Frankly Devoted

Lord, we come to you today thankful that we serve a God who sees us through. Just as the stone was rolled back on Easter morning, you bring new life to us. We pray for all mourning the loss of Pope Francis. Today's darkness is tomorrow's light. We are in a season of change and uncertainty, but we know that you are the God of Hope who fills us with joy and peace in believing, through the power of the Holy Spirit.  May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in Hope. 

The world can be a chaotic place, and in recent months, it has felt even more chaotic and troubling. I’ve found it hard to balance being informed and needing to tune out for my own sanity. Rabbi Irwin Keller wrote a prayer called “A prayer before reading the news.” In it, he prays “let me learn what I need to know in order to be of my greatest use, without being overwhelmed by despair.” It can be easy to feel overwhelmed, overworked, OVER IT! How can we give it OUR best, when fear, worry, and anxiety can get the best of us? Apostle Paul wrote to the early church in Philippi, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7) I remember when I first heard about this “Peace that passes understanding.” When I was a child, we sang a song in Sunday School about this peace t...

Creator of the Universe, Sustainer of our souls, We come together from all over Your world, as builders in Your ministry. In this time of growth and change, we ask your blessing on our work, that we may align our hearts  and minds to your will, in prayerful conversation with you.  Help us to realize the bold ambition  of being your hands and feet on this earth, remembering that with each block laid, each nail hammered, every floor to play on, each policy success, each MicroBuild loan, We are serving You, helping to build the Kingdom of God right here, right now. Remind us daily that we are but stewards of your ministry. May your will be done. Amen. 

  This graphic, including words from Duke Chapel Dean Luke Powery in this morning's Ash Wednesday service, go hand ind hand with my Devotion published by Habitat for Humanity International this week.  Love in action By Frank Wrenn Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves?  Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD? Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter — when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? —  Isaiah 58:5-7 , New International Version I usually hear this Scripture at Ash Wednesday services, as my congregation begins the season of Lent. For many, Lent is...

This Sunday begins the Season of Advent. In many Christian traditions, Advent marks the start of the new Christian year - with congregations lighting candles each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas Day, which celebrates the birth of Jesus. The term comes from the Latin ad venio “to come” – anticipating the coming of the Lord.  It is a time not just for a new year, but a new commitment to Christ as we prepare spiritually for Christmas, remembering Christ being born into the world. It is a season of waiting, of preparation to welcome God’s light into the world. The season comes as the days grow shorter and darkness abounds, and we light the Advent Candles in preparation for the one who brings light to the darkness  The book of Isaiah is full of verses that are used during the Advent season. Christians take these versus to foretell of Jesus as the coming of the Messiah.  Many of these verses from Isaiah will be familiar to some of you:  Isaiah 9:2 The people w...

 My Lenten Devotion for April 1, 2023 for Saint Mark United Methodist Church, Atlanta, GA,