Frequently Asked Questions
Index
What is the purpose of the daily Inspirations at Morning by Morning's web site?
In an era where time is at a premium and schedules complex, we offer a daily Inspiration as a compact (7 minutes or less) and spiritually-focused reading, intent on prioritizing the day. A large portion of the population allocates 20+ minutes at the beginning of each day for a shower and brushing teeth, ensuring their hygiene is at its best. Likewise, most people start the day with nutritional input, from the minimum cup of coffee or glass of juice, to a variety of breakfast choices.
However, according to research, very few of us regularly take just a few minutes to start the day with spiritually-sustaining input. Why not daily cleanse our soul, a divine hygiene, since we know the soul is eternal and the body temporal?
No one washes the outside of a pan and then allows the inside to collect impurities and disease. Why do we ignore ablutions for the soul? Dirt off, nutrition in, morning by morning.
top
What is the basis of the organization of the Inspiration?
There are 5 parts to the Daily Inspiration: (1)a greeting and introduction, (2)scripture reading and commentary, (3)a daily proverb, (4)a piece of spiritual fruit, and (5)a prayer.
Scripture Source Organization
There are many denominations which use an organized rotation of scripture readings, called a lectionary. Its design allows parishioners to cover the entire Bible over the process of 3 years of Sunday services. During the decade of the 1970s, thousands of hours were spent by representatives of about 20 of these groups to combine differing methods in use by individual denominations, resulting in the Revised Common Lectionary, with the official version maintained by Vanderbuilt University, and has access at this link in their web site:
http://divinity.library.vanderbilt.edu/lectionary/
top
How do you use this organizational calendar tool in your weekly theme of Inspirations?
This common lectionary, first, builds on the church calendar, so that the scripture on Easter will be about the resurrection, and at Christmas, the scriptures deal with the baby in a manger, which will not often happen in a selection of scripture that is consecutively based. Secondly, there are 4 scripture readings for a typical Sunday service: an Old Testament reading, a Psalm, a selection from a New Testament Epistle, and preeminently, a Gospel reading. These weekly readings are in a 3-year cycle, based on the 3 Gospels that are semi-chronological: Matthew (2008), Mark (2009) and Luke (2010). The Gospel of John is mixed in when events and writings correspond with the others, but especially with Mark, since it is the shortest Gospel. Interestingly, 1 proverb per day covers the Book of Proverbs in 3 years, as well, although that is not a feature of the lectionary.
The 4 scripture sections listed in the prior paragraph are the basis for the 7 Inspirations for each week, with the theme drawn from the Gospel selection. Typically the Gospel opens the week on Monday, and culminates the theme on the next Sunday. (For example, in preparation for Pentecost Sunday, the scriptures begin with that subject on the Monday prior, and conclude the topic on Pentecost Sunday.) Tuesday is usually the Old Testament reading, Wednesday is the Psalm, and Friday and Saturday are grounded in the New Testament Epistle. Thursday is variable, basing on the Old Testament or the Psalm, depending on the writer’s preference for the week.
top
What makes you different from other sites on the Internet?
While many sites offer inspirational content, or Christian devotions,
Morning by Morning offers a concise inspiration keyed to this day. A timely offering creates customized content and provides
functionality just for you. This is a basic minimum, and those with greater appetite can spend more time adding to it. Morning by Morning is a quick and tidy little package that is easy to use, broad in its appeal, and balanced in view. Our ultimate goal is an experience that truly enhances your spiritual growth.
top
Are you affiliated with any specific church or organization?
We, as individuals, are members of different churches, but Morning by Morning is not
connected to a specific denominational group. The first five writers to contribute to Morning by Morning attend churches from 5 different denominations. We intend to be broad in our scope and
appeal. We partner with other like-minded groups in the interest of
providing the best possible content for our members with a shared belief in the essentials of the
Christian faith.
We share far, far more in common than the minor points in which we differ.
top
I'm not a Christian. Can I still use the web site?
Absolutely. We welcome anyone who is open to spiritual inspiration. The Bible is the most
printed, read, and quoted book on the planet. It contains wisdom and inspiration in
its writings, and has stood the test of time. So, we are confident that making it
the core of our Daily Inspiration will create value for
many people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. We hope this may be a good
way for you to be introduced to Jesus Christ, and the significance of his life, in a
comfortable, private, non-threatening environment.
Jesus changed the lives of those he met when he lived in Galilee, and continues to do the same in life today.
top
