By St. Francis of Assisi Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love with all my soul. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

St. Francis of Assisi's prayer for peace asks to sow love, pardon injuries, have faith, bring hope, light, and joy, and to console and love others.

Christian Prayer of Peace

The Psalms offer us incredible opportunities to pray and meditate. Today we will be reading Psalm 5, and then praying for protection and thanksgiving.

Pray and meditate using Psalm 5 for protection and thanksgiving.

Psalm 5 - A Prayer For Protection

This past year has brought uncertainty and worry to most of us, but we can release that worry through meditation. Many times we can use the psalms as guides for prayer and meditation, especially when we are feeling afraid or lost. Today I will be reading Psalm 27, using the New International Version of the Bible, and then praying a prayer from Dolores Smyth.

Release worry through meditation using psalms as a guide; read Psalm 27 and pray a prayer from Dolores Smyth for guidance during uncertain times.

Psalm 27 Meditation and Prayer

This past year has brought anxiety and fear to most of us, but we can release those anxieties through meditation and prayer, and we can use the psalms as our guides. Today I will be reading Psalm 139, using the New International Version of the Bible, and then praying a prayer from Dolores Smyth.

Meditation and prayer can ease anxiety; Psalm 139 read and Dolores Smyth's prayer used as a guide.

Psalm 139 Meditation/Christian Prayer

Daily life can be hard, so take a breath and pray with me a daily prayer from Mother Teresa.

Take a moment to pray with a daily prayer from Mother Teresa to ease the struggles of daily life.

Christian - Prayer from Mother Teresa

I know many who are sick, who are struggling with cancer, diseases, and infirmities. Being sick not only wears a person out physically, but it can also be mentally and emotionally exhausting too. And many times, it is exhausting for the families of the sick person. But there is hope to be found in the Psalms.

Sickness can be physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting but hope can be found in the Psalms for both the sick and their families.

Psalm 30 - Christian Prayer/Meditation

The psalms are a collection of songs, prayers, poems, and praise. Many times we can use the psalms as guides for prayer and meditation. Today I will be reading Psalm 24, using the New International Version of the Bible, and then praying a prayer from Dolores Smyth.

Psalms are songs and prayers used for meditation; Psalm 24 will be read and prayer will be offered from Dolores Smyth.

Christian Prayer with Psalm 24

St. Francis of Assisi is known for his love of nature and animals. So as spring is bringing new flowers and new babies, I thought it would be fitting to offer this praise to God written by St. Francis. Will you pray with me?

A prayer by St. Francis of Assisi for the spring season and its new life is offered for prayer and reflection.

Christian Prayer In Praise of God

The psalms are a collection of prayers, songs, and poems. Many times we can use the psalms as guides for prayer and meditation. Today I will be reading Psalm 91, using the New International Version of the Bible, and then praying a prayer from Dolores Smyth.

The psalms offer prayer and meditation guidance; Psalm 91 will be read and prayed with Dolores Smyth's guidance.

Psalm 91 Meditation and Prayer

The psalms are a collection of songs, prayers, poems, and praise. Many, but not all of them, were written by King David, and many times we can use the psalms as guides when we don’t know what to pray. Today I will be praying by reading Psalm 19, using the New International Version of the Bible.

The psalms are a collection of songs and prayers, often written by King David, and can serve as guides in prayer; the author will pray Psalm 19 today.

Christian - Psalm 19

Psalm 42 is one of my favorite psalms. It’s a psalm of longing, asking for God’s help amid the bad stuff of life. The psalmist is remembering all the hope that God brings, even as the psalmist is in the midst of their despair. The season of Lent is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on this psalm.

Psalm 42: A psalm of longing for God's help during life's bad stuff, reflecting on hope amid despair during the season of Lent.

Lent Devotional On Psalm 42

Many times vacations are exciting, but there is also worry about traveling, safety, health, etc., especially after a year of not going anywhere! Thankfully we can calm those worries using the psalms as guides for prayer and meditation. Today I will be reading Psalm 121, using the New International Version of the Bible, and then praying a prayer from Dolores Smyth.

Using psalms for prayer and meditation can calm worries about safety, health, and traveling during vacations.

Psalm 121 - Christian Meditation/Prayer

Sometimes everything that we are up against feels overwhelming. Work, school, health, relationships can all be in a state of turmoil. Thankfully, Psalm 18 can bring us hope and peace.

Psalm 18 brings hope and peace in times of overwhelming stress from work, school, health, and relationships.

Psalm 18-Christian Meditation/Prayer

Obadiah is considered a minor prophet, and many scholars think he was around for the fall of Jerusalem into the hands of the Babylonians around 587 BC. His vision connects this fall to the origins of Israelite history. Obadiah connects the brother’s storied past to the present-day unrest and can be broken into two main parts; God’s judgment against Edom and God’s promises for Judah.

Obadiah, a minor prophet, connects the fall of Jerusalem to Israelite history and outlines God's judgment against Edom and promises for Judah.

Obadiah

Little Amy sits enraptured by the moon, but she doesn't quite understand why its beauty has such a hold over her. Then her mother explains how God's truths and love are reflected in everything in creation. Heart-warming, peaceful, and calming short story.

Amy's mother explains God's truths and love reflected in everything, including the moon, in a heartwarming and calming short story.

Amy's Question

Lent is a time to reflect on suffering, and while this is not a pleasant reflection we know that we will all have to deal with bad days and hard times. Thankfully, Jesus has some words of encouragement, which we will read in Mark 5.

Lent is a time to reflect on suffering and read Jesus' words of encouragement from Mark 5.

Lent Devotion on Mark 5

The words of Psalm 31 roar with dread and with the angst of desolation, like being lost in the wilderness with no clear path. There is no solace in the solitude, only grief. But after darkness, light. “Let your face shine upon me” is the hopeful petition, even as the psalmist declares, “Blessed be the LORD, for the LORD has wondrously shown steadfast love to me.” To pray Psalm 31 is to hope and to hope is to believe that God is for us, not against us. And in this, there is a great comfort, like running water in the wilderness.

Psalm 31 expresses dread and desolation, but ends with hope and the comfort of believing that God is for us.

Lent Devotional on Psalm 31

Earth day is April 22, and so today I want to share with you words from Pope Francis in 2015 in his Laudato Si, a letter addressed to all people on the care of our common home. He proposes that we offer two prayers. The first we can share with all who believe in a God who is the all-powerful Creator, while in the other we Christians ask for inspiration to take up the commitment to creation set before us by the Gospel of Jesus.

Pope Francis proposes two prayers for Earth Day in his 2015 letter to all people on the care of our common home.

Earth Day - A Prayer from Pope Francis

Do you feel like you have been waiting forever, and the light at the end of the tunnel is still so far away? Patience might be a virtue, but it can wear thin after a while. We can use the psalms as guides for prayer and meditation, especially when we need to be patient. Today I will be reading Psalm 40, using the New International Version of the Bible, and then praying a prayer from Dolores Smyth.

Using the psalms as guides for prayer and meditation can help cultivate patience during times of waiting.

Psalm 40 - Christian Meditation/Prayer

The story of Ruth, and really Naomi, is a great tale of redemption, loyalty, and perseverance. Listen to their story and watch some of the branches of Jesus' family tree begin to develop.

Ruth and Naomi's story shows loyalty, perseverance, and redemption in developing branches of Jesus' family tree.

Ruth

The book of Samuel was originally one book, and it still is in Jewish texts. In the Christian texts, it has been split into two books, and we will take many sessions to cover them. This is the second session. Last time we looked at Eli and Samuel, and ended with peace. Today let’s continue by looking at what happens to that peace when the people decide they need a king, and Samuel calls on Saul to start that monarchy.

The book of Samuel, originally one book, is split into two in Christian texts. The second session looks at the people's desire for a king and Saul's monarchy.

1 Samuel - part 2 - Samuel and Saul

Ever feel like good people get punished, while bad people seem to reap the rewards? Life just isn’t fair at times, and that can be very frustrating. But take heart, God promises us that those who do good will reap the rewards in time! Today we will use Psalm 37 as a guide for a meditation and then a prayer to help us center our vision on God, and not on those who seemingly are getting away with evil.

God promises that those who do good will be rewarded, despite the frustration of seemingly unjust outcomes, as Psalm 37 reminds us.

Psalm 37 - Christian Meditation/Prayer

The tribe of Levi had been assigned to the role of priests, and since this book covers all of the offerings, festivals, sacrifices, and everything else the priests would be in charge of, the book is named after the Levites. A dominant theme in the book is the presence of God in the midst of the community. As the site of divine presence, the sacred sanctuary must be preserved from defilement by humans, whose serious wrongdoings pollute God's house. Let's look at some of the laws and a few events that take place in Leviticus by reading passages from The Message version of the Bible.

The book of Leviticus covers offerings, festivals, sacrifices, and the role of priests, with a focus on preserving the sacred sanctuary from defilement.

Leviticus - Laws and Priests

The book of Samuel was originally one book, in the Christian texts it has been split into two books, and we will take many sessions to cover them. This first session introduces us to Samuel, and his upbringing with Eli.

"Introduction to Samuel and his upbringing with Eli in the first part of the originally one-book text split into two books in Christian texts."

1 Samuel - part 1 - Eli and Samuel

The name (Deuteronomy) comes from Greek deuteros + nomos and means a “second law” or a “copy of the law”. And that’s what this book is mostly about, a reiteration of all those laws we learned about in Numbers and Leviticus. However, it also gives a recap of the Israelites' journey, the ten commandments, and wraps up the story of Moses for us.

Deuteronomy is a reiteration of laws and a recap of the Israelites' journey, including the ten commandments and the end of Moses' story.

Deuteronomy – A Copy of The Law

The Wizard of Oz story is continued in a series of short stories. This session is about a clockwork man named Tiktok, and the adventure he has on his way to meeting the Nome King.

Tiktok, a clockwork man, goes on an adventure to meet the Nome King in a continuation of the Wizard of Oz story in a series of short stories.

Tiktok and The Nome King

The final short story in our collection of Little Wizard Stories of Oz features two of our friends from the original story. Listen to their delightful adventure, and listen to all 6 of the short stories from the Land of Oz!

Listen to the final short story in the Little Wizard Stories of Oz collection, featuring two familiar friends, along with the other 5 stories.

The Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman

Robin Hood: Chapter 2. What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? Well, in the case of Robin Hood and Little John, you get witty banter and laughs all around! Chapter 2 of 24

Robin Hood and Little John's witty banter and laughs continue in Chapter 2 of 24.

How Robin Hood Met Little John

You have probably heard about the Wizard of Oz, but did you know that there are additional Little Wizard Stories by the same author? Enjoy these extra tales; this is the first of six stories!

Discover Little Wizard Stories by the same author of The Wizard of Oz, and enjoy the first of six stories.

The Cowardly Lion and The Hungry Tiger

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams is a classic children's tale about a stuffed toy who longs to become real through the love of it's owner. Listen to the pure magic of the power of love.

A stuffed toy seeks to become real through love in the classic children's tale, The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams.

The Velveteen Rabbit

The story of Oz continues with these Little Wizard short stories! In this fun tale, Jack Pumpkinhead and the Sawhorse are on a quest to rescue two children who are lost in the woods.

Jack Pumpkinhead and the Sawhorse embark on a mission to rescue lost children in the woods in this Little Wizard short story.

Jack Pumpkinhead and the Sawhorse

A young plain girl finds herself invited to a regal lady's home. It's almost like a fairytale come true. But, like most dreams and fairytales, all is not perfect. Will she be able to put her own pride and vanity aside for the benefit of the lady of the house?

A plain girl goes to a regal lady's house, but must overcome her pride and vanity in this fairytale-like story.

The Green Satin Gown

Instead of trying to force yourself to rest, instead of fighting your mind and looking at the clock every few minutes, instead of replaying all of the lists and arguments and short-fallings of the day, let’s take a quiet, peaceful walk through the neighborhood’s trails.

Replace the struggle of forcing rest with a peaceful walk through the neighborhood's trails, avoiding replaying the day's lists and arguments.

The Walking Trail

Listen to the fourth short story out of six tales that extend the adventures of The Wizard of Oz. In this story we meet Princess Ozma and watch how the wizard handles three devious Imps. Enjoy!

Wizard of Oz faces three Imps with Princess Ozma in fourth short story of six.

Ozma and the Little Wizard

The extra adventures in Oz continue with our lead heroine Dorothy! Let's listen to her fun tale in this short story.

Dorothy continues her adventures in Oz in this short story.

Little Dorothy and Toto

One day a giant comes home to find children playing in his garden. At first, he decides to keep everyone out of his garden, but then one day something happens that changes his mind. Will the giant be able to overcome his selfish ways and find lasting happiness?

A selfish giant finds happiness after allowing children to play in his garden.

The Selfish Giant

Robin Hood: Chapter 1. You may know many of the major details, but have you ever listened to the full tale of Robin Hood? This first chapter introduces the main characters, with a few new details and a more thorough back story. Enjoy! Chapter 1 of 24

Chapter 1 of Robin Hood delves into the backstory of the main characters and provides new details in a full tale of the legendary hero.

How Robin Hood Became An Outlaw

A very attractive Débutante knew two Young Men, who called on her every Thursday Evening and brought their Mandolins along. They were Conventional Young Men, of the Kind that you see wearing Spring Overcoats in the Clothing Advertisements. One was named Fred, and the other was Eustace.

Two conventional young men named Fred and Eustace visit an attractive debutante every Thursday with their mandolins.

The Two Mandolin Players

Robin Hood: Chapter 7. Once again Robin is simply minding his business when he stumbles upon a funny friar in the forest. Will Robin school him in the ways of fighting, or will the friar prove that he too belongs with the merry men of Sherwood? Chapter 7 or 24

Robin meets a funny friar in the forest in Chapter 7 of Robin Hood.

How Robin Hood Met Friar Tuck

Introduction and Chapter 1 - Most of us have seen the cartoons featuring these beloved characters, but we all should know by now that the original book usually has more details and a richer storyline than a cartoon. Listen as we discover if that holds true with A.A. Milne's classic story of a young boy and his adventures with his stuffed animals!

Discover if A.A. Milne's classic story of a young boy and his stuffed animals holds more details and a richer storyline than the cartoon adaptation.

Winnie The Pooh And Some Bees

Robin Hood: Chapter 15. Yet another fine man is sent after Robin Hood. Will he be successful at capturing the witty outlaw? Or will Robin continue to add to his merry band of skilled men? Chapter 15 of 24

A new man is sent after Robin Hood in chapter 15, but the question remains whether he will succeed or Robin will add him to his band of outlaws.

How Robin Hood Was Tanned Of The Tanner

The Magic Shop offers a boy and his mother an incredible afternoon, were allusions and reality fuse magically. "I don't know if you noticed our inscription--the Genuine Magic shop." He drew a business card from his cheek and handed it to me. "Genuine," he said, with his finger on the word, and added, "There is absolutely no deception."

A boy and his mother visit a Genuine Magic shop where reality and allusions merge magically without deception.

The Magic Shop

Robin Hood: Chapter 8. A good meal can put just about anyone in a good mood, especially Robin Hood. So when he meets a sad young man while in this food-induced good mood, what else is he to do but help the lad? Chapter 8 of 24

Robin Hood helps a sad young man after a good meal in chapter 8 of 24.

How Allan-a-Dale's Wooing Was Prospered

What happens when monks are exposed to the evils of the nearby town? Well, humor, for one thing!

Monks exposed to town's evils find humor in the situation.

A Story Without A Title

Robin Hood: Chapter 5. Robin Hood and Little John are both currently in the Sheriff's house, but not for long. Not only do they manage to leave unharmed, but they also do so with the sheriff as their guide. Listen to the hilarious antics our favorite band of men employs in today's chapter! Chapter 5 of 24

Robin Hood and Little John escape the Sheriff's house with the Sheriff as their guide in Chapter 5 of 24.

How The Sheriff Lost Three Good Servants

Robin Hood: Chapter 11. The Sheriff is ecstatic when he catches Little John. But then his day gets infinitely better when he thinks that Robin Hood has been captured as well. Will our two heroes evade the bad Sheriff one more time? Chapter 11 of 24

The Sheriff captures Little John and is overjoyed to think Robin Hood has also been caught in Chapter 11 of 24.

How Robin Hood Fought Guy Of Gisborne

In this collection of short stories, all written by Laura Richards, we listen to three delightful tales that are as fun as they are thoughtful. The Golden Windows teaches children about perspective, The Great Feast teaches children about the power of imagination, and The New Leaf teaches children about a peculiar saying.

Three delightful short stories by Laura Richards teach children about perspective, imagination, and peculiar sayings in a fun and thoughtful way.

3 Short Stories By Ms. Richards

Spring was taking its time to arrive in the city, and with no letter from her fiance in weeks, Sarah was quite wilted. "In a faint, golden glow from her dandelion dream, she fingered the typewriter keys absently for a little while, with her mind and heart in the meadow lane with her young farmer."

Sarah, waiting for spring and a letter from her fiance, daydreams of a meadow lane with her farmer in this poetic snippet.

Springtime a la Carte

Robin Hood: Chapter 9. Once again some of the merry men find themselves in a bit of trouble. And once again, Robin Hood must put on a costume in order to save them. But will he be able to once again save them with his shenanigans? Chapter 9 of 24

Robin Hood saves his merry men in trouble by putting on a costume in Chapter 9 of 24.

How The Widow's Three Sons Were Rescued

The premise for this story is perfect for toying with upper-class busybodies. Just imagine if your pet could recite your latest dig(s) about one (or more) of your dinner guests! "And do you really ask us to believe," Sir Wilfrid was saying, "that you have discovered a means for instructing animals in the art of human speech, and that dear old Tobermory has proved your first successful pupil?"

A story about a pet cat named Tobermory who has been taught to speak by its owner, which shocks the upper-class dinner guests.