Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

"I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish
it were blazing already" (Luke 12:49).

Author Rob Bell asks us to ponder the mysteries of the
Gospel. Mysteries which include the dusty, messy, bloody and unexpected stories about this man, Jesus of Nazareth. This Jesus who touches lepers, whom no one else would touch -- who hears the cries of blind people who had been told to be quiet -- who dines with tax collectors, whom everybody hated -- and talks with a thirsty, disreputable Samaritan woman who he wasn't' supposed to talk with. Over an over again we see Jesus going to the edges, to the margins, to those in trouble, those despised -- those no one else would touch -- those who were ignored.

Over and over again we see him going to the weak, the blind, the lame, the losers. He moves toward them; he extends himself to them; he reaches out to them and meets them in their place of pain, helplessness, abandonment and failure. He is living, breathing evidence that God wants everybody, everyone, to be rescued, renewed and reconciled -- to ourselves, our neighbors, our world -- and our God.

(Excerpts from The Staff and editors of Sunday Sermons Online )

God's Pearls of Wisdom

You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible
(Luke 18:27)

You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest
(Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you
(John 3:16 & John 3:34)

You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient
(2 Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps
(Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things
(Philippians 4:13)

You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able
(2 Corinthians 9:8)

You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it
(Romans 8:28)

You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I Forgive you
(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs
(Philippians 4:19)

You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear
(2 Timothy 1:7)

You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME
(I Peter 5:7)

You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom
(I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you
(Hebrews 13:5)

You asked for my hands, that you might use them for your purpose.
I gave them for a moment, then withdrew them, for the work was hard.
You asked for my mouth to speak out against injustice.
I gave you a whisper that I might not be accused.
You asked for my eyes to see the pain of poverty.
I closed them, for I did not want to see.
You asked for my wife, that you might work through me.
I gave a small part, that I might not get too involved.
Lord, forgive my calculated efforts to serve you-
only when it is convenient for me to do so,
only in those places where it is safe to do so,
and only with those who make it easy to do so.
Father, forgive me, renew me, send me out as a usable
instrument,
that I might take seriously the meaning of your cross.  Amen.