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Written by Henri Nouwen (1932-1996), a Dutch priest, professor, writer, and theologian.  This is an excerpt from his book “Making All Things New.”

Once we have committed ourselves to spending time in solitude, we develop an attentiveness to God’s voice in us. In the beginning, during the first days, weeks, or even months, we may have the feeling that we are simply wasting our time. Time in solitude may at first seem little more than a time in which we are bombarded by thousands of thoughts and feelings that emerge from hidden areas of our minds. One of the early Christian writers describes the first stage of solitary prayer as the experience of a man who, after years of living with open doors, suddenly decides to shut them. The visitors who used to come and enter his home start pounding on his doors, wondering why they are not allowed to enter. Only when they realize that they are not welcome do they gradually stop coming. This is the experience of anyone who decides to enter into solitude after a life without much spiritual discipline. At first, the many distractions keep presenting themselves. Later, as they receive less and less attention, they slowly withdraw.

Be still and know that I am God. [Psalm 46:10]

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Written by Michael Wilkins, a contemporary theologian.

“Love” in the New Testament is a specific term for a uniquely biblical orientation toward relationships and toward life, which is best seen in the example of Jesus Christ. In fact, the kind of love that Jesus taught and displayed was revolutionary, because it was centered in giving, not getting…Do we love the way that Jesus loved? Probably not as much as we think we do. Because to love with his kind of love will mean our full obedience to God’s will for our lives, the continuing transformation of our personal, corporate, and family life, and our dedicated outreach to the world around us, even to those who may be our enemies. When we experience Jesus’ love in our lives, we will be able to give ourselves completely and solely to God and to those around us. Ultimately, that is what it means to truly love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and our neighbors as ourselves.

It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.   [John 13:1]

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The author of this prayer is unknown.

Almighty God, we thank you for the beautiful flag that flies over our land, a symbol of liberty, justice, and unity. May it always inspire us to live in accordance with its ideals. We pray for peace and prosperity for our nation, and that we may be united in purpose and spirit. Guide our leaders with wisdom and courage, and help us to be faithful citizens, working for the common good. May this day, and all days, be a time for reflection and renewed dedication to the principles upon which our nation is founded. Amen.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance. The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth; He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works. [Psalm 33:12-15]

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Written by Levi Lusko, a contemporary author. This is an excerpt from his book “Blessed Are the Spiraling.”

With all the darkness, corruption, and crisis in our world, it’s easy to see how much needs to change. But we don’t enact change by being overwhelmed by turmoil that is outside of our control. We honor God with what we can, not by yelling at the darkness but by lighting a candle and letting it shine… Instead of despair over what you can’t do, ask this question: What can you do? … It is easy to be paralyzed with fear, feeling like you can’t do everything. But you can do something. And when you do, you move from a disempowered state to an empowered one. So, make your bed in the morning and turn the TV off and gather your people around the table. Pile up the phones in a basket, break some bread, and look each other in the eyes. Eat until you are full and laugh until you cry. This is how you change the world.

You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.  [1 Thessalonians 5:5]

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Written by Carey Nieuwhof, a contemporary writer and podcaster.

How do you lead with grace and not lower your standards? It’s one of the trickier questions in leadership because there isn’t one clear answer. If you’re a more relational leader—you tend to be easier on issues, and favor keeping relationships with the people. You care deeply about your team, but might find it tough to hold people accountable and tend to shy away from conflict. If you’re a more results-driven leader—things get done, but in the process, you may push a bit too hard and get frustrated when people can’t keep up. It’s not that you don’t care about your team, but the urgency of the mission can make you forget the emotions in the room. But here’s a principle that really clicked for me: Be easy on the person, and tough on the issue…The future of leadership lies in valuing both results and relationships.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, [Philippians 2:3]

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Written by DeLano Sheffield, a contemporary writer

Lord, I am grateful for your word that shows us repeatedly just how serious you are about showing us who you are and how much you love all your people and creation. Please continue to teach us that we need not fear when we know what it means to have you present. Amen.

On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” [Zephaniah 3:16-17]

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Written by Roslyn Hernandez, a contemporary editor, project manager, and podcast producer.  This is an excerpt from “A Beautiful Year in the Bible.”

In the fast-paced culture of the United States, waiting can feel challenging. It can feel like the only way to get the life we want is to go out and take it. Jeremiah warns against the temptation to rush through life. False prophets, eager for quick outcomes, try to barrel ahead of God’s schedule. Their actions reveal a deeper issue—a lack of trust in God’s process. They want to force results, not understanding that God’s plans unfold with great precision. Faith involves trusting in the deliberate work of God and believing that the divine is on the move in our lives before we see results.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  [Proverbs 3:5]

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Written by Clarence Haynes, Jr., a contemporary speaker, writer, and teacher.

Spiritual maturity is about learning and continuing to learn. Growing and continuing to grow. In other words, there is more maturity ahead of you. If the ultimate goal is to be conformed into the image of Christ, we all have a long way to go. That’s why in this life we are always striving but never arriving. Maturity recognizes the progress you have made, holds onto it, and at the same time strives to continue forward.

Only let us live up to what we have already attained. [Philippians 3:16]

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Written by Jennifer Woodruff Tait, a contemporary Episcopal priest, historian, and editor.

Originally, the early Christians celebrated the Ascension together with Pentecost. On the same day they remembered both Christ’s ascending to be with his Father and the Holy Spirit descending on the gathered believers as reported in Acts 2. After all, Jesus’s last speech to the disciples before he ascended clearly connected the two events; he was going to leave his friends, but it would not be long before they received power from on high, and that power would change their lives. Eventually, as the church became legalized and its worship more public and systematic, believers gave Ascension a day all its own. But this strange and beautiful story doesn’t occur in a vacuum. It comes as the culmination of Jesus’ many post-resurrection appearances to his friends and followers throughout Eastertide, and it sets the stage for the powerful change that is coming next.

In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” [Acts 1:1-5]

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Written by Ken Boa, a contemporary author and founder of Reflections Ministry.

Human nature is a web of contradictions: we are at once the grandeur and degradation of the created order; we bear the image of God, but we are ensnared in trespasses and sins; we are capable of harnessing the forces of nature, but unable to rule our tongue; we are the most wonderful and creative beings on this planet, but the most violent, cruel, and contemptible of earth’s inhabitants.. The God who created the stars and calls them all by name is unimaginably awesome; His wisdom, beauty, power, and dominion are beyond human comprehension. And yet He has deigned to seek intimacy with the people on this puny planet and has given them great dignity and destiny… In the words of C. S. Lewis (in his essay The Weight of Glory), “glory” means “good report with God, acceptance by God, response, acknowledgment, and welcome into the heart of things. The door on which we have been knocking all our lives will open at last.” Let us exult in hope of the glory of God!

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained; what is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him?  [Psalm 8:3-4]

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