Inspiration in my Inbox...

Like a lot of people, I get too many emails. And, I confess, i often just delete anything that isn't 'from a friend'. However, there are a few exceptions, and I'd like to recommend the only three regular emails I read...

The first is 24-7 prayer's weekly Rewind, which is a summary of the latest stories on 24-7's International website. These are always encouraging... well worth grabbing a cup of tea. You can subscribe here. I just received the latest edition, which is introduced by a video 9-year old Mimi Bowers! Ha ha.

The second is a simple daily email from the Moravian Church in America, which contains a few verses from the Bible and a suggested prayer for the day. I love the fact that this interrupts my day... it forces me to pause, to stop, to take a deep breath and welcome Holy Spirit right into the middle of my routines. If you fancy signing up, go here.

And finally, I really want to recommend the Mustard Seed Sampler, which Christine and Tom Sine send out every month. Each edition explores a particular, relevant theme... last month looked at economic issues. This month the focus is family. The Sampler is packed with thoughtful articles, out-of-the-box ideas, real-life stories and examples, as well as being deeply devotional... it really is the only email I take extended time to explore, and I'm never disappointed. Go have a look at their website, and sign-up if you want to join in. :)

Here's a few sentences from an article by Andy Wade in this month's Sampler;

"Our world is fundamentally changing and how we respond will determine both our impact and relevance for decades to come. Families fulfill an important role in shaping the future. We can open the amazing world of God’s “good creation” to our children, or we can cultivate fear, isolation, and the illusion of self-preservation. As important as the nuclear family is, the immensity of the challenge before us requires a new commitment to community. In many cultures around the globe, this larger community is also considered “family”.

As we unpack the concept of “family” I believe it is essential for us to revisit our baptismal vows. In every Christian tradition I can think of, these vows are not just made by the baptismal candidate (or her parents for those practicing infant baptism), but by the entire gathered community. There is a corporate response, an entering into mutually accountable Christian relationship. While we often use words like “personal salvation”, Jesus is my “personal Lord and Savior”, and speak about “my faith”, the biblical reality is that we are called into new relationship with both God and the family of God - the Body of Christ."

Shall we talk?

Comments

[Lindajoy]

I loved Mimi's precocious (?) little pout when she said she wasn't going to Edinburgh!

[Ruth]

Love it. I'm signed up with the first two, and just signed up with the third too! :)