Jesus and the devil have a contest of wills in the desert (Luke 4:1-13). At one point, “the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, ‘To you I will give their glory and all this authority.’” (4:5-6, NRSV) … the…
Lent
Prayers from a child's love
Holy One, You often turn my understanding upside-down. Just as I catch a glimpse of you in the chaos, you become a calm breeze. When I am just getting to know you in the dirt and the garden, I am stretched to meet you in the hospital or the city street. Yesterday, you surprised me…
Prayers from the silence
Psalm 62:1 & 5 (NRSV): “For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him.” After waiting on God, write a prayer that arises from the silence. God, I’m trying to wait for you. I’m trying to focus…
Prayers from the wreckage
I’ve been following the Lenten prayer prompts from Faith and Water for these forty days. I’m a bit late and doing some catch-up, but the spirit is there. Isaiah 10:21 (NRSV): “A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God.” Life breaks us into pieces. To those seasons of our lives, Isaiah…
Prayers from the dust
On my knees Laid low I am nothing I am but dust and ashes I am the stuff of the earth And yet somewhere in me there is a spark. A spark that dares A spark that yearns When Abraham dared to seek You, Oh Lord God Almighty was he really humble Or did he…
I Am dust and ashes
Landon Whitsitt had a thoughtful post about how we engage with Lenten disciplines today: Giving up chocolate and beer for Lent is not what Jesus had in mind. In it, he reminds us about the basics of spiritual practices surrounding Lent: prayer, fasting, almsgiving. He reminds us that it is not about us at all.…
Hosanna!
In my flower garden this spring, I have learned the difference between joy and happiness. You see, happiness is getting a bouquet of a dozen tulips from your spouse or from a friend and setting them on the counter for a few days. It warms your heart to be thought of, they are beautiful to…
Fueled and Aflame
(this was one of those outline sermons… so here are the notes) People everywhere… people here in this church, people in the community, other pastors, friends, family – are asking the question: How DO I live for Jesus? The song we just sang was simple enough. The words were easy. The sentiment was real. We…