Devotion
Derek’s Delicious Duck
David Jacobs
During my travels to China, I tended to shy away from Chinese food, instead settling for something more familiar. My Chinese friends would encourage me, but no matter how much they preached I just couldn't find myself attracted to a lot of their food. However, that changed when I met Derek.
Derek didn't really care if I enjoyed his national cuisine or not, he only cared that he found it delicious and that it worked for him. During our conversations, he would occasionally talk about his evening plans and weekend adventures. One day he said that he was excited to go to a very good duck restaurant. His efforts in praising them were not to convince me to eat there (I wasn't invited to dinner with him), he sang their praises because they did a great job and he really enjoyed it. That weekend, I went to the restaurant out of curiosity, and I enjoyed duck pancakes, pickled spinach with peanuts, and sweet and sour fish. They are now some of my favorite dishes.
Sincerely singing praises is often contagious. It piques curiosity, sets a terrific first impression and spreads a positive message for those that do good work. No force is necessary.
Furthermore, song (literally) is something that may bring people from very disparate parts of life together, for songs can reach beyond borders and into peoples' lives. There it may get stuck in their heads, or stay with them for years on end, the words or tune affixed to a special time and memory. Would it be preposterous to suggest we treat Gods' love like such a melody? Is it not after all, something immaterial but which moves us in some deep and knowing way?
Prayer
Literally, spread songs of joy amongst friends and nations, if you can, seek out other religious songs in other tongues. Figuratively sing his praise, let it be one of your favorite songs to carry with you wherever you go. You never know who's head the song will get stuck in.
Devotion
Passover
Frances Taylor
And so still today, the Jewish people celebrate Passover and one of the traditions is for someone to ask why we celebrate this feast, and the youngest child answers with the story of the Passover. Jesus was celebrating Passover with his friends on the night before he died. I know this reading comes up during the summer, so it's not the time for Passover, or the Passion of Jesus, but I have a question. What are our traditions surrounding the passion and death and resurrection of Jesus? Do we celebrate the end of Lent on Holy Thursday? Do we spend time with Jesus on Good Friday remembering his sacrifice? Is Easter all about candy and the Easter bunny? Today, many of our churches are practically empty on Easter Sunday and the children think more about an Easter egg hunt than God. Would the youngest member of the family be able to tell the story of why we celebrate? God brought the Israelites from slavery to freedom at the original Passover, but Jesus brought ...
Morning Prayer
Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters; In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the LORD of hosts; one shall be called, The city of destruction. In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD.
Inspiration
Through God, all things are possible, and all things may be made a new. Dwell not on the past, of what was or could have been, but rather look forward to what through God's grace, may unfold within his divine plan. Being a Christian is constantly about a state of becoming, of a movement towards the Light of perfection shown to us by Christ. A part of this is to always remain open to Gods' works and feats, emerging all around us. God's will to create and recreate the world is his right as our Heavenly father, and it is not for us to mourn what may pass, but rather to seek to adapt our faith in ...
Night Prayer
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
Inspiration
God is our portion, our ultimate source of peace and happiness. We do not need to understand His ways or timing; we only need to know that He is always with us. God is our safety net, and He guides us through each struggle or hardship. We know terrible occurrences are bound to happen as we live in this imperfect world, but we have hope because God is with us every moment. His love will never fail.
Prayer
Dear Lord, we depend on You for peace and happiness all the days of our life. We are blessed because we can face any obstacle with You by our side. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
