www.christiansymbols.net
Christian symbols are everywhere – we just don't always see them. This site has an interesting “book” on everything from angels to debunking the Da Vinci Code.
Church Structure (pdf)
“One's devotion to something cannot be truly steadfast until it has withstood moments of doubt.” In the Episcopal Church you'll hear people say that “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Heb 11:1). We believe that – and yet we find ourselves overwhelmed and afraid in times when our lives are in crisis.
If you find yourself or someone you love in a crisis situation here are several helpful online resources:
School Violence Hotline 866-748-7047
- SUBSTANCE ABUSE & ALCOHOL
Alcohol and Drug Helpline 800-821-4357
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Hopeline 800-622-2255
National Institute on Drug Abuse Hotline 800-662-4357
National Helpline for Substance Abuse 800-262-2463
Drug Abuse Information & Referral Line 800-662-HELP (662-4356) The National Alcohol and Substance Abuse Information www.addictioncareoptions.com Intervention and Treatment Referrals 888-762-3750 www.nationalhotline.org
- CRISES AND SUICIDE
Crisis Helpline (for any kind of crisis) 800-233-4357
Youth Crisis and Runaway Hotline 800-448-4663
Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention (EDAP) 800-931-2237
American Suicide Foundation 800-531-4477
National Child – At Risk Hotline 800-792-5200
Suicide Hotline 800-SUICIDE (784-2433) Help finding mental health resources. www.mentalhealthsearch.com
- RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) 800-656-HOPE (4673)
- HEALTH
Ask a Nurse 800-535-1111
Anorexia and Bulimia Crisis 800-227-4785
AIDS Hotline (800) FOR AIDS (367-2437)
National Sexually Transmitted Disease Hotline 800-227-8922
www.cafepress.com
www.episcopalbookstore.org
Nobody said forgiveness would be easy – but it's what Jesus said we should do. When we don't forgive, we bind ourselves as well as others. Explore Christian forgiveness on this site - it contains life experiences, biblical and psychological insights, self-test belief questions, and sermons.
www.vsg.cape.com/~dougshow/wwwboard/wwwboard.html
Recognizing what they are and setting them straight
Our lives…
Do you ever feel stressed out? Do you ever feel overwhelmed? Is your life sometimes “out of whack”? Usually when we are feeling this way our priorities are mixed up and out of order. This seems to happen to everyone.
The interesting thing about priorities is that we most often know what should be the priority, but we too often ignore them. Why? Well, the first reason is probably because we don't make it a priority to list out our priorities. If we would just stop and think, spend some time organizing, and then be disciplined to hold to our organization of our lives our priorities would have a much better chance of staying in order.
This Priority Setting Exercise lesson is designed to help us understand what our priorities are in life and help us to keep them.
God touches us through music and poetry, giving us insight, inspiration, peace.
Music is a major form of communication. From the first lullaby sung to us as infants, music fills our lives. It's part of our playtime, our worship, and our holidays, pays tribute to nations and heroes. Dancers pick up its beat and protesters express their emotions through it. Music is part of almost every important ceremony or ritual in our lives.
If you haven't already, listen to the words. There doesn't have to be a “Christian” label on the song…God works through many channels, and he isn't limited by labels.
Lyrics are often poetry put to song. If you're a fan, or if you've never thought about it much, take a look at the www.poetry-archive.com site.
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Prayer is meant to help increase our sensitivity to the Spirit working in our life and to provide the enlightenment needed to co-operate and respond to this presence. Finding your prayer practice can be trial and error, or may change and develop over the years. Making use of the Anglican rosary, journaling, intercession, sacred space, Jesus prayer, labyrinth, scripture and silence, and icons are just some of the ways others have found helpful.
www.breathprayers.org/
www.heartlight.org/articles/200605/20060528_breathprayer.html
www.1ststeps.net
www.jesuits.ca/orientations/examen.htm
Handy Little Chart pdf
Labyrinths, rosary beads, thoughtful and thoughtful breathing exercises are just a few of the many online resources for meditative practice.
Youth and Spirituality Project - www.ymsp.org
Meditation Techniques - www.how-to-medidate.org
www.meditationsociety.com
Labyrinth Resources - www.labyrinthsociety.org
www.labyrinthonline.com
An online Labyrinth - www.yfc.co.uk/labyrinth/online.html
Anglican Rosary Guide - www.anglicanrosary.net
www.saintgabriels.org/rosary.html
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Most versions of the Bible in searchable online form. www.biblegateway.com
www.bible.crosswalk.com
Book of Common Prayer online www.bcpoline.org
There's nothing more basic than the personal commitment to nurture your own spiritual life. After all, as part of the Church, we are called to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ by praying, worshipping, proclaiming the Gospel and promoting justice, peace and love. (BCP pp 854-5) – and that includes ourselves.
Making the decision to nurture your life spiritually takes personal commitment and discipline. Maybe everyday won't be your best effort – but you never know unless you try. God knows our efforts – and will help us
• study (the Bible and other books, too)
• pray (make a list of those you pray for)
• worship (at church – and in our hearts)
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We are stewards – of the earth, of our communities, of our lives. Your daily life – your body, soul, and mind – is a temple to God; one that that we need to be mindful of.
Stewardship is about a lot more than money – it's about how we use our time, our talents, our resources; and everything from recycling to placing your vote. It's about the choices we make. Here are two excellent resources to engage mind, soul and body in the effort to get involved here and now!
--ALTERNATIVES FOR SIMPLE LIVING www.SimpleLiving.org
• “Live simply, so others may simply live” This site is an abundant source of resources for living out your baptismal covenant in a purposeful, action-oriented way.
--EPISCOPAL PUBLIC POLICY NETWORK www.episcopalchurch.org
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--PRODIGAL SONS & MATERIAL GIRLS - How Not to Be Your Child's ATM" by Nathan Dungan
• He was a financial planner at Thrivent Financial (formerly Lutheran Brotherhood) and has a wonderful method of teaching children about money, stewardship, saving, benevolent giving, etc. It's not specific to Church Stewardship or Spiritual giving, but it's an excellent comprehensive and easily adaptable resource for adults who want to teach families with children about money. Hope it works for you. Also, Sharon Pearson has some excellent resources I'm sure she'll share. ISBN 0-471-25069-4
• Related site: www.sharesavespend.com. Share Save Spend is a values-based financial education program, also by director, Nathan Dungan.
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