All Saints: Clouds of witnesses and role models

Today at church we celebrated the festival of All Saints. I see those who have gone before us as an encouragement. In the letter to the Hebrews, we're urged to be mindful of the "great cloud of witnesses" as we complete our earthly tasks. And I draw encouragement from the example of what is possible, as lived in the lives of many who have gone before. So in honor of God's people throughout history, here are some who have inspired me: 

1. Naomi - Mother-in-law of Ruth, who was an ancestor of King David. Naomi's love, kindness, and warmth created a home and converted a soul. 
2. Solomon - King of Israel, son of David and Bathsheba .When he dreamed that God offered him anything he might ask, he asked for the wisdom to be a good ruler of such a great people. 
3. Mary of Bethany - Sister of Martha and Lazarus. She famously sat at Jesus' feet and listened rather than busying herself; Jesus stood by her decision and said she had chosen what is better. 
4. Athanasius - Author of several books including On the Incarnation of the Word of God. His clarity in explaining Christ's work, and his passion for showing why it is good news, make his masterpiece writing nearly as inspiring as the canonical gospels. 
5. Eusebius the Historian - Following in the footsteps of Luke, he aimed to be careful in record-keeping and so preserved many fascinating references and faith-building connections. He is an inspiration me me in carrying history by the use of primary sources. 
6. Saint Francis - This man had an innocence so fresh that it would be easy to dismiss as naive, though his spirit had a beauty and generosity that continues in enduring appeal. 
7. Saint Clare - Her single-minded devotion to loving and serving God first earned her the respect of St Francis, and later earned her place among those who led their generation in serving God. 
8. J.S. Bach - an evangelist with a keyboard, he was a prolific composer who is well-known for his beautiful and powerful songs. He would often close his compositions with the initials SDG (Soli Deo Gloria): to God alone be the glory. 
9. G.F. Handel - Another prolific composer, he is most famous for his powerful, electrifying, and hauntingly beautiful composition Messiah, with its well-known finale Hallelujah Chorus. As I've mentioned before, I would rate his Hallelujah as the best Bible study ever written on the Book of Revelation. 
10. Therese of Lisieux - a nun who died young, she attracted many with her humble, accessible humility and her warm, generous spirituality. Her autobiography, recorded in obedience to her mother superior while she was dying, is one of my inspirations. 
11. Theresa of Calcutta - a modern saint whose intense love and devotion shined a light of compassion into the devastatingly poor slums of Calcutta. 
12. J.R.R. Tolkien - not officially a saint on anyone's list except possibly my own, Tolkien's imagination re-envisioned a world in which culture, beauty, and the natural world thrive side-by-side. His work is layered deeply with Christian themes such as the wisdom of hope, the necessity of forgiveness, and the desirability of good. 

Essential Bible verses for posting on social media

These Bible verses about speech are helpful to me for social media: 

1. The first to present his case seems right until another comes forward and questions him. (Proverbs 18:17)
2. A gentle answers turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger. (Proverbs 15:1)
3. These six things the LORD hates, and seven are an abomination to him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked imaginings, feet that run swiftly to mischief, a false witness who speaks lies, and he who sows discord among brothers. (Proverbs 6:16-19)
4. Dear brothers and sisters: be swift to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. For the wrath of man does not bring about the righteousness of God. (James 1:19-20)
5. Speak the truth in love. (Ephesians 4:15)
6. Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but that which is good for the purpose of building up, that it may serve to bring grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29)
7. In your anger do not sin: do not let the sun go down upon your anger. (Ephesians 4:26)
8. Do not repay evil with evil. Be careful to do what is right. (Romans 12:17)
9. Love one another as I have loved you, that you also love each other. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples: if you have love for each other. (John 13:34-35)
10. When he [the devil] speaks a lie, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44)
11. A good man brings good out of the good treasured in his heart, and an evil one out of the evil brings forth evil: for out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45)
12. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who persecute you. (Luke 6:28)

Essential Bible Verses On Prayer

These passages of the Bible focus on God hearing our prayers: 

1. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him greatly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. (Genesis 17:20)
   
   
2. And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows. (Exodus 3:7)
   
   
3. And the LORD said to him, "I have heard your prayer and your request that you have made before me: I have hallowed this house, which you have built, to put my name there for ever; and my eyes and my heart shall be there perpetually.(1 Kings 9:3)
   
   
4. Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears: behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up unto the house of the LORD. (2 Kings 20:5)
   
   
5. Because your heart was tender, and you have humbled yourself before the LORD, when you heard what I spoke against this place, and against those who live there, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have rent your clothes and wept before me; I also have heard you, says the LORD.(2 Kings 22:19)
   
   
6. And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him, I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for a house of sacrifice. (2 Chronicles 7:12)
   
   
7. Thus says the LORD: In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you. And I will preserve you, and give you for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate inheritance. (Isaiah 49:8)

These passages speak of God hearing our prayers: prayers of parents for children, prayers of relief for suffering, prayers for places of worship, prayers for healing, prayers for forgiveness, prayers for grace. 

Thomas A Kempis 1.25 (Part 3) - Stronger growth in the spirit

How do so many other religious orders live? They are confined in the discipleship of the cloister: seldom going out, removed from the world, eating as the poorest, dressing rough, working much, talking little, watching long, rising early, prolonging their prayers, reading frequently, and in every way keeping discipline. Observe the monastic orders, the Carthusians and the Benedictines and the Cistercians, and the monks and nuns of different religions, rising up every night to sing to God. It would be shameful to sleep in and be lazy in such a holy work, where so many of the religious orders begin to rejoice in God.

Oh, if nothing else tied up our time, we could praise the Lord our God with our whole heart and voice! Oh, if you never needed to eat or drink or sleep, but could always praise God and give yourself to spiritual strength alone, you would be much happier than with the necessity of being servant to your body. I wish that these were not necessities, but only the spiritual refreshments of the soul, which sadly we taste too seldom.

When a man comes to this point that he seeks comfort from no creature, then for him God begins to be perfectly wise, then also he will be content in whatever circumstances. Then he will not rejoice over having plenty nor be sad over having little, but commits himself wholly and trustingly to God, who is all in all to him, to whom nothing is born or dies, but all things live to Him and wholly serve Him.

Remember always how things end, and how time lost does not return. Without heartfelt dedication and diligence you will never acquire virtues. If you begin to turn lukewarm, things will begin to go ill with you. But if you give yourself to enthusiasm you will find great peace, and you will feel lighter in your labor because of the grace of God and the love of virtue. A man who treasures virtue is ready for all things. It is harder work to resist sins and passions than to do manual labor. Whoever does not avoid small faults will slowly fall into greater ones. You will always be glad in the evening if you spent the day productively. Be mindful of your own progress, regardless of what others choose: do not neglect yourself. The progress you make will match the power of your effort. Amen.

(End of Book I)

Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis, 1.25 (third part).

Translation focused on contemporary English and preservation of rhetorical force and art

Thomas A Kempis 1.25 (Part 2) - Stronger growth in the spirit

We do not all have the same vices to conquer, the same evil desires to put to death. The one who is diligent -- even if he has more vices -- will have stronger success than someone who has fewer faults but less dedication to the pursuit of virtue. Two things in particular are helpful to greatly amending ourselves: withdrawing forcefully from the sin to which we are naturally most inclined, and pursuing fervently that good in which we are most lacking. Mark especially those faults you find most frequently in others, and study how to subdue them in yourself. 

You will make progress wherever you may be if you see or hear good examples and kindle your spirit to follow them. But if you see* anything blameworthy, be careful that you are not doing the same thing, or if sometime you have done it, quickly learn how to correct yourself. As your eye takes note of* others, so they are also taking note of you. How joyful and refreshing it is to see devoted and enthusiastic brothers in the faith who are self-controlled and sinless. How sad and distressful to see them walking disorderly, not walking the walk to which they are called. How hurtful it is to neglect the purpose of their calling, and to turn their inclinations to things which are not in keeping with their calling.

Be mindful of what you have seized as your purpose, and keep the image of the Crucified before yourself. You might well feel shame as you look on the life of Jesus Christ, because you have not yet made any great effort to conform yourself more to Him, though you have counted yourself as following God's way for a long time. Someone who is religious, who exercises himself seriously and devotedly in the most holy life and passion of our Lord, will find there all things that are useful and necessary. Neither is there any need to seek something better beyond Jesus. Oh! if Jesus crucified would come into our hearts, how quickly and completely we should have been instructed. 

A devoted religious person bears all things well, and receives all the commands given. The one who neglects his faith, who is lukewarm, has trouble upon trouble and suffers anguish from all sides: first because he is without inward consolation, and then because he is forbidden to seek that outward consolation. The one who claims a religious life but lives outside of that devotion risks serious ruin. Someone who is seeking that easier, more lenient path is always going to be in distress, because one thing or another will displease him.

Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis, 1.25 (second part).

Translation focused on contemporary English and preservation of rhetorical force and art

* Here, again, it seems likely that the Latin text was mis-transcribed at some points (and again, f for s). Particularly, the online Latin text has "confideraverit" and "confiderat" where a more likely reading would be "consideraverit" and "considerat". I've translated accordingly. 

Thomas A Kempis 1.25 - The earnest amendment of our whole life

Be vigilant and diligent in God’s service, and spend some time considering what drew you to the spiritual life rather than the worldly one. Wasn't it a desire to live for God and become more spiritual? So be eager to improve, because you will receive your reward soon enough, and neither fear nor sorrow will trespass on your peace. A little bit of work now, and great rest -- better said, everlasting joy -- is what you'll find. If you remain faithful and fervent in what you do, no doubt God will be faithful and generous in rewarding. Holding fast to a good hope is your duty: hope that you will attain victory, though without falling into complacency which leads to indifference or arrogance. 

There was a certain man who was anxious, going back and forth between hope and fear. At one point he was overwhelmed with grief and cast himself down in prayer before the altar in a church, and meditated within himself, saying, “Oh! if I only knew if I should persevere to the end.” He heard within him a voice from God, “And if you did know it, what would you do? Do now what you would do then, and you shall be very secure.” And quickly he was comforted and strengthened. He committed himself to God's will, and all that anxiety stopped. He didn't need to obsess curiously about his own fate and what would come of him, but turned his mind instead to what was the good and perfect will of God for the start and completion of every good work.

Hope in the Lord and do good, says the Prophet; dwell in the land and you will feed on its riches. The one thing that holds back so many from progress, from amending their lives, is the dread of difficulty. The ones who excel in virtue are the ones who are willing to do the hard work, to conquer those things within themselves which are most grievous and contrary to them. That's where a man makes the most progress and deserves greater grace, where he most overcomes himself and conquers his own spirit.

Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis, 1.25 (first part).

Translation focused on contemporary English and preservation of rhetorical force and art

Thomas A Kempis 1.24 (Part 2) - The Last Day sheds light on this world

Then it will be seen that the wise man in this world was the one who learned to be a fool and despised for Christ. Then every tribulation endured with patience will be a triumph, while every sin will stop the sinner's mouth. Then will all the faithful rejoice, and the religious recognize their merit. Then the physically afflicted will rejoice more than if their flesh had been constantly nourished by delights. Then the humbly clothed will shine in beauty, and fine clothes will lose their shine. Then the poor's small home will be praised more than the gilded palace. Then patience that endures will have more might than all the power of the the world. Then simple obedience will be more highly exalted than all worldly cunning.

Then a pure, simple conscience will be gladder than learned philosophy. Then contempt of riches will weigh more than all the treasure of the children of this world. Then you will take more comfort in devoted prayer than in fine food. Then you will rejoice more in silence than storytelling. Then holy actions will be far stronger than a stream of pretty words. Then a lawful life and heartfelt repentance will be worth more than all the pleasure in the world. Learn now to suffer a little, so that then you are freed from heavier ones. Test it here, try it now, what you are able to endure. If now you are able to bear so little, how will you be able to endure eternal torments? If so little suffering makes you so very impatient, what will happen in a literal hell? See certainly that you will not be able to have both joys, to live for delight here in this world, and to reign with Christ in the hereafter. 

If up to this day you had always lived in honor and pleasure, what gain would all that be if you died unexpectedly? All things then are pointless, except to love God and to serve Him solely*. For the one who loves God with his whole heart fears neither death, nor punishment, nor judgment, nor hell, because perfect love gives sure access to God. But whoever still delights in sin, no wonder if he fears death and judgment. It is good that if love does not call you back from evil, at least the fear of judgment should cause you to check yourself. Whoever puts off even the fear of God cannot continue long in good, but quickly runs toward the traps set by the devil.

Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis, 1.24 (second part).

Translation focused on contemporary English and preservation of rhetorical force and art

* Here the online Latin text that I'm using has "et illi foli servire", which makes no sense and I am taking as a transcription problem. I'm reading it as "et illi soli servire". Both the meaning and the typical writing style suggest to prefer "soli servire" instead of "foli servire", and s / f is a common transcription issue in some older texts, depending on the languages and penmanship.