Author: worrylessjourney

One stone

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The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones. —–Chinese Proverb

The political situation in the USA today is monumental. We truly have a mountain that must be removed and redone. It can be discouraging and we can fall into the mistake of thinking there is nothing we can do. The truth is there is always something. The only way that things will change is with one person, one voice. Each of us must do our part. It may seem small but mountains have been moved before. We need to believe that God will help and move that one stone.

one stone

Incredible God, you know the messes we can get ourselves into. Help us to find your path through it all and do our part. AMEN

Blessings

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We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses. —-Abraham Lincoln

blessings

How we see thing is everything. Some say that people see the glass as half full or half empty. I think that we can learn to see it half full. We don’t take time to see the blessings that we have. We are so busy doing things or watching TV or using electronic devices. It is time to look at our blessings.

Generous God, you have gifted us with so many things. Help us to see them and give thanks. AMEN

Homework: for the next week write down at least five blessings you have.

Kindness matters

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No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted. ———–Aesop

Not too long ago there was w wonderful movie called “Pay it Forward.” In life there are so many opportunities to do a small kindness. Let someone with a few groceries go in front of you, smile as you pass people on the street, give a package of crackers to a homeless person. Sometimes you don’t get even a thank you but that doesn’t matter. Somewhere, somehow it will make a difference.

be kind possible

Loving God, remind us that even the smallest kindness matters. AMEN

The fern is green!

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Outside of my house I can see the resurrection ferns growing on the oak trees. I love having this reminder of how life can come from death. When things are dry and there is little rain it turns brown and looks dead. Then the rains come and it rises green. I remember the hymn “Now the Green Blade Riseth” and the fern is proof of that.

resurrection fern

J. M. C. Crum
The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 311

Now the green blade riseth, from the buried grain,
Wheat that in the dark earth many days has lain;
Love lives again, that with the dead has been:
Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.

Yes! Love lives again. Thanks be to God! AMEN

Learn to use your trials

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A gem cannot be polished without friction nor a man perfected without trials. —-Chinese proverb

We all bemoan the trials that we go through. We wish that life could be easy with no bumps in the road. However, it is the trials that help to make us, not only beautiful, but useful in God’s eyes. It is the trials that help us to understand the pain of others. Learn from the trials so that you can be used by God to help others.

charlesspurgeon1

Miraculous God, you don’t cause our trials to happen but you want us to use them to bring about your kingdom. AMEN

Tell the story

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If you have knowledge, let others light their candles with it. ———–Winston Churchill

ShareYourStory

Those of us who follow Christ has knowledge that we need to share. Tell others what he has meant to you… how he has supported you, guided you, and dried your tears. Tell them your personal story. Share

Christ our savior, remind us to share our story with others. Stories change lives. AMEN

Let go

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When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. –———Lao Tzu

We spend a lot of time concerned with ourselves. It is a natural things to do but what if we didn’t? What if we let go of ourselves and just let God be in charge. I think it would be amazing what would happen. What would we be like? Why don’t we try it?

just let go

Incredible God, help us to let go and let you! AMEN

Two simple (not simple or rules) rules

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God always required something deeper than religious legalism.—-Eric Metaxas in Bonhoeffer.

In Christianity we have many different denominations. I grew up in several of them. I was expected to learn about each and understand what I had to do to be a part of the belief. As a youth I saw them as the rules of belonging. Unfortunately, it seemed to me that many of these tenets were created to keep the lines of a certain denomination clear….to set it apart from the others. This gave me difficulty.

As an adult, the rules I want to follow are not really rules but a way of life. The life that Jesus led and the one that he wants us to follow. He told us how..Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind. …Love your neighbor as yourself. These are the only ones we must try our best to follow.

James-Robison-Quote-Jesus-has-given-you-the-power-to-live-as-He

Discerning God, help us to live as you would have us live..to follow your example in all that we do. AMEN

Gather

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Where a people prays, there is the church, and where the church is, there is never loneliness.-————-Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Bonhoeffer, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas

When we pray together God joins in. We call upon him and he hears. This joining of voices, prayers, intentions and cohesion is truly the church. When this happens we are definitely part of the whole…..complete. We are definitely not alone.

gather

Consuming God, you have promised that where two or more of us are gathered you are there. Help us to meet and join our prayers with those of others. AMEN

 

 

 

Can we be inclusive?

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It is important to remember that if we take as our model of the church the hospitality extended to the stranger, it can in no way be a community of like-minded friends but must have at its very heart the inclusion of the others, the different.————Sallie McFague in Models of God.

Too often if someone appears at our church who is radically different from us we choose not to welcome them. We are called to do the opposite. Do we include those dressed poorly, someone obviously homeless or anyone else who doesn’t seem to fit?

inclusion

Inclusive God, we are your creation and we are all yours. Help us to remove our fears and welcome all to our worship. AMEN