Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
-- Philippians 4:4-7 (ESV)
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity:
True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.
Chrysostom, Homily 14 on Philippians:
We ought to give thanks for all things, even for those which seem to be grievous, for this is the part of the truly thankful man. In the other case the nature of the things demands it; but this springs from a grateful soul, and one earnestly affected toward God. God acknowledges these prayers, but others He knows not. Offer up such prayers as may be acknowledged; for He disposes all things for our profit, though we know it not.
Chrysostom, Homily 14 on Philippians:
There is this for one consolation, the Lord is at hand. And again, I will be with you always, even unto the end of the world. Behold another consolation, a medicine which heals grief, and distress, and all that is painful. And what is this? Prayer, thanksgiving in all things. And so He wills that our prayers should not simply be requests, but thanksgivings too for what we have. For how should he ask for future things, who is not thankful for the past?
Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, Book I, Chapter 1:
Whoever, therefore, purposes to attain the highest wisdom, let him not be deceived by the world's seeming attractions, nor let the earthly body weigh him down. Learn to deny yourself in temporal things, that you may be able to grasp the eternal. Hold your peace when you are contradicted, even though your opinion is right.
What prayer have you been too proud -- or too busy -- to pray?
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, V.2:
The mind adapts and converts to its own purposes the obstacle to our acting. The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.
St. Clair, MI -- Sunday, July 12
Sunny, high near 85°F. East northeast wind 1 to 6 mph. Tonight mostly clear, low around 61°F. No precipitation expected.