Friday, June 9, 2017
EMBER FRIDAY
Friday was the
day He was crucified
Tobit, Chapter 4, Verse 21
Do not fear,
son, that we have lived in poverty. You will have great wealth, if you fear God, avoid all sin, and do what is
good before the Lord your God.”
Tobit is advising his
son to be a mensch. That is to say a
person with high integrity and honesty.
The other day, while
going through my personal notes, I ran across some records I had taken on a
lecture on “life’s most important learning’s” I would like to share.
·
Be a Mensch.
·
Never stop learning.
·
Love and be loved.
·
Don’t be afraid to take risks.
·
Set the example.
·
Take care of your health.
·
Take care of your family.
·
Watch your mouth.
·
One person can make a difference.
·
Life is a test/challenge; live it!
In other words a mensch
has Self-control which is the ability to control one's emotions, behavior, and
desires in the face of external demands in order to function in society. (Matt
DeLisi)
A great example of a man who conquered self-control is George Washington. Washington was a self-made man who learned to govern himself before he governed our great country. Washington was a passionate man by nature yet he was famous for his reserve and graciousness to others. Washington worked on himself very hard to control his temper and to not be sensitive to criticism. Washington disciplined his passionate nature with iron will and self-control. Washington wrote, “Every action done in company ought to be with some sign of respect, to those that are present” and, “Labor to keep alive in your breast the little spark of celestial fire called conscience.” He strove to be a man of unquestionable dignity and manners. He was modest and wore clothes that were fine and neat but never showy. He was consciously groomed and was seldom discourteous to anyone, of higher or lower station in life. He knew his strengths as well as his weaknesses; there was no hubris in him. He understood the nature of his countrymen as well as he understood his own. He knew we are all flawed, that we must always be alert to the danger of ungoverned appetites, and must strive to control and improve our nature. And through the constant application of his self-control, he became, in fact, the father of our country. He imprinted his character on this nation, and in that sense we are all his descendants, a people famous for our constant struggle to improve. We are never so removed from the failings of our nature that we cannot stand more improvement, but neither are we so removed from Washington’s magnificent example that we dare not dream we can achieve it.[1]
Courage is the ability
and willingness to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty or intimidation.
Physical courage is courage in the face of physical pain, hardship, death or
threat of death, while moral courage is the ability to act rightly in the face
of popular opposition, shame, scandal or discouragement.
Tobit[2]
1.
Yet, Tobit did not want Tobias to
attempt this 185 mile journey alone.
Ember Friday[3]
So
what does this mean for you?
How
do we observe Ember days?
On Friday, we may take two small meals and one full meal, but observe total abstinence from meat even at the main meal. This is identical to the currently observed fasts of Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
Fitness Friday
Recognizing that God the
Father created man on Friday the 6th day I propose in this blog to
have an entry that shares on how to recreate and renew yourself in strength;
mind, soul and heart.
Full Strawberry Moon
According to the almanac
today we are having a Full Strawberry Moon; plan to spend make homemade
strawberry ice cream and share with your children or grandchildren. Teach them
the value of not saying a bad word about others.
Daily Devotions/Prayers
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