Scripture: Psalm 34:19 The righteous have many problems, but the LORD delivers them from every one. Thought for the Day: Let me confess up front – I just recently saw this quote in a post from Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditations. He referenced holocaust survivor and psychiatrist Viktor Frankl and his famous book, Man’s Search for Meaning. The Forward of the book was written by Rabbi Harold Kushner, best
Scripture: Matthew 22:19 Jesus responded, “You are wrong because you don’t know either the scriptures or God’s power…” Thought for the Day: Rachel Held Evan, a Christian author, wrote the following: With Scripture, we’ve been entrusted with some of the most powerful stories ever told. How we harness that power, whether for good or evil, oppression or liberation, changes everything. I love Evan’s use of the word harness.
Prayer for the Week: What world do I live in? Where are my loyalties? To whom do I bow and give authority over my life? These are the questions I bring before you, O Spirit of Heaven and Earth. I ask these questions with some trepidation, for there is a part of me that does not wish to confront what should be confronted within my life. I like
Scripture: Isaiah 43:18-19 Don’t remember the prior things; don’t ponder ancient history. Look! I’m doing a new thing; now it sprouts up; don’t you recognize it? I’m making a way in the desert, paths in the wilderness. Thought for the Day: Now I don’t believe Isaiah was suggesting the people completely forget their past. There were wonderful and powerful stories that rooted Isaiah’s community in the mercy and
Scripture: 2nd Corinthians 5:17 So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived! Thought for the Day: Too often we think of following Jesus in terms of escapism, or what some might refer to as departure theology. It is all about surviving or enduring this world so that at some
Scripture: Galatians 6:15 Being circumcised or not being circumcised doesn’t mean anything. What matters is a new creation. Thought for the Day: A new creation? Are we sitting around looking for God to make the world around us different or is something new to happen within us? I believe Paul was suggesting the new creation is not about an outward change (like circumcision), but an inward transformation that
Scripture: Jeremiah 17:14 Heal me, LORD, and I’ll be healed. Save me and I’ll be saved, for you are my heart’s desire. Thought for the Day: N. K. Jemisin is, among other things, a SciFi author. She writes: Reconciliation is part of the healing process, but how can there be healing when the wounds are still being inflicted. The Prophet is rather ruthless in this chapter, ruthless toward
Scripture: Hebrews 13:18 Pray for us. We’re sure that we have a good conscience, and we want to do the right thing in every way. Thought for the Day: I know that some people may disagree with me on this, but I believe (or want to believe) that most people do what they do because they believe it is the right thing. Now believing it is the right
Scripture: Hebrews 13:16 Don’t forget to do good and to share what you have because God is pleased with these kinds of sacrifices. Thought for the Day: Yesterday I took from my closet a lot of shirts and other items that I haven’t touched for more than a year. Donna and I made a big trip to Goodwill, but like so often, I looked at some of these
Prayer for the Week: Today, I sing a song of thanksgiving unto you, O God who is Generous and Kind. I sing amid pressures and powers that do not honor you. I sing while other disharmonious voices shout hateful and divisive words. I sing because I must, for despite all that seek to quiet me, it is your grace that both invites me and inspires me to sing.