Scripture: Matthew 8:15 Jesus touched her hand, and the fever left her. Then she got up and served them. Thought for the Day: This and other stories of Jesus healing with a touch always intrigued me as a child. It was less about the healing, though that was powerful, and more about his touch. I would picture in my mind the hand of Jesus outstretched, reaching for me.
Tonight (Monday), I reflect on the day and what I have seen and heard. First, let me say how incredible our church is. And of course, when I say church, I’m talking about the idea taught in the song, I am the church, you are the church, we are the church together… It is the people opening their homes and lives to others, and of course, there are
Scripture: Psalm 54:2 God! Hear my prayer; listen to the words of my mouth! Thought for the Day: Like many of you, I have been in conversation with God these last 48 hours. My heart aches as I think about everything people throughout southern Texas have experienced and will be facing in the weeks and months to come. At the same time, I have been awed by the
Scripture: Psalm 119:76 Please let your faithful love comfort me, according to what you’ve said to your servant. Thought for the Day: I chose this sermon text three months ago, and now it sounds to my ears more fitting and relevant than I could have ever imagined. Today and in the days to come, there will be so many who are yearning for the faithful love of God
Scripture: Isaiah 40:1 Comfort, comfort my people! says your God. Thought for the Day: I believe these words are too often read as God saying to the people, “I will comfort you.” This makes sense as most people would suggest that God is the source of comfort, yet who is God suggesting as the carrier or envoy of this comfort? The people to whom this passage is directed
Scripture: Matthew 8:7 Jesus responded, “I’ll come and heal him.” Thought for the Day: I recently came across a quote from St. Abrose of Milan. He wrote: No one heals himself by wounding another. Wow! That speaks volumes as the human race has tried countless times to find its health and wellbeing in the destruction of others. Whether it is in an abusive marriage or a boss taking
Scripture: Psalm 48:11-14 Let Mount Zion be glad; let the towns of Judah rejoice because of your acts of justice! Walk around Zion; go all the way around it; count its towers. Examine its defenses closely; tour its fortifications so that you may tell future generations: “This is God, our God, forever and always! He is the one who will lead us even to the very end.” Thought
Scripture: Psalm 48:8-10 Just like we had heard, now we’ve seen it for ourselves in the city of the LORD of heavenly forces, in the city of our God. May God make it secure forever! We dwell on your faithful love, God, in your temple. Your praise, God, just like your reputation, extends to the far corners of the earth. Your strong hand is filled with righteousness. Thought
Scripture: Psalm 48:4-7 Look: the kings assembled themselves, advancing all together—when they saw it, they were stunned; they panicked and ran away frightened. Trembling took hold of them right there— like a woman giving birth, or like the east wind when it smashes the ships of Tarshish. Thought for the Day: In yesterday’s devotional, I started with the opening verses of Psalm 48. I did this, in part,