Screaming Out Loud by Jill Carattini

Take approximately 5 minutes to read this shortened version of yesterday's 'A Slice of Infinity'. Post comments to the blog for spiritual collaboration. Please email your prayer requests too.

Why do you now cry aloud—
have you no king?
Has your counselor perished,
that pain seizes you like that of a woman in labor? Micah 4:9

Slice of Infinity Snippets:
In his book The Doctor and the Soul, holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl writes, "If we present man with a concept of man which is not true, we may well corrupt him. When we present man as an automaton of reflexes, as a mind-machine, as a bundle of instincts, as a pawn of drives and reactions, as a mere product of instinct, heredity, and environment, we feed the nihilism to which man is, in any case, prone."(1) Believing God is dead and humanity is the measure, the shrieking figure carries his philosophy to its logical response.

When the starting point is one without God, a philosophy of meaninglessness is an unavoidable outcome. Antitheists readily admit this, seeing meaninglessness as a logical consequence to life in a chance-driven world. And yet, they dismissively champion it as liberating or, at best, irrelevant. In an interview with Life magazine, paleontologist Stephen Gould stated plainly, "We are here because one odd group of fishes had a peculiar fin anatomy that could transform into legs for terrestrial creatures... We may yearn for a 'higher' answer--but none exists. This explanation, though superficially troubling, if not terrifying, is ultimately liberating and exhilarating."(2)

But is this really possible? I fail to see how meaninglessness can ever be liberating or a pointless existence irrelevant. Without screams of despair, I fail to see how we are to understand our lives.

Yet more so, how are we to understand our own cries?

Perhaps it is an incalculable error to determine our cries are not real and telling, the hunger for meaning not a signal of meaning's very existence. Screams of futility do not make sense if there never existed One to hear them. If life were at base merely chance and matter, there would be no need for purpose. Behind the cry of a life that searches for meaning, there is a mind that seeks the unsearchable and a heart in which eternity has been set. We cry aloud because there is a King.

Comments:
What does your world present you as? Reflexes? Material? Or maybe nothing more than chicken noodle soup that was struck by lightning? Don't listen. Don't trust in man's 'knowledge'. The issue is not the degree of difference between you and a monkey, but the difference is in kind. Trust in God who made you and formed you. Trust the one who knows who He created you to be.

What is Truth? by L.T. Jeyachandran

Take approximately 5 minutes to read this shortened version of yesterday's 'A Slice of Infinity'. Post comments to the blog for spiritual collaboration. Please email your prayer requests too.

Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies. Psalm 36:5

Scripture brings to light a quality of truth that is all too often lost in abstract discussions or in popular gnostic descriptions. Truth at the conceptual and content level must not be separated from truth at the practical level; the objective and verifiable must always be set alongside the existential and experiential. In other words, the answers we seek to questions of truth must satisfy our hearts even as they stimulate our minds.

The truth of God's being and character is far more than a set of creedal principles. This truth can transform our lives in terms of a loving and free relationship. From this God and his Word, we can receive true answers to the questions that are inherently raised within us. Who am I? Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? The answers God provides us are simple enough for a little child to understand and yet so profound that the deepest quest of the most sophisticated philosopher can be satisfied.

Comments: Yesterday, Uncle Jay commented on the actions of his son, Matt, and how as a boy visiting the streets of Chicago, Matt "would always go up and down the street giving his money to the homeless without any encouragement whatsoever he just saw they needed what he could give them, blessed are our youth and my we the adults never stop learning from them."

Here is a great example of what Truth really is - beyond concept or theory - Matt, even as a child, bore the image of his creator. Sacrifice of himself for others without regard to social status and without coaching. I know Matt, and although he likes to fight, he is also one of the softest persons in our family. Praise be to God for showing us our true character.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1 Peter 1:3

Moving Beyond Ordinary Time by Margaret Manning

Take approximately 5 minutes to read this shortened version of yesterday's 'A Slice of Infinity'. Post comments to the blog for spiritual collaboration. Please email your prayer requests too.

"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. Matthew 6:2-5 emphasis mine

"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. Matthew 6:16

September is a very important month for Jews and Muslims. For Jews, September contains two of their most high, holy days: Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. In the original language, Rosh Hashanah means "new year" and Yom Kippur means "day of atonement." What do these days entail for Jews? This is a time for serious introspection, a time to consider the sins of the previous year and repent before Yom Kippur. The ten days starting with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur are commonly known as the Days of Awe (Yamim Noraim) or the Days of Repentance.(1)
These "Days of Awe" are filled with wonder and worship, days of reflection, fasting and prayer, days of solemnity and solace. These are days meant to set the tone for the rest of the year even as they remind Jews to reflect on what has gone before. Among the customs of this time, it is common to seek reconciliation with people you may have wronged during the course of the year...Muslims similarly find September a month set apart, as it marks the month-long fast of Ramadan. Ramadan calls Muslims to concentrate on their faith and spend less time on the concerns of their everyday lives. It is meant to be a time of worship and contemplation, reflection and devotion.(2) ...Examining the practices of our Jewish and Muslim neighbors, we are reminded that every day should be a day of awe and devotion for followers of Jesus. Indeed, Jesus gave strong instruction to his listeners during the Sermon on the Mount recorded in Matthew's gospel. Jesus expected that his followers would engage in on-going acts of devotion like fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. ...The issue is not if we will do these devotional acts, but when we do them...While we may have very different reasons, beliefs, and expectations than our Jewish and Muslim neighbors, there is something to learn from their special seasons of devotion to enrich and even challenge our own Christian practice. ... And not just September, but every day and month of the year? Do not miss the opportunity for your own "days of awe" choosing instead to settle for ordinary time.

Comments: I have been told that when Daniel was caught praying and then thrown into the lions den, it is appropriately translated 'the prayer'. It is said that 'the prayer' of Daniel is a set prayer that was instituted around the time of Ezra after the exile to Babylon.
The • Shema: Deut. 6:4-9, 11:13-21, Numbers 15:37-41
• Amidah: (see below)(also called Shemoneh Esrei) This is known as the 18
benedictions or the standing prayers (created by Ezra)
• The Lord's Prayer

You can look up the Lord's Prayer and the versus above easily. Below I have added the Amidah. If you would like more info on ancient practices, see the book Finding our Way again by Brian McLaren

I would love to hear your comments on the Amidah

Bless you in Christ,
Chad

Amidah
(Morning, Afternoon, Evening)
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise.
Patriarchs
Blessed are You, LORD our God and the God of our fathers, God of Abraham, God of
Isaac and God of Jacob, the great, mighty and awesome God, God supreme, Who
bestows loving-kindness and owns everything, Who remembers the gracious deeds of
our forefathers and Who brings a Redeemer with love to their childrenʼs children for
His Nameʼs sake. King, Redeemer, Savior and Shield! Blessed are You O LORD,
Shield of Abraham.
Godʼs Power
Your might is eternal, O Lord, Who revives the dead, powerful in saving, Who sustains
the living with loving-kindness, Who revives the dead with great mercy, Who supports
the falling, heals the sick, frees the captive, and keeps faith with those asleep in the
dust. Who is like You, Almighty, and who resembles You, O King? Who can bring
death and give life and can make salvation blossom forth! And faithful are You to
revive the dead. Blessed are You, LORD, Who revives the dead.
Holiness Of Godʼs Name
You are holy and Your Name is holy, and holy ones will praise You every day, Selah.
Blessed are You O LORD, the holy God.
Understanding / Wisdom
You bestow knowledge to man and teach understanding to mortals. Bestow upon us
knowledge, understanding and discernment from You. Blessed are You O LORD, Who
bestows knowledge.
Repentance
Return us O LORD, to Your Torah, and bring us near, our King, to Your service, and
bring us back in complete repentance before You. Blessed are You LORD, who
desires repentance.
Forgiveness
Forgive us our Father, for we have sinned. Pardon us our King, for we have
transgressed, for You pardon and forgive. Blessed are You O LORD, Who is gracious
and abundantly forgives.
Redemption
See our affliction, and fight our battle, and redeem us quickly for Your Nameʼs sake, for
You are a strong Redeemer. Blessed are You O LORD, Redeemer of Israel.
Healing
Heal us, O LORD, and we will be healed. Save us, and we will be saved, for You are
our praise. Cause complete healing to arise for all our ailments. For You are God,
King, Healer, faithful and compassionate. Blessed are You O LORD, Healer of the sick
of His people Israel.
Year of Plenty
Bless for us, O LORD our God, this year and all the kinds of crops for goodness, and
give a blessing upon the face of the earth. Satisfy us from Your goodness, and bless
our year like the good years. Blessed are You O LORD, Who blesses the years.
Ingathering Of The Exiles
Blast the great shofar for our freedom, and raise a banner to gather our exiles, and
gather us together from the four corners of the earth. Blessed are You O LORD, Who
gathers in the dispersed of His people Israel.
Restoration of Justice
Return our judges as at first and our counselors as in the beginning, and remove
sorrow and groan from us, and rule over us, You O LORD alone, with devotion and
compassion, and justify us in judgment. Blessed are You O LORD, King Who loves
righteousness and judgment.
The Righteous
On the righteous, on the devout, on the elders of Your people, the House of Israel and
on their remaining scholars and on the righteous and on us, may Your compassions
be incited, O LORD our God, and give a good reward to all who sincerely trust in Your
Name. Set our portion with them forever, and we will not be ashamed, for we trust in
You. Blessed are You O LORD, stronghold and security for the righteous.
Rebuilding Of Jerusalem
Return to Jerusalem, Your city, and dwell in her midst as You have spoken. May You
build it soon and in our days as an eternal building, and prepare the throne of David
within it quickly. Blessed are You O LORD, Builder of Jerusalem.
Kingship Of The House Of David
Cause the Branch of David to flourish quickly, and send us Your salvation, for we hope
for Your salvation all day. Blessed are You O LORD, Who makes the seeds of
salvation grow.
Acceptance of Prayer
Hear our voice, O LORD our God, take pity and show compassion to us, and receive
our prayer with compassion and favor, for You are a God Who hears prayers and
supplications. Our King, do not turn us away with nothing, for You compassionately
hear the prayer of Your people Israel. Blessed are You O LORD, Who hears prayer.
Temple Service
Be favorable, O LORD our God, toward Israel Your people, turn to their prayer and
restore the service to the Holy of Holies of Your House. And the fire offerings of Israel
and their prayers may You speedily accept with love and favor, and may the service of
Your people Israel be continually favorable to You. May our eyes behold Your return to
Zion in compassion. Blessed are You, O LORD, Who restores His Dwelling Presence
to Zion.
Thanksgiving
We gratefully thank You, for it is You Who are the LORD, our God and the God of our
forefathers forever. Our Rock, the Rock of our lives, Shield of our Salvation are You
from generation to generation. We shall thank You and relate Your praise: for our lives,
which are committed to Your power and for our souls that are entrusted to You; for
Your miracles that are with us every day; and for Your wonders and favors in every
seasonСevening, morning, and afternoon. O Good One, Your compassions were
never exhausted. O Compassionate One, Your kindnesses never ended. We have
always put our hope in You. For all these, may Your Name be blessed, exalted and
extolled, our King, continually forever and ever. Everything alive will gratefully
acknowledge YouСSelah! And may they praise Your great Name sincerely, O God of
our salvation and helpСSelah! Blessed are You, O LORD; Your Name is “The Good
One,” and to You, it is fitting to give thanks.
Peace
Grant peace, goodness and blessing; grace, devotion and compassion to us and to all
Your people Israel. Bless us, our Father, all of us as one, with the light of Your
countenance. For in the light of Your countenance You give us, O LORD, the Torah of
life and the love of devotion, righteousness and blessing, compassion, life and peace.
And it is good in Your eyes to bless Your people Israel at every moment and every
hour with Your peace. Blessed are You, O LORD, Who blesses His people Israel with
peace.
May He Who makes peace in His heights make peace on all of us and upon all Israel;
now let us respond: Amen.