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 Romans 15:7-13 (NRSV) Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant […]

Focus Slow your breathing and become aware of the taking in and letting out of your breath. Focus on putting things aside so you will be open to what God is saying to you today.   Read Psalm 26 (NRSV) Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted […]

Focus As you quiet yourself for this brief time, be willing to be open to God in whatever way that may take place.   Read Matthew 15:1 9 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For […]

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 Proverbs 1:20-33 (NRSV) Wisdom cries out in the street; in the squares she raises her voice. At the busiest corner she cries out; at the entrance of the city […]

Focus As you quiet yourself for this brief time, be willing to be open to God in whatever way that may take place. Read Ruth 2:1-23 (NRSV) Now Naomi had a kinsman on her husband’s side, a prominent rich man, of the family of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. And Ruth the Moabite said to […]

A liturgy for reaffirming baptismal promises for individuals who have been estranged from the Church says “We rejoice in your return to the household of God to claim again the promises of God which are yours through baptism. Hear these words from Holy Scripture: By grace you have been saved through faith; and this is […]

Focus Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you. Read Philippians 1:3-11 (NRSV) I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your […]

Freedom has always been an important concept for Americans. The history of our nation is full of examples of people sacrificing to secure freedom for themselves and others. For generations before the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe, westerners distinguished themselves from other cultures by calling ourselves leaders of the free world. “It’s a free […]

An exercise in logical thinking is usually on college entrance exams. The test items are usually something like this? “Asia is to Australia as _____ is to Rhode Island.” The objective is to use logic to choose the correct response. In the example above, Asia is the largest of the continents; Australia is the smallest. […]

A while ago, the Chicago Cubs had a third baseman named Vance Law. Across the field, the Cubs had a first baseman named Mark Grace. Even people like me with little experience on the baseball field can figure out that often the hardest play on the field is the throw from third to first base. […]