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Finding God's Goodness

Week Thirty-Two. Moderation. Holding Life Together.

Smitten With Goodness
Valuing My Body. Temperance with hope leads to self-control.

Moderation is to avoid excess or extremes, especially in behavior or political opinions.  The virtue of temperance helps us live a life of moderation. I would say that we all need a big dose of this virtue, especially for those of us in the Western world where greed and excess abound.  As disconnected people, we live our individuality all in the vein of success. Sometimes I think about the similarities of today and those of the Roman Empire. History cycles over and over. Do I place my hope in the world or do I use these thoughts to draw me to God? Where do I find meaning?  In a life full of love.

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Finding God's Goodness

Week Thirty-One. Modesty. Looking for God’s Goodness and Weekly Reflection Summary.

Smitten With Goodness
Month Seven – Valuing My Body. Temperance with faith produces modesty.

Settle in and take a few minutes to ponder –

The Iron Law of Our Destiny

Every sense experience tends to become a thought; 

Every thought tends to become a desire; 

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Finding God's Goodness

Week Thirty-One. Modesty. Discretion. 

Smitten With Goodness
Month Seven – Valuing My Body. Temperance with faith produces modesty.

Today I’m praying for discretion. Discretion is determining what should be done or not done in a particular situation.  As someone who has always been a “doer” I have the tendency to act and I’m learning a lot of this action is based on what I think is best and what should be done.  This is the hurdle of pride I must overcome.  

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Finding God's Goodness

Week Thirty-One. Modesty. Decency.

Smitten With Goodness
Month Seven – Valuing My Body. Temperance with faith produces modesty.

I’ve spent a lot of time in my life thinking about what I wanted to wear and the image I wanted to uphold. A lot of energy and effort has gone into finding the right outfit, earrings, shoes or purse. As a Christian, I need to ask “What am I saying by what I am wearing?  In other words, what am I “packaging” and advertising?  What am I trying to draw attention to?”  If my intent is to show off my body and draw attention to myself, especially in a sexual way, and pique the curiosity of another, then I have violated modesty, and the virtues of humility, studiousness, and modesty in dress and behavior. 

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Finding God's Goodness

Week Thirty-One. Modesty. Patience.

Smitten With Goodness
Month Seven – Valuing My Body. Temperance with faith produces modesty.

We are called to walk the right road in life, one of truth and virtue. Patience is an important virtue in our journey as it helps us not give into our impulses and resist temptation. Whether it be in thoughts, emotions or actions, my faith helps me take a modest approach to life.  

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Finding God's Goodness

Week Thirty-One. Modesty. Protecting the Soul.

Smitten With Goodness
Month Seven – Valuing My Body. Temperance with faith produces modesty.

A cosmic notion of the Christ competes with and excludes no one, but includes everyone and everything (Acts 10:15, 34). In this understanding of Christianity’s message, the Creator’s love and presence are grounded in the created world, and any mental distinction between “natural” and “supernatural” falls apart.  

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Finding God's Goodness

Week Thirty-One. Modesty. Purity of Heart. 

Smitten With Goodness
Month Seven – Valuing My Body. Temperance with faith produces modesty.

What does conversion look like for you in your daily life?  Conversion is the simple action of turning to God in thought and action as the only enduring good. It is the simple act of humility where I attach myself to God and live according to His plan rather than mine. Realizing that my faith fuels the action of my body bringing divine presence in the world. 

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Finding God's Goodness

Week Thirty-One. Modesty. A Gift.

Smitten With Goodness
Month Seven – Valuing My Body. Temperance with faith produces modesty. 

We are not meant to go it alone. As humans we are incapable of living fully in the light of God‘s goodness but we can constantly seek this goal. But never fear, God has thought of everything and His goal is to bring us closer to Him. The Holy Spirit that lives within us shows us the way.

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Finding God's Goodness

Week Thirty. Clean Heart. Looking for God’s Goodness and Weekly Reflection Summary.

Smitten With Goodness
Month Seven – Valuing My Body. Temperance with faith produces modesty.

Looking for God’s Goodness in contemplation and prayer.  The Welcoming Prayer.

Today, I’d like to offer you a form of contemplation—a practice of forgiving reality for being what it is—called The Welcoming Prayer.

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Finding God's Goodness

Week Thirty. Clean Heart. Zipped Up.

Smitten With Goodness
Month Seven – Valuing My Body. Temperance with faith produces modesty.

The other morning as I was packing for a trip, I was grateful for the person who invented the zipper. I was cramming a week’s worth of clothes in a carry-on suitcase along with the twister splash and water balloon toys I got for my two grandsons. Of course it was bursting at the seams. When the zipper separated, rather than panic I was grateful. I was marveling at how such a simple invention can keep everything tucked neatly inside a small box.

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