Today's Reading: Daniel 4-6
...Because an excellent spirit, knowledge, and understanding to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve problems were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called and he will give the interpretation. Daniel 5: 12 NRSV
The queen remembers Daniel's powers of interpretation. In fact, she lists his Spiritual Gifts: an excellent spirit, knowledge and understanding. She also knows his strengths: dream interpretation, explaining riddles and solving problems. No one else seems to recall Daniel and his assets. When the writing appears on the wall, it is the queen who knows who to ask.
Do you know your strengths? Your Spiritual Gifts? Personality inventory?
In other words, how well do you know yourself? Can you clearly articulate to others your gifts and graces? Do you believe that there are at least one person out there (besides immediate family members) who know and would share your abilities with others?
Knowing ourselves and letting others know what we are capable of is very important if we want to serve God with all that we are and all that we have.
God, help us to use our gifts, strengths, and talents for your glory. If we don't know what these are, we ask that you provide the means for us to discover them. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
Showing posts with label gifts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gifts. Show all posts
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Friday, April 30, 2010
Including the Poor
... That they should make them days of feasting and gladness, days for sending gifts of food to one another and presents to the poor. Esther 9: 22b NRSV
The Book of Esther tells the origins of the Feast of Purim. This is the feast that reminds the Jews of their victory over their enemies and when their mourning had been turned into rejoicing. They are not to forget to celebrate and remember.
The celebration includes feasting, sending food to each other and giving gifts to the poor. This really sounds like the Christian celebration of Christmas! Traditionally, we feast, give gifts to each other and gifts to the poor.
It is easy to see why they would want to celebrate with food and gifts, but why the part about giving to the poor?
The poor have really not been mentioned in the Book of Esther. There is no tale of Esther or Mordecai giving to the less fortunate. We don't see the King doing much for the poor unless we count the beginning of the story in which he does hold a seven day banquet for all the people of the city of Susa. So, again, why include the poor?
Perhaps it has something to do with God. (!) Although God is never mentioned by name at any time in the Book of Esther, God is certainly present. And God is concerned with the less-fortunate. In giving thanks and remembering that the Jews were saved, is it not right to give to those who are down-trodden and hungry?
God, we celebrate at Christmas and other times with feasts and gifts. Help us to remember the poor at these times as well. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
The Book of Esther tells the origins of the Feast of Purim. This is the feast that reminds the Jews of their victory over their enemies and when their mourning had been turned into rejoicing. They are not to forget to celebrate and remember.
The celebration includes feasting, sending food to each other and giving gifts to the poor. This really sounds like the Christian celebration of Christmas! Traditionally, we feast, give gifts to each other and gifts to the poor.
It is easy to see why they would want to celebrate with food and gifts, but why the part about giving to the poor?
The poor have really not been mentioned in the Book of Esther. There is no tale of Esther or Mordecai giving to the less fortunate. We don't see the King doing much for the poor unless we count the beginning of the story in which he does hold a seven day banquet for all the people of the city of Susa. So, again, why include the poor?
Perhaps it has something to do with God. (!) Although God is never mentioned by name at any time in the Book of Esther, God is certainly present. And God is concerned with the less-fortunate. In giving thanks and remembering that the Jews were saved, is it not right to give to those who are down-trodden and hungry?
God, we celebrate at Christmas and other times with feasts and gifts. Help us to remember the poor at these times as well. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Quit Slacking!
So Joshua said to the Israelites, "How long will you be slack about going in and taking possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has given you?" Joshua 18: 3 NRSV
Okay, let's have a show of hands of all of you out there who have at least one gift card that you have yet to go and spend. I am thinking that pretty much all of us raised our hand. And I would also guess that we have each had a gift card expire on us because we had not used it.
Why is that?
If we are given cash, I don't think we would let it sit around for years before we used it!
Are we too lazy? Do we really not like receiving gifts?
Perhaps, like the Israelites, we are being slack. Or is it being slackers?
In any event, their were seven tribes left and the land lay subdued before them. God had given the land into their hands - they had seen this happen with their own eyes and knew it to be true. Yet, they all sat around waiting for the expiration date to come around. Joshua has to get them moving to accept God's gift.
What gift has God given to you that you are letting expire? Perhaps it is the day to get it off the shelf and use it.
God, you give us many good gifts and we seem to be pretty lazy about using them. Forgive us, God, and help us to use these gifts. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
Okay, let's have a show of hands of all of you out there who have at least one gift card that you have yet to go and spend. I am thinking that pretty much all of us raised our hand. And I would also guess that we have each had a gift card expire on us because we had not used it.
Why is that?
If we are given cash, I don't think we would let it sit around for years before we used it!
Are we too lazy? Do we really not like receiving gifts?
Perhaps, like the Israelites, we are being slack. Or is it being slackers?
In any event, their were seven tribes left and the land lay subdued before them. God had given the land into their hands - they had seen this happen with their own eyes and knew it to be true. Yet, they all sat around waiting for the expiration date to come around. Joshua has to get them moving to accept God's gift.
What gift has God given to you that you are letting expire? Perhaps it is the day to get it off the shelf and use it.
God, you give us many good gifts and we seem to be pretty lazy about using them. Forgive us, God, and help us to use these gifts. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
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