Monday, June 1, 2020
Some time ago, before Covid-19, I arranged to take some ‘Sabbath Time’
in June and holiday in July. While some aspects of those plans have
changed, I will be stepping back from “Heart Soul Mind Strength” until
August 1st, to allow time for rest and refreshment of my own spirit. See you again in August!
Sunday, May 31, 2020
The Church in the Power of the Spirit
Morning: Psalm 118; Deuteronomy 16:9-12; Acts 4:18-21, 23-33
Jesus answers a woman’s question about the place of worship: The time is coming to worship God ‘in spirit and in truth’. Is this that time? Our buildings are closed, worship is in flux; yet out of this time, good things may come. We know God cannot be confined in any place or by any practice. As the Church in exile - dispersed instead of gathered - I am sure we are now called to return to our spiritual foundations and, in the power of the Spirit, to invite humanity back to the truth of our origins in God.
Evening: Psalm 145; John 4:19-26
Jesus answers a woman’s question about the place of worship: The time is coming to worship God ‘in spirit and in truth’. Is this that time? Our buildings are closed, worship is in flux; yet out of this time, good things may come. We know God cannot be confined in any place or by any practice. As the Church in exile - dispersed instead of gathered - I am sure we are now called to return to our spiritual foundations and, in the power of the Spirit, to invite humanity back to the truth of our origins in God.
Graham
P.S.
Some time ago, before Covid-19, I arranged to take some ‘Sabbath Time’
in June and holiday in July. While some aspects of those plans have
changed, I will be stepping back from “Heart Soul Mind Strength” until
August 1st, to allow time for rest and refreshment of my own spirit. See you again in August!
Saturday, May 30, 2020
Miracles around us; what we need is here
Morning: Psalms 107:33-43; 108:1-13; Ezekiel 36:22-27; Matthew 9:18-26
Evening: Psalm 33; Exodus 19:3-8a, 16-20; I Peter 2:4-10
“The
report [of what Jesus did] spread throughout that district”, says
Matthew. Jesus healed a woman suffering from a bleeding disorder, and
also a twelve-year-old girl. Nowadays, astounding news ‘goes viral’ on
the worldwide web. But attention spans are short and amazement
short-lived. Our almost insatiable hunger for amazement is not easily
satisfied. If we are to grow in the love that heals us, it will depend
on our cultivating in ourselves the capacity to be amazed at the daily
miracles all around us. Wendell Berry has rightly said ... What we need
is here.
Friday, May 29, 2020
New ways of expressing love
Morning: Psalm 102; Jeremiah 31:27-34; Ephesians 5:1-20
Right now, the way we are doing things is changing dramatically. Since the old ‘containers’ no longer meet our present needs we are finding new containers for the important tasks. Offices are disappearing. Appointments happen on-line. Haircuts (if you have hair?) are do-it-yourself! Jesus also changed things dramatically. He said his Way was like ‘new wine’ that always needs fresh containers (wineskins). These times call us to think of new ways of doing essential tasks. Likewise, we search for ever-new ways of expressing the Love that builds up the human family. Not an easy quest, but an exciting one!
Evening: Psalm 107:1-32; Matthew 9:9-17
Right now, the way we are doing things is changing dramatically. Since the old ‘containers’ no longer meet our present needs we are finding new containers for the important tasks. Offices are disappearing. Appointments happen on-line. Haircuts (if you have hair?) are do-it-yourself! Jesus also changed things dramatically. He said his Way was like ‘new wine’ that always needs fresh containers (wineskins). These times call us to think of new ways of doing essential tasks. Likewise, we search for ever-new ways of expressing the Love that builds up the human family. Not an easy quest, but an exciting one!
Thursday, May 28, 2020
Rules for the new life on the Way of Christ
Morning: Psalm 105:1-22; Zechariah 4:1-14; Ephesians 4:17-32
More beautiful words from Paul: “Let all of us speak the truth to our neighbours ... do not let the sun go down on your anger ... Thieves must give up stealing ... Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear ... Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another”. This is the Way of Christ.
Evening: Psalm 105:23-45; Matthew 9:1-8
More beautiful words from Paul: “Let all of us speak the truth to our neighbours ... do not let the sun go down on your anger ... Thieves must give up stealing ... Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear ... Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another”. This is the Way of Christ.
Wednesday, May 27, 2020
Honouring our calling, even in confinement
Morning: Psalms 101; 109:1-30; Isaiah 4:2-6; Ephesians 4:1-16
He probably suffered much harsher conditions than most of us have to endure in our present confinement, but Paul’s words from prison to the church in Ephesus are beautiful and remarkable. With faith and resilience he encourages them, and us: “I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” May it be so with us.
Evening: Psalms 119:121-144; Matthew 8:28-34
He probably suffered much harsher conditions than most of us have to endure in our present confinement, but Paul’s words from prison to the church in Ephesus are beautiful and remarkable. With faith and resilience he encourages them, and us: “I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” May it be so with us.
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
What sort of man is this Jesus?
Morning: Psalms 97, 99, 100; I Sam 16:1-13a; Ephesians 3:14-21
Jesus is clear that following him is not for the faint of heart. You may have to sacrifice your comforts, make hard choices and give first priority to his Way over your own. This is also not something to be postponed; now is the moment to live in this Way. Due to the impact of such demands, following Jesus may prove stormy and feel risky. But you can be confident, says the Gospel, because all nature is at his command. What sort of man is this Jesus? Unlike anyone you have ever known. Implication: He is worth getting to know.
Evening: Psalms 94, 95; Matthew 8:18-27
Jesus is clear that following him is not for the faint of heart. You may have to sacrifice your comforts, make hard choices and give first priority to his Way over your own. This is also not something to be postponed; now is the moment to live in this Way. Due to the impact of such demands, following Jesus may prove stormy and feel risky. But you can be confident, says the Gospel, because all nature is at his command. What sort of man is this Jesus? Unlike anyone you have ever known. Implication: He is worth getting to know.
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