Showing posts with label Contemplation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Contemplation. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Thursday, March 24, 2022
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
Contemplative Readings For Lent (from Amplify Media)
These very helpful Lenten devotional readings come from Amplify Media. I find them helpful, and I hope that you will.
Blow the horn in Zion;
give a shout on my holy mountain!
Let all the people of the land tremble,
for the day of the Lord is coming.
It is near—
a day of darkness and no light,
a day of clouds and thick darkness!
Like blackness spread out upon the mountains,
a great and powerful army comes,
unlike any that has ever come before them,
or will come after them in centuries ahead. ...
Change your hearts
Yet even now, says the Lord,
return to me with all your hearts,
with fasting, with weeping, and with sorrow;
—Joel 2:1-2, 12 CEB—
Deliver me from violence, God, God of my salvation,
so that my tongue can sing of your righteousness.
Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will proclaim your praise.
You don’t want sacrifices.
If I gave an entirely burned offering,
you wouldn’t be pleased.
A broken spirit is my sacrifice, God.
You won’t despise a heart, God, that is broken and crushed
—Psalm 51:14-17 CEB—
So we are ambassadors who represent Christ. God is negotiating with you through us. We beg you as Christ’s representatives, “Be reconciled to God!”
—2 Corinthians 5:20 CEB—
Blow the horn in Zion;
give a shout on my holy mountain!
Let all the people of the land tremble,
for the day of the Lord is coming.
It is near—
a day of darkness and no light,
a day of clouds and thick darkness!
Like blackness spread out upon the mountains,
a great and powerful army comes,
unlike any that has ever come before them,
or will come after them in centuries ahead. ...
Change your hearts
Yet even now, says the Lord,
return to me with all your hearts,
with fasting, with weeping, and with sorrow;
—Joel 2:1-2, 12 CEB—
Deliver me from violence, God, God of my salvation,
so that my tongue can sing of your righteousness.
Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will proclaim your praise.
You don’t want sacrifices.
If I gave an entirely burned offering,
you wouldn’t be pleased.
A broken spirit is my sacrifice, God.
You won’t despise a heart, God, that is broken and crushed
—Psalm 51:14-17 CEB—
So we are ambassadors who represent Christ. God is negotiating with you through us. We beg you as Christ’s representatives, “Be reconciled to God!”
—2 Corinthians 5:20 CEB—
A Lenten Devotional (Ash Wednesday) From Asti M. White By Way Of The Methodist Federation For Social Action
This comes from the latest edition of the Methodist Federation for Social Action newsletter and is by Asti Nicholas White. a second year Master of Divinity Student at Candler School of Theology with a concentration in Chaplaincy. Currently serving as president of Candler’s Black Student Caucus, Asti has shared interest in exploring the intersections of pastoral care and social justice, (environmental justice/ anti-racism) with non-profits and churches by seeking out healthy and sustainable measures for relationship building around the world. Asti engages in research and advocates for marginalized communities that have been systematically oppressed and do not receive the resources needed for health and vitality.
The MFSA newsletter carries additional Lenten devotionals as well. I highly recommend MFSA.
By internal design, our hearts, minds, body, and strength are all designed to be in relationship with one another, to share a connection of love and justice, and to not do the work alone. One of my favorite Psalms shows a God of Justice and illustrates the importance to share compassion for all of our neighbors. As the world continues to find the ease in divisiveness, the comfort to separate self from community, and the persistence in perpetuating systems of injustice, we are called to an important responsibility to remain faithful to the community. Though the current context of our world and to separate ourselves from our neighbor, we must live into our unique design. We have been created for community and for connection.
Psalm 82 exemplifies both implicit and explicit theological questions about the role and composition of justice. Questions arise from the text regarding justice and judgement which permeates the billowing questions of how judgement and justice are interpreted and comprehended by way of defining God as a judge. The text proceeds by God calling and challenging others to serve the marginalized. Psalm 82 provides an illumination of God’s presence of judgement, through showing the importance of justice, and discerning the prioritization of justice to the lowly.
Within the interaction of the divine council, God’s omniscient power infiltrates throughout Psalm 82 by addressing and identifying the nature and power of God/Elohim. Psalm 82 discloses the interconnectedness of God, the divine council, and the rest of humanity. This call to action manifests the breadth of humanity and the divine. Psalm 82 essentializes the necessity to love and care for one another, specifically advocating and serving the oppressed. The journey of Psalm 82 divulges the paths of God’s love by establishing a precedent for the higher-ranking to rescue the weak and needy.
A demand for intentional care to individuals who do not have knowledge or access shows God’s willingness to call out those in power and the need for God’s divine power in “rise up O God” (Ps. 82:8). The scripture continues to present the ultimate sovereignty and grace of God when both the ancient community and gods of the divine council provide insufficient care of humanity. The message and urgent demand for extending care in Psalm 82 reveals why this passage has been passed down for the church. As Israel journeyed through exile and political distress, this psalm reiterates the past and emphasizes the present importance for bringing judgment against individuals actively restricting justice.
Psalm 82 shows a practical and foundational ortho-praxis of care towards the marginalized. God as judge, demands a healthy and sustained life for those who are oppressed. The modern church and community engaging with this scripture can find strength within the clear and direct communication of justice. Additionally, the psalm calls the church to actionable love and grace, while living in a constant practice of uplifting justice for all. Witnessing God as judge, and the judgement carried out by God, can be a testament and important suggestion to the church for critical discernment towards justice.
The Psalm teaches discerning practices and actions of care, or the lack thereof, seen in both the ancient community and present-day communities. God’s judgement in Psalm 82 shows how to live, emboldened with actionable steps to justice and care, upholding those on the margins. The very presence of God and God’s teaching of care and judgement builds out a depth of relationship shared with one another and with God. Psalm 82 helps in providing a necessary challenge to those in power to dismantle and re-construct society that reflects justice and equity.
In this season of Lent, I pray that we can reflect on this convicting passage. “How long” will we “show partiality,” treat others differently, act holier than thou? Psalm 82 is supposed to make us humans feel uncomfortable. We are all called to a place of unrest, to live in the darkness with our neighbors whom we all have kicked to the lowly, who we have not given justice to, and whom we have not rescued when they have cried out. May we go forth this Lenten season, removing the focus from ourselves, and seeking justice. I ask you this, siblings in God, how long are we going to let this keep going? How long?
The MFSA newsletter carries additional Lenten devotionals as well. I highly recommend MFSA.
2022 Lenten Devotional - Ash Wednesday
By Asti N. White
Psalm 82 [NRSV]
A Plea for Justice. A Psalm of Asaph.
1 God has taken his place in the divine council;
in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
2 “How long will you judge unjustly
and show partiality to the wicked?Selah
3 Give justice to the weak and the orphan;
maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute.
4 Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
5 They have neither knowledge nor understanding,
they walk around in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
6 I say, “You are gods,
children of the Most High, all of you;
7 nevertheless, you shall die like mortals,
and fall like any prince.”[a]
8 Rise up, O God, judge the earth;
for all the nations belong to you!
By internal design, our hearts, minds, body, and strength are all designed to be in relationship with one another, to share a connection of love and justice, and to not do the work alone. One of my favorite Psalms shows a God of Justice and illustrates the importance to share compassion for all of our neighbors. As the world continues to find the ease in divisiveness, the comfort to separate self from community, and the persistence in perpetuating systems of injustice, we are called to an important responsibility to remain faithful to the community. Though the current context of our world and to separate ourselves from our neighbor, we must live into our unique design. We have been created for community and for connection.
Psalm 82 exemplifies both implicit and explicit theological questions about the role and composition of justice. Questions arise from the text regarding justice and judgement which permeates the billowing questions of how judgement and justice are interpreted and comprehended by way of defining God as a judge. The text proceeds by God calling and challenging others to serve the marginalized. Psalm 82 provides an illumination of God’s presence of judgement, through showing the importance of justice, and discerning the prioritization of justice to the lowly.
Within the interaction of the divine council, God’s omniscient power infiltrates throughout Psalm 82 by addressing and identifying the nature and power of God/Elohim. Psalm 82 discloses the interconnectedness of God, the divine council, and the rest of humanity. This call to action manifests the breadth of humanity and the divine. Psalm 82 essentializes the necessity to love and care for one another, specifically advocating and serving the oppressed. The journey of Psalm 82 divulges the paths of God’s love by establishing a precedent for the higher-ranking to rescue the weak and needy.
A demand for intentional care to individuals who do not have knowledge or access shows God’s willingness to call out those in power and the need for God’s divine power in “rise up O God” (Ps. 82:8). The scripture continues to present the ultimate sovereignty and grace of God when both the ancient community and gods of the divine council provide insufficient care of humanity. The message and urgent demand for extending care in Psalm 82 reveals why this passage has been passed down for the church. As Israel journeyed through exile and political distress, this psalm reiterates the past and emphasizes the present importance for bringing judgment against individuals actively restricting justice.
Psalm 82 shows a practical and foundational ortho-praxis of care towards the marginalized. God as judge, demands a healthy and sustained life for those who are oppressed. The modern church and community engaging with this scripture can find strength within the clear and direct communication of justice. Additionally, the psalm calls the church to actionable love and grace, while living in a constant practice of uplifting justice for all. Witnessing God as judge, and the judgement carried out by God, can be a testament and important suggestion to the church for critical discernment towards justice.
The Psalm teaches discerning practices and actions of care, or the lack thereof, seen in both the ancient community and present-day communities. God’s judgement in Psalm 82 shows how to live, emboldened with actionable steps to justice and care, upholding those on the margins. The very presence of God and God’s teaching of care and judgement builds out a depth of relationship shared with one another and with God. Psalm 82 helps in providing a necessary challenge to those in power to dismantle and re-construct society that reflects justice and equity.
In this season of Lent, I pray that we can reflect on this convicting passage. “How long” will we “show partiality,” treat others differently, act holier than thou? Psalm 82 is supposed to make us humans feel uncomfortable. We are all called to a place of unrest, to live in the darkness with our neighbors whom we all have kicked to the lowly, who we have not given justice to, and whom we have not rescued when they have cried out. May we go forth this Lenten season, removing the focus from ourselves, and seeking justice. I ask you this, siblings in God, how long are we going to let this keep going? How long?
Monday, February 28, 2022
Saturday, February 26, 2022
Thursday, February 24, 2022
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
Good morning!---"I accept this new day as your gift..."
"Allah is sufficient unto me, there is no god save Him, upon Him do I place my trust and He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne."
* * *
"Blessed are you, creator of all,
to you be praise and glory forever.
As your dawn renews the face of the earth
bringing light and life to all creation,
may we rejoice in this day you have made;
as we wake refreshed from the depths of sleep,
open our eyes to behold your presence
and strengthen our hands to do your will,
that the world may rejoice and give you praise.
Blessed be God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God forever.
The night has passed, and the day lies open before us;
let us pray with one heart and mind."
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
Another great service & message from the Seminary of the Southwest
An inspiring service from beginning to end, but hit 18:22 to get the message.
Sunday, February 20, 2022
Trying to understand Matthew 10:28--A short video from Love Unrelenting
"And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna."
Saturday, February 19, 2022
Bedtime Prayers. Y'all sleep well and we'll catch you in the morning.---But if you're working hoot owl, I'm keeping you in special prayers.
Three great Roman Catholic bedtime prayers:Goodness Prayer
All-Knowing God, thank You that You know me and You love me. You know everything that has happened to me today, the highs and the lows, the joy and the sorrow. As I lay down to sleep may I reflect on the goodness You have shown me. While I sleep, You continue to watch over me. May the love of the Father, the tenderness of the Son, and the presence of the Spirit, gladden my heart and bring peace to my soul, today and for all days. Amen.
Restful Sleep Prayer
Everlasting Father, thank You that I am never alone, Your presence calms the troubled sea of my life and speaks peace to my soul. Remove the stress that I am carrying from my day and help me rest peacefully in the security of Your hand. Bless me with restful sleep. May You, the God of all grace, who has called me into eternal glory by Christ Jesus, make me holy, strong and filled with peace. To You be glory and honor forever and ever. Amen.
Bedtime Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You that Your word enlightens my eyes, purifies my soul and preserves me for eternal life. As I reach the end of this day I thank You for the many blessings You have bestowed on me. I ask for forgiveness for the sins I have committed today. I pray that, as I sleep, You would restore my strength and empower me for a new day tomorrow. Lord, bless me and keep me, make Your face shine upon me. Turn Your face towards me and give me peace. Amen.
Y'all sleep well and we'll catch you in the morning. If you're working hoot owl, I'm keeping you in special prayers.
Mountain Devotional - Renewing Your Mind. This is a beautifully sincere meditation from Appalachia.
I keep saying it--The Pressley Girls just always knock the ball out of the park. Even when I don't fully agree, I always think that they're on to something.
Thursday, February 17, 2022
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
Monday, February 14, 2022
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