Today is Monday, the eighth day of May, 2023, in the fifth week of Easter.
May you know the peace of Christ in your life today.
Day 23,797
There are six days left until Mother’s Day.
My Wordle for today:
Wordle 688 3/6*
⬛⬛🟨⬛⬛
🟩🟨⬛⬛🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
My streak stands at 29 days.
Our Fossil Rim tour was amazing. We saw the usual animals, but we were treated to some that are not on the driving tour. We got to see a couple of grey wolves. They wouldn’t get very close, though.

We also got to see a beautiful maned wolf.

Of course, we got to feed giraffes.

There was a young boy in our group . . . cheetahs are his favorite animal. When we got to see cheetahs, he had tears of joy, which made C and me cry, too. He said it was the best day of his life. 🥰
We are chilling, this morning, and then have to check out by 11:00. It’s been a wonderful weekend.
The Rangers beat the Angels again, last night, 16-8. Perez came out early, so Josh Sborz (1-1) got the win. They are now 20-13, in first place in the AL West, two games ahead of the Angels. 3.5 ahead of the Astros. They begin a series in Seattle tonight. Jon Gray (1-1) will start.
The Red Sox lost to the Phillies, so their winning streak is over. Tanner Houck (3-2) took the loss. They are 21-15, back in fourth place in the AL East, a half game behind Toronto. Yankees remain in last. 😎 Boston has the day off, today.
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS
“The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers.”
1 Peter 4:7 NRSV
Today I am grateful:
- for this beautiful, wonderful, relaxing weekend (see photo below)
- that God, our refuge and strength, is an ever-present help in trouble
- for hope in the redemption of all things
- that the Lord has taught me from my youth, and for all the beautiful people He taught me through
- for the community of saints, around the world, haphazard as it may appear, perfect in Christ

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble…
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Psalm 46:1, 7, RSV
Lord, Almighty God of heaven and earth, grant that we may come to you as your children. For you have chosen us through the gospel, and Jesus Christ has obtained mercy for us so that in you we have a refuge in disturbed and evil times. We turn to your Word, Lord God, rejoicing that again and again the whole of Christendom is led back to your Word. Strengthen all those who serve your Word, who look to you and to the grace of Jesus Christ. Grant that everywhere we may have hope and joy in the redemption you will bring in every situation, also in our ordinary practical life. Grant that through this redemption the earth may proclaim your praise and honor your name, your kingdom may come, and your will be done on earth as in heaven. Amen.
“My mouth is filled with your praise,
and with your glory all day long.”
Psalms 71:8 NRSV
“Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.”
Psalms 119:105 NRSV
“O God, from my youth you have taught me,
and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.”
Psalms 71:17 NRSV
“Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my supplications!
If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with you,
so that you may be revered.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning,
more than those who watch for the morning.
O Israel, hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with him is great power to redeem.
It is he who will redeem Israel from all its iniquities.”
Psalms 130:1-8 NRSV
“Seek the Lord while he may be found,
call upon him while he is near;
let the wicked forsake their way,
and the unrighteous their thoughts;
let them return to the Lord,
that he may have mercy on them,
and to our God,
for he will abundantly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways my ways,
says the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:6-9 NRSV
“Then the Lord said to Samuel, “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make both ears of anyone who hears of it tingle.”
1 Samuel 3:11 NRSV
“May God, who puts all things together, makes all things whole, Who made a lasting mark through the sacrifice of Jesus, the sacrifice of blood that sealed the eternal covenant, Who led Jesus, our Great Shepherd, up and alive from the dead, Now put you together, provide you with everything you need to please him, Make us into what gives him most pleasure, by means of the sacrifice of Jesus, the Messiah. All glory to Jesus forever and always! Oh, yes, yes, yes.”
Hebrews 13:18-21 MSG
I don’t feel like typing the whole devotion from Peterson, this morning, so I took a photo.

Glory be to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, so it is now and so it shall ever be, world without end. Alleluia. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. May Your kingdom come, and Your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for Yours are the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
“Remember, O Lord,
what you have wrought in us and not what we deserve;
and, as you have called me to your service,
make me worthy of your calling;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God,
now and for ever.
Amen.”
(The Divine Hours)
Father, I praise You, this morning, for all You have done in, through, and for Your people. You have not treated us as our sins deserve, but have redeemed us, making us worthy of Your calling in Jesus Christ.
Please take this haphazard, ragamuffin community of saints and spread Your love around the world. Help us to lead people to You and Your kingdom. Forgive us when we drive people away by displaying hatred and bigotry.
Thank You for teaching me, since I was a child, and continuing to teach me, now that I am old. I don’t ever want to stop learning of You.
When we don’t understand, remind us that Your thoughts and ways are infinitely higher than ours.
Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayers.
O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. O, Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, grant us Your peace. (Agnus Dei)
Grace and peace, friends.