Tuesday, April 5
“How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! 2 My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God. 3 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. 4 Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise.”
--Psalm 84:1-4
The words above describe the assurance and even longing the Psalmist feels when thinking of being in the house of God. The verses are not only a proclamation of joy, but are also a declaration of faith in the promises God has given us. As you listen to the Fourth Movement of Brahms’ Requiem, contemplate with the Psalmist the faith in what is to come that is proclaimed so strongly in these few minutes of music.
Requiem
Monday, April 4
“The tempter came and said to [Jesus], "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." 4 But he answered, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
--Matthew 4:3-6
It is not difficult to remember to feed ourselves actual food. Our stomachs may growl, and we realize we are hungry and need food to survive. However, as Jesus quotes Deuteronomy in these verses, he points out that material food is not enough. As we go through this week, we will be considering salvation, both in the world we live in here and now as well as in the one we hope for but do not yet see. Today, think about how you are nourishing your whole self—body, mind, and spirit. Where are those places you are being fed, and which ones still need sustenance?
Joyce Rupp
Sunday, April 3
“‘And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. 9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?’ 10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.”
--1 Kings 3:7-10
When Solomon was faced with a task beyond his comprehension, he asked God to help him learn by giving him the wisdom he needed. We also are often faced with situations we know little or nothing about, yet we know we must face them.
As an activity this week, read a book or article on a topic that is somewhat foreign to you. Visit the library or bookstore and scan the shelves for something unique and intriguing. Seek to gain new understanding and perspective of the world and the people who live in it.
Saturday, April 2
“O LORD, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. 3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; 4 what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?”
--Psalm 8:1, 3-4
Part of the gift of being human is our ability to imagine, to dream, to wonder at what we see around us. The Psalmist marvels at God’s magnificent creation, wondering how humans could compare to the brilliance of the space in the night sky. This series of images explores that same sense of awe. Allow yourself to wonder with the Psalmist as you consider the vastness of the universe.
NASA Images
Showing posts with label Faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Faith. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
Lenten Devotions
Friday, April 1
“Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 19 And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before [God].”
--1 John 3:18-19
“Actions speak louder than words…” “They will know we are Christians by our love…” The clichés could run on forever on this topic—largely because most of them would ring true. It’s so easy to say one thing and do another…or say one thing and fail or forget to act like we mean it. It can be difficult to see the world objectively or creatively enough to know how to love in truth and action, as the verse says. Yet, there are glimpses of this all the time in everything from moments in our individual lives to deliberate projects carried out by large organizations. This is just one of those stories. As you read it, remember the connections we share not only as people of a common church but also as humans able to love, inspire, and care for one another.
Article
Thursday, March 31
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God-- 9 not the result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.”
--Ephesians 2:8-10
So often we try to find our own way to work ourselves into belief or righteousness. We may try to do better or be better than our neighbors. We forget that we are all equal—we are all sinners. We forget that we are saved by grace through faith, and that faith comes to us first and foremost through the Holy Spirit as a gift of God made possible by Jesus. As you listen to this song, be mindful of those times you have failed, but also reflect on the gift of forgiveness and reconciliation we are freely given.
In the Light
“Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 19 And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before [God].”
--1 John 3:18-19
“Actions speak louder than words…” “They will know we are Christians by our love…” The clichés could run on forever on this topic—largely because most of them would ring true. It’s so easy to say one thing and do another…or say one thing and fail or forget to act like we mean it. It can be difficult to see the world objectively or creatively enough to know how to love in truth and action, as the verse says. Yet, there are glimpses of this all the time in everything from moments in our individual lives to deliberate projects carried out by large organizations. This is just one of those stories. As you read it, remember the connections we share not only as people of a common church but also as humans able to love, inspire, and care for one another.
Article
Thursday, March 31
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God-- 9 not the result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.”
--Ephesians 2:8-10
So often we try to find our own way to work ourselves into belief or righteousness. We may try to do better or be better than our neighbors. We forget that we are all equal—we are all sinners. We forget that we are saved by grace through faith, and that faith comes to us first and foremost through the Holy Spirit as a gift of God made possible by Jesus. As you listen to this song, be mindful of those times you have failed, but also reflect on the gift of forgiveness and reconciliation we are freely given.
In the Light
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Lenten Devotions
Tuesday, March 29
“Then he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30 as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
--Luke 21:29-31
We are in the season of renewal and rebirth. Plants return to life, buds begin blossoming, and birds seem to awaken with new songs. Every winter, we witness the sleeping of the world—grasses and plants die, and sounds echo in the hollow of the quiet world. Even then, we know that season is itself getting ready for the new life that is ready to begin.
Vivaldi's Spring
Monday, March 28
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.”
--Hebrews 11:1-3
There is so much we wish to know about this world—so much we want to have proven or explained to us. Sometimes that is possible, but sometimes we come face to face with something that we cannot prove or articulate. We perhaps understand it on some level, but cannot put it in words. Even more incomprehensible are the things not of this world. Yet those are the things that we hope for, and somehow are able to take in on faith.
I Never Saw a Moor by Emily Dickinson
Sunday, March 27
“The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" 6 The Lord replied, "If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.
--Luke 17:5-6
This week we focus on the idea of faith—how we think about and respond to it in our daily lives. In the verse for today, Jesus talks about faith in terms of a mustard seed, which is one of the smallest of all seeds.
As an activity, grab a group of friends or go out with your family on a walk. If possible, try to walk through a place that will have some trees or plants around. As you walk, notice the seeds you find along the way—pinecones, dandelions, etc. Talk or think about what seeds become, how they grow and what they do. If our faith is the size of a mustard seed, what happens to it tomorrow?
Saturday, March 26
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”
--1 Corinthians 12:4-7
We have been given many gifts—wisdom, knowledge, faith, and the ability to heal, among others. Each of these gifts is tailored to fit us individually by the Spirit. Often, our gifts inspire wonderful ideas within us, but how many times are those ideas abandoned? How many times to we begin something really worthwhile but fail to finish it? The painting linked below is the back of one of Leonardo DaVinci’s works. As you gaze on it, consider what it means to live your gifts to the fullest.
DaVinci
“Then he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30 as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
--Luke 21:29-31
We are in the season of renewal and rebirth. Plants return to life, buds begin blossoming, and birds seem to awaken with new songs. Every winter, we witness the sleeping of the world—grasses and plants die, and sounds echo in the hollow of the quiet world. Even then, we know that season is itself getting ready for the new life that is ready to begin.
Vivaldi's Spring
Monday, March 28
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.”
--Hebrews 11:1-3
There is so much we wish to know about this world—so much we want to have proven or explained to us. Sometimes that is possible, but sometimes we come face to face with something that we cannot prove or articulate. We perhaps understand it on some level, but cannot put it in words. Even more incomprehensible are the things not of this world. Yet those are the things that we hope for, and somehow are able to take in on faith.
I Never Saw a Moor by Emily Dickinson
Sunday, March 27
“The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" 6 The Lord replied, "If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.
--Luke 17:5-6
This week we focus on the idea of faith—how we think about and respond to it in our daily lives. In the verse for today, Jesus talks about faith in terms of a mustard seed, which is one of the smallest of all seeds.
As an activity, grab a group of friends or go out with your family on a walk. If possible, try to walk through a place that will have some trees or plants around. As you walk, notice the seeds you find along the way—pinecones, dandelions, etc. Talk or think about what seeds become, how they grow and what they do. If our faith is the size of a mustard seed, what happens to it tomorrow?
Saturday, March 26
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”
--1 Corinthians 12:4-7
We have been given many gifts—wisdom, knowledge, faith, and the ability to heal, among others. Each of these gifts is tailored to fit us individually by the Spirit. Often, our gifts inspire wonderful ideas within us, but how many times are those ideas abandoned? How many times to we begin something really worthwhile but fail to finish it? The painting linked below is the back of one of Leonardo DaVinci’s works. As you gaze on it, consider what it means to live your gifts to the fullest.
DaVinci
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