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This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

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June 6, 2022 | 2 Comments

My supposed-to sabbatical (Part One)

It’s Monday of the second full week of my supposed-to sabbatical. I was supposed to be in Ventura, CA, on the beach, for the month of June during my sabbatical. I was supposed to be walking dunes and eating at quaint cafes before taking long naps in the afternoon. I was supposed to be visiting with friends and colleagues. I was supposed to be reading and writing, free of the ordinary concerns of home and church.

But, several pulmonary embolisms later, my doctors have advised me that travel is questionable and staying by myself (however charming the accommodations) is out of the question. So, I’m trying to take sabbatical time at home. Ha! It turns out that my supposed-to sabbatical involves a whole lot of housework, because—you know—I’m home, so there are seven loads of laundry, [Read more…]

Discipleship, Expectation, Prayer Tagged: expectation, laundry, sabbatical


May 27, 2021 | Leave a Comment

My holy to do list

I’m a list maker. I love making lists. I make lists in my daily planner and my journal, on post it notes, used envelopes, scraps of paper, or even the back of my hand on occasion. It’s an organized thing to do. Problem is, I’m unorganized enough that I often lose my list. Still, it doesn’t matter. There’s something about just getting the list written that gives me a sense of satisfaction and control that is unparalleled by anything apart from the next anticipated action—crossing something off. Lists are good.

This morning, I sat down for prayer and scripture reading. It was early; the house was quiet. I read Ephesians 1:3-14 as directed by my reading guide and moved on to prayer, and that’s when I stopped. I stopped when I realized that how I was praying and what Paul was writing were very different. Very different indeed.

You see, I’d begun praying a to do list–a to do list for God. “Help this person, heal that person, bring peace for this church, lend strength to that leader…” [Read more…]

Discipleship, Prayer, Trust Tagged: Lists, petition, prayer


December 2, 2020 | Leave a Comment

Simple hope

Have you ever prayed to God about something for a long time?  I mean, I really long time, so long that you started wondering if God was listening?  So long that you thought to yourself, “Okay, maybe God’s got something better planned,” but you keep praying anyway?  So long that your friends have started giving you that line about how sometimes God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers? (That’s from Garth Brooks, by the way, not the Bible.)

Have you ever keep praying anyway, because what you’re praying for is good: healing or health, or a new job, a mended relationship, or peace with your children? Have you ever kept praying, even though God was silent?  Where’s the hope?

The first chapter of the Gospel of Luke tells the story of Elizabeth and Zechariah, who have been praying for a child for a long, long time.  “Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord, but they had no children because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years” (Luke 1:7-8).

[Read more…]

Advent, Gospel of Luke, Hope, Jesus Christ, Prayer Tagged: Advent, prayer, Zechariah


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This is the day that
the Lord has made;
let us rejoice
and be glad in it.

– Psalm 118:24
Rev. Dr. MJ Romano

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Bible Verse of the Day

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children.
Ephesians 5:1
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