Daily Devotions and Podcasts
Prayer: Lord, help me to see You in every part of my day, even in the places I least expect. Open my eyes to Your presence in the ordinary and the extraordinary moments of life. Amen.
The Cathedral of Hope Devotion Ministry began as an answer to Progressive Christians who wanted to start their days with a little insight, observation, or wisdom about the Christian faith from their own point of view. Conservative internet devotions were abundant, but there was not much out there for liberal thinkers. The need was clear.
Being a large church, we had a generous amount of writing talent available and also a large number of congregants with theological training who were not on the pulpit. In the early days of the ministry, most of the writing was done by the clergy, but gradually the majority of the writers emerged from those lay volunteers.
That dynamic is still in place as new authors are always joining in to keep the ideas fresh. It’s a fitting structure for any center of progressive thought. This particular Body of Christ has many voices and each one has a unique and important story to tell.
SCRIPTURE -James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. WORDS OF HOPE A couple weeks ago I had an early flight out of DFW. Because lines and gate changes are unpredictable, I got to the airport early “just in case.” I prepared for the worst, and was gifted with the best; no issues at all getting checked in and moving through security. This allowed me time to grab breakfast in the terminal. Though the line for coffee and a breakfast biscuit was long, it moved quickly. Most people grabbed their sack of food and headed out into the gate area. I had time, so I found a seat in the restaurant where I could sit and relax a bit…and people watch, my favorite airport activity. My spot was right across from a bank of trash cans. Halfway through my meal, I noticed a small-in-stature, middle-aged Muslim woman pulling the barrels out, tying the full bags up and replacing them with new ones. As she did this, she meticulously sprayed with disinfectant and wiped down the area all around. I watched for several minutes. People walked over and dumped their trash. She politely stepped out of their way. No one spoke to her. Not a single “Good morning.” When I went to dispose of my trash, I handed her a $20 bill and said, “Thank you for what you for your work.” She looked at me stunned and said only, “Why?” I told her that she was appreciated. I then went back to my table to finish my coffee. Once the trash cans were neat and clean and the woman had cleared and wiped the dirty tables in the area, she walked over to me with a smile on her face and said, “Thank you.’” I replied, “You are most welcome.” And we both went on with our day. The good deed in this story is the work of the woman. Despite being seemingly invisible to the majority of people in the airport, she continued to do her job as if every eye around was watching…deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. As I sat on the plane awaiting take-off, I replayed a discussion from my CoH small group from the night before. We left each other that night with the challenge to pay attention to the people whose presence, labor, wisdom, or care that often goes unnoticed. I hope the woman cleaning up at this airport restaurant on that Tuesday morning knows that her presence, work, care, and wisdom were all seen and greatly appreciated. She made an impression on me that will linger on. How many people move through their days unnoticed by those around them? God sees them. And God sees those of us that do not notice them and their deeds. I challenge each of you to accept the challenge our small group undertook; pay attention to the people whose presence, labor, wisdom, or care often goes unnoticed. In the words of a wise friend of mine, “Change how you see. See how you change.” PRAYER Jesus, you show us the beauty of valuing the least, the last, and the overlooked. As I go through my day, help me to open my heart to see those who are often unnoticed and to accept and learn from the wisdom they share. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Kris Baker Order of St. Francis and St. Clare
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Words of Hope Podcast
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SCRIPTURE -James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. WORDS OF HOPE A couple weeks ago I had an early flight out of DFW. Because lines and gate changes are unpredictable, I got to the airport early “just in case.” I prepared for the worst, and was gifted with the best; no issues at all getting checked in and moving through security. This allowed me time to grab breakfast in the terminal. Though the line for coffee and a breakfast biscuit was long, it moved quickly. Most people grabbed their sack of food and headed out into the gate area. I had time, so I found a seat in the restaurant where I could sit and relax a bit…and people watch, my favorite airport activity. My spot was right across from a bank of trash cans. Halfway through my meal, I noticed a small-in-stature, middle-aged Muslim woman pulling the barrels out, tying the full bags up and replacing them with new ones. As she did this, she meticulously sprayed with disinfectant and wiped down the area all around. I watched for several minutes. People walked over and dumped their trash. She politely stepped out of their way. No one spoke to her. Not a single “Good morning.” When I went to dispose of my trash, I handed her a $20 bill and said, “Thank you for what you for your work.” She looked at me stunned and said only, “Why?” I told her that she was appreciated. I then went back to my table to finish my coffee. Once the trash cans were neat and clean and the woman had cleared and wiped the dirty tables in the area, she walked over to me with a smile on her face and said, “Thank you.’” I replied, “You are most welcome.” And we both went on with our day. The good deed in this story is the work of the woman. Despite being seemingly invisible to the majority of people in the airport, she continued to do her job as if every eye around was watching…deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. As I sat on the plane awaiting take-off, I replayed a discussion from my CoH small group from the night before. We left each other that night with the challenge to pay attention to the people whose presence, labor, wisdom, or care that often goes unnoticed. I hope the woman cleaning up at this airport restaurant on that Tuesday morning knows that her presence, work, care, and wisdom were all seen and greatly appreciated. She made an impression on me that will linger on. How many people move through their days unnoticed by those around them? God sees them. And God sees those of us that do not notice them and their deeds. I challenge each of you to accept the challenge our small group undertook; pay attention to the people whose presence, labor, wisdom, or care often goes unnoticed. In the words of a wise friend of mine, “Change how you see. See how you change.” PRAYER Jesus, you show us the beauty of valuing the least, the last, and the overlooked. As I go through my day, help me to open my heart to see those who are often unnoticed and to accept and learn from the wisdom they share. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Kris Baker Order of St. Francis and St. Clare
SCRIPTURE Psalm 9:1 I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart: I will recount all your wonderful deeds. WORDS OF HOPE My word for 2026, drawn from a group of face down cards on the first Sunday of the year, is Witness. It fits me pretty good. Last month we met a couple of women at lunch after a Wings basketball game from a very conservative town in Virginia. They came to Dallas for two Wings games. They were a couple, but not out in their town. They were surprised to see so many gay people at the Wings game. They had never seen that many gay people in one place before and were surprised to see how open the gay people were in public. They never expected that in Texas! Of course, I asked them if they had heard of the world's largest gay church that was in Dallas! They had never heard of a gay church at all! I spent some time (ignoring my friends at my table) telling them about Cathedral of Hope and how we had championed the gay community for 56 years! They were amazed to hear of a church that welcomed and celebrated gay people and all people. I hope they have seen our web site by now; I am trying not to be too aggressive. But I did tell them about our website and became Facebook friends with one of them, It is amazing after all this time to still find people who have not heard about Cathedral of Hope. Maybe the local, VERY conservative university in their town blocks the internet and airways so no one can hear the good news that God loves gay people. We try so hard to reach everyone. Earlier this year I met a young gay college student right here in Dallas who did not know about CoH. She did not even know the Arboretum had a Pride celebration. I told her all about CoH. She was amazed to hear about such an unusual church. I guess we all must keep witnessing about God's inclusive love! My Baptist roots told me I needed to do that! But I doubt they would be pleased to know my witness of God's love is inclusive not condemning! PRAYER Amazing God, thank you for our church and the 56 years we have shared your inclusive love with the world! DEVOTION AUTHOR Jan Nunn Cathedral of Hope Volunteer
SCRIPTURE Isaiah 43:19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. WORDS OF HOPE I love the idea of ordering things from a kiosk, like the ones they have at some McDonalds - Not that I allow myself to eat there too often. It seems virtually trouble free and accurate. You can add extra cheese or pickles, tell it no onions, and the list appears before you on the screen. Oddly enough, I first discovered these kiosks while on vacation one year in Paris at the equivalent of McDonalds they call the Q, I think. The biggest difference is they are actually good burgers without all the added chemicals we allow in the States, and which are outlawed in Europe. I like that. Europeans are smart and they seem to have each other’s backs. In fact, I don’t think we’re too far away from ordering medical services from kiosks. We have telemedicine already. It seems like a natural next step. You could be an A-lister and get premium, but non conflicting treatments while you’re out cold. Think of it! Having your gall bladder out? You could add on cutting of that ingrown toenail while they’re at it. Come to think of it, we already do that with religion and spirituality. So many of us pick and choose our favorite things to either believe or omit out of all the things religious practices offer. Uncomfortable with the dark-skinned Jesus? Make him lighter. Middle Eastern Jesus too Jewish? Make him a protestant televangelist full of the right gospels to fit specific political temperaments. Want a more exciting origin story? Make Jesus’ birth take place in Roswell New Mexico. No limits to the menu. It seems like this kiosk thing is an idea that has been waiting to be born for centuries. If you have one, what does your Jesus look like? If you could order up your own custom afterlife, what would that look like? Is it a big party with all your loved ones with you, or is it lights out, you’re at peace? I don’t have to wonder if I would want Jesus to be there. After all these years of picturing my own image him, I have no doubt I would be surprised. PRAYER Lord Jesus, in our fast-moving world full of changes and distractions, help us to slow down long enough to get to know you better in the assurance that you know us and care for us 100%. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Charlie Rose Order of St. Francis and St. Clare
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