*Deidre*

Today's readings and reflections...... Lamentations 1, 8 – 11 Something to read Jerusalem sinned grievously, so she has become a mockery; all who honoured her despise her, for they have seen her nakedness; she herself groans, and turns her face away. Her uncleanness was in her skirts; she took no thought of her future; her downfall was appalling, with none to comfort her. ‘O Lord, look at my affliction, for the enemy has triumphed!’ Enemies have stretched out their hands over all her precious things; she has even seen the nations invade her sanctuary, those whom you forbade to enter your congregation. All her people groan as they search for bread; they trade their treasures for food to revive their strength. Look, O Lord, and see how worthless I have become. Something to think about Personification is a figure of speech, a metaphor in which human characteristics, feelings or actions are attributed to things or abstract ideas. We are, for example, familiar with Father Time, Mother Earth, and with the custom of giving hurricanes names. The poems in Lamentations chapters 1,3 and 4 use a variety of female images to depict Judah and Jerusalem. These images weave in and out of one another, sometimes confusingly so it is not clear if several women appear in the poems. But the female representations of Judah and Jerusalem merge into one figure, 'daughter Zion', who personifies Jerusalem. Zion is the mountain in the centre of the city upon which the Temple was built. Zion was the place where God chose to dwell. Daughter Zion is both spoken about by a narrator and speaks herself. Daughter Zion is God's beloved daughter, and a passionate spokeswoman for the people's anguish. At the beginning of the chapter, Jerusalem is compared to a widow, a term used in the ancient world specifically to one whose husband's death deprives her of economic subsistence, completely exposed to the risk of destitution, disease and death. Today there are two million widows in Afghanistan; Kabul is known as 'the widows' capital of the world.' They experience that same exposure, and like daughter Zion, they are also exposed to abuse and indecency. Christian Aid works with partners in different parts of Afghanistan providing training, equipment, tools and seeds to help women to grow food for their children and provide them with safe and dignified means of employment and income. Something to do Who are the groups in your community for whom life may be particularly difficult or uncomfortable; perhaps homeless people or families of prisoners or carers? Can you take a step towards them; for example by writing to your MP on their behalf or by befriending someone who is isolated? Something to pray Let us pray for those whose lives are wilderness Those who are hungry and thirsty Those who are all alone Let us pray for those whose own will not receive them Those who are not listened to Those who live under constant threat May we stand firm in the gospel of peace and justice and follow faithfully in Christ's way of compassion and solidarity with those who are poor and excluded, wherever it may lead us. Amen

Paying people a livable wage is entirely doable in the US, commensurate upon work experience, education level, etc (not every job position in every industry should pay the same rate but one could still make a livable wage) if there were less unions, less or no outsourcing jobs to other countries, and less greed. The latter is the cause of the two former problems, unfortunately. How to regulate greed? I don't know if the government can do that, but it would be nice if they could.

Today's reading. I just love how this website that hosts these reflections, puts together the readings in this order. It is helpful when not knowing how to go about reading the Bible after having a long hiatus like I did. Lamentations 1, 1 – 7 Something to read How lonely sits the city that once was full of people! How like a widow she has become, she that was great among the nations! She that was a princess among the provinces has become a vassal. She weeps bitterly in the night, with tears on her cheeks; among all her lovers she has no one to comfort her; all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they have become her enemies. Judah has gone into exile with suffering and hard servitude; she lives now among the nations, and finds no resting-place; her pursuers have all overtaken her in the midst of her distress. The roads to Zion mourn, for no one comes to the festivals; all her gates are desolate, her priests groan; her young girls grieve, and her lot is bitter. Her foes have become the masters, her enemies prosper, because the Lord has made her suffer for the multitude of her transgressions; her children have gone away, captives before the foe. From daughter Zion has departed all her majesty. Her princes have become like stags that find no pasture; they fled without strength before the pursuer. Jerusalem remembers, in the days of her affliction and wandering, all the precious things that were hers in days of old. When her people fell into the hand of the foe, and there was no one to help her, the foe looked on mocking over her downfall. Something to think about The Book of Lamentations, sitting firmly in the middle of the prophetic books of the Hebrew Bible, laments the fall of Jerusalem and the beginning of the Babylonian captivity. The Babylonian invasion of Jerusalem lasted from 589 BC until 587 BC. It left the city devastated, the palace and Temple in ruins, many dead and many others taken as prisoners to Babylon. The bitter aftermath of war included a terrible famine, the loss or exile of loved ones, the challenges of reconstruction and, most of all, a pervasive sense of spiritual abandonment. The survivors left in Jerusalem feared that God had turned against them or even forgotten them altogether. The five poems that make up the book of Lamentations are an anguished cry by a stricken people expressing the grief and horror of war. Each poem contains several elements: a series of complaints, a statement of guilt, a cry for God's help and a petition against enemies. But there are none of the statements of praise conventionally found in psalms of lament (eg, Psalm 22) in any of the poems. Perhaps the burden of their sorrow was so heavy that they could not find any words of praise. Yet this is not a people who have turned altogether from God - their form of lament, which is a public, liturgical voicing of pain, is in itself a cry to God. Deepening the sense of despair is the use of a dirge, or death wail, used in funerals, in three of the poems. This is not just the death of individuals, or even a city, being mourned - it is the death of a nation. It is not hard to hear in the poems of Lamentations the voices of the people of Haiti, who have suffered so greatly over more than two centuries, yet still cry out to God - and to us. Something to do Look and listen to Christian Aid’s Haiti pages on this website, especially the prayer reflection, and hold these people in your hearts and prayers.http://www.christianaid.org.uk/haiti Something to pray O Christ our true peace, who felt the desolation of death and the fear of abandonment deliver us who also recognise the shape of desolation and weep. We pray for the people of Haiti. Give us insight to see the structures of injustice by which we profit, and grace to cherish all people in our vulnerability, knowing that we all live within your love. Amen

Thank you for your thought to this, yes...agree! I was an atheist for a time, I had departed from Christianity for roughly 4 years. I can honestly say now that I've been 'born again,' and in that, I have a newfound understanding of Jesus, and His profound love and role in our lives. Not that I didn't understand it before, but I didn't experience it before. If only everyone would allow themselves the opportunity to follow Jesus, they would see...without a doubt...that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. But, it takes surrendering and following Him. I really like what you posted here.

lol I don't know why that captured that quote I wonder if when I quoted it in that other thread, if it stayed in 'cue.' I tried to edit it out of this thread, but I don't know how to delete it now. Sorry

Today's reading St Luke 2, 28 – 32 Something to read Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, 'Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.' New Revised Standard Version Something to think about Today is Candlemas. The day commemorates the ritual purification of Mary, 40 days after the birth of her son Jesus. This day also marks the ritual presentation of the baby Jesus to God in the Temple at Jerusalem. Simeon held the baby Jesus and called him a Light to the World. Here we read the absolute Sovereign has kept his promise to Simeon, who now asks the Lord to let him die in peace. In the prophetic praise that follows, Jesus is equated with 'your salvation'. It is not accidental that Jesus' name, in Hebrew Yeshua (a form of the name 'Joshua'), means literally, 'salvation'. So Simeon looks on the child named 'Salvation' and says, 'my eyes have seen your salvation...' It is remarkable that Simeon sees Jesus' salvation as extending to all people - Gentiles and Jews alike. This is the same message the angel spoke to the shepherds on Christmas night: 'I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people' (Luke 2:10). Something to do When was the last time you heard good news? Maybe it was a wedding announcement, a birthday or a new job. We all want and wish for good news. The Gospel message tells us Jesus is good news to all people, especially the poor. Today make your own good news happen - reconnect with a neighbour, work colleague or school friend and let them know you care. Something to pray Lord Christ, set me on fire Burn for me all that dims your light Kindle an answering flame in lives around; That darkness may be driven back into this world Transforming it with love.

lol i hope not!!

Wasn't sure where to place this, but found a website that uses the KJV for its Bible readings and reflections. I really have been enjoying getting back into the Bible, I was an ex-Christian for a few years, and just recently returned last year and reading the Bible with spiritual eyes. It's been awesome to read it with a whole new perspective, and thought it might be nice to have a daily reflection here and if you'd like to discuss it, we can do that too (site is: http://www.christianaid.org.uk/resources/churches/daily-readings/ ) Today's reading...

I had a dream a few nights ago, that I had passed away, and was in heaven. I saw people who had died in my life, and then there was a banquet table. This beautiful banquet table, and Jesus appeared, and He said 'welcome.' And there was this beautiful but somewhat eerie music playing the entire time...like a flute or something, and it kept playing the same few notes over and over. Jesus walked away, and then the table kept 'growing' and more and more people were walking towards it. And then I woke up. It was so very real! But so very comforting, and while I do wish to live a long life, it made me have a yearning for heaven, which I didn't always think about all that much.

This is fascinating! And spiritually, it's healthy to fast as well.

Yes, true. And what I've learned about evil...is it rarely looks like evil at first. It's always attractive, and attracting...which is why so many people fall in love with it, but then they realize what it is, after they have been hurt by it.

It's very insidious, these types of 'religions.' On the surface, they seem to preach love and kindness, and live and let live type of mantras...what could be bad about that, right? But, when one takes a deeper look, they tend to point towards something dark, and of those I've known who have followed these types of religions, they changed for the worse. They became very self focused, and before long, became empty. But, at first, if one is vulnerable, they can look appealing.

This.

Yea, now that I have returned, it can be a feeling to feel that way for those who don't have this type of joy. It's a joy that surpasses secular understanding, as we know. I try to understand, I guess...I was a skeptic for a time so, yea.

I've been so caught up in returning to the faith, I forgot what it's like to be an atheist, and hold an atheist view. And argue against theists. Well, I was never a hardcore arguer, but recently, with online and offline friends of mine who are atheists, they seem to be of the opinion that Christians lack intellectual honesty. Why would we lack intellectual honesty, simply because we believe in something that they do not? Feeling sad today, and thought I'd vent to you all, for you probably can relate to the frustration of people treating you differently in life, simply because you believe in God.

Yes, about four years ago, and I left the faith entirely. No more prayers, church, Bible, became an utter skeptic as it relates to Jesus, etc. At first it was jarring, and then over time, I settled into this atheist/agnostic lifestyle, and life was so flat. But, I never really knew how to venture back. Just a few months ago, I felt the Holy Spirit come into my life, and all that flatness instantly disappeared. I can honestly say, Jesus is alive, and He wants us to live our very best lives. It takes effort to live in this world, but Jesus told His followers that they are not of this world. Consider this a time to read more of the Bible, pray more, maybe keep a reflection diary and make it somewhat fun, for lack of a better word. This too shall pass.

That's it!! The service on Xmas Eve was very down to earth. There are some great priests out there who really make their messages relevant to everyday life, so the Catholic mass can be down to earth as well, but it doesn't center around the Bible. I thought it was so cool that the Pastor was holding a Bible and just reading out of it. lol That is a different experience for me.

aw, this is nice.

Thanks everyone, it was AMAZZZZING! Moving and relevant sermon. I'm blown away, so happy we went tonight! I still do enjoy Catholic mass as that's what I grew up with, but there was something different tonight. It really was a great place to be tonight. My fiance and I talked about attending routinely to see if we like the Sunday worship services. I can't imagine that we wouldn't!

For some reason, I couldn't quote you again lol Yes, I agree..it will be huge, but there is always a backlash when mankind tries to hurt mankind and turn to greed as it's idol. That's what it's all about, greed. :/

It will never replace human beings entirely. It has replaced humans in many sectors, yes...but it will never replace humans, entirely. Entirely is the operative word. lol

It will never replace human beings entirely. It has replaced humans in many sectors, yes...but it will never replace humans, entirely. Entirely is the operative word. lol

As much as automation has taken over certain sectors of society, the personal touch of dealing with a human being will never be removed. Think people are tired of automation in some cases, and just want to deal with a live person. lol I will never trust an automated car. No way.

Going to attend a Baptist service for the very first time tonight, with my fiance. He was raised in a non-denominational household, and I was raised with the Catholic faith. I'm used to the Catholic mass, so feeling excited to attend something new. Merry Christmas, all!

If a man tells you that he had not one, but two wives whom he married in less than one month's time...RUN. Learn to trust your instincts. They are there for a reason. Because it shows a pattern of someone moving way too quickly with most women. Use this time to enjoy your own life, and stay close to the Lord. Work on healing, and moving forward. I also would go no contact with this guy, because guys like this always try to come back...I've been there lol Sorry this all happened.