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Today, a quick thought from Rich Mullins
"Prayer is a grace through which we pour ourselves out before God and through which He calls us into His presence."
Rich Mullins
Showing posts with label Trinity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trinity. Show all posts
Friday, June 8, 2007
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Trinity: Thursday, June 7, 2007
Just a quick thought today. Sorry there was no blogging yesterday, we were on the road for a funeral. Blogging for the next few weeks may be a little sporadic. Annual Conference is next week, then one week back (with a bunch of packing to do, as well as other things) and then Moving Day, and unpacking (along with other things). I'm going to try to blog each day, but it may be spotty and short, at least for the rest of this month.
But, come July, all should be back to normal, whatever that means.
Today a quick thought from the Christian Quotation of the Day, which can be found by clicking here
But, come July, all should be back to normal, whatever that means.
Today a quick thought from the Christian Quotation of the Day, which can be found by clicking here
Thoughtfulness is the beginning of great sanctity. If you learn this art of being thoughtful, you will become more and more Christ-like, for his heart was meek and he always thought of others. Our vocation, to be beautiful, must be full of thought for others.
... Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997)
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Trinity: Tuesday, June 5 ,2007
Old Testament Lesson
Ruth 1:19-2:13
Boaz was under no obligation to do for Ruth what he did. Now, the Law says that he must allow the poor to glean from his field, and later we will get into the understanding of the kinsmen redeemer, but at this point, he is treating Ruth with respect and dignity, even though in that it was not expected that someone rich and powerful would even speak to someone of Ruth's estate.
We see that played out in the fact that Ruth simply falls prostate before him. Boaz was a good man, and sought to do good by everyone, even those that in the society were considered "less' than him. He sought to do right by everyone. What higher sign of character is there, than treating everyone, everyone, the same. May we live in such away where we treat everyone with the respect that they are due as being made in the image of God.
New Testament Lesson
1 Timothy 1:18-2:8
We see for Paul, one of those signs of good life, an obedient life, is prayer. Praying not just those that we know, but for leaders and authority for wisdom. Praying not just for leaders, but for those that do not know the Lord, that they may be saved. Praying for everyone, everyone that needs it.
That is the best option and power we have as a Christian: prayer. Let us not take it lightly. Let us know forget about it. Let us not take it for granted. Let us pray. Let us pray with the power and the freedom that our Lord has given us.
Gospel Lesson
Luke 13:10-17
We see in this passage that those opposed to Jesus were focused on the wrong thing. He had healed someone, and they say, well, you're not supposed to do that, only on the Sabbath. And, Jesus pointed out they were following the letter of the law, but missing the point of it.
Today, pay more attention to following Jesus than following legalism. There are things we are supposed to, and there are things that we are not supposed to do. But, the thing that matters the most is following Him, obeying Him, serving Him. Spent time focused on that, and everything else will fall into place.
Ruth 1:19-2:13
Boaz was under no obligation to do for Ruth what he did. Now, the Law says that he must allow the poor to glean from his field, and later we will get into the understanding of the kinsmen redeemer, but at this point, he is treating Ruth with respect and dignity, even though in that it was not expected that someone rich and powerful would even speak to someone of Ruth's estate.
We see that played out in the fact that Ruth simply falls prostate before him. Boaz was a good man, and sought to do good by everyone, even those that in the society were considered "less' than him. He sought to do right by everyone. What higher sign of character is there, than treating everyone, everyone, the same. May we live in such away where we treat everyone with the respect that they are due as being made in the image of God.
New Testament Lesson
1 Timothy 1:18-2:8
We see for Paul, one of those signs of good life, an obedient life, is prayer. Praying not just those that we know, but for leaders and authority for wisdom. Praying not just for leaders, but for those that do not know the Lord, that they may be saved. Praying for everyone, everyone that needs it.
That is the best option and power we have as a Christian: prayer. Let us not take it lightly. Let us know forget about it. Let us not take it for granted. Let us pray. Let us pray with the power and the freedom that our Lord has given us.
Gospel Lesson
Luke 13:10-17
We see in this passage that those opposed to Jesus were focused on the wrong thing. He had healed someone, and they say, well, you're not supposed to do that, only on the Sabbath. And, Jesus pointed out they were following the letter of the law, but missing the point of it.
Today, pay more attention to following Jesus than following legalism. There are things we are supposed to, and there are things that we are not supposed to do. But, the thing that matters the most is following Him, obeying Him, serving Him. Spent time focused on that, and everything else will fall into place.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Trinity: Monday, June 4, 2007
Old Testament Lesson
Ruth 1:1-18
One of the neat things about Ruth's story is that we see the depth of love and of family. Many of us are blessed to have a loving biological family, but many of us are not as lucky on that end. For those who have not had the love they should have had at home, quite often, God will show His love to them through other means. Maybe it is a coach. Maybe a teacher. Maybe a friend. Maybe neighbor. For Ruth, and for Naomi, it was the mother-in-law, daughter-in-law relationship.
They were no blood kin to each other, yet they still loved each other as any daughter and mother would. So, today, we need to take their example into our lives and not live bound by the things we cannot control, but live lives of love. We need not bemoan the problems or failures of people in our past, but live lives of hope, knowing that God is not done with us yet. Ruth and Naomi could have collapsed into tears over their misfortune, but instead they kept on going toward what God had for them. Today, may we do the same.
New Testament Lesson
1 Timothy 1:1-17
We see here in Timothy those two ends of the sea-saw, grace and works. Paul talks about the law, that is it not entirely a terrible thing, that it can show us where we are short, and where we need to grow.
But, he also reminds Timothy, and us, that Jesus died to save sinners, and Paul was foremost among that group. So, we must be aware of the sin in our lives, we must be looking and allowing the Holy Spirit to search and try us, but in the same way, we must remember we are not saved by works, so no one can boast, but by grace. Today, let us allow God to be at work in our lives, and let us cling so tightly to His grace.
Gospel Lesson
Luke 13:1-9
We see Jesus face that question of why did such a bad thing happen to these people. And, He doesn't answer the question. He simply says, make sure you are ready and living like you should. He did say that tragedy did not come because they were "bad people." Being "bad" does not mean tragedy will come, likewise, being "good" does not mean that it will cause tragedy not to come. Bad things happen to good people. The word tells us that God causes the rain to fall on the righteous an the unrighteous.
I don't know why these things happen, but I do know this. Even in the midst of pain and loss and tears, God is there. Even in the midst of deepest hurt, God is there. Even when the tears won't stop, God is there. God loves us more than we will ever know. Even when the pain seems unbearable, God is there. May we have the grace to see Him.
Ruth 1:1-18
One of the neat things about Ruth's story is that we see the depth of love and of family. Many of us are blessed to have a loving biological family, but many of us are not as lucky on that end. For those who have not had the love they should have had at home, quite often, God will show His love to them through other means. Maybe it is a coach. Maybe a teacher. Maybe a friend. Maybe neighbor. For Ruth, and for Naomi, it was the mother-in-law, daughter-in-law relationship.
They were no blood kin to each other, yet they still loved each other as any daughter and mother would. So, today, we need to take their example into our lives and not live bound by the things we cannot control, but live lives of love. We need not bemoan the problems or failures of people in our past, but live lives of hope, knowing that God is not done with us yet. Ruth and Naomi could have collapsed into tears over their misfortune, but instead they kept on going toward what God had for them. Today, may we do the same.
New Testament Lesson
1 Timothy 1:1-17
We see here in Timothy those two ends of the sea-saw, grace and works. Paul talks about the law, that is it not entirely a terrible thing, that it can show us where we are short, and where we need to grow.
But, he also reminds Timothy, and us, that Jesus died to save sinners, and Paul was foremost among that group. So, we must be aware of the sin in our lives, we must be looking and allowing the Holy Spirit to search and try us, but in the same way, we must remember we are not saved by works, so no one can boast, but by grace. Today, let us allow God to be at work in our lives, and let us cling so tightly to His grace.
Gospel Lesson
Luke 13:1-9
We see Jesus face that question of why did such a bad thing happen to these people. And, He doesn't answer the question. He simply says, make sure you are ready and living like you should. He did say that tragedy did not come because they were "bad people." Being "bad" does not mean tragedy will come, likewise, being "good" does not mean that it will cause tragedy not to come. Bad things happen to good people. The word tells us that God causes the rain to fall on the righteous an the unrighteous.
I don't know why these things happen, but I do know this. Even in the midst of pain and loss and tears, God is there. Even in the midst of deepest hurt, God is there. Even when the tears won't stop, God is there. God loves us more than we will ever know. Even when the pain seems unbearable, God is there. May we have the grace to see Him.
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