A hopeful day indeed

Six of us sit around a table at Third Place Commons this morning. Our table is a cross-sawn log, an enormous tree felled in its prime. We rest our cups and saucers and sandwich plates on the resin tabletop and discuss relationships, ministry, and future plans.

Our hour together includes sharing our lives and dreams, introductions to new ministries and resources, prayer for each other, and a banana muffin and tea from the Honey Bear Bakery. All it takes is the simple intentionality of meeting in time and place to be able to share direction and celebrate our wins together.

The sun's out on this hopeful day. It's time for a walk to think and pray about Sunday's sermon at Neighborhood Church. I'm grateful for peers in ministry who encourage, coach, and release me to the calling of God.

What do your friends and coworkers contribute to your hopeful days?

Read more:
*You shall meditate on the book of the law day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. Joshua 1:8 NLT

*They did not conquer the land with their swords; it was not their own strong arm that gave them victory. It was your right hand and strong arm and the blinding light from your face that helped them, for you loved them. You are my King and my God. You command victories for Israel. Only by your power can we push back our enemies; only in your name can we trample our foes.

I do not trust in my bow; I do not count on my sword to save me. You are the one who gives us victory over our enemies; you disgrace those who hate us. O God, we give glory to you all day long and constantly praise your name." Psalm 44:3–8 NLT

*Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” Matthew 7:21 NLT

*... That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4:9-10 NIV

Moravian Prayer: Happy are those who follow God’s commandments, who obey him with all their heart! Help us, Lord, to live righteous lives. Teach us the Father’s will that we may please him. We ask this in your sacred name. Amen.

Woman's world

Men and women differ. That's no surprise to anyone who's been around the other gender.

We met as a credentialed women's leadership team today. The women freely shared ideas while our fearless leader kept us kind-of on track. (He's a male leader from the Network team.)

We accomplished a lot today. We have assignments for the next few months, connecting, writing, inviting, renewing.

I came home with an awakened sense of participation in God's mission. It was cool to hear how God is using women in ministry. We love God. We love the Church. We love our peers in ministry. We love the people in our churches. And yes, we face many challenges mixed in with our opportunities.

The diversity of each woman's calling is cradled in our mutual commitment to Christ and Spirit-empowerment. I'm privileged to be among women who have been called to lead, proclaim, train, and mentor God's people. Not one of us of us takes His call to ministry lightly ... or takes it for granted.

Read more:

*In the future, foreigners who do not belong to your people Israel will hear of you. They will come from distant lands because of your name, for they will hear of your great name and your strong hand and your powerful arm. … Then people all over the earth will know that the LORD alone is God and there is no other. 1 Kings 8:41–42, 60

*The hope of the righteous ends in gladness. Proverbs 10:28

*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. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:29-32 NIV

*You need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. Hebrews 10:36

*Moravian Prayer: Our hope is in you alone, O Lord, the author and finisher of our faith. When we are obedient and see the results of your promises, it gives us great joy. Strengthen us to always do your will. Amen.