Psalm 93 speaks to the current climate. It speaks of roaring floods lifting up their voice. The heavy rainfall that has visited the midwest in recent weeks has caused flooding in St. Louis and now those waters are cresting on the Mississippi. Memphis is bracing for the worst. Psalm 93 also speaks of God robed in majesty and as the one who rules the world.
Sometimes at this time of year, as Christmas fades and a new year dawns and as winter settles in, our spirits can wane. When news of the world brings ominous news as with the increasing hostility in the Middle East. When climate change brings rising floods. When Christmas cheer disappears into cold and dark nights, we may be tempted to forget who rules all of this. It is the God of creation--the absolute absolute who, as the psalmist affirms, rules the world and will continue to rule forever. The invitation is to fix our eyes on God and deposit our hope and expectations on God alone for our future. Easier said that done or felt.
Here is what I am trying to do to turn my gaze towards God: I am trying to go deeper in prayer and meditation at the beginning of the day. I have followed a daily devotion for some time and it has helped me get centered for the day. I find I need more of this good thing. I find I need to go deeper into the reading of the scriptures and reflection on how God's word impacts my world.
In the midst of winter, of world conflict, of darkness and despair, I resonate with Francis Fénelon's words: "Lord, I know not what I ought to ask of thee; thou only knowest what I need . . . I simply present myself before thee, I open my heart to thee."
Tuesday, January 05, 2016
Roaring Floods and Robed Majesty
Psalm 93 speaks to the current climate. It speaks of roaring floods lifting up their voice. The heavy rainfall that has visited the midwest in recent weeks has caused flooding in St. Louis and now those waters are cresting on the Mississippi. Memphis is bracing for the worst. Psalm 93 also speaks of God robed in majesty and as the one who rules the world.
Sometimes at this time of year, as Christmas fades and a new year dawns and as winter settles in, our spirits can wane. When news of the world brings ominous news as with the increasing hostility in the Middle East. When climate change brings rising floods. When Christmas cheer disappears into cold and dark nights, we may be tempted to forget who rules all of this. It is the God of creation--the absolute absolute who, as the psalmist affirms, rules the world and will continue to rule forever. The invitation is to fix our eyes on God and deposit our hope and expectations on God alone for our future. Easier said that done or felt.
Here is what I am trying to do to turn my gaze towards God: I am trying to go deeper in prayer and meditation at the beginning of the day. I have followed a daily devotion for some time and it has helped me get centered for the day. I find I need more of this good thing. I find I need to go deeper into the reading of the scriptures and reflection on how God's word impacts my world.
In the midst of winter, of world conflict, of darkness and despair, I resonate with Francis Fénelon's words: "Lord, I know not what I ought to ask of thee; thou only knowest what I need . . . I simply present myself before thee, I open my heart to thee."
Sometimes at this time of year, as Christmas fades and a new year dawns and as winter settles in, our spirits can wane. When news of the world brings ominous news as with the increasing hostility in the Middle East. When climate change brings rising floods. When Christmas cheer disappears into cold and dark nights, we may be tempted to forget who rules all of this. It is the God of creation--the absolute absolute who, as the psalmist affirms, rules the world and will continue to rule forever. The invitation is to fix our eyes on God and deposit our hope and expectations on God alone for our future. Easier said that done or felt.
Here is what I am trying to do to turn my gaze towards God: I am trying to go deeper in prayer and meditation at the beginning of the day. I have followed a daily devotion for some time and it has helped me get centered for the day. I find I need more of this good thing. I find I need to go deeper into the reading of the scriptures and reflection on how God's word impacts my world.
In the midst of winter, of world conflict, of darkness and despair, I resonate with Francis Fénelon's words: "Lord, I know not what I ought to ask of thee; thou only knowest what I need . . . I simply present myself before thee, I open my heart to thee."
Monday, January 04, 2016
A New Year A New Day A New Hope
So many changes have been occuring in our world of late: climate change, political change, economic change and the list goes on. A new year brings with it the possibility of a new day and new hope. The challenge is to put ourselves out there as instruments for the change we want to see happen. I have decided to make a change by reverting back to this blog space as a channel to share views, ideas and to link tweets, facebook postings and other short pieces from my world to yours. My world includes ventures in new church development, writing of resources and thoughts on what is happening in our world. I look forward to the new opportunities afforded by a new year.
So many changes have been occuring in our world of late: climate change, political change, economic change and the list goes on. A new year brings with it the possibility of a new day and new hope. The challenge is to put ourselves out there as instruments for the change we want to see happen. I have decided to make a change by reverting back to this blog space as a channel to share views, ideas and to link tweets, facebook postings and other short pieces from my world to yours. My world includes ventures in new church development, writing of resources and thoughts on what is happening in our world. I look forward to the new opportunities afforded by a new year.
A New Year A New Day A New Hope
So many changes have been occuring in our world of late: climate change, political change, economic change and the list goes on. A new year brings with it the possibility of a new day and new hope. The challenge is to put ourselves out there as instruments for the change we want to see happen. I have decided to make a change by reverting back to this blog space as a channel to share views, ideas and to link tweets, facebook postings and other short pieces from my world to yours. My world includes ventures in new church development, writing of resources and thoughts on what is happening in our world. I look forward to the new opportunities afforded by a new year.
So many changes have been occuring in our world of late: climate change, political change, economic change and the list goes on. A new year brings with it the possibility of a new day and new hope. The challenge is to put ourselves out there as instruments for the change we want to see happen. I have decided to make a change by reverting back to this blog space as a channel to share views, ideas and to link tweets, facebook postings and other short pieces from my world to yours. My world includes ventures in new church development, writing of resources and thoughts on what is happening in our world. I look forward to the new opportunities afforded by a new year.
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