Advent Day 7

Words from Nouwen regarding the False Self:
"The two main enemies of the spiritual life (are) anger and greed. They are the inner side of a secular life, the sour fruits of our worldly dependencies. What else is anger than the impulsive response to the experience of being deprived? When my sense of self depends on what others say of me, anger is a quite natural reaction to a critical word. And when my sense of self depends on what I can acquire, greed flares up when my desires are frustrated. Thus greed and anger are the brother and sister of a false self fabricated b the social compulsions of an unredeemed world..."

Lord, renew our minds. Help us to find our TRUE identity in you. Help us to see beyond this world and all that seems to distract. Help us find ourselves in the shelter and safety of your wings. Amen

Advent Action: Consider forgoing all the world's distractions for a day; television, telephone, internet, negative comments about anyone, music in the car, busy work of any kind, reading magazines, etc... Replace that time with meditating on God''s word.