Today’s Reflection
The hope the Bible talks about is far more serious. For example, the apostle Paul insists on the universality of hope in everything we do. It could not be more obvious for him: After the resurrection of Jesus, we actually live by hope—we live by it—so that every fiber of our being is bound up with it. This passionate acknowledgment gets at the truth that only one person can fulfill our hope for healing and salvation—and that is Jesus Christ. This is hope on a grand scale, and its promises are likewise proportionately large.
—Doris Donnelly, “More Than Optimism,” in Hope: It’s More Than Wishful Thinking, compiled by Amy Lyles Wilson (Fresh Air Books, 2010)
Today’s Question
How can you live with deeper awareness and gratitude for the “hope for healing” in Jesus Christ?
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Today’s Scripture
Hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
—Romans 5:5 (NRSVUE)
Prayer for the Week
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
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Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
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2 Comments
With an eternal perspective and recognizing that “healing”…ultimate healing is not from the aches and woes of this world. Our ultimate healing is pure holiness which will be ours to experience and share and praise God for in Heaven. That is the healing we should long for…to move along that continuum towards Christlikeness here. The healing of our heart, not from wounds inflicted here on earth by others, but from the wounds we are capable of inflicting, because our heart is not God’s heart.
I am striving to keep this perspective, to trust Him in the level of healing achieved/not yet achieved here – knowing His timing is perfect – that I am exactly where He planned for me to be. To be content, to accept my weaknesses – trusting His strength. Father God – I surrender to this afresh this morning.
Meeting with the hospice volunteer coordinator this afternoon to have a discussion about what things look like moving forward. Now that I have had my EOL doula training – how does she see integrating it with her company while I am still a full time educator.
Cooler, more comfortable temps ahead. Need to do yardwork so things are in good shape for me to leave town. One of my students will be stopping in to tend to The Kittens each day, as well as water my flowers.
My last team tennis match this evening. I can’t believe the summer season is over. Way too fast. My long time doubles partner and I are trying to qualify for next year’s Senior Olympics. Qualifying in another state next month, as I was at the beach when our state’s qualifying for tennis was scheduled. So – still lots of tennis ahead this summer.
How can you live with deeper awareness and gratitude for the “hope for healing” in Jesus Christ?
I find this a difficult question to answer. Jill did very well with it. I do think I am instilled with “hope”.
It’s part of my spiritual DNA, the way God created me. I find it very hard to be, feel, downhearted, hopeless. All good things come from God, I’m loved by God despite my imperfections. Nothing in all the world cam separate me from the love of God.
Prayers for jill as her ability as a EOL doula is coordinated with being a full time educator.
I’m very sure she is delighted to be able to continue tennis.
Visits with my psychiatric nurse practitioner surely help me continue to be the support for my mentally ill son. Thankful that there are many things he can do that help both of us. Hope for progress toward a move to PA. The economy is slowly improving the real estate market. Thank You, Lord, for the many blessings over the last few weeks.
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