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