"We can be certain that closeness is the key to mercy, for mercy would not be mercy unless, like a Good Samaritan, it finds ways to shorten distances" - Pope Francis, March 29, 2018.  Mercy always finds a way to shorten distances…….between spouses and family members (for charity begins at home), between friends and associates, betweenContinue reading "Lent Day 13: A Tribute to Divine Mercy"

Psalm 20: May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. 2May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.3May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. 4May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plansContinue reading "Lent Day 12: Three Pearls from Psalm 20"

“It is only once you see the baffled expression on the face of your enemy when you give his cruel words a warm smile that you’ll understand, truly understand, what love is all about.” ― Vironika Tugaleva, The Love Mindset: An Unconventional Guide to Healing and Happiness "If you take the 'love your enemy' outContinue reading "Lent Day 11: 10 Memorable Quotes on Loving Enemies"

I think the problem we Christians face a lot is living the different components of our lives in silos. Do we train our thoughts to keep Jesus in the forefront in the middle of a business discussion or when we are relaxing or exercising? Or do we restrict thinking about Jesus to when we areContinue reading "Lent Day 10: Do All in Jesus and For Jesus"

Sometimes we think we are too busy to pray. That also is a great mistake, for praying is a saving of time. The best praying man is the man who is most believingly familiar with the promises of God. After all, prayer is nothing but taking God’s promises to him, and saying to him, “DoContinue reading "Lent Day 9: 10 Memorable Quotes on Prayer (1): Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)"

As we continue our lenten journey, it's so easy to dwell much on the observances-prayer, almsgiving and fasting. But the story of Jonah and the Ninevites reminds us that repentance touches the heart of God when our hearts are not only sorry for how we have disobeyed God and displayed ingratitude to Him for HisContinue reading "Lent Day 8: It’s All About The Heart"

In teaching us The Lord's Prayer as a model for prayer, Jesus confirmed that we are to seek the righteousness of God first in life and in our conversations with God, and the rest would/could be added unto it. In devoting the first half of the six points in the prayer to honoring God theContinue reading "Lent Day 7: A Model for Prayer"

The Father designed and provided the heavenly kingdom for His saints from the beginning of time by His power. He continues to prepare it for that day when He will welcome all who are co-heirs with His Son; those who have accepted His offer of salvation and demonstrated their love for Jesus by obeying HisContinue reading "Lent Day 6: Life As a Rehearsal for Heaven"

Save me, O God, by Your name, And vindicate me by Your power.  Hear my prayer, O God; Give ear to the words of my mouth. For strangers have risen against me And violent men have sought my [d]life; They have not set God before them. Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul. He will recompense the evilContinue reading "Lent Day 5: Psalms of Protection – Psalm 54 Scripture Prayer"

Even as the enemy tries to stay up to date with new tricks for seducing Christians in a 21st century world, one can assume that one of his favorites has to be the one he used for tempting Jesus in the desert - scripture (Matthew 4:6). Quoting scripture perfectly, he attempted to twist the understandingContinue reading "Lent Day 4: Scripture As The Enemy’s Tool"