2023 Ministry Update

Posted on February 9, 2023 by revlisad

My calling as a writer expanded in recent months, so it’s time for an update. It’s my hope the various links below connect you with the type of inspiration and resources that are most helpful to you. Thank you for the honor of encouraging you and supplying your ministry.

The journey to these milestones helped me clarify God’s calling as a writer. I provide Christian resources for prayer and pilgrimage to help persons encounter God.

I have a calling as a writer, a pastor, a wife, a mother… we have many callings, dear ones, in God’s expanding plans for us.

May you know and embrace all your callings. We need you blossoming in each of them.

– Lisa <><

My longest-running writing project is my blog here on revlisad.com. Here you’ll find over twelve years of prayers, sermons, and guides to spiritual practices, plus new additions most weeks. This writing is born from my devotional practices and the resources I create for my congregation or by request.

You’re welcome to search the blog for what you need and use my work in a worship setting without asking permission. It’s always a treat to hear from you if you’ve found something helpful to use. Please ask permission to publish my work in a book, blog, etc.

When you subscribe, you’ll receive an email anytime I post. My blog is especially helpful for pastors and worship planners, but everyone’s welcome.

I also offer a weekly newsletter entitled Prayer & Practice. Here you’ll find my most personal writing – reflections, prayers, recommended resources, pictures of my grandbaby, etc.

This is also where you’ll find behind-the-scenes updates on my latest writing projects and invitations to provide feedback on projects before they make their way into the world. Click this link to subscribe to my newsletter.

In 2019, I began working on a spiritual journal for Christians taking a trip to the Holy Land. Folks helped me test prototype #1 on a trip in 2020 right before the pandemic. Another group helped me test prototype #2 in March of 2022.

As I worked through rounds of revisions for the journal, an unexpected thing happened. I realized the journal was multiplying into several related resources.

A smaller version of the journal
The version of the journal I would want to take to the Holy Land, what I now call the Dream Journal
A Holy Land Planning and Packing Guide
A Preparing for Pilgrimage Study Guide
A Sites and Scripture Reference Guide

This led to the creation of a small publishing company named Via Lexi. Via Lexi is Latin for Way of the Word.

All but the dream journal are now complete. But they needed a place for people to find them. So I built a brand new website for them, www.vialexi.com. Consider this your invitation to stop by and take a look around.

For a little over a year, I’ve been a regular contributor to The Pastor’s Workshop, a terrific subscription site for worship and sermon resources. They organize their large collection by the lectionary and by topic, plus the site is searchable. If you decide to join, be sure to say hi to Stu, their founder and chief curator. He’s a really great human.

Two Lenten Bible Reading Plans for the Gospel of John

Posted on February 6, 2023 by revlisad

Yay! You’re ready to download a great resource.

READING PLAN #1: The Simple Gospel of John Bible Reading Plan

5 readings per week for 8 weeks, beginning the week of February 19th, the week of Ash Wednesday, and continuing through the week after Easter, April 9th.
A simple plan to help you hear from God through scripture reading- Stillness, Attention, Connection, Invitation to Action, and Prayer.
The reading plan is designed with grace. If I use a 7-day-a-week plan I get behind and I get discouraged and I drop out. A 5-day reading plan leaves room to catch up and to rest.
Consider printing the plan on card stock and using it as a bookmark.

CLICK HERE to download the reading plan

READING PLAN #2: Gospel of John Bible Reading Plan With Prompts

6 readings per week for 7 weeks, beginning the week of February 26th, the first full week of Lent, and continuing through the week after Easter, April 9th.
A simple plan to help you hear from God through scripture reading- Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer.
The reading plan includes a prayer prompt or simple action to help bring the reading for the day to life.

2023-gospel-of-john-lenten-reading-plan-with-prayer-prompts Download

A Prayer for Light-Bearers

Posted on February 2, 2023 by revlisad

You are the Light of the World by Robbie Quinn

Matthew 5:14 – Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.”

Creating Light, Redeeming Light, Sustaining Light

We seek your presence and your love this day. We come from many places, from many backgrounds, from many stories. And now, drawn by your light, we gather together with you here. In our joy and in our sorrow, your embracing light meets us, holds us, and calls us beloved.

What are you grateful for? Take a moment to name your gratitude today.

Thank you, Lord, for your light.

What is heavy on your heart? Take a moment to name the needs of our world, our community, and ourselves.

Thank you, Lord, for your light.

Drawn by the light of God, may we open ourselves to be filled with a love that transforms, that makes whole, that inspires, so that we may carry light and love where there is sorrow and pain.

You have called us to be light-bearers. Let us not hide it or hoard it. A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. Tend in us hearts that give with passion.

Thank you Holy One, Light of the World, Word made flesh, Jesus our Savior, who taught us to pray, saying:
Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer

A huge thank you for Rev. Macon Armistead for permission to post his prayer.
Matthew 5:13-20 is read on Year A — Epiphany — Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

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A Prayer for Light-Bearers © 2023 Macon Armistead
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting without asking permission. It’s always a treat to hear from you if you’re using it. Leave a comment for information and permission to publish this work in a book, blog,, etc.

Light & Salt – a prayer inspired by Matthew 5.13-16

Posted on January 30, 2023 by revlisad

Matthew 5:13-14 Believers Are Salt and Light 13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its … | Salt and light, Light of the world, Salt of the earth

Jesus,
You name us Beloved, Blessed
Son, Daughter
Sibling, Heir
Help us remember

You name us Child of the King
Redeemed, Forgiven
Saved by grace through faith
Help us remember

You name us Light, Salt,
Hope, Grace
A Priesthood of Believers
Help us remember

You name us, you alone
Nothing can change what You have said
Blessed be your Holy Name

The congregation is invited to offer their own praise and thanksgiving

Amen.

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Salt & Light © 2023 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting without asking permission. It’s always a treat to hear from you if you’re using it. Leave a comment for information and permission to publish this work in a book, blog,, etc.

Choosing a Word of the Year – 2023 Update

Posted on January 26, 2023 by revlisad

Choosing a Word of the Year
Some folks choose a word to guide their year. It functions like a mantra to help them manifest a goal.

My word of the year comes to me. She chooses me. She appears one day, bags in hand, ready to move in. As the months pass and we get to know one another, the word offers me much-needed lessons and wisdom.

What’s surprised me most about receiving a word for the year is the way they abide. So far, all my words have their home in me. They continue to offer grace year after year like a tribe of dear friends. They collaborate with one another and encourage one another to share even more with me as I’m ready to receive it. (or need to receive it)

In 2019, Practice arrived. She gives me permission to experiment, risk, prototype, and fail.

In 2020, it was Rhythm. She’s not a driving, disciplined march. She’s like jazz, the pulse underneath improvisation and adaptation that holds everything together.

Truth joined us in 2021. She helps me say what needs to be said, making space for deep conversation, healing, and peacemaking.

Last year, Curiosity surprised me. I didn’t know how much I needed her. She helps me lead with questions rather than answers, opening the way for unexpected possibilities.

Struggling For My Next Word
My word for the new year usually appears sometime in December, but that didn’t happen last year. The new year came, no word. Weeks went by, no word. Would one come?

I stepped outside myself and went searching for my word. Risk – Abide – Courage. Wonderful words but they weren’t my word. Others began sharing their word with me. Their words weren’t my word.

I wandered. I wondered. I worried. Was my grief blocking the way? Did I need to spend more time with the words I already have? It was unsettling. Where was my word? I knew I needed her.

Then last week, the knock came. I went to the door to meet Adventure. What a word! Expansive. Inviting. Eager. Daring.

I’d felt myself shrinking in recent months. Pulling back. Second guessing. I know it’s the shadow side of grief but knowing is not the same as making your way through it. Adventure is here, machete in one hand, compass in the other, cutting the clinging vines from the path, helping me move forward into places I’ve never been. Welcome, to the family Adventure.

What word is choosing you this year? I’d love to hear your story.

2023 word of the year

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Revlisad.com

Christian Practices with Rev. Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia