"God has not called me to be successful..."
Mother Teresa on success and fidelity
God has not called me to be successful. He has called me to be faithful.
--Mother Teresa
Photo by Elijah Beaton on Unsplash
a lectionary trifecta!
lection reflection for 13 June 2019 / reading the bible daily with the church
Wow. Today's three readings are all amazing! Each of them stands on its own as one worthy of plumbing its depths and meditating upon. Which to choose?
Our passage from 2 Tim 3.1-17 reminds of the wickedness that surrounds us in our culture that is hostile to Christianity and the inevitability of persecution and suffering . . .
Posted in: reflections
the God who wants to be found
lection reflection for 12 June 2019 / reading the bible daily with the church
In contrast to yesterday's Old Testament reading, today's (Isaiah 65.1-12) shows us another facet of God's character--his desire to be sought and found. Yesterday, we read about God's hiddenness, especially as a result of sin. Our encouragement in times like those, from Martin Luther, was to seek God and pursue him. . . .
Posted in: reflections
a God who hides himself
lection reflection for 11 June 2019 / reading the bible daily with the church
Today's Old Testament reading (Isaiah 63.15-64.9) speaks of God in an interesting and (perhaps) unusual way. In response to Israel's turning away from God, Isaiah cries out:
You have hidden your face from us.
You have let us be ruined by our sins.
--Isaiah 64.7 GW
We don't often think . . .
Posted in: reflections
on Pentecost...not a tame lion
In addition to the traditional Pentecost text from Acts, our pastor called a bit of an audible yesterday and added John 3.6-8:
Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit.Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again.The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its . . .
Posted in: reflections
Mary's focus and Martha's distraction... in a smartphone world
lection reflection for 7 June 2019 / reading the bible daily with the church
Today's Gospel reading is the familiar account of Mary and Martha from the Gospel according to Luke. We have all read and heard this many times, and yet as with all of Scripture, each reading is God speaking to us if we will only listen.
While they were traveling, he entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed . . .
Posted in: reflections
"The strength of Christ is the strength of your salvation..."
Anselm on salvation, Christ, and resurrection
O Christian soul, soul raised up from grievous death, soul redeemed and freed by the blood of God from wretched bondage: arouse your mind, remember your resurrection, contemplate your redemption and liberation. Consider anew where and what the strength of your salvation is, spend time in meditating upon this strength, delight . . .
You can also find simply, Christian on Twitter.
