Righteous
RIGHTEOUS
March 10, 2025
Passage
“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.“ (1 John 2:1)
Reflection
One reason we can rest during Lent is the righteousness of Jesus, or the good standing that He has in the eyes of God the Father. His righteousness is perfect and far better than our own, and He freely shares it with us by His grace and steadfast love. In short, we are warmly welcomed to stand beside the Saviour, and to be seen the way that God the Father sees Him. This is our rightful place as followers of Jesus, and during Lent we are called to boldly take it up with joy. Furthermore, we are called to take it up in every season, for the welcome does not expire when Lent comes to an end. The Righteous One, Who is with us at all times, invites us each and every day to stand and be seen with Him.
Prayer
To the Righteous One Who has atoned for every sin, we thank You for the good standing that You share with all Your people. Beside You we are clothed in honours undeserving, and bring a joy to Heaven’s eye that our works could never obtain. This our rightful place, so help us Lord to take it. Amen.
Donut of the Day
Today’s donut is the Columbian Buñuelo. Buñuelos are a type of donut that is found in Southern Europe and Latin America, and the Columbian version is cheese based with a hint of sweetness.
Dilla of the Day
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The images featured in this post are from Scotty J. Williams and allybally4b from pixabay.com and are free for public use with the proper acknowledgements.
Residing
RESIDING
March 9, 2025
Passage
“Then you and the Levites and the foreigners residing among you shall rejoice in all the good things the Lord your God has given to you and your household.“ (Deuteronomy 26:11)
Reflection
Though Lent is once a year, its practices are not. In fact, they are year-round and a normal part of Christian life. Every day we are called to repentance or turning away from sin, and prayer and fasting are aspects of our walk with Christ in faith. These good things must be known and deeply cherished by all believers, so that when Lent comes it does not feel irregular and strange. Lent should have a sense of home where we feel that we belong and reside in peace surrounded by precious gifts that are familiar. And along with gifts there is the presence of the Lord. The Savior that we know and love, Who is with us at all times.
Prayer
Our Lord Jesus, Who is with us in every season, may the Lenten season not be a foreign landscape to our eyes. May it be a be place within Your Kingdom, where we belong, and may we find a joyful sense of home in all of its blessed days. Help us see this time as more than something once a year. It is something meant for everyday as we serve and follow You. In Your gracious name we pray. Amen.
Donut of the Day
Today’s donut is the Zeppole. This Italian pastry, which originated in ancient Rome, is eaten to celebrate the Christian feast called St. Joseph’s Day.
Dilla of the Day
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The images featured in this post are from Scotty J. Williams and andreinanacca from pixabay.com and are free for public use with the proper acknowledgements.
Rescue
RESCUE
March 8, 2025
Passage
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges My name.” (Psalm 91:14)
Reflection
Just as God’s protection does not depend upon our faith, His response to our distress does not depend upon our love. He will not be more or less inclined to rescue because of our affection, which is always changing as we face the joys and cares of life. God will hasten to rescue when we love Him with deep gratitude, and He will do the same when our love for Him seems almost gone. Yet, God still sees and honours our ever-changing affection, and responds with a greater affection that does not wax or wane. Whether fond of Him or not, the Lord will give us aid. Therefore, when we feel distressed let us run to Him as He runs to us.
Prayer
Loving Lord, Who sees and hears each moment of our lives, we thank You that You see and hear the moments of distress. And we thank You that even when we struggle in seeking to love You, the affection that You have for us is steadfast and secure. May this affection make us run to You with haste, and not just in the troubles when we call to You for rescue. May we run to You when there is peace and little cares, for You are always running to us in every time and season. In Your gracious name we pray. Amen.
Donut of the Day
Today’s donut is the Gulab Jamun. This Indian confection is made from dried or thickened milk, and is topped with dried nuts or edible gold and silver leaf.
Dilla of the Day
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The images featured in this post are from Scotty J. Williams and ikon from pixabay.com and are free for public use with the proper acknowledgements.
Refuge
REFUGE
March 7, 2025
Passage
If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. (Psalm 91:9-10)
Reflection
In addition to finding rest Lent is a time of refuge, and the safety that it brings is not in fasting and our prayers. Rather it is found in the One we fast for and pray to, Who draws us close and calms us with a promise of protection. God vows to keep us safe if we claim He as our Refuge and seek to make a home in Him or trust within His power. And the beauty of this promise is that our faith need not be great. Even with the smallest bit of trust He will offer His protection. Yet, what if troubles come and harm us in some way? We are also promised that when they rise they shall not overtake us.
Prayer
O Wondrous Refuge and Strength to all who serve You, we thank You for Your faithfulness in keeping us each day. Even in the midst of trials we are not overtaken, and behind us are a host of harms that You have overcome. May Your protection in the past ring out Your promises in the present, and echo into days ahead with griefs and cares unknown. Just as You have kept us You will keep us in this season, and shelter us by grace into the joyful light of Easter. O blessed be Your name. Amen.
Donut of the Day
Today’s donut is the Medu Vada. Unlike its sweet counterparts, this savoury fritter is made from black lentils and is eaten with sambar (a vegetable stew), yogurt, or coconut chutney.
Dilla of the Day
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The images featured in this post are from Scotty J. Williams and KavindaF from pixabay.com and are free for public use with the proper acknowledgements.
Rest
REST
March 6, 2025
Passage
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. (Psalm 91:1-2)
Reflection
With Mardi Gras merriment and Ash Wednesday solemness behind us, we are tempted to see the Lenten season as a time to “start working”. After all, there are things to give up and temptations to resist. And there are spiritual practices we have resolved to do and disciplines to undertake. Before us are a mountain of tasks that shadow us until Easter, but the goal of Lent is resting in the shadow of God. Of course, the Lord delights in good works as we fast, but such works should come from the peace of relaxing in His presence. When we rest our practices and disciplines become less daunting, and are filled with joy and gratitude for the good things God has done.
Prayer
Almighty God, Whose presence is a solace, help us to find rest in You while we do good works this season. May our fasting, repentance, and prayer not be burdens that are daunting, but joyful gifts we offer You for Your goodness and Your love. Through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Donut of the Day
Today’s donut is the Berliner. This German classic, which was first eaten during holidays, is now enjoyed daily in many countries around the world.
Dilla of the Day
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The images featured in this post are from Scotty J. Williams and jhenning from pixabay.com and are free for public use with the proper acknowledgements.
Reward (Ash Wednesday)
REWARD
March 5, 2025 (Ash Wednesday)
Passage
But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:17-18)
Reflection
For many people Lent is a time to earn something they want, and they do so by giving up something they enjoy. They believe that for their devotion heaven will reward them, but this is not the purpose or the point of this season. Many things that we desire are rooted in selfishness, and one goal of Lent is putting selfishness to death. We are called to give up looking out for number one, and to take up the selfless way of Christ. And when we keep His way then life is our reward.
Prayer
O Gracious God, Who made us from the dust and receives our souls when we return to it, as we enter another Lenten season put to death our selfishness. Take away all desires that keep us from the selfless way of Christ, and strengthen us to follow it that we might have life. In Your name we pray. Amen.
Donut of the Day
Today’s donut is the Beignet. Originally from France, it is now the official pastry of my home state Louisiana.
Dilla of the Day
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The images featured in this post are from Scotty J. Williams and ebalaskova from pixabay.com and are free for public use with the proper acknowledgements.
Coffee Sans Donuts (Daily Readings for Lent 2025)
Coffee Sans Donuts
Daily Readings for Lent 2025
While waking up to smell the coffee this Lenten season, I will not be waking up to the lovely smell of donuts. This year I have chosen to leave behind my favourite pastries for fasting, repentance, and prayer. Another reason for this choice is to better appreciate donuts, which I believe are a gift from God to not be taken for granted. Nevertheless, I have found a way to soften the blow of their absence, and that is by writing reflections throughout this Lenten season.
From Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday I will feature a special series called Coffee Sans Donuts. Each morning I will have my coffee with a passage from the Revised Common Lectionary, and post a short reflection and prayer. I will also feature tracks from the late J Dilla, who loved donuts so much that he named an album after them. Lastly, because I believe that Lent should have a bit of fun, every post will feature a donut from a different part of the world.
So, if you’re looking for something to help you through the Lenten season, I invite you join me each day for Coffee Sans Donuts. Also, feel free to share this series with the proper acknowledgements, and you can find it by clicking on the red button below.
Happy Lent and God bless!
The images featured in this post are from Scotty J. Williams and pinwhalestock from pixabay.com and are free for public use with the proper acknowledgements.
A Forgotten Giant: Pierre Caliste Landry (1841-1921)
A Forgotten Giant
Pierre Caliste Landry (1841-1921)
For this year’s Black History Month I have been studying “Forgotten Giants”, or heroes of my people that are not so well known. One of them is a statesman named Pierre Caliste Landry, who was the first elected Black Mayor in American history. Like me he was of Creole stock and Louisiana born, and was also ordained within a Protestant tradition. Though starting out enslaved he went on to lead in government, and even helped to establish an early HBCU.
If Presbyterians had patron saints, then mine surely would be the Rev. Landry. Nevertheless, I can find inspiration in his example and pray to have the faithfulness and love that he displayed. Here is my prayer in honour of his blessed memory. Please feel free to use and share it with the proper acknowledgements.
Almighty God, Who calls humble souls to Your great service, we thank You for the calling of Your servant Pierre Caliste Landry. From the halls of plantations to the halls of Church and government, he displayed a care for all people including those against him. Lord, in this uneasy time, much like when Landry lived, give us a peace and rest through Your sure faithfulness and love. And make us here and now more faithful and more loving, that we might be agents of peace and help others to find rest. Through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
The images featured in this post are from Scotty J. Williams.
A Model Church: Reflections From The Wasserkirche
A Model Church
Reflections From The Wasserkirche
Sacred, Secular, and Both
Between Zürich’s great cathedrals, the Grossmünster and the Fraumünster, is a sanctuary called the Wasserkirche (Water Church) where I once did a wedding. Before the Reformation it was the resting place of Felix and Regula, the city’s patron saints who were martyred in 286 A.D.
Unlike the cathedrals the Reformers saw the Wasserkiche as irredeemable, and it became a public library in 1684. Then in 1940 it was reopened for worship services, and continues to be used for public events such as concerts and exhibitions. Though once again sacred it has not ceased being secular, which, in my opinion, makes it a model Church for the present age.
Convergence
Chine McDonald once wrote that cathedrals are a “meeting point” where heaven and earth come together in a variety of ways. I believe that Churches in general are meant to have this end. To be places of convergence where the eternal and temporal intersect. People should see the Creator and Creation in hallowed houses, and find a beauty that is healing for the brokenness in their lives.
During the wedding at the Wasserkiche I experienced this convergence, and I find it each time when walk along the Limmat. My most recent encounter was through a gift from my wife. A paper model of the sanctuary Reformers called irredeemable. Through cutting and folding I got a joyful glimpse of beauty. A glimpse that gives me hope that all brokenness will end.
The images featured in this post are from Scotty J. Williams.
Preaching In Sins: My First German Sermon
Preaching in Sins
My First German Sermon
On September 2nd of 2012 I preached in German for the first time. The occasion was a concert of Ensemble Gottlob Barock led by Kai Florian Bischoff. Along with Luke 10:27, I focused on two Bach cantatas; Ich habe genug and Der Friede sei mit dir. The Church, Pfarrkirche Mariä Geburt, was in a town with a comical name, and I found myself “preaching in Sins“.
Unfortunately, my sermon, titled Wo Ist Gott?, was not recorded. But later on I recorded a reading of it which can be heard in the video below. Also, for those who do not know German, you can find the English by clicking on the button below.
The image featured in this post is by WolfBlur of pixabay.com, and is free for public use with the proper acknowledgements.