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An Invitation to an Unhurried Lent
Finding Grace in Lent The practice of Lent has become a place of grace for me over the last number of years. While some feel that Lent is a failure to recognize that our salvation is rooted in gr... -
illustration
Hard, Hard Things
We suffer these things and they fade from memory. But daily, hourly, to give up our own possessions and especially to subordinate our own impulses and wishes to others—these are hard, hard things; and... -
Quote
Since failure is our unforgivable sin, we are willing to ignore all forms of deviance in people if they just achieve the success symbols which we worship. -
Quote
There are two things to be aware of if the fight against evil inclinations is to have any chance of success. First, our efforts will never be sufficient on their own. Only the grace of Christ can win ... -
liturgy
Inspired by Proverbs 15:1-16
Pastor: O wise and wonderful God, in our quick temper and selfish pride, we have not followed your example—you are slow to anger, abounding in love, and show steadfast faithfulness to your children. ... -
liturgy
God, we come with hesitant steps and
God, we come with hesitant steps and uncertain motives to sweep out the corners where sin has accumulated, and uncover the ways we have strayed from Your truth. Expose the empty and barren places wher... -
liturgy
Adapted from “Weaknesses” in The Valley of Vision
Pastor: O Spirit of God, help my infirmities. When I am pressed down because of my sin, perplexed and not knowing what to do, help me. All: When you see that I desire evil things, delighting in sinf... -
liturgy
Humble Father, we admit to you tonight
Humble Father, we admit to you tonight that our selfishness runs deeper than we know. Even in our service to others, we often expect a reward or result. We really only want to serve others when we see... -
Quote
Hell is full of good intentions or desires. -
illustration
The Nobodies of Nazareth
The world has always despised people from the wrong places and with the wrong credentials. We are always trying to justify ourselves. We need desperately to feel superior to others. And everything abo... -
illustration
What Drives Success?
In his book, Scary Close , Donald Miller acknowledges that over time he developed a mask, or a persona that kept even those closest to him from experiencing with him. As he began to peel back layers ... -
Quote
Some people feel guilty about their anxieties and regard them as a defect of faith but they are afflictions, not sins. Like all afflictions, they are, if we can so take them, our share in the passion ... -
Quote
A good conscience is a continual Christmas. -
illustration
The Self-Destruction of Executives
In his highly insightful work, Inside Job , Stephen W. Smith shares the sobering truth of what happens to many leaders when they climb the “ladder of success”: The ground at the foot of the ladde... -
liturgy
Good Father, we thank you for inviting
Good Father, we thank you for inviting us to your table. You invite us to your heavenly feast, but we don’t show up to the party. Rather, we ignore your invitation, we get distracted by other work we ... -
Quote
You cannot be proud and expect to be transformed away from your sins. You need to humble yourself and have a spirit of repentance within you. Then you will see real change. -
liturgy
Adapted from Psalm 51 (ESV)
Leader: Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy, blot out my transgressions. People: Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my si... -
Quote
O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, faintheartedness, lust of power, and idle talk. But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to your servant. Yea... -
liturgy
Adapted from Psalm 51 (BOCP)
Leader: Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving-kindness; in your great compassion blot out my offenses. People: Wash me through and through from my wickedness and cleanse me from my sin. F... -
liturgy
Gracious, Heavenly Father, we are
Gracious, Heavenly Father, we are people who often live our lives in routine, but who rarely enter into the fullness of the abundant life. In Easter, You accomplished the impossible. You proved Your W... -
illustration
A Trench in the Ground
At start of spring I open a trench in the ground. I put into it the winter’s accumulation of paper, pages I do not want to read. Again, useless words, fragments, errors. And I put into it the contents... -
blog
The Value of Lent (Part I)
To Lent or Not to Lent As someone who grew up Catholic but who "crossed the Tiber north" in middle school (to Presbyterian land), I've experienced some very different perspectives on wh... -
Quote
For Lent this year, I’m just giving up. -
Quote
Most of us are under pressure, external and internal, to do everything, be good at everything, be accountable to everyone for everything! It is not so. In the divine economy each of us has a particula... -
Quote
Anxiety is the handmaiden of contemporary ambition. -
liturgy
Almighty and merciful God, the fountain
Almighty and merciful God, the fountain of all goodness, who knows the thoughts of our hearts: We confess that we have sinned against you. Wash us, we implore you, from the stains of our past sins... -
Quote
..a guilty suffering spirit is more open to grace than an apathetic or smug soul. Therefore, an age without a sense of sin, in which people are not even sorry for not being sorry for their sins, is in... -
liturgy
Almighty God, you have surprised us
Almighty God, you have surprised us with your presence in unexpected ways. In the expectations of our routine, we have missed the treasure that you place before us. We come to worship you in community... -
liturgy
Litany of Penitence
The Celebrant and People together, all kneeling Most holy and merciful Father: We confess to you and to one another, and to the whole communion of saints in heaven and on earth, that we have sinne... -
blog
The Value of Lent: Saying "Sin" Aloud
Acknowledging Our Sinfulness I think it was about a year ago when I was talking with a close friend from seminary and he said something that has stuck with me: "I really look forward to Lent the...
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Top Level Categories by Topic
A
- A Fresh Start
- Abandonment
- Abba
- Abiding in Christ
- Ability
- Abraham
- Abundant Life
- Abyss
- Achievement
- Adam
- Adam and Eve
- Addiction
- Adoption
- Adoration
- Advent
- Affliction
- Afraid of the Dark
- Aging
- Aim
- Alienation
- All Saints' Day
- Alone
- Alpha And Omega
- Ambassadors
- Ambition
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- Anger
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- Answered Prayers
- Anticipation
- Anxiety
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- Apostles
- Appearances
- Apprehension
- Arguments
- Armor of God
- Arrogance
- Ash Wednesday
- Ashes
- Assyria
- Atonement
- Attention
- Attitude
- Authenticity
- Awareness of Sin
- Awe
- The Ancient World
- The Ascension of Christ
B
- Babies
- Bad Habits
- Banquets
- Baptism
- Baptism into Death
- Baptism of Jesus
- Bearing Fruit
- Beauty
- Beginnings
- Being A Child Of God
- Being Chosen
- Being Enslaved To Sin
- Being Humbled
- Being Lost
- Being Nice
- Being Tired
- Beliefs
- Believing in God
- Believing in Jesus
- Bells
- Belonging to God
- Bethlehem
- Betrayal
- Beyond Understanding
- Birth
- Blame
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- Blinded by Sin
- Blindness
- Bodily Resurrection
- Book Reviews
- Born Again
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- Brokenness
- Brokenness of the World
- Burdens
- Burning Bush
- Burnout
- Business
- Busyness
- Busyness of Christmas
- The Blood Of Christ
- The Body of Christ
C
- Caesar
- Called by God
- Calling
- Calvary
- Cancer
- Captives
- Captivity
- Career
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- Carrying our Cross
- Cars
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- Celebrations
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- Challenges
- Change
- Change of Seasons
- Changing Habits
- Changing Hearts
- Changing World
- Chaos
- Childbirth
- Childlikeness
- Children
- Children of God
- Children's Imagination
- Choices
- Christ the King
- Christ The King Sunday
- Christ's Death
- Christ's Finished Work
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- Christ's Love
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- Christ's Resurrection
- Christ's Suffering
- Christian Calendar
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- Christians
- Christmas
- Christmas Carols
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- Christmas Materialism
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- Church Conflict
- Church Culture
- Church History
- Church Leaders
- Church Programs
- Church Size
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- Church Unity
- Church Year
- Citizens (secular)
- Civil Religion
- Clean Slate
- Cleansing
- Climbing the Ladder of Success
- Coldness of Heart
- Comfort
- Comforter
- Coming of the Kingdom
- Commandments
- Communion
- Communion of Saints
- Community
- Comparison
- Compassion
- Competition
- Complacency
- Complaining
- Complaints
- Concerns
- Condemnation
- Confession of Sin
- Conflict
- Conquering Death
- Conscience
- Consumer Christianity
- Consumer Culture
- Consumerism
- Contempt
- Corruption
- Counselor
- Courage
- Courts
- Covenant
- Creation
- Creation (Human)
- Creation Care/The Environment
- Creation of Humanity
- Criticism
- Crowds
- Crown
- Crown of Thorns
- Crucifixion
- Crucifixion Of Jesus
- Cruelty
- The Christian Faith
- The City
- The Cross
D
- Dancing
- Dangers of Success
- Darkness
- Deacons
- Dead In Christ
- Deafness
- Death
- Death and Dying
- Death Has No Power
- Death of a Loved One
- Death of Christ
- Debt of Sin
- Decision-Fatigue
- Decision-Making
- Decisions
- Dedication
- Depression
- Descent
- Desert
- Desire
- Desire for God
- Despair
- Destiny
- Destruction
- Destructive Behavior
- Direction
- Discipline
- Discouragement
- Disease
- Dishonesty
- Disobedience
- Distraction
- Distress
- Diversity
- Divine Love
- Divine Revelation
- Divinity of Jesus
- Division
- Doubt
- Doubts
- Drawing Near to God
- Dreams
- Drifting
- Dust
- Dwelling Place
- Dying to Self
- Dynamism
- The Dawn
- The Dying
E
- Easter
- Easter Bunny
- Eden
- Education
- Elders
- Elizabeth
- Embrace
- Emotions
- Empathy
- Empowerment
- Emptiness
- Empty Tomb
- Emptying Ourselves
- Encounter
- Endurance
- Enemies
- Energy
- Energy Drain
- Enlightenment
- Envy
- Epiphanies
- Eschatology (End Times)
- Eternal
- Eternal Life
- Eternity of God
- Evangelism
- Evening Prayer
- Evil
- Exaltation
- Example
- Exclusion
- Exhaustion
- Exile
- Expectations
- Eyes
- The Early Church
- The Earth
- The Epiphany
- The Exodus
F
- Face of God
- Failure
- Faith
- Faith and Prayer
- Faith in Christ
- Faith in the Dark
- Faith of the Church
- Faithfulness
- Fall of Humanity
- Falling Short
- Family Dysfunction
- Family of God
- Fasting
- Fatherhood of God
- Favor of God
- Fear
- Fear of Death
- Feasts
- Fellowship
- Fellowship of the Saints
- Filled with the Spirit
- Flourishing
- Following Jesus
- Foolishness
- Fools for Christ
- Football (American)
- Football (Soccer)
- Footwashing
- Forgiveness
- Forgiveness of Jesus
- Forgiveness of Sin
- Forsakenness
- Foundations
- Four Gospels
- Freedom
- Freedom from Sin
- Friend of God
- Friends
- Friendship
- Fruit
- Fruit of the Spirit
- Fruitfulness
- Frustration
- Fulfillment
- Funerals
- The Fear of God
G
- Garden of Eden
- Gathering
- Generations
- Generosity
- Gentiles
- Gifts
- Giving
- Giving God the Glory
- Global Church
- Glorifying God
- Glory
- Goals
- God
- God Cares For You
- God the Creator
- God the Father
- God with Us
- God-man
- God's Absence
- God's Anger
- God's Character
- God's Creation
- God's Faithfulness
- God's Forgiveness
- God's Gifts
- God's Goodness
- God's Greatness
- God's Guidance
- God's Hands
- God's Help
- God's Judgment
- God's Justice
- God's Kindness
- God's Law
- God's Love
- God's Majesty
- God's Name
- God's Nearness
- God's Omnipresence
- God's Power (Omnipotence)
- God's Presence
- God’s Presence
- God's Promises
- God's Protection
- God's Provision
- God's Pursuit
- God's Reign
- God's Righteousness
- God's Sovereignty
- God's Strength
- God's Throne
- God's Truth
- God's Unfailing Love
- God's Voice
- God's Will
- God's Word
- God's Work
- God's Works
- God's Wrath
- Going Out into the World
- Going to Church
- Good Friday
- Good Intentions
- Good Life
- Good News
- Goodness
- Goodness of God
- Gospel
- Gossip
- Government
- Grace
- Grandparents
- Gratitude
- Great Books blog series
- Great Exchange
- Greatness
- Greatness of God
- Greed
- Grief
- Growth
- Guidance
- Guilt
- The Glory of God
- The Good Shepherd
H
- Habits
- Half-Heartedness
- Halloween
- Hard-Heartedness
- Hatred
- Having it All-Together
- Healing
- Healing Wounds
- Healthcare
- Hearing God
- Hearing our Prayers
- Heart
- Heart Change
- Hearts
- Heaven
- Hell
- Helping Others
- Helping our Neighbors
- Helping the Poor
- Heroes
- Hiding Place
- History
- HIV/AIDS
- Holidays
- Holiness
- Holy Fire
- Holy Saturday
- Holy Thursday
- Holy Week
- Home
- Home Ownership
- Homelessness
- Honor
- Hope
- Hopelessness
- Hosanna
- Hospitality
- Host
- Humanity
- Humble Circumstances
- Humble Leadership
- Humble Living
- Humble Prayer
- Humble Service
- Humility
- Humor
- Hunger
- Hurry
- The Holy Spirit
I
- Identity
- Idolatry
- Ignorance
- Ignoring God
- Illness
- Immanuel
- Immortality
- Impatience
- Imperfection
- In Christ
- In, But Not Of, the World
- Inclusion
- Indifference
- Indwelling of the Holy Spirit
- Infants
- Infertility
- Inheritance
- Injury
- Inner Peace
- Inspiration
- Institutions
- Intentions
- Intercession
- Intergenerational Ministry
- Intergenerational Worship
- Intimacy
- Invitation
- Invocation
- Israel-Palestine Conflict
- The Incarnation
J
- Jealousy
- Jerusalem
- Jesus
- Jesus Christ the Center
- Jesus Defeat of Death
- Jesus the High Priest
- Jesus the Way
- Jesus' Birth
- Jesus' Death
- Jesus' Descent into Hell
- Jesus' Divinity
- Jesus' Earthly Ministry
- Jesus' Example
- Jesus' Humanity
- Jesus' Love
- Jesus' Presence
- Jesus' Return
- Jesus' Sacrifice
- Jesus' Second Coming
- Jesus' Suffering
- Jesus' Teaching
- Jesus' Victory over Death
- Jobs
- John the Baptist
- Joseph (Jesus' Father)
- Joy
- Joy of our Salvation
- Judaism
- Justice
- Justice System
- Justification
K
L
- Lack of Faith
- Lack of Forgiveness
- Lack of Trust
- Landscape
- Language
- Law (Torah)
- Laying Down Your Life
- Leaders
- Leading Others Astray
- Legacy
- Lent
- Lies
- Life
- Life after Death
- Life and Death
- Life of Purpose
- Life to the Full
- Light
- Light and Darkness
- Light Bulb Moment
- Light of Christ
- Light of the World
- Limitations
- Listening
- Little
- Liturgy
- Living Humbly
- Living Life
- Living the Resurrection
- Living Water
- Loneliness
- Loneliness of Pain
- Longing
- Lord and Savior
- Lord of Lords
- Losing Yourself
- Loss
- Love
- Love of God and Neighbor
- Loving Kindness
- Loving Other Christians
- Loving your Neighbor
- The Lamb of God
- The Last Supper
- The Logos
- The Lord's Supper
- The Lordship of Christ
M
- Magnificat
- Majesty
- Man of Sorrows
- Manger
- Manna
- Marginalized
- Margins
- Marital Problems
- Marriage
- Martyrdom
- Mary of Bethany
- Mary the Mother of Jesus
- Masks
- Materialism
- Maundy Thursday
- Meals
- Meaning
- Mediation
- Meditation
- Meekness
- Memorial Day
- Memories
- Memory
- Mental Illness
- Mercy
- Millenials
- Ministry
- Miracles
- Missionaries
- Missions
- Mistaken Identity
- Misunderstanding
- Mortality
- Moses
- Mother's Day
- Motivations
- Motives
- Mountains
- Mourning
- Moving
- Mystery
- Mystery of God
- The Magi
- The Meaning of Life
- The Messiah
- The Mind of Christ
- The Morning
N
O
P
- Pain
- Pain and Growth
- Palm Sunday
- Paradox
- Parents
- Partiality
- Partisanship
- Passion of Christ
- Passover
- Past, Present and Future
- Pastor Responsibilities
- Pastors
- Paths
- Patience
- Patriarchs
- Peace
- Peacemaking
- Penitential Psalms
- Pentecost
- People
- Peoples
- Perfection
- Persecution
- Perseverance
- Peter
- Pilgrimage
- Planning
- Pleasing God
- Pleasure
- Political Leaders
- Politicians
- Pollution
- Poor
- Poor in Spirit
- Possessions
- Pouring Ourselves out
- Poverty
- Power
- Power and Weakness
- Power of Love
- Power of Prayer
- Power of Sin
- Praise
- Prayer
- Prayers for Funerals
- Preaching
- Prejudice
- Preparation
- Prepared
- Preparing the Way
- Presence
- Presidents
- Pressure
- Pride
- Priorities
- Prison
- Prisoners
- Private Faith
- Proclamation Of God’s Word
- Procrastination
- Promises
- Prosperity
- Protestantism
- Proud
- Public Faith
- Public Witness
- Punishment for Sin
- Purification
- Purity
- Purity Of Heart
- Purpose
- The Pit
- The Power of the Holy Spirit
- The Prince of Peace
- The Prophets
Q
R
- Race (Running)
- Racial Reconciliation
- Racism
- Rain
- Reality
- Rebellion
- Receiving
- Receiving Christ
- Receiving Forgiveness
- Receiving Gifts
- Receiving God
- Receiving Love
- Receiving Thanks
- Receiving the Gospel
- Recognition
- Reconciliation
- Redeemer
- Redemption
- Refiner's Fire
- Reflection
- Reformation Sunday
- Refuge
- Rejecting God
- Relationships
- Religion and Public Life
- Religious People
- Remembering
- Renewal
- Renting
- Repentance
- Repetition
- Rescue
- Resistance
- Resistance to God
- Resolution
- Responsibility
- Restoration
- Resurrection
- Resurrection from Sin
- Resurrection Life
- Resurrection of the Dead
- Resurrection to New Life
- Retreat
- Returning to God
- Revelation
- Reverence
- Revival
- Riches
- Righteousness
- Risks
- Roman World
- Routines
- Royalty
- Running from God
- The Reliability of Scripture
- The Resurrection and the Life
- The Rich
- The Risen Lord
- The Roman Empire
S
- Sacrifice
- Sacrificial Living
- Sacrificial Love
- Sadness
- Safety
- Saint Nicholas
- Salt and Light
- Salt of the Earth
- Salvation
- Salvation History
- Sanctification
- Sanctity
- Santa Claus
- Sarah
- Satan
- Savior
- School
- Scripture
- Sea
- Searching
- Seasons
- Second Chances
- Seeking God
- Seeking the Kingdom
- Self-Centeredness
- Self-Control
- Self-Denial
- Self-Destruction
- Self-Examination
- Self-Glory
- Self-Righteousness
- Self-Sacrifice
- Selfishness
- Sermons
- Servant Leadership
- Servanthood
- Service
- Serving God
- Serving Jesus
- Serving your Neighbor
- Shadow
- Shalom
- Shame
- Sheep
- Shepherd
- Shepherds
- Shortcomings
- Sickness
- Silence
- Silence (Spiritual Discipline)
- Sin
- Sin Avoidance
- Sinfulness
- Singing
- Sinners
- Sins
- Sins of Omission
- Sins of the Church
- Slavery
- Sleep
- Snow
- Social Media
- Social Status
- Son of God
- Sorrow
- Space and Time
- Speaking in Tongues
- Speaking Truth to Power
- Speech
- Spending Time with God
- Spiritual Battles
- Spiritual Death
- Spiritual Health
- Spiritual Practices
- Sports
- Spring (Season)
- Stable
- Stars
- Status
- Staying Humble
- Steadfast Love
- Stewardship
- Stillness
- Storms
- Straying from God
- Strength
- Stress
- Stubbornness
- Stuff
- Success
- Suffering
- Sun
- Sunday
- Superheroes
- Surgery
- Surprise
- Sustainer
- Sweetness
- Symbols
- The Sacraments
- The Saints
- The Second Coming Of Christ
- The Soul
- The Spiritual Life
- The Star of Bethlehem
T
- Taking Up the Cross
- Teachers
- Temptation
- Terrorism
- Testimonies
- Thankfulness
- The Temple
- The Trinity
- The Twelve Disciples
- Theology
- Thirst
- Time
- Today
- Tomb
- Tongue
- Tower of Babel
- Tradition
- Transcendent
- Transformation
- Transgressions
- Treasure
- Tree of Life
- Trees
- Trinity Sunday
- Triumph
- Triumphal Entry
- Trouble
- True Worship
- Trust in God's Word
- Truth
- Turning a Blind Eye
U
V
W
- The Way
- The Will
- The Work of the Holy Spirit
- Wages of Sin
- Waiting
- Waiting on God
- Walking
- Wandering
- War
- Ways
- Weakness
- Weakness of Will
- Wealth
- Weariness
- Weddings
- Wickedness
- Wilderness
- Winter
- Wisdom
- Wisdom of God
- Witnesses
- Womb
- Wonder
- Work
- World
- World Communion Sunday
- World Leaders
- World Peace
- Worldliness
- Worldly Power
- Worship
- Worship Services
Top_level_categories by Reference
Genesis
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Nehemiah
Psalm
- Ps 1 (2)
- Ps 4 (1)
- Ps 8 (3)
- Ps 16 (7)
- Ps 19 (2)
- Ps 22 (4)
- Ps 23 (6)
- Ps 24 (3)
- Ps 25 (6)
- Ps 27 (6)
- Ps 28 (2)
- Ps 29 (1)
- Ps 30 (2)
- Ps 31 (1)
- Ps 32 (4)
- Ps 33 (1)
- Ps 34 (7)
- Ps 36 (1)
- Ps 37 (1)
- Ps 38 (2)
- Ps 40 (1)
- Ps 46 (9)
- Ps 47 (1)
- Ps 51 (21)
- Ps 57 (1)
- Ps 65 (1)
- Ps 70 (1)
- Ps 72 (3)
- Ps 84 (1)
- Ps 86 (2)
- Ps 89 (1)
- Ps 90 (5)
- Ps 91 (1)
- Ps 95 (2)
- Ps 96 (5)
- Ps 98 (2)
- Ps 100 (2)
- Ps 103 (8)
- Ps 104 (1)
- Ps 107 (1)
- Ps 110 (1)
- Ps 111 (2)
- Ps 113 (1)
- Ps 116 (1)
- Ps 118 (13)
- Ps 119 (2)
- Ps 121 (1)
- Ps 122 (1)
- Ps 124 (2)
- Ps 130 (2)
- Ps 131 (1)
- Ps 133 (1)
- Ps 136 (2)
- Ps 139 (9)
- Ps 145 (2)
- Ps 147 (2)
- Ps 148 (2)
- Ps 150 (1)