MY Peace I Give (John 14:27)

“MY Peace I give” …

the words are offered

as the peace

is given.

Only he

fully understands

what he has said.

“MY Peace I give to you.

MY Peace.

From Abba 

through me

to you,”

he whispers.

Hearts race

at the very thought

of this mysterious gift.

O Giver of Peace,

when an ounce

of faith

slips out from

broken-apart hearts,

you give your peace.

When you send us out

into uncertainties

with words to carry

of your Great Love,

you give your peace.

You lead us 

to the waters

of Shalom

and remind us

once more …

“MY Peace I give to you.

MY Peace.

From Abba 

through me

to you.”

Only you
 fully understand
yet it is ours
to fully receive.

"Kingdom Words ... Kingdom Work" (ponderings on John 13:31-35)

He stands by our shorelines

and beckons, “Follow me” ….

nets are dropped,

first faith-steps are taken,

healings and teachings begin.

We sit in his presence

and whisper, “Lord, teach us” ….

we are taught to pray,

we are taught to live,

we are taught to forgive.

He proclaims, “I AM” …

the hungry hear “Bread of Life”,

the thirsty hear “Living Water”,

the lost hear “Good Shepherd.”

He utters, “It is finished” …

love flows from a cross 

and out from an empty tomb.

He looks our way

and we hear, “Go and tell others.”

He asks, “Do you love me?” ….

and waits for an answer.

He says, “Feed my lambs;

tend my sheep”

and hands us

his own servant’s towel.

Through his words,

he places upon us

his very reflection to wear …

“I give you a new commandment”, 

“just as I have loved you”,

“love one another”

 and “everyone will know

 you are my disciples.”

In his kingdom words,

in this new commandment

to love others

as he has loved us,

we become part

of kingdom work on earth.

THY KINGDOM COME …

THY WILL BE DONE

ON EARTH

 AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.

The Verbs of God for the People of God (ponderings on Psalm 23)

Our verbs are often

so weak, O God.

Lower case and weak 

and wayward ...

bleating and

baa’ing and

wandering 

as we are

so apt to do.

But oh, how precious

to us are the verbs

of our Shepherd!

Upper case and strong

and loving! 

LEADS,

RESTORES, 

GUIDES,

COMFORTS,

PREPARES,

ANOINTS!

Yes, how precious to us

are your verbs, O God.

How sweet it is

to hear the voice 

of our Shepherd.

How beautiful it is,

this perfect melody

of our own psalm,

so lovingly composed

by you.

A Prayer for Pastors and Other Servants (which means each of us!)

Ever before me are these written words … "There is a mysterious connection between the hand that writes, the mind that thinks and the heart that sees." This was offered to me years ago by a
Cuban-refugee-turned-UMC-pastor (Rev. Alberto Rodriguez). Also, written under those words is Deuteronomy 30:14   "... the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to
observe."  And written inside of my Bible are the words, “Read daily for Grace, Guidance and Strength.”

I am a word person … a visual person. I want to be reminded of these things often and I pray that it might be so in my days.  But I also know that in your own ways, you are as well for you have been called to the Word and you pray that you might also "see".

"Oh God, open your servants' eyes and hearts to see you in their surroundings ... in fields and in cities, in crowds and alone, among the hungry and among the filled, in the quiet and in the noise, in your Word and in the world. Be with my friends as they step into their week.  Place within all a renewed desire to share what is seen.  Amen."

Prayers for each of you this day as you recognize that the word is very near to you.

Good Morning! Welcome to Breakfast!

This morning, we find ourselves with the disciples, with the warmth of the bonfire on our faces. We smell the aroma of bread and fish as we are welcomed to breakfast.

Yes, we have remembered our own goof-ups and misspoken words and suddenly realize that Jesus loves us through them, time and time again.  We have remembered denials and omissions, and have sensed this breakfast prepared on the edge of what is comfortable and familiar and safe to us (as it was to Peter) is Jesus' way of pursuing us in spite of such things.  We have heard, "Feed my lambs.  Tend my sheep. Feed my sheep" and "Do you love me?” and the tears have flowed.  After Jesus loving Peter (and us) through goof-ups, after pursuing Peter (and us) through denials and omissions, after raising a shamed head at a sunrise breakfast invitation and at the very place where Peter (and we) find it easy to climb back into a comfortable, safe and familiar box (or boat), Jesus gives great affirmation to what Peter is called to do as a disciple on earth … and gives great affirmation to us as well.   “Feed my lambs.  Tend my sheep.  Feed my sheep.”

Good morning!  Welcome to breakfast as Christ prepares it!


(Note:  The picture is that of my Great Grandfather Edgar Tuck Lazenby, Sr. and his sheep)

Breakfast Around a Bonfire

(Lectionary Scriptures for week / John 21:1-19)

When we put up our

“Gone Fishing” sign, 

you meet us

at the lakeshore

and point to

the school of fish.

When we can see only

a bonfire that flickers

with shameful memories,

you invite us

to join you for breakfast

around a new bonfire.

You raise our heads

and our hopes,

O Risen One,

so that our faces

might reflect

your Light.

When our last memories

of eye contact with you

are those of omission 

and denial,

you ask us to look

into your eyes

once more …

and there we see

love and forgiveness.

When we hunger

to be the disciples 

you have called us to be,

you hand us 

bread and fish

and affirm our calling.

And when we stammer

and struggle

with words of love

for you,

you help us

find the words.

O Resurrected One,

thank you 

for this breakfast

around a bonfire.

Amen.

©2016    anna murdock