The story of Cain and Abel is one I have heard my whole life, and as a mother, it stands out in the raising of two children. As a child, I surely did not read or fully understand the words that are written in the Bible or the full weight of the sin that Cain committed- killing his own brother and then lying to God. As a mother, now when I read verse 10, “And he said, What hast thou done? The voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.” I can feel the anguish

A Reflection for Monday, February 23 by Rev. Kelly Johnston Lectionary reading for 2/23/2025: Psalm 32; 1 Kings 19:1-8; Hebrews 2:10-18 Selected passage for reflection: 1 Kings 19:1-8 Read 1 Kings 19:1-8 NIV Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one

After Jesus’ baptism, and before the start of his public ministry, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness. I believe God sent Jesus into the wilderness to spend time in God’s presence, free from distractions. I believe the wilderness is a place where God chooses to meet with God’s beloveds. In this situation, God wants Jesus to know that he can rely on his Holy Parent for everything he needs. After 40 days of solitude in the desert, Jesus may have felt connected to t

A Reflection on Isaiah 58:1-12 In this passage, the people of Judah were frustrated because it seemed that God was not answering their prayers. They had followed the religious requirements, they had fasted and prayed, but it felt like God didn’t see them. Isaiah’s message to them was that God ‘had’ seen them, and they had fallen short. In verse 2, God says that they had the ‘appearance of a nation that does what is right.’ Israel had a reputation as an obedient people, but G

One day, you are driving your toddler around, navigating traffic and handing out snacks to the seat behind you so they can sit in the passenger seat, somewhat horrified that you get to teach your teenager to drive. Now, I love a good-spirited, sassy teenager, but I don’t love teaching them to drive all that much. How does this sweet toddler go from singing in that sweet baby voice in the car to telling you, “I KNOW, MOM! YOU ARE STRESSING ME OUT,” after they almost kill you w

Jonah 3:1-10 reads like a one-page summary for a much longer document; few details and lots of facts. We don’t need any more detail than we have: “call urgently on God, and God may relent”. As I watch the news and witness the violence and wanton disrespect for human rights occurring across the US and around the world, I feel the need to urgently call out to God for mercy. If there were ever a moment to call on God urgently, this is it. Perhaps it’s always the time.

A Reflection for Ash Wednesday by Rev. Jessie Lowry Lectionary reading for 2/17/2026: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 or Isaiah 58:1-12; Psalm 51:1-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 Selected passage for reflection: Psalm 51:1-17 Read Psalm 51: 1-17 New Revised Standard Version Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

Happy Mardi Gras to all who celebrate. Whether you plan to eat a Polish Pączki, king cake, or drink something festive, I hope you enjoy. I am pleased to announce the release of a new edition of Prayerful Reflections for Lent . I will be publishing the devotional weekly. The first edition includes reflections for Ash Wednesday through Saturday, February 28th. The second edition (Week 2 and onwards) will be posted each Friday for the following week. Prayerful Reflections for Le

So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been to

Isaiah 9: 2-7 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You h

2 Samuel 7: 18, 23-29

If, like me, you grew up evangelical in the 90’s, you’re probably familiar with the CCM holiday hit “Mary Did You Know?” Even if you weren’t

Isaiah 7:10-16

A Reflection for Saturday, December 20 by Rev. Dr. Laura Truax Lectionary reading for 12/20/2025: Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; 2 Samuel 7:23-29; John 3:31-36; Selected passage for reflection: John 3:25 – 26, 31-32 Read John 3:25 – 26, 31-32 25 An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. 26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about

A Reflection for Friday, December 19 by Jeanne Barnes Lectionary reading for 12/19/2025: Psalm 80:1-7,17-19; 2Samuel 7:18-22; Galatians 1:1-7 ; Selected passage for reflection: Psalm 80:1-7,17-19 (NRSV) Read Psalm 80:1-7,17-19 (NRSV) Give ear, O shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might and come to save us! Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that

A Reflection for Thursday, December 18 by Rev. Pamela Hogewoning Lectionary reading for 12/18/2025: Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; 2 Samuel 7:1-17; Galatians 3:23-29; Selected passage for reflection: Galatians 3.23-29 Read Galatians 3:23-29 NLT Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed. Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Chris

Imagine yourself in Matthew 8:14-17: “When Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever; he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up and began to serve him. That evening, they brought to him many who were possessed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and cured all who were sick. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.”

“Don’t you be surprised…they said that this would happen.” Jude, one of the Lord’s half-brothers, wrote this to believers to help them be discerning and cautious in the Sitz im Leben (social and cultural context) in which they were living. In verses 17 - 19, Jude points out the ways deception and chaos were running rampant: he saw it happening live and in living color. About six decades after the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, folks had lost sight of the tru

There was a time in my life when I despaired. A loved one was in serious trouble. Each day felt uncertain, each hour changeable. Tears were the most consistent thing of the day. Tears were like my food, day and night. I was like that deer, aching for the presence of God. I was almost out of breath with longing to know that God was near and that I was not alone; a primal longing for the God of the universe to be close to me in my grief. I knew God was with me and with us. But

Mary’s song occurs after Mary is not only told that she will become pregnant with Jesus, but also after she has visited Elizabeth. Mary is taking time to praise God for what God has done not only for her but for His people. This sweet girl has just been told that she will give birth to the Messiah, and instead of becoming filled with pride or ego, she is humbled. She takes time to praise God. In a moment when Elizabeth is spotlighting her and the favor she has found, Mary t