THEY DO WHAT?!4/13/2021Tuesday

Do not be afraid. Many times in scripture we are told to not be afraid. I sometimes wonder if what becomes “hate crimes” is out of a sense of fear. We have been assured of God‘s love and we can love others, all others. Offering God’s love to those who are different than us doesn’t mean we have to change our beliefs; it does mean that we can listen and treat each other with respect.

The Islamic Holy Month of Ramadan began at sundown yesterday. To appreciate the good in this observance does not mean you must become Muslim. It could mean that it might spark a flame of greater devotion in your own spiritual practices.

I pray that we will all let go of fear and violence and be open to the flow of God’s love in and through us to others. Please join me:

THAT’S GRACE Y’ALLHome Communion4/11/2021

How does Easter change our lives?

For me, it is trusting in the Power that gave Jesus life after death, that restored people to their personhood, that forgives our Sin and pulls us out of those pits of despair, guilt, unworthiness, self-pity, and all that stuff that traps us from being who we were meant to be. It is accepting our new state and accepting the invitation to be a part of Christ, sharing Christ Love and Hope.

That is Grace, Y’all!

Please join me in today’s Home Communion Worship:

LETTING GO 4/9/2021 FRIDAY

I love GRACE! I love that faith tells me that God’s mercies are fresh and new each morning. I love that grace means forgiven and restored.

It is a little harder for me to not only ponder, but to also give away all the stuff, physical, mental, emotional stuff that I have accumulated over the years. Yet, to let the Potter shape me, I need to let go.

Today I pray for those who long for new beginnings. Please join me:

KEEP PRAYING THURSDAY 4.8.2021

Don’t give up. That is one of the clear messages of The Bible; don’t give up. Life is a construction zone, sometimes very full of mess and disappointment, but God is the builder and can convert any failed area into something new.

I am praying for the children and for all of us who need a reminder of God’s power to make good from anything. Please join me:

Mercy Me4/7/2021Wednesday

Sociologists have been calling out for a change in our penal system for years. I remember studying it in the late 1970’s. Currently, neuroscience has been studying images of the brain and finding that good hugs help heal trauma, including PTSD, that shame shuts the brain down, that thinking positive does actually make life better than expecting the worst.

I would like to see more brain study regarding mercy and forgiveness.

From personal experience, I know that forgiving is powerful and releases being held by bitterness.

I would also like to see restorative justice taught in the earliest ages. As a parent, I know how easy it is to slip into blame when parenting becomes overwhelming. I known what it means to need to be forgiven.

Today, I am praying for mercy:

LIVING FAITH LOCALLY 4/6/2021 TUESDAY

Today is a local election day here. Behind the scenes of Jesus’ life, the local political system was clearly making its presence known. Ever since I began to study religion, I have been struck by the impact politics and religion have on each other, even how they can be used by each other.

I don’t go into all of that pondering in this prayer, but I do pray for our local living and leaders. Please join me: