Saturday, June 27, 2026
June 27 — Day 4 of the Nine Days The Jordan as Surrender “He must increase; I must decrease.” John’s greatness is not in his voice or his austerity. His greatness is in his surrender. At the Jordan, he steps aside. He gives away the crowds, the attention, the authority. He decreases so that Christ may rise. This is the hinge of holiness: not achievement, but relinquishment. Not grasping, but yielding. If Day 1 is the Voice, Day 2 the Furnace, Day 3 the Test, Day 4 is the Surrender. A nation approaching its 250th year must learn this again: less ego, more service; less posturing, more humility; less self‑assertion, more room for God. Prayer Jesus, teach me the grace of decreasing. Empty me of pride, noise, and self‑importance. Do this in my nation, that You may increase. SMOKE IN THIS LIFE, NOT THE NEXT Love & Mercy Virtue — Love & Mercy Cigar — A deep, tender Maduro Pour — Stagg Jr., intense and unflinching Reflection At the edge of death, a man sees clearly. ...
