Salted With Fire

Devotional Guide

September 30-October 7, 2018

Morning

PRAYER

Lord I arise into this day of your making and am blessed with all that surrounds me. I enter into this time of prayer and Word with reservation and excitement. What will I learn, what will you ask of me today? Teach me, guide me, restore me, that I may be and do what you need of me today. Open my eyes and heart to know you and see you and those I must encounter. Amen

Visio Divina

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

Photo Credit   Photo Credit

Readings for Reflection

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

Salted with Fire    Mark 9:38-50

Salt and fire get a great deal of attention in the Bible. Fire is symbolic of the presence of God, the Holy Spirit, and refinement or discipline. Salt represents our character, the Holy Spirit/grace, preservation, hospitality, and our unending covenant with God.

It seems that scholars do not all agree on the meaning of “everyone will be salted with fire”(Mark 9:49). Some believe it is a warning of punishment and others a statement of grace. And still, others contest it means both.

I have reservations about being pelted with fire. It seems an unpleasant undertaking, so Jesus must be using a metaphor to explain God’ actions.

We all need refinement through the fire that cleanses and removes the dross from our souls. It is even better to be salted and seasoned with grace so as to continue in our refinement through Christ’s sacrifice and faith. Whether I need to be seasoned with the fire of discipline or warmed in the fires of the Holy Spirit, I know it is all of God’s love and hope.  Ann

Daily Scripture Reading

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

Audio Lectio

Chronological Bible

One Year Bible

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

Prayers of Intercession

pray for those who are upon your heart. Lift them up to God and his mercy, compassion, and love.

Virtues to Live by

Consider what you can do to live out each virtue this week. How will you  love God, neighbor, self more each day?

LOVE GOD,                LOVE NEIGHBOR

HUMILITY                  SELF- CONTROL

GENTLENESS             GRATITUDE

SENDING PRAYER

Divine presence, you refresh and strengthen my soul. You inspire my heart and my life to serve you by helping others. Guide me in your grace and love to live and grow in faith and service today. Amen

Afternoon

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

God of peace, I pause and take in all that is around me. With eyes closed I hear the beauty of your world. The birds are singing, and the breeze is whispering through the corn. Crows cry from far away and I hear the sounds of traffic and all who are busy in their day. As I open my eyes flood my soul with the sight of your blessings and warm my heart in your grace that I may live within your beauty and shine with love for those around me. Amen.

Evening

To grow in faith and understanding of God, ourselves, and others it helps to evaluate ourselves, hold ourselves accountable, challenge ourselves. In your personal growth in faith and Christian action evaluate how you lived in love of God, others, and self today.

Prayer              Scripture          Service                       Compassion

Worship           Forgiveness     Commitment   Repentance

Abiding in The Spirit*

PRAYER

Loving grace and mercy I come before you as the night gathers and the crickets sing. The fall evenings bring cool breezes and warm blankets. I think of the day past. I consider my victories and my failures. I set all that I am completely before you. I pray you grant me courage to change and rest to rejuvenate. Lead me into sleep with peace and warmth. Forgiven to start anew on the morrow. Amen

Sent or Went?

Devotional Guide

September 16-23rd, 2018

Morning

PRAYER

Creator of day, light, love, and possibility, I gather all that I am to reach you, and know you, love you. Your beauty is always before me in the world around, and the word within. I am at times too small to understand, and often too big to listen. This day guide my spirit upheld in your Spirit to learn and grow to embrace my small moments as victorious. Amen

Visio Divina

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

Photo Credit

Take time to consider this image.

Where do you want to stand in line?

What does God teach us about status?

Are there things you need to consider about standing in line?

Readings for Reflection

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

Sent or Went    Mark 9:30-37

     When I was teaching pre-school we encouraged all the children to have jobs. We had to be creative in making up tasks so everyone could participate. We had jobs that ranged from announcing the weather to gathering up the leavings of lunchtime. The coveted job was always line-leader. Farther down the line, literally, was being the caboose.

     Why are we still defining our worth by where we stand in line? We all know that being a leader or caboose is important. The train doesn’t work the same without both. The engineer may control the speed, but the caboose operator collected the mail and was the eyes at the back of the train.

     I am thinking followers in the pack all have the same view. Yup. The view of the leader at the top being sent to the back. Those who get too big for themselves, find themselves often humbled at the bottom. We love the stories of the big meanies being set straight by the underdog.

     In our scripture, Jesus is telling us that we should go to the back of the line to serve, and witness, and help. Choosing to go is an act of love and charity. The back of the line that willingly serves sets things straight, keeps things tidy and ready for the next group. It is different to go and serve as a proud caboose than be sent to the back of the line in shame. Ann

Daily Scripture Reading

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

Audio Lectio

Chronological Bible

One Year Bible

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

Prayers of Intercession

pray for those who are upon your heart. Lift them up to God and his mercy, compassion, and love.

Virtues to Live by

Consider what you can do to live out each virtue this week. How will you  love God, neighbor, self more each day?

LOVE GOD,                LOVE NEIGHBOR

HUMILITY                  SELF- CONTROL

GENTLENESS             GRATITUDE

Being grateful and thankful is a way of living in appreciation to love and grace. Consider a blessing prayer in which you list all your blessed moments, encounters, gifts, relationships, food, home, love, mercy, forgiveness,...

SENDING PRAYER

The day stands before me as a blank canvas, an empty page, a ball of yarn, an expanse of time. Lead me in my living, my creating, my working, my serving. Guide me that all I paint upon the day, the words I share, the work of my hands, and all my hours that it is all of beauty, and love, helpfulness, and mercy. Amen

Afternoon

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

God of my moments, my breath, my heart, I rest in your Holy Spirit. I collect my thoughts and refocus my energies. Am I the love and beauty I pray to become? Send beyond this time of pausing to reengage with grace and in the love of Christ. That I will be the witness of your compassion in the world around. Amen

Evening

To grow in faith and understanding of God, ourselves, and others it helps to evaluate ourselves, hold ourselves accountable, challenge ourselves. In your personal growth in faith and Christian action evaluate how you lived in love of God, others, and self today.

Prayer              Scripture          Service                       Compassion

Worship           Forgiveness     Commitment   Repentance

Abiding in The Spirit*

PRAYER

Lord of all, I am humbled by this day and my place within it. I lay before you with every exhalation my disappointments, my losses, my regrets, my sorrows. Take from me all that clings and claws at my heart. Strengthen me, forgive me, lead me, love me. I seek you in my heart, and in my thoughts to live fully your Word and Grace. Bring me rest and dreams of softness and sweetness that I may arise in the morn refreshed and prepared to serve you with all that I am. Amen

Becoming

Devotional Guide

September 16-23rd, 2018

Morning

PRAYER

Lord of all creation and life, I arise this day and absorb the sight of your splendor and feel joy within my heart. I am amazed at the subtle changes that have grown to reveal the changing season. The coolness of the night, the dampness of ground, and colors that surround are all beautiful gifts of your grace. Open my heart to this beauty as I pray, meditate, and seek you in my morning. Amen

Visio Divina

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

http://antwuanmalone.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/who-is-jesus.png

Take time to consider this image.

Why are the words white and the background black?

How do you fill in the blank?

Readings for Reflection

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

Becoming     Mark 8: 27-38

Who do you say that I am? How do we define ourselves and each other? What criteria do we use to decide who we and others are? We are all so multifaceted with many roles and different responsibilities. But, the central core of who we are remains solid and defining no matter what hat we find ourselves wearing. I have been playing with an idea of self-examination from the Funeral Home perspective, or “It’s A Wonderful Life” lense. We are not defined by others by the empty, fleeting things of life. We are known by our character and how we interact and treat other people. People do not concentrate on our cars, homes, hair, weight, or clothes when we are gone. It is how we treat others and how we make them feel and prosper that people embrace. In the book of Exodus God tells us his name is “I Am”. It means existing or becoming. As Christians we are always becoming- more loving, more grace-filled, more Christ-like. I am becoming love.

Daily Scripture Reading

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

Audio Lectio

One Year Bible

Chronological Bible

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

Prayers of Intercession

pray for those who are upon your heart. Lift them up to God and his mercy, compassion, and love.

Virtues to Live by

Consider what you can do to live out each virtue this week. How will you  love God, neighbor, self more each day?

LOVE GOD,                LOVE NEIGHBOR

HUMILITY                  SELF- CONTROL

GENTLENESS             GRATITUDE

Gentleness is a sense of trust in God that allows us to remove the sharp edges of life. It is a calmness, a peace, a softness of thought, action, and word that supports the life-giving and positive reflection of grace.

SENDING PRAYER

Let your love be the motive of all we do today with our understanding, our health, our time, and all other talents you have given us. Glory to you, O most adorable Father (Wesley 2012).

Afternoon

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 all breath, I fill my lungs with your life-giving breath and soul saturating Spirit. I breathe in the power of your love and exhale the needless waste of my thoughts and clinging concerns. I breathe in my trust and vows to you my God, and exhale all of my being that struggles against your grace. Amen

Evening

To grow in faith and understanding of God, ourselves, and others it helps to evaluate ourselves, hold ourselves accountable, challenge ourselves. In your personal growth in faith and Christian action evaluate how you lived in love of God, others, and self today.

Prayer              Scripture          Service                       Compassion

Worship           Forgiveness     Commitment   Repentance

Abiding in The Spirit*

PRAYER

My Father of love and peace I give my day to you. I give all my love and the moments of love I shared with others. I in my shame give the moments I failed to love. Forgive me these moments of ugliness and selfishness. Lead me into this night of rest and dreams to be enfolded in the warmth of your love. “O Shepherd of Israel, graciously receive us this night and ever into your protection. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen” (Wesley 2012).

Works Cited

Wesley, John. 2012. 30 Days with Wesley: A Prayer Book. Beacon Hill Press Kindle Edition.

Don't Feed The Dog Under The Table

Devotional Guide

September 9-16th, 2018

Morning

PRAYER

Lord of the morning, I pray as this day begins in my love for you. I seek you and desire to know your presence and strength. Heal me of my worries and woes and set me on a path of light and beauty. Open my mind to understanding your Word and the Way for life. Amen

Visio Divina

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

http://letthekids.com/when-kids-and-animals-share-the-frame/

Are you waiting for something?

What crumbs do you need from Jesus?

What does the Dog’s gaze bring to your thoughts?

How do you understand your relationship with God through this picture?

Readings for Reflection

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

Dogs Under the Table  Mark 7: 24-37

26The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.27“First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

28“Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”29Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.”30She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon was gone.

Hey! Did Jesus just call that woman an unworthy dog? Yes, but a loved family pet. Jesus is not saying the Gentile people will not receive the blessing of grace. He is saying Israel will receive the blessing first. The real-world application here is fantastic. The dogs receive the dinner scraps when the meal is over. But we all know that our pups receive the crumbs and goodies given by children while the meal is being eaten.  A dropped bit here, a Brussel sprout there.  Jesus’ ministry will include his bread of life given primarily to the Hebrew people first. But like our woman, today and the Centurion Jesus will feed them morsels until the resurrection when it will be time for all the pups to eat at Christ’s banquet table. Ann

Daily Scripture Reading

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

Audio Lectio

Chronological Bible

One Year Bible

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

Virtues to Live by

Consider what you can do to live out each virtue this week. How will you love God, neighbor, and self more each day?

LOVE GOD,                LOVE NEIGHBOR

HUMILITY                  SELF- CONTROL

GENTLENESS             GRATITUDE

Self-control is the ability to wait, place ourselves next and set the needs of others before our own wants. It is guiding what we say and what we do knowing we are the image of God.

SENDING PRAYER

Father take me into this day with boldness and joy. Lead me in my faith to share and serve those I encounter today. Protect me and challenge me as I seek to do your will and provide others with your love in how I live. Amen

Afternoon

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

I take this time to wait in your Holy Presence. Father calm my spirit and bring focus to my mind. Release me of the unnecessary burdens I carry today. Let me concentrate on those things that are life-bringing and encouraging in my life, work, relationships, and heart. Amen

Evening

To grow in faith and understanding of God, ourselves, and others it helps to evaluate ourselves, hold ourselves accountable, challenge ourselves. In your personal growth in faith and Christian action evaluate how you lived in love of God, others, and self today.

Prayer              Scripture          Service                       Compassion

Worship           Forgiveness     Commitment   Repentance

Abiding in The Spirit*

PRAYER

Lord the night approaches quickly as autumn hesitates in the heat of this week. The beans are bringing a yellow cast to the field. Father as the day dims I pray you cast upon me the light of grace and forgiveness. Set me into the night with peace and rest held within your love. Guide my dreams in beauty and grace and awaken my soul to the fullness of your glory and mercy. Amen

Dedicated

Devotional Guide

September 2^nd-9^th, 2018

Morning

PRAYER

Lord your mysteries surround me. I am in awe of your splendor, your grace, your love. I receive in my depths your gifts despite my worth, or desire. I wonder of this day ahead. The adventure it hold within its hours. I seek to awaken into grace, be healed, and rewritten. Inspire the writing of this day to be of beauty and strength. Amen

Visio Divina

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

http://www.stockphotos.ro/dirty-hand-image2751266.html

Labor Day celebrates the American worker. On this Sabbath, we recognize the One who labored without hesitation. Christ did the work on behalf that we may be free to live in grace. This week contemplate your work and how you dedicate yourself to God in how you fulfill your responsibilities.

Is your work a reflection of your faith?

Do you draw a separation between work and faith? Why?

Readings for Reflection

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

Dedicated   John 17: 1-5

      1After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

In our minds and our society, we earn only that which we work for. It is the contract of our society. Grace is different. Grace, we receive because of the work Christ accomplished. Work of great pain and sacrifice. As we live in grace our work is in response to Christ’s work in the world and in us through the Spirit. We then live in praise. Offering all we do as love to God. It doesn’t matter what it is. It doesn’t matter how society views our labors. It matters only that we offer how we work as a response to Christ’s work for us. We do our best given each day and strive to improve. How we labor and interact in the work place is our witness to grace and love. We are dedicated to working for God in praise and thanksgiving to Christ whose work saves us. Amen

Daily Scripture Reading

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

Audio Lectio

One Year Bible

Chronological Bible

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

Virtues to Live by

Consider what you can do to live out each virtue this week. How will you  love God, neighbor, self more each day?

LOVE GOD,                LOVE NEIGHBOR

HUMILITY                  SELF- CONTROL

GENTLENESS             GRATITUDE

Humility is understanding our need for God, grace, love, community.

It is the letting go of ego, and control and finding peace in acceptance and gratitude for the Love of God, Christ and Spirit

SENDING PRAYER

Father direct my hands, my words, my thoughts, my intentions. Let my work be a praise of you. Let my day be full of appreciation and worship of you, Christ, Spirit. Let grace abide through me. Amen

Afternoon

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

I pause.

I breathe.

I pray in thanksgiving, for guidance, for strength. Amen

Evening

To grow in faith and understanding of God, ourselves, and others it helps to evaluate ourselves, hold ourselves accountable, challenge ourselves. In your personal growth in faith and Christian action evaluate how you lived in love of God, others, and self today.

Prayer              Scripture          Service                       Compassion

Worship           Forgiveness     Commitment   Repentance

Abiding in The Spirit*

PRAYER

The setting of the light behind the earth brings the night alive. The creatures of the dark awaken to feed, and work. The land beyond awakens into their day to feed, and work. Your cycle Lord of light and darkness, life and death continues. I seek to be alive in grace and grieve all that I have done. I seek death for my failures and cruelties. My priorities and perspectives. I seek life in the light of your love and rest in the velvet shadow of night. I praise you with the breath of dreams and sleep. Amen