"He Died for Us" (Jimmy Owens, with lyrics and chords)

HE DIED FOR US

Words: Jimmy Owens

Copyright 1971 by Lillenas Publishing Co.

Am                                E 

When we were sinners, Jesus came 

Am                    Bm

And took upon Himself our blame 

Dm                            E 

Willing to bear our sin and shame 

Am 

He died for us. 

Am                      E 

The Son of God became a man  

Am                                Bm

Fulfilling God's eternal plan; 

Dm                            E 

Conceived before the world began 

Am 

He died for us. 

Chorus

            F                    G                    Em                    Am 

There once stood a wall, deep and white, strong and tall 

                Dm            G7            CMaj7    C7 

There it stood built of all, our unholiness 

                F                G7 

But this man, by His blood 

Em                                        Am 

Broke the wall, loosed the flood 

                                            Dm        G7                E 

(Loosed the flood) of the Mercies of God to mankind.

Am                          E 

And now God offers to each one 

Am                                Bm

A priceless pardon for what we've done 

Dm                                E

Because of Jesus, His own Son; 

Am 

Who died for us. He died for us.

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Chords added by Conrade Yap

"A Burden For Souls" (with lyrics and chords)

There was a request for the lyrics and chords for this song. So, I am putting up a new page for that. The old page without chords is located here. It is played to the key of D.

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A BURDEN FOR SOULS

Words: Bill Butterworth

Album: Make It Clear

D     F#m         G     A7 

A burden for souls dear Lord, a burden to share 

D     F#m         G A7 

A love for the lost dear Lord, a genuine care 

G F#m             Em         A7 

A need to see this world as people dying each day 

G     F#m         Em             A7 

An urge to speak with them, to do more than just pray 

 

D     F#m         Em     A7 

A burden for souls dear Lord, a decision to make 

D F#m             Em A7 

A goal to follow Christ, whatever it takes 

G F#m             Em         A7 

A life of sharing the gospel with whomever I can 

G F#m             Em             A7 

A need to take my eyes off myself, to see God’s plan 

        B7 

To see God’s plan. 

 

E         G#m          F#m     B7 

A burden for souls dear Lord, this will always be my prayer 

E             G#m F#m             B7 

Make this burden real to me, that I may always care 

A     G#m A B7 

To share God’s love, to share God’s love 

A             B7 E 

To share God’s love, Amen. 

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conrade

Song: "If Any Man Will Follow"

This is an old song I learned when I was a young Christian. The words are powerful.

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IF ANY MAN WILL FOLLOW (Michael Baughen)

KEY: C

Chorus

If any man will follow if any man will follow

If any man will follow after my Jesus

Let him deny himself land let him take up His cross

And let him come and follow after my Lord

Verse 1

Whosoever will live for self

Will throw his life away

Christ gives life to all who follow Him

What is a man advantaged

If he gains the whole wide world

And then loses his soul

[Chorus]

Verse 2

Whosoever will be ashamed of Jesus and His words

In this sinful age in which we live

Jesus the King will be ashamed of him

In that great day when in glory He comes

[Chorus]

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Song: "For God So Loved the World"

A song I learned in my early years as a Christian. It's sung to an Irish tune "Londonderry Air," popularized by the song "Danny Boy."

"A Burden for Souls Dear Lord"

This is one of my favourite hymns from the 70s. Written by Bill Butterworth in his musical, "Make it Clear," this song remains a beautiful reminder about the purpose of the gospel. 

I usually play to the key of D.

A Burden for Souls (灵魂的负担)

A burden for souls dear Lord, a burden to share
A love for the lost dear Lord, a genuine care
A need to see this world as people dying each day
An urge to speak with them, to do more than just pray

A burden for souls dear Lord, a decision to make
A goal to follow Christ, whatever it takes
A life of sharing the gospel with whomever I can
A need to take my eyes off myself, to see God’s plan
To see God’s plan.

A burden for souls dear Lord, this will always be my prayer
Make this burden real to me, that I may always care
To share God’s love, to share God’s love
To share God’s love, Amen.

ks

Song for Thanksgiving

I learned this song a long time ago. 

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I THANK THE LORD

I thank the Lord above for giving me

This great eternal life, so rich and free

And everyday I live, I love Him more

To Him I'll sing my praise, I thank the Lord!

Chorus: 

I do not understand why He should be so kind

I only know that I am His, and He is mine!

Someday I'll see His Face, O Great Reward.

In that eternal place, I thank the Lord.

My Saviour came to die at Calvary

For sin He paid the price, for you and me

He fought the enemy, without His Sword

And for this victory, I thank the Lord!

Midweek Meditation: "Fitness Sign #6 - Leadership Development"

We continue with Gary McIntosh and Phil Stevenson's book "Building the Body" which is about the 12 characteristics of a fit Church. Last week, we talked about GOD-HONOURING STEWARDSHIP. This week, it is about LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT.

SIGNS OF FITNESS #6 - LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

"Leadership development must involve leader-development capacity, a culture of leadership development, and a leadership development pipeline. Growth is more than a hobby; it is a habit. The person who chooses to be a leader developer must work at integrating the nine qualities below into their life.

1. A leader developer appreciates others.
2. A leader developer believes in the propensity of others to do their best.
3. A leader developer praises people for what they have done.
4. A leader developer empowers others.
5. A leader developer listens and asks questions.
6. A leader developer encourages and cares for others.
7. A leader developer values clear thinking and strategic action.
8. A leader developer  continually learns and places a high value on personal growth.
9. A leader developer accepts personal responsibility to develop others." 

(adapter from McIntosh and Stevenson, "Building the Body", Baker Books, 2018, p97-100)

Tips: A church that develops leaders would:

• Have identified those gifted and called to leadership;
• Actively recruit and assess qualified people for various roles;
• Welcome new leaders within the congregation;
• Formally evaluate all leaders annually;
• Recognize and Honour people for their effective leadership;
• Trust leaders and follow them;
• Hold leaders accountable for clearly defined expectations.

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Midweek Meditation: "Fitness Sign #5 - God-Honouring Stewardship"

We continue with Gary McIntosh and Phil Stevenson's book "Building the Body" which is about the 12 characteristics of a fit Church. Last week, we talked about PERSONAL MINISTRY. This week, it is about GOD-HONOURING STEWARDSHIP.

SIGNS OF FITNESS #5 - GOD-HONOURING STEWARDSHIP

"How people and churches handle money declares the kingdom to which they belong. Jesus laid out two options. We can either store up treasures for ourselves on earth or store up treasures for ourselves in heaven (see Matt 6:19-20). He also said, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

It seems as though Jesus was always asking, "What do you value most?" He was always contrasting two perspectives - for example, two kingdoms, two masters, or two values. So what do fit churches value most? Simply put, they value investing in heavenly wealth. The key question for fit church is, "Where is our treasure?"" (McIntosh and Stevenson, "Building the Body", Baker Books, 2018, p83)

"First, fit churches work from a well-defined budget.
..
Second, fit churches develop a ratio of expenditures to various operations and adjust it year to year.
..
Third, fit churches place a priority on staff, ministry, and facilities - in that order. While each church allocates budget expenditures differently, wise leaders make staffing a priority. In many ways, the quality of the staff determines the future of the church. Fit churches typically spend between 40 and 50 percent of their budgets on staff salaries, benefits, and reimbursements. While some churches proudly declare they give 50 percent of every dollar to missions, there is usually an unseen problem - the staff members are not generously paid. In other words, to give half of its income to missions, a church usually does so to the neglect of its own staff, which is certainly unbiblical. Fit churches follow the lead of Scripture, which declares, "The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches (Gal 6:6)."
..
Fourth, fit churches plan for funding God's work.
..
Fifth, fit churches train their people to give.
..
Sixth, fit churches prepare a resource development strategy.

" (87-90)

Tips: A church that has God-Honouring Stewardship would practise:

• Regular teaching on biblical stewardship of time, treasure, and talent;
• Systematic giving;
• Wise handling of Church resources;
• Alignment of budgets with vision and mission;
• Faith in budgeting;
• Open discussion of expectations in giving;
• Requiring Church leaders to give regularly in their service.

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Midweek Meditation: "Fitness Sign #4 - Personal Ministry"

We continue with Gary McIntosh and Phil Stevenson's book "Building the Body" which is about the 12 characteristics of a fit Church. Last week, we talked about COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. This week, it is PERSONAL MINISTRY.

SIGNS OF FITNESS #4 - PERSONAL MINISTRY

"Becoming a fit church is directly proportional to the degree the people of God are active in ministry. This principle has significant implications for a local church. Among other things, it means the heartbeat for a local church is the training of its people. Fit churches do the following things.

First, fit churches train people to know their spiritual gifts. People's identities as gifted servants of God are important impetuses for involvement in ministry. Classes and small group leaders systematically teach that God calls his people to serve. As each person grows to understand their identity in Christ and his body, they catch the vision for personal ministry. Each one identifies their remarkable spiritual gifts, unique talents, and special skills. They discover their passion for ministry while committing to serving with the rest of the church body.

Second, fit churches equip people to use their gifts, abilities, and skills in ministry.
..
Third, fit churches place people into ministry - quickly.
..
Fourth, fit churches provide coaching for people in ministry.
..
Fifth, fit churches evaluate people in ministry.
..
Sixth, fit churches build new ministry around their people's gifts and passions.
..
Seventh, fit churches express thanks to those in ministry." (McIntosh and Stevenson, "Building the Body", Baker Books, 2018, p73-76)

Tips: A church that equips people for personal ministry would have:

• Teaching and preaching about spiritual gifts;
• Spent time helping people discover their unique purpose in ministry;
• Equipped people to use their unique talents and gifts for ministry;
• Placed people in ministry according to their passions;
• Provided encouragement and coaching;
• Offered ongoing training for people to improve their ministry skillsets;
• Expressed appreciation for those serving or had served in ministry. 

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Midweek Meditation: "Fitness Sign #3 - Community Engagement"

We continue with Gary McIntosh and Phil Stevenson's book "Building the Body" which is about the 12 characteristics of a fit Church. Last week, we talked about EFFECTIVE EVANGELISM. This week, it is COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

SIGNS OF FITNESS #3 - COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

"Community engagement forces the church to interact with a world unlike itself. The first-century church was in a very unwelcoming culture. Yet the church thrived. What the church today must not do is allow the culture to dumb down its message. And the church must still move into society. The church must infiltrate culture as yeast does dough. This is the kingdom of God. . . . (Lue 13:20-21). Through community engagement the church becomes like yeast. When the church embeds itself into the community in which it is located, transformation begins. When the church inserts itself in culture as Christ's representatives, things begin to change.

Churches must move into the culture in which they reside. The culture is exemplified by the community in which a church body finds itself. In the four spheres of evangelism mentioned earlier, this would be Judea. Judea is the geographical area stretching from a one-fourth to a five-mile radius around a church's meeting location. A fit church will engage the community in this geographic area.

Community engagement involves three basic approaches: attractional, missional, or connectional. These three approaches can be summed up in the following phrases: come and see (attractional); go and be (missional); go and bring (connectional). " (McIntosh and Stevenson, "Building the Body", Baker Books, 2018, p53-54)

Tips: A church that engages community would have:

• Defined where our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the world are;
• Regular meetings with community leaders to find out how we can be of help to them;
• Encourage church members to be involved in community activities like coaching youth sports, joining service clubs, being active in forums, etc;
• Studied the needs of the community;
• Their pastors serving a day a week outside the church;
• Engaged in service evangelism;
• Community recognizing our church for our contributions. 

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Midweek Meditation: "Fitness Sign #2 - Effective Evangelism"

We continue with Gary McIntosh and Phil Stevenson's book "Building the Body" which is about the 12 characteristics of a fit Church. Last week, we talked about OUTREACH. This week, it is EFFECTIVE EVANGELISM.

SIGNS OF FITNESS #2 - EFFECTIVE EVANGELISM

"Evangelism is one of the primary characteristics that help churches become fit. Evangelism provides oxygen to the body of Christ. New birth, growing believers, and an inflow of newly connected followers of Christ breathe life into faith communities.

Churches must be involved in evangelistic endeavors. Churches that do not make the effort to intentionally determine methods to share the gospel will erode in their fitness levels. Churchs that do not involve themselves in an evangelistic emphasis will find themselves aging with no kids or grandkids to carry on their legacy." (McIntosh and Stevenson, "Building the Body", Baker Books, 2018, p37-38)

Tips: A church that effectively evangelizes would have:

• Regular training and mobilizing of members to share their faith;
• Conversions as their primary source of numerical growth;
• Specialized opportunities for members to invite friends;
• Budgets set aside for church planting work;
• Regular baptisms;
• Constantly identifying and targeting unreached people in our communities;
• Give guests a chance to accept Christ at worship services.

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Midweek Meditation: "Fitness Sign #1-Outreach"

Starting this week and for the next 12 weeks, we will be looking at Gary McIntosh and Phil Stevenson's book "Building the Body" which is about the 12 characteristics of a fit Church. Each Wednesday, I will share one characteristic that we can use for ourselves personally and corporately. For this week, it is OUTREACH.

SIGNS OF FITNESS #1 - OUTREACH

"An outward focus is the beginning point for outreach. Churches that are inwardly focused neither sense their communities' needs nor are motivated to evangelize or engage their communities. Outward-focused churches, however, are aware of the culture in which their ministries take place. They recognize a need for fitness to effectively evangelize and engage with their communities.

Church leaders often believe their churches are outward-focused when they actually are not. Many church people perceive themselves to be kingdom-minded, concerned for reaching the lost, and connected to people in their communities. Gary remembers consulting with a church in the Midwest. The results of a church-wide survey revealed several areas of strengths and a few dominant weaknesses. One of the church's areas of strength was community outreach. Conversations in five focus groups revealed people believed their church was effective in reaching the community for Christ. Closer examination found otherwise. Five hundred dollars was budgeted for outreach but had not been spent in the past year. A full 99 per cent of the church's identifiable programming was directed to the present congregation. The only identifiable program listed for outreach was VBS. The church was not outward-focused at all. How could a church be so wrong in its assessment of its strengths?" (McIntosh and Stevenson, "Building the Body", Baker Books, 2018, p23-24)

Tips: A fit and outward-focused church would have:

• At least 20% of budget for outreach activities;
• Events held in locations other than our church property;
• Knowledge of what businesses are in our neighbourhood;
• Our members attend and participate in community events;
• Board meetings discuss how we can reach our communities;
• More discussion on fulfilling the Great Commission rather than maintaining our programs and buildings;
• New people from our community attending our worship services;

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BookPastor >> "The Heartbeat of Old Testament Theology" (Mark J. Boda)

This review was first published at Panorama of a Book Saint on July 27th, 2017.

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TITLE: The Heartbeat of Old Testament Theology: Three Creedal Expressions (Acadia Studies in Bible and Theology)
AUTHOR: Mark J. Boda
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2017, (240 pages).

It has always been challenging to tackle the Old Testament. Not only is it of an ancient culture, the language can seem quite primitive when compared to contemporary times. Even if the language barrier can be overcome, there is the challenge of size and contexts. That is why the Old Testament are preached and taught relatively less than the New Testament counterpart. Various approaches have been used to study the 39 books of the first testament. A popular method is the genre approach, which subdivides the books into Law; History; Poetry; the Major and Minor Prophets. Some would use the Christ-centered interpretation, which sees every Old Testament book from the perspective of Christ. More recently, there are books about using the New Testament as a lens to view the Old Testament. There is also the seminary approaches of biblical and systematic theology, albeit used for different purposes. All of them have their merits and weaknesses. Enters the "Three Creedal Expressions" approach by Mark Boda. Before going into his heartbeat framework, he reviews four major approaches to the OT:

Midweek Meditation: "Counsels on Discernment 4" (Meister Eckhart)

Continuing our series of meditation about counsels for discernment by the German mystic, Meister Eckhart, we look at why our tendency to worry about what to do, especially when it is more important to focus on what we want to BE. 

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Eckhart (1260-1328)

TITLE: Meister Eckhart: Selections from His Essential Writings (HarperCollins Spiritual Classics)
PUBLISHER: New York, NY: Harper-One, 2005, (166 pages).

"Of the profits of self-abandonment, which one should practice inwardly and outwardly"

You should know that there was never any man in this life who forsook himself so much that he could not still find more in himself to forsake. There are few people who see this to be true and stick by it. This is indeed a fair exchange and an honest deal: By as much as you go out in forsaking all things, by so much, neither less nor more, does God go in, with all that is His, as you entirely forsake everything that is yours. Undertake this, and let it cost you everything you can afford. There you will find true peace, and nowhere else.

People ought never to think too much about what they could do, but they ought to think about what they could be. If people and their way of life were only good, what they did might be a shining example. If you are just, then your works too are just. We ought not to think of building holiness upon action; we ought to build it upon a way of being, for it is not what we do that makes us holy, but we ought to make holy what we do. However holy the works may be, they do not, as works, make us at all holy; but, as we are holy and have being, to that extent we make all our works holy, be it eating, sleeping, keeping vigil or whatever it may be. It does not matter what men may do whose being is mean; nothing good will come of it. Take good heed: We ought to do everything we can to be good; it does not matter so much what we may do, or what kinds of works ours may be. What matters is the ground on which the works are built. (6-7)

BookPastor >> "40 Questions about Church Membership and Discipline" (Jeremy M. Kimble)

This review was first published at Panorama of a Book Saint on July 19th, 2017. 

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TITLE: 40 Questions About Church Membership and Discipline (40 Questions & Answers Series)
AUTHOR: Jeremy M. Kimble
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2017, (272 pages).

What is the purpose of Church membership? Is it enough to just attend Church? Why should anyone bother about some official papers just to be a member? Biblically, we are already members of the Church of God, so why even mention Church membership? What about Church discipline? This book covers these topics in a Q&A manner, giving a broad range of perspectives and implications. It is divided into three categories of questions: Theological; Ministry; and Practical. The author's conviction of Church membership is this: Church membership and discipline is critical to the life of a Christian. Membership is about community and responsibility. Discipline is about authority and accountability. Kimble provides three basic reasons for Church membership:

1. The Perseverance of the Saints is about community development
2. The Church is the invisible spiritual community made visible
3. The Church is a people in covenant with God to one another.

He also gives three reasons for Church Discipline:

1. It's instructed by Scripture
2. It is biblical love
3. It facilitates the perseverance of the saints.

Midweek Meditation: "Counsels on Discernment 3" (Meister Eckhart)

Continuing our series of meditation about counsels for discernment by the German mystic, Meister Eckhart, we look at why it is so difficult for some of us to discern God's will. It comes down to the very basic call of God to us to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and to follow Jesus.

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Eckhart (1260-1328)

TITLE: Meister Eckhart: Selections from His Essential Writings (HarperCollins Spiritual Classics)
PUBLISHER: New York, NY: Harper-One, 2005, (166 pages).

"Of people who have not denied themselves and are full of their own will"

People say: ‘O Lord, how much I wish that I stood as well with God, that I had as much devotion and peace in God as others have, I wish that it were so with me!’ Or, ‘I should like to be poor,’ or else, ‘Things will never go right for me till I am in this place or that, or till I act one way or another. I must go and live in a strange land, or in a hermitage, or in a cloister’.

In fact, this is all about yourself, and nothing else at all. This is just self-will, only you do not know it or it does not seem so to you. There is never any trouble that starts in you that does not come from your own will, whether people see this or not. We can think what we like, that a man ought to shun one thing or pursue another – places and people and ways of life and environments and undertakings – that is not the trouble, such ways of life or such matters are not what impedes you. It is what you are in these things that causes the trouble, because in them you do not govern yourself as you should.

Therefore, make a start with yourself, and abandon yourself. Truly, if you do not begin by getting away from yourself, wherever you run to, you will find obstacles and trouble wherever it may be. People who seek peace in external things – be it in places or ways of life or people or activities or solitude or poverty or degradation – however great such a thing may be or whatever it may be, still it is all nothing and gives no peace. People who seek in that way are doing it all wrong; the further they wander, the less they will find what they are seeking. They go around like someone who has lost his way; the further he goes, the more lost he is. Then what ought he to do? He ought to begin by forsaking himself, because then he has forsaken everything. Truly, if a man renounced a kingdom or the whole world but held on to himself, he would not have renounced anything. What is more, if a man renounces himself, whatever else he retains, riches or honours or whatever it may be, he has forsaken everything.

About what Saint Peter said: ‘See, Lord, we have forsaken everything’ (Matt. 19:27) – and all he had forsaken was just a net and his little boat – there is a saint who says: ‘If anyone willingly gives up something little, that is not all which he has given up, but he has forsaken everything which worldly men can gain and what they can even long for; for whoever has renounced his own will and himself has renounced everything, as truly as if he had possessed it as his own, to dispose of as he would’. For what you choose not to long for, you have wholly forsaken and renounced for the love of God. That is why our Lord said: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit’ (Matt. 5:3), that is, in the will. And no one ought to be in doubt about this; if there were a better form of living, our Lord would have said so, as he also said: ‘Whoever wishes to come after me, let him deny himself’ (Matt. 16:24), as a beginning; everything depends on that. Take a look at yourself, and whenever you find yourself, deny yourself. That is the best of all." (4-6)

BookPastor >> "God Among Sages" (Kenneth Richard Samples)

This review was published at Panorama of a Book Saint on July 5th, 2017.

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TITLE: God among Sages: Why Jesus Is Not Just Another Religious Leader
AUTHOR: Kenneth Richard Samples
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2017, (288 pages).

Who is Jesus? Is he simply another religious leader like those of the other major religions of the world? Who does he claim he is? Is he God? This book sets out the facts and compares the various philosophies, religions, worldviews in this world of pluralistic thinking and beliefs. Author Kenneth Richard Samples asserts that Jesus is matchless throughout history in terms of his self-understanding; his identity; his way of life and consistency in teaching. Part One essentially deals with what Jesus talks about himself. Part Two deals with the lives and accomplishments of four major religions and then each is compared with Jesus. The four major religious leaders are Krishna (Hinduism); Buddha (Buddhism); Confucius (Confucionism); and Muhammad (Islam). Part Three goes beyond these four religions to cover a bigger sphere of the world's perspective on Jesus. This includes the different types of pluralistic beliefs; tolerance/intolerance; inclusivism/exclusivism; and many more. Simply put, this book is about understanding who the Person if Jesus is both to Christians, other religions, and the world at large. Though not all perspectives are covered, the selected ones represent a large proportion of the world.

Midweek Meditation: "Counsels on Discernment 2" (Meister Eckhart)

Continuing our series of meditation about counsels for discernment by the German mystic, Meister Eckhart, we look at the place of prayer. In the middle ages, one of the focuses of prayer is union with God. This is one of Eckhart's distinctive teachings. In prayer, we seek not the gifts but the Giver. As we read the writings, one of the thoughts that come to mind is about the beatitude, what it means to be poor in spirit.

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Meister Eckhart (1260-1328)

TITLE: Meister Eckhart: Selections from His Essential Writings (HarperCollins Spiritual Classics)
PUBLISHER: New York, NY: Harper-One, 2005, (166 pages).

Of the most powerful prayer, and of the highest work of all

The most powerful prayer, and almost the strongest of all to obtain everything, and the most honourable of all works, is that which proceeds from an empty spirit. The emptier the spirit, the more is the prayer and the work mighty, worthy, profitable, praiseworthy and perfect. The empty spirit can do everything.

What is an empty spirit?

An empty spirit is one that is confused by nothing, attached to nothing, has not attached its best to any fixed way of acting, and has no concern whatever in anything for its own gain, for it is all sunk deep down into God’s dearest will, and has forsaken its own. A man can never perform any work, however, humble, without it gaining strength and power from this.

We ought to pray so powerfully that we should like to put our every member and strength, our two eyes and ears, mouth, heart and all our senses to work; and we should not give up until we find that we wish to be one with Him who is present to us and whom we entreat, namely God. (4)

BookPastor >> "Becoming Curious" (Casey Tygrett)

This review was first published at Panorama of a Book Saint on June 23rd, 2017. 

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TITLE: Becoming Curious: A Spiritual Practice of Asking Questions
AUTHOR: Casey Tygrett
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2017, (192 pages).

An elderly once said: "The older I get, I realize I don't have more answers. I have more questions." As our world increasingly gets more complex, questions have become the norm. Whether it is new technology or novel ways to doing the same thing, we need to keep learning, especially when more individuals are empowered to be creative and innovative. There are many different purposes of questions. The main use in this book is about cultivating and practicing the gift of curiosity. It is learning to comb the mass array of choices and information glut to pinpoint the necessary from the rest. Questions can sharpen our focus. It helps us ponder whether the status quo is worth preserving or not. These are "curious questions." Following that, author Casey Tygrett leads us through various ways in which we can put into practice such "curious questions"; what they are; how they look like; when to use them; and how it affects relationships; how it introduces tension especially when dealing with areas in our lives we are afraid to ask. Some tips for asking good questions include:

• Being specific
• Being clear about different uses of imperative and invitation statements
• Being repetitive using different words and phrases
• Being bold about uncertainly
• Being humble
• Practicing "quaestio divina" or divine questioning
• ...

Midweek Meditation: "Counsels on Discernment 1" (Meister Eckhart)

One of the most sought-after topics is discernment. What do I do with my life? What is my calling? How do I seek God for my decision making? Starting this week, we will be working through a series of counsels about discernment from the German mystic and spiritual writer, Meister Eckhart.

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Meister Eckhart (1260-1328)

TITLE: Meister Eckhart: Selections from His Essential Writings (HarperCollins Spiritual Classics)
PUBLISHER: New York, NY: Harper-One, 2005, (166 pages).

About True Obedience

True and perfect obedience is a virtue above all virtues, and no work is so great that it can be achieved or done without this virtue; and however little and however humble a work may be, it is done to greater profit in true obedience, be it saying Mass, hearing it, praying, contemplating or whatever else you can think of.  But take as humble a work as you like, whatever it may be, true obedience makes it finer and better for you.  Obedience always produces the best of everything in everything.  Truly, obedience never perturbs, never fails, whatever one is doing, in anything that comes from true obedience, for obedience neglects nothing that is good.  Obedience need never be troubled, for it lacks no good thing.

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In true obedience there should be no trace of ‘I want it so, or so,’ or ‘I want this or that,’ but there should be a pure going out from what is yours.  And therefore in the best of all prayers that a man can pray, there should not be ‘Give me this virtue, or that way of life,’ but ‘Lord, give me nothing but what you will, and do, Lord, whatever and however you will in every way.’  That is superior to the first way of praying as the heavens are above the earth.  And when one has concluded that prayer, one has prayed well, for then one has in true obedience wholly entered into God.  And just as true obedience should have no ‘I want it so,’ so also one should not hear from obedience ‘I do not want,’ because ‘I do not want’ is a sure poison of all obedience.  That is what Saint Augustine says: ‘God’s faithful servant has no desire for people to say or to give to him, or what he likes to hear or see, for his first and his greatest aim is to hear what is most pleasing to God.’ (3)