Daily Meditations
Faith is not the acceptance of centuries-old traditions but an attitude which grows from within. —Henri Nouwen
We need to learn about our traditions. The stories of those who have gone before us and struggled with the same questions are important. But that is not all we need. We have to take the next step and spend time with God to let Him infuse the soul. Time with God is critical to our growth and faith.
Intimate God, you are with us always. Help us to stop and just BE with you. AMEN
Lent is a time to take stock. A time to look inside ourselves. Each of us may find a different way to observe this time. Some will give up something that is meaningful to them such as sweets or something electronic. Others might take something on such as reading a spiritual book, being kinder, visiting someone you have neglected. Whatever you choose doing something makes the time meaningful and helps to make Easter a joyous occasion.
Let your religion be less of a theory and more of a love affair. —–G. K. Chesterton
We are told to love God with out whole heart or whole soul and our whole mind. We are not told to prove that God exists. We are just told to love Him. Can we let go of all our trying to understand all of this and just love?
God of love, help us learn to just love you with all that we are. AMEN
“There is nothing in the world so much like prayer as music is.” —William P. Merrill
To me, music is not like prayer, it is prayer. I can sit in the church and listen to the music and be pulled out of myself. Attending a service where everyone sings out can touch my soul. I can be move to tears by a beautiful hymn. I thank God that he has gifted us with music.
Thank you god, for the beautiful music. May we continue to be touched by it and drawn closer to you. AMEN
We are always on the anvil; by trials God is shaping us for higher things. Henry Ward Beecher
We weren’t promised a rose garden. We were promised that God would never leave us. Having a life free of problems may not be the thing that make us beautiful in God’s eyes. The Bible reminds us that pottery is put into the flame to make it beautiful. In times of trial turn to God and come out of the trial refined by him.
Ever present God, go with us into the flame and bring us out more beautiful for you. AMEN
Parables are stories that get you crucified. Michael Williams
This is a powerful statement but what does it mean? It means that we find ourselves in the parables of Jesus but we are not always the good guy. Too often we are the one who does the wrong thing…..makes the mistakes….turns away. We learn from parables. Pay attention.
God does not expect us to change all at once. It is not possible. But each day we have the chance to change something. Each day is a new opportunity to live more like Christ. The choice is up to us.
God our creator, thank you for making us in your image. Let us choose to be more like you every day. AMEN
Teach us to give and not count the cost. Ignatius Loyola
Each day we have time to give. This morning I was in a cafe. A woman came in and seemed a little lost. She ordered her coffee and sat down alone. She turned and look at me and I gave her a big smile. She smiled back and seemed to relax in her chair. I gave nothing that I couldn’t do without. I don’t really know if she needed that smile but I gave it anyway. It made me feel good.
We don’t always have to think about giving away costly things. We can give a smile, a helping hand, a kind word. We can afford to do this every day.
Lord, remind us to give of ourselves every day. AMEN
Holding a grudge is a stone in your heart. TV show “The Good Doctor”
I would like to think that I don’t hold grudges but I can still find myself remembering some people with anger. If I do that I am still holding a grudge. It is so easy to hold onto things that hurt us. We remember with pain. The thing is we are the ones that are still being hurt by ourselves. That remembering is a negative feeling that we have to let go. We have to work at getting the stone out of our heart.
Loving Jesus, help us to forget the hurt and remove the stone. AMEN
I don’t know if you have read about the life of Julian of Norwich. I have included the info from Wikipedia.
“Julian of Norwich (c. 8 November 1342 – c. 1416) was an English anchoress and an important Christian mystic and theologian. Her Revelations of Divine Love, written around 1395, is the first theological book in the English language known to have been written by a woman. Julian was also known as a spiritual authority …”
Her life was difficult but her faith enormous. As an anchoress she withdrew from secular life and is believed to have live in a sparse “cell.”
This is her most famous saying and I often lean on it when life seems fragile. Just repeat it over and over and said enough will help to bring peace.
Hear God in Other Voices 