Daily Devotions
Meditation, Prayers, and Assorted Stuff for May 27, 2020
Henri Nouwen, Bread for the Journey, “Jesus Hunger and Thirsts for Righteousness”
Jesus, the Blessed Child of God, hungers and thirsts for uprightness. He abhors injustice. He resists those who try to gather wealth and influence by oppression and exploitation. His whole being yearns for people to treat one another as brothers and sisters, sons and daughters of the same God.
With fervor he proclaims that the way to the Kingdom is not found in saying many prayers or offering many sacrifices but in feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and visiting the sick and the prisoners (see Matthew 25:31-46). He longs for a just world. He wants us to live with the same hunger and thirst.
Today’s prayer comes from the British relief group Christian Aid.
As we pray in our individual homes – around the nation and around the world – we are united as one family. So, let us pause and find a moment of peace, as we lift up our hearts together in prayer.
For the health workers tending the seriously ill for the scientists working on a vaccination for the researchers analysing data and identifying trends for the media outlets working to communicate reality for the supermarket workers, hygiene and sanitation providers for the good news stories of recoveries and effective planning for the singing from balconies by locked-down communities for the recognition that isolation doesn’t need to mean loneliness for the notes through letterboxes offering help and support for the internet and telephones and technology that connects for the awakened appreciation of what is truly important Thanks be to God.
For those who are unwell and concerned for loved ones for those who were already very anxious for those immune suppressed or compromised for those vulnerable because of underlying conditions for those in the ‘most at risk to coronavirus’ categories for those watching their entire income stream dry up for those who have no choice but to go out to work for those who are afraid to be at home for those who are lonelier than they’ve ever been for those bereaved and grieving.
God, be their healer, comfort and protection; be their strength, shield and provision, be their security, safety and close companion
And raise up your Church to be your well-washed hands and faithful feet to be present to the pain to respond with love in action if even from a safe distance. God, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Dad Jokes of the Day
There’s a new kind of broom out. Have you heard about it? It’s sweeping the nation.
Want to hear a joke about a piece of paper? Never mind—it’s tearable.
Today’s links!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeXbi7PBgTA&list=PLaIUyBW7xWTuRuKMzTI4CX3acRgWYU9PF&index=5Two quarantined neighbors and film makers have gotten together to produce a series of “Quarantine Life” videos on YouTube. This episode is about a toilet paper run.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/16/us/alaska-coronavirus-grocer-toshua-supply-trnd/index.htmlThis Alaskan man keeps his small town of 450 people supplied with groceries by making a 14-hour boat trip every week.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/18/us/plano-high-school-band-staff-tour-graduating-seniors-trnd/index.htmlWhen their senior band concert was cancelled, the three band directors in Plano, Texas traveled 168 miles from home to home to visit their 85 senior band students and play the school’s fight song for them.
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/travel-quiz-questions-may/index.htmlTravel in spirit at least with this quiz from CNN.
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=britain%3bs+got+talent+96+year+old+singer&docid=608051387587037429&mid=2107B80E4C7EAE947E312107B80E4C7EAE947E31&view=detail&FORM=VIREListen to 96-year-old Nora Barton audition for Britain’s Got Talent.
Sunday worship at 9 AM, with “Doughnut room” time starting at 8:30 AM. Come early just to catch up and talk!
Zoom info is the same every Sunday: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/815064120, Meeting ID: 815 064 120
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7 PM Bible study tonight, May 27, will dive into Acts 8-9. Join us! https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85847527283, Meeting ID: 858 4752 7283
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Dial in to participate in either event at +1 312 626 6799.
Stay safe and stay well!