SPIRITUAL FITNESS PLAN FOR LENT.
(An exercise program to enhance your spiritual life)
Week Five– Beginning April 4, 2011
Week Six – Beginning April 11, 2011
‘The purpose of this world is not to have and to hold, but to serve’.
These words are attributed to Sir Wilfred Grenfell (1865-1940), doctor, missionary, legend in northern Newfoundland and Labrador.
He epitomized his words, as he established nursing stations in many communities to bring medical aid to isolated areas, started cottage industries to help people improve their standard of living, built hospitals and recruited doctors and nurses from around the globe to work pro bono, and led worship in many churches and other venues at a time when clergy supply was extremely limited.
In our Lenten practice this year, we are encouraging ourselves and others to GIVE UP, TAKE UP and HELP, or as Wilfred Grenfell worded it, SERVE, DO NOT HAVE OR HOLD.
Each of us has to decide what that means in our individual situation and circumstance.
Here are April 4-9 daily readings from John’s Gospel.
Monday April 4–John 11:1-54
Tuesday April 5 – John 11:55-12:11
Wednesday April 6– John 12:12-36
Thursday April 7 – John 12:37-50
Friday April 8 – John 13:1-20
Saturday April 9– John 13:21-38
Here are April 11-16 daily readings from John’s Gospel.
Monday April 11–John 14:1-31
Tuesday April 12 – John 15:1-27
Wednesday April 13– John 16:1-33
Thursday April 14 – John 17:1-26
Friday April 15 – John 18:1-27
Saturday April 16– John 18:28-40
There are six suggested spiritual exercises for a HOLY LENT.
Here are this week’s exercises.
1. ALMS GIVING – we can serve others by giving our alms (gifts) of TIME, TALENT and TREASURE. What ‘alms’ will you give this Lent?
2. FASTING – maybe you have done this already during Lent. If not, start today. Some years ago during Lent, one day a week, some friends and I ate breakfast and then only drank water or juices until the evening meal ... may not sound like much, but we found it meaningful.
3. PRAYER – Each day, spend at least 5 minutes in prayer. Pray with your paper, newscast, internet browsing, walking, riding …wherever you encounter people and their needs.
4. PENITENCE – confess your sins confident in God’s forgiveness and make amends for any wrong-doing.
5. SELF EXAMINATION – look at yourself, your relationship with God and your relationships with other people. Make improvements as required.
Invite a friend to read this blog. Post a comment.
(An exercise program to enhance your spiritual life)
Week Five– Beginning April 4, 2011
Week Six – Beginning April 11, 2011
‘The purpose of this world is not to have and to hold, but to serve’.
These words are attributed to Sir Wilfred Grenfell (1865-1940), doctor, missionary, legend in northern Newfoundland and Labrador.
He epitomized his words, as he established nursing stations in many communities to bring medical aid to isolated areas, started cottage industries to help people improve their standard of living, built hospitals and recruited doctors and nurses from around the globe to work pro bono, and led worship in many churches and other venues at a time when clergy supply was extremely limited.
In our Lenten practice this year, we are encouraging ourselves and others to GIVE UP, TAKE UP and HELP, or as Wilfred Grenfell worded it, SERVE, DO NOT HAVE OR HOLD.
Each of us has to decide what that means in our individual situation and circumstance.
Here are April 4-9 daily readings from John’s Gospel.
Monday April 4–John 11:1-54
Tuesday April 5 – John 11:55-12:11
Wednesday April 6– John 12:12-36
Thursday April 7 – John 12:37-50
Friday April 8 – John 13:1-20
Saturday April 9– John 13:21-38
Here are April 11-16 daily readings from John’s Gospel.
Monday April 11–John 14:1-31
Tuesday April 12 – John 15:1-27
Wednesday April 13– John 16:1-33
Thursday April 14 – John 17:1-26
Friday April 15 – John 18:1-27
Saturday April 16– John 18:28-40
There are six suggested spiritual exercises for a HOLY LENT.
Here are this week’s exercises.
1. ALMS GIVING – we can serve others by giving our alms (gifts) of TIME, TALENT and TREASURE. What ‘alms’ will you give this Lent?
2. FASTING – maybe you have done this already during Lent. If not, start today. Some years ago during Lent, one day a week, some friends and I ate breakfast and then only drank water or juices until the evening meal ... may not sound like much, but we found it meaningful.
3. PRAYER – Each day, spend at least 5 minutes in prayer. Pray with your paper, newscast, internet browsing, walking, riding …wherever you encounter people and their needs.
4. PENITENCE – confess your sins confident in God’s forgiveness and make amends for any wrong-doing.
5. SELF EXAMINATION – look at yourself, your relationship with God and your relationships with other people. Make improvements as required.
Invite a friend to read this blog. Post a comment.
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