Louise McEvoy, Women’s Ministry Coordinator, Professional Pancake Eater Joel 2:12-13 (NRSV) Yet even now, says the Lord,     return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; 13     rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God,     for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,     and relents from punishing. Reflection: Starting in December of 2002, American Airlines charged a $50 fee for luggage bags between fifty to seventy pounds. In 2008, Delta Airlines introduced a $50 charge for a second checked bag, regardless of weight. [...]

Suzi Pitts, Director of Communications Proverbs 15:16-17 Better a little with the fear of the Lord     than great wealth with turmoil. Better a small serving of vegetables with love     than a fattened calf with hatred. Reflection: Here we are on the last day of our Daily Habit focused on Proverbs and the eve of starting our Lenten journey. If the weather forecasters are accurate, it’s freezing cold and just might be snowing here in Houston. There are no words. I want to tell you a house story. It was back in the ‘80s in Greenwich, [...]

God of sacrificial love, A friend really challenged me the other day. He was disappointed in something I said in a public setting, and he took it personally. Do you remember how stunned and defensive I was about it? (of course you do….) But as you and I talked about it, I came to understand it, and I was really convicted. It was personal for him. It wasn’t about some “issue.” It made him wonder if I really loved him. I pray today for those who feel unloved. I pray for those who long for a valentine but whose longings are as [...]

Joseph Patty, Associate Director of Student Ministry; Lamenter of the State of Popular Music Proverbs 5:1-9, 18 My son, pay attention to my wisdom,     turn your ear to my words of insight, 2 that you may maintain discretion     and your lips may preserve knowledge. 3 For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey,     and her speech is smoother than oil; 4 but in the end she is bitter as gall,     sharp as a double-edged sword. 5 Her feet go down to death;     her steps lead straight to the grave. 6 She gives no thought to the way of [...]

By Cynthia Wier, member of the Gene Decker Study Class and St. Luke’s since 1975 Proverbs 14: 26 (RSV) In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have refuge. Reflection: The word "fear" usually conjures up images of fright, danger, or something unsettling, an event that tears apart our sense of peace and comfort. I am afraid of heights. I am horrified when cars cut in front of me on the freeway, just barely missing a collision. And I am stressed out when someone I love is ill. The Book of Proverbs presents [...]

Erin Campbell Naman, church member since 2009, member of Children’s Council, member of Lay Leadership Council Proverbs 21:30 (NIV) There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord. Reflection: A few weeks in and 2021 hasn’t turned out much better than her predecessor. We are still in the midst of a global pandemic, we are still divided as a country, people are still struggling from financial difficulties, and relationships are still strained from these divided times. Where is the hope? But then I read these 14 words in Proverbs and am reminded that nothing [...]

Warren Fisher, Genesis Sunday School Co-Leader, Member since 1988 Proverbs 29:11 (NRSV)  A fool gives full vent to anger,     but the wise quietly holds it back.  Proverbs 29:20 (NRSV) Do you see someone who is hasty in speech?     There is more hope for a fool than for anyone like that. Reflection: Anger and hasty speech seem to be everywhere these days. Modern social media, communication technologies, and 24/7 news streams mean that words spoken hastily or in anger (or often both) are instantly disseminated. Such words can do much harm…to the speaker, to the subject, and to the hearer. [...]

Rev. Michelle Manuel Proverbs 13:1-6 A wise child loves discipline, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. 2 From the fruit of their words good persons eat good things, but the desire of the treacherous is for wrongdoing. 3 Those who guard their mouths preserve their lives; those who open wide their lips come to ruin. 4 The appetite of the lazy craves, and gets nothing, while the appetite of the diligent is richly supplied. 5 The righteous hate falsehood, but the wicked act shamefully and disgracefully. 6 Righteousness guards one whose way is upright, but sin overthrows [...]

Joseph Patty, Associate Director of Student Ministries Proverbs 4:7-9, 14-19 7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.     Though it cost all you have, get understanding. 8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you;     embrace her, and she will honor you. 9 She will give you a garland to grace your head     and present you with a glorious crown.”  14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked     or walk in the way of evildoers. 15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;     turn from it and go on your way. 16 For they cannot rest [...]