Everyone You Meet Is Fighting a Battle You Know Nothing About

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Everyone You Meet Is Fighting a Battle You Know Nothing About

Scripture: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32 (NRSV)

There is a quiet truth that lingers behind every smile, every handshake, every casual greeting: each person you meet carries a story you cannot fully see. Some wear their pain openly; others conceal it behind laughter, responsibility, or faith that wavers in private moments. Robin Williams once said, “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” These words are a gentle reminder of the hidden struggles that shape the human experience and the deep need for grace in our relationships.

Life’s battles are not always visible!
The coworker who seems distant might be grieving a loss.
The neighbor who seems impatient could be overwhelmed with fear.
The cheerful friend might be carrying the weight of depression, quietly praying for a flicker of light in the dark.

As followers of Christ, we are called to see beyond appearances and to look with compassion instead of judgment, to listen before speaking, and to love without condition. Jesus had a way of seeing the unseen. He looked past Zacchaeus’s reputation and saw his longing to belong. He saw the woman at the well not for her past, but for her potential. He met the broken, the weary, and the forgotten with eyes of mercy, never condemnation.

When we choose kindness, we participate in the ministry of healing. A gentle word, a patient response, or a simple prayer for someone we barely know may become the very act of grace that keeps their spirit from breaking.

So today, let us walk with softened hearts and open eyes. Let us remember that behind every face lies a battle, and behind every battle, the God who still fights for His people. When we lead with love, we mirror the compassion of Christ: the One who knows every struggle, heals every wound, and never grows weary of us.

Prayer

Gracious God, teach us to see others through the eyes of your mercy. When we are tempted to judge, remind us that every soul carries unseen burdens. Fill our hearts with compassion, our words with gentleness, and our actions with grace. May we become instruments of your healing love to all we encounter today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflection Question

Who in your life might need a little extra kindness or patience today—and how can you show them Christ’s love?

Closing Blessing

May the Lord open your eyes to the quiet battles around you and your heart to the quiet strength within you.
May you walk gently, speak kindly, and love deeply. And may the peace of Christ guide your steps as you become a light of comfort to those who carry unseen burdens. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
go forth in grace and compassion. Amen.

Advent 2025: Year A

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Advent 2025: Year A

Theme: “Waiting, Watching, Rejoicing: Advent with Hope”

As we enter the season of Advent, we step into a sacred time of anticipation, reflection, and hope. Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas; it is a journey that invites us to prepare our hearts, minds, and lives for the coming of Christ—both in the nativity of our Savior and in the promise of His return.

This year, our Advent series, “Waiting, Watching, Rejoicing: Advent with Hope,” will guide us through Scripture, helping us to recognize God’s hand at work in the world and in our lives. Each week, we will explore themes that inspire us to live faithfully, act with integrity, rejoice in the waiting, and embrace the promise that God is with us.

Here’s a glimpse of our Advent journey:

1. First Sunday of Advent: November 30
Sermon: The Uncertainty of Life: Are You Ready?
Life is unpredictable, but God’s faithful presence is our certainty. This week, we reflect on living with readiness and hope, trusting in God’s perfect timing.

2. Second Sunday of Advent: December 7
Sermon: Living with Integrity in a Broken World
In a world that often seems fractured and unjust, God calls us to live with honesty, courage, and righteousness. We will explore how to shine God’s light faithfully in the darkness.

3. Third Sunday of Advent: December 14
Sermon: Rejoicing in the Waiting: Lessons from Mary
Waiting can feel long, uncertain, and even frustrating—but it is also a sacred time of preparation. Like Mary, we are invited to rejoice, trust, and praise God even as His promises unfold.

4. Fourth Sunday of Advent: December 21
Sermon: God with Us: The Promise that Holds Us Together!
Through the coming of Jesus, God gives us the ultimate promise: Immanuel—God with us. This week, we celebrate God’s presence that sustains, unites, and strengthens us in every season of life.

5. Christmas Eve / Nativity of the Lord: December 24
Service: Candlelight & Holy Communion
On this holy night, we gather to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Christ Jesus. Through candlelight, song, and communion, we welcome God’s love into our hearts and the world around us.

6. First Sunday of Christmas: December 28
Sermon: Hope That Travels with Us
Christmas does not end on December 25. The hope of Christ journeys with us into the new year. This week, we reflect on carrying the joy, peace, and hope of the season into our daily lives and into the world around us.

As we journey together through Advent, may this season remind us to watch for God’s presence, prepare our hearts for His coming, and rejoice in the hope that He brings.

Let us enter Advent with expectant hearts, ready to celebrate Emmanuel—God with us!

God Created the World as a Forest!

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God Created the World as a Forest

Introduction

When we walk through a forest, we feel something sacred, the stillness, the light filtering through leaves, the whisper of wind among branches. From the beginning, God’s creative work was not sterile or mechanical but alive, organic, and abundant. The Bible opens in a garden and ends with the Tree of Life restored to the city of God. Between Genesis and Revelation, Scripture sings with the language of forests; cedars of Lebanon, oaks of righteousness, fig trees, olive branches, and palms waving in praise. Indeed, God created the world as a forest: a living, breathing testimony of divine creativity and care.

Devotion

Scripture: “The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly, the cedars of Lebanon that He planted.”  Psalm 104:16

The psalmist celebrates creation as a place of divine artistry;  teeming with life and pulsing with praise. The forest, in particular, mirrors the heart of God’s design. It is diverse, interconnected, and self-sustaining. Every tree, from the tallest cedar to the smallest sapling, plays a role in nurturing the life around it.

In a forest, no single tree stands alone. Their roots intertwine underground, sharing water and nutrients through hidden networks; a quiet reminder that life in God’s creation depends on relationship. Humanity, too, was placed within this living forest not as owners but as caretakers, called to cultivate, protect, and live in harmony with the rest of God’s creation.

When we see the world as a forest, we rediscover our place within it. We are not masters but members;  part of a community where every creature has worth and purpose. The whispering pines remind us to listen. The spreading branches invite us to rest in God’s shade. The steady growth of trees through every season speaks to God’s faithfulness and the promise that life, even after storms and pruning, continues.

Today, let us pause to breathe in the sacred air of creation and remember: the world is not a warehouse but a wonder; not a possession but a paradise entrusted to our care.

Thought to Carry

The forest teaches us what faith often forgets that strength is rooted in connection, and life flourishes when we live in harmony with God, one another, and creation.

Centering Prayer

Creator God, you planted the world like a forest; full of beauty, rhythm, and interdependence.
Teach us to walk gently upon your earth, to listen to its whispers, and to protect its sacred balance.
May our lives, like trees beside living waters, bear fruit in their season and give shelter to others.
In Christ, who renews all creation, we pray. Amen.

Benediction

Go forth into the forest of God’s world, rooted in grace, growing in love, and bearing the fruits of kindness and stewardship.
May the Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit, nurture your soul and renew the earth through you. Amen.

You’re Invited!

We invite you to read more uplifting devotions like this on the Pastor’s Blog of Sunrise Presbyterian Church and to join us for worship every Sunday at 10:30 AM.
Come and experience the warmth of fellowship, the beauty of God’s creation, and the renewing presence of the Spirit among us.

Visit us online at www.sunrisepresbyterian.org,  we look forward to welcoming you!

Daily Reflections: The Bible Is Alive!

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Introduction: The Bible Is Alive

There are moments when we open the Bible and the words seem to leap off the page, speaking directly to our situation, our fears, our hopes, or our prayers. That’s because the Bible is not a silent book; it is the living breath of God. Every word carries divine life, whispering truth into human hearts and calling us into deeper relationship with the One who inspired it.

The Bible is more than ink and paper, it is the living Word that continues to move, speak, and shape those who listen. Through its pages, God still calls, still comforts, still corrects, and still creates. The same Spirit who breathed life into creation now breathes through Scripture, awakening our hearts to faith and obedience.

This week, we invite you to journey through “The Bible Is Alive”, seven days of reflection designed to help you experience Scripture not just as something to read, but as something to live. Each day offers a short passage, a reflection, and a prayer. Take your time. Read slowly. Let God’s Word speak into your heart and renew your spirit.

As you move through these reflections, may you discover again that the Bible is not a relic of the past but a voice of the present; God’s living, breathing Word that transforms lives today.

“The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever.” Isaiah 40:

Day 1 – The Living Word

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12
The Bible is not a relic of the past, it is alive, active, and speaking today. Let it pierce your heart and illuminate your path.
Reflection: Which verse might God want to speak to you today?
Prayer: Lord, let Your Word live in me and guide every step I take.

Day 2 – Transforming Power

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16–17
Every word of Scripture has power to teach, correct, and equip. The Bible shapes us, molding our thoughts and actions into God’s design.
Reflection: How has Scripture changed your life in ways you didn’t expect?
Prayer: God, help me embrace Your Word as a guide, teacher, and friend.

Day 3 – Words That Speak

Scripture: Psalm 119:105
The Word of God lights our path. It speaks even when the world is silent, guiding us through darkness and confusion.
Reflection: Where do you need God’s light to shine today?
Prayer: Lord, shine Your Word into the corners of my heart and life.

Day 4 – Alive in the Heart

Scripture: Jeremiah 15:16
God’s Word becomes alive when it takes root in our hearts. It nourishes us spiritually, giving strength in times of weakness.
Reflection: Which part of Scripture feels alive in your heart today?
Prayer: Father, plant Your Word deep within me, and let it grow into life and action.

Day 5 – Conviction and Comfort

Scripture: John 17:17
The Bible convicts us, challenges us, and comforts us, all at once. Its living words help us align with God’s truth.
Reflection: What truth do you need to hear from God today?
Prayer: Holy Spirit, let Your living Word speak clearly to my mind and soul.

Day 6 – A Seed of Life

Scripture: Luke 8:11
The Word of God is like a seed. Planted in our hearts, it grows into faith, hope, and love.
Reflection: How can you nurture God’s Word in your daily life?
Prayer: Lord, water the seed of Your Word in me so it may flourish and bear fruit.

Day 7 – Carry It With You

Scripture: Colossians 3:16
Let the Word of Christ dwell richly in you. Speak it, meditate on it, and let it guide every decision and interaction.
Reflection: How can you carry God’s Word with you today, wherever you go?
Prayer: God, may Your living Word be my constant companion, my strength, and my joy.

The Bible Breath: the Bible Is Alive!

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The Bible Breath: The Bible Is Alive

Introduction

Every day, we breathe without thinking. Our breath sustains us and it gives us life. In the same way, the Word of God breathes life into our souls. It is not silent ink or faded text; it is the living breath of the Creator still speaking, still shaping, still stirring hearts and still transforming lives. The Bible is God’s breath written on the page, and when we open it, we inhale divine truth that renews, corrects, and revives us from within.

This devotion invites you to pause, breathe deeply, and listen not only to the words on the page but to the voice of the Spirit who speaks through them.

Centering Prayer

Gracious and Living God, in this quiet moment, I breathe deeply of your presence. Still my mind, calm my heart, and open my soul to receive Your Word. Let the breath of Scripture fill me with wisdom and peace. Speak, Lord, for I am listening. Let Your living Word awaken faith, stir courage, and breathe new life into my spirit today. In the name of Jesus Christ, the Living Word. Amen.

Scripture Reading

Hebrews 4:12 – “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Devotional Thought

Have you ever held a piece of paper so lightly that the air seemed to make it dance? That is a small glimpse of how God’s Word moves not with wind, but with life. The Bible is not merely an ancient book filled with stories, rules, or moral advice. It is alive. It breathes. It speaks. It convicts. It comforts. It transforms.

When we read the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit brings them into our present moment. A verse that seemed distant suddenly touches your heart. A promise that felt abstract now becomes personal. Hebrews 4:12 reminds us that God’s Word penetrates our very being, discerning what is hidden in our hearts. It is not passive; it acts. It changes lives, shapes decisions, and renews minds.

Think of a seed. On the surface, it may seem lifeless, but buried in the right soil, watered, and nurtured, it bursts into life. The Bible works in the same way. When we engage with it prayerfully and faithfully, it breathes life into our spirit, inspiring obedience, love, and hope.

Let the Word of God become your daily breath: the rhythm of your spirit’s life.

Reflection Questions

  1. When was the last time a Bible verse truly “spoke” to you?

  2. How can you create space in your daily life to experience God’s Word as alive, not just read it as words on a page?

  3. What areas of your heart need the piercing truth of God’s Word today?

Prayer

Gracious Lord, thank you for your living Word. Thank you that it is not static, but active, speaking into my life even today. Open my heart to receive it, my mind to understand it, and my life to be transformed by it.
Let your Word breathe life into every corner of my being, shaping me into the image of Christ. May I carry the living Word with me, letting it guide my thoughts, words, and actions. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thought for the Day

The Bible is not a book of the past; it is a breath of life for the present. Let it speak. Let it act. Let it live in you.

Serving with Courage, Living with Faith! Veterans Day

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Veterans Day Devotion – November 11

“Serving with Courage, Living with Faith”

Scripture: “The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.”  Psalm 29:11

Introduction

On Veterans Day, we pause to honor and give thanks for the men and women who have served our nation with courage, sacrifice, and steadfast devotion. Their service reminds us that freedom is never free: it is preserved through discipline, commitment, and a willingness to put others above oneself. As we remember our veterans, we also reflect on how their example inspires us to live faithfully, courageously, and in service to others.

Reflection

Veterans embody what Jesus calls the “greater love”, the willingness to give of oneself for the sake of others (John 15:13). Their courage and discipline are not only lessons in military service but also lessons in faith: trusting in God’s protection, standing firm in times of fear, and persevering when the path is difficult.

Their service challenges us to live lives marked by integrity, compassion, and gratitude. Just as veterans protect and serve our nation, we are called to protect and serve our communities offering peace, encouragement, and love wherever God places us.

Thought to Carry

Courage, service, and faith are not limited to the battlefield. Every act of love, sacrifice, and integrity  whether large or small reflects the same spirit that veterans have shown. Let their example inspire you to serve others faithfully and walk daily in courage and faith.

Centering Prayer

Gracious and Mighty God, as we pause to honor those who have served, quiet our hearts. Open our eyes to their courage and devotion, and open our spirits to your guiding presence. Fill us with peace, strengthen our resolve, and inspire us to live faithfully and courageously each day through Jesus the Christ. Amen.

Prayer for Veterans

Almighty God, we give you thanks for the men and women who have served our nation with honor and sacrifice.
We remember their courage, the sacrifices of their families, and the challenges they have faced in the line of duty.
Grant them peace in their hearts and minds, strength in their spirits, and joy in the knowledge that their service is deeply appreciated. Help us, Lord, to honor their example by living lives of service, integrity, and compassion.
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, we pray. Amen.

Benediction

May the God of peace bless our veterans and their families.
May He give them courage in times of challenge, hope in times of uncertainty, and joy in the knowledge of lives well served and may the blessing of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit be with us all, guiding us to live faithfully and courageously in every season. Amen.

A Great Multitude Before the Throne

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Title: A Great Multitude Before the Throne
Scripture:

“After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands.”  Revelation 7:9 (NRSV)

There is something breathtaking about John’s vision in Revelation 7. He sees a vast multitude, too many to count gathered before the throne of God. They come from every nation, tribe, and language, all united in praise to the Lamb who gave His life for them. It is a picture of the Church in its fullness; the saints of every time and place standing together, not divided by boundaries or history, but united by grace.

This vision reminds us that our worship on earth is a glimpse of that heavenly chorus. When we gather on Sundays: singing hymns, praying together, breaking bread, we are joining the song that never ends. We stand in solidarity with believers across generations who have trusted in God’s promise, endured trials, and remained faithful.

The white robes symbolize not perfection by our own merit, but redemption through Christ. The palm branches recall victory not the kind won by power or might, but the triumph of love, faith, and perseverance. And at the center of it all stands the Lamb, our Shepherd, who “will guide them to springs of the water of life” and “wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

In a world often marked by division, despair, and uncertainty, this passage offers hope. It reminds us that God’s story ends not in chaos, but in communion; not in sorrow, but in joy. The saints before the throne proclaim that God’s faithfulness endures forever and that one day, we too will stand among them, singing, “Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

Thought to Carry:
We belong to a great multitude: redeemed, united, and held in the eternal love of God. Every act of faith today echoes the praise of heaven.

Centering Prayer:
Loving God, thank you for the promise that we are never alone. As we worship You here on earth, remind us that we are part of your great communion of saints: past, present, and yet to come. Keep our eyes fixed on the Lamb, who is our Shepherd and our peace. Amen.

We invite you to join us for worship every Sunday at 10:30 AM at Sunrise Presbyterian Church, and to visit our website at www.sunrisepresbyterian.org to learn more about our ministries and community life. Come and be part of the great multitude who praise the Lamb!

 “To God be the glory, in the church and in Christ Jesus, to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Rejoice in God’s Saints

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Rejoice in God’s Saints

(Inspired by Glory to God Hymnal #732)

Scripture:
“Give thanks to the Lord for the lives of the saints, for they are a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord.” Isaiah 62:3 (adapted)

The hymn “Rejoice in God’s Saints” invites us to see holiness not only in the pages of Scripture or the annals of history, but in the people God places around us every day. The saints of God are those who let divine love flow through their lives quietly, humbly, steadfastly and transforming the world in countless small ways.

We rejoice in the saints who bring comfort to the sorrowing, who speak words of truth in times of confusion, who give without seeking recognition. We rejoice in those who forgive when wronged, who pray in faith when hope seems dim, and who persevere in love even when life grows hard. Their strength is not their own; it is the strength of Christ living in them.

The hymn reminds us:

“Rejoice in those saints, un-praised and unknown, Who bear someone’s cross or shoulder their own; They shame our complaining, our comforts, our cares; What patience in caring, what courage, is theirs!”

What a powerful picture of discipleship: ordinary believers reflecting extraordinary grace. These saints may never stand in pulpits or appear in headlines, but they stand tall in the kingdom of God. Their daily faithfulness bears witness to a love that never fails.

To “rejoice in God’s saints” is to recognize that God’s grace is still alive and active in the parent nurturing a child, the teacher shaping minds, the volunteer serving quietly, the elder praying faithfully. Together, they form the living Church, the body of Christ at work in the world.

As we celebrate them, we are reminded that we, too, are called to be saints. Holiness is not a distant goal; it is a daily invitation. In Christ, we are empowered to live lives that bless others, reveal God’s mercy, and radiate hope.

Thought to Carry

Saints are not perfect people but faithful people, those who let God’s love shine through their imperfections to bless the world.

Centering Prayer

Loving God, we rejoice in your saints  in those whose faith has shaped us and those whose love still surrounds us. Teach us to walk in their footsteps, to serve with gladness, and to live with grateful hearts. May our lives, too, proclaim your goodness and grace. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.

Dear friends, we invite you to visit our Pastor’s Blog on our church website for this and other inspiring reflections celebrating the saints of God, those who have gone before us and those who walk among us still.

For All the Saints

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For All the Saints

(Inspired by Glory to God Hymnal #326)

Scripture: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1 (NRSV)

The hymn “For All the Saints” lifts our hearts heavenward as it connects the living and the departed in one holy fellowship of faith. Its melody rises like a prayer of gratitude for those who have walked before us: the saints whose faith lit the path that we now follow.

We remember those who taught us to pray when we could not find the words, who believed when our faith trembled, and who loved us into the arms of Christ. These are not saints enshrined in marble but saints who laughed, served, wept, and hoped alongside us including parents and pastors, teachers and friends, neighbors and mentors — who quietly bore the marks of grace in everyday life.

As the hymn proclaims, “Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest. Alleluia! Alleluia!” Their faith points not to themselves but to Christ, the Lord of all life and death. In them, we see a reflection of the One who conquered the grave, the One who binds earth and heaven together in a single song of praise.

Today, we celebrate the Church triumphant and the Church militant still journeying. We remember that we are part of a great procession: saints of yesterday, saints of today, and saints yet to come, all upheld by the same grace, all moving toward the same glory.

When our steps falter, we are strengthened by their witness. When our hearts grow weary, their memory whispers, “Keep the faith. The crown of life awaits.”

So let us press on with courage. Let us love as they loved, serve as they served, and trust as they trusted, and let our lives, too, proclaim: Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thought to Carry

The saints are not only those who have died in faith: they are also those who live faithfully now. Every act of love, every moment of forgiveness, every step taken in hope, becomes part of the unbroken hymn of the saints.

Centering Prayer

Eternal God, we thank you for all the saints known and unknown, who have shown us the light of Christ. Strengthen us to run the race with perseverance,
To live in hope and holiness, and to join one day in the eternal song of victory:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

Beloved friends, you are invited to visit our Pastor’s Blog on our church website for more inspiring devotions and reflections that honor the saints and proclaim the victory of Christ.

Singing the Legacy of the Saints

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All Saints’ Day reminds us that sainthood is not about perfection, but about belonging to the beloved community of Jesus the Christ, to one another, and to the unending hope of resurrection. Theologically, to be a saint it to be claimed by grace, united with Christ, and joined to the great communion of believers across heaven and earth.

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1  “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.”

Devotion:
There is a hymn that captures the joy and inspiration of those who have faithfully followed Christ: “I Sing a Song of the Saints of God.” Its melody lifts our hearts, and its words remind us that the saints of God, those who have gone before us and those who walk with us today, shine as beacons of faith, courage, and love.

The saints we sing about were ordinary people who trusted in an extraordinary God. Some faced hardship and persecution, yet they remained steadfast. Others quietly served, loved, and bore witness to Christ in everyday acts. The hymn celebrates them all: young and old, famous and unknown, past and present; reminding us that the kingdom of God is built not by a few, but by many faithful witnesses.

As we sing and reflect on their lives, we are called to follow their example. Hebrews 12 encourages us to run our own race with perseverance, inspired by the “great cloud of witnesses” that surrounds us. Their lives remind us that faith is not a solitary journey, it is communal. Each saint’s story is a note in the grand symphony of God’s work in the world.

Thought to Carry:
Who are the saints in your life: those living and those gone, who inspire you to live faithfully for God? Today, take a moment to thank them and consider how your own life can become a song of witness for others.

Centering Prayer:
Gracious God, thank you for the saints who have gone before us and for those who walk beside us. Fill us with their courage, patience, and love. Help us to run our race with perseverance, leaving a legacy of faith that glorifies you through Jesus the Christ. Amen.

Invitation:
Visit our pastor’s blog on our website to explore more reflections on the lives of the saints and how their faith shapes our journey today.