Thursday’s Devotion: Learning to Trust

Matthew 8:24 Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat began to be swamped by the waves. Yet Jesus kept sleeping.

Right now I’m watching my three dogs dozing here with me in the den.  Sometimes they run around like the crazy little terriers they are but other times they lie peacefully. Sometimes Dino will just sigh deeply or Daisy will twitch and yip in her sleep. I wonder if she ever catches that squirrel. Sometimes I feel bad for them and all house pets because they are totally reliant on us for their well being.  They can’t put food in their bowls or get water for themselves. Without us providing a way, they couldn’t leave the house.  My dogs sleep peacefully because they have trust in me. Jesus slept peacefully because he had trust in himself and his Father to control even the wind and waves.  Are we able to sleep peacefully because we have trust in Jesus?  The disciples were afraid in the storm but Jesus wanted them to trust in him.  I’ve found that Jesus doesn’t always calm the storms in our lives, but he does stand with us and give us the strength to hold on until we ride them out.  “Only trust him,” the hymn says.  It may take practice but we can do it.

God in heaven, thank you for being with us during the storms in our lives.  Help us to be more reliant upon you and more trusting in you. Give us strength for this day and hope for tomorrow.  We ask in the name of the one who calmed the storm. Amen.

Have a blessed day,

Paige

Wednesday’s Devotion: Chopped or Champion?

Joshua 1:8  Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

I was watching Chopped on the Food Network last night.  Three chefs start out, facing three rounds – appetizer, main course and dessert.  For each round they are presented with a basket of mandatory ingredients for that round.  They then use other ingredients in the pantry and their imagination to create dishes for the judges.  At the end of each round a contestant is eliminated. The ingredients always seem like impossible combinations.  The appetizer round was catfish, tomatillos, rutabagas and marshmallows.  How like real life that is!  Life throws us curves. For one chef it was the rutabagas, for another the marshmallows.  But in the end with the help of all they know from their experience as chefs, they could actually combine those diverse and seemingly incompatible elements into something very tasty.  The more experience we have with God and God’s Word, the easier it is for us to remain confident in the face of our challenges and to pull things together into something good.   

Gracious God, help us to love your Word and to know how to use it to help us as we seek ways to combine all the elements that come into life for satisfaction and success. We ask in the name of you Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Have a great day!
Paige

Tuesday’s Devotion: An Encouraging Word

Proverbs 22:6 (CEB) Train children in the way they should go; when they grow old, they won’t depart from it.

I was so proud of my friend and church member Maj. Wanda Spraggins as she delivered the keynote address yesterday at the City of Hapeville’s Memorial Day service.  I was surprised though when instead of talking at first about her military experiences she started telling stories of her childhood and the family she grew up in.  She prefaced those remarks with the explanation that she had just attended the funeral of the last remaining relative of her father from his generation.  She talked about the example of her parents and aunts and uncles as they raised all the young ones.  It was the greatest generation after all as Tom Brokaw described them.  Wanda is a shining example of good rearing.  I guess if we need anything these days, we need more parents willing to be that same type of example to today’s generation of children and youth.  So many are latch key kids given little or no direction.  Many of us may not be parents, or maybe our children are grown, but it never hurts to give any child we encounter an encouraging word.  Children were important to Jesus, and they are important to us today.

Father God, help us to find ways to help others lovingly train up children in the way they should go.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Blessings,
Paige

Monday’s Devotion: On this Memorial Day

Isaiah 11:6-9 The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

Today is Memorial Day, a day when we honor our fallen soldiers.  It’s a solemn time, marked by speeches, prayers, patriotic songs, flags, pledges and wreaths to place.
I would never want to underestimate or downplay the efforts made by our American men and women in service to our country.  I’m proud to be able to participate in the City of Hapeville’s Memorial Day service.  It’s not just a duty as pastor of First Methodist but also my patriotic duty to support those who did serve and those who presently serve; to help their families remember and to know what they did and continue to do is recognized and appreciated.  Still I long for the time of peace described in Isaiah. The last sentence is key to achieving that peace.  The earth needs to be filled with the knowledge of the Lord.  We can all do something to help bring this into being either in small or large ways.  What can you do today?

God of hope, We ask your blessings upon all proceedings today that honor those in our military service.  Guide, bless and protect them and their families.  Show us at the same time a way to work towards peace among all peoples.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Have a great day!
Paige

Friday’s Devotion: Two Determined Trees

 Job 14:7-9 At least there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail.  Its roots may grow old in the ground and its stump die in the soil, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth shoots like a plant.

Around the corner there is a house with a huge oak tree in the yard.  It’s taller than the house and on first glance is dead – a huge gray monument to what was with all its limbs truncated leaving only long thick stubs. But on closer inspection I saw that one lone branch at the top had green branches growing from it and thrusting skyward.  I marveled at the resilience of this tree. Down the way I noticed in the middle of the sidewalk a tree trunk growing up alongside a street sign so close it was molded into the grooves of the sign. Although it had been pruned, again branches – redbud I think were growing up out of that stump and spreading across the sidewalk.  These trees showed a tremendous will to live under great adversity. Surely it is something implanted in them by our Creator.  We too have been given life and the drive to preserve and protect our life. Sometimes we get discouraged or depressed – because what we can think can undermine that impetus to live.  We should take note of the plant world – consider the lilies of the field.

Dear Lord, thank you for the examples of life around us. Grant us the strength to survive in the face of all of life’s challenges.  Bless and keep us each day.  We ask in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed Memorial Day weekend!

Blessings,

Paige

Thursday’s Devotion: Cut it Out!

Matthew 18:8-10 (CEB)  If your hand or your foot causes you to fall into sin, chop it off and throw it away. It’s better to enter into life crippled or lame than to be thrown into the eternal fire with two hands or two feet.  If your eye causes you to fall into sin, tear it out and throw it away. It’s better to enter into life with one eye than to be cast into a burning hell with two eyes.

“Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect. Exaggerations of this type are not totalitarian pronouncements and should not be interpreted that way.”

Often when we can’t relate to a scripture because it’s so far outside of our natural life experiences we simply gloss over it.  This is one of those scriptures.   We need to recognize the fact that Jesus used a number of literary techniques to teach his message.  He was a good preacher and used figures of speech just like we use today.  If Jesus wasn’t talking about literally cutting off limbs, what was he getting out?  He was talking about ways in which we sin – things in our life that can cause our demise. Remove them, Jesus says.  Whatever is causing you temptation, whatever is leading you astray, cut it out of your life.  It would be better to live without that now than to endure eternal consequences.  Of course sin and degradation wreck this life, too.  Are you ok?  Are all your limbs healthy and functioning to keep you in step with godly living? Or, is there something you need to do away with? 

Save us Lord, from the things that can destroy our lives, now and in the next life. Show us the higher road and give us strength to avoid whatever might tempt us.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Have a great day!
Paige

Wednesday's Devotion: The Fragrance of Prayer

Ephesians 5:1-2  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.

As I walked down my street yesterday evening the air was redolent with the sweet, sweet fragrances of honeysuckle, magnolia, gardenia and mimosa. I just wanted to stand and breathe deeply.  Thank goodness I don’t have terrible allergies.  The Old Testament speaks a lot of the fragrant incenses used in worship. Maybe the smoke of the burning incense was meant to carry our worship to God.  In this new age of the Kingdom we don’t need burning incense, although some churches still go for smells and bells. I believe our prayers go up as fragrant offerings. Maybe sometimes we feel they just get lost in space but we have a hint of what happens to them in Revelation 5:8.
“And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.”  This shows the wonderful regard which God holds for our prayers. Will this encourage you to pray more?

Loving God, thank you for encouraging and hearing our prayers.  May we never lift them in vain but humbly and with the confidence that you will listen and answer according to your divine will. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have a great Wednesday!
Paige

Tuesday’s Devotion: A Sign of Goodness

Psalm 86:17  Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

So many verses in Psalms are about enemies. I don’t think most of us have the same type of enemies but maybe somehow we can still appropriate these scriptures for ourselves.  There are people who do oppose things that we stand strongly for--people who are not believers and would do things to hurt the efforts of Christians.  I do understand the concept of separation of church and state, but some use that premise to restrict our freedom to express our faith.  Then there are those who would condemn me and other Christians for our belief that God loves all people and can use them to advance the kingdom regardless of gender or sexual identity.

Our best defense in face of those with whom we would disagree is to show God’s goodness in our life. It’s difficult to condemn people when God’s goodness and blessings in their lives are evident; when they, by the power of the Holy Spirit lead exemplary lives.  When I don’t seem to be making headway with people who would deny faith or deny God’s love of all creation, I know I can confidently look to God for help and comfort.  Others’ opposition of my beliefs won’t change me.  As Paul said, “But by the grace of God I am what I am.” (1 Cor. 15:10).

Keep us strong, O Lord, in the face of our enemies. Protect us especially from the prince of this world who would trip us up even when other human’s don’t come against us.  Strengthen us with your power and love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Monday’s Devotion: In Due Season

Galatians 6:9  And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Saturday we went to Fry’s at Gwinnett Place Mall to look for a new TV. Our son had recommended that store.  First, though we went into the mall itself as I needed to purchase something in Macy’s.  It was a bittersweet walk through the mall for me.  Many of the stores were closed, there were only four restaurants left in the food court.  I went to work for developer Scott Hudgens just before he began assembling the land on which he built this mall. He was a visionary of his time.  His efforts changed that farmland and trailer park into a huge commercial area.  The mall was right for the time and the demographics.  I remember going to the grand opening and being so proud of our accomplishments.  But things change in life, careers, relationships, homes, financial security; things that we thought were forever things become not so. Yet we persevere with God’s help through the change.  I remarked to Joe that I was very happy that even in the face of adversity, Simon has kept the mall and grounds very attractive and well maintained. They did not let go and give up. The future of the mall is uncertain just like the future of our lives sometime, but we can keep on doing good, for in due season, we will reap if we do not give up. 

Gracious God, sometimes we feel like giving up; change is hard and makes us uncertain.  We choose stability, even when change would be better.  We hold onto the past but we ask that you help us step into the future with all the changes it’s guaranteed to bring.  As the disciples had to regroup after Jesus ascended into heaven and move forward with the help of the Holy Spirit, please send the Spirit to help us keep moving forward.  We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Have a great week!
Paige

Friday's Devotion: A Spoon, Peter Pan, and Me

John 17:3 (CEB)  This is eternal life: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you sent.

Tonight I found myself with a jar of Peter Pan Peanut Butter in one hand and a spoon in the other.  This is not a regular occurrence believe me, but sometimes I can’t resist.  I had tried to be good and buy a lower fat version.  As I held the jar I noticed the phrase “60% peanuts” on the side in smallish print.  Sixty percent peanuts?  What kind of peanut butter is that?  Then I saw other words I hadn’t noticed before.  They said “peanut spread.”  I didn’t even have real peanut butter!  I quickly put it back in the pantry and vowed to go get some more of the Private Selection organic peanut butter that I like. If you look at the big stuff – pictures and phrases on the jar of peanut spread they look just like that on the jar of real Peter Pan peanut butter, but when you read the fine print the difference becomes apparent.

I don’t want fake products, except maybe a little fake fur.  And I don’t want a fake faith, but recently I’ve seen evidence of that in others. Maybe it’s not a fake faith but a faith that is misinformed.  To really know the only true God and Jesus Christ is to know love, not hate and bigotry. I had just read an article online by UM Bishop Will Willimon who was expressing unhappiness because he, too had seen too much evidence of this.  That’s probably why I ended up with the peanut butter.  If you can’t control the world eat comfort food! In the meantime, please join me in prayer that people will not use their misinformed faith to hurt others and pray for the groups who have been the objects of their derision.  We are all God’s creation and equally loved by God.

Heavenly Father, help us to abide in your love and to never lose sight of your great love for all of your creation.  We pray for peace in this world in the name of your Son, the Prince of Peace.  Amen.

Thursday’s Devotion: A New Courage

Joshua 1:9  “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Someone proposed something at a meeting yesterday and everyone was about to go along with the motion when I said, “Wait, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”  It really wasn’t the best scenario for one person to be both president and vice-president of a board. Who would preside if that person couldn’t be there? We subsequently elected a separate person for the second position.  The amazing thing is that I spoke up and objected even though this was only my second meeting and many had been on that board for years. I used to be very shy about expressing a difference of opinion in settings like that. I was afraid of being criticized or of finding out that my suggestion had little merit because I didn’t know what I was talking about.  I didn’t want to displease others.  I want to testify that the minute I accepted God’s call to ministry I was infused with a new boldness – one like I’d never had before.  God has helped me grow into my own person.  I’m more confident and some of that is caring less about what others think and more about what God thinks.  It’s important for a pastor to be able to speak and preach prophetically and that sometimes means stepping on people’s toes or making statements with which some might disagree.  I think God probably wants that of all of us as we testify to the Good News and live out the example of righteousness as exemplified by Christ.  Be strong and courageous. Remember, courage is fear that has said its prayers.

Dear God, we ask that you give us the boldness to speak out for ourselves and for the good of others. Guide us in life so that we may in turn lead others to a better way.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Tuesday’s Devotion: When All Things Aren’t Working Together

Romans 8:28 (ESV) "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose"

I’m thinking “bummer” today. The physical therapist says no more running until we get through our course of therapy for the tendonitis on the outside edge of my foot.  It appears that even walking irritates it as it turned red and started hurting after only 3 ½ miles today.  The muscles in my legs and ankles aren’t working together properly. Some are weaker than others so we’re working on the weak ones. I’m impatient and want all to be well now. Here’s the thing about this scripture.  Sometimes it appears that like my muscles all things are not working together for our good, even when we do feel we’ve answered God’s call to be in a true relationship with him. Something in our life seems to be falling apart and out of control and we ask where God is.  In times like this we need to look back to other similar instances and see that in fact, in the end all things did work out. It will once again, but on God’s time.

Lord of Heaven, we know that you want the best for us and will work on our behalf through the Holy Spirit.  Help us to be patient, prayerful and persevering.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

05-14-12 Monday’s Devotion – Love of Mother or Money?

Exodus 20:12  “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.”

Yesterday was Mother’s Day.  I try to make sure in our church services to be sensitive to the fact that not all women have had children of their own. Yet as I said, unless we crawled out from under a rock we have all had mothers. Joe and I have both lost our mothers but we thought of them yesterday.  Our son Robert came to church. Later we all went to lunch and a movie. I had a really good day. I’m glad we have Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. It’s so easy to take one another for granted.  These days help children remember to honor their father and mother and husbands and wives to show love for their spouse. Yesterday morning’s sermon in our series on happiness focused on the fact that the source of true happiness comes from two things; our relationship with God and our relationship with other human beings. Wealth, power, and all the other trappings of materialism may help our happiness quotient, but they are not the source of the deep joy that stands firm even in the face of dire circumstances.  Some people purchase lottery tickets with the hope they’ll hit the jackpot and find happiness.  They take a chance on pure chance.  If they want happiness let them work on their relationships and their love of God. That will be much more likely to bring to them the happiness they seek.

Dear God, we ask your inspiration as we work on those often stressed familial relationships and as we step out in faith and try to make new and better friends.  Help us to love as you love and bring us the joy that springs from within.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Have a blessed week,
Paige

Friday's Devotion: A Matter of the Heart

1 Samuel 16:7  But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Michael Lupica writes many kinds of things but perhaps his best works are books for young people.  In The Game Changers he features a boy’s football coach who was a former NFL quarterback, his son for whom his father has the same dream and another boy who is smaller and appears a less likely athlete to be the team’s quarterback. Yet this boy is actually the better player. The coach must struggle with making the right choice.  Lupica modeled his character on Hall of Fame member and Heisman trophy winner Doug Flutie. Flutie, he said also seemed like an unlikely athlete when he first came on the field at Boston College. But then in an interview Lupica said something like this, “Success depends on the size of your talent and the size of your heart.” Doesn’t that apply to all of life?  God doesn’t measure us by our appearance or things we accomplish on our own. God measures our heart.  Talent is important yet if our heart is God’s measure of us, then it stands to reason this thing is the one thing that can most bring life in abundance.  I’m going to try to be more intentional about growing a Godly heart.  Will you join me?

Heavenly God, you have instructed us to love you with all of our minds, heart, and soul.  Help us to grow a heart that can love you and other better.  We ask in the name the one who came because of your great love for us. Amen.

Have a blessed weekend!
Paige

Thursday’s Devotion – What the Greener Grass Told Me

Matthew 7:13-14  “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Many of the yards in my neighbor have a combination of decent grass, crabgrass, weeds and bare spots embellished with the occasional ant hill.  As I walked by one just like that yesterday morning, I noticed something amusing.  Beautiful, weed-free fine grass was growing in the cracks of the sidewalk in front of the yard.  I guess there was not enough room for crabgrass to take hold in that straight and narrow crack. I saw that as a metaphor for life.  If we live the straight and narrow life, there is less room for sin to take hold.  Just a thought.

Lord, may we walk the narrow path you have laid for us. We ask that you stay beside us as our guide and protector.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have a blessed day!

Paige

Wednesday’s Devotion: Talking Trash

Deuteronomy 33:12  About Benjamin he said: “Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.”

On the way home from a walk around the ball fields tonight I passed by a group of teens.  The boys were talking trash, some of it aimed at a pretty girl who, without saying a word just went her own way.  The guys continued that teasing, “I’m cool” friendly patter among themselves. While enjoying the teens’ conversations I also began to think that as adults we talk trash sometimes too, just in slightly more sophisticated ways. And like the younger ones much of our trash talk comes because we are insecure.  Sometimes we experience financial insecurity; sometimes it’s insecurity in a relationship. And sometimes we are even insecure in our faith. There’s no simple remedy for these but here are some thoughts.  Listen to financial advisors like Dave Ramsey but more importantly seek first the Kingdom of God and let God help set your financial priorities. Respect each person with whom you are in a relationship and treat that person with true respect. Respect, not love is the best basis for peaceful relationships. Faith doesn’t always come easily but we can determine to accept God’s Word as the story of the divine Creator and to live by that Word. In the meantime remember the tongue is a mighty sword. Be careful how you wield it.

Loving God, our true security is found in you.  Please undergird us with your confidence and strength. Lead us in the way that will lead to a better life for us.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Tuesday’s Devotion: When Everything Goes Wrong at Once

Philippians 4:13  I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

I came home from a meeting last night, walked through the den to find Joe and ran right into the rocker of Joe’s mother’s rocking chair.  It may have sentimental value because she rocked all six of her children in it but it is not on my list of favorite things right now.  Time will tell if my foot is broken but it hurt mighty bad at the time.  I yelled for Joe to come help me (really wanting to find someone to blame for my misfortune) but he wasn’t a good candidate.  He appeared holding bloody tissues to his nose.  He had been trying unsuccessfully to stop a nosebleed and had even sent an incoherent text to me to come home which I didn’t see because I was on the way when he sent it. He was bloody, I was yelling and the dogs were staying out of the way.  But Christ does give us strength. I got online for hints on stopping nosebleeds and it finally did stop.  I cleaned Joe up and then took the icepack we had put on his nose to use on my foot.  Having that solid relationship with God really does help me put things in perspective although sometimes it takes a few moments (or days) to get to that place.  No pity parties for last night, though, just the assurance that everything will be ok in God’s time.

Thank you God for giving us the strength and power to cope with situations that challenge us.  Help us to always go to you first when we meet encounter them and to remember that you are on our side.  Guide, bless and protect us throughout this day.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Monday’s Devotion: Brave Defenders

Psalm 82:3 (GW)  Defend weak people and orphans. Protect the rights of the oppressed and the poor.

Saturday when Joe and I were out and about we saw several hawks circling overhead.  One of the hawks was being attacked by a pair of small but determined birds.  I told Joe that they were probably protecting their nest.  The hawk was a great deal bigger than the birds but they were not scared away.  They dove at the hawk, pecking at its wings. In the animal world at least the instinct to protect the young is very strong.  It’s something humankind seems to have lost. Babies are abandoned; children are abused by their own relatives, or kidnapped by strangers. The teenage sex trade in Atlanta is flourishing. Those of us who love children grieve over the harm that comes to them; harm they don’t deserve. We may not be able to perfectly protect and defend every child but each of us can do something, even if it is just to pray.  Let’s begin the week praising God for children who are blessed with safe, loving homes and praying for places like the United Methodist Children’s Home and Murphy Harpst who care for damaged ones. 

Father God, we know you love the little ones and instruct us to care for the vulnerable of all ages.  Thank you for helping parents raise their children in homes filled with love and thank you for the institutions who take care of the orphans and those who have been removed from abusive situations.  Help us to notice the children around us and to offer smiles and encouragement.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Friday’s Devotion: Leaves of Three Reaching for Me

Matthew 26:41(NLT) “Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”

I love the fact that there are many neighborhood sidewalks in Hapeville.  It helps make my daily walks safer.  Occasionally I come to places where someone’s tree or bush juts out over the sidewalk.  I either have to brush it aside or step out around it.  The other day I started to brush past an overgrown tree only to notice that there were two kinds of leaves, one set for the tree and the other large poison ivy leaves.  I was happy I didn’t walk right into them.  Those leaves are like many other temptations in my life.  If I fall prey to them I can be harmed.  Sometimes I’m aware of them and can prepare to avoid them and sometimes they sneak up on me.  Saturday I’ll go to an annual Derby party at my friend’s house.  It’s always great fun, but since I’m trying to watch my diet I know the food temptations will be great this year as always.  Everyone brings appetizers for the pre-race gathering.  After the race a full dinner is served featuring traditional Kentucky burgoo and Derby pie.  Lord help me!  I know if I succumb to over indulging in this case I can make up for it with extra exercising and counting calories next week.  Some failures of will however result in consequences that are more difficult to overcome.  What tempts you?  What is your plan to strengthen your resistance? Where can I find a big pink hat to match my floral derby dress?

Our Father, we ask that you lead us not into temptation but that you protect us from our human frailties. Make us aware of the things that tempt us and give us the strength to resist.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Thursday’s Devotion: You Ate Too Many Hotdogs!

Eph 4:31-32  Let there be no more bitter resentment or anger, no more shouting or slander, and let there be no bad feeling of any kind among you. Be kind to each other, be compassionate. Be as ready to forgive others as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you.

Yesterday morning Kathie Lee Gifford related a story about her daughter Cassidy when Cassidy was about three years old.  The Giffords were giving a party and had hired a pianist.  The pianist was a rather large man.  Sometime during the evening Cassidy approached him and said, “You ate too many hotdogs.”  Someone nearby alerted her mother who, trying to teach Cassidy a lesson on kindness told her to tell the pianist she was sorry.  Cassidy obediently said to the man, “I’m sorry you ate too many hotdogs.”
The concept of asking for forgiveness and forgiving others is a difficult one for adults much less children to sometimes grasp.  It’s so easy to hold resentments or to choose to “forget” the offense.  But forgetting isn’t the same as forgiving.  Scripture tells us not just to forgive but to retaliate with kindness.  That’s so foreign to our human instincts.
1 Pet 3:9 says, “Do not repay wrong with wrong, or abuse with abuse; on the contrary, retaliate with blessing, for a blessing is the inheritance to which you yourselves have been called.”  The second part of this verse reminds us that God has blessed us with undeserved forgiveness – we call that grace.  To hold resentments or bitterness and un-forgiveness against another is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.  It hurts us more than it hurts them and it hurts our relationship with God.

God of Grace, thank you for forgiving our sins, our blunders and our frailties. Please remove bitterness from our hearts and help us to forgive those who have harmed us; remove pride and help us to ask for forgiveness where we have harmed others. We ask in the name of the one who died so our sins might be forgiven and forgotten. Amen.

Wednesday’s Devotion: What Matters Most

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (CEV)  Memorize his laws  and tell them to your children over and over again. Talk about them all the time, whether you’re at home or walking along the road or going to bed at night, or getting up in the morning.  Write down copies and tie them to your wrists and foreheads to help you obey them.  Write these laws on the door frames of your homes and on your town gates.

For me this has always been a very visual scripture. During our trip to the Holy Land we saw how these instructions are being lived out today.  On the trip over I awoke early in the morning on the plane to see the many Hasidic Jewish men on the plane standing in the aisles praying with phylacteries (small square boxes) on their foreheads, straps on their arms and prayer shawls around their shoulders. It’s kind of freaky to see this sight in person at 4:30 AM. We encountered the same thing on the return trip. While it looked strange to me, I still admired their dedication to the tenets of their faith.  While we may not be as strict in observing spiritual disciplines like prayer, fasting, Bible study and worship it is certainly a good thing to develop regular habits in our faith walk.  If we can establish routines for these disciplines they will soon become habits and these habits will become second nature. When prayer becomes as natural as breathing out and breathing in, lives are changed.  I hope that you will each continue to give God some of your time each day. Since you are reading this devotion, you have made a good start.

Gracious God, life gets so busy and we are so weary that we often put off spending time in your Word and in prayer.  Forgive us our neglect and guide us to a way to find more time for these things that matter the most in your kingdom.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Tuesday's Devotion: Things Remembered

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (CEV) You are better off to have a friend than to be all alone, because then you will get more enjoyment out of what you earn.  If you fall, your friend can help you up. But if you fall without having a friend nearby, you are really in trouble.

Yesterday all three of the dogs needed a visit to the vet; two for immunizations and one for allergies.  Thank goodness Joe came home to help me.  The last time I took all three by myself they got me tangled up in the leashes and threw me to the floor in the reception area. Yesterday the receptionist / assistant asked me how our Seniors Easter Egg Hunt went.  It made me feel good that she remembered me telling her during that last visit that we were having one. I thought on the way home that I need to be more intentional in remembering things about others especially those casual friends.  Sometimes a little act of kindness, of paying attention can mean more to someone than we might imagine.

God of Heaven, thank you so much for friends. Please bring us friends and help us to become friends to others.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.