Today’s Reflection
Participating in the creative act helps us to see ourselves as we are and as we might become. Like prayer, the creative act draws us into the authentic life that awaits us and into our fulfillment in God. Creativity, an essential tool for shaping the soul, provides a pathway to the fierce truth of our life. Those traveling the spiritual road who yearn for the healing of life’s deepest hurts, the fulfillment of immeasurable longings,or the profound peace found only in life with God need all their creativity to complete the journey.
—Karla M. Kincannon, Creativity and Divine Surprise: Finding the Place of Your Resurrection (Upper Room Books, 2005)
Today’s Question
What creative practice might point you to truth today? Join the conversation.
Today’s Scripture
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
—Psalm 25:5 (NIV)
Prayer for the Week
Creator God,
Help me discover my God-given creativity and find the sacred in each God-given moment.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
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Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
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Creator God, Help me discover my God-given creativity and find the sacred in each God-given moment. Walks in the woods bring me closer to God, saw my first porcupine in the wild yesterday.
Thankful the military evacuation in Afghanistan ended, but surely hope the many who still want to leave can be and will be helped. Prayers that what the Taliban says becomes reality. Afghanistan is a very troubled place. Prayers that no lives were lost due to Ida, the damage from wind and water is enormous. Thankful the dikes held. A friend has family in Baton Rouge and they are all safe and well.
Prayers too for Jukie & Megan, Jill, Larry, and Roger; Ally & David, Lou and her children, April, Marcy, and all who come to the NEM. Safety, health, income, and other needs and concerns are requested, Lord. Thank You, Lord.
I am creative through baking and I used to crochet and cross stitch. With my hands so mangled the crocheting and cross stitching are difficult and I have not tried in may years. How these help me find truth is unclear. The spices I use are from Penzey’s and the owner, Bill, sends emails almost daily and he speaks to current events and believes that through cooking and baking we are healing the world with kindness we share through the fruits of our labor. May it be so Lord.
Megan and i had two very enjoyable days together. Our eye appointment s went well with neither of our eyes changing. We saw pictures of his children whoa re growing so fast as children do. We enjoyed ice cream, took out too many books from the library (as usual as we are avid readers, but the person helping us said she once took out 72 items!) and just enjoyed our freedom. However soon after arriving home yesterday h informed me that I “had” to take him to the emergency room. H tends to be a nervous Nelly, so i looked at him with skepticism and inquired why and he stated that he had been stung by a wasp. He once received shots for bee sting allergies, but was weened off and deemed free of problems. He insisted he would have a life threatening reaction and I informed him we would wait and see. Of course nothing happened as he sat im my bathroom staring at himself in the mirror all night. He asked for ice, twice, to apply to the site and apparently harassed Megan all night to wake me up and ask about cold meds. She refused so he sat on the steps all night though he was gone when I awake this am. Sigh
Prayers for Ally as she grieves her friend who died of Covid and may his wife recover and may David’s doctor help alleviate his shortness of breath. Prayers for Jill as she continues with the first week of school while waiting to get a call to jury duty and may Larry recover from Covid. Prayers for Robert and Erich, for Robert’s dental work and for their counselling. Prayers for Marti and her staff. No Ihave not heard from Marcy. Thank you for your prayers and may God bless all who visit here.
A friend of mine has been drawing prayer doodles for awhile. Doodling can help us organize our thoughts and help us focus. I’ve been a doodler most of my life. I think this is a way I can enrich my time with God. If anyone wants to know more, I will be glad to post the web site I have been studying.
Yesterday was a sad day as we remembered our friend who died. The senselessness Of his death has made me sad and angry. The bit of good news is that one of our friends on a vent is improving. His doctors are discussing weaning him off the vent. They have lowered his sedation. He remains on dialysis, but doctors are optimistic that his kidneys will resume full function. We appreciate your prayers.
Jill, prayers continue for Larry’s healing. Glad you got to spend some time with him last night watching tennis. Praying you stay well and that little Roger is feeling better.
Robert, working on your models and describing your progress is a joyful thing. Prayers continue for your dental work and for progress in your and Erich’s counseling work together. Julie, sounds like you and Megan had a great time. My sister uses Penzey’s spices and has gifted me with some. Wonderful products and I support their philosophy. Cooking is my therapy. I don’t bake as much as I used to. Prayers as you deal with H. Glad your kitties got good reports from the vet. Prayers for April, Lou, Rick, Marcy, and all who follow this forum. Prayers for Afghanistan, those in Ida’s path, and for an end to the pandemic. May people love their neighbors and do the right thing. Blessings to all.
First of all, my apologies – dad’s test was negative. Don’t know why I typed what I did.
I don’t think I agree with the last sentence of today’s reading. Or, maybe my take on creativity is just way off base. I surely yearn for healing from life’s deepest hurts (and feel like I have received it thus far), the fulfillment of immeasurable longings (yes, I surely do) and the profound peace found only in God (it courses through me like a steady brook). But I feel like, for me, these have been achieved by consistent focus and re-focus on Him, and remaining in steady awareness and communication with Him. To me – that doesn’t seem like creativity, but rather – intentionality.
I have no doubt that creativity can bring one closer to God.
I forgot to share my big news – I will be taking a ride on the Goodyear Blimp on Saturday, provided the weather is favorable. My former student who is recovering from cancer asked me to be her “and 1”. I was surprised her dad wasn’t going. But her mom just started dialysis yesterday and they have been super precautionary with covid. I know this is a bucket list item for some. Not so me. But figure I need to take advantage of this opportunity. Dad worked at Goodyear for 40 years. He was surprised, and probably a bit envious, that I get to do this. I know I will be a bit nervous – but, obviously it will be a unique experience. As of now, the weather looks perfect.
I used to work at Goodyear’s recreational park for its employees and the blimp was parked just across the lake . Seeing the blimp is a relatively common experience here in “The Rubber Capitol of the World”, but a rare opportunity. I don’t even know how my student got this opportunity. I will surely have to find out.
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