Friday’s Devotion: Effects and Side Effects

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control.

I get amused sometimes when I watch TV ads for prescription drugs.  The announcer touts the wonderful benefits of the medication showing happy people.  But at the end as required by law the drug’s side effects must be revealed.  This morning in Humira ad even with the announcer speaking rapidly it took almost as long to disclose them as all the rest of the commercial.  Although medication is often necessary, we really should be wary about what we take.  First Corinthians 6:19 says, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?”  As a Christian I’ve found that the Holy Spirit is vital to my relationship with God and my work for God’s kingdom. Romans 15:13 contains a blessing that explains the blessing of the Spirit.  “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  The Spirit often works quietly within us but if we are attuned to God’s work we will sense the extra strength we have and the blessing we are receiving. With the Holy Spirit the main benefit is the intimate indwelling of God in our lives.  Unlike drugs, the side effects are wonderful, too.

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen.
      Prayer to the Holy Spirit – St. Augustine of Hippo

Thursday’s Devotion: What’s a Hero?

 

1 Samuel 17:51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran.

There is an anti-war song titled “I Don’t Want to be a Hero.”  I admire the men and women who serve our country but I also can understand a person not wanting to carry a lethal weapon and be put in harm’s way and in the position where they might possibly have to kill another human being.  Heroes however are not only those who are brave in the face of battle.  A hero might be a first responder who comes to your rescue.  But I also think people who sacrifice their time to help the needy or to work with disadvantaged children are also heroes.  There are many ways to save a person’s life including witnessing about the Gospel. There are people living lives of quiet desperation or lives in which they put themselves in danger.  We might not be able to change them but Jesus can.  We can make the introduction that might save a life.  The Philistines trusted someone who turned out not to be a hero. David was described in 1 Samuel as “the man anointed by the God of Jacob, the hero of Israel’s songs.”  David accomplished what he did because he was empowered by God.  Although it’s not about God, these words from “The Wind Beneath My Wings” could be my song to Jesus. “Did you ever know that you're my hero, and everything I would like to be?  I can fly higher than an eagle, 'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.”

God in heaven, you lift us up and save us every day, even when we don’t always sense it.  We pray for your continued love, protection and guidance. Help us to be heroes to others using the gifts and graces you bestow upon us.  We ask in the name of the one who gave all that we might live.  Amen.

Wednesday’s Devotion: The Nose Remembers USED

John 12:3  Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

Someone planted beautiful climbing roses along the fence at the end of our street.  They started blooming this week and as I walked last night I caught that unmistakable familiar scent. As a matter of fact I smell the roses before I saw them.  Everything seems to be happening earlier this year!  The scent brought back memories of Valentine and anniversary bouquets and of blooms cut from a member’s yard and arranged for my office.  Towards the Dogwood Drive end of my street I caught a whiff of another unmistakable smell – that of pit cooked Southern barbecue. I thought the roses smelled great but this made me weak in the knees!  I had flashbacks to all the school fund-raising barbecues I’ve attended in my life and of the search for the perfect barbecue restaurant during vacations.  There have been other times when I’ve caught a scent that triggered memories.  I wonder if that happens for others, too.  The disciples would probably never smell nard again without remembering Mary’s generous anointing and understanding what it foretold. Ephesians 5:1-2 says, “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”  Maybe I can’t remember Christ by smell, but I can remember his life, love and death through scripture and song and by sharing with others.  I’m going to do more of that during Holy Week and hope you will, too.

Thank you Lord, for the wonders of scents; for the fragrances that are pleasing to us.  Help them to bring back good memories and help us to remember your Son who gave so much for us.  We ask in his name. Amen.

Modified and used 8-31-21

Tuesday's Devotion: The Old Dog Learning Tricks on His Own

Proverbs 9:9  Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.

I took all three dogs to the vet yesterday morning. The vet took them back one at a time for nail clipping and shots.  They were pretty good for the vet. But when she decided to take them back again for a heartworm test Dino rebelled.  My little loving dog tried to pull away from her and headed straight for the front door.  Once in the back, I heard him growling in protest.  He learned quickly that bad things happened in that back room.  He’s also the one who has learned to associate the ding of my laptop shutting down with the treat he gets before bedtime. He jumps up and starts barking.  These are things he’s learned on his own. I think he might learn even more if someone worked with him. Proverbs 9:9 extols the virtue of teaching the wise and righteous – in other words those who would probably be leaders so that they might become even better.  Every Sunday night a great group of leaders and potential leaders have been gathering at the parsonage to learn.  They ask questions and keep me on my toes.  There’s so much to learn about the bible, about God and I’m learning right along with the others.  I’m touched that some of our eldest members are still enthused and inquisitive after all these years. Perhaps that’s because they are so wise.

God in heaven, thank you for giving us the opportunity to learn and to share with others.  Open our eyes, ears and heart that we may better know you and your Son through the working of the Holy Spirit who enlivens your Word.  We ask in Christ’s name.  Amen.

Monday’s Devotion: I Just Can’t Yell People into Heaven

Hebrews 4:14-16 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe.  This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.  So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

In the past few weeks, I’ve had more than one person relate experiences they had growing up in other churches where they would leave services feeling dragged down, beat up and headed straight for Hades.  I wondered if the preachers were that passionate about “saving” people or simply not theologically educated enough to explore all the messages of the bible.  I myself grew up thinking that I could never be “good enough” to get into heaven because no one taught me the concept of grace. I’m not advocating that we sin our lives away confident that God will forgive us just for the asking.  What I’m advocating is the need to bring people into a relationship with God.  When that happens, God changes our lives by changing our priorities.  That is the best way to save a person.  It works a whole lot better to tell them about a loving God than a wrathful one.  Jesus is in Heaven at the right hand of his Father, interceding for us.  God loves us and wants the best for us.  God isn’t telling Satan to stoke up the fires of Hades because we are wanton sinners headed that direction.  God is calling us to love him back so he can help us overcome temptation just as his own Son once did. 

Heavenly Father, Thank you for loving us and continuing to have hope in humankind when we sometimes fail over and over to follow the example of Christ.  Help us to overcome temptations that lead us away from you.  Fill us with your guiding Spirit and help us to walk the right path, the one that leads to eternal life both now and forever more.  We ask in Christ’s name.  Amen.

Friday’s Devotion: The Blessing of Beauty

 

Psalm 50:2  From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth.

Earlier this week while walking around the ball fields I stopped to admire the beauty of a dogwood tree in full bloom.  It was a mature tree with a large knurled trunk and spreading canopy.  I had a sudden urge to hug the tree, but I restrained myself because I didn’t want those nearby to think I was losing it.  The quote “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” is a paraphrase of a statement in which Plato speaks of beholding beauty with the eye of the mind bringing forth true virtue which could lead one to becoming a friend of God and immortality.  I think one of the greatest blessing God gives us in the gift of the ability to recognize beauty. I often feel closer to God when I behold beauty in nature.  I thanked God for that tree. I think I’ll go back in a little while and visit it again.

Creator God,  thank you for the beauty of the earth.  Thank you for surrounding us with the beauty of spring.  Help us to take time to refresh our spirits in the middle of all our anxieties by gazing upon your creation.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Thursday's Devotion: What Hurts the Church

Matthew 7:1-5  (CEV)  Don't condemn others, and God won't condemn you. God will be as hard on you as you are on others! He will treat you exactly as you treat them. You can see the speck in your friend's eye, but you don't notice the log in your own eye. How can you say, "My friend, let me take the speck out of your eye," when you don't see the log in your own eye? You're nothing but show-offs! First, take the log out of your own eye. Then you can see how to take the speck out of your friend's eye.

 Various friends have been commenting on a blog by a young woman about why she left the church. She referenced similar writings by a pastor about why young adults have problems with the church.  One thing pointed out is the fact that churches suffer from image problems due to the misdeeds of priests and pastors.  I used these blogs as the basis of my Wednesday night program.  Thank goodness Hapeville First is not guilty of many of the things that resulted in the young woman leaving.  But we still have to overcome the misconceptions many unchurched people have.  I’ve known for a long time that people have certain world views and prejudices and they subconsciously filter information.  They accept what supports their position and reject what is contrary to their position.  Young people are being taught to think for themselves and to turn a critical eye towards what doesn’t seem just. They reject hypocrisy.  Churches everywhere suffer when some extreme congregations and pastors take long-held but unjust stands on social and moral issues.  I can’t quite understand how someone can demonize some people (scientists who believe stem cell research can save lives, gays, organizations that promote women’s reproduction rights) while at the same time thinking it’s fine that their favorite celebrity is having yet another child with their live-in lover or shrugging their shoulders at the antics of college students on spring break. If we’re going to take a strong moral stance then take a stance against everything equally; don’t turn a blind eye to some and demonize others.  Or perhaps we should re-examine what God might really think is important in these days.  As one member put it during the program, “Everyone must make their own peace with God.”

Gracious God, help us not to be so quick to judge the morality of others when we ourselves struggle to live according to your will. Help us to see all others, even those different from us or with different world views as people whom you have created and love and value.  We ask in Christ’s name.  Amen.

Wednesday’s Devotion: Why I Can’t Do All Things through Christ

Philippians 4:13  (NKJV)  I can do all things through Christ  who strengthens me.

Let’s face it, just like any other pastor, I’m a busy person.  My day begins early with prayer and exercise (after a pot of coffee) and ends late usually in the den with my laptop as I answer e-mails, work on my Sunday study or write the next day’s devotion.  When my calendar and to-do lists fill up it would be easy to become overwhelmed.  As I walked yesterday morning seeking a sense of peace I considered the fact that being overwhelmed with all that one has to do is sometimes more a state of mind than anything else.  Sometimes when I start feeling that way I do the illogical.  I’ll go get my nails done or spend the day in the mountains – doing something totally unproductive.  I come home less stressed and get everything done anyway. 

I am going to start trying to try to thank God for the many blessings and opportunities that I have in my life instead of complaining about my full schedule.  I considered Philippians 4:13 and decided that we can’t take that literally.  We do need to set priorities and if we overload ourselves we are going to get tired.  Christ will help us with the important things but I don’t think Christ will give us strength to do all the unnecessary activities we try to cram into our lives.  I’m getting better at saying no to things I want to do and people ask me to do so that I have more time to do things I need to do.  And that includes time for play and exercise.  It really is all about the right balance of priorities.

God in Heaven, thank you for the opportunities you place in our lives.  Help us to choose our activities wisely and then give us the strength to carry them out.  We ask in the name of the One who knew to withdraw for prayer and rest.  Amen.

Tuesday’s Devotion: Losing Things

Luke 15:8-9 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?  And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’”

I have lost my pressure cooker.  How can one lose a pressure cooker in a medium sized kitchen?  I looked in every cabinet twice and even had Joe look.  The rocker is in the drawer but no pot. It’s not like a casserole dish you take to the covered dish dinner then forget to take home.  Last week Joe did leave a baking dish at church and it has disappeared, too.  In Israel, I lost one of my favorite gold hoop earrings.  Jesus told a parable about lost things to show that when we get lost from God, God will seek us and rejoice when we come back into the flock.  Deuteronomy 22 instructs us to help people who have lost things: “If you see your fellow Israelite’s ox or sheep straying, do not ignore it but be sure to take it back to its owner.  If they do not live near you or if you do not know who owns it, take it home with you and keep it until they come looking for it. Then give it back.  Do the same if you find their donkey or cloak or anything else they have lost. Do not ignore it.  If you see your fellow Israelite’s donkey or ox fallen on the road, do not ignore it. Help the owner get it to its feet.”  Maybe we should help God look for lost sheep, too.  We can all rejoice when we find one and bring it into the flock.  In the meantime, where can I get a deal on a new pressure cooker?

Gracious Lord, how often we meet people who don’t know of your love and grace or people who have wandered off from their relationship with you.  If we ourselves have strayed, please draw us back to you.  Help us to seek the lost and to help those who are struggling with their faith.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Monday’s Devotion: Stuck in the Middle

Galatians 5:22-23  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Paul has just written to the people to let their lives be governed by the Spirit instead of the flesh that desires what is contrary to the Spirit.  The Common English translation describes these desires: “The actions that are produced by selfish motives are obvious, since they include sexual immorality, moral corruption, doing whatever feels good,  idolatry, drug use and casting spells, hate, fighting, obsession, losing your temper, competitive opposition, conflict, selfishness, group rivalry,  jealousy, drunkenness, partying, and other things like that. I warn you as I have already warned you, that those who do these kinds of things won’t inherit God’s kingdom.” 

I wonder how many of us are stuck in the middle somewhere.  We love God and sincerely sincere to let the Spirit work through us and exhibit those fruits and we are not morally corrupt in the ways described in this text.  But we get cranky, critical, and find our foot in our mouth too often.  How do we get closer to the ideal?  I think part if it is working on stress by staying connected to God through prayer throughout the day.  Everyone needs to have some stress management tricks.  I’m going to try to be more conscious of that this week and see what happens.  Let’s do that together.

Holy God, It’s often when we’re stressed that we lose our patience and kindness towards others.  Help us to feel your calming presence; save us from our self-serving actions and help us to love you and others according to your desires for us.  We ask in Christ’s name.  Amen.

Friday’s Devotion: Finding God in a Fast Food World

Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

We visited so many places in and around Jerusalem that it made our heads spin.  One of the more memorable locations was the steps of the Temple Mount. Our guide (surely the best in Israel) pointed out that the steps are not even; there are alternating narrow (1 stride) and wide (1 ½  to 2 strides).  The unevenness of the steps caused those approaching the Temple to do so slowly and reverently.  We live in such a fast paced, instant gratification world that it’s easy to lose that sense of doing things slowly, savoring the moment. I hope one day to return to Jerusalem and take it more slowly, too so that I can savor the moment in each place.   God won’t be rushed. Seeking God with our whole heart involves slowing down, walking up slowly, appreciating the journey. In our life, we are the guide.  We can have some say about slowing down and not rushing to get back on the bus (busyness) to hurry to the next place.  Between now and Easter let’s practice doing more of that.

Lord God, help us to slow down and appreciate the life that you have so graciously bestowed upon us.  Help us to quiet our minds and direct them towards you.  Help us to open our lives to you so that we may seek you with our while hearts.  We ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thursday's Devotion: Rose Sunday Coming Up

Psalm 122:1 It made me glad to hear them say, "Let's go to the house of the LORD!"

This coming Sunday is the fourth Sunday in Lent.  Like the third Sunday in Advent it is unique.  Here we take a break from the otherwise penitential attitude of the season. It’s called Laetare Sunday or Rose Sunday. Laetare Sunday is also known as "Mothering Sunday" because of the Epistle reading that speaks of how not the Jews, but those who come to Christ, regardless of their ancestry, are the inheritors of Abraham's promise. The old practice of visiting the cathedral or "mother church" of the diocese on this day is another reason for the name. In England, natural mothers are honored today, too, in a manner rather like our Mother's Day.  Spring bulb flowers (daffodils, for ex.) are given to mothers, and simnel cake is made to celebrate the occasion. Those who recognize this Sunday often put roses or other flowers on the altar and the paraments can be rose.  I most like the sense of joy on this day.  Of course I am always glad to go into the house of the Lord.  I always leave uplifted from the worship and from the fellowship. 

Blessed Lord, we are glad to come worship you and rejoice that we participate in the work of your Kingdom.  Thank you for the blessings that come to us for our participation in your divine plan. We ask for your continued power and strength.  Amen.

Wednesday’s Devotion: The God of the Needy

Proverbs 8:17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.

All of our dogs are attention craving, but one, Daisy is especially needful.  We adopted Daisy from Jack Russell Rescue and don’t know much about her past.  She seems to be insecure and needs constant reassurance that we love and care for her.  If we shoo her out of our lap she stands at the arm of the chair or couch with her head outstretched to be petted. If we pet Dandy or Dino she tries to push them aside.  I wish there was a way to assure her of our love without constantly holding her.  We try to give equal attention to all three.  None suffers but they don’t always get all the attention they ask for.  Thank goodness that God is always available for us.  We can constantly approach our Father with our prayers and supplications and be confident that God hears our prayers. We know we can rest in Christ with full assurance of His love.  He gave his life for us and has not abandoned us in this age. Thanks be to God!

Thank your Lord, for you deep love for us.  When the world rejects us, you continue to gather us to yourself. May today we find peace in your care.  We ask in the name of the one who is the perfect image of your great love.  Amen.

Tuesday’s Devotion: New Every Morning

Psalm 143:8 "Cause me to hear your lovingkindness in the morning, for in you do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to you."

Life is about finding a balance between trust in others and trust in God. I trust my wonderful husband in so many different ways. I trust my trainer not to direct me to do exercises that would cause me physical harm. There are many people I need to be able to trust.  But there are limits.  I must test everything others offer against my own understanding and I must trust my own understanding against God’s Word.  Thank goodness we have a God so full of lovingkindness towards us.  I hope that along with me you will each seek and find God’s presence every morning before your busy day begins.

Gracious God, how we need your love and care every day. Our ultimate trust lies in you, our Creator and our sustainer. -- Because of your great love we are not consumed,
for your compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” Amen

Monday’s Devotion: The Whole Shebang

1 Timothy 4:16  (NLT)  Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.

I started the day with a mile walk / jog to warm up before my weekly Monday morning workout with Stephen, my trainer.  We (I) worked hard and by the end of the hour my muscles were trembling.  We visited for awhile afterwards and agreed that a health and fitness program must really be all encompassing.  It doesn’t do much good to start a physical activity plan if one is still eating hamburgers and french-fries regularly.  To be truly healthy comes from a broader commitment to a healthier lifestyle.  Don’t smoke, eat healthy but delicious food, control portions, work on stress management, plan good physical activity each day and avoid lack of sleep.  Spiritual fitness also requires a well-rounded program.  Coming to church once a week is great but it would be even better when accompanied by daily prayer, devotion, Bible reading and Christian companionship.  Like my diet / fitness program doing all the right stuff doesn’t happen all at once. Yet when it does all come together we will reap the benefits and so will those around us.

Lord, as we start this new week help us to find time to consciously plan ways in which to keep or get ourselves fit in mind, body and spirit.  Help us to seek the power promised – that we can do all things through Christ who gives strength.  We ask in his name, Amen.

Friday’s Devotion: Finding Rest for the Weary

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

I woke up at 9:00 this morning.  Thank goodness it’s my day off!  I rarely sleep this late at any time. This tells me that I was unusually tired after a busy week.  The world has become a faster place in which to live.  Communication is instantaneous; there is less down time waiting for things to happen – unless you’re in the check-out line at the local grocery store.  We can take care of work on our smart phones even while traveling or out to dinner.  Sometimes it feels like we are never “off.”  Jesus realized the need for rest and called others to rest with him.  Lent is a great time to increase the time we spend in prayer and meditation.  This can be a time of rest and rejuvenation as we release our burdens and revel in the love of our Savior.  I’m going to do that in a bit.  I might even relax so that I fall back asleep.

Gracious God, We are tired and stressed and anxious so much of the time.  Help us to slow down and rest and to find refreshment for mind, body and spirit.  We especially ask that you be with caretakers today.  Fill their cup so that it might overflow onto others.  In Christ’s name we pray.  Amen.

Thursday’s Devotion – What We Can Learn from Idol.

Isaiah 43:12 (NIV) I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—  I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “that I am God.

The contestants on American Idol last night sang songs of Stevie Wonder and Whitney Houston.  Each performer put his or her own unique voice to their song.  Skylar Laine’s version sounded like Reba meets Whitney. I talk a lot in my sermons and devotions of our call to share with others about our divine Creator and Jesus Christ.  To do so we must each find our own voice.  We can’t follow someone else’s formula or sound like our favorite televangelist. The Idol coaches told the contestants to relax and be themselves.  I think that’s a good idea for us, too! It enables us to be as good as we can be instead of trying to be as good as someone else can be and that will be the best of all.

Lord, help us please to find our own voices as we share about your love and grace to others.  Give us the boldness to speak truly and the heart to speak kindly.  We ask in the name of the One whose story we want to tell. Amen.

Wednesday’s Devotion – Can Fear of Change be Blocking your Blessings? USED

Romans 12:2  Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Change can be difficult.  In many ways we are fearful of the unknown that change might bring.  Yet there are times in our life when change is best.  This scripture warns about copying the ways of the world - more than likely referring to worship of other gods, oppressive power structures, neglect of the needy and other immoral behavior.  Yet there are other situations that call for new thinking. A friend recently left his place of employment.  A job that once was challenging but very enjoyable and rewarding became one of frustration and clashes of personalities. He stayed on long after he became unhappy because he needed the work.  Yet through prayer and discernment God was able to give him the confidence to move out of that toxic environment.  Sometimes relationships that were once wonderful also become toxic.  I always advocate trying to work things out, especially in a marriage yet sometimes it is not possible.  We can seek to eliminate bitterness and resentment and to care for one another while moving away after asking for God’s guidance.  It’s easy to become complacent, to get in a rut, to sit around and do nothing because we can’t do exactly what we want to be doing.  To be in relationship with God is to constantly ask God if our situation is healthy and in line with the path God would have us follow.

Father, scripture tells us for everything there is a season.  Help us to identify the changing of seasons in our lives.  Prod us when we become complacent and guide us in new and rewarding directions.  In all things let us glorify you.  In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Tuesday’s Devotion: The World Speaks

 Psalm 19:1-4  The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.  Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.

Last Sunday I included the Great Commission in my sermon. Jesus said for his followers go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel.  Last night while presenting a devotion, a pastor said the Greek word really translates “going” which changes the thought somewhat.  While you are going into the world, while you are going about your daily life, share the Gospel.  Either way, it’s not always the easiest task to work Jesus into the conversation.  Christians bear a large responsibility.  It comforts me to know that we are not alone in proclaiming the glory of God.  It also comforts me that those who need to find connection to God and don’t hear that word either because no one around them is sharing or because they have isolated themselves from others can still find that witness in the beauty and majesty of nature. When Jesus entered Jerusalem with crowds praising him, the Pharisees told Jesus to make them stop.  “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” It would do us good to periodically get away from the light pollution of the city and spend some time looking to the heavens to see what they are saying about our Creator.

We look to you, O God for strength, healing, guidance and comfort. Life can be overwhelming and we need you.  Thank you for constantly reminding us through the world around us that you are there and you are great and you will endure forever. Amen.

Monday’s Devotion: Given or Broken?

John 19:36 (NIV) These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,”

I served Holy Communion in both services Sunday morning.  I usually serve the bread and the person assisting offers the cup.  I love placing the bread in a person’s hand and looking them in the eye call them by name and say, “This is the body of Christ, given for you.”  One of my pastors was very adamant about using the term “given” instead of “broken.”  He pointed out that scripture is very plain that Jesus legs were not broken and that this was to fulfill prophesy.  When God laid out the procedures for Passover to Aaron and Moses, God declared that the legs of the sacrificial lambs were not to be broken (Exodus 12:46).  John the Baptist called Jesus, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.”  I like the term given because Jesus gave himself for us of his own free will.  The miracles he performed let us know if Jesus had chosen to escape he could have done so.  To play the devil’s advocate I would argue with that pastor that if something in Jesus’ body hadn’t broken he wouldn’t have died. What do you think, “given, or “broken”?  Have you ever given it any thought?  Which would / do you use?
The next time you partake of or serve Holy Communion you might consider what that term means to you.

Holy God, You loved us so much you give us your only begotten Son who was obedient to you even to die on the cross for our sins.  He gave himself for us, may we live our lives for you.  Bless us as we start a new week with the strength and guidance to get through each day.  We ask in your Son’s holy name. Amen.

Friday’s Devotion: Standing My Ground

Friday’s Devotion:  Standing My Ground

Mark 5:32-34 (NIV)  But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it.  Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth.  He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

Yesterday morning as I walked in my neighborhood, a large dark-coated German shepherd ran across the street in front of me.  By his body language he appeared wary and submissive. He ran up some steps and sat on the front porch of a home watching me. I walked by trying to not appear as a threat but keeping an eye on him until I was past the house to make sure he was still on the porch.  As I went over a little hill and passed the next home I suddenly heard him running up behind me. For the first time in awhile I felt genuine fear.  I turned around and spoke firmly to him (I’m not sure what I said now) and then told him to go home.  He stopped and reluctantly started home but then as I backed away he came towards me again.  Once again I told him to go home then backed up until I was sure he was out of sight.  I don’t know if his intention was to attack me or join me on my walk.  If it were the former, running away could have been disastrous.  By standing firm, I prevailed.  The woman in the crowd who touched Jesus’ robe was afraid also but she didn’t run.  By staying she received a double blessing – physical healing and a compliment from the divine Son of God.  There are extreme circumstances when running is the best choice but more often we will do better if we take a stance and face our fears.

Dear Lord, give us the strength and courage to stand firm in the face of adversity. Thank you for keeping us safe in dangerous situations.  We pray for a hedge of protection around ourselves and those we love.  In Jesus name we pray.  Amen.

Thursday’s Devotion: In Memoriam

Romans 8:10  But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.

Joe and I suddenly lost a long-time friend yesterday.  He e-mailed Joe about 11:45.  When he didn’t come out of his home office for lunch, his wife checked on him and found that he had passed away. We are both incredibly sad and reminded that life can change with the blink of the eye. We are not guaranteed every day when we wake up that at the end of the day we will crawl back into bed anticipating the future. Let’s make sure that we use the time we have wisely; that we take time to tell others that we love them. That we make preparations to leave a living memorial – those whose lives are better because of our intentional efforts on their behalf.  That we are “right with God” because in the end that and only that will be the test of whether one day when we no longer have an earthly life, we will have new life in heaven.

Blessed God, Thank you for bringing Clint and other friends into our life. Help us to hold friends closer while we have them and to take comfort that those whom we love who have passed on have been offered eternal life.  We pray in the name of the one who died that we might have life. Amen.