By Wendy McFadden, publisher of Brethren Press and Communications In an essay about lost gloves, Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmich passes along the story of a woman who exited a train car and discovered that she had only one of her gloves. Just before the doors closed behind her, she tossed it back inside. “Better
Lent
Mary!
John 20:1-18 Question: But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! ” (Isaiah 43:1) These words leap off the page into my heart. With these words I am called
They laid Jesus there
John 19:38-42 Question: His presence was gone. They felt empty, anxious and alone. The only time when Jesus would not be available to them. So then, imagine the warmth and joy they felt when He appeared with a promise – He would be with them … always. How do you deal with your circumstances? Is
I am He
John 18:1-14, 28-40a; 19:13-25 Question: “I am He.” With these words, Jesus says so much more than what his soon-to-be captors realize. Our journey to maturity starts and ends here. How do we grow in capacity to deal with difficult life-spaces? Where do we go when we lose God’s shalom / peace? Whom do you
Do you know what I’ve done?
John 13:1-17, 31-35 Prayer: O God, open our eyes to see examples of servant leadership in our midst. Increase our care and compassion. Encourage us to be of service, to see where there is need and to respond. Strengthen and empower us to do more, to reach out, to move from apathy to empathy, and
In the company of Judas
John 13:21-32 Prayer: O God, hear our confession: too long have we thought only of ourselves. Forgive us. Help us, we pray, to be about Your work in this world. Strengthen our allegiance to Jesus, our connection with the Body of Christ, and our love for You, O God. May we truly be Your people
A troubled soul
John 12:20-36 Question: What is your deepest need at this moment? How do you sense God’s presence with you in the midst of your need? Prayer: O God, in our brokenness, and in that of others, we know You are present. We know that through Christ Jesus, there is nothing that separates us from Your
A costly offering
John 12:1-11 Prayer: O God, You give us so much. Life itself is a gift. You call us to live with open minds, open hearts and open hands. We hear You, God. We thank You. This day we ask for the vision and creativity of Mary, to seize the moment and give the unexpected gift,
Holy preparations
Mark 11: 1-11; 14: 1-16 Reflection: Preparation is definitely an important part of our life, as talked about in the devotional today. But what happens when our plans and preparations need to be adjusted? Palm Sunday is one of my favorite days out of the year, mostly because of a family story of Palm Sunday
A righteous Branch
Jeremiah 33:14-16 Question: The idea of there being those days and that time can be limiting and causing individuals to be stuck. What are some ways we can actively work towards “The Branch” today? Prayer: God, allow us to look forward to the days that you have promised and still remain present in the work