Fifth Friday in Lent

"I will tell of your name to my
   brothers and sisters;
in the midst of the
   congregation I will praise you:"  Psalm 22:22

all the parties
i no longer
get invited to,
all the kids
standing in front
of their lockers
snickering at me.
all the teachers who whisper,
'he had such potential,
what happened?'
it's as if i have
a 'kick me'
sign
on my back.
if i mention
your name,
people fall down
laughing.
if i don't,
another hole
burns in my soul.
like fawkes,
i dissolve
into ashes, yet
come back
again and again.
your words
keep spilling
out of my
mouth,
no matter
how hard i try
to put padlocks
and chains
around them.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Fifth Thursday in Lent

"We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now;" Romans 8:22

resistant
to directions,
we are pretty
sure
we don't need
to be shown the
way out
of our shadows.
we tap our
pencil
against our
teeth, eager
for the test
to be over so
we can
get to the
fun part
of life.
groaning
under our breath,
nervously drumming
our fingers on the
wheel, we
try to change
the signal by
sheer
concentration.
give us
the
patience
to wait for
your hope
to come,
just around the
corner
of our faith.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Fourth Wednesday in Lent

"The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him." Jeremiah 18:4

the fingers
that unfolded
butterflies' wings
and waved goodbye
to them
now smooth
the wrinkles
of our souls.
those hands
callused by
shaping craggy
mountains
now gently
caress us into
being.
that breath
which melted
glaciers
into blue-green
oceans
now fills
our lungs
with life
as you
craft us
into earthenware
vessels
to hold
the dreams
of others.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Fourth Tuesday in Lent

"But he said to them, 'It is I; do not be afraid.'” John 6:20

fear

comes as a spider

weaving its threads

of conspiracies and lies

into a web just waiting 

to snare us while it slowly

creeps toward us to suck

all our humanity out of us.

fear

sounds like those ancient sirens 

sitting just on the

edge of our journey 

through these difficult times,

singing sweet, alluring songs

hoping to lure us from 

staying the course towards

compassion, justice, and hope.

fear

is a decaying past

we are told we need

to keep alive at all costs,

no matter how damaging

it was to so many people.

so, 

may we take you deep

into our hearts and souls

that we might not trust fear

more than we trust you.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Fourth Monday in Lent

"There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?" John 6:9

the half-empty
bottle
of water
we toss into
the waste can
at work.
the ends
of the
bread
we let turn
moldy in
the fridge.
the veggies
we leave
on our plate
at the restaurant,
so we have room
for dessert.
the compassion
we toss
into the coin
jar on top
of our dresser
at the end
of the day.
our simple gifts
could make
such a feast
of
hope,
healing, and
grace
for others if
we would only
put them in your
hands.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Fourth Sunday in Lent

And he cautioned them, saying, "Watch out -- beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod." Mark 8:15

may the warmth
of your living waters
be just
what those the
world leaves out
in the cold
need.

may the saltiness
of your tears
bring
healing to
the wounds
of those
pierced by
hatred.

may the gentleness
of your touch
knead the sore
muscles
of those whose
backs are
stiffened by
12-hour shifts
in oncology
units.
may the yeast
of your justice
enable us
to rise and
feed the
hungry outcasts
all around us.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Fourth Saturday in Lent

"Teach me to do your will,
   for you are my God.
Let your good spirit lead me
   on a level path." Psalm 143:10

i could
tail temptation
down the
blind alleys
of its
maze.
i could
follow the
pride piper
until
caught in
that trap
i would never
escape.
i could
let death
coach me
on every
wrinkle
in its
playbook.
or
i could let
you
guide me
into grace.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Fourth Friday in Lent

 "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?"   Romans 6:3

baptized
with you,
we swim in the
warm waters of
joy, racing
you to see
who gets to
the far shore
first.
buried
with you,
we are planted
in grace's rich
soil,
nourished by
the Spirit so
we might stretch
toward glory's
morning.
united
with you,
we hold hands
with the rest
of your siblings,
crossing death's
busy road
into the
kingdom.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Fourth Thursday in Lent

"One thing I asked of the LORD,
that will I seek after:
to live in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the LORD,
and to inquire in his temple." Psalm 27:4

walking in the
fog, hoping
i will not
stumble
along the way.
lying in the
brightness
of the full
moon
shining through
the bedroom window.
watching the
mist slowly
drift along
the curving
surface
of the river.
turning over the
soil,
preparing it to
welcome the
seeds
brooding with
lettuce,
tomatoes,
flowers,
carrots.
sitting in the
silence
of the backyard,
as my thoughts
slowly
drift
towards you.
i find myself
finally
at home.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman 

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Third Wednesday in Lent

”But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

it is while we are tripping
over our foolish choices
that God picks us up.
it is while we are caught
in the riptide of fear
that God jumps in to save us.
it is while we are about
to be waltzed away in
sin’s seductive arms
that God cuts in.
it is while we are ready
to believe the fake news
offered to us by death
that God breaks in
with the Word of life
let’s stop trying
to turn it into rocket science.
it is simply love,
and that is more
than enough.

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Third Tuesday in Lent

“As the scripture has said, 'Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water.'" John 7:38

when we are tempted
to caulk all the cracks
in our hearts so that
nothing might leak out.
when we turn the faucets
tighter and tighter until
there is only a drip
every few hours.
when we go online
to figure out how to
reroute the pipes so
it just flows in a continual
circle.
when we fill our tubs
and every available pot
because someone warns
that pollution might be a danger,
remind us
of all those as parched
for the waters which
offer life
as we once were.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Third Monday in Lent

“Stand in the gate of the LORD’s house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all you people of Judah, you that enter these gates to worship the LORD. Jeremiah 7:2

with you, Lord,
let us stand in
the halls of power,
declaring that justice
remains the right
of every person and
truth will not be filibustered
out of our society
with you, Lord,
let us stand at
the entrances of schools,
welcoming each child
for who they are
as your precious children,
teaching them of the rich
variety of cultures, of histories,
of traditions which make
us a community for all.
with you, Lord,
let us stand with
all of whom the haters
and the mockers write
words which would declare
them to be less than equal,
to have no standing or value,
to be persona non grata
because they declare to be
empathetic, welcoming, gracious.
with you, Lord,

let us stand.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Third Sunday in Lent

"All things are lawful for me," but not all things are beneficial. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be dominated by anything. 1 Corinthians 6:12

when anger
longs to
lead me around
by the nose,
let me smell the
warm, yeasty
aroma of
your grace.
when judgment
wants to have
the upper hand,
let me walk
in the faltering
footsteps
of my foolish
friends.
when i am
convinced i
should be the
concertmaster
in the kingdom's
symphony,
let me gladly
take the last seat
in the row
of piccolos.
when my desires
want to run
this show called
life,
let me simply
step aside so
you can
show me the
path.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Third Saturday in Lent

"Be strong, and let your heart
   take courage,
all you who wait for the
   LORD."  Psalm 31:24

when cancer
weakens
our resolve,
when cracks
appear in
our hearts,
when sorrow
absorbs
every tear
we have -
let us
stand up
to these
bullies and
not let them
push us around.
when the shadows
seep under
the edges of
our doors,
slowly creeping
towards our bed,
ready to grab
us by the hand
and drag us
into our fears,
let us wait,
for the Lord has
just gone down
the hall to get us
a glass of water
and will be back
to sit by our
side until
morning.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Third Friday in Lent

"Run to and fro through the
      streets of Jerusalem,
   look around and take note!
Search its squares and see
   if you can find one person
      who acts justly
      and seeks truth—
   so that I may pardon
      Jerusalem." Jeremiah 5:1

we creep down the

back alleys of apathy,

looking for a doorway

in which we can huddle

from the searching eyes

of those longing for justice.

we walk the cold streets

in the early morning hours

hoping that we will not 

encounter you as you walk

your dog called 'Dinkum oil.'

we sweep out of our homes

racing down the street as

the truck peddling treats 

laced with despair entices us

with its seductive tunes.

and we still long

to find our way 

to hope.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman 

Third Thursday in Lent

"For my people are foolish,
   they do not know me;
they are stupid children,
   they have no
   understanding.
they are skilled in doing evil,
but do not know how to do
   good." Jeremiah 4:22

lifelong learners
of vileness,
we are constantly
checking out
the latest videos
and DIY books;
skilled in the
rhetoric of
bullying, we take
every advantage
offered by the
social media;
we proudly
hang the
framed PhDs
in iniquity
obtained from the
diploma mills
accessed online;
so
send us back
to your
kindergarten
where we can
begin to learn
anew the ABCs of
kindness,
justice,
and grace.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Second Wednesday in Lent

"When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, 'Do you want to be made well?' John 5:6

the anger stewing inside,

churning my heart

far worse then any

ulcer i have ever experienced.

the decades long grudge 

slowly bending my back

until i can touch my nose

to the sidewalk.

the canker sores

formed in my mouth

from chewing on the

bitter words until 

i spew them out

on to others. 

my soul spurs 

in my heels caused

by trying to get 

as far away from you

as quickly as i could?

made well?

dare i?

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Second Tuesday in Lent

"I remember the devotion of your 
   youth,
your love as a bride,
how you followed me in the
   wilderness,
in a land not sown." Jeremiah 2:2

i remember when
i was a little
child,
clinging so tightly
to you,
determined never,
ever to let go, for
fear of losing you;
i remember those
promises
i made, holding hands
with you, looking
you in the eyes
with a passion
which seemed to
dim the full moon
shining through
the window;
i remember following
you with unfettered
enthusiasm,
carefully placing my
feet in the impressions
you left
in my heart,
convinced you knew
a path i could not see;
i remember
and wonder
why
did i
forget?

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Second Monday in Lent

"I lift up my eyes to the
   hills--
from where will my help
   come?" Psalm 121:1

you shaped the stars,
yet thought to put a
twinkle in our
eyes;
you carved rivers
through canyons,
and gave us 
tears to share with
laughter;
you shattered moons
into asteroids,
and put hearts
deep within
us which break
for others;
you ignited that
spark which flung
universes into space, 

yet effortlessly
take a moment to
help us.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Second Sunday in Lent

"Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the LORD said to me, 
'Now I have put my words
in your mouth. . . '" Jeremiah 1:9

they
can become the
punctum
of animosity,
or the healing balm
for the sores
on another's
soul;
they
can be the
bricks
in a wall which
separates us,
or the bridge
over the canyon
of our prejudices;
they
can burn the
dreams
of our friends
to ashes,
or rekindle the
dying embers
of their hope;
so
give us the
words from your

Heart which others

long to hear 

in these times.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Second Saturday in Lent

"The woman said to him, 'I know that Messiah is coming" (who is called Christ). When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us.'" John 4:25

to those
bullied
in schoolyards,
you proclaim
friendship;
to those
ostracized
because they
are 'different,'
you proclaim
acceptance;
to those
refugees
who should go
back to where
they came from,
you proclaim
welcome;
to us
who see
people only as
'those,'
you proclaim
mercy.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Second Friday in Lent

"He is your praise; he is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things that your own eyes have seen." Deuteronomy 10:21

so simple:
the sun
which never
sleeps in late
or takes a sick
day;
the spouse who,
after 60 years,
still sees the
22-year-old face
when they look

at their soulmate;
the trees,
whose barren,
brittle branches
let Spring
hibernate
deep within;
the auroral zone
which warms
us on bitter
winter nights
with shimmering
displays;
so ordinary,
we forget how
awesome these
things
are, and so
we forget our

Praise.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Second Thursday in Lent

"'Come,' my heart says,
   'seek his face!'
Your face, LORD, do I seek." Psalm 27:8

i seek your
face
in every smooth-skinned,
toned and tanned
celebrity parading
down the red carpet,
not noticing your
bright eyes watching
me from the nest
of crows' feet
in the well-worn
visage of the
bag lady on
the park bench;
i beat the bushes
looking for you,
counting to 100
as slowly as i can,
staying as close
to home base
as possible,
while you prance
beside me, your
tail wagging in
delight at being
able to play with
me;
i leave no stone
unturned,
determined to
find the treasure
promised on
the faded map,
until i turn around
and find you
planting a garden
of joy
in the rich soil
disturbed by my
anxiety.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

First Wednesday in Lent

"The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." John 3:8

it is that breath
which barely stirs
the curtains
on a steamy,
summer night,
yet
cools our sweaty souls;
it can come
as a gust strong enough
to knock us off our feet,
so we look around
and see that misstep
we were about to take;
it is the aroma
of bread
fresh out of the oven,
so yeasty and warm
tickling our senses until
we realize we are
home,
where you have been
waiting.
for
us.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman  

First Tuesday in Lent

"The friendship of the Lord is
   for those who fear him,
and he makes his covenant
   known to them." Psalm 25:14

on a hot summer's day,
the wind in our faces,
salt tangy on our lips,
you laugh with delight as
you place my hand
on the tiller, saying,
"it's your turn; remember
what i showed you."
on a cold winter morning, when
it seems that 
the chill just won't
let go of my heart,
you pour me a strong cuppa,
slathering butter and jam
on just-baked bread, pushing it
across the table to me;
as i wonder about
the next step in this journey,
worried what it might mean,
you remind me,
"sure, put me down
as a reference; but
you don't have
to ask every time -
that's what friends
are for."

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

First Monday in Lent

"Do not say to yourself, 'My power and the might of my own hand have gotten me this wealth.'" Deuteronomy 8:17

not the tasks
i turn my
hand to,
but the
open palm
of friendship
i offer to
another;
not a bigger
house
than my
rival,
but the
space i offer
you
in my soul;
not the wad
of paper $$
in my purse,
but the picture
of the child
i am mentoring;
not the toned
muscles gained
at the gym,
but the
vulnerability
i offer to
my partner;
not the
diploma on
my wall,
but those
words
you write
on my
heart:
these are
the true
wealth
of my
life.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

First Sunday in Lent

"For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength."  1st Corinthians 1:25

gazing in the mirror,
you scoop up a gob
of greasepaint,
smearing it all over
your face,
adding the candy-red
gumdrop nose,
dabbing mauve stars,
mustard moons,
and iridescent comets
on your cheeks;
you pull on
the polka dotted suit,
the baggy sleeves
stuffed with grace;
sticking the seltzer bottle
filled with living water
in your back pocket;
you pull on your
three-times-too-big
scuffed shoes
and squeeze uncomfortably
into the kiddie car
disguised as a
firetruck;
waving and honking
the big-bulbed horn
you drive through
our lives,
calling out:
'wanna see Jesus?
. . . follow me!'

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

First Saturday in Lent

"to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show every courtesy to everyone."  Titus 3:2

rather than choosing

to be silent about the

way others are treated,

may we stand up 

to the haters.
rather than nibbling

on our bitter hearts

so we have enough bile

to spew on others,

may our words become

the warmth those frozen

out of compassion need.
rather than slamming the door

on all those with whom we disagree,

may we step out on the porch

to share a cup of coffee.
rather than pulling up 

the built-in thesaurus 

on our devices so we 

have all the words to stun

others into silence,

may we turn it off

so we can listen instead.

rather than watching the new

family working to get

the moving van unloaded

before the storm hits,

may we gather some neighbors

and lend them our help.

rather than being the folks

we have always been,

may we try every moment

to become who you long

us to be.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

First Friday in Lent

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly,” Titus 2:11-12

maybe this Lent,
it would be permissible
to simply fast from faith
so that we can jump
feet first into the
social media fray of doing
our darndest to damn
as many people as we can.
maybe this Lent,
it will be allowed for us
to simply say yes to
feeding the angry wolf inside us,
to dive headfirst 
into the deep pools of sensationalism,
to cede all our hopes and dreams
to every form of worldly power.
maybe this Lent,
we will just let you journey
alone,

while we stay

in the wilderness.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

First Thursday in Lent

"He will regard the prayer of the

   destitute,

and will not despise their
   prayer."  Psalm 102:17

we look at
the shaky,
unshaven fellow
holding the sign
by the side of the road
asking for $$$
and discern a failure,
but you see
that prodigal
who left home
so long ago, and
you begin to
hand-write the
party invitations;
just outside
the doors of the
sanctuary,
we impatiently
listen to the 'sob
story' we have heard
a hundred times, slowly
edging away (while
stealing glances
at our watch),
but you take
her by the hand,
leading her over
to the shady bench,
sitting down and
giving her your full
attention, inviting
"tell me more."

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Ash Wednesday

"Is not this the fast that I choose:" Isaiah 58:6

when we would continue

to gorge ourselves 

on the anger wild-firing

through our days,

when we would drink deeply

from the cups of bitter memes,

heartless taunts, and 

self-righteous reels,

when we just cannot let go

of those grudges we feel

are the only things 

we have of value these days,

gather all these yolks and

toss them in your firepit of grace,

stick your thumb in the ashes

and seal yourself on

our hearts, our souls,

our lives so we remember

that we are the remnant called

to faithfulness for these times.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

March 4th

"As a deer longs for flowing streams, 

   so my soul longs for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God,
   for the living God."  Psalm 42:1-2

i am so hungry,

Gentle God,

starving for a taste,

even if only a crumb,

of your grace 

in these graceless moments.

i am so parched,

Living Water,

my lips are cracked

and my throat is as dry

as the grass on a blazing

summer's day, because 

no one, no one seems 

willing to share from 

those deep wells of love

you have poured into each of us.

i search,

wandering God,

i search high and low

far and wide

for just a glimpse 

of hearts which overflow

with compassion and hope

in these days when it seems

being heartless has become

the newest social media challenge.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

March 3rd

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.” Deuteronomy 6:5

i can do a cannon ball
into the deep end
of that pool filled with my foolishness.
without any hesitation
at all on my part, i
will give into every lust
which shows up on
the front porch of my heart.
when fears surround me
and begin to lay siege
to my soul, i will wave
that proverbial white flag.
and heaven help anyone
who gets in my way
climbing the ladder
to power and fame.

but you?
well, i am afraid
all you get, God,
are the leftovers
of me.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

March 2nd

"Then from the cloud came a voice that said, 'This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!'" Luke 9:35

you call us to listen,

not to scare us 

out of our wits, but

so we might discover

the lost art of listening

and in the listening,

we open ourselves

our hearts, our souls

to another's words,

another's heart, another's soul,

offer them a home,

a safe haven, a hope,

a place where they 

can lodge their life.

not just their words,

their hearts, their souls,

but their very silence,

that deepest, most holy

ground in any of your children.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

March 1st

"But just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture - “I believed, and so I spoke” - we also believe, and so we speak," 2 Corinthians 4:13

most days

believing is more 

than enough.

in troubling days,

it is not enough

just to believe, we must

speak and pray and tell

that good news of goodness

and love and grace.

but on extraordinary days,

days of worry and fear,

when disbelief stabs our hearts,

we must move beyond 

simple telling and simpler belief

to be

to be the truth that 

will not let lies spread,

to be the courage that

goes toe to toe with bullies,

to be the justice 

which is ripped from 

the souls of our siblings,

to be the love that 

will not let hate conquer

humanity

much less us.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

February 28th

"But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us."  2 Corinthians 4:7

not that China pattern

passed down the generations

or porcelain vases brought

from far away countries

or jewelry so valuable 

that it needs to be kept

locked away and rarely worn

or heavy, bulky, blocky

antique furniture that the 

kids admit is just not them.

but clay,
dust of the earth

scooped up in your 

callused hands, cradled

gently as you shape 

us not for power,

but weakness.

not for hubris

but humility.

not for cruelty

but compassion.
not for judgement

but for justice.

not for hate

but for hope.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

February 27th

”Teach me to do your will,
    for you are my God.
Let your good spirit lead me
    on a level path.”  Psalm 143:10

day by day
may i sit at
the feet of grace
absorbing its deep compassion
until it becomes second nature

day by day
may i cling to justice
never letting it be left
by the side of the road

day by day
may i live with hope
so it might nourish
my ever-weary soul

day by day
may i journey beside
your good spirit
for without it as my guide
i would surely lose my way

day by day

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

February 26th

"For we are not peddlers of God’s word like so many; but in Christ we speak as persons of sincerity, as persons sent from God and standing in his presence." 2 Corinthians 2:17

we could set up 

our table on the corner

challenging people to 

games of 3 card monte

or guess which cup 

covers the little ball of love,

we could open up 

the back of our car

in the parking lot near

where people shop, 

trying to hawk grace.

we could go door to door

through those neighborhoods

crumbling from hopelessness, 

offering a ponzi scheme 

based on taking their 

slim savings all the while

promising massive returns

of justice sometime in the future.

or

we could walk in your shadow

to genuinely care for the 

forgotten and vulnerable.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

February 25th

"He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts;" Mark 6:8

no chauffeured limousines

pulling up to buildings 

which look like corporate headquarters,

no mega-mansions 

in fenced-off properties

with security to match,

no celebrity-studded 

board of directors and

no high-financed 

public relations firm

spinning every sermon,

just trust,

trust that, 

by your grace

we will find 

the places, and

the people, 

you know need

you more than 

we need adulation.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

February 24th

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy." Matthew 5:5-7

by your grace, God of all,

may we always remember

that the meek are not doormats

for the arrogant to wipe their feet

but the ones who, in quiet watchfulness,

are able to point us to the vulnerable

you would have us carry as far as needed,

may we stop thinking that justice 

is a full-service restaurant where 

we can eat our fill while others starve,

and may we never forget 

that is mercy - simple, gentle mercy -

which is the role model you would

have us emulate in a world which

idolizes cruelty to the point of blasphemy.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

February 23rd

"As a mother comforts her child,
   so I will comfort you;
you shall be comforted in
   Jerusalem."   Isaiah 66:13

into neighborhoods
crumbling in despair,
you come, wearing your tool belt
filled with hope and grace;

where families are torn apart
by old grudges
and fresh wounds,
you swaddle them in
cloths drenched with
peace and forgiveness;

in places where children
are abandoned on the streets
by politicians and platitudes,
you gather them up
and bring them home with you.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

February 22nd

“Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment;” 1 Timothy 6:6

it is so easy to be
content in our lives,
so content, that going
without shopping, or
eating out, or buying
more stuff we don’t
really need seems almost
liking adding another bar
to that perfect attendance pin
people used to wear,
but is it truly any sort
of gain or increase in godliness
if we will just go out and
shop, or eat, or stream,
or party, or buy that same
useless stuff on some
other day?

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

February 21st

"The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these.'" Mark 12:31

when we get up from
the table to walk out
of the room when someone
whose politics is different enters,
when we would turn
the wheels of time back
to the days when people
lived in the belief that
those whose gender
or race or whatever
did not make them equal,
when we cannot bring
ourselves to open our doors,
much less our hearts, to welcome
the immigrant who has just
moved into the neighborhood,
do you ever mutter,
‘you folks obviously do not
love yourselves very much
do you?’

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

February 20th

"I was ready to be sought
   out by those who did
   not ask,
to be found by those who
   did not seek me.
I said, 'Here I am, here I am.'
    to a nation that did not call
    on my name."  Isaiah 65:1

convinced you are off

in the woods looking

for your lost golf ball

or having wandered off

without our noticing you

like those aging parents

we worry about living alone

we never notice you

sitting at the table

in the corner of the pub

the chair across from 

you empty, but a pint

placed in front of it, 

just waiting for someone,

anyone (even those of

us too proud or privileged

to think we might need it)

to sit down, take a long drink,

and hear you call us by name.

and you will be there, 

waiting,

however long it takes

for us to walk through the door.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

February 19th

"Offer right sacrifices, 

   and put your trust in the LORD." Psalm 4:5

when we could offer

grace to those longing

for a gentle word, we have

to load them down with

all the grudges we carry.

when we could share 

the justice which so many

search for in these times,

we continue to wear it 

like an heirloom which 

can only be passed down

to those who are taught

the secret handshake 

from the moment of birth.

when we could extend 

a hand of welcome to all

who have been pushed 

aside by the ones with power,

we can't bring ourselves

to trust that you have 

vetted them as worthy 

enough to be in our group.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

February 18th

"Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us, 

   for we have had more       

   than enough of contempt.
Our soul has had more than its fill
   of the scorn of those who are at ease,
   of the contempt of the proud." Psalm 123:4

how easy it is 

to believe that we

are the ones 

deemed contemptible

when the super-rich seek

to take away our imagined

well-deserved perks,

yet all the while those

whose fingertips cling to the

edges of the floor of privilege

on which we have built

our superior attitudes and lives,

know that we would have

no hesitation in stepping 

on their hopes and turning

away as they fall into that

basket labeled 'deplorables.'

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

February 17th

"They rise in the darkness as
   a light for the upright;
they are gracious, merciful, and
   righteous. Psalm 112:4

they gather on the corner
as the sun is barely awake
ready to offer a cup of coffee,
a hot breakfast, a hopeful word.
they warmed up the buses
to pick up the folks
as the shelters close for the day
to drive them to clinics,
to job interviews,
to warming centers.
they clock out of the
graveyard shift, rushing home
to be with their kids
for a few brief moments
before shoving off to
their second job.
and, we never notice,
snuggled in our warm beds
sleeping off the exhaustion
of arguing into the early hours
about what folks should do
for the “less fortunate.”

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

February 16th

“Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you have had from the beginning;” 1 John 2:7a

it was the switch you threw
that first moment to illuminate
creation beginning to bloom.
it was the spoon that stirred
the elements in the falling rain
which filled the seas.
it was the breath that moved
the leaves in the trees
and filled the lungs of ancestors –
love.
as old as dirt and
fresh as the breath
of the person leaning over
to whisper in our ears,
and all you hope
is that

we will never stop
giving it away.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

February 15th

“proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching.” 2 Timothy 4:2

may hope
never disappear from
our vocabulary
or be executive ordered
from our lives

may we never
take a holiday from
pursuing peace

let patience
be that spiritual gift
we never knew we had
and now, want to share it
with everyone who annoys us

may we spend
(at least) 10 times
as much energy and passion
building up others as we do
in tearing them down.

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

February 14th

“The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,” Isaiah 61:1a

the Spirit of the Lord
can be annoying as heck
on a lot of days,
nudging me towards kindness
when snark fills my heart.
opening my eyes to the
struggles of the vulnerable
when i would rather try to score
tickets for the hottest concert.
whispering in my ear about
the loneliness of my neighbors
when i want to listen to podcasts
done by conspiracy theorists.
the Spirit of the Lord
is upon me, and she just
will not go away, so
i probably should
pay attention.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

February 13th

“Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing;’” Mark 10:21a

it seems a simple thing
to expect others to give
away everything they have,
especially since we convince
ourselves that our privilege
really is best known as scarcity.
but if you point out
our political beliefs
our self-righteous indignation
our prejudices we so easily deny
our carry-us-kicking-and-screaming
refusal to think you are talking
about or to us . . . 
well, you might force us
to turn our backs on you
even if we tell others we
would never do that!

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

February 12th

“But the word of God is not chained.” 2 Timothy 1:9b

we can treat
the good news
of compassion as
if it is an endangered
species behind glass
in a zoo, but you will
break in at night,
setting it free to run
through our streets.
we can try to ban
all your promises about
fairness and inclusion
out of fear that they might
groom our children to be
more just than we are,
but you will continue
to slip those words
into the backpacks
of their hearts and souls
when we are not looking.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

February 11th

“As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God.” Psalm 42:1

as a squirrel
stalks the peanut shell
rolling on the ground,
as the seagull
flies above the beach
ready to dive for
a piece of bread,
as a dog nudges
its best friends for
just one more walk
before bedtimes,
as the sleepy cat
follows the sunbeam
across the floor hoping
it will stay still for a nap,
as a oldster tries to
come up with the digit
to finish a number grid,
as a couple searches
for the missing pieces
to complete the puzzle,
so does my lonely heart
ache for you, my God.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

February 10th

“See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! Galatians 6:11

when God could
have chosen to use
a giant parade balloon,
a text with letters
in 72 point font,
a supernova which
exploded eons ago
whose light is just reaching us,
to remind us that
we are the Beloved,
we are graced,
we are forgiven,
we are wrapped in arms
which will never let go,
God
chose to become
weak
foolish
broken
dead
for us
and that’s all
God needed to do.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman 

February 9th

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,” Hebrews 12:1a

the hungry families
throughout the world
are reminded of
our stinginess once more.
the forgotten who had
edged a little closer
to becoming our kin
know again our inhospitality.
the lonely, those working
more than one job,
the veterans needing care,
those who are disabled
line up to bear witness
to our callused souls,
and when they try
to be heard,
they are threatened
with being deported
from our hearts.

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

February 8th

“Thus says the Lord GOD,
   who gathers the outcasts of Israel,
I will gather others to them
   besides those already gathered.” Isaiah 56:8

all
of our forms and documents,
our debates and doctrines,
our petty arguments
as well as our prejudices,
our walls built of brick
as well as those constructed
from outdated fears,
will not keep
you
from gathering
all
of your children
into your love
your grace
your welcome

© Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

February 7th

“By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.” Galatians 5:22-23

and yet when
we attach conditions
too numerous to mention
to our love,
we are only generous
when it suits our interests,
we have come to believe
that patience is as outmoded
as caring for the forgotten,
self-control keeps us
from being able to be
the free spirits we imagine,
and faithfulness is
for all the dinosaurs
around us,
why do we wonder
that the Spirit’s fruits
rot before anyone picks
them?

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

February 6th

"For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1

we can join the grumblers
and whiners who want to go back

to those so-called good old days

when women were chained to a stove,

when kids never opened their mouths,

when everyone knew and kept their place

churning out those bricks and mortar

for the fancy homes of the bosses (who,

surprise of surprises, were those

selfsame grumblers and whiners . . .)

or we can dare to follow the One

across the Freedom River into

that land called promise where

each person is free to be 

graced

valued

accepted

beloved

by God, and by us.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

 

February 5th

"See, my servant shall prosper;
   he shall be exalted and lifted up,
and shall be very high.” Isaiah 52:13

your portfolio was 

those scraps of paper

filled with notes about

grace, love, justice no one

wants to hear.
your mode of transportation

was a pair of scraggly sandals

under legs wearied by too

many miles on lonely roads.
you made your mark 

by collecting all the folks

in your neighborhood that 

everyone avoided at all costs.
daring to be the sort

who saw washing the feet

of others as the highest calling,

no one thought you would

amount to much.

your one shining moment

came when you were

nailed to a wooden beam

before being lowered

into a shadowed tomb.
and

for God,

that was more than enough.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

February 4th

"For you shall not go out in haste,
   and you shall not go in flight;
for the LORD will go before you,
   and the God of Israel will
   be your rear guard." Isaiah 52:12

in these tik-tokky, follow

every conspiracy theorist

down every un-factchecked

rabbit hole which pops up,

may we slow down just enough

to follow your lead so we can

smell the barest hint of spring

on the breeze which chills us,

and sit on the park bench

watching little kids play together

with simple, joyful abandonment

and

then refreshed

let you pull us to our feet

as you gently push us forward

to protect the forgotten,

to challenge those who think

that when Jesus spoke of

the little, the lost, the last, the least,

he was speaking of the wealthy,

to never choose silence as the 

best way to deafen hateful words.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

February 3rd

"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,"  Galatians 4:4

you could have waited

until we had wised up

but you came when 

we were so foolish.

you could have waited

until we were rich

but you came when

our pockets were empty.

you could have waited

until we had finished

building our dream home

but you came when 

we were in a one-room flat.
you could have waited

until you knew beyond

every possible doubt

that we would catch on

to what you were doing

but you came 

because you could not

bear another moment

of our being separated

from you.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

February 2nd

"but do not have love, I am nothing." 1 Corinthians 13:3c

may your love be patient
with us, when we long

to call the whole thing off.

may your love be kind

to us, when we drift towards

being cruel.

may your love keep us

from becoming as arrogant

as the self-righteous powerful.

may your love keep lighting the way

of keeping the faith, even

when we want to kick it to the curb,

of continuing to stand by truth

so it never disappears,

of carrying grace to everyone

however heavy it becomes,

of never doubting that

good will survive such times,

of building community from

the burnt rubble of hope,

of refusing to ever lose heart

even if the remnant keeps 

shrinking.

because love which is

gritty and gutsy

bruised and bloodied

shattered and scattered

dismissed and despised

is exactly that love

which keeps you bearing,

believing, hoping, and 

enduring since love began.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

February 1st

"Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith."  Galatians 3:24

so engrossed with
making sure that we
toe the
line,
keep our souls
spotless,
learn every jot
and tittle of the
rules,
before sending us
off to bed without a
snack,

the babysitter
never notices
you
sneaking into our
rooms, and
with a shushing finger
to your lips,

tiptoe us out
into the firefly-spackled
evening
where we twirl and
twirl in circles until
collapsing in the dew,

watching the dawn
color the morning sky.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

January 31st

"The Lord God helps me;
    therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like flint,
    and I know that I shall not be put to shame;" Isaiah 50:7

when we want to crawl

into a cave and hide from cruelty,

when we run out of words

to call out the hateful,

when we find ourselves 

afraid to engage with the powerful,

when we trust that our privilege

will protect us as others suffer,

when our fear fatigue wears down

that compassion deep within us,

when broken promises become

will-o'-wisps leading us away

from the truth we need to confront,

help us, Steely God,

to set our faith like flint 

to stand side-by-side with you

and our siblings in these times.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

January 30th

"Teach me to do your will,

   for you are my God.
Let your good spirit lead me
   on a level path." Psalm 143:10

when the new teachers 

would tell us that compassion

is outdated and not to be 

used in any classroom,

continue to stick little pieces

of paper in our pockets reading,

'blessed are the merciful.'

when the principal decides 

that empathy is now to be

considered a four-letter word,

keep adding the song

'won't you be my neighbor?'

to our playlists, so we not

only learn to sing along

but live out the words with

everyone we meet.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

January 29th

"saying to the prisoners, 'Come out,'
to those who are in darkness, 

'Show yourselves."
They shall feed along the ways,
on all the bare heights
shall be their pasture;" Isaiah 49:9

when the oligarchs

would slam the doors

of fear on us, 

you pick the locks

so we may walk unafraid.

when the chapels of our souls

are shadowed by worries,

you keep lighting as many

candles as we need.
when the powerful would

starve us of love and justice,

you gather us in fields

rippling with hope, handing

out plates piled high 

with grace.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

January 28th

"But surely, God is my helper;
   the Lord is the upholder of my life." Psalm 54:4

when the voices around me

urge me not to open my mouth,

give me the words (especially

yours) which need to be spoken.

when it would be easier 

to step away and simply sit down,

press your hand against my back

so i can stand up to the bullies.

when i am knocked down 

and afraid to get back up 

may i feel you pulling me 

to my feet, reminding me that 

none of us is alone as we

continue this pilgrimage 

with faith, grace, hope, love,

justice, inclusion, and mercy.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

January 27th

"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ." Galatians 1:6-7

when the hucksters try 

to trick us into believing that 

welcoming the immigrant

or caring for the vulnerable

or even showing mercy 

are no longer part of faith,

may we simply walk away

from their 3-card monte table.

when the aw-shucksters cozy 

up to us, putting their arms

around us to whisper in our ears

that God really doesn't mean it

about loving our enemies

or speaking truth to the powerful

or sharing from our abundance,

may we simply shake them off

to reach out to embrace the forgotten.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

January 25th

"even to your old age I am he,
   even when you turn gray I
   will carry you.
I have made, and I will bear,
   I will carry and will save."  Isaiah 46:4

when we were little

towheaded kids, you 

would kiss our booboos,

wipe our tears, hear our secrets

and now, you smile at

the stress highlights we earned

or the heads rubbed smooth

by too much worry.

you would chase after us

in the backyard, as we would

run faster and faster, daring

you to catch us, and now,

you put your hand under

our arms to steady us as

we do the old-person shuffle. 

you would take our balloons

inflating them when we 

couldn't huff and puff anymore

and would gently join in 

to help blow out candles 

on our cake each year,

and when we let out 

that very last breath,

you will gather us in

your loving arms, and 

carry us to rest in your

heart.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman