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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

Used by permission from the Book of Common Worship, © 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. All rights reserved. This prayer appears in “A Liturgy for Morning Prayer” in Upper Room Worshipbook.

Today’s Reflection

TO DABBLE: to undertake something superficially or without serious intent. Most of us dabble at an endeavor from time to time. I used to dabble at stone polishing. I purchased rock tumblers and the various grits for each stage of the process. I polished batches of rocks for a couple of years. But over time, I lost interest. I could take it or leave it, and I pretty much left it. …. When we dabble, we spend time on something that really does to affect or change us.

…Religious dabbling is alive and well among us. Some forms of church shopping today are little more than “dabbling” at discipleship. Let’s see what this church can do for me and mine is not all that far removed from let’s see whether Jesus will perform a sign for me [as Herod did in Luke 23:6-12]. Perhaps even more critical, some forms of faith involvement are little more than “dabbling” at discipleship. As long as we don’t scratch beneath the surface of my life or the status quo around here, as long as all this “religious stuff” is not taken too seriously: everything will be all right.

But will it? And will we?

Dabbling is all about keeping things on the surface. Discipleship goes deep into our world and into us. Dabbling is all about the momentary piquing of our curiosity before we move on to the next oddity that attracts—or distracts—our attention. Discipleship is all about fidelity that keeps faith with One whose presence is steady and whose call is demanding. Dabbling leaves us unaffected. Discipleship intends to change us at the core. Dabbling naturally leads to mocking the committed. Discipleship inevitably calls to living committed.

Which will it be for us?

– John Indermark
Gospeled Lives

From pages 61, 62-63 of Gospeled Lives: Encounters with Jesus, A Lenten Study by John Indermark. Copyright © 2008 by John Indermark. 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 what areas of your life are you being called to fully commit? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.

Psalm 107:1, NRSV

This Week: Pray persons who are experiencing new beginnings. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.

Did You Know?

In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers. Call 1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center website.

This week we remember: John of God (March 8).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Sponsored by Upper Room Ministries ®. Copyright © 2018 | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA

20 Comments

  • Jill Posted March 7, 2018 4:13 am

    Last year, praying God would give me a better understanding of His Sovereignty and the course of events that has unfolded in the past six months – I feel immersed in His care and provision. He desires and requires full commitment of each and every area, each hidden nook…nothing can be held back from Him. Obedience isn’t a dabbling thing…all in.
    As I watch dad struggle amidst my mom’s suffering – I must remind myself that God is in control of this situation. And it is so hard to grasp that her suffering is His plan…I have questioned how God is being glorified in this. But, I re-center and ask for the grace to accept what the day will bring, request that He assist me in glorifying Him in each situation and ask for mercy for my mom and dad.
    I am grateful for school, for my wonderful students, for the “escape” that I have there. Grateful, too, for the rest that I get each evening – I crave more, but it proves to be sufficient each day. He is sustaining me and He knows the amount of “daily bread” I truly need.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted March 7, 2018 5:25 am

      Jill, keeping you and your parents in prayer

      May God be your source of strength and ever present help

      Blessings

  • robert moeller Posted March 7, 2018 6:01 am

    Prayers for God’s resolution for Jill’s Mom and Dad, Yes, this is a tough situation to experience. There’s a lot we do not understand and have to have faith that God knows best.

    Thankful, Jill, for the blessing that your students provide.

    Glad to hear from Anneliese, no news of pain, progress with house repairs, and hopefully a new local primary care doctor. Still some activity in the attic.
    Joan Brown, a church friend passed away, her service is on Saturday.

    Thankful for a successful trip yesterday with Erich. Home safe and sound. Keeping a watchful eye on Pearl as she may have eaten a piece of plastic bread wrapper. She has done some very unexpected activities. Hopeful for more progress with the hacked bank account. Thankfully bills are paid.

    Prayers that Mary will find a better more suitable job, Lou will be able to sell the house soon and there will be a good resolution to the transition, prayers for Julie’s hands, foot, and continued mobility, may the help and medical care Marcy needs be quickly forthcoming and satisfy her needs. Prayers for Andrea and Lowell, Connie and Robin, Rusty and K, Chloe and Paige, that God’s healing is received. Blessings to all the UR family. Thankful for the peace that comes through prayer. Thank You, Lord.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted March 7, 2018 7:18 am

      Glad to hear that you have a successful trip with Erich and back safely. Also glad to hear that Anneliese is not in pain. Continue to pray that your hacked account will be solved soon and your cat is alright

      Thanks for your prayers and blessings to all

  • Betsy Posted March 7, 2018 7:04 am

    God calls us to be fully committed to Him. My involvement in the Women’s Kairos ministry has been my focus for the past few years. After moving away from my home, I have attempted to keep my promise to support this cause with my time, money and leadership, but it’s been difficult. I pray for the continued impact of this ministry as it reaches women in need, even if I can’t be there physically. God is working in me as I find a new path.

    Thank you, Julie, for your insightful quotes. They are thought provoking and timely. Grateful for this place of respite and renewel. Prayers for you, Jill, and your parents. God is in control of all things.

  • Julie Posted March 7, 2018 8:04 am

    I am committed to this site. It is difficult to type but I continue to post. I offer my support to one and all.
    Mary, I continue to pray for you all day and night since your days are our nights. I pray for a new job for you and healing for your parents.
    Jill, your family is in an uncertain time. I pray for soothing healing of bodies and minds.
    Robert, how wonderful that you and Erich were able to spend time together that was rewarding. I relish my own relationship with my daughter. Prayers for Pearl, yes cats can eat strange things. Prayers for bank account resolution. Condolences on your loss.
    Betsy, prayers for you to continue a ministry that is important to you. Thank you for your kind words, perhaps God led me to the book that I use for the quotes.
    Thank you one and all for your prayers for me. I am humbled.
    Prayers for each one of the UR family
    Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
    Ralph Waldo Emerson

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted March 7, 2018 5:18 pm

      Thanks Julie!

      May God’s healing touch be upon you

      Blessings

  • Connie Posted March 7, 2018 8:21 am

    I am committed, not dabbling, in my devotion to my family, my friends on this site, my faith.
    May God in His mercy touch the mentioned ones with healing and their families with strength. You all express yourselves so well. Thank you.

  • Andrea Posted March 7, 2018 9:27 am

    May I go deeper in service to You, Loving God.

    Jill, would you want to share your parents’ names so we can pray for them by name?

    It’s good to hear you had a good trip with Erich, Robert. I hope you soon have your bank account all remedied. I pray for Erich and his job, and for little Pearl’s health, and for Anneliese.

    Mary, I pray for your fortitude with your current job and I pray for a decent, more sane and rewarding job for you – soon.

    Julie, continued prayers for your well- being. I love the Emerson quote.

    Betsy and Connie, I am always glad to see your comments. Even though you do not comment every day, to me you both are integral “regulars” and I appreciate your unique contributions.

    We each are different and this online gathering of prayer warrior is all the richer for it.

    I am making progress on house cleaning. I have decided to try to keep to a new routine of deep cleaning one room each day. We have a larger than average house, two levels plus a basement, and, being a perfectionist, it is daunting to think of cleaning the whole thing in one fell swoop. I get so distracted – perhaps that is my aging brain (although my daughter struggles with housecleaning too, so perhaps it is the way we are wired). I am so much more uplifted when everything is neat and sparkling clean. I know this sounds so trivial, but living in a messy house bothers me so much, and I criticize myself heavily and am much less productive when I let it go. I have a history of bouts of depression (although in the last several of years, I have not had an episode, thankfully). Having a messy house reminds me of being depressed. I have always envied those who are naturally tidy and well-organized.

    Prayers for UR friends and those for whom you pray. It is such a blessing to meet you in this holy space each day. Thank you all for your presence here.

  • Pam Posted March 7, 2018 3:20 pm

    I can totally relate, Andrea!

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted March 7, 2018 5:23 pm

    Thanks Andrea!

    I have left my job. I am grateful for tenants and i am also giving tuition to two students in my neighbourhood. I should be able to survive as i live simply on my savings. Maybe its time for me to retire too

    Blessings

    • Andrea Posted March 7, 2018 5:38 pm

      Mary, I am so happy for you that you are out of that insane job! Congratulations! My prayers for you as you re-calibrate. Enjoy your new peace and freedom. Blessings!

      • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted March 7, 2018 9:59 pm

        Thanks dear Andrea. Just received a call for interview tomorrow. I commit to God the interview. If it is His will for me to get this job, may the interview be successful.

        Blessings

        • Andrea Posted March 7, 2018 10:06 pm

          I am praying for your interview and your discernment of the direction God leads you to take, dear Mary! Blessings!

          • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted March 8, 2018 12:39 am

            Thanks Andrea and Robert!

            You are God’s blessings to me

            I am eternally grateful for all of you!

  • robert moeller Posted March 7, 2018 11:43 pm

    Mary, I’m very thankful that you left the stressful teaching position. Prayers that you have God’s wisdom in your decisions. Thankful that you have options. You will know more about what to do after the interview.

    Thankful for your comments and prayers to everyone, you are very diligent.

    Thank You, Lord, for Mary, help and guide her on her path.

  • robert moeller Posted March 8, 2018 6:22 am

    Praying for the best for you. Ask for God’s wisdom and you will make the right decision. If you retire I hope there is a pension.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted March 8, 2018 7:30 am

      Thanks so much Robert!

      Yes, i need wisdom from God to make the right decision. You are always wise, knowing how to pray for me. Very grateful to God for wise and prayetful man like you!

      Blessings

      • robert moeller Posted March 8, 2018 7:43 am

        Mary, the only wisdom I have is from God, without God I am nothing.

  • robert moeller Posted March 8, 2018 7:54 am

    Wonder where today’s, March 8, 2018, reflection is? Been up a while but nothing yet.

    Prayers for Marcy, no post from her. Prayers for Jill’s Mom and Dad, Jill and her sister, thankful things are going well at school. Prayers for Betsy, Connie and Robin, Julie, her daughter and husband (we are to pray for everyone), April, Joan, Andrea and Lowell, Chloe and Paige, Lou, her children and Mom, and Mary’s career choice decision.

    Blessing on a Lenten lunch day. Thankful for progress with my hacked bank account, and bills paid. Blessings to you all.

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