Reclaim Today

02/01/2025

Contributed by .crtv

"God knows what He is doing even when we don’t understand what He is doing. While you are waiting, God is working. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them" (Romans 8:28).

01/30/2025

Artwork by .co

Money, dessert, accomplishments, and pleasure don’t last… Ever finish an incredible meal, or go on a cool vacation and think, “That didn’t last long enough!” Or maybe it was a book or show that you were sad to see end. Life is full of things that feel like steam rising from a hot drink—they disappear quickly.

The book of Ecclesiastes has a word for this, it’s heḇel which means “vapor” or “breath.” It shows up 37 times in the 12-chapter book. Often, it’s translated as “meaningless” or “vanity,” but these English words miss the metaphor of a puff of smoke or whiff of cloud—gone as quickly as it arrives.

We often put our hopes in things like money, power, influence, or pleasure, and Ecclesiastes points out they’re like a few shallow breaths of air. Don’t try to hold on to them. They can’t satisfy. Don’t make life about them.

Heḇel is also used another way: those unanswerable questions that drive you nuts? For example: “Why do bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people?” Trying to understand is like trying to grab smoke. As soon as you think you got it, you realize there’s nothing in your hand except the smell.

But far from saying there’s no meaning in the universe, the book ends with the only solid answer we can hold on to—stand in awe of and trust in God, and follow his ways (12:13).

If life’s hard right now? Read Ecclesiastes. If you’re frustrated with evil people in power? Ecclesiastes is too. If you’re disappointed at how quickly money and pleasure slip through your fingers like smoke? Yep, that’s what Ecclesiastes is about. If you just bought a new (to you) car and wrecked it? You’re ready to read Ecclesiastes.

Challenge: read Ecclesiastes 3, and only emphasize the negative lines. If you do that? We think you’re reading Ecclesiastes correctly, and God is eager to meet you on the other side of losing hope in things that deceive us. He’s offering lasting hope, joy, and life beyond the fleeting heḇel.

01/29/2025

Contributed by

2 Timothy 2:13 // When we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot disown Himself.

01/27/2025

While churches have a bunch of different names for it, chances are you’ve heard mention of a small group. Maybe you’ve participated in one. Maybe you’ve started one!

There’s a recognized need– that in order to participate fully in the body of Christ, we need to know one another deeply. And, that’s sometimes hard to do exclusively in the context of a full worship service.

So, whether you have a Bible study before service, meet at a church on a weekday, or find yourself comfortable in someone’s living room (or maybe not so comfortable because, for real, nobody ever has enough seats), we hope you’ve found an opportunity to connect more fully with other believers in your life.

And, if not, we get it. Maybe you’ve had a rough experience. Maybe your schedule is just really packed in this season, and it’s hard to imagine how to fit in one more thing. Maybe your church community is really tiny and doesn’t have offerings like this. Whatever your reason for not participating, we’ve been there too. And, we want to encourage you to think about who the people are in your life who you can walk faithfully with, even if it’s not as formal in this season. But, when you’re ready, we pray God leads you to a group of people who make it worthwhile to try again.

For those of you that do, we hope this prayer and scripture fruitfully set up your meetings and open to see how God’s moving in your group.

𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42).

𝐀 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩
God who gathers and guides, thank you for inviting me into your family and for the invitation to make new friends. Thank you for not calling me to follow you on my own, but inviting me to walk with you by walking with others. Meet us in this small group, and give us eyes to see your presence and ears to hear your voice. Guide us through prayer, Scripture, and one another. Help us show up physically, spiritually, and mentally. Help us balance vulnerability with wisdom, and advice-giving with truly listening to others. And help us all become more loving and more like you through our time together. Amen.

01/23/2025

Contributed by

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade" (1 Peter 1:3-4a).

01/20/2025

How can we be praying for you today? Drop your request below!

01/17/2025

Who’s the someone who comes to mind when thinking about this prayer? A friend from growing up that you lost touch with? A grandparent you wish you could still go to for wisdom and comfort? Someone who was taken from this world far, far too soon?

What is it that you’re remembering? An especially obnoxious laugh you wish you could hear again? The way their eyes crinkled and smile lines formed over a well-worn face? The smell of their signature cologne, or that one inside joke?

Whether the remembering is someone who you could reach out to again, or someone you won’t see again this side of heaven— we’re grateful for a God who has designed the human experience to give us people to love and remember.

The next time you find yourself thinking about them, here’s a scripture and a prayer to help as you hold them close in your heart.

𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞
“But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.’” (Isaiah 43:1).

𝐀 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞
Father, you designed each and every one of us, and you call us by name. Today, I’ve been thinking a lot about one of your children in particular. Sometimes, I wish they were still around to talk to, or so they could see where I am today. It can be hard to trust your timing in these moments of missing. But, God, I’m so grateful for the memories I have with them, even if the time was too short. Help me share the love and lessons I learned from them with others. And even though we aren’t together anymore, I trust their life to you, Jesus, and I look forward to our reunion to come. Amen.

01/16/2025

Contributed by

Your waves are not in God’s way 🌊

God can calm your storm and bring you through it. Choose to trust over worry today. He may not remove the waves, but He will see you through it. 🙌🏼

Take some time to read Matthew 8:23-27 today.

01/15/2025

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01/11/2025

Artwork by

Have a relationship you’d like to move beyond talking about weather and the latest shows? Craving real community?

Us too. Here are a few things I’ve been learning from others and trying out to help build deeper connections.

Here’s a sneak peek, but check out the full article on the web! (link in bio)

👉🏽 Listen carefully, and ask good questions
There’s an older lady at church who always makes me feel seen. She listens carefully and asks thoughtful questions. Even better, she follows up with people the next week to see how things worked out. Next time you chat with someone, try asking questions (& following up!).

👉🏽 Offer to pray for someone, on the spot
I knew a pastor who liked to close conversations by asking, “Would it be alright if I prayed for you now?” It avoids the ambiguity of will they actually remember to pray, and it takes a moment to invite God into both your days.

👉🏽Invite someone over for dinner
Being invited into someone’s space feels special in a different way than going out to dinner. If you are able, try it, even if home is in a dorm or an apartment! Delivered pizza or ramen even feel special in the intimacy and hospitality of home.

👉🏽Do something together
A couple invited me over once, and during a lull in the conversation, pulled out a game for us to play. If you, or the people you are trying to connect with are not natural conversationalists, try something different. Maybe a board game night, a cooking class, or exploring a new store in the neighborhood together.

👉🏽Consistently show small acts of love
There are many ways to show we care—from a text asking how someone is doing, to a handwritten note in the mail, passing on coupons to favorite stores, or a small craft to show that you’re thinking of them.

Meaningful connections take time and patience. If you don’t “click” with someone the first time around, don’t stress about it. Try again. And again. The more we invest in those around us, the more opportunity we have for truly meaningful connections.

01/10/2025

We’ve had holidays and presents yet still have a season full of winter activities. Sledding, skiing, skating, and cozy cups of hot chocolate while snuggled up with a favorite movie or book. The snow glistens (at least for us up North), and frost makes everything look glassy and delicate.

It’s beautiful. Until it isn’t. Cars drive over the fresh snow, and boots turn up mud. Tensions rise over being stuck inside, and everyone seems to be on edge. Some of us live in climates where this time of year is just unending gray and rain… Or, if there’s snow, it’s more of a reason for panic than wonder because the infrastructure of our city isn’t prepared to handle it.

Winter is a season of beauty and scarcity. It’s a time of joy and anticipation, yet also of melancholy and just wanting it to be warm again, dangit. The tensions of this season sometimes mimic the tensions we feel living in the world. We notice all of the goodness and the brokenness of the world around us while longing for a Kingdom that is to come.

As we lean into this winter of our lives, let’s pray to the God who created all seasons and has something to teach us through them all.

𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞
“As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:10-11).

𝐀 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫
Lord of ice and evergreens, just as nature continues its work beneath a blanket of snow, work beneath the surface of my life. Use this season to prepare me for flourishing. Help me find new ways to celebrate this season, and enjoy the activities it offers. Refining Fire, protect those who face the cold without shelter, and deliver us all from storms both outside and within. Show me how to spread the warmth of your love to all I encounter. Amen.

01/09/2025

Contributed by
✨ Looking forward to growing with you all in faith this New Year

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

01/09/2025

"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2).

01/03/2025

You’re hoping this will finally be the year—to take that watercolor class, to show your short story to someone, to get out on the mountain bike trail. Whatever new hobby or experience might be lurking at the edge of your imagination, it’s probably something you’ve been thinking about for a while. Maybe you’ve done the research, scoured thrift stores for secondhand equipment, or asked a friend if they’d be interested in trying it with you. Or, maybe you’re just hoping to jump right in.

Either way, there’s probably a mixture of feelings involved: anticipation, excitement, nerves… Will you really enjoy it? And, what if you’re just… terrible?

As you prepare to put yourself out there into a new situation that might be a bit uncomfortable, remember that God is there alongside you for the adventure. He’s made this whole wide world, and given you a great big imagination, all for you to explore. We’re pretty sure he gets excited when you get to unlock a new part of his creativity and creation.

Here’s a scripture and prayer to think about as you get ready for the adventure.

𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞
“You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16:11).

𝐀 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰
God of grand adventures and cozy afternoons, I’m really excited, but nervous, about trying something new. Help me to sit with any discomfort and allow it to transform me more into the person you’ve designed me to be. Give me the confidence to put myself out there and the patience to keep trying through any learning curve. And God, even if this doesn’t “stick” for me, thank you for the opportunity to experience something I haven’t encountered before. Amen.

12/31/2024

Why do you want to know God through scripture?
A: To know how to live
B: To know my place in his story
C: To share faith with others
D: For reassurance about him

Any other reasons?

12/31/2024

What does knowing God mean to you?
A: What to believe about him
B: Who he is to me (Father, friend, Lord)
C: What he desires
D: Experiencing a relationship with him

Anything else?

12/31/2024

Contributed by

A reflection on God as we go into the New Year...

"Our God is the God Who Sees"

How comforting to know that we worship a God who sees us fully. In our joy and our sorrow, in moments of triumph and times of trial, God is present. He sees our hearts, our struggles, our longings—and He cares deeply.

Just as He saw Hagar in the wilderness and called Himself “El Roi,” the God who sees (Genesis 16:13), He sees each one of us today. We’re never alone, forgotten, or overlooked.

Take comfort today, knowing that God sees you exactly where you are. His love is constant, His compassion is boundless, and His attention is on you. No matter what you’re facing, He is right there, seeing and walking with you.

12/30/2024

Why do you want to hear God through scripture?
A: To be guided in big life decisions
B: To know what to do in my daily life
C: To understand who he is
D: Just to hear what he has to say

Any other reasons?