Today's text
Matthew 4:5-7
The devil then took him to the holy city and set him on the parapet of the Temple. If you are Son of God,' he said, 'throw yourself down; for scripture says: He has given his angels orders about you, and they will carry you in their arms in case you trip over a stone.' Jesus said to him, 'Scripture also says: Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'
Prayer
Why do I seek you in the morning?
Each day I come, begging the blessing that is in your hand, praying for myself and my beloved, this day for the health of an unborn grandson, dwelling perhaps under threat even in the warmth of my daughter’s womb.
Save them. Save them both, I pray. Bring us to the day of celebration.
But I know: Knowing you is no guarantee that the wings of your desire will carry me and mine unscathed by the blows and grief that comes to every life. Neither our faith nor your love saves us from the pains of being what we are: human, fragile, mortal.
We cannot coerce you into violating the dictates of your creation with your own promise of enduring compassion. We cannot use your word to stave off the consequences of our folly or fragility.
Your grace invites us not to test your love but to trust it in the darkness. To hold it fast in the shadow lands of mortal existence, and to know: You are, and You are Love, and we shall know You.
So I seek you in the morning.
Pr. David L. Miller
http://prayingthemystery.blogspot.com/
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Friday, February 08, 2008
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Today's text
Matthew 4:1-4
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit out into the desert to be put to the test by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, after which he was hungry, and the tester came and said to him, 'If you are Son of God, tell these stones to turn into loaves.' But he replied, 'Scripture says: Human beings live not on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'
Prayer
If you are the Son of God … . Temptations come and go, Dear Friend, and all of them attack our identity. Who am I? Am I really who others say of me, or what I myself think? And is this word or act consonant with who I am? Or does it express a stranger foreign to my own soul?
And this soul that is me: What is it if not an expression of your word, your act, your purpose?
Made by and through your loving word I live (truly and only) on every word you speak. Living outside your word I dwell in the shadow lands of despair and confusion, where I do not know the truth with which you would fill me so that I know and become your loving delight. You are that truth.
So I will listen to you tell me who I am: sinner forgiven, fallen but friend, fool but cherished, mortal but beloved for eternity, confused but claimed, despairing but ever held in your loving delight.
Your word, your encompassing compassion gets the last word over me every time. I am yours, beloved, even as Jesus, my brother and Lord. Let me throw that into the damnedable teeth of every temptation that comes.
And for the sake of your grace, tell me again who I am that, like my brother Jesus, I may never forget.
Pr. David L. Miller
Matthew 4:1-4
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit out into the desert to be put to the test by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, after which he was hungry, and the tester came and said to him, 'If you are Son of God, tell these stones to turn into loaves.' But he replied, 'Scripture says: Human beings live not on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'
Prayer
If you are the Son of God … . Temptations come and go, Dear Friend, and all of them attack our identity. Who am I? Am I really who others say of me, or what I myself think? And is this word or act consonant with who I am? Or does it express a stranger foreign to my own soul?
And this soul that is me: What is it if not an expression of your word, your act, your purpose?
Made by and through your loving word I live (truly and only) on every word you speak. Living outside your word I dwell in the shadow lands of despair and confusion, where I do not know the truth with which you would fill me so that I know and become your loving delight. You are that truth.
So I will listen to you tell me who I am: sinner forgiven, fallen but friend, fool but cherished, mortal but beloved for eternity, confused but claimed, despairing but ever held in your loving delight.
Your word, your encompassing compassion gets the last word over me every time. I am yours, beloved, even as Jesus, my brother and Lord. Let me throw that into the damnedable teeth of every temptation that comes.
And for the sake of your grace, tell me again who I am that, like my brother Jesus, I may never forget.
Pr. David L. Miller
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Today's text
Matthew 6:5-6
'And when you pray, do not imitate the hypocrites: they love to say their prayers standing up in the synagogues and at the street corners for people to see them. In truth I tell you, they have had their reward. But when you pray, go to your private room, shut yourself in, and so pray to your Father who is in that secret place, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.
Prayer
There are no more precious moments of life than those I spend in your nearness, Loving Mystery. I know: I always stand in your nearness, for we are never separate from you. Separation from you is the abyss of non-being.
But I live too many of my moments in the shadow land, lacking sweet awareness of the love that surrounds and envelops me every moment. Too often the soul sleeps, unconscious of the Hidden Ground of Love who, moment-to-moment, breathes me into being.
You are that Hidden Ground, ever in the shadows but ever there. And stopping even for a moment I know you there by secret intuition, without seeing a thing.
I am a different soul when I live aware; free and full, generous and present I am, calm (as I can be) and certain of the One I need to live.
Prayer is the exquisite wonder of entering awareness of the Love who breathes me and all life, who surrounds and envelops, embraces and abides.
A rare gift, prayer. And you give it for our joy. How dare we profane it for some lesser purpose than abiding with you? May I honor you daily with truest prayer from a heart of gratitude.
Pr. David L. Miller
Matthew 6:5-6
'And when you pray, do not imitate the hypocrites: they love to say their prayers standing up in the synagogues and at the street corners for people to see them. In truth I tell you, they have had their reward. But when you pray, go to your private room, shut yourself in, and so pray to your Father who is in that secret place, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.
Prayer
There are no more precious moments of life than those I spend in your nearness, Loving Mystery. I know: I always stand in your nearness, for we are never separate from you. Separation from you is the abyss of non-being.
But I live too many of my moments in the shadow land, lacking sweet awareness of the love that surrounds and envelops me every moment. Too often the soul sleeps, unconscious of the Hidden Ground of Love who, moment-to-moment, breathes me into being.
You are that Hidden Ground, ever in the shadows but ever there. And stopping even for a moment I know you there by secret intuition, without seeing a thing.
I am a different soul when I live aware; free and full, generous and present I am, calm (as I can be) and certain of the One I need to live.
Prayer is the exquisite wonder of entering awareness of the Love who breathes me and all life, who surrounds and envelops, embraces and abides.
A rare gift, prayer. And you give it for our joy. How dare we profane it for some lesser purpose than abiding with you? May I honor you daily with truest prayer from a heart of gratitude.
Pr. David L. Miller
Monday, February 04, 2008
Monday, February 4, 2008
Today's text
Matthew 6:1-4
Be careful not to parade your uprightness in public to attract attention; otherwise you will lose all reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give alms, do not have it trumpeted before you; this is what the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win human admiration. In truth I tell you, they have had their reward. But when you give alms, your left hand must not know what your right is doing; your almsgiving must be secret, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.
Prayer
You call me beyond myself to that which I cannot do, Jesus. You invite me to unitive action, to utter oneness, so that I am fully absorbed, totally given to where I am and what I am doing—with no part of me left over to watch or judge.
So seldom is this true for me. My heart is not one but divided, fractured, given in part to the person or matter at hand while other parts stand back, watching, judging or carefully observing the reactions of others.
I hunger for one thing, to be one thing, to do one thing: to be where I am, doing what I am doing, fully absorbed, totally given, my consciousness undivided and pure, willing but one thing.
I wake from my bed in the early hours, focused and ready. Yet quickly, again, unforeseen circumstances and needful demands frazzle focus and splinter the mind. Attention scatters; the heart divides; peace flees, and again I am more part of this world’s brokenness than of its healing.
So at this mid-day, recollect my heart and mind, drenching them again in the ocean of your graciousness. For there I rest knowing only One … you.
Then, again, if only for a little while, I can be where I am, doing what I am doing, one with you and finally with myself, giving this recollected heart to each task of the day, absorbed in your love.
Pr. David L. Miller
Matthew 6:1-4
Be careful not to parade your uprightness in public to attract attention; otherwise you will lose all reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give alms, do not have it trumpeted before you; this is what the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win human admiration. In truth I tell you, they have had their reward. But when you give alms, your left hand must not know what your right is doing; your almsgiving must be secret, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.
Prayer
You call me beyond myself to that which I cannot do, Jesus. You invite me to unitive action, to utter oneness, so that I am fully absorbed, totally given to where I am and what I am doing—with no part of me left over to watch or judge.
So seldom is this true for me. My heart is not one but divided, fractured, given in part to the person or matter at hand while other parts stand back, watching, judging or carefully observing the reactions of others.
I hunger for one thing, to be one thing, to do one thing: to be where I am, doing what I am doing, fully absorbed, totally given, my consciousness undivided and pure, willing but one thing.
I wake from my bed in the early hours, focused and ready. Yet quickly, again, unforeseen circumstances and needful demands frazzle focus and splinter the mind. Attention scatters; the heart divides; peace flees, and again I am more part of this world’s brokenness than of its healing.
So at this mid-day, recollect my heart and mind, drenching them again in the ocean of your graciousness. For there I rest knowing only One … you.
Then, again, if only for a little while, I can be where I am, doing what I am doing, one with you and finally with myself, giving this recollected heart to each task of the day, absorbed in your love.
Pr. David L. Miller
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Today's text
Matthew 17:1-7
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There in their presence he was transfigured: his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as dazzling as light. And suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them; they were talking with him. Then Peter spoke to Jesus. 'Lord,' he said, 'it is wonderful for us to be here; if you want me to, I will make three shelters here, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.' He was still speaking when suddenly a bright cloud covered them with shadow, and suddenly from the cloud there came a voice which said, 'This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favor. Listen to him.' When they heard this, the disciples fell on their faces, overcome with fear. But Jesus came up and touched them, saying, 'Stand up, do not be afraid.'
Prayer
‘Listen,’ you say. ‘Listen.’ And to whom? To him whom you name ‘Beloved.’ And by whom? By you who do not love but who is Love Itself.
You set my heart to hear the voice of the one Beloved of Love Illimitable.
And what can possibly come from your mouth, O Beloved? We cannot know or predict. Such love is ever beyond us. We know but this: There is one thing that you cannot do … not love.
You cannot do that, Beloved, for that would contradict your nature and the Mystery who illumines and shines from your core.
So I will listen to you, knowing that what I hear flows from a depth of love for me that I cannot fathom, believing that whatever befalls me I will fall nowhere outside you, trusting that even your hard call to suffer in your cause is laced with the love that shines eternally from your belovedness.
Today, Dear One, let me live in the light of your love that I may hear you and stand beyond my fears.
Pr. David L. Miller
Matthew 17:1-7
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There in their presence he was transfigured: his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as dazzling as light. And suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them; they were talking with him. Then Peter spoke to Jesus. 'Lord,' he said, 'it is wonderful for us to be here; if you want me to, I will make three shelters here, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.' He was still speaking when suddenly a bright cloud covered them with shadow, and suddenly from the cloud there came a voice which said, 'This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favor. Listen to him.' When they heard this, the disciples fell on their faces, overcome with fear. But Jesus came up and touched them, saying, 'Stand up, do not be afraid.'
Prayer
‘Listen,’ you say. ‘Listen.’ And to whom? To him whom you name ‘Beloved.’ And by whom? By you who do not love but who is Love Itself.
You set my heart to hear the voice of the one Beloved of Love Illimitable.
And what can possibly come from your mouth, O Beloved? We cannot know or predict. Such love is ever beyond us. We know but this: There is one thing that you cannot do … not love.
You cannot do that, Beloved, for that would contradict your nature and the Mystery who illumines and shines from your core.
So I will listen to you, knowing that what I hear flows from a depth of love for me that I cannot fathom, believing that whatever befalls me I will fall nowhere outside you, trusting that even your hard call to suffer in your cause is laced with the love that shines eternally from your belovedness.
Today, Dear One, let me live in the light of your love that I may hear you and stand beyond my fears.
Pr. David L. Miller
Monday, February 4, 2008
Today's text
Matthew 6:1-4
Be careful not to parade your uprightness in public to attract attention; otherwise you will lose all reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give alms, do not have it trumpeted before you; this is what the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win human admiration. In truth I tell you, they have had their reward. But when you give alms, your left hand must not know what your right is doing; your almsgiving must be secret, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.
Prayer
You call me beyond myself to that which I cannot do, Jesus. You invite me to unitive action, to utter oneness, so that I am fully absorbed, totally given to where I am and what I am doing—with no part of me left over to watch or judge.
So seldom is this true for me. My heart is not one but divided, fractured, given in part to the person or matter at hand while other parts stand back, watching, judging or carefully observing the reactions of others.
I hunger for one thing, to be one thing, to do one thing: to be where I am, doing what I am doing, fully absorbed, totally given, my consciousness undivided and pure, willing but one thing.
I wake from my bed in the early hours, focused and ready. Yet quickly, again, unforeseen circumstances and needful demands frazzle focus and splinter the mind. Attention scatters; the heart divides; peace flees, and again I am more part of this world’s brokenness than of its healing.
So at this mid-day, recollect my heart and mind, drenching them again in the ocean of your graciousness. For there I rest knowing only One … you.
Then, again, if only for a little while, I can be where I am, doing what I am doing, one with you and finally with myself, giving this recollected heart to each task of the day, absorbed in your love.
Pr. David L. Miller
Matthew 6:1-4
Be careful not to parade your uprightness in public to attract attention; otherwise you will lose all reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give alms, do not have it trumpeted before you; this is what the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win human admiration. In truth I tell you, they have had their reward. But when you give alms, your left hand must not know what your right is doing; your almsgiving must be secret, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.
Prayer
You call me beyond myself to that which I cannot do, Jesus. You invite me to unitive action, to utter oneness, so that I am fully absorbed, totally given to where I am and what I am doing—with no part of me left over to watch or judge.
So seldom is this true for me. My heart is not one but divided, fractured, given in part to the person or matter at hand while other parts stand back, watching, judging or carefully observing the reactions of others.
I hunger for one thing, to be one thing, to do one thing: to be where I am, doing what I am doing, fully absorbed, totally given, my consciousness undivided and pure, willing but one thing.
I wake from my bed in the early hours, focused and ready. Yet quickly, again, unforeseen circumstances and needful demands frazzle focus and splinter the mind. Attention scatters; the heart divides; peace flees, and again I am more part of this world’s brokenness than of its healing.
So at this mid-day, recollect my heart and mind, drenching them again in the ocean of your graciousness. For there I rest knowing only One … you.
Then, again, if only for a little while, I can be where I am, doing what I am doing, one with you and finally with myself, giving this recollected heart to each task of the day, absorbed in your love.
Pr. David L. Miller
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