Daily Devotions
Meditation, Prayers, and Assorted Stuff for June 8, 2020
Henri Nouwen, Bread for the Journey, “Empowered to Speak”
The Spirit that Jesus gives us empowers us to speak. Often when we are expected to speak in front of people who intimidate us, we are nervous and self-conscious. But if we live in the Spirit, we don’t have to worry about what to say. We will find ourselves ready to speak when the need is there. “When they take you before … authorities, do not worry about how to defend yourselves or what to say, because when the time comes, the Holy Spirit will teach you what you should say” (Luke 12: 11-12).
We waste much of our time in anxious preparation. Let’s claim the truth that the Spirit that Jesus gave us will speak in us and speak convincingly.
Our prayer today comes from a MUCH longer prayer written by Henry Emerson Fosdick (1868-1969), the first pastor of Riverside Church in New York and an outspoken opponent of racism and injustice.
A Prayer for a Time Crisis
ETERNAL SPIRIT, who art the source of all excellence, inspire us today as though the sun of a new spiritual springtime had risen upon us. Carry us out of inner darkness and gloom into light, out of our deadness of heart into life, out of our barrenness into fruitfulness and the promise of a good harvest.
We need thee in our troubles, for they are many. We are burdened with the tragic sorrows of the world, with the needs and griefs of those we love, and with inner perplexities and problems that destroy our peace. We must choose between faith and fear, courage and cynicism, strength of character and collapse of life— and we would choose the better way.
So overrule human waywardness that doors may open where we had thought all escape was ended, and peace come at last with the promise of justice and human decency and freedom. Amen.
Dad Jokes:
Did I ever tell you about the time I fell in love while doing a backflip? I was heels over head.
What’s the loudest pet you can get? (A trumpet)
I once had a turtle as a teacher. He tortoise us well.
Why wasn’t the woman happy with the Velcro she bought? (It was a total rip off.)
Today’s links!
https://www.yesmagazine.org/issue/make-right/2015/05/29/can-america-heal-after-ferguson-we-asked-desmond-tutu-and-his-daughter/Yes! Magazine recently published an interview with Desmond Tutu and his daughter as they answered the question, “Can America Heal Its Racial Wounds?” It’s worth the time it will take you to read it.
Watch the Washington Monument get struck by lightening.
https://www.inspiremore.com/first-female-mechanic-nigeria/Meet the first female mechanic in Nigeria.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-52898797A nine-year-old Kenyan boy who made a wooden hand-washing machine to help curb the spread of coronavirus told the BBC he’s “very happy” after receiving a presidential award.
https://twitter.com/MaebyKate/status/1267411797633568768SAVEAFOX is the largest domestic fox rescue in the USA, rescuing foxes from fur farms and taking in pet surrenders. All their foxes were born in captivity and would never survive life in the wild. They can, however, answer the age-old question, “What does the fox say?”
https://digg.com/video/guy-built-a-hummingbird-feeding-helmetWatch what happened when a man built a hummingbird feeding helmet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmM3EH5nrDg Finally, Samara Ginsberg is back, this time with the Theme from Inspector Gadget played by eight cellos.
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Sunday worship at 9 AM, with “Doughnut room” time starting at 8:30 AM. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/815064120, Meeting ID: 815 064 120 Dial in to participate at +1 312 626 6799.
******************************************************** Don’t forget Bible study Wednesday at 7 PM. This week, we’re in Acts 12 and 13
Zoom Login Info: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89293806379 Meeting ID: 892 9380 6379
******************************************** Foyer painting project resumes today at 4 PM. Thanks to all who have worked so hard on this much needed bit of sprucing up!
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Wednesday Bible Study, 7 PM We’ll be covering Acts 10 and 11 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85431227316 Meeting ID: 854 3122 7316
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Please don’t forget that we’ll be painting the foyer starting this afternoon at around 4:30. Bring your own brush or roller, please, as well as a mask.
Stay safe and stay well!