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The following excerpts are taken from “Modern Spiritual Masters: Writing on Contemplation and Compassion” edited by Robert Ellsberg:
1. To Hear God Talk
And if we really want to pray we must first learn to listen, for in the silence of the heart God speaks. And to be able to hear that silence, to be able to hear God we need a clean heart, for a clean heart can see God, can hear God, can listen God, and then only from the fullness of our heart can we speak to God. But we cannot speak unless we have listened, unless we have made that connection with God in the silence of our heart. -Mother Teresa
2. To Strengthen Us in Our Mission
You whose mission in life is service of your fellow men and women will go to pieces if you do not impose on yourselves some sort of discipline, and prayer is a necessary spiritual discipline. It is discipline and restraint that separates us from the brute. If we want to be men and women walking with our heads erect and not walking on all fours, let us understand and put ourselves under voluntary discipline and restraint. –Mohandas Gandhi
3. To Be Able to Give
If we are to witness to Christ in today’s marketplaces, where there are constant demands of our whole person, we need silence. If we are to be always available , not only physically, but by empathy, sympathy, friendship, understanding, and boundless love, we need silence. To be able to give joyous, unflagging hospitality, not only of house and food, but of mind, heart, body and soul, we need silence.
True silence is the search of man for God.
True silence is a suspension bridge that a soul in love with God builds to cross the dark, frightening gullies of its own mind, the strange chasms of temptation, the depthless precipices of its won fears that impede its way to God. -Catherine de Hueck Doherty
4. To Renew the Spirit and Refresh the Heart
We must find sources of strength and renewal for our own spirits, lest we perish. There is a widespread recognition of the need for refreshment of the mind and heart….Such periods may be snatched from the greedy demands of one’s day’s work. They may be islanded in a sea of other human beings; they may come only at the end of the day, or in the quiet hush of the early morning. We must, each one of us, find his own time and develop his own peculiar art of being quiet. We must lose our fear of rest. -Howard Thurman
5. To Return to God
In prayer … we discover that the love we are looking for has already been given to us and that we can come to the experience of that love. Prayer is entering into communion with the One who molded our being in our mother’s womb with love and only love. There, in that first love, lies our true self, a self not made up of the rejections and acceptances of those with whom we live, but solidly rooted in the One who called us into existence. In the house of God we were created. To that house we are called to return. Prayer is the act of returning. –Henri Nouwen
To read more Beyond Blue, go to www.beliefnet.com/beyondblue, and to get to Group Beyond Blue, a support group at Beliefnet Community, click here.
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Therese J. Borchard writes the daily blog, Beyond Blue, on Beliefnet and is a regular contributor to the award-winning blog, World of Psychology, on Psych Central. Therese is the author of Beyond Blue: Surviving Depression & Anxiety and Making the Most of Bad Genes and The Pocket Therapist: An Emotional Survival Kit. Subscribe to Beyond Blue, visit her website, or follow her on Twitter @thereseborchard.
Meet others on the journey in
Therese’s community group
Ask Therese to be your friend
Therese J. Borchard writes the daily blog, Beyond Blue, on Beliefnet and is a regular contributor to the award-winning blog, World of Psychology, on Psych Central. Therese is the author of Beyond Blue: Surviving Depression & Anxiety and Making the Most of Bad Genes and The Pocket Therapist: An Emotional Survival Kit. Subscribe to Beyond Blue, visit her website, or follow her on Twitter @thereseborchard.
posted September 9, 2008 at 2:04 am
whatever- who can truly argue against the fact that ‘R’eligion is the root of all the problems on the planet? I am so tired of being told I am going to hell for being the wrong faction of the Lutheran faith. I sit at dinner parties and listen to bitter fundamentalists talk about how everyone other than their faiths are damned to hell.
Walk outside… look up at the trees… take a deep breath of the sweet air God gave to us. Pray to the moment. Give thanks to the moment. We have a unique opportunity to cherish the MOMENT. For it will soon vanish.
I wake up every day and give a quick and silent thanks for living in heaven. I relish every moment I have with my kids. That is what God is all about.
—ep
posted September 9, 2008 at 7:30 am
I have been reading your posts, going to this site for almost a yr now. I enjoy the encouragement, the information on Depression etc. I do have a problem though with so much “God talk” from a Catholic perspective. I am not Catholic and do not agree with alot of thier beliefs/teachings. There are alot of us out here who have a Higher Power that we call God but who walk different paths. Could you keep “religion” to a minimum? I come here for many reasons but NOT for a Bible study.
Blessed Be
posted September 9, 2008 at 8:56 am
I would have to disagree with the post that asked you to keep ‘religion’ to a minimum. I find the spiritual and religious (in the best sense of the word) aspects of this blog/post to be wonderful and beneficial. I think the same thing about the humor…I would miss either aspect terribly if it were absent. Each of us have our own take own religion, to be sure. But Beyond Blue has always had its author’s take on things and the sharing of readers’ views. I am happy to hear other POV’s but I don’t want to have your focus swayed by a dissenting opinion, Therese. I am not Catholic either but that’s just a flavor and Baskin-Robbins offers many as does religion. I can choose my own as well as the next person and yours doesn’t impinge on my right to do so.
Again, there is surely room for various points of view – but that definitely includes you, T. You present a forum for wonderful exchange of information and the fact that it includes your faith orientation stems from the fact that we always get to hear from the whole you. And wholeness is a good thing.
Frank,
posted September 9, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Mary Anne,
This is Beliefnet. If you want secular opinions and support, go to another site.
posted September 9, 2008 at 3:53 pm
I agree with Mary Anne. The name of the site alone announces to viewers what they are going to receive when they join the conversation. While we all love hearing different opinions and viewpoints, the philosophy and truth are always going to be about God and Christianity. Perhaps you could try Kay Redfield Jamison – excellent author and psychotherapist who is affiliated with Johns Hopkins Hospital- “An Unquiet Mind” is perhaps her most well-known work. Also Richard O’Connor, Ph.D.,s “”Undoing Depression.” The old standby, of course, is David Burns’ “Feeling Good,” which has been required reading in every class, clinic and hospital I’ve enrolled in. Fantastic, amazing book – buy the one called “workbook” if possible.
Good luck to you, blessings on your journey, and I hope that you find what is missing for you from BeliefNet.
Peace and Hope,
Terrie
posted September 10, 2008 at 9:31 am
Can’t believe anyone would ask to keep religion to a minimum
posted September 10, 2008 at 7:41 pm
At Therese’s core is her Catholicism. I agree with the blogger who said if you don’t like it, try another site.
posted September 11, 2008 at 9:56 am
I don’t think religion should be ” hid under a “bushel” This world is in enough trouble as it is. We have taken GOD out of everything. The schools are victimised and our government just does’nt get it. I feel If were right , who really looses??????? But if were wtron g and you are right yhen you loose” do you really want to take the chance???????? Let us not forget Love is the greatest of All. Let us put aside the doubts and go forward in the love we are comanded o show give and demonstrae every day. Then the bombs guns and peace will again come to this nation. Be of good cheer, courageous. Keep up the good work giving God first place. Just remember you can run, but you can’t hide…… God loves us so much, HE alone created us. Give this world back the peace vhe promised, by accepting his word, and commands. ” Go into all t6he World, telling of me, and my promises. “Parafrased by me”" God bless you, and may this peace and love floodv the world, and our Nation. Alice
posted September 11, 2008 at 10:57 am
I am truly glad that your webpage exist. I love the daily quotes and for me it is truly timely.I am always empower and inspire after visiting the page Especially after experiencing hurricane IKE. God Bless.
posted September 11, 2008 at 3:29 pm
I am greatful for this website. There are many days the topic is just what one needs to hear. We use the daily quotes and stories to pass the word of god along to our friends and family.
posted September 11, 2008 at 11:22 pm
thanks i really needed this God is so good
posted September 13, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Many Thanks, having watch all of the damage on the island, Galveston, where i was borned is distressing. i have not heard from most of my relatives, but i know God is still in control. We all need encouragement. Pray is what keep us all going. Bless you for your prcious page. Blessings to all who you. Rose.
posted September 19, 2008 at 6:25 am
I need god to talk to me how .can I make it work
posted September 19, 2008 at 10:11 am
whhat a beutiful way to start the day did you know that there is a verse in the bible that says god says he will add hours to our days!
posted September 19, 2008 at 10:37 am
The read of God is helpful to me. I read everyday and praise him and give him my whole heart of worship and I cry out to him because he deserve all the glory in my life and I bow down to him,and worship no other false god.Bless God for all that he does in our life and know with him we will not perish. Thank you God you get the glory and reign in heaven.
posted September 19, 2008 at 10:43 am
God you are the best and I give you the glory and you reign in heaven and I worship you in truth and I read your read and the in nothing false about you. God read bring truth to my soul thank God you are awesome.
posted September 19, 2008 at 10:49 am
God know I seek the truth and some people twist the truth and God says to look to him on the truth and to find him and he would be truth to you.God I give glory and honor to his name because he deserve all the glory and reign in heaven. So read the word and worship him and praise his name and bow down at his feet.
posted September 20, 2008 at 10:30 am
God has always taking care of my children and mine needs and wants. He take us were we are to be. He is a man of his word. He said seek and u find,knock and it willbe open, seek and u will, find and that all true. He is an awesome god.
posted September 20, 2008 at 2:43 pm
how and what do you say to a 21 year old girl who is now married to a younger man
and now has a baby. she is not happy in he marriage but trying to walk with god but her husband is leaving thehouse on his day off and staying gone along time, and he was to quit smoking because they do not have the extra money for such as that and she doesn’t what it around the baby. what are how should i comfort her. she is along ways from home and her parnets does not like her husband so she can
not go are tell them are ask them anything because they will say i told you so.help me with what i need to do. thank you
posted September 20, 2008 at 3:46 pm
God is good, I thank and give him all the glory. Now that I am back into church and under my great pastor, whose calling is a Prophet, I can see back in my life where my God has always been intervening in my life, before giving him the just praises. I continually Thank him for all that he has done for me and my family, especially for me and my children, I thank him for a relationship that has ended. I give him thanks for doors that are opening and those no man can open.
Be encouraged and blessed!!
posted September 21, 2008 at 12:37 pm
I thank God for this opportunity to read the 5 reasons for silence.I have struggled many years to find that quiet place, “closet space”Believe me, it is worth waking up an hour before time. Instead of eating lunch; taking that hour to get alone with God. Also, the meditation time before bedtime. I had to find more than one way so that it would fit whatever my schedule for that day. Believe me, it is worth it; so whatever way or time I choose, it balances out the chaos of the world around me and gives me a clear and total link to:
God Almighty, Jesus Christ, The Holy Spirit, Nature and my inner-self.
posted September 22, 2008 at 12:39 am
T0 the 21 year old. I was in that situation years ago. stay, don’t
leave. This is your special time to find God. Study the Bible pray,
take care of your baby. Be the best wife you can be. If the marriage
ends you will have a good conscience. It will more likely improve
first. The new baby all all can be a bit much to a guy. he has to share you now. He maybe jealous of the baby. Try and be sweet, it will
get better, hang in there and either way God will bless you
theplainsofsharon@yahoo.com
posted September 23, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Everything has changed so much since I have become a Christian for God is so good. He is always there in good and bad times. In my life I have always tried to reach out to others and hope for the best. I have some friends who need God in their life and I continue to pray for them including my daughter who does know Him but maybe thinks God has not forgiven her.The peace I feel in my heart is so real and He is there no matter what. Please pray for my Mom who is ill and friends who are going through things such as losing a wife, etc. He certainly gives us strength; emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Just remember God is in control.
posted September 29, 2008 at 3:21 pm
It is amazing to have God as your Lord and Master. He has never left me nor forsaken me. I have gone through tribulation all my life as a single parent with only him as my helper. Even when I think there is no way he opens up an expressway for me. It takes the grace of God to carry on the way I have because he has been merciful and sufficient.Most times I have nobody to talk to about burdens that are heavy in my heart but I will suddenly hear the sweet whispers of the husband of the widow calming me. God is indeed and awaresome God.