Understanding and wisdom

"Bestow upon me, O Lord my God, 

understanding to know thee,

diligence to seek thee, 

wisdom to find thee,
and a faithfulness that may finally embrace thee." - Thomas Aquinas

"For the reverence and fear of God are basic to all wisdom. Knowing God results in every other kind of understanding. “I, Wisdom, will make the hours of your day more profitable and the years of your life more fruitful.” Wisdom is its own reward, and if you scorn her, you hurt only yourself." - Proverbs 9

Living in Grace

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Are you looking for some direction?

"If, then, you are looking for the way by which you should go, take Christ, because He Himself is the way." - Thomas Aquinas

As we embark upon any activity today let us commit to take Christ with us. This may seem like a simple thing to do, but how many times do I rush out the door in the mornings, without offering my day to Jesus? 

And as we face challenging tasks in the day, wouldn't it make us feel more at peace, if we could say: "Lord, Jesus, you are MY way. Help me to keep my eyes on You."

Thought: If you are seeking direction in your life, why don't you start with making Christ your center, your way, your life? Once we have this in place, we can trust that God will lead us on into the unknown.

Psalm 5:8 - Lead me in the right path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me. Make your way plain for me to follow.

Living in Grace

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Thoughts on Worship

As we busy ourselves for another time of Sunday worship, here are a few thoughts to help us prepare our hearts and minds for this great privilege.

"Ultimately, it is the very life of man, man himself as living righteously, that is the true worship of God, but life only becomes real life when it receives its form from looking toward God." - POPE BENEDICT XVI

"It is only when people begin to worship that they begin to grow." - CALVIN COOLIDGE

"God has no need for our worship. It is we who need to show our gratitude for what we have received." - THOMAS AQUINAS

"God, if Thou dost never answer another prayer while I live on this earth, I will still worship Thee as long as I live and, in the ages, to come for what Thou hast done already." - A. W. TOZER

• John 4:24 - God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.

May you be truly blessed as you worship the Living God today.

Living in Grace

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All Saints Day

The first of November marks 'All Saints Day' in many Christian circles and in order to celebrate with others, I am offering 3 delightful quotes from three remarkable people.

“We become what we love and who we love shapes what we become.” - Clare of Assisi

"Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent." - St. John of the Cross

"If, then, you are looking for the way by which you should go, take Christ, because He Himself is the way." - St. Thomas Aquinas 

Each one of these speaks into different situations of our lives, but perhaps one of these is for YOU today. Enjoy.

Living in Grace

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Three things are needed

“Three things are necessary for the salvation of man:
 to know what he ought to believe; 
to know what he ought to desire;
and to know what he ought to do.” - Thomas Aquinas

So, how are you going on these 3 things?
Do you know what you should be believing?
Do you know what you should be desiring?
Do you know what you need to do?

Psalm 33:20-22 - We’re depending on God; he’s everything we need. What’s more, our hearts brim with joy since we’ve taken for our own his holy name. Love us, God, with all you’ve got— that’s what we’re depending on.

Living in Grace
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How do I get my heart right?

How do you and I get our hearts right? It seems such a tough question to answer, and the variety of responses could be so numerous that they would confuse us even more. Thomas Aquinas tried to provide us with a reasonable answer when he wrote:

"A person's heart is right when he wills what God wills."

What do you make of that? Does that sound right? Is that a good place to get our hearts right?

Mark 14:36 - “Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

Living in Grace
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Trying to define FAITH

It is so hard to try and define FAITH. We have so many neat and simple answers to this complex issue and often these definitions leave us feeling a little short-changed. Today, I came across a 'good' workable understanding of faith and I want to share it with you. It comes from one of my favourite authors, Philip Yancey:

"I have learnt that faith means trusting in advance what will only make sense in reverse."

Perhaps you need to read it again and when you read it a second time, think of a time in your life where this has proven to be true. Faith means trusting in God, despite what the evidence around us suggests. One day we will be blessed to look back and see how God's hand has moved in our lives.

"Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe." -

Saint Augustine

"To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible." -Thomas Aquinas

I am not sure if you have a definition that works for you, but if are keen to share it with me, please comment on this post or send me an email.

Living in Grace
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Born on this day...

It is believed that Thomas Aquinas was born on the 28 January 1225 AD. He was later declared a Saint, although some could argue that point. On the whole he contributed so much to the formation of our Christian Theology and faith. He was a prolific writer and some of his famous words include:

"If the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship, he would keep it in port forever. " 

"To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible. "

"There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship."

Enjoy these quotes and be blessed today.

Why not pray this Scripture verse throughout the day... 

Psalm 27:4-5 One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.  For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.

Living in Grace

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