Author Archives: RRowan

Devotional

From the inside out

Posted on by
Reply

Lent 2013 Cover   2 Corinthians 4:16 – 5:5

Question for reflection:
How might we focus less on what we think others see when they look at us, and more on how we make others feel if we truly let the Spirit renew our hearts?

Prayer for the day:
“Open my eyes, that I may see….glimpses of truth thou hast for me.”  Patient Lord, let me see all that is in your creation through your eyes, and live accordingly.

~ Donna Kline, Director of Denominational Deacon Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Walt’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Stealth and subversion

Posted on by
Reply

Lent 2013 Cover   Luke 13:18-21

Question for reflection:
What seeds have you sown recently to further the kingdom of God? Is the yeast of your life still fully alive, ready to leaven the measures of flour you have been given?

Prayer for the day:
You call us to plant the seeds of your transforming love, O God, and to make the yeast and flour in the lives of others rise toward your love. Thank you for this holy calling, for your grace and trust.

~ Donna Kline, Director of Denominational Deacon Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Walt’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Lift up your hearts

Posted on by
Reply

Lent 2013 Cover   Romans 2:12-16

Question for reflection:
Who do you know that lives outside of a faith community but seems to follow the ways of Jesus better than many Christians? How might you develop a relationship with them?

Prayer for the day:
God of mystery, you often choose interesting people to do your work. Help me to see you in everyone, to hear your voice in places I don’t expect it.

~ Donna Kline, Director of Denominational Deacon Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Walt’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Judgment or repentance?

Posted on by
Reply

Lent 2013 Cover   Romans 2:1-11

Question for reflection:
How might your own judgments, your struggle to forgive, be an excuse for not getting on with the life God wants you to have?

Prayer for the day:
God of grace, forgive me my judgments, my arrogance in refusing to forgive what you have already forgiven.

~ Donna Kline, Director of Denominational Deacon Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Walt’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Satisfied souls

Posted on by
Reply

Lent 2013 Cover   Psalm 63:1-8

Question for reflection:
When you break bread alone or in community, in what new way might you give thanks to God?

Prayer for the day:
I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name.

~ Donna Kline, Director of Denominational Deacon Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Walt’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Good fruit

Posted on by
Reply

Lent 2013 Cover   Luke 6:43-45

Question for reflection:
What fruit has the tree of your life produced so far? What budding shoots are you tending for tomorrow’s crop?

Prayer for the day:
God of all creation, let others hear only words of good fruit from my mouth, and share in acts of grace from my heart and hands.

~ Donna Kline, Director of Denominational Deacon Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Walt’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Walking asleep

Posted on by
Reply

Lent 2013 Cover   Revelation 3:1-6

Question for reflection:
It’s hard to deny the popularity of “zombies” in popular culture today. The entertainment industry cannot be happier about people’s seemingly unquenchable thirst for movies, books, TV shows, cartoons, and songs about these unreal creatures that are somehow dead but somehow alive. Are you and I like the people of Sardis in this scripture, seeming through our works to be alive, but really being dead? What would it look like for you to “wake up,” respond to the Holy Spirit, and be fully alive?

Prayer for the day:
Please, loving God, help me wake up! Lead me away from soul-deadening activities. Help me discover tasks which give me life because they are so deeply rooted in You. May I listen intently to what the Spirit is saying to the churches and become fully alive through You.

~ Becky Ullom Naugle, Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Walt’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

 

Devotional

Rich in joy

Posted on by
Reply

Lent 2013 Cover   Revelation 2:8-11

Question for reflection:
Another way of describing “joy” is “to feel in the center of God’s will.” The phrase “in the center of God’s will” makes me think of the “eye” of a storm. How might joy, or “feeling in the center of God’s will,” be like or dislike experiencing the eye of a storm?

Prayer for the day:
Plant in me a desire, Holy Spirit, for deep joy. May my journey towards joy have occasional moments of happiness, but prod me past the comfort of moments to the satisfaction of enduring purpose.

~ Becky Ullom Naugle, Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Walt’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

 

 

Devotional

Succumbing to violence

Posted on by
Reply

Lent 2013 Cover   2 Chronicles 20:1- 22

Question for reflection:
On a scale of 1 to 10, how hard is this teaching for you to accept? “This battle is not for you to fight; take your position, STAND STILL, and see the victory of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.” Notice your reaction to this scripture passage and Dana’s reflections. What does your reaction cause you to realize about yourself?

Prayer for the day:
Well, God, Lent is about confession, isn’t it? Show me the wisdom for my life contained within this scripture passage. Help me to recognize when I am succumbing to violence through “over activity” and “over function.” How do I listen more intently to your voice than my own ego? Teach me!

~ Becky Ullom Naugle, Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Walt’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

 

 

Devotional

Old-time religion

Posted on by
Reply

Lent 2013 Cover   1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Question for reflection:
Think of your life as a movie. Who is directing the movie? Who is starring in it? What is the conflict/issue driving the action? What role does God play in the production?

Prayer for the day:
Great Author of All, thanks for your creativity and compassion. As you and I continue writing the story of my life, help me better understand how the action of my life connects to Your Story. For the examples of others and your encouragement to “take the long view,” I give thanks!

~ Becky Ullom Naugle, Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Walt’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.