely an individual one.
I know we don't all have the prayer book. I want to buy enough to get them for all of us - the one volume morning and evening prayer. To give to the vbcc budget for this, just drop some money in the basket on Tuesdays or use the Paypal link on the Community page if you like. That would help.
That's all for now. I felt myself being encouraged in this direction and so I wanted to make that encouragement a community one - the direction of tune-up and re-commitment to intentional focus. I pray God's Grace enable us to go forward in this way.
| posted by + Alan | 10:15 AM | 0 comments |
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
schola reminder
Just a reminder that the Community Schola meets for the second time next Sunday (this coming Sunday) - October 10th, at 3pm, at Matt's house. We will actually have read (yes we will!) On the Incarnation by St. Athanasius by then and will have reflection papers to share! Woo hoo!
| posted by + Alan | 9:11 AM | 0 comments |