A Devotional for Progressive Christians

By Lon B. Chesnutt

In A Devotional for Progressive Christians , author Lon Chesnutt is speaking to and for self-exiles from the church who claim to be spiritual but not religious in our times.

During a time of intense searching over what it means to be religious, this short book offers some hope. In a practical waywith stories and experiencethe author demonstrates how to move from personal reflection to trusting your judgment and engaging the world. It can change your journey in prayer from wondering whos listening into new insights on personal responsibility.

• Language: English
• Publisher: LifeRich Publishing
• Release date: Dec 22, 2016
• ISBN: 9781489709837

Lon B. Chesnutt

Lon Chesnutt spent his career as a United Methodist minister. He started first as a campus chaplain in Atlanta, GA; and then pastored churches in the Baltimore/Washington area for thirty years. Since retirement, his involvement in ministry has continued through teaching, projects, and social groups advocating diversity, personal involvement, and justice. He and his wife, Evelyn, live in Charlestown Retirement Community, Catonsville, Maryland. COMMENTS: The author would appreciate your reaction to these daily devotions. Please send them to me by email at ‘[e-mail]’.

Book preview

A Devotional for Progressive Christians

Lon B. Chesnutt

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Copyright © 2016 Lon B. Chesnutt.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

LifeRich Publishing is a registered trademark of The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

ISBN: 978-1-4897-0984-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4897-0983-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016916341

LifeRich Publishing rev. date: 12/21/2016

Contents

Preface

Introduction

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

Day 9

Day 10

Day 11

Day 12

Day 13

Day 14

Day 15

Day 16

Day 17

Day 18

Day 19

Day 20

Day 21

Day 22

Day 23

Day 24

Day 25

Day 26

Day 27

Day 28

Day 29

Day 30

Day 31

Day 32

Day 33

Day 34

Day 35

Day 36

Day 37

Day 38

Day 39

Day 40

Day 41

Day 42

Day 43

Day 44

Day 45

Day 46

Scripture Table

About the Author

Preface

As language is important for our understandings, the use of very ancient words and phrases has become problematic for many Christians. This brief writing tries to give an alternative way for understanding scripture and articulating implications in these tumultuous days.

These particular Biblical passages follow a guide found in Reuben Job’s PRAYING IN A NOISEY WORLD and then utilize the list of Suggested Scripture Lessons in the 1992 edition of THE UNITED METHODIST BOOK OF WORSHIP. Out of the scripture passage for the day, I have selected what seems to me the key verse for comments. The pattern of selection is not as significant as is the method of treatment for each scripture passage, which is explained below. Bible quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version.

Introduction

This booklet was first prepared as a ‘Prayer Journal’ of my own reflections. After some rereading and thinking, it seemed that it might be helpful for others who are having difficulty with an older form of personal devotions. Thus in following the traditional pattern of scripture reading, reflection, and a brief prayer, I have tried to explore the relationship of Bible reading and it’s meaning for one’s personal life.

The use of non-traditional language in addressing God or thinking about Deity