secretary Embrace the Now View in browser December 22, 2023 Embrace the Now Phiwa Langeni Therefore, stop worrying about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. – Matthew 6:34 (CEB) There are gobs of books whose authors urge us to “embrace the now.” They aim to … Read more
Follow Your Dreams* View in browser December 21, 2023 Follow Your Dream* Liz Miller Once Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. – Genesis 37:5 (NRSV) There is an asterisk when we teach kids to follow their dreams, an asterisk so small we … Read more
Light Sleepers View in browser December 20, 2023 Light Sleepers Vince Amlin But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, … Read more
Never Really Nothing View in browser December 27, 2023 Never Really Nothing Chris Mereschuk The Creator created me at the beginning of their work, the first of their acts of long ago. Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth. [Then] I was beside The Creator… and … Read more
Hidden Things View in browser December 19, 2023 Hidden Things Kaji Douša O everlasting God, you are the one who knows hidden things, who knows all things before their genesis. – Susanna 31:42 (as translated in A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church: Year W) One of the more terrifying aspects of the dark … Read more
Don’t Follow Your Dreams View in browser December 18, 2023 Don’t Follow Your Dreams Quinn G. Caldwell Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose Mary to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a … Read more
Night Work View in browser December 15, 2023 Night Work Molly Baskette “We must work the works of the one who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work.” – John 9:4 (NRSV) Jesus apparently spoke these words, but surely he, best friend to nocturnal fishermen, knew … Read more
Songs in the Night View in browser December 14, 2023 Songs in the Night Talitha Arnold By day the Lord commands steadfast love, and at night God’s song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. – Psalm 42:8 (ESV, adapted) Had your fill of Christmas carols yet? Are you sated … Read more
Born to Die View in browser December 13, 2023 Born to Die Rachel Hackenberg As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. – Psalm 42:1 (NRSV) In Pennsylvania when I grew up, the first Monday after Thanksgiving was the opening day of deer season. Deer hunting … Read more
Sunglasses at Night View in browser December 12, 2023 Sunglasses at Night John Edgerton The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. – Acts 5:12–13 (NIV) … Read more