From asimpledesire.wordpress.com, emu.edu, thirdway.com, biblegateway.com:
Daily Readings/Devotionals:
A Sip of Scripture
Daily Scripture:
Unify
I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
Reference: Acts 10: 34-35
Acts 10:34-35 (New King James Version)
Preaching to Cornelius’ Household
34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.
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
One Creation under God
leave a comment »
“I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. “ ( Acts 10: 34-35 )
There is a song from the early history of Hollywood movies that outlines the subtle differences between two people and suggests that this incompatibility is sufficient for them to not continue their romance.
“You like potato and I like potahto, You like tomato and I like tomahto
Potato, potahto, Tomato, tomahto, Let’s call the whole thing off “
Fortunately they realize that their mutual attraction is stronger than any minor differences.
An unusual metaphor to use when looking at this verse, but I think if fits. We get so caught up in disagreeing about HOW to worship God that we overlook the simple and basic fact that we are all worshiping the same God! It does not take an extensive course in theology to know the difference between right and wrong, good and evil, virtue and sin.
Early mission work sought to set a standard of behavior that was set by the missionaries who came to the “heathen” cultures, and made not allowance for compassionate and charitable behavior that was already in place; nor for a belief system that sought to explain the seemingly unexplainable. Paul, in his missionary trip to Athens, takes note of a statue inscribed to the “Unknown God” and uses that as an opening to talk about the God that he had come to know. Peter, in the larger context where these verses are from, is in the household of Cornelius when he tells that household that he now sees that God accepts all people as potential believers and converts.
What we see as differences God sees as the infinite variety in creation. God did not make just one green or blue. God’s creation does not continue just one kind of plant or just one type of sunset. All around us is splendor in the myriad of uniqueness and individuality. And each unique piece of creation is just as worthy as any other, IF they are united in service to God. God does not want to exclude but wants to include everything. Just as the good shepherd sought that last sheep, God seeks out each person and each aspect of creation hoping that it will come to see its unique purpose to glorify the Divine and encourage others to join with it/them.
May you missional reader celebrate the diversity that is our existence in this world, and invite all you encounter to join in the multifaceted chorus to believe in, praise and worship God. Selah!
Written by Carole
January 20, 2011 at 12:50 am
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
Loving God,
Bringing light—epiphany–
Awaken my soul.
Open my eyes to see,
Help me to hear
Jesus among and within us.
Amen
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)
Being With-Epiphany Week 3
Season of Epiphany: Week Three
This side of Eden we are restless, seeking, hoping for something to satisfy us. If we are honest we admit that what we produce, and what we accumulate does bring some measure of satisfaction – but on a deeper level we seek for something more. Even within the church persons are saying, “We want to go deeper.” “Isn’t there something more?” The psalmist gives voice to this seeking, this longing (Psalm 27:4,7-10).
Even as we are looking for this deeper satisfaction—on a soul level—God comes to us. God comes looking for us. Not content to stay in the heavenly realm, looking from afar as we seek whatever it is to quench a deep, inner thirst, God shows up among us, in Jesus. In the Gospel narratives our lectionary guide takes us now to Capernaum, a fishing town nestled on the north reach of the Sea of Galilee. This is where Jesus settles and forms a hub for his work of coming to find us.
As you read Matthew 4:12-23 this week, I invite you to sit alongside this gospel writer and to notice how people are seen and described in this passage. Reflect on the state we are in, and then notice how this coming of Jesus is described.
This ‘great light’, this ‘dawning’ of a new day in God’s kingdom calendar, is described as ‘heaven coming near.’ What does this ‘great light’ look like? This ‘dawning’ of a new day, this ‘heaven coming near’—for those of us who are stuck in the darkness of the night of this world’s system, and who suffer the shadow of death this side of Eden?
Jesus now becomes the ‘voice’ in our wilderness, he shows up on the beach of our life — coming close and inviting us to turn our attention towards him, and to what he is offering: ‘heaven coming near.’ We may wonder what this has to do with going deeper, wanting something more, that deep inner, soul-level satisfaction. If we are looking for an immediate answer, we are given instead an invitation by Jesus: “Follow me . . .”
When Jesus calls us to follow him we are already beginning to turn from what and who we have been following. We all listen and give our lives and our love to something or somebody. Now Jesus is saying, “Listen to me, give your life and your love to me.”
It is in this turning and listening, this following and loving that the ‘good news’ of the gracious rule of God begins to break into the deep, inner regions of our being, shedding the light of God’s new day, transforming how we see, how we hear, how we live in the world—curing the disease and breaking the yoke and oppression of addiction to a multitude of things which can never satisfy Isaiah 9:1-4), and healing the painful sickness of being alienated from God, from the God-breathed center of who we are, from others, and from creation (I Corinthians 1:10-18).
The gospel writer calls us to enter into this great life adventure of noticing this Jesus who takes up residence on the shore of our life, and calls us to follow him. Matthew’s gospel will be our GPS as we listen and follow. This following, this listening, this new loving will change us. Jesus says, “I will make you . . .” No longer will we be “self-made” individuals, or “system-conformed” collectives. We will be transformed as Jesus reveals the beauty and wonder of God and God’s gracious new thing, and as we learn to wait for, and gaze on God (Psalm 27:4,13,14).
Prayer before reading:
Lord Jesus Christ,
You come to us.
Help me to see as you see,
To recognize your presence,
And your call
To follow you.
Guide me, us as I learn to walk in your way.
Read slowly. Listen deeply. Indwell the scripture.
Scripture Guide:
Season of Epiphany: Week Three
» 1/17 Monday: Matthew 4:12-17
» 1/18 Tuesday: Matthew 4:13-23
» 1/19 Wednesday: Psalm 27
» 1/20 Thursday: Isaiah 9:1-4
Isaiah 9:1-4 (King James Version)
Isaiah 9
1Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.
2The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
3Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
4For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.
Responding
The third movement within Soul Space is Responding. Here we shift our focus towards outward engagement.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Pray for the coming day. Pray for your local congregation, and for the work of the Spirit of Christ in its midst. The apostle Paul’s prayers for the church offers guidance for our intercession:
O God, You who give abundantly out of your glory,
Give us strength in our inner being.
Holy Spirit, You who indwell us,
Empower us to be strong within.
Lord Jesus Christ, You who carry out the loving purposes of God,
Make your home in our hearts;
Help us to grow in faith and trust,
As you continue to root and ground us in your love.
By your power, help us to grasp—along with all who bear your
Name—how wide and deep and long and high your love is.
Help us to know your love—which is beyond our understanding.
Fill us with all the fullness of God.
Gracious God, you who by your power within us, are able to
do abundantly more than all we can ask or imagine,
to you be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus, always, always.
Amen.
*Based on Ephesians 3:16-21
INTERCESSION
Pray for the coming day, and for peace.
Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace,
Where there is hatred, leet me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may no so much seek
To be consoled, as to console,
To be understood, as to understand,
To be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving thhat we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
(Attributed to St. Francis of Assissi, 1181-1226)
CLOSING PRAYER
Lord Jesus, Emmanuel,
God with us,
May your kingdom come
And your gracious will be done,
In the earth of our lives in this world
As it is in heaven.
Even so, come, Lord 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)
Daily Readings/Devotionals:
A Sip of Scripture
Daily Scripture:
Unify
I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
Reference: Acts 10: 34-35
Acts 10:34-35 (New King James Version)
Preaching to Cornelius’ Household
34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.
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
One Creation under God
leave a comment »
“I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. “ ( Acts 10: 34-35 )
There is a song from the early history of Hollywood movies that outlines the subtle differences between two people and suggests that this incompatibility is sufficient for them to not continue their romance.
“You like potato and I like potahto, You like tomato and I like tomahto
Potato, potahto, Tomato, tomahto, Let’s call the whole thing off “
Fortunately they realize that their mutual attraction is stronger than any minor differences.
An unusual metaphor to use when looking at this verse, but I think if fits. We get so caught up in disagreeing about HOW to worship God that we overlook the simple and basic fact that we are all worshiping the same God! It does not take an extensive course in theology to know the difference between right and wrong, good and evil, virtue and sin.
Early mission work sought to set a standard of behavior that was set by the missionaries who came to the “heathen” cultures, and made not allowance for compassionate and charitable behavior that was already in place; nor for a belief system that sought to explain the seemingly unexplainable. Paul, in his missionary trip to Athens, takes note of a statue inscribed to the “Unknown God” and uses that as an opening to talk about the God that he had come to know. Peter, in the larger context where these verses are from, is in the household of Cornelius when he tells that household that he now sees that God accepts all people as potential believers and converts.
What we see as differences God sees as the infinite variety in creation. God did not make just one green or blue. God’s creation does not continue just one kind of plant or just one type of sunset. All around us is splendor in the myriad of uniqueness and individuality. And each unique piece of creation is just as worthy as any other, IF they are united in service to God. God does not want to exclude but wants to include everything. Just as the good shepherd sought that last sheep, God seeks out each person and each aspect of creation hoping that it will come to see its unique purpose to glorify the Divine and encourage others to join with it/them.
May you missional reader celebrate the diversity that is our existence in this world, and invite all you encounter to join in the multifaceted chorus to believe in, praise and worship God. Selah!
Written by Carole
January 20, 2011 at 12:50 am
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
Loving God,
Bringing light—epiphany–
Awaken my soul.
Open my eyes to see,
Help me to hear
Jesus among and within us.
Amen
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)
Being With-Epiphany Week 3
Season of Epiphany: Week Three
This side of Eden we are restless, seeking, hoping for something to satisfy us. If we are honest we admit that what we produce, and what we accumulate does bring some measure of satisfaction – but on a deeper level we seek for something more. Even within the church persons are saying, “We want to go deeper.” “Isn’t there something more?” The psalmist gives voice to this seeking, this longing (Psalm 27:4,7-10).
Even as we are looking for this deeper satisfaction—on a soul level—God comes to us. God comes looking for us. Not content to stay in the heavenly realm, looking from afar as we seek whatever it is to quench a deep, inner thirst, God shows up among us, in Jesus. In the Gospel narratives our lectionary guide takes us now to Capernaum, a fishing town nestled on the north reach of the Sea of Galilee. This is where Jesus settles and forms a hub for his work of coming to find us.
As you read Matthew 4:12-23 this week, I invite you to sit alongside this gospel writer and to notice how people are seen and described in this passage. Reflect on the state we are in, and then notice how this coming of Jesus is described.
This ‘great light’, this ‘dawning’ of a new day in God’s kingdom calendar, is described as ‘heaven coming near.’ What does this ‘great light’ look like? This ‘dawning’ of a new day, this ‘heaven coming near’—for those of us who are stuck in the darkness of the night of this world’s system, and who suffer the shadow of death this side of Eden?
Jesus now becomes the ‘voice’ in our wilderness, he shows up on the beach of our life — coming close and inviting us to turn our attention towards him, and to what he is offering: ‘heaven coming near.’ We may wonder what this has to do with going deeper, wanting something more, that deep inner, soul-level satisfaction. If we are looking for an immediate answer, we are given instead an invitation by Jesus: “Follow me . . .”
When Jesus calls us to follow him we are already beginning to turn from what and who we have been following. We all listen and give our lives and our love to something or somebody. Now Jesus is saying, “Listen to me, give your life and your love to me.”
It is in this turning and listening, this following and loving that the ‘good news’ of the gracious rule of God begins to break into the deep, inner regions of our being, shedding the light of God’s new day, transforming how we see, how we hear, how we live in the world—curing the disease and breaking the yoke and oppression of addiction to a multitude of things which can never satisfy Isaiah 9:1-4), and healing the painful sickness of being alienated from God, from the God-breathed center of who we are, from others, and from creation (I Corinthians 1:10-18).
The gospel writer calls us to enter into this great life adventure of noticing this Jesus who takes up residence on the shore of our life, and calls us to follow him. Matthew’s gospel will be our GPS as we listen and follow. This following, this listening, this new loving will change us. Jesus says, “I will make you . . .” No longer will we be “self-made” individuals, or “system-conformed” collectives. We will be transformed as Jesus reveals the beauty and wonder of God and God’s gracious new thing, and as we learn to wait for, and gaze on God (Psalm 27:4,13,14).
Prayer before reading:
Lord Jesus Christ,
You come to us.
Help me to see as you see,
To recognize your presence,
And your call
To follow you.
Guide me, us as I learn to walk in your way.
Read slowly. Listen deeply. Indwell the scripture.
Scripture Guide:
Season of Epiphany: Week Three
» 1/17 Monday: Matthew 4:12-17
» 1/18 Tuesday: Matthew 4:13-23
» 1/19 Wednesday: Psalm 27
» 1/20 Thursday: Isaiah 9:1-4
Isaiah 9:1-4 (King James Version)
Isaiah 9
1Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.
2The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
3Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
4For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.
Responding
The third movement within Soul Space is Responding. Here we shift our focus towards outward engagement.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Pray for the coming day. Pray for your local congregation, and for the work of the Spirit of Christ in its midst. The apostle Paul’s prayers for the church offers guidance for our intercession:
O God, You who give abundantly out of your glory,
Give us strength in our inner being.
Holy Spirit, You who indwell us,
Empower us to be strong within.
Lord Jesus Christ, You who carry out the loving purposes of God,
Make your home in our hearts;
Help us to grow in faith and trust,
As you continue to root and ground us in your love.
By your power, help us to grasp—along with all who bear your
Name—how wide and deep and long and high your love is.
Help us to know your love—which is beyond our understanding.
Fill us with all the fullness of God.
Gracious God, you who by your power within us, are able to
do abundantly more than all we can ask or imagine,
to you be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus, always, always.
Amen.
*Based on Ephesians 3:16-21
INTERCESSION
Pray for the coming day, and for peace.
Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace,
Where there is hatred, leet me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may no so much seek
To be consoled, as to console,
To be understood, as to understand,
To be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving thhat we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
(Attributed to St. Francis of Assissi, 1181-1226)
CLOSING PRAYER
Lord Jesus, Emmanuel,
God with us,
May your kingdom come
And your gracious will be done,
In the earth of our lives in this world
As it is in heaven.
Even so, come, Lord 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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