Tag: You Version

Evidence

Jeff1 Comment

Today is Tuesday, the ninth day of June, 2026, in the Season of the Church.

May the peace of Christ surround you, today, and drive away all of your anxieties and fears.

It is day 160 of 2026, with 205 days left in the year.

Day 24,925 of my life

21,632 days since I was baptized into Christ

Twelve days until Father’s Day

Today is World Pet Memorial Day. I’m willing to bet most of us could name some. Midnight, Screamer, Tessie, Duke, Honey, Amber, Juliet . . .

Daily writing prompt
What’s a fear you’ve overcome — and how did you do it?
View all responses

This is a tough one. First off, I might say that I, myself, have never overcome a fear. I didn’t do it. Christ did it for me. Yeah, I know. It’s always about Jesus, innit? Too bad. Get over it. Because Christ is everything! He is all and in all, and I will not apologize for that perspective in my life.

But I digress. Yes, I have been delivered from fear, over the past fifteen months. What kind of fear? Fear of the unknown, fear of death, fear of suffering. But even in the face of that deliverance, our enemy frequently (and by “frequently” I mean “non-stop”) tries to re-instill many fears into me. Much of the time, that comes in the form of overthinking. I’m struggling with that, even this morning. But fortunately for me, one of the Psalms that I was led to pray, this morning, was Psalm 46.

God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
    though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
    though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
(Psalms 46:1-3 ESV)

When I acknowledge what is happening, the fear is defeated. Have I overcome it? From my perspective, no. Others might say, yes, I did overcome it? Potato, potahto, perhaps. I have lived most of my life from the mindset that I am nothing without Christ. I’m not the one that overcomes anything. Without Him, I can do nothing. I simply be still and know that He is God.

It’s a normal Tuesday, here. C is at the office. I will be working my four-hour shift in the computer center at the library, this evening, from 4:15-8:15. For lunch today (and dinner for C), we will be having Meal Simple by H‑E‑B Chicken & Bacon Mac ‘n’ Cheese, along with the ubiquitous Caesar Salad and garlic Texas Toast.

My first coffee this morning is Jamaican Me Crazy, by Angelino’s. “A smooth medley of caramel, vanilla, and chocolate flavors inspire the bold taste featured in our Jamaican Me Crazy coffee.” The second coffee is Chocolate Raspberry Truffle, also by Angelino’s, a “new” flavor for me. “There’s never been a better match than raspberries and chocolate. Each cup of our Chocolate Raspberry coffee features rich and creamy swirls of milk chocolate with juicy ripe raspberry flavors that burst forth with each sip.” There’s definitely a nice aroma, and the smell of raspberry is not overpowering . . . just a hint. And a very nice flavor!

JESUS TIME

In Holy Baptism, O triune God, You entered into my heart and made it Your temple and dwelling-place. Keep me always mindful of this high distinction. Whenever Satan seeks to seduce me to sin, to neglect Your Word and will, to dishonesty, selfishness, and envy, help me to resist him in Your strength, to beat back his attacks and obtain the victory. Father in heaven, let me never forget that I am Your child and that Satan’s only purpose is to separate me from You. O Savior, Jesus Christ, keep Your bitter suffering ever before me, so that I hate and abhor every sin, no matter how small it may seem. O Holy Spirit, who has regenerated me, keep me in this newness of life, and let not Satan lure me back into the way that leads to eternal damnation. Triune God, keep me constant in Your means of grace – the Word and Sacraments – that in the power of Your might I may be able to withstand in the evil day and, having done all, to stand. Hear me for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
(Lutheran Book of Prayer, Prayer 8, Tuesday Morning)

Gracious heavenly Father, I thank You for keeping me safe through the quiet hours of this past night. As a new day dawns, help me to see, through the eyes of faith, that the challenges that might be in front of me today are not greater than the power behind me. Help me to see that everyone I engage with today was created in Your image and thus worthy of respect. If someone has a need, help me to meet that need where I am able. Enable me to trust the promise that You have the power to work all things for my good. In the name of Jesus, Your dear Son, I pray. Amen.
(Portals of Prayer, Prayer for Tuesday Morning)

Grant, O Lord, that the course of this world may be peaceably governed by your providence; and that your Church may joyfully serve you in confidence and serenity; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(For All the Saints, Tuesday of the Week of Pentecost 2, Opening Prayer)

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
(Matthew 7:13-14 ESV)
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”
(John 15:16 ESV)

Today I am grateful:

  1. For the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life; convicting me of sin, stirring up more affection for Christ, and transforming me, daily
  2. That God chose me to be a part of His Kingdom/family, and I do not need to strive or work to maintain that status; it is firm and permanent
  3. That Christ has led me to the “narrow gate”
  4. That God is my refuge and my strength; therefore, I will not fear, though the earth gives way, though the mountains fall into the sea (Psalm 46)
  5. For the hope that people will see in me the light, joy, depth, and love of Christ
Lord, in Your mercy, hear, now, the prayers lifted up to you for all who need strength, healing, comfort, and peace. 

If you are reading this, I encourage you to stop and pray for someone, at this time. Or, if there is something on your heart, please leave a comment. What can I pray for you?

You Version Bible Plan – From Lost to Loved: A 30-Day Study of Romans 8

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
(Romans 8:9 ESV)

“The Holy Spirit is the only authenticating mark of salvation.” The author of this devotional writes this after an introduction about “authenticating” our identity when we try to access certain apps or websites. We’ve all experienced that, especially those annoying, “click on every picture that contains a bus” things! Some sites even require what they call “two-factor authentication,” usually requiring some kind of activity on the phone. Every time I log into my email on my work computer, I have to tap on a number generated on my phone.

But we don’t have “two-factor authentication” in salvation. Paul lays it out, here, dismantling all “false credentials,” when he says, “Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.” Period.

“You cannot behave your way into the Kingdom. You’re not authenticated by feelings or Sunday habits. The question is this: does the Holy Spirit dwell in you? He is not a reward for the religious. He’s the gift to those who believe. His presence authenticates your adoption.”

Now for the big question. How do you know? If the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life is the only way to know that you are “saved,” then how do you know?

“First, He convicts of sin. This doesn’t create shame but leads you into repentance with a soft and teachable heart (2 Corinthians 7:10). Second, He stirs affection for Christ. You will grow hungry to know, trust, and obey Jesus in greater measure . . . Third, He empowers real change. You won’t be instantly perfect, but you will evidence a pattern of repentance, obedience, and growth (2 Corinthians 3:18).”

I can speak, personally, to the truth of each of those points, and can witness to the truth that the Holy Spirit does, in fact, dwell within me. I am constantly convicted of sin. He has stirred so much affection for Christ in me (especially over the course of the last 15 months) that, sometimes, I can hardly stand it. And He has definitely empowered real change.

Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
(2 Corinthians 9:15 ESV)

O God, stay with me; let no word cross my lips that is not your word, no thoughts enter my mind that are not your thoughts, no deed ever be done or entertained by me that is not your deed. Amen.
(For All the Saints, Tuesday of the Week of Pentecost 2, Closing Prayer, Malcolm Muggeridge)

Father, thank You for choosing me. Thank You that my identity is secure in You and not dependent on human recognition. Help me walk confidently in the purpose You have given me. Remind me that my life is meaningful because You have called me, not because of what others see. Teach me to bear lasting fruit in every season of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
(Grant Fishbook, A Miracle Every Day)

My Jesus, I praise You for delivering me from fears, from doubt, and from lust, over the course of the past fifteen months. I thank You that You have become everything to me, through all of this miraculous transformation. I praise You for the people You have brought into my life who have walked through this with me, and continue to do so. But my enemy continues to pound me with temptations to irrational fears, that are not based in reality. Help me to not fall prey to these fears, these temptations. Your Word says there is always an escape, a way out, and that way out, I believe, is trust in You. So help me to trust. O, Lord, I do believe! Help my unbelief!

Thank You for the Holy Spirit, Lord, and the evidence in my life that He is truly there, truly dwelling within me, for I have surely been convicted of sin, daily, and I have a constantly growing affection for You, dear Christ, in my heart. And there has been miraculous change and growth, as well. So thank You for the reassurance that I am, indeed, Your child, Your brother! And I also point back to my baptism, on March 19, 1967, at which time I became a part of Your Church, Your Body, for ever and ever!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, just as I was baptized, amen!

Grace and peace, my brothers and sisters! Embrace the Spirit within you!

CHRIST IS EVERYTHING!!!

Christ Is the “Blessed”

JeffLeave a comment

Today is Sunday, the seventh day of June, 2026, in the Season of the Church.

May the peace of God embrace you today and may You feel His love for you.

It is day 158 of 2026, with 207 days remaining in the year.

Day 24,923 of my life

21,630 days since I was baptized into Christ

Four days until the Feast of St. Barnabas, Apostle

Today is National Chocolate Ice Cream Day!!! Woot!! That’s it. What more do we need?

Daily writing prompt
How do you build loyal subscribers?
View all responses

What? I don’t worry about that. I’ve said before that this whole thing originally started as an online journaling project (on a different site, many years ago). I couldn’t care less how many “loyal subscribers” I have. That being said, there are a few of you out there that I really love, who do at least look over here most days. I think you know who you are. I’m afraid to start tagging, because I don’t want to forget anyone. Anyway, I would keep writing this, even if there were no subscribers, on the hopes that one person might “randomly” stumble across this and maybe their life might be transformed.

This is my pebble in the lake, rippling outward. *wink wink nudge nudge* I hope that the person that that is directed at gets it. 💜

This morning went well. Yes, I have already been to church and back, had lunch, ordered groceries, and so on. It’s after 4:30 PM, at the moment. I will still paste in the “morning” prayers, though, as this is still reflective my morning Jesus Time. Church was good. In fact, the more I reflect on it, the better it was. The sermon was great (although the pastor said it was better in the early service), the music was good, and I always love getting to read the Scripture readings. And, of course, there was Communion, which is always wonderful.

C and I may go get some ice cream soon. Maybe CHOCOLATE!!

My first cup of coffee, this morning, is CAFE Olé by H‑E‑B Medium Roast Cinnamon Hazelnut. This favorite of mine is back in the Favorite Five lineup. My second cup is Crème Brûlée, by Angelino’s, another new flavor for me (I think . . . I don’t remember ever trying this one, before). “Creamy vanilla bean custard flavored coffee.” It has a lovely aroma and a very nice flavor. Lunch today was from Pizza Buzz. Love their pizza!

JESUS TIME

Lord God, You are the Almighty One who fills all eternity and whose name is holy. Yet You have assured us that You dwell with each baptized believer in Christ. On this first day of the week, I pray that all who hear Your holy Word would experience the fulfillment of that promise.
By Your holy Gospel enter my heart and make it Your own dwelling place. As Your holy Word is being preached and Your holy Sacraments given to me, let me receive Your grace with a believing heart, that being so strengthened I may be not only a hearer of Your Word, but also a doer of Your will to my neighbor.
Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation and give me the strength to put into practice what I have heard and confessed. Keep me a humble learner for as many days as You give me on earth, and then receive me into the heavenly home You have prepared for me; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Redeemer. Amen.
(Lutheran Book of Prayer, Prayer 4, Sunday Morning)

Heavenly Father, this is the day of resurrection and rest. Thank You for this day to hear Your living Word and obtain the blessed Sacrament of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ! Forgive me all my sins and prepare me rightly in heart and mind to joyfully receive all Your generous gifts so that I may serve You well in Your kingdom. Bless all pastors who powerfully proclaim the truth of Christ’s death and resurrection that all may come to repentance and new life! Bless Your church throughout the world in order that it may be a burning lamp, attracting all who see it to You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
(Portals of Prayer, Prayer for Sunday Morning)

God of wisdom and love, source of all good, send your Spirit to teach us your truth and guide our actions in your way to peace. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(For All the Saints, Sunday of the Week of Pentecost 2, Opening Prayer)

Before the mountains were brought forth,
    or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
    from everlasting to everlasting you are God. . . . 

For a thousand years in your sight
    are but as yesterday when it is past,
    or as a watch in the night.
(Psalms 90:2, 4 ESV)

Today I am grateful:

  1. For the opportunity to gather with the community of saints to worship the Lord, hear the absolution of my sins declared, and be fed with Word and Sacrament, as His Word is preached and His Body and Blood shared in Holy Communion
  2. For the opportunity to read His Word in today’s worship service
  3. That from everlasting to everlasting, You are God
  4. That the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace (Romans 8:6)
  5. That this day, my life, and all things belong to You, Lord
Lord, in Your mercy, hear, now, the prayers lifted up to you for all who need strength, healing, comfort, and peace. 

If you are reading this, I encourage you to stop and pray for someone, at this time. Or, if there is something on your heart, please leave a comment. What can I pray for you?

Psalm of the Day, Psalm 73:1-12

Truly God is good to Israel,
    to those who are pure in heart.
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled,
    my steps had nearly slipped.
For I was envious of the arrogant
    when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

For they have no pangs until death;
    their bodies are fat and sleek.
They are not in trouble as others are;
    they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.
Therefore pride is their necklace;
    violence covers them as a garment.
Their eyes swell out through fatness;
    their hearts overflow with follies.
They scoff and speak with malice;
    loftily they threaten oppression.
They set their mouths against the heavens,
    and their tongue struts through the earth.
Therefore his people turn back to them,
    and find no fault in them.
And they say, “How can God know?
    Is there knowledge in the Most High?”
Behold, these are the wicked;
    always at ease, they increase in riches.
(Psalms 73:1-12 ESV)

Untamed Prayers, I Was Envious of the Arrogant, by Chad Bird

Bird begins this one by quoting Matthew 5:8 (which, ironically, is the You Version VotD today): “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” And in Psalm 73:1, Asaph writes that God is good to those who are “pure in heart.” But we have a huge problem. Our hearts are anything but pure. And Asaph, himself, even illustrates this with his struggle with envy. “He almost sulks because unbelievers have it way too easy on this life (73:4-12).”

But why should we care about the success of the unrighteous?? Why does that matter to us? Ultimately, it is because, in our flesh (remember Romans 8:6 up there?) we desire what they have. That is the very essence of envy . . . Desiring what someone else possesses. Do we even stand a chance?

“Indeed, we do, when we stand beneath the one who himself was pure in heart for us. There is no clearer picture of the fulfillment of all the beatitudes than our Lord on the cross: poor in spirit, mourning, meek, pure in heart, being the blessed one that we, by faith in him, might be blessed, too. Let us repent, therefore, of our envy, the impurity of our hearts, and cast ourselves upon the mercy of Jesus, praying, ‘Create in me a clean heart, O God’ (51:10).”

That right there was a little bit of a “whoosh” for me, this morning, as I reflected on Jesus’s fulfilling of His own teaching. 💜

“Here’s a picture of the bad ones I once envied:

Everything came easily: they did not need
To work to make their living, want
A catchy line, an angle to find lovers or companions
At the dining table: tan and fit from laps and basking
Poolside, they order drinks and gaze at the deep sky,
Chuckle at the devil, protest unjust god:
Superstitions meant for dimlit losers.
They eat the land bare, suck the ocean
Dry as though they had it in their goblet, tall
And frosted, with their tongues’ tips swish
Strong currents of the deep.”
(Excerpt from Laurance Wieder, Words to God’s Music, Psalm 73, AS IF)

I keep getting these reminders, over the past few weeks, that we are not required to be “striving” or “working” for this life. It is Spirit-led . . . we are, of course, to be walking in the Spirit. But Christ wants to do it all for us, via His “easy yoke.” I had more of that today. In the You Version Bible plan, From Lost to Loved: A 30-Day Study of Romans 8, we focused on Romans 8:6, today.

For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
(Romans 8:6 ESV)

First, let’s remember that the “righteous requirement of the law” has been fulfilled in those of us who are baptized into Christ. But here, Paul gives us some advice about where we set our minds, upon what we set them. The mind set on the flesh is “a life obsessed with comfort, control, and self-preservation. It preaches peace through escape or achievement.

“But the mind set on the Spirit is entirely different. It lives awake to God’s presence and responds to His prompting. The Holy Spirit doesn’t just comfort, He reforms. He reshapes how we think, what we value, and how we walk. Life in the Spirit isn’t just sin avoidance or behavior modification; it’s the presence of a new inner life.”

This is all rooted in the Gospel of Christ. The world around us defines peace as “escape or numbness, but . . . Anything short of Spirit-given peace is death disguised as calm. True peace is the settled assurance that even in the storm, you belong to God.”

My life is not anchored in striving, but in Spirit-given peace.

And then, the reading excerpt from For All the Saints, this morning focused on Mary and Martha, from the Luke 10 passage.

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
(Luke 10:38-42 ESV)

“The mental states of Mary and Martha were analyzed. The two sisters were equal in their love of the Lord but differed in temperament. Mary was ravished by the words of the Master. Martha was flitting about the house that nothing should be lacking to perfect hospitality. Martha, well knowing that her sister could never be detached from the feet of Jesus, did not chide her, but in a way remonstrated with Jesus for so charming her sister that she neglected to do what needed to be done. ‘Master,’ she said, ‘don’t you care that my sister leaves me to do all of this alone? Tell her to help me. I know she won’t leave you unless you tell her to, so entrancing are your words. But the dinner must be made ready and one pair of hands is not enough.’ Then the Lord, who was delighted with the devotion of both women, did not chide the attachment of Mary, nor did he blame the complaint of Martha, though he leaned to Mary. ‘Martha! Martha!’ he said, ‘Don’t be so worried about getting the dinner and all worked up about many things. Mary has chosen the better part, to forget the things of the body and to be concerned for the things of the soul. I am grateful to you for preparing the dinner for me and my disciples, but to save souls is my meat and drink. The things of the body will pass away when “that which is perfect is come.” At the same time, those who do as you have done will not lose their reward. They feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick, and entertain strangers. Yet those who attend to the one thing needful do more. But let no one complain of another, for each serves according to the gift received from God.'”
(Desiderius Erasmus, Erasmus of Christendom translated by Roland Bainton)

Notice that third sentence. It really caught my attention. “Mary was ravished by the words of the Master.” Mary, the one who didn’t strive, didn’t work, and boy is Martha upset about that! Don’t we see that in our world today, as well? The people who strive really don’t like the ones who like to just sit at the feet of Christ and soak Him in, those of us who are “ravished by the words of the Master.” That is so me. I love His Word. His Word is Truth; His Word is Life. Where else can I go?? Jesus Christ has the words of eternal life!! And oh, how I cherish those words!!

Lord God, source of light and life, by the light of your truth let the virtuous know your goodness and sinners feel your mercy, so that together they may drink from your river of delight and rejoice now and ever in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
(For All the Saints, Prayer following Psalm 36)

“I place this day into Your hands because it already belongs to You anyway.
I exchange my plans for Yours.
Yes, I want to pay attention to the voice of the Holy Spirit today.”
(Déborah Rosenkrantz, A Miracle Every Day)

My Jesus, I praise You for Your Words. Thank You for making me love them so much! Thank You, Lord, that when I hear truth preached and sung, it makes my heart burn within me, literally. Now, Lord, I pray that You help me to disperse my pebbles wisely, that the ripple effect of the Gospel of Christ would spread and spread, affecting all around me. Whether it is through this writing, or through songs that I sing, or prayers that I pray, or through the words of my mouth as I speak to people, O let Your Word go forth in its power an glory, affecting all who see and hear. All to Your glory, O Lord!

I thank You that You are the “blessed” one in the Beatitudes, Lord Jesus! Yes, we should try to live as they describe, but You already did it for us! And then, Lord, as we are crucified with You and then baptized into Your life, we no longer have to strive or work for any kind of approval. We don’t have to work or strive for forgiveness, for You have already won it. Our Father loves us as we are, because we are brothers and sisters of You, Jesus! Oh, how I love You!! Thank You, thank You, thank You!

In Your holy, precious, and beautiful name I pray. Amen! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Grace and peace, my brothers and sisters!

Because Jesus!! 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

Two Paths

JeffLeave a comment

Today is Saturday, the sixth day of June, 2026, in the Season of the Church. It is Saturday After the Holy Trinity.

May grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
(2 Peter 1:2 NRSV)

It is day 157 of 2026, with 208 days left in the year.

Day 24,922 of my life

21,629 days since I was baptized into Christ

141 days until Reformation Sunday

Today is National Drive-In Movie Day. We had one of those in my home town, when I was but a lad. I still remember the first movies that I saw there. In fact, the two movies that we saw that night (they always showed a double feature) are the first movies I ever remember seeing. We saw The Rounders and First Men in the Moon (based on the H.G. Wells story). My love for Science Fiction was manifesting early, because, while I remember virtually nothing about the first movie, I remember quite a bit about First Men in the Moon. It had quite an impact on me.

It is also National Yo-Yo Day. Sadly, I no longer have one of those. I got fairly good at it back in my Jr. High years.

Daily writing prompt
Share a proverb you think is completely wrong and make your case.
View all responses

There are plenty of those. The first one that comes to mind has been very popular in the last decade or so. “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” Pure and utter “BS.” Also not in the Bible. This was featured in our recent sermon series on things that Jesus didn’t say. The reason it is wrong is actually quite logical. If God didn’t give us (or allow) more than we can handle, we would not need Him, would we? The erroneous “proverb” comes from a legit verse in 1 Corinthians.

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
(1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV)

A bonus false “proverb” is “God helps those that help themselves.” You mean like that thief on the cross when Christ was crucified? You mean the way he “helped” himself? Here’s the thing. Hang on . . . Gospel coming. Before we come to Christ, we are dead. Not “sick.” Not “weak.” DEAD.

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
(Ephesians 2:1 ESV)

What can a dead person do to help themself?? I used to hear “gospel” presentations that said something to the effect that sharing the Gospel of Christ with someone was like throwing a life preserve to a drowning person. But we are not drowning. We. Are. Dead. Already drowned. It’s too late for life preservers!

God helped us when we couldn’t help ourselves!

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
(Ephesians 2:4-9 ESV)

Anyone who knows me very well knows that my two favorite words in Scripture are “But God.” And grace? My favorite definition of grace is “God doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves.”

Today is an off Saturday for me. S and I will be attending a birthday party today, in McKinney, about forty miles from where we live (or something like that, depending on the route). It’s a party for a young lady who, like Stephanie, is autistic. She is delightful and loves Disney and Peanuts. And Karaoke, apparently. Should be a fun party. I’m not looking forward to the drive, though. I don’t think we can get there without driving through Dallas. The only thing I dislike more than driving in Dallas is driving in Houston.

My first cup of coffee, this morning is CAFE Olé by H‑E‑B Taste of San Antonio. “For a trio of cinnamon, chocolate and vanilla flavors, try CAFE Olé by H-E-B Taste of San Antonio coffee.” My second cup is Hazelnut Creme, by Angelino’s, another new flavor for me, from a variety box I got. “Creamy hazelnut flavored coffee.” It’s good, but the flavor isn’t very strong. I have no idea what tonight’s dinner will be. I didn’t plan on burgers because of the party, not knowing what time we would be home. We will probably pick something up on the way home.

JESUS TIME

Father, today is another gift from You. Every good thing I enjoy is from You, and I thank You for Your abundant blessings. All I own is Yours, to be used for Your good purposes and especially for the good of others. Where I would take these blessings and use them selfishly, move me instead to generosity, kindness, goodness, and love. Among the greatest gifts You’ve given me are the people in my life—especially my family, friends, and neighbors. I want them to know Your love and to feel cared for and blessed when they are with me. Fill me with Your Spirit that they see Jesus through me today. In His name. Amen.
(Portals of Prayer, Prayer for Saturday Morning)

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
(Ephesians 3:17-19 ESV)

Today I am grateful:

  1. That Christ dwells in my heart through faith
  2. That I am rooted and grounded in love
  3. That I know this love of Christ that is beyond knowing
  4. For the love of friendships
  5. For the peace that Christ gives us (John 14:27)
Lord, in Your mercy, hear, now, the prayers lifted up to you for all who need strength, healing, comfort, and peace. 

If you are reading this, I encourage you to stop and pray for someone, at this time. Or, if there is something on your heart, please leave a comment. What can I pray for you?

You Version Bible Plan – From Lost to Loved: A 30-Day Study of Romans 8

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
(Romans 8:5 ESV)

There are two paths described in this verse. “The way of the flesh and the way of the Spirit. One leads to chaos and death while the other leads to life. The false gospel always flows from a flesh-focused mind; one that exalts self, craves control, and tries to hijack heaven for gain. The true Gospel crucifies the flesh and renews the mind.”

It is important to note, also, that the comparison here is not between two types of Christians. It is a comparison between the Christian and the non-Christian. “Following Jesus is not a lifestyle enhancement. Christ is not a spice we sprinkle to improve the dish. He is the meal.”

I want to briefly revisit the verse from Psalm 113 that was mentioned yesterday.

From the rising of the sun to its setting,
    the name of the LORD is to be praised!
(Psalms 113:3 ESV)

First off, I will say that I only did “okay” at that, yesterday. But I suppose one cannot be expected to instantly excel at the attempt to develop a new habit. I do feel that I was mildly more cognizant of His presence during the day, but failed to remember to give Him praise throughout the day.

To add to that, today, I’m simply focusing on the truth that we should praise Him, not just because of all the blessings He lavishes on us, but just because He is God. Lift praise to Him because He is the Lord! And most especially when we cannot feel His presence. I know that He is always here; but my heart doesn’t always feel it. And it is in those times that we should praise Him even harder.

Our Father who art in heaven, deliver us from evil. O dear Lord, God and Father, Your Son defeated sin, death, and the devil so that I may enjoy the fruits of His labor. You are faithful to me as You keep me in Your grace. Grant me faithfulness in this life, especially when I experience the attacks of the devil through misery and misfortune, uncertainty and evil. Should I grow weary of life and long for death, give me strength and confidence in my dear Savior’s victory over sin, death, and the devil. And, when my last hour comes, mercifully grant me a blessed departure from this valley of sorrow. Grant that in the face of death I do not lose heart or fear it, but, with certain trust and hope in You, remain confident that You will take my soul into Your hands; for the sake of my Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
(Lutheran Book of Prayer, Prayer 58, Saturday Morning)

Lord, I thank You for the peace that you leave with us, daily. Help me to walk in that peace, as I walk in Your Spirit, daily. Help me to remember to praise and thank You throughout this day, sometimes just because You are who You are. I thank You that You brought me to life, Lord. I thank You for the grace that led me to Christ and brought me into Your kingdom. I praise You for my baptism back in 1967, when I was baptized into Christ, securing my place at Your table.

Thank You for the friendships that You have brought into my life, Lord. I thank You for my family, as well. For parents who taught me to love You, from my childhood. For a wife who loves me and is devoted to me, as I am to her. For children who love us, Lord.

May You bring healing and peace to all who need it today, my Father. In the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, I pray, amen.

Grace and peace, my brothers and sisters!

CHRIST IS EVERYTHING!!!

A Sacrifice of Praise

JeffLeave a comment

Today is Saturday, the thirtieth day of May, 2026, in the Season of the Church. It is Saturday After Pentecost.

May the peace and love of Christ flood your soul, today!

It is day 150 of 2026, with 215 days remaining in the year.

Day 24,915 of my life

21,622 days since I was baptized into Christ.

22 days until Father’s Day

Today is National Creativity Day. Who knows? Maybe I’ll get creative at some point in the day. It is also International Day of the Potato. I think the great potato deserves its own day. I love potatoes. “Po-ta-toes! Boil ’em, mash ’em, stick ’em in a stew. Lovely big golden chips with a nice piece of fried fish.”

Daily writing prompt
What’s the most profound piece of advice you’ve been given? Did you take it?
View all responses

That’s a tough one. I’ll give two. The first one came from my pastor, when I was experiencing a “down time,” spiritually. “Lean in to the flat times,” she said. I don’t always remember to take that advice, but I have taken it, and it is definitely helpful. What that means (at least to me) is that, when the spirit seems low or distracted, to simply lean in to the Lord. Not necessarily to seek Him “harder.” It’s not about effort. It’s about intimacy and closeness. In fact, I’m leaning in, right now, and I feel it. Thank You, Jesus!

The other comes from Scripture, and there are many different Scriptures that I could point to as profound advice. But the one I will choose in answer to this question is Isaiah 41:10.

fear not, for I am with you;
    be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
(Isaiah 41:10 ESV)

Have I taken that advice? Most days, yes. Because, you see, it is one of the hundreds of places in Scripture where I am advised to not be afraid.

As a bonus, I’ll throw in Psalm 16:11. It’s not advice, per se, but a promise, I believe. No, not even a promise. This is simply a fact.

You make known to me the path of life;
    in your presence there is fullness of joy;
    at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
(Psalms 16:11 ESV)

Today is a working Saturday for me. I switched with another co-worker who is traveling. My library bestie will not be there today. She was scheduled, but took a vacation day because her sister is having a baby shower. So it will be one other part-timer (that I don’t normally work with) and me in the circulation department today. And we are in the beginning stages of Summer Reading Club, so it will likely be busy today. C was feeling better, after working from home for a day. I’m encouraged by that. Hopefully, she will rest today, but there’s always a chance that she will decide that she must be productive.

Today’s first cup of coffee is Jamaican Me Crazy, by Angelino’s. “Caramel, vanilla, & chocolate flavored coffee.” It is my favorite of their varieties, and probably number three of the Favorite Five. The second cup is Hazelnut Spread, also by Angelino’s. It is a limited edition, and this is my last cup of that one. It is still available, though. “Chocolaty fudge and roasted hazelnut flavored coffee.” Tonight’s dinner will be one of our H-E-B Meal Simple family meals, with a Caesar Salad and some garlic Texas Toast.

JESUS TIME

Faithful Father in heaven, I have neither the power nor the ability to praise and thank You enough for all the loving-kindness that You have so graciously shown me my entire life. I am but flesh and blood that can do nothing but evil. Yet You allow an abundant flow of gifts to come to me every day, especially in the past night when You were my shield and my support. Were that not so, the power of the devil surely would have struck me so severe a blow that I could not have hoped to arise again in sound condition. Yet through Your gracious protection I have been defended in a manner unsurpassed. I beseech You from the utmost depths of my being that You would let Your grace flow over me and defend me. I am Yours by the blood of Christ, from now unto eternal life. Amen. Amen. Lord Jesus, take my soul into Your hands and let me be commended unto You. Amen. 
(Lutheran Book of Prayer, Prayer 44, Saturday Morning) 

Father, today is another gift from You. Every good thing I enjoy is from You, and I thank You for Your abundant blessings. All I own is Yours, to be used for Your good purposes and especially for the good of others. Where I would take these blessings and use them selfishly, move me instead to generosity, kindness, goodness, and love. Among the greatest gifts You’ve given me are the people in my life—especially my family, friends, and neighbors. I want them to know Your love and to feel cared for and blessed when they are with me. Fill me with Your Spirit that they see Jesus through me today. In His name. Amen. 
(Portals of Prayer, Prayer for Saturday Morning) 

May the words of my mouth, and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our rock and our redeemer. Amen. 
(For All the Saints, Saturday After Pentecost, Opening Prayer, Psalm 19) 

When I am afraid,  
    I put my trust in you.  
In God, whose word I praise,  
    in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.  
    What can flesh do to me?  
(Psalms 56:3-4 ESV) 

Today I am grateful:

  1. That when I am afraid, I can put my trust in God; “What can flesh do to me?” 
  2. For discernment to know when it is God speaking, or a spirit of distraction or division 
  3. For a heart of gratitude, and an attitude that does things for others out of love, rather than a sense of duty or responsibility 
  4. That all I am and all I have belong to Him; may He us me as He deems necessary, even unto death 
  5. That the Lord is constantly and consistently growing my trust in Him, in spite of our enemy’s attacks
Lord, in Your mercy, hear, now, the prayers lifted up to you for all who need strength, healing, comfort, and peace. 

If you are reading this, I encourage you to stop and pray for someone, at this time. Or, if there is something on your heart, please leave a comment. What can I pray for you?

Today, the last session of Jen Weaver’s “Uncommon Gratitude: Cultivating a Heart of Thanks” is about the “sacrifice of thanksgiving.” What does that mean? We know that we don’t offer animal sacrifices to the Lord, anymore, and haven’t since Christ came, as He was/is the final sacrifice for sin, once and for all. But in the Hebrews 13 passage, below, we are told that “a sacrifice of praise” is pleasing to God. Along with that, we are also told that doing good and sharing what we have are also pleasing to Him. 

“Maybe it’s preparing food for your family when you’re tired. Handling inconveniences with patience and understanding. [Ouch!] Extending grace in inconsiderate conversations.” We never know what our day holds, but we can be sure that there will be opportunities to “offer God expressions of gratitude that cost [us] something.”  

And consider this passage, below, from 2 Samuel, where David insisted on paying for the threshing floor, because He refused to offer up to God something that cost him nothing. This has stuck with me for a long time, now. So much so, that on Sundays between the weeks when my wife and I get paid, I take a small cash offering with me to church. I don’t like to show up empty-handed. My larger offerings are done online, every other week.  

And we are also reminded that the attitude of the heart behind the gift is important. The amount is not as important as the heart behind it. Ms. Weaver doesn’t mention this, but I am reminded of the story when Jesus observed the widow putting her two “mites” in the offering coffer. Jesus said her offering was greater than the offerings of the wealthy and religious leaders who noisily threw their large offerings into the coffer.  

Just this morning, I was making my wife’s coffee for her (she was still in the bathroom or closet, having just gotten out of bed). As I made it, before I had read any of this, I was thinking about how I do these things for her and my family (including preparing food for them) because I love them. I don’t do these things out of duty, but out of love. The same goes for my thanksgiving. I will admit that there are days where it is harder to come up with five things for which I am grateful. But there are other days where it is harder to stop at five, and my list grows to six, seven, or eight, as my heart overflows. 

And Gad came that day to David and said to him, “Go up, raise an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.” So David went up at Gad’s word, as the LORD commanded. And when Araunah looked down, he saw the king and his servants coming on toward him. And Araunah went out and paid homage to the king with his face to the ground. And Araunah said, “Why has my lord the king come to his servant?” David said, “To buy the threshing floor from you, in order to build an altar to the LORD, that the plague may be averted from the people.” Then Araunah said to David, “Let my lord the king take and offer up what seems good to him. Here are the oxen for the burnt offering and the threshing sledges and the yokes of the oxen for the wood. All this, O king, Araunah gives to the king.” And Araunah said to the king, “May the LORD your God accept you.” But the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. And David built there an altar to the LORD and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD responded to the plea for the land, and the plague was averted from Israel.  
(2 Samuel 24:18-25 ESV) 

When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.  
(Hebrews 10:8-10 ESV) 

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.  
(Hebrews 13:15-16 ESV) 

And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving,  
    and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!  
(Psalms 107:22 ESV) 

Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”  
(Luke 21:1-4 ESV) 

I thank You, Lord, that You have given me a heart of gratitude, and that You continue to lead me down a path of a “sacrifice of praise.” I pray that my heart will always stay soft, and always reflect Christ in all that I do, say, feel, and think.

Help us, Lord, to cease to do evil, learn to do good, seek justice, correct oppression, bring justice to the fatherless, and plead the widow’s cause. Help us to not believe not believe everything we hear, but to discern with our spirits what is true and good, for indeed, there are many false prophets in the world. Help us, O Lord, to love our brothers and sisters, and be willing to lay down our lives for them, just as Christ laid down His life for us. Help me to trust entirely in You, Lord.

Let heaven and earth praise You, Lord, the seas and everything in them. Come quickly, Lord, and take us home to our inheritance.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, amen.

Grace and peace, my brothers and sisters! Give Him a sacrifice of praise!

CHRIST IS EVERYTHING!!!

The Lord Giveth, the Lord Taketh Away

JeffLeave a comment

Today is Thursday, the twenty-eighth day of May, 2026, in the Season of the Church. It is Thursday after Pentecost.

May you experience the peace of the Lord in your soul, today!

It is day 148 of 2026, and there are 217 days left in the year.

Day 24,913 of my life

21,620 days since I was baptized into Christ. Interestingly, the Thursday Morning Devotional, today, happens to be about baptism. And rain.

22 days until Juneteenth!

Today is Amnesty International Day, a day to raise awareness about human rights violations.

It is also National Hamburger Day. And World Hunger Day! What better combination? Go find a hungry person and buy them a hamburger!

Daily writing prompt
What’s a show that had the perfect series finale?
View all responses

This is a tough one. Mainly because I immediately think of series finales that were terrible. But that’s not the question is it? I think the Buffy the Vampire Slayer series finale was pretty awesome. Ending with the obliteration of the second Sunnydale High School, Buffy and the Scoobs saved the world, yet again! If you remember, she blew up the first SHS at the end of season 3. AND, the whole reason Buffy and her mother moved to Sunnydale was because Buffy burned down the high school in the original movie. I’m thinking Buffy and high school are not mixy things.

One of the coolest parts of the finale is when the gang is standing in the hallway of the school, talking, they all scatter to do whatever it is they need to do, and Giles says, “The earth is definitely doomed.” You see, in season 1, episode 2, a similar scene happened out in the courtyard of the old high school (actually the real life Torrance High School . . . I’ve been there and seen it), where Giles turns and says, “The earth is doomed.”

From what I recall, the series finale of Schitt’s Creek was pretty well-done, too, but it made me cry a lot.

Today is a normal Thursday around here. C is at the office, and I am off work. I don’t really have anything on my agenda today, other than taking S to get her weekly injection. So I’ll probably get some reading and video gaming in. I’ve got three games going on, at this time. I’ve been playing Outer Worlds 2, which is quite fun, definitely as enjoyable as OW1. Then a co-worker convinced me to get a game called MixTape, which I’ve played a bit, and it’s okay. And, of course, I’ve always got a play-through of Fallout 4 going.

My first cup of coffee, this morning, is CAFE Olé by H‑E‑B Snickernut Cookie. “Inspired by the taste of Snickernut cookies.” I think there is one more cup of that left before I switch back to Cinnamon Hazelnut in my Favorite Five. The second cup is Golden Peach Cobbler, by Angelino’s. It is my last cup of this limited edition that is no longer available. It’s totally gone from their “menu,” so I assume that it will not be back. Tonight’s dinner will be Meal Simple by H‑E‑B Broccoli Cheddar Soup, and grilled cheese sandwiches. That’s C’s favorite of the soups that we have gotten from H-E-B.

Here is my solo from this past Sunday, with the beautiful flute solo.

JESUS TIME

God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, O Holy Trinity worthy of praise, to You I offer myself with body and soul from this moment on, even unto eternity. I give You praise and thanks that You have not permitted the enemy to come and harm me in the night, but rather, through the protection of Your dear angels, I have been preserved. With what could I possibly repay You? How might I praise You for this? I will give You a shattered heart full of fear, a heart full of blood-red sins, with penitence and contrition. I do so, that You may graciously receive it and wash it white as snow with the noble blood of Your dear Son, my Redeemer. I do so, that You might hide it away in His holy, sinless wounds and thus return to me the gracious forgiveness of all my sins. Help me today and every day that I may remain in Christian readiness, for I cannot know when and how You shall come and call me away from this life, so that I may be led to eternal joy. Such things grant to me, O gracious God and Father, on account of Your dear Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
(Lutheran Book of Prayer, Prayer 40, Thursday Morning)

Omnipotent, heavenly Father, as I awake to a new dawn, I entrust my life to Your care and favor. I thank You for another day to serve You. The apostle Paul exhorts, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5); may my thoughts be fixed on You. As my body is Your temple, enable me to remember that my physical life is not my own, but is Yours. As my soul can find satisfaction only with faith in Christ, help me to bring honor and glory to Him in both word and deed. In the name of Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, I pray. Amen.
(Portals of Prayer, Prayer for Thursday Morning)

Lord God, heavenly Father, send forth your Son, we pray, that he may lead home his bride, the Church, that we with all the redeemed may enter into your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
(For All the Saints, Thursday After Pentecost, Opening Prayer, Lutheran Worship)

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!
    Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
(Psalms 34:8 ESV)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
    and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
(Proverbs 9:10 ESV)

Today I am grateful:

  1. That I have tasted and seen that You are good, Lord
  2. That the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
  3. That in Christ, I am a new creation, being made new, daily (2 Corinthians 5:17)
  4. For things that are no longer in my life (fear, doubt, darkness, lust, and others)
  5. That Jesus Christ, my friend and Brother, sits with me in my darkest days, giving me the pity and comfort that He, Himself, was unable to find, when on the Cross (Psalm 69:16-20)
Lord, in Your mercy, hear, now, the prayers lifted up to you for all who need strength, healing, comfort, and peace. 

If you are reading this, I encourage you to stop and pray for someone, at this time. Or, if there is something on your heart, please leave a comment. What can I pray for you?

Psalm of the Day – Psalm 69:16-20

Answer me, O LORD, for your steadfast love is good;
    according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.
Hide not your face from your servant,
    for I am in distress; make haste to answer me.
Draw near to my soul, redeem me;
    ransom me because of my enemies!

You know my reproach,
    and my shame and my dishonor;
    my foes are all known to you.
Reproaches have broken my heart,
    so that I am in despair.
I looked for pity, but there was none,
    and for comforters, but I found none.
(Psalms 69:16-20 ESV)

Untamed Prayers, Reproaches Have Broken My Heart, by Chad Bird

We can hear the words of Christ in verses 19-20 of this passage. And Chad Bird writes this:

“Do not imagine that when the Pharisees blasphemously accused Jesus of being in cahoots with Beelzebul, the demon prince, that these words had no impact on him. Do not suppose that the triple denial of Peter or the betraying words of Judas simply rolled off his back. ‘Reproaches have broken my heart, so that I am in despair,’ or, as it might also be translated, ‘I am so sick’ (Ps. 69:20 NASB). Brokenhearted. Sick. Distressed. Jesus was not a Stoic philosopher who said, ‘Come to me and learn how to have a stiff upper lip.’ He experienced our emotions, including the emotional sting of being lied about, stabbed in the back, and feeling the shards of a broken heart piercing his chest.”

It is this Jesus, our Savior, our friend, and our brother, who sits with us on our darkest days. He was sent to “bind up the brokenhearted” (Isaiah 61:1). He will make haste to answer us (Psalm 69:17), and draw near to our souls to redeem us (v. 18). And He will give us the pity and comfort that He was unable to find when He was on the cross. As it says in Hebrews 2:17, He was made like us “in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest.”

I continue to be inspired by the You Version devotionals of Jen Weaver. I am currently on day three of the five-day plan, Uncommon Gratitude: Cultivating a Heart of Thanks. When I started this plan, I confess that I was unsure of how much it would benefit me (a little arrogance there, no?). I mean, after all, I practice gratitude every day, right??

Today, I understood the word “uncommon” in that title. I will start with the Scripture passages that were featured.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
(2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)

For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
(Titus 3:3-7 ESV)

Some wandered in desert wastes,
    finding no way to a city to dwell in;
hungry and thirsty,
    their soul fainted within them.
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
    and he delivered them from their distress.
He led them by a straight way
    till they reached a city to dwell in.
Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,
    for his wondrous works to the children of man!
For he satisfies the longing soul,
    and the hungry soul he fills with good things.
(Psalms 107:4-9 ESV)

Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things;
    let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.
(Psalms 107:43 ESV)

How often have you thanked God for things that aren’t in your life anymore? I’m no different . . . most of my thanksgiving involves things that I have, things that God has given me. But what about things that He has taken away from me? Let us consider giving thanks for what isn’t in our lives!

“What ‘not great’ things were once your norm, but now no longer exist in your life? Think about how you’ve changed and grown since then. Maybe even from who you were as a teen to who you are now.”

And here’s a big one! “What did you struggle with before that doesn’t plague you any longer?” What kind of lies or negative things did you once believe that you no longer tolerate in your life? “What character traits has God formed or transformed in you as a new creation?”

Ms. Weaver goes on, in her writing, to talk about something that she struggled with. For me, my “faithful readers” know. My pastor/friend/sister knows. My wife knows. I’m sure that some are weary of hearing about it. But how can I keep from proclaiming the goodness of God in my life? How can I not publicly thank Him for what He has done, and, as Ms. Weaver encourages here, for the things that He took away??

Beginning last February, I can honestly thank God that fear is no longer there (oh, sure, the enemy tries to weasel it back in, almost daily, but it is resisted); doubt is no longer there; darkness is no longer prevalent in my mind (I used to say, “It’s dark in there.”). His light has shone in my mind and in my heart, and the darkness has not overcome it!

But the biggest thing that is gone is lust. I can’t really pinpoint when that happened, because I just kind of woke up one day and realized that it was gone, and had been gone for a few months. My “struggle” with lust probably couldn’t even be called a struggle. It was more like a smackdown with little resistance from me. It almost cost me my marriage twice.

In Rebecca Konyndyk DeYoung’s book, Glittering Vices, there is a chapter on lust. In that chapter, she writes this: “The best advice, then, for resisting lust is . . . To have good friends. If we have genuine friendships in which we learn to give and receive love in a healthy and satisfying way, we will be less inclined to wander off looking for sham substitutes and quick fixes. Good friendships teach us how to respect one another, to offer appropriate physical affection, to appreciate and care for others without looking for something in return, to trust one another.” Christ used just such a friendship to help in delivering me from lust. I can say that it has been almost two years, now, since I have sought out one of those “sham substitutes.”

So, yes. I can give thanks to God for things that are no longer in my life. “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away,” I have heard it said. That is usually intended in a negative context. But today, I thank Him profusely for the things He has taken away!

Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
    grant, we pray, that we might be grounded
    and settled in your truth by the coming of
    your Holy Spirit into our hearts.
What we do not know,
    reveal to us;
What is lacking within us,
    make complete;

That which we do know,
    confirm in us;
And keep us blameless in your service,
    through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.
(For All the Saints, Thursday After Pentecost, Closing Prayer, Clement of Rome)

Indeed, my Lord, I give You thanks for the things that You have taken away from me. I thank You that fear and doubt are gone, and that You give me strength to resist my enemy’s attempts to sneak them back into my mind and heart. I thank You that Your light shined into the darkness of my mind and removed it completely (the darkness, not my mind). Most of all, I thank You and praise You that the lust that plagued me for so many years of my life is utterly gone! What a glorious blessing it was, the day that I realized that this was no longer a problem for me! And it is true, because it has not returned.

I thank You, Lord, so very much, for the amazing transformation that You have worked in me, and that You continue to work in me. I know that there is more, and I know that You will finish what You have started. You have given, and You have taken away, and my gratitude for things that You have taken away knows no bounds! There are not enough words to adequately express it. Thank You, Jesus!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Grace and peace, my brothers and sisters! What has He taken from you?

CHRIST IS EVERYTHING!!!

Just As I Am

Jeff

Today is Tuesday, the twenty-sixth day of May, 2026, in the Season of the Church. It is Tuesday after Pentecost.

May grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
(2 Peter 1:2 NRSV)

It is day 146 of 2026, with 219 days remaining in the year.

Day 24,911 of my life

21,618 days since I was baptized into Christ

39 days until July 4

It is World Dracula Day, today. Whoa! I guess I knew that was a thing, but I had totally forgotten. I’m a fan of the Dracula story.

But more importantly, today is World Redhead Day. True story . . . as I typed “Redhead,” my fingers inadvertently typed “Readhead.” Perhaps that should be a thing, too. And just to prove, once again, that I truly am a redhead . . .

Daily writing prompt
How do you handle fear and self-doubt?
View all responses

Hah! The short answer is, Jesus! You don’t want to hear the long answer, but I will say this: I am a classic, chronic “over-thinker.” So self-doubt is a huge thing for me. And fear plays right into that. I’m always second-guessing emails and texts that I send, sometimes immediately after I send them.

But here’s the thing. During the transformation that I won’t stop writing about, Christ delivered me from the worst of these fears and self-doubts. They still creep in, from time to time, because our enemy is relentless. And because I’m still human and mortal, still wearing this “mortal coil.” Or, as Paul calls it, a “jar of clay.” When they do creep in, I immediately turn to Christ, the One who delivered me, for strength and wisdom. So now, an episode of over-thinking, fear, or self-doubt that would have potentially lasted days only endures for, at the most, an hour or so.

Because Jesus.

Today is a normal Tuesday. I will be working my four-hour shift at the library, this evening, from 4:15-8:15. C is at the office. I will be cooking a meal for our lunch, here, and setting aside a portion of it for C to have for dinner when she gets home. It will be one of our H-E-B Meal Simple family meals, along with some Caesar Salad and garlic Texas Toast.

My first cup of coffee this morning is Cinnamon Twist, by Angelino’s. “Cinnamon infused flavored coffee.” I realized, after I popped the pod into the coffee maker, that I had inadvertently gotten them out of order. Today should have been Taste of San Antonio. Oh, well. Tomorrow for that one. The second cup is Costa Rica Volcanica, also by Angelino’s. “Silky cacao, tropical fruit, & vibrant citrus notes.” I just ordered a new variety box, yesterday, so there will be some new flavors to replace the ones that are no longer available.

JESUS TIME

O Lord Jesus Christ, only Savior of the world, to You I lift up my heart, will, and intellect, and I thank You again and again that, through Your boundless grace, You have protected me through the night against the cunning and power of the enemy and that I have awakened once again restored and fit. O Lord Jesus Christ, You who are my possession and inheritance, my salvation is in Your hands. I do not know of any other helper, whether in heaven or on earth, save You alone. Therefore, I implore You on account of Your unspeakable martyrdom, suffering, and most humiliatingly bitter death, that You would be gracious and merciful to me, both today and for the rest of my life. You, dearest Jesus Christ, have suffered out of great love for me, a poor sinner. Forgive all my transgressions against You. Protect me and keep me safe from sin and from every evil, until You graciously call me away to eternal joy and salvation; hear me on account of Your most holy name. Amen.
(Lutheran Book of Worship, Prayer 36, Tuesday Morning)

Gracious heavenly Father, I thank You for keeping me safe through the quiet hours of this past night. As a new day dawns, help me to see, through the eyes of faith, that the challenges that might be in front of me today are not greater than the power behind me. Help me to see that everyone I engage with today was created in Your image and thus worthy of respect. If someone has a need, help me to meet that need where I am able. Enable me to trust the promise that You have the power to work all things for my good. In the name of Jesus, Your dear Son, I pray. Amen.
(Portals of Prayer, Prayer for Tuesday Morning)

Remember, O Lord, what you have wrought in us and not what we deserve; and, as you have called us to your service, make us worthy of our calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
(For All the Saints, Tuesday After Pentecost)

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
(Philippians 2:5-11 ESV)

Today I am grateful:

  1. That we, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, have the mind of Christ; may we, like Him, be willing to empty ourselves for His sake
  2. That we can come to God just as we are, messiness and all
  3. For our “great high priest,” Jesus Christ, who has made us able to draw near to the throne of grace, that we might receive mercy and grace in our time of need (Hebrews 4)
  4. That God alone is enough; Christ is everything!
  5. For grace in relationships; “One of us didn’t have to be wrong for the other to be right.” (Erin Janoso, Walking in Grace 2026)
Lord, in Your mercy, hear, now, the prayers lifted up to you for all who need strength, healing, comfort, and peace. 

If you are reading this, I encourage you to stop and pray for someone, at this time. Or, if there is something on your heart, please leave a comment. What can I pray for you?

I ran across a couple good things I want to share, today. First, a brief devotional reading from Henri Nouwen.

“I have found that Saint Teresa’s call to focus on the goodness of God when I need to discern helps me fight the demons of despair, self-rejection, and fear, and has overcome the powers of darkness with the power of God many times. I have often prayed the prayer of Saint Teresa, “Solo Dios basta, God alone is enough,” when I have needed to discern whether what I was hearing and experiencing was of God or not. Praying these words slowly and out loud can help me enter into God’s presence, where there is peace and certainty that God is always with me and loves me.

“Let nothing disturb you
Let nothing frighten you
Those who cling to God
will lack nothing
Let nothing disturb you
Let nothing frighten you
God alone is enough”

I’m a really huge fan of Saint Teresa’s prayer and have been for a long time.

And Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid or dismayed; be strong and courageous. For thus the LORD will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.”
(Joshua 10:25 ESV)

Then, I read another Henri Nouwen devotional (from the Spanish).

“Prayer and action can never be viewed as contradictory or mutually exclusive. Prayer without action becomes a weak pietism, and action without prayer degenerates into dubious manipulation. If prayer leads us to a deeper union with the merciful Christ, it will always give rise to concrete acts of service. And if concrete acts of service lead us to a deeper solidarity with the poor, the hungry, the sick, the dying, and the oppressed, they will always give rise to prayer. In prayer, we encounter Christ, and in Him, all human suffering. In service, we encounter people, and in them, the suffering Christ […]. Action with and toward those who suffer is the concrete expression of a compassionate life and the definitive rule of being a Christian. Such actions do not merely stand alongside moments of prayer and worship; rather, they are, in themselves, those very moments. Why? Because Jesus Christ—who did not cling to his divinity, but became one like us—can be found wherever there are people who are hungry, thirsty, alienated, naked, sick, and imprisoned. Precisely when we live in constant dialogue with Christ and allow the Spirit to guide our lives, we recognize Christ in the poor, the oppressed, and the enslaved; we hear His cry and hasten to Him wherever He reveals Himself.”

This devotion quoted an excerpt from Isaiah 1, verses 15 and 17, but I decided to include the whole three verses.

When you spread out your hands,
    I will hide my eyes from you;
even though you make many prayers,
    I will not listen;
    your hands are full of blood.
Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean;
    remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes;
cease to do evil,
    learn to do good;
seek justice,
    correct oppression;
bring justice to the fatherless,
    plead the widow’s cause.
(Isaiah 1:15-17 ESV)

This reading about prayer, I found to be quite beautiful and true. And it tracks right along with Paul’s command to us in 1 Thessalonians, to “pray without ceasing” (5:17). Oswald Chambers, in today’s reading of My Utmost for His Highest, reminds us that prayer should be like breathing, “the breath in our lungs and the blood from our hearts . . . Prayer is not an exercise, it is the life.”

But what, in my mind, pulls all this together, is the fact that Christ receives us “just as we are.”

“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”
(Matthew 6:7-8 ESV)

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(1 John 1:8-9 ESV)

And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
(Hebrews 4:13-16 ESV)

We don’t have to “clean ourselves up before we come” to God. We don’t have to pretend that the difficult circumstances we are going through are easy. He already knows what we are going through, and welcomes us in our honesty and transparency. I mean, He can see right through us, anyway, so why try to hide anything?

When God asked Adam where he was, in Genesis 3, it was a rhetorical question.

“God is familiar with your struggle. He already knows – even more than you do – how much you need Him today. He wants to show you He’s close, and that He cares for you. No matter how messy the need feels, God will minister to you in the midst of it.” (Jen Weaver, You Version, Uncommon Gratitude: Cultivating a Heart of Thanks)

We can’t hide until we have a “cleaner” or better version of ourselves to show to God. We cannot be more “acceptable” to Him than we already are, in Christ. And everything we need to be cleaner or better is found in Him, anyway. “All healing and transformation, all the grace and mercy you need come from God. We can’t find them without Him.”

Back to the beginning of my transformation, again. I did nothing, other than receive the gift. I suppose I could have rejected it, hardened my heart, as Pharoah did, in Exodus. I say, “suppose,” because I really don’t know if I had that option or not! And I will never know, because I remained open to it all. I opened my heart and life for Christ to do the work that He wanted to do, that He began on that day in February. But He began it without asking me, first!

The Hebrews passage is especially beautiful. While verse 13 can easily be taken as a warning, a caution, if we read it in the context of the next paragraph (and those paragraphs, I remind you, are manmade divisions, just like the chapters and verses), we see that we are encouraged to “draw near,” in our condition of being “naked and exposed.” We read that Christ sympathizes with our weaknesses, and that, in our current condition, we can find mercy and grace to help in time of need!

We are welcomed into His presence, just as we are. And that’s something to be “uncommonly grateful” for.

O thou who camest from above,
    The pure, celestial fire to impart,
Kindle a flame of sacred love
    On the mean altar of my heart;
There let it for thy glory burn
    With inextinguishable blaze,
And trembling to its Source return,
    In humble prayer, and fervent praise.

Jesus, confirm my heart’s desire
    To work, and speak, and think for thee,
Still let me guard the holy fire,
    And still stir up thy gift in me,
Ready for all thy perfect will
    My acts of faith and love repeat,
‘Till death thy endless mercies seal,
    And make my sacrifice complete.

Amen.
(For All the Saints, Tuesday After Pentecost, Closing Prayer, Charles Wesley)

O, my Christ, You have truly stirred up my heart with desire “to work, and speak, and think for Thee!” As a favorite prayer of mine says, “I want to give you everything I am. Let me give it all to you: everything I have, everything I think, everything I do, everything I feel.” Thank You, Jesus, for taking me “just as I am.” If I had to “clean myself up” before coming to You, I would be lost, for I have no ability to do so. All of my cleansing comes from You, for You have washed me in Your blood, Lord. My robes are washed white in the eternal cleansing power of Your blood.

I pray that You continue (and I know that You will, for Your Word promises that You will complete what You have started) this transformation, molding me by Your beautiful, beautiful Word, until I stand in Your presence and finally get to see Your beautiful face!

Thank You, my Jesus! I love You!

In Your holy and precious and beautiful name, I pray, amen!

Grace and peace, my brothers and sisters! Come as you are!

CHRIST IS EVERYTHING!!!

The Spirit Makes Us Faithful

Jeff

Today is Monday, the twenty-fifth day of May, 2026, in the Season of the Church (aka Ordinary Time). It is the Monday after Pentecost.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

It is day 145 of 2026, with 220 days left in the year.

Day 24,910 of my life.

21,617 days since I was baptized into Christ

Today is Memorial Day, a bank/post office holiday in the U.S. Not a retail holiday, though.

27 days until Father’s Day

Today is National Wine Day. Not “Whine” Day, so stop it. I don’t drink wine, though, so I won’t be “celebrating” this one. The only kinds of wine that I even come close to liking are not considered “wine” by serious wine-drinkers.

It’s also National Sing Out Day, and I can definitely do that. Sing out loud today. I sing out loud almost every time I get in the car.

It is also Whit Monday. I can’t remember if I have heard of that or not, but surely I have noticed it in years gone by. It is always the day after Pentecost, a day to remember the Holy Spirit’s descent, and marks the end of the Easter Season. It is also known as Pentecost Monday.

And today is the 69th anniversary of my parents’ wedding.

Daily writing prompt
What’s a moment that made you question reality?
View all responses

When I sit and think about it, there are so many. Some of them are small moments and some of them are larger moments. And to those cynics that would declare “all moments are the same size,” you are just wrong. All “minutes” are sixty seconds. But a moment and a minute are not the same thing.

Honestly, last February 17 and everything surrounding it made me question reality. That event made me question everything that I thought I knew about life and God.

There was another one that came to mind, though. R was about very young, and I don’t believe we had S yet. We were traveling to east Texas to visit one my grandparents, I believe, in our Toyota Camry. We were driving east on I-30, through Dallas, and it had recently rained a lot. We hit an area of standing water (C was driving), and we started hydroplaning. The car began drifting to the right, toward a pickup/trailer in the next lane. I remember C saying, “We’re going to wreck.” Utter helplessness. Seconds before the car would have struck the back corner of the trailer, the car suddenly jerked to the left, striking the concrete barrier, left of our lane, but just with a glance off of the corner of the front bumper. The only damage to the car was some paint scraped off of the bumper. R was in the car seat in the back seat and never woke up. We continued on, and the rest of the trip was uneventful.

I believe, with all my heart, that an angel grabbed the front of our car and shoved it away from the potential wreck. Skeptics would say that the wheels finally grabbed and the car veered left. We just got “lucky.” But I don’t believe in luck.

Today I would have been off work, anyway, so it’s really just another day for me. I still have to do laundry and go pick up groceries and cook dinner. But C gets the day off, so that’s nice for her. There are no other plans that I know of.

I knew I was forgetting something. The first cup of coffee for today was Jamaican Me Crazy, by Angelino’s my favorite of their varieties. “Caramel, vanilla, & chocolate flavored coffee.” The second cup is Moka Java, also by Angelino’s. “Full-bodied with nutty and chocolate notes.” Tonight’s dinner plans are in flex, but I am seriously considering ribeye steaks and Baked Mac and Cheese. C thinks we are having soup and sandwiches.

JESUS TIME

O Just and faithful God and Heavenly Father, I praise and honor You from the depths of my heart that You have allowed me to rest and sleep safely this past night and that through Your fatherly love, You have awakened me again refreshed and healthy. It is my heartfelt prayer that You would graciously protect me, together with my dear family and all Christians, from all evil and danger to the body and to the soul, that every day I may be found to be in Your will. I commend myself, my body and soul, heart, intellect, will and thoughts, all my efforts, my life and death, and everything that I am and have, into Your divine protection. May Your holy angels be and remain by me, that no misfortune of body or soul may assail me. This grant me for the sake of Jesus Christ, Your dear Son. Amen.
(Lutheran Book of Prayer, Prayer 34, Monday Morning)

With You, Lord, I begin my task, praying You direct it. For Your aid and counsel, I ask, knowing You will perfect it. Every morn with You I rise, and when this day is ended, in Your name I will close my eyes and be to You commended (see LSB 869:1). Lord Jesus, may such words always jubilantly ring in my ears that I never lose confidence or hope. Amid the stresses that arise with work and life, let my heart not be filled with anxiety or impatience with You or others. Bless all my family and especially protect all those whose work is dangerous or life-threatening. Amen.
(Portals of Prayer, Prayer for Monday Morning)

Father in heaven, fifty days have celebrated the fullness of the mystery of your revealed love. See your people gathered in prayer, open to receive the Spirit’s flam. May it come to rest in our hearts and disperse the divisions of word and tongue. With one voice and one song may we praise your name in joy and thanksgiving. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
(For All the Saints, Monday After Pentecost, Opening Prayer)

“So, sing with joy, afflicted one
The battle’s fierce, but the victory’s won
God shall supply all that you need
Yes, as your days your strength shall be”

He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
(Psalms 23:3 ESV)
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
(James 1:5 ESV)

Today I am grateful:

  1. For a wonderful morning of worship yesterday
  2. That my Shepherd daily restores my soul and leads me in paths of righteousness; in His presence, there is fullness of joy, and I am always in His presence
  3. That God generously gives wisdom to all who ask
  4. For the Holy Spirit, who doesn’t make me “impressive,” but makes me faithful (Jen Weaver)
  5. For wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear (the good kind), gifts of the Holy Spirit in my life as I submit to Him and receive Him daily
Lord, in Your mercy, hear, now, the prayers lifted up to you for all who need strength, healing, comfort, and peace. 

If you are reading this, I encourage you to stop and pray for someone, at this time. Or, if there is something on your heart, please leave a comment. What can I pray for you?

Psalm of the Day – Psalm 69:1-5

Save me, O God!
    For the waters have come up to my neck.
I sink in deep mire,
    where there is no foothold;
I have come into deep waters,
    and the flood sweeps over me.
I am weary with my crying out;
    my throat is parched.
My eyes grow dim
    with waiting for my God.

More in number than the hairs of my head
    are those who hate me without cause;
mighty are those who would destroy me,
    those who attack me with lies.
What I did not steal
    must I now restore?
O God, you know my folly;
    the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you.
(Psalms 69:1-5 ESV)

I finished the You Version reading plan, this morning, From Promise to Presence: 50 Days of Living the Resurrected Life, by Jen Weaver. It has been a wonderful journey, and I believe I will go through it again next year, between Easter and Pentecost. We continue to celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit, on this, the Monday after Pentecost.

“The Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. He glorifies Christ. He reminds you of what is true. He convicts you when you drift. He steadies you in weakness. He empowers ordinary obedience.”

“The Spirit does not make you impressive. He makes you faithful. He fills your actual life – kitchens, meetings, carpool lanes, hard conversations – with resurrection power.”

I really like that statement, there, “The Spirit does not make you impressive.” In my experience (and I have had some) with the more charismatic denominations and churches, the emphasis has always been on the power or impressiveness of the Holy Spirit in one’s life. There has been a lack of humility as the people work really hard to get those spiritual gifts. Of course, they only want the overtly visible one, primarily speaking in tongues. It’s always been all about the speaking in tongues.

But this doesn’t track with God’s Word. Yes, there is power. But, as seen in previous days through this devotional plan, the spiritual life looks like forgiveness and patience and gentleness and . . . hold on a minute!!! Say! It looks like this!

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
(Galatians 5:22-23 ESV)

These are the gifts that are useful in the kitchen, in the meetings, in the carpool lanes, in the hard conversations. This is the resurrection power that the Spirit gives us.

In today’s excerpt in For All the Saints, Johannes Tauler writes about the Spirit.

“Holy Church is now celebrating the sending of the Holy Spirit, who was received by the disciples in a special interior way. It had to happen in this way because they stood at the beginning. A new order had to be inaugurated, and therefore this particular way of reception was necessary for the sake of those who came after them. The longer the disciples lived, the stronger their experience became, increasing hour by hour. In the same way every friend of God should celebrate this very sweet feast every hour and every day. We should always be receiving the Holy Spirit. He comes to us according to our preparedness, and the more receptive we are, the more perfectly He will be received.”
(Johannes Tauler, Sermon 23)

And then, in the prayer, which will come a few paragraphs down from here, Bonaventure asks Christ for these gifts: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear . . . the kind of fear that helps us choose between good and evil.

These are the benefits of the Holy Spirit that help us through our lives. And as we consider how to love others (one of those spiritual gifts), this word rings true: “God isn’t asking you to become best friends with everyone. He’s inviting you not to dehumanize them. Instead of complaining, smile about it. And remember your own weaknesses. Instead of thinking, ‘Unbelievable!’ Ask yourself: ‘What might this person be going through?’ …and silently bless them.”
(Déborah Rosenkranz, A Miracle Every Day)

We . . . pray to the most kind Father through you, his only-begotten Son, who for us became man, was crucified and glorified, that he send us out of his treasures the Spirit of sevenfold grace who rested upon you in all fullness: The Spirit, I say, of WISDOM, that we may taste the life-giving flavors of the fruit of the tree of life, which you truly are; the gift also of UNDERSTANDING, by which the intentions of our mind are illumined; the gift of COUNSEL, by which we may follow in your footsteps on the right paths; the gift of FORTITUDE, by which we may be able to weaken the violence of our enemies’ attacks; the gift of KNOWLEDGE, by which we may be filled with the brilliant light of your sacred teaching to distinguish good and evil; the gift of PIETY, by which we may acquire a merciful heart; the gift of FEAR, by which we may draw away from all evil and be set at peace by submitting in awe to your eternal majesty. For you have wished that we ask for these things in that sacred prayer which you have taught us; and now we ask to obtain them, through your cross, for the praise of your most holy name. To you, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, thanksgiving, beauty and power, forever and ever. Amen.
(For All the Saints, Monday After Pentecost, Closing Prayer, Bonaventure)

Yes, Lord, give us these gifts and strengths in our lives, that we might display the Holy Spirit in our daily walk with You. Let us show love to all whose lives intersect our own, each day, without prejudice. Help us, when we see or hear things that disturb us, to still be able to show love. Help us to walk in the commands of Christ, who told us that our main job is to love You with all of our being, and to love others as we love ourselves, and then told us that these two commands sum up the entirety of the Law and the Prophets. Help us to remember that, on the mount of Transfiguration, when it was all over, the only one left standing was Jesus.

Christ is truly everything!

And it is in His holy, precious, and most beautiful name that I pray, amen.

Grace and peace, my brothers and sisters! Be filled with the Spirit!

CHRIST IS EVERYTHING!!!

Fruit

Jeff

Today is Sunday, the twenty-fourth day of May, 2026. It is the Day of Pentecost.

May grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
(2 Peter 1:2 NRSV)

It is day 144 of 2026, with 221 days remaining in the year.

Day 24,909 of my life

21,616 days since I was baptized into Christ

Tomorrow is Memorial Day in the U.S.

As already mentioned, today is Pentecost Sunday. It is also considered the birthday of the Church.

It is also International Tiara Day, which makes me think of this.

Daily writing prompt
What’s a movie you expected to hate but ended up loving?
View all responses

This is a hard question. I honestly can’t remember ever going to see a movie that I expected to hate. Now, there have been some that I expected to like but wound up hating. But that’s not the question, innit? There are definitely movies that I did not expect to like as much as I did. The Notebook was one of those. But I didn’t expect to hate it. O Brother, Where Art Thou? was a movie that I didn’t know what to expect, and it wound up being one of my top ten favorite movies. But again, I did not expect to hate it.

I’m singing a solo at church today, in both services, so I have to be there by 8:10. I woke up a bit earlier than I had planned, but don’t know if I will be finished with the blog in time to leave, so this may get finished after church. S is assisting minister in the second service, and I am assisting with communion (what a blessing and privilege to get to do this!) in the second service, so we will be staying until the end of the second service, today. In between services, we will be helping pack backpacks to send to Traffick911, a non-profit that exists “To free youth from sex trafficking through trust-based relationships.”

My first cup of coffee, this morning is CAFE Olé by H‑E‑B Taste of DFW. “Offering the delicious flavor of caramel, chocolate and pecans, CAFE Olé by H-E-B Taste of DFW coffee is a medium roast variety.” My second cup is Mad Professor, by Angelino’s. “Dark chocolate, nectarine & plum notes.”

Here is my coffee cup for this week (from another of my top ten favorite movies).

JESUS TIME

Eternal, almighty God and Father, I give You heartfelt praise and thanks that You have graciously preserved me from all evil and danger to body and soul during the past night and all time previously by means of Your holy angels. I now earnestly beseech You to forgive me all my sins, with which I have ever offended You, and enlighten me by Your Holy Spirit, that I may daily grow in the knowledge of You. Bestow Your grace upon me, that I may be defended throughout this coming day from all sin and disgrace. May it be found in Your divine will that I also may walk in Your path, that being thus protected from all evil, I may always and unceasingly keep You in my heart and in my thoughts. When my hour of death draws near and I must depart this life, may You then let me joyfully fall asleep unto eternal life in the true knowledge of Your dear Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
(Lutheran Book of Prayer, Prayer 32, Sunday Morning)

Heavenly Father, this is the day of resurrection and rest. Thank You for this day to hear Your living Word and obtain the blessed Sacrament of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ! Forgive me all my sins and prepare me rightly in heart and mind to joyfully receive all Your generous gifts so that I may serve You well in Your kingdom. Bless all pastors who powerfully proclaim the truth of Christ’s death and resurrection that all may come to repentance and new life! Bless Your church throughout the world in order that it may be a burning lamp, attracting all who see it to You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
(Portals of Prayer, Prayer for Sunday Morning)

O Holy Father and Holy Son, on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit uniquely proceeded from You so that He would call, gather, enlighten, and sanctify the whole church on earth and keep her with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. Keep us each steadfast in Your Word that the Spirit would enlighten and sanctify us as He continually empowers us to fix the eyes of our faith on Jesus. In His name. Amen.
(Portals of Prayer, The Day of Pentecost)

Almighty and ever-living God, you fulfilled the Easter promise by sending us your Holy Spirit. May that Spirit unite the races and nations on earth to proclaim your glory. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(For All the Saints, Pentecost, Opening Prayer)

I have stored up your word in my heart,
    that I might not sin against you.
(Psalms 119:11 ESV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
(Galatians 5:22-23 ESV)

Today I am grateful:

  1. Another opportunity to gather with the community of saints, worship the Lord, and be fed by Word and Sacrament
  2. The opportunity to sing to Christ in the service, and to assist in handing out Communion to the saints; what a blessing!
  3. That fruit comes, not from striving, but from abiding
  4. For the Holy Spirit, the abiding, dwelling presence of Christ in me
  5. That I am storing up His Word in my heart
Lord, in Your mercy, hear, now, the prayers lifted up to you for all who need strength, healing, comfort, and peace. 

If you are reading this, I encourage you to stop and pray for someone, at this time. Or, if there is something on your heart, please leave a comment. What can I pray for you?

My main passage is atop my gratitude list, today. Galatians 5:22-23. My thoughts come from Jen Weaver, once again, in her Bible reading plan “From Promise to Presence: 50 Days of Living the Resurrected Life.” Today is the next-to-last day of this plan. It was probably designed to be completed today, so I must have started a day late or something.

Nevertheless, today is about fruit. And some of what is in here was validated by my pastor’s sermon today from John 14:16-17. I will share this wonderful sermon as soon as the video is available, probably tomorrow or Tuesday. It was well worth sitting through twice.

“Fruit grows from attachment, not pressure.” This is something that seems like a “no-brainer,” but bears thinking about. “Fruit grows.” Read the passage again. “Not the fruit of your intensity. Not the fruit of your intentions. Not the fruit of finally getting serious enough. Of the Spirit.”

What does resurrection life look like? “Patience when you used to snap. Gentleness when you could dominate. Self-control bubbling up in a moment no one else sees.” But here’s the beautiful thing that we so often miss.

“You don’t produce fruit by trying harder. You bear it by abiding.” This isn’t necessarily passive, either. It happens in “responsive obedience,” by making “small, Spirit-led choices to stay connected to the vine.”

In performance mode, one asks, “How am I doing?” But the Spirit asks, “Are you staying with me?” Don’t measure yourself. Just abide.

This Spirit dwells in us, and is permanent. And this Spirit is the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. I think that we don’t think about that enough.

The “mighty voice” of God that is mentioned in Psalm 68:32-35 is the same voice that spoke the universe into existence. And He sends that voice out, giving power and strength to His people.

O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God;
    sing praises to the Lord, Selah
to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens;
    behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.
Ascribe power to God,
    whose majesty is over Israel,
    and whose power is in the skies.
Awesome is God from his sanctuary;
    the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people.
Blessed be God!
(Psalms 68:32-35 ESV)

It is also the same voice that spoke in Mark 9, saying, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” And it is His Spirit that dwells in us, bringing forth fruit from within us.

Today was a lot. I don’t know how else to say it. Between worship, singing, the sermon, and an event that took place between services, I have a lot to process, and most of it can’t be verbalized, at least not yet. But the Spirit is working, and I am very, very glad that I have such a good pastor/sister/friend to walk with me.

God is good.

O Lord God, Who didst on the day of holy Pentecost visit and endow the hearts of Thy faithful so graciously and richly, do Thou pour this same Spirit of Thine like a fruitful rain upon our dry and famished hearts, refresh Thy heritage and comfort the miserable. Come, O Holy Spirit, and grace us with Thy manifold gifts, that we may truly know and extol the great deeds of God done through Christ Jesus, that also we may speak, praise, and spread Thy word with new tongues. Enkindle us with the fire of Thy benign fervor, burn out all internal vileness, together with all fleshly lusts and desires. And in order that we may serve our God with true earnestness and zeal, in fervency of faith and spirit, illumine us with the light of Thy truth.

O Thou God of peace, unite our hearts with the bond of peace, that we may live with each other in peace and unity, in humility and meekness. O Thou, God of patience, give us patience for the time of our sojourn, and perseverance unto the end.

O Thou, Spirit of prayer, awaken our hearts, that we may lift them and also holy hands up to God, calling upon Him in every trouble. And since we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, do Thou, O faithful Intercessor, make intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. O Thou, gentle wind, do Thou cool and refresh our hearts when in fiery trials, be our protection and shelter in the day of trouble, our help in distress, and our comfort in reverses.

O Thou Mighty God, Come with Thy comfort to the weak, teach the wretched Thy way, help the fallen, guide the erring and hold them with Thy right hand. O Thou eternal Light, our Salvation and comfort, come and be our light in darkness, our salvation in life, our comfort in death, and lead us on an even path to life everlasting, that we may praise Thee, Holy Spirit, together with our heavenly Father and His beloved Son, our only Savior, and magnify Thee with new tongues on that true Pentecostal day above for ever and ever. Amen.
(For All the Saints, Pentecost, Closing Prayer, Abridged Treasury of Prayers)

Thank You, Father, for Your Spirit that dwells within me. Thank You, Jesus, for the promise that You kept that You would send this Helper after You ascended. And thank You that “God helps those who helps themselves” is not only not in the Bible, but is diametrically opposed to the biblical message. Indeed, You, through Your Holy Spirit, help us who cannot help ourselves . . . and we know it.

Thank You, my Lord! Thank You, thank You, thank You!

In the holy, precious, and beautiful name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Grace and peace, my brothers and sisters!

CHRIST IS EVERYTHING!!!

Walking In the Spirit

Jeff

Today is Saturday, the twenty-third day of May, 2026, in the seventh week of the season of Easter.

May the peace of the Lord be with you always!

It is day 143 of 2026, with 222 days left in the year.

Day 24,908 of my life and 21,615 days since I was baptized into Christ

Tomorrow is Pentecost Sunday, and the day after that is Memorial Day in the U.S., the day we commemorate those who lost their lives in military service.

Today is World Turtle Day. If you’re a fan of turtles, it’s your day. Well, technically, it’s their day, not yours. I’m a fan of The Turtles, but I don’t think that’s who they are referring to.

It’s also National Taffy Day. I’m a huge fan of taffy. There’s a wonderful candy store in Galveston, called LA Kings, that makes fresh salt water taffy at least once a week, and if you’re lucky, you can watch them make it and get free warm samples. Yum!!

Daily writing prompt
What is the meaning of life?
View all responses

42!

IYKYK

Okay. I can’t just let it go at that. I tried. But I feel compelled to give a serious answer. Everything that this blog is about is the “meaning of life.” The question could be answered in a number of ways. The short answer, and most accurate, is “Jesus.” Jesus is not only the meaning of life, He is Life, Himself. But I could also quote verses like Micah 6:8 to give an answer to that question.

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
(Micah 6:8 ESV)

Or I could quote Jesus’s answer to the question, “What is the greatest commandment?”, which can be found in Matthew 22.

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
(Matthew 22:36-40 ESV)

But ultimately, the answer is Jesus. He is the reason that I write this blog. He is the reason that I am alive. “I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ.”

Today is a working Saturday for me, so I will be in the circulation department at the Hurst Public Library from 9:30 to 6:15. I will be working with my library bestie today, and one other coworker. C will hopefully be resting. Monday is a holiday, as previously mentioned, so C won’t have to work. I wasn’t scheduled to work this Monday, anyway, but I will be working next Saturday, as I switched with another employee who needed to be off on June 6. Then I will have two Saturdays in a row off.

My first cup of coffee this morning is CAFE Olé by H‑E‑B Snickernut Cookie. I think I have one or two more cups of this one left, and have already ordered a box of Cinnamon Hazelnut for my next grocery order to be picked up on Monday. My second cup is White Chocolate Marshmallow, by Angelino’s, a limited edition that appears to no longer be available. That’s a shame, because this one is really good. Tonight’s dinner will likely be an H-E-B Meal Simple family sized meal of Chicken Parmesan and pasta, along with a Caesar Salad and garlic Texas Toast. I say “likely” because audibles have been called in the past, so who knows?

JESUS TIME

I thank You, heavenly Father, for setting Your angel to guard my slumber during the night past and for the day of grace and service into which You have awakened me. Keep me steadfast in the awareness of Your protection and in faith in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, Your Son. Lord, make me mindful of the temptations of sinful care, selfishness, and impure desires, which beset me on every side and from within. Help me in this hour to put on anew the armor of light, that I may be fitted with every weapon of offense and defense against the perils that threaten my spiritual life. Let Your Gospel call me with new sweetness to be reconciled to you; let Your Spirit call me with new power to follow You. Teach me to live this day as though it is my last on earth, knowing that whether I live or whether I die I am present with You. Be my Protector, my Guide, and my Father; for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
(Lutheran Book of Prayer, Prayer 30, Saturday Morning)

Father, today is another gift from You. Every good thing I enjoy is from You, and I thank You for Your abundant blessings. All I own is Yours, to be used for Your good purposes and especially for the good of others. Where I would take these blessings and use them selfishly, move me instead to generosity, kindness, goodness, and love. Among the greatest gifts You’ve given me are the people in my life—especially my family, friends, and neighbors. I want them to know Your love and to feel cared for and blessed when they are with me. Fill me with Your Spirit that they see Jesus through me today. In His name. Amen.
(Portals of Prayer, Prayer for Saturday Morning)

Almighty Father, let the love we have celebrated in this Easter season be put into practice in our daily lives. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(For All the Saints, Saturday of the Week of Easter 7, Opening Prayer)

The fear of the LORD leads to life,  
    and whoever has it rests satisfied;  
    he will not be visited by harm.  
(Proverbs 19:23 ESV) 
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.  
(Galatians 5:25 ESV) 

Today I am grateful:

  1. That the fear of the Lord leads to Life, and I am resting satisfied in that Life 
  2. For the Holy Spirit, dwelling in me, leading me to walk in Him, at His pace, not mine 
  3. That “I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ.” (Heidelberg Catechism) 
  4. That no one who trust in Christ is an “outsider,” because we are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28) 
  5. For this home that Christ has given us, a house built on His wisdom, established by His understanding, with rooms filled with the precious riches of His knowledge 
Lord, in Your mercy, hear, now, the prayers lifted up to you for all who need strength, healing, comfort, and peace. 

If you are reading this, I encourage you to stop and pray for someone, at this time. Or, if there is something on your heart, please leave a comment. What can I pray for you?

What is my theme for today? I’ve not read all of my “morning” material today, as it was time to get ready for work. Generally, when that happens, I will push whatever I didn’t read in the morning to my evening Jesus Time, which is right before bedtime.

This morning, the focus was on walking. I was led to read this Scripture.

If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.  
(Galatians 5:25 ESV) 

I was reading the Jen Weaver Bible plan from You Version, From Promise to Presence: 50 Days of Living the Resurrected Life.

“Live by the Spirit,” says Paul. “Not visit occasionally. Not consult when things unravel. Not reach for when you’re out of options.” Live by . . . walk with. I like what Ms. Weaver says here. “That language is slower than I prefer. I’d rather sprint.” Over and over, Scripture calls us to “walk.” Paul does mention running a time or two, but most of the time, the Christian life is described by walking. And that requires attention. “It means Someone else sets the pace.” And that Someone is the Spirit, who dwells in us, actively leading (if we will pay attention). The Spirit is not always loud (remember Elijah’s “quiet whisper?”), but the Presence is always there. “Through Scripture that won’t loosen its grip on you. Through conviction that presses gently but persistently. Through desires that He renews over time. Through wisdom confirmed in voices that love Jesus too.” 

I’m reminded of Ephesians 4, where Paul says, “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (verses 1-3)

Walk. With humility and gentleness and patience, decisively not our favorite characteristics, as twenty-first century humans. We like to run (or “sprint,” as Jen said), with arrogance, aggressiveness, and impatience.

But back to the last line of Jen Weaver’s quote. That last one is big, to me. Those other voices that also love Christ have played a big part in my life, especially in the last fifteen months! But one thing we must know. Not every voice that speaks to us is His voice. We know that His voice always glorifies Christ and never contradicts His Word. It will not lead us away from obedience. 

So let us never surge ahead in our own pace or steps. And let us not drag our feet. “Walking in step means neither racing nor resisting. It means aligning. . . . Daily. . . . Moved by the pace of God’s grace.” 

Walking.

Here are a couple of passages from For All the Saints, this morning.

“Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Lord GOD, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.”  
(Ezekiel 36:22-27 ESV) 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.  
(Ephesians 6:10-20 ESV) 

The Ezekiel passage is well-known more for the last couple of verses that speak of the Lord removing our stone hearts and giving us living hearts of flesh, and filling us with His Spirit. But I keyed in more on the earlier verses, this morning, noting that the reason God does these things is not for our sake. He does all things for the sake of His holy name! We would do well to keep that name holy among ourselves, as well and remember that everything that the Lord does is for His own glory. And if you think that to be arrogant, I would remind you that He created you; He created all things. He owns you. And yes, He owns you whether you acknowledge Him or not.

As for the Ephesians passage, I would encourage all who read this to say a prayer for their pastors, this morning, tomorrow morning, and every day. Pray those words toward the end of the passage, that words would be given to them to open their mouths boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel of Christ.

O God, make the door of this house wide enough to receive all who need human love and fellowship, and a heavenly Father’s care; and narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and hate. 
 
Make its threshold smooth enough to be no stumbling block to children, nor to straying feet, but rugged enough to turn back the tempter’s power. 
 
Make it a gateway to thine eternal kingdom. Amen. 
(For All the Saints, Saturday of the Week of Easter 7, Closing Prayer, Thomas Ken) 

Father, I thank You for these reminders to “walk” in the Spirit. I pray that You help me to keep walking in the Spirit, to keep walking in the easy yoke of Christ. I am so very grateful to You for everything, Lord, more than I can adequately express, for You have given me everything that I need, and even more. I praise You for the life that I have, now. I praise You for those voices that have spoken into my life in the last few years, that have encouraged me to walk in Your grace and mercy and love.

And speaking of love, I praise You for that. The love that You have poured into me has resulted in an overwhelming love for other people in my life. Sometimes I feel so full of love that I fear I might burst, or at least that my heart would burst. That is such an amazing feeling, my Lord. Thank You for turning that switch to “on” in my heart. I believe that is only part of what You began working in me last February.

Thank You for our home, Lord, not just the physical house, but the feeling of “home” that is so prevalent there. Indeed, we feel that Your wisdom has filled our house, not only with the riches of Your knowledge, but Your presence, as well.

I thank You for Your call on my life, Lord. You truly own my life, and everything/everyone associated with it. You are beautiful to me, and You have made my life beautiful, even with the occasional not-so-beautiful parts. You do all things for Your glory, but what is to Your glory is also for my good.

Thank you, my Lord!

I pray all of this in the precious, holy, and so very beautiful name of Jesus!

Amen.

Grace and peace, my brothers and sisters. Walk in the Spirit.

CHRIST IS EVERYTHING!!!

United with Christ

Jeff1 Comment

Today is Friday, the twenty-second day of May, 2026, in the seventh week of the season of Easter.

May the peace of Christ surround you, today, and drive away all of your anxieties and fears.

It is day 142 of 2026, with 223 days remaining in the year.

Day 24,907 of my life

21,614 days since I was baptized into Christ

Only two more days until Pentecost Sunday, after which we will be in Ordinary Time until the beginning of Advent.

Ooh! Today is Buy A Musical Instrument Day. As much as I would love to do that, I already have all the musical instruments that I need.

It’s also National Title Track Day. So give a listen to your favorite title tracks. For all you youngsters out there, we used to listen to “albums,” which had anywhere from eight to twelve (sometimes more, if they were “double albums”) on “record players.” And the albums had titles. There wasn’t always a title track, but there usually was. And sometimes the title track was the best track on the album. If you click on the link, you will see relics of days gone by, which were called “vinyl records.”

Maybe I’ll just play solitaire today, since it’s National Solitaire Day.

Daily writing prompt
What’s a word or phrase that annoys you?
View all responses

I’ll give you two phrases. Both of them are phrases that people commonly say, believing that they are from the Bible. Neither one of them is. First, one that has been wildly popular for a number of years, now, “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” That, my friends, is a lie from the pits of Sheol. If God never gave us more than we can handle, we would never need God, would we? Not in the Bible. Anywhere. Second, “God helps those that help themselves.” Pfft. Not in there. If we had to “help ourselves” before God would help us, we would all be without any hope. We were “dead in trespasses and sins” before Christ saved us. A dead person can’t help themself. A dead person can’t do anything. In the words of Paul, “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15)! GIFT!! I think my favorite definition of “grace” is that it is God doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves.

It’s a normal Friday, today. C is working from home, and I will be working at the library computer center from 9:15-6:15 today. I haven’t decided what tonight’s dinner will be. It will either be an H-E-B Meal Simple family meal with salad and Texas Toast, or Chicken Tortilla Soup (also H-E-B Meal Simple) with grilled cheese sandwiches.

My first cup of joe, this morning, is CAFE Olé by H‑E‑B Taste of San Antonio, one of the Favorite Five. “For a trio of cinnamon, chocolate and vanilla flavors, try CAFE Olé by H-E-B Taste of San Antonio coffee.” My second cup is Hazelnut Spread, by Angelino’s, a limited edition. “Chocolaty fudge and roasted hazelnut flavored coffee.” That one is still in stock and available.

JESUS TIME

Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, my Savior, I approach You in this morning hour, beseeching You to let Your grace and mercy go with me through the day. Let Your presence give me the blessed assurance of Your divine protection amid dangers, guidance amid uncertainty, and strength against temptations. Bless the labors of my hands. Bless our home with Your continued presence. Bless our nation, and let righteousness and peace prevail. Bless Your Church, and keep her in Your Word and truth. Bless our schools, and grant that boys and girls may grow in grace and knowledge of You and Your will. Remember not the sins of my youth nor my many trespasses. Bring me safely home tonight, and keep me steadfast in faith; through Jesus Christ, my Redeemer. Amen.
(Lutheran Book of Prayer, Prayer 28, Friday Morning)

Heavenly Father, the week has been long and arduous as I tended to the many needs in front of me every day. It is so tempting to let self-pity direct my day. Give me grace for this day, I pray. Help me to faithfully perform the tasks and duties before me. Keep me attuned to the needs of others instead of turned inward to my own wants. Help me be aware of how You are at work in the lives of all people I encounter today, and enable me to respond with grace and kindness in all situations so that I reflect Your love and point people to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Portals of Prayer, Prayer for Friday Morning)

Father, in glorifying Christ and sending us your Spirit, you open the way to eternal life. May our sharing in this gift increase our love and make our faith grow stronger. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(For All the Saints, Friday of the Week of Easter 7, Opening Prayer)

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV) 
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.  
(Galatians 5:13 ESV) 

Today I am grateful:

  1. That the Holy Spirit, the Second Person of the Trinity, is always interceding for me in prayer 
  2. That because the Lord is my Strong Tower, my Fortress, my Deliverer, my Strength, and my Salvation, I have nothing to fear; not even death 
  3. For the freedom I have in Christ; not as an opportunity to satisfy the flesh, but a means to serve others in and through the love of Christ 
  4. For the ability to be thankful in all circumstances, to rejoice always, and to pray without ceasing  
  5. For the privilege of worshiping Christ with my musical talents, both instrumentally and vocally 
  6. That my soul is united with Christ and, in that, takes on all that is His, just as He has taken on all of my sinfulness 
Lord, in Your mercy, hear, now, the prayers lifted up to you for all who need strength, healing, comfort, and peace. 

If you are reading this, I encourage you to stop and pray for someone, at this time. Or, if there is something on your heart, please leave a comment. What can I pray for you?

Once again, I am faced with having to decide what to write, this morning. I have read a number of good things, both in Scripture and in my devotional books.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.  
(Romans 8:26-27 ESV) 

I started out reading this passage, which has been a favorite of mine for a long time, because I don’t always know how/what to pray for people. I get a number of prayer requests, but don’t always know how to pray for them. I also have loved ones that I am constantly praying for, and don’t always know how to express those prayers. And, as I’m sure many others do, I sometimes fall into the trap of believing that if I say the right words or combination of words, it will get better results.

My brothers and sisters, first of all, that is an attempt at manipulating God. We cannot manipulate God. And it is a very dangerous idea to even try. Second of all, I do not for one nanosecond believe that God is that petty, to hold us to a particular “style” of prayer or a set “formula” of prayer that will cause Him to answer our prayers the way we want Him to.

But here, we have the promise that the Spirit is there for us. The Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity, helps us in our weakness. God, Himself, intercedes for us when we don’t know what to pray, “with groanings too deep for words.” Oh, and also? This is NOT “praying in tongues.” That right there is some serious hermeneutical gymnastics.

Some days my prayers sound like fragments of desperation. “Half-sentences. Long pauses. A sigh you didn’t mean to release.” In those moments, the Spirit is interceding. God, Himself, is interceding for me!  

“He does not crush you with condemnation. He does not coerce you into obedience. He does not disappear when you falter. He stays. 
 
“Sometimes His work feels like quiet steadiness when you expected fire. Sometimes it feels like courage you didn’t manufacture. Sometimes it feels like conviction that stings and heals at the same time.” (Quotes by Jen Weaver, in You Version Bible Plan – From Promise to Presence: 50 Days of Living the Resurrected Life)

I am never praying alone! And it is in my weakness where the Spirit leans in close to me! 

Not only am I not praying alone, but I also don’t have to face this life alone, because God is always standing with me. That same Spirit that intercedes for me also dwells within me and protects me against fear. I have heard it said that the Bible contains some version of the words “fear not” at least enough times for once a day for a year. I have not verified if that statistic is accurate, but it is certainly in there more times than any other phrase.

Here are some Scripture passages that were featured in For All the Saints, today.

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the LORD. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”  
(Jeremiah 31:31-34 ESV) 

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.  
 
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.  
 
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.  
(Ephesians 5:18-32 ESV) 

Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.”  
(Matthew 9:14-17 ESV) 

Pay very close attention to the last verse in that Ephesians passage. And here is an excerpt by Martin Luther that astonished me, this morning. I will say that I have been fascinated by the concept of the Bride of Christ for a long time, now, and really need to have a conversation about this with my pastor. But these words from Luther bring a whole “new” (new for me, mind you, but written centuries ago!) dynamic to the concept.

“The third incomparable benefit of faith is that it unites the soul with Christ as a bride is united with her bridegroom. By this mystery, as the Apostle teaches, Christ and the soul become one flesh (Eph. 5:31-32). And if they are one flesh and there is between them a true marriage – indeed the most perfect of all marriages, since human marriages are but poor examples of this one true marriage – it follows that everything they have they hold in common, the good as well as the evil. Accordingly the believing soul can boast of and glory in whatever Christ has as though it were its own, and whatever the soul has Christ claims as his own. Let us compare these and we shall see the inestimable benefits. Christ is full of grace, life, and salvation. The soul is full of sins, death, and damnation. Now let faith come between them and sins, death, and damnation will be Christ’s, while grace, life, and salvation will be the soul’s; for if Christ is a bridegroom, he must take upon himself the things which are his bride’s and bestow upon her the things that are his. If he gives her his body and very self, how shall he not give her all that is his? And if he takes the body of the bride, how shall he not take all that is hers?” 
(Martin Luther, The Freedom of A Christian, 1520) 

O Lord, when the darkness covers us, let Thy righteousness dawn upon our souls, that we, who now prayerfully render thanks unto Thee after the labors of another day are done, may also come before Thy face in the morning, to pay Thee the vows of thanksgiving; through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen. 
(For All the Saints, Friday of the Week of Easter 7, Closing Prayer, J.K. Wilhelm Loehe) 

God, You know the fears that live in my heart. Remind me today that I am not facing life alone. Give me courage to trust You and strength to move forward even when the path feels uncertain. In the name of Jesus, Amen. 
(Grant Fishbook, A Miracle Every Day) 

Dear Holy Spirit, I thank You that You are interceding for me when I pray. I thank You, as well, my Christ, because Scripture also tells me that You intercede for us, as well. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I thank You that I am never alone . . . not when I pray, not when I live, because You dwell within me, all the time. I have nothing to fear in my life because of Your presence with me. And in Your presence there is fullness of joy, so therefore, my joy should always be full.

I praise You for this discussion of Christ and His Bride. I long for the day when I can see Your face, my Lord. That doesn’t mean that I am quite ready to leave this life. It just means that I love You and want to see Your face. My pastor has encouraged me that I will see Your face when You decide it is time. In the meantime, I live to serve You and my fellow humans, and live to love You and them. You have given me a love that is amazing, Lord. Yet I still struggle with loving everyone. I pray for Your Spirit to fill me and complete me, to remove any obstacle from my person, my brain, my soul, my spirit . . . anything that prevents me from loving all people with the love that You have for us (my opinions come to mind . . . ).

Lord, I love You. I praise You. I worship You. All that I have is Yours. My life is Yours. You own me, body and soul. Everything I think and feel and do and say belongs to You. You have given me ultimate freedom, and in that freedom, I am free from anything that would enslave me, free to love and to serve. Make me a better image bearer of Yourself, my dear Christ. Make me a clear window through which people can see Your love for them. Please keep giving me transformation and maturity by Your Spirit and mold me by Your holy and precious and beautiful Word until I stand in Your presence.

There is still too much Jeff in here.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, amen.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ where I lie, Christ where I sit, Christ where I arise,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
Salvation is of the Lord.
Salvation is of the Christ.
May your salvation, Lord, be ever with us.
(The prayer of St. Patrick)

Grace and peace, my brothers and sisters! Drink deep!

CHRIST IS EVERYTHING!!!