David Sandel

Monday, February 26, 2024 (click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures) It is God who draws your forehead to the ground Be merciful, as your heavenly father is merciful. As the sun sets, the dusk darkens and it seems very quiet here around me. I can hear my ears ringing. A helicopter...

Second Sunday of Lent, February 25, 2024 (click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)  It’s a warm day in the neighborhood Well, today maybe, but yesterday in Illinois there was a heavy frost. I was still wearing my Austin shorts, and my knees started knocking. I came early to watch part of...

Saturday, February 24, 2024 (click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures) An early Easter this year In 2022 Ash Wednesday was March 2. This year it was February 14. Wow! And this year the weather is being kind to us. I don’t remember 2022. But I am grateful for every last ray...

Friday, February 23, 2024 (click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures) Back to Illinois again Today and tomorrow I’ll be on the road, heading for our grandson Jack’s Scholastic Bowl tournament tomorrow, an Illini game with my friend Chris and his son Ben, and several weddings at Danville Correctional Center. Here’s a...

Thursday, February 22, 2024 Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle (click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)  The dentist, Solomon and Peter We didn’t plan it this way. But as our dentist said today, “Let’s face it. You’re 74.” Actually he was thinking we might not need to complete as...

Wednesday, February 21, 2024 (click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures) Estancia at the Arboretum Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart for I am gracious and merciful. Not every four-year-old gets to savor a fancy lunch surrounded by windows and sunlight at a Brazilian steakhouse. But...

Tuesday, February 20, 2024 (click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures) Meet T. S. Eliot on the labyrinth When you pray, do not babble like the pagans. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Next door to our second favorite grocery store, just a five minute drive from our...

Monday, February 19, 2024 (click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures) The least of these Be holy, for the Lord, your God, am holy. At the beginning of the film Doctor Zhivago, under a backdrop of the snow-covered Ural Mountains, young Yuri Zhivago marches in a funeral procession. His mother has died....

First Sunday of Lent, February 18, 2024 (click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)   Fruit of the desert The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, where he remained for forty days. Tempted by Satan. Among wild beasts. While angels ministered to him. Yesterday we watched Daytripper, which took us this...

Saturday, February 17, 2024 (click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures) Listen to the trumpet of Jesus Jesus said to the Pharisees, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance, but sinners.” As Pastor Matt said Sunday...