July 31st, 2008
Thursday’s Reflection
JESUS CHALLENGED MARTHA to let go of her many preoccupations so that she could begin paying attention. Prayer begins with relinquishment, with letting go. You can’t have a good conversation with someone when you’re preoccupied and your mind is elsewhere. You turn off the TV, unplug the iPod, put your project on standby, and give your undivided attention to the other person. Okay, it’s possible to have a good conversation while taking a walk, riding in the car, or fixing a meal together. But in those cases, active listening requires extra effort. Most of us have the attention span of a gnat, and we get easily distracted by random thoughts and memories, unfinished tasks, multitasking, or ubiquitous ads for consumer products.
- Don C. Richter
Mission Trips That Matter: Embodied Faith for the Sake of the World
From p. 62 of Mission Trips That Matter by Don C. Richter. 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
If you try my heart, if you visit me by night, if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me.
- Psalm 17:3, NRSV
This Week …
- Special Need:
- This Week: Pray for peacemakers everywhere. Visit the Prayer Wall.
- Tips for Your Spirit:
- Struggling with Pain? Learning to live with disease or distress can be a challenge. Read Meditation for Distress, Disease, or Pain.
- Saints, Inc.:
- This week we remember Basil the Blessed (August 2).
- Lectionary Readings:
-
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Copyright © 2008 The Upper Room | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA
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July 30th, 2008
Wednesday’s Reflection
GRACIOUS LORD, hope of Israel and joy of the redeemed: hear me when I cry to you out of the depths, for I long to see your face and to receive your grace as I rest in your Word of promise, even the Christ who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever more. Amen.
- Paul Wesley Chilcote
A Life-Shaping Prayer: 52 Meditations in the Wesleyan Spirit
From p. 112 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
Jacob named the place Peniel (God’s Face) because, he said, “I saw God face-to-face and lived to tell the story!”
- Genesis 32:30, THE MESSAGE
This Week …
- Special Need:
- This Week: Pray for peacemakers everywhere. Visit the Prayer Wall.
- Tips for Your Spirit:
- Struggling with Pain? Learning to live with disease or distress can be a challenge. Read Meditation for Distress, Disease, or Pain.
- Saints, Inc.:
- This week we remember Basil the Blessed (August 2).
- 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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July 29th, 2008
Tuesday’s Reflection
WE WRESTLE with God when what we pray for doesn’t happen. And if enough frustration builds up, our “nice” prayers will erupt in silent or spoken prayers using words we’re not even sure we are allowed to speak to God.
- Steve Harper
Talking in the Dark: Praying When Life Doesn’t Make Sense
From pp. 23-24 of Talking in the Dark by Steve Harper. 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
Your name is no longer Jacob. From now on it’s Israel (God-Wrestler); you’ve wrestled with God and you’ve come through.
- Genesis 32:28, THE MESSAGE
This Week …
- Special Need:
- This Week: Pray for peacemakers everywhere. Visit the Prayer Wall.
- Tips for Your Spirit:
- Struggling with Pain? Learning to live with disease or distress can be a challenge. Read Meditation for Distress, Disease, or Pain.
- Saints, Inc.:
- This week we remember Basil the Blessed (August 2).
- 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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July 28th, 2008
Monday’s Reflection
PEACEMAKING often involves dismantling entrenched power. We see this when we consider Gandhi’s efforts to do away with the oppression of the caste system or Martin Luther King, Jr. working to end segregation and ensure civil rights or the Sisters of Loretto working for justice for coal miners in West Virginia. This is the work of a God who changes the usual order of things, who rocks the boat, who deposes those in high positions. And this is the God we serve.
- Mary Lou Redding
The Power of a Focused Heart: 8 Life Lessons from the Beatitudes
From p. 93 of The Power of a Focused Heart: 8 Life Lessons from the Beatitudes by Mary Lou Redding. Copyright © 2006 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
I pray to you, O God, because you answer me; so turn to me and listen to my words.
- Psalm 17:6, GNT
This Week …
- Special Need:
- This Week: Pray for peacemakers everywhere. Visit the Prayer Wall.
- Tips for Your Spirit:
- Struggling with Pain? Learning to live with disease or distress can be a challenge. Read Meditation for Distress, Disease, or Pain.
- Saints, Inc.:
- This week we remember Basil the Blessed (August 2).
- 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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July 27th, 2008
Sunday’s Reflection
SINGING PRAISES TO GOD involves all of who we are in prayer, using body, mind, and emotion as well as breath and voice. Perhaps this is why [the] great saint, Augustine of Hippo, is noted as saying, “The one who sings prays twice.”
- Jane Vennard with Stephen Bryant
The Way of Prayer, Participant’s Book
From p. 48 of The Way of Prayer, Participant’s Book by Jane Vennard with Stephen Bryant. Copyright © 2006 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, “The Kingdom of heaven is like this. A man is looking for fine pearls, and when he finds one that is unusually fine, he goes and sells everything he has, and buys that pearl.”
- Matthew 13:45, GNT
This Week …
- Special Need:
- This Week: Pray for all who travel and all who provide hospitality. Visit the Prayer Wall.
- Tips for Your Spirit:
- Praying with Eyes Open. Many of us were taught to close our eyes when we pray. Praying with icons is an ancient prayer practice that involves keeping our eyes wide open, taking into our heart what the image visually communicates. Try praying with icons.
- Saints, Inc.:
- This week we remember James the Great (July 25).
- 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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July 26th, 2008
Saturday’s Reflection
OUR WOUNDS,
when blessed by God,
can also be
a source of healing
for others.
- Deborah Smith Douglas
“Wounded and Healed”
Weavings Journal
From p. 22 of Weavings Journal, March/April 2000. Copyright © 2000 The Upper Room. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission. http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/. Learn more about or purchase this journal.
Today’s Scripture Reading
Paul wrote: I am certain that nothing can separate us from [God's] love.
- Romans 8:38, GNT
This Week …
- Special Need:
- This Week: Pray for all who travel and all who provide hospitality. Visit the Prayer Wall.
- Tips for Your Spirit:
- Praying with Eyes Open. Many of us were taught to close our eyes when we pray. Praying with icons is an ancient prayer practice that involves keeping our eyes wide open, taking into our heart what the image visually communicates. Try praying with icons.
- Saints, Inc.:
- This week we remember James the Great (July 25).
- 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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July 25th, 2008
Friday’s Reflection
GRACIOUS LORD, you are the beginning and ending of all things, my center and my circumference: root and fix me in you in such a way that my soul finds rest in its true home and never stops growing in grace, safe and secure in your loving embrace. Amen.
- Paul Wesley Chilcote
A Life-Shaping Prayer: 52 Meditations in the Wesleyan Spirit
From p. 23 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
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
- Romans 8:28, NRSV
This Week …
- Special Need:
- This Week: Pray for all who travel and all who provide hospitality. Visit the Prayer Wall.
- Tips for Your Spirit:
- Praying with Eyes Open. Many of us were taught to close our eyes when we pray. Praying with icons is an ancient prayer practice that involves keeping our eyes wide open, taking into our heart what the image visually communicates. Try praying with icons.
- Saints, Inc.:
- This week we remember James the Great (July 25).
- 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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July 24th, 2008
Thursday’s Reflection
WE ARE NOT IN THE HABIT of reflecting on God’s will in the context of our daily lives. As a result, we think about it only occasionally — in church on Sundays, for example. It would be more valuable and instructive to ask ourselves, What is God’s will for me right now, when this homeless person is asking for help? or, What is God’s will when I am starting an argument with my spouse?
- Christopher Maricle
The Jesus Priorities: 8 Essential Habits
From p. 91 of The Jesus Priorities by Christopher Maricle. 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
Thank God! Pray to him by name! Tell everyone you meet what he has done! Sing him songs, belt out hymns, translate his wonders into music!
- Psalm 105:1-2, THE MESSAGE
This Week …
- Special Need:
- This Week: Pray for all who travel and all who provide hospitality. Visit the Prayer Wall.
- Tips for Your Spirit:
- Praying with Eyes Open. Many of us were taught to close our eyes when we pray. Praying with icons is an ancient prayer practice that involves keeping our eyes wide open, taking into our heart what the image visually communicates. Try praying with icons.
- Saints, Inc.:
- This week we remember James the Great (July 25).
- 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
Posted in Daily Reflection | 1 Comment »
July 23rd, 2008
Wednesday’s Reflection
SPIRITUALITY IS NOT NECESSARILY a comfort zone. Most of us, myself included, prefer a spiritual path that builds inner peace, self-esteem, confidence in times of trouble, and so on. We prefer not to embark upon a spiritual path that leads to painful inner change and difficult questions! … The spiritual path certainly leads to positive outcomes, but it can also lead us out of our familiar routine and demand significant changes in our thinking and patterns of living.
- Paul E. Stroble
You Gave Me a Wide Place: Holy Places in Our Lives
From p. 28 of You Gave Me a Wide Place 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
Jacob worked seven years so that he could have Rachel, and the time seemed like only a few days to him, because he loved her.
- Genesis 29:20, GNT
This Week …
- Special Need:
- This Week: Pray for all who travel and all who provide hospitality. Visit the Prayer Wall.
- Tips for Your Spirit:
- Praying with Eyes Open. Many of us were taught to close our eyes when we pray. Praying with icons is an ancient prayer practice that involves keeping our eyes wide open, taking into our heart what the image visually communicates. Try praying with icons.
- Saints, Inc.:
- This week we remember James the Great (July 25).
- 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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July 22nd, 2008
Tuesday’s Reflection
LONG AGO the prophet Jeremiah asked, “Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there?” (8:22). He wrote his lament when his nation was suffering greatly. Jeremiah’s heart was broken, his face wet with tears. Of course, there was medicine in the land, and Israel had doctors. But the kind of care the nation needed went beyond the power of pills or persons. Likewise, we are never bereft of prayer, but we may need more than our customary views and practices of it. We may need to experience prayer in a new way — or more correctly, experience God in a new way. As one person said to me, “I want to know about the kind of prayer that will keep me praying when everything in me wants to quit.”
- Steve Harper
Talking in the Dark: Praying When Life Doesn’t Make Sense
From p. 17 of Talking in the Dark by Steve Harper. 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
If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. [God's Spirit] does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans.
- Romans 8:26, THE MESSAGE
This Week …
- Special Need:
- This Week: Pray for all who travel and all who provide hospitality. Visit the Prayer Wall.
- Tips for Your Spirit:
- Praying with Eyes Open. Many of us were taught to close our eyes when we pray. Praying with icons is an ancient prayer practice that involves keeping our eyes wide open, taking into our heart what the image visually communicates. Try praying with icons.
- Saints, Inc.:
- This week we remember James the Great (July 25).
- 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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