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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

BEING CHRISTIAN is not about us; it’s about Jesus. Spiritual formation is about the life of Jesus being made visible in our bodies; it’s about engaging the Spirit because we are hungry for God; it’s about becoming disciples so that Jesus can pour his life into us. It’s about learning to love God with our heart, mind, body, and soul. It’s about having the courage to actually follow Christ—to place one foot in front of the other, to dare to live a life of grace.

—Derek Maul
Get Real: A Spiritual Journey for Men

From page 30 of Get Real: A Spiritual Journey for Men by Derek Maul. Copyright © 2007 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

Do others see Jesus in you?  Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.
—Philippians 1:6, NRSV

Prayer for the Week

Give me the courage and strength to serve you, Lord.

Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.

Something more

Sight Psalms is a daily, online, photo inspiration intended to help people reflect on God’s presence in the world and in their lives through the use of images. Each day, a new photograph is posted to evoke reflection and inspiration within themes connected to the Christian year, and it is usually accompanied by a few words. Discover more.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

Sponsored by The Upper Room. Copyright © 2019 | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA

12 Comments

  • Betsy Posted May 30, 2019 6:52 am

    I would hope that God’s Grace and love shows through my daily life. I try to be ever mindful of my comments in my daily interactions, with people I cross paths with. Each morning I pray for help in that endeavor.

    Mary, praying for strength and calm as you continue in you caregiving. May you feel God’s Grace in all your actions.
    The rain is gently falling here after another night of rough weather throughout the heartland. Prayers for the families who have experienced tornadoes and flooding damage to home and property. May God’s healing hand protect them.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted May 30, 2019 9:20 am

      Thanks so much Betsy!

      No dad is stabilized. Earlier he was cold and could not eat.

      May God bless you and your family abundantly!

  • Jill Posted May 30, 2019 7:42 am

    I pray that Christ’s light, love and grace is evident in my life.
    My heart is heavy this morning, as a colleague of mine passed last evening. I do not remember if I had shared her story here. Just briefly, in case I had not, Sarah and I were at the cancer support group which started this past February. While we were colleagues, our paths rarely crossed at school. I was surprised to learn at the meeting that she was battling cancer. She was diagnosed with terminal colon cancer in 2012 and by 2014 was in remission. Last summer it came back, spreading to many organs. These past few months – we shared a lot, prayed together and supported each other. She so desperately wanted to finish the school year. The Friday before Mother’s Day was her last day here at school. She didn’t want anyone feeling sorry for her – for she was going to meet her Saviour. She lived loudly and strongly – a vibrant figure in the classroom and a passion for Jesus. I smile now, through tears, knowing that she is face to face with Jesus – what she so anticipated. I think of the few months in which we grew very close – and how much I needed to see her vigor for life and sheer unwillingness to give in to cancer – to keep praising Jesus! The exact opposite of my mom’s outlook. God allowed our paths to be parallel for a bit and I am so much richer for it.
    Mary – holding your dad in prayer – that he will have an appetite and will be able to regain strength. May God bless you as you see to him.

    • Julie Posted May 30, 2019 7:55 am

      Jill, I am sosorry for your loss. My heart aches for you and that fine woman’s family. What a blessing to have know her and witnessed her life and faith.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted May 30, 2019 10:21 am

      Thanks Julie!

      May God bless you and your dad abundantly! May His comforting love be with your family!

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted May 30, 2019 10:24 am

      Thanks Jill!

      May God bless you and your dad abundantly and may His light, love and grace be evident in your lives!

  • Connie Posted May 30, 2019 7:47 am

    I don’t see a lot of people lately. The people who know me know whose I am.
    Thankful for:
    Bouquet of flowers from neighbor. A florist gives her daughter bouquets to do with as she wishes…..her students, neighbors, etc. I have wonderful neighbors/friends.
    A successful and safe dr. appt. Another today-and tomorrow. Today I face a “round-about” and that I do not enjoy

  • Julie Posted May 30, 2019 7:51 am

    I, too, hope that I reflect God’s love and acceptance of everyone where thet are in my daily life. I try to remember that If someone is cross or short tempered there is most probably a valid reason.
    Prayers for Betsy and her family as they reflect God’s love to Harrison.
    Prayers of thanksgiving that Mary’s father is eating. May he grow strong and may Mary remain strong as she cares so lovingly for him.
    Prayers for Marcy and her health.
    Prayers for Jill and Larry as they process Gloria’s illness.
    Prayers for Lou as she seeks meaning in her new life phase.
    Prayers for Connie and may many hummers visit her bowed feeder.
    Prayers for good news for Robert and Erich and a successful move.
    Prayers for Andrea and Lowell and continued improved health.
    Prayers and blessings and warm hugs and thank you dear UR family for your prayers, kind words and Christian example that has helped me grow in my faith and continue my faith journey

  • Andrea Posted May 30, 2019 9:45 am

    I strive to live by Jesus’ teachings and to grow more Christ-like in service to others. I still am taken aback that, at a funeral recently, I was not eligible to take communion dmbecause, according to the written guidelines in the hymnal, I was not viewed as a Christian, for being Protestant. I have a friend who is a Sri Lankan priest, whose mission in SL we support. I have also valued spiritual direction with several nuns over the years, and know that the stance of the particular church I mention above is not representative of all Catholic churches. Divisiveness is an unfortunate reality in our society. Hopefully, Christians will work to build bridges. I believe we each come to be Christian on our own path, and there are many paths. The important distinction in my mind is to believe and follow Jesus and to grow in faith and devotion. Yes, I believe others view me as Christian.

    Jill, your colleague’s death at this time so soon after your mother’s death must be especially difficult, and it sounds like you were each a blessings to the other. Continued prayers for you as you grieve. Mary, I am keeping you and your father in prayer. Julie, my prayers for your well-being and resolution of your home situation continue. Robert, prayers for a smooth transition for you and Erich to your new condo, and prayers for Anneliese’s pain management. Connie, I pray your MD appointments this week continue togo well. Prayers too for Betsy and her family, Lou and her children, Marcy and her caregiver, April and her family, and for all dear UR friends and visitors.

    Wishing all a blessed day.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted May 30, 2019 10:26 am

      Thanks Andrea!

      May you continue to grow in Christ likeness in service to others!

      Blessings!

  • robert moeller Posted May 30, 2019 12:06 pm

    There have been times over the last 21 years where people, students and family, have mentioned that I have changed or have asked if I am a pastor. That is as close as any one has come to mentioning seeing Jesus in me.
    I do think that Jesus is in all believers and that it is quite possible that others can experience His presence.

    Have some good news to share. The appraisal came back with the condo valued at the selling price and no changes necessary. This is a big step toward closing. Have submitted all sorts of paperwork by email, fax, and mail; signed documents, and answered questions. Have been told the end of the process is near and that they will try to wrap things up asap. That’s encouraging, thank you for your prayers. I believe in the power of prayer.

    Prayers fir Jill’s colleague, Sarah; Mary and her Dad, Julie’s hands, foot and home life; Betsy, Connie, Andrea’s communion experience, Marcy and her helper, Mary. Thankful for the PM help Anneliese had and the apparent resolution to the insurance issue. Grateful for condo sales progress. Amen to the prayers made here. Thank You, Lord.

    Ha

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted May 30, 2019 12:45 pm

    Thanks Robert!

    Glad to hear the the good news about the progress of your condo towards closing.

    May you and Erich be blessed with good neighbours!

    Blessings!

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