family bible reading plans
getting started with family worship and devotionals
Last week I wrote about establishing the practice of family worship and devotionals. There I encouraged the practice of daily scripture reading in our families. That suggestion begs the question of where to start? For those desiring to create the habit of daily bible reading, deciding where to begin and how to proceed can be . . .
on family worship and devotionals
creating a new habit in your home
One of the most important yet most difficult spiritual disciplines we have put into practice in our family is consistent time for family worship and devotions.
This practice is one of the most important because it is our calling and privilege as parents to pass along the faith to our children. Martin Luther understood this well . . .
prayer during storms at sea
an Anglican prayer
O most powerful and glorious Lord God, at whose command the winds blow, and lift up the waves of the sea, and who stillest the rage thereof: We thy creatures, but miserable sinners, do in this our great distress cry unto thee for help: Save, Lord, or else we perish. We confess, when we have been safe, and seen all things quiet . . .
Posted in: prayer
prayer in the face of Florence
an Orthodox prayer
O Master, Lord our God, Who through Thy consubstantial Word, Who is without beginning, and Thy life-giving Spirit, Who is equal in honor, hast brought everything out of nothingness into being; Who hast set sandy barriers to the sea, and hast weighed the mountains and the valleys in a balance; Who hast measured the skies and holds the . . .
Posted in: prayer
on holy innocents: King Herod and Uncle Sam
Today the church remembers and honors the Holy Innocents: the male toddlers slaughtered by King Herod in his attempt to kill Jesus, the newborn king who threatened Herod politically (or so he thought) by his mere existence.
As recorded by St. Matthew:
Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, . . .
"O Emmanuel..."
advent antiphons
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son,
and shall call His name Immanuel.
-- Isaiah 7.14 (NKJV)
Today we pray for Christ's coming:
O Emmanuel, our king
and our lawgiver,
the anointed of the nations
and their . . .
"O King of the Nations..."
advent antiphons
He shall judge between the nations,
And rebuke many people;
They shall beat their swords into plowshares,
And their spears into pruning hooks;
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
Neither shall they learn war anymore...
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
. . .
