The Gift. In days gone by, "The Gift" was the name for the Holy Spirit. Isn't that a lovely thought? We know Him as the Counselor...the Comforter...the Advocate. But the saints of old called Him "The Gift". In the midst of your busy holiday season, take time to reflect on these words by Bernard of... Continue Reading →
Francis de Sales: Living in God’s Presence, Part 3
"...Consider our Savior in His humanity looking down from heaven on all mankind, but especially on Christians, who are His children; and more particularly on such as are at prayer, whose actions and behavior He minutely observes." ¹ In this four-part series, we are examining Francis de Sales' recommendations for how to be aware of God... Continue Reading →
Francis de Sales: Living in God’s Presence, Part 2
"...Before prayer, we must always excite in our souls a lively apprehension of the presence of God, such as David conceived when he exclaimed: "If I ascend up to heaven, O my God, thou art there; if I descend into hell, thou art there!"¹ In the previous post in this series, we were reminded that... Continue Reading →
Francis de Sales: Living in God’s Presence, Part 1
"...There is not a place in the world in which He is not truly present; so that as birds, wherever they fly, always meet with the air, so we, wherever we go or wherever we are, always find God present." ¹ In my previous posts on Francis de Sales, we looked at four ways to find... Continue Reading →
Francis de Sales: (Not) An Ordinary Life, Part 4
"...humble yourself in the presence of God, acknowledging that of yourself you are incapable of executing your resolutions, either to avoid evil or to do good..."¹ In my previous posts on de Sales' "Finding God in the Morning," we examined his first three steps: Adore God before all else. Be intentional, because eternity is at... Continue Reading →
Francis de Sales: (Not) An Ordinary Life, Part 3
"Foresee in what business or conversation you will probably be engaged; what opportunities you will have to serve God; to what temptations of offending Him you will be exposed..."¹ In my two previous posts on de Sales' "Finding God in the Morning," we examined Steps One and Two. In brief, they are: Adore God before... Continue Reading →