This week’s devotional readings close out our summer readings. We’ve journeyed with Eugene Peterson, Dallas Willard, NT Wright, the Desert Fathers, Brennan Manning, stories from the Bruderhof community, Anne Lamott, Annie Dillard and Henri Nouwen. Since this week ends in the Labor Day weekend, we finish the summer readings with reflections on work and Sabbath collected from various Christian autho...  Read More

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan StevensonReview by Blythe MeigsBryan Stevenson has a strong faith and it comes through loud and clear in his writing.  At the end of the book he discusses the brokenness of his clients and the realization that we are all broken.  “I am more than broken.  In fact, there is a strength, a power even, in understanding brokenness, because embracing...  Read More

This week’s devotional readings pickup on wisdom from two of my favorite authors named Anne – Anne LaMott and Annie Dillard. As you work to set aside time for prayer and reflection, here are 2 comments from these authors that I love:“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” ― Anne Lamott “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” ― A...  Read More

Generous Justice: How God's Grace Makes Us by Tim KellerReviewed by Blythe MeigsThis is a powerful book that speaks loud and clear how important justice is to God and how important it should be to His followers too.This is what the LORD Almighty says:  administer true justice, show mercy and compassion to one another.  Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the immigrant or the poor.  Zechari...  Read More

This week’s devotional readings spend time with the various calls in the New Testament to live awake and alert.The source of the daily readings is N.T. (Tom) Wright’s book, Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection and the Mission of the Church. If you are meeting with your small group this week, there is a YouTube discussion you may enjoy (you can see Durham where Pastor Laurie earne...  Read More

The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row by Anthony Ray HintonReview by Blythe MeigsYou can read the short version of my book review in the next paragraph. I was asked to add a piece as to how it personally impacted me - that opens the floodgates to a lot more thoughts... read on if you dare.Spoiler alert:  Ray ended up being exonerated and freed after spending 28 years on dea...  Read More

This week’s devotional readings continue the reflections on prayer that we began with the parables from Luke 11 and 18 on this past Sunday.The source of the daily readings are from many sources alongside Andrew Murray.Devotions for the Week of August 10...  Read More

I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness, by Austin Channing BrownReview by Tiffany BehmerThe death of hope begins in fury, ferocious as a wildfire. It feels uncontrollable, disastrous at first, as if it will destroy everything in the vicinity--but in the midst of the fury, I am forced to find my center. What is left when hope is gone? What is left when the source of my hope has...  Read More

I find it so challenging to live in a space alert to and faithfully discerning the sources of sin and evil while withholding the judgment that belongs only to God. The writings of a group of early church leaders we have come to refer to as the Desert Fathers and Mothers has taught me so much in this regard, so some of their sayings and parables are the writings that accompany our readings this wee...  Read More

What are your favorite memories of summer as a kid? Hanging out at the pool? Roasting marshmallows over a campfire? Riding your bike with friends?My summers were full of swimming and … more swimming! My family belonged to Arbor Heights Swim Club, so our free time was spent playing at the pool. In addition, I swam for the Red Shield Marlins, a club team which practiced at the Salvation Army pool an...  Read More

As parents of young children, most of you have a plethora of things to worry about—from milestones to worries of the future. However, 1 Peter 5:7 tells us to "give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." Use this season in your life, letting your child know the many ways that God provides for your family! God loves and cares about you and your child!ENGAGE:Pray this Scripture o...  Read More

This week’s devotional readings focus on forgiveness, with references and links to the Plough publishing website – the literary arm of the Bruderhof community that left Germany in the late 1930’s as a result of Nazi persecution for their pacifist beliefs. Each of these quotes is taken from an article with links so that you can read the whole thing – they are all quick reads and I hope these reflec...  Read More