I’ve drilled it into my kids to always say “thank you,” Even if it seems like something small to them. Gratitude is important, even for the little things. “Thanks for helping me with my hair this morning, Mom.” “Thanks for the ride!” I don’t get those words nearly as much as I’d like. And so, … Continue reading
Tag Archives: devotion
Reading Hard Texts, Praying Hard Prayers
Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:6-14 Memory Verse: “For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.” ~2 Timothy 1:7 Prayer: Dear God, Sometimes we feel afraid. Give us your spirit of power. Sometimes we feel upset. Give us your spirit of love. Sometimes … Continue reading
Let Christ’s Mind be in You
Scripture reading: Philippians 2:1-13 Memory verse: Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 2:5 Prayer: God, be in my mind and in my understanding. Let your thoughts be my thoughts. Let your words be my words. Amen. Reflection: It is hard to change the way we think. Proverbs 4:23 … Continue reading
Luke 15:1-10 – God Throws a Party!
Scripture Reading: Luke 15:1-10 – God Throws a Party! Luke 15:1-10 (NRSV) Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: “Which one of you, having … Continue reading
Genesis Moments
Tomorrow, I will hopefully be waking up in my new home, living a new dream of five acres and trees and a pond and the promise of chickens and goats in the spring. Today, though, I am sitting in a house littered with boxes and stuff I don’t know what to do with and stuff … Continue reading
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
Psalm 139 School is starting, and I can see the excitement on the face of my youngest, and anxiety on the face of my oldest. Both have very different ways of handling transitions and new experiences. And both are valid. My youngest strives to be perfect–to fend off bullies, to be an advocate, to keep … Continue reading
Making Peace
From the Sermon on the Mount: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.~Matthew 5:9 Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. ~Matthew 5:44 Rather than reflections on the week’s Lectionary readings, I would like to suggest that we talk with our children about the heroic and loving … Continue reading
Isaiah 58:9-12~Rebuilding Ancient Ruins
Prayer Holy One, We give thanks for water when we are thirsty, Strength when we are weak, The promise of building again what has broken down. Teach us to love our neighbors and to serve you, That we might be part of this rebuilding. Amen. Scripture Reading: Isaiah 58:9-12 Then you shall call, and the … Continue reading
The Faithfulness of God
“Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided— Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!” ~chorus of the hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness” Prayer: God, We thank you that you have big ears to hear us, eyes to watch over … Continue reading
Abundance of Possessions
Scripture reading: Luke 12:13-21 Prayer: Generous God, give us generous hearts. Help us to treasure what you treasure: Kindness, Peace, Compassion, Love. Take away our greed, Our longing for more, more, more. Help us to remember that you are what we need. Amen. Reflections: Our family has had many opportunities to reflect on … Continue reading
Practicing Families 