Monday, 27 September, 2004

This week's devotions are written by Redeemer member Judy Bird.



I grew up singing

"Faith of our fathers, living still

In spite of dungeon, fire and sword.

Oh, how our hearts beat high with joy

Whene'er we hear that glorious word.



"Faith of our fathers, holy faith,

We will be true to thee till death."

And another:

"My faith looks up to thee,

Thou Lamb of Calvary,

Savior divine!

Now hear me while I pray,

Take all my guilt away,

Oh, let me from this day

Be wholly thine."

But what is faith? How is it lived and demonstrated in every day life? How is it strengthened?



To help explore these and other questions, we will be using "Exploring Faith Maturity: A Self-Study Guide," by Eugene Roehlkepartain and Dorothy Williams and published by Lutheran Brotherhood (now Thrivent) over the next several days. It lays out a "self assessment" of our own "spiritual fitness" and describes nine dimensions of the Christian faith - a faith that both focuses on a relationship with God and a relationship with our neighbors. As Jesus says in Matthew 22:37, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your mind' … And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"



Connection: Look back over the last day or two: how has your faith shaped your response to others around you? How will it shape what you do today?



Prayer:

O most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother:

May I know thee more clearly,

Love thee more dearly,

And follow thee more nearly. Amen

Richard of Chichester, 1197-1253