A church that doesn’t provoke any crises, a gospel that doesn’t unsettle, a word of God that doesn’t get under anyone’s skin, a word of God that doesn’t touch the real sin of the society in which it is being proclaimed – what gospel is that? Very nice, pious considerations that don’t bother anyone, that’s the way many would like preaching to be. Those preachers who avoid every thorny matter so as not to be harassed, so as not to have conflicts and difficulties, do not light up the world they live in. — The Violence of Love, p. 44 (Kindle Edition)
We must overturn so many idols, the idol of self first of all, so that we can be humble, and only from our humility can learn to be redeemers, can learn to work together in the way the world really needs. Liberation that raises a cry against others is no true liberation. Liberation that means revolutions of hate and violence and takes the lives of others or abases the dignity of others cannot be true liberty. True liberty does violence to self and, like Christ, who disregarded that he was sovereign, becomes a slave to serve others. — The Violence of Love, pp. 39-40 (Kindle Edition)
Verse of the day
They have treated the wound of my people carelessly, saying, “Peace, peace,” when there is no peace.
– Jeremiah 6:14
Voice of the day
I will refuse normalization that asks us to forget or to sacrifice justice for a false calm. Yes to cooperation grounded in rights, truth, and justice. Anything less is not reconciliation; it is a postponement of the real work we must do together.
– Bisan Owda
Prayer of the day
Teach us the way to build a real foundation for ensuring a legacy of repair.
“When we practice moderation, a vitality of mind, body, and spirit returns to the places that were once depleted by too much—or perhaps too little—effort.”
—Melinda Emily Thomas, Sacred Balance: Aligning Body and Spirit Through Yoga and the Benedictine Way
How do you practice moderation? What are you over or underdoing in your life today?
Sign up for a self-study bundle of Contemplative Yoga with Melinda. Use code YOGA20 to take 20% off through August 31st.
Detachment is often understood as letting loose of what is attractive. But it sometimes also requires letting go of what is repulsive. You can indeed become attached to dark forces such as resentment and hatred. As long as you seek retaliation, you cling to your own past. Sometimes it seems as though you might lose yourself along with your revenge and hate – so you stand there with balled-up fists, closed to the other who wants to heal. — With Open Hands
Reflection Question: Where are you standing with balled-up fists and how will you take the first step to open your hands?
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.– Proverbs 14: 30
“The spiritual journey calls us out into the wild places where God is not
tamed and domesticated. We are asked to release our agendas and discover
the holy direction for our lives.”
—Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, The Soul of a Pilgrim: Eight Practices for the Journey Within
What are the ways you’ve been tamed and domesticated? What are the ways you’ve tamed and domesticated God?
To register for the self-study companion retreat to the book with extra resources and guidance, click here.
Verse of the day
They said to him, “We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.” And Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.”
– Genesis 40:8
Voice of the day
The movement of the Spirit of God in the hearts of men and women often calls them to act against the spirit of their times or causes them to anticipate a spirit which is yet in the making. In a moment of dedication they are given wisdom and courage to dare a deed that challenges and to kindle a hope that inspires.
– Howard Thurman
Prayer of the day
God of daring hope, inhabit our hearts with a sense of what’s to come and strengthen our resolve to meet the challenges of our times.
Verse of the day
She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
– Proverbs 31:16
Voice of the day
I just have a feeling, a very strong feeling, that if ever this world is civilized, that it would be more the work of women.
– Emma Tenayuca
Prayer of the day
Nurturing God, show us how to model ourselves after the intrepid example of those who spoke out even when they were actively discouraged from doing so.
Verse of the day
If we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
– Romans 8:25
Voice of the day
Some flowers bloom where the green grass grows / Our praise is not for them / But the ones who bloom in the bitter snow / We raise our cups to them
– “We Raise our Cups” from Anaïs Mitchell’s Hadestown
Prayer of the day
Living God, help us remain convicted in our work to renew the world, even when it seems as though good things cannot grow.
Spirit of Generous Abundance, remind us there is always more than enough— enough food, enough love, enough time, enough resources. Help us to see how our disconnected patterns of living amplify our scarcity. Bring us into the joy and challenge of community where bread divided multiplies, where laughter shared overflows. Empower us to share freely from our own abundance with others in need. Slow us down to see how time expands when we breathe and pay attention. Bless us in our efforts to trust in your goodness and love pulsing through the world, sustaining it moment by moment. Give us the courage to speak out when resources are distributed unfairly so that we may remind others there is more to share. Encourage us to release that which we no longer need to hold on to so tightly. Inspire us to live in a way that witnesses to our trust in the lavish fullness of life.
~Christine Valters Paintner, A Book of Everyday Blessings (Ave Maria Press)
Pastor Michael Moore's Blog 