Wild Generosity

Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money -- come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. (Isaiah 55:1)

Is there anyone among you who, if a child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for fish, will give a snake? (Matthew 7:9)

Two messages to cut me to the core

Of selfishness

When have I chosen the easy route of looking away

When have I chosen to wonder what's in it for me

Before I give

My time

My talents

My tithe

When have You been before me

A stranger, reaching out a hand for a bit of my tithe

A friend, asking for a bit of my talent

A child, wanting just a bit of time

Yet I selfishly turned away

What's in it for me

Selfishly, I cling to the world

I cling to my stuff

I cling to that which doesn't really matter

Wanting more for me

Remind me that there is plenty for all

There is more where that comes from

You will provide all that I need.

How often you have proved it over and over and over

Yet still I want more

More proof

When have You been before me asking me for something?

Let me see You and know

Let me hear You and give

Freely to whomever asks

Let me be wildly generous

Stillness

Where can I find quiet

Where can I hear the stillness

In this noisy world 

The giggle of my girls

The honking of the geese

Returning from the south

The crackle of a fire

The whine of the dog

Begging someone to just throw the ball

And then I realize

You are in all those noises

You are behind

You are the source

You are the reason 

I can find the beauty in each of those sounds 

Meaning

Joy

Thank you.

Bearing Fruit

Prompt from Luke 13:8-9

Waiting.

I've done that.

I've been there.

And it is now

Now I am seeing the fruit

Now I am seeing that you are faithful

And that everything happens in your time

Not mine.

We can continue to let the tree grow.

We are planted in the right spot.

I was impatient but you have shown

You have proven to me again

And again

I do not need to be afraid.

I will continue to trust you.

Grace

I say to the LORD, "You are my God; I have no good apart from you." (Psalm 16:2)

Confess in prayer today that God is the goodness of our days, our breath, our life.

Apart from you, I am a shell.

Apart from you, I am weak.

Apart from you, I am unacceptable.

Apart from you, I am poor.

Apart from you, I am ordinary.

Apart from you, I am evil.

With you, I am filled.

With you, I am strong.

With you, I am accepted.

With you, I am rich.

With you, I am extraordinary.

With you, I am good. 

I have good. 

Lent Prayer 1

Yet even now, says the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning. (Joel 2:12)

We are not alone here.

We are all connected. 

We must all return to the Lord.

There is no punishment for all because of one.

We are called to love.

I mourn the lack of love.

I mourn the lack of grace.

We are all on this journey together.

We need to give more grace to one another.

We need to give more love to one another.

Show me where grace is needed.

Show me where love is needed.

Remind me to give. Freely.

Without reservation.

Love Freely

The love that comes from faith does not ask, "Who will get into heaven?" or "Who will go to hell?" No, the love that comes from faith says, "Christ is near to you, as close as a whisper and within your heart." (Romans 10:6-8a, adapted)

This Valentine's Day, Lord, let me be your love, your light that shows others you. Guide me, put into my path those that need that love. Remind me so show love when I am impatient, frustrated, angry. I am not ready for the responsibilities that come with judging others. I want to love, give grace to those that I don't think deserve it. Love is not something to be earned but to be freely given. 

This is something I need to do.

This is something I want to do.

This is what is required, because you have freely loved me.