Holistic Spirituality

bikecurve1As part of Lent, I am going to be posting a Psalm/scripture and a very brief comment. The main focus will be to get us to put these holy words on our lips and pray them to God. Hopefully, this simple act will help us understand more about the one who loves us and cares for us and is with us--regardless of the circumstances.

Clear my name, God; stick up for me against these loveless, immoral people. Get me out of here, away from these lying degenerates.

I counted on you, God. Why did you walk out on me? Why am I pacing the floor, wringing my hands over these outrageous people?

Give me your lantern and compass, give me a map, So I can find my way to the sacred mountain, to the place of your presence,

To enter the place of worship, meet my exuberant God, Sing my thanks with a harp, magnificent God, my God.

Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God - soon I'll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He's my God.

For this reading, Psalm 43, I encourage you to actually say these words out loud--have you ever prayed something like this before? It is a short prayer in three parts.

Part 1, the first two verses, relate to the pain, despair, and isolation the person shares with God. Basically, the pray-er is calling God out, letting Him know that He hasn't been paying attention to the pray-er, and it has left him feeling abandoned. Part 2 is a transition. Here the pray-er is asking God for help, but the request isn't frantic, desperate. The pray-er asks for a map, and there is a confidence that comes through the verse that speaks of hope and trust. The short psalm concludes with exultation--as if the pray-er had said those words in the first two verses and then the Holy Spirit reminded him of who God is--the Lord Jehovah, the one who brought everything into being, and the one who says, "Do not be afraid, for I am with you." That is our God.

Holistic Audio & Video

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Reflections to Consider

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Holistic Publications

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Publications

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Holistic Music

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Music

  • Jesus be the centre

    Center is a song that speaks of the essence of our life in Christ, and echoes the words the Christ Read More
  • I Lift My Hands

    A powerful hymn of adoration and praise Arkansas Gospel Mass Choir. This succinctly captures the joy of knowing our savior. Read More
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Holistic Reflection

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Audio & Video

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Favorites

  • Transforming this World: The Hope of Glory by NT Wright +

    Wright confronts the perspective that this world doesn’t matter, and that we live only to be in heaven. He shows Read More
  • What is Good in a World that Defies Hope: a talk by NT Wright +

    This is the second part of three talks by NT Wright at Harvard University in November, 2008 on the topic Read More
  • The Stream, the Lake and the River: NT Wright +

      Acts 2.1-21; John 7.37-39; a sermon at the Eucharist on the Feast of Pentecost, 11 May 2008, by the Read More
  • Jesus in the Perfect Storm by NT Wright +

    Zechariah 9.9-17; Luke 19.28-48; A sermon for Palm Sunday, April 17, 2011, In the University Chapel of St Salvator, St Read More
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Hidden Blessings

  • Christ is a Great Savior: a review of the movie Amazing Grace +

    Amazing Grace is a historical drama about William Wilberforce who was elected to British Parliament at the age of 21 Read More
  • Wilberforce, Hollywood's Amazing Grace, Charlotte Allen +

    William Wilberforce's relentless campaign eventually led the British Parliament to ban the slave trade, in 1807, and to pass a Read More
  • Making Beauty out of Ugly Things: Grace by U2 +

    Grace, she takes the blame She covers the shame Removes the stain It could be her name Grace, she carries Read More
  • The True Nature of Grace and Love: a movie review of the Soloist +

    The 2009 movie The Soloist is based on a book by the same name, written by Los Angeles Times columnist Read More
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