View the post for February 22 for an explanation of my theme for Lent Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. I have lived close to the Great Smoky Mountains all my life. My mother, grandparents, and great grandparents actually lived in the park before it was the park. When I go to the mountains I feel a sense of home, a sense of peace.
There will be times when we may find ourselves away from home, away from the ones we love, away from the community of a loving church. We all need a sense of home and God promised that we can always dwell with him. No matter our circumstances, in him, the creator of all mountains, we can always find our way home. Prayer Everlasting God We long to always dwell with you, safe in the mountains you have created. Amen
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Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. They go by various names, "frost flowers"" ice flowers", but they really aren’t flowers at all. Instead they are small ice formations that happen under specific conditions: air temperature must be below freezing, ground temperature must be above freezing, ground must have moisture from recent precipitation, and there must be a plant with a hollow stem. As water is drawn up from the ground to the stem, the stem splits and is ice is formed in these unique shapes when the water hits the cold air.
These were the first frost flowers I had ever seen and I would not have seen them without a friend. She was the one who noticed them on the ground next to the trail. She had never heard of them but I knew what they were because I had read of them. We made this unique and beautiful discovery because we were together. I have come to see that understanding scripture is just like this. We need others who will commit to study diligently the scriptures with us. We need the wisdom of scholars who write commentaries to help us understand the meaning of words and customs from other languages and cultures. Paul knew the importance of studying together as he encouraged the Colossians to “let the message of Christ dwell among you richly.” In our individualistic culture we tend to read “you” as singular, applying to us individually. But in this passage the word "you" is plural. For the message of Christ to dwell richly we need each other. As a result we will sing to God songs of gratitude. Prayer Lord Jesus Open your message to us as we study and meditate on your word together. Give us wisdom to encourage each other with ideas and inspiration we learn from your word. With great gratitude, Amen. “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. The trees formed a frame around a vista that that I had never seen before, so different from my tree-covered mountains. Before our trip, I had thought of North Dakota as a boring wilderness. As I stood there that morning it was like looking through a window into a new world filled with beauty.
Here is where we stand this day, looking out on a new year. The wilderness becomes a place of beauty when we see it framed by the stories of those who journey with us. Through Jesus we have the promise of a new life, a living hope. We need each other to form a frame around the new way in the wilderness God is making for us. How can you, walking together with others, make your community a place of newness? Prayer Lord Jesus Give us the courage to look with others at the new places you are leading us as we journey ever closer to you. Amen |
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Soli Deo Gloria,
1 Corinthians 10:31
© 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Karen Milligan
1 Corinthians 10:31
© 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Karen Milligan