John 12:34-36 (NRSV)
The crowd answered him, "We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?" Jesus said to them, "The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light." After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them.
I LOVE candles! Anyone who's ever lived with me can tell you that, i've got them everywhere. Besides the ones I have out in my room I have at least 2 shoe boxes/tupperwares filled mostly with tea lights, i've got at least 200. Why you might ask? Well if you've ever been to a lock-in, camp, or metting when i've done worship, you most likely know already.
The light candles give creates a mood. In a worship setting it is very reflective and quiet mood. The soft light seems to affect everyone, yet differently. It calms the most roudy of youth, focuses the group, and prepares them for prayer. I decorate the alter with a few big candles then a tea light or two for everyone who will be at worship (always plan for extra). Making sure they are all over cloth and hopefully two layers or plastic too. When worship begins, i only light the large candles.
First logistics of this~ you can put it anywhere in the service, it works great for a reflective time at the beginning to center the group, or great as a prayer time in the middle or towards the end to meditate or clam down from energetic worship. I ask the group to think of the ways God has been present in their lives and be thankful, as well as things they are praying for in their own lives. Then i invited them to light a candle to represent their prayer. If there is a small group or enough time/candles, I encourage them to light one for a friend as well. In general, soft music allows for people to come up as they are ready, and pray or reflect until everyone is done. **demonstrate how to light the candle by taking an UNlit candle and tipping it upsidedown/sideways into a lit candle** There is also unending ways to explain the importance of this event.
I work with youth often, and began doing this when i was a youth, leading worship for our CCYM meetings for my cousin. Giving an individule something they can claim as theirs gives them ownership, but the little tea lights together make a big light. The little lights add so much more light, a visual analogy to the difference a group can make in the world. Each of us have a light in us, and others see that (even if you don't think so!), but that light by itself is not very strong, and it needs other lights to keep it going strong.
The messiah does remain forever, through his followers, and his light is in us, but we are not him. We can't do it alone. But we shine together!
your sister in Christ~Erin
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Monday, December 04, 2006
Serving
Christmas time always gets us in more of a helping/sharing/serving mood. I ran accross this devo and thought it was appropriate for that feeling. I included the whole thing because as wonderful as scripture is I for one have a hard time remembering it, but when linked with a story it makes it easier for me. Happy Holidays!
your sister in Christ~Erin
ideas to serve this season
*bell ring for the salvation army
*angel tree gifts/sponering a family
*serve food at a food kitchen
*coats for kids/mitten trees
*finals care packages for college students
*instead of giving gifts, donate money
*carol at a nursing home
and many many more, check out in your community!
Matthew 25:31-40 (NRSV)
Jesus said, "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.'"
_________________________
Surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.
- Jeremiah 29:11 (NRSV)
_________________________
Dan West (1893-1971), a Christian aid worker in Spain during their civil war, agonized over the life-and-death decisions involving the cups of reconstituted milk he gave to starving children. It was never enough, and infants who received no milk died. "These children don't need a cup of milk; they need a cow," he thought. He dreamed of bringing some cows from his native Indiana to hungry people so they could produce their own milk. Then he got another idea: "Why not send pregnant cows, so those who receive the gift of life in the name of Jesus Christ can pass it along to others and become part of the chain?"
When he returned home in 1938, he told dairy farmers in his church about his idea. When World War II ended, West and the others began to ship cows and then sheep, goats, chickens, rabbits, and other animals to people on both sides of the conflict. The idea grew, and many churches joined in.
Since then, millions of animals have been given to people in 128 different countries by the ecumenical organization that West founded - Heifer International. In all those years its mission has remained unchanged - to provide a future with hope by bringing to the hungry a long-term source of food, all in the name of Jesus.
Prayer: Lord of all, help us to serve all. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
How can I make a difference?
your sister in Christ~Erin
ideas to serve this season
*bell ring for the salvation army
*angel tree gifts/sponering a family
*serve food at a food kitchen
*coats for kids/mitten trees
*finals care packages for college students
*instead of giving gifts, donate money
*carol at a nursing home
and many many more, check out in your community!
Matthew 25:31-40 (NRSV)
Jesus said, "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.'"
_________________________
Surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.
- Jeremiah 29:11 (NRSV)
_________________________
Dan West (1893-1971), a Christian aid worker in Spain during their civil war, agonized over the life-and-death decisions involving the cups of reconstituted milk he gave to starving children. It was never enough, and infants who received no milk died. "These children don't need a cup of milk; they need a cow," he thought. He dreamed of bringing some cows from his native Indiana to hungry people so they could produce their own milk. Then he got another idea: "Why not send pregnant cows, so those who receive the gift of life in the name of Jesus Christ can pass it along to others and become part of the chain?"
When he returned home in 1938, he told dairy farmers in his church about his idea. When World War II ended, West and the others began to ship cows and then sheep, goats, chickens, rabbits, and other animals to people on both sides of the conflict. The idea grew, and many churches joined in.
Since then, millions of animals have been given to people in 128 different countries by the ecumenical organization that West founded - Heifer International. In all those years its mission has remained unchanged - to provide a future with hope by bringing to the hungry a long-term source of food, all in the name of Jesus.
Prayer: Lord of all, help us to serve all. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
How can I make a difference?
Friday, December 01, 2006
Doubt
Good story, read it carefully!
Matthew 14:22-33 (NRSV)
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid."
Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
The typical understanding of this story talks about keeping our focus on God. But recently i heard a different interpretation. When I read this Peter sticks out to be at first as arrogant. Trying to do what Jesus does? But then i remind myself, we all have a different interpretation of Jesus, and Peter's was difiatley different than mine, which is okay! Then as the story goes on I begin to relate to Peter. I want to be like Jesus, maybe not walk on water, but have compassion for all people, serve and love everyone especially the outcasts of society. But here's what catches me, Peter doubted HIS capability. He didn't just take his eyes off of Jesus, he doubted what he could do.
As christians we all believe that God is amazing and powerful. We don't doubt what he can do, we don't really find fault with him. We doubt ourselves and find fault in ourselves saying that we can't possibly do that! It can be anything, not feeling as if we are smart enough, pretty enough, strong enough, a good enough christian, and many many more. Often we begin to feel a call in our lives to do something, possibly for God or possiby just to do something good, to make a difference. But we doubt ourselves.
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, talented, and fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of the most high God. Your playing small doesn't serve this world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you..." - Nelson Mandela
Keep your eyes on Jesus not in the mirror. YOU CAN DO IT. You are amazing, not because you try, because God made you that way, with a purpose. Let him use you. Sure it's scary. But nothing good comes without a risk. Trust him and take it!
God Bless!
your sister in Christ~Erin
Matthew 14:22-33 (NRSV)
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid."
Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
The typical understanding of this story talks about keeping our focus on God. But recently i heard a different interpretation. When I read this Peter sticks out to be at first as arrogant. Trying to do what Jesus does? But then i remind myself, we all have a different interpretation of Jesus, and Peter's was difiatley different than mine, which is okay! Then as the story goes on I begin to relate to Peter. I want to be like Jesus, maybe not walk on water, but have compassion for all people, serve and love everyone especially the outcasts of society. But here's what catches me, Peter doubted HIS capability. He didn't just take his eyes off of Jesus, he doubted what he could do.
As christians we all believe that God is amazing and powerful. We don't doubt what he can do, we don't really find fault with him. We doubt ourselves and find fault in ourselves saying that we can't possibly do that! It can be anything, not feeling as if we are smart enough, pretty enough, strong enough, a good enough christian, and many many more. Often we begin to feel a call in our lives to do something, possibly for God or possiby just to do something good, to make a difference. But we doubt ourselves.
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, talented, and fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of the most high God. Your playing small doesn't serve this world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you..." - Nelson Mandela
Keep your eyes on Jesus not in the mirror. YOU CAN DO IT. You are amazing, not because you try, because God made you that way, with a purpose. Let him use you. Sure it's scary. But nothing good comes without a risk. Trust him and take it!
God Bless!
your sister in Christ~Erin
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