This post was provided by Dianne Washington Holmes

"I was introduced to Rev. S. M. Lockridge's sermons and have continued to use this short 3 minute introduction to remind me that God is all the things I can think of and all the things I can not even fathom. What I know is, He is my King. The words Rev. Lockridge uses in his attempt to describe Jesus is healing to my soul. I pray that others can be spiritually lifted as well."

- Dianne Washington Holmes

"That's My King"

by Rev. S. M. Lockridge (1913-2000)

Listen to the original legendary hour-long sermon from which the excerpt is taken. 

Learn more about the life and legacy of Rev. S.M. Lockridge. 

This post was provided by Caranell Lott

"I awaken, relieved each morning knowing that God is with us, and pray. This is a special prayer."

- Caranell Lott

An Early Morning Prayer

I come before you, O Lord

As the sun rises, may your hope rise up in me.

As the birds sing, may your love flow out of me.

As the light floods into this new day

May your joy shine through me.

I come before your O Lord

And drink in this moment of peace,

That I may carry something of your hope, love and joy

Today in my heart.

Amen

"Chaplet of Divine Mercy in Song"

For the purposes of this post, the video begins at 2:43 when the singing begins.

Rewind to the beginning to hear the introductory prayers.

Learn more about the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. 

This post was provided by Deacon Fred Toca

Pandemic Times

by Frederick Toca

The first rule of this pandemic is   ----

Stay inside, do not gather in a crowd, keep your distance…

But what happens to all the dreams … the ones we have not yet lived.

Langston asked this question best  ------ “Are they like raisins in the sun? ”

Is now our time to ferment our Faith and Hope? God’s word said, have

“A faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which GOD who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time” (Titus 1: 2)

So,

“We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice for we trust in His Holy Name” (Psalm 33: 20-22)

We are one family …sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, moms, dads, husbands, wives, aunts, uncles…The same core of a million mixtures, made in His image. No one like any other, but the same. Bonded together through genes, through love, through growth, through happiness, through sadness, and through feelings good and bad.

We are GOD’s children, baptized into His love, which is our HOPE and the fulfillment of all our dreams.

Frederick Toca

April 2020

This post was provided by Clarissa Brome

Desiderata

by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Max Erhmann (1927)

This post was provided by Michele McIntyre

"Total Praise" by Richard Smallwood

performed by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

This post was provided by Rhonda Haney

excerpt from

Hope for Times of Worry and Uncertainty

by Shana Schutte

Have you ever been so overcome with worry that you can’t sleep, and your mind is spinning with concerns about how the future will work out? Have you mentally tried to put the pieces of your future life together because you are struggling to trust the Lord? Oh, boy! Have I been there. There are times in life when worry comes knocking that it can be a challenge to calm one’s mind and just rest in the Lord’s love. Perhaps in those moments, He would say to you and me…  

When you try to arrange the pieces of your future where I have not illuminated the path before you, you’ll be in torment. (Isaiah 30:15) 

I will care for you each step of the way. I am caring for you now, and I will take care of then, just as I always have. To cease from worry means you’ll be able to rest in peace. But why do you worry so? I will never leave you and I will never forsake you. 

I will only illuminate the path directly in front of you and it will always be this way while you are on the earth. When you allow your mind to dwell on a bad report or the awful things that could happen in the future, you aren’t living in my love, and you are imagining moments wherein I have not yet given you my light. (Philippians 4:8)

I only give daily bread.

So, stay in the moment. Live in the present. Focus your mind directly on the decisions directly before you, not on those tasks next week, next month, or next year. That part of your path has not yet been illuminated. My grace is for now. It’s in the now. It’s always in the now. When tomorrow is today, you’ll find grace there too, but not until then. Only then will I give you the grace to do what you need to do. (2 Corinthians 12:9) 

Rest in my love. I will never leave you. I will never forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5-6). I will provide all your needs and give you strength and wisdom for tasks and decisions as you have need—and not until then. (Philippians 4:19)

Stay in today. I am here. 

I love you. 

Jesus

Click HERE to read the original reflection with the accompanying scripture passages and prayers. 

Read more reflections from Shana Schutte.