Monthly Archives: March 2019

Lenten Devotional: Fourth Week of Lent (Sun., Mar. 31 – Sat., Apr. 6)

  Sunday, March 31 This week’s theme: All that is within us Psalm 103 The Westminster Shorter Catechism, written in the mid-1600s, appears woodenly orthodox through the lens of history. But its first question and answer (edited here for inclusion) provide a beautiful preface for any journey of faith. Question: What is the chief end… Read more »

Lenten Devotional: Third Week of Lent (Sun., Mar. 24 – Sat., Mar. 30)

  Sunday, March 24 This week’s theme: Our bounteous provider Psalm 65 It originated in the mid-1500s, and today — nearly 500 years later — millions of Christian worshipers sing its familiar words each Sunday. Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below; praise God above, ye heavenly hosts; praise… Read more »

Barn Boots and Blessings

Lenten ‘one mores’ Hope and love in the dark valley   by Donna Frischknecht Jackson   Even though I walk through the darkest valley … you are with me.  — Psalm 23 It is Lent and I have found myself walking in one of the darkest valleys one can walk — the valley of death…. Read more »

The B-Flat Christian

                Statue of “Christ the  Redeemer,” Rio de Janeiro, Brazil   What is a redeemer?   Its original meaning may surprise you   by Rebecca Lister But now, says the Lord— the one who created you, Jacob, the one who formed you, Israel: Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called… Read more »

Lenten Devotional: Second Week of Lent (Sun., Mar. 17 – Sat., Mar. 23)

  Sunday, March 17 This week’s theme: Still waters Psalm 23 Many of us rarely experience stillness in our lives. Plugged into media devices, surrounded by a cacophony of noises, and ruled by the dictates of our schedules, we often neglect our sabbath needs. We forget that we are created to rest as well as… Read more »

Lenten Devotional: First Week of Lent (Sun., Mar. 10 – Sat., Mar. 16)

  Sunday, March 10 This week’s theme: Glory be! Psalm 19 The word “glory” means “magnificence” or “splendor.” Though the Psalms speak of God’s glory in manifold ways, the Israelites believed that the radiant presence of Yahweh — described later by rabbis as shekinah — resided most powerfully in the holy of holies, that inner… Read more »

Lenten Devotional: Ash Wednesday, March 6 – Saturday, March 9

  Ash Wednesday, March 6 Majesty everywhere O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! — Psalm 8:1a Many of us today will receive the ashen mark of a cross on our foreheads. We will hear the familiar phrase, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”… Read more »

2019 Lenten Devotional: Awakening to God’s Beauty

  A Lenten invitation to pray with art | Presbyterians Today About the devotional To see Jesus with the heart is know that in the long run his kind of life is the only life worth living. To see Jesus with the heart is not only to believe in him but little by little become… Read more »

Sightings

The Missing Candle A Wedding Story by Ken Rummer   My vote for most dangerous part of a wedding? The unity candle.  A wick that refused to catch fire comes to mind. And I can still see the outdoor candle, just lit, that promptly succumbed to a mischievous breeze. In another wedding, two half-candles, individually… Read more »