![[Lamentations] Why?](https://i1.wp.com/prayerbench.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/dark-clouds-1311383-639x424.jpg?resize=639%2C425&ssl=1)
by Janice MacLean | May 29, 2018 | Lectionary & Scripture, Reflections
“You have wrapped yourself with a cloud so that no prayer can pass through.” – Lamentations 3:44 Lamentations … It’s a great title. This is exactly what you get – five poems lamenting the destruction of Jerusalem. Lamentations...
![[Jeremiah] Heartbeat of Grace](https://i2.wp.com/prayerbench.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/fullsizeoutput_40dd.jpeg?resize=1080%2C675&ssl=1)
by Janice MacLean | May 23, 2018 | Lectionary & Scripture, Reflections
“But this is the new covenant that I will make with my people on that day,” says the LORD. “I will put my instructions deep within them—I will write them on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” — Jeremiah 31:33 With all the...
![[Isaiah] Wings of Our Own](https://i0.wp.com/prayerbench.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/DSC_3941-e1526310208684.jpg?resize=802%2C675&ssl=1)
by Janice MacLean | May 14, 2018 | Lectionary & Scripture, Reflections
“But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31 It was my first visit home my first year of university. I was...
![[Song of Songs] Sweet Moments](https://i0.wp.com/prayerbench.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Tulips.jpg?resize=1080%2C675&ssl=1)
by Janice MacLean | May 8, 2018 | Lectionary & Scripture, Reflections
“For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender...
![[Ecclesiastes] Circle of Life](https://i1.wp.com/prayerbench.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/colors-1383652.jpg?resize=800%2C527&ssl=1)
by Janice MacLean | May 2, 2018 | Lectionary & Scripture, Reflections
The words of the Teacher: A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. The sun rises and the sun goes down, and hurries to the place where it rises. The wind blows to the south, and goes around to the north; round and round...
![[Proverbs] Wisdom in the Streets](https://i1.wp.com/prayerbench.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/new-york-1548619.jpg?resize=1000%2C667&ssl=1)
by Janice MacLean | Apr 29, 2018 | Lectionary & Scripture, Reflections
“On the heights, beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand …” Proverbs 8:2 Proverbs, in any generation, are common sense sayings that circulate by word of mouth. They are instructions in the art of living well. Tradition says the...
![[The Psalms] Songs of the Soul](https://i2.wp.com/prayerbench.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/DSC_5758-e1523798641200.jpg?resize=802%2C675&ssl=1)
by Janice MacLean | Apr 15, 2018 | Lectionary & Scripture, Reflections
“Blessed, O blessed, I say are those who walk upon a path whose steps are firmly planted on your eternal law, For in that word they find their joy, their meditation day and night, and do not wander far to take the counsels of the worldly wise.”...
![[The Book of Job] The Jagged Edge of Suffering](https://i2.wp.com/prayerbench.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/DSC_0346.jpg?resize=1080%2C675&ssl=1)
by Janice MacLean | Apr 8, 2018 | Lectionary & Scripture, Reflections
“But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell?” – Job 28:12 Job is Everyone. So the Rabbi’s say. Job is everyone who has ever suffered. Job is everyone who has ever questioned the reason for their pain. Job is you. Job is...
![[Esther] She Didn’t Hold Her Peace](https://i1.wp.com/prayerbench.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/art-2428157_640.png?resize=640%2C543&ssl=1)
by Janice MacLean | Apr 1, 2018 | Lectionary & Scripture, Reflections
“For if you keep silence at such a time as this, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another quarter, but you and your father’s family will perish. Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.” – Esther...
![[Nehemiah] Pop Up Prayers](https://i0.wp.com/prayerbench.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/bubbles-2-1546070-1279x850.jpg?resize=1080%2C675&ssl=1)
by Janice MacLean | Mar 24, 2018 | Lectionary & Scripture, Reflections
“They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.” But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.” – Nehemiah 6:9 (NIV) Nehemiah worries me All that talk of building a wall, and enforcing...
