Running in Faith 2001 July

"Running in Faith" is an electronic devotional guide written by members of Abiding Presence Lutheran Church. Each week, writers use their personal interpretation of scripture to write an inspirational message they hope will help readers take their Sunday faith into weekday lives. Your comments are appreciated and, when related to a particular devotion, passed to the writer. We hope you will share these devotions with friends and coworkers. We are always happy to add new names to our e-mail list. Please contact us if you wish your name to be added.
Devotion for the week of July 2, 2001 Submitted by Michael S. The dictionary definition of "Epiphany" is "a Christian festival, observed on January 6th, commemorating the manifestation Christ to the gentiles in the persons of the Magi." The second meaning is for "epiphany" (lower case) and is "an appearance or manifestation, especially of a deity." The second definition is what has become most meaningful to me. I always knew that God loved me. My epiphany came when I knew I loved God. Dear God, You come to us when, where and how we least expect You. Let us stop, listen and look for You in our lives and in the lives of others. Amen.
Devotion for the week of July 9, 2001 Submitted by Lois P. "The heavens are telling the glory of God; they are a marvelous display of his craftsmanship. Day and night they keep on telling about God. Without a sound or word, silent in the skies, their message reaches out to all the world. The sun lives in the heavens where God placed it and moves out across the skies as radiant as a bridegroom going to his wedding or as joyous as an athlete looking forward to a race! The sun crosses the heavens from end to end, and nothing can hide from its heat." Psalm 19: 1-6 I am a beach person. Ever since I was a child, I have been a beach person. As I have gotten older, I still enjoy jumping the waves and building the sandcastles. But I also enjoy the beach as one of my favorite places to think, reflect, meditate, and pray. Last week, our family shared a week at the beach for a family reunion. And even among the visiting and playing, we each had a chance to just "sit and veg" on the beach! As I looked out at the horizon, I realized that this is probably one of the few places where one can actually see all this pure sky and ocean...a view uninterrupted by any man-made obstacles (except for an occasional para-sailer). The view is quite awesome .... it always causes me to marvel at God's creation process and the immense strength and beauty of his "craftsmanship". From this massive sky and ocean to the smallest shell on the sand, his hand has touched everything! I was grateful for the chance to "soak up" God's beauty. And as the Psalm says, "without a sound or word, silent in the skies, their message reaches out to all the world." Everyone can see and feel this beauty and the many signs of God's love for us. Whether it is in the summer flowers blooming or in the eyes of a loved one, God's love shines through all around us. And for this, we give Him thanks. Heavenly Father, we thank you for the beautiful world you have created for us. During these warm summer months, help us to enjoy your creations of the sky, the sun, the sea and all the many natural details. May we be messengers for you by pointing out your marvelous creations to those around us and give you thanks. In your name we pray, Amen.
Devotion for the week of July 16, 2001 Submitted by Pastor Dan W. "I have learned to be content with whatever I have." Philippians 4:11 During the nostalgic days of summertime, we often have a little more time to reflect on our lives. Some folks wrestle with the tensions between how they imagined their lives might turn out, and how they in fact have. Perhaps your life has met unexpected tragedy or gradual disappointment. Perhaps your life has brought material success but personal emptiness. In middle age, can one find a way to reclaim the luster of optimistic youthfulness? In Anne Tyler's novel, "Ladder of Years", 40-year old Delia Grinstead becomes acutely aware that she is living her own life, but it is one she disdains. While on vacation at the beach with her physician husband and three almost-grown children, Delia suddenly decides to keep walking down the beach until, eventually, she settles in a strange new town. She wants to become free-spirited and unencumbered with no responsibilities, no past, no relationships. She wants to try living someone else's life, or perhaps living as if she has no past. Reviewers have described "Ladder of Years" as everyone's secret fantasy. But rarely does anyone actually live out that fantasy. Those who do reap tragic results. As a professor of mine once said, "The devil will beat you to any new destination!" Sooner or later, we realize that we cannot escape our present life, our past and the persons we have -- for better or worse -- become. The faithful life inspired by the witness of St. Paul is to travel through, not around our relationships, our encumbrances, and our histories. Although we cannot flee the past or escape the present, God's grace and constant forgiveness can enable us to be free and content to bloom where we are planted in life. Lord of life, you have set us free through faith in you even as we are joyfully bound in love to our loved ones both near and far. Enable us always to discover true contentment in this beautiful paradox. Amen.
Devotion for the week of July 23 2001 Submitted by Michael S. "Let your light shine forth . . . " Philippians 4:11 Fellowship Thought for the Day: "Those who love their dream of community more than the Christian community itself become a destroyer of the latter, even though their personal intentions may be ever so honest and earnest and sacrificial." -- Dietrich Bonhoeffer I was born and raised in a multi-religious and multicultural environment as well as being educated in a number of faith-based schools and regions of this country. It should come as no surprise that I became interested in the study of comparative religion. As a youngster I'd read the mythologies of most of the world's modern and ancient cultures. Later, I got started on some of the great books of faith. For example, in my home, we had 150 year old copies of Martin Luther's writings as well as the Koran. Now they are almost 200 years old and I treasure them. I found a powerful common thread in most of the faiths I studied: the principle of an "light" inside each individual that manifested itself externally. Curiously, the Quaker high school I went to had a seal that contained a small oriental oil lamp with a single wick lit and the surrounding motto, "Mind the light". The significance was that, in accordance with Quaker tradition, there is that light of God inside each individual and that we should be mindful of it, nurture it and let it shine forth from us to others in our dealings with them. I first understood what this meant and truly appreciated the wonder of it when my first wife died and I saw reflections of her inner light in the eyes and hearts of everyone who knew her. Sunday, June 10th, Nancy and I went the Newtown Quaker Meeting where we met with German friends who were passing through and could only be with us for a very short time. During the silent meeting, I was reminded of my concept of the inner light and considered the characteristics of the inner light. I was amazed as I contemplated the effects of various light intensities, colors, shadings and textures: physical ones such as heat with red, orange, yellow and white as well as with high intensities; coolness with blues and purples and lower intensities; visual impacts such as starkness in black and white as well as high resolution; emotional ones such as somberness with grays and other dark shades; pastoral peace with pastels and blurred edges; vigor and passions in various degrees of shading and definition. Romance novels rhapsodize about "love light shining in the eyes". Religious texts of many cultures associate blinding brilliant lights with the "appearance" of deities and other heaven-connected events and personages. I realized that there are many aspects of the inner light and what they mean to me. I am constantly aware of the inner light that comes from each of you and I am warmed in the love it signifies found in our church family. Thank you. Lord, your light shines forth in glory, let us also share it with one another. Amen.
Devotion for the week of July 30 2001 Submitted by Nancy E. "O taste and see that the Lord is good!" Psalm 38:4 Fellowship Thought for the Day: "Those who love their dream of community more than the Christian community itself become a destroyer of the latter, even though their personal intentions may be ever so honest and earnest and sacrificial." -- Dietrich Bonhoeffer As you read this, Jack and I will be in Spain where we have gone to taste and see more of the goodness of that wonderful country. We have a Spanish rail pass and will be traveling around different sections of Spain and staying in paradors. These are historical buildings that the Spanish government is able to maintain in topnotch condition by converting portions of them into hotels. Within each, the kitchen serves only foods of that region. We will be truly seeing and tasting Spain. As the person who plans all our trips, I can tell you that it takes much enjoyable time to prepare for such a trip. Traveling through life for the Christian is much the same. David, the Psalmist, invites us to taste and see that the Lord is good. In order to do so, we must prepare ourselves to do so. And...the preparation is enjoyable. Using the Bible as our guidebook, researching Christian literature, listening to our Pastor's messages, seeking advice from other travelers, surfing the net for inspirational messages, and then just tasting and seeing reap wonderful experiences. O God, be with me as I taste and see the wonders of this world and prepare for my ultimate journey to be with you. Amen.
Year 2001 Index

"Running in Faith" is an electronic devotional guide written by members of Abiding Presence Lutheran Church. Each week, writers use their personal interpretation of scripture to write an inspirational message they hope will help readers take their Sunday faith into weekday lives. Your comments are appreciated and, when related to a particular devotion, passed to the writer. We hope you will share these devotions with friends and coworkers. We are always happy to add new names to our e-mail list. Please contact us if you wish your name to be added.

Devotion for the week of July 2, 2001
Submitted by Michael S.

The dictionary definition of "Epiphany" is "a Christian festival, observed on January 6th, commemorating the manifestation Christ to the gentiles in the persons of the Magi." The second meaning is for "epiphany" (lower case) and is "an appearance or manifestation, especially of a deity."

The second definition is what has become most meaningful to me. I always knew that God loved me. My epiphany came when I knew I loved God.

Dear God, You come to us when, where and how we least expect You. Let us stop, listen and look for You in our lives and in the lives of others. Amen.

Devotion for the week of July 9, 2001
Submitted by Lois P.

"The heavens are telling the glory of God; they are a marvelous display of his craftsmanship. Day and night they keep on telling about God. Without a sound or word, silent in the skies, their message reaches out to all the world. The sun lives in the heavens where God placed it and moves out across the skies as radiant as a bridegroom going to his wedding or as joyous as an athlete looking forward to a race! The sun crosses the heavens from end to end, and nothing can hide from its heat."
Psalm 19: 1-6

I am a beach person. Ever since I was a child, I have been a beach person. As I have gotten older, I still enjoy jumping the waves and building the sandcastles. But I also enjoy the beach as one of my favorite places to think, reflect, meditate, and pray.

Last week, our family shared a week at the beach for a family reunion. And even among the visiting and playing, we each had a chance to just "sit and veg" on the beach! As I looked out at the horizon, I realized that this is probably one of the few places where one can actually see all this pure sky and ocean...a view uninterrupted by any man-made obstacles (except for an occasional para-sailer). The view is quite awesome .... it always causes me to marvel at God's creation process and the immense strength and beauty of his "craftsmanship". From this massive sky and ocean to the smallest shell on the sand, his hand has touched everything! I was grateful for the chance to "soak up" God's beauty. And as the Psalm says, "without a sound or word, silent in the skies, their message reaches out to all the world." Everyone can see and feel this beauty and the many signs of God's love for us. Whether it is in the summer flowers blooming or in the eyes of a loved one, God's love shines through all around us. And for this, we give Him thanks.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the beautiful world you have created for us. During these warm summer months, help us to enjoy your creations of the sky, the sun, the sea and all the many natural details. May we be messengers for you by pointing out your marvelous creations to those around us and give you thanks. In your name we pray, Amen.

Devotion for the week of July 16, 2001
Submitted by Pastor Dan W.

"I have learned to be content
with whatever I have."
Philippians 4:11

During the nostalgic days of summertime, we often have a little more time to reflect on our lives. Some folks wrestle with the tensions between how they imagined their lives might turn out, and how they in fact have. Perhaps your life has met unexpected tragedy or gradual disappointment. Perhaps your life has brought material success but personal emptiness. In middle age, can one find a way to reclaim the luster of optimistic youthfulness?

In Anne Tyler's novel, "Ladder of Years", 40-year old Delia Grinstead becomes acutely aware that she is living her own life, but it is one she disdains. While on vacation at the beach with her physician husband and three almost-grown children, Delia suddenly decides to keep walking down the beach until, eventually, she settles in a strange new town. She wants to become free-spirited and unencumbered with no responsibilities, no past, no relationships. She wants to try living someone else's life, or perhaps living as if she has no past.

Reviewers have described "Ladder of Years" as everyone's secret fantasy. But rarely does anyone actually live out that fantasy. Those who do reap tragic results. As a professor of mine once said, "The devil will beat you to any new destination!" Sooner or later, we realize that we cannot escape our present life, our past and the persons we have -- for better or worse -- become. The faithful life inspired by the witness of St. Paul is to travel through, not around our relationships, our encumbrances, and our histories. Although we cannot flee the past or escape the present, God's grace and constant forgiveness can enable us to be free and content to bloom where we are planted in life.

Lord of life, you have set us free through faith in you even as we are joyfully bound in love to our loved ones both near and far. Enable us always to discover true contentment in this beautiful paradox. Amen.

Devotion for the week of July 23 2001
Submitted by Michael S.

"Let your light shine forth . . . "
Philippians 4:11

Fellowship Thought for the Day:
"Those who love their dream of community more than the Christian community itself become a destroyer of the latter, even though their personal intentions may be ever so honest and earnest and sacrificial." -- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

I was born and raised in a multi-religious and multicultural environment as well as being educated in a number of faith-based schools and regions of this country. It should come as no surprise that I became interested in the study of comparative religion. As a youngster I'd read the mythologies of most of the world's modern and ancient cultures. Later, I got started on some of the great books of faith. For example, in my home, we had 150 year old copies of Martin Luther's writings as well as the Koran. Now they are almost 200 years old and I treasure them.

I found a powerful common thread in most of the faiths I studied: the principle of an "light" inside each individual that manifested itself externally. Curiously, the Quaker high school I went to had a seal that contained a small oriental oil lamp with a single wick lit and the surrounding motto, "Mind the light". The significance was that, in accordance with Quaker tradition, there is that light of God inside each individual and that we should be mindful of it, nurture it and let it shine forth from us to others in our dealings with them.

I first understood what this meant and truly appreciated the wonder of it when my first wife died and I saw reflections of her inner light in the eyes and hearts of everyone who knew her.

Sunday, June 10th, Nancy and I went the Newtown Quaker Meeting where we met with German friends who were passing through and could only be with us for a very short time. During the silent meeting, I was reminded of my concept of the inner light and considered the characteristics of the inner light. I was amazed as I contemplated the effects of various light intensities, colors, shadings and textures: physical ones such as heat with red, orange, yellow and white as well as with high intensities; coolness with blues and purples and lower intensities; visual impacts such as starkness in black and white as well as high resolution; emotional ones such as somberness with grays and other dark shades; pastoral peace with pastels and blurred edges; vigor and passions in various degrees of shading and definition. Romance novels rhapsodize about "love light shining in the eyes". Religious texts of many cultures associate blinding brilliant lights with the "appearance" of deities and other heaven-connected events and personages. I realized that there are many aspects of the inner light and what they mean to me.

I am constantly aware of the inner light that comes from each of you and I am warmed in the love it signifies found in our church family. Thank you.

Lord, your light shines forth in glory, let us also share it with one another. Amen.

Devotion for the week of July 30 2001
Submitted by Nancy E.

"O taste and see that the Lord is good!"
Psalm 38:4

As you read this, Jack and I will be in Spain where we have gone to taste and see more of the goodness of that wonderful country. We have a Spanish rail pass and will be traveling around different sections of Spain and staying in paradors. These are historical buildings that the Spanish government is able to maintain in topnotch condition by converting portions of them into hotels. Within each, the kitchen serves only foods of that region. We will be truly seeing and tasting Spain.

As the person who plans all our trips, I can tell you that it takes much enjoyable time to prepare for such a trip. Traveling through life for the Christian is much the same. David, the Psalmist, invites us to taste and see that the Lord is good. In order to do so, we must prepare ourselves to do so. And...the preparation is enjoyable. Using the Bible as our guidebook, researching Christian literature, listening to our Pastor's messages, seeking advice from other travelers, surfing the net for inspirational messages, and then just tasting and seeing reap wonderful experiences.

O God, be with me as I taste and see the wonders of this world and prepare for my ultimate journey to be with you. Amen.

Year 2001 Index