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The Forward Day by Day Meditation for August 9, 2018

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THURSDAY, August 9

John 1:46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

When I was growing up in the early 1980s, many parent-types were concerned about the influence rock musician Prince was having on teenagers. With his provocative clothing and the explicit lyrics of his songs, people asked if anything good could come out of this strange young man from Minneapolis.

But there was more to Prince than outrageous antics. Those of us who took the time to wade through the strange costumes found a man deeply devoted to Jesus Christ. While Prince wrote many songs about romance and sex, he also wrote many songs about God. In fact, the B-side to “Purple Rain” was a song called “God,” which was explicit in a different way—explicitly religious.

Many people thought nothing good could come out of Prince, just like people thought nothing good could come out of Nazareth. They were wrong and doubted God’s power to bless the world with unlikely people. But really, that’s all God ever does. Thanks be to God.

MOVING FORWARD: When have you been blessed by someone you thought least likely to do so? How did that change you?

PRAY for the Federal Ministries of the Episcopal Church

Ps [83] or 145 * 85, 86 | Judges 8:22-35 | Acts 4:1-12 | John 1:43-51