Call of Duty | Call of Love

With duty, one does only what one has to do. With love, one can never do enough. 

W. Paul Jones, from Becoming Who God Wants You to Be 

Lord Christ, 

With your Spirit’s help I try to be faithful to my responsibilities and obligations. 

Duty is a worthy virtue, but I occasionally serve it up with a side dish of resentment, even martyrdom. Duty relishes a “thank you” note. 

Can the call of duty be replaced with the call of love? 

That’s my prayer: to act out of love, not merely obligation. Give me a genuine desire to help...to act or serve reflexively...not counting the cost...with no need for appreciation. 

In your name, Amen. 

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Enduring an Enemy

Lord of Peace,

It seems that I have an enemy, a foe. 

A collaborator has become an adversary. 

This happens infrequently, and I’m not handling it well.

Pour out your wrath on them; let your fierce anger overtake them. 
(Psalm 69:24)

Oh, how I like that Scripture! …but I know better. The Psalmist ultimately leaves it in your hands. That's where I'm struggling.

I began by defending myself. That morphed into judgment, and I just can’t let it go.

…you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. (Romans 2:1)

I need your strength, Lord Christ. Not for the battle. I need strength of faith and strength of trust to let this go. You are my defender. You are the judge.

But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. (Matthew 5:39)

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times." (Matthew 18:21-22)

My prayer is to think and act on your truth. Amen.

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Prayers for a New Year

Prayers of celebration, resolve & guidance.

Best wishes for our Lord's guidance & blessing in 2014!

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Advent's BIG Question

Lord Christ,

We still ask the question posed two millennia ago by John the Baptist:

Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another? (from Matthew 11:1-6)

It’s the latter for many. Their savior seems to be success, celebrity, money or power.

For some there’s doubt. Their savior seems to be science, and they struggle with the virgin birth, angels singing, visions and stars.

I pray that our detours and doubt are replaced with discernment, that John’s Advent query compels a confrontation of the heart…

With God’s personal intervention.

With Christ’s message of mercy and forgiveness.

With your healing power.

With the call to repentance and transformation.

With the Holy Spirit’s guidance and inspiration.

With the promise of eternal life.

With the force of Divine Love.

Jesus, you are The One. Amen.

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Isaiah's Fortelling

The prophet Isaiah figures prominently into Advent. 700 years before Jesus’ birth he foretold the Messiah’s coming. 

Advent Bible readings begin with his prophecy, but it wasn’t merely a prediction. The meaning and purpose of Christ’s coming are imbedded in his divination. Take a look at Isaiah 11:1-10.

Lord Christ, God in the world, God in my life,

Prepare me for Advent - for the meaning(s) of your arrival and your short visit with us.

I’m inclined toward holiday trimmings and nostalgia. That’s a blessing, but turn my heart toward Isaiah’s great insight. I hear your intentions for us, for our planet...

Respect for God and his power.

The value of Christ-like wisdom and understanding.

The holy pursuit of righteousness and faithfulness.

Justice for those in need, for the poor.
Peace among all people, all creation.

…for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:9)

Amen.

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Gracious Provision

My morning Scripture Union Bible Study began with a reminder that God’s gracious provision has seen me through another year. Indeed!

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul... (Psalm 23)

Generous Lord, thank you for the green pastures. Your gracious provision has seen us though another year.

I’m blessed to claim another verse, from Psalm 16: The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places...

And even in the rapids of this life, I find pools of still water - puddles of your presence - that restore my soul. 

On this Thanksgiving Day, I offer grateful praise to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, for a Trinity faith that guides and enriches my life. Amen.

God's bodacious blessing: Our family at my son's August wedding.

"Lord of All Hopefulness"

Celtic or Irish Cross

We sang this favorite hymn a couple of weeks ago in church, and happily, the Irish melody resonated in my head all day. 

The author, Jan Struther, was an agnostic who nonetheless attended church. I doubt that Wiki snippet does justice to the trajectory of her faith. 

Regardless, I’m convinced she was gifted and used by God.

Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy,

Certain hymns are comfort food for the soul – a balm of Irish ballad and poetry.

How can it be that the author struggled with faith and depression? Her words are a blessing to me. She had a keen awareness of your interest in our daily lives.

To be hopeful as the day begins.

To have an eagerness about our work.

To live in a home filled with kindness.

To experience a gentle conclusion to each day.

Understanding the Holy Spirit's power, she takes it up a notch…

Bliss during the day.

Strength for our work.

Love in our homes.

Peace at the day’s end.

Lord Christ, may it be so this week! Amen.