Welcome to this place of prayer that we will share daily. We have opportunity to enter the presence of God together wherever we are as a Community in Prayer. As you follow this daily journal of praying scripture over these next few weeks you will notice a highlighted word in each reflection. This references a spiritual practice of prayer being used in the reflection. You may click on that word and read more about the practice of prayer. We invite you to use the prayer practice in other ways on your personal journey of spiritual growth as well. May the light of the text illumine your path...


Centering Prayer
Generous God show me your Way…

Week 1 Devotions
Week 2 Devotions
Week 3 Devotions
Week 4 Devotions


Week 1 Devotions
Monday, October 26 – Mark 12:41-43 (NIV)
The Widow's Offering
41Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. 43Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.

Every time I read this text it makes me stop and consider what I give. Is it out of my plenty or out of my need? Am I willing to give all at the risk of not having what I want? Am I willing to give at the risk of not having security? Am I abandoned with passion to respond - to give my all to God and trust my life to His care? There is a prayer practice known as the Examen. The structure of it invites the one praying it to reflect on where they notice God’s presence in their life and whether they are responding to God or resisting God’s invitation in their life. I invite us all to be in the stillness of our times of prayer and notice what God is inviting us to both as individuals and as a community. Are we willing to respond as the poor widow did?

Generous God show me your Way…


Tuesday, October 27 – Luke 6:20-38 (NIV)
20Looking at his disciples, he said:
"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
21Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
22Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you
and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.
23"Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets. 24"But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. 25Woe to you who are well fed now,
for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. 26Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.

Love for Enemies
27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Judging Others
37"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

“Do the next right thing!” This is a Mantra (used as a Breath Prayer) of mine that has been part of my core “rules” to live by for a very long time. I was at a cross roads in my life years back and not knowing what to do or how to be, someone shared this nugget of truth with me at what became one of those “ah ha” moments. It has invited me to release the outcome, have no hidden agenda and live out of a place of non-judgment. I have come to many cross roads since and each time I want to hate or strike back, judge or condemn, seek out places that are comfortable and familiar instead of taking the Road Less Traveled; my mantra comes back to me in a prayer “Do the next right thing!”

Generous God show me your Way…

Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - Luke 12:25-34 (NIV)
25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 26Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
27"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
32"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Often times I read scripture and go to what seems to be the most obvious parts of it to reflect on and pray. When I do this I miss the hidden treasures at times of the words or phrase that God has for me instead. Today, I have read this text several times noticing what verse or word lifts to me off the page or seems to catch my attention more than others. This type of reading of Holy Scripture is known as Lectio Divina which is Latin for Sacred Reading. When the word or phrase comes then I begin to ponder it and its meaning for me. This seems to be what God wants to talk with me about in the moment.

In this reading each time the phrase that I am noticing is “provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out”. Hmm…I’ve never thought about the significance of a purse before; especially in light of the spiritual journey. What is a purse? Purses hold our most valuable items and we have them with us always whether it is our wallet, a pack or specifically a purse as we know it today. Also we carry our proof of identification in our purses. So, I ponder the word purse and I wonder what part of my life is like a purse? What is most valuable to me? What speaks from my life that identifies who I am to the world? Is this what I want to be known as? Am I willing to empty my purse of all that I think is valuable and allow God to fill it with what is of the greatest value? Are you?

Generous God show me your Way…


Thursday, October 29, 2009 - Luke 19:1-10 (NIV)
Zacchaeus the Tax Collector
1Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. 4So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. 5When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." 6So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 7All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.' “8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." 9Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

There is a prayer practice of Guided Meditation/Guided Imagery that is taken from the teachings of Ignatius of Loyola who lived in the late 15th and early 16th Centuries. It is one where you imagine yourself in the scripture story. Close your eyes and picture yourself there. Listen for the sounds, smell the smells, feel the press of the crowds and the sand under your feet. In this story the crowds are pressing in because a man named Jesus is passing through the town today. What do you hear? What do you see? Or do you need to get up on something because you can’t see? There you are climbing the tree with Zacchaeus. Imagine that Jesus looks up and says “(insert your name) come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” What would you do? How would you feel? Are you ready for Jesus to come to your house? Would you welcome him? What is your response to being in his presence?

Generous God show me your Way…


Friday, October 30, 2009 - Luke 19:11-26 (NIV)
The Parable of the Ten Minas
11While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. 12He said: "A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. 13So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,' he said, 'until I come back.' 14"But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, 'We don't want this man to be our king.' 15"He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. 16"The first one came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned ten more.' 17" 'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.' 18"The second came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned five more.' 19"His master answered, 'You take charge of five cities.' 20"Then another servant came and said, 'Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. 21I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’ 22"His master replied, 'I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? 23Why then didn't you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?' 24"Then he said to those standing by, 'Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.' 25" 'Sir,' they said, 'he already has ten!' 26"He replied, 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away.

I’ve always struggled with this parable. I think in the past I have read it more in an academic way, a more literal way, and have tried to “figure” its logical meaning out. This time in reading (as in the practice of Lectio Divina) I noticed the third man. It came to me that he operated out of fear actually. So when I took this awareness of him into my own souls journey, I asked myself, “am I afraid of God; if I give the little that I have will I be ashamed that it is not more”? “Do I want to know the potential results before I am willing to step out and offer my all”? “I need help, I cannot do this alone”. What is forming in me is a prayer –

What is God asking of you in this text? What is your response?

Giving God show us your Way…

Saturday, October 31, 2009 - Luke 7:36-50 (NIV)
Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman
36Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 39When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner." 40Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." "Tell me, teacher," he said. 41"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?" 43Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled." "You have judged correctly," Jesus said. 44Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." 48Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." 49The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" 50Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

No matter what our response is to being in the presence of Jesus it is ultimately about our relationship with the Holy. In this text the woman gave both literally and symbolically. She gave the perfume that had monetary value, but here the giving was for a deeper, spiritual purpose. She gave her tears that were part of herself and so filled with symbolism of the true gift. Centering Prayer is just as the word implies. It is a practice of prayer that centers us in the presence of the Holy One. It is often times just a word that is prayed in the beginning of the time of prayer but then ceases as the one praying continues to be still and silent and empty in the presence. As the time of prayer continues if other things (thoughts, inner conversations etc) appear then the Centering Prayer word is prayed again to bring the one praying “back to center” in the presence of God.

What happens in you when you are so still that you know it is just you and God? Like the woman in this story, what does being in the presence evoke in you? How do you express your love for God, for Jesus? What of your life are you prompted to give?

Giving God show me your Way…


Week 2 Devotions
Monday, November 2, 2009 Matthew 5:12-16 (NIV)
12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Salt and Light
13"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

We are accountable for all we have. As I read this text I begin to ask myself questions like “do I really give as I should”? “do I share the knowledge within me or think what’s the use”? “am I aware that what I do have is a gift and it has been given to me not just for my own healing and knowing but for the good of all that are in my path”? …so, “how can I give and not hide under a bowl, how can I be salt and light”? The phrase that stands out to me in this text is…”they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” The challenge that comes to me is how to live a life of good deeds so that those seeing them do not see me but God. I believe that if I am truly grateful and know that what I have is a gift and not because I deserve it or have earned it, then I will be able to offer it freely without thinking, “what’s in it for me”? When those kinds of selfish, self serving thoughts are not in me then what I have is freely given and God is seen, not me.

This type of meditation on scripture comes from reading and re-reading in a practice called Lectio Divina. It allows the one praying the scripture to focus in on the part of the text that God has for them at that moment, at that reading. Today for me it was about giving freely, without selfish thought. What is God saying through this scripture to you today? What is the invitation?

Generous God show me your Way…

Tuesday, November 3, 2009 Colossians 1:16-20 (NIV)
16For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

The Jesus Prayer, “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner” was first noted in liturgy of the 6th century church and is also referenced in scripture. It has been prayed through the centuries as a practice of prayer in the classic sense of spiritual disciplines and rule of life. The reading of this text reminds us that it is all because of the cross. We have nothing but for Him and His shed blood. I invite you today to take the Jesus Prayer with you into the day and each time as you pray it notice your sense of “Gratitude”. Can you receive this gift? Are you more grateful than before? Is the thought of this kind of gift more than you can comprehend or do you take it for granted? Notice in yourself the invitation for your life to receive and be grateful.

Generous God show me your Way…

Wednesday, November 4, 2009 Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV)
The Armor of God
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

This text is very familiar and the other verses that precede these talk about the details of the armor. However, today as I have read this part in the prayer practice of Lectio Divina, I have noticed the phrase, “and after you have done everything.” I am reminded that always there comes a time when I have done all I know to do and then finally, I come to the end of myself. This is always when I see that God is not only there at that moment, but has been there for me all along. Today I invite you to know that it is “not by our might or power but by the Spirit says the Lord.” Whatever struggles seem to be, know that God is greater. Let God be your full armor. Be grateful.

Generous God show me your Way…


Thursday, November 5, 2009 Matthew 6:24-33 (NIV)
24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Do Not Worry
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

What is it to seek God’s kingdom? In Luke 17:21 scripture tells us that “the kingdom of God is within us.” One of the ways in which I remove my will and self centered thoughts and worries is to get still and ponder what it is that God is wanting me to know of the truth of God’s will and way. Centering Prayer offers the hospitable space to do that kind of praying. It is a practice of getting my mind quiet and still and listening rather than talking. Listening for what God wants me to know rather than making the time of prayer a time of talking and being centered on the self and what concerns I have or think I have.

Today I invite you to stop and sit at the feet of God/Jesus and listen. Become aware of what the Spirit has for you rather than what you think you don’t have. Be grateful.

Generous God show me your Way…

Friday, November 6, 2009 Matthew 19:16-26 (NIV)
The Rich Young Man

16Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" 17"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." 18"Which ones?" the man inquired. Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19honor your father and mother,'[a] and 'love your neighbor as yourself." 20"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?" 21Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." 22When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. 23Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." 25When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?" 26Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Oh, how easy it is for me to trust in what I have rather than God. Thinking I am able to control my circumstances in life rather than trusting in and leaning on God is a part of me that I have to watch out for more often than I want to admit. Like Paul, I have known times of plenty and of want. I am ashamed to say that in the times of want I prayed more. I sought God for guidance and direction in those times in ways that I don’t always do in my times of plenty. The prayer practice of Examen invites us to look back and notice key times in our lives when we were aware of God’s presence. It also asks us to acknowledge if we were present and aware at the time and how we responded to that awareness. What about you? When have you know God’s presence and provision? Do you know that with God all things are possible? Where is your trust? Be grateful.

Generous God show me your Way…

Saturday, November 7, 2009 Luke 14:25-35 (NIV)
The Cost of Being a Disciple

25Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 28"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? 29For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, 30saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' 31"Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. 34"Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? 35It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

Journaling is a prayer form that may be expressed in many ways. The more common way is to write as you reflect and dialogue with God. However, other forms of expression and communication in prayer that journaling may take include:
• dance/movement/walking
• visual art forms like pottery or painting
• writing poetry
• finding imagery or symbol to gaze upon or put in a prominent/sacred place that reflects the response to God of the one praying

This week I am closing with a poem aptly titled “The Cost.” The poet is DeSha Montgomery who I am privileged to know. She is from Madison and has a most wonderful gift of writing poetry prayers that touch the hearts of all who read them.


Be grateful…

Generous God show me your Way…


Week 3 Devotions
Monday, November 9, 2009 - 1 Timothy 6:6-11 (New International Version)
6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Paul's Charge to Timothy
11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

It is interesting that today this verse 7 is before me. I just received word this morning that a family member of mine who has been fighting a life threatening illness for several weeks has taken a turn for the worse. The focus of our family during these recent days has been one of intention in communication with him and one another. Many moments of support, love and care have been expressed.

When death seems more imminent we are always given opportunity to consider what is important and what really matters. These opportunities are doorways through which God invites us to enter and thresholds we may cross into a transformed way of being. It is in these gifts of experience that we may come to know the attributes Paul challenges Timothy with pursuing in this text. Righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness don’t just come. They are offered to us as we are transformed over time on our journey. We must desire them, pursue them and embrace them along the way.

What do you desire, what do you pursue? Are you righteous, do you evoke godliness? What would others say of you?

Is your faith growing and your capacity for love enlarging; or, do you rely on your own accomplishments and pocketbook and choose to be selfish with your time?

Can you endure through the many things of your life and be gentle; or, do the things of your life push your buttons and get you kidnapped into their pursuit?

What holds you? What do you hold to?

Generous God show me your Way…

(Footnote – this way of reflecting on scripture is a prayer practice referred to as Guided Meditation.)


Tuesday, November 10, 2009 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (New International Version)
17Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Yesterday we looked at the questions of where we put our trust, but this text today goes on to speak to the idea of arrogance being something we need to be cautious of. I always take into account that any word in a text has to be considered and cannot be ignored. So today, using the prayer practice of Lectio Divina, I would ask the question. Am I arrogant? Not only do I put my trust in my ability and my resources but am I arrogant about it? Hmm, in turning to the dictionary I find more meaning to the word arrogant. Over confident, egotistical, condescending are listed along with the notation that it is the antonym of humble. Wow! The deeper I look at the word the more self aware I become of my attitudes that are not reflective of godliness nor open me to love and generosity.

How about you? Are you arrogant? Or do you walk in love and humility with all of your life?

Generous God show me your Way…


Wednesday, November 11, 2009 Luke 12:16-21 (New International Version)
16And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. 17He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.'

18"Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry."
 
20"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'

21"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."

“Obedience is greater than sacrifice.” This is another mantra that comes to me often. It always reminds me to do what is right to do and not the selfish/self serving thing. I have found that as far as I am aware this has always proved true in my life. The times I have horded or held back out of fear or greed it is as if I have cut off the very flow of my life. I get stuck and cannot find peace or my way. What I am reminded to focus on is what God asks of me not my fear of lack or loss of power and the perceived ability to control.

How about you, are you stuck? Can you hear God’s call on your life? Is your way God’s way?

Generous God show me your Way…


Thursday, November 12, 2009 Luke 12:22-34 (New International Version)
Do Not Worry
22Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 26Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

27"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

32"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Today I have read this scripture in the prayer practice model of Lectio Divina. The phrase that has stood out to me is “sell your possessions and give to the poor.” After meditating on these words it came to me that we are not to live in the fear of want but quite the opposite. God is instructing us to live in the knowledge of how to give. We are all blessed in different ways. What God wants us to know is how to share and take care of those who don’t have what they need. He wants us to do this out of obedience. He wants us to have treasure in our hearts.

Where is your treasure? What is God asking of you?

Generous God show me your Way…


Friday, November 13, 2009 Malachi 3:10 (New International Version)
10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

This text is not a formula of how to get blessed even though I have heard it taught that way before. It is about relationship. God is speaking here to the Israelites who have yet again turned to trusting in their own ways and abilities. God is saying I have not changed but you have. Return to me and see if I am not the same. I am here as always full of blessing and care for you. Remember that you are mine. I have blessed you before but you are not recognizing that I am your God. Return, I am the same. Let me show you.

The prayer practice of Consciousness Examen invites us to look at the times God has been present in our lives and how we have responded (or not) at those times. God speaks to us today just as in this text to the Israelites. Can you hear Him? Do you see Him?

What is He asking you to do about your relationship with Him? Do you need to return? Do you need to let go and acknowledge that He is God? What is God asking you to give up out of obedience and love?

Generous God show me your Way…


Saturday, November 14, 2009 Luke 8:5-18 (New International Version)
5"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. 6Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown."
When he said this, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

9His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10He said, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that,
" 'though seeing, they may not see;
though hearing, they may not understand.'[a]

11"This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

A Lamp on a Stand
16"No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. 17For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. 18Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him."

We are called to cast our seeds. We are not called to the responsibility of the return. God’s word goes out to all. We do not determine who gets it and who doesn’t. Our obedience is only to plant, to scatter, to proclaim, to give. Our obedience is to respond.

I have continued to ponder this text by entering the passage as in the prayer practice of Ignatius Guided Meditaiton, I am seeing myself as the farmer. What seeds has God given me to scatter? Do I withhold them because I think they would be a waste or do I scatter them leaving the outcome to God?

What obedience is God calling you to? What seeds has He given you to scatter?

Generous God show me your Way…


Week 4 Devotions
Monday, November 16, 2009 Deuteronomy 6:10-12 (New International Version)
10 When the LORD your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you—a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, 11 houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—then when you eat and are satisfied, 12 be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

I had an experience recently that pulled me off center of what is important and I got caught up in being wasteful. I have tried to remember to ask myself “is this important, is this really necessary or am I acting out of self centeredness?” Bear in mind here, that what I was doing was for someone else and that gets to be even a more slippery slope for me. After all this is a gift and for one of my children. Surely this is ok to do I tell myself. Quickly I have been reminded that waste is waste, overindulgence is overindulgence no matter how I justify it. I give to God, but could it be more if there was no waste?

As you enter this passage in the prayer practice of Guided Meditation what questions would God ask you? Remember Guided Meditation is the prayer practice of being in the text and imagining yourself as a character in the dialogue. In this case I invite you to be one of the children of Israel and God is reminding you of all He has done for you and wants to talk with you personally about how you are using all He has given you. Ponder what that dialogue might be. Take a pen and journal it. What do you hear God saying to you, asking you? How do you respond? What is your sacrifice?

Generous God show me your Way…


Tuesday, November 17, 2009 Acts 4:32-37 (New International Version)
The Believers Share Their Possessions
32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
36Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.

This text is always a challenge for me. It makes me feel uncomfortable to read because I know I am not in a place where I could do this kind of sacrificial giving. It is in these times of reading scripture that I often get still and just listen. If I try to dialogue with God or wrap my head around it I hear my own voice offering excuses as to why. There are no excuses. The simple truth is that all I have is God’s; none of it is my own.

Today I choose to be in Centering Prayer. Quietly avoiding the temptation to use my own words because I know they would not be life giving and certainly not sacrificial.
I invite you to sit in the quiet with God alone. Stop your mind and listen. Listen from the stillness within you. What kind if shift opens you to seeing on a level that can’t be understood through thinking. What new truth is God inviting you to know yet again, as if for the first time?

Generous God show me your Way…


Wednesday, November 18, 2009 Isaiah 58:6-11 (New International Version)
6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness [a] will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
"If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.

Jesus came for these very reasons. He spoke of His call and purpose when he read another Isaiah text from the Temple scroll that also included those things of verse 6 above. Here these verses begin with the very idea that living into the sacrificial way of life God calls us all to is Fasting. Doing without for the purpose of giving life to someone else or to somewhere else for others is within itself an act of deepening ones relationship with God. It asks us to consider others and not ourselves first. This text is a beautiful proclamation and promise of God. Remember my mantra from the first week, “Do the next right thing.” This in essence is just that. If we look around us and see the oppressed, the poor who are naked and without shelter and do what is right to do, we will be setting the oppressed free and breaking yokes. If we stop pointing fingers and speaking malicious talk then we will be fasting from things that are life draining and living out of ways that are life giving in our relationships with others.
Fasting, consider it! What in your life is God asking you to not have be a part of you anymore? What is God showing you that if it is removed will make more space for Him and also be life giving?

Generous God show me your Way…


Thursday, November 19, 2009 Deuteronomy 14:28-29 (New International Version)
28 At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year's produce and store it in your towns, 29 so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.

God did not give laws nor instruct the children of Israel in the ways to live life just for the heck of it. He had purpose. Many times the purpose was for the care of the community. Here we see that God is instructing the giving of those who have for the care of the Levites (priests) whose lives were set aside for ministry as well as for the widows and orphans who cannot care for themselves. Much of our giving today is for these same purposes in our community. As I read a scripture like this that seems so straight forward I am grateful for the guidance. Then I begin to think what else is in this text. I read it again and begin to pray the scripture in the prayer practice of Lectio Divina. What stands out to me today is the word satisfied. It is not just about eating and being given food for a moment of hunger, but also to be satisfied.

As I ponder more the text and the word satisfied, questions rise in me. Am I fed in ways of satisfaction in my spiritual life? What hungers remain in me that are not satisfied? How is God offering provision for me to be satisfied? How is He asking me to offer spiritual food for others that may satisfy?

Are you satisfied in your spiritual life? What has God asked you to offer of your gifts that may assist others in being satisfied in their spiritual lives?

Generous God show me your Way…


Friday, November 20, 2009 Luke 9:23-25 (New International Version)
23Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?

Today this text reminds me that following God’s call is daily. I know much of the time what my call is in general so there are seasons that I have to stop and remind myself that daily it is about following Christ and not about me, my gift or my possessions. When this occurs what comes to mind is to pray the Jesus Prayer. “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God. Have mercy on me, a sinner” Each day I need to be reminded that I am a sinner saved by grace and that what good I did yesterday or last week or even today is to no avail. When I do this it helps me listen more intently to what God’s guidance is and for certain to see if I have gotten off course with what I thought it was the last time I stopped and listened. The prayer practice of the Jesus Prayer is a way of centering and removing the self to once again be open to God..

What has God asked of you lately that may be fresh or new? Are you still moving on the premise of what you thought He asked you weeks, months or even years ago? Be still; remember we are all sinners Through Christ’s merciful sacrifice we are forgiven.

Generous God show me your Way…


Saturday, November 21, 2009 Philippians 4:10-19 (New International Version)
Thanks for Their Gifts
10I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

14Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. 18I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

This reading today done in the prayer practice of Lectio Divina has drawn my attention to the word sacrifice. Here Paul is acknowledging that the gift of the Philippians church was sacrificial. I am not sure if left to my own choices that I have been very sacrificial in my giving. However with the recent recession and decline in income and savings I have been challenged to consider if we can give what we pledged before all this economic downturn occurred. So circumstances in life have availed the opportunity to really consider sacrificial giving for us. God continues to provide for us and like Paul we are not strangers to watching our pennies. This text ends with a promise of assurance that God will provide. It reminds me to continue to trust and continue to give.
How about your situation? Is God your provider? Is your gift sacrificial? Would God say it is a fragrant offering and an acceptable sacrifice?

Generous God show me your Way…