By Matt DeBall, coordinator of Mission Advancement Communications “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for [God] has looked with favor on the lowliness of [God’s] servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed.” ~Luke 1:46b-48 Do you have a favorite blanket? Mine is a purple,
Advent
Hey! It isn’t Christmas yet
The most counter cultural thing a Christian can do today is to refuse the drive to Christmas. If you watched the Macy’s parade on Thanksgiving, Santa came riding in at the end of the parade with the bold symbolic statement that Christmas has come. The commercialization of Christmas is obvious. “Santa has come, the Christmas season is
Star rising
Matthew 2:1-12 Question for reflection: What signs of Jesus have stood out for you during this Advent and Christmas season? Where have you witnessed the Light of Christ disrupting the darkness and shining brightly? Prayer for the day: Once again we have traveled the road of God’s promise, arriving at a simple manger occupied by
Last word and testament
Luke 6:27-31 Question for reflection: Where do you see conflict in your life today? What would a loving response look like? Prayer for the day: God, enemies are real. Help me to respond with an honest and grace-filled love to those who injure me. Show me when I make others into the enemy, and turn
Lord willin’
James 4:11-17 Question for reflection: How do you listen for God’s will? What do you hear God saying to you for this day? Prayer for the day: God, I want to trust your intentions for my life. My desire is to live a life consistent with your will. But sometimes it is hard to hear,
Cost of complacency
Proverbs 1:20-33 Question for reflection: Where in your life are you resisting God through complacency? What change might you initiate to proactively mend and make amends, with God and with those around you? Prayer for the day: Give me ears to hear your direction, God, and then grant me courage to live beyond my complacency.
Life at hard labor
James 3:13-18 Question for reflection: Who in your life do you need to treat with more dignity and respect? What specific steps could you take to build up the community through that relationship? Prayer for the day: God, help me to be a better friend to _________. Make me gentle and reasonable. I want to
Year of our Lord, 2015
Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 Question for reflection: To “finish well” implies a conscious decision to use the resources of our lives by offering the very best gifts and talents to glorify God in ministry and service to all people. What can you offer in the New Year that is the very best of who you are for
Light encounter
John 8:12-19 Question for reflection: When have you been surprised by the simplicity of God’s work? Prayer for the day: O God, in whom no darkness prevails, bring to light all the places in which we hide from your grace. Empower us as those who carry your light into the world whose darkness too easily overcomes.
Worth being awake
2 Peter 3:8-13 Question for reflection: What awakens you to the wonder, joy and presence of God’s new life in this Holy Season? How are you witnessing the “special things” of God? Prayer for the day: God of new life, open our hearts and minds to your holy presence as we wait and watch for