Devotion

Each week the staff I serve alongside meet for a short time of “devotion.”  We each bring our own insight and thought as we take turns leading.  I’ve begun publishing a Wednesday devotion to some of the ministers I serve alongside and wanted to publish it here as well.  This is what I sent last week.

As we move toward Lent some consider it a time of wilderness journey or following Jesus as he makes his way to Jerusalem during his public ministry.  This old, old, hymn sets a good pace for Lent and our daily practice of Christian faith.

Just a Closer Walk with Thee
anonymous /unknown

I am weak, but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Refrain:
Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

Through this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.

Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

When my feeble life is o’er,
Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o’er
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.

Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

I created a short video for this old favorite.  My thanks to my friend Adam for sending me the music that was a live performance at the memorial service for one of our TCU Religion professors, Dr. Daryl Schmidt. You can watch it here: http://vimeo.com/54668299

As we move toward Lent and discover what wholeness can mean in our fragmented world this year, meditating on the prayer attributed to St Francis may enlighten our journey, our walk with Jesus of Nazareth, and the good news of God that can be shared.

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is error, truth;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.