St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Belleview, Florida

09/08/2026

Tuesday, September 8th Job 29:1-20 / Psalm 45 / Acts 14:1-18 / John 10:31-42 (written by Denise)
Acts 14:9 He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him; saw that he had faith to be healed.
This verse reminds me of John 5:6. When Jesus saw a paralyzed man and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to be healed?” We might say to ourselves, what a silly question, of course I want to be healed. Sit with that for a while and be really honest. I know when I was in my addiction, on one level I wanted to be healed, but I was very afraid. I was going to have to change who I hung out with. I might have to change routines or change my job. In order to be healed I would need to change my behavior and live with spiritual principles. I would need to be responsible to nurture my relationship with God. I would no longer have an excuse to hide behind. It is a very powerful question. When I was truly ready and I turned my life over to God, I was indeed healed of a seemly hopeless state of mind and body.
LORD, help me see blind spots in my life where I may be asking for healing, but am afraid. May my faith be in you. All things are possible with you! Amen

09/07/2026

Monday, September 7th (Labor Day) Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 38:27-32a / Psalm 107:1-9 or 90:1-2, 16-17 / 1 Corinthians 3:10-14 / Matthew 6:19-24 (written by Denise)
Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
It is ironic that we come into this world in complete vulnerability, naked as a jay bird, screaming our head off. What a journey we go through to be born. In our later years we work hard so we can collect things. We get a job, buy a car, get in relationships, buy a house and fill the house up with treasures. As the years pass we begin letting go of jobs. We let go of relationships that do not serve our higher good. We have garage sales to get rid of some of our stuff as it takes too much energy to manage it all. Hopefully by the time we have reached this point we have accepted Jesus as our savior. Letting go of the worldly treasures doesn’t seem as important as following Jesus. We want to bring others to the Gospel as we know now, He is the greatest treasure. We will leave this world, but we will take with us the love of Christ. Hallelujah!
Jesus, thank you for nurturing us and guiding us to see that you are the greatest show on earth! Amen

09/06/2026

Nudges of the Spirit
Meditations for September 6th to September 12th
Nudges of the Spirit is currently a ministry of Deacon Carolyn Quinnell and Denise Bersos.
This week’s selections have been written by Denise

Sunday, September 6th Exodus 12:1-14 and Psalm 149 OR Ezekiel 33:7-11 and Psalm 119:33-40 / Romans 13:8-14 / Matthew 18:15-20 (written by Denise)
Roman 13:10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.
Today I was contemplating about when I die will I take anything from this life with me? I sat with that question for a very long time. I am made in God’s image. He is the original. I believe I will see him in all his Glory. He knows me as an image of him, and God is love, so I am pure love, just as we all are. That love will be with me as it was with me when I was born into this world. All the love that was shared with me, and the love I gave to others are a part of me. I will leave behind all the anger, resentments, shame, guilt, insecurities, etc. It reminded me how important forgiveness is, because by forgiving we will experience more love while we live on this earth. That love goes with us.
LORD, you are love! Since we know you, please cleanse our hearts of anything that is not of you. While we are on this earth guide us with love to help others that are suffering. Amen

09/05/2026

Saturday, September 5th Job 22:1-4, 21—23:7 / Psalm 30, 32 / Acts 13:26-43 / John 10:1-18 (written by Carolyn)
John 10:4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.
I was reminded of this verse just this past weekend. My son and his family went out of town for one night and they asked if I would dog sit their 45+ pound-full-of-energy fur-baby for the first time. All went well until we spotted other dogs on one of our many walks. He just wanted to go say hello but the other dog owners were not too keen on the idea so, I worked hard at keeping him at bay while they went on by. I tried talking to him, but since he doesn’t see me often, I could have been speaking to a wall for all the good it did. To say the dog missed his humans would be an understatement. When they arrived to pick him up, he was overcome with joy. So, to relate this to the verse mentioned above, if we are the sheep the question becomes, “Are we overjoyed to hear the Lord’s voice?” And a second question, “Do we follow where he leads us?”
Lord, thank you for being my shepherd. Amen

09/04/2026

Friday, September 4th Job 19:1-7, 14-27 / Psalm 31 / Acts 13:13-25 / John 9:18-41 (written by Carolyn)
John 9:38 He said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped him.
It sounds so simple, doesn’t it? But then, Jesus had just healed the man who had been born blind, so perhaps it was easier for him to say the words, “I believe,” than it would be for someone else. I think for those of us who read these words centuries later, and know what happens to Jesus later in the gospels, the words can become head knowledge – but are they heart knowledge? Can we look at him in whatever situation (good or bad) and immediately say, “Lord, I believe?” I think that deep belief might include knowing in your heart that whatever the diagnosis, whatever the checkbook says, whenever you hear words that you would rather not hear – Jesus is there and you can take a deep breath and say, “Lord, it is well with my soul because you are here with me.”
Lord, help me remember you are always with me. Amen

09/03/2026

Thursday, September 3rd Job 16:16-22; 17:1, 13-16 / Psalm 37:1-18 / Acts 13:1-12 / John 9:1-17 (written by Carolyn)
Acts 13:11 (Paul said) “And now listen – the hand of the Lord is against you, and you will be blind for a while, unable to see the sun.”
It’s interesting that Paul, who formerly persecuted Christians, was struck blind by the Lord and was now evangelizing in the name of Jesus, proclaims to this man who is opposing the message that he will become blind for a while. Then, if we flip over to the reading from John for today, we learn about Jesus healing a blind man. So, it would seem to me that without Christ, we cannot see – maybe not literally, but certainly figuratively. That fits. Verse one of Amazing Grace says, “…I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see.” Has the Lord opened your eyes to some new truth since you became a follower? I would love to hear about it.
Lord, heal my blindness. Amen

09/02/2026

09/02/2026

Wednesday, September 2nd Job 12:1; 14:1-22 / Psalm 38 / Acts 12:18-25 / John 8:47-59 (written by Carolyn)
Acts 12:18 When morning came, there was no small commotion among the soldiers over what had become of Peter.
I can’t help but wondering, “How do we know this?” Regardless, can you imagine the scene? The confusion, the panic, the knowing that this was not going to end well for someone. Then there’s the anger of Herod – his prize prisoner that was going to win even more favor with the Jews has managed to escape. In this case his anger is what eventually consumed him. Yes, I know scripture says an angel struck him down and he was eaten by worms and died. But have you ever been so angry that you felt like your insides were going to burst open? It becomes all-consuming and takes over your mind. That, my friends, is not from God. It’s putting ourselves before the Almighty. Vengeance belongs to the Lord, not us. Ouch.
Lord, help me turn toward you in all difficult times. Amen