Scripture: Matthew 11:18-19 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He has a demon”; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!” Thought for the Day: In the second chapter of the book, Made for a Miracle, Michael Slaughter suggests that the second greatest title given to Jesus (behind
Prayer for the Week: O Holy God who moves with us through each season of the year and every season of life, we acknowledge the change in our schedules as we move from the dormant stage of winter to the renewed energy of spring. With new life bursting all around, we find ourselves taking notice of the awakening that appears to animate every living creature. Allow this
Scripture: Acts 1:2b Before he was taken up, working in the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus instructed the apostles he had chosen. Thought for the Day: For the last few Sundays (and for a few more to come), we have been focusing on a selection from Acts 1. Each week, we have started with vs. 3. For that reason, I decided to back-up just a bit and
Scripture: Psalm 27:11 LORD, teach me your way; because of my opponents, lead me on a good path. Thought for the Day: Do you ever have those moments where you wonder what planet you’ve been living on? I had one of those moments earlier this week. I had no idea that the advice columnists, Ann Landers (Esther ‘Eppie’ Lederer) and Dear Abby (Pauline Phillips, aka Abigail Van Buren)
Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-6 The LORD’s word came to me: “Before I created you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I set you apart; I made you a prophet to the nations.” “Ah, LORD God,” I said, “I don’t know how to speak because I’m only a child.” Thought for the Day: What’s your go-to excuse? Sadly, I probably don’t have one…instead, I have a
Scripture: Psalm 5:3 LORD, in the morning you hear my voice. In the morning I lay it all out before you. Then I wait expectantly. Thought for the Day: We’ve all heard the phrase, “In God’s time,” but I don’t know if folks have really thought through what it might mean. To speak of waiting, or in the case of the Psalmist, waiting expectantly, I don’t picture God
Scripture: Genesis 20:2 Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She’s my sister.” So King Abimelech of Gerar took her into his household. Thought for the Day: I have been enjoying the Made for a Miracle study. I love the way the author, Michael Slaughter, can spin a phrase. He writes: It’s not our ability but our availability that God is most interested in. I’m going to probably overstate
Scripture: Psalm 139:13 You are the one who created my innermost parts; you knit me together while I was still in my mother’s womb. Thought for the Day: I watched Rupi Kaur’s TEDx Talk a few days ago, and its power left me feeling uncomfortable and a little sick. Her poetry, specifically on sexual violence, is so vivid that only the most insensitive could go away unmoved. As
Prayer for the Week: The words of Paul stir within us — There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. What have you done, Gracious God, for Paul to declare something so beautiful and awe-inspiring? What are you doing among us this day, Holy God, to
Scripture: Matthew 13:45-46 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. When he found one very precious pearl, he went and sold all that he owned and bought it. Thought for the Day: Years ago, I remember a preacher using this passage to encourage good investment strategies. It was all about finding that diamond (in this case, pearl) in the rough. Once