SCRIPTUREISAIAH 11In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together;the leopard will lie down with the baby goat.The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion,and a little child will lead them all.The cow will graze near the bear.The cub and the calf will lie down together.The lion will eat hay like a cow.The baby will play safely near the hole of a cobra.Yes, a little child will put its...  Read More

SCRIPTURELUKE 1:46-55My soul glorifies the Lordand my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,for he has been mindfulof the humble state of his servant.He has brought down rulers from their thronesbut has lifted up the humble.He has filled the hungry with good thingsbut has sent the rich away empty.—LUKE 1:-46B-48A, 52-53 We've arrived in the final week of Advent, where we are invited to explore the gift...  Read More

Look back at the writings from this week. Which scripture, idea, or story stands out to you as most meaningful or most challenging? Take time to revisit it and listen for the Spirit’s invitation to go deeper. QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION, DISCUSSION, AND PRAYERWhat have you learned about yourself and/or about God as you’ve practiced gratitude this week? How have you recognized the fruit of joy growing...  Read More

SCRIPTUREHEBREWS 12Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud ofwitnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sinthat so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance therace marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneerand perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he enduredthe cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand ofthe throne ...  Read More

SCRIPTUREMATTHEW 14:13-21 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said,“This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late.Send the crowd's away, so they can go to the villagesand buy themselves some food.” Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away.You give them something to eat.” —MATTHEW 14:15-16 It seems God reserves some of God’s best work for the remote places. Time and time...  Read More

SCRIPTUREISAIAH 55 Come, all you who are thirsty,come to the waters;and you who have no money,come, buy and eat!Come, buy wine and milkwithout money and without cost.Why spend money on what is not bread,and your labor on what does not satisfy?Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,and you will delight in the richest of fare. You will go out in joyand be led forth in peace;the mountains and hil...  Read More

SCRIPTUREPSALM 19The heavens declare the glory of God;the skies proclaim the work of his hands.Day after day they pour forth speech;night after night they reveal knowledge.They have no speech, they use no words;no sound is heard from them.Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,their words to the ends of the world.—PSALM 19:1-4A In our busy, technology-dependent, twenty-first-century lives, we...  Read More

SCRIPTUREISAIAH 12:2-6 Surely God is my salvation;I will trust and will not be afraid,for the LORD is my strength and my might;he has become my salvation.With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion,for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. ISAIAH 12:2-3, 6 (NRSVUE) Joy seems to be much more a Christmas thing than an Advent thing. We...  Read More

Look back at the readings from this week. Which scripture, idea, or story stands out to you as most meaningful or most challenging? Take time to revisit it and listen for the Spirit’s invitation to go deeper. QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION, DISCUSSION, AND PRAYERWhat have you learned about yourself and/or about God this week?How have you responded to the invitation to let yourself be loved?What practice...  Read More

SCRIPTUREJOHN 21:1-14When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coalsthere with fish on it, and some bread.Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have justcaught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat anddragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but evenwith so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them,“Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples daredask him,...  Read More

SCRIPTUREJOHN 13:1-17 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that thehour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father.Having loved his own who were in the world,he loved them to the end. So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, andwrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured waterinto a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying themw...  Read More

SCRIPTUREPSALM 23The LORD is my shepherd: I shall not want.He makes me lie down in green pastures:he leads me beside still waters;he restores my soul.He leads me in right pathsfor his name's sake.Even though I walk through the darkest valley,I fear no evil;for you are with me;your rod and your staff,they comfort me.You prepare a table before mein the presence of my enemies;you anoint my head with ...  Read More