Pass the Peace, Please
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. ~ John 14:27 This devotional meditation was originally written in December of 2019 and published in the Devotions for Lent booklet created and distributed by […]
Hand Washing as Prayer
How kinesthetic is this act of hand washing? Of soap and water sudsing, hands a-rubbing, fingers folding, interlocking, palms compressing and releasing, slipping one past the other, slick even slippery, signaling finally that it’s time to rinse. What if, instead of counting obediently 1,2,3… instead of singing happy birthday mindlessly… we prayed intentionally? The Lord’s […]
Sinking Sand or Solid Ground?
I don’t know about you but as for me, closing my eyes to pray or meditate isn’t an option. I feel trapped in a dark place and start scrounging around for light of my own creation or imagining. And that is sure to distract me from my intentions. I need a visual focus, something for […]
Their Cup is not empty
Dear World, forgive me. In my desire to share what is so important to me, so necessary, so powerful, so helpful, so true, I have neglected to notice this about you: your cup is not empty.* Willing students, perhaps, come with polished, expectant cups. Some with them behind their backs, waiting to see if the […]
Fit for the Kingdom
What makes us fit? A good fit?Our shape? Size? Color? Language? Nationality?Our behavior? Net worth? Service record?Our church membership? Community service? Volunteer hours?Our education? Employment? Contribution? Is itHow many lives we’ve touched?How many stories we’ve listened to?How many hands we’ve held?How many sacrifices we’ve made?How many gifts we’ve given?What we’ve done? What we’ve left undone? […]
Does stillness feel like a straight jacket to you, too?
When people find out I’ve published a faith-based title, they often ask, Do you meditate? “I pray,” I tell them. This is usually met with an uncomfortable silence or, “Oh.” Then crickets. People, it seems, aren’t quite sure what to do with prayer. Meditation is the in thing. It’s so much more … accepted, inoffensive, […]
A love like no other
Sometimes there is a friend, early on, say, in high school, who writes in your yearbook. Pages and pages, continued here and then over there, with a message that defies time and space. Dispensing with the cursory, superficial gibberish, this friend heads straight for the truth with words so profound that, at 17 years old, you actually transcribe them so […]
Broken
Father, sometimes it feels like I am army-crawling through life. Under barbwire, through the mud, dodging bullets and ducking enemy fire through the searing onslaught. Even when I see no way out, you have provided one. Show me the way through. Help me learn to trust you in life’s toughest places. Amen This is the […]
Prayer for Hope and Strength
Almighty God, You reach into the darkness with hope, truth and light. Stretch out your strong hand in this situation, in our circumstance, in your world. Hold and rescue those who have suffered. Let your almighty love move mountains, cross seas and breathe life into the darkest places. Light that redeems. Light that restores. Light […]
What would Jesus Tweet?
“Your words were a blessing.” It may have been the timing or the delivery or the situation, I don’t know. They were just words, my words, on a card or letter. Not flowery or lovely or well-heeled, but offered sincerely whenever I felt the nudge to write. After I had heard this blessing-thing from a […]