A PERSONAL PRAYER God, on this day, I am asking for a fresh start. It is a new school year, a new beginning with projects and goals for my life and my work. Are they what you want for me? Have I correctly discerned your preferred future for my life? I have tried to listen to you, God, and get clarity, but sometimes it seems so fuzzy. I ask you today to put the right dreams in my heart, the right goals in my head, the right hopes in my soul, the right projects on my schedule. Your scripture [...]

A PERSONAL PRAYER Gracious God, I still remember the day I heard you call my name, asking me to follow you, telling me you had work for me to do. It seems I am always trying to figure out exactly what work I am supposed to be doing, continually searching for that great purpose in the sky that will change the world. Is that what you want of me? I confess that while I am looking for that greater purpose, greater vision, there is a friend who needs a word of encouragement, a colleague who needs some help [...]

A PERSONAL PRAYER Ah, look at all the lonely people. Where do they all come from? Ah, look at all the lonely people. Where do they all belong?  God, I think that is what you are saying so much of the time. Sometimes, even I, who have a marvelous family and incredible church family, think to myself "where do I belong?" It is at the core of the human condition, isn't it? From the moment we hid ourselves from you in the garden, loneliness set in. You said it was not good that we be alone, but then [...]