Lent day 9

 "For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body." James 3:2

I confess, i lied to you in the face of God.  I failed to do what i said.

Today is not the ninth day of Lent, that was yesterday.  I stumbled and fell short of my plans to post for Lent everyday.  Thanks be to God for His unending grace and mercy and understanding.  Today i get to strive to do, be and speak better. Thank You, Jesus.  Confession is good for the soul,  and truth is too.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love, do and speak as we believe it,

veneal

Lent day 8

"Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding." Proverbs 17:27

Father, May i remember unless i have walked in the same shoes, gone down the exact path or sat in the identical seat of another, my understanding of their heart or pain is incomplete.  

On such occasions, keep me from judging or exerting more pain or harm in their life with my actions and words.  Understanding and a kind tongue are powerful tools in healing.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love, do and speak as we believe it,

veneal

Lent day 7

"Know this, my beloved brothers and sisters: let every person be 

quick to hear,

slow to speak, 

slow to anger." James 1:19

Have you ever heard one out of three isn't bad?  It might be true for some things, like hitting  a baseball or eating meals, but i don't think it applies to the verse above.  Consider if we only do one of the three....

BE QUICK TO HEAR and then quick to speak and quick to anger.

Be slow to hear, and then SLOW TO SPEAK and quick to anger.

Be slow to hear, and then quick to speak and SLOW TO ANGER.

All the above scenarios are flawed with shortcomings. Some would even say God's Word in James 1:19 is flawed as well.  I've committed all four examples and been criticized for all four.  But if i'm going to err, i pray i aligned myself with the Word of God.  He never lies nor does His Word. He desires the best for us as we stride to glorify Him in all we say and do.

Father, when i am perplexed on how to speak and act in fear of disappointing or hurting others, i pray for the obedience and strength to look to You first. 

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love, do and speak as if we believe it,

veneal

Lent day 6

 "A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit." Proverbs 15:4

When we water the tree of life with Living Water, feed it on the Word of God and speak to it with gentle, loving kindness, ALL benefit.  And God is glorified.

Father, guide us in not breaking the soul and spirit of those You have created.  To do so is grim disobedience to You.

we are loved and chosen by God

may we live, love, do and speak as we believe it,

veneal

Lent day 5

"The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse." Proverbs 10:31-32

Father, it's been a testy past 24 hours, i feel lucky to still have my tongue intact.  Today is Sunday, and i'm less than a week into Lent.  I'm confessing my shortcomings with my speech and reaching out to You. Please bring calmness to mind and soul, restore trust in my heart and slap a heaping of salve on my sharp tongue.  I really do believe You are in control of all things... help me to act accordingly.

amen.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love, do and speak as we believe it,

veneal

Lent day 4

 “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” Proverbs 16:24

Lord, You know we are in need of immense healing. May we bee the words needed. There can never be too much sweetness.

We are loved and chosen by God,

May we live, love, do and speak as we believe it,

veneal

Lent day 3

 “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!” Psalm 141:3

Father, no matter how bitter and hateful it is outside, fill me with Your love and strength. Just slam the door of my mouth with my tongue hanging out it, if necessary.

We are loved and chosen by God,

May we live, love, do and speak as if we believe it,

veneal

Lent day 2

 “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Colossians 4:6

Since my focus for Lent is uplifting speech, it only makes sense to focus on a Word from God regarding our tongue each day. It is my true prayer it is not just a 40 day effort, but a lifetime commitment that produces a habit pleasing to God.

We are loved and chosen by God,

May we live, love, do and speak as we believe it,

veneal

Lent.... what did you give up?

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29

I can’t improve or think of a better decision that what Pope Leo XIV suggested to give up for Lent…

“LET US BEGIN BY DISARMING OUR LANGUAGE.” – Pope Leo XIV

As we prepare for Lent, Pope Leo is reminding us that fasting isn’t just about food. It’s about our words.

In a recent Wednesday Audience, he invited us to practice a powerful and often overlooked form of abstinence:

Refraining from harsh words

Avoiding rash judgment

Resisting slander

Not speaking ill of those who aren’t present

Lent 2026 isn’t just about giving up sweets. It’s about giving up sin.

When we tear others down with our words, we wound the Body of Christ. But when we choose restraint, charity, and mercy, we build up the Church.

This year, let’s not only fast from food.

Let’s fast from gossip.

Let’s fast from sarcasm.

Let’s fast from criticism that crushes.

And let our speech reflect Christ.

We are loved and chosen by God,

May we live, love and do like we believe it!

veneal

I apologize for being behind and lazy in posting. I am striving to catch up for Lent. Thank you for your grace. <3

The above is not my writing, but speaks well of my heart.

what's new, what's not

 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8

Lives, relationships, careers, family, circumstances, beliefs, situations, tastes, priorities, health, wisdom, ignorance... hang on a wobble balance of changes.

But i have Good News.

It's a new year, BUT THE SAME GOD.

May that be enough to bring peace to your day.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,

veneal

God knows

"You have searched me, Lord,

and you know me.

You know when I sit and when I rise;

you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down;

you are familiar with all my ways.

Before a word is on my tongue

you, Lord, know it completely.

You hem me in behind and before,

and you lay your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,

too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your Spirit?

Where can I flee from your presence?

If I go up to the heavens, you are there;

if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

if I settle on the far side of the sea,

even there your hand will guide me,

your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me

and the light become night around me,”

even the darkness will not be dark to you;

the night will shine like the day,

for darkness is as light to you." Psalm 139:1-12

2025 held many surprises. From joy to heartache and many emotions in-between.  My heart felt it all.  And here we are on the cusp of a new year.  My old, anxious heart wonders what does the next 365 days hold?  In midst of questions i saw my answer today. 

Anyone who knows me is aware of the "crosses" in the sky i view.  While they are mere jet streams to most, i see them as reminders from God.  Stepping outside my home this morning, i found the answer i needed.  Directly to my left was a significant cross.  As i continued walking i looked back and witnessed a brillant cross on the other side of my home, and then in front of my home i noticed another.  With great curiosity, i couldn't help but walk to the back of my home for its view.  And there it was, between the pines the making of another cross.

God was talking.  Clearly, you and i are hemmed in by God, on all sides, circumstances, events and moments of our life.  Like the crosses in the sky this morning, while some were very prominent, others more subtle, the fact reminds they were there... just like Him.  Yet, unlike a vapor, He never disappears.

Happy New Year!  May my quirky vapor crosses bring you peace too, knowing and believing we are never alone.  Our God, sees all, knows all and loves us all immensely.  

God, my prayer this year is to just believe and trust You more.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love, do and trust like we believe Him,

veneal