Friday’s Devotion: Photography and Storytelling USED

Modified and used 10-11-21

Isaiah 28:5  In that day the LORD Almighty will be a glorious crown, a beautiful wreath for the remnant of his people.

This morning I saw a TV segment about a photographer who gets very close to the wildlife of Africa.  His pictures were beautiful. I thought that one of the reasons was because his subject matter was striking. I’m not discounting his skills but I know from my journey to the Holy Land that some of my pictures were amazing – not because I knew what I was doing with a camera but because the subject matter was itself amazing. After someone complimented me on my Easter sermon, I thought how could it not be exciting?  The subject matter is beautiful and exciting.  I am merely telling the story. Like a photographer, I try to put the subject in the best light, to find the best angles and to make something that reveals the qualities of the subject to those with whom I can share it.  We who love Jesus can all do that.  Isaiah 52:7 says,  “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

Heavenly God, We ask you to help us tell your beautiful amazing story to others. And we ask you to continue to help us become part of the story ourselves.  In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Monday’s Devotion: The Story Continues

Hebrews 1:3 “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”

Wow!  Holy Week is finally over.  I feel like I’ve run a week-long marathon. I love Holy Week, it’s such a special time for Christians but experiencing Holy Week as a pastor is a whole different ball game than experiencing it as a church member.  This year I was so blessed to be able to work my recent experiences in the Holy Land into my Good Friday and Easter Sunday sermons.  Those sermons were meaningful to me and I think to those who heard them because of that eye-witness account.  Last night on top of all the normal Holy Week activities, we launched our new Hispanic worship service.  Efrain Diaz,  our assistant pastor for Hispanic ministries preached on Thomas and on seeing and believing vs. believing without seeing.  It helped me to see the places Jesus had been.  I didn’t see Jesus like the disciples did either pre or post resurrection.  However I see Jesus in the lives of other people as I see them living out their role as the Body of Christ – the risen and glorified Christ.  Yesterday I approached the Easter story and the story of Christ’s life as the “Never-Ending Story.”  We are participants in that story. And because of Christ, our story will be never-ending, too.  Praise God.

Thank you Lord, for eternal life and for offering us a Kingdom life.  We ask that you be with us during this week and especially be with pastors and church staffs as they move forward from this meaningful and busy time.  We ask in the name of the one who sits at your right hand. Amen.