story, day 3

Come to Stillness: Take a few minutes to allow your mind and heart to be still before God.

Opening Prayer:
Dear Jesus,
     Speak to me during this day about the story you are telling, the story I was made for.  Open my eyes, Lord, to the ways that story is being lived out in the events and circumstances of this day.  Show me how all that happens to me this day echoes Your larger Story if only I will keep my heart focused on you.  In your name I pray.  Amen. (JLB)

Psalm for the Week: Psalm 107

Scripture for the Day: Luke 7:36-50

Reading for Reflection:

The rabbis guide their people with stories; ministers usually guide with ideas and theories.  We need to become storytellers again, and so to multiply our ministry by calling around us the great witnesses who in different ways offer guidance to doubting hearts.
     One of the remarkable qualities of the story is that it creates space.  We can dwell in a story, walk around, find our own place.  The story confronts but does not oppress; the story inspires but does not manipulate.  The story invites us to an encounter, a dialog, a mutual sharing.
     A story that guides is a story that opens a door and offers space in which to search and boundaries to help us find what we seek, but it does not tell us what to do or how to do it.  The story brings us into touch with the vision and so guides us.  Weisel writes, "God made man because he loves stories."  As long as we have stories to tell to each other there is hope. (The Living Reminder by Henri J. M. Nouwen)

Reflection and Listening: silent and written

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself

Song for the Week: Step By Step

O God, you are my God

And I will ever praise you

O God, you are my God

And I will ever praise you

I will seek you in the morning

And learn to walk in your ways

And step by step you’ll lead me

And I will follow you all of my days

And I will follow you all of my days,

Yes I will follow you all of my days

And step by step you’ll lead me

And I will follow you all of my days

 
Closing Prayer:
Father, write yourself upon my heart and life—that I may be an open book about you, so that others might read of your unending love on every page.  In the name of Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.  Amen. (JLB)