|
Today's Scripture
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing."
*John 15.5, NLT
Wisdom Story
The beloved hymn, "Abide with Me," is a hymn of comfort and trust. A sickly pastor, unwell most of the time, wrote the words.
Henry F. Lyte served a seashore church in England, among rough sailors and uncultured villagers. This made outsiders often wonder about him. But his parishioners loved him, and he loved the work.
Yet, health finally failed him. The doctor advised him to retreat to sunny southern Europe. Lyte prepared to sail.
The last Sunday before leaving, although he had no strength to stand and preach, Lyte forced himself to and preached among his weeping congregation.
That evening, by the light of the evening sun, he wrote these words:
Abide with me, Fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me!
He did sail. And the beloved pastor died abroad within the year.
Comments
The main purpose of Prayer is to enable, through cooperation with the holy Spirit, a growing, life-giving connection with God. This is an inward connection, but this does not mean only inward.
By such abiding Life, encouraged by Silent Prayer, which is Loving-Openness to Divine Providence, we receive both the Life that leads to fruitfulness and the true sense of the closeness of Love, in Whom we find solace and courage, and rest.
Contemplative Prayer is Abiding Prayer. Contemplative Life is Abiding Life. The transforming union in such Prayer is of the mind-heart, or the inner secret-self, where no other knows you truly, fully except God.
In a real sense, other persons can know about you. They see you through your personality, as you in you, and like unto others and in contrast to others. God sees you as you in Christ, before or outside likeness and contrast. In this seeing by God of you in Christ, you are one with the whole of God, you abide in God as God and find the peace and comfort of this union with God. For this abiding is mutual Love. This Love flows from an inward connection with God to an outer one with the world in fruitfulness reflective of your True Self in the Holy Trinity-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Spiritual Exercise
Pray and reflect on the stanzas of the hymn "Abide with Me."
Abide with me-fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens-Lord, with me abide;
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
I need Thy presence every passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.
I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight and tears no bitterness;
Where is death's sting? where, grace, thy victory?
I triumph still if Thou abide with me.
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine thru the gloom and point me to the skies;
Heaven's morning breaks and earth's vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
For Brian's on-line audio sermons, go to www.wherethelightshines.org and select Pastor's Corner; on the following page is his weekly sermons given at Christ United Methodist Church, Punta Gorda, FL.
* * *
For replies and biographical information, and submission to "The Light Shines" daily devotionals ~ a ministry of Christ Community United Methodist Church, Punta Gorda, FL, see next page:
Continued... |
