On the fifteenth day of the second month after they had left Egypt, the whole company of Israel moved on from Elim to the Wilderness of Sin which is between Elim and Sinai. The whole company of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron there in the wilderness.… Read the rest “Signs of the Times: Handwashing, Face Masks, and Social Distancing – a devotion by Marci McGowan”
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12
From The New Revised Standard Edition Bible
Today, we light the third candle of Advent. … Read the rest “Pieces of Christmas 2019 – a devotion by Marci McGowan”
So now you can pick out what’s true and fair, find all the good trails! Lady Wisdom will be your close friend, and Brother Knowledge your pleasant companion. Good Sense will scout ahead for danger, Insight will keep an eye out for you.… Read the rest “A Lenten Pause: On the Road to Easter, a devotion by Marci McGowan”
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such, there is no law.
Revised Standard Version (RSV)
Galatians 5:21-24
Fear not, Earth! Be glad and celebrate! God has done great things.… Read the rest “Fruit of the Spirit – a Devotion by Marci McGowan”
Proverbs 14:30 A sound mind makes for a robust body, but runaway emotions corrode the bones.
This year, the Christmas of 2018 has seemed to be anything but joyful. My husband is going through bout with infection that I thought had been cleared during his stay at the hospital back in September of 2018. … Read the rest “Christmas, Ready or Not – a devotion by Marci McGowan”
cat·a·lyst
/ˈkad(ə)ləst/
noun
noun: catalyst; plural noun: catalysts
From the ministry of housekeeping
Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance.… Read the rest “A Servant’s Heart”
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
Matthew 5:3 NRSV
Then he looked up at his disciples and said:
“Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
“Blessed are you who are hungry now,
for you will be filled.… Read the rest “The Color of Easter – a devotion by Marci McGowan”
If God didn’t think twice about taking pruning shears to the natural branches, why would he hesitate over you? He wouldn’t give it a second thought. Make sure you stay alert to these qualities of gentle kindness and ruthless severity that exist side by side in God—ruthless with the deadwood, gentle with the grafted shoot.… Read the rest “A Lenten Pause: The Master Gardener – a devotion by Marci McGowan”
The changing of the guard is always hard;
whether it be in civilian, religious, or military life.
It is to ourselves that we must first show mercy.
At the retreat center where I work, we are getting a new “gatekeeper.” This is the main security person who works at the front gate.… Read the rest “The Changing of the Guard: A Lenten Preface”