Devotion
We are like God; God is like usDevotion
We are like God; God is like us
David Jacobs
The weekend. Most of us cannot wait for the weekend to come. Most of us work hard, many of us work jobs that we do not really love, and when we get home it is often followed by even more work. If only we could be more like God, we would not have to work so hard. Read these verses again and you will see that line of thought is wrong. We work hard just like our creator, God, worked hard. Just like us, God was pretty happy when the weekend came.
God created men and women in His image. We, like God, have to work! It is not a curse, it is just a fact of life. Even before sin enters the picture, before Adam and Eve take bites out of the apple, God is working. If He is working, we must certainly be working! God has dominion over all things, in heaven and earth, and we, in his own image, have dominion over many of the things on earth. It may seem like a curse, having to work so hard and feeling tired, but think of the alternatives: would you rather be an insect? A fish? A bird? Even a tiger? None of these beasts are made in God's image. We are. We are the chosen few that get to experience what it is like to be somewhat like God. Every single day that we can work, we should be thankful that we have another day on earth, another chance to better understand ourselves and in turn, our creator.
Prayer
Almighty God, I am humbled by your creation! I am honored to witness all of the things that you worked hard to create. Humble me too, O Lord, so that like you, I can look at what you have created and feel the goodness in it. Lord, I pray that I can be part of that light, part of that goodness, to work to bring more light and good to your creation. In your name, I humbly pray. Amen.
David Jacobs
The weekend. Most of us cannot wait for the weekend to come. Most of us work hard, many of us work jobs that we do not really love, and when we get home it is often followed by even more work. If only we could be more like God, we would not have to work so hard. Read these verses again and you will see that line of thought is wrong. We work hard just like our creator, God, worked hard. Just like us, God was pretty happy when the weekend came.
God created men and women in His image. We, like God, have to work! It is not a curse, it is just a fact of life. Even before sin enters the picture, before Adam and Eve take bites out of the apple, God is working. If He is working, we must certainly be working! God has dominion over all things, in heaven and earth, and we, in his own image, have dominion over many of the things on earth. It may seem like a curse, having to work so hard and feeling tired, but think of the alternatives: would you rather be an insect? A fish? A bird? Even a tiger? None of these beasts are made in God's image. We are. We are the chosen few that get to experience what it is like to be somewhat like God. Every single day that we can work, we should be thankful that we have another day on earth, another chance to better understand ourselves and in turn, our creator.
Prayer
Almighty God, I am humbled by your creation! I am honored to witness all of the things that you worked hard to create. Humble me too, O Lord, so that like you, I can look at what you have created and feel the goodness in it. Lord, I pray that I can be part of that light, part of that goodness, to work to bring more light and good to your creation. In your name, I humbly pray. Amen.
Devotion
The Widow of Naim
Frances Taylor
This story of Jesus' raising the son of the widow of Naim gives us some information that lets us know just how important it was for this widow. At that time, women had no way to earn a living. They were property of their parents until they became property of their husbands, and actually moved into the home of the husband. Now that this widow's son had died, she had no one to take care of her. The compassion that Jesus showed meant life to that widow. I'm sure the leaders weren't too happy that the power of God to raise someone from the dead rested in Jesus. There must also have been those who were saying, "Why her and not me?" We all will die and we will all lose someone we love including those of us who have and will lose children. We can easily read this passage and question. It can be difficult to understand God's plan for us, even though we keep trying. It is better to concentrate on the positive than the negative. A priest I once knew lost ...
Morning Prayer
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Inspiration
Love one another; it is as simple as that. For if God demands you to honor his creation, this also includes his people. Love is not a science, it is an art that takes constant negotiation, communication, and consideration. But should we become better in this, all the better not only for this world, but also in preparing us for the next -wherein everything resides within the arms of our everlasting and loving Father.
Prayer
Lord, give us your guidance. Through Jesus' actions show us how to commit to your brotherly love and understanding, honoring one another as we break bread upon your holy sacrament and salvation. Help us treat one another as we would like to be treated ourselves, and thereafter, find lasting peace and love in giving thanks to your holy name, O Lord most high, Amen.
Devotion
Pray for Leaders
Frances Taylor
How often do you or I pray for government leaders? Paul doesn't say to pray just for the leaders we like, either. If we do want a tranquil and quiet life, we need all leaders to turn to God and work for justice for all their citizens. It's probably even more important to pray and intercede for those leaders who work against justice, than for those who are already doing the right thing. For those who are already on God's side, we should give thanks to God that they stay in leadership and continue to do God's will. The same goes for city, state, and even church leaders as well as our national and international leaders. Good leaders should be supported and others need to be held to account for their behavior. Obviously different countries have different forms of leadership, but that shouldn't stop us from praying for them. God does listen even if the answer doesn't come as quickly as we might like. In the case of democracies, we sometimes need a bad ...
