Scripture: Psalm 66:1-3a Shout joyfully to God, all the earth! Sing praises to the glory of God’s name! Make glorious his praise! Say to God: “How awesome are your works!” Thought for the Day: Richard Foster, the author of the book Celebration of Discipline, wrote: Just as worship begins in holy expectancy, it ends in holy obedience. If worship does not propel us into greater obedience, it has
Scripture: Proverbs 17:28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues. Thought for the Day: Ecclesiastes reminds us how there is a time to be silent and a time to speak. Of course, most of us are too busy speaking when the time of silence comes and then goes. Julian of Norwich is considered one of Christianity’s greatest mystics. Her
Scripture: Acts 8:21-23 You can have no part or share in God’s word because your heart isn’t right with God. Therefore, change your heart and life! Turn from your wickedness! Plead with the Lord in the hope that your wicked intent can be forgiven, for I see that your bitterness has poisoned you and evil has you in chains. Thought for the Day: In this passage, Peter is
Scripture: Jonah 3:6 When word of it reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, stripped himself of his robe, covered himself with mourning clothes, and sat in ashes. Thought for the Day: The book of Jonah is one of my favorites. It was a political satire that challenged what the culture believed about the capacity of God’s grace to change the heart of the
A PRAYER FOR THE WEEK For you, O God, so loved us… Not only those of us who go to the right church or do the socially acceptable things or follow the well worn path, but you love us all. In a world so diverse, yet so paranoid and insecure, it is difficult to see your amazing and fully-affirming love. In a world so diverse, why is it
Scripture: Joshua 1:9 I’ve commanded you to be brave and strong, haven’t I? Don’t be alarmed or terrified, because the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Thought for the Day: As you can guess, I am feeling called to focus on the spiritual practices of prayer, contemplation and silence. We will focus on these even more during the season of Lent, but part of this
Scripture: 2nd Corinthians 4:18 We don’t focus on the things that can be seen but on the things that can’t be seen. The things that can be seen don’t last, but the things that can’t be seen are eternal. Thought for the Day: In a world that gets bored with immediate gratification because it didn’t come yesterday, it is so important to recognize that the spiritual life achieves
Scripture: Ezekiel 4:4-5 Now, lie on your left side, and set the guilt of the house of Israel on it. For the length of time that you lie on your side, you will bear their punishment. I appoint to you three hundred ninety days, one day for each year of their guilt. So you will bear the punishment of the house of Israel. Thought for the Day: The
Scripture: Luke 5:16 But Jesus would withdraw to deserted places for prayer. Thought for the Day: The idea of centering or contemplative prayer grew out of the reflections of those who were often described as the Desert Fathers and Mothers (300 – 500 years after Jesus). Of course, these Faithful practitioners of prayer believed passionately about putting oneself in a place (physical, emotional, spiritual) where s/he could feast
Scripture: 1st King 8:28-29 LORD my God, listen to your servant’s prayer and request, and hear the cry and prayer that your servant prays to you today. Constantly watch over this temple, the place about which you said, “My name will be there,” and listen to the prayer that your servant is praying toward this place. Thought for the Day: I want to build on yesterday’s devotional. The