Forward Movement is an official, non-profit agency of the Episcopal Church whose mission is to create compelling content for Christian living. Since 1935 we have published the quarterly devotional Forward Day by Day, as well as pamphlets, booklets, and books that encourage and nourish people in their lives of prayer and faith.
TUESDAY, May 19 (Dunstan) Rogation Day
James 1:16-27. Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
The notion that God does not change comes from Greek philosophy. There is some truth in it, as this verse affirms. In his divine essence, God is entirely self-sufficient, neither acted upon nor affected by events and beings outside himself. This God of the philosophers is eternally the same and is not subject to any of the limitations which bind us--he is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, omni- everything, eternally, forever. The philosophers' God is so different from us that it's hard to imagine relating to him--or rather, it--in any way beyond being stunned by its absolute otherness.
Apparently God didn't like it that way. So this omni-everything, "absolutely other" God did something most ungodlike by the philosophers' reckoning: God became human. He laid aside all his "omnis" and took on our limitations, even to the point of dying. If you were God, would you have done that? Why would God have done such a thing? What was in it for him?
PRAY for the Diocese of Minnesota (Province VI, U.S.)
Ps 78:1-39 * 78:40-72; Deuteronomy 8:11-20; Luke 11:1-13
View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.
A Meditation for Pentecost
New! Forward Day by Day is available on your Kindle or Nook!
Learn more about how you can support the Unapologetically Episcopalian Campaign to transform the church! Forward Movement stands ready -- and you can help. Don't forget to "like" Unapolgetically Episcopalian on Facebook.
Send Us Your Cat or Dog Photos!
Forward Movement is accepting photo submissions for EpiscoCats and EpiscoPups – our 15-month, wall-hanging calendars. If your pet is chosen, you’ll receive a photo credit and 5 complimentary copies of the calendar. Click here for submission guidelines!
Claim Your Free Gift Now! Simply subscribe to our e-news by using the form below. You will then be able to download our "Ten Ways to Pray" ebook!
Be sure to confirm your preferences and check your email after subscribing. The link to your free gift is found in your "Welcome" email.
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Show/hide comments
Show/hide comment form
