Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

-I Thessalonians 5:18

"Oh no!" I moaned, clearly broken-hearted for this kid we were discussing. "Oh no, no, my friend," Pastor Rafael assured me, "It was good. I tell you."

We took this amazing trip up to Beech Mountain last weekend to ski and snowboard. Half the group was from JCPC and half from Casa Brasil, our nested Portuguese congregation we host weekly in the Youth Garage. Rafael, their pastor, and I were checking in about our first day on the slopes. Some of JCPC youth were taking lessons that day and most of his kids. There are limited instructors available and while one group got in before lunch, one was delayed till 2:30. In my mind, that was sad and the kid was missing half a day. I immediately empathized. But I empathized from a place of privilege, a place of expectation.

Pastor Rafael challenged me. He told the youth, no! We are so blessed to be here. Blessed to be on a mountain, to have snow, to have snow gear rented and borrowed, on a trip others helped to pay for so we would have this experience and fun. We were blessed even to be here. We should feel fortunate and happy. "Gratitude," he said to me. He reframed it so beautifully and naturally. He was right. When I'm at my worst, I stand in lift lines and bemoan that they move slow and the runs are much shorter compared to out West. I complain about people struggling to navigate the chairlifts or how many hours I spend tying and buckling boots for kids, keeping up with winter layers. However, at my best, I'm grateful for the time outdoors and away from screens and noise. I'm grateful to watch my kids try new things and stick with it and find joy in one another and in making new friends with newcomers and our Brazilian group.

As we celebrated communion together on Sunday morning, I was full of gratitude, re-oriented from my expectations of entitlement. Rafael's wife, also an ordained pastor from Venezuela delivered the prayer in Spanish. How blessed am I to have studied and been taught enough to understand her? Rafael broke the bread and blessed it in Portuguese. How blessed am I to still have more to learn and to live in a place where I do know the language so well? And then I poured the cup and blessed it in English. How blessed am I to have a job and a calling to serve young people of all backgrounds who come through my doors?

If you're searching for Lenten practices, things to incorporate in your life or give up, consider giving up entitlement and embracing thankfulness, a reframing of every disappointment into an exercise in gratitude. I'll be joining you. Thank you. Gracias. Obrigado.

Prayer for Today

Lord, help me be a person who takes moments of disappointment to count my blessings. Amen.

So, what do you do when you can't sleep at night? From time to time, I find myself awake in the middle of the night. When I cannot get back to sleep, I have a few things I try. Sometimes I will recite some verses from scripture I've memorized such as Psalm 23 or Psalm 121. Other times I will pray The Lord's Prayer. Those familiar words seem to have a calming effect on me. But sometimes I am still awake.

A few nights ago, I was still awake after trying these. I remembered reading in my daily devotions about the importance of gratitude. So, I decided to go all the way back to the beginning of my life and start remembering the things for which I was thankful. As I remembered each one, I prayed a prayer of Thanksgiving to God. Going through my whole life took a while -- maybe an hour or more. I may have even drifted off to sleep as I was praying. However, when I had finished, I experienced a sense of peace.

Last night, I found myself again awake. I went to my normal routine of scripture and prayers, but I was still awake -- so I went Plan B. I got up and went into another room, sat by the fireplace, and began reading the Bible. I had picked up Eugene Peterson's translation of the Bible -- The Message. I decided to start reading Paul's letter to the church at Rome. Paul's letter to the church at Rome is his longest -- sixteen chapters. I don't know how long it took, but I ended up reading all of Paul's letter to the Romans. I can't remember if I've actually done that before. By the time I finished, I was not only ready to climb back into bed and doze off, I felt like I had been given an unexpected gift. It seemed like the words of scripture were inside of me -- like seeds planted to grow and mature in time. Sometimes it pays not to be able to sleep!

Prayer for Today

Thank you, God, for the wonderful words of life found in the Bible. May your Word be planted in our souls and grow to maturity, so that they guide us to live fully the lives you give each one of us. In the strong name of Jesus the Christ, we pray. Amen.

The new year has moved quickly for us. At the start of the new year, I know I often have ambitions for things I'd like to accomplish, new practices I'd like to take on, or things I'd like to do differently. As I begin to transition from February to March, I am reflecting on what has happened in 2020 so far and looking ahead to what's ahead and some questions I'm asking myself:

Do you feel that each day is overscheduled? Have you ever had to collect your scattered self so that you could make an important decision? Do you ever lay awake at night thinking about all you have to do? Do you ever ask why your life is so full?

I also asked myself these questions this past summer as I spent some time at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico on a pilgrimage and retreat. Simplicity may sound like an oasis in the desert during this time of year. I would like to invite you to join me this summer as we pilgrimage to Ghost Ranch Presbyterian Retreat Center in the high desert of New Mexico.

We have several options for spiritual renewal and retreat the week of June 14-19 available to us. Jamie Traylor and I are going to share more with you this Sunday during the announcements and will be available afterwards to answer any questions. There are experiences for all ages and stages in life.

Living simply is not about deciding to get your life under control but about giving control of your life to God.

I think that in times like these, God calls us to assess our situation and take some time to retreat for a few hours, a day or a weekend to reflect and prepare for all that the busy seasons of the year require. I would invite you to reflect on when Jesus talks about wealth and worries in Matthew 6, his message is simple: seek God, trust God, and receive God.

In the midst of all of the busyness, how can we focus our lives on seeking God, trusting God and receiving God?
How might these responses effect the way we enter into this day or then next busy season of our lives?

Here is just a glimpse of what an oasis in the desert can look like at Ghost  Ranch:

Prayer for Today

Gracious God, may we who have plenty live simply. Guide us so that we will seek you, trust you and receive you each day.  
In Christ's Name, Amen.

During a time of prayerful reflection I awakened to a sense of self-realization. Namely, I rush through life. I know I'm slow to this realization even though many people, including some of you, have told me that I'm always busy and rushing from one meeting to the next. Now, I am not seeing this as a flaw per se because I know that I was built to be a striver. Naturally, when I read Jesus' parable about the talents I see myself as a servant who invests his talents in order to produce more, increase the yield and at times Carpe Diem.

Then again, I shy away from the parable of the man who builds barns to store all that he had produced; saving for a rainy day. What did it benefit him the day that his life was required of him? Funny teacher that Jesus; he gives us parables that travel on both sides of the street of life. Perhaps you can't travel the path of life without traveling both the striving and the pausing.

In two weeks you are invited to travel the path of prayer here at JCPC during our 10th annual prayer vigil. For those who have prayed during past vigils I have heard it was a time to slow down, reflect, pray for the needs of others as well as one self. All good things! This year I want to encourage you to bring a special focus that is often under-prayed; namely your blessings.

During my prayerful reflection time in which I realize how I rush through my day another epiphany happened. I awakened to the blessings that have supported me, uplifted me, and called me to strive on while I took a break to welcome these gifts. Wow! These blessings are God gifts, God winks, and God nudges I too often take for granted as I press on through the day, the week, and the years. Yet each day is glued together with these inspirational blessings. So join me at the prayer vigil and we will count our blessings as we walk the two sides of the road of life together.

Prayer for Today

Awaken in us the many blessings we experience in our day, O Lord, and inspire us with these gifts so that we can take on the challenges of our day with faith, hope and love. Amen.

Physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted, I curled up in my recliner. Our family had followed God's leading and had moved from California to Wisconsin. After we arrived, our car broke down and left us without a vehicle for two months.

Meanwhile, my husband's limited mobility after an unexpected back surgery and my chronic pain complicated our unpacking. We uncovered costly problems with our new-to-us, old home. Our senior dog suffered with health issues. And though our new pup brought great joy, raising a furry ball of energy was far more work than anticipated. My attitude soured. How was I supposed to have unshakable faith while traveling on a bumpy road of hardships?

As I prayed, God reminded me of the psalmist whose praise didn't depend on circumstances. David poured out his emotions, often with great vulnerability, and sought refuge in the presence of God (Psalm 16:1). Acknowledging God as provider and protector (vv. 5-6), he praised Him and followed His counsel (v. 7). David affirmed that he would "not be shaken" because he kept his eyes "always on the Lord" (v. 8). So, he rejoiced and rested secure in the joy of God's presence (vv. 9-11).

We too can delight in knowing our peace doesn't depend on our present situation. As we thank our unchanging God for who He is and always will be, His presence will fuel our steadfast faith.

Prayer for Today

Thanks for being You, Father!  Amen.

Train up a child in the way to go: and when the child is old, the child will not depart from it.

-Proverbs 22:6

Sunday night, as youth group was wrapping up, i went over to say thank you to some of our moms standing by the kitchen. They are moms that come for retreats and lock-ins and Sunday night programs and recent mission trips. They are irreplaceable and each have seniors graduating this year. I wanted them to know how amazing they are and say thank you for the baby shower that night. They each shook their heads and smiled and said, "Nope. We can't take credit. The kids did this."

They were wrong of course. Sort of. Their parents did this. Their church did this. If you've ever made a pledge to JCPC or donated to the youth ministry in time or treasure, look in the mirror. You did this. These young people have become people not just willing to do the work we set before them, but mature young people who see needs and have hearts to do what is both needed and kind supportive, to go above and beyond. They mostly kept the entire event a secret. They made decorations and games and got the word out to other youth to bring gifts and cards. There was food and a task for each person.

If you're wondering what it means to teach our young people to be disciples, it's more than a passing familiarity with scripture and doctrine. It's more than knowing what the Books of Order and Confession are or words like narthex and chancel. It's much more than serving on committees. It's more than just going to the shelter or on mission trips. It's when they take those lessons into their hearts and begin to look out for opportunities to show the love of Christ, grab the hand of a friend, and say, "let's get to work," while we watch from somewhere near the kitchen and smile, ready to pitch in with the work they have been called to do. Because what is Church but the recognition that God calls us to train our children and then to follow their example? Let's train them up and let's follow their lead. Join me.

Prayer for Today

Lord, help me to do my part to train up our young people in your ways. And when the time comes, make me humble and inspired to follow them where you call. Amen.

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. . ."

-John 14:6a, NIV

"Truth" seems to be a very popular and sometimes controversial topic these days. One of the most helpful books I have read on this topic was written by Lewis Smedes. It was called A Pretty Good Person.

Smedes, who was an ethics professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, talks about what it means to tell the truth. His professional career focused on deciding what was right and wrong from a Christian perspective. Interestingly, one of the sources of wisdom he turned to in helping explain what it meant to tell the truth was Aristotle. Smedes conveyed Aristotle's definition of telling the truth in this way: it is telling the right truth to the right person at the right time in the right way for the right reason. Each part of that definition speaks to some aspect of telling the truth well.

For example, in telling the right truth, we may realize that we know something that is true, but it may not be our information to share. This is where confidentiality guidelines may apply. Also, we may know a truth, but it may not be our truth to share with a particular person who "can't handle the truth". Someone may have entrusted a truth to us to give to one person, but it would be wrong for us to share it with another. When it comes to telling the truth at the right time, this takes into account what is going on in the life of the hearer. What we may need to share is true, but the timing may not be right. When it comes to sharing truth in the right way, there are times we can share truth so that it builds up, or so that it tears down. And finally, for the right reason means that we share truth that would reflect our love of God and neighbor, as well as for ourselves.

Now some of us may find that too complex or difficult, but more often than not, I have found these guidelines helpful when it comes to knowing the best way -- the right way -- to tell the truth.

Prayer for Today

Gracious God, you sent us your son, Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life. In scripture we are also told that we shall know the truth, and the truth will set us free. Help us, Lord to know the truth, to be set free by your truth, and to speak the truth in life -- as you would have us do so. We pray this in the strong name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.

Consider the word wonder in this passage from Deuteronomy:

We cried out to God, the God-of-Our-Fathers:

He listened to our voice, he saw

our destitution, our trouble, our cruel plight.

And God took us out of Egypt

with his strong hand and long arm, terrible and great,

with signs and miracle-wonders.

And he brought us to this place,

gave us this land flowing with milk and honey.

So here I am. I've brought the first fruits

of what I've grown on this ground you gave me, O God. 

-Deuteronomy 26:8-10

It seems that we live in a culture that is not easily impressed. We are inundated with so much information and sensory experiences that we may be numb to experiences of awe and wonder. Do we minimize feeling awe and wonder out of pressure to know it all? Or a fear of feeling small? Am I too busy?

Spending time with my 5-year-old brings me a reminder of what awe and wonder look like. On Saturday morning when Will woke up, he asked me if anything had happened outside yet. When I said no, it looked like the forecasted snow might come after 9 or 10 a.m. So a little while later around 9:30 am, I asked him if he'd like to check out the window for an update. We were both in awe of what we saw and for hours after that. The snow was falling during breakfast. Will could not wait to get outside to touch it and play in it and he was outside most of the day. He only took a mid-day break to dry his clothes and eat lunch.  

We each have our own images and associations with the word wonder, informed by our life experiences and our hopes. Today, as you read these verses from Deuteronomy and the fulfilled promise that God would lead Israel from being a wandering people to being a people with a home and a plentiful land on which to live, we might image what awe and wonder was like for them.

As we consider the word wonder and its meaning for us let's also remember those who are still waiting. Waiting to experience signs and wonders and land that is theirs.

Prayer for Today

Gracious God, you know the tests and trials we face. Walk with us through this wilderness. Come to us with ministers of healing and visit us with messengers of hope, so that we may return to you in faith, believing the good news of the gospel. In Christ's Name, Amen.

My private prayers are nothing like my written or spoken public prayers. Much of the time my personal prayers are jumbled, silent, difficult to start or gushing out without much of a filter. They can resemble word salad. This picture is worth a thousand words regarding my private prayers and perhaps yours as well.

For those of you who may have worries or concerns related to participating in our upcoming prayer vigil, take heart. We will provide you with resources to help turn your private prayer word salad into a deeply meaningful and connective time with God through prayer. Here are some examples:

1. We will have a prayer list that compiles all the prayer people submit on prayer cards through February. We take the guesswork out of wondering of what/whom to lift up in your prayers.
2. We will have a prayer booklet that will provide helpful guidance using scripture.
3.  The prayer labyrinth will be set up in the great hall if you like to pray while you are walking.
4. The sanctuary will be open to you if you prefer to remain seated during your prayer time.
5. One of our eagle scouts has created a natural walking path if you prefer to pray outside in nature while walking.
6. We have several benches outside for you to use if you would like to be seated outside while praying.

Our 10^th annual prayer vigil is held at the beginning of Lent, the weekend following Ash Wednesday so that we can pray our way through Lent. I hope you will join us: 

Friday, February 28 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. or 

Saturday, February 29 from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 pm.

Prayer for Today

Through your Spirit, help us as we pray, Loving God, for we don't know how to pray the deepest of prayers but it is your Spirit who prays with us and through us. Amen.

I dropped my forehead to my hand with a sigh, "I don't know how I'm going to get it all done." My friend's voice crackled through the phone: "You have to give yourself some credit. You're doing a lot." He then listed the things I was trying to do-maintain a healthy lifestyle, work, do well in graduate school, write, and attend a Bible study. I wanted to do all these things for God, but instead I was more focused on what I was doing than how I was doing it-or that perhaps I was trying to do too much.

Paul reminded the church in Colossae that they were to live in a way that glorified God. Ultimately, what they specifically did on a day-to-day basis was not as important as how they did it. 

They were to do their work with "compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" (Colossians 3:12), to be forgiving, and above all to love (vv. 13-14) and to "do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus" (v. 17). Their work wasn't to be separated from Christlike living.

What we do matters, but how we do it, why, and who we do it for matters more. Each day we can choose to work in a stressed-out way or in a way that honors God and seeks out the meaning Jesus adds to our work. When we pursue the latter, we find satisfaction.

Prayer for Today

Jesus, forgive me for the times I stress over what I'm trying to accomplish. Help me to instead seek to accomplish things for Your glory. Amen.