Valerie Hess

I am also Judas.

I get so caught up in my causes and concerns that I miss the Christ and how His causes and concerns could, would enfold and uplift mine.

And then when things don’t go the way I believe they should (and I believe that that is also the way God wants them to go), then instead of repenting like Peter did, I go out and hang myself on guilt and embarrassment, and vow to move to a desert island and never speak up again and begin the fasting I never quite get to when I am on a roll. The thirty pieces of my silver idea burn my soul.

O God, you would forgive me and restore me with a real mission as you did Peter. If only I would give up my Judas pride and ask You. May the field of blood in my life become the Field of Blood in Your Life.

Never confuse a well-oiled machine with the joyous wedding banquet that Jesus uses as his most common metaphor for eternity.  Sadly some people prefer machines to parties.

You can find it by doing a search on the

iPhone apps storelisted under spiritual disciplines devotional by 43rd Element, LLCSpiritual Disciplines by Valerie Hess

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I offer this prayer from an unknown source: Save me from haste and confusion, from wrongful desire, and the net of evil.

Amen!

In many churches, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, is called “Good Shepherd Sunday” as the Psalm appointed for the day is the 23rd and the Gospel talks about Jesus being the Good Shepherd. The New Testament Reading in some years is the section in Revelation where the Lamb is praised.

This Psalm is used at so many funerals it has taken on an almost hushed tone in many people’s minds. I believe that one way to read it is as a statement of victory in the “war won/battles still happening” reality of the Christian faith. I find that proclaiming it rather than praying it gives me a new perspective on the familiar words.

What do you think?