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Daily Readings/Devotionals:
A Sip of Scripture
Daily Scripture:
RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Reference: Colossians 3:15
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See more books at the Bible Gateway storeColossians 3:15 (New King James Version)
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
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.
a simple desireShort commentary on “A Sip of Scripture” from Third Way Cafe
Peace in and of the heart
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“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” ( Colossians 3:15 )
It never fails. Or if it does “fail” it is so infrequent that I forget about it. Something happens in my life, and when I sit down to write about the next verse in sequence the verse I am presented with speaks to the happening in my life. Since it is hard to pass it off as coincidence, I have to accept the exhortations and admonishments.
It is the day before Christmas. Christmas Eve. Most of my family’s traditions center around Christmas day and the day following known to Canadians as “Boxing Day”. When I was growing up Boxing Day was the day stores started to box up merchandise and start selling it a bargain prices. That seems to be the same theory here in the United States. Most likely not a day of “peace.”
One historical explanation of Boxing Day is the day when household servants were given their presents from their Lords and Ladies. It was also the day that the household servants might be given a day off to be with their own families and given boxes of food and gifts. I also found on the Internet that it is/was the day that alms or poor boxes were opened up and the donations distributed to those in need. Separate days for celebration does not support the concept of “members of one body.”
But back to the topic at hand; Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve at our house is like the inhaling waiting to exhale. We collectively ready ourselves for the day to come. Plans have been made for Christmas day (and the day after). We tend to stay up late because, well, its Christmas Eve and “Santa” is coming. My children at LONG past the age where they believe in Santa. But they believe in their parents love for them and believe that tomorrow they will be gifted with tangible expressions of love, and they will be. Christmas Eve is the day of peace before the frenzy and storm of gifts and good food. It is a time to anticipate family time, and to look towards the New Year.
And as to what this verse’s exhortation and admonishment, that is between the Giver of Peace and Comfort to my spirit and soul.
May you gentle reader be gifted with peace and love from you family and your Lord. Selah!
Written by Carole
December 24, 2010 at 12:05 am
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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)
Responding
The third movement within Soul Space is Responding. Here we shift our focus towards outward engagement.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
RESPONDING
Pray for the coming day. Pray for persons, families, who need the healing and compassionate care of Jesus, especially for ___________________________ .
Dear God and Father, You who mother us with your mercy, and gentle us into peace with your consolation, console us in all our suffering and affliction So that we may be able to console those who suffer with the comfort and care we receive from you.
By your kind Spirit, be present with those who suffer and are crushed. Breathe your comfort and consolation upon the dry ground of their despair. Through your grace and saving love, surround them with your protection, give them healing and restoration.
In the name of Jesus, our Healer and Burden Bearer. Amen.
*Based on 2 Cor.1:3-5
INTERCESSION
Pray for the coming day, and for the persons whom God has called to minister and give oversight in the church, the body of Christ.
Dear God,
You are at work this day.
Help us, your servants, to pay attention to your presence
And what you are doing. Pry us loose from our own agenda,
tight schedules, strategic outcomes.
Wash the lens of our hearts, to see you –
to wait with you; to listen as you listen
to feel the gentle breeze of your Spirit breathing among persons
who sit in the shadow of death;
to speak as you give words,
to touch with gentleness; we are your hands;
to be hospitable within to your good news, and
happy in its overflow in word, touch, and being.
To see evil as you see–all that blocks, stifles, robs,
and destroys, and yet to stand in trusting hope–
in you, Lord Christ, who died to set us free from
sin’s power to rob us of life, faith, hope, and love.
Help us to love ourselves, and so in turn to love others;
to welcome the pilgrim and neighbor within our own soul,
and so not to be a stranger to ourselves, or to others,
but in offering welcome and shelter to our own hungers
we may learn the way of offering welcome and shelter
to those who are searching, hungry, sick, in prison,
alone, naked, and thirsty: for this where you dwell.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
CLOSING PRAYER
Loving God,
Help me to hear your wake-up call,
To listen deeply to your voice.
Awaken my mind and soul to your work
Within and among us through the Holy Spirit.
Help me not to run into anxious avoidance,
Not to be caught in the anxious clutches of this world.
Bend my heart to stay . . . to love . . . to wait
To embrace your coming in Jesus.
Amen.
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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