loved by God, day 7

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

Opening Prayer:
I feel your love as you hold me to your sacred heart, my beloved Jesus, my God, my Master, but I feel, too, the need I have of your tenderness, and your caress because of my infinite weakness.
                                                                                ~Charles de Foucauld

Psalm for the Week: Psalm 36

Scripture for the Day: Lamentations 3:19-24

Reading for Reflection:

Living in an awareness of our belovedness is the axis around which the Christian life revolves.  Being loved is our identity, the core of our existence. (The Rabbi’s Heartbeat  by Brennan Manning)

It is the voice of the Spirit within us that reminds us that we, too are the Beloved.  If we listen closely, we will hear these words of love.  (Embracing the Love of God by James Bryan Smith)

I had no idea that God's love was extravagant and irresistible.  I had no idea the God of the universe loved me with no conditions, no addenda to the contract, no fine print.  I had no idea God was passionate about me!  His passion for me, His love for me, makes me want to love like Him.  (Dangerous Wonder by Mike Yaconelli)


Reflection and Listening: silent and written

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself

Song for the Week: Jesus Lover of My Soul

Jesus, lover of my soul,
let me to thy bosom fly,
while the nearer waters roll,
while the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Savior, hide,
till the storm of life is past;
safe into the haven guide;
O receive my soul at last.

Other refuge have I none,
hangs my helpless soul on thee;
leave, ah! leave me not alone,
still support and comfort me.
All my trust on thee is stayed,
all my help from thee I bring;
cover my defenseless head
with the shadow of thy wing.

Thou, O Christ, art all I want,
more than all in thee I find;
raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is thy name,
I am all unrighteousness;
false and full of sin I am;
thou art full of truth and grace.

Plenteous grace with thee is found,
grace to cover all my sin;
let the healing streams abound,
make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art,
freely let me take of thee;
spring thou up within my heart;
rise to all eternity


Closing Prayer:
O Thou who ordered this wondrous world, and who knowest all things in earth and heaven:  So fill our hearts with trust in thee that by night and day, at all times and in all seasons, we may without fear commit all that we have and hope to be to thy never-failing love, for this life and the life to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. (The Book of Worship)