A Devotional + Irresistible Temp Challenge

Happy New Year! + 1st Temp Challenge of 2018

I thought for the 1st day of 2018, I should share some "deep" thoughts. [As usual . . . Whatever.] We are still within the 12 days of Christmas, which traditionally begin on Christmas + End on Epiphany. So, I'm reprinting 3 prayers for the Days of Christmas from the devotional book Jesus God's Promise:  Inspiration from Henri J.M. Nouwen, along w/daily reflections & prayers from a variety of Christian writers. *
* None of them are Lutheran, as far as I know. I promise . . . You can cope. **
** Another true confession. This book was one of the resources I used for my daily "quiet time" during the Advent + Christmas seasons.

Prayer #1

"Almighty God, in joy & wonder we contemplate the miracle of Your coming among us. Though we cannot fully understand the mystery that brought Jesus to the simple family of Mary & Joseph, we know it is a miracle rooted in love beyond measure. You embraced our human life, & then You offered it on the cross so that we might have life to the full. Help us to receive that life & offer it back to You in loving service for the sake of Your kingdom. Amen."

Prayer #2:  

"Eternal God & Father, with joy we celebrate the coming of Your Son to redeem us. As Mary & Joseph welcomed Jesus into their family, may we also welcome Him in our hearts. Help us to cherish His presence in our lives. especially in the poor & those who need the help of others to survive. As we marvel at the humanity of the infinite God in Jesus, may we realize more deeply that through our baptism, we share in the life of Christ & its promise of eternal life. Amen."

Prayer #3:

"Word Made Flesh, You came to share our humanity so that we might share in Your divinity through baptism. Though it is more than we will ever fully understand, the miracles of Your birth gives gladness to our hearts. As our voices rise in praise throughout this Christmas season, we pray that the good news of of Your birth might spread far & wide. May we by word & deed give witness to Your continuing presence in a world that is sorely in need of Your love. Amen."

My Prayer

Heavenly Father, I praise You. You sent Your Son Jesus, our Savior; Jesus, Immanuel, God with us; Who is with us today, tomorrow, forever. Jesus, You lived the perfect life that we could not live; died the death that was rightfully ours; & rose triumphant over sin, death, & Satan. You have gone to prepare a place for us in heaven. Grant, I pray, that you would fill us with an extra measure of Your peace, which passes all understanding, & Your grace, your undeserved love, which You have promised is sufficient for us. Knowing that Your power is made perfect in our weakness, bring us healing of our bodies, minds, & souls, today & throughout the new year. Amen.

A Bible Reading *

* This was the epistle reading for last night's SUN 12/31 worship service @ Grace Norfolk.

"If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, 'For Your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Romans 8:31-39
COMMENT:  This passage resonates with me. Not only is it an appropriate scripture to consider as we look back on a year that held considerable challenges, also heartaches, it was also our wedding text.

Temp Challenge

I told myself that I was going to forego a temp challenge this morning. Then Lois got up & told me that WE had won this morning's challenge. The gauntlet had been thrown! Rankings based on Weather Underground (wunderground.com) at 8:25a (CST). NOTE:  Air temps only!

1. Norfolk, NE, -22 [-23 according to accuweather.com]
2. Ventura, IA, -18
3. Beatrice, NE, -15
4. TIE! Eagan, MN, -13 + Lincoln, NE, -13
5. Garrison, IA, -7
6. HONORARY BALMIEST LECKBAND: Wichita Falls, TX, 13