kent lee's blog & ramble

Good advice on how to pray, specifically, what to pray for, and how to direct one's spiritual life, from St. Bonaventure (San Bonaventura, 1221-1274), a 13th century Italian saint: ...ask [for] grace not teaching, desire not understanding, the groan of prayer not the effort of reading, the Bridegroom not the teacher, God not man, darkness not brightness, not light bur rather the fire that wholly enflames and transforms into God by its extreme anointments and most ardent affections. This fire is God and "its furnace is in Jerusalem". St. Bonaventure, The Mind's Journey into God , chapter 2

In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. [Psalm 5:3] What does he wait in expectation of? On a superficial level, one might think that he waits for God to answer his prayer, in the sense of specific prayer requests as we think of prayer requests today - "God, do X for me". To some degree that may be true, but I think that is hardly the main point. When you pray for God to do something, you don't just stop and wait there in your prayer place for it - not, "God, please do X for me" and wait there for a response. Rather, it concerns something deeper, something not related to the kind of self-focused prayers that we modern Christians think of. What does a really spiritual person as for, as his/her primary prayer? Not specific supplications for help as we often think of it. The main thing that prayer is about is seeking God. That's the main point of prayer. Like Paul said, "I want to know...

The Student's Prayer (or Scholar's Prayer ), by St. Thomas Aquinas: Creator of all things, true source of light and wisdom, origin of all being, graciously let a ray of your light penetrate the darkness of my understanding. Take from me the double darkness in which I have been born, an obscurity of sin and ignorance. Give me a keen understanding, a retentive memory, And the ability to grasp things correctly and fundamentally. Grant me the talent of being exact in my explanations and the ability to express myself with thoroughness and charm. Point out the beginning, direct the progress, and help in the completion. I ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

If any of my Christian bro's or sistuhs read this, I would appreciate prayer for the following long-term requests. (I don't exactly advertise or promote my blogsite.) And feel free to share requests with me, if you need prayer for anything. 1. In the past year, I have started to understand the biblical concept of the fear of God, which has been revolutionary for my spiritual life. It is barely mentioned or very misunderstood in modern evangelical circles; it's not inherently negative, and is in fact quite a blessing to understand it. I've turned more to older Christian writings and varieties of religious experiences to help me better understand and express it. But I need to understand it much better and live it out more, especially in terms of practical spirituality. Please pray for my deeper understanding, practice, and experience of the fear of God. 2. Please pray for my research - the labor-intensive design & running of experiments on Chinese psycholinguistics, ...

As a grad student, I face a lot of stress, especially now as I'm trying to finish up. The following verse has always helped me to maintain balance in my life for years, and is my favorite verse: The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one Shepherd. Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body. Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of humanity. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:11-14 Also, for a good perspective, be it life, school, dealing with others... When you are disturbed, do not sin; ponder it on your beds, and be silent. Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord. There are many who say, 'O that we might see some good! Let the light of your face shine u...

You are not just supposed to praise God Your are to BE praise to God You do not just GO to church You ARE the church You don't point people in the direction of Christ They should FIND Christ in you You don't just pray You should BE a PRAYER to God You are not to just follow the Son of God YOU ARE A SON OF GOD You are not supposed to only love Christ You are to BE the Love of Christ to others You are not just READING the Word of God You are TO BE the WORD OF GOD In contrast with... THE LORD'S PRAYER (Laodicean Version) Our Grandfather, who art in heaven, special be thy name, Thy candy come, thy will be changed, on earth as in our wishful thinking. Give us this day our daily cake; And wink at our trespasses, as we wink at ourselves when we trespass against others; And lead us not into commitment, but deliver us from dedication. For thine is the lap, and the chuckle, and the pat on the head, forever and ever. You bet! [from Ecunet]