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A Prayer (Adapted from a prayer by Rev.
Dr. Steven Bailey, an East Ohio United Methodist
District Superintendent)
Eternal God, we
invite the active presence of your spirit into our
lives. Guide our thoughts and actions. We do
not ask you for material gain or career success.
We ask you humbly to transform us inwardly: To
open our eyes to your presence and make us better.
Make us courageous. Empower us to put behind us
any internal voices that would discourage us and
tell us we are alone and separate from you. Give
us stamina and endurance in seeking a more just
community for all our brothers and sisters.
Eternal God, hope of all who call out to you, may
we each be one pivot point where the world swings
from what it is, to a better world that can be. We
may call you by different names; we may pray in
different languages; we may come from a multitude
of perspectives – but share this moment in history
– as we live together on this fragile planet. Give
us grace, give us courage, give us compassion, and
give us hope. Amen.
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ADDITIONAL INTERESTING
ARTWORK
These
works portray unique messages beyond being
mere illustrations.
The Temptation
In The Wilderness by
Briton Riviere (1840–1920)
Forty days in the
wilderness, tempted by Satan
by William Brassey Hole (1846-1917)
Jesus Tempted in the
Wilderness by James Tissot
(1836-1902)
Jesus’ Three
Temptations by Satan by
William Blake (1757-1827)
NOTE:
Images and links are not provided here
because of copyright restrictions and
because links often become outdated.
However, reproductions of these works
are easy to find on the Internet.
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A NEW YEAR'S POEM
by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light;
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow;
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
Ring out the grief that saps the mind,
For those that here we see no more;
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.
Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.
Ring out the want, the care, the sin,
The faithless coldness of the times;
Ring out, ring out my mournful rimes
But ring the fuller minstrel in.
Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.
Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.
Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.
The Answer
to Last Week's Puzzle: Then a
voice said from heaven, "This is my own dear
son with whom I am pleased."
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