Weekly devotionals based on soul tending in the book of Psalms.
Even after the warnings, God's people could hardly believe the great disaster that fell upon Jerusalem during the Babylonian Conquest in 597 BC. In the aftermath of war, Psalm 79 expresses the people's grief about what had been done and left undone in the form of a community lament. How Long, O Lord? 1 O … Continue reading Have You Felt Depleted Lately?
Sitting in the pew on a recent Sunday morning at church, we arrived at the part of the service in the Anglican tradition where we pray for the "whole state of Christ's church and the world." This rhythm remains the same every week as the congregation moves through concentric circles of influence in our lives. … Continue reading How can I pray for our President?
Deep in the heart of Texas, there have been so many tears. Imagine the heartbreak of parents who lost their babies and students who lost their teachers in a school shooting in Uvalde. A small community decimated by evil. The grief is heavy. A week later, the news broke that an escaped convict brutally murdered … Continue reading Grief in the Heart of Texas
In June of 2021, my husband, an Anglican priest, and I left a church where we had served for decades to answer the call to plant a church. Stepping out and into a new season felt like jumping onto a fast-moving train, not knowing the destination. We were leaving behind close friends and a supportive … Continue reading What Does a Church’s Birthday Look Like?
Just before Jesus was taken up into Heaven on the day of the Ascension, He promised to send a comforter, guide, and teacher to help His followers. He could see the challenges they would face, and He knew what they would need. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon … Continue reading What Happened on Pentecost?
At regular intervals, and sometimes entirely by surprise, God paints the sky with impressive displays of his handiwork. While every night sky, sunrise, sunset, a sea of blue, or cloud formation reveals beauty, some of God’s artwork stuns me. A recent lunar eclipse reminded me of how God can and will disrupt the regular cycles … Continue reading Why Does God Call Me To Look Up?
Quicksand appeared in more than one television show when I was a child in the 60s and 70s. It served as a frequent plot twist. Many a heroic figure found him or herself sinking deeper and deeper. Or sometimes, the hero would discover someone else descending into danger. Whichever scenario unfolded, there were often guidelines … Continue reading Can I Be Rescued from the Quicksand of Anxiety?
Pray the promise, not the problem. Carlos Whittaker 1 I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. 2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. Psalm 40:1-2 ESV The first two verses … Continue reading Have You Ever Fallen into a Pit?
(Toddler on the beach.) The tempo of her tiny feet steadily grew as we got closer and closer to the beach. Once she leaped off the wooden bridge, she collapsed onto her hands and knees and began to dig into the sand. The look on her face and her absolute joyful abandon cascaded over me. It … Continue reading Have You Been in Awe Lately?
“Our new Constitution is now established, everything seems to promise it will be durable; but, in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” Benjamin Franklin In March of 2020, even these two certainties became questionable. The traditional April 15 federal tax filing deadline was postponed until July 15. The Covid-19 death count was … Continue reading Where Do I Look for Certainty in Difficult Times?
Anthea Kotlan 