How To Be Terribly Un-Practical

Scripture Focus: James 2.1–13
1 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?
8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Student Writers Month is finished: Today is our final Student Writers Month post of the year and your final chance to donate to help us fund a small scholarship/stipend for these students. The student writers featured from July 15 to August 9 (today’s is a bonus) have received free coaching, ministry training, and seminars by special guests in addition to this publishing opportunity, the ability to re-publish their work elsewhere, and a stipend/scholarship for their work. A portion of all donations during these dates will be applied to the students’ stipends/scholarships. Find out more about the students at this link or give a one-time or recurring gift at this link.


Reflection: How To Be Terribly Un-Practical 
By David Z. Blackwell

This summer, my son and I are reading C.S Lewis’s The Magician’s Nephew. When Polly first meets the witch she struggles in vain to get the witch’s attention. Digory later feels the same way when the witch no longer needs him. Lewis writes of the witch, “I expect most witches are like that. They are not interested in things or people unless they can use them; they are terribly practical.” 

 It is not only fictional witches that treat others this way. Many real-life Christians can too.  What Lewis called “practical” we might call “transactional.” If church members only treat well those who seem “useful”, then even an army of greeters at every door won’t make people feel welcome.

James wants Christians to give the same attention and honor to the poor person wearing “filthy old clothes” as they would someone rich, powerful, and well-dressed (James 2.2–4). Valuing people by what they have to offer is favoritism. People who do this are “judges with evil thoughts” and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers (James 2.4, 9). 

James draws upon many themes found in the Gospel of Matthew. James refers to the command to “love your neighbor as yourself” as “the royal law” (James 2.8), which Jesus calls the second greatest command (Matthew 22.36–40).

Likewise, Jesus provides a similar warning in the Sermon on the Mount, “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?” (Matthew 5.46–47).

James and Jesus encourage Christians to value others. James juxtaposes favoritism and mercy. Mercy is the opposite of favoritism. Mercy is loving our neighbors and avoiding favoritism by refusing to be transactional in our relationships. Jesus went further than this by calling us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5.44). 

James and Jesus invite us to reflect…

Do I base my relationships on what others have to offer me or to get what I want? Do I go out of my way to treat others equally and fairly with dignity and respect? Do I love my enemies? What actions can you take to show genuine love to those around you? Especially those who aren’t “useful”?


Divine Hours Prayer: The Call to Prayer

Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; let the whole earth tremble before him. — Psalm 96.9

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



​Today’s Readings
Jeremiah 6 (Listen 5:10)
James 2 (Listen 3:32)

Read more about Readers’ Choice
Readers’ Choice starts in September, so it’s time to share your favorite posts of the year. Tell us your faves via email, direct message, or the linked form.

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Let Us Meet In Praise

Scripture Focus: Psalm 148
1 Praise the Lord.
   Praise the Lord from the heavens;
   praise him in the heights above.
2 Praise him, all his angels;
   praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
3 Praise him, sun and moon;
   praise him, all you shining stars.
4 Praise him, you highest heavens
   and you waters above the skies.
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
   for at his command they were created,
6 and he established them for ever and ever—
   he issued a decree that will never pass away.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth,
   you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
   stormy winds that do his bidding,
9 you mountains and all hills,
   fruit trees and all cedars,
10 wild animals and all cattle,
     small creatures and flying birds,
11 kings of the earth and all nations,
     you princes and all rulers on earth,
12 young men and women,
     old men and children.
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
     for his name alone is exalted;
     his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
14 And he has raised up for his people a horn,
     the praise of all his faithful servants,
     of Israel, the people close to his heart.
     Praise the Lord.

Student Writers Month is here: The student writers featured from July 15 to August 9 have received free coaching, ministry training, and seminars by special guests in addition to this publishing opportunity, the ability to re-publish their work elsewhere, and a stipend/scholarship for their work. A portion of all donations during these dates will be applied to the students’ stipends/scholarships. Find out more about the students at this link or give a one-time or recurring gift at this link.
Reflection: Let Us Meet In Praise
By Annette Kendall

Every creature, great and small, is to praise God. 

Ancient peoples revered the celestial bodies to the point that these became objects of worship. The psalmist issues a challenge to these luminaries— instead of receiving praise, they must give praise to God.

In the heavens, all the angels (that is, the servants) and all the heavenly hosts (that is, the armies) must praise God. Their counterparts on the earth, kings, rulers, princes, and people old and young, male and female, are urged to praise God. 

The four elements, earth, wind, fire, and water are involved in the call to praise. Day after day, the flowers open up, and the birds sing their songs. Season after season, the trees yield their fruit, and the beasts bear their young. Not even the creatures of the oceans get left out. Deep beneath the surface, whales and dolphins raise their voices, while day and night corals open and close. All follow their cycle in honor of their maker.  

It is not enough for the heavenly beings alone to praise God. Nor is it enough that only humanity praise God. It is not even enough that the animal kingdom be included in praising God. Every part of creation, animate and inanimate alike, is commanded to praise God. Whether those of high standing or of low esteem, every creature must praise the one who is above all, the one to whom each owes their being. For it is from God that each has its existence (Colossians 1.15-16). Apart from him, none of us would be. 

Let us then readily play our part. For, no matter our circumstances, regardless of what we may think or how we may feel, we exist for a reason. We have a God-ordained destiny, and it is good. Provided we submit to him, he will ensure that it comes to pass (v. 6). Regardless of whether we understand it or not, every being has a purpose. Each of the myriad objects of the universe was made with a particular intent. Yes, every creature has abundant reason to praise the Lord! (Ecclesiastes 3.11).

Oh, what a beautiful sound it will be! When all come together and lift up one voice, to give the Creator the praise he is due! Oh, how marvelous a scene to behold! When all of the heavens, the earth, and the seas, all with one accord, bring their praise to the King!

How are you going to praise him today? What part will you play in giving his due?

Hallelujah indeed!


Divine Hours Prayer: The Call to Prayer
Sing to him, sing praise to him, and speak of all his marvelous works. — Psalm 105.2

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


​Today’s Readings
Jeremiah 3 (Listen 4:40)
Psalms 148 (Listen 1:28)

​This Weekend’s Readings
Jeremiah 4 (Listen 5:23), Psalms 149-150 (Listen 1:36)
Jeremiah 5 (Listen 5:04), James 1 (Listen 3:26)

Read more about Humbled by the Heavens
God, we stand in awe on our tiny planet.
Thank you for heavens that humble us, Lord.

Read more about Readers’ Choice
Student Writers Month is winding down and Readers’ Choice starts in September, so it’s time to tell us about your favorite posts of the year.

https://forms.gle/9vyYwVxa1kZZn7AKA

Great and Mighty and Close

Scripture Focus: Psalm 147:1-3
1 Praise the Lord. 
How good it is to sing praises to our God, 
how pleasant and fitting to praise him! 
2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem; 
he gathers the exiles of Israel. 
3 He heals the brokenhearted 
and binds up their wounds. 

Student Writers Month is here: The student writers featured from July 15 to August 9 have received free coaching, ministry training, and seminars by special guests in addition to this publishing opportunity, the ability to re-publish their work elsewhere, and a stipend/scholarship for their work. A portion of all donations during these dates will be applied to the students’ stipends/scholarships. Find out more about the students at this link or give a one-time or recurring gift at this link.

Reflection: Great and Mighty and Close
By Doug Hibbard

We shout, “Hallelujah!”

For the Lord our God made the heavens, the earth, the seas, and all that dwells in them! As we look at the wonders of creation, we see the amazing work of God.

We shout, “Hallelujah!”

For in his goodness, the Lord our God feeds the animals, makes grass grow, teaches birds to sing, and causes rain to fall! When we see the abundance of God’s provision and the grace of his providence, we can see that God cares for his creation in ways we cannot comprehend.

We shout, “Hallelujah!”

For the Lord our God numbers the stars, calls them by name, and understands all things beyond limit! We think of all we have yet to learn, all that we cannot understand, and yet we know our God is never baffled, stymied, or confused.

We shout “Hallelujah!”

For the Lord our God frustrates the wicked, casts evil to the ground, and reigns forevermore! We see dictators rise and fall, elected officials rally and disperse, and laws change with the views of the many, but God is stable. He is righteous and true, no matter what the world becomes.

We shout “Hallelujah!”

For the Lord our God is great and mighty, above and beyond all the lowliness of his creation.

And yet, he is not only great and mighty. He also comes close. He turns to the cause of the oppressed. He gives food to the hungry and sets prisoners free, lifting up those who carry great weights and sustaining those who are alone, abandoned, and worthless in the measure of the world.

He is not a god who is distant from those in need. In Jesus’s first sermon, he makes clear that he came specifically to be the one who binds up the broken and sets free the prisoner. (Luke 4:19-19, Isaiah 61:1-2)

When we cannot soar with the eagles or see his limitless provision, he comes to us. When we cannot look down from lofty mountain grandeur and behold his rule and reign, still he is there, lifting us up in our brokenness. He is there, standing for the oppressed. He is there in the darkness that weighs upon us as our years pile atop one another. He is not so lofty with majesty that we are left alone.

And so, whether in victory or defeat, in light or in darkness, we shout “Hallelujah!”

Divine Hours Prayer: A Reading
Blessed be the Lord, God of Israel, for he has visited his people, he has set them free, and he has established for us a saving power in the house of his servant David, just as he proclaimed, by the mouth of his holy prophets from ancient times. — Luke 1.68-70

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


​Today’s Readings
Jeremiah 2 (Listen 5:54)
Psalms 146-147 (Listen 3:09)

Read more about God’s Not Deaf
The fear that God may ignore your peril, the doubt that your pleas are being offered to a deaf God are not founded in truth.

Read more about Supporting Our Work
A portion of every donation during Student Writers Month goes toward stipends/scholarships for these students. Donate today.

Praying as Music

Scripture Focus: Psalm 145.21
21 My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.
      Let every creature praise his holy name
      for ever and ever.

From John: We are taking a one-day break from Student Writers Month today and revisiting a post about Psalm 145 from 2019. Today’s reflection is from the conclusion of  Hallowed be Your Name: A collection of prayers from around the world, written by the editor, Tony Cupit. We have often used prayers from this book in our Worldwide Prayer series.

Student Writers will resume tomorrow and run through August 12th. You can still donate during this time to help fund the students’ stipends/scholarships. Find out more about the students at this link or give a one-time or recurring gift at this link.
Reflection: Praying as Music
By Tony Cupit

If music is a universal language, prayer can be similarly described. Prayer is humankind’s universal language of love to God, a song of praise to our Maker, a cry of anguish for our sin, a note of pleading for our needs, an expression of thanksgiving for all God’s wondrous grace. And prayer is a whole lot more. We join as a fellowship of Christ’s followers to lift our hearts in prayer.

And prayer produces a beautiful union, a harmony between God and humanity. Before we begin to sing our song of love to God in prayer, we realize that in an amazing way God is already waiting for us to speak, to listen, to pray. This interaction between God and us, we call prayer. And always this duet is part of a glorious symphony as we join our prayer to God with fellow believers.

All around the world, God’s people sing an anthem of praise to God. Prayers—songs of worship and praise—are offered in this booklet so we can all enjoy heavenly music, duets, ensembles, choirs, congregations, whose music soars heavenward. These become an expression of reverence, of awe and wonder, to our Creator God whose mystery is wonderfully intriguing, to God’s Son whose person is beautifully enchanting and to God’s Holy Spirit whose presence is fiercely challenging and gently reassuring.

Whether we pray as a duet, a trio, a quartet, or a choir, may our worship in prayer be harmonious, melodious, clear and constant—for it was Jesus who taught us to pray, “yours is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever.”

*Excerpt from the conclusion of Hallowed be Your Name: A collection of prayers from around the world, Dr. Tony Cupit, Editor.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Call to Prayer
Let Israel rejoice in its Maker; let the children of Zion be joyful in their king. For the Lord takes pleasure in his people and adorns the poor with victory. — Psalm 149.2, 4

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


​Today’s Readings
Jeremiah 1 (Listen 3:00)
Psalms 145 (Listen 2:19)

Read more about One Who Can Reach
Our God is never “out of touch.” God’s glory is all the more glorious because he reaches down to the lowest of the fallen.

Read more about Daughters of Saul and Sons of Moses
Do not let daughters of Saul or sons of Moses steal your joy in the lowly king, the humble teacher. Let us exalt him

Bird’s Eye View

Scripture Focus: Psalm 144.3-5
3 Lord, what are human beings that you care for them,
    mere mortals that you think of them?
4 They are like a breath;
    their days are like a fleeting shadow.
5 Part your heavens, Lord, and come down;
    touch the mountains, so that they smoke.

Student Writers Month is here: The student writers featured from July 15 to August 9 have received free coaching, ministry training, and seminars by special guests in addition to this publishing opportunity, the ability to re-publish their work elsewhere, and a stipend/scholarship for their work. A portion of all donations during these dates will be applied to the students’ stipends/scholarships. Find out more about the students at this link or give a one-time or recurring gift at this link.

Reflection: Bird’s Eye View
By Lark Kelsey

Whenever I fly I like to look out the window just after takeoff. Cars and trucks moving along the road begin to resemble children’s toys as we rise toward the clouds. Everything below becomes smaller and smaller, shrinking to insignificance compared with the immensity of the sky. The change in perspective is an opportunity for humility. Getting a bird’s eye view reminds us just how small we really are. 

David’s wonder in Psalm 144 expresses a similar sentiment. He speaks of God’s power to deliver although he himself is helpless. While God’s nature is eternal, human life is fleeting. God is so far above that David marvels at why God thinks of humans at all.

David understands he is incapable of saving himself and needs rescue from someone on high. Whether by parting the heavens, touching the mountains, or sending forth lightning, David asks God to reach down and save him from his enemies. David compares his plight to drowning in mighty waters, looking for God to draw him up and out of the waves.

Like David, we need intervention. In a broken world, we often struggle to rise above the waves of life’s difficulties, whether caused by actual enemies or everyday obstacles. We are weighed down with the cares of this life and often feel powerless to change our circumstances. 

Amazingly, we do not have a God who merely reaches down to lift us up but one who came down himself. He took on our form, our constraints, and lowered himself to our state to save us. Although God is so far beyond us, he does not treat our difficulties as trivial. 

Like David, God will not save us from every trial or give us victory in every battle. Yet we can find comfort in God’s presence in the midst of all our problems. David calls God “My loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge” and so can we. (Psalm 144.2).

If we take a bird’s eye view of our problems, how do they compare to God’s power? No matter how insignificant our problems may seem from 35,000 feet, they are as important to God as if he was sitting on the couch with us. How can we find refuge in God’s presence with us today as we wait for relief?

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence
Let me hear of your loving-kindness in the morning, for I put my trust in you; show me the road that I must walk, for I lift up my soul to you. — Psalm 143.8

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


​Today’s Readings
Isaiah 66 (Listen 5:20)
Psalms 144 (Listen 1:56)

Read more about A God Who Celebrates
O God, we are unworthy creatures who rejoice that you rejoice over us.

Read more about He Stoops to Raise
He strips himself.
He lays aside
His Heaven
His throne
His clothes
His life