Category Archives: prayer

Beacon blessings 

The Collect for the First Sunday in Advent calls upon God for  the grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light. When we handed the infant child baptized last week a lit candle, … Continue reading →

Posted in advent meditations, blessings, prayer, sermon preparation | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Be still and know

Because it is in silence that we hear behind the chaos of our own hearts the stillness of God suspended awaiting our creation

Posted in poetry, prayer | Leave a comment

Election day prayer

“My kingdom is not of this world, you say, yet, “The kingdom of God is at hand.” And so we wait, and watch, and vote, and pray, “Thy kingdom come,” all the while hoping that each small act of kindness, … Continue reading →

Posted in current events, poetry, prayer | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Prayer and empty air

A sermon for the 24th Sunday after Pentecost, October 30, 2016 Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, Psalm 119:137-144 or Isaiah 1:10-18, Psalm 32:1-8, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Luke 19:1-10 On Friday morning, I went to the new Old Fort steps at the Rocky River Metropark. They carry visitors … Continue reading →

Posted in lectionary reflection, prayer, sermon | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Humble blessings

For the twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost in Year C (Proper 25): the Pharisee and the tax collector are praying at the Temple. One is so self-satisfied that he is blinded by his own glory; he outshines God. One is so self-abased … Continue reading →

Posted in blessings, lectionary reflection, prayer | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

On returning from a pilgrimage 

Between my hands, wheat and water; bread, flat and pale. In its grain I read the story of hands breaking bread beside a river; light lifts the surface of the water; between fragments, for a moment, I can see the … Continue reading →

Posted in poetry, prayer | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Remembering our baptism

we all embraced on the slippery steps, laughing with the sheer sacredness of it all Continue reading →

Posted in other words, prayer, spiritual autobiography, story | Tagged , | 2 Comments

The Lost City of Petra

Treasures In Petra, beyond fhe red sands and wild dogs beyond the edifice, extravagant ruins tombs and treasures of the dead beyond the colonnaded avenues beyond the steps worn smooth choreographed by Bedouin and pilgrim feet donkeys and tourists, each … Continue reading →

Posted in poetry, prayer, spiritual autobiography, story | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Persistent blessings

If you are following Track 2, you may be interested in the experience of Jacob, who wrestled a blessing from God: May your prayers be heard without harm,     and the intercession of your heart received with gentleness. Otherwise, from … Continue reading →

Posted in blessings, lectionary reflection, prayer | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Crossing the Jordan

It’s been twenty-nine years since I was in the Holy Land. My memories have become like a photograph album full of moments in time, frozen in stasis, many frayed at the edges or fading. There are a few that stand … Continue reading →

Posted in prayer, spiritual autobiography | Tagged , , | 2 Comments