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Welcome to OneLife Ministries. This site is designed to lead you prayerfully into a heart experience of Divine Presence, Who is Love. While it focuses on Christian teaching, the writer hopes persons of other faiths find inspiration here. Indeed, "God" can be whatever image helps you trust in the Sacred, by whatever means Grace touches you. Please share this ministry with others, and I hope you return soon. There is a new offering daily.
Blessings,
Rev Dr Brian K Wilcox, MDiv, MFT, PhD
Pastor-Teacher, Author, Workshop Leader, Spiritual Counselor, Chaplain
OPENING PRAYER
Holy Spirit, this day I renew commitment of my whole being to you, to be an instrument of love, joy, and peace. Grace me to grace others; encourage me to encourage others. In all I say, may I speak only what ministers kindness. Amen.
*Brian Kenneth Wilcox. Author An Ache for Union.
LISTENING TO THE SCRIPTURE
36I promise you that on the day of judgment, everyone will have to account for every careless [argos, idle, unprofitable] word they have spoken. 37On that day they will be told that they are either innocent or guilty because of the things they have said.
*Matthew 12.36-38 (CEV)
29 No rotten [sapros, bad, putrid, rotten] talk should come from your mouth, but only what is good for the building up of someone in need, in order to give grace to those who hear.
*Ephesians 4.29 (HCSB)
RECEIVING SACRED TEACHING
The following Lisa Belcher-Hamilton tells about an account shared by Fred Rogers, of the television program Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. Rogers had taken classes in preaching, during his time in seminary. He said:
Years ago my wife and I were worshipping in a little church with friends of ours. We were on vacation, and I was in the middle of my homiletics [preaching] course at the time.
During the sermon I kept ticking off every mistake I thought the preacher - he must have been eighty years old - was making. When this interminable sermon finally ended, I turned to one of my friends, intending to say something critical about the sermon. I stopped myself when I saw the tears running down her face.
She whispered to me, "He said exactly what I needed to hear." That was really a seminal experience for me. I was judging and she was needing, and the Holy Spirit responded to need, not judgment.
*Craig Brian Larson. Ed. Contemporary Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers, & Writers.
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St. Paul teaches we are not to use "rotten speech" (HCSB) to come from our mouths. Rather, what we say is to "build up" persons in need and "give grace" to persons.
We might be offended by persons using what we call vulgar language. Could we be guilty of using as "rotten" words in our criticizing of others, though we use acceptable vocabulary?
The Spirit is always seeking to build us up, not tear us down. The Holy Spirit is edifying.
Likewise, the Holy Spirit communicates grace. Grace is not merely an attitude of goodwill. Grace is an energy of loving.
We are to allow the Holy Spirit to use us, as the Holy Spirit wills. When we submit to the Spirit, we are agreeing to allow the Spirit to act in and through us according to the Nature of the Holy Spirit. To do this, we commit our mind, bodies, and voices to encourage and begrace.
* * *
A leader in my church graced and edified me. After telling my church I would be leaving soon, for the denomination did not feel I fit the denomination - and I do not-, she walked up to me. She said, "You're a remarkable man. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. You're a remarkable man."
See, this woman was being in the Holy Spirit. Her words have been a marked encouragement to me. I will never forget that moment. To me, that was the same as the Holy Spirit walking up and saying the same words.
QUIETLY RESPONDING
1. Recall a time when you sensed the Holy Spirit within you giving grace or speaking encouragement to you in a trying time.
2. Remember a time when another person spoke to you, gracing you and building you up when you needed encouragement.
3. Whom do you know that needs extra encouragement now? Are you willing to permit the Holy Spirit to use you to give the encouragement?
4. Is there someone in your family, church, workplace, or among your friends you are struggling to be graceful to? Pray about that. Become intentional about being kind to the person.
Blessings!
Rev Dr Brian K Wilcox
May 14, 2009
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*OneLife Ministries is a ministry of Brian K. Wilcox, of SW Florida. Brian lives a vowed life and with his two dogs, Bandit Ty and St. Francis. Brian is an ecumenical spiritual leader, open to how Christ manifests in the diversity of Christian denominations and varied religious-spiritual traditions. He is Senior Chaplain for the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, Punta Gorda, FL.
*Brian welcomes responses to his writings or submission of prayer requests at barukhattah@embarqmail.com .
*Contact the above email to book Brian for Spiritual Direction, retreats, or workshops. You can order his book An Ache for Union at major book dealers.
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