Today’s Reflection
Let’s begin again. As always, every beginning is in the middle of what has already happened. . . .
The new year is the appropriate time to remember that we have the opportunity to start again. The reset does not have to begin with our failure but rather with focusing on the God-given opportunities to begin again.
—Joy J. Moore, “Let’s Get Started . . . Again,” in The Upper Room Disciplines 2024: A Book of Daily Devotions (Upper Room Books, 2023)
Today’s Question
What opportunities give you the chance to begin again this new year? Join the conversation.
Today’s Scripture
For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die;
a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill and a time to heal.
—Ecclesiastes 3:1-3 (NRSVUE)
Prayer for the Week
Creator God, enable us to move through the chaos into the new creation you alone have promised. Amen. —Prayer by Joy J. Moore
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
Are you looking for a way to deepen your relationship with God this year? The Upper Room Disciplines offers a daily practice of reading and reflecting on God’s Word to awaken and strengthen your spiritual life. Order your copy of Disciplines 2024 today!
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Baptism of the Lord
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
2 Comments
Bible study continues and new topics will be explored. New Every Morning will do this too!
Colder weather will help snow making. Hopefully some skiing this week. Not enough snow for
any Nordic activities. Calendar changed. May problems be addressed and resolved. Thank You,
Lord for always being with us.
God is full of mulligans, how desperate we need them. Thank You, Father.
I was convicted anew this morning regarding my most challenging class. That I need to bring joy as my pre-set attitude. My auto-pilot reaction is not that and I must be ready to be intentional next week when I re-enter the classroom. They have not seen my joy for teaching and I must accept responsibility for that.
I saw my surgeon today and got a good report. He said this side involved a more intense clean-up than the other side in September. He also said my hamstring looked strong and like a 20 year olds. I will take that! He asked when tennis started and I told him the spring season ran from mid February thru the end of April. He didn’t bite. I told him summer began in May – he said I would be “killing it” by then. That is the only part I found a bit disappointing – as I was told this would be a 2 month recovery/return to normal activity. It is really up to my physical therapist tho, as she will be the one working closely with me over the weeks ahead. I am going to remain hopeful to be back on the court by early March.
Going to grill up some pork chops this evening. I was supposed to be sharing a meal with my friend this evening. But she was with someone whose husband tested positive for Covid – so – plans got cancelled. I’m ok with it. The kittens are enjoying having me home, I am too.
Thank you all for your concern and prayers for my friend. She continues to face each day. Things should settle down, as she headed back to work today, her daughter flew back to Florida and a routine is back in place.
Add Comment