Category: Examen
Devotion after Election
Centering . . .
The idea awareness cycle
Ignorance—We’re too busy doing our jobs to notice that.
Dismissal—That? It’s trivial. Kids.
Nervousness—Let’s take a look at what they’re up to, benchmark it, buy a research report… Bob, can you handle this?
Poor Copies—See, I told you it was no big deal. Our new model is almost the same.
Admiration—Wow, look at them go. Every once in awhile, someone comes up with something special. Good for them.
Special case—Of course, this won’t effect our core business. It’s working really well here because that’s unique.
Superman—Holy smokes. Who is this guy?
Catastrophe/Doomsday—Run for your lives. It’s over. Over forever and ever.
Repeat
[Seth Godin, “The Idea Awareness Cycle.” Nov 1, 2016.]
Ponder . . .
Oh great God give us rest
We’re all worn thin from all of this
At the end of our hope with nothing left
Oh great God give us rest
Oh great God do your best
Have you seen this place it’s all a mess
And I’ve done my part too well I ‘fess.
Oh great God do your best
Could you take a song and make it thine
From a crooked heart twisted up like mine
Would you open up Heaven’s glory light
Shine on in and give these dead bones life
Oh shine on in and give these dead bones life
Let it shine, let it shine
On and on, on and on, come to life
[David Crowder Band, A Requiem Mass in C (the Happiest of All Keys): “Oh Great God, Give Us Rest.” sixsteps. January 2012.] Click here to listen.
Remember . . .
By the mercies of God, present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.
If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’
No, ‘if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:1-2, 14-20
Devotion
Centering . . .
What do you get when you cross a joke with a rhetorical question?
[A Prairie Home Companion, “Joke Show.” November 1, 2014]
Ponder . . .
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson decide to go on a camping trip. After dinner and a bottle of wine, they lay down for the night, and go to sleep.
Some hours later, Holmes awoke and nudged his faithful friend.
“Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see.”
Watson replied, “I see millions of stars.”
“What does that tell you?”
Watson pondered for a minute.
“Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets.”
“Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo.”
“Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three.”
“Theologically, I can see that God is all powerful and that we are small and insignificant.”
“Meteorologically, I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow.”
“What does it tell you, Holmes?”
Holmes was silent for a minute, then spoke: “Watson, you idiot. Someone has stolen our tent!”
[Thomas Cathcart, GoodReads, “Quotes About Sherlock.” http://www.goodreads.com/
Remember . . .
Gracious Lord, we dream of a world free of poverty and oppression, and we yearn for a world free of vengeance and violence. And we pray for Your peace. When our hearts ached for the victims of war and oppression, help us to remember that You healed people simply by touching them. Give us faith in our ability to comfort and heal bodies and minds and spirits that have been broken by violence.
When the injustice of this world seems too much for us to handle, help us remember that Jesus fed five thousand with only five loaves of bread and two fish. Give us hope that what we have to offer will turn out to be enough too.
When fear of the power and opinions of others tempts us not to speak up for the least among us, help us remember that Jesus dared to turn over the tables of moneychangers. Give us the courage to risk following Jesus without counting the cost.
When we feel ourselves fill with anger at those who are violent and oppressive, help us remember that Jesus prayed for those who killed him. Give us compassion for our enemies too.
Give us the miracle of losing a little more of ourselves in serving You, O God, and our neighbors.
Walk with us, Lord, as we answer Your call to be peacemakers. Increase our compassion, our generosity, and our hospitality. Give us the courage, the patience, the serenity, the self-honesty, and the gentleness of spirit that are needed in a world filled with turmoil and terror. Amen.