Monday, January 28, 2019
Sunday, January 27, 2019
Saturday, January 26, 2019
Friday, January 25, 2019
Thursday, January 24, 2019
Loving the World with God: Fourth Day Living
EACH TIME we step out of our comfort zones and into the messy and sacred world of caring about others, we risk stepping in the confusion of humanity. We may find ourselves asking questions about God and about this world filled with both beauty and affliction. When we share our journeys and questions with one another, our capacities to love and serve with humility, faithfulness, gratitude, and grace grow.
—Rebecca Bruff
Loving the World with God: Fourth Day Living
Loving the World with God: Fourth Day Living
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW reminds us that following Jesus might sometimes mean stepping out of our comfortable boat of the familiar into the fluid and uncertain reality of life…. Following Jesus is risky. We probably will have to step out of our comfort zones. And loving the world with God is iffy business. We will face frustrations, questions, and discouragement. What if we give our time and energy to others in need, but we don’t see any results? What if we work hard for mercy and justice, and it doesn’t seem to make a difference? What if we get up at four o’clock in the morning to provide breakfast at a shelter, and no one thanks us? What if we spend all day building a wheelchair ramp for an elderly couple, and they never smile at us? What if we go to Guatemala to build a clinic, but we come back with an infection? What if we follow Jesus into the world to share the mercy and love of God, and it just doesn’t look like the kingdom has come? —Rebecca Bruff Loving the World with God: Fourth Day Living
THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW reminds us that following Jesus might sometimes mean stepping out of our comfortable boat of the familiar into the fluid and uncertain reality of life….
Following Jesus is risky. We probably will have to step out of our comfort zones. And loving the world with God is iffy business. We will face frustrations, questions, and discouragement. What if we give our time and energy to others in need, but we don’t see any results? What if we work hard for mercy and justice, and it doesn’t seem to make a difference? What if we get up at four o’clock in the morning to provide breakfast at a shelter, and no one thanks us? What if we spend all day building a wheelchair ramp for an elderly couple, and they never smile at us? What if we go to Guatemala to build a clinic, but we come back with an infection? What if we follow Jesus into the world to share the mercy and love of God, and it just doesn’t look like the kingdom has come?
Following Jesus is risky. We probably will have to step out of our comfort zones. And loving the world with God is iffy business. We will face frustrations, questions, and discouragement. What if we give our time and energy to others in need, but we don’t see any results? What if we work hard for mercy and justice, and it doesn’t seem to make a difference? What if we get up at four o’clock in the morning to provide breakfast at a shelter, and no one thanks us? What if we spend all day building a wheelchair ramp for an elderly couple, and they never smile at us? What if we go to Guatemala to build a clinic, but we come back with an infection? What if we follow Jesus into the world to share the mercy and love of God, and it just doesn’t look like the kingdom has come?
—Rebecca Bruff
Loving the World with God: Fourth Day Living
Loving the World with God: Fourth Day Living
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Monday, January 21, 2019
Sunday, January 20, 2019
'Heartlight'
January 20
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Thoughts on today's verse
"Hang in there!" There are few traits more important than perseverance. Most important accomplishments in life happen because of perseverance. Most luck occurs when we've perservered long enough for the "magical moment" to come along. Edison said it best, life's greatest feats, the world's greatest discoveries, his own most fantastic inventions were "1% inspiration and 99% perspiration." "Hang in there!" and see the glory of God come through in you!
Prayer:
Unchangeable and Unshakeable God, through the friends you have sent into my life and by the power of your gift, the Holy Spirit, help me to stand up under trial and prove my character true with perseverance when under fire. Give my faith courage and endurance so that my life shows forth your enduring strength. Through him who remained faithul unto death, I pray. Amen.
Saturday, January 19, 2019
Friday, January 18, 2019
Thursday, January 17, 2019
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Be Still
Today’s Reflection
MEDITATION, I learned, is often wordless prayer. This intentional and quiet practice helps us focus our attention on God—and listen for God’s “still small voice”—so that we may experience God’s revelations. In contrast with prayer, meditation uses fewer words (or none) so that our spiritual and mental effort is concentrated on soothing the mind’s chaos to hear what God has to say.
—J. Dana Trent
One Breath at a Time: A Skeptic’s Guide to Christian Meditation
One Breath at a Time: A Skeptic’s Guide to Christian Meditation
Saturday, January 12, 2019
Upper Room Daily Reflections
Denying SelfJan 12, 2019 12:00 amToday’s Reflection
Let’s start planning for Lent now.
Why wait until March 6th?
DURING LENT, we talk of self-examination and “giving up something.” To those who are unfamiliar with these practices, Lent may sound like a Christian self-improvement season. We focus on bad things we need to eliminate from our lives. We replace our normal greeting, “The Peace of Christ be with you,” with the Lenten alternative, “So what are you giving up this year?” We confess and examine our lives. We talk about our struggles, the times we fail to keep our Lenten disciplines. Lent may seem composed of difficult tasks we endure to get to Easter, dues paid to attend the sunrise service.
Do we focus on ourselves too much in Lent? Have we lost sight of how our Lenten practices are meant to draw us closer to God?
—Max O. Vincent
Because of This I Rejoice |
Friday, January 11, 2019
Thursday, January 10, 2019
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
Sunday, January 6, 2019
Signs and Wonders
Signs. Signs. Everywhere…
By The Upper Room on Jan 06, 2019 12:00 amToday’s Reflection
THE MAGI ACTED upon the information they had. They went on a quest, trusting that they had interpreted the signs rightly and that God would lead them to the right place. Trust remains key to their journey. Sometimes our actions demonstrate a lack of trust in God that all shall be well. We give in to our worries and fears. We try to manipulate people or manipulate God. We bargain with God. The journey across Persia to Bethlehem was no simple or peaceful camel ride. They traveled at least one thousand miles through areas controlled by bandits. I imagine that they wanted to quit often, and yet they held on to the greater vision that encouraged them through daily hardships.
—George H. Donigian
In Days to Come: From Advent to Epiphany
In Days to Come: From Advent to Epiphany
Friday, January 4, 2019
Thursday, January 3, 2019
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