Richard Beck/Introverts in the Church

An interesting post on introverts in the church by Richard Beck.  I’ve really been enjoying his blog lately.

From the blog of Bandura

Tom Skinner says this: “I spent a long time trying to come to grips with my doubts and suddenly I realized that I had better come to grips with what I believe.  I have since moved away from the agony of questions that I cannot answer, to the reality of answers that I cannot escape… and it’s a great relief.”

Over at the blog of J there is a commitment to hit the publish button more often – the quote above is one that poked at me from the list of quotes in his latest post.  This fits my experience of the last few years – although I would add that while there has been relief in this process as I have let go of some of the doubts/questions (choosing faith) – there is still more than enough to struggle with in the few “answers I cannot escape”…

Elijah Christmas Concert

Advent Prayer (8)

For the desert places in which we walk
The streets we roam
The paths we cross
Guide our feet
Take us to places
Where you would go
Give us words that you would use
That in this Advent season
Of promise and preparation
We might point the way with John the Baptist
To the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

I found it here

Advent Prayer (7)

May this eternal truth be always on our hearts
That the God who breathed this world into being
Placed stars into the heavens
And designed a butterfly’s wing
Is the God who entrusted his life
to the care of ordinary people
became vulnerable that we might know
how strong is the power of Love
A mystery so deep it is impossible to grasp
A mystery so beautiful it is impossible to ignore

I found it here

Advent Prayer for Hope (6)

 

Lord Jesus Christ,
who is, who was, and who is to come,
we pray for the virtue of hope,
that amidst the trials and difficulties
of this world,
we may keep our hearts fixed
upon you, who reigns over the cosmos.
May your grace enliven us,
strengthen us,
and defend us,
as we await your coming in glory. Amen
David Bennett

 

I found it here

Opening Catholic Mass Prayer: Advent One (5)

Father in heaven,
our hearts desire the warmth of your love
and our minds are searching for the light of your Word.
Increase our longing for Christ our Savior
and give us the strength to grow in love,
that the dawn of his coming
may find us rejoicing in his presence
and welcoming the light of his truth.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.
From the Companion Missal

I found it here

Advent Prayer for Hope in Christ’s Coming (4)

All-powerful God,
help us to look forward in hope
to the coming of our Savior.
May we live as he taught,
ready to welcome him with burning love and faith.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen
Liturgy of the Hours, Fridays in Advent

I found it here

Advent Prayer (3)

Father, in the wilderness of the Jordan
you sent a messenger to prepare people’s hearts
for the coming of your Son.
Help me to hear his words and repent of my sins,
so that I may clearly see the way to walk,
the truth to speak, and the life to live for Him,
our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

I found it here

Hockey News

If you want some good behind the scenes hockey news… go to Elliotte Friedman’s weekly blog.