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| Praying Hearts Sanctuary |
| Newsletter |
| May 2001 |
| It is exciting to be publishing our first edition of Praying Hearts' Sanctuary Newsletter. We would like to begin our newsletter with a favorite portion of the Bible, Psalm 31. You will also find pertinent information about our newsletter; an article "The Need For Spirituality in One's Life" written especially for this newsletter by Paul Francisco; one of Di's favorite Psalms, a recommended web site; and a closing prayer. * * * * * Psalm 31 ~ In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth. I hate those who cling to worthless idols; I trust in the LORD. I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place. Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak. Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors; I am a dread to my friends-- those who see me on the street flee from me. I am forgotten by them as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery. For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side; they conspire against me and plot to take my life. But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God." My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, for I have cried out to you; but let the wicked be put to shame and lie silent in the grave. Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous. How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues. Praise be to the LORD, for he showed his wonderful love to me when I was in a besieged city. In my alarm I said, "I am cut off from your sight!" Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help. Love the LORD, all his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full. Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD. (This Psalm which is one of Ang's favorite allowed her to create a kinship with David, knowing that he felt the same depression and persecution as she and that God's love and power would protect them both.) * * * * * "The Need For Spirituality in One's Life " By Paul Francisco What does "spirituality" mean? Is it something we wish for or work for? Or something we are given or gain somehow? Is it found in a way filled with mystery? Is it an emotion aroused by repeating phrases over and over again? Is it a seeking after "tongues"? Is it a feeling that soon evaporates after an "experience" had in a crowd at a "revival"? Just what is it? For an answer, one must start at the beginning. Those who believe that the Bible is God's revelation and truth understand that He is the Creator. Through the Holy Spirit's activity He created all things by Jesus Christ. This was the work of the Triune God. It is important to understand that Mankind did not come from some accident of nature. The Bible teaches that after He created Adam he breathed a soul or spiritual life into him. This is the light or spirituality which the Bible says is in every human born into the world and makes mankind different from all animal life. A young child accepts the idea of God without any trouble. Though Mankind's true spiritual light is darkened by sin, when God calls us individually and we open our lives to Him, the darkness of sin is lifted. Spiritual light is regained. We receive knowledge of salvation through Jesus Christ and our permission to call upon God for further spiritual understanding. We can then be taught truths about Him, us, and life itself: truths not understood by people in general. We begin to recognize our world as a spiritual place in a created universe. The "Big Bang" scientists talk about was actually the quiet command of the Lord. Only when we realize what we are and what all things are, can we worship God in spirit and in truth. This enables a person to live for God as directed by His Word, which the Holy Spirit teaches within our minds as we pray, read and study. This is true spirituality. It is not the development of some idea or energy drawn out of ourselves by ourselves, but something which is given to believers by God. Spirituality, then, begins with the act of Salvation: becoming a child of God by the faith He gives us. This makes life truly worth living. Knowing, in spite of all troubles, sorrows, reverses in life, problems or whatever, that we have everlasting life through Jesus Christ puts a new complexion on our existence here. Salvation dampens our problems and adds to all our joys as the Holy Spirit enables us to know we are the greatly loved children of our Heavenly Father. The need is not for spirituality in a compartment of one's life, but a total LIFE of spirituality as a child of God. This alone makes for triumphant living and has the unbreakable promise of Life ahead. Some Scriptures supporting this article are: Genesis 1:2; John 1:3; John 1:9; Hebrews 1:2; Ephesians 2:8; Galatians 2:20; Acts 17:28; Romans 14:8) * * * * * Psalm 84 ~ How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young-- a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Selah Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty; listen to me, O God of Jacob. Selah Look upon our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one. Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you. (This is one of Di's favorite Psalms.) * * * * * DI'S WEB SITE RECOMMENDATION http://members.tripod.com/~BPrayer Di comments: "This site is specifically for those with bipolar disorder and their families. It offers inspirational thoughts (both sacred and secular) and has some good links, especially to About.com, which has a very comprehensive list of resources for those with BP. I have emailed them to join and am waiting to see what develops. The more people involved in praying with those of us with mental health problems the better - we all have spiritual resources to share." * * * * * COMING NEXT MONTH: "WHY BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE" BY PAUL FRANCISCO * * * * * Closing Prayer Precious Lord, Thank you for your love for us. Thank you for the grace you offer to us. Thank you for your still small voice that speaks within our souls. Please bless us, keep us in the shelter of your arms, shine your love upon us and give us peace. In the Lord's name we pray. Amen. * * * * * WHO WE ARE Di is our "WWW" researcher. She has looked over hundreds of sites that focus on mental and/ or spiritual health. Near the end of our newsletter, you will see her first recommendation. Di is happy to pray with you. She is also available on a limited basis for spiritual counseling. If you would like to know more about Di, please contact her at [email protected]. * * * * * Ang is knowledgeable about computer technology and is the one who built our web site that you find at www.phsanctuary.homestead.com . Ang is 29 and is suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder. You can email Ang at [email protected] with your prayer concerns. She is also able to offer spiritual support on a limited basis. You may also visit her website at www.geocities.com/angcanfly. * * * * * Paul has focused his energies on writing many articles. Paul Francisco is a former minister and social worker. For 54 years, he was married to a lovely woman who increasingly suffered from bipolar schizophrenia as she matured. Following an injury sustained in a health club accident, his wife was almost completely disabled physically. In order to care for his beloved, Paul, at age 67, retired. While at home with his wife he spent as much time as possible writing about twelve books. Since March of 1999 when she went to Glory, Paul has devoted what free time he has to writing about the Bible and Christianity. At the present time, Paul at age 81, is employed full time in a health care facility for people of all ages. There he works as a counselor for about 30 residents. You can view Paul's website at www.paulsbooks.com or email him at [email protected]. Paul is available for prayer support and Bible based counseling. * * * * * Pat is our editor. She receives materials from the others but she also writes. Although never diagnosed with mental health problems, since her youth Pat has been interested in being a friend to those with mental health issues. She is a wife, mother, and grandmother. You can email her for prayer support and spiritual counseling on a limited basis at [email protected] * * * * * There are other members who are behind the scenes at the present. At the appropriate time, we will introduce more volunteers to you and tell you more about ourselves. We range in age over six decades and three continents. If you would like to join our Praying Hearts' Sanctuary prayer support team, please email us at [email protected] for more information. You may also read more about our team at our web site Ang is constructing www.geocities.com/prayingheartssanctuary. |
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| Volume 1 Number 1 |