Tag Archives: Methodist

A Lenten Meditation

United Methodist Hymnal
Hymn 386: Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown
Charles Wesley

Come, O thou Traveler unknown,

Whom still I hold, but cannot see!

My company before is gone,

And I am left alone with Thee;

With Thee all night I mean to stay,

And wrestle till the break of day;

With Thee all night I mean to stay,

And wrestle till the break of day.

 

I need not tell Thee who I am,

My misery and sin declare;

Thyself hast called me by my name,

Look on Thy hands, and read it there;

But who, I ask Thee, who art Thou?

Tell me Thy name, and tell me now.

But who, I ask Thee, who art Thou?

Tell me Thy name, and tell me now.

 

‘Tis Love! ’tis Love! Thou diedst for me!
I hear Thy whisper in my heart;
The morning breaks, the shadows flee,
Pure, universal love Thou art;
To me, to all, Thy mercies move;
Thy nature and Thy Name is Love.
To me, to all, Thy mercies move;
Thy nature and Thy Name is Love.


By clicking on the picture below you can see an excellent “3 minute Retreat” video prepared by United Methodist Communications using this Wesleyan hymn as background. I hope it is as peaceful to you as it was to me.


Lenten Meditation

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Divine Union

Liturgy of Saint James. Russian Orthodox Churc...

Franciscan Friar and contemplative Richard Rhor asserts the following: “Divine union, not private perfection, is the goal of all religion.” In that very short statement we can find the heart of our faith walk. Our world is busy chasing many goals and movements to find the perfect way to “do church,” and it stares us in the face. Religion is union with the divine. That union is not found in a series of rules that seek to bring us to a state of personal perfection but in quiet steps that bring us closer to God.

This union with the Divine has to start with prayer that carries us away from the ordinary and allows us to reach for the Divine. Perhaps the best start would be a time of silence when we offer ourselves to God, and remain still long enough for Him to respond.

Union with the Divine is found in the Sacrament of Holy Communion. In this Holy Mystery, the Divine comes to us. Countless hours are spent looking for God, and without a doubt, He is present in the sacrament. Do not neglect the concept of frequent communion that is so forcefully expressed by Methodist founder John Wesley for in the practice of this Holy Mystery we find Divine union.

Jesus cries to us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. “ Let us make coming to union with the Divine the driving force of our lives.

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A Word from Mr. Wesley #1

John Wesley (1703-1791), founder of Methodism

John Wesley (1703-1791), founder of Methodism 

‘The Methodists must take heed to their doctrine, their experience, their practice, and their discipline. If they attend to their doctrines only, they will make the people antinomians; if to the experimental part of religion only, they will make them enthusiasts; if to the practical part only, they will make them Pharisees; and if they do not attend to their discipline, they will be like persons who bestow much pains in cultivating their garden, and put no fence round it, to save it from the wild boar of the forest.”

—– John Wesley

John Wesley expressed the importance of us becoming fully developed believers of Christ. The fully devoted believers does not become a one dimensional Christian.

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A Word from Mr. Wesley

English: "John Wesley," by the Engli...

“The Methodists must take heed to their doctrine, their experience, their practice, and their discipline. If they attend to their doctrines only, they will make the people antinomians; if to the experimental part of religion only, they will make them enthusiasts; if to the practical part only, they will make them Pharisees; and if they do not attend to their discipline, they will be like persons who bestow much pains in cultivating their garden, and put no fence round it, to save it from the wild boar of the forest.”

—–John Wesley

John Wesley expressed the importance of us becoming fully developed believers of Christ. The fully devoted believer does not become a one dimensional Christian. One of the greatest challenges that the postmodern church faces is to rediscover what it means to be a believer in our world setting. There are so many problems, hindrances, and obstacles that plague believers today. Retreating into a one dimensional faith can feel quite comfortably.

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