Author Archive | janej

An Undivided Heart by Jane Josephs “Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name.” –Psalm 86:11b The salon where I get my hair cut likes to display seasonal decorations. So, it was no surprise that this month I was greeted by several hundred red, pink, and silver cut-out hearts as I walked […]

Mary: Woman of Influence “When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.” –Luke 2:39 As every mother and father knows, it’s one thing to birth a child; another to parent one. Other than the story of Jesus being accidentally […]

Mary and Politics “He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.” –Luke 1:52 For years I read Mary’s song, sometimes called Mary’s Magnificat, without really understanding that some might consider her words regarding rulers being brought down as “politically subversive.” Then I came across The Real Mary written by […]

Prepare the Way “When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son.” –Luke 1:57 Six months have passed since Zechariah encountered the angel standing at the right side of the altar of incense in the temple. His now pregnant wife, Elizabeth, has probably had numerous one-sided conversations since […]

The People Outside Praying “And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.” –Luke 1:10 Zechariah was an old man when his turn came as a priest to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense on the altar in front of the Most Holy […]

Petitions and Prayers “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” –1 Timothy 2:1-2 When Paul wrote his first letter to Timothy (his “true son in the faith”), […]

Christ the King “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence.” –Daniel 7:13 For weeks now our Sunday sermons have been based on the Gospel readings listed […]

Even at Night “I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.” –Psalm 16:7 Have you ever gone to bed with a problem on your mind and awakened the following morning with a solution? In Psalm 19, it seems that King David has a lot on his mind. This […]

Our Refuge and Strength “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.” –Psalm 46:1 For several years I’ve had the privilege of proofreading the devotions our confirmands submit for publication in preparation for the Rite of Confirmation where they will publicly affirm their Christian faith. It’s truly a joy to […]

Called by Jesus “See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame…”  –Jeremiah 31:8 The Jericho Road is a seventeen-mile stretch that ascends to Jerusalem in a steep, winding fashion. In Jesus’ time it was […]