Sunday, April 27, 2014

Resurrection Grace


Lord Christ, 

I hear your post-resurrection message:
Peace be with you.


And I see a pattern, a template for the faithful. 

There was consolation for Mary.
Woman, why are you crying?


There was no scolding of the disciples' cowardice.
Receive the Holy Spirit. 


There was patience with Thomas' doubts. Again,
Peace be with you.


There was hospitality for the disciples at the shore.
Come and have some breakfast. 


There was no rebuke of Peter's betrayals.
Feed my sheep.


And there's both query and call for the faithful.
Do you love me?
Take care of my sheep.
Follow me.
You must follow me.


May it be so!
In the name and power of
God the Father,
God the Son,
God the Spirit,
Amen.

Monday, April 7, 2014

Post-it Prayer


It was a stressful week. I left myself encouraging Post-it notes from various devotionals and Scripture (Upper Room, Scripture Union, Psalm 62, Isaiah 40). Gathering up the scraps of paper at week’s end, I realized that they formed a prayer!



Generous God, I prayerfully weave these scraps of inspiration…

Carry a little quiet inside you. Have some extra calm to share.

Yes, my soul, find rest in God.

Forgive me for being intimidated by things in daily life. I long to trust you more fully.

Truly you are my rock and my salvation. You are my fortress. I will not be shaken. God is my refuge.

Let go of effort, the illusion of control and surrender to God.

Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Amen.

Upper Room | Africana Worship Book
Upper Room | Centering Prayer
Scripture Union | Isaiah 40
Psalm 62

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