Friday, January 31, 2014

Daily Meditation: The Joy of Being Like Others

Henri Nouwen Society - Daily Meditation
Friday January 31, 2014

The Joy of Being Like Others


At first sight, joy seems to be connected with being different. When you receive a compliment or win an award, you experience the joy of not being the same as others. You are faster, smarter, more beautiful, and it is that difference that brings you joy. But such joy is very temporary. True joy is hidden where we are the same as other people: fragile and mortal. It is the joy of belonging to the human race. It is the joy of being with others as a friend, a companion, a fellow traveler.

This is the joy of Jesus, who is Emmanuel: God-with-us.

- Henri J. M. Nouwen  

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Text excerpts taken from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco. All Scripture from The Jerusalem Bible ©1966, 1967, and 1968 Darton, Longman & Todd and Doubleday & Co. Inc. Photo by V. Dobson.
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Today's Moravian Daily Text

Moravian Daily Texts

Friday, January 31 — Psalm 18:30-36
Genesis 31:22-55; Matthew 11:25-12:8

Rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

God of transformation and change, let your servants be mindful of the effects of the spoken word. Help us to remember to use gentle words and kinder tones. Change our intolerance into patience. Transform our words into a healing salve, drawing the listener closer to you as they see the evidence of your light shining in each of us. In the name of your holy Son. Amen.






Have you ordered your 2014 Moravian Daily Texts?  The Moravian Daily Texts are available in a variety of published formats, including hardcover, paperback, large print and journal editions. To get your copy, visit our web site or call the Interprovincial Board of Communication of the Moravian Church in North America at 800-732-0591, ext. 38. Visit our online catalog for more information.

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Thursday, January 30, 2014

Daily Meditation: Choosing Joy

Henri Nouwen Society - Daily Meditation
Thursday January 30, 2014

Choosing Joy

 

Joy is what makes life worth living, but for many joy seems hard to find. They complain that their lives are sorrowful and depressing. What then brings the joy we so much desire? Are some people just lucky, while others have run out of luck? Strange as it may sound, we can choose joy. Two people can be part of the same event, but one may choose to live it quite differently than the other. One may choose to trust that what happened, painful as it may be, holds a promise. The other may choose despair and be destroyed by it.

 

What makes us human is precisely this freedom of choice.

 

- Henri J. M. Nouwen  

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Text excerpts taken from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco. All Scripture from The Jerusalem Bible ©1966, 1967, and 1968 Darton, Longman & Todd and Doubleday & Co. Inc. Photo by V. Dobson.
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Today's Moravian Daily Text

Moravian Daily Texts

Thursday, January 30 — Psalm 18:25-29
Genesis 30:25-31:21; Matthew 11:11-24

He changes times and seasons, deposes kings and sets up kings. Daniel 2:21

When you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Luke 21:31

God of clarity, God of order, take out of our paths those obstacles that cause us to doubt you and divert our attention from your holy leading. Keep our eyes fixed only on your kingdom and the knowledge that through the sacrifice of our Savior, our place will be with you forever. Amen.






Have you ordered your 2014 Moravian Daily Texts?  The Moravian Daily Texts are available in a variety of published formats, including hardcover, paperback, large print and journal editions. To get your copy, visit our web site or call the Interprovincial Board of Communication of the Moravian Church in North America at 800-732-0591, ext. 38. Visit our online catalog for more information.

The 2014 Moravian Daily Texts is now available in eBook format for the Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook and Apple iBooks

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Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Daily Meditation: Healing Our Memories

Henri Nouwen Society - Daily Meditation
Wednesday January 29, 2014

Healing Our Memories

 

Forgiving does not mean forgetting. When we forgive a person, the memory of the wound might stay with us for a long time, even throughout our lives. Sometimes we carry the memory in our bodies as a visible sign. But forgiveness changes the way we remember. It converts the curse into a blessing. When we forgive our parents for their divorce, our children for their lack of attention, our friends for their unfaithfulness in crisis, our doctors for their ill advice, we no longer have to experience ourselves as the victims of events we had no control over.

 

Forgiveness allows us to claim our own power and not let these events destroy us; it enables them to become events that deepen the wisdom of our hearts. Forgiveness indeed heals memories.

 

- Henri J. M. Nouwen  

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Text excerpts taken from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco. All Scripture from The Jerusalem Bible ©1966, 1967, and 1968 Darton, Longman & Todd and Doubleday & Co. Inc. Photo by V. Dobson.
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Today's Moravian Daily Text

Moravian Daily Texts

Wednesday, January 29 — Psalm 18:16-24
Genesis 29:15-30:24; Matthew 11:1-10

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrata, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Micah 5:2

To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! Revelation 2:8-9 (NIV)

As we count our blessings, let us remember that there are many among your children who have yet to realize that you walk with all of us and carry us in your arms when we can no longer carry ourselves. Help us to show the light of your promise and support today. In Jesus' name. Amen.






Have you ordered your 2014 Moravian Daily Texts?  The Moravian Daily Texts are available in a variety of published formats, including hardcover, paperback, large print and journal editions. To get your copy, visit our web site or call the Interprovincial Board of Communication of the Moravian Church in North America at 800-732-0591, ext. 38. Visit our online catalog for more information.

The 2014 Moravian Daily Texts is now available in eBook format for the Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook and Apple iBooks

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© 2012, 2013 Interprovincial Board of Communication, Moravian Church in North America

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Daily Meditation: Forgiving in the Name of God

Henri Nouwen Society - Daily Meditation
Tuesday January 28, 2014

Forgiving in the Name of God

 

We are all wounded people. Who wounds us? Often those whom we love and those who love us. When we feel rejected, abandoned, abused, manipulated, or violated, it is mostly by people very close to us: our parents, our friends, our spouses, our lovers, our children, our neighbors, our teachers, our pastors. Those who love us wound us too. That's the tragedy of our lives. This is what makes forgiveness from the heart so difficult. It is precisely our hearts that are wounded. We cry out, "You, who I expected to be there for me, you have abandoned me. How can I ever forgive you for that?"

 

Forgiveness often seems impossible, but nothing is impossible for God. The God who lives within us will give us the grace to go beyond our wounded selves and say, "In the Name of God you are forgiven." Let's pray for that grace.

 

- Henri J. M. Nouwen  

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Text excerpts taken from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco. All Scripture from The Jerusalem Bible ©1966, 1967, and 1968 Darton, Longman & Todd and Doubleday & Co. Inc. Photo by V. Dobson.
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