A Prayer a Day: Good afternoon, Lord. Today we taped the service for Pentecost Sunday, which is May 31st this year. It is a high point of my year to preach on Pentecost. I love the banners, the altar covers, and all the red candles burning. I love the story of the disciples waiting together, anticipating the Holy Spirit’s arrival and anointing. I love the story of Peter getting up to preach and his converting 3000 people to Jesus. Holy God, I love that you are still sending the Holy Spirit to fill us with hope, kindness, forgiveness, empathy, joy, […]

A Prayer a Day: Good day, Lord. Today was productive, but also very busy. I think busyness is easier for me, to deal with than having too much time on my hands.The whole subject of how we use the time we have was brought home to me today, when I saw on my email, that one of your saints was found dead yesterday. Last Friday, I celebrated the life of a 94 year old man, who had served in WW11 and was at Normandy for D-Day. What stories he could have told, although, his grandson said he never wanted to […]

A Prayer a Day: Good morning, Lord. Today, I want to talk to you, Heavenly Father, about the ascension of your son, Jesus, into heaven.  This year the actual date of the anniversary of the ascension of Jesus was Thursday, May 21, exactly 40 days after Easter, with Easter being day one. Yesterday was Ascension Sunday, not as well known as Christmas, Easter, or Pentecost, but very important. We affirm our belief in the ascension of Jesus, every time we say the Apostle’s Creed, which reads, “He (Jesus) ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the […]

A Prayer a Day: Good morning, Lord; this is the Sunday of the Memorial Day weekend. If we could be together in our sanctuary today, we would be remembering the true meaning of Memorial Day. We would be thanking you, Lord, for the courage, faithfulness, patriotism, and ultimate sacrifice of their lives, that was made by the men and women, who died while serving in the U.S. military. We call it Memorial Day, because like every memorial, it does not focus on death, but focuses on the kind of life, that is worth celebrating. We celebrate the goodness of those, […]

A Prayer a Day: Good morning, Lord. Yesterday the subject of reopening the churches came into sharp focus, when President Trump told the governors to get the churches, synagogues, and Mosques open for worship. I had trouble sleeping last night.My concern is to honor you, God, in all things, and to be a good shepherd to Grace Church members and attendees. Lord, I remember well that James 1:5, reads, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God and you, Lord, will not rebuke us? So, Holy God, I come on my knees, asking you to give us your wisdom, so […]

A Prayer a Day: Good morning,God. It’s cool, gray, rainy, and not a good morning for praying on the porch. So, here in the house, a perfectly comfortable house, my first thought this morning is; I’m tired of being stuck in the house.This kind of thinking is not helpful at all. Whenever we feel sorry for ourselves, we are planning a pity party, that no one really wants to attend. Regularly people tell me, they feel depressed; being the pragmatic person I am, I share that a person cannot hold two opposing ideas, in their mind at the same time. […]

A Prayer a Day: Good day, Lord. It’s obvious millions of people in our country are in great distress.I think about the 36 million, who have lost their jobs. All I can say is, “Lord, in your mercy help the hopeless.” I think about the 94,000 souls, who have been lost to death and I say, “Lord, in your mercy comfort, those who are grieving.” I think of the doctors, nurses, medical support staff, EMTs, truckers, meat packers, nursing home staff, grocery store workers, and all I can say is,”Lord, in your mercy strengthen the exhausted.” Regardless, of the problem, […]

A Prayer a Day: Good morning, Lord. I’m up before the birds today, which makes me think of the daying, “The early bird gets the worm.” Well, it’s still raining, as it was yesterday, great volumes of rain, overflowing the spouting, and standing in puddles, in all the low spots in the yard. I don’t see a single bird anywhere. I assume they are in their houses, nests, or hiding deep in the trees, trying to avoid the rain. There’s not too much, “Singing in the rain today” maybe the singers aren’t early risers. Some people are naturally early risers.We […]

A Prayer a Day: Good afternoon, God. A rainy, rainy day, it is, which invites staying inside and watching the torrents of water pour from heaven. This day- long rain reminds me of Matthew 5:45, which reads, “So that you may be children of your Father, who is in heaven. For he makes the sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and unjust.” It’s wonderful to know, that our good or bad behavior does not change your nature, Lord. Your nature is love and grace. The sun rises and the rain waters, the […]

A Prayer a Day: Good morning, Lord. I’ve been wondering how we can be welcoming and encouraging, when our smiles are masked. I saw a woman on Facebook, who had made a mask for herself, with a plastic see through part over her mouth.She must be sharing my thoughts. Smiling at a stranger tells them, you see them and are feeling positive about them. For many years, I have thought just smiling at anyone, as an acknowledgment of our mutual humanity, is important ministry. It just really occurred to me this morning, Lord, your smile ministry is crippled by Covid-19. […]