Scripture: Matthew 13:24 He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field…” Thought for the Day: The actor, Wentworth Miller, said: “The artistry and the creativity in a story are better than any drugs.” Jesus knew the capacity of a good story to provide a wonderful ride within the human imagination, but this narrative experience
Scripture: Numbers 5:1-4 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Command the Israelites to put out of the camp everyone who is leprous, or has a discharge, and everyone who is unclean through contact with a corpse; you shall put out both male and female, putting them outside the camp; they must not defile their camp, where I dwell among them. The Israelites did so, putting them outside the
Scripture: Proverbs 14:25 A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is a betrayer. Thought for the Day: We have experienced two political conventions in recent weeks, and for most of us, there was one we liked and one we didn’t like as much. I wish I could say that both conventions presented truthfulness and honesty, but there were clearly some moments in both conventions when
Scripture: Ephesians 1:5-6 God destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. Thought for the Day: The Frogge household celebrated Gotcha Day this past Tuesday. For those who have never celebrated a Gotcha Day, let me explain. Nine years ago, Donna and
Scripture: 2nd John 1:12 Although I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink; instead I hope to come to you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. Thought for the Day: It is strange to be writing a devotional that I’ll put on my blog and Facebook page about an ancient author who didn’t
Scripture: Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I; send me!” Thought for the Day: One of the great hymns written in the last 30 years is “Here I Am, Lord.” I’ve heard the song at church camp with guitar, at a great cathedral accompanied by the organ, and
Scripture: Leviticus 23:22 When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your fields, or gather the gleaning of your harvest; you shall leave them for the poor and for the alien: I am the Lord your God. Thought for the Day: So often we live our lives to the edge and beyond. We extend ourselves past what we have
Scripture: 2nd Corinthian 10:11 Let such people understand that what we say by letter when absent, we will also do when present. Thought for the Day: The author, Phyllis Theroux, wrote, “To send a letter is a good way to go somewhere without moving anything but your heart.” In a world where communication is changing ever-so-quickly, I don’t think we fully understand the power and authority of letters.
Scripture: Revelation 13:10 If you are to be taken captive, into captivity you go; if you kill with the sword, with the sword you must be killed. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints. Thought for the Day: The book of Revelation is a unique piece of literature. It is called Apocalyptic literature, which literally means to unveil. In a time of persecution,
Scripture: Isaiah 49:13 Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his suffering ones. Thought for the Day: I remember being a bit stunned when a woman said to me, “I’m glad the Lord has compassion for them (referring to a group of people she didn’t like), for I