Memorising the Bible

Here’s the link to the Scripture Memory Booklet by Andrew Davis:

https://scripturememory.com/downloadables/andrewdavis.pdf

“I know of no other single practice in the Christian life more rewarding, practically speaking, than memorizing Scripture. . . . No other single exercise pays greater spiritual dividends! Your prayer life will be strengthened. Your witnessing will be sharper and much more effective. Your attitudes and outlook will begin to change. Your mind will become alert and observant. Your confidence and assurance will be enhanced. Your faith will be solidified”

Chuck Swindoll

(Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994], p. 61)

Quotes from the Silent Centuries

We are but of yesterday, and we have filled every place among you – cities, islands, fortresses, towns, market-places, the very camp, tribes, companies, palace, senate, forum – we have left you nothing but the temples of your gods … if such multitudes were to break away from you, and betake themselves to some remote corner of the world, why, the very loss of so many citizens, whatever sort they were, would cover the empire with shame … you would be horror-struck at the solitude in which you would find yourselves, at such an all-prevailing silence, and the stupor as of a dead world.  You would have to seek subjects to govern.  You would have more enemies than citizens remaining.  For now it is the immense number of Christians which make your enemies so few – almost all the inhabitants of your various cities being followers of Christ. 

Tertullian (155-220)

…from an open letter to the Roman Senate

Outsiders will judge us not so much by what we say (for most will not listen to us anyway), as by what we are and what we do.  We know virtue by practice rather than through boasting … if not lived, it isn’t worth talking about.  We do not preach great things, we live them … Words are hollow unless they are lived.  We live our doctrine before we teach it.  Our lifestyle is what we truly believe.

Cyprian, (Bishop of Carthage in North Africa, 210-248)

The Church’s growth is the product not of our persuasive powers, but of our persuasive life. We must ask ourselves whether our lives open the door for Jesus, or whether they cause people of judge Him negatively… if our actions do not match our words, they turn from astonishment to blasphemy and dismiss Christianity as some kind of myth or error…

Origen of Alexandria (185-253)

BCP Absolutions

BCP absolution for Morning & Evening Prayer:

Rubric: The Absolution or Remission of sins to be pronounced by the Priest alone, standing; the people still kneeling…

Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, does not desire the death of a sinner, but rather than they turn from their wickedness and live. 

And He has given power and commandment to His ministers to declare and pronounce to His repentant people the Absolution and Remission of their sins.  He pardons and absolves all those who truly repent and who sincerely believe His holy Gospel. 

Therefore we earnestly implore Him to grant us true repentance and His Holy Spirit, so that we may do those things that please Him in the present, and so that the rest of our lives may be pure and holy, so that in the end we may come to His eternal joy, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

BCP Absolution for HC

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who in His great mercy has promised the forgiveness of sins to all them that with sincere repentance and true faith turn to Him: Have mercy on you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness and bring you to life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

God, the Father of Mercies, has reconciled the world to Himself through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ, not counting our trespasses against us, but sending His Holy Spirit to shed abroad His love among us.  By the ministry of reconciliation entrusted by Christ to His Church, receive His pardon and peace to stand before Him in His strength alone, this day and forevermore.

...that Bonhoeffer quote:

Penitential Psalms

Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143

Psalm 6: 1-6 & 9-10 (Sing Psalms)

to the tune of: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (Rockingham)

Lord, in your wrath rebuke me not
in anger do not chasten me.
Have mercy Lord, for I am faint
Lord, heal me in my agony.

My soul in anguish is distressed
O Lord, how long will you delay?
Turn to me Lord and free my soul
In steadfast love, save me, I pray.

No-one in death remembers you
who from the grave can give you praise?
My groaning weakens me, at night
my bed is drenched with tears always.

The Lord has heard my prayer for help
the Lord has listened to my plea
My enemies, disgraced and shamed
will turn back from me suddenly.

Psalm 51 (Trinity Psalter)

to the tune of: Rock of Ages (Toplady)

God be merciful to me

On your grace I rest my plea

Your compassions overflow

Blot out my transgressions now

Wash me, make me pure within

Cleanse O cleanse me from my sin

My transgressions I confess

Grief and guilt my soul oppress

I have sinned against your grace

And provoked you to your face

I confess your judgement just

Speechless, in your mercy trust

I am evil, born in sin

You desire truth within

You alone my Saviour art

Teach your wisdom to my heart

Make me pure, your grace bestow

Wash me whiter than the snow

Gracious God my heart renew

Make my spirit right and true

Let me not abandoned be

Let your Spirit dwell in me

Your salvation’s joy impart

Steadfast make my willing heart

Sinners then shall learn from me

and to God restored shall be;

Saviour, all my guilt remove,

and my tongue shall sing your love;

touch my silent lips, O Lord,

and my mouth shall praise accord.