Month: January 2018

Categories
Review-recap

What did we do?

woman looking at what she has written in her notebook

 

What happened in January?

becomingflame.com went live

On January 1st, becomingflame.com went live with its first post and About page.

scripture

We focused on scriptures that talk about light (as opposed to darkness), beginning with the first ‘word’ of creation in Genesis, moving on to the Word who was with God before creation, who is the light of the world, the life of all people. We talked about the choice between light and darkness. Finally, we talked about being the light of the world ourselves.

prayers

We looked at a few prayers for different situations.

other writings

We looked at writings from Thomas Merton, Mary Oliver, and Frederick Buechner that emphasized how the anxiety and concerns of daily life can snuff out our flame, the flicker of our ‘real self’. We were repeatedly encouraged to pay attention in order tend to that flame.

comments

It’s been great to have a conversation with Robert (whose blog I follow and enjoy). Would be great to have others join in 🙂

thank you

Finally, it’s been a joy for me to do this and to know that you take the time to check in.  Grace and peace to all…

dw

Photo by Jọo Silas on Unsplash Рcropped to fit theme by dw

 

Categories
Scripture

Us, the light of the world

Person holding lantern in dark desert

 

You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

— Matthew 5:14-16, NRSV Bible with Apocrypha

Continue reading “Us, the light of the world”
Categories
prayer

Prayer for when we mess up

woman sitting on bench praying

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Psalm 51:10-12, Ignatius Bible


I mess up.

All the time.

Each time is a temptation to beat myself up. I do this very well from much practice.

Over the last couple of years I’ve tried, instead, to pray this prayer or others like it; I find it better to invoke God’s help to change rather than to just try harder on my own.

King David messed up big time; I mean BIG time (read about it in 2 Samuel chapters 11 and 12). Psalm 51 records his prayer after being called out on it.

I need these words in my heart and on my tongue; maybe you do, too.

Grace and peace to you…

dw

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash