The Christian Life is not hard to live – its utterly impossible to live! Only One can live it! Let Him! In You! (Celtic Daily Prayer)
The Prayer of Solomon
for wisdom. “And
now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in
One of my favorite quotes
comes from John Lennon: “Life is what happens
while your busy making
other plans.” There are times when “life” intrudes
on our plans, and
changes everything around. Our established routine
becomes chaotic,
our sources of strength are temporarily lost, our plans
awry. It
is at such times, that I remember Solomon’s prayer, at the
beginning of his
tenure as King over Israel and Judah. Solomon was David’s
son, and
still a child when he was crowned king. God asked him what he
wanted.
Solomon didn’t ask for wealth, or long life, or peace. He asked
place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know
mind...able to discern between good
and evil.” (I Kings 3:7-9) The letter
how to go out or come in...Give your servant therefore an understanding
from James speaks also about God’s giving wisdom to his people: “If
any of
you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and
ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.”
(James 1:5,6) I’m thankful that
on those days when life takes an unexpected turn, we have the ability to
turn to God, who will give us wisdom in whatever situation we are in.
Sometimes that wisdom comes through time with God in prayer.
Sometimes it
comes through the words of a listening friend.
Either way, we can trust
that God speaks, and that God cares deeply
about our concerns.
Since we cannot make the journey backward into
innocence,
Help us go forward into wisdom.
Since
we cannot begin again from the beginning,
help us go
on faithfully from here.
Since we cannot turn ourselves by our own willing,
do
thou turn us toward thee. AMEN
Edward
Tyler
Debra’s midweek
meditation
--
Kenosis
"Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was
in
exploited, but emptied
himself." Phil 2:5-7
the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be
Kenosis means emptying, in this case the self-emptying of Christ to
become a
servant to humankind.
He didn't have to do
it. He did it for
us.
We don't have to follow his example either. We don't have to empty
ourselves of pride and false priorities or as the Greeks might say "empty
glory".
No, we don't have to do any of these things, and they are not
easy.
However, the love of Christ is
calling us to follow- and we can't have it
both
ways. We can be united with Christ and
move toward Him every day
through service and prayer and letting go of our
false lives or- we can
continue to let the world lead us inexorably toward
death.
There is beauty in sacrifice and there is holiness in
service.
There is mercy in realizing that I really don't have all the answers and
I
am ready to take instructions from
God.
Tom Wright
says, "Jesus' decision was not a
decision to stop being divine.
It was a decision about what it really meant to be
divine."
God turns our ideas on their heads and mercifully grants us a richer
vision
of human life.
Blessings, Debra
Daily Morning Prayer
http://www.missionstclare.com/english/index.html
The one who was no less than God
Twila
Paris
Took on the flesh
of lowly man
And came to wash the feet of clay
Because it was Your holy
plan;
And I, no greater than my King
Would ever seek a place
Of humble
service in your house.
O, let me be a servant!
A keeper of the door!
My heart is only longing
To see forevermore
The glory of your
presence,
The dwelling of the Lord
Oh let me be a servant,
A keeper of
the door.
This Week at St.
James
the Penners Confirmation
for 8th grade in McDonald Hall, 4-6:30
Thursday: newsletter folding Friday: EFM begins
Saturday: St. James Youth
Kick-Off event at Fitzhugh’s, 6:00 Sunday:
Ministry Fair Welcome Lunch for
Prayers, Etc.
Vallie L. Anna B.
Margaret
Jeffrey
Natalie K.
Those in need of healing and their families: Chloe
Sarah J.
Mary Anne
S. Matty Henry H.
Joel B.
Susan L.
Nancy B. Rosemary
MS
Charlotte
M. Charles
D. Jen L.
Lelia G.
Bill L.
Joan B.
Jack H.
Dave
Chris
L. Sean N.
Maria R.
Earl C.
David W.
Charlie M. Ellie
Nancy B.
JB, Heather,
Chase and Sandy
Rose
B. & her Children Frank & Connie
For the victims and workers in the Hurricane
areas.In Closing:
May there always be work for your hands to do...
Pax et Bonum,
May your purse always
hold a coin or two...
May the sun always shine on your windowpane...
May a
rainbow be certain to follow each rain...
May the hand of a friend always be
near you...
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you...
And
until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his
hand.
Loree+
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