This picture… a prayer vigil… looks of hopelessness, looks of grief… wailing… mourning…
Another shooting in a city I have loved… during the trial of another police shooting
The cry of my heart… HOW LONG, O LORD?
Sorrow…grief
New podcast episode — Spiritual disciplines and discipleship
Some thoughts on our need for spiritual discipleship and mentoring in days when all we want to do is build our own echo chambers. LISTEN HERE.
Easter is for fools
Christians, at their best, are the fools who dare believe in God’s power to call dead things to life. That is the testimony of the Black church. It is not that we have good music (we do) or excellent preaching (we do). The testimony of the Black church is that in times of deep crisis we somehow become more than our collective ability. We become a source of hope that did not originate in ourselves. — Esau McCaulley (more HERE)
Holy Saturday
O Lord, why do you cast my soul away?
Why do you hide your face from me? (Psalm 88:14)
The day the revolution began
I wrote some thoughts on this Good Friday about why I stay in faith. I needed to reflect on all of this in a time when it’s truly a temptation to “walk away.” Why do I stay?
I didn’t want to wreck the format of copying and pasting, which often gets messed up, so I will just LINK HERE if you would like to read more.
The revolution has begun.
Christ alone has the words of life. Where else can I go?
The goodness of this Friday
Almighty God, we beseech you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the Cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The beauty of Maundy Thursday
Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
More about Maundy Thursday and the power of the Eucharist HERE.
The direct line of communication in prayer
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. (Rom. 8:26)
Read moreThe rhythm of prayer in Holy Week
Prayers for Tuesday of Holy Week:
God of such unwavering love,
how do I “celebrate”
the passion and death of Jesus?
I often want to look the other way
and not watch,
not stay with Jesus in his suffering.
Give me the strength
to see his love with honesty and compassion
and to feel deeply
your own forgiveness and mercy for me.
Help me to understand
how to “celebrate” this week.
I want be able to bring
my weaknesses and imperfections with me
as I journey with Jesus this week,
so aware of his love.
Praying for Minneapolis
