Thursday, November 10, 2005
Dear Lord,
Forgive us of all the time we waste
splitting hairs with one another,
arguing over and over again
while Satan laughs
as in our ire and angst and dismay
we do not give that drink of water
because we have to prove our point,
we ignore the stranger in need
because we have to research a scholar,
we leave the naked unclothed
because someone refuses to budge
and accept the interpretation we give.
Forgive us, Lord,
when in our desire to honor you,
we do those things
which do not spread your light,
we don't do those things
you want us to do,
when the desire to be vindicated
becomes more important than living your way.
Teach us, Lord,
when to debate,
when to say enough is enough,
when to stand up and be counted,
when to give the word that will heal an aching soul,
how to be your light in a sin-tossed world,
how to love.
And may the dark one never use our zeal for your glory
to his own advantage,
this day and always, Amen
Susan E. Stone, 2005
Forgive us of all the time we waste
splitting hairs with one another,
arguing over and over again
while Satan laughs
as in our ire and angst and dismay
we do not give that drink of water
because we have to prove our point,
we ignore the stranger in need
because we have to research a scholar,
we leave the naked unclothed
because someone refuses to budge
and accept the interpretation we give.
Forgive us, Lord,
when in our desire to honor you,
we do those things
which do not spread your light,
we don't do those things
you want us to do,
when the desire to be vindicated
becomes more important than living your way.
Teach us, Lord,
when to debate,
when to say enough is enough,
when to stand up and be counted,
when to give the word that will heal an aching soul,
how to be your light in a sin-tossed world,
how to love.
And may the dark one never use our zeal for your glory
to his own advantage,
this day and always, Amen
Susan E. Stone, 2005
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Meditation on John 15:1-9
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.
Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned.
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples.
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love.
John 15:1-9
O Jesus,
Apart from you,
I can do nothing.
What I try turns to dust,
for it does not have your life in it.
As part of you, as a branch on your vine,
I can do whatever you would have me do.
O Jesus, Master,
May the Father never take me away
as a worthless branch,
suited only for the fire,
dry and withered.
May each moment of your life in me
bring forth the fruit it should,
may the transformation of the Vinedresser
as He prunes and shapes,
form in me
the fruitful nature, the clean soul, the loving heart
you would have me to be,
this day, and always,
Amen.
Susan E. Stone, 2005
Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned.
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples.
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love.
John 15:1-9
O Jesus,
Apart from you,
I can do nothing.
What I try turns to dust,
for it does not have your life in it.
As part of you, as a branch on your vine,
I can do whatever you would have me do.
O Jesus, Master,
May the Father never take me away
as a worthless branch,
suited only for the fire,
dry and withered.
May each moment of your life in me
bring forth the fruit it should,
may the transformation of the Vinedresser
as He prunes and shapes,
form in me
the fruitful nature, the clean soul, the loving heart
you would have me to be,
this day, and always,
Amen.
Susan E. Stone, 2005
Labels: Need for God, scripture
