Today’s Reflection
WE CAN REMIND one another that we are God’s beloved. We have been formed and created by God in our mother’s wombs. We are known by name. Our names have been carved into the crucified hands of God. We are loved with an everlasting love. There is nothing in all creation, nothing in this world or the next, that can ever separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ. Nothing. When we know that we are God’s beloved, we have embarked on the journey toward an authentic Christian spirituality.
– Trevor Hudson and Stephen D. Bryant
The Way of Transforming Discipleship Participant’s Book
From page 26 of The Way of Transforming Discipleship Participant’s Book by Trevor Hudson and Stephen D. Bryant. Copyright © 2005 Upper Room Books. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question
Remind someone that God loves him or her. Share your thoughts.
Today’s Scripture
But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”
John 6:20, NRSV
This Week: pray for the mind of Christ. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.
Did You Know?
In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers. Call 1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center website.
This week we remember: Mary Magdalene (July 22).
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
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17 Comments
God loves everyone! Yes, that is truth of faith. Thank You, Lord. Thankful it is Sunday today and there’s worship and fellowship at church.
Had a wonderful afternoon riding to a town on the US Canadian border for German food. Countryside I had not seen in a very long time, a new acquaintance, and a lovely setting for a great meal.
Progress with plans to move as soon as it is conveniently possible to an area where job prospects for Erich are greatly improved. Have a few hurdles to leap before it can happen.
“Pachinko” was a tough read. Whether forcibly or willingly Koreans went to Japan and their descendants have remained for generations in a difficult atmosphere. There was a blend familiarity and unknown to this story
Blessings to the UR family on this, the Lord’s day.
Robert, it is so good to hear you had such a wonderful day yesterday! You continue to be an inspiration. I am keeping the future move in my prayers, as you navigate through the steps to get there. I continue to keep you, Erich, your daughter and her family, Annaliese, Pearl and the members of your church congregation in my prayers. I send Love and peace to you!
Robert, I commit your move to God. May He lead and guide you every step of your life journey.
Blessings
I sorely miss communal worship and wish I could find a church that was welcoming and inclusive.
So much on my mind these days. Tomorrow’s surgery. Not looking forward to the loss of more finger. I remember how painful, physically and emotionally, this experience is. Also trying not to dwell on the divorce situation but it is difficult. I need to concentrate on my health right now.
Prayers for Robert and Erich and the pending move. Don’t knoow if you saw my post yesterday. I just finished Pearl Buck’s trilogy, “The Good Earth”, “Sons” and “A House Divided.” It is about China in the late 1800s and early 1900s. She received a Nobel Prize for her depiction of the poor in China. It was aso a grueling read (over 1500 pages) but well worthwhile. The topics were often difficult.
Prayers for Marcy and I hope she is not suffering.
Prayers and blessings for all of the UR faithful
Julie, keeping you in prayer. May your surgery go smoothly and may you have a speedy recovery.
Blessings
Thank you for your prayers
You and your parents are in my prayers
Thanks so much dear Julie!
Dearest Julie, please know I am keeping you in my prayers, concerning the surgery on your finger tomorrow. I pray that our Great Physician, being right there with you, will keep pain at a minimum. I pray strength from the Holy Spirit to be poured into you as your divorce proceedings begin, all the way to the end. I’m keeping your daughter and the sweet kitties, Chai and Tazzie in my prayers.
Lucy, my dear hearted tabby, is trying her best to lighten my spirits. I’ve been throwing a bottle cap from a water bottle, and she is retrieving it, for me to throw again. She is still getting used to fetching without carpet, so I’m being careful, as she slides on the floor. Her claws don’t do much good on linoleum tiles! I’ve so enjoyed hearing about Chai and Tazzie. Thank you, my friend!
I send my Love to you! God loves you and will comfort you, strengthen you and bring His peace to you!
I am thankful to God that He loves us so! Having some very difficult days, just a bunch of things that have been accumulating, including finances.
I continue to pray for the loving and caring UR Reflections siblings and friends I have been guided to by God. I continue to pray for Jill, Gloria, Larry, Becky and Roger; Lou and her children and Mom; Connie and her husband and family; Betsy and her family and Grace; Andrea, Lowell and Andrea’s daughter, son-in-law and sweet grandson; Mary and her parents, sister, students and colleagues; April and her family; Pamela and her family; Francesca; Rusty and K; Carol and Robin; Chloe and Paige; and all who visit here. Praying for those whose requests for prayer be answered, praising God with those attaining health, happiness and harmony! Praising God all ways and always!
And these three remain: Faith, Hope and Love, and the greatest of these is LOVE! Oh, how I believe in the Love of God!
Thanks so much dear Marcy! May God’s presence be so close to you and may God fill you with His love, joy and peace!
Today in church we were invited to come to the alter and pick up a prayer shawl for ourselves or someone else that we know that is going through a difficult time. The shawls are knitted/crocheted with love in each stitch so that when the wearer puts on the shawl they will feel the love of others who are reaching out to them in this way. I went up and got one for my neighbor who recently admitted her husband to an Alzheimer’s facility. If you ever thought that was the end of your worries, I want to share that it is not, in more ways than one. There is the grieving process, the uncertainty of this new living arrangement, financial, distance, etc. I wish I could send each of us here a prayer shawl, but instead, I lift you in prayer.
Julie, I pray that for you and those involved with your surgery that there will be the best outcome.
Marcy, I pray that your health problems will resolve.
Robert that you and Erich and Pearl will see God guiding your next steps.
Lou that God will be with you and your family as you each have specific needs.
Mary that you may continue to care for your parents as well as teach…education is so important.
Andrea that your relationship with your daughter and family will continue to be positive as you support and witness God’s love to all.
Connie as you send uplifting posts, things you are thankful for, and a song or two.
Betsy for reminding us to hold children/teachers in our prayers as the start of the school year begins.
Jill for safe travels and with your family as you meet the challenges each day brings for a cancer patient.
For all who come to this site through posts or reading, I lift you in prayer. God knows each of us and we are His Beloved.
Thank you dear April!
Indeed, education is very important. Grateful for the reminder and also for a good education.
Thanks for being a blessing to us. May God bless you abundantly!
Grateful that we are God’s believed!
I mean God’s beloved
No reflection as yet, 7/30/18. Searched for it too.
Thank you all for your prayers for me and Erich regarding the move. As happy as I am to be back in my home state, it is not helping Erich. I had to find work elsewhere long ago and that seems to be the case for Erich as well. Still will be close to the state I call home, will have lower taxes, and there are railroad opportunities. The move probably won’t happen until spring, there are things to do before it can happen, but having a focus is very helpful.
Prayers for Julie, her surgery today, and the divorce. May your health and well being be God blessed.
Thankful for prayers and posts from Marcy. Your prayers are powerful. I pray that your health, well being, and finances are resolved. God is with you for sure.
Prayers for April’s neighbor as care giver for an Akzheimer;’s patient. It’s a tough decision to send someone for care. There are times when there is no better choice.
Marcy you have a special cat that retrieves items. What a blessing. We’ve made huge progress with Pearl so no longer wakes us up every few hours all night long. When I get up in the morning she rolls on my feet and they get the attention only a cat can give – tender licks.
Yes, prayers for Jill having some needed time away, prayers for Gloria and Larry and Becky as they continue dealing with cancer.
Not nearly as long as the Pearl Buck trilogy, but an Asian story as well, I finished “Pachinko” the story of Koreans in Japan between 1910-1989. Lots of tough themes: the suffering of women, discrimination, racism, economics, a chance for a future, and acceptance.
Continued prayers for Mary, her school work, colleague, and parents. Thankful for continuous prayers and support.
A new week, soon a new month, beautiful eclipses of the moon, and big surprise at church yesterday. A lady baked cookies from my aunt’s recipe and they were just like ones I remember. A precious memory. Sometimes very small actions have a huge impact.
Blessings dear UR family, I am very thankful for you.
Grateful for two new students joining us this week. This means i need to prepare English, math and science tuition for a P5 student whereas the p1 student i just prepare an extra copy for her.
Grateful for a fruitful day!
Blessings!
Thanks so much Robert for your prayers!
May all be well with you and your family!
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