The Flood
“Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.” (Psalm 69:1-3, […]
Pearls Before Swine
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you…Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their […]
St. Thomas on Facebook Fights
Do you sometimes watch the fights back and forth on social media? Do you participate? Why do we care what others say or think? Why does it bug us that their opinions are different from ours? Why do we feel the need to get involved and say our piece? In last week’s Catalyst, I quoted […]
Fake News and Alternative Facts
I hear so much talk these days about “Fake News” and Orwell’s “alternative facts.” How many times have we seen untruths foisted upon us? What do we believe? Who do we believe? Pondering these questions, I was reminded of the following prayer from the 15th century German monk, Thomas a’ Kempis. May the Lord give […]
Praying through the Inauguration
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to […]
Doing the Hard Work
“You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.“ (James 3:18, The Message) I really like that interpretation of James 3:18 from The Message because it stacks up […]
Hard-Headed
“I have made your forehead as hard as the hardest rock!”” (Ezekiel 3:9, NLT) A friend of mine reminded me of that passage from Ezekiel today and it encouraged me. In the past, I, too, have been told (I won’t tell you by whom) that I am hard-headed. It wasn’t meant as a compliment. But […]
If my people…
““…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:13-14, NIV) This is America’s favorite Scripture in times of trouble or decision. […]
Terror Prayer
Terrorism, as a term, dates back to 18th Century France…but they didn’t invent it. It has been around since biblical times. The word terrorisme means “to frighten.” Sun-tzu, the master Chinese warrior from 2100 BC wrote in his book The Art of War, “Kill one, frighten 10,000.” The Assyrians and Babylonians, during Jeremiah’s day, were […]
When God Hides
“Truly you are a God who hides himself, O God and Savior of Israel.“ (Isaiah 45:15, NIV) Do you ever feel like your prayers don’t make it past the ceiling? Ever feel like God is nowhere to be found? If you’ve walked with God very long at all, I know you’ve felt this way – […]
Super Tuesday Prayer
It’s Super Tuesday! I woke up this morning praying for our country and this election. Like most of you, this election has left me somewhat confused about whom to choose and very disappointed in the level to which politics has sunk. I’m reminded of the prophetic passage in Jude: “But, dear friends, remember what the […]
Following the Good Shepherd
“A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired man, since he is not the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep, leaves […]
