Christian Reflection and Prayer

Humble acts of dedication are what God values most,
even more than dramatic demonstrations of bravery
and heroics. Teachers, public servants, dedicated
parents – they are the true heroes, and we can be
those heroes, too. We don’t need to do anything
extraordinary – just be extraordinarily dedicated
to all we do.

Scripture:

"Your duty is to go and spread the news of the Kingdom of
God" (Luke 9:60)

In recent years, various forms of meditation have been
accepted as beneficial, therapeutic approaches for dealing
with stress, anxiety, sleep disorders and other common
problems. Most of us instinctively know when we need a
few minutes alone to decompress -- a few minutes of solitude
at the end of a hectic day -- but we rarely take the time
necessary to be alone. It seems the majority of us are still
hurried, harried and “too busy” for self-reflection. Actually, the
problem is not lack of time, because we all have 24 hours a
day. It is really a matter of priorities. The things at the top of
our list get done; the things at the bottom are neglected. So
if the need for self-reflection becomes a high priority, we won't
have to “find time” for it, we will “make time” for it and let
something else go.

We, who call ourselves Christians, should ask ourselves,
"What is our Priority Number One? -- What is the one most
important thing in our lives, above all else?" -- the correct
answer of course is to live in harmony with God's Will -- to
invest our lives in doing God's Will. And if we are not living
up to the call to live in harmony with God's Will, the problem
is surely not a lack of time. It is a matter of priorities.

The renowned poet, Rudyard Kipling, once addressed the
graduating class of Magill University in Montreal. Speaking
on the theme of priorities “he said, "If a person's scale of
values is based primarily on material wealth, that person will
be in difficulty all his or her life. Do not pay much attention to
fame, power and money. Some day you will meet a person
who cares for none of these, and then you will know how poor
you are.”"

Make your fondest wish here and now -- your life's number
one priority -- that you might spend all of your time in complete
openness to the Rule of God in your life. And, in so doing, you
will discover that your heart and soul will be filled to overflowing
with God's infinite Love for you. So much so that you will not
be able to contain it. And you will find it spilling over into your
Christian Ministry of loving service to other persons who come
into your life

(excerpts from The Staff and editors of Sunday Sermons Online)

Songwriters: HEATH, BRANDON

I wish you could see me now
I wish I could show you how
I'm not who I was
I used to be mad at you
A little on the hurt side too
But I'm not who I was

I found my way around
To forgiving you
Some time ago
But I never got to tell you so

I found us in a photograph
I saw me and I had to laugh
You know, I'm not who I was
You were there, you were right above me
And I wonder if you ever loved me
Just for who I was

When the pain came back again
Like a bitter friend
It was all that I could do
To keep myself from blaming you

I reckon it's a funny thing
I figured out I can sing
Now I'm not who I was
I write about love and such
Maybe 'cause I want it so much
I'm not who I was

I was thinking maybe I
I should let you know
I am not the same
But I never did forget your name
Hello

Well the thing I find most amazing
In amazing grace
Is the chance to give it out
Maybe that's what love is all about

I wish you could see me now
I wish I could show you how
I'm not who I was