Offertory Prayer July 3, 2016

Dear God, eternity's proprietor,  
Today's offering is yours 
Before it is given 
Because all creation is yours. 
Teach us how to first think of you

When we think for ourselves,
Let us understand that being able to give monetarily,  
No matter the amount, 
Is a gift of your grace. 
With our offerings we pay homage to you, 
Creator, Word and Love.

Amen.

Trust

Mother God, Father God,

Your names are endless
And encompass all.

Your kingdom comes on the wings of angels

And in the footsteps of humanity

Who follow the Shepherd.

Give us nourishment for our bodies

And love for our souls.

Forgive us when we do not trust you

As we forgive those who betray our trust.

Do not take your presence from us.

Let us always know the Comforter is near.

Keep us safe from unbelief and pride.

You are beginning and end,
Creation and annihilation,

Love unending.
Amen.

Photo by Delphine
Original by Kitina Celt

Christmas Day 2012 - The Word

Photo by bahoootah qtr

"In the beginning was the Word,

And the is Word was with God,

And the Word was God."

"And the Word was made flesh

And dwelt among us..."

The Gospel of John

Speaks the message of Christmas.

Jesus is God in action,

The instrument of creation,

The instrument of salvation.

God shed his majesty to experience

The world

As one of those made in his image.
As human,
He could experience death.

Resurrected,
He could demonstrate everlasting life.

The Christmas Babe:
Fully God and Fully Human.
He comes with promise of
Life Eternal
Embraced in His Love.

A Christmas Babe- The Word at Advent

Photo by bahoootah qtr

"In the beginning was the Word,

And the is Word was with God,

And the Word was God."

"And the Word was made flesh

And dwelt among us..."

The Gospel of John

Speaks the message of Advent.

Christ is God in action,

The instrument of creation,

The instrument of salvation.

God shed his majesty to experience

The world

As one of those made in his image.
As human,
He could experience death.

Resurrected,
He could demonstrate everlasting life.

The Christmas Babe:
Fully God and Fully Human.
He comes with promise of
Life Eternal
Embraced in His Love.

The Heat is Rising

Summer came early
Stealing spring.
The heat grows.
Every day is extreme.
Is this heat our doing?
Have we taken the first step to extinction?
We do not know,
But science points to our missteps.
Rain does not fall.
The land is parched.
The birds do not sing.
Insects die.
Life itself oozes away.
This Earth was God's great gift,
Ours to protect.
Have we squandered it
In pursuit of riches?
God,
Give us the strength and wisdom
To nurture the waters,
To cherish the earth.
Make us meek
That we may inherit this creation.

PhotobyUncaMikey

The Word at Advent

"In the beginning was the Word,

And the is Word was with God,

And the Word was God."

"And the Word was made flesh

And dwelt among us..."

These quotes from the Gospel of John

Speak the message of Advent.

Christ is God in action,

The instrument of creation,

The instrument of salvation.

God shed his majesty to experience

The world

As one of those made in his image.
As human,
He could experience death.

Resurrected,
He could demonstrate everlasting life.

The Christmas Babe:
Fully God and Fully Human.
He comes with promise of
Life Eternal
Embraced in His Love.

Photo by bahoootah qtr

Heaven

Where is heaven?

I have studied the grand emptiness of space.

I do not see the face of God,

But only the miracle of Creation.

Where does God dwell?

I know that question has many answers.

I seek only the answer that brings me closest to the Everlasting

For now, I must be satisfied with the words of God's Book,

And the knowledge that the Almighty is present everywhere,

In every moment of my life,

I must trust that death is the gateway to heaven,
The gateway to a dimension without time.

Someday as I cross that strange threshold
I will hear God say,

"Welcome home."

Photo by jimkster

Dance

Last night I watched a ballet.
Dancers swept across the stage
Like drops of wind blown rain,
Then poured themselves
Like iridescent rivulets flowing
In time with the music.
What beauty man can create!
What greater beauty God creates!
Thank God for creation.
Thank God for the beauty in dance.
"Praise him with the timbrel and dance..."
Praise God.