Daily Devotion: Judges 13

Judges 13. The birth of Sampson reminds me of the story of Abraham and Sarah from the book of Genesis. A couple praying for kids, greet and host an angel in disguise, and find that God has heard their prayers.
I just spoke on Sunday about the Christian value of hospitality. You never do know who you are inviting into your home, or into your life, when you try to make space and time for someone you don't know. Jesus says in Matthew 25 that when we welcome the stranger, we welcome him. I am praying today that God will help me see who I will run across this week, who could use a welcome: a kind word, a small gesture, that can set someone at ease. God, keep my eyes and ears open for the next stranger to welcome. Amen.

Daily Sips of Grace

Hello all,
As those of you who know me are likely aware, I have had some transition in my life...after nearly five years as Associate Pastor of Salem Lutheran Church in Catonsville, MD, I have now accepted a call as pastor of Living Grace Lutheran Church in Urbana, Maryland, a rural but growing area south of Frederick.

Another transition in my devotional life is that I've been meditating daily on the Moravian Daily Texts--three short Bible readings from both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament.

So I thought it would be appropriate for this blog to undergo a transition, too. I plan to use this space to share a brief reflection at least several times a week, on those texts. Feel free and encouraged to follow along--you can subscribe to the Daily texts here--and I hope what I have to say will be useful. Thanks!