Tag: Blessing

Pray with Your Feet

On By Don Schiewer JrIn Blessing, Creation, Living5 Comments

Abraham Heschel is famous for being a wonderful theologian, scholar, activist, and overall a godly man. When asked about his experience marching with MLK at Selma he responded that he was ‘praying with his feet.’

What an absolutely beautiful statement – standing up for others, marching for what you believe – is, in fact, prayer! Not just what is uttered from our lips but what is also demonstrated by our steps.

I found that through most of life I prayed (with my lips) the Good LORD would make my path smooth – that He’d fill in the potholes of life, detour me around construction, and carry me when times got rough (think: footprints in the sand) – As I’ve grown in my walk (pun intended) I’ve realized that there is another prayer that has begun to resonate more – It is a prayer for the correct feet for the terrain in front of us. Not a prayer that allows us to escape but rather a prayer that allows us to more fully engage in the landscape of life.

Think about the beauty of the animal kingdom and how their feet/paws/claws are perfectly suited for the things that they must traverse and experience…In that same exact way I pray that G_d gives me the right feet for this moment in life that I might be able to continue to pray with my feet.

I want to be a person who prays with my feet. Please join me!

Today’s Blessing (5.05)

On By Don Schiewer JrIn Blessing, LivingLeave a comment

Blessed are You, O’LORD our G_d, King of the universe, Creator of all things for accepting my humble offerings.

Blessed are You, O’LORD our G_d, King of the universe, Creator of all things for accepting my small contributions.

Blessed are You, O’LORD our G_d, King of the universe, Creator of all things for accepting my inadequate gifts.

Blessed are You, O’LORD our G_d, King of the universe, Creator of all things for declaring them good.

The Creator of all things finds my gifts and offerings to be a “pleasing aroma” – I turn my nose up at the grandeur of His creation…yet He celebrates the small return of my “creations”…How is it that the G_d who placed the stars in the heavens would express gratitude for my $.02 (literally and figuratively).

Today I’m blessed by the priceless offering of sunshine and warmth, green leaves and yellow bulbs, gentle breezes and fluffy clouds – all of this freely offered for our enjoyment…and in return – what? – how do I return an offering?

LORD – I glorify You – I lift You on high – may I live a life that declares Your Majesty – that reflects Your generosity – that shares Your warmth. May Your Name be sanctified!

Today’s Blessing (4.27)

On By Don Schiewer JrIn Blessing, Guest Author, Tana M. Schiewer1 Comment
From a random church page.

Blessed are You, O’LORD our G_D, King of the universe, Creator of all things for being in all things.

Blessed are You, O’LORD our G_d, King of the universe, Creator of all things for being through all things.

Blessed are You, O’LORD our G_d, King of the universe, Creator of all things for dwelling in our midst.

(Thoughts from my wife) This was the meditation from Henri Nouwen for Wednesday, April 27:

Two of the disciples of Jesus were on their way to a village called Emmaus… Jesus himself came up and walked by their side; but something prevented them from recognizing him… But while he was with them at table he took bread and said the blessing; …and their eyes were opened and the recognized him. …They said to each other ‘did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us…?’. (Luke 24)  
Nouwen’s commentary on this was remembering the resurrection, and how it affects our daily lives; a good reminder.  But my thoughts immediately went to a different place:
How often does Jesus walk up beside us, and we don’t recognize Him?

The best, most honoring way we can remember the resurrection is to look for Jesus all around us.  See Him and seek Him in the faces of the downtrodden, the weak, the poor, the helpless.  Offer love.  Be a blessing.  Usher in His kingdom by treating every stranger walking beside us on the road as the very image of G_d we are searching for.