Prayer for the Week: God, you are the source of all good gifts. In our post-flood reality, we have felt a range of emotions – frustration, exhaustion, sadness, disappointment and hope. It seems a bit strange that hope can still find a way of sneaking into what was and continues to be a great challenge, yet is shouldn’t be strange or even a surprise. You are the God
Scripture: Romans 5:6 While we were still weak, at the right moment, Christ died for ungodly people. Thought for the Day: I have watched too many people, and I probably should point a finger back at myself, who have nodded upon hearing these words from Romans…nodding as they thought about all those ungodly people. Here’s the thing, I’m pretty sure Paul wanted us to start close to home
Scripture: 2nd Kings 2:9-11 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “What do you want me to do for you before I’m taken away from you?” Elisha said, “Let me have twice your spirit.” Elijah said, “You’ve made a difficult request. If you can see me when I’m taken from you, then it will be yours. If you don’t see me, it won’t happen.” They were walking
Scripture: Psalm 105:1 Give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make his deeds known to all people! Thought for the Day: Today I give thanks for many reasons, but I must confess my thankfulness as this is the 20th anniversary of my diagnosis. Within a few weeks of getting the official news, I sat down with a volunteer at the MS Society who had MS. This
Scripture: Luke 24:50-53 Jesus led them out as far as Bethany, where he lifted his hands and blessed them. As he blessed them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. They worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem overwhelmed with joy. And they were continuously in the temple praising God. Thought for the Day: This is the same Ascension Day text that I used yesterday, but it’s
Scripture: Luke 24:50-53 Jesus led them out as far as Bethany, where he lifted his hands and blessed them. As he blessed them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. They worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem overwhelmed with joy. And they were continuously in the temple praising God. Thought for the Day: I recently made a casual reference about Ascension Day, and I got some
Scripture: Proverbs 10:9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever follows perverse ways will be found out. Thought for the Day: It was Albert Einstein who said, “Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.” Now Albert Einstein was probably a genius without ever going to a day of school, but I don’t believe he was suggesting that a formal education
Prayer for the Week: O Source and Witness to Sacrificial Love, the church gathers to make itself ready to disperse and engage everyday life with your extraordinary message. Allow the Spirit to weave itself among us as we seek to follow Jesus into the workplace, our recreation and family time, volunteer hours, the running of errands, our eating and even our sleeping. Continue to remind us of how
Scripture: Acts 1:3 After his suffering, Jesus showed them that he was alive with many convincing proofs. He appeared to them over a period of forty days, speaking to them about God’s kingdom. Thought for the Day: Today is the last day of our focus on the opening of Acts 1. We’ve been reflecting on these verses for more than five weeks – between sermons and devotionals. Today,
Scripture: Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a help always near in times of great trouble. Thought for the Day: In his wonderful book, Falling Upward, Richard Rohr writes, “Before the truth sets you free, it tends to make you miserable.” I believe Rohr hits a home run with this insight as it helps those trying to be faithful amidst continued struggle. The above verse from