Category: actions

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

Be present

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Be fearless in pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.
Sometimes you have to watch for things that will inspire you.There are things that will feed your soul but we can miss them if we don’t pay attention. Be present in everything.

God of beauty, help us to be present in every moment. AMEN

God with us

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God is not distant at the cross and God is not distant in the grief of the newly motherless at the hospital; but instead, God is there in the messy mascara-streaked middle of it, feeling as shitty as the rest of us. There simply is no knowable answer to the question of why there is suffering. But there is meaning….We want to go to God for answers but sometimes what we get is God’s presence. ——————–Nadia Bolz -Weber

God promises that he will be with us always and he will!

never leave you

Ever-present God, thank you being with us throughout our entire lives. AMEN

A radical?

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Jesus, I found, bore little resemblance to the Mister Rogers figure I had met in Sunday school, and was remarkable unlike the person I had studied in Bible college. For one thing, he was far less tame. ————-Philip Yancey in “The Jesus I Never Knew”

Someone once said to my husband “Jesus was a conservative.” My husband replied “he was so conservative he got himself crucified.” I really don’t know the story of anyone less conservative than Jesus. He ate with tax collectors, touched women (taboo) and didn’t follow anyone’s rules. I am sure he wishes we could learn to be as open and loving as he was.

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Radical Jesus, you followed only the image of God’s kingdom and want us to help bring it to fruition. Help us to see that. AMEN

Don’t forget to play!

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Play is not an escape; it is the way to release the life-smothering grip of busyness, stress, and anxiety….(It is) a modern expression of hope, a celebration of the flickering light of the gospel that plays with the dark by pouncing on the surrounding darkness like a cat toying with a mouse.—————Michael Yaconelli in Dangerous Wonder

play

I love the image of the light of the gospel pouncing on the darkness like a cat. Play is important to our health as human beings and an expression of the joy that God has given us. Play is NOT wasted time. Be sure to find ways to be playful like that cat and enjoy it.

Unexpected God, you have gifted us with the ability to play and seek out joy. Remind us how important it is. AMEN

Live joy

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Nehemiah 8:10
Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
joy-of-the-lord
Have you met Christians who think that God expects us to be somber in all that we do. Oh no! God created a beautiful world and he expects us to see the joy in it. He does want us to share of our abundance so that others may also have good things. Don’t go around with a sad face and a gloomy disposition. This will make others think that is our way. Let them see joyful Christians who thank God always for his love and abundance.
Gracious Lord, you have given us so much. Let us show the joy that living in you brings us. AMEN

Forgiveness

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Real human progress depends upon a good conscience. ———-Albert Einstein

We are not perfect….so we can’t always do everything right. This means that we will make mistakes and do things that we are not proud of. Thankfully, God has granted us a way to continue to have a good conscience. It is called forgiveness. All we have to do is see the error of our ways and ask forgiveness.

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Loving God, you never stop forgiving us. Thank you, thank you. AMEN

No Exceptions

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Religious liberty includes freedom to change one’ religion or belief without consequent social, economic and political disabilities. Implicit in this right is the right freely to maintain one’s belief or disbelief without external coercion or disability. ——–World Council of Churches

We are all so divided. Not just into totally different religions but into divisions within religions. So often we cast stones at those of other faiths or other denominations. Jesus called us to love one another. He did not include the word “if.”

no exceptions

Matthew 22:36-40 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

36 “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” 37 He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

 

Why me Lord?

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Today I want to share a video of a song from the past. I met Khris Khristopherson briefly as his sister was married to a West Point friend of my husband. The story of how this song was written and the song itself have so much meaning for me.

Lord Jesus, help us to each share our story to encourage others to come to you. AMEN

Science and ethics: listen for God

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quote-we-can-t-simply-do-our-science-and-not-worry-about-the-ethical-issues-bill-joy-133-50-02The ethical results of current research is staring us in the face. We don’t always think about this as being connected with our faith. However, it is critical to our belief system. I am thinking way beyond abortion and gay marriage. I am considering choosing the characteristics of our children, immortality for those who can pay, who can have access to healthcare, when do we let people die to husband our resources?

These are questions that we have to consider now and ones that we must lean on our core ethics, our faith and our God. We must listen for God’s voice to discern how to move forward. Begin to pray about these things and listen for God now!

Infinite, intimate God, the issues before us are way beyond our understanding. Guide us in your wisdom to do your will. AMEN