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John 15

John 15 on YouVersion.com

Who are you, Lord?

The true vine

My master who now calls me friend

One who is hated by the world

The one who chose me to come out of the world

The one who will send the Advocate

What do you want me to do?

Stay connected to you

Produce much fruit

Remain in your love by obeying your commandments

Love others in the same way you loved me; by laying down your life for me

When the world hates me, remember that it hated you first

Testify about you to the world

What did you get out of today's reading?

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I hope you’ve met at least one “Kingdom person” in your life. They are surrendered and trustful people. You sense that their life is okay at the core. They have given control to Another and are at peace, which paradoxically allows them to calmly be in control. A Kingdom person lives for what matters, for life in its deepest and lasting sense. There’s a kind of gentle absolutism about their lifestyle, an inner freedom to do what they have to do—joyfully. Kingdom people feel like grounded yet spacious people at the same time, the best of the conservative and the best of the progressive types at the same time. Kingdom people are anchored by their awareness of God’s love deep within them and deep within everyone else, too. They happily live on a level playing field, where even God has come to “pitch his tent” (the literal translation of John 1:14).

Richard Rohr

(Wish this were descriptive of more Christians)

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And these words: You will not be overcome, were said very insistently and strongly, for certainty and strength against every tribulation which may come. He did not say: You will not be troubled, you will not be belabored, you will not be disquieted; but he said: You will not be overcome.

Julian of Norwich (via itsbeenayear)

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Then Jesus told him, “I entered this world to render judgment - to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.” Some Pharisees who were standing nearby heard him and asked, “Are you saying we’re blind?” “If you were blind, you wouldn’t be guilty,” Jesus replied. “But you remain guilty because you claim you can see."

John 9:39-41

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John 9

Who are you, Lord?

Rabbi - a teacher

the Son of Man

What do you want me to do?

Quickly carry out the tasks assigned to us before the night comes and no one can work

Share my experience with Jesus - just what I know, like the man born blind

What stood out for you in today's reading?

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See that ye be at peace among yourselves, my children, and love one another. Follow the example of good men of old and God will comfort you and help you, both in this world and in the world which is to come.

Celtic Daily Prayer (via wordslessspoken)

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Here’s our Christian position. Our Christian position is that we love and serve the world even if we disagree with them. So if I live next door to someone who lives a way of life I believe is unbiblical, their testimony about me would be, He disagrees with me, but, man, that dude loves me. He’s always inviting me over to the house. He knows what I like. He gives us gifts. He engages us. He respects us. He loves us. He doesn’t agree with us, but man, that dude loves us! One night I looked out, and he was just freakin’ mowing my lawn. I was like, “What are you doing?” “I’m mowing your lawn!” That’s how we live. We are the church, this new people, the church. The bride of Christ is the manifold wisdom of God becoming visible to the world around us.

Matt Chandler, “A New People” (via kschlabaugh)

words can’t describe how much I love this.

(via hislivingpoetry)

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Recordings Are Here!

Recordings of the live presentations at the Journey Through the New Testament discussion group in Michigan are being posted.  The first one is up now, others have been recorded, and soon all of them will be available.

You can find them here.

Enjoy!

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James 2

James 2 on YouVersion.com

Who are you, Lord?

Our glorious Lord

What do you want me to do?

Not favor the rich over the poor

Love my neighbor as myself

Whatever I say or do, remember that I will be judged by the law that sets me free: there will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others, but God will be merciful to those who have been merciful

Show my faith through my good deeds

What were your thoughts on today's reading?

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Here's a great snapshot of the main message of each epistle!

Romans: Righteousness Comes from God

1 Corinthians: Right living results from right believing

2 Corinthians: Weathering the storms of ministry

Galatians: Justification by Faith Alone in Christ

Ephesians: The mystery of Christ’s bride, the church

Philippians: The pursuit of Christ likeness

Colossians: The supremacy of Christ

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Jude & James 1

Jude and James 1 on YouVersion.com

Who are you, Lord?

The one who loves me and keeps me safe

Our only Master and Lord

The one who rescued the nation of Israel from Egypt, and later destroyed those who were unfaithful

One who rules over demons

The one who destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah with eternal fire of judgment

The one who is able to keep me from falling away

The one who will bring me into his glorious presence without a single fault

The only God

Our Savior

Never tempted or a tempter

The creator and giver of all things good and perfect

What do you want me to do?

Defend the faith that God has entrusted to us

Live a moral life, respect authority, take supernatural beings seriously

Remember what the apostles said: that in the last days scoffers would come, living to satisfy ungodly desires

Build other believers up in holy faith

Pray in the power of the Holy Spirit

Wait for the mercy of Jesus (these three things will keep me safe in God's love)

Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment

Show mercy to others, but with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives

Consider troubles an opportunity for great joy and an opportunity for growing endurance

Ask God when I need wisdom

Patiently endure testing and temptation

Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry

Get rid of all filth and evil in my life

Humbly accept the word God has planted in my heart

Don't just listen to God's word - actually do what it says

Control my tongue

Care for orphans and widows in their distress

Refuse to let the world corrupt me

What did you get out of today's reading?

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2 Peter 3

I've decided that if I miss a day, I will go back and read the chapter(s) I missed, but I won't journal them.  That way my perfectionist self won't make me totally skip things if I don't have time to journal.  My goal still is to read and journal; I definitely get more out of the reading when I do that.  But reading only is better than nothing, I think.

So, just read the remainder of 1 Peter and the beginning of 2 Peter.  Picking up with the journal at today's reading.

2 Peter 3 on YouVersion.com

Who are you, Lord?

Our Lord and Savior

the God who made the heavens by his word

the extra patient Lord who longs to see every single person repent and be saved

ultimately, the judge of all the earth

the Christ

What do you want me to do?

Remember what Jesus, the prophets, and the apostles commanded

Remember that scoffers will come in the last days, "mocking the truth and following their own desires" (vs. 3) - they will deride the reality of the second coming, of creation, and of the flood

Remember that a thousand years is like a day for the Lord; he isn't slow in keeping his promise but wants everyone to be saved

Live a holy and godly life, looking forward to the day of his return and hurrying it along

Make every effort to be found living a peaceful, pure, blameless life when he comes

Remember that God's patience gives time for everyone to be saved

Be on guard so as not to be carried away by the errors of others

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ

What stood out for you in today's reading?

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Kendra, Your journal is super impressive. I had been trying to find a way to contact you when I finally decided to use my blog to see if I could get in touch with you. The way you are responding to the readings is precisely the approach that I think will provide a great blessing--and personal transformation. I want you to know that I have started a web site where I have a link to recordings of the weekly presentations. If you will go to my blog, I will have a link to the new site.

Hey, check it out!  There are going to be recordings of the main Discussion Group at Andrews!  The link doesn't seem to be posted yet, but keep checking back at Anyplace Parish to see when it is.  

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1 Peter 4

1 Peter 4 on YouVersion.com

Who are you, Lord?

God and man who suffered physical pain

The one who gives many different spiritual gifts - all to bring glory to his name

What do you want me to do?

Arm myself with Christ's attitude and be ready to suffer as he did

Be finished with sin after suffering for Christ - find him more important than anything

Be earnest and disciplined in prayer since the end of the world is coming

Show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins

Cheerfully share my home with those who need a meal or a place to stay

Use my spiritual gifts to serve others

Expect fiery trials

Be happy when I'm insulted for being a Christian

Keep doing what is right and trust God, no matter what suffering comes

What stood out for you in today's reading?

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1 Peter 1-2

1 Peter 1 & 2 on YouVersion.com

Who are you, Lord?

The one whose blood cleanses us

The one God raised from the dead

The sinless, spotless Lamb of God

The ransom paid to save me from my empty life

The Mediator

The Cornerstone on which God is building us as the temple

What do you want me to do?

Be truly glad!

Think clearly and exercise self control.

Look forward to the salvation that will come when Christ is revealed to the world.

Live as God's obedient children.

Don't slip back into the old way of living.

Be holy in everything, just as God is holy.

Live in reverent fear of God.

Show sincere love to other Christians - as brothers and sisters

Get rid of all evil behavior: deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and unkind speech.

Crave and cry out for pure spiritual milk

Show others the goodness of God

Keep away from worldly desires that wage war against my soul

Live properly among unbelieving neighbors so they will give honor to God

Respect all human authority

Don't use freedom as an excuse to do evil

Respect everyone, love Christian brothers and sisters, fear God, and respect the king.

Accept the authority of masters (if a slave), leaving the case in the hands of God

What are your thoughts on today's reading?

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Mark 16

Mark 16 on YouVersion.com

Who are you, Lord?

The Risen One

Thoughtful enough to specifically invite Peter to Galilee

What do you want me to do?

Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone!

What are your thoughts on today's reading?