Month: March 2024

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Streams of Scripture

Scripture Focus: Psalm 27.1-3
1 As the deer pants for streams of water, 
so my soul pants for you, my God. 
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. 
When can I go and meet with God? 
3 My tears have been my food 
day and night, 
while people say to me all day long, 
“Where is your God?”

Reflection: Streams of Scripture
By John Tillman

In arid regions, there are rivers and streams that only exist at certain times. These wadis are dry, dead depressions in the landscape for much of the year. Some are little more than ditches. Some are like miniature canyons.

These dusty gulches can go from empty to overflowing in minutes due to rain nearby or rain miles and miles away on higher plains or mountains. When snowmelt or heavy rains rush down from the peaks and the high plains, wadis in the desert flow with water and spring to life.

Wadis can become a source of water but dry up as quickly as they fill up. Animals accustomed to finding water in these places can be in distress when they come to a wadi and find it dry.

The writer of Psalm 27 reflects on the distressed sound of deer in the desert, crying out in thirst. The animal cries out in desperate need searching for signs of water. The psalmist cries out in desperate need searching for God.

Jesus may have had this psalm in mind as he prayed in Gethsemane. Jesus’ words, “overwhelmed with sorrow” (Matthew 26.38) echo the psalmist’s phrase, “Why my soul are you downcast?” In the middle of a garden Jesus experienced a spiritual desert. 

Our lives, especially our spiritual lives, can seem like arid regions. One day, the wadi flows and we feel connected to God. Another, it is dry and we long for greater connection. But we can access water from a higher plane, a greater source, that makes streams in the desert.

Psalm 1 says when we delight in the scriptures, they become like water that fills a tree with life and makes it productive, healthy, and full of good fruit. Jesus, in one of his darkest moments, found scripture within his downcast soul. When you know the scriptures inside and out, they get inside you and come out of you. We need scripture hidden in our hearts for our soul’s darkest moments.

If Jesus experienced dry times, we will, too. During dry days, we can search our souls for streams of scripture. Like animals in the wilderness, calling out in need, we can call on the Holy Spirit to fill our dry depressions. The dusty canyons of our souls can be filled with the living water that Jesus gives, becoming a fountain within us, overflowing with life.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Small Verse
Let me seek the Lord while he may still be found. I will call upon his name; while he is near. 

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.


​Today’s Readings
Proverbs 27 (Listen 2:43)
Psalms 42-43 (Listen 2:31)

This Weekend’s Readings
Proverbs 28 (Listen 3:07), Psalm 44 (Listen 2:44)
Proverbs 29 (Listen 2:44), Psalm 45 (Listen 2:17)

Read more about Sluggish Grief
Emotional experience is like traveling across mountains…the bright ascent to the peak…But…we must descend into the valley, the dark woods.

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The weight of our sadness reflects the hope of a beautiful life that has been tragically altered.
But we are not alone. God is near to the brokenhearted…

Be With Me
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Answering Fools

Scripture Focus: Proverbs 26.4-5, 9, 12
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
or you yourself will be just like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
or he will be wise in his own eyes.

9 Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand
is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

12 Do you see a person wise in their own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for them.

Reflection: Answering Fools
By John Tillman

Answer a fool. Don’t answer a fool. This famous mirrored pair of proverbs is almost a metaphor for the entire collection. Alone, either one of them makes sense. Together they seem absurd. Surely they can’t both be right? Surely neither of them can be wrong?

Firstly, we shouldn’t become fools.

Being wise isn’t as easy as just quoting a proverb or even putting it into practice. Even wise words can cause harm when foolish people quote them. Proverbs’ vivid picture of this is a drunken man, wildly swinging a thornbush. The man, anyone around him, and anyone trying to help are likely to be harmed.

We need wisdom to know how to use wisdom. When we quote aphorisms without regard to the situation, we are like that drunken thornbush-waving fool. “Pray more.” “Have a little faith.” “Is there sin in your life?” All three of these statements are scripturally valid and, at the right time, could be wise things to say. They will also wound someone who is suffering if we wave them around wildly. To a mother whose child is sick, any of the above statements are likely to feel like an attack.

Secondly, we should pursue wisdom humbly. 

Proverbs is a book of hope for fools. It calls to us to become wise and warns of something worse than being a fool — being wise in our own eyes. We all start foolish and simple. Lady Wisdom invites us to wisdom. Lady Folly whispers a lie that we’ve already arrived. Can we prevent others from falling into this trap? Can we prevent ourselves from doing so?

Do we answer fools or not? Do we try to remove the thornbush from the drunkard’s hand? 

Frustratingly, I think the answer is, “sometimes.” Sometimes, perhaps we can help fools stumble toward true wisdom. Sometimes the best thing we can do is help others avoid the thornbush-waving fools. In either case, we should take care and be humble. We can’t save everyone from their own foolishness, especially when we are still at risk of it ourselves.

Whatever we can do to prevent ourselves and those around us from becoming wise in our own eyes is probably worth the risk. We may be scratched by the thorns, but so was our savior. And he endured them to save fools like us.


Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons
Send forth your strength, O God; establish, O God, what you have wrought for us. — Psalm 68.28

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.


​Today’s Readings
Proverbs 26 (Listen 2:37)
Mark 16 (Listen 5:34)

Read more about Destiny of Grass vs Cedars
There are purposes for the flourishing of the wicked and one of them is that one day the world will see them fall.

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Read more about RSVP to Wisdom or Folly
Two hostesses beckon. Which banquet will you enter? Who gets your RSVP?

RSVP to Wisdom or Folly
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Wearing Out Your Welcome

Scripture Focus: Proverbs 25:17
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—
     too much of you, and they will hate you.

Reflection: Wearing Out Your Welcome
By Erin Newton

Let’s admit it, some proverbs are comical. Here in our holy book of divine wisdom, we have advice about not greeting our neighbors too loudly (Prov 27:14) and advice about not outstaying our welcome.

Proverbs reveal tiny windows into life. We are confined from seeing the totality of one’s experience. The only landscape in view is the small opening encapsulated by a few words.
Here we have a neighbor who might be tempted to stay too long or come too often to their neighbor’s house. Behind the scenes we also have a neighbor fulfilling the duties of hospitality, but a grudge might be forming.

From a birds-eye view, the proverb speaks of the value of moderation and restraint—and I think both neighbors could use this advice.

To the neighbors with open doors: Throughout the Bible we are called to love one another in ways such as hospitality. This means creating a welcoming space for others and providing shelter, food, and companionship. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, hospitality should be extended to those deemed “outsiders.”

We should never grow weary of doing good, but the reality of our human nature is that we often do. Jesus himself stole away to quiet areas to find respite from constant crowds. He had no home to open but he gave of himself—his time, energy, and attention. This proverb does not tell us to shut our doors, but we should remember our own limitations lest we turn to hate our neighbor.

To the neighbors who come over: We were made for community. Friends, family, and neighbors are God’s gift to those of us in need of shelter, food, and companionship. What a blessing it is to know your neighbor has an open door for you! Even in times of need, receiving someone’s hospitality can be the hardest thing to do.

Some of us worry that we are a burden to others and wear out our welcome. We might vow to never impose on our neighbors. This scorched-earth mentality might feel natural, but it is not the wisdom of this text.

This proverb not only helps us to respect our neighbors but to learn the complex balance of wise living. It encourages the visiting neighbor to harness the reciprocal opportunity to open his or her doors. Together, with balanced moderation on both sides, the community of faith can serve one another.


Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons
I will confess you among the peoples, O Lord; I will sing praises to you among the nations. — Psalm 108.3

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.


​Today’s Readings
Proverbs 25 (Listen 2:56)
Mark 15 (Listen 5:16)

Read more about Embrace Your Mission
Embracing and encouraging others is an example of serving others well. This spirit of hospitality shouldn’t be taken lightly.

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A Prayer for Times of Trouble

Scripture Focus: Proverbs 24:10-12
10 If you falter in a time of trouble,
     how small is your strength!
 11 Rescue those being led away to death;
     hold back those staggering toward slaughter.
 12 If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,”
     does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
 Does not he who guards your life know it?
     Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?

Mark 14:38
38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Reflection: A Prayer for Times of Trouble
By Erin Newton

In the twilight hours before the cross, Jesus slipped into the garden to commune with the Father. His words spilled out into the world, “Abba, let this cup pass.” It was an hour of great need. The time of trouble was upon him. The great Creator of the world was hours away from death, minutes away from betrayal. Would he falter? Would he back away now?

He leaned down toward his friends and told them to watch and pray. He continues to call us to watch and pray:

Dear Lord, within the garden, give us the strength to endure the night.

         The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Your word declares wisdom as the source of our strength. Wisdom builds houses and guides us to victory. But we falter in times of trouble. Our faith is indeed small. Give to us strength through wisdom—not the power of our hands but the understanding of our hearts.

         The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Open our eyes to those who are perishing around us. Blind us from our own ambitions and comforts. Crucify the desires that serve only ourselves. Let us not slumber as you plead for the souls of this world.

         The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

For we can never truly say we did not know. You pointed to the harvest and told us it was ready. You told us to look after even the least of these. You gave the care of your mother to your beloved friend. We are all now your beloved friends.

         The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Lord, there is no corner of our hearts to which you are blind. All our motives, all our ambitions, all our desires are laid bare before your watchful eye. You who hold our lives now send us out into the dying world.

Your spirit was willing, and you were never weak. You rescued us as we staggered toward death. You knew the price that had to be paid. Grant us the strength of a crucified life that only comes through wisdom.

After Jesus prayed, the kiss of betrayal was laid upon his cheek. He was led from trial to torture to death with full acceptance that the cup would not pass. This is our example of wisdom. This is our example of not faltering in times of trouble.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence
Early in the morning I cry to you, for in your word is my trust. — Psalm 119.147

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.


​Today’s Readings
Proverbs 24 (Listen 3:47)
Mark 14 (Listen 8:37)

Read more about Baring Your Soul
Jesus modeled this in his darkest moments in Gethsemane. “Take this cup away” is balanced with a trust in God’s will.

Baring Your Soul

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Whose Table Are Your Feet Under?

Scripture Focus: Proverbs 23.1-3, 6-8
1 When you sit to dine with a ruler, 
note well what is before you, 
2 and put a knife to your throat 
if you are given to gluttony. 
3 Do not crave his delicacies, 
for that food is deceptive.

6 Do not eat the food of a begrudging host, 
do not crave his delicacies; 
7 for he is the kind of person 
who is always thinking about the cost. 
“Eat and drink,” he says to you, 
but his heart is not with you. 
8 You will vomit up the little you have eaten 
and will have wasted your compliments. 

Psalm 141.2-3
3 Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; 
keep watch over the door of my lips. 
4 Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil 
so that I take part in wicked deeds 
along with those who are evildoers; 
do not let me eat their delicacies.

Reflection: Whose Table Are Your Feet Under?
By John Tillman

In certain parts of the South, a family member who comes home after a long absence might say as they sit down to supper, “I’m glad to have my feet under your table.” Having your feet under someone’s table represents presence and connection. It can also mean giving approval or being deceived. One might warn a friend about an untrustworthy person, saying, “Don’t set your feet under their table.”

Ancient cultures had similar views. Eating together was a form of public affection, approval, and even intimacy.

A ceremonial meal was part of worship in the Tabernacle and later the Temple. Most sacrifices only burned a portion, which was God’s. The family or individual shared the remainder with the priests. This holy meal in the Lord’s presence represented a restored relationship—cleansed sinners putting their feet under the Lord’s table.

Jesus was called a glutton and drunkard for eating with outcasts and sinners. Jesus also ate with wealthy and powerful rulers. Rulers often treated him like an outcast. Simon the Pharisee neglected to greet Jesus with a kiss, wash his feet, or offer oil for his head. (Luke 7.36-50) It was the outcast, sinful woman who showed Jesus appropriate respect.

There is wisdom in not closely associating with those who would deceive us or tempt us with “delicacies.” We certainly should avoid situations in which we may be drawn into sin. However, scripture warns more strongly against eating with wealthy rulers than with the outcasts. Proverbs 23.3 and 6 say the delicacies on a ruler’s table are deceptive, and those of a begrudging host will cost you. Psalm 141.4 describes being drawn to what is evil, taking part in wicked deeds, going along with evildoers, and finally, enjoying their delicacies.

What delicacies tempt you? Power? Recognition? Pleasure? Proverbs 23.2 says to put a knife to your throat when deceptive delicacies are on the table. Psalm 141.3 asks the Lord to put a guard over one’s mouth and lips. Severe self-limitation and calling on the Spirit’s assistance are wise when temptations are near.

Let us be drawn to Christ, frequently putting our feet under his table and inviting others to join us. With the freedom of Christ, we can dine at other tables, whether as outcasts or family. When tempted by deceptive delicacies, may Jesus set a guard over our lips and our hearts.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Morning Psalm
Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel of the wicked, not lingered in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seats of the scornful!
Their delight is in the law of the Lord, and they meditate on his law day and night.
They are like trees planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither; everything they do shall prosper.
It is not so with the wicked; they are like chaff which the wind blows away.
Therefore the wicked shall not stand upright when judgment comes, nor the sinner in the council of the righteous.
For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked is doomed. — Psalm 1

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.


​Today’s Readings
Proverbs 23 (Listen 3:39)
Mark 13 (Listen 4:32)

Read more about The Undeserved Banquet of the Gospel
Meals during Christ’s earthly life were an important cultural ritual. They were more than just fraternity, but pedagogy.

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Jesus sat and ate with sinners…Despite the judgmental attitudes of those who did not approve of his behavior

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