SATURDAY, July 16

Psalm 42. As the deer longs for the water-brooks, so longs my soul for you, O God. My soul is athirst for God, athirst for the living God.

Perhaps our genes remember being hungry prehistoric hunters or fighting to survive famine. Not to partake of more than we need was once foolhardy, but now our waistlines are expanding from food and drink we don’t need. Millions of years later in a land of plenty, overconsumption is smothering our souls. We don’t know how to feel empty.

When I lived in a hot, arid city I rode my bicycle to work. The sun was so intense that it faded my clothes; at 110 degrees I could barely stand to be outside more than a few minutes. I felt drained. This is how our souls are supposed to thirst for God, wanting to drink in the presence of Jesus who gives water that quenches thirst forever.

Our souls ask of us that we allow ourselves to feel empty. Our souls beg us to stop cramming so much activity into each moment, so much food and drink into one body, so much stuff into one home. Our souls long for moments with the living God.

PRAY for the Diocese of Perth (Western Australia)

Ps 30, 32 * 42, 43; 1 Samuel 22:1-23; Acts 13:26-43; Mark 3:19b-35

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Prayer and destuffing

Jul 16, 2011 at 10:51 am

Written by Chris,

Constantly adding activities, things, and overconsumption are powerful distractions away from God. In running a business with the challenges of the recession, still ongoing, pushes me to try harder, work more strategically and do more things that increases stress; all in the attempt to fix or combat it. Anxiousness and anguish creep into my mind. I long for more moments with God yet cause my own stru*gles. As I pray to God for His strength and courage, He leads me to destuff my life and come to Him. It is working. Amen.

Let's keep God, the Creator in the picture/in our lives

Jul 16, 2011 at 11:19 am

Written by emeline,

Today, we spend an awful amount of time gathering things that are not important, things we do not need. Just as our homes become cluttered, our minds become cluttered, with no room for God. We need to prioritize our lives, so that God is at the centre. We can then find time for ourselvse, our spouses, children, extended families, friends and neighbours. At church, we will be able to appreciate the Rector's teachings and preachings and learn more about God, our neighbours and ourselves.

Let's be passionate about having knowledge of God and have Him in our presence, and like the psalmist, "thirst" like the deer for springs of living, refreshing water. To God, then, be the glory!

...

Jul 16, 2011 at 6:17 pm

Written by Noel of July Day by Day,

I just spent last week cleaning out closets. I now understand why.

I still haven't found what I'm looking for

Jul 17, 2011 at 9:15 am

Written by Angelina,

Last night I read my Forward Day by Day. This morning I went for a run and the second song on my iPod was U2's "I still haven't found what I'm looking for." WOW! The perfect song for that message in my opinion.
I never want to become so content that I quit thirsting for more. There's always more - always a way to get closer to God.

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