Devotions to Our God in the Manger: Mysteries

Posted on December 8, 2014 by Tom Bolton

week 2
A D V E N T   2 0 14:   D E V O T I O N S   T O   O U R   G O D   I N   T H E   M A N G E R

Week 2                                                                                                  Mystery in Our Midst

"Christ in the Manger" - NARA - 558929

“Christ in the Manger” – NARA – 558929 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

                    Respected Mystery

We seek the joy, and to know Christ,
to know Christ within us,
to know Christ in incomprehensible ways,
to know ourselves in new ways,
to know each other in better ways.
Unite us in love Lord:
encourage us each.
We dig through magnificent treasure,
new wisdom and courage,
and we are blessed in ways just discovered.
We are quiet today,
in search of mystery and treasured Christ-life.
We find mystery in this brave new world
just as our ancestors found mystery.
Joy in the Word.
Joy to the World.
Joy in the new Hope of Christ!
There is new mystery in lives today,
upon this Advent journey.

(c) Tom Bolton, 10 December 2013, Bayview

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On Word Law and Life: Pathways

Posted on December 7, 2014 by Tom Bolton

I’ve been repeating some stanzas of On Word Law and Life each Sunday through the end of this year.  I’ll finish this on Sunday, December 28 and Wednesday, December 31.

                      Pathways So Bright

Pathways so bright, your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light for my
Path–so well-lit and safer than others.
Promising freely, I took an oath, and I will keep it!
Righteous regulations show me your way–
even when I fall from righteousness.
Oh grace in your word!
Pathways from suffering,
I seize your new life, Holy One, as you
promised me this life of grace.
Pleased to present all praise to you, God-of-grace,
proud to learn your words, I am joyful in your word.
Perilously, I live life here,
but I am safe in your word for the long-haul, the long journey.
Peril and evil seem to be everywhere, but
principled life keeps me free to find joy.
Penned words, and listening to the word, fill my heart,
and I am blessed to recall: Joy in the word!
Pleased to obey and to be free in obedience,
planning my eternal life, I find joy. I am blessed.

R. Rejected and Restored

Remember that there are so many phonies here, but I am still
Restored, in loving the word, and refreshed.
Revealed in love, you are sometimes my hiding place, and you are a
Rock in the entry, powerful, holy God.
Restore me and set me aside–even when in
my humanity, I seek to fit in, and be in, in the crowd.
Regarding your decrees, as I hear them each day in some small
voice deep in me, God-of-grace,
Restore my hope, high above any disappointment.

Respect for your word, just God, lifts me up,
and I am safe in your arms, held in your words.
Rejecting you, the evil ones wander off,
regretting that lost confidence, and that they are
Rejected by their own laws. I am torn.
Revolted by the rubbish, the evil ones,
all around me, everywhere, I want you to
Rid us of them, ……but
Regulations are deep in the commands, I have hope,
Regard for your words; I am confident somehow in this
Tension.

(c) Tom Bolton, Tippecanoe, February 2012

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Devotions to Our God in the Manger 2014: Emmanuel!

Posted on December 6, 2014 by Tom Bolton

Psalm 73: 23-24

LongestNight2

A D V E N T   2 0 1 4:   D E V O T I O N S   T O   O U R   G O D   I N   T H E   M A N G E R

Jesus

Week 1                                                                                                                               Stay Awake

Psalm 73:23-24                    English Standard Version (ESV)

 Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
    you hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
    and afterward you will receive me to glory.

                   Emmanuel

He is with me yet.
The Word and the Way always,
He is with me!
Cause me to hear your loving-kindness this morning,
Cause me to feel your love all day,
Cause me to know trust.
I lift my soul to your Spirit.

(c) Tom Bolton, Milwaukee a-bus, 25 November 2014

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Devotions to Our God in the Manger 2014: Come in Glory

Posted on December 5, 2014 by Tom Bolton

LongestNight2

A D V E N T   2 0 1 4:   D E V O T I O N S   T O   O U R   G O D   I N   T H E   M A N G E R

Jesus

Week 1                                                                                                                           Stay Awake

On Matthew 16:27

                Come In Glory

What will I say when He comes and asks me?
What will be first on my mind?
How will I know the answer of me,
after seeking the who of He these years.
Some days I know Him intimately, and
Some days I forget.
Like voices of ones gone home,
I know His voice when I hear it,
and yet I often listen no more.
I know Him so humble.
Will I recognize Him in His glory?
Today I prepare my words.
But mostly I will try to listen,
breathing softly, mind quiet.
Emmanuel!
(c) Tom Bolton, Milwaukee, 24 November 2014

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Devotions to Our God in the Manger 2014: Quiet Certainty

Posted on December 4, 2014 by Tom Bolton

English: Protestant Church of Dietrich Bonhoef...

English: Protestant Church of Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Stuttgart-Fasanenhof Deutsch: Evang. Dietrich-Bonhoeffer-Kirche Stuttgart-Fasanenhof (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A D V E N T   2 0 1 4:    D E V O T I O N S   T O   O U R   G O D   I N   T H E   M A N G E R

Jesus

Week 1                                                                                                                                Stay Awake

For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

–Isaiah 9:6-7

Quiet Certainty

I would see it with such certainty,
and I yearn to see the mystery,
present each day in my life.
When there is endless peace, I will rejoice
in that place,
and I find it in my spirit,
deep within me,
certainty.
And I hear the words, past and future,
“and suddenly,” and
“a child has been born for us,”
and Joy fills the air around me,
and salvation is around me.
Joy in the Word!
Joy to the World!
His authority is around us.

“Not everyone can wait: neither the sated nor the satisfied nor those without respect can wait. The only ones who can wait are people who carry restlessness around with them.”
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, God Is in the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas

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Devotions to Our God in the Manger: Wednesday

Posted on December 3, 2014 by Tom Bolton

A D V E N T   2 0 1 4:   D E V O T I O N S   T O   O U R   G O D   I N   T H E   M A N G E R

Jesus

Week 1                                                                                                Stay Awake

Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.
Revelation 3:19-21

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Devotions to Our God in the Manger 2014: In This tent

Posted on December 2, 2014 by Tom Bolton

A D V E N T   2 0 1 4:   D E V O T I O N S   T O   O U R   G O D   I N   T H E   M A N G E R

Jesus

Week 1                                                                                       Stay Awake

       In This Tent

Even after this time,
When my tent is shreds here,
I know His presence will be my present.
I know the place of my spirit.
I dream of the place,
the royal place,
the new mansion I have dreamed about,
this newest of homes.
Bright and warm beyond belief,
I believe,
and await.
Not the end,
But the beginning,
I dream of this place in the tent.
I know this place of my soul.

(c) Tom Bolton, Milwaukee, 20 November 2014

2 Corinthians 5:1                       (New International Version (NIV))

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.

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