Scripture: Psalm 34:18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he saves those whose spirits are crushed. Thought for the Day: A good friend, Rev. Michael Junkroski, posted a prayer online with the following as the opening line: God whose love invades both our joy and suffering… I love those words from Michael, especially the word invades. The Hebrew word we translate as close in the scripture is
Prayer for the Week: Deception — Fraud Betrayal — Deceit Injury that we did not see coming; Injury we never imagined occurring. O God who loves us beyond measure, you have invited us into the fullness of life, and such fullness is manifest and exhibited in life-giving relationships.
Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30 [Jesus said,] “Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Put on my yoke, and learn from me. I’m gentle and humble. And you will find rest for yourselves. My yoke is easy to bear, and my burden is light.” Thought for the Day: Though the heavy loads and burdens won’t knock you down,
Scripture: Matthew 27:3-4 When Judas, who betrayed Jesus, saw that Jesus was condemned to die, he felt deep regret. He returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, and said, “I did wrong because I betrayed an innocent man.” But they said, “What is that to us? That’s your problem.” Thought for the Day: The word we translate as “betrayed” in these verses is
Scripture: Proverbs 10:9 Those who walk in innocence walk with confidence, but those on crooked paths will be found out. Thought for the Day: Will they? How many folks who have walked the crooked path have gone their entire lives without anyone finding out? The Proverbs tend to be declarations of the way it should be, but we know it is not the way it always is. Does
Scripture: Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Thought for the Day: It sounds as if thankfulness is an afterthought. ‘O by the way, don’t forget to be thankful.’ I doubt Paul intended to be perceived as nonchalant about the need to show gratitude. If anything, I imagine Paul assumed
Scripture: Psalm 34:4 I sought the LORD and he answered me. He delivered me from all my fears. Thought for the Day: Yesterday was an important date in American history. For most of us, September 11th is one of those dates where we can tell friends exactly where we were when we heard the news. I chose not to write on that subject yesterday because I wanted to
Scripture: Matthew 9:10-11 As Jesus sat down to eat in Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners joined Jesus and his disciples at the table. But when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Thought for the Day: In recent months, I have been deeply troubled by some voices in Christianity who have attempted to dismiss
Prayer of the Week: Our spirits can become dry and calcified; Our spirits can ossify under the pressure and pain; Our spirits can become lifeless, and when there is no life left, our spirits can die. O Giver of Life, and life infusing love, there is so much that seeks to crush us, so many things that burden us,
Scripture: Ruth 1:20 She replied to them, “Don’t call me Naomi, but call me Mara, for the Almighty has made me very bitter.” Thought for the Day: As you might guess, the name Mara means bitter. So often in scripture, the names of people were not only a way of understanding the different characters, but the names themselves told a story or at least a portion of the