Offering, encouraging and teaching friendship in Christ to leaders in the business, political, arts and spiritual marketplaces.
Archive for November, 2010
The Christmas Fig Tree
After being inundated with “Black Friday” advertising we know that Christmas must be coming. I still prefer reading the trees for seasonal change. It’s a lot harder to read what’s happening when times are tough in our world and it feels that God is absent and quiet.
Jesus never looked at the world through rose coloured glasses. He knew humanity’s pain and clearly understood times were tough in his land and would get worse.
In this pre-Christmas season we can sharpen our awareness of God’s presence in all of life – even at its darkest. The overwhelming concerns of life may be impeding this process so Jesus invites us to be alert to the less obvious.
A Prayer for Today
Lord Jesus Christ, you dignified us by becoming one of us 2000 years ago. The world was much the same – wars, disasters, conflict, human need and suffering. You came and became one of us to know life in its extremity. Thank you for your presence today in my life to make me a person of hope, promise and reconciliation as I look around me and engage the needs of my world. For Jesus’ sake….
“God Why Can’t We Catch A Break?”
This outburst came from one of our guys at a recent breakfast. He and another friend in the group had experienced tough reversals of fortune. We had all been praying for different outcomes for both of our friends.
“I am so grateful to God for all the good things he has been doing. I have experienced God’s love in the prayers and support of so many friends.” We all chuckled as he continued, “It’s amazing that I’ve just expressed these two conflicting sentiments within minutes of each other.”
“Sounds like the Psalms to me,” said another of our group. One psalm expresses frustration at the absence of God and the very next celebrates God’s nearness. One psalm asks God why we are forsaken and the next celebrates that we are never forgotten.
Both types of prayer are true for us at any given moment and God isn’t nervous whichever one we use.
A Prayer for Today
God this week I’m praying for many who just need a break and I wonder why it looks like they aren’t getting it. I am also filled with gratitude for all the good things I experience in life. I know I sound a bit schizophrenic in my prayers but I trust you love me anyway. For Jesus’ sake….
Do You Realize Who Just Prayed for You?
On three separate occasions this weekend I joined five friends in 60-90 minutes of silent prayer. We listened to God in creation, scripture and our own lives but mainly tried to connect with stories from Jesus’ life.
I was struck by Jesus’ saying to Peter “I’m praying for you”. He was heading into a dark period of character development but Jesus had confidence he would come out as a strong encourager.
While I sat in silence hoping God heard my prayers I became aware that someone far more important was doing the praying for me.
A Prayer for Today
As I exercise my responsibilities today, I thank you Lord, for this brief oasis of silence and fellowship with Jesus. Remind me that you do listen even for my inarticulate ramblings.
Help me to be silent and hear you say, “I am praying for you.” I want to emerge from the character building moments of life with encouragement for others….for Jesus’ sake. Amen
10.10.10 and 11.11.11
Last month, the 10th day of the 10th month 2010 was considered a lucky day for weddings and births. The creative energy we have for creating relationships, families and communities was focused on these three 10’s hoping they’d bring special grace.
Later this week, we’ll pause at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, to remember lives lost and broken in wars over the past hundred years. We remember the horror and heroism of war, hoping that in remembering we may extinguish the destructive fire of violence and hate.
Joy and sorrow, hope and fear, war and peace, love and hate – we carry these polarities in our lives every day. How we respond to it all shows what we really believe about God- and we know God doesn’t expect us to gloss over the reality.
A Prayer for Today
God this week I’m praying for many who just need a break and I wonder why it looks like they aren’t getting it. I am also filled with gratitude for all the good things I experience in life. I know I sound a bit schizophrenic in my prayers but I trust you love me anyway. For Jesus’ sake…
“Trick or Treat” – Hints of the Kingdom?
Dubble Bubble, Rockets, Nerds, Sweet Tarts, Dubble Bubble Pops- I had a three kilogram bucket of these candies plus a Costco sized box of chocolate bars at the front door last night.
Kids showed up in various states of hilarity expectantly holding out their goody bags. Who doesn’t love to give stuff that creates a smile, a laugh or wonder in the face of a child?
Perhaps this reminds us that giving without expectation of return is something that God has placed in your life and mine – the grace that builds community, works for justice and forgives wounds.
A Prayer for Today
God, thank you for the joy of a new day and the hope it brings. Let me be more like the kids who received the candy – I’ve got my open bag looking to you for good things. Let me smile in return- replace my mask of self-sufficiency and wariness with wonder and gratitude. For Jesus’ sake…
