Monday, November 16, 2009

An icon of Jesus calling the disciples.

There will not be a post today. Our friends Frank and Juliette are in the hospital after a motorcycle accident. Please hold them in your prayers.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

The photograph is of the Japanese Bridge draped with wisteria at Monet's garden in Giverny.

Verse of the Day

The rich in this world are to do good, to be rich in good deeds, liberal and generous, thus laying up for themselves a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life which is life indeed. 1 Timothy 6: 18-19

Voice of the Day

Jesus suggested that our giving of alms is one of the ways that we can make our repentance real and can live in imitation of God. The church does not take up a collection in worship simply to pay its bills. The church collects money to teach us to be generous like Jesus, to give us the opportunity to practice our repentance in a community of grace. Unruh, Finding Christ Finding Life, p. 13

Prayer of the Day

We confess, O God, that we have not been a repentant people. Frustrated by feelings of hopelessness, we have looked after ourselves rather than care for your people. Instead of giving generously, we have hoarded our possessions and sought more income. Instead of fasting spiritually, we have eaten on the run and satisfied only our stomachs.

Forgive us for choosing our way rather than your way. Amen.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Verse of the Day

Whoever does not provide for relatives, and especially for family members, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8

Voice of the Day

When you hold a child in your arms, or hug your mother, or your husband, or your friend, if you breathe in and out three times, your happiness will be multiplied at least ten times. It takes some time to become comfortable hugging this way. But to really be there, you only need to breathe, and suddenly the other person becomes completely real. The two of you really exist in that moment. It may be one of the best moments in your life. Thich Nhat Hanh, Peace Is Every Step, pp. 85-6.

Prayer of the Day

Most gracious God, you are with us as we make our journey throughout this day. Help us to look lovingly upon all people and events that come into our lives today and to walk gently upon our land. In the name of Jesus who lives and walks among us ever present at each moment. Amen.

Friday, November 6, 2009

The painting of Ruth, Naomi, and Obed is by Simeon Solomon (1840-1905.) It is in a private collection.

Verse of the Day

So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When they came together, the Lord made her conceive, and she bore a son. . . . They named him Obed; he became the father of Jesse, the father of David. Ruth 4: 13, 17b.

Voice of the Day

When a person grows old, his deepest hope is to have a grandchild to hold in his arms. . . . We have to find ways for old and young people to live together again.

Thich Nhat Hanh, Peace Is Every Step, p.88

Prayer of the Day

God of peace, you call us to come to you in our need, as a mother or father might beckon a distressed child. When all else may seem to betray our trust, give us the faith to turn to you with renewed hope. Your ways are mystery to us, made life-giving through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. In your mercy, make of us a new creation through his gospel. Amen.

Thursday, November 4, 2009

'Boaz at the gate,' Figures de la Bible, 1782, The Bizzell Bible Collection, The University of Oklahoma

Verse of the Day

Then Boaz said, "The day you acquire the field from the hand of Naomi, you are also acquiring Ruth the Moabite, the widow of the dead man, to maintain the dead man's name on his inheritance." Ruth 4:5

Voice of the Day

Do everything you can to avoid the noise and the business of men. Keep as far away as you can from the places where they gather to cheat and insult one another, to exploit one another, to laugh at one another, or to mock one another with their false gestures of friendship.

Thomas Merton, New Seeds of Contemplation

Prayer of the Day

Direct our activity this day, merciful God, that we may reflect your goodness and love to our companions. Help us to be mindful of the many people who are oppressed, and may we be aware of the ways that we oppress others. We ask this in the name of Jesus who died to set us free. Amen

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Another depiction of Ruth and Boaz

Verse of the Day

Though it is true that I am a near kinsman, there is another kinsman more closely related than I. Remain this night, and in the morning, if he will act as next-of-kin for you, good; let him do it. If he is not willing to act as next-of-kin for you, then, as the Lord lives, I will act as next-of-kin for you. Ruth 3:13

Voice of the Day

Men learn to expect status, service, and submission. They lose the right to be wrong. They are denied the obligation to learn from others. They use things -- money, power, and property -- to define themselves. They work till they drop, and they drop from working. They have little emotional release. They substitute authority for competency. Such a system is a long, long way from Galilee.

Heart of Flesh, Joan Chittister

Prayer of the Heart

God, give me the courage to be revolutionary as your Son Jesus Christ was. Give me the courage to loosen myself from this world. Give me the courage to stand up free and to shun no criticism. God, thank you for the vision of the future, but make it fact and not theory. Amen.

Henri Nouwen

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Today's artwork is Ruth at the Feet of Boaz by Marc Chagall

Verse of the Day

When Boaz had eaten and drunk, and he was in a contented mood, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then Ruth came stealthily and uncovered his feet, and lay down.

Ruth 3:7

Voice of the Day

Taking chances is a trait of a healthy spirituality. I mean taking chances on the really big things in life -- like God and the future. Hope means more than merely sitting around and wishing for a better future; it means working to make that better future a reality.

Traits of a Healthy Spirituality, Melannie Svoboda

Prayer of the Day

God help me to take a chance

on you and on the future.

Help me to bet on the good news,

to risk everything,

and to stake my life on Jesus. Amen