24th. September. 2021. Daily Devotion.

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Colossians 1:15-20.

It is a pleasure to bring once again excerpts from A Candle in the Window by Peter Millar

Words to encourage us all in these times.

• Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know! Prema Chodran
• The New Testament includes a hope-filled vision of the whole universe pervaded with divine promise. Elizabeth Johnson.
• Remember the great value of silence. Within each day there must be time for silence. There must be time within which we neither speak nor listen, but simply are. From the Benedictine tradition.

The joyful mind: (Words of wisdom from Richard Rohr)
I invite you to practice living daily with a joyful mind. What might a “joyful mind” be? Here are some suggestions:
When your mind does not need to be always right.
When you no longer need to compare yourself with others.
When your mind can be creative but without needing to tell others.
When you can live in contentment with whatever the moment offers.
When you follow the intelligent lead of your heart.
When your mind is curious and interested, not suspicious and interrogating.
When your mind does not brood over imagined injustices.
When your mind does not need the future to be better than today.
When your mind can accept yourself as you are, warts and all.
When your mind can wait, listen and learn.
When your mind can live satisfied without resolution or closure.
When you can find God in all things.
20th September 2021 ionacottage@hotmail.com.

For a Christian Life
O Christ, you came so that we might have life, and have it more abundantly,
grant me, throughout this day, power in my love, strength in my humility, purity in my zeal, kindness in my laughter, and your peace in my heart at all times.
Amen. J. L. Cowie

Meditation
“Christianity is not a theology test. It’s a love test.” ~ Oliver Thomas

We Belong to Each Other.
We Belong to You. The Bible says, “where two or three are gathered.” And many, in this moment, will gather no closer than six feet. The Bible says, “they were all gathered together in one place.” And we do not know when we will be together next. Triune God, you exist in eternal relationship. You are One and yet are three. In a time of isolation, draw us closer to this mystery. May it remind us of your truth: even in physical isolation, we are never truly alone. Your love links us together, making us a people. For the Bible also says: We belong to each other. We belong to you. Even now. Especially now. Amen. ~ B Wiebe,