I Thirst

FOR WHAT DO WE THIRST? Theologian and humanitarian Jean Vanier points out that to be thirsty in biblical language is to be “dried up inside,” “to feel totally empty and in anguish.” To be thirsty is to long for love, acceptance, and affirmation. In other words, it is to thirst for a heart-to-heart connection with the living and loving God.

—Trevor Hudson
Pauses for Lent: 40 Words for 40 Days

https://daily.upperroom.org/?p=8070&utm_source=The+Upper+Room+%E2%80%94+Engage+With+Us&utm_campaign=d3e7c4ab49-RSS_DailyReflections&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0542d9a4cf-d3e7c4ab49-204500381

Upper Room

Let Christ Be Born in You ________ Today’s Reflection LET CHRIST be born in you! Let hope be born, Let love be born. Let newness of heart be born in you! Let gentleness be born, Let truth be born. Let concern for the poor be born in you! Let generosity be born, Let compassion be born. Let close communion with God be born in you! Let prayer be born, Let action be born. Let the faith to take up your cross and follow be born in you! And let it lead you in the ways of our Lord, For the sake of our Lord. Now and always. Amen. – Alive Now

What Jesus Did!: 'The Spirit's Power to Forgive' — John 20:22-23

What Jesus Did!: 'The Spirit's Power to Forgive' — John 20:22-23

Mother Who Lost Newborn in Terror Attack: ‘I Will Bring Many More Babies into this World’

Mother Who Lost Newborn in Terror Attack: ‘I Will Bring Many More Babies into this World’

What Jesus Did!: 'From Peace to Passion' — John 20:21

What Jesus Did!: 'From Peace to Passion' — John 20:21

World News , editor ShariRose

World News , editor ShariRose

Pray Without Ceasing

Today’s Reflection

PAUL SPEAKS OF praying “without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
It is not as hard as it sounds, really. You merely learn to be aware of God’s presence with you all the time, whatever you are doing.
A friend who commutes to work says that he sits and communes with God every time he stops at a traffic light. You can do it every time you open the refrigerator. Or when you brush your teeth.
The point is simply to turn your thoughts toward God at many specific times each day.
One way to do this is to practice remembering God when you are performing one specific action all week. When you are making the bed, for instance. Or setting the table. Or checking your mail. Or walking to school. Then, for the next week, pick another action.

– John Killinger
Beginning Prayer

The Sacred Intersection

Today’s Reflection

IT’S EASY TO MAKE a narcissistic career out of spiritual growth. After all, theology is fascianating. Kindred spirits are usually wonderful folks to be with; retreats are relaxing; books are compelling.

However, the beautiful process of spiritual growth moves in a cycle of blessing that doesn’t stop with me, mine, and my development. It moves outward in a dynamic flow.

As lofty as that sounds, we know from experience that sometimes decisions about where to invest our time, money, and energy can vex and overwhelm us. Ideally, our inner work energizes our outer work, and we become less attached to what others think, what they expect of us, and whether they approve of us. We become less chameleon-like in allowing others to dictate and define who we are.

Our decisions about intentional service need to emerge from a thoughtful, reflective place where we weigh the needs around us and see where they intersect with our gifts, graces, and passions. That sacred intersection points to our place of service at any given time.

– Linda Douty
Rhythms of Growth

The Gospel of John (2003 Full Movie) [HD]

Fireworks with Patriotic Music Soundtrack by U.S. Military Bands

Born on the Fourth of July (1/9) Movie CLIP - Ron Is Shot (1989) HD

You Never Let Go - Matt Redman (with lyrics)

Attitude of Gratitude in Any Circumstances

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.
 Enter His gates with thanksgiving, And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name.

The Spirit and Art of Conflict Transformation

LISTENING IS AN ART, a spiritual practice. … Listening speaks to one of our deepest needs, to be understood or feel understood. Yes, we might like people to agree with us, take our side, but it is a great gift when we feel that the person understands us, even if the person does not agree with us. … Listening acknowledges and honors the other’s uniqueness with his or her own stories and truths. We each need to tell our story, and we each need to hear the other’s story. Being listened to provides the opening we need to tell our stories, to express feelings and ideas we would otherwise be afraid to voice.

~Thomas Porter

November , 3o Days of Thanksgiving

 Day 13: I a thankful to share Jesus
                                                                                                                       PRAISE DIFFERS FROM thanksgiving, which is offered for a specific reason or a particular gift. Praise does not depend on any single deed or gift of God. It is a prayer, chorus, or hymn directed to God out of endless wonder from our endless discovery of who God is.
Praise goes beyond thanksgiving to express our amazement at God’s concern for us that exceeds our expectation, merit, or imagination. Thus, praising God begins in surprise. God provides more. God is more than we had hoped or dared to imagine.
Offer a prayer of praise today for God’s surprising goodness in your life.

–
Disciplines 2015

From page 166 of The Upper Room Disciplines 2015: A Book of Daily Devotions

Black Hawk Down

The film takes place in 1993 when the U.S. sent special forces into Somalia to destabilize the government and bring food and humanitarian aid to the starving population. Using Black Hawk helicopters to lower the soldiers onto the ground, an unexpected attack by Somalian forces brings two of the helicopters down immediately. From there, the U.S. soldiers must struggle to regain their balance while enduring heavy gunfire

https://youtu.be/_Ygi2lDAdLo 

Freedom Is Not Free

https://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/ 

Pray for our military , families, and Allies

Morning and Evening Meditations

GRANT ME GRACE this day
to rest and remember
that there is nothing I have to do,
nothing I have to buy or sell,
nothing I have to produce or consume
in order to become who I already am:
your beloved creation.
May your overworked creation
and those who cannot rest today
come to know the liberation of your sabbath.

~Sam Hamilton-Poore
Earth Gospel: A Guide to Prayer for God’s Creation 

Amazing Grace Lyrics

Amazing Grace Lyrics