God's Work

Bad news seems to be all around us. We hear grim predictions about the economy and the environment, learn about hostilities and divisions within communities, listen as our friends tell us their troubles. Everywhere we turn, the news seems to be negative. Even the prayer list at church can get us down. But our faith in Christ speaks of good news – good news for the poor and oppressed, healing for the sick and broken, freedom for captives, redemption from sin, and hope for us all. How do we discover and experience this good news that Christ has come to proclaim? And once we have found it, how will it make a difference for us and for all the world?

     Psalm 22:25-31

I offer praise in the great congregation because of you; I will fulfill my promises in the presence of those who honor God. Let all those who are suffering eat and be full! Let all who seek the Lord praise him! I pray your hearts live forever! Every part of the earth will remember and come back to the Lord; every family among all the nations will worship you. Because the right to rule belongs to the Lord, he rules all nations. Indeed, all the earth’s powerful will worship him; all who are descending to the dust will kneel before him; my being also lives for him. Future descendants will serve him; generations to come will be told about my Lord. They will proclaim God’s righteousness to those not yet born, telling them what God has done.

God, I see you at work in the world and experience your love in my life, and I am grateful. When things are going well, remind me that you are the giver of every good gift, and when challenges come, teach me to trust in you. Amen.  By D365, Elizabeth Jones Edwards

Easter III - Psst, hey, you! by D356

Pssst... hey, you. Did you know that there’s a wild and wonderful God traveling alongside you, all around you, within you right now? The Bible tells us that our God is like a shepherd who never leaves the flock for one moment. God is always with us. We are never alone, never abandoned. And no matter what we do – no matter what choices we make or what happens to us – this God is always reaching out to us in love. So pause. Rest for a moment. Abide in the Holy. And let God’s grace transform your living and loving.    - D365.org

When I was a little girl I had a map of the world on the wall right next to my bed. As I went to sleep my parents would leave the door ajar, so some light came in from the hallway… enough to illuminate the map. I wondered: how can God be everywhere? This is a big world. I felt lonely sometimes. Scared of the dark. You might know the feeling. When I felt alone, I would pray. Lots of questions: “Are you up there, God? Are you out there somewhere? Can you stay here with me so I’m not alone?” As I’ve grown older, I’ve had all kinds of questions about God. There are some things that seem incomprehensible to me. But I have always had a sense that God is, somehow, everywhere all at once. God is with us in the times that we walk through the pleasant valleys. God is with us when we’re lost in the dark and terrified. No matter what happens, God dwells with us and will not leave us.    By Caela Simmons Wood

April 13th - Unplug

Choosing to unplug, even for a few minutes, can be scary. What if we miss the latest tweet, post, or pic? We don’t want to be left behind in the fast-paced world of our always plugged-in friends. As much as we like being connected to an entire world at our fingertips, it’s important to step away sometimes. Because the spiritual life is about connecting to something deeper within.

                                                                   - D365.org

Take a few minutes today to unplug yourself from the screens, the emails, the work. Take a deep breath and listen to the wind, the birds, the rain falling on the ground. Breath in, and breath out. Listen and just be.

Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord.                                                                 - Book of Common Prayer page 100

April 06, 2015

For you, TEACHERS and STUDENTS!