Reading a new book, In Constant Prayer by Robert Benson

This is a wonderful book that I am supposed to review by Thomas Nelson. It has to do with the keeping of the offices/or the scheduled constantcy of prayer in one's life each day. This is my first day of reading and it says that one should turn to prayer several times a day going from Psalms, Scriptures, and then reading and prayer. This I will do.

Today (Monday, December 27, 2010)

12:00
Psalm:40:1-4 God lifted me out of my mire, set my feet on a firm path and steadied me. He gave me a new song to sing and now many will hear and be in awe of him.

Scripture Jeremiah 6:16 Stand at crossroads and look. ASkfor the ancient paths. Ash where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.

Prayer: I pray that i shall find something to hold on to. I am so adrift. I want to sing a new song in my way--not faked, and want to find the right one for me.

2:00
Psalm: 138:;3 When I pray, you answer me, and encourage me by giving strength I need.

Scripture: Let there be light and there was light and God saw the light, that it was good. This very day, theLord has acted. May his name be praised.

Prayer: I pray that I will be faithful on my journey and find something to hold on to.

6:00 p.m.
Psalm119 "Nothing is perfect except your words."

Scripture: 2 Timothy 5: "Stir into flame the strength and boldness which is within you that entered into you when I laid my hands upon you and blessed you.

Daily Work and Prayer: (Chapter 3) In early days, and in monasteries, prayers were said 7 times a day. Benson says to master the morning and evening prayer. The word "office" comes from "offering" and we are giving God our prayer offerings. An offiice begins with a versicle or call to prayer such as "Open our lips and our mouths shall proclaim your praise." Find a prayer book to use.

My prayer: I pray that I will seek to find...earnestly seek to find.

An Update on Serving one another

A few weeks ago I quoted Donald Miller's blog on point 5: Serve one another and announced that I was going to contact everyone in some way in the family. This I have done mostly in some fashion. I felt a sense of accomplishment. Just looking at the facts, Maam (as Sgt. Joe Friday used to say on Dragnet):

I have contacted most all the family by email but done it not as a group and most have responded and told me about their plans. This includes Britt, Carole Jane, Bailey, Beth, Allen, Rose Marie, Jim Cooper and Leigh. I have talked by phone to Catherine. I have sent cards to Brad and to Pam. I have FB Amy Galemore an sent congrats on getting her Masters. I have also emailed Suzanne. I made a date for a Fox concert in St. Louis and invited all the nieces who live in St. Louis. Betty Ann, Susan, Sara and I went up for it; we invited Janice, Britten, Julie and Leigh but all said that they had other things to do. We actually invited Jamee to drive up with us and meet Janice there but she could not go. She said that she could not leave her parents but Janice had an office party that day.

Then the next day, Sara and I went to Charleston, ate lunch with Betty Ann and went to see Julia and Joker and had a nice visit. We tried to see Betty but she was not at home and we tried to call her. We left chocolate covered cherries for her on the porch.

So, no matter, what the responses, I do feel that I have done, this Christmas week, as much as I can do to show that we are family. I feel that Daddy and Mama would say to me, "You've taken a step--now give them a chance to take a step--and then take another step--no matter what they do! And yes, I went to see Jennie and I went to see Annie with presents!

Merry Christmas!

Time to get back to this

We started on the words of Donald Miller for resolving conflict and after a break, it becomes "Serve one another". You pick out a date to aim for and you try to serve everyone in need in that time (and that means all). Christmas is the logical time to do this. So beginning December 1, I am making an attempt to contact everyone in the family--nieces and nephews --and make this personal.

Sara and I are planning a christmas visit to St. Louis so we are inviting Betty Ann, Susan, Leigh and Julie and Jamee and Janice. We know that Leigh and Julie already have plans but they were invited. And that is a start. I sent Betty Hearnes a note about Gary Forsee's wife, Sherry, illness and told her that I miss her and hope to see her during Christmas. I have been out with Annie several times. I have talked with Catherine and Jennie on the phone and have been talking by email with Jim Cooper and Jennie.

I am remembering to "Serve one another" and each time, it should be done in a special way that is not intended to serve as a blanket note. Miller urges us not to try to control the situation, a mistake that many people made--allow each person to make their decision for themself in a way that will not cause more pain.