Publisher's Synopsis
The Upper Room is a unique publication which has a worldwide readership of some three million, with over 70 different editions in 40 languages. Unlike most Bible Reading Notes, the readings and reflections in The Upper Room are written exclusively by the readers themselves who seek to share the insights of their faith with others. Each day's reading contains a Bible passage to read (you will need to use a Bible), a reflection on the passage and prayer followed by a Thought for the Day and a suggested Prayer Focus for the day. There is also a set of small group questions provided each week to fuel discussions within your house group, with a prayer partner or just with friends in Church. The Upper Room is published three times a year, in January, May and September. The Editor writes... About a year ago I attended a course to learn to become a guide at Peterborough Cathedral. It was a fascinating ten weeks: we explored the cathedral from top to bottom, literally, creeping through a low passage beneath the present building, which had once been part of the Saxon abbey on the same site; and scaling the total of 180 spiral steps that led from ground level up to the massive roof beams and beyond, to the roof itself. As well as the history of the building, we heard of all the different people who had had the vision, at different times, to begin to build, or to carry on work that others had started. Cathedrals take centuries to complete, and the people who began to build them, who saw the corner-stones laid and toiled for years to raise the first areas of today's building in the 1100s, never saw the work completed. Craftsmen, who had talents for carving stone or wood, for working in stained glass, for manoeuvring large blocks of masonry so that they stayed upright and in place - all such people gave of their best during the time they worked there, even though the finished building lay far in the future. Our service for God's kingdom is similar, whether it is as part of our church community's work, or our day-to-day discipleship. We may feel that what we are trying to do is a very small part of God's work. The projects we are engaged in at church may take a long time to come to fruition and may not show much success to begin with. The way in which we try to live day by day, and our efforts to try to help people may all seem a contribution that makes little difference to the progress of God's work in the world. Yet final results lie with God. Our task is to contribute, to do our best, and to trust that God will take what we do and use it in the best way for the furthering of his kingdom. Susan Hibbins Editor of the UK edition Connections 'If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind' Philippians 2:1-2 (NRSV) Bernie Rodriques wanted to throw a going-away party. For two weeks, the South African grandmother had hosted two young American women in her home while they volunteered at the ministry that Bernie serves. But not enough of Bernie's colleagues could come to make it a proper party, so she reached out to her neighbours. 'You've seen these young women come and go each day,' she told them. 'Please help me give them a good send-off.' One new neighbour was delighted by the invitation and brought her husband, children and a lovingly prepared dish to share. Many others also came, filled with good cheer and laden with homemade food. It was a grand celebration, but Bernie was so focused on her hosting duties that she didn't make time for her Upper Room devotional until late evening. When she finally opened the 'little book' to the day's date, her eyes widened as she read the headline: 'Know Your Neighbours'. The devotion's writer, John M. Drescher of Pennsylvania, described how he had made a conscious effort to reach out to his new neighbours. Bernie couldn't help but think, 'That's just what I've done. This was meant for me.' Bernie, who is also an Upper Room volunteer, shared her story with me in Johannesburg at the second of our Upper Room 'family reunion' gatherings around the world. Though her story is among the most moving I've heard, I've grown accustomed to readers telling me how often individual devotions speak to their own lives, how often reader and writer are 'of one mind' though they may live a continent apart. Paul counsels that this is as it should be. As Christians, the things we have in common do outnumber our differences. I pray that you will make similar connections as you experience the stories in this edition of The Upper Room. Sarah Wilke Publisher
