tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107764462024-03-18T18:07:38.830-04:00Occasional Sightings of the GospelOccasional, quirky, insightful, challenging observations on scripture, life, and prayer. If you would like to support this writing, please use PayPal link or Venmo @Thom-ShumanThom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.comBlogger1604125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10776446.post-29249639915871154742024-03-18T07:07:00.000-04:002024-03-18T07:07:26.526-04:00Fifth Monday in Lent <span style="font-family: arial;"> "Pursue love . . ." 1 Corinthians 14:1</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">may we</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">shadow love until</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">we learn its ins and outs</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">and deepest secrets.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">chase after love</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">the way a dog runs</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">to get that mucky ball.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">track love through life</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">noting its bounding gait</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">in childhood and adolescence,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">its steady determined</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">pace in the middle years,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">its slow shuffling along</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">as the years dwindled down.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">and then,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">may we start</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">after love once more.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">(c) 2024 Thom M. Shuman</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Venmo: @Thom-Shuman</span></div>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10776446.post-5544044665477428512024-03-17T07:00:00.001-04:002024-03-17T07:00:16.837-04:00Fifth Sunday in Lent<span style="font-family: arial;">"Even the sparrow finds a home,<br /> and the swallow a nest for herself, "<br /> where she may lay her young,<br /> at your altars, O LORD of hosts,<br /> my King and my God." Psalm 84:3</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">that blowhard who</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">everyone wishes would</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">just drift away,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">that neighbor whose</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">political opinions bother us </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">more </span><span style="font-family: arial;">than their choice of </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">a sporting team,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">that supervisor who never</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">misses a chance to take</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">all the credit for our hard work,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">and yes,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">even that person who </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">we have the most difficulty</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">abiding in our lives (that </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">face in the mirror every</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">time we look)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">has a special space</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">in the heart of God.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">(c) 2024 Thom M. Shuman</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Venmo: @Thom-Shuman</span></div>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10776446.post-25871404814864618792024-03-16T09:45:00.000-04:002024-03-16T09:45:10.820-04:00Fifth Saturday in Lent<span style="font-family: arial;"> "Immediately the father of the child cried out, 'I believe; help my unbelief!'" Mark 9:24</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">when the meals </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">of falsehoods are served,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">offer us the fiber of truth.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">when bitterness is offered</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">for our thirsty souls, </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">quench us with the </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">nectar of kindness.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">when our weary spirits</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">want to call it a day,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">strengthen us with </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">hope's therapy.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">when we are tempted</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">to buy the arguments</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">that it is better not to know,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">offer us your wisdom </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">which is always free.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">(c) 2024 Thom M. Shuman</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Venmo: @Thom-Shuman</span></div>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10776446.post-583013375284264892024-03-15T17:35:00.003-04:002024-03-15T17:35:40.099-04:00Fifth Friday in Lent<span style="font-family: arial;">"My God, my God, </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"> why have you forsaken me?</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Why are you so far from helping me, </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"> from the words of my groaning?" Psalm 22:1</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">because we assign </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">the job to you, God,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">we ignore the whispers</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">coming from the rooms</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">along the hospital corridor,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">the hushed sobs of kids</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">who are bullied by peers</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">and terrorized by adults,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">the hollow cries </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">of lonely neighbors sitting</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">in the shadowed rooms,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">the words forming in </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">our own souls and hearts</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">that we keep telling </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">to be quiet.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">(c) 2024 Thom M. Shuman</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Venmo: @Thom-Shuman</span></div></div>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10776446.post-62552730335009342132024-03-14T06:56:00.000-04:002024-03-14T06:56:22.024-04:00Fifth Thursday in Lent<span style="font-family: arial;"> "He asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Mark 8:29a</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">some jump up and down</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">waving their hands in the air,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">'we know! we know! you're</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">the strong man we've been</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">waiting for, well, forever!'</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">others keep erasing </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">their answers and writing</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">in something new, all the</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">while wishing it was </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">a multiple choice question.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">a few keep muttering </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">to themselves, 'he never</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">said anything about </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">there being a test . . .'</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">me, i am still not sure,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">but as long as you</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">know who i am, </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">i guess i will keep</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">tagging along and trying</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">to pay more attention.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">(c) 2024 Thom M. Shuman</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Venmo: @Thom-Shuman</span></div><div><p><br /></p></div>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10776446.post-20736989073117700782024-03-13T06:58:00.000-04:002024-03-13T06:58:59.337-04:00Fifth Wednesday in Lent<span style="font-family: arial;"> "And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, 'Why does this generation ask for a sign?'" Mark 8:12a </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">children die </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">by the thousands </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">in brutal attacks </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">and we look around</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">for intimations of peace.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">folks sleep rough </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">on street corners and</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">on park benches while</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">we form task forces</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">to work on solutions.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">anger continues </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">to boil over into bitter</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">disputes and edges</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">toward violent episodes</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">and all we can do </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">is sigh and shake our heads</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">because no one gives</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">us any hints on how to be </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">human.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">(c) 2024 Thom M. Shuman</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Venmo: @Thom-Shuman</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10776446.post-50102052900140526852024-03-12T06:57:00.000-04:002024-03-12T06:57:28.652-04:00Fourth Tuesday in Lent<span style="font-family: arial;"> "When the days of weeping for him were past," Genesis 50:4</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">some you hold</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">for however long</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">we need the comfort</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">of loving arms,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">some you simply</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">listen to that silence</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">echoing in the deep</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">emptiness of our hearts,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">some you walk beside</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">for however long the</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">journey takes and </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">wherever it leads,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">some you simply wait</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">in patience, in hope,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">in love, and with grace,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">knowing in a very </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">personal way </span><span style="font-family: arial;">that grief</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">has no clock</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">no calendar</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">no boundaries</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">no end</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">(c) 2024 Thom M. Shuman</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Venmo: @Thom-Shuman</span></div>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10776446.post-86442202518116732862024-03-11T06:58:00.000-04:002024-03-11T06:58:47.465-04:00Fourth Monday in Lent<span style="font-family: arial;">"He who keeps Israel </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"> will neither slumber nor sleep." Psalm 121:4</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">you will read us </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">our favorite stories</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">until our eyes get</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">heavier and heavier,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">you will bring us</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">a glass of water </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">as we struggle to</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">stay awake,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">you will put a new</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">bulb in the night</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">light so we won't</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">be scared,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">you will sit in </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">the corner chair</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">until we fall asleep</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">and</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">you will be there</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">when we wake</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">in the morning.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">(c) 2024 Thom M. Shuman</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Venmo: @Thom-Shuman</span></div>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10776446.post-57722601807157656062024-03-10T16:30:00.000-04:002024-03-10T16:30:04.802-04:00Fourth Sunday in Lent<span style="font-family: arial;"> "For in hope we were saved." Romans 8:24a</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">with hope,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">we can get up</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">and face the day.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">by hope,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">we can begin</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">to see the good</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">in those with whom</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">we have differences.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">for hope,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">we can set aside</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">all our privileges so</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">others might have</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">what they are missing.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">in hope,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">we can dare to imagine</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">the Beloved Community</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">actually in our midst if</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">we but open our eyes,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">our hearts, our souls.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">(c) 2024 Thom M. Shuman</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Venmo: @Thom-Shuman</span></div>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10776446.post-64643140402702256862024-03-09T06:55:00.001-05:002024-03-09T06:55:29.922-05:00Fourth Saturday in Lent<p><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13</span></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;">Geez-o-Pete, Lord!</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;">sometimes the stuff</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">that comes out of </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">the mouths of folks</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">in the Bible just knock </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">me over backwards.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">i have no doubt that </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">you are faithful in every</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">moment, but a lot of times</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">the folks you are hoping</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">will help others through </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">the tough times only seem</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">to offer platitudes rather</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">than a hand to hold on to,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">a harbor in the storm,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">a shoulder to cry on,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">a broom and dustpan</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">to help pick up the pieces </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">of shattered hopes.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">(c) 2024 Thom M. Shuman</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Venmo: @Thom-Shuman</span></div><div><p><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p></div>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10776446.post-28422404090664196802024-03-08T06:57:00.000-05:002024-03-08T06:57:46.680-05:00Fourth Friday in Lent<span style="font-family: arial;">"What then is my reward?" 1 Corinthians 9:18a<br /><br />the look on the struggling<br />child's face when they </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;">finish reading a book </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">with no one helping,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">the old friend rushing</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">to wrap their arms around us</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">after not seeing each other</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">since the last reunion,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">the whispers of love</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">shared between the </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">octogenarians sitting in</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">front of us at the movies . . .</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">pearls beyond price.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">(c) 2024 Thom M. Shuman</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Venmo: @Thom-Shuman</span></div><div><br /><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: SourceSansPro, "Source Sans Pro", sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></p></div>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10776446.post-78028424264163209602024-03-07T07:05:00.000-05:002024-03-07T07:05:08.806-05:00Fourth Thursday in Lent<span style="font-family: arial;">"When it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is now very late; send them away so that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy something for themselves to eat." But he answered them, "You give them something to eat." Mark 6:35-37a<br /><br />we often ignore our<br />fancy brand name cups</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;">of coffee until it </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">grows cold and then</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">throw them out, while</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">millions have no drinking water,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">we fill up our trash cans</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">with food off too-full plates</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">and from shelves of fridges</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">because it went bad, while</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">folks are starving in warzones,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">we book fancy hotel rooms,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">or houses or beach cottages</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">to be able to get away from</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">our oh-so-nice homes in </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">neighborhoods others envy,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">while people sleep in streets</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">or in abandoned motels, yet</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">you have the audacity to challenge</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">us that we have more than enough</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">to do all those things for the forgotten</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">and still have all we need</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">for our indulgences.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">(c) 2024 Thom M. Shuman</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Venmo: @Thom-Shuman<br /></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></p></div>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10776446.post-37616365743096526792024-03-06T06:58:00.001-05:002024-03-06T06:58:51.586-05:00Fourth Wednesday in Lent<span style="font-family: arial;"> "They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them." Mark 6:13</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">we continue to anoint</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">ourselves with the oil</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">of pride, hoping it will</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">keep you from being</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">able to cast out those</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">demons of</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">prejudice and politics,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">of privilege and arrogance,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">of knowing we are always</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">right because we could</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">never admit we are wrong.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">(c) 2024 Thom M. Shuman</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Venmo: @Thom-Shuman</span></div>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10776446.post-12703053383781269272024-03-05T07:01:00.000-05:002024-03-05T07:01:14.681-05:00Third Tuesday in Lent<span style="font-family: arial;">"Keep your tongue from evil,</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"> and your lips from speaking deceit.<br />Depart from evil, and do good;<br /> seek peace, and pursue it." Psalm 34:13-14</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">we just cannot keep</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">from sticking our tongues</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">out and touching the pole</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">frozen by evil's ice cold heart.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">we find it easier to just</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">repeat the same damaging</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">words over and over, rather</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">than thumbing through the</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">thesaurus of grace and hope.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">we cannot bring ourselves</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">to break it off with the Evil One</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">and start dating that goody</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">two-shoes holding up the wall</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">at the weekly dance.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">and peace? when we could</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">race at top speed to catch it,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">our feet seem to be stuck</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">in the quicksand of anger.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">(c) 2024 Thom M. Shuman</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Venmo: @Thom-Shuman</span></div>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10776446.post-90909654297081955192024-03-04T06:58:00.000-05:002024-03-04T06:58:54.405-05:00Third Monday in Lent<span style="font-family: arial;">"Your hands have made and fashioned me;</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"> give me understanding that I may learn</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"> your commandments." Psalm 119:73</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">sitting at your workbench,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">you gathered up the dust</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">from the stars you crafted</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">and flung deep into space</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">and cupping it in your hands,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">you began your most intimate</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">creation, staring into the mirror</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">as you tenderly shaped us,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">slowly breathing the Spirit </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">until our lungs took deep gulps,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">and then you handed us on</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">to the Word to mentor us</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">in your grace and love.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">(c) 2024 Thom M. Shuman</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Venmo: @Thom-Shuman</span></div>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10776446.post-27909956939396144662024-03-03T06:58:00.000-05:002024-03-03T06:58:37.004-05:00Third Sunday in Lent<span style="font-family: arial;">"I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"> than live in the tents of wickedness." Psalm 84:10b</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">may i take the job</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">following the horses</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">in a big parade instead</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">of being honored at the banquet</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">of the purveyors of prejudice.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">may i be the single</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">parent working two jobs</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">to make ends meet </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">rather than take a bonus</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">from a CEO whose firm</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">covers up polluting rivers.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">may i be a bouncer</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">at a Pride bar rather </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">than running for office</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">on a platform of denigrating</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">any of God's most precious</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">children.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">(c) 2024 Thom M. Shuman</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Venmo: @Thom-Shuman</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10776446.post-19059727504452989022024-03-02T06:56:00.000-05:002024-03-02T06:56:32.745-05:00Third Saturday in Lent"You hate those who pay <br /> regard to worthless <br /> idols,<br /> but I trust in the Lord." Psalm 31:6<div><br /></div><div>a glimpse there,</div><div>a selfie here, and</div><div>pretty soon we cannot</div><div>keep from staring more</div><div>at the celebrities than</div><div>noticing you in the forgotten.</div><div>a word that sounds plausible,</div><div>a sound bite which attracts,</div><div>a commercial played over</div><div>and over in our ears, and</div><div>before we know it, we are</div><div>trapped in a maze of broken</div><div>promises with no way out</div><div>rather than listening to your</div><div>whispers of hope in our souls.</div><div><br /></div><div>(c) 2024 Thom M. Shuman</div><div><br /></div><div>Venmo: @Thom-Shuman</div>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10776446.post-3946409410857639582024-03-01T06:58:00.001-05:002024-03-01T06:58:58.432-05:00Third Friday in Lent<span style="font-family: arial;">"Seek the Lord and his<br /> strength;<br /> seek his presence<br /> continually." Psalm 105:4 </span><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">how you must be</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">amazed </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">at how quickly we </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">can go down rabbit trails,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">how easily we can</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">slide from one video</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">to the next on that</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">ticking and tocking app,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">how we don't need</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">to turn on our navigation</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">in order to get to the</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">corner of snark and malice</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">and then we murmur</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">about how we just </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">ran out of time to spend</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">with you, rock of our lives.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">(c) 2024 Thom M. Shuman</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Venmo: @Thom-Shuman</span></div>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10776446.post-47035039324674996952024-02-29T07:03:00.000-05:002024-02-29T07:03:55.588-05:00Third Thursday in Lent<span style="font-family: arial;">"The LORD is my light and my salvation; </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"> whom shall I fear?<br /> The LORD is the stronghold of my life;<br /> of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">today,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">let us take a chance</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">and put fear out in</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">the curbside bin</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">once and for all.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">let us climb up </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">to the high board</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">and dive head first</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">into grace's warm waters.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">let us believe that</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">the batteries in your</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">light will never burn out</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">as we wander the shadows.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">today,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">let us finally stop</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">making it a proverb,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">but leap into your faith</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">with no qualms in our hearts.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">(c) 2024 Thom M. Shuman</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Venmo: @Thom-Shuman</span></div>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10776446.post-48191227834699760242024-02-28T07:57:00.000-05:002024-02-28T07:57:02.231-05:00Third Wednesday in Lent<span style="font-family: arial;">"Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain." Mark 4:7 </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">believing</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">we are called </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">to weave our</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">prickly pride and</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">prejudices into thorny</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">walls of briars to keep</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">others as far away as possible,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">we never notice you</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">trying to slowly weave us</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">into hedgerows of hope</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">to shelter all of God's creatures.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">(c) 2024 Thom M. Shuman</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Venmo: @Thom-Shuman</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10776446.post-14105947720651950912024-02-27T07:07:00.000-05:002024-02-27T07:07:01.581-05:00Second Tuesday in Lent<span style="font-family: arial;">"Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." 1 Corinthians 5:8</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">too often, we prefer</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">the sourdough starter</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">which comes down to us</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">from those whose anger</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">has never been calmed,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">whose fears are like yeast</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">which expands our panic,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">whose heated hatred </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">is more curdled than milk</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">left out in the heat of August.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">so feed us on that bread</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">whose brokenness can </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">make us whole and new.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">(c) 2024 Thom M. Shuman</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Venmo: @Thom-Shuman </span></div>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10776446.post-23138321296800134552024-02-26T07:20:00.001-05:002024-02-26T07:20:15.540-05:00Second Monday in Lent<span style="font-family: arial;">"Let your steadfast love become my comfort </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"> according to your promise to your servant." Psalm 119:76</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">perhaps i cannot bring</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">about world peace, but</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">i can persist in working</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">for peace in my spot</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">of the world.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">maybe i cannot stop the spread</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">of hate by myself, but</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">i can offer my love in </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">every moment to those</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">who know the pain of such hate.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">(c) 2024 Thom M. Shuman</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Venmo: @Thom-Shuman</span></div>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10776446.post-31804712849985215652024-02-25T09:01:00.003-05:002024-02-25T09:01:45.319-05:00Second Sunday in Lent<span style="font-family: arial;">"Happy are those whose strength is in you, </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"> in whose heart are the highways to Zion." Psalm 84:5</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">strewth,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">we would rather</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">keep trying to </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">recalculate that </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">internal GPS which</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">takes us </span><span style="font-family: arial;">round </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Robin Hood's barn,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">than follow your </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">trail of grace crumbs</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">to God's heart.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">(c) 2024 Thom M. Shuman</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Venmo: @Thom-Shuman</span></div>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10776446.post-55930170963161320302024-02-24T07:44:00.000-05:002024-02-24T07:44:54.349-05:00Second Saturday in Lent<span style="font-family: arial;"> "Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries." 1 Corinthians 4:1</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">if others think </span><span style="font-family: arial;">of us</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">as </span><span style="font-family: arial;">the privileged who </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">set it aside so others</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">might know justice,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">as the recovering who</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">know how to shatter</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">the bonds of addiction,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">as the mended who</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">are craftspeople able</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">to create stained glass</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">windows in the cracks</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">of the hearts of others,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">then we will have fulfilled</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">our calling to be caretakers</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">of that conundrum we call</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">God.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">(c) 2024 Thom M. Shuman</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Venmo: @Thom-Shuman</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10776446.post-1993777558098172822024-02-23T07:06:00.002-05:002024-02-23T07:06:42.101-05:00Second Friday in Lent<span style="font-family: arial;">"So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future--all belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God." 1 Corinthians 3:21-23</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">oh, how we love </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">the parade of</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">the spellbinders and stemwinders,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">the celebs and the debs,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">the high flyers and lowdown liars,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">following</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> behind them</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">with our shovels in hand</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">thinking that is all we </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">are skilled at doing.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">but grace is ours</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">and that is more than enough,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">hope is ours and it</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">exceeds all expectations,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">love is ours and it whispers</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">of how God's heart has</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">room for all of us</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">and we know</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">we are right where we </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">belong</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">(c) 2024 Thom M. Shuman</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Venmo: @Thom-Shuman</span></div>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0