Father in Heaven,When others attempt to thwart our journey, when they place obstacles in our paths and come against us because we are Yours, see the work of their hands and deal with them, even as You defend us and make a way for us through the wilderness of opposition. When we are slandered, may our confidence be in what You have said and our identity in who You have created us to be in You. Let ...  Read More

Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me...Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. (Psalm 51:5,7 NIV)Today I want to share a brief and powerful prayer from St. Augustine. Here is a little context for what I share. We are all born with 'inherent' or 'original' sin. David confesses this as he confesses his act(s) of sin. ...  Read More

When you did these things and I kept silent,    you [thought the ‘I AM’ was] exactly like you. (Psalm 50:21, NIV - [alternate reading, also ESV])O LORD, my God,May I never create You in my own likeness, for any God I would create would be as finite as my being and limited by my imagination. May I never treat You as though You are exactly like me, for then I could do as I please and live an inwardl...  Read More

Make us one, Lord.As I read about the sibling rivalry between Aaron and Miriam with Moses (Numbers 12) it reminds me of a sibling rivalry that sometimes takes place in the Family of God, the Church. There is a wonderful humility that reminds me that we all stand at the foot of the cross on level ground...in need of grace. This translates into the ministry of service, for it is by Your grace alone ...  Read More

Father God,Thank You for the wilderness! In Israel's wilderness wandering we see so much of human nature...so much of ourselves. More importantly, we see Your nature revealed. Holy and just, merciful and gracious, loving and faithful...present. Thank You! When we enter Your presence in worship, we encounter and meditate on Your unfailing love (Psalm 48:9). In these moments, and in all of life, it ...  Read More

O LORD, our Lord,How mighty and majestic You are, ruling over nations, administering the universe, calling out the stars by name. Who can fathom Your greatness?O LORD, our Lord,How close and consistent You are, receiving our sacrifice of praise and reminding us that You have no favorites, well, unless we recognize that everyone is favored greatly by You.O LORD, our Lord,How present and personal Yo...  Read More