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St. Patrick’s Breastplate

March 16, 2012 in Ministry with 0 Comments

I bind to myself today The strong virtue of the Invocation of the Trinity: I believe the Trinity in the Unity The Creator of the Universe.

I bind to myself today
The virtue of the Incarnation of Christ with His Baptism,
The virtue of His crucifixion with His burial,
The virtue of His Resurrection with His Ascension,
The virtue of His coming on the Judgement Day.

I bind to myself today
The virtue of the love of seraphim,
In the obedience of angels,
In the hope of resurrection unto reward,
In prayers of Patriarchs,
In predictions of Prophets,
In preaching of Apostles,
In faith of Confessors,
In purity of holy Virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I bind to myself today
The power of Heaven,
The light of the sun,
The brightness of the moon,
The splendour of fire,
The flashing of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of sea,
The stability of earth,
The compactness of rocks.

I bind to myself today
God’s Power to guide me,
God’s Might to uphold me,
God’s Wisdom to teach me,
God’s Eye to watch over me,
God’s Ear to hear me,
God’s Word to give me speech,
God’s Hand to guide me,
God’s Way to lie before me,
God’s Shield to shelter me,
God’s Host to secure me,
Against the snares of demons,
Against the seductions of vices,
Against the lusts of nature,
Against everyone who meditates injury to me,
Whether far or near,
Whether few or with many.

I invoke today all these virtues
Against every hostile merciless power
Which may assail my body and my soul,
Against the incantations of false prophets,
Against the black laws of heathenism,
Against the false laws of heresy,
Against the deceits of idolatry,
Against the spells of women, and smiths, and druids,
Against every knowledge that binds the soul of man.

Christ, protect me today
Against every poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against death-wound,
That I may receive abundant reward.

Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ at my right, Christ at my left,
Christ in the fort,
Christ in the chariot seat,
Christ in the poop [deck],
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I bind to myself today The strong virtue of an invocation of the Trinity, I believe the Trinity in the Unity The Creator of the Universe.

Live Every Moment as Christ Would Live It

March 2, 2012 in Ministry with 0 Comments

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. –Philippians 1:21


What does it mean to be totally alive? How would you describe “living large“? Paul said in Philippians that the purpose and passion of life should be to live every moment as Christ would live it to magnify Jesus Christ.


This passion is a strong, unyielding commitment to live life in such a way that we glorify God in everything we do. The love of Christ should be our motivation and we should get excited about the same things that Christ gets excited about.


What I find is that too many believers aren’t happy because they are waiting to live; they are waiting for something great to happen or for that next big step. The only problem with waiting is that it doesn’t fit with Christ’s call to serve Him every day right where we are.


Many of us hope for that day when we “arrive,” but Christ wants us to experience fulfillment on the journey today right now in whatever place or circumstance that He has placed us. His desire is that we live every moment walking with Him and for Him.


What makes you excited? What motivates you to get up in the morning? I hope it’s the things of Christliving for and walking with Him. Don’t just endure life hoping you’ll arrive at some great place some day. Live large starting today by living every moment as Christ would live itseeking to bring glory to Him in every way!


LIVE EVERY MOMENT AS CHRIST WOULD LIVE IT.

Leaders

May 11, 2011 in Leadership, Ministry with 0 Comments

1. Leaders relentlessly upgrade their team, using every encounter as an opportunity to evaluate, coach, and build self confidence. Take every opportunity to inject self-confidence into those who have earned it. Use ample praise, the more specific the better.
2. Leaders makes sure people not only see the vision, they live and breathe it. There were times I talked about the company’s direction so much in one day that I was completely sick of hearing it myself.
3. Leaders get into everyone’s skin, exuding positive energy and optimism. Unhappy tribes have a tough time winning.
4. Leaders establish trust with candor, transparency, and credit. Leaders never score off their own people by stealing an idea and claiming it as their own.
5. Leaders have the courage to make unpopular decisions and gut calls. Don’t run for office. You’re already elected.
6. Leaders probe and push with a curiosity that borders on skepticism, making sure their questions are answered with action. “We’ll look into it,” is the all-too-common business head fake.
7. Leaders inspire risk taking and learning by setting the example. There is no edict in the world that will make people take risks or spend their time learning.
8. Leaders celebrate. Celebrating makes people feel like winners.

–Jack Welch

Character vs. Talent

January 21, 2011 in Artists, Leadership, Ministry with 0 Comments

“Too often organizations have placed unfaithful people in positions of responsibility hoping to inspire a transformation of character. These have been both costly and painful decisions. When a person is placed into a position of leadership on the basis of talent, even though known to be untrustworthy, a great travesty has taken place. Power does not make a person trustworthy. Authority does not make a person responsible. When we are trustworthy, we can be entrusted with power. When we are faithful, our influence in the lives of others will naturally expand. Talent without character is a dangerous thing. Talent fueled by character is a gift from God. Character is formed in the crucible of faithfulness and refined through the gauntlet of perseverance. Remember, the shape of our character is the shape of our future. It is through the transformation of our character that God both points the way and lights our way. The character of Christ fuels us with a passion that moves naturally in the direction God desires for us.” — from Uprising, by Erwin Raphael McManus

Today Matters

January 21, 2011 in Artists, Leadership, Ministry with 0 Comments

Just for today … I will choose and display the right attitudes.

Just for today … I will determine and act on important priorities.
Just for today … I will know and follow healthy guidelines.
Just for today … I will communicate with care for my family.
Just for today … I will practice and develop good thinking.
Just for today … I will earn and properly manage finances.
Just for today … I will deepen and live out my faith.
Just for today … I will initiate and invest in solid relationships.
Just for today … I will plan and model generosity.
Just for today … I will embrace and practice good values.
Just for today … I will seek and experience improvements.
Just for today … I will act on these decisions and practice these disciplines,
and
Just for today … I will see the compounding results of a day lived well.

–John C. Maxwell

Be filled with the Spirit

December 14, 2010 in Ministry with 0 Comments

Lord, fill me with your Spirit today. I can’t fix yesterday, and tomorrow seems a long way off.
Today, Lord: Cleanse my heart from the fleshly residue of yesterday’s fallen humanity.
Today, Lord: Scrub my thoughts and motives till they shine with singularity – wanting Your glory alone.
Today, Lord: Wash me and I will be whiter than snow, purposed afresh to follow Your footsteps.

Lord, fill me with Your Spirit today. The tasks ahead are too much. If I must go alone, I cannot go at all.
Today, Lord: I’m not smart enough to know what is best, and not strong enough to choose what is righteous.
Today, Lord: My wife, my family, my friends, my church . . . I am not sufficient for these things, and I know it.
Today, Lord: Or what unfolds in the hours ahead will fade into the abyss of worthless, wasted time.

Lord, fill me with Your Spirit right now. Come, make these 24 hours all You created them to be.Now,
Lord: You know how to ‘give good gifts’ and I am so thankful to be called Your child.
Now, Lord: By faith, I receive the Presence You’ve promised, and delight to know that Your Word is true.
Now, Lord: You are filling my life with peace and purpose and freeing my soul to sing.

Galatians 5:16, 22, Walk then in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the desires of your flesh. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self control.

Covenant for Integrity of Life and Ministry

December 14, 2010 in Ministry with 0 Comments

I now renew my commitment to Jesus Christ.
With God’s help, I will be a person of integrity;

I will speak and live a relevant, authentic, consistent witness
I will pursue consistent spiritual growth in the context
of an ongoing relationship with my Church and Pastor;

I will seek opportunity to serve in Christ’s name
I will honor my body as the temple of God, dedicated to a
lifestyle of purity;

I will be Godly in all things;

Christ-like in all relationships, both professional and personal;
I will live without prejudice and contempt toward those who
differ from me;

When I sin, I will repent and return to the Lord.