by Liesl Spitz | Dec 22, 2023 | Devotions
“Flesh” is a funny word. It can bring up connotations of food, or medical procedure, or nakedness — all carnal images we don’t necessarily want to go together. Even the word sounds creepy-crawly if you say it enough times! But that’s how God arrives, John tells...
by Liesl Spitz | Dec 14, 2023 | Devotions
“When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream” sings the psalmist, in a little bit of poetry that lights up my imagination (126:1). We were joyful, filled with laughter, shouting praises, the psalmist goes on. But in “those who dream” I...
by Liesl Spitz | Jul 27, 2023 | Devotions
This evening I get to see one of my favorite musicals, “Into the Woods,” and perhaps my favorite song from any musical, “No One Is Alone.” The song comes when, after disastrous consequences for each lead character’s individual “wish” coming true, those who remain...
by Liesl Spitz | Jul 14, 2023 | Devotions
This week we hear in Matthew Jesus’ parable of the sower, in which a farmer scatters seed on rocky ground, thorns, and good soil. The seed in good soil comes up and bears fruit, while the others are eaten, scorched, or choked out. What strikes me about this parable,...
by Liesl Spitz | Jul 8, 2023 | Devotions
As we read through the Gospel of Matthew this summer and hear words from Jesus that are often harsh, it’s helpful to remember what’s at stake for Jesus. Jesus is speaking to those in privilege within his own faith community whose hardness of heart makes God’s word...
