God, this day we mourn the death and burial of your only son, Christ Jesus our Lord. Forgive us to failing to realize what our salvation cost you. Forgive me  

Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross so that he might draw the whole world to himself. Grant that we, who glory in this death for our salvation, may also glory in his call to take up our cross and follow him; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. — United…

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. — Jesus, John 13:34   “Maundy Thursday is an alternate name for Holy Thursday, the first of the three days of solemn remembrance of the events leading up to and immediately following the crucifixion of Jesus.…

When we hear Jesus’ ‘Come, follow Me,’ our opening ‘Yes!’ and the Father’s closing ‘Well done!’ are connected by countless moments in which we discern and reconfirm our decision to follow over and over and over again. — Alicia Britee Chole, 40 Days of Decrease, page 105 You and I’ll have several opportunities today, tonight,…

I have a round-face clock, as our son used to call analog ones when he was learning to tell time. But there’s something different about it. It works normally. The hands move like they’re supposed to. It keeps time well. But there are no numbers on it. In their place is one word. Twelve times…

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. — Isaiah 43:19 — “It’s never too late to start all over again,” says part of the chorus of an classic rock song by Steppenwolf. Let’s…

Good news and bad news and yeah: Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities. They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed…

I’ve known Emelie Sims Mies since she was a youth and I was an adult and we were on various Projects and Councils and Committees together. Today she and her husband and  their children are in D.C. to march. It’s with her gracious permission that I share something here that she wrote last night  —…

Tomorrow’s a fun day in most churches: palm branches, children leading the celebration, familiar songs and that whole Triumphal Entry scene from Scripture. It’s the start of a big week. Probably the biggest week in our shared faith. We call it Holy Week for a reason, and it’s a great time to jump back in…

Why did God do that? “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. “And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. “God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his…