A Prayer in preparation for Holy Week

Here is a challenging prayer from Ignatius of Loyola. I trust it may guide you in your reflections and preparations for Holy Week. 

"Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within Thy wounds hide me.
Permit me not to be separated from Thee.
From the wicked foe defend me.
At the hour of my death call me.
And bid me come to Thee.
That with Thy saints I may praise Thee For ever and ever. Amen."

"For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." - 1 Corinthians 2:2

Living in Grace

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I have no bucket!

What do you do when you arrive at the well, but you have nothing to draw the water with? Your thirst is getting the better of you, and you don't know how to quench this longing. 

For many people their struggles are so overwhelming that they fail to see that Jesus is the one who offers us the water that quenches our thirst. Sadly, our picture of God has become so distorted over the years that we think our 'lack of a bucket' excludes us from the gift of Life. 

I have found this poem has put into words some of our deepest thoughts and emotions. 

"I have no bucket, and the well is deep.
My thirst is endless, and my throat is dry.
I ask you, stranger, silent at my side,
can words refresh my longings if you speak?
I have no bucket, and the well is deep.

Who are you, strange yet friendly at my side,
and can you see and judge, yet understand
my hidden self, and heal with wounded hands?
Are you the path, the gateway and the guide,
the keys, the living water, and the light?

Come break the rock, and bid the rivers flow
from deep unending wells of joy and worth,
for tears, for drinking, drowning and new birth,
and I shall find and give myself, and know
the keys, the living water, and the light." - Brian Wren

Isaiah spoke of God's love and open invitation to 'Come to him' in these words:

“Come, all you who are thirsty,
    come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
    come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
    without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
    and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
    and you will delight in the richest of fare." - Isaiah 55:1-3

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Between me and all else! - Celtic Prayer

"I put between me and all evil,
The Saving Power of God.
I put between me and all darkness,
The Saving Power of God.
I put between me and all weakness,
The Saving Power of God.
I put between me and all terror,
The Saving Power of God.
I put between me and all destruction,
The Saving Power of God.
I put between me and death,
The Saving Power of God." - Celtic Prayer

This is such a wonderful concept to consider. When we believe that 'nothing can separate us from the love of God' (Romans 8), then this means that the power of God rests between us and everything else.

How does that sit with you? Be encouraged. 

God bless you today.

Living in grace

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Abound in You - a poem by Erasmus

Hidden in the words of poetry lie the depth of our faith and the mystery of God. When Desiderius Erasmus wrote the following words, he drew us into the inner sanctum of his heart and soul, allowing us a moment to reflect and worship. I pray that this poem may speak to you today.

"Sever me from myself that I may be grateful to You;
May I perish to myself that I may be safe in You;
May I die to myself that I may live in You;
May I wither to myself that I may blossom in You;
May I be emptied of myself that I may abound in You;
May I be nothing to myself that I may be all to You."

Philippians 1:21 - For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Living in Grace

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We believe! - A reflection on Jesus' miracle in Cana

After spending the last few days reflecting on Jesus' first miracle in Cana - the turning of the water to wine, I decided to try and sum up my response in a piece of prose. I hope that it makes sense. If not, then you are welcome to read the passage again (John 2:1-11) or to watch the sermon on this platform.

If you a moment, please let me know what you think. Thank you. 

Living in Grace

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Dear Jesus, loyal friend and miracle worker,
Giver of signs and undeserved grace.

We invite you into the feast of our lives,
But we confess we have little to offer you.
The wine has run out and the vessels are empty.
We have searched and searched for more, but to no avail.
We plead with you to send your Spirit to rescue us.
We believe that your wisdom will meet the needs of our desperate plight.
Rescue us from the great shame of our embarrassing mistakes.
And return to us the abundant joy of your deep grace.
Fill again the cavernous vacuum of our hearts,
So that your gift of love runs over the edges of our lives.
And after all this has been accomplished, 

we know that some may sadly continue to revel in their ignorance,
But we will boldly proclaim: “Thank you Jesus. We believe!”

The 12th day of Christmas into Epiphany

For many people the festivities of Christmas Day are almost a distant memory, but for those communities who mark the 12 days of Christmas, this week is important. Not only is the 5th of January the 12th day of Christmas (for obvious reasons), but it is also the eve of Epiphany. The Easter Orthodox Church celebrates this date as the birth of Jesus and they offer gifts to one another, in the tradition of the wise men. 

This reflection is not a critique of any Christmas tradition, but rather just to remind myself (and others), that the Gift of Jesus' birth is not a "one day" event, but rather a miracle that gives us hope and life throughout the year.

May Christ be real to you this Epiphany and may the gift of his life resonate throughout 2025.

"Star of wonder, you have led us,
along with so many,
to the Child of the Light.
Continue to guide us on our journey
to be Followers of the One,
the Creator and Redeemer
and Sustainer of us all.
For it is in Christ's name that we pray. Amen." - Beth Richardson

Matthew 2:11-12 - 11 Entering the house where the baby and Mary, his mother, were, they threw themselves down before him, worshiping. Then they opened their presents and gave him gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 But when they returned to their own land, they didn’t go through Jerusalem to report to Herod, for God had warned them in a dream to go home another way.

Living in Grace

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If you could ask God for one thing...

If you could ask God for anything, what would you ask for? Listen to the thoughts of a young soldier, who is credited with this beautiful reflection:

"I asked God for strength that I might achieve.
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked God for health that I might do greater things.
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy.
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for--but everything I had hoped for...
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am among all men most richly blessed." - An unknown Confederate soldier.

Question: If you answered my first question (above), would you consider changing your answer after having read this poem?

Living in Grace

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A special prayer for the New Year

In reflecting on our transition from 2022 into the New Year, I wrote a few thoughts that I trust could form the basis of a helpful prayer for each one of us. These words are my prayer for each one of us as we embark upon the journey of 2023. May these words be a blessing for you.

"May our disappointments of the Old Year give way to new hope and dreams for the New Year.

May our pain and scars of this past year create a new resolve and perseverance in the coming year.

May all our grief and loss of the past, become fuel for deeper empathy and kindness towards those who will struggle alongside us in the days to come.

May all our doubts and uncertainty of the Old Year be motivation for a resolute faith and passion for the future.

May our failures and unfulfilled expectations of the past grant us revised perspective and refined clarity in the days to come.

May our victories, joys and celebrations of this last year become a reservoir of deep gratitude and thankfulness in the New Year.

May our knowledge of God’s unending mercy and grace be both a light for our journey this year, as well as a promise of God’s continual presence into the unknown."

Thank you for your willingness to read these thoughts and devotions. I have committed to continue to this ministry into the future and I pray that each post would offer us all something to chew on and hopefully provide a little extra fuel for our Spiritual adventures. 

Please remember that you can sign up to receive these posts directly to your email if you would like. It is FREE. You sign up on the home page.

Have a Blessed 2023. 

Living in Grace

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Anyway - a remarkable poem

This poem is so remarkable and inspiring that I feel it is worth sharing again. The world in which we find ourselves now is in need of love, kindness and grace. Despite the negativity that surrounds us let us 'live for God' anyway. Enjoy these words:

"People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;
Forgive them anyway.

 
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

 
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

 
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

 
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

 
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

 
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

 
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

 
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;
It was never between you and them anyway." - Mother Theresa

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Hope - Emily Dickinson

Here is a very intriguing poem called 'Hope - is the thing with feathers' by Emily Dickinson. I was never the best at Poetry in school, but I love the fact that HOPE never stops at all and that we can experience it deep within our souls.

“Hope” is the thing with feathers -

That perches in the soul -

And sings the tune without the words -

And never stops - at all -

And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -

And sore must be the storm -

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm -

I’ve heard it in the chillest land -

And on the strangest Sea -

Yet - never - in Extremity,

It asked a crumb - of me." - Emily Dickinson

"I wait in hope for your salvation, God." - Genesis 49:18

Living in Grace

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I can't promise you

I was given this lovely quote from Rev. Dr. William Sangster the other day. I think it is such a lovely reflection on the New Year and too good to be kept to myself. Enjoy it and may it offer us all some words to 'live by' in 2021.

"I cannot promise you, in the coming year, a new set of circumstances.
Indeed I anticipate for myself and for you, difficulties and disappointments
and obstacles and some pain – for that is life.
No year has dawned that did not contain them and if such a year did come 

it might be debilitating to the soul.
But in the Name of Him Who sits upon the Throne, 

I promise you that if you will receive Him into your heart and

if you will submit to His Lordship over you, you can have a new heart,
a new life and therefore a new birth.
I cannot beckon you away from the flinty path upon which some of you walk.
I am not commissioned to do so.
Those who follow Christ must travel a times by stony and rugged ways
but I do promise in grey times a new life in God." - Rev Dr William Sangster. 1900-1960

May God bless us all as we embark upon the uncertainty of the next 363 days.

Living in Grace

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P.S. My gratitude to Rev. Ralph Thornley for sharing this with me. 

The lost art of Humility

Mother Teresa wrote a lovely piece concerning the character of humility. 

“These are the few ways we can practice humility:
To speak as little as possible of one's self.
To mind one's own business.
Not to want to manage other people's affairs.
To avoid curiosity.
To accept contradictions and correction cheerfully.
To pass over the mistakes of others.
To accept insults and injuries.
To accept being slighted, forgotten and disliked.
To be kind and gentle even under provocation.
Never to stand on one's dignity.
To choose always the hardest.”
― Mother Teresa, The Joy in Loving: A Guide to Daily Living

Perhaps Teresa and Solomon are having a discussion about this in heaven right now. Solomon wrote:

"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." - Proverbs 11:2

It is obvious that some people have lost the art of true humility.

Living in Grace

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From the ashes

This is a lovely poem that reminds me of the HOPE we have in the Lord. That even when things seem at an end, there is still a song of Hope. I don't think that Sara Teasdale meant it in this way, but I have read these thoughts into it. Enjoy.

“From my spirit's gray defeat,
From my pulse's flagging beat,
From my hopes that turned to sand
Sifting through my close-clenched hand,
From my own fault's slavery,
If I can sing, I still am free.

For with my singing I can make
A refuge for my spirit's sake,
A house of shining words, to be
My fragile immortality.”
― Sara Teasdale

Isaiah 61:3 -  "...he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory."

Living in Grace

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The Cold Within

We are dying inside! If you find yourself living in 'this Generation' and particularly in places where there is so much negativity, hate and pain, then you may echo my words - we are all slowly dying inside!

I came across this famous poem by James Patrick Kinney, who wrote these words in the 1960's. The words were controversial then and perhaps even a little today, BUT they are so true. Before you read them, remember that we ALL have a choice as to how we will live our lives. I don't want to die from the COLD within!

Jesus came to give us LIFE in all its fullness. That is what I want.

Living in Grace
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Six humans trapped by happenstance
In bleak and bitter cold.
Each one possessed a stick of wood
Or so the story’s told.

Their dying fire in need of logs
The first man held his back
For of the faces round the fire
He noticed one was black.

The next man looking ‘cross the way
Saw one not of his church
And couldn’t bring himself to give
The fire his stick of birch.

The third one sat in tattered clothes.
He gave his coat a hitch.
Why should his log be put to use
To warm the idle rich?

The rich man just sat back and thought
Of the wealth he had in store
And how to keep what he had earned
From the lazy shiftless poor.

The black man’s face bespoke revenge
As the fire passed from his sight.
For all he saw in his stick of wood
Was a chance to spite the white.

The last man of this forlorn group
Did nought except for gain.
Giving only to those who gave
Was how he played the game.

Their logs held tight in death’s still hands
Was proof of human sin.
They didn’t die from the cold without
They died from the cold within.

But not today!

Here is a lovely take on life - enjoy! The poem is called "But Not Today!"

"I shall grow old perhaps, but not today, not while my hopes are

young, my spirit strong, my vision clear, because life has a way

of smoothing out the wrinkles with a song.

I shall grow old, perhaps, but not today, not while my dreams

remain a shining shield, my faith a lance, and 'neath a sky of

grey, my colours wave upon the battlefield.

I shall grow old, perhaps, but not today, not while this pen can

write upon a page, and memories turn Winter into May, shall this

stout heart be brought to terms by age?

I shall grow old, perhaps, but not today, and scorning Time who

would enlist my tears, I stand convinced there is a better way,

of occupying all the coming years.

I shall grow old, perhaps, but not today, in my own style and in

my own sweet time, no night so dark there does not fall a ray of

light along the pathway that I climb.

Just say of me, when my last hour slips like one bright leaf to

softly rest among the others..."Life was Summer to the heart, of

one who died believing she was young."- Grace E. Easley.

1 Corinthians 12:31 - So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts. But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all.

 

Living in Grace

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