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New every morning is your love, great God of light, and all day long you are working for good in the world. Stir up in us desire to serve you, to live peacefully with our neighbors and all your creation, and to devote each day to your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

"A Liturgy for Morning Prayer," Upper Room Worshipbook

Used by permission from the Book of Common Worship, © 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. All rights reserved. This prayer appears in “A Liturgy for Morning Prayer” in Upper Room Worshipbook.

Today’s Reflection

MY LIFE IS A LIBRARY filled with books that no one reads anymore –
books of adventure and romance, advice and how-tos.
The books gather dust because no one wants to learn from them.
O Lord, once they were popular volumes, tattered from wear,
but now no one cares about my life lessons.
As I’ve grown older, people have less interest in what I have to say or what I think.
I have stumbled along my journey,
but I can look back across the years with wise eyes.
If they were willing, younger folks could learn from my mistakes,
my follies, my successes.
I have gained knowledge with every experience –
knowledge of broken hearts and unfulfilled dreams,
knowledge of surviving financial woes and raising rebellious teens,
knowledge of eternal truths and the lies of the world.
If only they would ask, I would tell them.

– Missy Buchanan
Voices of Aging

“From page 25 of Voices of Aging: Adult Children and Adult Parents Talk with God by Missy Buchanan. Copyright © 2015 by Missy Buchanan. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
” http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

What older person might you learn lessons from? Spend time with an elderly person today. Call them, or see if you can visit in person. Listen as they share their stories. You might gain some wisdom. Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth.

Psalm 50:2, NRSV

This Week: Pray for those single mothers and fathers. 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: Margaret Gaffney Haughery (February 9).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Sponsored by Upper Room Ministries ®. Copyright © 2018 | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA

11 Comments

  • Jill Posted February 6, 2018 4:47 am

    I can learn from my dad each day…wisdom, patience, loving-kindness. He models Christ’s Love fully, effortlessly, and graciously. Father – thank You for him. Strengthen him in the days to come, as he so committedly lives out his oath to mom and his submission to You.
    Grateful for small group last night – a raw, emotional share-out session. Father – I lift these ladies to You. Thank You for having our paths cross, for increased trust and vulnerability, for You – our True North.
    Father, hold us in Your Love, anchored so securely.

    • Pam Posted February 6, 2018 10:41 am

      Very Beautiful, Jill!

  • Julie Posted February 6, 2018 7:51 am

    Please pray for my cat, Tazzie. My daughter took him to the emergency vet overnight. They think his liver is the issue, infection or Hepatitis. but they really do not know. They will do an ultrasound and neede biopsy later. He is the reason I get up in the morning.
    Prayers and blessings and thank you for your prayers
    This is my birthday
    “I am an expression of the divine” Alice Walker

    • Connie Posted February 6, 2018 8:01 am

      Lord, heal Tazzie. Amen

      • Connie Posted February 7, 2018 7:56 am

        And a belated birthday wish. Hope it was a good day for you.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted February 6, 2018 9:29 am

      Happy Birthdzy, dear Julie!

      May God’s blessings and favor always be upon you!

    • Francesca Posted February 7, 2018 5:43 am

      Happy belated birthday Julie! You share your birthday with my wonderful mommy. . . She taught me about Jesus. She would have been 103. Praying for peace and tranquility for you & yours & healing for Tazzie.

  • Connie Posted February 6, 2018 8:06 am

    Yes, it’s true. The older you get, the less they listen. Or so it seems.
    Today dawned with a brilliant sunrise and the snow glistened as if adorned with diamonds. Only God in His Glory could bring this about!
    Lord, bless Jill and her family.

  • Andrea Posted February 6, 2018 8:10 am

    Happy birthday, Julie. Prayers for both you and Tazzie. Prayers for Anneleise, for pain management and for good, reliable tenants. Prayers too for the sale of Robert’s properties.

    I greatly valued my beloved grandparents, to whom I was very close. They were pillars of strength and stability. The oldest person in our lives now is my husband’s aunt Dorothy, who is in her late 90’s and just moved into assisted living. She is very hunched over, yet remarkably active, sharp and cheerful and always looks pretty, with judicious make- up and bright clothes. She lives in a neighboring state and we plan to visit her in June. My two aunts and one uncle, in their early 90’s, live across the metro area and I need to visit them. I have learned innumerable lessons from grandparents, aunts, and my uncle.

    Prayers for UR friends and your prayer concerns. Hopefully, Marcy will be back on- line soon. Prayers for Lou and all single parents, for support, resources and good companionship.

  • robert moeller Posted February 6, 2018 6:54 pm

    One of my late days to post.

    With my parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents with the Lord, I turn to other elderly people. Thankfully there are warm supportive people in church.

    Thank you Jill, a wonderful message about your parents and the ladies in the small group, happy birthday Julie and prayers for Tazzie. Erich’s cat Isis had surgery recently, recovered well, but may be having new issues. Yes, Connie, there is truth to what you write, “Yes, it’s true. The older you get, the less they listen.” I also think it is harder for those of us considered “old” to listen to new voices. Love your description of the morning. I had a similar experience in the afternoon with snow topped mountains and trees, bright sunshine and blue sky. Thank you Andrea for your prayers for Anneliese, her muscle spasms have stopped, but heart palpitations are taking her to the doctor soon. The properties belong to Anneliese, the sooner one is sold the fewer concerns she will have.

    Thankful for trains running on the layout, supplies on the way, and more progress thus possible.

    Members at church.
    Thankful that Arnolds is home and doing well now that the right medication has been found. Kristin gave birth to Bennet. Mother and baby are doing well.
    Richard celebrated his 80th birthday at the firehouse after a firetruck named in his honor picked him up.

    Blessings to all of you, prayers for Marcy, and all in God’s care.

  • April Posted February 6, 2018 7:36 pm

    I pray that Tazzie will soon be herself again and jump on your lap Julie to wish you a happy birthday. There is nothing like a cat…they choose you and when they do, you are a forever friend.
    Blessing on this day and always…to you and your daughter and family.

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