Thursday, August 23, 2012

Strong and lovely.


"I remember my father said when the two of them first came home,
they found the roof of the church in such disrepair
that there were buckets and pans set in the aisle and on the benches.

He said the women had planted climbing roses against the building and along the fence,
so it looked prettier than it had ever looked before.
Prairie had come into the fields and the orchards again,
and there were sunflowers growing in the roads between the ruts.
The women had their prayer meetings and their Bible studies
even though the church was falling into ruin around them.

I think about that, and it is strong and lovely in my mind.

I truly believe it is waste and ingratitude not to honor such things as visions,
whether you yourself happen to have seen them or not."

-from Gilead

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Human Needs Global Resources Covenant, 2009

As fellow travelers on this journey, we commit to this covenant before God. Lord, in Your mercy, hear these our prayers:

When confronted with scarcity, need, and inadequacy, may we be nourished by the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation. Abundance overflows from Your table, sustaining all who come in faith. Father, help us.

When monotony blurs our vision and dulls our senses, may we encounter others as Christ did, through intentional presence in daily life, submitting as clay to be formed into vessels filled with the Spirit. Christ, guide us.

When wounded by the fractured condition of Your people, may we be united by Your Lordship in faith, hope, and love; seeing, as through the facets of a diamond, the beautiful spectrum of Your light reflected onto Your holy Church joined in praise. Spirit, empower us.

When all Creation groans, afflicted by injustice and driven to despair, may the promise of redemption root us in the hope of Your Kingdom: "Behold, I am making all things new!"

Holy Trinity, send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve You with gladness and singleness of heart.

Amen.