Lenten Devotional

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About Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Rooted in the Reformed tradition, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is committed to the formation of women and men for theologically reflective ministry and to scholarship in service to the global Church of Jesus Christ.

Become a Student

Certificate Programs

Special Programs

Faculty

In addition to their on-campus duties, our faculty are experts in their fields and are available to preach and teach. Learn more about their topics of research and writing and invite them to present at your congregation or gathering.

Events

The Seminary hosts a wide range of events—many of them free!—on topics of faith including church planting, mission, vocation, spiritual formation, pastoral care and counseling, archaeology, and many more. Visit our calendar often for a listing of upcoming events.

Visit PTS

Interested in the Seminary? Come visit us!

Stay in Touch with PTS

Sign-up to receive the Seminary's newsletters: Seminary News (monthly), Church Planting Initiative (monthly), Continuing Education (monthly), World Mission Initiative (monthly), Metro-Urban Institute (quarterly), and Kelso Museum. Alums, there's also one for you!

Lent Devotional February 15, 2018

Scripture

Philippians 3:12-21

12 Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you. 16 Only let us hold fast to what we have attained. 17 Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. 18 For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. 19 Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.

Devotional

Written by Fr. Eric McIntosh ’12, Priest, St. James Episcopal Church, Pittsburgh, Pa. / PTS Alumnae/i Council Member

Do you ever get tired of being tired? I do! I am tired of fighting every day of my life. I see racism every day, and I am tired of it. I see misogyny almost just as often, and I am tired of it. The stock market keeps rising, but my paycheck does not, nor do the paychecks of my friends. My kids and their friends may never do better than their parents because of having to take out huge student loans. The sheer weight of all that I have to negotiate because of the oppressive actions of would-be enemies of the cross makes me tired. Emotionally speaking, it feels like the evildoers are getting away with it.

But I am tired of being tired! And I hear God telling me, “Then give up being tired! After all, their end is destruction. Besides, this isn’t your home anyway; your citizenship is in heaven, and this ain’t heaven yet!” So this Lenten season, instead of continuing to be tired of being tired, I am pressing on! I am putting the troubles behind me and pressing on! I am putting the pain behind me as best I can and am pressing on! With God’s help, I am forgetting the hate that lies behind me and I am pressing on! I am pressing on with expectant anticipation that the Lord Jesus Christ, my Savior, will transform this body of humiliation! This year for Lent, I am just tired enough to give up being tired. I am giving it all to God, and I am pressing on toward His glory!

Prayer

Lord God almighty, many of us are just fatigued beyond hope. Many of us do not know where to go or what to do. Help us to be honest with you. Remind us to turn to you. Call us as loudly as you can to press toward our Savior, Jesus, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever! Amen.

Lent Devotional February 15, 2018

Scripture

Philippians 3:12-21

12 Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you. 16 Only let us hold fast to what we have attained. 17 Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. 18 For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. 19 Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.

Devotional

Written by Fr. Eric McIntosh ’12, Priest, St. James Episcopal Church, Pittsburgh, Pa. / PTS Alumnae/i Council Member

Do you ever get tired of being tired? I do! I am tired of fighting every day of my life. I see racism every day, and I am tired of it. I see misogyny almost just as often, and I am tired of it. The stock market keeps rising, but my paycheck does not, nor do the paychecks of my friends. My kids and their friends may never do better than their parents because of having to take out huge student loans. The sheer weight of all that I have to negotiate because of the oppressive actions of would-be enemies of the cross makes me tired. Emotionally speaking, it feels like the evildoers are getting away with it.

But I am tired of being tired! And I hear God telling me, “Then give up being tired! After all, their end is destruction. Besides, this isn’t your home anyway; your citizenship is in heaven, and this ain’t heaven yet!” So this Lenten season, instead of continuing to be tired of being tired, I am pressing on! I am putting the troubles behind me and pressing on! I am putting the pain behind me as best I can and am pressing on! With God’s help, I am forgetting the hate that lies behind me and I am pressing on! I am pressing on with expectant anticipation that the Lord Jesus Christ, my Savior, will transform this body of humiliation! This year for Lent, I am just tired enough to give up being tired. I am giving it all to God, and I am pressing on toward His glory!

Prayer

Lord God almighty, many of us are just fatigued beyond hope. Many of us do not know where to go or what to do. Help us to be honest with you. Remind us to turn to you. Call us as loudly as you can to press toward our Savior, Jesus, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever! Amen.

About Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Rooted in the Reformed tradition, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is committed to the formation of women and men for theologically reflective ministry and to scholarship in service to the global Church of Jesus Christ.

Become a Student

Certificate Programs

Special Programs

Faculty

In addition to their on-campus duties, our faculty are experts in their fields and are available to preach and teach. Learn more about their topics of research and writing and invite them to present at your congregation or gathering.

Events

The Seminary hosts a wide range of events—many of them free!—on topics of faith including church planting, mission, vocation, spiritual formation, pastoral care and counseling, archaeology, and many more. Visit our calendar often for a listing of upcoming events.

Visit PTS

Interested in the Seminary? Come visit us!

Stay in Touch with PTS

Sign-up to receive the Seminary's newsletters: Seminary News (monthly), Church Planting Initiative (monthly), Continuing Education (monthly), World Mission Initiative (monthly), Metro-Urban Institute (quarterly), and Kelso Museum. Alums, there's also one for you!