The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He takes me to lush pastures, he leads me to refreshing water. He restores my strength. Psalm 23:1-3 Hope for a Saturday Morning Song A song hums low Behind the noise Beneath the chaos Invitation to joy. A narrated song With video I see the images A picture show. A happy list Of things to do Not things I must But… Read More
I am grateful to the one who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me faithful in putting me into ministry, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor, and an arrogant man. 1 Timothy 1:12-13 If Paul had stopped his sentence after the word ministry, he would have been no different from the Pharisees in their religious pride of position. Yet he continued. …even though I was formerly a… Read More
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 Across the earth, each day begins with a song for the Light of the World. The birds have been commanded and commissioned to announce the joyful news that the Light of the World has come. In Kenya, birds sing a ballad that… Read More
for so many little acorns waiting in the dark. Little Seed Silent little seed Deep in the dark Buried. Decaying little seed All that you once were Decomposed. Surrendered little seed Still and waiting Hoping. Poor little seed Silence stretching long Inertia. Surprised little seed Life is thrumming through you Upward. Tough little seed Pushing through your casket Breakthrough. Blinded little seed Emerging into brilliance Light. Growing… Read More
for Nat, who has stretched out her love for me over decades. And above all, keep your love for one another fervent… …because love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:21-23 Stretching keeps us from injury. In my first year as a serious runner, I hadn’t learned this important lesson. I ran out the door and down the road thinking I could run the distance on my sheer motivation and dedication, my belief in… Read More
Then they said to him, “What must we do to be doing the works of God?” John 6:28 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” John 6:35 Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched. Don’t get the cart before the horse. Learn to walk before you run. Look before you leap. Come and believe before… Read More
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10 I travel a lot, and sometimes the only break I get from the incessant melody of phone pings is that period of time in an airplane when I am forced to turn my device to airplane mode. Recently as I headed home, the flight attendant explained that it was because our incoming… Read More
For Peeps "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 How can I be okay if you are not? It feels like some part of me is lost. We always held hands when we were afraid; Together we were exceedingly brave. Today I felt I was twelve again, Holding your… Read More
See last week’s devotion for Part One: Prudence Urgent: requiring immediate action or attention. He inquired of Arioch the king’s deputy, “Why is the decree from the king so urgent?” Then Arioch informed Daniel about the matter. So Daniel went in and requested the king to grant him time, that he might disclose the interpretation to the king. Daniel 2:15-16 I learned to be urgency averse from a tiny book called Tyranny of the Urgent by the… Read More
Prudence: wisdom in practical matters. Then Daniel spoke with prudent counsel to Arioch, who was in charge of the king’s executioners and who had gone out to execute the wise men of Babylon. Daniel 2:14 Prudence perceives practical in the midst of panic. King Nebuchadnezzar’s entire court was in a panic because no one could interpret the king’s dream. He issued and put Arioch in charge. As the king’s executioner, Arioch came to deliver the sinister news: even… Read More