Monday, February 29, 2016

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

Saturday, February 27, 2016

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.

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

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.

Friday, February 19, 2016

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. 


Monday, February 15, 2016

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.