『Farmer of Hearts - How Not to Miss God’s Voice』のカバーアート

Farmer of Hearts - How Not to Miss God’s Voice

Farmer of Hearts - How Not to Miss God’s Voice

著者： 生命恩泉 Fountain of Love and Life
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概要

 Do you long to discern God’s will more clearly amid the busyness of daily life? This Lent, Fountain of Love and Life invites you to rediscover the art of listening in quiet and stillness. How to Listen? In this Lenten Retreat, we will explore practical ways to listen to God’s voice in our daily lives so that we do not miss His personal messages meant for our growth and welfare. Drawing wisdom and inspiration from the Scriptures—God’s very words to us—we will reflect on how He continues to speak into our hearts. Mentality and Lifestyle Adjustments Throughout the retreat, we will also examine the inner dispositions that help us receive His Word more openly, and learn how to strengthen our “spiritual muscles” so we become more attuned to His Voice. Not to Miss God’s Voice Through these Lenten spiritual exercises and our shared journey, our ultimate goal is to deepen our ability to discern God’s will by staying attentive to His unique messages for each of us, as we navigate our lives and seek to understand the mission He entrusts to us. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. (Is 55:10-11) We sincerely invite you, during the 40 days of Lent, to spend 10 minutes each day experiencing God’s presence in a new way. Join NOW* – To receive daily reflections (Monday to Saturday) from the brand new FLL Lenten online retreat “Farmer of Hearts: How Not to Miss God’s Voice” starting from Ash Wednesday (February 18). Written content will be available in traditional and simplified Chinese and English. Audio guides will be available in Cantonese, Mandarin and English. Let’s begin our Lenten Spiritual Journey together, starting on Ash Wednesday, February 18! *If you had received our Advent 2025 online retreat content through email, you do not have to register again. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@watchFLL IG: @fll.cc | Facebook: fb.com/fll.cc© 2026《生命恩泉》 Fountain of Love and Life, All Rights Reserved. キリスト教 スピリチュアリティ 聖職・福音主義
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  • [How Not to Miss God’s Voice] Day 25 – The Noise of Worry

    [How Not to Miss God’s Voice] Day 25 – The Noise of Worry
    2026/03/17
    “The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit.” (Matthew 13:22)Over the past few days, we have spent considerable time reflecting on the problem of “pride” as a thick wall that blocks us from hearing God’s voice. Today, we turn our attention to another major obstacle. It is not a wall, but a loud and persistent inner noise. That obstacle is “worry”.If pride shuts God out, worry is a distracting static that prevents us from tuning in to God’s frequency. Jesus clearly illustrates this in the Parable of the Sower. He describes the Word of God as a seed, and some seeds fall among thorns. Jesus explains: “The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit.” (Matthew 13:22)Notice the word “choke.” When we are consumed by anxiety, both physically and spiritually we experience a suffocating pressure. Our minds are racing with hypothetical disasters, worries about our livelihood, and endless “what-ifs.” In such a suffocating mental environment, God’s gentle voice simply cannot enter into our hearts; it is blocked by our worldly anxieties.Christ deeply understands the weakness of our human nature. That is why, in the Sermon on the Mount, He speaks directly about this problem. He invites us to observe creation: “Look at the birds of the air… Consider the lilies of the field.” (Matthew 6:26, 28) If God feeds the birds and clothes the fragile grass of the field, then surely He will care for us even more: “Will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?” (Matthew 6:30) Christ invites us to place a childlike trust in the loving providence of our Heavenly Father.Our worries often arise from a lack of trust. As Pope St. John Paul II once taught beautifully: “Our age is to a great extent marked by anguish and apprehension, anxieties and fears... Trust is opposed to that which troubles you.” Likewise, Pope Leo XIV invites us at all times to place everything before the Lord, entrusting ourselves entirely to His Providence.When we worry, we are essentially trying to control a future that does not yet exist. We project our minds into tomorrow and attempt to solve tomorrow’s problems with today’s limited strength. But Jesus gives us the perfect mental framework in the Lord’s Prayer: “Give us this day our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11) He does not teach us to pray for a year’s supply of bread. Instead, He teaches us to ask for what we need “today”.Therefore Jesus tells us: “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (Matthew 6:34) The Catechism of the Catholic Church echoes this truth, teaching that abandonment to the providence of the Father in heaven frees us from anxiety about tomorrow (CCC 2547).If your mind is completely occupied with worries about the future, you leave absolutely no room at all to listen to what God is saying to you “today”. God dwells in the “present moment”. His grace is given in the “here and now”. If we remain trapped in hypothetical fears about tomorrow, we will completely miss the words God is speaking to us today.So what is the remedy for this inner noise? Jesus tells us: “But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33) And St. Paul gives us a clear instruction: “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)Today, let us cast all our burdens upon the Lord, trusting that He will sustain us. Let us pull up the thorns of anxiety from our hearts, so that the soil of our souls may become fertile ground—ready to listen, receive, and bear abundant fruit.Let us reflect again on the teaching of Jesus:“The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit.” (Matthew 13:22)ReflectionWhat specific “cares of the world” in my life act like thorns, choking and suffocating the Word of God?How does my worry about hypothetical future situations prevent me from being fully present with God and with others right now?Jesus calls us to “strive first for the kingdom of God.” What concrete steps can I take today to shift my focus from anxiety toward God’s Kingdom?Today’s PrayerHeavenly Father, I confess that my heart is often filled with the noise of worry and anxiety. Like thorns, my fears about tomorrow choke Your gentle voice today. Forgive my lack of faith and my failure to trust fully in Your loving providence.Help me remember the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, and to believe deeply how precious I am in Your sight. Teach me to ask only for my daily bread, trusting ...
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    12 分
  • [How Not to Miss God’s Voice] Day 24 – Radical Humility

    [How Not to Miss God’s Voice] Day 24 – Radical Humility
    2026/03/16
    “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave……” (Philippians 2:5-7)Yesterday, we explored several practical ways to cultivate the habit of listening and to dismantle the walls built by our self-centeredness. Today, we need to go even deeper into our hearts.If we honestly examine ourselves, we will discover that pride not only blocks our ears from listening, but also poisons our eyes. It distorts the way we see the people and situations around us. Two of the most toxic symptoms of pride are “envy” and “being judgmental”. Envy makes us perceive another person’s success or blessings as a threat to our own worth. Judging others, on the other hand, becomes a method of pride—by lowering others in our minds, we make ourselves feel superior.Imagine for a moment the state of your soul when you are gripped by envy or busy judging someone. Your mind is crowded with comparisons, complaints, and defensive thoughts. The internal noise is absolutely deafening. In such a state, how could you possibly hear the gentle and quiet voice of God? You simply cannot. As the Scripture reminds us, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5) If we wish to tune our hearts to receive God’s voice, we must first remove the noisy interference caused by our inflated ego.To do this, Paul the Apostle tells us: “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,” for Christ even “emptied himself” for our sake. But the question remains: how can we empty ourselves of the deeply rooted tendencies of envy and judging others?Within the Catholic spiritual tradition, there is a profound, and even shocking prayer called the “Litany of Humility”. For our souls, it is like undergoing a radical spiritual surgery. Let us walk through the three movements of this prayer together.The first movement addresses our “desires”. In the prayer we say: “From the desire of being esteemed, loved, honored, praised, and preferred to others... Deliver me, Jesus.”These petitions target the very root of our envy. When we insist on being the center of attention or the “best” person in the room, another person’s success naturally feels threatening. But when we ask Jesus to deliver us from these desires, we step off the exhausting treadmill of constant comparison.The second movement addresses our “fears”. We pray: “From the fear of being humiliated, despised, forgotten, ridiculed, and wronged... Deliver me, Jesus.”Why are we so quick to judge others? Often it is because we are afraid that our own weaknesses will be exposed. By judging others, we try to deflect attention from our own insecurities. If we no longer fear appearing imperfect, we will no longer feel the need to judge those around us.The third and final movement is the most radical, even overturning our usual way of thinking—but it is also the ultimate cure for pride. We do not simply ask the Lord to remove our wrong desires; we actively pray for the success of others. We pray: That others may be loved more than I; That others may be chosen and I set aside; That others may be preferred to me in everything... Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.Take a deep breath and let those words sink into your heart. “That others may be chosen and I set aside.” Can you pray that for others—even for someone you dislike?When we are able to pray the “Litany of Humility” sincerely, something miraculous happens within us. The frantic urge to defend ourselves, promote ourselves, and judge others begins to fade. The deafening noise of our inflated ego falls completely silent.And in that beautiful, empty, humble stillness, our ears are finally opened. At last we are ready to listen. We are ready to hear the voice of the God who emptied Himself and became man for our sake.Let us reflect once again on what Paul the Apostle said to us:“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave……” (Philippians 2:5-7)ReflectionWhen I see someone succeed or receive praise, what is my immediate internal reaction? Do I feel joy, or a sharp sting of envy?Who is the person I judge or criticize most often in my mind? Could my judgment of them actually be a mask for my own pride or insecurity?Can I honestly pray, “That others may be chosen and I set aside”? What would need to change in me for me to genuinely desire this grace?Today’s PrayerO Jesus, meek and humble of heart, hear my prayer.My soul is often overwhelmed by my own pride, envy, and the constant urge to judge others. I confess that I cling tightly to the desire for praise and try to avoid the fear of being forgotten.Lord, today I ask You to perform a radical spiritual ...
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    13 分
  • [How Not to Miss God’s Voice] Day 23 – The Discipline of Listening

    [How Not to Miss God’s Voice] Day 23 – The Discipline of Listening
    2026/03/15
    You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. (James 1:19)Over the past few days, we have spent considerable time reflecting on the theme of “pride”. This extended focus is not without reason. At its core, pride is essentially a “refusal to listen” to anything outside of oneself. It builds thick walls within our hearts, shutting out the voices of others, and most tragically, the voice of God. It is no wonder that prideful people often refuse to listen; in their hearts, they simply do not perceive any need to do so.As Pope Leo XIV teaches us, “The willingness to listen is the first way we demonstrate our desire to enter into relationship with someone.” If pride is a spiritual illness that isolates us, then its antidote is “humility”. Humility is a spiritual discipline that keeps us attentive and sensitive both to the world around us and to God.By now, we hope you are convinced that if we truly wish to hear God’s voice, we must come down from the mountain of our pride. But the most difficult question remains: How do we do it?To be honest, recognizing the problem is not difficult; truly changing is much harder. Ultimately, this has to do with how we relate to God and how we relate to others. James the Apostle gives us a clear instruction: “Let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.” (James 1:19) Proverbs also reminds us: “If one gives answer before hearing, it is folly and shame.” (Proverbs 18:13)If we want to descend from that mountain, we must begin by cultivating “the ability to listen” in our daily lives. By intentionally forming new habits, we can gradually unlearn the unhealthy habits shaped by our self-centeredness. Let us consider two practical dimensions: listening to others, and listening to God.First, we can try the following three concrete exercises to practice listening to others.First exercise: During conversations this week, after someone finishes speaking, intentionally wait three to five seconds before responding. Very often our pride leads us into what might be called “rebuttal listening”—while the other person is still speaking, we are already busy preparing what we think is a clever response. A brief silence can break this self-centered habit.Second exercise: After the other person has finished speaking, try briefly restating what they said to confirm your understanding. This simple practice forces our minds to focus on the other person’s true meaning rather than rushing to judge or express our own opinions.Third exercise: When we feel an urge to “correct” someone or to “win” an argument, try responding gently: “Could you tell me more about that? I’d like to understand better.” This phrase reminds our ego that we are not in “expert mode,” but rather in “discovery mode.”These practices help us gradually lower our defensive walls and make space for the perspectives of others.As we learn to listen to others, we are also preparing our hearts to listen to God. Here are three spiritual exercises for the soul.First spiritual exercise: Each morning, spend five to ten minutes sitting quietly before God. As Psalms 46:10 says: “Be still, and know that I am God.” You may also borrow the words of the young Samuel: “Speak, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10) Do not rush to ask for anything. Simply place yourself quietly in God’s presence.Second spiritual exercise: Deliberately perform a good deed for someone—perhaps helping with a chore or giving a small gift—but make sure the person never knows it was you. This discipline trains our hearts to seek only God’s hidden approval, rather than depending on human applause.Third spiritual exercise: For one week, notice whenever you find yourself “polishing” a story in order to appear more intelligent, more successful, or more knowledgeable than you really are. Record these moments in a journal for reflection. Bring these subtle forms of pride before God, confess them to Him, and ask Him to uproot your desire for self-exaltation.Do not underestimate these exercises. They are not merely psychological techniques; they are profound spiritual disciplines. They open up a quiet space within our hearts where God’s voice can finally be heard above the noisy clamor of our inflated self-importance.May we gradually turn these intentional practices into lifelong habits. In this way, our ears and hearts will remain attuned to the gentle and subtle voice of our Lord.Let us now reflect once more on today’s Scripture:You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. (James 1:19)ReflectionWhen listening to others, do I often fall into the trap of “rebuttal listening,” beginning to formulate my response while the other person is still speaking?How difficult is it for me to maintain three to five seconds of silence before responding in a conversation? Why...
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    13 分
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