Month: March 2025

The instructions are clear: If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV *** *** Gracious God, we come before You today, with contrite hearts and willing…

As we approached Lent this year and I considered how to “celebrate” it, I found myself grieving the anger and hatred dividing our country and the overwhelming suffering and despair throughout our world. Wars, famines, disease outbreaks around the world: all hurting people God loves. Deportations, abrupt firings, outrage, ridicule and derision, all being done…

Ashes. Ashes and dust. A reminder. *** By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eatuntil you return to the ground from which you were made.For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return.” Genesis 3:19 NLT *** Ashes and dust. Messy. Symbolizing the messy emotions of grief and repentance. *** I…

Blessed are the peacemakers,for they will be called children of God.Matthew 5:9 NIV *** In a world so torn apart by rivalry, anger, and hatred, we have the privileged vocation to be living signs of a love that can bridge all divisions and heal all wounds.Henri Nouwen *** “Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor] are…

Blessed are the pure in heart,for they will see God.Matthew 5:8 NIV *** A pure heart is one that is unencumbered, unworried, uncommitted and which does not want its own way about anything but which, rather, is submerged in the loving will of God.Meister Eckhart *** “Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart [those…