Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Stand Up


December 2nd-9th, 2018


Morning

PRAYER
King of day and lord of night, the dark night passed away and a new day begins. Clear the dark from my thoughts and soul so that I view this moment in your grace. Lead me to grow in your love as Christ takes my hand and we walk through this day together.

·         Prayers of Intercession  pray for those who are upon your heart. Lift them up to God and his mercy, compassion, and love.
·         Prayers for Healing, guidance, comfort, mercy
·         Prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation
·         meditation of this week’s scripture, Visio Divina, Lectio Divina

Lead me into this day open and loving strong in your word and Spirit that I may witness to my faith in words, and in my actions. Amen








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

What do you need to stand up for?
Is there something you need the strength of God to achieve or overcome?
Is there something you need to let go of, confess, do to stand in joy before God?



Readings for Reflection
Use an additional resource like the Upper Room or any devotionals you prefer

Stand Up    Luke 21: 34-36
I confess I have a mental image that makes me giggle this time of year. Angels are very much a part of the Christmas tradition. In scripture angels begin by saying “fear not”. And every time the people hit the deck with their faces to the ground. This can be understood as respect and worship, or terror.
I wonder what reasons the people have to be sore afraid. Granted a strange being showing up with a harp glissando is enough, but is it something else?
In this scripture from Luke Jesus reminds us to hold to our humble desire to prevail in safety. Through prayer finding strength to withstand calamities. Jesus warns of being distracted and overcome by worries. Turning to other means to calm fears and face challenges and being weighed down by external burdens.
The reason being through our need for God we will be able to stand before Christ.
Be ready this Christmas and prepare through your worship and faith, so when the angel arrives you can stand and rejoice. Ann


Daily Scripture Reading
You may also like Lectio Divina (audio Lectio) a focused reading and meditation of scripture.





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

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

Jesus, I call, answer my soul, soothe my thoughts and ease my worries. Reset my day and guide me through your love to live and love into life with confidence and boldness.

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.

Abiding in The Spirit*

PRAYER
Master of all, your world of beauty and power begins to sleep. The night descends, and the day relents to its force. we take hold of blankets and the softness of lamplight as we seek your grace. I seek forgiveness for my failings held within the hours past. I seek your face full of love and adoration and the joy that is held within a faithful heart. Amen

Thursday, November 1, 2018

Sparks in the Stubble


November 4th-11th, 2018

Morning
PRAYER
God of life and rising sun, I awaken with the day to know and experience the gift of grace. Surrounded by your love upheld in Spirit I am in trembling awe of your power and mercy. Take this time devoted to you and find me. Take the clay that is me and mold me into love. Amen

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







We remember those in life eternal this week.
How does the Scripture Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9
and this image speak to you?
How are you being led to pray this week?


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

Sparks in the Stubble   Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9
     Our reading comes from the Apocrypha. Books not included in Hebrew scripture, but found in the Greek Septuagint. The Apocryphal books are found between the Old and New Testaments. The book of Wisdom or the Wisdom of Solomon is a book that is often echoed in Paul’s writing.
     As all Holy Eve, Halloween, comes to a close for another year we gather to remember the saints. All the people we have seen enter glory and freedom in the arms of God.  Our reading talks about the eternal spirit that is alive in eternal joy. “And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble”(Solomon 3:7). This metaphor brings to mind the sparks of fire leaping and jumping from one blade of straw to another. The abandon and freedom of each spark finding purchase and life.
     I also think of the sharp blades of grief that soften over time as the pain of loss fades. The tear watered seeds that grow and mature to dry into the stubble of life’s harvest. Just when a new normal comes the spark finds the blade. And a new fire of mourning pain sears the heart. In some way it is good. We grow in faith with every spark, to remember the hope that remains and that we too will be remembered. But more importantly we will shine and run in glory too.  Ann
    

Daily Scripture Reading
You may also like Lectio Divina (audio Lectio) a focused reading and meditation of scripture.

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.

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

I breathe and live to grow in love. I pause Lord to hear your voice, your power, your challenge, and correction. I pause in patience and wisdom to see others as you do. Equal to myself. Adjust me and my attitudes to be love and acceptance, compassion and helpful. 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.

Abiding in The Spirit*

PRAYER
Lord, your day is done. The light fades and night is alive in velvet gray. The leaves of spring are now yellow of fall and sail through the air like snow. The ground is littered in color and crunchy steps. The earth is preparing to sleep. Forgive me my failures and faults. Open my heart to your grace. Lead me in sleep to beautiful lands and loves that inspire my life to live boldly in faith.  Amen