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February is the month of “love.” A time when we celebrate our loved ones, family and friends- a time to say “thank you and I love you” to those who mean the most to us. How do you celebrate God’s love for you? Do you really believe that the creator of the universe loves YOU? What does it take for you to believe that the God of the universe really cares for YOU?

I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! In this New Year, what are your goals and hopes for your spiritual life and growth?

While I am not a big person on the idea of a new year’s resolution I do think that God asks of us to think about the ways in which we would like to grow deeper in our faith commitment to him. There are so many things that vie for our time and energy that often times the things that we should spend time on (like reading the scriptures, attending worship, praying, seeking out spiritual disciplines to engage in) often are put last to goals like: getting healthy, losing weight, spending less, making a budget, more time with friends,etc. and while all of those are important I think our spiritual life is as important if not more important than those other worthy goals. For when we are looking through the lens of Christ we often find hope, encouragement and strength to reach our other goals. 

So as you think about this new year; where does God fit in to your picture? What are your spiritual goals and hopes for 2012? 

What does the word- incarnation mean to you, and to your faith?

November 28, 2011

Monday

“Incarnation”

Opening Scripture: John 1:1-18

Reflection:

              “The word became flesh, wrote John, and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). That is what incarnation means. It is un-theological. It is unsophisticated. It is undignified. But according to Christianity, it is the way things are.

            All religions and philosophies that deny that reality or the significance of the material, the fleshy, the earthbound, are themselves denied. Moses at the burning bush was told to take off his shoes because the ground on which he stood was holy ground (Exodus 3:5), and incarnation means that all ground is holy ground because God not only made it but walked on it, ate and slept and worked and died on it. If we are saved anywhere, we are saved here. And what is saved is not some diaphanous distillation of our bodies and our earth, but our bodies and our earth themselves.Jerusalembecomes the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven like a bride adorned for her husband (Revelation 21:2). Our bodies are sown perishable and raised imperishable (1 Corinthians 15:42).”

(Beyond Words: A Word A Day To Keep The Demons at Bay. By Frederick Buechner, p. 169).

Closing Prayer: “Give me, O Lord, a steadfast heart which no unworthy thought can draw downwards; an unconquered heart which no tribulation can wear out; an upright heart which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside. Bestow upon me also, O Lord my God, understanding to know thee, diligence to seek thee, wisdom to find thee, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace thee; through Jesus Christ, our Lord” (prayer by St. Thomas Aquinas).

Closing Hymn: # 36 In the Bleak Midwinter

v. 2 Our God, heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain; Heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign: In the bleak mid-winter a stable place sufficed the Lord God incarnate, Jesus Christ.

What does it mean to have a childlike faith?

What does stewardship mean to you?

How do you define joy? And is joy different than happiness? And if so, why?

What keeps you up at night? What worries do you have? How can do you learn to give those over to God? (For those who want to read a personal testimony on prayer and learning not to worry check out Walt Campbell’s testimony on the PCN website).

Who is one person (present or past) who has inspired you on your faith journey?

What is your favorite Biblical story? And why?