Listening To His Voice – "Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice." (John 18:37)

Forsaken

March 26, 2026 JeffLeave a comment

Today is Thursday, the twenty-sixth day of March, 2026, in the fifth week of Lent.

May the peace of Christ dwell within you today!

It is the 85th day of 2026, with 280 days remaining in the year.

Only three more days until Palm Sunday and R’s birthday!

Day 24,850 of my life.

Today is Purple Day. And while I do love the color purple (not referring to the play/movie, but I did enjoy that), the day is all about epilepsy and those who suffer from it.

And, although there was an official game last night, today is considered to be MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL OPENING DAY!!

Daily writing prompt

How has technology changed your job?

View all responses

Well, I work at a library. And while my particular job hasn’t changed all that much with technology (in the last five years), the library, in general, has been massively changed by technology. I’m old enough to remember when it was just books. I’m old enough to remember having to look things up in the encyclopedia. We still have a set of World Book in the youth section of our library, and get a new one every year. But I wonder how much it is used.

There are people who come to our library who never touch a book. They come in to use the computers, or to print documents from their phones. It’s cheaper to come to the library than it is to buy a computer or printer. We charge ten cents a page to print black and white documents, fifty cents for color. People come in to do their taxes, to apply for jobs, to check their email. And there are a few who just come in and watch You Tube for a while. The youth and teens play Minecraft and other games on them. One guy comes in and does the NYT Crossword puzzle for the day. I swear that’s all he does.

Some people come and get a library card and then don’t ever darken the doors again until they have to come back to renew it in two years. They check out ebooks and audio books from Libby and Cloud Library. Some people come for the programs, for adults, teens, and youth. Homeless people will come in and camp out in a study room or the reading alcove for a while to stay cool or warm, depending on what season it is. They can read the books, too. Because you don’t even have to have a library card to do that.

The library is a beautiful place. It’s a safe place (at least for now). And unless you’re paying for printing or faxing (we do that, too), it’s a FREE place!

Today is not a normal Thursday. I have an appointment with my cardiologist, this morning, at 10:15, for my first pacemaker device check. Then I have to take S to get her weekly injection. Then I will cook lunch for the family (soup and grilled cheese today) after which I will go to work at the library for my four-hour shift in the computer center (I switched with a coworker who wanted off today). So it’s a very weird Thursday.

And, in addition, C basically was ordered, yesterday, by her top boss, to take some time off to focus on her well-being and healing. She will get full pay, no loss of benefits, and it is up to her when she comes back. I wasn’t there for the whole conversation, as I had a doctor appointment yesterday morning, and I hear it was rough, but had a good ending. And I heard that the phrase “Mama Bear” was used to describe her role in the company. Personally, I think that speaks quite highly of her reputation.

JESUS TIME

The day has dawned, O Father in heaven, and everywhere Your children are lifting holy hands to You for strength for the day . . . Let my prayers be acceptable to You for the sake of Jesus Christ, my Savior, through whose merits my peace has been made with You. Let the Daystar rise in my heart, O Lord, by faith in that Savior through whom my place with You is sure forevermore. I beseech You, let not only my prayer but also my whole life, my every act, thought, and word, be a sacrifice to You today, unblemished and worthy, through the power of Your Spirit. Let the message of Your Word fill me with the assurance of the forgiveness of my sin; let the counsel of Your revealed will point out to me the way I am to go; let Your Spirit give me courage and strength to choose the good part every hour. Hold me in oneness of faith with my fellow Christians, and let me be salt that has not lost its saltiness. Keep me Yours for the sake of Your Son, my Redeemer. Amen.
(Lutheran Book of Prayer, Prayer 26, 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, come to us: free us from the stain of our sins. Help us to remain faithful to a holy way of life, and guide us to the inheritance You have promised. 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, Thursday of the Week of Lent 5, Opening Prayer)

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
(Jeremiah 29:13 ESV)

Today I am grateful:

That my physical life is not my own, but belongs to You, my Lord
For Your goodness, O Lord, and the strength You grant me every day
That I can say to You, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2)
That You, O Christ, were forsaken on the cross so that I would never be forsaken
That in having You, Lord, I am rich beyond anything this world could offer me

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 38:9-16

O Lord, all my longing is before you;
   my sighing is not hidden from you.
My heart throbs; my strength fails me,
   and the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me.
My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague,
   and my nearest kin stand far off.

Those who seek my life lay their snares;
   those who seek my hurt speak of ruin
   and meditate treachery all day long.

But I am like a deaf man; I do not hear,
   like a mute man who does not open his mouth.
I have become like a man who does not hear,
   and in whose mouth are no rebukes.

But for you, O LORD, do I wait;
   it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.
For I said, “Only let them not rejoice over me,
   who boast against me when my foot slips!”
(Psalms 38:9-16 ESV)

From Untamed Prayers, “My Nearest Kin Stand Afar Off,” by Chad Bird

In Genesis 2:18, the Lord said of Adam, “It is not good that the man should be alone.” This, of course is not an absolute statement. “Married or unmarried, there are times in life when being alone is good. For silent contemplation. For being absorbed in a book or hobby. For being alone with God in silent, meditative prayer and study. Being alone at times can be, and is, healthy.”

But being alone with one’s sin is not good. David laments, in verse 11 of our psalm, today, “My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague, and my nearest kin stand far off.” Bird says that the word “plague” is “apropos, for those who commit some wrongs are treated, sometimes even by family and friends, as if they are contaminated, tainted by evil, pariahs.” Jesus, “willingly and mercifully,” touches such people with His grace, “he expresses solidarity with the soiled. He dines with the religiously disenfranchised. He embraces the ostracized. There is no one so dirty that Jesus will not gladly wash clean with the detergent of crucifixion love.” I am a recipient of this amazing love.

Our passage today opens with, “O Lord, all my longing is before you; my sighing is not hidden from you.” Then, in verse 15, the psalmist says, “But for you, O LORD, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.”

Last night, in our last mid-week Lenten service, the topic was “Forsaken,” and we looked at Jesus’s cry on the cross, when it went dark for three hours in the middle of the day. “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” C.H. Spurgeon made note in a reading from about a week ago, that in that prayer, Jesus did not cry out to His Father, but rather to God, because His Father had temporarily (but for what must have seemed an eternity) turned His back on the Son. Jesus endured this so that we would never be forsaken. “He died all alone on that cross, so that we may never be alone with our sin. He stands by, eager to give us the pardon he purchased with his own blood.”

Thou who are the life of the world, reveal thyself in our hearts that we may bear continual witness to Thy presence in all we do and say. Thou who hast given Thy Son for light and beauty in our darkness, let some tokens of His power be shown in us, whom Thou in infinite love hast made Thy children. Oh, let Thy church be like its Lord! its living stones shaped after the pattern of Him who is the cornerstone, its joy to do His commandments and draw men unto Him. Let there be in us, O Lord, that spirit of love and self-giving which becomes the followers of Him who gave His life for the world. Deliver us from our devouring selfishness and keep us from the power of all temptation. In the name of Christ. Amen.
(For All the Saints, Thursday of the Week of Lent 5, Closing Prayer, Isaac Ogden Rankin)

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner! I stand before You as the tax collector in Your parable, sorry for the many sins in my life, but also joyful in You, because You have paid the price for those sins. Your grace and mercy precede my repentance, Lord, and even that repentance is a gift from You.

I praise You and thank You that You endured being forsaken by Your Father, so that we would never be forsaken in our own sins and transgressions. I never have to be alone in my sin because You endured being “alone” for that time on the cross. I cannot thank You enough, my Lord. My life is Yours, because You saved it and You purchased it. Forgive me for times when I forget this. Use this life, Lord, as Your vessel to do whatever You want.

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

But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.
(Jude 1:20-21 ESV)

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

CHRIST IS EVERYTHING!!!

A Commitment and A Connection

March 25, 2026 JeffLeave a comment

Today is Wednesday, the twenty-fifth day of March, 2026, in the fifth week of Lent.

May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in all ways!

It is the 84th day of 2026, and there are 281 days remaining in the year.

Four more days until Palm Sunday

Day 24,849 of my life

Today is Tolkien Reading Day. The reason this is celebrated on March 25 is because that date marks the fall of Sauron (the Lord of the Rings) and Barad-dur.

Today is also The Annunciation of Our Lord, celebrated as the day that the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would be giving birth to the Messiah.

Daily writing prompt

How often do you say “no” to things that would interfere with your goals?

View all responses

That depends on what we are referring to by “things.” If we’re talking about events or scheduling things that would take up time, not all that often. I don’t get a lot of opportunities like that, and honestly, at this stage of my life, don’t have that many “goals” that involve my daily schedule.

If, on the other hand, we are referring to spiritual things, perhaps temptations, then I would say multiple times a day. Some days more than other, depending on my state of mind. Because giving in to a temptation would certainly interfere with my spiritual goals.

Today is a mostly normal Wednesday, but I have a dr appointment early this morning, due to arrive by 9:05. I’m going to see if I can get this finished before I have to leave, but it’s doubtful. C is working from home, but is currently planning to be back in the office on Thursday, April 9. After that, I believe she will have to go in three days a week, instead of only two: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. I’m a little concerned if she will be up to that. She is still in a lot of pain. But she is getting around with no walking assistance. Perhaps we need to start going out and walking around a bit, to build her strength back up.

Here is the solo I sang this past Sunday.

JESUS TIME

Lord God, You have given me another day, a day to live in Your service and for the good of my fellowmen, I am indeed a poor tool in Your hand and deserving to be cast aside. Forgive me all my sins for Jesus’ sake, and by Your Spirit grant me the fitness to work for You this day. I beseech You to make me mindful, dear Lord, that I am but a stranger and a pilgrim in this present world. Let me not devote my efforts today to purposes unworthy of You; let me not gather treasures merely for this world; let me not serve mammon. This life is but a vain show; let me not search for an abiding city here. But, Lord, fasten my heart and hope on the life that is in You, and let my strivings and desires be directed to the treasures of Your love. As long as I am in the land of my pilgrimage, hold my hand, Lord; keep me from every straying path. If I should stumble in sinful weakness, grant me repentance and faith; for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
(Lutheran Book of Prayer, Prayer 24, Wednesday Morning)

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your devoted servants who spread the Good News of Your death and resurrection and preach the forgiveness of sins. Provide faithful pastors and bless congregations who honor the pastoral office and support their ministers, even when they stumble. Help missionaries understand the peoples they are sent to and present the Gospel in a culturally relevant way while staying true to sound doctrine. Give pastors and missionaries strength and courage in the face of persecution. Be with me and all members of Your family as we encourage those You have called to these positions. I pray this in Your name. Amen.
(Portals of Prayer, Prayer for Wednesday Morning)

Father of mercy, hear the prayers of Your repentant children who call on You in love. Enlighten our minds and sanctify our hearts. 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, Wednesday of the Week of Lent 5, Opening Prayer)

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”
(John 6:35 ESV)

Today I am grateful:

For friends who walk with me in this journey of life
For the Bread of Life, who feeds me daily
That having received the forgiveness of Christ, my sin is eradicated, remembered no more, cast as far as the east is from the west, into the deepest depths of the ocean
For the commitment that Christ has given me; full commitment to Him; “I am not my own, but belong – body and soul, in life and in death – to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ” (Heidelberg Catechism)
That I believe in, and am committed to, Jesus Christ, with all of my heart, strength, and mind; His is the Voice to which I listen

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 38:1-8

O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger,
   nor discipline me in your wrath!
For your arrows have sunk into me,
   and your hand has come down on me.

There is no soundness in my flesh
   because of your indignation;
there is no health in my bones
   because of my sin.
For my iniquities have gone over my head;
   like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.

My wounds stink and fester
   because of my foolishness,
I am utterly bowed down and prostrate;
   all the day I go about mourning.
For my sides are filled with burning,
   and there is no soundness in my flesh.
I am feeble and crushed;
   I groan because of the tumult of my heart.
(Psalms 38:1-8 ESV)

From Untamed Prayers, “Your Arrows Have Sunk Into Me,” by Chad Bird

Chad Bird says that the first verses of this psalm are like “stalking through a battlefield hospital of the 1800’s.” There are wounded, sick, and dying men everywhere. “Yet in this psalm, there is no ‘men,’ but only one man, the ‘me,’ the ‘I’ who prays. And this man is no hospital patient; he is suffering beneath the crushing tonnage of the Almighty’s word of judgement. ‘O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath!’ (38:1). And so we begin, making his words our own. In the macabre section that follows, with horrific image piled on sickening metaphor, we are arrested by the reality of sin. What we think titillating, God declares terrifying. We demean our humanity when walling in spiritual depravity. And anesthetized though we often are to evil’s sway in our lives, Psalm 38 violently shakes us awake to say, ‘Here is what sin is! Here is what sin does!’ See, shudder, and repent.”

Bird says that this psalm should be part of our regular prayer diet, and I find that I am in agreement. They are hard words, for sure. “But we need them, habituated as we are to sweet lies like, ‘You’re OK just the way you are.’ No, you are most certainly not. Just the way you are is precisely the problem.” We are all, by nature, sinful and rebellious people, dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1). “What we need is not more of ‘just the way I am,’ but more of ‘just the way Jesus is.’ His forgiveness. His cleansing. His redeeming blood that washes us white as wool.” And when we receive that, all of our sins are “purged forever from the memory of God. He will never think of it again, much less bring it up (Isa. 43:25). It’s that gone.”

From For All the Saints – Wednesday of the Week of Lent 5

And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them. And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.” And Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. And he said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”
(Mark 10:1-12 ESV)

D. Elton Trueblood, in The Company of the Committed, writes about commitment. In the book, he makes a distinction between “believing that” and “believing in.” He says, “To be committed is to believe in. Commitment, which includes belief but far transcends it, is determination of the total self to act upon conviction.” He also says that there is an element of wager involved in commitment, and uses marriage as his example. “For everyone recognizes the degree to which marriage is a bold venture, undertaken without benefit of escape clauses. The essence of all religious marriage vows is their unconditional quality. A man takes a woman not, as in a contract, under certain specified conditions, but ‘for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health.’ Always, the commitment is unconditional and for life. The fact that some persons fail in this regard does not change the meaning of that glorious undertaking.”

” . . . Belief in differs from belief that, in the way in which the entire self is involved. ‘If I believe in something,’ says Marcel [French philosopher], ‘it means that I pledge myself fundamentally, and this pledge affects not only what I have but also what I am.’

” . . . A Christian is a person who confesses that, amidst the manifold and confusing voices heard in the world, there is one Voice which supremely wins his full assent, uniting all his powers, intellectual and emotional into a single pattern of self-giving. That Voice is Jesus Christ. A Christian not only believes that He was; he believes in Him with all his heart and strength and mind. Christ appears to the Christian as the one stable point or fulcrum in all the relativities of history. Once the Christian has made this primary commitment he still has perplexities, but he begins to know the joy of being used for a mighty purpose, by which his little life is dignified.”

I absolutely love this reading, even though I am one who has failed in that venture of marriage. This time, it’s going fine, over 40 years. But when I entered into the first one, it was with the understanding that it was for life. But things happen. Sin happens. Fortunately for us, so does forgiveness. (See the last bit in the Chad Bird reading, above . . . “It’s that gone.”)

Nevertheless, I totally agree with Trueblood’s assessment of what commitment is. And believe that (hah!) I can say without hesitation, that, most especially since last February, I believe IN Jesus Christ, with all of my heart and strength and mind, and that I fully belong, body and soul, to Him. His is the Voice that I listen to (in John 18:37, Jesus says to Pilate, “Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice”). I am doing my best, with the help of the Spirit, to listen to His voice. At the Transfiguration, the Father proclaimed, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” And through Him, I “know the joy of being used for a mighty purpose by which [my] little life is dignified.”

And from My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers

“The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.”
(John 3:29-30 ESV)

“Goodness and purity ought never to attract attention to themselves,” says Chambers, “they ought simply to be magnets to draw to Jesus Christ. If my holiness is not drawing towards Him, it is not holiness of the right order, but an influence that will awaken inordinate affection and lead souls away into side eddies.”

We should be most jealous and careful of our relationship with Christ, even more so than of obedience, Chambers also says. In a statement that a lot of pastors wouldn’t like, he writes, “Sometimes there is nothing to obey, the only thing to do is to maintain a vital connection with Jesus Christ, to see that nothing interferes with that. . . . The greater part of life is not conscious obedience but the maintenance of this relationship – the friend of the Bridegroom.” He even goes so far as to say that “Christian work may be a means of evading the soul’s concentration on Jesus Christ.”

Once again, I find that I’m thinking about my journey since last February. Many times, during the past thirteen months, I have said that if there is nothing more for me to do than simply rest in Christ and what He has already accomplished, I am quite fine with that. I believe there is and will be work for me to do, especially in the realm of being a peacemaker. But He guides me, and He will show me what that will look like. In the meantime, I make sure that I am maintaining that “vital connection with Jesus Christ,” and “see that nothing interferes with that.” That last part is much more difficult than one might think.

O Lord, I have a busy world around me. Eye, ear and thought will be needed for my work done in the midst of the world. Now, ere I enter upon it, I would commit eye, ear, thought and wish to Thee. Do Thou bless them and keep their work Thine, that as through Thy natural laws my heart beats and my blood flows without my thought for them, so my spiritual life may hold on its course at those times when my mind cannot consciously turn to Thee to commit each particular thought to Thy service. Hear my prayer for my dear Redeemer’s sake. Amen.
(For All the Saints, Wednesday of the Week of Lent 5, Closing Prayer, Thomas Arnold)

Help me, O Lord, to maintain this wonderful, vital connection that You have created between us. Help me to be a “friend of the Bridegroom.” I know that I have no holiness of my one, but only what You have infused into me. Therefore, let it not draw attention to me, but rather, show Your beauty to people. I thank You for people in my life who have done that for me, directed me toward You by their fervent love for You and Your Word, and not bringing attention to themselves or anything that they have done.

Thank You for drawing my heart into this committed relationship with You, my Lord. I do believe IN You, heart, soul, mind, and strength. I love You, Lord, and seek to keep this relationship strong and steady. Please keep this transforming work strong within me until I stand in Your presence for all eternity.

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

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

CHRIST IS EVERYTHING!!!

False Piety

March 24, 2026 JeffLeave a comment

Tonight, I was reading from Lent with the Desert Fathers, by Thomas McKenzie, and it really spoke to me about the ongoing transformation that Christ has been doing within me, and how much further we have to go.

Tonight’s word was from Poemon, a Father of the desert.

“Abba Poemon said, ‘One person may seem to live in silence, but in his heart he is constantly condemning others. In reality, he never stops talking. But another who may talk from morning to night in reality has the gift of silence, because he never speaks except to profit his hearers.'”

“We can act in a way that makes people think we are quite pious. We can abstain from ‘bad things’ in the world, dress ourselves well, and talk like a good person. But that doesn’t mean our hearts aren’t filled with vile thoughts, hatred, racism, lust, and bitterness. . . .

“How pleasing is it to God when we hate others in our hearts, even if we keep our opinions to ourselves?

“The Holy Spirit is available to us for inner transformation. Only through his miraculous working, with which we participate, can we truly become the people God made us to be. That’s why we’re on this Lenten journey. We’re here to ask for God’s help while also abandoning ourselves into his care.”

In reality it was this very subject that started my journey of transformation last February. The stage had been set, over the course of the two years prior, starting when I first joined the Lutheran church I attend now. But it all exploded last February when Christ revealed to me that I was not truly loving people in the way that I was “preaching.”

There have been many other topics addressed in my heart during this transformative period, but that is still the major point, especially when one considers that I have heard His call to be a “peacemaker,” or “repairer of the breach.”

As I read this tonight, it shows me how far away I still am. That one question pricks my heart quite painfully. “How pleasing is it to God when we hate others in our hearts, even if we keep our opinions to ourselves?” I would not say that I “hate” anyone. But there are definitely still some troubled feelings in there.

And he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.” And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”
(Mark 7:14-23 ESV)

Jesus, have mercy! Please keep transforming me in the way that You have been doing. Remove any form of “hate” from my heart, even if it is not truly “hate.” Help me to love all, regardless of any opinions on anything. There is still too much Jeff in here, Jesus! Too much. You must increase, and I must decrease. All glory to You, Lord!

Grace and peace, my brothers and sisters! Choose love!

Because Jesus!! 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

A Future

March 24, 2026 Jeff1 Comment

Today is Tuesday, the twenty-fourth day of March, 2026, in the fifth week of Lent.

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 the 83rd day of 2026, and there are 282 days remaining in the year.

Five days until Palm Sunday (and R’s birthday . . . gifts have been sent)

Day 24,848 of my life

Today is National Each Person is A Person of Worth Day. As a Christ-follower, I translate that into a belief that everyone I encounter is created in the image of God, and, therefore, is a person of worth.

Daily writing prompt

What’s a secret skill or ability you have or wish you had?

View all responses

I certainly don’t have any “secret skills or abilities.” Although I do seem to be able to cause the traffic light to turn red just as I am approaching. The number of times I am first in line at the light is unnerving, even amusing (except when I’m in a hurry). And this is a lot like wishing I had a “superpower.” I wish that I could completely close myself off from distractions for set periods of time. I wish I could manage my time better. I’m chronically late for things. Not a lot, mind you, just a few minutes. Sometimes, I wish I could make myself not care about some things. But Jesus won’t let me do that.

Today is not a normal Tuesday. C is working from home, still, but I will not be working my usual four-hour shift tonight. I will be working that shift Thursday, this week, as the other computer center guy wanted to switch with someone. I said, sure, why not? So I’ll be working Thursday night, Friday, and Saturday, this week. I don’t really have anything else on my agenda for the day, other than the obligatory trip to get Sonic drinks.

Willow is doing well. She seems to be recovering from getting spayed just fine. Here’s a pic from after she got home, yesterday evening.

She managed to take her cone off within minutes. Fortunately, C had ordered these post-surgery “onesies,” to use instead of the cone of shame.

JESUS TIME

Again, O heavenly Father, You have granted me strength to rise to the tasks of the day. I thank You for Your mercy and love. Without Your power upholding me I should be unable to live. Give me a spirit of gratitude for all Your gifts. Above all, dear Father, keep me grateful for the gift of the forgiveness of all my sins through the merits of Jesus Christ, Your Son and my Savior. Grant that whatever need, whatever sorrow may beset my day, my faith in this forgiveness may remain steadfast and firm. Let not grief or pain, no doubt or gloom, come between me and the certainty of Your love. If it is Your purpose to try me this day with difficulties for the body or the heart, grant that I may, by Your Spirit, conquer in this trial and hold fast to Your mercy, knowing that the sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with the glory You have in store for me. Make Your Word my joy, Your counsel my guide, Your presence my peace; in Jesus Christ. Amen.
(Lutheran Book of Prayer, Prayer 22, 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)

Lord, help us to do Your will that Your Church may grow and become more faithful in Your service. 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, Tuesday of the Week of Lent 5, Opening Prayer)

Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
(John 4:13-14 ESV)

Today I am grateful:

For the living water, always satisfying, never disappointing
For the free gift of God, eternal life in Jesus Christ, our Lord
That, as a “man of peace,” there is a future for me (Psalm 37)
That every prayer I’ve ever prayed, every cup of water given to a thirsty person, ever word of encouragement spoken . . . every action echoes into eternity as a “legacy” that I leave behind (Chad Bird, Untamed Prayers)
That Christ must increase in me as I decrease

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 37:34-40

Wait for the LORD and keep his way,
   and he will exalt you to inherit the land;
   you will look on when the wicked are cut off.

I have seen a wicked, ruthless man,
   spreading himself like a green laurel tree.
But he passed away, and behold, he was no more;
   though I sought him, he could not be found.

Mark the blameless and behold the upright,
   for there is a future for the man of peace.
But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed;
   the future of the wicked shall be cut off.

The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD;
   he is their stronghold in the time of trouble.
The LORD helps them and delivers them;
   he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
   because they take refuge in him.
(Psalms 37:34-40 ESV)

From Untamed Prayers, by Chad Bird

Oddly enough, when I read this passage from Psalm 37, this morning, the verse that caught my attention was verse 37, “Mark the blameless and behold the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace.” One reason that it caught my attention was that I consider myself to be a “man of peace.” One of the tasks that I believe Christ has given me in the past year is to be a peacemaker, a “repairer of the breach” (Isaiah 58:12). So I read this psalm and I think, yes, there is a future for me. Not only a future on this earth, until I am finished with the “good works, which God prepared beforehand, that [I] should walk in them,” but also a future in heaven.

While it is acknowledged that “you can’t take it with you,” Chad Bird also acknowledges that “what we leave behind is not insignificant. We are building up a legacy that will remain in this world.” I have to confess that I see that statement and I’m skeptical. Me? Building a legacy. “Li’l ol’ me??” According to the psalmist, yes.

“‘There is a future for the man of peace . . . the future of the wicked shall be cut off” (37:37-38). The man of peace waits for the LORD, keeps his way, takes refuge in God, and is saved (37:34, 40).”

“In ways ordinarily imperceptible to us, the Spirit is it work in every Christian to leave behind a legacy. Every prayer we pray we’ll never die in silence but echo unto eternity in the heart of our Father. Every cup of water held to the lips of the thirsty; every word of encouragement spoken to the careworn; every boy or girl we teach to sing, ‘Jesus loves me, this I know . .’; every tiny deed done in love defies time by remaining forever. There will be people resurrected on the last day, who joined Jesus for all eternity in the new heavens and new earth, because the Spirit used you to bring the good news of salvation to them. How’s that for a legacy? There is a future for the man, woman, and child of peace, for all those who are in the Savior, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Lord Jesus, use us in this world for the good of our neighbor and the glory of your name, that when we depart in peace, our legacy of faith and love will remain to bear fruit and abundance.”

What this says to me is that there will be far-reaching consequences to my actions while on this earth, both good and bad. Therefore, I need to be very aware of what I say and do around anyone. You never know what kind of legacy you are leaving behind in your wake.

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
(Mark 9:42-50 ESV)

I believe that this passage from Mark goes along with my psalm reading. If any action of ours causes someone else to sin, the consequences are not good. I will admit that I do not know how to reconcile this with our eternal salvation, and probably need to have a conversation with my pastor about it. But consider this, you who claim to follow Christ: if your self-centered opinions cause someone to abandon Christ, what do you think should happen? Do you not bear any responsibility? We are certainly in an era of a lack of accountability, from the top down, it seems. But God does not see things the way we do. All of my sins have been paid for by Jesus Christ. But I am still, somehow, accountable for every thought, word, and deed that I think, say, or do. And that is worthy of great consideration, and, perhaps, fear and trembling, as Paul tells us that we are to “work out [our] own salvation with fear and trembling.”

From My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers

“He must increase, but I must decrease.”
(John 3:30 ESV)

Here is a sobering statement! “If you become a necessity to a soul, you are out of God’s order.” And I think that, though Chambers doesn’t say this, the opposite is true. If a soul is a necessity to me, then I, too, am out of God’s order. I have grappled with this question many times, over the past year? Is my pastor/sister/friend a “necessity” to me?? What would happen to my walk with Christ if she were no longer here?

While there may have been a time when my spiritual existence would have been threatened if such a thing happened, I no longer think that. Jesus and I have worked through this issue, I believe. I love my sister. But she is not Jesus (a representative of Him, for sure); she has not “saved” me, although I have credited her with saving my life, a time or two. She is simply the one who brought me to Him in such a way that my life was eternally impacted.

But if something were to happen and she were no longer here, my walk with Christ would continue. Because it is Christ who is everything. It is He who has transformed me over the course of the last thirteen months, by His Spirit and His Word; His Word is Truth, and His Word is Life.

And I pray that I would never become a “necessity” in anyone else’s life, as well. Chambers goes on to say, “pray that they grow ten times stronger until there is no power on earth or in hell that can hold that soul away from Jesus Christ.” I believe that I am also getting to that point. This is not a boast in anything that I have done, rather it is a boast in His power.

John 3:30 says a lot in only seven words. “He must increase, but I must decrease.” I say that a lot, just as I frequently say, “There is still too much Jeff in here.” There always be some me in here, because that’s who I am . . . I am “me.” But the “me” in here needs to be less than the Jesus in here, to the point that it is His will and His Words that must supersede mine, always.

O God, whose blessed Son steadfastly set His face to go to the city where He was to suffer and die; let there be in us this same devotion which was in Him. Forgive us, we beseech Thee, our many evasions of duty. We have held back from fear of men. We have ranked security and comfort higher than justice and truth, and our hearts condemn us. But thou, O Lord, who art greater than our hearts, have mercy upon us. Purge us from the fear that is born of self-concern. Beget in us the fear that we may be found wanting in loyalty to Thee and Thy purpose of good for mankind. Fill us with the compassion of Him who for our sake endured the cross; that we may be delivered from selfishness and cowardice; and that, dedicating our lives to Thy service, we may be used of Thee to help one another and to heal the hurt of the world; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(For All the Saints, Tuesday of the Week of Lent 5, Closing Prayer, Ernest Fremont Tittle)

My Jesus, You must increase while I decrease. There is still way too much Jeff in here, and I acknowledge this frequently. I pray for my self to decrease while You increase. Help me to always be aware of everything that I think, say, or do, and what kind of impact it might have, not only on someone’s earthly, present life, but on their eternity. I hope that there will be people that I have touched that I may not know about, this side of heaven. And I don’t need to know; but I do need to be aware of the possibility.

Christ, You are everything, and I am nothing without Your everything. Not only are You enough, You are the only enough. I thank You that Your living water fully satisfies me when I am thirsty, that nothing else does. May this always be true for me, Jesus!

I pray all of this in Your holy, precious, and beautiful name, amen.

Grace and peace, my brothers and sisters!

CHRIST IS EVERYTHING!!!

“By the LORD . . .”

March 23, 2026 JeffLeave a comment

Today is Monday, the twenty-third day of March, 2026, in the fifth week of Lent.

May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

It is the 82nd day of 2026, with 283 days remaining in the year.

Thirteen more days until Resurrection Sunday.

Day 24,847 of my life.

Today is OK Day. Okay? OK. Good.

Daily writing prompt

What is your favorite type of weather?

View all responses

This is the kind of question that people seem to get quite passionate about. I am an Autumn person. Hands down. If I were to rank the four seasons in order, they would be Autumn, Spring, Winter, and Summer. Actually Summer would be ten out of four. That’s how much I dislike Summer. Too hot and too sunny. The sun and I do not get along. I realize that it is necessary for us to live. But I’m a redhead. Need I say more? I like Autumn, because things begin to cool down from Summer, and the trees begin to turn all sorts of colors. Autumn in New England is especially beautiful. To narrow it down more, I would say that October is my favorite month. I might even jokingly say that October is my favorite season. Spring is suspect, because, in Texas, Spring starts acting like Summer too early. In fact, Spring just started, and we hit 95 degrees yesterday!! YESTERDAY! March 22!

Wait. I just realized I’m not really answering the question correctly. It did not ask me what my favorite season was! It asks what my favorite type of weather is. Okay. My favorite type of weather is Autumn-like weather. Cool . . . no warmer than, say, 72 or 73. Ideally, I would like it to be 65 and partly cloudy every day. I don’t even mind an overcast day, now and then, as long as it’s not too cold.

It’s a working Monday for me. In fact, I’m already at work. It will likely be well into the afternoon before I get this finished, though, as I’m about to go on lunch break. C took Willow to get her spayed, this morning. Based on the picture she sent me, Willow objected.

I understand a ladder was involved.

JESUS TIME

I thank You, heavenly Father, for the gift of rest and for the refreshment of body and soul that You have granted me in my worship of yesterday and my slumber of the night. I pray, make me ready to commit restored energies to the tasks that lie before me. Forgive me all my sins for Jesus’ sake, and purge from my heart all selfish desires and purposes which would wrongly use my gifts and powers. Grant that I may, day by day, put forth efforts pleasing to You, helpful to my fellowmen, and sufficient to provide for my daily needs. Keep me mindful that my service to men is service to You. Help me to remember that in all things my sufficiency is of You and that whatever I do is to be done to Your glory. Give me joy in my labor, sincerity in my service, and unselfishness in all my striving. Help me to be faithful in all things; for the sake of Him who died for me. Amen.
(Lutheran Book of Prayer, Prayer 20, Monday Morning)

Lord Jesus Christ, today I begin another week of service to You and to my neighbor. Give me the motivation and energy I need to fulfill my vocations, occupations, and responsibilities. Watch over my coming in and my going out, that I may always remember that You are with me. Help, guide, and teach me to follow Your example, that I may take pleasure in the work of my hands. Help me resist temptations to sin. “Thus, Lord Jesus, ev’ry task be to You commended; may Your will be done, I ask, until life is ended. Jesus, in Your name begun be the day’s endeavor; grant that it may well be done to Your praise forever” (LSB 869:5).
(Portals of Prayer, Prayer for Monday Morning)

Father of love, source of all blessings, help us to ass from our old life of sin to the new life of grace. Prepare us for the glory of Your kingdom. 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, Monday of the Week of Lent 5, Opening Prayer)

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:

To have awakened to a new morning, with new mercies, and new opportunities ahead of me to love God and people
For this time of prayer and meditation on the Word of God
That prayer can be as simple as sitting in the presence of the Lord, saying, “I love You. I know You love me and I love You. Lord, here I am.”
For the job that I have and the people that I work with
That when we walk through the “jagged ground of this world, riddled with potholes of temptation” (Chad Bird) we can be assured that, even though we stumble and fall, we shall not be “cast headlong, for the LORD holds [our] hand” (Psalm 37:24)

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?

Thus says God, the LORD,
   who created the heavens and stretched them out,
   who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people on it
   and spirit to those who walk in it:
“I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness;
   I will take you by the hand and keep you;
I will give you as a covenant for the people,
   a light for the nations,
   to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
   from the prison those who sit in darkness.
I am the LORD; that is my name;
   my glory I give to no other,
   nor my praise to carved idols.
Behold, the former things have come to pass,
   and new things I now declare;
before they spring forth
   I tell you of them.”
(Isaiah 42:5-9 ESV)

I would like to share this day’s reading from the Henri Nouwen Society.

And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”
(Isaiah 6:8 ESV)

“I really want to ask you to practice prayer as a practice of the presence of God. You don’t have to say many words. You don’t have to have deep thoughts. You don’t have to worry about how to think. You can just be where you are and say, ‘I love you. I love you. I know you love me and I love you. I don’t have any big things to say. I don’t have any profound words to express, but I am here and I want you to be with me and I want to be with you.’ It is that simple. It is a very simple thing. Prayer is not complicated. It is not difficult. If people ask you how you pray just tell them, ‘Sit down and say, “Lord, here I am.”‘”
(Henri Nouwen, “Lord Here I Am,” from Following Jesus: Finding Our Way Home in an Age of Anxiety)

Psalm of the Day – Psalm 37:23-33, The Steps of a Man

The steps of a man are established by the LORD,
   when he delights in his way;
though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,
   for the LORD upholds his hand.

I have been young, and now am old,
   yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
   or his children begging for bread.
He is ever lending generously,
   and his children become a blessing.

Turn away from evil and do good;
   so shall you dwell forever.
For the LORD loves justice;
   he will not forsake his saints.
They are preserved forever,
   but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.
The righteous shall inherit the land
   and dwell upon it forever.

The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,
   and his tongue speaks justice.
The law of his God is in his heart;
   his steps do not slip.

The wicked watches for the righteous
   and seeks to put him to death.
The LORD will not abandon him to his power
   or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial.
(Psalms 37:23-33 ESV)

From Untamed Prayers, by Chad Bird

Today’s reading is so good that I just wound up quoting the entire thing.

“Most translations will render Psalm 37:23 like this: ‘The steps of a man are established by the LORD.’ That is a correct translation, but in the Hebrew, the order of the line is reversed, ‘By [or “from”] the LORD the steps of a man are established.’ The change is slight, but it emphasizes those opening words, ‘By the LORD ….’

“By the LORD, we take our first steps of the day, rolling out of bed, pouring a cup of coffee, and taking stock of what God has called us to do. Caring for our children. Checking up on friends. Serving others in our respective jobs. Interceding for those in need. By the LORD, we walk into this day ‘that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it’ (Ps. 118:24). By the LORD, we also take our steps into places where none of us want to be. The hospital where our mom or dad is undergoing chemo. The courtroom where marriages end. The cemetery where we stand before headstones upon which are engraved a month, day, and year when our lives were radically altered. By the LORD, we walk—or limp, or crawl—into that day, too, knowing that Jesus is no fair-weather friend, but one who sticks by us in good times as well as the very worst of times.

“By the LORD, we take steps onto the jagged ground of this world, riddled with potholes of temptation, knowing his promise that even though we may fall, we shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds our hands (37:24). Holding on to our hands is the one whose wrists were held fast to the cross. Hand-in-hand with our crucified Lord, we journey up both mountains of delight and down into chasms of grief, borne along by his strength, his love, his ironclad will to see us through this life, no matter what. ‘By the LORD the steps of a man are established.’ And by that Lord, Jesus the Messiah, we will one day step from earthly life into this glorious presence.”

Holy Father, I thank You for You. I thank You that You uphold my hand, so that, even if I do stumble and fall because of one of those “potholes of temptation” (and I will), I shall not be “cast headlong.” How gracious You are, my Lord, to hold us the way You do, and Your patience is overwhelming when I consider the times that I have not only stumbled, but even occasionally just jumped in, feet first, with no care whatsoever of consequences.

It is by Your grace and mercy that I woke up this morning, was able to get out of bed, and got moving. It is by Your grace that I was able to drink that cup of coffee, and drive to work. It is by Your grace that I have a job to drive to and a car in which to drive. All is grace, my Lord! All is grace. I am nothing and have nothing without You. Thank You, Lord. You have called me in righteousness, You take me by the hand, and You keep me.

All praise be to You, Lord, Yahweh is Your name, and You give Your glory to no other, nor do You allow any other to usurp Your glory. Forgive us when we ascribe glory to others, Lord, instead of to You.

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

Grace and peace, my brothers and sisters! You’re surrounded by beauty and love!

Because Jesus!! 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

Do the Next Thing

March 22, 2026 JeffLeave a comment

Tonight I got to read a devotional in Ever Approaching Dawn, the Lenten devotional book published by Christianity Today. The reading for the fifth Sunday of Lent is called, “Sometimes We Just Do the Next Thing,” written by Dan Steel.

This article focuses on the women who returned to the tomb on Sunday morning to finish the burial preparations. “In the midst of despair, the women simply did the next thing.” The disciples had deserted Him, but the women stayed. When they came back to the tomb, they were not expecting an empty grave. They were simply “prepared to love their dead Lord.

“Faithfulness in the dark is often quiet, unseen. Simple, daily obedience. Keeping the Sabbath. Tending to the small and the sacred. Preparing for what lies ahead, even when the road is shrouded.”

When the road is clear, it is easy to praise; it is easy to be bold when everything is bright and shiny. But in between? “The silence between Friday and Sunday?” Our church has a very powerful Good Friday service. It leaves me sobbing every time. But then we go back to our lives on Saturday as we wait for Easter Sunday morning.

This group of people, an unknown number of actual followers . . . we know the names of twelve of them, they had nothing. Literally nothing, because everything they had had just died on that cross. “The women show us the quiet strength of obedience in uncertainty.

“They were not strategizing for a resurrection. They were not waiting for an empty tomb. They simply loved Jesus, and so they did the next thing. . . .

“Faith does not insist on a map. Faith asks that we do the next thing. . . .

“The darkness does not have the final word.”

That line reminds me of a line that really stood out on my second reading of The Hammer of God, spoken to Torvik by his wife: “God is stronger than all the darkness in the world.”

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.
(Luke 24:1-12 ESV)

Dear Lord, help us to be strong when it’s the darkest, knowing that the darkness has not overcome the light, and does not have the final word. You are, my Lord, stronger than all the darkness in the world.

Amen.

Grace and peace, my brothers and sisters!

A Burning Heart

March 22, 2026 JeffLeave a comment

Today is Sunday, the twenty-second day of March, 2026, in the fifth week of Lent. It is the fifth Sunday of Lent.

“May the peace of God wrap around you
As you’re held in His love
May He meet you with hope and healing and truth
As You’re held in His arms.”
(Held, Dana Miller and Megan Tibbits)

It is the 81st day of 2026, with 284 days left in the year.

One week until Palm Sunday and R’s birthday.

Day 24,846 of my life

Today is As Young As You Feel Day. I like that. I don’t feel 68. But I’d best not act as young as I feel. I’m not sure my muscles and bones could handle it.

It’s also Talk Like William Shatner Day. Do whatever you want with that.

Daily writing prompt

Who was your most influential teacher? Why?

View all responses

Norman Deisher. No hesitation, whatsoever. He was my junior high and high school band director. He was my introduction into playing a band instrument, and was always very encouraging to me. I feel like he had influence on me that went beyond just band and into life, itself.

It’s after noon, already, and we have already been to church. It was a good morning, and my solo went well, I think, as did the choir piece. I will post the videos as soon as they are available. The sermon was also quite good. In addition, I had the privilege of serving bread in Communion, because the pastor who preached this morning was not feeling great. She felt well enough to preach, but didn’t want to handle Communion things, so I was asked if I was available to serve the bread. The bonus privilege was that I got to serve it to S. That was very special!

We’ve already had our lunch, and I picked up our groceries for the week. So I’ll get on to the important stuff (all of which was read before going to church, this morning).

JESUS TIME

Heavenly Father, who on this first of days called forth light out of darkness, shine into my soul with the power of Your love, give me a new heart, and create a clean spirit within me. Enlighten also my heart through Your Gospel to know You.

Glorious Savior, on this day You rose from death and the grave and proved Yourself the Redeemer of all the world; give me faith to trust You wholly for the forgiveness of all my sin, and grant me grace to rise to newness of life.

Holy Spirit, who on this day charged the Church with joyous faith and vigor, fill me also with Your healing, Your gift to speak, and Your strength to love.

O Holy Trinity, my glorious God, my strength and shield, set apart my heart to Your service this day, give to my worship sincerity and earnestness, and to my praise joy; grant that my fellow believers and I be kept at all times in the unity of faith, and refresh me with Your Word; in Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Lutheran Book of Prayer, Prayer 18, Sunday Morning)

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with me today. Remind me that I am Yours and that You have saved me through the precious blood of Jesus. I am sorry for my sins. Please forgive me. Help me hear You speaking to me through my pastor’s mouth today. Thank You for feeding me Your very body and blood through the bread and wine of Your Supper. Strengthen me through Your Word and Sacrament. Help me stay connected to You, the true vine, by connecting with Your Body, the church. May I never neglect meeting together with Your church, that we can encourage and love one another (Hebrews 10:25). Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
(Portals of Prayer, Prayer for Sunday Morning)

Father, help us to be like Christ, Your Son, who loved the world and died for our salvation. Inspire us by His love, guide us by His example, 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 Lent 5, Opening Prayer)

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.
(Ephesians 6:10-11 ESV)

Today I am grateful:

For another opportunity to gather with the community of saints, worship the Lord, and be fed by Word and Sacrament; Lord, Your Word is Truth; Your Word is LIFE
That we have Your armor, Lord, and that what You call us to do, once we have it on, is to stand!
That we are called “to leave behind hatred, abandon the enmity,” and come to the Father who loves us (Chad Bird, Untamed Prayers, Psalm 37:14-22)
For Romans 12. All of it. Christ have mercy on us!
For the burning heart that You, O Christ, have kindled within me.

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 37:14-22

The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows
   to bring down the poor and needy,
   to slay those whose way is upright;
their sword shall enter their own heart,
   and their bows shall be broken.

Better is the little that the righteous has
   than the abundance of many wicked.
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,
   but the LORD upholds the righteous.

The LORD knows the days of the blameless,
   and their heritage will remain forever;
they are not put to shame in evil times;
   in the days of famine they have abundance.

But the wicked will perish;
   the enemies of the LORD are like the glory of the pastures;
   they vanish—like smoke they vanish away.

The wicked borrows but does not pay back,
   but the righteous is generous and gives;
for those blessed by the LORD shall inherit the land,
   but those cursed by him shall be cut off.
(Psalms 37:14-22 ESV)

From Untamed Prayers, by Chad Bird

“When Cain murdered his brother, he really wanted to murder god. With whom was Cain angry? The Lord (Gen. 4:5). On whom did he vent his anger? His brother.” This kind of behavior still goes on today. Verse 14 of our passage today says, “The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose way is upright.” Why would anyone want to “bring down the poor and needy??” What threat do they pose? “People are angry with the Lord, with his Word, his will, with the very fact that God has the audacity to exist, so they strike out at his people. They do so because they are ‘the enemies of the LORD’ (37:20).”

God calls us “to leave behind hatred, abandon the enmity, and come to him – come to the Father who desires nothing but the beast for us, his beloved children.”

Then the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.”
(Exodus 4:11-12 ESV)

   I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

   For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

   Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
   Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
(Romans 12:1-21 ESV)

I love this chapter! We all need to do better at living it.

“Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”
(John 8:47 ESV)

Another verse like John 18:37, in which Jesus said, “”Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Well, His voice is the Word of God. If we are “of God,” we will listen to His Word.

From My Utmost for His Highest, “The Burning Heart,” by Oswald Chambers

They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”
(Luke 24:32 ESV)

If we have experienced the “burning heart” (and I have), we must be careful, because “It is the dull, bald, dreary day, with commonplace duties and people, that kills the burning heart unless we have learned the secret of abiding in Jesus.” I have also experienced that killing of the burning heart, or at least almost killing it.

Our ignorance of our own nature is the cause of much of our distress. “For instance, the only test as to whether we ought to allow an emotion to have its way is to see what the outcome of the emotion will be. Push it to its logical conclusion and if the outcome is something God would condemn, allow it no more.” But the problem is, most of us are unaware that we have that kind of control over ourselves. We do, though. One of my favorite things that Dallas Willard said was that humans have the unique capability of being able to control what we allow our minds to dwell upon. Just because a thought pops into my head, doesn’t mean I have to let it stay there. And just because an emotional reaction makes itself known, doesn’t mean I have to allow to work its way out.

“If the Spirit of God has stirred you, make as many things inevitable as possible, let the consequences be what they will. We cannot stay on the mount of transfiguration, but we must obey the light we received there, we must act it out.” I have also experienced the tragedy of not obeying that light (many years ago), and never want that experience again.

One thing to remember . . . we cannot control this “burning heart.” I cannot kindle it myself. The Spirit blows where He will, and I cannot control that. I can, however, make sure that I am willing and available when He does blow.

O God of love, Father of us all: Help us to banish from among us all jealousy, suspicion, quarrels, and pride; give us the spirit of comradeship, and teach us the joy that lies in helping one another; enable us to take pleasure in the success of others; to be generous of praise and slow to criticize; to frame our actions and thought in conformity with those we learn of Him, in whom we all, though many, are called to be one body, even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(For All the Saints, Sunday of the Week of Lent 5, Closing Prayer, Anonymous)

Father, I praise You that You have kindled a burning heart within me! How often I have felt this burning in my heart since last February! And still, I feel it, frequently! Thank You for that, Lord. I do not ever want to not feel this burning. I know that it cannot be constant. I know that I must come down from the mount of transfiguration, as did the disciples, and I must interact in the world with the common things. But I must, as Chambers said, obey the light that I found on that mount. Help me to obey, Lord. Help me to always be ready to do whatever it is that You would have me do, whatever the next thing is.

I thank You for the joy that comes, the fullness of joy in Your presence, my Lord. And I pray that You burn within me the desire to make it known to others. Perhaps even to the point that Paul described in Romans 9, when he said that he would rather be condemned himself, than to see his people condemned.

I thank You, my Shepherd, for bearing me up on Your shoulder and carrying me home, rejoicing. “How can my heart turn away? Jesus, I love You!” (Sarah Kroger) Thank You for feeding me with Word and Sacrament, this morning.

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

Grace and peace, my brothers and sisters! May your hearts burn within you!

Because Jesus!! 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

Forgiveness Is Required

March 21, 2026 JeffLeave a comment

Tonight’s tidbit comes from Lent with the Desert Fathers, by Thomas McKenzie, Saturday after the Fourth Sunday in Lent.

“A Word from Poemen, a Father of the desert.

Abba Poemen said, ‘Evil can never drive out evil. If anyone does evil to you, do good to them, for your good deed will destroy their evil ones.'”

In Matthew 5:38ff, Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.”

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “The old law of an eye for an eye leaves everyone blind.” Not from the Bible, but very wise and profound. When evils are done to us that are not criminal, we are not to take vengeance. Says McKenzie, “Forgiveness is required. Further, doing acts of good will in response can be powerful ways not only to bless the Lord, but also to cause our adversaries to rethink their actions and, perhaps, repent.”

Forgiveness
is
required.

It is not negotiable.

And Paul the Apostle, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote in Romans 12:

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
(Romans 12:17-21 ESV)

Father, help us to forgive. Help us to remember grace. The grace that You have shown us is eternal and limitless. It is infinite . . . marvelous, infinite, matchless grace. Yet we dare struggle to forgive our brothers and sisters, much less our “enemies!” Have mercy, Lord. Fix our hearts! Transform us all by the power of Your Holy Spirit, and by Your precious and beautiful Word! Your Word is Truth; Your Word is LIFE! Give us life, Lord, so that we might live and walk in Your grace and mercy. Jesus Christ is EVERYTHING! 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

In the precious and holy name of the one who died for our sins, that we might be forgiven, Jesus Christ! In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, amen!

Grace and peace, my brothers and sisters! Drink deep and forgive, for it is required!

CHRIST IS EVERYTHING!!!

Yet Not I, But Through Christ in Me

March 21, 2026 Jeff2 Comments

Today is Saturday, the twenty-first day of March, 2026, in the fourth week of Lent. I totally missed that yesterday was the first day of Spring!

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

It is the 80th day of 2026, with 285 days remaining in the year.

Day 24,845 of my life.

Only fifteen days until Resurrection Sunday!

Today is World Poetry Day. I wish I were better at poetry, both writing and grasping it. I’m working on reading it and appreciating it more. I have a Mary Oliver book on my physical TBR shelf, at the moment. But to celebrate the day, here is my favorite poem.

’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

“Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!”

He took his vorpal sword in hand;
Long time the manxome foe he sought—
So rested he by the Tumtum tree
And stood awhile in thought.

And, as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!

One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.

“And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!”
He chortled in his joy.

’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
      Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
      And the mome raths outgrabe.
(Lewis Carroll, Jabberwocky)

Daily writing prompt

What do you wish you could do more every day?

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For me, this question would be better worded, “What do you wish you would do more every day?” It’s not like I don’t have the time. I’m semi-retired, for goodness sake! My answer to the question would be read, play video games, and compose/play/sing music. But “could” is not the right word, because I most certainly “could,” if only I “would.” You know how we always say, “I want to ___________” (fill in the blank)? The truth is, no, we don’t want to. Because if we want to, we will! “I want to lose weight!” No, apparently, I don’t. Because I’m not doing what is necessary to lose weight. I’m not eating candy, right now, because I gave that up for Lent. But I’m still eating Little Debbie snacks and ice cream and cookies. “I want to read more.” Again . . . if I want to, I will. I have the time. But if I waste the time doing other things, then I run out of time to read. However, I am aware of this, and I am working on it, even if it’s very slowly. So my answer is, I wish I would read more, and play music more, and still have time to play some video games more. But that would require a lot less time-wasting. So maybe my answer is “time management.” Maybe what I wish I could do more every day is less of the things that waste my time and keep me from doing the things that I wish I could do more every day.

Today is an off-work Saturday for me, but I have a Time of Prayer, this evening at my church, that I am leading. I have the materials ready (Scripture readings, prayers, and a couple of songs), so I’m basically ready. Just need to run through the songs a time or two. Then practice the song I’m singing tomorrow morning at church. The Time of Prayer is at 6:30, so I will shoot for being there no later than 6:00. Since I’m doing that tonight, I will be cooking the burgers for lunch today. We also have an appointment for Willow (Maine Coon cat), this morning at 11:30 to establish her as a patient at a new vet clinic. We are looking to get her spayed asap. She was in heat most of this week, and I have never quite experienced anything like it. The poor thing sounded miserable.

JESUS TIME

I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me! Protected by Your mighty hand, I have passed the night. Lord, I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies You have shown me. As I thank You for all the gracious protection, I think of all those who are in sorrow and tribulation, in sickness, in poverty, in shame, in anguish of soul. I beseech You, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, to comfort my brothers and sisters with the assurance of Your unchanging grace and loving-kindness. Strengthen their faith. Preserve them from misbelief, despair, and other great shame and vice. Teach them to humble themselves under Your mighty hand by recognizing Your gracious purpose to work through tribulation patience, through patience experience, through experience hope that will not make them ashamed. Help all sufferers to best their trials until at last Your kingdom comes. Deliver us all from every evil work and preserve us unto Your heavenly kingdom; in the name of Jesus. Amen.
(Lutheran Book of Prayer, Prayer 16, Saturday Morning)

“All praise to Thee, who safe hast kept and hast refreshed me while I slept; grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake, I may of endless light partake” (LSB 868:3). Loving heavenly Father, gracious Lord God, my strength and my solace, I begin my day with prayer, asking You to guide and direct me, cheer my spirit, and deepen my love for You, who loves me as a father loves his child. I love You because You sent Jesus to redeem me. For this I give You my heartfelt thanks, praise, and adoration. I rely on You; I depend on You; I trust You. Having You at my side, I am confident and content. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Portals of Prayer, Prayer for Saturday Morning)

Lord, guide us in Your gentle mercy, for left to ourselves we cannot do Your will. 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, Saturday of the Week of Lent 4, Opening Prayer)

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
   whose trust is the LORD.
He is like a tree planted by water,
   that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
   for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
   for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
(Jeremiah 17:7-8 ESV)
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:

That You have given me a heart that trusts in You; therefore, I will not fear, even though the earth gives way (Psalm 46)
That everyone who is “of the truth,” listens to Your voice (John 18:37)
That You have loved me with an everlasting love, and You will satisfy my weary soul, replenishing it with Your Word and Sacrament
That the meek will inherit the new heavens and the new earth (Matthew 5:5, Psalm 37)
For the grace and humility that enables me to trust God and to trust my brothers and sisters in 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?

Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
(John 18:37 ESV, emphasis added)

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
(Galatians 6:2 ESV)

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.”
(Jeremiah 31:3, 25 ESV)

Psalm of the Day – Psalm 37:5-13

Commit your way to the LORD;
   trust in him, and he will act.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
   and your justice as the noonday.

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
   fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
   over the man who carries out evil devices!

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
   Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
For the evildoers shall be cut off,
   but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.

In just a little while, the wicked will be no more;
   though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there.
But the meek shall inherit the land
   and delight themselves in abundant peace.

The wicked plots against the righteous
   and gnashes his teeth at him,
but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
   for he sees that his day is coming.
(Psalms 37:5-13 ESV)

From Untamed Prayers, by Chad Bird

Chad Bird says that this verse from the beatitudes pretty much sums up Psalm 37. “If you want a stark portrayal of the final outcomes of the righteous and the wicked, pray all of Psalm 37.

“Who are the meek? Mousy, cowardly, overly submissive people? No, for the two men in Scripture iconic of meekness are both faithful, courageous, bold, and strong. Their names? Moses and Jesus. . . . Meekness therefore entails humility, gentleness, and God-dependence, not being a human doormat.

“In the Psalms, the meek, who lack earthly power, are often persecuted by the wicked, but they seek God, trust in his word, and lean on him. In short, they are faithful, humble, servants of the Lord. To be meek means to be in Christ, to be conformed by the Spirit into his image, to trust in him. Such are the children of God, who will inherit the new heavens and the new earth. Blessed indeed are they.”

From For All the Saints – Saturday of the Week of Lent 4

And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him. And he asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”
(Mark 9:14-29 ESV)

“I think there is no suffering greater than what is caused by the doubts of those who want to believe. I know what torment this is, but I can only see it, in myself anyway, as the process by which faith is deepened. A faith that just accepts is a child’s faith and all right for children, but eventually you have to grow religiously as every other way, though some never do.

“What people don’t realize is how much religion costs. They thing faith is a big electric blanket, when of course it is the cross. It is much harder to believe than not to believe. If you feel you can’t believe, you must at least do this: keep an open mind. Keep it open toward faith, keep wanting it, keep asking for it, and leave the rest to God.

“When we get our spiritual house in order, we’ll be dead. This goes on. You arrive at enough certainty to be able to make your way, but it is making it in darkness. Don’t expect faith to clear things up for you. It is trust, not certainty.”
(Flannery O’Connor, The Habit of Being)

From My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers – Interest or Identification?

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
(Galatians 2:20 ESV)

When Paul writes this, he is not saying that he is “determined to imitate Jesus Christ,” or that he will try to follow Christ. He is saying that he is “identified with Him in His death.” When we identify with the death of Christ, we “turn all emotional impressions and intellectual beliefs into a moral verdict against the disposition of sin, viz., my claim to my right to myself.” When I come to that place, “all that Christ has wrought for me on the Cross is wrought in me.” I’m still alive, “the individual remains, but the mainspring, the ruling disposition, is radically altered.”

“‘And the life which I now live in the flesh . . .,’ not the life which I long to live and pray to live, but the life I now live in my mortal flesh, the life which men can see, ‘I live by the faith of the Son of God.'” So translations make a difference, here, but I get what Chambers is getting at. He quotes KJV, of course. I primarily use the ESV, which says, “faith in the Son of God.” It appears (and I’m no Greek scholar by any stretch of the imagination) that neither “in” nor “of” is in the Greek text, only the word translated “the.” Here is what Chambers says, “This faith is not Paul’s faith in Jesus Christ, but the faith that the Son of God has imparted to him – ‘the faith of the Son of God.’ It is no longer faith in faith, but faith which has overleapt all conscious bounds, the identical faith of the Son of God.”

Perhaps he is right, but every major modern English translation says “faith in the Son of God.” I’ll need to talk to my pastor about this. But that’s not a major issue in this reading, because the main issue is giving up everything to the Son of God . . . Surrendering all rights to myself by identifying in His crucifixion. I have been crucified with Christ! I have died with Him, and yet I live in Him! All accomplished because He died FOR ME!

And finally, from The Word in the Wilderness, by Malcolm Guite

“Strong Son of God, immortal Love,
Whom we, that have not seen thy face,
By faith, and faith alone, embrace,
Believing where we cannot prove; . . .

Our little systems have their day;
They have their day and cease to be:
They are but broken lights of thee,
And thou, O Lord, art more than they.

We have but faith: we cannot know;
For knowledge is of things we see;
And yet we trust it comes from thee,
A beam in darkness: let it grow.

Let knowledge grow from more to more,
But more of reverence in us dwell;
That mind and soul, according well,
May make one music as before . . .”
(Alfred Tennyson, Strong Son of God, Immortal Love, from In Memoriam)

“To pray this prayer is to acknowledge the limits of knowledge, to know just how little our ‘little systems’ are. It is to ask for the grace and humility to trust: to trust God and one another. And yet from out of that humility this prayer asks for the wisdom to cherish real advances in knowledge, to see the discoveries of science as a partner to the discoveries of faith, to see ‘mind and soul according well’, making ‘one music’.”

O Lord, I now realize in very truth that not every man hath faith. I believe, O Lord, but help my unbelief! Do not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax. O Jesus Christ, Thou who sittest at the right hand of God make intercession for me that my faith fail not. Be the author and finisher of my faith, that I may be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Though I see not, let me yet believe and thus be saved. Amen.
(For All the Saints, Saturday of the Week of Lent 4, Closing Prayer, Anonymous)

Father, I praise You that I have been gifted with the faith of Jesus Christ, whether it is “of” or “in,” or perhaps both! Maybe it is both! But I rejoice that I have this faith, but also acknowledge that I have not yet reached the depths of faith that I would walk in, so I say, along with that father, “I believe! Help my unbelief!!” I certainly have the “faith of a child,” and believe the things that Your Word tells me because You say them. But I would grow in this, and I will keep asking and asking and asking, and I have confidence that You will answer those prayers, as You already have in the last thirteen months!

I have surrendered all rights to myself, Lord, and have cast all of my cares upon You, knowing that You care for me. I know that Christ is working in me what He has worked for me. I know it, because I have experienced the burning of the heart through all of this. Doubts are cast away, as my belief gets stronger and stronger. Faith gets stronger and matures, as Your Spirit works within me and transforms me daily. I know not where I am headed, other than eternity in Your kingdom, Lord, but I am with You, in Christ, by Your Spirit, and I will not depart from this path.

I thank You for people who have written great poetry like the one I read today. I thank You for the knowledge that our “little systems” are, indeed, little, and “are but broken lights of thee.” You are more than they, Lord, and You have all that I need. If I have You, I need nothing else. “I nothing lack if I am His, and He is mine forever,” as the song says. Indeed, Lord, how could my heart turn away? Where else can I go?? You have the words of LIFE!!

Thank You, thank You, thank You, my Lord and King and Savior! Thank You for salvation! Thank You for my baptism! Thank You for feeding me with Word and Sacrament. Your Word is Truth; Your Word is Life; Your Word is freedom. I will listen, Lord, and I will live!

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

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

CHRIST IS EVERYTHING!!!

Fret Not

March 20, 2026 JeffLeave a comment

Today is Friday, the twentieth day of March, 2026, in the fourth week of Lent.

May the peace of Christ surround you and yours today and every day!

It is the 79th day of 2026, and there are 286 days left in the year.

Sixteen days until Resurrection Sunday!

Day 24,844 of my life.

Today is Won’t You Be My Neighbor Day, in honor of Fred Rogers, who was born on this date in 1928.

Daily writing prompt

What tattoo do you want and where would you put it?

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It’s funny, I was just having this conversation with a co-worker last night at the library, who had some visible tattoos on her arm. I’m really not sure what I would want. It would probably be something simple like an ornate cross, or music notes, or a cat of some kind. It would not be a name, nor would it be a foreign language word or symbol, because I would never trust that it really said what it was supposed to. As to where I would put it, it would likely be on the inside of my arm. Maybe a shoulder. I mean, if I were going to get a tat, wouldn’t I want it to be seen?

Today is a normal Friday. I’m working 9:15-6:15, in the computer center. C is working from home. She’s felling some better, this morning, walking around with no assistance, so that’s good. The Spring Break Extravaganza went okay, last night. It wasn’t too hot, and there was a breeze, plus we were in the shade. But it didn’t seem very well attended, especially not compared to other programs we have had this year. I guess I will find out, this morning at “All Call,” how many people attended.

JESUS TIME

Send me, O Lord, into the tasks of this day with a rejoicing heart. Teach me to labor diligently, to eat and drink to Your glory, and to think and plan to the ends You have laid out before me. That I may be truly fitted for the day, remind me again of the mighty work of my Savior, Jesus Christ, who redeemed me and in whom my sin is forgiven and my place with You forever assured. Impress upon my heart this day that while there is nothing holy about my life, my speech, or my faith without Your grace and mercy surrounding me, that with You I can faithfully help my neighbor and be of service to him. Teach me to look upon my life today as yet another opportunity to serve my fellowmen. Let me see in the routine of my daily tasks, in the need of my family and those who depend on me, in the want and struggle of the world about me, the good work You have prepared in advance for me to do. Grant that I be ready to forgive, earnest in rejoicing with those who are happy, quick in sympathy, and zealous in bearing the burdens of my fellowman, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Lutheran Book of Prayer, Prayer 14, Friday Morning)

Dear Lord, “Direct, control, suggest this day all I design or do or say that all my pow’rs with all their might in Thy sole glory may unite” (LSB 868:5). You have awakened me for another day of service and witnessing to Your greatness. Grant me opportunities to do so with a cheerful spirit. Give me patience and perseverance where needed. May my service encourage other Christians to witness and serve You. Keep far from me Satan and his temptation to sin. Watch over those whom I love. Guard them with Your holy angels and strengthen their faith and trust in You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Portals of Prayer, Prayer for Friday Morning)

Father, our source of life, You know our weakness. May we reach out with joy to grasp Your hand and walk more readily in Your ways. 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, Friday of the Week of Lent 4, Opening Prayer)

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
(Ephesians 2:19 ESV)

Today I am grateful:

That I have never lacked for a physical family; I have been loved my entire life by family, this is a true blessing
That I am a member of the household of God, which has expanded my “family” exponentially, another true blessing, for I am loved, there, as well
Most of all, that I am loved by God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with an everlasting steadfast love (chesed) that will never cease
That if I “fret not . . . because of evildoers,” but delight myself in the Lord and do good, He will give me the desires of my heart
For my morning coffee

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 37:1-4

Fret not yourself because of evildoers;
   be not envious of wrongdoers!
For they will soon fade like the grass
   and wither like the green herb.

Trust in the LORD, and do good;
   dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the LORD,
   and he will give you the desires of your heart.
(Psalms 37:1-4 ESV)

From Untamed Prayers, by Chad Bird

“Look up. Aim high,” says Chad Bird, in his devotional about these verses. “Do not get incensed about wrongdoers, nor be envious of how well they may appear to be doing. Why? Aim high, look down the road to what is coming in fifteen months or fifteen years.” See? The psalmist says, “For they will soon fade like grass and wither like the green herb.” Bird references Proverbs 24:19-20, as well.

Fret not yourself because of evildoers,
   and be not envious of the wicked,
for the evil man has no future;
   the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
(Proverbs 24:19-20 ESV)

“Let the one who is wise aim high in living. Cultivate an eternal perspective.

“Rather than ‘aiming low’ in envy or anger about evildoers, aim to ‘trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness’ (37:3). Trust in our trustworthy Father. Become engrossed in good. . . . Just as a shepherd feeds, guards, and tends his flock, so we shepherd our fidelity by trusting in the Lord, delighting in him, so that he will give us the desires of our hearts (37:4). In that way, rooted by faith in our good and gracious Father, living in love by doing good for our neighbors, we will find delight in our life in Christ, who aims to keep us ever as his own.”

It is my observation that we, as a Church, tend to do the opposite of what brother Bird advises, here. We are focusing so much on the evildoers that we don’t have time to do good for our neighbors. We seem to think that we need to do God’s work for Him, that we need to “help” Him. Let us pray that we would do better at following the advice of the psalmist (and the “proverbsist”) and “fret not because of evildoers.” Again, I say, it must be exhausting to be angry about everything all of the time. Let us focus, rather on the “doing good” part.

“Fighting ignorance is pulling
        Crabgrass from a lawn:
                 A waste.
Prune apple suckers,
Dig with earthworms.
        Take the morning sun,
And shade at lunch.

        The open hand gets filled,
        A grasping one goes empty,
Angry, swearing to what can’t
        Be known. Look inside
        Proud houses: no one home.
The meek inherit, and delight
        While bad men grind their teeth
        Is just a joke God laughs at.
Better honest poor than greedy
Rich, though poor is always harder.
        Small need small want. The big,
        The grabbers, will be eaten
        As they cat, like burping
Mudbaths swallow up fat bathers.
        Greed borrows and defaults.
                The good give freely.”
(Excerpt from Laurance Wieder, Words to God’s Music, Psalm 37: SAWS)

Father, I thank You for all the good You have done in my life. Every day, I see more and more “good” as You continue to work in me. Just this day, I had a very pleasant interaction with someone who has previously been a difficult person. I see this as Christ at work, both in me and in my surroundings. Help us, Your Church, to be about the business of doing good, rather than fretting over evildoers, which will always be with us until the day Christ returns to make all things new. I can do nothing about evil, other than resist the devil in my own life, body, soul, and mind. I cannot stop evil from existing, and to fret over it is simply a waste of time, as well as a waste of my own spirit. So help me to do good, Lord, always.

Help me to be one who is known for love, Lord. Love for all who intersect my life, today and everyday. Just like that person with whom I had an interaction, earlier. And please enable me to exhibit the true characteristics of love as described in 1 Corinthians 13. Patient and kind, not envious or boastful, not arrogant or rude, not insisting on my own way, not irritable or resentful, not rejoicing at wrongdoing, but rejoicing in truth. Give me endurance in my walk with Christ, Father.

And I praise You for the forgiveness earned by Jesus Christ on the cross, for me. I thank You for the gift of repentance, and the knowledge that I don’t have to, nay, I cannot, do anything to enhance that, to make You forgive me more or love me more. It is all done by Christ Jesus, who is not only enough (indeed, He is the only enough), but is everything!

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

Grace and peace, my brothers and sisters!

CHRIST IS EVERYTHING!!!