Sunday, December 19, 2010

Mennonite Daily Readings/Devotionals For Sunday, 19 December

From thirdway.com,:

Daily Readings/Devotionals:


A Sip of Scripture


Daily Scripture:

RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.



Reference: 1 John 4:12

1 John 4:12 (New King James Version)




Seeing God Through Love



12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.
 
 
 
Related Blog


A Simple Desire

The weblog "a simple desire" provides brief commentaries on "A Sip of Scripture" from a Mennonite perspective, The commentaries are written by Carole Boshart, of Oregon; Will Fitzgerald, of Michigan; and others on occasion.




Short commentary on “A Sip of Scripture” from Third Way Cafe


Seeing God

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“No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” ( 1 John 4:12 )



I have seen the face of God; I saw it my mother’s smile at our yearly visit.

I have felt the hand of God; it was in my son’s hug.

I have heard the voice of God; it came to me while reading scripture.



God is in those we love, and God is in us when we love and care for them. And if we love our neighbor near at hand and our neighbor far away, then God can be seen in that love near and far. When we love and are lovable, the circle of love is complete and ever expands to take in all of creation.



May you gentle reader be a part of the circle of God’s both loving and being loved. Selah!



Written by Carole

December 19, 2010 at 12:54 am

Posted in commentary

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Related Website


Soul Space

You are invited to take some time each day for "Soul Space," written by Wendy Miller and posted on the Eastern Mennonite University website. Each day's guidance centers around a theme for reflection and prayer drawn from the lectionary readings for the week.



Morning-Week Two


Lord of the dawn –

You who bring morning light

to bless field and hill,

Roof and window;

Open my eye to see,

Beckon my ear to hear,

Waken my soul to follow you into this day.



Prayer for the day:

Bless to me, O God,

Each thing mine eye sees;

Each sound mine ear hears;

All that I taste;

Each word I speak;

Each note I sing;

Each ray of light that guides my way,

Each one I meet;

Bless to me, O God.

The Three that seek my heart,

The Three that make Your home in me

Bless to me, O God.



From a “Prayer at rising”, adapted.



Coming


Dear God,

Store shelves are empty

Gift-wrapping lays crumpled on the floor

Waiting to be trashed.

Left-overs crowd the refrigerator shelves

The busyness of Christmas is over.



Lead my tired feet to Bethlehem

To the house where Jesus lays.

Help me to move with the Great Conspiracy

Of your coming among us,

Even as terror and tears

Still line the shelves of world news

And hopes and dreams lay crumpled among the rubble

And people’s lives continue to be trashed.



Waken my heart to your presence

Among us, here, among the rubble and tears.

Still me into listening for your presence and voice.



Silence



Be still.



Open your awareness to God’s presence

Within and all around.



“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)



Evening-Week Two


Come to me you who are tired, worn down from carrying heavy loads,

and I will give you rest. Learn my ways, for my ways are gentle, and I am humble at heart, and you will find rest for your soul.

Matthew 11:28-30 (paraphrased)



As I come to the end of this day, and turn towards you, Burden Bearer, Rest Giver,



What am I carrying?



What wears me down, makes me tired?



What do I bring to you . . . ?



For forgiveness . . .



For healing . . .



For help . . .



For holding.



Read the psalm for this week’s lectionary readings.



Silence



Closing Prayer



In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge:

Hear me as I come . . .

Be my resting place;

I will both lie me down and sleep in peace;

For you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.

Into your hands I commend myself and those I love.

Psalms 4:8; 31:1-5 (paraphrased)

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