My Lenten assignment was late this year. I wasn’t really listening for instructions; I was afraid to hear about giving up something else. Which I could hardly bear to consider. Give us the bread we need for today. Matthew 6:11 (CEB) So it wasn’t until Sunday night that it came to me. When my guard was down.
Read MoreWater gushed into the newly renovated women’s shelter. Can they move (back) into NCF while they repair the damage? Of course! What a gift to be able to say yes. Our building has been a continuous resource to the community throughout the pandemic- housing Austin’s Place to be a year-round shelter for the first time ever, serving as
Read MoreTwenty-two hours of driving allowed for a full book’s listening on the way to west Texas. Another twenty-two hours back, another book finished. I loved listening to the snippets of other languages and immigrant accents and that made these books by first generation American authors come alive. Some texts are meant to be read aloud for
Read MoreI am spoiled (in many ways :). But especially that I get to listen to newly recorded NCF music- even before the musicians hear the final version- each Saturday night when Michael uploads music for me to insert into the service. And if I crave a previously-recorded song, I can search it out for worship. But I have
Read MoreLast week, I shared my experience of the barriers to personal charity, how individual impulses of generosity will not accomplish reparations. Today’s story addresses the difficulty of sharing assets. Not to discourage, but to highlight the need for prayerful creativity to work through our defenses. May the Holy Spirit show us a real path toward
Read MoreTurning into my bank, I was chagrined to see steam billowing from beneath the hood of a pickup truck in the parking lot. Yikes. It looked bad. Expensive. The decal on the side advertised a local landscape guy. A black man about my age peered into the engine; the truck was his business. Not mine.
Read MoreVern Fein reliably contacts me in January to promote the MLK prayer breakfast, which will be a virtual event this 36th year. As we will all be brewing our own coffee, this memory reminds us of the unexpected possibilities for personal encounters when we can again be together. Blessings and love to each of you, wherever you are. -Renée
Read MoreHow do we pray for our country? King David was a poet and musician. He broadened the reach of his kingdom through wars and alliances. He was a lover. Of God, of friend, of women. David enjoyed popularity with the people. He knew how to pray. O God, endow the king with Your judgments, the king’s
Read MoreI am so grateful for the poets among us. May this from Laura Lindeman bless you too. -Renée“Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven…As the shepherds were out living in the fields, keeping watch…” We were Poor in Spirit,Living outdoorsWandering cheerlessAcross the Moors. We were Poor in Spirit,Watching our sheepProtecting
Read MoreI’ve been enjoying thinking about Hannah and Mary today. Juxtaposing the beginning of 1 Samuel with the first chapters of Luke. Two women not yet pregnant. One long married, one just engaged. Both soon with child, singing songs of the Lord’s great mercy. They were ordinary women. At least, that is what resonates with me today.
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