| p3. February 19-29 Lamentation: Feb 19. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, �We have found the Messiah.� �He brought Simon to Jesus�See John 1:29-42. We can always look for opportunities to bring people to Jesus- through prayer, by talking, by helping, and by inviting people to church. Dear Jesus, help me bring people to you, and help me always to remember to lift others up in prayer. Amen. Feb 20. Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? See Isaiah 49:15. This scripture is just one instance Yahweh is characterized as a mother whose intimate love of carrying a baby in her womb and feeding it at her breasts reminds us of God�s visceral love and loyalty. A loving mother incarnates divine love. Mother and father God, hold me in my fear. Keep me safe and warm. Kiss me and make me better. Amen. Feb 21. Does not wisdom call, and does not understanding raise her voice?... �The Lord created me at the beginning of God�s work�Happy is the one who listens to me.� See Proverbs 8:1, 22, 34. Wisdom questions and wisdom was God�s first creation. Wisdom was viewed in some ancient cultures as the feminine principle of the divine. Referred to as feminine in the Bible, she is associated with the Word that became flesh, the Christ. She is acclaimed as the guiding principle in the diversity of creation by the Psalmist: �O God, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures� See Psalm 104:24. She is integral to life and to faith. Wisdom is more insight than information, as much intuition and emotion as she is reason. She requires an open heart as well as an open mind. Wisdom visits in moments of reflection. She offers perspective and understanding and hope. Lord, offer me wisdom into myself, and into each person I meet this day. Feb 22. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, provided it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by God�s word and by prayer. See 1 Timothy 4:4-5. Many of us wince at the notion that God is pleased in our sexual pleasuring, while we look with approval on those who thank God for another sensual delight; eating a meal. Young Timothy is being advised to watch out for religious fanatics who �forbid marriage� and �demand abstinence from foods.� Spiritual discipline is not abstinence from sensual pleasure but remembrance to thank God for earthly delight. Recognizing rather than denying its sacred worth prompts responsibility. Feb 23. I am black and beautiful. See Song of Solomon 1:5. All life and bodies are beautiful in God�s eyes. Bless our bodies, Lord, for it is through them we love you and one another. Amen. Feb 24. The Lord spoke to Moses�I have filled the artisan with divine spirit, with ability, intelligence, and knowledge in every kind of craft, to devise artistic designs. See Exodus 31:1, 3-4. �Your people are so creative� may be a somewhat patronizing stereotype of the gay community. What we may not notice is that our creative spirit is divine. It is a godly response to the chaos of our antigay world. Divine Spirit, inspire my work and my play and my love and my meditation with fresh approaches and designs. Feb 25. Hope in GOD! As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. See Psalm 42:1. We have a deep longing for God. A thirst. A desire to �behold the face of God� Psalm 42:2. This can�t be all there is. Life has some greater significance yet to be revealed to us. We are all here for a purpose. As gay people, we have a purpose. Life is a growth process. Feb 26. And Jesus said to him, �Follow me.� And Levi got up, left everything, and followed him. See Luke 5:27-32. How would a lifestyle less cluttered with material distractions better allow us to live out the work God calls us to do? God, help me to find ways to live more simply so I can focus on the work you call me to do. Amen. Feb 27. Shine like stars in the world. See Philippians 2:12-18. We may feel like just another star in the galaxy, but maybe for a period of time we act as the sun for some person. Who are the stars in your life? In what ways do you act like a star in the life of others? We are called by God to shine like stars in the world. Feb 28. By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us�to guide our feet into the way of peace. See Luke 1:67-79. Have there been times when you have felt an overwhelming sense of God�s presence in your life? God, help me to see you in the ordinary and extraordinary moments of life. Amen. Feb 29. Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain? See Psalm 2. People veer adrift from God�s ways all the time. There will be much to celebrate when our standard for treating others mirrors the one God uses in treating us. Merciful God, help me to be merciful to all. Amen. |
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