Lent daybook, 33: I love the Lord

My Lent daybook for these 40 days of prayer. Join me, won't you? (see previous Lent daybook 2016 posts here)

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look

Mary's Gift

Daniel Bonnell

source

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John 12:1-8

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said,

"Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?" (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.)

Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial.You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me."

all readings for the day: 

Isaiah 43:16-21 • 

Psalm 126 • 

Philippians 3:4b-14 • 

John 12:1-8

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pray

Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (source)

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listen

I Love the Lord by Page CXVI

( I invite you to listen with me to my ever-evolving Lent playlist & Lent Spirituals playlist )

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do

Almsgiving is a traditional Lenten practice. Today pray that the Lord would show you his face in the most distressing of your neighbors, and lead you to ways that you can show compassionate mercy. (source)

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(see all Lent daybook posts from 2015 here)

12/21 Advent daybook, 23: He picks up the poor from out of the dirt

My Advent daybook for these 24 days of waiting. Join me, won't you? (see previous Advent daybook 2015 posts here)

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A young boy takes a break from his work in this dump collecting scraps to hold his baby sister (Guatemala)
Glen Cooper
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Psalm 113: Who can compare with GOD, our God, so majestically enthroned, surveying his magnificent heavens and earth? He picks up the poor from out of the dirt, rescues the wretched who've been thrown out with the trash, seats them among the honored guests, a place of honor among the brightest and best. 

all readings for the day:  Psalm 113; Isaiah 42:14-21; Luke 1:5-25

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pray

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (source)

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listen

Canticle of the Turning

Buddy Greene

(Also, feel free to listen with me to my ever-evolving Advent playlist or a growing Advent Orchestral/Choral playlist on Spotify.)

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watch & give

Click here to visit Potter's House gift catalog to help Treasured men, women and children living in the Guatemala City dump communities receive a variety of good gifts (meals, education, micro enterprise training, and more).  We love Potter's House, and commend their work to you this Advent.

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(see all Advent daybook posts from 2014 here)

Advent daybook, 18: What you lost will be found

My Advent daybook for these 24 days of waiting. Join me, won't you? (see previous Advent daybook 2015 posts here)

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"Thank you for being a light..."
~ A message of gratitude for the community from a local survivor of trafficking.
source: Allies Against Slavery 

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Micah 4:8-13: What you lost in Jerusalem will be found in Babylon. GOD will give you new life again. He'll redeem you from your enemies.

all readings for the day:  Isaiah 11:1-9; Micah 4:8-13; Luke 7:31-35

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pray

O God of the exiles and the lost, you promise restoration and wholeness through the power of Jesus Christ. Give us faith to live joyfully, sustained by your promises as we eagerly await the day when they will be fulfilled for all the world to see, through the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen. (source)

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listen

May You Find A Light

The Brilliance

(Also, feel free to listen with me to my ever-evolving Advent playlist or a growing Advent Orchestral/Choral playlist on Spotify.)

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watch & give

Allies Against Slavery 2015 campaign

This Christmas, give a gift that helps survivors reconnect with their inherent power and worth through transformative experiences and life-giving relationships. 

Check this link to donate to Allies' #SURVIVORSTRONG15 campaign.

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(see all Advent daybook posts from 2014 here)

12/14 Advent daybook, 16: a little child shall lead them

My Advent daybook for these 24 days of waiting. Join me, won't you? (see previous Advent daybook 2015 posts here)

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look

Newborn baby found in nativity manger in New York City church, 2015
source

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Isaiah 11:1-9: The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them.  

all readings for the day: Isaiah 11:1-9; Numbers 16:1-19; Hebrews 13:7-17

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pray

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever.  Amen. (source)

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listen

Joy to the World

Eef Barzelay

(Also, feel free to listen with me to my ever-evolving Advent playlist or a growing Advent Orchestral/Choral playlist on Spotify.)

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do

spend some time with children today

Check this link to donate to Mission:Possible Austin !!

(We're particularly passionate about their Project Intercept program for East Austin's at-risk children).

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(see all Advent daybook posts from 2014 here)

12/13 Sunday Advent daybook, 15: I will bring you home

My Advent daybook for these 24 days of waiting. Join me, won't you? (see previous Advent daybook 2015 posts here)

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Community First Village in Austin, TX
a 27-acre master-planned community to provide dignified work and affordable housing for Austin's chronically homeless
source
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watch

(Also: Watch Part 1 & Part 2)

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Zephaniah 3:14-20:  At that time I will bring you home, at the time when I gather you; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says the LORD. 

all readings for the day:  Zephaniah 3:14-20  •  Isaiah 12:2-6  • Philippians 4:4-7  • Luke 3:7-18

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pray

God of hope, you call us home from the exile of selfish oppression to the freedom of justice, the balm of healing, and the joy of sharing. Make us strong to join you in your holy work, as friends of strangers and victims, companions of those whom others shun, and as the happiness of those whose hearts are broken. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (source)

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listen

Carry Me Home

Hey Rosetta!

(Also, feel free to listen with me to my ever-evolving Advent playlist or a growing Advent Orchestral/Choral playlist on Spotify.)

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do

Click here to see Christmas gift wish lists for some of the Community First! Village residents.  Sign up for a gift and check details for delivery by December 15th.  

Check this link for many other ways to give gifts of time and money to Mobile Loaves & Fishes and Community First! Village.

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(see all Advent daybook posts from 2014 here)

12/9 Advent daybook, 11: then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy

My Advent daybook for these 24 days of waiting. Join me, won't you? (see previous Advent daybook 2015 posts here)

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look

Disabilities don't stop Kenyan dancers
source

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read

Isaiah 35:3-7 / Luke 7:18-30: Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. / And he answered them, "Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.

all readings for the day: Psalm 126; Isaiah 35:3-7; Luke 7:18-30

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pray 

Out of the embrace of mercy and righteousness, you have brought forth joy and dignity for your people, O Holy One of Israel. Remember now your ancient promise: make straight the paths that lead to you, and smooth the rough ways, that in our day we might bright forth your compassion for all humanity. Amen. (source)

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listen

Canticle of the Turning

Emmaus Way  

Read all the lyrics here

(Also, feel free to listen with me to my ever-evolving Advent playlist or a growing Advent Orchestral/Choral playlist on Spotify.)

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do

Eat a simple meal with gratitude today.

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(see all Advent daybook posts from 2014 here)