John Wesley’s Thursday Evening Prayer

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Dean G. Blevins

Wesley’s written prayer for families for Thursday Evening. John wrote morning and evening prayers for families, I am offering paraphrases to my Family Ministry class

Dear Lord, our God, Your glory is above our thoughts and Your love above all our works. We are definitely living monuments of Your love. You have not abandoned us in our sins; instead, You give us good hope and strong comfort through grace. You sent Your only Son into the world “so whoever believes in Him will not perish” in his or her sins “but have everlasting life” (John 3:16-17). Lord, we believe, so help our unbelief by giving us a true repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. This way we may be counted with those who repent and believe till our souls are saved. As those justified by faith, allow us to have peace with God through our Lord Jesus and rejoice in Christ who provides redemption through His blood. Let the love of God spring out from our hearts through the Holy Spirit which You give us.

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The Future of Nazarene Theological Education

Posted on March 24, 2013 by Dean G. Blevins

2013-03-21_12-50-54_854Just back from Seattle and the Wesleyan Theological Society Meeting. (And the most important event comes at the end of this post).

2013-03-21_19-57-01_222Great fellowship and stimulating presentations, including Walter Brueggemman, Bruce Marshall, Mike Lodahl, Daniella Augustine, and Thomas Dozeman. Hats off to Jason Vickers for a strong theme and great program. Kudos to SPU (President Dan Martin and Dean Doug Strawn) for impeccable hospitality.

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Wesley’s Prayer for Thursday Morning

Posted on March 10, 2013 by Dean G. Blevins

Wesley’s written prayer for families for Thursday Morning. John wrote morning and evening prayers for families, I am offering paraphrases to my Family Ministry class

Dear Lord, the God of our salvation, you are the hope for everything across the ends of the earth. All eyes wait on You, for You give life, and even breath, to everything. You always watch over us for our well-being, and You renew within us both life and love. You give us assurance in what You promise; that should we commit our daily activities to you and acknowledge you in everything, then You will direct our daily walk.

Lord, we seek to remain under Your gracious plan and Fatherly protection. We ask the guidance and help of Your good Holy Spirit. Please choose our legacy for us and encourage us to glorify Your name in everything that concerns our lives.

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The ongoing vision of the REA

Posted on March 9, 2013 by Dean G. Blevins

2013-03-08_14-00-56_910People often tease me that my Facebook page is usually populated with a number of “boring” meeting pictures. Just how many creative ways can you capture people sitting around tables with open laptops, power point projections, and presentation pages? Okay, so I am not that creative ( but at least most of the time I am “behind” the camera instead of in front of it). 2013-03-08_10-04-04_285However, often these meetings reflect the passion and wisdom of friends and colleagues whose work means a great deal for the future of faith formation and education.

2013-03-08_14-01-56_238One good example is the Religious Education Association board retreat. I have attended such retreats for seven years now. We have met in retreat centers and hotels across the country. Sometimes the settings were quite sterile, surrounded by hotel walls.2013-03-09_08-40-46_10 Other settings (like this year) include a lovely retreat center nestled in the back country just outside Atlanta.

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Posted in Culture, Discipleship, Leadership, Pedagogy, Religious Education | 1 Comment

Wesley’s Prayer for Wednesday Evening

Posted on March 4, 2013 by Dean G. Blevins

Wesley’s written prayer for families for Wednesday Evening. John wrote morning and evening prayers for families, I am offering paraphrases to my Family Ministry class

Lord, how great is Your workmanship, with wisdom You made everything. Day and Night are Yours as You prepared the light and sun. We give You thanks for all the benefits you give to the whole world; and especially to us who received knowledge of the grace of Jesus Christ. You have loved us with a marvelous love. Not everyone knows either the depths of that love, nor knows all the great and precious promises that You provide.

Loving Father, we ask you accept our good commitments, ones that You inspired through the Holy Spirit. Strengthen our resolve, we ask, by your grace. Let no sudden desires, powerful inclinations, poor purposes and half-way actions lead us into a false opinion of ourselves. Instead, may we really, consistently, demonstrate the fruits of righteous living, given by Jesus.

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Real Conversation on Discipleship

Posted on February 27, 2013 by Dean G. Blevins

One of the real joys this past year was being part of a panel discussion sponsored by Sunday School & Discipleship Ministries International and Grace & Peace Magazine. The honor was primarily being with so many passionate and classy people discussing a mutual interest in discipleship that proved invigorating. This very real conversation on discipleship reminded me why I pursued this vocation in the first place, and I am thankful that God graciously opened doors to live it. Occasionally Larry Morris stuck me with a question, here is an example:

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John Wesley’s Prayer for Wednesday Morning

Posted on February 26, 2013 by Dean G. Blevins

Wesley’s written prayer for families for Wednesday Morning. John wrote morning and evening prayers for families, I am offering paraphrases to my Family Ministry class

Dear God, who is blessed forever, we thank and praise You for the good things of this life, and our hope for everlasting salvation in the life to come. We hope to have a vibrant sense of Your love always in our hearts. We pray this love compels us to love You, obey You, trust You, and to remain content in the way You love us, and even rejoice in the middle of the troubles that come our way in this life.

You gave Your own Son for us all. With Jesus now by Your side, will You not also freely give us the things we need? We depend on You especially for the gift of Your Holy Spirit. May we constantly feel the Spirit’s presence by the strength of our holy faith. May the Holy Spirit keep us above all of those temptations that attack us, and keep us free from the stain of worldly influences. May we hold close to You in righteousness, humility, a pure heart, and with our entire minds set upon Christ.

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Posted in Discipleship, Family, Homes, Religious Education, Spiritual Formation, Uncategorized, Wesley | Leave a comment