Treasure Valley Prays
Reimagining Church Together
We are ELCA leaders and pastors from the Treasure Valley and Northwest Intermountain Synod.
Together, we are reimagining and revisiting what it is to be church together with daily devotions.

God’s Best Work
One of my heroes—both in writing and for her spiritual wisdom— is a woman by the name of Pat Schneider. Recently I wrote a profile about Pat for the online magazine Literary Mama. During this past week of Lent we were looking at what it means to be in community with people on the margins. Pat

Expectation Versus Reality: the Passion Story
Sunday will be Palm Sunday/Sunday of the Passion. Growing up, Palm Sunday was one of my favorite Sundays of the year. I loved waving palms, I loved how the children in the story played such an important part, and I loved the celebration. Who can resist a parade? Especially one with all the bright promise

Created for Community with…Christ
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Signs of New Life
Spring is upon us, at least for me blessed to live in the Boise area. As I turned my clock and adjusted to different time of light, what I found myself appreciating was signs of new life, signs of positive change. I have appreciated more sunshine in my days and warmer temperatures. I have appreciated

Solidarity
If you want to practice listening to our Asian American sisters and brothers, you can begin with this video in the post. https://youtu.be/RKd7Xoxf3JE

Plus
The sign says “Ashes on the Go”. There is snow on the lawn. The sun is shining. The thermometer says 38 degrees, but it feels more like 30, thanks to the wind. Four people gather on the bare parking lot. Three wear white robes, two with purple stoles. People arrive in cars. Some park, get

For the Joy of the Ride
Do you remember the day that you learned to ride a bicycle? Maybe it was not just one day, but several. Do you remember who it was that helped you to learn? For some of us, this means taking a trip down memory lane. It also might mean a recollection of spills, bruises, and tears.

All are Welcome
All are Welcome ”Let us build a house where love can dwell And all can safely live, A place where saints and children tell How hearts learn to forgive. Built of hopes and dreams and visions, Rock of faith and vault of grace, Here the love of Christ shall end divisions, All are welcome, all

Created for Community… With Those on the Margins
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Proximity with the Marginalized
A Rewriting of Psalm 113: Praise the Lord! You who try to faithfully serve the Lord; praise the name of the Lord. Praise Immanuel, Prince of Peace, Holy Spirit, Redeemer, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Savior, Healer, Giver of Life. Blessed be the name of the Lord from this pandemic time when we have kernels of

My Neighborhood
During this past year of covid-19, our concept of who our neighbor is has undergone some interesting challenges. For some, it may seem like they have no neighbors at all. For individuals and families who have needed to be strictly sheltering in place, they may not have seen their neighbors in ages. Whether living in

Which Will It Be, Light or Dark?
13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16 “For God so loved the

Two Polar Bear Cubs
I went through the archive of what I have written for these devotions since they began so many months ago. I looked back because I wondered how many times have I written about my time as an interim pastor in Shishmaref Alaska? I found out it was more than once, which isn’t surprising given the

Being a neighbor
This past year has taught us a lot about how to be in community with those around us in new and different ways. And at times it has shown us some examples of how complicated and difficult it can be to be in community with other people. A year ago when the world as we

Be My Neighbor
Before I was old enough to attend kindergarten, I remember listening and watching the Mr. Rogers show on television. I was not allowed to watch Saturday cartoons or much else, but I did get to see Mr. Rogers regularly. Is the theme song still in your head as it is in mine? You can listen
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- Come to the Mountains! April 11, 2021
- Just Tom April 10, 2021
- A Full 360° View Witness April 9, 2021
- Fullness and Emptiness April 8, 2021
- Finding Peace in the Chaos April 7, 2021

Love received. Love shared
“Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair…”

Running on Empty
I don’t know about you, but for me, I’m running on empty spiritually. Here we are, half-way through Holy Week, and I’m feeling spent. As

Older
I’ll start with a compliment to Culver’s restaurant in Meridian. A friend and I recently indulged in the turtle sundae at Culver’s, and I have

Into The Temple And Beyond
“Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out

What is Holy Week For You?
In the church I grew up in on the West Side of Chicago, a church that worshipped about twelve hundred people on a Sunday in

God’s Best Work
One of my heroes—both in writing and for her spiritual wisdom— is a woman by the name of Pat Schneider. Recently I wrote a profile

Expectation Versus Reality: the Passion Story
Sunday will be Palm Sunday/Sunday of the Passion. Growing up, Palm Sunday was one of my favorite Sundays of the year. I loved waving palms,

Created for Community with…Christ
Share on facebook Share on twitter

Signs of New Life
Spring is upon us, at least for me blessed to live in the Boise area. As I turned my clock and adjusted to different time

Solidarity
If you want to practice listening to our Asian American sisters and brothers, you can begin with this video in the post. https://youtu.be/RKd7Xoxf3JE
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- Mary Braudrick on New Life
- Jim Grunow on Running on Empty
- Connie Seymour on Running on Empty
- Mary Braudrick on Into The Temple And Beyond
- Mary Braudrick on What is Holy Week For You?
- Edie Martin on Our Personal Community of Saints
- Mary Braudrick on God’s Best Work
- Jim Grunow on God’s Best Work
- johnstevenhergert on God’s Best Work
- Mary Braudrick on For the Joy of the Ride
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- Come to the Mountains! April 11, 2021
- Just Tom April 10, 2021
- A Full 360° View Witness April 9, 2021
- Fullness and Emptiness April 8, 2021
- Finding Peace in the Chaos April 7, 2021
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