Posts from January 2022 (Page 2)
Daily Devotions
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” vs. 12 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 Paul believed that the human body was the perfect metaphor for the Church and took care in describing the similarities. In fact, it’s likely because of his influence that we now speak of the Church as the Body of Christ. His primary purpose in using this image…
Daily Devotions
The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.” vss. 1-2 Psalm 19:1-6 The psalmist had an advantage over most of us. In his time, there was no smog to obscure vision in the day, and no light pollution at night. No wonder he’s ecstatic about sky-watching–every time he looked up, day or night he grew in his knowledge of God. Everything he…
Daily Devotions
So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.” vs. 8 Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 When the people of Jerusalem wandered back to their home after the time of exile in Babylon, it wasn’t empty. Only the upper classes and nobility had been sent away–the ordinary folks had remained, but not much had been done to repair what had been destroyed. It took many months…
Daily Devotions
Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.” vs. 11 John 2:6-11 As we move through the season of Epiphany we are being treated to a passages from our scriptures that show a number of “eureka” moments in the lives of Jesus and his disciples. These are the times when, out of the blue, new and life-changing insights and revelations flash into our consciousness. Even though…
Daily Devotions
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.” vss.1-2 John 2:1-5 The opening prayer in the Lutheran marriage service begins with these words, “Eternal God, as you gladdened the wedding in Cana of Galilee with the presence of your son, so by his presence now bring your joy to this wedding.” What it doesn’t say is that Jesus…
Daily Devotions
To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” vs. 7 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 Paul believed that within each congregation there were a variety of gifts, services, and activities that were sparked by the presence of the Spirit. Moreover, since no one individual could do everything, each person had been equipped with particular gifts. In his words, “to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” In a healthy congregation everyone would…
Daily Devotions
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.” vs. 1 1 Corinthians 12:1-6 Paul had written to the Corinthians to address a multitude of problems, but took a couple of chapters to address the issue of spiritual gifts, something that had become hugely divisive in that congregation. Some had begun to flaunt their spirituality, claiming a kind of superiority because they could speak in tongues, what they called a special gift of the…
Daily Devotions
They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.” vss. 8-9 Psalm 36:8-10 There is a story told of a man who was born on third base and thought he had hit a triple. It’s an illustration of the arrogance that has become typical in our society and culture. Most of us enjoy magnificent lives full…
Daily Devotions
Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.” vs. 5 Psalm 36:5-7 To the casual observer it appears that our world is dominated by people who cultivate intrigue and deceit and who have no regard for truth or kindness. Every day we read and hear stories of their schemes and scams, and it’s easy to think that humanity is evil to the core. The psalmist knew those kinds of folks too and imagined that…
Daily Devotions
For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch.” vs. 1 Isaiah 62:1-5 When the people returned to Jerusalem after their time in exile, it would have been easy for them to be discouraged. Their proud city lay in ruins and the temple had been destroyed. The protective walls were no more than piles of rubble. But the…
12 Tiny Things Retreat Now Open to Commuters!
elsewhere? Now’s your chance! This retreat is now open to locals who prefer to commute to Spirit in the Desert. Participate in the program, the meals, the yoga, the camaraderie and the fun ~ everything but the overnight sleeping ~ for only $249!
Daily Devotions
Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’” vss. 21-22 Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 When John began baptizing by the Jordan, people came out from all the area to hear him preach and to receive a baptism…