Divine referenceFrancois Fenelon (1651-1715) Maxims of the Mystics, Article xxv
Prayer, which consisteth in the reference of all our deliberate act to God, can be perpetual in the sense that it can last so long as the acts can last. |
Shepherd . . . .the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd
he will lead them to springs of living water. REVELATION 7 :17 NIV |
St Therese of Lisieux (1873-1897) from A Morning Offering
O my God, I offer you all the actions of this day . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brother Lawrence (1611-1691) Take care that you begin your actions, continue them and finish them with an inward lifting of the heart to God. |
The Lord is my shepherd PSALM 23 verse 1
------------------------ by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob by the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, GENESIS 49: 24 NRSV |
Christian ReflectionChristians of all traditions who want to make sense of their lives and who are prepared to give some time to reflection may be helped by it.
You are invited to reflect on your own life, its events and non events |
You were lost sheep with no idea who you were or where you were going.
Now you're named and kept for good by the SHEPHERD of your souls. 1st PETER 2: 25 THE MESSAGE REMIX Chief Shepherd |
but always within a context; the context of God's intentions and designs, not simply our own. Reflection then is linked to right action and right response to God's desire for you as God indicates it daily.
True Christian reflection is a transforming activity. It changes your outlook, desires and values from being self centered to being |
And when the Chief Shepherd appears,
you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. 1 PETER 45:4 NKJV |
focussed on the desires and values of Christ.
The Christian is meant to reflect Christ himself. We can each reflect a unique aspect of God to the world by reflecting God-made-visible in Jesus Christ. If reflectiveness is a patient process, it is quietly exciting too. |
Shepherd of IsraelPSALM 80 verses 1&3 N.K.J.V.
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth! Restore us, O God ; Cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved ! |
Reflectiveness can be the task of a lifetime. It cannot be limited to one short period of the day which is traditionally called "the examen" . Rather "the examen"
is to be the high point of the days reflectiveness ; A review with God of a day seeking Him in all that happened. |
The prayer for restoration is addressed to the Lord who is our Shepherd,
by people who acknowledge Him to be their Shepherd , and King enthroned among the cherubs. The prayer is for personal..corporate and national restoration. A Nation under God, The community of the family of God, and each person a firstborn son upon whom God makes his face to shine . |
Existential Reflection Existential reflection, i.e., prayerful reflection on life-situations so that we can cope with them in the light and love of God.
We learn to draw the presence of Christ inti our state of mind and heart. |
SHIELD MagenEvery word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him PROVERBS 30:5 |
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONis methodical group prayer in which the group seeks to correctly interpret God's presence and action in the experience of individual members or in situations known to the group, so that in the light of revelation received, our own attitudes,
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Our soul waits for the Lord: He is our help and our shield
For our heart shall rejoice in Him because we have trusted in His holy name. PSALM 33 :20-21 NKJV |
motivations and resultant actions may be reviewed and reformed.
The core concepts of Theological Reflection;-- A process of relating experience of the contemporary world and the Christian heritage of faith so as to discover God's presence and action in a way that leads to new or renewed attitudes and action. |
Shield Psalm 84 v11 NIVFor the Lord God is a sun and shield ;
the Lord bestows favour and honour : no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. |
( Christian heritage of faith includes, Christian beliefs, Christian tradition, scripture, spiritual books and theology.
"Theological reflection is the process of finding god in experience. It requires feelings to be engaged with reality. It's aim is to change my life through experiential and intellectual encounter with God in the world" David Ison . |
Shiyloh ( shee-lo ) tranquil
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simple regard The person who practices the presence of God in prayer grows accustomed
by this practice to rely on faith,seeing and feeling God present. One may say that faith enables the soul to approach the state of the Blessed |
until Shiloh come
and unto him shall the gathering of the people be GENESIS 49:10 A.V. |
The more she advances the more living does faith become, and at last it becomes so quickened that the soul can almost say"I no longer believe, for I can
see and experience." God's love is a consuming fire which burns to ashes whatever is contrary to it, and the soul thus kindled can live only in the presence of God. |
Shophet judgeRise up, O Judge of the earth. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it. from Psalm 94 NIV |
That presence inspires within the heart a holy ardor, a sanctified eagerness to live and act in love and compassion, continually acknowledging God in acts of worship,trust or thanks and prayers of petition.
When the soul seems engaged in one unceasing, endless act. . . . . . . . . . When the soul is keeping continually in the divine presence. . . . . . . . . . . . .. |
. . . . . . . . .this is the prayer or state of " Simple Regard ". . . .a state of prayer.
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