The Practice of Belonging
The eternal words of the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu really help me with both the Read More


I read comments from some members of the Upper Room Family where they refer to their home state of Florida as “Paradise.” I have to say it is certainly our favorite place to visit—for us, specifically, Seagrove Beach. Normally, it is just my wife and I that go. I wrote “Courage to Speak” after a trip two years ago where a larger group of family went with us, including our then-six-month-old granddaughter for her first beach trip. That trip was special on a number of levels, but particularly because of the conversation on the beach that I recounted in today’s devotional.
I have texted with the young man I talked about in today’s devotional several times in the two years since we met on the beach. In his most recent text, he said that this has been a crazy year, but he feels himself in a very good place spiritually. I continue to pray for him; I ask that if you have a moment, you would lift a prayer asking that God would continue to guide and protect him as he grows in his faith.
I am including two photos. One from our most recent trip this last October is a sunset (we love those) where you can see what we were told were “cloud rainbows” bracketing the sun. We have never seen anything quite like that, and I still do not understand how folks can see such grandeur and not believe there is a God who created it. The other photo is of me and my wife on the beach.
As I close, I am lifting prayer for the Upper Room Family, specifically for strength for those who feel weak, protection for those who feel threatened, and encouragement for those who feel their faith faltering.

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