Author: Sweet Tea and Front Porch Storyteller
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Longing, Light, Integrity, and Allegiance: A Reflection on Today’s Readings
A Reflection by Roy Pearson Psalm 63:1–8 — A Thirst Only God Can Satisfy The psalmist cries, “My soul thirsts for you… my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” This is the language of someone who knows that nothing—not success, not comfort, not human affirmation—can…
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Advent: A Season of Longing, Light, and the Kingdom Within
A Reflection by Roy Pearson Advent invites us into a sacred pause—an opportunity to step back from the rush of the world and step into the gentle rhythm of God’s kingdom. It is a season rooted in longing, illuminated by hope, and anchored in the promise that Christ not only came once in Bethlehem, and…
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Grace, Truth, and Restoration: What Paul Teaches in 1 Timothy and Galatians
We hear leaders condemn those whom they don’t like in degrading terms and echoes of calling for those whom they see as enemies to be executed. Sadly, the church has not always practiced the fruits of God’s Spirit: love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, patience, and self-control. Church leaders often approve of such actions.…
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Looking Up for Help: A Daily Office Reflection on Trust, Faithfulness, and True Vision
A Reflection by Roy Pearson Some days the appointed Scriptures speak directly into the tension of our world—the uncertainty, the spiritual confusion, the longing for leadership, and the desire to see God clearly. Today’s readings—Psalm 121, Zechariah 11:4-17, 1 Corinthians 3:10-23, and Luke 18:31-43—tie together with a common thread: Where do we look for help,…
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When God Remembers Us: A Daily Office Reflection on Mercy, Restoration, and Faithful Living
A Reflection by Roy Pearson Today’s readings from the Daily Office—Psalm 106, Zechariah 10:1–12, Galatians 6:1–10, and Luke 18:15–30—invite us into a sweeping story: a God who remembers His people, restores what is broken, calls us to do good, and asks us to trust Him above everything else.Together they form a tapestry of mercy, responsibility,…
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Spiritual Friendship in a Fractured World: Lessons from Aelred of Rievaulx
A Reflection by Roy Pearson This summer, our church reviewed the lives of those who have lived before us as followers of Jesus. We studied some “saints” of the church that we may not remember, like Aelred of Rievaulx. I just read Aelred’s most famous treatise on “Spiritual Friendship”. n the twelfth century, Aelred of…
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The King Who Comes in Humility: A Devotional on Psalm 118, Zechariah 9:9–16, 1 Peter 3:13–22, and Matthew 21:1–13
A Reflection by Roy Pearson Every so often the Daily Office readings weave together themes that speak with remarkable clarity into our moment. Today’s passages—Psalm 118, Zechariah 9, 1 Peter 3, and Matthew 21—lift up a single, radiant truth: God’s salvation comes to us through a humble, righteous King whose way is peace, courage, and…
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When God Seems Silent: A Devotional from Psalm 102, Malachi 3:1–12, James 5:7–12, and Luke 18:1–8
A reflection by Roy Pearson There are days when our hearts feel worn thin, when prayer feels heavy, and when we wonder if God hears us at all. The Daily Office readings for today speak directly into those seasons. Each passage—though written in a different time and setting—carries a single thread: God sees, God purifies,…
The Curious Pilgrim 