Tag Archives: Love

Devotional

Prisoners of appetite

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Lent 2013 Cover  Philippians 3:17-20

Question for reflection:
Family dinner used to be a cherished time of the day. A mandatory time when the family got together once a day to check in, thank God for what he has given us, and be together. What traditions do you have around the table at home that bring you together with family or friends and how do you bring God into those circles?

Prayer for the day:
Lord, please be the head of the table. A loving presence that we bring into our fold and remember whenever we are grateful for what is before us as well as when we wish for me. Thank you for being with us through our times of love, times of selfishness and our times of need. Amen.

~ Rachel Witkovsky, National Junior High Conference Coordinator

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

Herod: King of cruelty

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Matthew 2:16-18


Question for Reflection:
Fear can make us do awful things. Awful doesn’t start to name what Herod did, but it’s still plain that it was done out of fear. Fear in the animal kingdom is translated into an attack. Sometimes, as in the case of honey bees, this fear leads to their own undoing. When was a time you let fear get the better of you? How did you overcome your fear?

Prayer for the day:
Fearless God, watch over us in our endeavors. Help us to overcome our obstacles and know you are with us. When we are afraid, remind us that you will never leave us and you will help us through. Thank you for your unwavering companionship and love that gives us courage. Amen.

~ Rachel Witkovsky, National Junior High Conference Coordinator

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Walt Wiltschek, campus pastor of Manchester University. (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

Elizabeth: Buoyed by blessings

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Luke 1:23-25; 39-45

Question for Reflection:
How will you bless the people you meet today with your loving presence?


Prayer for the day:
The unlimited love of your presence blesses me all the days of my life. May your love and peace radiate from me and touch each person whom I meet. Amen.

~ Stan Dueck, Director, Transforming Practices

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Walt Wiltschek, campus pastor of Manchester University. (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

Zechariah: Once in a lifetime

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Luke 1:5-22

Question for Reflection:
According to Scripture, fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. So, how can fear lead to wholeness, love, and freedom from self-indulgence?


Prayer for the day:
We trust in your presence and will not fear. You are great in our midst. Your love and peace, O God, exceeds all understanding. Amen.

~ Stan Dueck, Director, Transforming Practices

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Walt Wiltschek, campus pastor of Manchester University. (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

Love one another

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A Community of Love  John 13: 1-17,  31-35

Prayer for the Day:
Jesus, while I might not fully understand all that you do for me, make me receptive to your loving service. I want to have a part with you. I want to share in your love for my family, friends and neighbors. Nourish your love within me so that it overflows in my love for others, and so that your love for the world might be seen through my actions.  Amen.

Question for reflection:
Which of your actions today most exemplify the servant love of Jesus? Which actions are inconsistent with Jesus’ example and call to love one another? What is one specific step you might take to be more loving toward another in your life?

~ Jonathan Shively, executive director, Congregational Life Ministries

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Love and Money

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A Community of Love  John 12:1-11

Prayer for the Day:
Extravagant God, sometimes we want to hold things too tightly. We are afraid to let go and share our money, our love, ourselves. Help us to be more like you, who shared so extravagantly by sending Jesus to show us how to live. We thank you for this priceless gift.  Amen


Question for reflection:
Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford asks this question in her Lenten meditation for today:  When it comes to money, can we allow passionate, extravagant love to direct us?

~ Kim Ebersole, Director of Family Life and Older Adult Ministries

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

‘John 3:16’

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A Community of Love  John 3: 14-21

Prayer for the Day:
Dear Lord, help us to see and interpret your love and works in our lives. May we find the beauty in all things and may we not only receive your love, but also to share it with others unconditionally. For your love is powerful. It brings us out of the darkness that at times surrounds us. It brings us together at times when we are at odds with one another. And it brings us hope every day. In Jesus name we pray, amen.

Question for reflection:
When have you had to make the ‘choice of light and love over darkness and evil’?

~ Catherine Gong, Coordinator of 2012 Workcamp Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.


Devotional

Burning Love

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Prayer for the Day

God, who loves us more than we love ourselves, help us to look inside ourselves and become clean, from the inside out, as we prepare for the coming of a savior. Help us to become new, so that we can continue to celebrate this advent. Amen.

Question

What aspects of your life need to be examined and made new, as you prepare for this Christmas?

–Carol Fike, National Young Adult Conference Coordinator and Assistant Christian Citizenship Seminar Coordinator

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent devotional written by David W. Miller. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, David’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.