Message of the Day from Rev. Mary White
Good Day and Blessings,
Do you see the beauty, the beauty in the natural world? The colour of the leaves have fallen, turned to rust on the ground, and left the trees looking like gray limbs hanging without cover. This is a time for the evergreens to stand in that prominent position of splendour. They have a job to do protecting the birds who don’t fly south, squirrels and other animals from fluctuations in the climate.
We know the sun is out there, but the clouds take over and seem to move in more often. They form pictures in the sky, telling us stories that change throughout the day. And frequently, we experience the letting go of the their heaviness that brings much needed liquid to the earth. Then, the sky transforms most evening to colourful designs that leave us in awe. And our Spirit rises in appreciation of all the beauty that surrounds us.
PSALM 19 (TLB) • READING
The heavens are telling the magnificence of the Creator; they are a marvelous display of craftsmanship. Day and night they keep on telling about God. Without a sound or word, silent in the skies, their message reaches out to all the world. The sun lives in the heavens where God placed it and moves out across the skies as radiant as a bridegroom going to his wedding, or as joyous as an athlete looking forward to a race! The sun crosses the heavens from end to end, and nothing can hide from its heat.
God’s laws are perfect. They protect us, make us wise, and give us joy and light. The laws are pure, eternal, just. They are more desirable than gold. They are sweeter than honey dripping from a honeycomb. For they warn us away from harm and give success to those who obey them. But how can I ever know what evils are lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. And keep me from deliberate wrongs; help me to stop doing them. Only then can I be free of guilt and innocent of some great crime. May my spoken words and unspoken thoughts be pleasing even to You, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Poem ~ Commitment
– Kathy Galloway, excerpt from: Neil Paynter’s “This is the Day.”
The sky does it simply,
naturally day by day by day
the sun does it joyfully
like someone in love
like a runner on the starting line
the sky, the sun,
they just can’t help themselves
no loud voices, no grand speeches
but everyone sees and is happy with them.
Make us like that,
so that our faith is not in our words
but in our lives
not in what we say, but in who we are
passing on your love like an infectious laugh:
not worried, not threatening, just shining
like the sun, like a starry night,
like a lamp on a stand,
light for life –
your light for our lives.
Prayer of the Day
Guiding Light
Eternally you are a Light along our life path and joy is given as we observe Your blessed gifts of a world full of creation.
When our self-talk tells us we are not worthy, keep us in your loving secure embrace, and remind us that we are made in your image. In our time of self-reflection move our hearts to bring hope and support to those living in fear of an unknown future.
Reach into our hiding place and shake our spirit to act against the injustices we know are happening in our communities and our world.
We pray these prayers in the Light of the One who is a constant pleasing presence.
And So Be It.
Amen