May I prove myself innocent and straightforward.

In everything you do, 

act without grumbling or arguing; 

prove yourselves innocent and straightforward, 

children of God beyond reproach 

in the midst of a twisted and depraved generation 

—among whom you shine like the stars in the sky.

Philippians 2:14-15

  

Lord, all deference and reverence is yours.

Be still and know that I am God,
supreme among the nations, 

supreme on the earth.

Psalm 46

   

A morning prayer

Almighty Father,
every good thing comes from you.
Fill our hearts with love for you,
increase our faith,
and by your constant care
protect the good you have given us.
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.

from Christian Prayer

Week 2, day 1, Lauds

  

Your law, O Lord, is the joy of my heart.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
to observe your righteous ordinances.

I am severely afflicted;
give me life, O Lord, according to your word.

Accept my offerings of praise, O Lord,
and teach me your ordinances.
I hold my life in my hand continually,
but I do not forget your law.

The wicked have laid a snare for me,
but I do not stray from your precepts.
Your decrees are my heritage for ever;
they are the joy of my heart.
I incline my heart to perform your statutes
for ever, to the end.

Psalm 119:105-112

Teach me, my Lord, the way of perfection.

My song is of mercy and justice; I sing to you, O Lord.
I will walk in the way of perfection. O when, Lord, will you come?

I will walk with blameless heart within my house;
I will not set before my eyes whatever is base.

I will hate the ways of the crooked; they shall not be my friends.
The false-hearted must keep far away; the wicked I disown.

The man who slanders his neighbor in secret I will bring to silence.
The man of proud looks and haughty heart I will never endure.

I look to the faithful in the land that they may dwell with me.
He who walks in the way of perfection shall be my friend.

No man who practices deceit shall live within my house.
No man who utters lies shall stand before my eyes.

Morning by morning I will silence all the wicked in the land,
uprooting from the city of the Lord all who do evil.

Psalm 101

To live the gospel...

To live the Gospel is not to live as though we are God, nor to speak for God, or to act as God.

We are not God.  We submit ourselves to be instruments of God.  

To live the Gospel is to acknowledge God's presence in life.  We are reliant on God's grace and mercy.  

To live the Gospel means to live in gratitude, in the humbleness of conceding that all goodness comes from God.

//Aug 6, 2013 at 2:05 PM

Peace: a fruit of justice

Wisdom from above is first of all innocent.
It is also peaceable, lenient, docile, rich in sympathy
and the kindly deeds that are its fruits, impartial and sincere.

The harvest of justice is sown in peace
for those who cultivate peace.

James 3:17-18