May 31st, 2008
Saturday’s Reflection
GIVE ME THE GRACE
to make your Word my home,
that I know you more clearly
and serve you more faithfully
ever more.
Amen.
- Norman Shawchuck and Rueben P. Job
A Guide to Prayer for All Who Seek God
From p. 80 of A Guide to Prayer for All Who Seek God by Norman Shawchuck and Rueben P. Job. Copyright © 2003 by the authors. Published by Upper Room Books. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission. http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/. Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Scripture Reading
Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.”
- Romans 1:17, NRSV
This Week …
- Special Need:
- This Week: Pray for memories of those loved and lost. Leave your prayer at the Prayer Wall.
- Tips for Your Spirit:
- Pray Your Type. So, now you know you are a Lover, Mystic, Prophet, or Sage. (If not, take the Spiritual Types Test.) Did you know that each of the spiritual types has a favorite way to pray? Check it out: Praying as We Are.
- Saints, Inc.:
- This week we remember Augustine of Canterbury (May 27).
- Lectionary Readings:
-
Sponsored by The Upper Room daily devotional guide. Subscribe Today.
Copyright © 2008 The Upper Room | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA
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May 30th, 2008
Friday’s Reflection
OUR PRAYER BEGINS where all prayer must begin, in the realization that the One to whom we speak is a God of grace. … To pray to such a God is like falling into the arms of the one you love. You open up your life to the One who is always faithful and trustworthy. You look to God, in the midst of hopelessness and in confidence, during times of deep personal agony and glorious triumph, from positions of overwhelming abundance and of utter desperation, and you find the Lord already near.
- Paul Wesley Chilcote
A Life-Shaping Prayer: 52 Meditations in the Wesleyan Spirit
From pp. 21-22 of A Life-Shaping Prayer by Paul Wesley Chilcote. Copyright © 2008 by the author. Published by Upper Room Books. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission. http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/. Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Scripture Reading
It is written, “The one who is righteous will live by faith.”
- Romans 1:17, NRSV
This Week …
- Special Need:
- This Week: Pray for memories of those loved and lost. Leave your prayer at the Prayer Wall.
- Tips for Your Spirit:
- Pray Your Type. So, now you know you are a Lover, Mystic, Prophet, or Sage. (If not, take the Spiritual Types Test.) Did you know that each of the spiritual types has a favorite way to pray? Check it out: Praying as We Are.
- Saints, Inc.:
- This week we remember Augustine of Canterbury (May 27).
- Lectionary Readings:
-
Sponsored by The Upper Room daily devotional guide. Subscribe Today.
Copyright © 2008 The Upper Room | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA
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May 29th, 2008
Thursday’s Reflection
AT SOME moment in the day, deliberately gaze at a tree, a shrub, a flower, a bird, a cloud, sunlight, rain, and greet it as a loving partner. Look at it fully and lovingly. Touch it if you can or open your palms to its presence. Let God’s love speak, reach out to you through it. Move gently deeper than the outward appearance and greet the hidden, living mystery.
- Flora Slosson Wuellner
Prayer, Stress and our Inner Wounds
From p. 73 of Prayer, Stress and our Inner Wounds by Flora Slosson Wuellner. Copyright © 2006 by the author. Published by Upper Room Books. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission. http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/. Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Scripture Reading
God said to Noah, “I have decided to put an end to all people. I will destroy them completely, because the world is full of their violent deeds.”
- Genesis 6:13, GNT
This Week …
- Special Need:
- This Week: Pray for memories of those loved and lost. Leave your prayer at the Prayer Wall.
- Tips for Your Spirit:
- Pray Your Type. So, now you know you are a Lover, Mystic, Prophet, or Sage. (If not, take the Spiritual Types Test.) Did you know that each of the spiritual types has a favorite way to pray? Check it out: Praying as We Are.
- Saints, Inc.:
- This week we remember Augustine of Canterbury (May 27).
- Lectionary Readings:
-
Sponsored by The Upper Room daily devotional guide. Subscribe Today.
Copyright © 2008 The Upper Room | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA
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May 28th, 2008
Wednesday’s Reflection
NEARLY EVERY TIME I visit Vandalia, I drive out to Four Mile, [the place where my family was from]. What do I gain from these drives? I feel nostalgia, certainly, and a sense of peace at the lovely setting with its rural ambiance; but also I renew a continuity with my past. And I feel a sense of gratitude to God for the experiences in which God has led me. If I were to encapsulate my own faith journey in a few words, I’d have to say that God never failed to lead me through varieties of experiences. God brought good from difficult or mediocre circumstances, sometimes veering me from paths I thought were best (and for which I’d sought the Lord’s will) onto paths that were better for me. I’ve had no “earthquake” spiritual experiences at Four Mile, but when I visit that place, I’m grateful for the land and my journey.
- Paul E. Stroble
You Gave Me a Wide Place: Holy Places in Our Lives
From pp. 60-61 of You Gave Me a Wide Place: Holy Places in Our Lives by Paul E. Stroble. Copyright © 2006 by the author. Published by Upper Room Books. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission. http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/. Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Scripture Reading
God puts people right through their faith in Jesus Christ.
- Romans 3:22, GNT
This Week …
- Special Need:
- This Week: Pray for memories of those loved and lost. Leave your prayer at the Prayer Wall.
- Tips for Your Spirit:
- Pray Your Type. So, now you know you are a Lover, Mystic, Prophet, or Sage. (If not, take the Spiritual Types Test.) Did you know that each of the spiritual types has a favorite way to pray? Check it out: Praying as We Are.
- Saints, Inc.:
- This week we remember Augustine of Canterbury (May 27).
- Lectionary Readings:
-
Sponsored by The Upper Room daily devotional guide. Subscribe Today.
Copyright © 2008 The Upper Room | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA
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May 27th, 2008
Tuesday’s Reflection
THE SPIRITUAL LIFE is not about rules; true spirituality is about relationship. It is not about how well we pray or how many Bible verses we can quote. It is about living in relationship with God, depending upon God daily.
- Mary Lou Redding
The Power of a Focused Heart: 8 Life Lessons from the Beatitudes
From p. 19 of The Power of a Focused Heart: 8 Life Lessons from the Beatitudes by Mary Lou Redding. Copyright © 2006 by the author. Published by Upper Room Books. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission. http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/. Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Scripture Reading
When Jesus concluded his address, the crowd burst into applause. … It was apparent that he was living everything he was saying–quite a contrast to their religion teachers!
- Matthew 7:28-29, THE MESSAGE
This Week …
- Special Need:
- This Week: Pray for memories of those loved and lost. Leave your prayer at the Prayer Wall.
- Tips for Your Spirit:
- Pray Your Type. So, now you know you are a Lover, Mystic, Prophet, or Sage. (If not, take the Spiritual Types Test.) Did you know that each of the spiritual types has a favorite way to pray? Check it out: Praying as We Are.
- Saints, Inc.:
- This week we remember Augustine of Canterbury (May 27).
- Lectionary Readings:
-
Sponsored by The Upper Room daily devotional guide. Subscribe Today.
Copyright © 2008 The Upper Room | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA
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May 26th, 2008
MEMORIAL DAY (U.S.)
Monday’s Reflection
CREATOR of the universe, comfort the families whose sons and daughters, husbands and wives have been killed in … war. Guide our political leaders to be humble, discerning, and constantly aware of the personal sacrifices resulting from our policies. Help us to examine all our statements and actions and never to assume that our perspective or that of our nation, is beyond challenge. Amen.
- Jim Melchiorre
Novena in Time of War: Soul-Searching Prayers and Meditations
From p. 43 of Novena in Time of War: Soul-Searching Prayers and Meditations by Jim Melchiorre. Copyright © 2007 by the author. Published by Upper Room Books. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission. http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/. Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Scripture Reading
Paul wrote: I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith.
- Romans 1:16, NRSV
This Week …
- Special Need:
- This Week: Pray for memories of those loved and lost. Leave your prayer at the Prayer Wall.
- Tips for Your Spirit:
- Pray Your Type. So, now you know you are a Lover, Mystic, Prophet, or Sage. (If not, take the Spiritual Types Test.) Did you know that each of the spiritual types has a favorite way to pray? Check it out: Praying as We Are.
- Saints, Inc.:
- This week we remember Augustine of Canterbury (May 27).
- Lectionary Readings:
-
Sponsored by The Upper Room daily devotional guide. Subscribe Today.
Copyright © 2008 The Upper Room | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA
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May 25th, 2008
Sunday’s Reflection
AS CHRISTIANS we are accustomed to thinking of ourselves as children of God or as sons and daughters of God. Most of us also feel at ease with our identity as servants of God. Nevertheless, we may find it hard to talk about ourselves as friends of God. We sing about our friendship with Jesus, but is it really okay to be on a first-name basis with God, the Almighty?
- Stephanie Ford
Kindred Souls: Connecting through Spiritual Friendship
From p. 87 of Kindred Souls: Connecting through Spiritual Friendship by Stephanie Ford. Copyright © 2006 by the author. Published by Upper Room Books. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission. http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/. Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Scripture Reading
We are servants of Christ, not his masters. We are guides into God’s most sublime secrets, not security guards posted to protect them.
- 1 Corinthians 4:1, THE MESSAGE
This Week …
- Special Need:
- This Week: Pray for those who are in grief. Visit the Prayer Wall.
- Tips for Your Spirit:
- What’s Your Type? Do you approach spirituality through your mind or through your emotions? Are you more interested in serving others or experiencing God in silence? Find out your spiritual type by taking the MethodX Spiritual Types Test.
- Saints, Inc.:
- This week we remember Bernadino of Siena (May 20).
- Lectionary Readings:
-
Sponsored by The Upper Room daily devotional guide. Subscribe Today.
Copyright © 2008 The Upper Room | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA
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May 24th, 2008
Saturday’s Reflection
CREATIVITY … is a practice in hope. When things go wrong, if we can make something from it or if we can imagine a day when God will make things better, then we have hope that sorrow is not the last word.
- Carol Lakey Hess and Marie Hess
“Creativity
Way to Live: Christian Practices for Teens
From p. 110 of Way to Live: Christian Practices for Teens edited by Dorothy C. Bass and Don C. Richter. Copyright © 2002 by the editors. Published by Upper Room Books. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission. http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/. Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Scripture Reading
Jesus said, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
- Matthew 6:34, NRSV
This Week …
- Special Need:
- This Week: Pray for those who are in grief. Visit the Prayer Wall.
- Tips for Your Spirit:
- What’s Your Type? Do you approach spirituality through your mind or through your emotions? Are you more interested in serving others or experiencing God in silence? Find out your spiritual type by taking the MethodX Spiritual Types Test.
- Saints, Inc.:
- This week we remember Bernadino of Siena (May 20).
- Lectionary Readings:
-
Sponsored by The Upper Room daily devotional guide. Subscribe Today.
Copyright © 2008 The Upper Room | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA
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May 23rd, 2008
Friday’s Reflection
GRACIOUS LORD, you are the Bread of Life, who provides for all my needs and satisfies the deepest longing of my heart; graft me into the very center of your great tree of life; feed me, nourish me, and care for me like a tender vine that I might grow into Christ in all things. Amen.
- Paul Wesley Chilcote
A Life-Shaping Prayer: 52 Meditations in the Wesleyan Spirit
From p. 53 of A Life-Shaping Prayer: 52 Meditations in the Wesleyan Spirit by Paul Wesley Chilcote. Copyright © 2008 by the author. Published by Upper Room Books. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission. http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/. Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Scripture Reading
Jesus said, “Strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all [your everyday needs] will be given to you as well.”
- Matthew 6:33, NRSV
This Week …
- Special Need:
- This Week: Pray for those who are in grief. Visit the Prayer Wall.
- Tips for Your Spirit:
- What’s Your Type? Do you approach spirituality through your mind or through your emotions? Are you more interested in serving others or experiencing God in silence? Find out your spiritual type by taking the MethodX Spiritual Types Test.
- Saints, Inc.:
- This week we remember Bernadino of Siena (May 20).
- Lectionary Readings:
-
Sponsored by The Upper Room daily devotional guide. Subscribe Today.
Copyright © 2008 The Upper Room | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA
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May 22nd, 2008
Thursday’s Reflection
O GOD of dry bones, be with us.
O God of the silence, be with us.
When there are no words, be with us.
When there is only the time in between, be with us. Amen.
- Susan Henry-Crowe
“The Time in Between”
The Upper Room Disciplines 2005
From p. 79 of The Upper Room Disciplines 2005. Copyright © 2004 by Upper Room Books. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission. http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/. Learn more about or purchase this year’s Disciplines.
Today’s Scripture Reading
The LORD says to his people, “When the time comes to save you, I will show you favor and answer your cries for help.”
- Isaiah 49:8, GNT
This Week …
- Special Need:
- This Week: Pray for those who are in grief. Visit the Prayer Wall.
- Tips for Your Spirit:
- What’s Your Type? Do you approach spirituality through your mind or through your emotions? Are you more interested in serving others or experiencing God in silence? Find out your spiritual type by taking the MethodX Spiritual Types Test.
- Saints, Inc.:
- This week we remember Bernadino of Siena (May 20).
- Lectionary Readings:
-
Sponsored by The Upper Room daily devotional guide. Subscribe Today.
Copyright © 2008 The Upper Room | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA
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