So now you can pick out what’s true and fair, find all the good trails! Lady Wisdom will be your close friend, and Brother Knowledge your pleasant companion. Good Sense will scout ahead for danger, Insight will keep an eye out for you.… Read the rest “A Lenten Pause: On the Road to Easter, a devotion by Marci McGowan”
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
Matthew 5:3 NRSV
Then he looked up at his disciples and said:
“Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
“Blessed are you who are hungry now,
for you will be filled.… Read the rest “The Color of Easter – a devotion by Marci McGowan”
If God didn’t think twice about taking pruning shears to the natural branches, why would he hesitate over you? He wouldn’t give it a second thought. Make sure you stay alert to these qualities of gentle kindness and ruthless severity that exist side by side in God—ruthless with the deadwood, gentle with the grafted shoot.… Read the rest “A Lenten Pause: The Master Gardener – a devotion by Marci McGowan”
The changing of the guard is always hard;
whether it be in civilian, religious, or military life.
It is to ourselves that we must first show mercy.
At the retreat center where I work, we are getting a new “gatekeeper.” This is the main security person who works at the front gate.… Read the rest “The Changing of the Guard: A Lenten Preface”
God holds me head and shoulders above all who try to pull me down. I’m headed for his place to offer anthems that will raise the roof! Already I’m singing God-songs; I’m making music to God.
Psalm 27:6, The Message Bible
Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008, was an exciting day at our church-- and a time that to this day affects how I see Easter season when it comes around each year.… Read the rest “The Mimes of Easter Times, a Devotion by Marci McGowan”
Luke 22:7-8
Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover meal for us that we may eat it.”
Oh Lord,
As we journey through the last days of Lent
and enter into the Holy Week when our Lord
was crucified and died;
Prepare and center us,
So that we may pass the week
with our hearts and minds focused on you,
In the name of the one we journey with,
Jesus,
Amen.
But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God’s love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ.… Read the rest “A Lenten Pause, a devotional by Marci McGowan”
John 12:3
Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
God who takes pleasure in our worship;
May our lives be a fragrant offering,
So that we show our devotion to you
though loving acts of sacrifice.… Read the rest “March 13 (Fifth Sunday in Lent)”
Isaiah 43:16; 19
Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters: I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.… Read the rest “March 6 (Fourth Sunday in Lent)”
Isaiah 55:6-8
Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.… Read the rest “February 28 (Third Sunday in Lent)”