Things come up in our lives that can set us back for a minute. When we regain our composure and regather our thoughts, we recognize that God is with us. The situation may not be easily or immediately fixed, but it is comforting to know that in the midst of trouble or turbulence or in the presence of our enemies, that God is near.

We set up a space in our church library with pop fidgets, mediation prayers, a prayer shawl, prayer stones, etc.; a welcoming space offering a sense of peace and quiet.  A space that is available if you are feeling anxious or if you just ‘need a moment’. Sometimes when we come to church, we are not always able to leave our anxieties or troubles at home.

My Psalm reading today is Psalm 80, where verse 19 says: Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.

Yes, please!

Ahhhh! Everything looks quite beautiful in my part of the world this morning. Just the right amount of delicate snow clinging to the shrubs and trees; a lightening, blue sky breaking open above in the heavens. Ahhh!

My Psalter reading today is Psalm 71. This reading is a prayer of one’s life, a journey through the entire realm of aging, with trust and faith in God. As we face our challenges, joys and disappointments, may we do the same. Such an inspiration!

Who has never been in need of compassion when we are faced with trauma and pain? My reading today was Psalm 103…a reminder that God is compassionate, merciful and kind. We are never alone.

Embrace the day and all within it! From mindfulness.com, I share this: Every minute that you give to yourself to practice self-compassion, resilience, and rest — you’re making the world a better place.

St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem worship audio 3/5 –

We were delighted to have PA State Rep. Steve Samuelson with us for worship today. He presented St. Thomas with a certificate for our 175 years of being church! What an honor and blessing!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1J3R9aiBkbohf_jMuPNOuzFP6MDzdB2g3/view?usp=sharing_eil_m&ts=6404c1ae

The birds were singing gloriously this morning! They were flitting from one bird feeder to another, back and forth across the backyard. It was like having multiple church choirs! What a way to start the day!

Psalm 41 is my reading for today. It is a prayer that we might experience the gift of God’s mercy, no matter what circumstances or hardships we face. In any situation we encounter, God’s mercy produces joy and gratitude.

That is music to my ears!

Lent is a shadows and light. This morning, the dawn dquietly and bright from the shadows of night. God’s brushstroke was painting the world with color! As the world was waking up, I wove my way through Psalm 139, one of my favorite Psalms

Though I have moved on with my day, the words in verses 7-12 are lingering on my heart: Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

Stay in the light, today, friends. You don’t journey alone.

It is foggy this morning. I was thinking how a shroud of fog brings me a sense of peace. It quietly showed up, covering my part of the world. While on my back porch, all was still and quiet. The fog seemed to temporarily suspend my morning rush, at least the soulful part of me. The fog seemed to put a pause in my step as if to say, “No hurry. Be still.  Take your time. Slow down.”  My Psalm reading today is Psalm 29 and verse 11 points out – The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.

Where will you find peace today?

Today is the first day of a new month – a month that includes the beginning of DST and the first day of spring. A month that highlights light and promise. In the Bible, there are about 7,000  promises. Promises of strength, health, and more.

I look at the shadows laying across the snow-covered ground this morning. I understand the shadows to be God’s arms reaching out to me.  These thoughts were reflected in my reading of Psalm 91 today, which I interpret to be a 9-1-1 reminder to myself and others – No matter what circumstance we face, God is the place of refuge, where we can go and feel safe, loved, and protected.

When we think of warm-ups, we might think of batters warming up in baseball or kickers warming up for a field goal or basketball players doing lay-ups before a game.

We had a warm-up luncheon today with baked potatoes and all the toppings. Though the temperatures have not been too cold, this winter, it is nice to gather for fellowship it warms our hearts! What warms yours?

St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem worship audio 2/26 –

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZMVu9-qDjxPX4Xyb09Xc7bYsWmZoiaVm/view?usp=sharing

As we well know, there are times when our plans are upended, often by an unexpected event: a sudden illness may cancel a planned vacation; or car trouble on the way to a job interview may make you miss the appointment; or a last minute call from a family member or friend in need of immediate help may curtail your plans for the day. We know these things happen. Not major, but they are detours to where we were going. Anxiety and stress may creep in, but we navigate the circumstances and move forward the best we can – not alone, but with God’s help. Thankfully. Psalm 29, my Psalm reading for this Lent day, says in verse 11: The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace. We can count on it.