Epiphany, week 4: promises to all nations, hope to all peoples

My Epiphany daybook for these 5 weeks of witness. Join me, won't you? 

(Read here for a brief description of the liturgical season of Epiphany. See previous Epiphany daybook 2016 posts here)

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look

The World
Paula Scher
source

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Jeremiah 1:8-10 / Luke 4:24-28:  Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD." Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the LORD said to me, "Now I have put my word in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over the nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and pull down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant." / And he said, "Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet's hometown. But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian." When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage.

all readings for the day: Jeremiah 1:4-10  • Psalm 71:1-6  • 1 Corinthians 13:1-13  • Luke 4:21-30

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pray 

Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (source)
O God, you spoke your word and revealed your good news in Jesus, the Christ. Fill all creation with that word again, so that by proclaiming your joyful promises to all nations and singing of your glorious hope to all peoples, we may become one living body, your incarnate presence on the earth. Amen. (source)

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listen

Epiphany 2016/4 playlist

(Also, feel free to listen with me to my ever-evolving Epiphany playlist.)

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do

This week, find a resource to help grow your understanding of God's plan for all nations to worship him.  The following resources have become invaluable for Brian and me as we pray for His "kingdom come and will be done on earth as it is in heaven."  

Operation World: the definitive prayer guide for every nation 

Join people from every nation, praying for people in every nation, sign up now and pray that the glory of God would fill the earth! You will receive daily prayer reminders for a different country or need somewhere in the world. 

Joshua Project: praying for unreached people groups. 

Subscribe to pray for an unreached people group every day.

Perspectives on the World Christian Movement: be a part of God's plan for Him to be loved by every people 

Find a class near you.

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A few reasonable words to start your weekend conversations. 01

Happy weekend, all! We're headed to a retreat center with a small band of people, and with lots of ideas about quietly befriending the lonely. (I'll also get to walk that labyrinth in my header photo again.^^^ ) What are your plans?  

Here's some food for thought for the conversations you have this weekend over brunch, at the kids' ball practice or on a little road trip. And if you and I happen to bump into each other in the next couple of days, I'd love to hear what you think after these reads! (or, you could always leave me a comment below!)

• from the archives:  Six years ago this week, Brian visited a small village in West Africa that changed our perspective on God and the Church forever.  Here's the post I share excerpts from a few of his breathless emails.

• A quietly stunning piece of culture-making and hospitality into grief: That Dragon Cancer, and finding grace in grief via Think Christian 

• A question to ponder:  "But how can I write about any of this, how can I try and truss up the life we live half on purpose half by necessity? How do I explain how spare and unique this post-white-flight in-between city is? What the new face of poverty in America looks like, spread-out and scattered and lonely?" via D. L. Mayfield

• 51 Of The Most Beautiful Sentences In Literature  Which is your favorite? What would you add? (full disclosure: I am terrible at remembering exact words of anything.  My kids and husband can pull quotes from every sort of movie, tv show, song, book out of thin air.  If you try to start this conversation with me about your favorite literary sentences, and you happen to ask mine I will probably respond something like this: "OH!  What was it?  It was so powerful, but understated and it made me feel a bit nostalgic.  It's in that book by that guy with the Swedish name.  I think there's a horse on the cover?"  This, friends, is why I blog.)

• And I quote: "I think that those who find Pinterest useless are using it all wrong." Just another reason I love this blog.  Also, read helpful ideas for a reasonably organized life. via Like Mother, Like Daughter

• Have you missed your life calling? Probably not. My friend Katie Fox wrote a beautiful essay on the subject of calling. She and I have had several conversations about this, as we encourage and commiserate with each other along the way. I could not agree more wholeheartedly with her very real and still hopeful conclusions. via The Art of Simple 

* For those wishing to embark on robust conversations about the intersection of feminist principles and pro-life convictions: Roe won the day, and sooner or later that day will end.  via Frederica Mathewes-Green at The National Review

If you're looking for a happy playlist to kick off your weekend morning, may I suggest my Morning playlist on Spotify?  What songs do you think I should add? 

12/22 Advent daybook, 24: neither shall they learn war anymore

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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Christmas in an Iraqi refugee camp, 2014

source

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Micah 4:1-5: He shall judge between many peoples, and shall decide for strong nations far away; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore

all readings for the day:  Luke 1:46b-55; Micah 4:1-5; Ephesians 2:11-22

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pray 

Lord Jesus Christ our Refuge and Deliverer, Who as a child sought refuge in Egypt while fleeing from those who would persecute and harm You. Remember those today who must flee in the same manner, and find themselves in foreign and strange lands, granting them your Presence, your protection, and your provision. Illuminate us to be a shining light upon a hill amidst the dark evil in our world, that we may do our part with hospitality and resources, and that all who are refugees might be led to the brightness of Your redemptive love made present by Your glorious Incarnation, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen. (A call to prayer for refugees from Anglican Church in North America's Archbishop Foley Beach: source)

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listen

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

Benedictines of Mary

(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

enjoy warm drinks with friends
cranberry mulled cider via

Read this poem: Prayer at Winter Solstice

Blessed is the road that keeps us homeless. 

Blessed is the mountain that blocks our way.

Blessed are hunger and thirst, loneliness and all forms of desire. 

Blessed is the labor that exhausts us without end.

Blessed are the night and the darkness that blinds us. 

Blessed is the cold that teaches us to feel.

Blessed are the cat, the child, the cricket, and the crow. 

Blessed is the hawk devouring the hare.

Blessed are the saint and the sinner who redeem each other. 

Blessed are the dead, calm in their perfection.

Blessed is the pain that humbles us. 

Blessed is the distance that bars our joy.

Blessed is this shortest day that makes us long for light. 

Blessed is the love that in losing we discover. (Dana Gioia)

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(see all Advent daybook posts from 2014 here)

12/7 Advent daybook, 9: come home with shouts of 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

Hannukah in Jerusalem, 2014
source

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read

Psalm 126: Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negeb! Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

all readings for the day: Psalm 126; Isaiah 40:1-11; Romans 8:22-25

Also: Global Anglican prayer focused on Jerusalem, 2015 

(via Anglican Communion News Service)

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pray

Litany for Peace in the Holy Land

O Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
Have mercy upon us.

O Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
Have mercy upon us.

O Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
Grant us your peace.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the birth in Bethlehem of the Word made flesh, your Son, Jesus Christ; who dwelt among us full of grace and truth.

For your love and your goodness
We give you thanks, O God

We thank you for his life; his death here in Jerusalem as he carried our sins and suffering, and for his glorious Resurrection in which he gave us new life with him.

For your love and your goodness
We give you thanks, O God

We thank you for entrusting to us the ministry of forgiveness, reconciliation and peace-making for the healing of your creation.

For your love and your goodness
We give you thanks, O God

We pray for all victims of bloodshed, violence, and persecution. We especially pray for all in danger and those fleeing persecution in the Holy Land, and throughout the Middle East.

Lord, hear our prayer
And let our cry come unto you

We pray for all who grieve for those they have loved and lost as a result of violence, particularly those grieving in Palestine and Israel.

Lord, hear our prayer
And let our cry come unto you

We pray for the Holy Spirit to guide all leaders, especially on those who lead the peoples in the Land of the Holy One, the United Nations and upon all in authority, so Your people may seek ways of peace and justice.

Lord, hear our prayer
And let our cry come unto you

Heavenly Father, we praise and glorify you. You are our only refuge in a troubled world.

Lord, hear our prayer
And let our cry come unto you

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Let us pray.

Lord God Almighty, 
you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: 
Give to us and the people of all the nations a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance,
that all of your people may use their liberty in accordance with your gracious will; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (source)

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listen

Psalm 126

Bifrost Arts

(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

Get outside tonight to enjoy some lights.

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(see all Advent daybook posts from 2014 here)

Advent daybook, 4: Zion shall be redeemed by justice

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

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem with the Temple Mount's Dome of the Rock.
source

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read

Isaiah 1:24-31: Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city. Zion shall be redeemed by justice, and those in her who repent, by righteousness.

all readings for the day:  Psalm 90; Isaiah 1:24-31; Luke 11:29-32

Also read: Global Anglican prayer focused on Jerusalem, 2015 (via Anglican Communion News Service)

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pray

Litany for Peace in the Holy Land

O Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, 

Have mercy upon us.

O Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,

Have mercy upon us.

O Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,

Grant us your peace.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the birth in Bethlehem of the Word made flesh, your Son, Jesus Christ; who dwelt among us full of grace and truth.

For your love and your goodness

We give you thanks, O God

We thank you for his life; his death here in Jerusalem as he carried our sins and suffering, and for his glorious Resurrection in which he gave us new life with him.

For your love and your goodness

We give you thanks, O God

We thank you for entrusting to us the ministry of forgiveness, reconciliation and peace-making for the healing of your creation.

For your love and your goodness

We give you thanks, O God

We pray for all victims of bloodshed, violence, and persecution. We especially pray for all in danger and those fleeing persecution in the Holy Land, and throughout the Middle East.

Lord, hear our prayer

And let our cry come unto you

We pray for all who grieve for those they have loved and lost as a result of violence, particularly those grieving in Palestine and Israel.

Lord, hear our prayer

And let our cry come unto you

We pray for the Holy Spirit to guide all leaders, especially on those who lead the peoples in the Land of the Holy One, the United Nations and upon all in authority, so Your people may seek ways of peace and justice.

Lord, hear our prayer

And let our cry come unto you

Heavenly Father, we praise and glorify you. You are our only refuge in a troubled world.

Lord, hear our prayer

And let our cry come unto you

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us pray.

Lord God Almighty, 

you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: 

Give to us and the people of all the nations a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance,

that all of your people may use their liberty in accordance with your gracious will; 

through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. 

Amen.

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listen

Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem

Abraham Juliot

(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

Do good when you shop 

• Ethical Shopping Guide at Art of Simple 

• If you live in Austin, come to the Allies Against Slavery Christmas Market this Saturday (a venue for patrons to shop while supporting local, socially conscious vendors)

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(see all Advent daybook posts from 2014 here)