Christian Reflection and Prayer

Verse

But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers
who deceive themselves.
James 1:22

Voice

There's no use talking about the problem unless
you talk about the solution.
Betty Williams


Prayer

O Lord, may we not lose ourselves in the critical
chatter of the day. May our hearts always be bent
toward service. Amen.

God will help you understand his Word

Is the Bible really God's Word?

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach
us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong
in our lives.
2 Timothy 3:14 NLT

The Word Transforms

Dr. E. V. Rieu was a classical scholar and translator for
many years. He rendered Homer into very modern
English for the Penguin Classics. Rieu was sixty years
old and a life-long agnostic when the same firm invited
him to translate the Gospels. His son remarked: "It will
be interesting to see what Father makes of the four
Gospels. It will be even more interesting to see what
the four Gospels make of Father."

The answer was soon forthcoming. A year later, Rieu,
convinced and converted, joined the Church of England.

In an interview with J. B. Phillips, Rieu confessed that
he had undertaken the task of translation because of an
"intense desire to satisfy himself as to the authenticity
and spiritual content of the Gospels." He was
determined to approach the documents as if they were
newly discovered Greek manuscripts,. "Did you not get
the feeling," asked Canon Phillips, "that the whole
material was extraordinarily alive?" The classical scholar
agreed. "I got the deepest feeling," he replied. "My work
changed me. I came to the conclusion that these words
bear the seal of the Son of Man and God."

From J. B. Phillips, The Ring of Truth. quoted by R. Kent
Hughes in 1001Great Stories and Quotes , Tyndale
House Publishers (1998) pp 28-29

Verse

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.
Proverbs 1:7

Voice

The first step of humility is to cherish at all times the
sense of awe with which we should turn to God.
Benedict of Nursia


Prayer

God, may the awe of your presence shield us from the
temptation to think too highly of ourselves. May we
cultivate humility by pointing ourselves at you. Amen.