January 7-14th, 2018

  

Daily Devotional Guide 

January 7-14th, 2018

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VISIO DIVINA 

is meditative/prayer practice that opens the heart and soul to connect with God through images.

What does this image speak to you about God’s gift of grace? Do the open hands speak to you?

Does the light connect with you? What is revealed about God, yourself, others through this image?

Prayer

MORNING

Lord of crystalline snow and crunchy tread, awaken my sight and path toward your love.

Open my heart and mind to grow in your word and understanding of myself, others, and Christ.

Bloom within me the warmth of your Holy Spirit that leads me on the way, on the only path of abundant life. Amen

READINGS FOR REFLECTION

Use an additional resource like the Upper Room or any devotionals you prefer.

Shoveling-Again

It is winter in northern Indiana. The lake effect cycle of snow

is witnessing to its great power of producing endless amounts of work.

I was shoveling and snow blowing again this morning. 

A bright clear morning with soft flakes hurrying

to land upon concrete paths and steps. 

I had just finished and realized what I had accomplished 

was already waiting to be shoveled again. 

I filled the bird feeders and cleared a place on the ground 

for some seed and was moved to ponder. My mind scurried 

through thoughts of “Peanuts” and January snowflakes, of the beauty 

held in the moment,the birds gathering to feed, and my footprints. 

I considered the toil accomplished only to be repeated, and soon any evidence 

would be filled in and covered over. Only relics of salt, and seed 

buried beneath the snow would give evidence to my presence in that moment. 

But that is only the physical, earthbound indications.

The birds will return knowing the snow may cover the ground, 

but I exist for them beyond the eye.

They know me for what I have provided them, cared for them.

Are we looking for earthbound evidence from God 

only to find footprints gone in the storm?

Perhaps we need to dig down to discover the relics of love beneath the snow

and celebrate what he has provided, how he cares, love, forgives.

God exists beyond the eye and in the heart. Ann

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

You may also like Lectio Divina a focused reading and meditation of scripture.  

One Year Bible

Chronological Bible

       

     Virtues for Prayer Each Day of The Week:

love of God- Sunday                  

love of neighbor -Monday         

humility -Tuesday                      

self-denial -Wednesday and Friday

resignation and meekness -  Thursday

and thanksgiving - Saturday 

 _{Heitzenrater, Richard P. (2013-08-20). Wesley and the People Called Methodists}

ABIDING IN THE SPIRIT

           * Find your quiet center, empty your mind, and be present to hear the voice of God. Color,

 write in a journal, listen to music, use prayer beads to help your focus.

Concentrate upon what God is calling you to understand, change, make, explore…...

BENEDICTION

Grace and Peace abide within my heart. I praise you and am overwhelmed by your love for me.

I seek to grow in love today and to center more fully upon you, my Lord,

and upon Christ, my savior. I give you all that I am for you to use me,

 teach me, improve me through faith and grace. Amen

    

DAYTIME

Set a reminder to pray throughout the day. Embrace the breath of prayer, release your burdens,

be thankful. Recall today’s readings, the Visio Divina and meditate upon them and how they are affecting your day.

PRAYER

Father of calming breath and gentle light,

I stop and pause to refocus, remember, and pray.

Bring to my thoughts your call for my day, the goal of love, and selfless life.

Take from me all that distorts and blocks my faith and leads me from love and grace. Amen

EVENING

Questions for Day that has Past 

It is important to reflect upon our day and where we may be more present in our faith

and more expressive in sharing what we know of God’s grace with others.

These questions are in response to what God begins within us.

God is the force we respond to. God is first. We live in response to his love given through Christ.

Did I love God in prayer with thankfulness and openness?

How will I love God more tomorrow?

Did I love others and share the beauty of God?

Was I generous with my time and resources?

Did I grow in faith?

Did I grow in love for God and others today?

Did I extend the forgiveness of Christ that I desire to receive?

Did I take time to appreciate all God has provided?

Did I love God through creative praise?

ABIDING IN THE SPIRIT*

Prayer

Creator of the silent night.

The world is muffled beneath the blanket of snow.

A covering that brings clean -scapes to the eye and a nourishing for the soil.

I too am of soil and water made in your grace to love you, love all that is around me,

and to care for what you have created as me. Hel p me cast away the faults and failures

of this day and encourage me to grow and change. My seed hibernates 

to bloom anew tomorrow. Bring to me the rest, the peace, and light 

I need to grow in love as the day begins in your grace. Amen