Praying their names

A reflection in prayer on the victims from Tree of Life On Sunday our nation learned the names of the 11 victims claimed in our nation’s latest round of senseless, hate-driven gun violence. An anti-Semite, armed with an AR-15 rifle and three handguns, murdered our brothers and sisters while they were worshiping and celebrating the …

Singing praises in the tough times

Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Psalm 105:1-4 Sometimes it’s easier than others to …

Climbing out of Sheol

Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. Psalm 130:1-4 Jews of the Old Testament lived constantly …

Align off the true cornerstone

The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. Psalm 118:22-24 When a mason constructs a foundation, the first and most important stone is the cornerstone. The placement, elevation and orientation of this stone …

Surrender to trust

There is perhaps no greater force drawing us away from God’s love than our fear. Our regrets over the past are fears of inadequacy, and for our place in this world. Our longing for the past is based in the fear that our best is behind us. Our anxieties over the future represent innumerable fears …

Choosing our paths

“We have freedom to do good or evil; yet to make choice of evil, is not to use, but to abuse our freedom.” This brief quote from Saint Francis de Sales underscores an important aspect of our Lenten journey: the examination of the paths we have taken, the choices we have made, and how that …

Stardust, ashes and surrendering all for everything

An Ash Wednesday reflection ... a few days late. Our entry into this period of self-examination and penitence traditionally begins with the visible mark of ashes on our forehead. If you’re lucky, the mark resembles a cross – the sign of our faith. But, whether you receive the perfect ashen Roman cross or something resembling …

The pride of things that fade

Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses, but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God. They will collapse and fall, but we shall rise and stand upright. Psalm 20:7-8 From the moment we wake til we fall asleep, this world inundates us with the desire for things. We’re exposed to more …

Giving thanks for the harvest to come

Thanksgiving has passed, leftovers are packed away, and, if we’re lucky, the antacids are working. Hopefully we took time to give thanks. I am blessed with an amazing wife, two wonderful daughters, good friends, a reverent and inspiring church, my job and a warm place to sleep tonight, among other blessings. But, I’d like to …

Passing the test

His feet were hurt with fetters, his neck was put in a collar of iron; until what he had said came to pass, the word of the Lord kept testing him. Psalm 105:18-19 NRSV Most of us, at some point, have an idea of how we want life to go. And then life happens, and it can …