Epiphany

The Light of Christ

Read Isaiah 60:1-6

http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=224436361

"Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you."

Today we, along with the wise ones, arrive at Epiphany. We have been on a long journey together, and finally we have reached the end. We arrive at the birthplace of joy, and we kneel in gratitude at the scene before us. When we look around with the eyes of our hearts, we see generations of those who have come before, from all nations and ages, from all races and cultures. All have arrived at this simple manger to give thanks for the great gift of Love.

As we arise from our place at the side of the Christ child, we go forth into the world, recipients of abundant grace, bathed in love, and clothed in God's Spirit. We are ready to journey forward into the glow of Epiphany light, spreading the good news of God's great gift to the world. Come along. Walk with us as we follow Christ's light. 

Ever-loving God, thank you for the gift of this pilgrimage of faith through the days of Advent and Christmas. Send me out into your world surrounded by Epiphany light, that I may be your mind, heart, and hands in the world. Amen.

--Beth Richardson, An Uncluttered Heart

Our Advent/Christmas journey comes to an end, but our charge to transform the world continues to be made new each day. Thank you for sharing this journey. May Christ's light shine brightly--in us, through us, in spite of us, and because of us!

Rich

The Twelfth Day of Christmas

In the Flow of God's Spirit

Read Colossians 3:12-16

http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=224409988

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God."

If I could adopt and nurture one spiritual practice this year, it would be learning to let myself be "carried along in the steady flow of the Spirit of God." This means setting aside my opinions, my control, my will, my need to be right, and placing myself in God's care, asking God to be in charge of everything I think and say and do. 

If I'm in tune with God's presence, I imagine that being carried along in the flow of God's Spirit is a gentle process. But if I'm struggling to be in charge, it's liable to be a turbulent ride, perhaps a bit like running the rapids of a river in a rubber dinghy. I'm learning that if I live inside of God's care and will, a bumpy ride is not God's fault but some resistance in me.

If I can learn to relax and let God be in charge, I can grow in this spiritual practice. It is not always easy. Every day brings challenges. But I can make choices that keep my own spirit open to the presence of God's Spirit---and enter into the steady flow of the heart and mind of Christ.

Great God of life, your Spirit flows around me and over me every moment. Hlep me open myself to your presence, that I may join with you and be carried along in the steady flow of your Spirit. Amen.

--Beth Richardson, An Uncluttered Heart

 

Eleventh Day of Christmas

Perspective

 

Read Psalm 148:1-5

http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=224228972

 

^"Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!"

I often lose perspective on things. I tend to think that everything is about me. I'm the center of the universe; everything, everyone, revolves around me. I'm just a tiny grain of sand "on an endless seashore." Talk about feeling small...

Hinson's quotation of scientific facts puts my universe into perspective---the universe definitely does not revolve around us. It puts human existence into perspective---we are one part of God's gigantic creation. And yet, we are loved and cared for by God ass unique individuals, God's special children in whom God delights.

Today, when things are not going my way, I remember the image of 150 billion galaxies---with God at their center.

Creative and creating God, thank you for creating the universe with its vast galaxies. And thank you for creating me, infinitely tiny in comparison but precious in your sight. Amen.

--Beth Richardson, An Uncluttered Heart


Me, me, me, me, me...in our culture, over and over again in a variety of ways we are invited to see ourselves as the most important single being in the whole of creation. Scripture reminds us time and again that each and every one of us are precious and loved, but never to the detriment of another. God loves us all, each and every one of us. We are, all, God's children.

In both the Old and the Oew Testaments, we are reminded the most important commandment is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and...to love our neighbor as ourselves. There is an intended balance in life. As we love God and one another, we find ourselves and are able to love ourselves, not as a privileged individuals that deserve more than others, but as wonderfully created humans blessed to share life abundant.

The greatest gift of Christmas is God's self! God came that we might know life. The greatest gift that we can give, too, is ourselves. When we give of ourselves, when we reach out to others, we find life in amazingly new and vibrant ways.

In the words of one of my favorite musicians, Peter Mayer, "give yourself this Christmas!"

Rich

Tenth Day of Christmas

 

Following

 

Read Galatians 4:4-7

http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=224214151

 

^"And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”⁷So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God."

 

In the face of the mystery of Jesus, both human and divine, I respond with the authors of today's quote, "Jesus, you are the only one I want to love and follow." The little baby in the manger--I can understand that. But healer, preacher, teacher, Savior, Son of God, conqueror ofdeath--added all up, these go beyond my ability to comprehend.

 

I want to do the right thing. I yearn to follow the path that leads to life. How many times a day should I pray? What's the right combination of spiritual disciplines? Which devotional should I read? How many times a week should I attend corporate worship? And how do I know when I've got the right combination down?

 

Jesus said, "Follow me." It's that simple. Let go, follow my heart, and affirm, "Jesus, you are the one I want to love and follow."

 

Jesus, keep prodding me to follow you, and all else will fall into place. Amen.

 

--Beth Richardson, An Uncluttered Heart


Following...it sounds so easy. We grow up playing "follow the leader" and lots of other games that invite us to pay attention and do whatever the leader does or tells us to do. We do well as long as we keep our focus and don't let other things get in the way.

Why is following Jesus sometimes so difficult? Sometimes because following requires us to make difficult choices, but as often as not for one reason or another we lose our focus or don't pay close enough attention. The world invites us to look in other directions and follow other leaders.

What is the ONE thing you need to do to be a better follower of Jesus this year? Jesus tells us that he is "the way, the truth, and the life." Jesus always points us to God and God's love. Why would we choose to follow in any other direction?

Rich

 

 

 



Ninth Day of Christmas

Take the Gift of Christmas with you...

 

Read Isaiah 63:7-9

http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=224132622

 

"I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord, the praiseworthy acts of the Lord, because of all that the Lord has done for us, ..."

 

 

The gift of God's presence sustains us today. It feels like a long time since Christmas. The new year has begun, and we haven't heard Christmas music on the radio in over a week. People around us seem to have forgotten their holiday generosity; folks have already resumed old habits.

 

But God is still with us, blessing us with signs of presence and love. We are still alive today; thank you, God. We are blessed with the things we need to live a full life; thank you, God. And we are walking side by side with God, who showers us with steadfast love.

 

As we play Christmas music today in our home, car, or office, we remember the joy and gratitude of Christmas Day. We give thanks for the many gifts of the past few weeks. Our gratitude generates action: a call to a lonely friend, an e-mail of thanks to the church staff, a personal psalm of praise in our journal.

 

Thank you God, for your gift of presence that sustains me today. If I am too weak or broken, lift me up and carry me as you did in days of old. Amen.

 

--Beth Richardson, An Uncluttered Heart

 

 

God, let us count the ways you never leave us. Your light of Day greeted us this morning. The smell of life filled our nostrils with the crisp, chilly air of a new day. The melody of gently crackling leaves whispered your love in our ears. These are among the Good Morning gifts we thank you for. You have given us another day in your Precious Presence.

 

Come what my this day: angry traffic, angry words, paved roads, paved ways, we will praise your Holy Name! And so we greet you this day with shouts of joy and thanksgiving. Amen. 

 

--Sherie Dobbs Johnson, The Africna Worship Book

 

 

 

How can we tell that we have really begun the new year? Yep, you guessed it, the morning shows all featured ways to lose weight this morning! (ha!) How did they know how many chocolate chip cookies and pound cake pieces I consumed this year? Oh, well...

 

But, today is only the ninth day of Christmas. There is yet time to give the real Gift of Christmas a bit more space in our hearts and lives before we move back into the world. What part of Christmas do you need most to take with you into the new year?

 

As you pray this morning and throughout the day, praise God for the gift of life and a new year. Invite the Holy Spirit to show you how best to take the Gift of Christmas with you every day into the new year that all might know and be transformed!

 

Rich  

Eighth Day of Christmas: New Year's Day

New Year's Day

Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=223987892

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven..."

Today we start a new year. Turning to a new calendar, our lives resound with possibility. What joys will this new year bring to our families and friends, to our world? As we dedicate our lives and this coming year to God, we take time to connect with God and offer our lives to God's service.

Today set aside thirty minutes to an hour to reflect on the coming year. What are your hopes and dreams for life, family, community, or world? What things within yourself , at the job, or among relationships need work or improvement? What places need healing or reconciliation? Record your responses, and note any action that you need to take. Close with silence or a short time of prayers, offering the coming year to God. 

God of new beginnings, guide me through the seasons of the coming year. Whatever joy or hardship I face, let me face it standing with you. Whatever building up or tearing down that I encounter, let me take action under your care. For you are the creator of every season. Amen.

--Beth Richardson, An Uncluttered Heart

Blessings to all on this New Year's Day! We begin the new year giving thanks to you for the many ways you support, participate and share here at Union Grove UMC. In the coming weeks we as a church will begin the process of dreaming together about God's vision for us for 2013 and the years to come. Where do you hear God calling us as a church in the coming year?

Rich