Bishop’s Lenten Book Study: Giving Its Love Away

Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Week Five: Giving Its Love Away Autopsy of a Deceased Church by Thom S. Rainer Chapter 5 begins with: “When you conduct the autopsy of a church, you must follow the money. For where the money of the church goes, so goes its heart. I once heard of two churches that...

Forward Day By Day – April 3, 2019

Wednesday, April 3, 2019

While on sabbatical, I wanted to participate in activities to stimulate and restore my whole self. I also wanted to spend time with my family—especially my son. To my surprise and delight, he took a pottery class with me. Once seated at our own wheels, we seemed...

Forward Day By Day – April 2, 2019

Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Long before diarist Anne Frank wrote, “The problem with me is I am two different people,” Paul wrestles with the very same dilemma. Paul wants to please God yet realizes the mental tug of war between flesh and spirit. Like Paul, we too share the struggle between...

Forward Day By Day – April 1, 2019

Monday, April 1, 2019

Imagine what traveling with Jesus is like. Crowds gather to hear him teach, witness healings, and bask in his presence. The daily demands of ministry are certainly stressful for Jesus, and he understands the need to pace himself and make time to rest. In the...

Forward Day By Day – March 31, 2019

Sunday, March 31, 2019

Is this the end of the story? I like to think the two brothers find a renewed relationship and work together to show their gratitude to their father. But maybe they don’t. Truthfully, the ending of this story is up to us: We choose what we do with God’s...

Forward Day By Day – March 30, 2019

Saturday, March 30, 2019

Psalm 136 recounts the history of God’s care for the children of Israel, from the creation of all that is to deliverance from slavery in Egypt to defeat of enemies, all punctuated by this refrain: “For his mercy endures for ever.” How might we pray this...

Forward Day By Day – March 29, 2019

Friday, March 29, 2019

“I don’t get it!” This response is rarely a genuine request for a more complete explanation but rather is code for, “I don’t like what you’re saying, and I don’t want to hear it.” This is how Jesus’….(View this reading and more resources for prayer at Daily...

Forward Day By Day – March 28, 2019

Thursday, March 28, 2019

On the wall by my computer is a plaque that says, “Speak the truth but leave immediately thereafter.” Speaking the truth surely buys Jesus serious trouble. As soon as he tells the crowds following him that the truth will make them free, they insist they ….(View...

Bishop’s Lenten Book Study: Reaching Out to Neighbors

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Week Four: Reaching Out to Neighbors Autopsy of a Deceased Church by Thom S. Rainer I heard the story of a curate who took bags of goodies, along with the church schedule during Advent, to the houses in the neighborhood surrounding her church. The neighborhood had...

Forward Day By Day – March 27, 2019

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Walking in darkness is, at best, challenging, and at worst, dangerous. After my husband retired and I was still working, I’d get up in the dark, try not to wake him, and pull clothes out of the closet, hoping I hadn’t grabbed the purple skirt and the red...