Today’s Reflection
“FOLLOW ME.” One of the most compelling sentences in the Bible. Two words, when spoken by Jesus, create a sense of power and mystery and awe. To follow is to enter into the unknown, to give your life over to another. We rarely want to do this. Yet at the same time it is exactly what we desire: to be led into a better place, a better world, a better life.
– Daniel Wolpert
Leading a Life with God
From page 116 of Leading a Life with God: The Practice of Spiritual Leadership by Daniel Wolpert. Copyright © 2006 by Daniel Wolpert. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question
In your prayer time, meditate on Jesus’ invitation to follow him. Share your thoughts.
Today’s Scripture
Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:30-31, NRSV
This Week: Pray for those suffering from natural disasters. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.
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This week we remember: Brigid of Ireland (February 1).
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
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22 Comments
In offering those two words – “follow Me” – Christ is extending an invitation to also “trust Me”. Leave behind the familiar, the perceived enjoyable – and embark on this journey where you will lose yourself and gain everything which matters on an eternal level.
To me, He says follow Me – out of your comfort level, into a new space where physical pain and discomfort will likely be your companion. But, I too, will be there. Follow Me – into this new season where your parents aren’t vibrant, but rather begin to succumb to health and aging issues. I will be in all of this, too, and you can lean on Me. You need to lean on me.
Mom’s testing is scheduled for later in February. Puts a big dent in my folks’ plans to get to Florida. Additionally, despite dad saying that he has been doing well – always positivity from him – things are not quite as rosy as he portrays. He is going back to the urologist today, still unable to sufficiently void his bladder. On top of that, the hospital called him yesterday and told him he has prostate cancer. It is very early on, and with my dad’s age (84) it won’t impact him. He will die of natural causes before the cancer has any impact. I am so grateful that he doesn’t have to undergo any treatment. But, nevertheless, mom is crushed by this news. Just the word cancer sends her and she is unable to deal with all that has happened in the past two months. It seemed as though she had been physically feeling better and was encouraged by dad’s seemingly good recovery. Now – with her test back on the schedule and dad’s issues – she has slipped backwards quite a bit. Disheartening that she is unable to have the peace which God so deeply desires her to have. And I am concerned for my dad living in that environment 24/7. He tries so hard to be positive. He said to me on the phone last night – “Well, Jill, I told your mom we have had a great run…but now it has come to an end.” Those words are so uncharacteristic of my dad.
And so, we pray. We continue to pray, acknowledging that God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good. And – His strength is sufficiently perfect.
I’m so sorry to hear of your dad’s diagnosis, Jill. Both your parents sound like very special people. They have certainly raised a wonderful, daughter who loves the Lord! I am praying both your parents as They enter into a new stage of their lives. I also lift you and your sister up in the days and weeks to come.
God is good.
Jill, I’m praying that with the passage of a little time, and your Mom sees that nothing is changing, she will have a brighter attitude, thereby making it easier for your Dad. I agree with Robert, that a change of scenery would likely improve her mood. In any case, you are a blessing to your parents, both of them, and can lift your Dad’s spirits with your own positive outlook. Again, thank you for your example, Jill!
Follow Him- into a better place. A better world. A better life – yes- help us Lord.
Prayers for your parents Jill- and you.
Prayers for Mary and her struggles with her job and caring also for her parents.
Prayers for good health for Andrea and her grandson- for Robert and the many people he faithfully lifts up and prays for-
Prayers for strength and healing for Marcy and Julie. Prayers for Betsy, Louise – who I miss, and Connie who we haven’t heard from. Prayers for Chloe, Paige , Francesca, April, Paul, and others we all pray for here.
I am tired this week- working on many things and the list doesn’t seem to end- but that is life. The readings and postings give me encouragement and we are not alone- He gives us the strength we need if we but follow.
All praise and glory to God on this cold but sunny morning- a beautiful sunrise that God has blessed me with this morning. Peace to all.
Thank you, Lou. Prayers for your energy to be renewed, and for your children.
Thank you so much, for your prayers, Lou. Yes, we can follow Jesus to a better place here, right here in the UR family, when we are overwhelmed or overjoyed! Wintertime, especially after Christmas, can be challenging, even for those the weather doesn’t affect. I am affected with by breathing and stiffness. Jesus, please touch us, comfort us, carry us through. My cat, Lucy, is a great comfort!
“Follow Me” must be two of the most succinct and difficult words in the Bible. That, and “Love one another.” There is much love here in the UR prayer community.
Prayers for your mother’s anxiety and for both your parent’s health, Jill. I have found that hot chamomile tea helps my anxiety. I pray too for your health and support.
Blessings and prayers for all.
Today my daughter and I are having lunch at an art museum just outside downtown Minneapolis. Hopefully, Superbowl traffic will not be an issue. It is a belated celebration of her 40th birthday. I rejoice at the new closeness between us.
Andrea, it heartenes me no end to hear you say, “my daughter and I are having lunch!” Hope is renewed! I used to drive through Minneapolis when visiting my Dad in Waubay, South Dakota, (tiny town) where he was born in the family farmhouse. There is a grade in the land named after our family. I remember, shortly after leaving the the twin cities, the rest of the trip was on two-lane roads. I loved driving, probably still would with a newer vehicle! Happy belated (due to the weather, as I recall) 40th birthday to your daughter! Praying you and your grandson are feeling better!
Such good news, Andrea. I rejoice with you.
Jill and Lou, I pray for both of you.
Prayers for Jill aand Mary’s parents.
Prayers for Robert, Marcy, Loiuse, Francesca, and all UR family.
Prayers for Mary’s work situation.
Andrea, how are your vocal chords? Lou, how is your back?
Blessings to all the UR loving family, such love and support found here
Thank you for your prayers, Julie! Boy, do I need them today! I must charge up after half the week spent on fruitless phone calls for assistance! Setbacks today, had me in tears. Feeling somewhat better now, waiting for prayers and petitions to recharge my efforts. Still keeling you and your daughter in my prayers. Hope she’s doing okay. Love and blessings to you!
It is nice to be missed….thank you, Lou. January Days have been difficult ones for some reason, but God and I can handle it. “I will follow Him”.
I am here every day with you all, praying.
Today I was blessed to see (through the trees) the Super Blue Moon as it turned from a full blinding bright white to a golden hue-then it went from full to a crescent to disappearing completely. God is in His Heaven and all’s right with the World.
Connie, glad you got to see the Super Blue Moon! Makes me think of how people used to travel at night by the light of full moons. We have a Light we travel by too! Jesus Christ! Blessings!
Marcy, this is something silly….when I saw “light of the full moon”, I remembered “The old raccoon by the light of the moon was combing his auburn hair”….First February Smile for me! Thank you, dear.
Couldn’t post to Follow Me even though I can read it, but now I can.
Yes, the call to “Follow Me” is a strong one, very hopefully I am doing that.
Interesting how the US Army also uses that phrase in officer training. It’s not quite the same. Our trust in God is and should be much stronger, deeper, and, from the moment we commit, last the rest of our lives.
Thankful for this news from Anneliese. The pay on time but cantankerous and abusive tenant is moving out today, a walk through inspection to tomorrow. A possible new tenant is coming to see the apartment and from what Anneliese writes could be the long awaited answer to our prayers. There has been interest in the condo, Anneliese might hold the mortgage and thus have income. Time will tell.
Prayers of thanks for the Christian friendship found here at the UR. You are my everyday close and helpful fellowship. Prayers for Marcy, Julie, Andrea,
her grandson, and all who have health and pain issues. Thankful for the progress made by Jill’s and Mary’s Dads. Prayers for Jill’s Mom. God guide Betsy as she has decisions to make. Peace between moms and daughters, fathers and sons. The divide between belief and unbelief is huge. Faith is an enormous leap for many when they cling so hard to facts, proof, science, and the lack of historical evidence. The truth of faith evades them.
Thankful for a sunny day despite chilly temps. A new month tomorrow.
The Lord bless and keep you now and always. Thank You, Lord.
Robert, thank you for your prayers, as I said, it’s been a tough couple of days. It’s wonderful news about the old tenant going and having a possible new tenant ready to move in! PTL both ways! I’m thankful there’s been interest in the condo and what that would mean for Annaliese. I continue to keep you, Erich and Annaliese in my prayers.
Yes, science can create a gulf for some, but I have found it to be true that God created science, too! It seems philosophy can be a bigger division because it’s a way of thinking. Of course, there are philosophers who belive in God too. I used to watch a PBS show called “Closer To Truth.” At first, I thought the host believed in God, but then I realized he questioned everything God. It actually strengthened my belief in God!
Thanks so much Robert!
My dad adjusting quite well at the present hospital
He struggles with the therapy as he looks forward to come home
Hopefully another two weeks.
Blessings
Good news about your Dad, hope he does well with the therapy, it will make coming home easier.
Prayers for your situation at school. That’s tough for all concerned.
Tough news for you, your parents, and your sister, Jill. Hope your parents get to Florida despite this news. I think it would help them a lot.
Thankful for Connie’s Blue Moon description, very meaningful for me. In another place and another time I too saw it.
Uplifting posts from Betsy, Lou, Julie, and Andrea. Yes, life is tough, but there most certainly are blessings. God knows how to reach all of us with joyous experiences.
Hi Robert. I meant to mention I didn’t see any dark rose color, but trees hindered my view.
Praying for you and your family, of course.
Have not seen the deep rose or any rose color, but have seen a full blinding bright white turn to a golden hue. Your song lyrics remind me of “by the light of the silvery moon”.
Prayers and blessings to all of my siblings, friends and family here in the UR family! Andrea, Cherie, Jill, Louise, Chloe and Paige, Robert, Lou, Gerri, Connie, Mary, Betsy and Grace, Julie, Francesca, Pam, Ami, April, Jean, Rusty and K, Joan, Carol, Eileen, Dorothy, Holly M, Laurie, Tori, Edy, Stephen Walket, Paul Tagliamonte and everyone reading, posting or not.
Black History month starts tomorrow and I’ve always had a strong interest in civil rights. I’ve wondered a time or two why the shortest month in the year is Black History month. Get a bit melancholy around the 14th! Sigh!
Thank you all for your prayers, loving, caring UR family.
I will follow You Jesus, always. When I lose my way, bring me back to Your path quickly, Lord. I never want to lose sight of You and know You never lose sight of us. I will always trust in You, Jesus!
And these three remain: Faith, Hope and Love, and the greatest of these is LOVE!
Thankful for Black History Month, there should also be months for Native Americans, Hispanics, and Asians. Every culture of the world has had an influence on the US or there would be no E Pluribus Unum, out of many one.
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