“God is with us; he is our fortress and rock of refuge (Psalm 71:1-6). He knew us before we were born (Jeremiah 1:4-10). Because of his love for us, we are to love others with a patient, kind and enduring love (1 Corinthians 13:1-13). This love was shown to us by Christ, who came to earth as a man and endured threats and abuse and finally, death, so that we might live with him eternally (Luke 4:21-30).” – Thomas Oden, Ancient Christian Devotional
“The joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:1-10). We desire to follow the Lord in everything we do (Psalm 19), proclaiming freedom (Luke 4:14-21) with the knowledge that we are a small but important part of something greater than ourselves (1 Corinthians 12:12-31).” – Thomas Oden, Ancient Christian Devotional
“God rejoices and delights in us (Isaiah 62:1-5); his steadfast love offers us refuge in the shadow of his wings (Psalm 36:5-10). Christ showed his power while on earth, working many signs and miracles, including one at the wedding of Cana (John 2:1-11). God gives each of us spiritual gifts to use in his service (1 Corinthians 12:1-11).” – Thomas Oden
“Because the Lord loves us and knows us by name, we need not be worried or fearful (Isaiah 43:1-7). God is all-powerful and blesses us with strength and peace (Psalm 29) and with the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-17). Through Christ’s baptism (Luke 3:15-17, 21-22) we can better understand the plan God has for our own salvation.” – Thomas Oden
“The night sky was still dim and pale. There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty forever beyond its reach.”