Devotions
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What the heck are “O Antiphons”? I’m glad you asked
My friend, Joe Summerville (Pastor at University Lutheran Church, Norman, OK), often helps me remember and observe the richness of our Christian heritage through the seasons of the church year and the liturgy. When we were texting recently, he reminded me of the “O Antiphons”. I’ve also been receiving email each day from a publishing…
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Seven Days of Prayer – Day 2
Prayer Focus: Open my heart and mind that what is important to You is important to me. Scripture: Ephesians 1:17-19 Reflection: The tough thing here is to listen to God and not just reinforce our own priorities. This is why the whole first day was dedicated to a “spiritual cleansing.” From God’s perspective, what are…
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Seven Days of Prayer – Day 1
Prayer Focus: Cleanse my heart and mind that I might hear You Scripture: Psalm 51 Reflection: Periodically, we need to clean up. Our bathtubs accumulate soap scum. Our teeth get a build-up of plaque. When we speak of “health,” we know that maintaining physical, mental and spiritual health is part of our overall health. Today,…
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Devotion: Will Jesus’ Prayer Be Answered?
In worship on Sunday, we read a portion of John 17. This entire chapter is known as Jesus’ “high priestly prayer.” In it, He prays specifically for His disciples, but, by extension, for all of us …. that we would be one as Jesus and the Father are one. The language can get a little…
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Devotion: The Future – What’s Next?
What lies ahead for you this week? Staff meetings, a round of golf, recitals, out-of-town trips, child care arrangements, anticipation of certain news? We all have plans for the week. Almost all of them involve some choice or action on our part. I had a great conversation last week about “determinism” versus “free will” –…
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Devotion: What does love look like?
In worship on Sunday, I challenged the congregation to read two of our Scripture readings every day for this entire week – the reading from Acts and John’s gospel listed below. As you read these, try to resist rushing through them. Give yourself plenty of time to let these words wash over your soul. Even…
Epicurious Lutheran 