Lisa Livezey

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, we give a wave of gratitude both to our brave predecessors and current laborers

Living in community is beautiful, but also requires being in one another's space.

Did he not make them one, with flesh and spirit? —Malachi 2:15 NAB Together at the beginning with fanfare. Together at the end with loving care. Today we see two deeply meaningful “marriage markers,” but the latter has more depth — after sixty years together. Every day, we make small decisions to grow towards our spouse or move further away. Moving towards often means putting the other person first, which means placing ourselves second. My husband and I recently had our marri

Kindle a flame of sacred love On the mean altar of my heart. — Charles Wesley, 1762

I choose to be content where He has placed me

Sometimes God provides a simple, effective solution to the stubborn stains in our lives.

[Elijah] said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” He went up and looked, and said, “There is nothing.” Then he said, “Go again seven times.” And the seventh time the youth reported, “There is a cloud as small as a man’s hand rising from the sea.” — I Kings 18:43-44 NAB The younger brother was sure that something good lay on the horizon. He spoke about it from the heart, wanting his loved ones to share in God's beauty. His sister caught a glimpse and then pointe

God's glory is there — steady and beautiful to see — once I lift up my eyes.

All creatures of our God and King, Lift up your voice and with us sing

When we focus on the small gifts from the Lord, we forget our selfish demands.

The early church fathers used muscle, grit, sweat, blood, and tears to lead the way for Christians today.

They shall still increase in a fruitful old age: and shall be well treated. —Psalm 92:14 DRB It was created in 1960 — the cherished Zoo Key at the Philadelphia Zoo. Insert the Key into one of the "storyboxes" stationed in front of an exhibit or habitat and an audio recording provided fascinating facts about the creature in front of you. In 2007, the Zoo retired these keys, but recently they have been brought back by popular demand. This vintage metal Key in the picture bel

Shine like lights in the world as you hold on to the word of life. —Philippians 2:15-16 DRB PRAY to quiet your heart READ the reflection below IMMERSE yourself within the picture SELECT a word or phrase to repeat MARK down your grace-filled insight The Mount of Olives is believed to have once been a grove of olive trees. These trees stood by Jesus throughout his ministry: when He was teaching, when He was heading to Jerusalem to be hailed as King, when He was

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