Today’s Reflection
Dorothy Zellner knew Mississippi would be bad in the summer of 1964. It was a Southern state known for oppressive injustice against Black citizens, but her need to help reverse the problem was unrelenting. Thus, with one thousand other college students, she signed up with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, joining Black activists in the South to carry out voting-rights campaigns during “Freedom Summer.” . . .
Over the summer, dozens of SNCC workers were beaten. Scores of Black churches and homes were bombed or burned. Zellner, in an American Experience episode, described her dismay: “I knew it was going to be bad. I didn’t dream for a minute that people would be killed. But it was always in the back of everybody’s mind that something—bad things—were going to happen. So, it was terrifying.” How, then, did young volunteers respond? Many called on God.
—Patricia Raybon, “Summer Epiphanies,” The Upper Room Disciplines 2022: A Book of Daily Devotions (Upper Room Books, 2021)
Today’s Question
When have you called on God for help in a dangerous situation? Join the conversation.
Today’s Scripture
I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
—Psalm 17:6 (NIV)
Prayer for the Week
Dear God, inspire us to always seek you. Help us to fight racism and to demonstrate your love for all people. Amen. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
Participate in our next eCourse based on J. Dana Trent’s book One Breath at a Time: A Skeptics Guide to Christian Meditation. This eCourse will offer basic instruction in five approaches to meditation: breath meditation, lectio divina, centering meditation, loving-kindness meditation, and devotional meditation. Receive a discount of 15% off the original price if you register before June 30, 2022. Register today!
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
4 Comments
Having been exempt from the draft while I was in college, about to graduate in 1969, I wanted to fulfill my military obligation. By September I was at basic training, since my enlistment was for only two years, there was no possibility for options. I was sent to light weapons infantry school, I asked God to send me where He wanted me, with two weeks left in our training we were told it would not be Vietnam. I ended up in Korea, spent 14 months there, knew after my time there I wanted to return. Three years later the opportunity came and I taught three years at Seoul Foreign School. While there I met and married my wife, our daughter was born, and unknowingly at the time my
25 year army service renewed. Life changing events. Thank You, Lord.
The after worship meeting presented the situation CCUMC faces. Without a part time pastor or even a coordinating pastor, the laity with the Holy Spirit’s help has decided to carry on. Worship is planned for all of July, the annual strawberry shortcake July 4th fundraiser returns after a two year Covid caused break, and plans are in the works on how to facilitate Zoom /power point projection
worship when our technical member retires. Encouraging!
Anneliese is home from the hospital, continuing medical treatment for her heart and dealing with the insurance estimate for repairs to the house after a tree fell on it, Thankful for medical insurance and the new ID card that arrived.
Thankful my daughter attended the Tony awards as a nominee, and will receive a Drama Desk award for best costume design tomorrow.
Erich and I are enjoying the German food we purchased at Morse’s Sauerkraut. Have found another
Korean restaurant to try.
Thankful at least some progress may soon be made to curb gun violence.
The Lord bless you and keep you, make His countenance known to you, and be gracious to you.
Thank You, Lord.
I am in a dangerous situation now. I have called on God over and over. H is quite bad as far as his dementia. However one of his “friends” is currently helping him put his boat in the water and keep it at the dock. I tried to implore him to not do so based on my fear that h will hurt himself and/or others but it was obvious he did not believe me. I am at my wits end as I am the only one “adulting” right now and h is acting like a happy go lucky five year old and in fact has the mentality of that five year old. Meanwhile I am left to call the plumbers because we have a leak that must be fixed quickly but which h described as no big deal.
Prayers for Ally and her job situation, may another better opportunity become possible soon. Prayers for April and her loved one as they continue to give greatly to each other each in their own way. Prayers for Jill and her church tennis camp, may all stay safe despite the heat. Prayers for Lou and her children. Prayers for Rick and Scott. Prayers for Anneliese to continue to heal and for her home to be restored soon. Prayers for Robert’s church and the incredible resilience of the laity.
I don’t know that I have ever been in a dangerous situation, thankfully. Rarely do I think of such horrific events as school shootings. If something like that were to happen at my school, I hope I would act courageously and sacrificially.
Tennis camp this morning wasn’t too warm, but the rest of the week will be very uncomfortable. Will be stopping for many water breaks. I convinced dad we should not golf tomorrow afternoon, due to the heat. So I will be going to their house to play cards following camp.
Ran some errands after camp today, got an oil change on my car, picked up things for Father’s Day lunch at my house. I will be grilling out for the four of us.
Tennis this evening. Two team members have covid and another had the stomach flu pretty intensely last night. With two on vacation, we can’t field a full team and are forfeiting one court. It’s ok, as this team is not really in contention for anything.
I have cried out to God in the depths of despair, when. I wasn’t sure I wanted to go on. I have cried out to God in times when I was scared, such as before my heart procedures. When the the tornado super-outbreak of 4/27/2011 was bearing down on my town, producing EF-4 and EF-5 tornadoes, I was as scared as I have ever been. Thankfully, the EF-4 headed our way turned and went through rural area. I think of the people in Ukraine and the peril they are in.
Those things put our situation in perspective. But I feel really defeated right now. Im so grateful for your prayers and support. It seemed things were looking up for us. Know that you our concerns are held close in my heart and that I’m praying for you all.
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