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 Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. WORDS OF HOPE Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day, a day for gratitude and peace, but the peace of God does not exist in a time or place, is not defined by how we feel at any given moment but is the companion that travels with us on a journey with two roads. One road is traveled internally, and the other, externally. If peace existed in a specific time and place, then we could not exist outside of it. If peace were defined by how we feel, then we would have no reassurance when our feelings changed. Jesus promised to give us his peace, and at the same time, aforehand told us that we would face trials and tribulations. To understand that we can have peace with tribulation, we must first understand how the peace of God differs from human peace. God’s gift of peace is the reassurance of God’s presence in our lives. In essence, it is because of that presence that we do indeed have peace. The companionship of the Christ, Spirit, and God’s loving hands that covers us bear fruit in us unto peace. This great love works in our lives fulfilling God’s purpose to prosper us. It is not limited nor temporary. Even in the depths of despair, God our peace, is with us. Our helper leads us to victory over the battles we fight every day in our hearts. When winds of change blow like a hurricane all around us, our God is a mighty defense. On the inside, we must choose every day whether to love ourselves, forgive our enemies, and often, trust in what we cannot see. God is speaking to our hearts every day and we must choose to listen or not to listen. On the outside, we face a world that with each revolution brings new trouble. God does not always prevent trouble from happening to us but strengthens us when it does. Trails may come but God has overcome. It is because of our relationship with our Creator that we can have the peace of God. Truly, our peace never leaves, for God is everywhere. PRAYER God our peace, Bless You, for being with us when we could not see You and for never letting us travel alone. Praise You, for You command the storms in the world and in our hearts to be still. By Your companionship, we are mighty conquerors. In Your loving arms, we are at peace. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Jonathon McClellan Order of St. Francis and St. Clare
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Words of Hope Podcast
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SCRIPTURE Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. WORDS OF HOPE Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day, a day for gratitude and peace, but the peace of God does not exist in a time or place, is not defined by how we feel at any given moment but is the companion that travels with us on a journey with two roads. One road is traveled internally, and the other, externally. If peace existed in a specific time and place, then we could not exist outside of it. If peace were defined by how we feel, then we would have no reassurance when our feelings changed. Jesus promised to give us his peace, and at the same time, aforehand told us that we would face trials and tribulations. To understand that we can have peace with tribulation, we must first understand how the peace of God differs from human peace. God’s gift of peace is the reassurance of God’s presence in our lives. In essence, it is because of that presence that we do indeed have peace. The companionship of the Christ, Spirit, and God’s loving hands that covers us bear fruit in us unto peace. This great love works in our lives fulfilling God’s purpose to prosper us. It is not limited nor temporary. Even in the depths of despair, God our peace, is with us. Our helper leads us to victory over the battles we fight every day in our hearts. When winds of change blow like a hurricane all around us, our God is a mighty defense. On the inside, we must choose every day whether to love ourselves, forgive our enemies, and often, trust in what we cannot see. God is speaking to our hearts every day and we must choose to listen or not to listen. On the outside, we face a world that with each revolution brings new trouble. God does not always prevent trouble from happening to us but strengthens us when it does. Trails may come but God has overcome. It is because of our relationship with our Creator that we can have the peace of God. Truly, our peace never leaves, for God is everywhere. PRAYER God our peace, Bless You, for being with us when we could not see You and for never letting us travel alone. Praise You, for You command the storms in the world and in our hearts to be still. By Your companionship, we are mighty conquerors. In Your loving arms, we are at peace. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Jonathon McClellan Order of St. Francis and St. Clare
SCRIPTURE 2 Thessalonians 3:13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. WORDS OF HOPE I often dismiss my college level classes by telling my students to “go out and do the next right thing.” It used to be that this statement was more about making good choices than actually knowing what was right. The other day, a student, who had heard me say this to the class many times, was the last to leave. They waited around to ask me, “How do I really know what is right?” The current climate of life in our country, amplified by the influence of social media, most certainly has blurred our perception of right and wrong and good and evil. My friends have an older neighbor who fell ill and was hospitalized for several weeks. The neighbor lives alone with two dogs. My friends and other neighbors stepped up to make sure that the dogs were cared for by someone actually taking them into their home. Others maintained the yard and did a much-needed cleaning of the home’s interior so that it was welcoming upon their return. Most people would consider these as acts of care and kindness. Unfortunately, that was not the case in this situation. The recipient of these intended acts of goodness was angry at everything that had been done. “The yard didn’t need to be whacked down to dead twigs. The dogs didn’t need to be groomed. I was going to clean the house when I got home.” My student’s question about how do we really know what is right suddenly became more momentous. As a follower of Christ, I have always believed that Jesus tells us, in Matthew 7:12, exactly what doing good looks like— “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”. Seems simple, but based on my friends’ experience, it’s not. What do we do when what we thought was good and right is not perceived as such? Or, the contrary, when what we see as not right is perceived as good? Paul’s letter to the Romans has an answer for us. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2) As you go about your days, pray for guidance, be an example of peace and love to the world, and go forth and do the next right thing. PRAYER Loving God, guide my words and actions as I greet this new day. Grant me courage and strength to move through my day showing kindness, patience, and love to others and to myself. Teach me to always be a reflection of your goodness. Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR Kris Baker Order of St. Francis and St. Clare
SCRIPTURE Joshua 1:9 Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. WORDS OF HOPE Within the Genesis story of Earth' s creation and the unfolding of the human experience, God saw great beauty and expanding potential for our loving relationship with the Holy One. The creative act endowed humanity with freedom of choice. The descendants of Adam and Eve often chose a lifestyle pattern which was compatible with divine hopes while many more ignored the opportunity to walk in the ways of God. Then, from the descendants of the righteous man, Abraham, God chose to demonstrate the Divine's nature and purpose toward humanity. However, even those Israelites often failed to live according to God's desires. It was an era when so many were frightened and dismayed, but the creation was not to be abandoned by God. Creation would be redeemed. And from the family of Jesse, King David's father, would arise One who would restore humankind's relationship with God. Throughout the centuries, we have been given hope and courage by so many hymns that remind us of that truth. "Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming from tenderest stem hath sprung, of Jesse's lineage coming as saints of old have sung. It came a flower bright, amid the cold of winter, when half spent was the night… True human but very God, from sin and death God saves.” -from a 16th-century German hymn. Do you remember this hymn by Bob McGee? "Emmanuel, Emmanuel, his name is called Emmanuel, which means God with us and revealed in us. God continues to offer us this incredible, loving gift of Emmanuel to draw us into close relationship with the Holy One. God in us, God with us and God to act through us. As Thanksgiving approaches, what a joy it is to be grateful for this gift of divine wisdom that empowers us to bless the world. What a fantastic gift which is freely offered to each of us by the loving Creator. A THANKSGIVING SEASON PRAYER Almighty God, we give you thanks that you will sustain and guide us through uncertain periods of life. We can place complete trust in your constant presence and love in our lives. Strengthen us to listen and respond to your voice. And may our confidence in your guidance allow us to comfort and help those around us who experience fear and need. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR ļ»æ Donald (Luke) Day Order of St Francis and St. Clare
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