Lenten Devotionals Friday March 31, 2023: Burdened By Doubt
“Immediately the father of the child cried out, ‘I believe; help my unbelief!’” (Mark 9:24) Doubt often surfaces when bad things happen to good people. Why, God? we cry, when suffering doesn’t make sense, and calamity doesn’t line up with the God we know and love. Why must the people of Ukraine suffer? Why did […]
Lenten Devotionals Thursday March 30, 2023: Burdened By Stuff
Jesus said to his disciples, “Take nothing for the journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money-not even an extra tunic.” (Luke9:3) When I travel, I don’t pack light. I get a free checked bag with my rewards membership, so I take advantage of the space, packing everything I might need and then some. […]
Lenten Devotionals Wednesday March 29, 2023: Burdened by Judgment
Blessed be the Lord, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was beset as a city under siege.” (Psalm 31:21) There is a difference between pursuing opportunities for self-growth and subjecting yourself to judgmental self-punishment. I recently watched a video of myself preaching, only to diminish mself with harsh critique. […]
Lenten Devotionals March 28, 2023 Tuesday: Burdened by Despair
“And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” (Isaiah 36:10) The weight of our world’s news burdens us with despair over the violence of war, rising hate crimes, devastating […]
Lenten Devotionals Monday March 27, 2023: Burdened by Addiction
“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) When we hear the word “addiction,” alcohol and drugs come quickly to mind. But any substance, pleasure or means of escape can become an addiction. An addiction is a dependency. It […]
Lenten Devotionals Sunday March 26, 2023: Burdened by Cynicism
“Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29) A man I know, once vibrant and talented, now lives in a family member’s spare bedroom, drinking beer and playing video […]
Lenten Devotionals Saturday March 25, 2023: Dishonest About Following Christ
“Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also.” (John 12:26) I often wonder about people who speak of Christ as if he is their best friend and greatest comfort. Are they being honest? Are they reading the Jesus found in the Gospels” Certainly, Christ can be a […]
Lenten Devotionals Friday March 24, 2023: Dishonest About Our Strength
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) “All things” is a bit much, don’t you think? It’s like when we tell kids they can do or be anything when they grow up. Dream ig! Shoot for the stars! Nothing is impossible! This sounds inspiring-and sometimes we need an encouraging pep […]
Lenten Devotionals Thursday, March 23, 2023: Dishonest About Our History
“If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples: and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8: 31-32) In her book, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, Isabel Wilkerson outlines how the Nazis admired and studied the United States’ near genocide of Native Americans and the […]
Lenten Devotionals Wednesday, March 22, 2023: Dishonest about Our Knowledge
“For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face.” (1 Corinthians 13:12) In his poem, “small talk or in my hand galaxies,” Benjamin Naka-Hasebe Kingsley writes: how often i have mistaken myself for the seer for the see-er and others simply as the seen. We humans often make […]
