In a spirit of Thanksgiving

Dear God, we lift our prayers of thanks to you for the countless blessings you have bestowed on each of us. Help us to recognize your goodness, and to share what we have received with others. Forgive us for not recognizing your claim on us as your children, forgive us when we go astray. In your loving kindness, always bring us back to you.

We pray for everyone who is separated from family during the holiday, for we recognize their sadness. For those who are separated by miles, join them in your Spirit. For those separated by anger or alienation, break the barriers that keep them in their suffering. For individuals who have been incarcerated, help them during this time find a new path in life that will bring them home to you and to their family members.

We lift up the following by name, asking your peace and protection for them in this season of new beginnings: Louanna LeBlanc and her family, Gracie Robinson and her children Donell and Tyrell, Brandon Johnston, his wife Susan and their children, Rickie A. Mathews, his cell mate and their families, Ricky Gilmore, his wife and children, Demetras Pounds.

We add our prayers to theirs, and ask your continued care for all of your creation. Reveal more of your great mercy to us, and enable us to do your will. Prepare us to become your servants in the world, and open our hearts and minds to your message. We celebrate with thanksgiving your bounteous love, which is made known to us in the Scriptures, in our daily life, and through the suffering, death and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

We are one in the Spirit

God, loving parent, we are all one family in you. Help us recognize the familial bonds that hold us together as community, and let us become a people of purpose, seeking to put your word into action in the world. Teach us and mold us into your children, and help us grow in faith and knowledge of your will for the world.

We pray for Veronica Ortiz and her grandmother, Norberta Ortiz. We give thanks for the love and support that they provide for each other, and we ask your protection for them. We pray for Jamie Karyn Holder and her son Nicholas. In your Spirit, unite them in love and let your will guide their lives. We pray for Patsy K. Grimmett, that she may continue to grow in your grace, and that her life will be used for your glory. We pray for Linda Faith Caldwell and her family. We pray for Jennifer and Gene Hoang and their children, strengthen them and help them share you love with one another. We pray for Melissa E. Pagan. Let her know she is never alone when she in in your care.

For these and all your children, we pray. Strengthen the bonds of family love, and help families provide a nurturing environment grounded in your word. Create in our society a new spirit of compassion, so that our leaders will know and follow the right path that values human rights everywhere in the world. Help us as individuals and as a nation, learn to make the best decisions, and when we make mistakes, to do all we can to undo the harm done, and to humbly seek your forgiveness. We ask in the name of Jesus, our savior. Amen.

Enduring love, constant care

Your enduring love sustains and energizes the world, God. Your constant care supports us and guides us. Without you, we are lost, we are weak, we are alone. Stay with us through this day and every day. Remain in the very forefront of our hearts and minds, so that each action we take and each word we speak will be a reflection of you. Remake our lives in the image of your son, Jesus Christ, who is our example of perfect submission, and our inspiration to perfect love. Take away our fear and our regret, and help us yield control of our lives to you and your will for us.

We lift our sister Sharon Price in prayer. Surround her with your healing protection, and provide her with peace and strength to battle illness. Strengthen her family, especially her son Sebastian, and her fiance Albert Whirl. We ask your blessing on this family, and that your enduring love may touch their lives and bring them together to help and support each other in this time of need.

We also lift up the ladies of Plane State Jail, who together are facing their weakness and turning to you for deliverance from their brokenness. Be present with them and let your light shine in their hearts, providing a spark to burn away all their past sins, and to remove from them any will to sin. Help them see the way of love that you have for them, and give them peace in their hearts.

We pray for Patricia Wernsing, Izellaq Giles, Sonja Larry, Lynetta Burrell, Jocelyn Williams, Teresa Sikes, Monica Walker, Holly Heighton, Carlene Schell, Linda Snyder, Yvonne Ybarra, Lina Wilson, Cathy Miller, Julie Kerber, Rebecca Ditonno, Carlentha Taylor, Rosemary Arreola, Jackie Lewis, and Dominique Rangel. We pray for Arthur Love, Ricci Still, Claudia Burns, Angela Urrabzo, Diana Kelly, Antonia Perez, Kelli Simons, Barbara Rasberry, Laura Jane Fuentes, Gwendlyn Anthony, Monisha Smith, Tojia Smith and Rosanne Elizardo. We pray for Sherrie L. Smith, Brittany L. Smith, Savana Porter and Rosie Cheathem. For Mr. & Mrs. Mark Barrett, Lynda Luther, Lonnie Carver, Evelyn Clark, Thelma Carver, David Monk, Renee Sanchez, Amanda Flowers, Katherine Flowers, Eric Sniker, Hattie Huffman, and Karen Monk. As we lift their names up to you, although they are strangers to us, remind us all of our connection in you, and teach us all how to support each other in times of need.

We need a miracle, Lord. Because so many of the world's demands are in direct conflict with your call upon our lives. Even when we know your goodness, we can be swept away in the busy-ness of the world. Intervene in our lives to bring about your plan for the world. We celebrate your miraculous love, our God. Your care and concern for each of your children exceeds our limited understanding. You call us by name, and you have a plan for each us. And we are searching for you, our God.

Patty Toupal needs a miracle, Lord. Please come into her life and give her the strength she needs to face whatever comes. Help her in her case, satisfy her longings, take away her weakness and will to do harm, and replace it with your peace. Then open her eyes to your truth, and set her on your path in life.

Brenda Soria needs a miracle, Lord. Please reunite her with her two babies and her relatives. Equip her with your gentle loving-kindness, and give her a servants heart to nurture and care for the children you have entrusted to her care. Imprint your self sacrificing love upon her heart, so that through all that may come she may teach her children of your love for them.

Windy L. Christ needs a miracle, Lord. Shine your light upon her, show her the way that you would have her live for you. Let your love radiate through her so that others will see your presence in her life.

Bill Amshoff needs a miracle, Lord. Strengthen his love for Angela, protect and care for her and help them to become united in love of you. Teach them to be good parents, and help them protect and nurture Kaitlyn, and raise her to know and love you.

Kris Cox needs a miracle, Lord. She is struggling with her situation, and needs your help. She admits wrongdoing, but knows of your mercy and asks your help in starting a new life in you. Guide her, strengthen her resolve, and fill her with assurance of your pardon.

Lillian Benjamin needs a miracle, Lord. She has been lost in a world of indifference, and has only now turned to you. Lift her out of the lonliness and frustration that can lead to despair. Show her the way to a new life in Christ.

Della Renee Sterling needs a miracle, Lord. She asks your blessing on her mother, Janell, and that she be filled with your grace as she cares for Della's two children. She asks your protection for her boys, Michael and Jancey, and for her brothers. Keep them all in your care, and if it be your will, let all things work toward reuniting this family in your love.

Angela Tutko needs a miracle, Lord. She seeks to know you, and to find your will for her life. Gently guide her heart, and direct her steps all the days of her life. Protect her from harm and fill her with the fullness of your love for her.

For these and all your children, we lift our prayers. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Prayer Requests for the week

Glory to you, great God of the Scriptures, holy Comforter, Redeemer and King. In your glory, you humbled yourself to become one of us, to be physically present in time and space. Through your graciousness, you have allowed us to know you through the ages. You have made yourself known in word and in sacrament. You are our God.

We are your children. Forgetful of your love for us, we have acted in our own right. We have taken our own side and neglected our obligation to others. Help us open our hearts to those around us, and respond to them as sisters and brothers in you. Particularly we pray for Jerry Lee Parks, Frank Herrera, Tonya Holmes, Jennifer Broaddus, Theresia Broaddus, Andrea Jordan, Richard Ray Broome, Brenda James, Sara Jagers, Chris Young, Chris James, Carla Roddy, Thresa Roddy, Cynthia Blocker, Maria Diaz, Ana Maria Berry, Katrina Ayala, Sarah Ashford and Inez White. We lift these individuals to you, and pray that you be with them and in them. Help them find peace and reconciliation in your loving word. Give them sufficient strength for each day, and the courage to face any hardship that may come. Bring them the joy of knowing you, and show them how you want them to live in Christ Jesus. Amen.

A few things I know for sure...

There is a lot of uncertainty in our lives, but there are some things we can count on without question. These are the things that ground us, that give us our bearings. For me, my number one absolute is that God is all powerful, and God created me. Which means to me that no matter how bad I mess up, no matter how dejected I feel, or no matter who I think may be against me or judging me, I am God's child, and I am loved unconditionally. I can forgive myself because God can forgive me. And I can forgive others, because God has shown me my value and the value of each of God's children.

This may seem like no revelation to you, but it was as a big shocker to me. I had spent years suffering with depression and anxiety, living in misery and despair. I was filled with self-loathing and insecurity. I felt like I was drowning, and everything or everyone I tried to grasp onto to save myself ended up being destroyed. I did not deserve to be loved, or to have happiness. I was worthless and was a liar and a fake.

Years ago I developed a ritual of going by myself to mass on Saturday evening. I tried to listen, to find comfort in the familiar ancient rites, but the words just echoed in my empty heart. Nothing was making any sense. So then I stopped listening. I just let go and let my mind drift. It went to ugly places, to places I had not wanted to think about or remember, examining in excruciating detail all the sins I had tried to hide from God and from myself. I was so destroyed, I wondered silently how God could have screwed up so bad as to create me.

That was when God intervened. God took me and shook me and I felt as if a power source was connected to me from an unknown outlet. God's presence was physical, surrounding me in warmth and light. Everything else seemed to be far away. Clearly, succinctly, and adamantly, God delivered the following message to me.

I AM your God. I AM perfect. I do not make mistakes. I created you, and I don't make junk.

I tend to have an innate disbelief of all things miraculous, so I tried to disengage from this line of thinking. But God had a new hold on me, and wouldn't let go. I tried to explain myself, thinking if God knew my heart of hearts, He wouldn't claim me. But God told me, in particularly un-King James-like language, that He already knows my heart through and through, there is not one thing I have ever done or thought or said that God does not already know, and that since He has already forgiven all, so it was time for me to forgive it too.

One might think having a conversation with God would be a life changing experience. But my life didn't change as a result of that initial conversation. Maybe because I continued to deny the nature of our conversation. Weeks and months passed, and I continued in the same destructive state. Like a relentless caller, God kept dropping messages in my heart. I had become an offense to God, not because of my sins and failures, but because I refused to acknowledge God's great mercy and forgiveness. If God has forgiven me, but I continue to cling to the guilt and regret, I was rejecting God's plan for my salvation. If I continued to hold on to the sense of hopelessness in spite of God's message of redemption, I was denying God his rightful place as the one who ordered the stars and planets. I was claiming control over my miserable existence, and placing myself in the position of the supreme being. My refusal to reject my miserable state and claim a new life in Christ was evidence that I was still choosing to live in sin, rather than in grace. And finally, God gave me the challenge:

If you believe in me, you must put your full trust in my love for you.

But I'm afraid.

I know. Trust me.

But this isn't how I thought my life was supposed to be!

It is how I want it to be. Trust me.

But I don't know how to be the person you want me to be.

I can show you the way, but you have to trust me.

But if I change my life, people may reject me.

If you allow me to change your life, you may be rejected by some, but I will show you my people.

But I'm afraid.

I know. Trust me.

A few things I know for sure, that life brings many surprises, disappointments, tragedies and joys. Often we are afraid. But God's love for us will endure through all we encounter, whether we acknowledge it or not, whether we accept it or not. God's love will endure, and it can break through our deepest despair if we allow it. If we hear the message, and let the message of transformational faith into our lives, we can find a new way of live in that faith.

I know. Trust me.

Ask, Seek, Knock

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7

Such comforting assurances of God's steadfast generosity give us, the children of God, the confidence to approach God in prayers and ask for what we need. What an amazing promise we have been given! This is truly a revelation to the early church, and to us today. In the old testament book of Esther, the beautiful queen risks her very life by approaching the king to ask his mercy on her and her people. A devious counselor had duped the king into allowing a decree to destroy the Jewish people. Queen Esther's uncle Mordecai told her of the decree, and asked her to approach the king on their behalf.

Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish." Esther 4:15-16

Queen Esther's courage was met by her king's mercy, and the people were spared. But we need not fear when we approach God's throne asking for mercy. Because in Christ Jesus, through his sacrificial death and resurrection, we are reconciled with God, and we have the assurance that our needs will be met. If we ask for help, it will be given. If we seek understanding, we will understand, and someday, when we come to the gates of heaven, the gates will swing open wide for us.


Gracious, loving God, in your wisdom through the ages you have taught your people through the great writings of Scripture. We give thanks for their inspired message, and we give thanks for the teachers who bring them to your people today. Let our modern American hearts and minds be open to your timeless message of selfless love that risks everything and costs nothing.

Through the assurances of scripture, we approach you and ask your blessing on all who are suffering as victims of violence or hatred. We pray for your people trapped in poverty and hopelessness, and for those who suffer with illness, both physical and mental. We pray for people who are caught between cultural or political conflicts, and for those who are imprisoned and forgotten. We pray also for all those who inflict harm on others. Help us forgive, and shine your light into their hearts to let them see your way of love, and change their lives. Lift your children out of the depths of despair, and help us see the light of your way for all of us.

We lift up the names of Todd Sanford, Augustine Johnson, Loyd Hamilton, Tommy Johnson, Desiray Tate, Teresa Shelton, Sheryl Cobbs, Patricia Cobbs, Gustella Chatman, Lubertha Thompson, Inez Shelton, Christy Monjaraz, Berverly Jeffords, Krisann Trevino, Jimmy Trevino, Leon D. Vessell Ball, Michelle Baer. We join with these who ask for prayer, let us receive your graciousness. We seek to know more about your way for our lives, show us your plans which are for our benefit. We are knocking, swing open the gates and welcome us into your presence. We pray with the confidence of your own children, as instructed by your son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who is one with you, and in whom we are all one. Amen.

Tidy up...

Your divine presence startles us, and makes us more than a little uncomfortable. Like the preacher coming to dinner, we think we should tidy up, and hide away all our bad habits and the messes we've made in our life. But you drop in unexpectedly, when we are at our worst, and when we need you the most. You already know the deep, dark secrets of our hearts, help us to stop trying to hide from you. You have seen us at our worst, and still you love us without ceasing.

Break open the hold of sin on our lives, pierce through the darkness of which we are most ashamed. Forgive us for the sins that are keeping us apart from you. Forgive us for the sins that cause us to hold back, to resist your offer of life-changing grace. Show us what we have locked away in our hearts, because we can not admit to ourselves that we need forgiveness, that we need you, that we can not go it on our own. You know us better than we know ourselves. Take control of our lives, and gently guide us in the way you want us to go.

We pray for Rickie Mathews, who entrusts his mother to your care but still misses her dearly. Help him through the sadness of this time, and support his entire family in their loss. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

a Life of Love

To love is to live according to his commandments: this is the commandment which you have heard since the beginning, to live a life of love. 2 John 1:6

Live a life of love. This is what we all want more than anything. But fear causes us to settle for so much less. Instead of love, we live for temporary things, status, posessions, authority among humans. But love is forever, and love is what God has for us if we accept it.

Divine Creator, your love for us becomes apparant in an immediate and urgent way that surprises and frightens us. This all-encompassing love you have for us reaches out to us from a dimension we can not even imagine. Your devotion to us exists outside of our physical senses, yet we feel it pressing in on us, intruding into our lives, moving us, urging us to love you back. But we fear what we can not see. So the love we give you in return is feeble, tentative, and undeserving of your goodness. Forgive our mistrust, and shatter our reservations. Let our love for you overtake our sensible, reserved "good judgement" and let the joy you bring into our lives remake us in your image.

We pray for Lydia Carbajal who feels your love and wants to love you back. Open her heart and her mind to the fullness of your love for her, and help her find peace in you. Protect her from all harm, and teach her your ways. We pray for her son, Steven Diaz. Heal his brokenness, and reconnect him with society and his family. We pray for Avis Sanchez, for her full recovery from recent surgery, and for Joylene Tafoya to feel your presence in her relationship with Ben Maestas. We pray for the well being of her son Christopher Tafoya, and for her neices Alicia and Brandy. We lift them up, as well as Sophia Carrasco, Norma Salis and Patricia Loya, and we pray for justice and mercy in their court outcomes, that in all things your will be done. Hear our prayer for brother Anthony Johnson and his family, wife Kim, sons Anthony Jr. and Ezekiel. Be with them at all times and bring them together in your love. We lift up the family of Darrell W. Ross, and we ask that your healing mercies be poured out upon them. We pray for LaFonda C. White and Gary Clyde Daniels, please continue to touch their lives and help them reorder their lives according to the law of love.

We ask your blessings on all police officers, attorneys, judges, jurors and court officials. Protect and guide them, help them act according to your law of love as they uphold the laws of society. We lift up the families of all who are incarcerated. We know they suffer the loss of their loved one, provide for them in your loving kindness.

We pray for these and all your children around the world, in the name of Jesus our savior, Amen.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,

for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34


Easier said than done? Worry seems like part of daily life. But it serves no useful purpose, it does not equip us to deal with tomorrows troubles, instead it robs us of our enjoyment of today! I'm trying to make a conscious decision each day to reject worry and anxiety. When I feel that creeping feeling of dread or fret, I'm reminding myself that this is the day that the Lord has made, and we are to rejoice and be glad!


Oh holy Comforter, we bring to you the troubles of our heart. Help us to set aside the worries and the stresses that keep us from enjoying this day. Give us the strength to deal with todays troubles, and give us peace about that which we can not change. Help us know your joy, the true joy of being in your presence. Please help Patricia Litzinger and her daughter Tasha and sister Lisa; Brenda Foye; LaTrice Beechum and her family; Edna Hunter. Help these and all your children find their way to you from where ever they are now. Help us all find freedom in you, and show us how you want us to live in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Where is the love?

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

I Corinthians 13:1-3

To put it in today's words, Paul is telling us that we may talk the talk, but we better be able to walk the walk. Because its all about love. Nothing in the Gospel can save us without love. Jesus said it over and over, and still we tend to look for all kinds of rules and measures and doctrines... but it won't mean a thing without the love. Ya'll.

Father, Father, Father, help us, we need some guidance from above. Cause people got me questioning, where is the love?

Dear God, fill our hearts and minds with love for you and for our sisters and brothers here in this world. Help us overcome our tendancy to look for the hairsplitting letter of the law, and truely live by the spirit of your word, that is based in love. Forgive us when we make excuses. Show us how to seek true reconciliation with you and the world. Teach us to use our abilities and talents in love, for the benefit of humankind.

We ask your blessings on the family of Felicia Hilliard as she continues her journey to faith; For Tamera Mayo and her husband and children to be reunited soon if it be your will; we add our prayers to those of Pete Gonzales, remembering with him our government leaders in prayer, that they may govern our nation with a renewed moral authority that comes from understanding the true nature of your command for us to love one another. For these your children, and for all others in prison, we ask your protection and your healing.

We realize that it is only through your grace that change is possible in any of our lives. Please strengthen all chaplains, volunteers, and ministries spreading the good news of your radical love. Give us the words to express a love that knows no limits, that finds each and every one of us, wherever we are, if we open our hearts and minds to you. Please continue to bless this ministry, and guide us in the direction you want us to go. Empower us to do your work in the world, through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

When I say...

I am a Christian
by Maya Angelou

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow.

Let us journey on...
Artwork provided by Cynthia Eason and the ladies from Springfield, LA.


God, our Creator, you bring us into being. Jesus, our Redeemer, you seek us out and make us whole. Holy Spirit, our Inspiration, you impart our lives with purpose far beyond our limited understanding. Three we name you, in one Being you exist, in majesty and mystery, you order the world for all the ages. In your ultimate power, you reach out to us.

We pray for Susan Tucker and her family; Menyette Henry and her family; Robin Davis and her sister, Karen Sexton; for Linda Smith, we pray that your justice will prevail, and that she and her daughter will be reunited if it is your will; for Monica A. Garcia, for her children and her parents, support and deliver them from all evil and set them free from all afflictions; for Marvin Starks; for Terri C. Carter as she asks your help recovering from addiction, we add our prayers to hers for strength and mercy, lift her up and renew her relationships with her children, her husband and her mother, steady them and direct them on their way to new life in You; for Grace Cortez, we pray she finds relief from worries and fear, and that she is reunited with her family; we lift up Sharon Davis, and we give thanks that you heard her cry. Strengthen her and her family, and help her be your servant in the world.

We lift these, and all other prisoners up to you. For all who have been falsely accused, please let your justice prevail. For all who have committed sins against you and society, lead them down a path to reconciliation and peace. For all who suffer from poverty and hopelessness, we pray that the dawn of your new day will offer them hope for a better life in you. We pray these things, mindful of our own sinfulness, and confident in the redeeming grace of your beloved son, Jesus. Amen.

Seek first His Kingdom

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

Help us, dear God, to seek your will for our lives, and to try to put your kingdom first. Each of us needs your guidance and your assurance of our place in your kingdom. Remove from our lives any selfish motives that will block our path to you.
We pray for the following individuals, asking that they may feel your presence in their lives on this day:
Preacher Donald W. Graham; Larry Moody for your healing touch; Ronda Godish for the restoration of her family and to be released soon if it be your will; for Jennifer Jones and her mother; David Chumbley and Chris Hackworth; Rosie Miller and her family; Paulette Lawrence and her children; Dena Johnson and her son Leo, and her mother Connie; Bobby Radke; Touch each heart and fill them with your life-giving grace. We pray in the name of your son Jesus Christ, Amen.


We send out the devotional calendar "A New Day in Christ" free to anyone who requests it. However, sometimes people wish to give us payment for the calendar. We gratefully share the following poem, which we received in payment for a calendar.

God is in All of Us
by Donna L. Willis

God is in birds,
God is in the bees.
God's in flowers and
God is in the trees.
God's in you and
God is in me.
Gee can't you see?
Gee can't you see?