I think a lot about sanctification. That particular theological undertaking is not often pondered in Lutheran circles, since we are heaven-bent on emphasizing justification. Yet, I cannot believe that God brings us into right relationship with the Divine and with creation, only to let us remain the same for the entirety of our lifespan. I am… Read More
Friday Prayer: Psalm 27 Revisited
Psalm 27, Revised Julia Edition God is my opening to life and my deliverance from evil— who thinks they can scare me? The Lord is a solid fence around me— who will try and come through God’s defenses? When those who oppose God’s will come at me thinking they can do something, it is all over for… Read More
Monday Prayer
I’ve been baking Precious Holy, Weighing and measuring, sifting and mixing, combining and folding, dividing and preparing Then, the baking…. waiting, watching, hoping… sweet smells of spice lifting the spirit warmth and depth rising, swelling until, at exactly the right moment it all comes together and there it is… rich fruit cake. How like baking… Read More
Friday Prayer
In the middle of so many things, I have decision fatigue. Is this staying or going? Should I choose this or that? Which way will this situation go and how should I respond? I’m too tired to choose words for praying. Too tired to make this cogent and sensible. Too exhausted to do anything, but… Read More
Friday Prayer
Lord- The Davids of the world needs Nathans and Abigails. More critically, the Davids need to listen to the truth-speaking, reconciliation-seeking, call a fool, a fool, daring, courageous, risk-taking, assault-naming, God-listening and hearing, peace-making, grief-stricken, reality-understanding, not in it for profit prophets that do exist. Soften necks, O God, and open up hardened hearts. Make… Read More
Saturday Prayer – Don’t Be Afraid
Holy One, You’re always telling those you meet not to be afraid. Meet us today. Another shooting, this one targeting a synagogue, a house of worship. Open our hearts, so they do not close in cynicism or despair. Give our prayers wings, fly love and strength and healing to our sisters and brothers in faith.… Read More
Friday Prayer
Look. I try not to treat You like a divine vending machine- prayer in, need out, But in the present situation, that awareness means my prayers are more along the lines: “FFFFF#$)*#0&&#$(&(*^&(#^&^$()*@&#)(*@&&@!#(*&!!!!!” That’s me releasing a fraction of my deep feelings into the deep and wide well that is the Holy Repository for Grief and… Read More
Friday Prayer
My parents live in North Carolina, in the southeastern United States. My dad inspects hog waste lagoons for the state of NC. A lagoon is an open depository for hog waste slurry to manage and treat the waste from a large concentration of animals. Since Hurrican Florence, the count of dead hogs (including sows with… Read More
Friday Prayer
Life-giving Mother, Strengthen me to say… To the spiritual forces that oppose you, Get behind me, Satan! To the political forces that subvert your desire for healing and wholeness, Get behind me, Adversary! To the force within me, struggling for control of others and all situations, Get behind me, Sin! I renounce the forces… Read More
Friday Prayer
Lord, have mercy on Those who feel unable to make it to a safe needle exchange today. The ones who stare at the ceiling and wonder if they have the energy to roll over. A sister who is fumbling for coffee to sober up and A brother who is going to try again for a… Read More
