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MEDITATION:

Written by Arlene Stamper.

I like to start my mornings by reading scripture and inspirational stories on my iPhone.  After church service one day a few years ago, my friend Barbara Naas told me about The Bible in a Year. Since I had not ever read the Bible back to front…I thought it must be an impossible task to do!  I decided to get the App. Since then, I have read passages from the Old and New Testament, and Psalms every day.  I have learned so much and been brought closer to God thru his words and teachings. And Yes!  It is possible to read the Bible in one year!

For many years now, I also have taken my passion for making quilts and participated in a program called Prayers and Squares. This organization asks quilters to sew together a quilt top.  The top is “sandwiched” together with batting and backing. A heavy thread is used to take stitches thru the quilt layers, and the ends are left free to be tied with a square knot.  As each knot is tied, a silent prayer is said for someone in special need, who then receives the quilt.  Every time I make one of these Prayer Quilts I thank God he has given me this gift of quilting to help others. 

PRAYER:

This is a prayer by the apostle Paul from Ephesians 3:17-21.

I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, acording to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen!

MUSIC MEDITATION:

In Christ Alone. Anthem Lights. Written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend in 2001.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Howard Thurman (1899-1981), an American author, philosopher, theologian, educator, and civil rights leader.  This is an excerpt from his book “The Inward Journey.”

We are never under obligation to achieve results. Of course, results are important, and it may be that that is the reason effort is put forth. But results are not mandatory. Much of the energy and effort and many anxious hours are spent over the probable failure or success of our ventures. No man likes to fail. But it is important to remember that under certain circumstances, failure is its own success. To keep one’s eye on results is to detract markedly from the business at hand. This is to be diverted from the task itself. It is to be only partially available to demands at hand. Very often it causes one to betray one’s own inner sense of values because to hold fast to the integrity of the act may create the kind of displeasure which in the end will affect the results. However, if the results are left free to form themselves in terms of the quality and character of the act, then all of one’s resources can be put at the disposal of the act itself. There are many forces over which the individual can exercise no control whatsoever. A man plants seed in the ground and the seed sprouts and grows. The weather, the winds, the elements, cannot be controlled by the farmer. The result is never a sure thing. So, what does the farmer do? He plants. Always, he plants. Again and again he works at it – the ultimate confidence and assurance that even though his seed does not grow to fruition, seeds do grow and they do come to fruition.  The task of men who work for the Kingdom of God, is to Work for the Kingdom of God. The result beyond this demand is not in their hands. He who keeps his eyes on results cannot give himself wholeheartedly to his task, however simple or complex that task may be.

PRAYER:

Written by Sam Hargreaves is a contemporary music and worship leader and author.

God, we hold seeds in our hand. We see smallness, weakness, insignificance. You see potential, growth, significance. Tiny seeds grow by your power into huge trees. They provide food for the hungry and homes for the birds. From the darkness of the earth springs forth your life, your harvest. Your Kingdom is like a tiny seed. When we look at your church, and our own lives,
we see smallness, weakness, insignificance. You see potential, growth, significance. Give us eyes of faith and willing hands to see your Kingdom grow in us. May we feed the hungry with food and the bread of life, welcome the homeless into your family, and gather the harvest you love has provided. In Christ’s name and the power of the Spirit we commit our lives to you again. Amen.

MUSIC MEDITATION:

Sowing the Good Seed. Philip Hare. Written by Jennifer Berens and Phil Cross in 2017.

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