Daily Devotions
Meditation, Prayers, and Assorted Stuff for July 8, 2020
Henri Nouwen, Bread for the Journey, “How Time Heals”
Nobody escapes being wounded. We all are wounded people whether physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually. The main question is not “How can we hide our wounds?” so we don’t have to be embarrassed but “How can we put our woundedness in the service of others?” When our wounds cease to be a source of shame and become a source of healing, we have become wounded healers.
Jesus is God’s wounded healer: Through his wounds we are healed. Jesus’ suffering and death brought joy and life. His humiliation brought glory; his rejection brought a community of love. As followers of Jesus we can also allow our wounds to bring healing to others.
Today’s prayer is from “Awed to Heaven, Rooted to Earth,” a collection of prayers by Walter Brueggemann.
The Voice We Can Scarcely Hear
You are the voice we can scarcely hear because you speak to us about dying and suffering, and we are impacted by so many voices that have to do with power and competence and success.
We do know that you are the voice that gives life, that you are the voice that opens futures to people who are hopeless.
We are a part of a hopeless people, because the other voices eat at our hearts, and we are immobilized and we become deaf.
So we pray for new ears.
We pray that your voice may be more audible to us, that we may be able to sort out the death-giving from the life-giving voices among us.
We pray in the name of Jesus, through whom you have spoken in such inscrutable ways. Amen.
Dad Jokes
There was a river that ran through Egypt that no one believed in. Locally it was known as the De-Nile.
What makes a good tongue twister? Well, it’s hard to say.
My wife told me to go and wash the car with my son. I told her I thought a sponge would work better..
Today’s links!
https://mymodernmet.com/sunken-swedish-warship-vasa/I know I’m a history nerd, but I thought this was one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen. Read (and see) how the Vasta, a Swedish warship that sank on its first voyage in 1628, was pulled from the waters of the Black Sea 95% intact.
https://www.fatherly.com/news/mom-beats-covid-has-c-section-gives-birth-to-triplets/ Here’s the story of a mom who beat COVID, had a C-section, and gave birth to triplets.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/Osmond Nicholas was 26 when he learned he had terminal cancer three years ago. This Father’s Day, he celebrated with his wife and daughter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_AtFyFQjTUCheck out this compilation of some of the best first pitches in the Major Leagues.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehQb3zQkUIc The title of this video is, “The Moment You Realise You’re In The Wrong Job.” Watch it, and you’ll see (and hear) why.
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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Copies of “Our Daily Bread” have arrived in the church office. Feel free to stop by and pick up a copy, or help distribute them to others.
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Don’t forget communion at Zoom church this Sunday! Stop by the church office to get a prefilled cup and wafer set. Help distributing them is much appreciated as well.
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In-Person worship resumes, July 19! Watch for more details. (Zoom church will continue to be offered as well.) **************************************************
Stay safe and stay well!