Category: Our True Selves (Page 1 of 2)

As an extension of the “practicing resurrection” theme of Circle of Hope this Eastertide season, we’re using this week in Daily Prayer: Water to reflect together on the Christian path of finding our true selves in God alone.  We’re using a marvelous children’s story by Mercer Mayer to illustrate the path.  Welcome to Herbert the Timid Dragon. 

. . .a humble self-knowledge is a surer way to God than a search after deep learning. — Thomas a Kempis in Imitation of Christ

Today’s Bible reading 

O Lord, you have examined my heart
    and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
    You know my thoughts even when I’m far away…

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you,
    and lead me along the path of everlasting life. — Psalm 139:1-2…23-24

More thoughts for meditation from Mercer Mayer’s Herbert the Timid Dragon

Herbert ends up as a knight, but not a brave knight. He doesn’t end up trapped as someone he is not. Instead he is cared for as he really is.  

Suggestions for action

At the end of our week of listening to God’s call to be our true selves, we may feel freer (I hope so) or perhaps more content with who we are (I really hope this).  Pause now and let yourself review your journal notes from this week.  Who are you and who is God?

This week’s breath prayer (carry it with you today):

           (inhale) Show me You; (exhale) show me me. 

As an extension of the “practicing resurrection” theme of Circle of Hope this Eastertide season, we’re using this week in Daily Prayer: Water to reflect together on the Christian path of finding our true selves in God alone.  We’re using a marvelous children’s story by Mercer Mayer to illustrate the path.  Welcome to Herbert the Timid Dragon. 

Our wisdom . . . consists almost entirely of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves. But as these are connected together by many ties, it is not easy to determine which of the two precedes and gives birth to the other.  —  John Calvin

Today’s Bible reading

It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge. I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question? The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different. — Romans 7:21-25 (The Message) 

More thoughts for meditation from Mercer Mayer’s Herbert the Timid Dragon

Herbert seems to have learned to be himself. He’s got a wagonload of gold to offer as ransom. He isn’t trying to make a grand rescue. He is still misunderstood and he still gets afraid, but he doesn’t run or avoid. He takes a new path suited to his gifts.

Suggestions for action

As we follow Herbert to discover our true selves with our true gifts, we will meet God, too. We may discover along with Herbert that there are gifts hidden in old fears if we can see them and name them. Can you remember finding the freedom to use your gifts, even when you might have been anxious about doing so? Journal about that for a bit while asking God to guide your reflection.  Again trust what comes up and listen to these thoughts from the deeper parts of you.

This week’s breath prayer (carry it with you today):

 (inhale) Show me You; (exhale) show me me.

Today is Athanasius of Alexandria Day! Get to know this very influential ancestor at Celebrating Our Transhistorical Body.

As an extension of the “practicing resurrection” theme of Circle of Hope this Eastertide season, we’re using this week in Daily Prayer: Water to reflect together on the Christian path of finding our true selves in God alone.  We’re using a marvelous children’s story by Mercer Mayer to illustrate the path.  Welcome to Herbert the Timid Dragon. 

There is no deep knowing of God without a deep knowing of self and no deep knowing of self without a deep knowing of God.  – John Calvin

Today’s Bible reading 

My conscious mind whole-heartedly endorses the Law, yet I observe an entirely different principle at work in my nature. This is in continual conflict with my conscious attitude, and makes me an unwilling prisoner to the law of sin and death. In my mind I am God’s willing servant, but in my own nature I am bound fast, as I say, to the law of sin and death. It is an agonizing situation, and who on earth can set me free from the clutches of my sinful nature? I thank God there is a way out through Jesus Christ our Lord. — Romans 7:21-25 (Phillips)

More thoughts for meditation from Mercer Mayer’s Herbert the Timid Dragon

Herbert falls into despair. He isolates himself and sits inactive and alone. Then a friend visits and offers news of a change in events.  Herbert decides he needs to do something, “the least he can do” he says to himself.  He takes what he has, not looking to be a hero now, but doing what he can as he is.  He sets out this time a bit more aware of who he really is.

Suggestions for action:

What are your treasures that you leave lying around under-used?  Ask God to reveal more about your true gifts and your true self. Pause now and quiet your mind and ask this question, then write out what you hear in your journal.  Your response doesn’t have to be long, but write whatever comes to mind, trusting God is in charge and you’ve asked for guidance.  Trust yourself and God and note what you hear rather than giving in to old views of yourself that lead to despair, isolation and inactivity. Stop judging and keep listening.

This week’s breath prayer (carry it with you today):

 (inhale) Show me You; (exhale) show me me.

As an extension of the “practicing resurrection” theme of Circle of Hope this Eastertide season, we’re using this week in Daily Prayer: Water to reflect together on the Christian path of finding our true selves in God alone.  We’re using a marvelous children’s story by Mercer Mayer to illustrate the path.  Welcome to Herbert the Timid Dragon.

How can you draw close to God when you are far from your own self? –– Augustine in Confessions

Today’s Bible reading 

I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.  Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. — Romans 7:21-25 (NLT)

More thoughts for meditation from Mercer Mayer’s Herbert the Timid Dragon

Herbert is afraid still.  His ideals are getting crushed. How he expected life to work is nothing like what is happening.  But he is still having quite an impact on people around him in all sorts of ways that he doesn’t recognize.  He doesn’t know himself yet. What he thought was right, wasn’t so good…

Suggestions for action

Fear prompts a lot of our actions, even more than we might guess. We cough. We don’t mean to melt the armies around us, but when we act out of fear, things happen that we never imagined.  When we are prompted by fears of failure, we often can’t see what we are really doing.  Do you know what you do when you are afraid?  Can you tell when you are afraid? Ask God to reveal these things to you. Make notes in your journal about what you hear.

This week’s breath prayer (carry it with you today):

 (inhale) Show me You; (exhale) show me me.