It’s My Birthday!

Posted on by Rev. Cleo Graham

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

Today is my birthday! I wonder about my birth day. You know, the day that I was born. So, I Call the Almighty One who was present at my birth.
O God, You are Great! You are Good! You are here!
All the time and everywhere!
Gracious God, I park and pray early this morning before the birds awaken, spread their wings and utter their first breath tones. O God, I am in awe of your presence and power as I hear rhythmic pulsations.

It’s my birth day, my first breath, the Ruah breath that breathed life within me. Loving God, your breath is like a slow wind entering my nose and moving down to the soles of my feet. I am awakened by the fresh sounds of a primal cry and joyful musical strings. I see a bright light. I feel my life awaken to your presence and welcoming me to this new day. “I am fearfully and wonderfully made!” I am a nameless baby girl until someone said, “Cleo,” and I smiled.

Today, O God, I give thanks for the blessings of a new day as I celebrate my birthday. I eat Your daily bread. I drink from Your cup of blessings made from pressed grapes. Its the salvation that quenches my spiritual thirst. I bear witness to Your presence and glorify You in word and deed. Still, I am a work in progress. I celebrate the gift of prayer each day at 1:11 pm. I thank You O God, for Your grace, love, Spirit and so much more. Your grace is the gas in my tank. Your love is the life blood flowing through my body. Your Spirit is the seed of my contentment. Thank God, for another birthday celebration of life!

O God, You are Great! You are Good! You are here! All the time and everywhere! Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow! Amen.

Christ is Risen!

Posted on by Rev. Cleo Graham

May, our spirit rise, walk and pray each day while carrying our cross, enduring its burden until injustice and oppression are dismantled, righteousness, peace, equity, and prosperity are real for all..

May we embrace the Light of God’s Holy presence, Christ’s ways, redemption and salvation, and the power of the Holy Spirit that inspires us to declare and share love. In our Savior’s Name. Amen

Finished

Posted on by Rev. Cleo Graham

Hated by the world,

Sold for thirty pieces of silver,

Sweating blood in Your agony,

Betrayed by Judas,

Forsaken by Your disciples,

Struck upon the cheek,

Accused by false witnesses,

Spit upon in the face,

Denied by Peter, .

Mocked by Herod,

Scourged by Pilate, .

Rejected for Barabbas,

Loaded with the cross,

Crowned with thorns,

Stripped of Your garments,

Nailed to the tree,

Reviled by the people,

Scoffed at by the malefactor,

Wounded in the side,

Shedding Your last drop of blood, .

Forsaken by Your Father,

Dying for our sins,

Taken down from the cross, .

Laid in the sepulchre,

Rising gloriously,

Ascending into Heaven,

Sending down the Paraclete, .

Jesus the Innocent Lamb of God,

sacrificed for us, Jesus our Mediator,

Jesus our Redeemer,

Be merciful, Spare us, O Lord.

Be merciful, Graciously hear us, O Lord.

https://www.cbmidwest.org/prayers/0307SevenLastWordsofJesus.pdf

https://www.bible.com/2016/jhn.19.30.nrsv

A Ransom for All

Posted on by Rev. Cleo Graham

bible.com/111/mat.20.28.niv

Where are you? Why are you here? What are you serving? Who do you serve? How? What are you willing to give as ransom? Will you give your time, talents, treasures or what else? Do nothing. Simply be present. Can you be a non anxious presence?

Let Us Park and Pray st 1:11 pm

God, this Holy Week many are tempted to do a lot to prepare for the Easter celebration with family and friends. We might search for the perfect hat, the most beautiful suit and wear the most attractive hairstyle. In the midst of our prepation we might trip over the alabaster bottle and waste it’s precious oils. We may forget to sit at your table, eat, drink and recall the Last Supper. We might step on broken nails and trip on splinters from a worn out cross. We will miss whatever you have in store for us. Almighty God help us to open our eyes, ears, hearts and hands to receive you and what you prepare to serve us daily. Thank you for your life gift, a ransom for us. Please accept our meager offering of faith and stillness. In your name. Amen.