God Is Here

Foggy day in the mountains

Prayer

When I have lost my way, God is. When I am found again, God is. When all around me is chaos, God is. When all around me is peace, God is. When I face tragedy, God is. When I face triumph, God is. Thank you, God. Amen.

Carry These Words in Your Heart Today

God is here, right now.

Today's Picture

This picture reminds me of both Greg Clapper's quote and the reflection that I wrote in the book today. Though the fog never cleared the day I took this picture, I knew the mountains were there. God is there even when I can't feel God's presence.

Question

How do you know that "God is here, right now"? Share your reflections.

Book of the Day

When the World Breaks Your Heart
Gregory S. Clapper

I love this book -- about tragedy and the way that God is present through all difficulties. Greg Clapper wrote the book after his 1989 experience of being the chaplain on the scene after the crash of United Airlines flight 232. Still today we need these words about God's comfort in the midst of every tragedy. More about the book.

Sing Your Prayer

Open My Heart - Joy. Listen.

God Comforts All Who Mourn

Prayer

God of the brokenhearted, it is hard to be in mourning during this joyous time of year. But I know that you come to all of us, especially those filled with tears as captives to grief. Wrap them in your comforting spirit. Amen.

Carry These Words in Your Heart Today

God comforts all who mourn.

Today's Picture

When I was in Italy a couple of years ago I lit a candle in each church I entered. I had a good friend who was struggling with breast cancer. Lighting a candle and saying a prayer for her was a something positive I could do. I saw God's comforting Spirit in the faith of all those glowing candles.

Question

This is a difficult time of year for those who are struggling with grief or loss. Who in your life is needing God's comfort? Share your thoughts about the question or today's reading in the book.

Book of the Day

The Power of a Focused Heart
Mary Lou Redding

This is a great book by my friend, Mary Lou Redding. Mary Lou is the retired editor of The Upper Room daily devotional guide -- and a great writer. This is one of several excellent books by her. In The Power of a Focused Heart Mary Lou takes a look at the "8 Life Lessons from the Beatitudes." The eight chapters of the book deal with real-life themes such as poverty, grief, power, and being satisfied. She writes, "The spiritual life is not about rules; true spirituality is about relationship. It's not about how well we pray or how many Bible verses we can quote. It is about living in relationship with God, depending on God daily." More about the book.

Sing Your Prayer

Open My Heart - Joy. Listen and sing your prayer.

Replace My Fear with Gratitude

Prayer

Loving God, help me be the face of joy to someone who might be struggling today. If I am facing struggles of my own, gently guide my thoughts toward gratitude, that I may rejoice always in you. Amen.

Carry These Words in Your Heart Today

Replace my fear with gratitude.

Today's Picture

Every time I see this sculpture in the worship center of a local retreat center it speaks to me. The figure kneeling in prayer represents whatever emotion I am feeling at that time -- fear, sadness, anger, gratitude. I can bring all of these emotions to God in prayer.

Question

What are your fears? What helps you cope with your fears? Share your thoughts.

Book of the Day

Quiet Spaces
Patricia F. Wilson

I'm a big fan of Patricia Wilson's. 1. She's a great writer in the area of practical spirituality; 2. She's from Nova Scotia. (I just think that's cool.); and 3. She's really funny. You'll have to check out her other books, including, Why Pray when You Can Take Pills and Worry? This book is one of her "tamer" offerings -- a daily meditation book for women. More about the book.

Sing Your Prayer

Open My Heart - Joy. Listen or sing along.

God Delights in Me

Shooting Star

Prayer

God of delight, let me see the world today through your joyful eyes. Let me feel your love for me and neighbor; may I join with you in delighting in all that you have created. Amen.

Carry These Words in Your Heart Today

God delights in me; I delight in God.

Today's Picture

I delight in this particular wildflower -- the shooting star. It blooms for such a short time and if I happen to find it blooming, I am grateful, excited. The Tennessee shooting star is white and blooms in the early spring -- March or April. This shooting star blooms in the Rockies in the springtime of the mountains -- June. I love the tiny, delicate beauty of this creation of God.

Question

Tell us -- how do you delight in God? How does God delight in you? Share your thoughts.

Book of the Day

Encounter with God's Love
Julian of Norwich

Julian of Norwich is a hero of mine. She lived in England during the Dark Ages. And she wrote a book -- Showings -- one of the few books by a woman from that period that has been preserved to this day. She was a mystic who dedicated her life to God. Even in the midst of the plague and all the hardships of living, she spread the word of God's love. God said to her, "All shall be well." This booklet is a modern translation of some of her writings. Learn more about this book.

Sing Your Prayer

Open My Heart - Joy. Listen.

Look for God's Joy

Water drops

Prayer

God, when I am joyless, help me stop, turn to you, and take actions of joy. Let me join with you in selfless joy. Amen.

Carry These Words in Your Heart Today

I will open my eyes to see God's joy.

Today's Picture

The readings in the book today talk about how joy is an action as well as an emotion. I took this picture a couple of years ago when I was on vacation. I spent two thirds of the day bemoaning the fact that it was raining. Then I took a walk and discovered that the day was beautiful, despite -- or maybe because of -- the rain and fog.

Question

These days, is joy more of an emotion or an action for you? Share your reflections.

Book of the Day

The Soul’s Delight
Evelyn Underhill

Evelyn Underhill was a twentieth-century British spiritual writer and retreat leader. Her writings are lovely, powerful. Here's one of my favorite quotes by her: "Faithfulness is consecration in overalls. It is the steady acceptance and performance of the common duty and immediate task without any reference to personal preferences -- because it is there to be done and so is a manifestation of the Will of God." The Soul's Delight is from one of The Upper Room's Spiritual Classics collections. More about the book.

Sing Your Prayer

Sing a prayer of joy. Listen or sing along.