Based on the First Lesson for this day, Joshua 1:1-9
The Pre-Lenten Season begins today. You might not have been thinking about Lent yet (right?). That’s why there’s a “pre-Lenten” season. The sobriety and spiritual reflection of Lent isn’t something to jump into cold. Today through Ash Wednesday, I will be reflecting on the Peoria Church theme for Lent: “The Difference Prayer Makes.” Between now and Ash Wednesday, I need to think about a way or ways my life of prayer might be different for the better. For Lent, then, how might I put that change into action?
The Hebrews didn't enter the Promised Land unprepared. In fact, under Moses' leadership they had 40 years of preparation in the wilderness and desert of Sinai. God was ready for with a leader: Joshua the son of Nun.
Lent isn't a desert nor is it wilderness. Lent is usually the most meaningful time of the Church Year for me. It seems to be my pattern that Lent is the time of year that I take living in God's Promised Land most seriously.
In Lent, I hear God say to me, as He said to Joshua: "as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." I know I will fail in my fasting, I will yield to temptation. My discipline will fall short and every morning my prayer will be the same:
"I have left undone those things which I ought to have done and I have done those things which I ought not to have done." In spite of my failures, God will not fail or forsake me.
Three times in today's lesson God speaks these words to Joshua: "Be strong and of a good courage." In preparing for Lent, these are the by-words. In accepting a discipline for Lent, I know that strength and courage are necessary for completing it well.
It's easy for me to try something that is either way too hard or way too easy. Several years I've tried to completely abstain from television or meat or the internet. In all cases I've failed miserably. And the times I've not taken the Lenten fast seriously, I've lost any meaning because my commitment has been to the season has been tepid.
Lord, help me be strong and courageous as Lent approaches. Help me have an honest evaluation of my spiritual life and guide me in the way I should go to follow Thee in the Promised Land of Thy Son, in Whose Name I pray. Amen.
Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. (Joshua 1:9)
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
Feb. 18 - No comment on today's reading
From the First Lesson for this day, Proverbs 8:1-21
There are times when there is simply no commentary to be made. Today is one of them:
Proverbs 8
1Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
2She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
3She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
4Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
5O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
6Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
7For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.
9They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
10Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
11For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
12I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
14Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
15By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
16By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
17I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
18Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
19My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
20I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
21That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
There are times when there is simply no commentary to be made. Today is one of them:
Proverbs 8
1Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
2She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
3She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
4Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
5O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
6Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
7For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.
9They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
10Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
11For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
12I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
14Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
15By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
16By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
17I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
18Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
19My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
20I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
21That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Feb. 11 - The Other Side of God's Glory
From the First Lesson for this day, Ezekiel 44:4-8
Isaiah 6 is one of my favorite passages. It is an awe-inspiring scene of the glory of God. I have been known to spend long seasons of meditation just musing on that glorious time Isaiah spent in the Holy of Holies with God. In many ways, I wish I had seen what Isaiah saw. It makes me long for that time when I fall asleep in Christ to view the Heavenly glory for myself.
There is a downside of God's glory. It also reveals that which is unholy: "the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD... mark well the entering in of the house, with every going forth of the sanctuary. And thou shalt say to the rebellious... let it suffice you of all your abominations, in that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations. And ye have not kept the charge of mine holy things: but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves."
In our house, the same light that makes it safe to walk in the kitchen is the same light that shows that the dishes are undone or the clothes remain unfolded.
So it is with God's glory - the same Light that reveals the One True God is the same light that reveals the deceit, violence, and sin of mankind.
O God, let Thy Light so shine in my life that others may see Thy glory and that I may see my sins; draw me into the Presence of He Who is Light of the world. Amen.
Isaiah 6 is one of my favorite passages. It is an awe-inspiring scene of the glory of God. I have been known to spend long seasons of meditation just musing on that glorious time Isaiah spent in the Holy of Holies with God. In many ways, I wish I had seen what Isaiah saw. It makes me long for that time when I fall asleep in Christ to view the Heavenly glory for myself.
There is a downside of God's glory. It also reveals that which is unholy: "the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD... mark well the entering in of the house, with every going forth of the sanctuary. And thou shalt say to the rebellious... let it suffice you of all your abominations, in that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations. And ye have not kept the charge of mine holy things: but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves."
In our house, the same light that makes it safe to walk in the kitchen is the same light that shows that the dishes are undone or the clothes remain unfolded.
So it is with God's glory - the same Light that reveals the One True God is the same light that reveals the deceit, violence, and sin of mankind.
O God, let Thy Light so shine in my life that others may see Thy glory and that I may see my sins; draw me into the Presence of He Who is Light of the world. Amen.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Feb. 10 - Remembering Emmanuel
From the First Lesson for this day, Ezekiel 43:1-9
It's only been seven weeks since Christmas and yet it seems like a distant memory. Like most people, I've been re-programmed to look ahead: Valentine's Day is in just a few days, President's Day sales are gearing up and before you know it, Easter will be here - no matter how late in the calendar it really is.
Today's word from Ezekiel calls for a look back at Christmas, more specifically at Emmanuel. Though Ezekiel is his usual gloomy self, he echoes the Incarnation in his prophecy for today: "...the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile... and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever."
The promise of the Incarnation is "presence" - specifically, God's Presence with mankind. In these verses Ezekiel says that God's Presence will be known personally in Israel and that He will dwell with them.
Doesn't this echo John 1:14 pretty clearly: "And the Word became flesh and welt among them." It resounds with Isaiah's words: "Emmanuel - God with us."
Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all this. It even seems appropriate in the gloomy tone of Ezekiel to know this. It doesn't matter how far anyone has wandered, how evil they have become, how much they've done to ruin the life God gave them - Jesus Christ came to give them new life, to "dwell with them" forever.
People I know who are stuck in their sin (like the Israelites were) don't like to have their sin sugar coated. They don't want plastic promises or unrealistic expectations. They want someone who understands their plight and who will walk along with them, and, eventually, to help them out of it.
Isn't this what the Incarnation is all about? God never sugar coats the sin: He comes along and brings real redemption and salvation for those who "truly repent."
It is good to remember again this wonderful promise: Emmanual - "I will dwell in the midst of them forever."
It's only been seven weeks since Christmas and yet it seems like a distant memory. Like most people, I've been re-programmed to look ahead: Valentine's Day is in just a few days, President's Day sales are gearing up and before you know it, Easter will be here - no matter how late in the calendar it really is.
Today's word from Ezekiel calls for a look back at Christmas, more specifically at Emmanuel. Though Ezekiel is his usual gloomy self, he echoes the Incarnation in his prophecy for today: "...the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile... and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever."
The promise of the Incarnation is "presence" - specifically, God's Presence with mankind. In these verses Ezekiel says that God's Presence will be known personally in Israel and that He will dwell with them.
Doesn't this echo John 1:14 pretty clearly: "And the Word became flesh and welt among them." It resounds with Isaiah's words: "Emmanuel - God with us."
Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all this. It even seems appropriate in the gloomy tone of Ezekiel to know this. It doesn't matter how far anyone has wandered, how evil they have become, how much they've done to ruin the life God gave them - Jesus Christ came to give them new life, to "dwell with them" forever.
People I know who are stuck in their sin (like the Israelites were) don't like to have their sin sugar coated. They don't want plastic promises or unrealistic expectations. They want someone who understands their plight and who will walk along with them, and, eventually, to help them out of it.
Isn't this what the Incarnation is all about? God never sugar coats the sin: He comes along and brings real redemption and salvation for those who "truly repent."
It is good to remember again this wonderful promise: Emmanual - "I will dwell in the midst of them forever."
Monday, February 7, 2011
Feb. 8 - The Spread of the Holy Spirit
From the First Lesson for this day, Ezekiel 39:21-29
I love the way God restores things. He doesn't overlook sin. He doesn't soft-sell it. He doesn't "okay" it. He judges and destroys it.
On the other side of that judgment and destruction is restoration.
In God's restoration of Israel, He promises the Holy Spirit: "Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel."
After the restoration of Israel after the Captivity, there is little or no record of action of the Holy Spirit in Israel. Not in the rebuilding of the Temple. Not in the rebellion of the Maccabees. Not in the rise of the Herodians.
The action of the Holy Spirit is seen again at the Feast of Pentecost in roughly 33 AD, 50 short days after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
St. Peter cites the Prophet Joel ("I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh") in the Acts of the Apostles. But he could have easily cited the words of Ezekiel as well: "I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them..."
To me, this just demonstrates one more time that the fulfillment of the Prophecies is in Christ. The judgment of the world was laid on Him and the restoration of souls comes by the Holy Spirit.
Thank God for His consistent faithfulness to His people and to heathens like me!
I love the way God restores things. He doesn't overlook sin. He doesn't soft-sell it. He doesn't "okay" it. He judges and destroys it.
On the other side of that judgment and destruction is restoration.
In God's restoration of Israel, He promises the Holy Spirit: "Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel."
After the restoration of Israel after the Captivity, there is little or no record of action of the Holy Spirit in Israel. Not in the rebuilding of the Temple. Not in the rebellion of the Maccabees. Not in the rise of the Herodians.
The action of the Holy Spirit is seen again at the Feast of Pentecost in roughly 33 AD, 50 short days after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
St. Peter cites the Prophet Joel ("I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh") in the Acts of the Apostles. But he could have easily cited the words of Ezekiel as well: "I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them..."
To me, this just demonstrates one more time that the fulfillment of the Prophecies is in Christ. The judgment of the world was laid on Him and the restoration of souls comes by the Holy Spirit.
Thank God for His consistent faithfulness to His people and to heathens like me!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Feb. 7 - A Timely Prophecy
From the First Lesson for this day, Ezekiel 38:14-33
One thing that has seemed to ring loud and clear in the recent unrest in Egypt is the fear for the safety of Israel. The history of God's people has been rife with persecution and attack and the news from Egypt bears all the marks of impending antagonism again.
Ezekiel sees the persecution in his day coming from the north, "God." Gog and Magog are generally associated with some area in what is now central Asia and Caucasus region. "...say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know it? And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee... And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land... when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes."
In the case of Ezekiel's day, Israel was disobedient and unrepentant. Gog was to be God's instrument of judgment - "I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes."
How has God used non-Christians to judge me and call me to repentance?
I don't know if God is using the situation in Egypt to bring a spiritual awakening in Israel, but I know that God uses secular forces to both tempt me and to call me to repentance.
Today I watched a video on hunger in India and about a Hindu brahmin who feeds, clothes, bathes, and cares for the untouchables. His message is simple: everyone is a person of value and worth, regardless of their station in life. This Hindu, no doubt a good man, was fulfilling the law of Christ in ways I never have.
A promise comes through the prophecy as well: Though trials and judgment come, God remains faithful to His people - even when they are unfaithful to Him. "...it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel... in my jealousy [for Israel] and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel... and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD."
Like a parent who tells their child, "This is going to hurt me a lot more than it's going to hurt you," so is God's judgment on me.
Help me accept Thy judgments, Lord. Call me to repentance! Help me to turn from my own short comings to see Thy will and serve Thy people.
One thing that has seemed to ring loud and clear in the recent unrest in Egypt is the fear for the safety of Israel. The history of God's people has been rife with persecution and attack and the news from Egypt bears all the marks of impending antagonism again.
Ezekiel sees the persecution in his day coming from the north, "God." Gog and Magog are generally associated with some area in what is now central Asia and Caucasus region. "...say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know it? And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee... And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land... when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes."
In the case of Ezekiel's day, Israel was disobedient and unrepentant. Gog was to be God's instrument of judgment - "I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes."
How has God used non-Christians to judge me and call me to repentance?
I don't know if God is using the situation in Egypt to bring a spiritual awakening in Israel, but I know that God uses secular forces to both tempt me and to call me to repentance.
Today I watched a video on hunger in India and about a Hindu brahmin who feeds, clothes, bathes, and cares for the untouchables. His message is simple: everyone is a person of value and worth, regardless of their station in life. This Hindu, no doubt a good man, was fulfilling the law of Christ in ways I never have.
A promise comes through the prophecy as well: Though trials and judgment come, God remains faithful to His people - even when they are unfaithful to Him. "...it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel... in my jealousy [for Israel] and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel... and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD."
Like a parent who tells their child, "This is going to hurt me a lot more than it's going to hurt you," so is God's judgment on me.
Help me accept Thy judgments, Lord. Call me to repentance! Help me to turn from my own short comings to see Thy will and serve Thy people.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Feb. 5 - A Missed Day
I'm sorry to have missed today. I was too tired last night and today Alex and I went to go see Karen's Mom in the hospital. She's not doing well.
On the way home tonight, as Alex was sleeping, I was able to have a good time of prayer, remembering some of my favorite prayers and then also praying for those who came to mind as the Lord gave direction. It was nice and quiet.
I'll write more tomorrow - :-)
On the way home tonight, as Alex was sleeping, I was able to have a good time of prayer, remembering some of my favorite prayers and then also praying for those who came to mind as the Lord gave direction. It was nice and quiet.
I'll write more tomorrow - :-)
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Feb. 4 - Ezekiel Prefigures the Resurrection
From the First Lesson for this day, Ezekiel 37:1-14
I feel bad for our fruit trees. They stand bare in the cold of winter, leafless, fruitless, and the wind speeds through the branches. It has been plain cold this winter and the trees have no protection from the temperatures.
When I read Ezekiel's familiar prophecy of the dry bones, my mind went right to the fruit trees. His vision of the Valley of Dry Bones is remarkably familiar: bare in the arid valley, lifeless, faithless, and exposed to the elements. They have no protection from the desert heat.
Soon however, the winds will change. The snow will turn to rain, the ground will soften and out of sight, roots will begin to drink. Sap will begin to flow, buds will appear and new twigs will spring from pruned branches. And before I know it, there will be fruit on the trees.
A bit more ordinary than the "foot bone connected to the ankle bone," but just as miraculous, I think.
This rejuvenation of the Valley of Dry Bones is a perfect foreshadowing of the Resurrection:
"Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves... And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD."
The Resurrection of Christ came at a time when the Jews were in a spiritual Valley of Dry Bones. And when a person meets Christ, the valley of life is dry as well.
The promise of the Resurrection is that our grave is not an end, but a beginning: as St. Paul avers, sin stings no longer, death has no victory.
When the grave of sin has been opened, we live again by the power of the Holy Ghost. God's Spirit guides and directs our lives, like the wind blowing and connecting bones and sinews in the Valley of the Dry Bones, like the warm winds of Spring, renewing the life of my dormant and fruitless trees.
God, please let the wind of the Holy Ghost blow through the dead bones of my life. Renew my faith, restore my soul, as Thou didst connect the bones of the valley seen by Ezekiel. And, Lord, may I again share the life and vision of the Risen One, in Whose glorious Name I pray. Amen.
I feel bad for our fruit trees. They stand bare in the cold of winter, leafless, fruitless, and the wind speeds through the branches. It has been plain cold this winter and the trees have no protection from the temperatures.
When I read Ezekiel's familiar prophecy of the dry bones, my mind went right to the fruit trees. His vision of the Valley of Dry Bones is remarkably familiar: bare in the arid valley, lifeless, faithless, and exposed to the elements. They have no protection from the desert heat.
Soon however, the winds will change. The snow will turn to rain, the ground will soften and out of sight, roots will begin to drink. Sap will begin to flow, buds will appear and new twigs will spring from pruned branches. And before I know it, there will be fruit on the trees.
A bit more ordinary than the "foot bone connected to the ankle bone," but just as miraculous, I think.
This rejuvenation of the Valley of Dry Bones is a perfect foreshadowing of the Resurrection:
"Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves... And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD."
The Resurrection of Christ came at a time when the Jews were in a spiritual Valley of Dry Bones. And when a person meets Christ, the valley of life is dry as well.
The promise of the Resurrection is that our grave is not an end, but a beginning: as St. Paul avers, sin stings no longer, death has no victory.
When the grave of sin has been opened, we live again by the power of the Holy Ghost. God's Spirit guides and directs our lives, like the wind blowing and connecting bones and sinews in the Valley of the Dry Bones, like the warm winds of Spring, renewing the life of my dormant and fruitless trees.
God, please let the wind of the Holy Ghost blow through the dead bones of my life. Renew my faith, restore my soul, as Thou didst connect the bones of the valley seen by Ezekiel. And, Lord, may I again share the life and vision of the Risen One, in Whose glorious Name I pray. Amen.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Morning Prayer
Here are some of the prayers from the Order for Daily Morning Prayer. This is just a core of prayers - not the entire service:
THE LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him. Habakkuk 2:20
I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. Psalm 122:1
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14
Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.
A General Confession
¶ To be said kneeling.
ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father, We have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against thy holy laws. We have left undone
those things which we ought to have done; And we have done those things which we ought not to have done; And there is no health in us. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare thou those, O God, who
confess their faults. Restore thou those who are penitent; According to thy promises declared unto mankind In Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake; That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, To the glory of thy holy Name. Amen.
GRANT, we beseech thee, merciful Lord, to thy faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve thee with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
OUR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass
against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
O Lord, open thou our lips and our mouth shall show forth thy praise.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
O COME, let us sing unto the LORD;
* let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving;
* and show ourselves glad in him with psalms.
For the LORD is a great God;
* and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are all the corners of the earth;
* and the strength of the hills is his also.
The sea is his, and he made it;
* and his hands prepared the dry land.
O come, let us worship and fall down,
* and kneel before the LORD our Maker.
For he is the Lord our God;
* and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.
O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness;
* let the whole earth stand in awe of him.
For he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth;
* and with righteousness to judge the world, and the peoples with
his truth.
¶ Then shall follow a portion of the Psalms...The Psalm from the Lectionary is read. and at the end of the whole portion or selection from the Psalter, shall be sung or said the Gloria Patri:
GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Then the First Lesson is read.
There are several good canticles to be sung at this point, but my favorite is this one:
Te Deum laudamus
WE praise thee, O God; we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee, the Father everlasting.
To thee all Angels cry aloud; the Heavens, and all the Powers therein;
To thee Cherubim and Seraphim continually do cry,
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth;
Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of thy glory.
The glorious company of the Apostles praise thee.
The goodly fellowship of the Prophets praise thee.
The noble army of Martyrs praise thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge thee;
The Father: of an infinite Majesty;
Thine adorable, true, and only Son;
Also the Holy Ghost, the Comforter.
THOU art the King of Glory, O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.
When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man,
Thou didst humble thyself to be born of a Virgin.
When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death,
Thou didst open the kingdom of Heaven to all believers.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.
We believe that thou shalt come to be our Judge.
We therefore pray thee, help thy servants,
Whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy Saints, in glory everlasting.
O LORD, save thy people, and bless thine heritage.
Govern them, and lift them up for ever.
Day by day we magnify thee;
And we worship thy Name ever, world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us.
O Lord, let thy mercy be upon us, as our trust is in thee.
O Lord, in thee have I trusted; let me never be confounded.
Then the Second Lesson is read.
Then another canticle is sung. This one is also a personal favorite:
Jubilate Deo. Psalm 100
O BE joyful in the LORD, all ye lands:
* serve the LORD with gladness, and come before his presence with a song.
Be ye sure that the LORD he is God; it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;
* we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise;
* be thankful unto him, and speak good of his Name.
For the LORD is gracious, his mercy is everlasting;
* and his truth endureth from generation to generation.
The Creed
I BELIEVE in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And of all things visible and invisible:
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, Begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of very God, Begotten, not made, Being of one substance with the Father, By whom all things were made: Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, And was made man, And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, And the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, And ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand
of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord, and Giver of life, Who proceedeth from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets. And I believe one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the Resurrection of the dead, And the Life of the world to come. Amen.
O Lord, show thy mercy upon us.
And grant us thy salvation.
O God, make clean our hearts within us.
And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.
A Collect for Peace
O GOD, who art the author of peace and lover of concord, in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom; Defend us thy humble servants in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in thy defence, may not fear the power of any adversaries,
through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Collect for Grace
O LORD, our heavenly Father, Almighty and everlasting God, who hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day; Defend us in the same with thy mighty power; and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into
any kind of danger; but that all our doings, being ordered by thy governance, may be righteous in thy sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Any other personal prayers or concerns can be added here.
THE LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him. Habakkuk 2:20
I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. Psalm 122:1
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14
Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.
A General Confession
¶ To be said kneeling.
ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father, We have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against thy holy laws. We have left undone
those things which we ought to have done; And we have done those things which we ought not to have done; And there is no health in us. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare thou those, O God, who
confess their faults. Restore thou those who are penitent; According to thy promises declared unto mankind In Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake; That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, To the glory of thy holy Name. Amen.
GRANT, we beseech thee, merciful Lord, to thy faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve thee with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
OUR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass
against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
O Lord, open thou our lips and our mouth shall show forth thy praise.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
O COME, let us sing unto the LORD;
* let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving;
* and show ourselves glad in him with psalms.
For the LORD is a great God;
* and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are all the corners of the earth;
* and the strength of the hills is his also.
The sea is his, and he made it;
* and his hands prepared the dry land.
O come, let us worship and fall down,
* and kneel before the LORD our Maker.
For he is the Lord our God;
* and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.
O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness;
* let the whole earth stand in awe of him.
For he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth;
* and with righteousness to judge the world, and the peoples with
his truth.
¶ Then shall follow a portion of the Psalms...The Psalm from the Lectionary is read. and at the end of the whole portion or selection from the Psalter, shall be sung or said the Gloria Patri:
GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Then the First Lesson is read.
There are several good canticles to be sung at this point, but my favorite is this one:
Te Deum laudamus
WE praise thee, O God; we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee, the Father everlasting.
To thee all Angels cry aloud; the Heavens, and all the Powers therein;
To thee Cherubim and Seraphim continually do cry,
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth;
Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of thy glory.
The glorious company of the Apostles praise thee.
The goodly fellowship of the Prophets praise thee.
The noble army of Martyrs praise thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge thee;
The Father: of an infinite Majesty;
Thine adorable, true, and only Son;
Also the Holy Ghost, the Comforter.
THOU art the King of Glory, O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.
When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man,
Thou didst humble thyself to be born of a Virgin.
When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death,
Thou didst open the kingdom of Heaven to all believers.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.
We believe that thou shalt come to be our Judge.
We therefore pray thee, help thy servants,
Whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy Saints, in glory everlasting.
O LORD, save thy people, and bless thine heritage.
Govern them, and lift them up for ever.
Day by day we magnify thee;
And we worship thy Name ever, world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us.
O Lord, let thy mercy be upon us, as our trust is in thee.
O Lord, in thee have I trusted; let me never be confounded.
Then the Second Lesson is read.
Then another canticle is sung. This one is also a personal favorite:
Jubilate Deo. Psalm 100
O BE joyful in the LORD, all ye lands:
* serve the LORD with gladness, and come before his presence with a song.
Be ye sure that the LORD he is God; it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;
* we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise;
* be thankful unto him, and speak good of his Name.
For the LORD is gracious, his mercy is everlasting;
* and his truth endureth from generation to generation.
The Creed
I BELIEVE in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And of all things visible and invisible:
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, Begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of very God, Begotten, not made, Being of one substance with the Father, By whom all things were made: Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, And was made man, And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, And the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, And ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand
of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord, and Giver of life, Who proceedeth from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets. And I believe one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the Resurrection of the dead, And the Life of the world to come. Amen.
O Lord, show thy mercy upon us.
And grant us thy salvation.
O God, make clean our hearts within us.
And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.
A Collect for Peace
O GOD, who art the author of peace and lover of concord, in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom; Defend us thy humble servants in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in thy defence, may not fear the power of any adversaries,
through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Collect for Grace
O LORD, our heavenly Father, Almighty and everlasting God, who hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day; Defend us in the same with thy mighty power; and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into
any kind of danger; but that all our doings, being ordered by thy governance, may be righteous in thy sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Any other personal prayers or concerns can be added here.
Feb, 2 - Redeeming Wickedness
From the First Lesson for this day, Ezekiel 36:1-15:
In 1987 Mom developed lung cancer from smoking. It was a devastating time for my brothers and sister and me. She was only 50, and the doctors didn't give her much hope for surviving.
After two years of chemo and radiation, we had a miracle: She survived. Against the odds, after getting down to 90 lbs, after spending weeks and months exhausted and limp, she survived.
For the next ten years, Mom worked with those who were trying to quit smoking in support groups and instructional sessions. She had redeemed the wickedness of smoking be seeking ways to give life to others addicted.
Ezekiel's prophecy in Chapter 34 is a story of redemption for wickedness. The Idumeans - or Edomites - were perennial foes of Israel and Judah. Their mountains and high places were strongholds of paganism, wickedness, and people opposed to God and His people.
God's judgment was waiting for Idumea: "Surely in the fire of my jealousy have I spoken against the residue of the heathen, and against all Idumea, which have appointed my land into their possession with the joy of all their heart, with despiteful minds, to cast it out for a prey... ye have borne the shame of the heathen..."
God isn't content for wickedness to be judged. God wants wickedness to be redeemed. More than making lemonade from lemons, God doesn't make wickedness bearable: He redeems it completely.
"...ye shall shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit to my people of Israel; for they are at hand to come... I am for you, and I will turn unto you, and ye shall be tilled and sown... I will multiply men upon you... the cities shall be inhabited, and the wastes shall be builded... I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bring fruit... and will do better unto you than at your beginnings: and ye shall know that I am the LORD."
Thanks be to God for His mercy in times when I've wandered into wickedness. And thanks be to God for the redemption of those times, the "making of all things new" in Christ.
In 1987 Mom developed lung cancer from smoking. It was a devastating time for my brothers and sister and me. She was only 50, and the doctors didn't give her much hope for surviving.
After two years of chemo and radiation, we had a miracle: She survived. Against the odds, after getting down to 90 lbs, after spending weeks and months exhausted and limp, she survived.
For the next ten years, Mom worked with those who were trying to quit smoking in support groups and instructional sessions. She had redeemed the wickedness of smoking be seeking ways to give life to others addicted.
Ezekiel's prophecy in Chapter 34 is a story of redemption for wickedness. The Idumeans - or Edomites - were perennial foes of Israel and Judah. Their mountains and high places were strongholds of paganism, wickedness, and people opposed to God and His people.
God's judgment was waiting for Idumea: "Surely in the fire of my jealousy have I spoken against the residue of the heathen, and against all Idumea, which have appointed my land into their possession with the joy of all their heart, with despiteful minds, to cast it out for a prey... ye have borne the shame of the heathen..."
God isn't content for wickedness to be judged. God wants wickedness to be redeemed. More than making lemonade from lemons, God doesn't make wickedness bearable: He redeems it completely.
"...ye shall shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit to my people of Israel; for they are at hand to come... I am for you, and I will turn unto you, and ye shall be tilled and sown... I will multiply men upon you... the cities shall be inhabited, and the wastes shall be builded... I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bring fruit... and will do better unto you than at your beginnings: and ye shall know that I am the LORD."
Thanks be to God for His mercy in times when I've wandered into wickedness. And thanks be to God for the redemption of those times, the "making of all things new" in Christ.
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