Prayer for the Week: Life is not always rainbows and butterflies. The life we live is a mix of emotions, for no one is exempt from sorrow, disappointment or pain. Hear us, O God who is a participant in the full spectrum of life. Hear our words of gratitude and thanksgiving, but hear also our words of anguish and even the muttering of our spirits when there are
Scripture: John 21:25 Jesus did many other things as well. If all of them were recorded, I imagine the world itself wouldn’t have enough room for the scrolls that would be written. Thought for the Day: This is how the Gospel of John concludes. I love the image of there not being enough room for all the scrolls. Though on a very practical and literal level, I think
Scripture: John 21:18-19 “I assure you that when you were younger you tied your own belt and walked around wherever you wanted. When you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and another will tie your belt and lead you where you don’t want to go.” He said this to show the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. After saying this, Jesus said to
Scripture: John 21:15 When they finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon replied, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” Thought for the Day: To whom was Jesus referring when he said, “…more than these”? Who are the “these”? He could have been referring to the other Apostles who were
Scripture: John 21:12-14 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples could bring themselves to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. Thought for the
Scripture: John 21:5-7 Jesus called to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” He said, “Cast your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” So they did, and there were so many fish that they couldn’t haul in the net. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard it
Scripture: John 21:1 Later, Jesus himself appeared again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. This is how it happened: Thought for the Day: Did you know that the Sea of Tiberias is just another name for the Sea of Galilee? Do you refer to that beverage that comes in a can as Soda or Pop? It tends to be a regional thing, and the same was
Prayer for the Week: You love us as individuals, and you love us into community. Creative God, we are designed to find life and joy in relationship. Whether we name it or not, our lives are a web of dependency, woven together for reciprocity and health. As our egos grow, and our passion for individualism overshadows reality, reveal once again the divine intent for your creation. Your hope
Scripture: 1st John 3:24 All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us. Thought for the Day: I had an interesting conversation with someone in a hospital waiting room recently. The question hinged on the idea: Is God with us only when we do what God
Scripture: 1st John 3:15 All who hate a brother or sister are murderers, and you know that murderers do not have eternal life abiding in them. Thought for the Day: As I said in an earlier devotional, 1st John does not sugarcoat anything. Every other sentence can feel like a smack upside the head. Of course, does everyone who hates also murder? I do not believe that’s the