In this morning's Upper Room Disiplines the writer focuses on Psalm 111:1-3 in the NIV specifically on verse 2 "Great are the works of the Lord, they are pondered by all who delight in them. He goes on to say that ponder means to contemplate, leisurely and unhurried. It is a part of the delighting in God. As he completes today's devotion, he invites you to sit quietly for a moment and begin to compose your own psalm of praise. He suggest you keep it in mind as you go thorugh the day and add to it.
At first all I could think of were praise songs I know and Psalms I know, so I had to quiet my mind. And as I quieted my mind, this is the Psalm that came to me. I wrote it after I first thought of it because I was afraid I would forget it and I wanted to be able to refer to it.
Here it is;
A Psalm of Praise to God
Lord, let my life be a song of praise to you,
Your handiwork praises you.
The cats and dogs praise their love for you.
The birds sing sweetly of their love for you.
The rivers, the lakes and oceans sing of their praise to you.
The trees lift their limbs in praise to you.
The clouds dance in praise to you.
May, my life be a song of praise to you.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Prayer for Epiphany 3B
Almighty Compassionate God,
You care for all your peoples, whether they are here around us or in far off places, you care enough to call people to bring the good news to them.
You care about our country during these tough economic times, and times of transition to a new president and his cabinet.
You care about countries like Gaza, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan who have deeper problems and needs than we do.
You care about those who are sick, in pain, in the hospital, home bound and in nursing homes, your compassion extends to them.
You care about those who carry heavy burdens, broken hearts, grieving, lonely and anxious, your compassion extends to them as well.
You care for the great number of people losing their jobs, losing their homes, losing their bank accounts as well as those who have had none of those for a long time.
You care for those of us who answered your call to preach your word, teach your word, Pastor your flock, and lead in songs of praise, your compassion extends to us as well.
Lord we thank you for your compassion, your care, your mercy and the good news of your son Jesus Christ. Amen
You care for all your peoples, whether they are here around us or in far off places, you care enough to call people to bring the good news to them.
You care about our country during these tough economic times, and times of transition to a new president and his cabinet.
You care about countries like Gaza, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan who have deeper problems and needs than we do.
You care about those who are sick, in pain, in the hospital, home bound and in nursing homes, your compassion extends to them.
You care about those who carry heavy burdens, broken hearts, grieving, lonely and anxious, your compassion extends to them as well.
You care for the great number of people losing their jobs, losing their homes, losing their bank accounts as well as those who have had none of those for a long time.
You care for those of us who answered your call to preach your word, teach your word, Pastor your flock, and lead in songs of praise, your compassion extends to us as well.
Lord we thank you for your compassion, your care, your mercy and the good news of your son Jesus Christ. Amen
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Tuesday, Inaugaration day 2009
Today, we will be having somewhat of an Inauguration Day party in the Attic, the Youth area. The big screen tv will be on all day. There will be snack food, hot drinks and cold drinks and soup for lunch. I am bringing my laptop in so I can work while I watch.
Today as I read the devotion from the Upper Room Disciplines, I realized how appropriate it was to today's events and really throughout life. There has been a lot made of this new President and that he can fix the problems of his country. There are high expectations. There are some unreal expectations. Obama can not fix this nation and even he knows that. But today's devotion used the scripture Psalm 62:5-7. Here are the verses;
5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God [a] ;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge. Selah
This scripture is for all of us that in God alone we find our rest, our hope, our salvation. He is our rock, our fortress, our refuge. We all need to trust in him and pour out our hearts to him. Yes, God can work through Obama, our leaders, and God can work through us to make right was is wrong in this country. May it be so.
Oh and by the way Psalm 62:5-12 is the Lectionary Psalm for Sunday. For the Episcopal, it is Psalm 62:6-14. And this Psalm will preach for a time such as ours. Oh and if you are using the Roman Catholic reading it is something else, Psalm 25:4-9.
So what are you doing today?
Today as I read the devotion from the Upper Room Disciplines, I realized how appropriate it was to today's events and really throughout life. There has been a lot made of this new President and that he can fix the problems of his country. There are high expectations. There are some unreal expectations. Obama can not fix this nation and even he knows that. But today's devotion used the scripture Psalm 62:5-7. Here are the verses;
5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God [a] ;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge. Selah
This scripture is for all of us that in God alone we find our rest, our hope, our salvation. He is our rock, our fortress, our refuge. We all need to trust in him and pour out our hearts to him. Yes, God can work through Obama, our leaders, and God can work through us to make right was is wrong in this country. May it be so.
Oh and by the way Psalm 62:5-12 is the Lectionary Psalm for Sunday. For the Episcopal, it is Psalm 62:6-14. And this Psalm will preach for a time such as ours. Oh and if you are using the Roman Catholic reading it is something else, Psalm 25:4-9.
So what are you doing today?
Monday, January 19, 2009
Monday, MLK's holiday
Last week both girls were sick with headaches, high fevers and then stuffiness. The were finally well enough to go to church yesterday, although Kate still is stuffed up and coughing. They missed school all week, and then missed their Jade Club get together. Now wouldn't you know it, on a day off I am sick. Oh well. The good thing is it is a day off and I can rest. Ooh but the head.
It was a sweet day though on my regular day off to be with them and take care of them. Bob has done a good job of being nurse Bob. I am surprised niether he nor Zach have gotten it.
Other thoughts:
One more thought, I am impressed that Barack has called on us to help rebuild our country in our neighborhoods and communities. Today, January 19th, our nation will come together in a shared spirit of community; on the eve of inauguration and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. If you want to know more you can go to USA Service to find out more.
It was a sweet day though on my regular day off to be with them and take care of them. Bob has done a good job of being nurse Bob. I am surprised niether he nor Zach have gotten it.
Other thoughts:
- Yesterday we commissioned nine new Stephen Ministers. Yea!
- We are starting a new grief recovery ministry using our Stephen Ministers as listeners.
- We have applied to be an Angel Food Ministry host-site and had a good response at our first information meeting.
- We are starting a new type of new member's class beginning in Feb. We'll see how that goes.
- The Tribe, our 20 year old's group is growing, doing missions locally and getting ready for a big mission trip to Nicaragua.
- The worships service for the young adult age group is in planning stages and hopefully will get off the ground in the next couple of months.
One more thought, I am impressed that Barack has called on us to help rebuild our country in our neighborhoods and communities. Today, January 19th, our nation will come together in a shared spirit of community; on the eve of inauguration and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. If you want to know more you can go to USA Service to find out more.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Prayer for the 2nd Sunday of Epiphany
Beloved God,
You know us inside and out and you still call us to serve you.
Lord, honestly we are often hesitant, afraid, and wish to remain hidden.
Empower us to listen for and to hear your call
Empower us to answer your call with “Here I am Lord”
Empower us to follow you when you call us to follow you.
Lord of mercy and justice,
So many have gone before us working to bring
Justice and peace to our country and our world.
Their footsteps seem to big to step into to continue the work you have called us all to;
so we hesitantly step one step at a time, bringing your seeds of hope, justice and peace in a world crying out for them.
Lord of hope,
We pray for our country, our leaders and especially our new president as he is inaugurated into leading our country in tumultuous times. We pray for healing of our country, reconciliation, forgiveness and peace.
Lord of peace,
We pray for your compassion and healing for those individuals in our congregation who need it. We pray for your comfort and presence for those who are grieving lonely and oppressed. We pray for warmth, shelter, clothing and food for those who are without.
Lord we say to you this day,
“Here we are your servants willing to preach your word, offer care where care is needed, presence where presence is needed, your and love where your love is needed.”
Lord, strengthen us for our ministry today and everyday.
In the name of the Father, son and the Holy spirit amen.
cross posted at revgalblogpals and preaching to the choir
You know us inside and out and you still call us to serve you.
Lord, honestly we are often hesitant, afraid, and wish to remain hidden.
Empower us to listen for and to hear your call
Empower us to answer your call with “Here I am Lord”
Empower us to follow you when you call us to follow you.
Lord of mercy and justice,
So many have gone before us working to bring
Justice and peace to our country and our world.
Their footsteps seem to big to step into to continue the work you have called us all to;
so we hesitantly step one step at a time, bringing your seeds of hope, justice and peace in a world crying out for them.
Lord of hope,
We pray for our country, our leaders and especially our new president as he is inaugurated into leading our country in tumultuous times. We pray for healing of our country, reconciliation, forgiveness and peace.
Lord of peace,
We pray for your compassion and healing for those individuals in our congregation who need it. We pray for your comfort and presence for those who are grieving lonely and oppressed. We pray for warmth, shelter, clothing and food for those who are without.
Lord we say to you this day,
“Here we are your servants willing to preach your word, offer care where care is needed, presence where presence is needed, your and love where your love is needed.”
Lord, strengthen us for our ministry today and everyday.
In the name of the Father, son and the Holy spirit amen.
cross posted at revgalblogpals and preaching to the choir
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Prayer for the First Sunday after Epiphany, Year B
Creator God,
Your creation story is told again and again with each person’s baptism.
Your invitation to be part of the body of Christ is offered anew at each baptism.
Your claim on your children, that they are your beloved is told at each baptism.
Spark our memories of our baptism and your claim on our life.
Spark our desires to be part of the body of Christ.
Lord our world is angry, sad and confused with the battles in the Mid East, the Drug wars in Mexico, the economic woes, and the pain and suffering of your little ones all around the world.
We see the damage to your beautiful creation.
We see the destruction by natural disasters.
And we wonder how long?
We feel unsafe and insecure.
Lord in those times,
Spark us to remember our baptism.
Spark us to remember that it is in you that we are truly safe,
truly secure and that it doesn’t matter how long.
In the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
cross posted at revgalblogpals and my sermon blog
Your creation story is told again and again with each person’s baptism.
Your invitation to be part of the body of Christ is offered anew at each baptism.
Your claim on your children, that they are your beloved is told at each baptism.
Spark our memories of our baptism and your claim on our life.
Spark our desires to be part of the body of Christ.
Lord our world is angry, sad and confused with the battles in the Mid East, the Drug wars in Mexico, the economic woes, and the pain and suffering of your little ones all around the world.
We see the damage to your beautiful creation.
We see the destruction by natural disasters.
And we wonder how long?
We feel unsafe and insecure.
Lord in those times,
Spark us to remember our baptism.
Spark us to remember that it is in you that we are truly safe,
truly secure and that it doesn’t matter how long.
In the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
cross posted at revgalblogpals and my sermon blog
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Ephiphany/Christmas 2 Sunday Prayer
God of Time and Space,
You are not bound by calendars, day timers, PDA’s and watches,
teach us to not be bound by them either.
God of the stars, the heavens, the planets and their orbits,
you sent a star to guide the magi on their journey to the Christ Child,
Send your star to guide us on journeys of faith.
God of Creation, your word spoke creation into being,
you sent your son as the light into a world of darkness,
God may your word still speak to us today,
May your son still be the light in our worlds of darkness.
God our dark world is a hotbed of fighting, pollution, starvation, and homelessness.
Teach to once again be stewards of your earth.
Bring forth you peace in the midst of the battles.
May there be plenty for those who are starving.
May there be homes for those without homes.
And just as the Magi brought gifts to the Christ Child
may we bring gifts to the Christ Child again. Amen
Cross Posted at revgalblogpals and my sermon blog
You are not bound by calendars, day timers, PDA’s and watches,
teach us to not be bound by them either.
God of the stars, the heavens, the planets and their orbits,
you sent a star to guide the magi on their journey to the Christ Child,
Send your star to guide us on journeys of faith.
God of Creation, your word spoke creation into being,
you sent your son as the light into a world of darkness,
God may your word still speak to us today,
May your son still be the light in our worlds of darkness.
God our dark world is a hotbed of fighting, pollution, starvation, and homelessness.
Teach to once again be stewards of your earth.
Bring forth you peace in the midst of the battles.
May there be plenty for those who are starving.
May there be homes for those without homes.
And just as the Magi brought gifts to the Christ Child
may we bring gifts to the Christ Child again. Amen
Cross Posted at revgalblogpals and my sermon blog
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