Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Begin where you are.


"Where are you to begin? Begin where you are.
Make that one corner, room, house, office,
as like heaven as you can.
Begin?
Begin with the paper on the walls, make that beautiful...
Abolish whatsoever makes a lie-
in conversation, in social intercourse,
in correspondence, in domestic life.
This done, you have arranged for a heaven,
but you have not got it.
Heaven lies within:
in kindness, in humbleness, in unselfishness, in faith, in love, in service.
To get these in, get Christ in.
Teach all in the house about Christ-
what He did, and what He said, and how He lived.
Teach it not as a doctrine, but as a discovery, as your own discovery.
Live your own discovery.
Then pass out into the city.
Do all to it that you have done at home."

-Henry Drummond,
from the July 10 Finan reading

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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.