Lisa Livezey

And they crucified Him. —Mark 15:24 RSV The below hymn was recorded on Wednesday evening at a Tenebrae service. The recording is not flawless — in fact the first verse is missing — and yet I have listened over and over because of the message. We are not perfect, really quite messy with our personal issues and life challenges. And yet — JESUS! His love covers, acquits, and meets us in our frailty. From there, we can meet others with His loving message. Who was the guilty? Wh

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning? —Psalm 22:1 NRSV In the Garden of Gethsemene, Jesus went off alone so he could express His deepest feelings to His Father. Why did God not "take the cup" from Jesus? Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus with a kiss. Why did God let one of the Lord's followers turn on Him? In the high priest's courtyard, one of Jesus’ most ardent followers denied ever knowing Him — three t

Heatlhy companionship is medicinal.

You plotted evil against me, but God turned it into good.   —Genesis 50:20 GNT Fine olive oil, gourmet olives, auto-immune supplements, and polished carvings. All are produced through invasive actions to the olive tree. Its wood was chopped, sawed, carved, and sanded. Its fruit was picked, sliced, or pressed. Its leaves were gathered, dried, shredded, and encapsulated. Feeling used, picked at, carved up, pressed upon, or shredded? Have hope. God is able to work it all for goo

Nicodemus was different from his colleagues.

He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. —John 12:6 RSV This olive tree looks very convincing — the leaves are green and shaped appropriately and fruit is visible. But an attempt to crush the leaves, cut the wood, or press the olives would yield only man-made plastic. Jesus spoke about those who honored Him with their lips but their hearts were far from Hi

Call to me, and I will answer you; I will tell you great things beyond the reach of your knowledge . —Jeremiah 33:3 NAB These Northern Lights in Iceland are witnessed by earthly eyes and the stars alike. If these inconceivable beauties can be seen by all mortals, imagine what more God has for us who love Him. We cannot fathom it but we can believe through eyes of faith. Prayer Lord, you telleth the number of the stars, and calleth them all by their names (Ps. 147:4). You know

Whether we observe Lent or not, it's important to abstain from taking a lofty view

the water rising within me is the living water

What happened while they were in the dark...

Do we pull over and refuse to go on?

The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. —Isaiah 35:1 KJV We are told to build our life upon the Rock of Christ. But what if we find ourselves atop shifting sands? These could be the sands of time which run nonstop through our fingers, the sands of good health for we know not what tomorrow brings, the sands of finances which can change at the sound of a bell, or the sands of relationships that someti

F uture generations will serve him; they will speak of the Lord to the coming generation. — Psalm 22:30 GNT I'm excited to announce a guest post this week, written by my 12-year-old granddaughter who is a writer herself! Her name is Iael /yah-elle/, Hebrew for the Biblical heroine Jael. Included at the end is a bio and headshot. Enjoy! Night Thoughts I lie awake; I am like a lonely bird on the housetop. — Psalm 102:7 NRSV

The Lord will fulfil his purpose for me; thy steadfast love, O Lord endures for ever. Do not forsake the work of thy hands. — Psalm 138:8 RSV This piano was cumbersome and weathered, headed for the dumpster. But the part that makes music refused to come apart. There was still life left in this instrument. The Master Craftsman knows His instrument. We might feel weathered and ready for the dumpster, but what He placed inside us still has value and the potential to bless other

Yet I am always with you; you take hold of my right hand.   With your counsel you guide me. —Psalm 73:23, 24 NAB In this New Year, I reach for His HAND.   (photo: Trevor Livezey)

Hearken, my dearest brethren: hath not God chosen the poor in this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which God hath promised to them that love him?     — James 2:5 DRB   (photo: Lisa Livezey) He was born in a humble place to a poor family. Now, He reigns high in the heavens in His rightful place. Can you see Him up there on the highest mountain? We are told that the poor in

When will we turn and notice Christ — our Redeemer who is waiting for us?

Author Lisa Livezey reflects on the radiance of Christ

Yet as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, And at the last, He will take His stand on the earth. — Job 19:25 NASB (photo: Trevor Livezey) In 1859, French priest Pierre Marie Bos arrived on the coast of Brazil. While ministering in Rio de Janeiro, he dreamed of building an image of Jesus on one of the tall hills overlooking the city. His idea materiali

In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. — I Thessalonians 5:18 NAB Unfortunate things do happen — sometimes by accident, other times from malicious acts, or maybe even as a result of our own human failings. Yet the sun still rises the next morning and for that we can give thanks — and take a new step forward. Prayer God of all, thank you for everything including seemingly unfortunate events. Even though I can't see it right now,