Category Archives: Devotions

Burning, but Not Consumed – a prayer inspired by Moses and the Burning Bush (Exodus 3)

Posted on by
1
red and orange fire

Photo by Adonyi Gu00e1bor on Pexels.com

Holy God, you call to us from Scripture, from the preaching of your word, from the gift of song, from the love of a friend, from the beauty of nature.

Are you speaking now, Lord? Help me listen.

I am overwhelmed, stressed, full to the brim. I am at a breaking point, God. I don’t know why this is happening and I don’t know where you are. But I will give this to you.

Where in your life do you feel overwhelmed? Give it to God. 

Are you speaking now, Lord? Help me listen.

I feel lost in the whirlwind of life. Spinning from one thing to the next, my soul feels untethered from the source. There is too much to do and I don’t know how to do it all. But I will give this to you.

How do you feel lost and disconnected from God? Give it to God. 

Are you speaking now, Lord? Help me listen.

Fear grips my heart. I cling to what I know, where I feel safe. In the midst of change and transition, the ground beneath me feels like sinking sand. I want things to be the same and you are doing something new. But I will give this to you.

What fear is in your heart today? Give it to God. 

Are you speaking now, Lord? Help me listen.

Like a bush blazing off in the distance, Lord inspire us by your Spirit to turn towards you. Where there is overwhelm, grant peace. Where we are lost, guide our path. Where fear holds tight, draw near with your warm light. When we feel our world burning, remind us that your flame does not consume.

You are with us and you are speaking. What will you reveal to us? Help us to listen.

We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior, who taught us to pray, saying:

Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer   

A huge thank you for Rev. Macon Armistead for permission to post his prayer.
Exodus 3:1-15 is read on Year A — Season after Pentecost — Proper 17 (22)

************
Burning, but Not Consumed © 2023 Macon Armistead
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting without asking permission. It’s always a treat to hear from you if you’re using it. Leave a comment for information and permission to publish this work in a book, blog,, etc.

A Prayer for Light-Bearers

Posted on by
Reply
light of the world robbie quinn

You are the Light of the World by Robbie Quinn

Matthew 5:14 – Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.”

Creating Light, Redeeming Light, Sustaining Light

We seek your presence and your love this day. We come from many places, from many backgrounds, from many stories. And now, drawn by your light, we gather together with you here. In our joy and in our sorrow, your embracing light meets us, holds us, and calls us beloved.

What are you grateful for? Take a moment to name your gratitude today.

Thank you, Lord, for your light.

What is heavy on your heart? Take a moment to name the needs of our world, our community, and ourselves.

Thank you, Lord, for your light.

Drawn by the light of God, may we open ourselves to be filled with a love that transforms, that makes whole, that inspires, so that we may carry light and love where there is sorrow and pain.

You have called us to be light-bearers. Let us not hide it or hoard it. A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. Tend in us hearts that give with passion.

Thank you Holy One, Light of the World, Word made flesh, Jesus our Savior, who taught us to pray, saying:
Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer

A huge thank you for Rev. Macon Armistead for permission to post his prayer.
Matthew 5:13-20 is read on Year A — Epiphany — Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

************
A Prayer for Light-Bearers © 2023 Macon Armistead
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting without asking permission. It’s always a treat to hear from you if you’re using it. Leave a comment for information and permission to publish this work in a book, blog,, etc.

Celebrating Thanksgving at Home

Posted on by
Reply

Thanksgiving at home mailchimp 1200 x 842 pxFor centuries, Christians have been reading scripture, followed by a time of reflection and prayer. This year, I invite you to set aside time on Thanksgiving Day to do just that.

I pray this time will draw you into a deep time with our Lord, the One who so faithful provides. Happy Thanksgiving! – Lisa <><

ONE READS: Deuteronomy 8:7-10 (NRSV)
For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with flowing streams, with springs and underground waters welling up in valleys and hills, a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, a land where you may eat bread without scarcity, where you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron and from whose hills you may mine copper. You shall eat your fill and bless the Lord your God for the good land that he has given you.

Take turns finishing the sentences.
Thank you God for…
Thank you God for your…

ONE READS: Deuteronomy 8:11-14, 17-18a (NRSV)
Take care that you do not forget the Lord your God, by failing to keep his commandments, his ordinances, and his statutes, which I am commanding you today. When you have eaten your fill and have built fine houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks have multiplied, and your silver and gold is multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied, then do not exalt yourself, forgetting the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery… Do not say to yourself, “My power and the might of my own hand have gotten me this wealth.” But remember the Lord your God…

Take turns finishing the sentence.
God help me remember you and remember to…

ONE PRAYS:
Most blessed, most beautiful Christ,
in you, we receive all things

The receiving takes growth, so you give us guiding-
saints and sages and scripture
Thank you for the guiding

The receiving takes others, so you give us the world-
nature and neighbors and nations
Thank you for the world

The receiving takes change, so you give us seasons-
life and death and new life
Thank you for the seasons

The receiving takes time, so you give us time-
present and future and forever
Thank you for the time

Most blessed, most beautiful Christ
You give us yourself
And in you, O Christ
We belong
To you and to God and to all
Thank you for the giving

Close with The Lord’s Prayer

**********
For more thoughts on gratitude, click here

You are welcome to use this in your ministry setting or home with proper attribution. (by Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia, http://www.revlisad.com) Please leave a comment for information on publishing this resource in any form.

Do You Hear What I Hear? A Devotional Based on Beloved Christmas Carols

Posted on by
Reply

Songs of Christmas 1110 x 624The Christmas Story is full of singing. Over the centuries we’ve continued to celebrate with songs of our own, songs born from the joy of Christ’s coming.

This holy season, to prepare our hearts again for the coming of Christ, the congregation of Coronado Community United Methodist Church in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, will reflect on the poetry of these meaningful songs.

You’re most welcome to join us. Just CLICK HERE to download the free resource guide. Our journey will begin Monday, November 29, and continue all the way to Epiphany, January 6, 2022.

Some songs will be old friends. Others will be new. May their beauty and power draw you close to Jesus, the babe of Bethlehem, the Risen King. – Lisa <><

********

Do You Hear What I Hear, the Songs of Christmas © 2021 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
You are welcome to use this compilation for personal devotions.
Do not publish this work in any form.

Quotes: Giving, Receiving, Charity, and Stewardship

Posted on by
2
Photo by Liza Summer on Pexels.com

I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give.
I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare.
– C.S. Lewis

But receiving is just as important, because by receiving we reveal to the givers that they have gifts to offer. When we say, “Thank you, you gave me hope; thank you, you gave me a reason to live; thank you, you allowed me to realize my dream,” we make givers aware of their unique and precious gifts. Sometimes it is only in the eyes of the receivers that givers discover their gifts. – Henri Nouwen

Your Two Cents’ Worth by Steve Garnaas Holmes

A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, worth a penny. Jesus said to his disciples, “This poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury.” —Mark 12:42-43

There are times, bereft of your worthiness,
widowed of your claim,
you think you have nothing to offer.

She put in two cents,

and two thousand years later
we remember her.

“She has put in all she has,”
Jesus said: what she had,
not what she didn’t have.

Your lack means nothing;
your poverty, to God, is not real.
What you have is precious.

What you have is not “enough,”
for “enough” is measured. No,
it’s perfect.

What gifts are in you?
Even the merest penny
is a blessing.

Give it with love.
In the heart of God
it shines like gold.

Extended quote from Jim Harnish
I doubt that any of the practices of discipleship are more countercultural than the spiritual discipline of financial generosity. It’s the difference between “charity” and “stewardship.”

I’d define “charity” as a generous and often immediate response to a specific need. It’s often motivated by the urgency of a need. We see the effects of a hurricane and are moved by Christ-like compassion to respond. It’s like the “Good Samaritan” who saw the man by the road and responded to his need. It’s a very good and often Christ-like response to an immediate and obvious need.

But Jesus’ parables are about “stewardship,” which is a very different thing. Stewardship is a pattern of life which structures the use of our wealth around our identity as a follower of Jesus. Disciples give generously, not primarily because of someone else’s need to receive, but because of their need to give. They practice or grow into the spiritual discipline of tithing (giving the first 10 percent of our income back to God), not because the church needs their money to do its ministry (which it does!), but because they need to practice financial disciplines that enable genuine spiritual growth to take place.

Another difference is that “charity” generally comes from the overflow of our resources, whereas “stewardship” reorganizes our finances by putting our first priority on our commitment to Christ’s mission in the world.

Nobody, including Jesus, said this would be quick or easy, but it is the way in which growth takes place and it is the means by which God’s work gets done in this world.