First Community

08/31/2026

08/30/2026

Truth.

08/30/2026

If my religion is true, it will stand up to all my questioning; there is no need to fear. But if it is not true, if it is man imposing strictures on God (as did the men of the Christian establishment of Galileo’s day), then I want to be open to God, not to what man says about God. I want to be open to revelation, to new life, to new birth, to new light.
~Walking on Water

08/29/2026

Calm me O Lord...

08/25/2026

RIP Dolly Parton

08/24/2026

For you—for us—this day. This blessing was inspired by the women we meet in the opening chapters of the Book of Exodus. The choices they make amid the currents of death, fear, and hatred call me to ask—What am I being called to be fierce about in this world?

FIERCE BLESSING

Believe me when I say
there is nothing
this blessing would not do
to protect you,
to save you,
to encompass you.

This blessing
would stand between you
and every danger,
every evil,
every harm
and hurt.

This blessing
would dare
to wade with you
into the waters that come
offering life.

It would make
a way for you
through the waters that come
threatening death.

I cannot explain
how fierce
this blessing feels
about you,
but I can tell you
it has more than pledged
itself to you;
it would lay down
its life for you
and not once
look back in regret
nor go in sorrow
for what it has chosen
to give.

And you—
so deeply blessed,
so utterly encompassed—
what will you save
in turn?

Not because
it is owed,
but because
you cannot imagine
failing to pass along
this grace
that casts its circle
so wide,
this love
that flows
so deep
through this perilous
and precious life.

—Jan Richardson
from The Cure for Sorrow: A Book of Blessings for Times of Grief
janrichardson.com/books

Image: "Streams of Mercy"
© Jan Richardson
janrichardsonimages.com