Devotionals

God rescued me from the pit  O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, so that my soul may praise you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I…

God is more than I can comprehend  Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries.  1 Corinthians 4:1  This verse has become a favorite because it defines clearly my role as Christ’s servant and steward. It acknowledges that God is much more than I can ever comprehend. One…

The gift of fellowship  Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the father of lights, with whom there is no variation of shadow due to change.  James 1:17  James makes it clear that we need to act out our faith. With “time on my hands” these days…

Of churches and barns  And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger…  Luke 2:7  Traveling though the Palestinian countryside on the bus, we passed a couple of Palestinian farms. It was January and cold, and seeing them reminded me of my growing…

God still holds on to you  “I am convinced that neither death, nor life…nor things present, nor things to come … nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:38  The voice on the telephone says, “… biopsy results ……

Reflection: Walking in the way of the Rabbi  Cherish your doubts, for doubt is the handmaiden of truth.  The New Union Prayer Book – Gates of Prayer – Page 711  In recent years I have focused more on Jesus the Rabbi than on Jesus the risen Christ. Visiting Palestine and walking where Jesus walked was…

Reflection: The Sea of Galilee  Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea -for they were fisher-men. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me…” As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John… Immediately he called…

Triumphant losing  Please read 1 Corinthians 15:42-49  It was the beginning of my midlife years, the time in life when playing sports begins to get difficult. One is slower, less proficient and supremely sore after participating in an event. But the thrill is worth it all. We were men gathering on the field to play…

Walking in the light  “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  When Susan asked me to consider a favorite passage of scripture that would contribute to this year’s Lenten devo-tional theme, my mind went right to John 8:12.…

Where is your quiet space?  Be still, and know that I am God.”  Psalm 46:10  A couple sent a Pack ’n’ Play portable crib to their friends who had been blessed with their fourth child. Two weeks later, the mother responded with this note: “Thanks, many thanks, and thanks again for the Pack ’n’ Play.…