I’ve always been amazed by Mary’s faith in saying yes to God. Though anxiety and fear and self-doubt must surely have reared their heads, she holds the greatest truth in her heart, even when others can’t see it. But this is the miracle of faith: When we hold onto the...
Imagine the moment: Peter has gathered the disciples and followers of Jesus, about 120 or so. They cast lots to select a new disciple and before Matthias has even settled into the role, a rush of wind blows through the house. Tongues of fire rest upon them, and a holy...
When our son was younger, we watched every Marvel movie and debated the most potent superpower. He learned to read with the Harry Potter series, and archeological digs of our house will reveal the depths (and toys) of his devotion. Perhaps that’s why I’….(View...
How many times have I ended a day bleary-eyed and uncertain what I’ve accomplished? All too often the weeks blur one into another, stacked into months and seasons like cord wood. Our firstborn graduates from high school this month, and our youngest...
From the Archives: May 2, 1939 Scene: A missionary hospital Visitor: It seems to be a busy place. Doctor: Busy? Yes; 400 patients are too many. Which would you select to turn away?….(View this reading and more resources for prayer at Daily Prayer: A resource of...
The staff of Forward Movement has spent the past year exploring our various gifts. Guided by an assessment tool called StrengthsFinder, we have learned about our individual strengths as well as those of our colleagues and how these interplay with one another....
When I joined the Episcopal Church, my first bishop often ended his sermons with these words. During his episcopate, he set bold and audacious goals: for church growth, racial reconciliation, and spiritual formation. But he never believed these goals would be...
After my friend died, I put one of his Star Wars toys on my desk. Next to it is a polished stone given to me at a spiritual retreat, a time when I decided to reset my vocation. And there’s the moose pen holder and a globe paperweight, reminders to seek and celebrate...
With these words, Jesus begins his longest prayer recorded in scripture. In words both profound and poignant, Jesus asks not to be released from the promise of his death but petitions for intercession on behalf of his disciples. Though every phrase of this prayer is...
Twenty-six times we hear these words in this psalm. If the Bible says something once, it’s significant. Twice, and we better listen up. Twenty-six is the equivalent of God calling us by our full name, middle one and all. This is important. These six words….(View...
