Daily Devotions
Meditation, Prayers, and Assorted Stuff for June 12, 2020
Henri Nouwen, Bread for the Journey, “Empowered to Receive Love”
The Spirit reveals to us not only that God is “Abba, Father” but also that we belong to God as beloved children. The Spirit thus restores in us the relationship from which all other relationships derive their meaning.
Abba is a very intimate word. The best translation for it is “Daddy.” The word Abba expresses trust, safety, confidence, belonging, and ·most of all, intimacy. It does not have the connotation of authority, power, and control that the word Father often evokes. On the contrary, Abba implies an embracing and nurturing love. This love includes and infinitely transcends all the love that comes to us from our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, spouses, friends, and lovers. It is the gift of the Spirit.
Today’s prayers comes from Michael Quoist.
The Brick
The bricklayer laid a brick on the bed of cement. Then, with a precise stroke of his trowel, spread another layer And, without a byyourleave, laid on another brick. The foundations grew visibly, The building rose, tall and strong, to shelter all. I thought, Lord, of that poor brick buried in the darkness at the base of the big building. No one sees it, but it accomplishes its task, and the other bricks need it. Lord what difference whether I am on the rooftop or in the foundations of your building, as long as I stand faithfully at the right place?
The Swing
He was gently swinging at the end of the ropes. Eyes shut relaxed and drifting, he listened to the murmur of the breeze that sang a lullaby as it swayed him back and forth. And minutes floated away to the cadence of the swing. So, Lord, I walk through the city as through a vast county fair, and people drifting, blown by the breezes of life. Some smile, and yield to passing pleasures, Others with taut faces curse the wind that shakes them and knocks them into one another. Lord, I want them to stand up on their swings, I want them to grasp the cords that you hold out to them, I want them to harden their muscles and brace their vigorous bodies, and stamp on their lives the direction they have chosen, For you do not want your children to drift, but to live.
Dad Jokes:
What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire? (Frostbite)
I keep trying to lose weight, but it keeps finding me..
What do you call a fake noodle An Impasta
Today’s links!
https://www.idahostatesman.com/outdoors/article243439586.htmlTake a break and watch these brown bear cubs snuggle up at the beach.
https://pawsplanet.me/dutch-artist-transforms-pet-photos-into-illustrations-in-disney-style/ Isa Bredt is a 22yearold illustrator from the Netherlands, who has developed quite a following because of what she calls “Pet Disneyfication.” Isa has a special place in her heart for pets at shelters and animals in need, and hopes her portraits help these animals find their forever homes.
https://elegant-pie.com/ Hear ye, hear ye, O ye St. John pie bakers! Gather thy courage and arise to meet the challenge of Karin PfeiffBoschek, who’s turned pie baking into fine art. Go to her webpage, and click on “Pies” link at upper right. Prepare to be amazed.
https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/bus-train/virtual-train-ridesNeed a change of scenery? Take a trip on these thirteen virtual train rides from around the world.
https://whnt.com/news/this-is-the-biggie-massive-beehive-removed-from-memphis-house/Here’s the story of a beekeeper removed a thirtyfoot wide, fiftyyear old beehive from the walls of a Memphis home, and moved the colony out to a safe location.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3P3PrQAVXxALet’s close with a little Tuba Skinny song written by singer Erika Lewis called “Six Feet Down.” It seems fitting for these COVID days, since it talks about trying to enjoy life rather than worrying whatever troubles may be down the road. Seems to me I heard someone else say much the same thing:
“Therefore, I tell you, don’t worry about your life, what you’ll eat, or about your body, what you’ll wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you aren’t able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest?” (Luke 12: 22-26)
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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.
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Stay safe and stay well!