Scripps Sundays

HAPPY 22nd CELEBRATION OF YOUR BAPTISM....  I found this quote about baptism a number of years ago: " When parents have their children baptized they indicate their desire to have their children grow up and live as children of God and brothers or sisters of Jesus, and be guided by the Holy Spirit. Through birth a child is given to parents; through baptism a child is given to God. At baptism the parents acknowledge that their parenthood is a participation in God's parenthood, that all fatherhood and motherhood comes from God. Thus baptism frees the parents from a sense of owning their children. Children belong to God and are given to the parents to love and care for in God's name. It is the parents' vocation to welcome their children as honored guests in their home and bring them to the physical, emotional, and spiritual freedom that enables them to leave the home and become parents themselves. Baptism reminds parents of this vocation and sets children on the path ...

a blessing for christmas day  God, this is a kind of magic the way this day shines so strangely, how it sparkles beyond our understanding. (Yes, it was a disaster the way the food turned out this year and how what’s-her-face said (I told her not to) What shouldn’t be repeated. Again this year.) But, somehow, this day never fails to awaken a longing to love well—or at least better— all those here with us, and those far away, and to remember with gratitude those now gone, gone, gone and missed. What is this mystery? Our God who set the world spinning should come down for this one reason: to love us into a newness. Not for gain, nor our capitalist fantasies, but the hope that freely, lavishly, that we might learn to see, feel, and live Christ’s love. Thank you. Christ the Giver and the Gift. -Kate Bowler 

 Dear Anna,  I usually do not send Scripps Sundays when you are home for school breaks, but this one is so good and I want you to have it for the rest of your time before you go back to school as you try to savor this time...  I read this prayer below from Ted Loder this morning and was moved to tears with gratitude at this wild and precious life we've been given.  Grace Beyond Our Grasp Holy God, the mystery of your infinite loftiness is not greater than that of your imminent presence, and we gather in awe of both and of you.   In this moment we thank you for lacing eternity into time, the longing for what lasts into our heart, traces of your kingdom into the round of our days, the assurance that you have made us for yourself into the core of our souls.   We praise you for the joy that renews us through the miracle of each other, the wonder of children, the sharing of bread, the occasions of justice, the healing of musi...

  A Blessing for What’s True about You   When God thought you up, it was a good day, a lovely dream realized in God’s imagination, a celebration from before you were born. You were made out of God’s overflowing love, in who you were, and are, and would become. God saw it all, from way before the beginning, ‘til way past the end. And saw that it was good. This one, God said, this one I love. I delight in the beauty, and the promise, the wonder and the glory that is this one whom I have made.   And my gaze is ever upon them, constant, and warm like the sun at golden hour, gentle as starlight, transforming and continuing, calling forth all the growing, all the becoming that is to be done.   Remember this truth: You were made by love, for love, to love. -from Kate Bowler's Advent booklet

  The Litany of Trust From the belief that I have to earn Your love... Deliver me, Jesus. From the fear that I am unlovable...  Deliver me, Jesus. From the false security that I have what it takes... Deliver me, Jesus. From the fear that trusting you will leave me more destitute... Deliver me, Jesus. From all suspicion of your words and promises... Deliver me, Jesus. From the rebellion against childlike dependency on You... Deliver me, Jesus. From refusals and reluctances in accepting Your will... Deliver me, Jesus. From anxiety about the future...  Deliver me, Jesus. From resentment or excessive preoccupation with the past... Deliver me, Jesus. From restless self-seeking in the present moment... Deliver me, Jesus. From disbelief in Your love and presence...  Deliver me, Jesus. From the fear of being asked to give more than I have... Deliver me, Jesus. From the belief that my li...