Prepare for Life

Psalm 1 paints a picture of a life flourished, comparing the righteous to a tree planted by streams of water, fruitful in every season, whose leaf does not wither. It is an elegant metaphor for the stability, prosperity, and enduring vitality that comes from delighting in and meditating on the law of the Lord. In these six verses, we are called to reflect on our own paths, to consider the sources...

This devotional meditation invites you to immerse yourself in Psalm 98 scripture's rich tapestry, celebrating the Lord's magnificent deeds and reign of righteousness. Join us as we sing a new song to the Lord, acknowledging the marvelous things He has done.

Join us as we reflect on the steadfast love of God, who hears our cries and comes to our aid. Through this meditation, we discover how these verses invite us into a deeper trust in God's mercy and joyful participation in the worshiping community. Experience the power of God's promises and the comfort of knowing that in our darkest moments, we are never alone—our compassionate Creator is always lis...

Welcome to week four of our Celebrate and Contemplate series, where we explore the liturgical Easter season together through the Psalms. I'm excited to guide you along "The Shepherd's Path." Picture us navigating the rich tapestry of Scripture, hearts wide open, as we uncover the deep, soulful assurances found in Psalm 23. Consider it a spiritual journey where each step uncovers more of the profou...

Welcome to the Prepare for Life Celebrate & Contemplate Series, aligning with the liturgical Easter season. This week, we are focusing on the tranquil depths and insightful wisdom of Psalm 4. It's our prayer that you find comfort and understanding within its verses as we engage in our exploration titled "Finding Peace: A Beacon of Light in the Darkness." Consider this meditation your invitation to...

Welcome to a new series, "Celebrate and Contemplate: Readings & Prayers for the Liturgical Easter". Today, we're immersing ourselves in the beauty and depth of Psalm 133, a song of ascents that celebrates the power and joy found in unity, especially relevant as we gather in spirit and truth during this Easter season.

HE IS RISEN: Embrace the Transformative Hope of Easter As we celebrate today, let us fully embrace the joy and certainty that come from declaring, "He is risen!" May this Easter be a time of rejuvenation for our spirits as we rejoice in the transformative hope of Jesus’s resurrection. Let our hearts be filled with joy, our gatherings warm with love, and our lives enriched by the enduring hope that...

"Good Friday: The Heart of Forgiveness" is a powerful episode that dives deep into the essence of Good Friday, exploring the monumental act of love and forgiveness displayed by Jesus Christ on the cross. This pivotal moment in history not only exemplifies the depth of God's love but also lays the foundation for the Gospel's core message: forgiveness. Through engaging discussions, we unpack the sig...

On this Maundy Thursday, let us remember that our journey of faith is not one of earning God's love through acts of righteousness but of receiving His unmerited favor with open hands and a grateful heart. Let us kneel at the feet of Jesus, allowing Him to wash us clean to serve us in His love so that we might rise and do likewise for the world around us. In the quiet reflections of this Holy Week,...

As Jesus approached His most challenging moment—the path to the cross—He confronted the shame and bore the unbearable, carrying the weight of humanity's sins. Nonetheless, a profound joy ahead inspired His steps: the joy of liberating the bound, ensuring our redemption, and, most importantly, celebrating victory with His Father. We encourage you to join us in contemplating the strength of persiste...

In this enlightening episode, we delve into one of the most profound events in the New Testament: The Transfiguration of Jesus. As described in Matthew 17:1-9, we witness an extraordinary moment where Jesus reveals His divine glory to Peter, James, and John atop a high mountain. This event not only emphasizes the majesty of Christ but also offers us incredible insights into the nature of God's glo...

Today's podcast delves into the heartwarming Parable of the Prodigal Son, exploring themes of repentance, forgiveness, and the boundless love of our heavenly Father. Set against the backdrop of Lent, underscoring the compassion and patience of a Father who eagerly awaits the return of those who have wandered off. We unravel the profound truths in this parable—free will's role in our spiritual jour...

In the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 Jesus describes life in His coming kingdom juxtaposed against life in this present world. Jesus gives us practical application for how to put His word into our lives. He encourages us to get our lives cleaned up and whole heartedly live in a way that pleases God in everything we do. In short He urges us to live for the age to come. 

In this week's devotional, we are exploring the powerful model of Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness, as depicted in Matthew 4:4-11. Join us as we delve into the temptations faced by Jesus, his steadfast faith, and how we can apply these lessons to our own lives. Let's learn together to submit to God, resist the devil, and draw nearer to God during this Lenten season.

It is very appropriate that this year, Ash Wednesday falls on February 14, the day we celebrate Valentine's Day. Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love. Lent is a time to reflect upon the ultimate love of God, who sent His son to die for us so that we could be reconciled to enter into a relationship with Him. The dual significance of Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday underscores the greatest lov...

As we enter the year 2024, I want to share with you the words that have been placed on my heart. The first word is "steadfast" - a reminder to stay firmly fixed, constant, and resolute in our pursuit of following the Lord. The second word is "shield" - a symbol of God's protection, covering us from danger and securing us from harm. In this new year, my prayer for each and every one of you is to ha...

May you have a wonderful 2023 as you carry the lessons learned from my sink cabinet into your new year. 

We all tend to look ahead and worry about the what if’s of our future. We can get obsessed and debilitated churning with anxiety as we anticipate what could happen. Into these dark thoughts shines a shaft of pure light. God promises His presence and His grace when we need it. The reality of these promises calms our soul and counters our fears with His perfect peace, a peace that passes understandi...

The book of Psalms is the book of praise! It is a handbook that shows us how to view life through the lens of praise. In the Psalms we praise God not just from our heads but from our hearts. Even the psalms that describe difficult, trying experiences usually finish with a resounding chorus of praise to God. As we meditate upon the book of Psalms we will begin to make praise the default position of...

Psalm 1 opens with this exclamation, “Happy, happy, happy is the one!….” In this psalm the Holy Spirit describes how to be happy. It introduces our culture sheet. God sets forth the conditions of our heart that need to be met in order for us to thrive, to bloom wherever we are planted. He gives us the key to happiness. Remember God is not mean. He is not withholding something good from us. He is s...

I know in my head that what the Bible says about joy is still true, but I am not feeling very joyous right now. Just as the book of Ecclesiastes talks about seasons in life, this is a time for mourning not rejoicing. We all feel a keen sense of sorrow, grief and shock. I hope I am not right about this, but it seems that our days are growing darker and darker; depravity unabated, is this the new no...

Paul in Philippians 3 shows us the way to live an intentional life. There were things Paul needed to put behind him. He said it this way,“Forgetting what lies behind.” Philippians 3:13. He was referring to things in his past that could hold him back from focusing on his goal. Some of the things were positive things like his ancestry, his orthodoxy, having a fine intellect and outstanding education...

One of the ways our lights shine is when we follow the Lord in the little, hidden places of our lives. Our light shines when we walk in forgiveness toward someone who has hurt us. Our light shines when we seek reconciliation in a broken relationship. Our light shines when we let peace rule in our hearts. In Philippians 2 Paul gives us a few more concrete things we can do to let our lights shine.

Have you experienced a setback? Have you been side-lined? Maybe you have done nothing to deserve some mistreatment. Maybe your future is uncertain. You know you are not in control. But God is. Take your eyes off your circumstances and put them on the Lord. He is able. Trust Him in your difficulties. You will not miss your destiny. “God who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of...

Do you really believe Jesus was resurrected? Why is His resurrection so important? What difference does His resurrection make in our daily lives?