Saturday, February 07, 2004
On Finding You Near
In the early morning hours, Lord,
it seems so easy to hear your voice,
just you and I in a silent house,
surrounded with the soft sounds of
others sleeping.
How easy it seems to talk to you then.
O Lord,
In the busy hours of midday, Lord,
it can be so hard to hear your voice,
as I deal with this child and that adult,
clothes to be washed,
meals to be cooked,
phone calls,
things to be written,
work.
Remind me, Lord,
That you are with me even then,
and if I take a deep breath,
pause and wait,
I will find you there,
holding my hand.
Susan E. Stone, 2004
In the early morning hours, Lord,
it seems so easy to hear your voice,
just you and I in a silent house,
surrounded with the soft sounds of
others sleeping.
How easy it seems to talk to you then.
O Lord,
In the busy hours of midday, Lord,
it can be so hard to hear your voice,
as I deal with this child and that adult,
clothes to be washed,
meals to be cooked,
phone calls,
things to be written,
work.
Remind me, Lord,
That you are with me even then,
and if I take a deep breath,
pause and wait,
I will find you there,
holding my hand.
Susan E. Stone, 2004
Wednesday, February 04, 2004
Rosa Mystica
Like a much anticipated rose bud
seen opening in full light
gives joy to the heart of the gardener,
the sweet tones of
your yes,
let it be done to me like you say,
must have delighted the heart of our Father,
seeing the rare beauty
of his most lovely creation
in full bloom.
Mystical rose that shall never fade,
teach us all
how to say yes
when God comes calling.
Susan E. Stone, 2004
Like a much anticipated rose bud
seen opening in full light
gives joy to the heart of the gardener,
the sweet tones of
your yes,
let it be done to me like you say,
must have delighted the heart of our Father,
seeing the rare beauty
of his most lovely creation
in full bloom.
Mystical rose that shall never fade,
teach us all
how to say yes
when God comes calling.
Susan E. Stone, 2004
Labels: Mary
Lord, Forgive us
He was amazed at their lack of faith. - Mark 6, 6
Lord, forgive us -
how easily we are distracted
by the colored lights
and interesting sounds
and empty promises,
and all of our good intentions
get swept out of the way
by our false certainties,
our desires turned into beliefs,
our wants conceived to be needs.
Forgive us Lord,
when we cry out in grief
that the consequences of our sin
effect those about us
in ways we never forsaw,
how a quick moment of satisfaction now
destroys the very things we love later,
and we cry out in our misery and our grief
for you to save us.
O Lord,
we believe - help our lack of faith
when the distractions of the enemy
touch our lives.
Help us to always see the way out
that you leave for us,
Help us to realize
that all of our actions have consequences
for good or for ill,
and that
with you at our side,
you give us a choice to choose
light over darkness,
love over anger,
true peace over temporary satisfaction,
healing over hurt.
Teach us to always choose your way,
now and forever.
Amen.
Susan E Stone, 2004
He was amazed at their lack of faith. - Mark 6, 6
Lord, forgive us -
how easily we are distracted
by the colored lights
and interesting sounds
and empty promises,
and all of our good intentions
get swept out of the way
by our false certainties,
our desires turned into beliefs,
our wants conceived to be needs.
Forgive us Lord,
when we cry out in grief
that the consequences of our sin
effect those about us
in ways we never forsaw,
how a quick moment of satisfaction now
destroys the very things we love later,
and we cry out in our misery and our grief
for you to save us.
O Lord,
we believe - help our lack of faith
when the distractions of the enemy
touch our lives.
Help us to always see the way out
that you leave for us,
Help us to realize
that all of our actions have consequences
for good or for ill,
and that
with you at our side,
you give us a choice to choose
light over darkness,
love over anger,
true peace over temporary satisfaction,
healing over hurt.
Teach us to always choose your way,
now and forever.
Amen.
Susan E Stone, 2004
Tuesday, February 03, 2004
Thoughts on the Death of Absalom
The king was shaken, and went up to the room over the city gate to weep. He said as he wept, "My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!" 2 Samuel 19,1
Dear Lord,
remind us how you grieve
when each falls,
turning away from you finally,
and chosing to rebel,
enters into that darkness
from which there is no return.
Like David weeping
for the son who caused him such grief,
so you grieve for each of us
who dies that final death,
for that rebellious child
who you watched for
like a man hoping against hope,
no fatted calf to slaughter in celebration,
no best robe to take out of storage,
no ring to take out of its box.
Forgive us, Lord,
for not reaching out when we should,
with the word to turn our brother's feet,
or the touch that might have made all the difference,
or the prayer left unspoken.
Help us to remember your kindness,
to be open to your Spirit,
And through the Spirit,
may we
say the right word,
do the right action
to lead our brother home at last.
Amen.
Susan E. Stone, 2004
The king was shaken, and went up to the room over the city gate to weep. He said as he wept, "My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!" 2 Samuel 19,1
Dear Lord,
remind us how you grieve
when each falls,
turning away from you finally,
and chosing to rebel,
enters into that darkness
from which there is no return.
Like David weeping
for the son who caused him such grief,
so you grieve for each of us
who dies that final death,
for that rebellious child
who you watched for
like a man hoping against hope,
no fatted calf to slaughter in celebration,
no best robe to take out of storage,
no ring to take out of its box.
Forgive us, Lord,
for not reaching out when we should,
with the word to turn our brother's feet,
or the touch that might have made all the difference,
or the prayer left unspoken.
Help us to remember your kindness,
to be open to your Spirit,
And through the Spirit,
may we
say the right word,
do the right action
to lead our brother home at last.
Amen.
Susan E. Stone, 2004
On Thankfulness for God's Touch in Our Lives
This day, O Lord,
teach us to be thankful
for the loving touches
you send our way,
for the kind words spoken,
the unexpected smiles,
Moments of contentment,
pleasure at seeing our loved ones,
the support of friends,
the light of a word spoken in time,
or whatever other way
the light of your love
comes and touches our hearts.
Give us the opportunity
to be your tool
spreading the light,
and help us not to turn back
when the opportunity comes calling.
Help us to realize
that even in the smallest kind word
we give to another,
we can be the tool in your hand.
Amen.
Susan E. Stone, 2004
This day, O Lord,
teach us to be thankful
for the loving touches
you send our way,
for the kind words spoken,
the unexpected smiles,
Moments of contentment,
pleasure at seeing our loved ones,
the support of friends,
the light of a word spoken in time,
or whatever other way
the light of your love
comes and touches our hearts.
Give us the opportunity
to be your tool
spreading the light,
and help us not to turn back
when the opportunity comes calling.
Help us to realize
that even in the smallest kind word
we give to another,
we can be the tool in your hand.
Amen.
Susan E. Stone, 2004
Monday, February 02, 2004
All For Love
Therefore, he had to become like his brothers in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested. Hebrews 2:17,18
Amazing to think, my Lord,
that you did what you did,
all for love,
to leave the heavenly realms
and empty yourself
to become a child,
and grow into an adult,
gracing this poor, sin-touched world
with the radiance of your presence.
Amazing to think, my Lord,
of how you underwent life's
myriad, minor indignities,
to experience firsthand
how it felt to be human
the creator experiencing
all the nuances of his creation.
Amazing to think, my Lord,
of how you gave yourself in sacrifice,
undergoing life's horrendous consequences
at the hands of sin,
not for any wrong of your own,
but for our wrongs,
because of love for us,
the creator giving all this
to rescue his creation.
Amazing to think, my Lord,
of how now in the heavenly realm,
there is one who knows
not only the ways of the creator
but who is intimate with the reality
of the created,
to be our sacrifice,
our king,
our high priest,
who opened the door to lead us home,
patiently holding our hands,
calling our name,
all for love.
Susan E. Stone, 2004
Therefore, he had to become like his brothers in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested. Hebrews 2:17,18
Amazing to think, my Lord,
that you did what you did,
all for love,
to leave the heavenly realms
and empty yourself
to become a child,
and grow into an adult,
gracing this poor, sin-touched world
with the radiance of your presence.
Amazing to think, my Lord,
of how you underwent life's
myriad, minor indignities,
to experience firsthand
how it felt to be human
the creator experiencing
all the nuances of his creation.
Amazing to think, my Lord,
of how you gave yourself in sacrifice,
undergoing life's horrendous consequences
at the hands of sin,
not for any wrong of your own,
but for our wrongs,
because of love for us,
the creator giving all this
to rescue his creation.
Amazing to think, my Lord,
of how now in the heavenly realm,
there is one who knows
not only the ways of the creator
but who is intimate with the reality
of the created,
to be our sacrifice,
our king,
our high priest,
who opened the door to lead us home,
patiently holding our hands,
calling our name,
all for love.
Susan E. Stone, 2004
Sunday, February 01, 2004
Thoughts On the Servant Who Was Forgiven Much
Lord
There is no way
to repay
the price you gave,
and like the servant who was forgiven
a fortune's worth of debt,
I can only fall on my knees
in thanks.
Teach me, beloved Master,
to be as willing to show that love
that you blessed me with
when others come in need,
and like your true child,
help spread your love
wherever it is needed.
Amen.
Susan E. Stone, 2004
Lord
There is no way
to repay
the price you gave,
and like the servant who was forgiven
a fortune's worth of debt,
I can only fall on my knees
in thanks.
Teach me, beloved Master,
to be as willing to show that love
that you blessed me with
when others come in need,
and like your true child,
help spread your love
wherever it is needed.
Amen.
Susan E. Stone, 2004
