Daily Meditations
“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.
The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit. Nelson Henderson
God does not just expect us to do things that help right now but also things that will help those to come. The most important of these is to live as he lived. In this way we will draw people to him. To preach is good, to talk about Christ is good and those things help ……but if we live like him no explanations are necessary. Our actions will show his love.
Jesus you call us to follow you in all that we do. Help us to do this so that others will also follow you. AMEN
Today I was moved again by music. I have included the first verse and refrain.
Lord, you have come to the lakeshore
looking neither for wealthy nor wise ones.
You only asked me to follow humbly.
Refrain
O Lord, with your eyes you have searched me,
kindly smiling, have spoken my name.
Now my boat’s left on the shoreline behind me;
by your side I will seek other seas.
Cesáreo Gabarian
It is such a simple request. “You only asked me to follow humbly.” In the song the response is to leave the boat and job behind and simply follow. Can we do this?
Caring Lord, to follow is all you ask of us. Why is it so hard for us to follow? Help us. AMEN
Faith is not a noun. Suzanne Boyd
Too often we put ourselves down for not having enough faith. We think it is something that we “have.” Faith is reaching out each moment no matter how we feel. It is a word that calls us to action. Faith is a verb. We have to use it. We have to step out in faith no matter how we feel. Feelings get in the way. Choose to ACT in faith.
Gracious Lord, help us to take action for you each and every day. AMEN
Hear God in Other Voices 