Focus Stop and thank God for being present with you today. Ask for God’s guidance as you hear God’s voice through scripture and the writer. Read James 4:11-16 11 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers and sisters. Whoever speaks evil against another or judges another, speaks evil against the law and judges the law; but […]

Families Falling into Faith Formation   Families are experiencing all sorts of new realities this fall. Virtual school, mask wearing, cancellations, hybrid meetings and activities, Zoom sessions, and the list goes on. Many families are finding a deeper sense of wanting to nurture faith at home away from screens and computers. While reading a Bible story or having prayer time are always excellent ways of forming faith, you can also try one of […]

A mother was introducing her teenage daughter to the family’s tradition of preparing the Christmas ham. The first thing the mother did was cut off two inches from one end of the ham and set it aside. When the teenager asked why she did this, the mother replied, “That’s how I was taught.” Not satisfied, […]

Focus Experience silence in the midst of your busy day. Take some time to relax into a time to be with God. Read Isaiah 41:1-12 Listen to me in silence, O coastlands;     let the peoples renew their strength; let them approach, then let them speak;     let us together draw near for judgment. 2 Who has roused […]

Nelle Fyke Gupton, 81, of Springfield, Missouri, died September 13, 2020. She was a member of Mt. Denson Cumberland Presbyterian Church (Missouri Presbytery), where she served as an elder and was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Women’s Ministry.

Focus Pay attention to the tension in your body. Let go of it and any expectations to do anything other than God’s will today. Prepare yourself to hear God’s word. Read Romans 16:17-20 17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to keep an eye on those who cause dissensions and offenses, in opposition to the teaching that […]

Focus Relax and listen. Consciously prepare to hear God’s Word. Clear your mind of the worries and tasks that lie before you. Open your heart and allow it to refresh. Read Genesis 27:1-18 When Isaac was old and his eyes were dim so that he could not see, he called his elder son Esau and […]

Focus Breathe in clear thoughts of peace and reflection as you prepare to hear God speak to you through the scripture and the writer. Put aside all the things the world says you have to accomplish today and use this time to rest in God’s presence. Read Matthew 20:1-15 “For the kingdom of heaven is […]

Focus Let your soul take a moment of rest as you hear God’s word. Put your busy schedule, wandering mind, stressful thoughts, and burdened heart at the feet of the cross and open up to God’s voice as the Giver of Life tends your soul. Read Matthew 19:23-30 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly […]

Focus Be still and rest in the Lord. Read 2 Corinthians 13:5-10 Examine yourselves to see whether you are living in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you?– unless, indeed, you fail to meet the test! 6 I hope you will find out that we have not failed. […]