August 13: A Little Faith
Having trouble viewing this message? View it in your browser. http://act.ucc.org/site/R?i=mL99EpLb_lcso_zjZ7eBQw.. August 13, 2011 A Little Faith Excerpt from Matthew 14:34-36 http://act.ucc.org/site/R?i=TohoDELgfL23xd86iqe4rg.. “The people begged Jesus to let the sick people at least touch the edge of his cloak; and all who touched it were made well.” (The Good News Bible) Reflection by William C. Green There’s so much I can’t figure out about faith. For one thing, so many prayers for healing seem to go unanswered. What helps is the thoughtfulness of others who are honest about their own doubts. That’s better than answers I’d question anyway, and it does more to bring me to Jesus than anything else. I understand what Tennyson meant when he said, “There lies more faith in honest doubt, believe me, than in half the creeds.” Those hurting people in today’s story wouldn’t have made it to Jesus without the urging of others-and they didn’t have to be doubt-free to get healed. Alone, I’m tempted to fit the Almighty into my own game plan. If I can’t count on healing for myself or a loved one now, or next month, or, for heaven’s sake, at least next year, then it’s not credible. I forget that I’m limited in understanding the ways of love and healing. “All shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.” (Julian of Norwich) Touching just the edge of this truth with each other’s help can make us well. A little bit of faith is better than a lot when it leaves room for more than we could ask or imagine. Prayer Almighty God, your ways are higher than my ways and your thoughts than my thoughts. Keep me from trying to figure you out. By your Spirit lead me and those I care about to trust that we shall be well, all shall be well-after all. Amen. About the Author William C. Green, a United Church of Christ minister, is the Director of Long Looking, a consultancy service specializing in fundraising and education for congregations. His new book, 52 Ways to Ignite Your Congregation: Generous Giving, has just been published. http://act.ucc.org/site/R?i=HsU9ZBwOw1y-wUtXAMf2FQ.. http://act.ucc.org/site/R?i=oEUmRnL9Z5SMiLJmb1M7ag.. The Daily Devotional is now on Facebook. Become a fan! http://act.ucc.org/site/R?i=Q-yFTZbn27uWWprpGaPPOw.. Sign up to receive Daily Devotionals http://act.ucc.org/site/R?i=y1M4iQkI7lTQaVCzldgMMw.. More items written by the Stillspeaking Writers’ Group http://act.ucc.org/site/R?i=TD6FwowZX2_LNh3pdxLZpw.. Facebook Fan Page http://act.ucc.org/site/R?i=LWs_1aGQQr5JX4H4NjKAow.. Forward to a Friend http://act.ucc.org/site/R?i=ihvzmA79RV81Ys4dY6quog.. Signup for the Daily Devotional http://act.ucc.org/site/R?i=fPStiogbF40zR6dP0PGHcA.. Writers Group http://act.ucc.org/site/R?i=BEDKIZz-VfIGgioamsEjjA.. The Stillspeaking Daily Devotional is a free service and is supported by your gifts to Our Church’s Wider Mission. Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America,adapted. Used by permission. All rights reserved. http://act.ucc.org/site/R?i=f9r6TFqoplPaFHT3SApTBQ.. Unsubscribe or edit your settings http://act.ucc.org/site/CO?i=ndU42_aIau8nDw4_TGSGhNclO9SKuXfM&cid=1072
