Friday, May 10, 2013
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Jan Fraumann
I would like to share with you the testimony of a special friend.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4naM4GS9fc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4naM4GS9fc
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Quick Ways to Pray
Do you struggle to find time to pray during your hectic daily life? These 10 suggestions for quick ways to pray will help you catch a few moments to talk to God in the most unlikely of places, from the shower to the elevator. Get started on your new daily prayer routine now.
1. Give an Alarm Clock Alleluia
When your alarm goes off in the morning, open your eyes and repeat this line from the Psalms: "This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad."
Commit to living in gratitude for the day, and you'll soon notice how much happier your days can become.
When your alarm goes off in the morning, open your eyes and repeat this line from the Psalms: "This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad."
Commit to living in gratitude for the day, and you'll soon notice how much happier your days can become.
2. Practice Shower Power
Water is a powerful spiritual symbol. As you soap and rinse in the shower, pray to be cleansed of any feelings of anger, bitterness, resentment, or regret.
Recall the words of Isaiah (58:11): "The Lord will guide you continually… You shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail."
Water is a powerful spiritual symbol. As you soap and rinse in the shower, pray to be cleansed of any feelings of anger, bitterness, resentment, or regret.
Recall the words of Isaiah (58:11): "The Lord will guide you continually… You shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail."
3. Practice Driveway Meditation
This one is especially for those who commute to work. Turn your time behind the wheel into time for prayer. Before starting the car engine, place your hands lightly on the steering wheel and breathe deeply several times. Ask the Holy Spirit to steer you through your day. Back out of your driveway slowly, and remain aware of the slowness.
As you drive, think about your 'to-be' list. Let words like compassionate, serene and diligent percolate through your mind. Let grace-filled thoughts carry you in a loving manner through the day.
This one is especially for those who commute to work. Turn your time behind the wheel into time for prayer. Before starting the car engine, place your hands lightly on the steering wheel and breathe deeply several times. Ask the Holy Spirit to steer you through your day. Back out of your driveway slowly, and remain aware of the slowness.
As you drive, think about your 'to-be' list. Let words like compassionate, serene and diligent percolate through your mind. Let grace-filled thoughts carry you in a loving manner through the day.
4. Climb Stairs
If you work on an upper floor in a multi-story building, skip the elevator and climb the stairs. Make your climb work for your body and your soul.
Climb thoughtfully, breathing slowly. Use the time alone to experience a connection with God. Pause at each landing. Catch your breath, and focus for a moment on the blessings in your life. Say thanks before continuing your climb.
If you work on an upper floor in a multi-story building, skip the elevator and climb the stairs. Make your climb work for your body and your soul.
Climb thoughtfully, breathing slowly. Use the time alone to experience a connection with God. Pause at each landing. Catch your breath, and focus for a moment on the blessings in your life. Say thanks before continuing your climb.
5. Elevator Blessings
No stairs? Next time you share an elevator with someone, say a silent prayer. Ask God to meet the other person's unique needs. Add a smile of your own.
No stairs? Next time you share an elevator with someone, say a silent prayer. Ask God to meet the other person's unique needs. Add a smile of your own.
6. Try Prayerful Single-Tasking
We all feel too busy. It has become a workplace axiom that multi-tasking is a good thing, but a growing body of research shows that it actually erodes productivity.
Instead of dividing our concentration among many tasks, do one thing at a time-prayerfully. Offer your work as a prayerful gift to God. Ask for the grace to do it meaningfully, and without anxiety.
We all feel too busy. It has become a workplace axiom that multi-tasking is a good thing, but a growing body of research shows that it actually erodes productivity.
Instead of dividing our concentration among many tasks, do one thing at a time-prayerfully. Offer your work as a prayerful gift to God. Ask for the grace to do it meaningfully, and without anxiety.
7. Fast for One Minute
In times of stress, we are often tempted to reach for foods that aren't healthy for us.
Before you reach for the fried foods, sugar or chips- try this. Wait one minute. Offer the minute to God and ask for the grace you need to control your appetite. Chances are you'll no longer be tempted until the minute is up. If you do give in-just remember, God forgives you. Forgive yourself.
In times of stress, we are often tempted to reach for foods that aren't healthy for us.
Before you reach for the fried foods, sugar or chips- try this. Wait one minute. Offer the minute to God and ask for the grace you need to control your appetite. Chances are you'll no longer be tempted until the minute is up. If you do give in-just remember, God forgives you. Forgive yourself.
8. Touch the Earth
Native Americans have this saying: "Never let a day go by without touching the earth with your foot." If only a couple of times each week, take a five or ten minute break to walk in a meditative way. Give up your usual energized stride to pay attention to the movement of lifting your leg, bending your knee, and placing your foot. Observe your breathing and your body. Look around. Notice the squirrels, the trees, and the sounds of nature. Nature tunes us into God's presence.
Native Americans have this saying: "Never let a day go by without touching the earth with your foot." If only a couple of times each week, take a five or ten minute break to walk in a meditative way. Give up your usual energized stride to pay attention to the movement of lifting your leg, bending your knee, and placing your foot. Observe your breathing and your body. Look around. Notice the squirrels, the trees, and the sounds of nature. Nature tunes us into God's presence.
9 . Cook up a Memory
Next time you cook, pay attention to the memories that are sparked by the dishes you make. Perhaps you have old recipes lying around that you have forgotten about. Bless all those who sweeten your recollections, thanking God for the spiritual nourishment these people have brought to your life.
Next time you cook, pay attention to the memories that are sparked by the dishes you make. Perhaps you have old recipes lying around that you have forgotten about. Bless all those who sweeten your recollections, thanking God for the spiritual nourishment these people have brought to your life.
10. Pray a Peanut Butter Minute
This is a good one for moms of school kids. When making your child's lunch, whisper a prayer as though you are sending the prayer right into your child's meal. You might even tuck in a blessing on a post-it note.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Raye Nelson 40,40,40
| Raye Nelson | 2:28pm Apr 6 |
40, 40, 40; 2 Chronicles 7:14
I have been reciting this passage for over twenty years, yet it stirs me every time I read it. This is is like a fountain bubbling over with water; every time you take a dip, there is more left than what you drew out. I could preach from this passage all the year long and when I finish, the verse will still be crying,"Say more!"because it sets before us principles to practice as we plan to prosper on our spiritual pilgrimage. Whenever you see the number 40 is the Bible, it indicates there is a period of probation, a period of testing, or a period of trials. This verse contains 40 words. The number 40 is is scattered throughout the Old and New testaments. Samuel, Solomon, and David each had a 40 year reign. Moses spent 40 years in Egypt, 40 years in Midian, and 40 years in the wilderness. Jacod waited until he was 40 years old before he took a bride. Jonah went to Nineved and gave the Ninevites a 40-day probation to repent of their sins. Ezekiel lay on his right side 40 days as protest against Judah. Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness and afterward He was tempted by the devil. He died, rose, and spent another 40 days on planet Earth before He caught the cloud to go back home. The verse begins with If ; that is possibility. My people; that is personal. Which are called by name; that's paternal. Shall humble themselves; that's preparation. Pray; that's power. Seek my face; that's a privilege. Turn from their wicked ways; that's progress. Then will l hear from heaven; that's procedure. Forgive their sins; that's pardon. Heal their land; that's prosperity. Forty days, forty words packed into one verse.
I have been reciting this passage for over twenty years, yet it stirs me every time I read it. This is is like a fountain bubbling over with water; every time you take a dip, there is more left than what you drew out. I could preach from this passage all the year long and when I finish, the verse will still be crying,"Say more!"because it sets before us principles to practice as we plan to prosper on our spiritual pilgrimage. Whenever you see the number 40 is the Bible, it indicates there is a period of probation, a period of testing, or a period of trials. This verse contains 40 words. The number 40 is is scattered throughout the Old and New testaments. Samuel, Solomon, and David each had a 40 year reign. Moses spent 40 years in Egypt, 40 years in Midian, and 40 years in the wilderness. Jacod waited until he was 40 years old before he took a bride. Jonah went to Nineved and gave the Ninevites a 40-day probation to repent of their sins. Ezekiel lay on his right side 40 days as protest against Judah. Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness and afterward He was tempted by the devil. He died, rose, and spent another 40 days on planet Earth before He caught the cloud to go back home. The verse begins with If ; that is possibility. My people; that is personal. Which are called by name; that's paternal. Shall humble themselves; that's preparation. Pray; that's power. Seek my face; that's a privilege. Turn from their wicked ways; that's progress. Then will l hear from heaven; that's procedure. Forgive their sins; that's pardon. Heal their land; that's prosperity. Forty days, forty words packed into one verse.
Monday, April 1, 2013
The Mystery of Faith
Mon
Apr 1
|
Psalms
93 98
66
|
Jonah
2:1-9
|
Acts
2:14, 22-32
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John
14:1-14
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Daily Scripture Readings Easter Season, 2013, Year 1
Peter addresses
the crowd. Peter, the rock on whom Christ said his church would be built, is
the first to do so after Pentecost. Peter stands with the eleven. He raises his
voice and each person gathered in the temple courts hears what Peter
says in his and hers own mother tongue.
Peter says,
“Listen to what I have to say. Christ
has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again.”
The mystery of
faith declared. On this statement hangs the whole gospel, believed and proclaimed.
Peter, speaking
for the eleven, understands why his heart is not troubled. Everything Jesus
said is true. He has died. The world was witness to death on the cross. He has
risen. Even the soldiers, both Roman and Jewish, saw the stone rolled away from
the tomb they guarded. The tomb was empty. Many witnessed they had seen him.
Jesus promised
he was going ahead to prepare a place for all who believed. For those who
believe Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. He promised to come again.
How many people
over the next 2000 years would be persecuted and martyred, and yet like Peter
and the other disciples who walked and talked with Jesus, were willing to die
rather than renounce their belief in the mystery of faith.
In the past
century, more have been martyred for their faith in Jesus as savior and ruler
of their lives. They go to their deaths
breaking forth into joyous song. Singing a new song from an ancient text. “The Lord is king, He is robed in majesty. He
is the creator, the sustainer, and the rescuer.”
They believed
Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. They, like all many in the temple
courts, heard the mystery proclaimed. Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ
will come again.
Are you ready
and willing to share what you know to be true? Are you ready and willing to
keep your faith, even to death? Are you ready and willing to kneel in the
belly of the whale, in the prisons of the enemies, on the sands of time,
singing songs of thanksgiving and praise? Is your belief simple enough to
sustain you?
Christ has died.
Christ has risen. Christ will come again.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Psalm 70, Isaiah 50:4-9, Hebrews 12:1-3, John 13:21-32
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Lord, as your servant, I beg you to release me that I may serve you. You have given me the tongue of a teacher. Let me sustain the weary with your word. Let me listen so I may not be rebellious, but stand with your Son as he faces good-byes, as he is crucified. Let me listen beneath the cross as those who are taught.
As I stand, surrounded by by those who have stood in faith before me, let me run with perseverance the race that is set before me. Give me courage to embrace hardship, pain, and to face strong opposition for the sake of securing your promises. Help me to endure on account that my obedience will make me malleable so you can shape me to your will.
Let me not betray you or in any way trouble you in spirit, Jesus. Rather let me be the servant of servants. The washer of the feet of those need your grace and my love. As we face the night that is to come, prepare us by your love to love one another.
The daily readings are adapted from The Book of Common Prayer, Daily Readings for Year One. http://www.crivoice.org/lent1.html*My personal study bible for this Liturgical Year is The Wesley Study Bible, New Revised Standard Version, Abingdon Press, 2009
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Bethany Gallagher Guest Blogger - Desparation
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