Category: Lent

Jesus has the last word on everything and everyone, from angels to armies. He’s standing right alongside God, and what he says goes. 1 Peter 3:22 MSG I have had this thought lately, “Hell doesn’t have the last word.” And then today I find these words in Scripture, that “Jesus has the last word on…

God smelled the sweet fragrance and thought to himself, “I’ll never again curse the ground because of people. I know they have this bent toward evil from an early age, but I’ll never again kill off everything living as I’ve just done. For as long as Earth lasts, planting and harvest, cold and heat, Summer…

‭‭God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk…

Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Colossians 3:15 MSG This invitation from Paul to keep in tune with each other can be challenging.  Peace is what we are called to, but…

‭‭But because God was so gracious, so very generous, here I am. And I’m not about to let his grace go to waste. 1 Corinthians 15 :10-11 MSG 🎶 Grace. Grace. God’s grace. Grace that will pardon and cleanse within. Grace.  Grace. God’s grace. Grace that is greater than all our sin. 🎶 Oh yes!…

Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out. Colossians 4:6 MSG Contemplative seeing and listening has helped me learn how to bring the best out in others. It has also helped me learn how to bring the…

[1] I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise. [2] I live and breathe God; if things aren’t going well, hear this and be happy: [4]  God met me more than halfway, he freed me from my anxious fears. [5] Look at him; give him your warmest smile. Never hide…

‭Some of you set sail in big ships; you put to sea to do business in faraway ports. Out at sea, you saw God in action, saw his breathtaking ways with the ocean: With a word he called up the wind— an ocean storm, towering waves! You shot high in the sky, and then the…

‭“By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God…” Matthew 5:17 MSG Opening up! Now, there’s a challenge.  I imagine opening up to others could present quite a challenge for many.  It’s not every day you find someone present enough to deeply hear what you long to share. I’m guilty of…

You will not find the word Lent in the Bible. However, many connect the 40 days of Lent with Jesus’ temptation in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights.Jesus’ time in the desert was a time of fasting and preparation for his ministry. The 40 days before Easter is a time of fasting and…

‭‭Isaiah 61:1-4 MSG‬‬The Spirit of God sent me to: They’ll: I may not be called to do everything on the list above, but the invitation that seems consistent with my life’s calling is to give bouquets of roses (or flowers) instead of ashes. These flowers are gifts of grace,  a compassionate gaze, a non-judgmental presence,…

‭‭Matthew 11:20 MSG‬‬Jesus unleashed on the cities ‭‭Matthew 11:25 MSG‬‬ Abruptly, Jesus broke into prayer… ‭‭Matthew 11:27 MSG‬‬ Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly. ‭‭Matthew 11:28-30 MSG‬‬ “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how…

“Still, I know that God lives—the One who gives me back my life…” Job 19:25 MSG It is God who gave me my life back! Low places have the potential to give life back. It may feel more like loss and even death than life, but over time, one may slowly begin to feel alive…

‭“A human would do anything to save his life….” Job 2:4 MSG Satan wasn’t all wrong. Most of us would do anything to save our lives. But have you ever been so low that even death felt like it would bring relief? There was this one time. Thankfully, it did not last long. Maybe it…