Month: September 2025

“When they heard the sound of the Lord God walking about in the garden at the breezy time of the day, the man and his wife hid themselves from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

The Lord God then called to the man and asked him: Where are you?

He answered, “I heard you in the garden; but I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid.”

Genesis 3:8-10 (NAB)

When we go all the way back to Genesis, we learn that God was very  interactive and personal with Adam and Eve. He walked with them in the garden, and talked with them like a friend or a father. They were blessed to have the Lord of the universe so tangible and real in their daily lives. They heard God walking in the garden, on the day they ate the forbidden fruit, but their sense of shame made them run away and hide from Him. 

Since God is a Spirit, invisible to us, the person walking in the garden, is considered to be a Christophany, according to Christian scholars of the bible. This would mean it was a pre-incarnate visit by Jesus. There were a few other pre-incarnate appearances of Jesus in the Old Testament. One was when He appeared to Joshua. Another was when a mysterious fourth man appeared in the fiery furnace, along with the three Hebrew boys. 

Though Adam and Eve were hiding in  shame, God still pursued them. He doesn’t wait for us to come out of hiding, but rather finds a way to go wherever we are hiding and call us back into relationship with Him. God knew exactly where they were, and yet He asked “Where are you?” 

I believe that God still asks that same question within every human soul today. Whatever our problems, pains, doubts or failures are, God is asking, “Where are you?” He calls us to return to Him when we are overwhelmed with depression, discouragement or the distractions of busy living, all of which can cause us to wander away from God. If we start to lose our direction or our hope, Jesus walks over to the place where we are, and invites us to cling to Him for renewed strength. 

After my late husband died, I was spiritually depleted during my year as a caregiver, leading up to his passing. I had not been to church for many months, and I was in a strange place spiritually, not quite sure who I was in God’s eyes. I recall feeling physically, emotionally and spiritually exhausted. 

One day, while listening to a CD of Christian music, I felt a nudging of the Holy Spirit, within me. It was as if a presence with a non-audible voice was calling me, with four simple words, “I want you back.” I knew it was Jesus, because He has a way of always calling us back to Him. He once said, “Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He sees when our weariness and burdens cause us to lose direction. 

Jesus is the person who called Adam and Eve in the garden, by asking “Where are you?  He is still calling all souls to come to Him instead of staying in a hiding place. God sent His son, not only to redeem and save the world, but to restore the intimacy in our relationship with Him. 

If I learned anything through those difficult months, it’s that God desires to establish the same intimacy He once had in the very beginning, in the garden.

Scripture refers to Jesus as the second Adam. The first Adam taught us to hide from God in fear or shame, but the second Adam, Jesus, draws us back to God, just as we are, and then transforms us into His sons and daughters by dwelling in us. 

Jesus called Himself the bread from heaven that gives life to the world. He said, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” (John 6:35)

We are spiritually malnourished people until Jesus lives in us and we live in Him. His Spirit is still calling every soul on earth, asking the same question that began in Genesis, “Where are you? I want you back.”

Lord, we believe that you are calling us and we bring all our sorrows and disappointments to you, instead of hiding them. We ask you to heal and restore us, that we may continue in an intimate friendship with you. Amen

“If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”

Revelation 3:20 (ESV)

Music is a form of therapy for the soul, that extends beyond words,  inspiring a more cheerful and peaceful heart. It’s the oldest gift, since from ancient times, every culture on earth used music as a bridge of expression to unite heaven and earth. Scripture tells us that there is music in heaven, and God gave musical talent to people who have since blessed generations with their music. Here are some statements made by famous musicians, of what music meant to them:

Johann Sebastian Bach-“I play the notes as they are written but it is God who makes the music.”

Paul McCartney- “Music is the only common thread that has maintained its power throughout the ages.”

Bob Marley-“One good thing about music, when it hits, you feel no pain.”

Bono-“Music can change the world because it can change people.”

Billy Joel-“I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity.”

All those quotes are true, regardless of what kind of music it is. I love all kinds of music. One day last week, I heard an old Irish hymn being sung by a choir on a Christian TV show. I’ve heard the song before but didn’t know the name of the hymn. While listening to it, I quickly placed my phone by the TV and asked Siri “What song is this?” Siri kept saying, “Hmm, I don’t recognize this song.” 

I got so frustrated that Siri’s search abilities are so limited in the genre of  Christian songs and hymns. I needed the title of that song in order to download it, so I prayed, “Holy Spirit and angels, you know the title of this song, so please help me find it.”

Then I searched on my phone for “Old Irish hymns.” A page popped up with the heading, “30 favorite Celtic hymns” all listed by title. I only knew the first line of the song, so I scrolled down the long list and the 13th song on the list, matched a line in the song. I clicked on it to listen and it was the exact song I was searching for. Thanks to the Holy Spirit and the musical expertise of angels, I found it, and then downloaded the song. 

I relaxed while listening to the song, whose title is “I heard the voice of Jesus say.”  As I read the history of the song, I was surprised to learn that it was not Irish, but was written by a Scottish pastor in 1846, whose name was Horatius Bonar. He wrote about 600 hymns in his lifetime. 

I also learned that “Celtic” is a title that applies to both Scottish and Irish. I’ve always found something very spiritual about Celtic music, with the unique sounds of their rare instruments, but more than anything, I love the lyrics in this particular song. 

All music has a therapeutic power of inner healing and deepening spiritual connections. Jesus told us if we hear His voice and open the door, He will come in and dine with us. When lyrics and melody come together like a marriage, something spiritual happens, and we can hear the voice of Jesus through any genre of music. It’s God’s oldest gift to mankind, and I thank Him for it. 

As we take time this week to find rest from a world of stress, we should remember we’ve been given the gift of music. Peace in the world begins with one individual heart at a time. The voice of Jesus, subtly heard in a melody or lyrics of a song, brings us His peace. He is politely knocking on the door of every human heart, waiting patiently for the door to open, and let Him in.

Lord, help us to embrace the gift of music, in hearing your voice that brings us rest and peace, and we pray for the conversion of all souls to hear what you say and open their doors to you. Amen

(The old Celtic hymn)

I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say (Tune: Kingsfold – 3vv) [with lyrics for congregations] – YouTube

“A cheerful heart is a good medicine,

but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.”

Proverbs 17:22 (RSV)

Here is a science we can all love: 

Ten minutes of hearty belly laughter equals 30 minutes of rowing a boat. 

I don’t know about anyone else, but I’d rather laugh than row. To be clear, no one is recommending we replace an exercise workout with laughter, but it will fire up our abs and get our endorphins flowing. It’s pretty much common sense, that if our mood is good, we can do everything better.

Laughter improves our mental health by reducing the production of the stress hormone, Cortisol. Deep belly laughter is also like a mini abdominal workout. Hearty laughter triggers the release of endorphins, which are the body’s feel good hormones, which reduces pain perception and boosts the immune system, all of which contributes to an overall sense of wellness. Human babies will laugh long before they can ever speak. That’s something to think about.

In a particular research study, one patient who lives with chronic pain, found that 10 minutes of genuine hearty laughter allowed him two hours of pain free sleep, where he previously was in continual pain. Laughter is now scientifically linked to better pain tolerance. 

A polite chuckle at a lame joke will not suffice, because this research refers to deep belly laughs that leave you gasping for air and wiping tears from your eyes. When we laugh, our bodies go through a complex combination of muscle contractions and respiratory changes, which afterward, acts as a medicine for the mind, body and spirit.

We are currently living in a stressful, confusing and very divided society. We are constantly bombarded with news of violence and tragedy. Too much bad news leads to a downcast spirit, as described in today’s scripture. While we remain proactive by praying, we also need to know when to walk away from too much negativity and find a way to lighten up our spirits. Both scripture and science tells us that whatever makes us laugh is like medicine and whatever brings us joy, can also bring healing

The other day I was walking my dog and my neighbor was walking hers. We stopped to chat, and I asked how her husband was doing after his medical procedure, and she asked me how my son was doing. She was going through a tough period as a caregiver. As I listened to her, I could relate and sympathize as she vented some of her frustrations.

While we were talking about everything, her Border Collie started circling me until his leash had me completely corralled. He wound his leash around my legs like a Barber shop pole, so that I couldn’t move. I’ve heard that it’s the nature of Border Collies to corral people and other animals. As we tried to unwind his leash from around my legs, the whole scene suddenly looked like a slapstick comedy, and we both burst into laughter. 

Afterward, I realized that we both experienced a medicinal moment. My neighbor and I both live with some type of stress, as do most people. Her dog provided a brief moment of hearty laughter for us, which was like a dose of medicine, causing our endorphins to flow. 

Animals don’t overthink good news or bad news, they just live moment by moment for life’s simple joys. If animals can teach us anything, it’s to lighten up and just laugh. Instead of permitting the bad news in the world to dry up our bones, and leave us downcast, we can pursue a cheerful heart that does our body, mind and spirit good, like a medicine.

Lord, help us to maintain cheerful hearts, while we keep offering our prayers to heaven. Help us discover the medicine of laughter by focusing on the simple joys in life. Amen

“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:14 (RSV)

Every journey in Christ begins with sincere prayers and a heart that is ever changing according to God’s upward calling. Our response to the upward call of God is a life long one. When we think about it, God has kept each one of us under His wing of protection in order to bring us this far, at this precise time for whatever His divine purpose is in our lives. 

There is so much that we have no control over in this world, but we can always control our attitude. 

St. Augustine said “If you aspire to great things, begin with the little things.” If the intent of our heart is to seek God’s will, and our attitude is to pursuit His upward call, then that attitude is the little thing that we can begin with. 

When I was 20 years old, I visited a church and there was a woman there, a widow in her sixties, named Leona. She was a long time parishioner, who greeted and spoke to every visitor, long before official “Greeters” were assigned to do so. She radiated with warmth and an unforgettable presence, as if she just came down from the same mountain that Moses did, when his face was so radiant that others were afraid to look at him. 

Leona had that same “other world”kind of glow, and when she looked into my eyes, I knew she was looking into my soul. She radiated the presence of God in a way that left me impressed by both her holiness, and God’s love. She was blessed with many spiritual gifts, and she used them freely to impart words of wisdom to people, in whatever way she felt led. I will never forget how her face literally glowed.

Leona spoke to me one day, with a simple message about God wanting to take more precedence in my life. It was both frightening and awesome, but afterward I had no doubt that the Spirit of God was speaking to me, while revealing His love through her. She inspired me to pursue a deeper kind of faith, instead of settling for good enough. Leona went on to be with the Lord in 2001, at the age of 88, but the memory of her radiant love and wisdom still remains with me. 

There is an upward call of God to all believers, to give ourselves to God in pursuit of whatever heavenly goal lies ahead for us. It’s easy to see so much turmoil and chaos in the world, but we must remember to keep raising our eyes upward to God, to listen to His words. 

God’s upward call is to people of all nations, saying;

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

(2 Chronicles 7:14)

We are called by His name and our land definitely needs healing of its wicked ways, so we embrace God’s words, seek humility, and pray for healing. Meanwhile, we continue to find inner peace by taking refuge in Him, as we press on toward the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Lord, thank you for keeping us safe in these present times, so that we may fulfill our purpose and calling. Help us to keep looking upward, to seek humility and pray for the healing of our nation. Amen

Leona’s son is a well known Christian artist today. One of Ron Dicianni’s many paintings is shown below.

“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.”

Luke 10:33-34 (NIV)

I remember as a child, watching a TV show, with my grandmother, which was her favorite show. It was kind of a hybrid between a game show and a reality show that aired until 1964, and was called “Queen for a day.” If any readers are old enough, they might remember it. 

Each contestant was asked to describe their pitiful situation of hardship, whether financial, emotional or a health problem. Some had a need for medical equipment for themselves or their chronically ill child. Others might have needed a hearing aid, a new washing machine, or a refrigerator.

Strange as it seemed to me, my grandmother loved watching as each woman described her dilemma with intense emotion. After each of the contestants told their sad stories, a live audience voted with applause. The woman who received the most applause was crowned Queen for a day. Besides a crown, she received many prizes based on her story and particular needs. It was a reality show long before reality shows ever existed. 

If I could rewrite that show today, I would have the contestants be good Samaritans who helped someone overcome their misfortune, and get back on their feet again. It wouldn’t be about prizes and gifts, but rather recognizing stories of kindness and voting for the best example, by crowning someone Queen or King for a day. I’m sure Jesus would have voted for the Good Samaritan in His own gospel story.

Whether Jesus knew that good Samaritan in real life, or told a fictional story to make a point, it’s clear that He thought very highly of what the Samaritan did. Not only did he bandage the man’s wounds but he carried him to a nearby inn and paid for his stay, to rest and recuperate. 

We all know real life stories of good people like that Samaritan, who go the extra mile to help someone. I know good Samaritans who help people every week, giving their time and resources to help those who are struggling with a dilemma of some kind. 

I remember a true story about a homeless man, named Bugsy, who I once wrote about in a meditation last year. He lived in a brick bus shelter on a street corner in Chicago for many years. I spoke with him a few times and once bought him a few pairs of sweat pants. I don’t live in that area and only pass by once in a while. I was happy to learn that many people got to know him and helped him out in different ways.

Bugsy was different from other homeless people, because he never held a sign, or stood in the street begging. In fact, he never asked anyone for anything. He had a limp and a cane, but cheerfully lived in his bus shelter home. I once asked him if he’d be better off in a homeless shelter and he smiled saying, 

“This is my home.” Many people befriended Bugsy and regularly stopped by, to give him money, because of his pleasant demeanor. 

One day, last winter, I drove by and the bus shelter was completely empty, with no sign of Bugsy or his belongings. I was concerned and wanted to find out what happened, so I decided to google, “Where is the homeless man who lives in the bus shelter on Cumberland and Forest Preserve drive?” A link popped up which led me to a neighborhood Facebook site. 

Many people in the neighborhood were posting comments, asking the same question that I asked. One person who knew what happened , finally answered. They said that a good Samaritan brought him to a motel and paid for him to stay there during the arctic cold days of winter. Bugsy must have been very ill, because when they later inquired about him, the police confirmed that Bugsy died in that motel room.

It made me very sad to think of Bugsy dying alone, without getting the medical care he needed, but I was also thankful that there are good Samaritans today, still doing what Jesus so admired. 

God bless Bugsy, and that modern day good Samaritan, whether it was a man or a woman, he or she will receive a crown in heaven one day. 

Lord, open our eyes and our hearts to see how we can do our part to help others, as good Samaritans today. Amen

“Though the mountains be shaken

 and the hills be removed yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassionon you.”

Isaiah 54:10 (NIV)

Everyone has something that they hope will remain steadfast and unfailing. We all hope to have unfailing health, unfailing youth, unfailing financial security, unfailing relationships, and unfailing prowess in some sport or skill. 

God doesn’t promise that all things will be unfailing and steadfast. In fact, most of His promises in scripture are conditional promises. Our relationship with God is a covenantal relationship, where God prescribes ways to abide in Him, so that we can live a life of peace and well being. 

Throughout scripture, God declares to His people that if they do what He asks, they will reap certain results. The conditional promises of God are the groundwork of our faith, leading to obedience, prayer, and seeking first His will, in order to experience His blessings in our lives.

There are multiple verses in scripture that start out with “If”…. and finish with “then”.  Those “IF-THEN”promises span across the old and new testament. As Christians, we look to Jesus, who gave the following promises out of many others:

If you seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness, then all these things will be given to you as well.

If you remain in Me and my words remain in you, then ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.

If you forgive other people when they sin against you, then your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 

God always has a covenant system of conditions for His people to abide in. His conditional promises do not mean that He loves us more when we abide in Him, or less when we don’t. It’s a common deception to believe that God loves us less or more, based on what we do. His love is steadfast and the conditions He gives us, are a formula to give us peace, joy and to benefit us for eternity.

One thing that is not conditional in the many promises of God, is His unfailing, unchanging, steadfast love for us. God loves each of us without any conditions. There is absolutely nothing we can ever do, to cause God to love us any less.

Jesus talked about His father’s love for us, and one of the most popular scriptures was spoken from His own lips:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son…” (John 3:16)

He also said, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.” (John 15:9)

We can live with total assurance that God loves the world unconditionally. He demonstrated that love through His son, and it was all done before anyone could do anything to earn it or deserve it. 

God still loves people, whether they respond in faith to Him or not. He loves us whether we turn towards Him or wander far away from Him. 

It was this unfailing, unconditional love of God that kept drawing me back, whenever I wandered away from Him, at different times in my life. If everyone knew how much God actually loves them, this world would be a totally different place. 

The church has a mission to the world, which is to demonstrate the unconditional love God has for all people. I believe we all need reminding that only God’s love can change a human heart. It’s the kindness and love of God, that brings a godly type of sorrow, which leads to repentance, true peace and eternal life. (2 Corinthians 7:10)

No one really changes from the outside in, but only from the inside out, and human hearts change in realizing the relentless and unfailing love, God has for us. The greatest revelation of this kind of love is in

the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, His son.

Lord, we pray for the grace to reflect your unfailing love and peace to the world, each day. Thank you for loving us without conditions, and help us to be your light in the world. Amen

“But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”

1 Peter 4:13 (NIV)

“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death..”

Philippians 3:10 (NIV)

Whenever we go through a very difficult trial, it’s natural to wonder what God is up to. Through the wisdom of Peter and Paul, we can be assured that Jesus was inviting us to know Him in a deeper way, by uniting us to His suffering. He told us that we would go through similar trials that He went through, since servants are no greater than their master.

Suffering is not a popular topic in Sunday sermons. No one looks for suffering but when life brings it, the answers are found in the inspired words of Jesus, as well as in the writings of Peter and Paul. Instead of looking to escape suffering, if we unite ourselves to Jesus’ suffering, we will discover the power of His resurrection within us.

The drive for success among our current culture, exalts winners and high achievers while those who suffer are considered unfortunate. The world celebrates fame, wealth, intellect, talent, athletic strength, beauty and fitness as the goalposts of success, so it’s easy to become conformed to that mindset, and to interpret all suffering as failure.

Jesus assured us that His peace is not the kind that the world offers, and His idea of success isn’t either. Success in His kingdom is not based on the world’s standards, but in being transformed to Heaven’s standards. Jesus taught the most paradoxical ideas, like the last will be first, or those who lose their life will save it for eternity. 

Peter and Paul also tell us that when we participate in Christ’s suffering, we participate in His glorious resurrection, and are filled with His power. To combine suffering with power is the most paradoxical combination of all, but it is unique only to Christianity. Peter and Paul, invite us in today’s scripture verses, to unite our suffering to Christ and then to expect a glorious revelation of resurrection power.

Paul did it and his ministry was so anointed that he would touch a handkerchief, which was then taken to sick people, and their illnesses were instantly cured. He never saw the people who were healed, but by touching his handkerchief, God’s power brought healing and deliverance to others. It’s mind boggling to think about, but it all starts with Jesus’ death on the cross and the power of His resurrection.  (Acts 19:12)

Paul had a ‘handkerchief ministry,’ but Peter had a ‘shadow casting’ ministry. Whenever he walked down the street, sick people would line up, lying on cots, and as Peter’s shadow was cast over them, they were all miraculously cured.  (Acts 5:15)

Despite the amazing stories of God working through Peter and Paul, both men suffered with various types of hardship, persecution and beatings. They each carried their own cross of suffering, while at the same time, they were empowered to spread faith and healing to the world, in Jesus’ name.

Our lives as believers will also include this odd combination of suffering and resurrection power. 

We may not have a handkerchief or shadow casting ministry, but we all have something that the Spirit of God is developing in us, and He does it best through our suffering. It may seem like a paradox, but it’s the Jesus way. 

We praise God when He answers our prayer, but our faith doesn’t deepen by getting all the things we ask for. 

Spiritual endurance, growth and strength is most powerful, while we are facing the hardest trials of our life. That’s what Peter and Paul were trying to tell us in today’s scripture verses.

The most difficult times in our lives may feel like a mini death, but it will be followed by a mini resurrection. I experienced it after caring for a terminally ill husband, and again in watching the effect of a motorcycle accident on my son’s life. It’s like a mini death, but always followed by a mini resurrection, that raised me up with new strength and endurance. 

These cycles of life deepen our identify with Christ, and help us to discover His resurrection power manifesting in new ways. We can trust that God is always doing something wonderful, through the mini resurrections in our lives. 

Paul told believers that the Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and fellow heirs with Christ. He said that if we suffer with Him, we will be glorified with him. (Romans 8:16-17)

When we are overwhelmed with suffering, the Lord reminds us that we are a child of God and a fellow heir with Christ, united with Him. He seals us with His love, so that we can live in the power of His glorious resurrection.

Lord, comfort us with your love and wisdom to know the great value of identifying with you in all suffering, in order to discover your resurrection glory that is within us. Amen 

“Then Joshua built an altar to the Lord, the God of Israel, on Mount Ebal, just as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded the sons of Israel, as it is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, an altar of uncut stones on which no one had wielded an iron tool”.

Joshua 8:30-31 (NASB)

Joshua, who succeeded Moses, built an altar at Mount Ebal, in the manner that Moses commanded. The Lord required that the altar be built with natural stones, meaning uncut, and not hewn with instruments or tools used by human hands. 

Occasionally, something we read in scripture is authenticated by what is later discovered by archeologists. The remnants of that altar were found when Mount Ebal was excavated in 2022.

This requirement to offer uncut stones for an altar, is an interesting one, and I wondered if it contains a message of relevancy for us today. 

If we come to God as we are, natural and uncut, we are like the unhewn stones that Joshua offered on Mount Ebal.

If we try to change ourselves before coming to God, or if we let others carve and shape us as they want, it makes us pre-hewn, cut or carved with tools. Instead of trying to fix ourselves, or let the world carve us according to current trends, we come to God uncut, just as we are, allowing Jesus to carve us into who He wants us to be. 

Abraham is the first example of an unhewn stone, surrendered to God. At the age of 75, God told him to leave his homeland and go to a new land. He believed God, without knowing where he was headed, and his family and friends thought he was crazy. By being an uncut stone, Abraham believed God and was sent on a new mission which brought blessings to many generations who came after him. 

Noah also believed God and built an ark, without seeing a single cloud in the sky. God told him that a flood was coming, and he prepared for it, despite the constant ridicule of his neighbors. Noah and his family were like uncut stones, who offered a new beginning for a post flood world. 

Hannah was a woman of faith who  desperately wanted a child but was barren. Her husband loved her and was content without having children, but she still desired a child, so she went to the temple daily, praying to conceive. The priest noticed her praying with such fervor, that he thought she was drunk, and told her to ‘sober up.’ (1 Samuel 1:14)

Though Hannah was misunderstood by others, God answered her prayer. She gave birth to Samuel, and later dedicated him to full time service in the temple. Hannah was like an uncut stone, and God carved His plan into both Hannah and Samuel’s lives. Samuel grew to become one of the greatest prophets in the Old Testament. He anointed David as king, who became the ancestor to Jesus, the Messiah.

Abraham, Noah and Hannah all yielded to God in a different way, despite the ridicule of skeptics. 

It’s just a reminder that we are all a part of something bigger than ourselves. All three of them felt misunderstood and alone at times, but they all left a legacy of blessing to the world, by offering themselves to be carved by God’s divine purpose.

Paul said that we are all meant to yield ourselves to God as living sacrifices. (Romans 12:1) Jesus is the Chief Cornerstone, over His church in the world, and He is always leading us by example. 

(Ephesians 2:20) 

As Joshua gathered uncut stones, we are gathered by Jesus, carved and hewn by Him, aligning us on the altar of service to God, but it all begins by coming to Him, uncut, just as we are. 

Lord, we want to come first to you, uncut, just as we are, to be carved according to your purpose. Make us a light of truth and love that shines throughout this world, so that all people will respond to you. Amen 

“Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!”

“You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”

Acts 12:13-15 (NIV)

This story almost reads like a sitcom, and the main character shares the same name as a sitcom star from a comedy show in the late 70’s, called “Rhoda.”

Even the opening scene begins like a joke. ‘An angel walks into a Roman prison one day’…..

That angel, who was shining like a blinding bright light, passed all the guards around the prison, unseen by anyone. He walked through doors and right into Peter’s dark prison cell. His bright light shone through the cell, but Peter remained sound asleep. When Peter didn’t wake up, the angel hit him on his side, to wake him up, telling him,

“Get up.”

Peter woke up, his chains fell off, and he was escorted out of the prison, to the main iron gate, which magically opened by itself. After passing all the guards again, the angel led Peter in the direction of the house where the disciples were gathered. Then he suddenly disappeared. 

While still trying to process all that just happened, Peter knocked on the front door of the house, where the disciples were inside, praying for him. Rhoda, described as a servant, but was also a disciple, came to answer the door. Hearing Peter’s voice outside the door, she got so excited that she ran back to tell the disciples, without unlocking the door to let him in. 

She joyfully blurted out to everyone that Peter was at the door. The disciples were praying diligently for Peter’s release, but they refused to believe Rhoda’s news. They never even went to the door to see for themselves. They told Rhoda that she either saw an angel or had lost her mind. They were so sure it couldn’t be Peter at the door, knowing he was in a Roman prison. 

There are so many comical moments in the way Luke writes this story. It’s funny how the answer to what is being prayed for, is not believed or accepted, when it finally happens. Perhaps the disciples assumed that Peter’s only chance to be released could be at his trial, which was scheduled for the next day. How easy it is to have pre-conceived ideas of how God should or would answer a prayer. 

Rhoda is the main character, aside from Peter and the angel. She knew it was Peter, the moment she heard his voice, before opening the door to see him. There is nothing comical about the character trait that makes Rhoda different from the rest, and that trait is an ‘expectant heart.’

She heard Peter’s voice, which confirmed her hope before ever opening the door to see him. To have faith like Rhoda, is to pray with an expectant heart, and to believe the slightest whisper of hope, long before we see the actual answer to our prayer. 

Lord, help us to have expectant hearts like Rhoda, by believing the answer to our prayer is on the way, waiting behind the door of our hope. Amen

“Behold, how good and pleasant it is

when brothers dwell in unity.”

Psalm 133:1 (RSV)

I visited a neighborhood hair salon that a friend once recommended many years ago. After arriving, I learned that the Salon was under new ownership. The current owner is an attractive young Moslem woman from Jordan, who dresses in western style attire and doesn’t cover her head. The receptionist and some of her hairdressers are Assyrian Christians. 

While we were chatting, the owner shared how she respects people of all faiths. She told me that she services both Orthodox Jewish and Moslem women clients, whose religion forbids them to show their hair in public. The orthodox Jewish women who are married, wear wigs or a scarf in public, and the Moslem women wear the hijab scarf to cover their hair. I was amazed at such a melting pot blend of cultures and traditions, all in one salon. 

The owner has a special room with a black curtain for clients who need to have their hair done in privacy. They are led to the special room, behind a black curtain, out of dignity and respect for their religious tradition. Other clients who are not of those religious backgrounds, receive services in the attractively decorated open section of the Salon.

I observed a young Moslem client go behind the black curtain for her appointment. Later, a middle aged orthodox Jewish client arrived, and waited for her appointment to go behind the same black curtain. The owner greets everyone with a warm and friendly attitude, and that Salon is a prototype of peace and unity that the whole world can learn from. 

Four days later, I heard of another example of cross cultural peace and unity. On Labor Day, my childhood friend called me from Israel where he now lives. I wrote previously about Larry, who was a neighbor who lived across the street from me, in Chicago, where we grew up. One day during our primary grade school years, Larry was hit by a car, on the side street where we lived. He was hospitalized in a coma for a few months, but he finally recovered and returned to school. He has weakness and spasms in one arm and walks with a limp, but he was able to finish school up to a few years of college. 

Being Jewish, Larry decided to immigrate to Israel about forty years ago, and he is now retired after working at an Israeli factory that makes the diamond blades for drills, used by surgeons all over the world. 

He told me about a construction project currently being done in his condo building. The government is adding a bomb proof safe room inside every unit of the building, which is a complex five year project. Residents have the option to move out of the building during the construction, but Larry cannot easily do that, since he’s 71 years old, slightly handicapped, and lives alone. He has his groceries delivered these days because the stairs in the building are dangerous to walk on during the renovations. 

All the laborers working on the project are Arab residents of Israel. Larry told me how kind they have all been to him, and how they help him whenever he comes and goes, while climbing the stairs. Despite the inconvenience of the construction period, Larry told me about one very special worker, named Mahmoud. Whenever Larry leaves or returns to his condo, Mahmoud stops what he is doing and helps Larry go up or down the stairs, while carrying his bags or anything he is holding. I was fascinated and touched to hear a true story about such kindness, that crosses religious and cultural barriers. 

Between Larry’s story about Mahmoud’s kindness and the Salon owner who services people with the dignity and respect of their faith, it seemed that God was showing these examples to me for a reason. Peace and unity comes when we see people as individuals, instead of categorizing them into groups. The world is divided and in turmoil, but we can bring a bit of peace and unity to it, by treating every individual with dignity, respect and kindness, just as Jesus did. 

Thinking of the words in today’s Psalm, I said to myself, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters of all faiths can truly dwell together in unity.”

Lord, help us to be kind, respectful, and to do our small part to keep peace and unity across various faith traditions. Give us the humility to show dignity to every individual who is a stranger, just as Jesus did. Amen