August 19: Keep On … Keepin’ On
Having trouble viewing this message? View it in your browser. http://act.ucc.org/site/R?i=YZnAbIfmaJDWtK_QsXgGsw August 19, 2011 Keep On … Keepin’ On Excerpt from Psalm 126 http://act.ucc.org/site/R?i=OIpAUwQSpP3wvDOanBO9Qw “Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.” Reflection by Ron Buford Life sometimes knocks us down. It happens to everyone. The key is to get back up and keep moving. The psalmist offers a simple formula for getting through tough times: First, remember ways God has brought you through past tough times; Second, ask God to do it again, and; Third, show that you believe by moving forward before there is tangible or visible reason to do so-even while weeping, sow seeds for the future you envision, though the path may be uncertain and you may just not feel like it … yet. You may be worried about a job, finances, a relationship, illness, fears about aging, trouble with kids, aging parents, an old hurt, or just “the blues.” Whatever it is, God specializes in restoring life’s greatest fortunes-love, joy, peace, and more-even before we feel it or see it coming. Leave the “how” to God as you focus on your hope. There will be a harvest. Go out, look for it. But it may come in a surprising new way or from surprising places. Be open. Don’t miss it. Weep freely, but always with nagging, unrelenting hope in God. Prayer Gracious God, I need your help right now. Please restore my life to better times. Forgive me for the way I tend to forget the ways you have been with me in the past. For the faith I lack as I say these words, please help my unbelief and send your Holy Spirit to pray for me when I doubt and forget. Guide me. Teach me. I’m getting up and out … today, thanking and praising you now. Amen. Ron Buford About the Author Ron Buford, former coordinator of the UCC’s God is still speaking campaign, consults with religious and nonprofit organizations, leads workshops, and preaches in churches across the U.S. and U.K. Ron also appears in the DVD-based progressive theology series, Living the Questions 2.0. http://act.ucc.org/site/R?i=5qfEAskAVsxn1-h0wRbnTQ The Daily Devotional is now on Facebook. Become a fan! http://act.ucc.org/site/R?i=x99YYFdoFF_l22f4q5SQGw Sign up to receive Daily Devotionals http://act.ucc.org/site/R?i=bNVnoIXvltXmgUYXoorlsA More items written by the UCC Writer’s Group http://act.ucc.org/site/R?i=3ioZrO3tiepxGiSmzpGqIA Facebook Fan Page http://act.ucc.org/site/R?i=XwwxLOAnBbnnVnguTq_jbQ Forward to a Friend http://act.ucc.org/site/R?i=k5sA1s3g8xKDD1VsFQ4Glw Signup for the Daily Devotional http://act.ucc.org/site/R?i=ytKE0nrSdglsXqNFEtdlWQ Writers Group http://act.ucc.org/site/R?i=xCGpS05sZ89V7wCIyWZBRA 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=pBhGZjpIQbEAn2ClAwsjdg Unsubscribe or edit your settings http://act.ucc.org/site/CO?i=RXIkzgvkk8lQFIJcznzcSfKWvq1T2q0_&cid=1072
