O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name. My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips when I think of you on my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. -Psalm 63:1-8 NRSV

Easter is one month away! Ash Wednesday was two weeks ago... so where are you on your Lenten journey this year? What spiritual disciplines are you striving to practice during this season of penitence and reflection?

I try to set aside time to read scripture and pray every day. I have to admit that when I started trying to do this years ago, I was doing it just because it was a discipline--it's what Christians are supposed to do, right? Then I discovered that if I ever got sidetracked and didn't take the time to read and pray, I really missed that time and felt completely out of sorts.

Our relationship, our journey with God is closer when we worship. Not just on Sunday, but every day when we read scripture and pray. When we take the time to nourish that relationship, we ourselves are nourished!  When we reach out for God, we discover that we are already being held.  

Consider the psalm passage at the beginning of this page:  O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.  The psalmist openly declares his need for God, comparing it to his need for water, with the knowledge that one cannot survive without it. He praises God for his power, glory, and steadfast love, and declares that he will praise God as long as he lives. He was fainting from thirst a moment ago, and now he describes being satisfied as with a rich feast! He sings for joy in the shadow of God's wings, clinging to God, upheld by his right hand... this is what happens when we spend time with God, when we make decisions throughout each day to seek that relationship which is so graciously offered to us! We find that we are eternally loved, and we are strengthened to continue our journey sharing that love with others.

Prayer for Today

Holy God, we are amazed and grateful that you meet us where we are. You feed us, you strengthen us, you encourage us. We praise you for your boundless love. Help us to do your will, sharing that love with others. In Jesus' holy name we pray. Amen.

Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit, so letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. -Romans 8:5-6

We are in the Season of Lent which began on Ash Wednesday and lasts through Easter. It is a time of extra reflection on the life and teachings of Jesus. It is a season for us to be focused on turning away from wrong actions and dedicating ourselves to living the kind of life Jesus taught us to live.

I was not raised in a family or church which taught us to fast or give up something during Lent. Several years ago for Lent, I decided I would make a practice of spending time reading the Bible and my devotional and praying the first thing every morning instead of whenever I got around to it during the day – which often didn’t happen. It made such a difference that I still do it. Since that time, I have decided to do something nice for someone every day during Lent. It has made me look for things I can do to bring a smile or be helpful to others.

Our church has many flyers and booklets that offer devotions and many ways to make Lent meaningful. They talk about things like being more mindful and thankful for the things and people around you, having a giving box where you add things to give to others, or having a grateful journal or box where you record things you are grateful for each day. Take a look at the many items available in the Welcome Center or Atrium. There are suggestions for busy families as well as more involved readings. It’s not too late to start! Find something for you and/or your family which will make Lent more meaningful and draw you closer to the God who gave His Son for our redemption and whose resurrection we celebrate on Easter.

Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, please be with us and guide us through this Lenten Season as we strive to draw closer to you. Amen. 

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

-John 15:12

Thousands of stories are emerging from the invasion of Ukraine. One story in the news this week was of a moment of peace. A Russian soldier surrendered to Ukrainians. The villagers he surrendered to offered him warm food and tea, and helped him to call his mother on video. They could have taken advantage of the young man’s vulnerability and hopelessness. Instead, they met him with compassion. They offered care.

Recently, I had need to use an AED. These automatic emergency devices scan a person electrically and determine if they need CPR or a rescue shock. They record heart rhythms and monitor a person until trained medical personnel arrive. In order to help keep people attentive and focused on the person in distress, the machine speaks instructions. If no defibrillator shock is needed, the calm automated voice simply states, “continue care.” What a great reminder for all of us.

As the world around us swirls with chaos, as it always has, scripture reminds us to remain calm. The words of Jesus from Holy Week come through clearly. “Love one another as I have loved you.” In other words, just as Jesus has done patiently and gently and compassionately every time someone is in pain, in need, in trouble, in sin, in loneliness has come to them, continue care. This week, watch the news - international and local. Listen to the announcements in worship of upcoming mission needs and projects. Contribute, volunteer, and continue care.

Prayer for Today

Lord, make me one who is keenly aware and focused on the needs of others. Help me continue to offer care. Amen.

Have mercy upon me O God after thy great goodness; according to the multitude of thy mercies, do away mine offences. Wash me throughly from my wickedness and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my faults and my sin is ever before me.

-Psalm 51:1-3

As you may know, there are often short bits of text right before a Psalm starts. Some say, “For the director of music,” and some say, “A psalm of David.” Well, Psalm 51 has quite the introductory text. It says in the NIV:

For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.

I sure hope that some editor doesn’t scribble down a little note explaining some horrible sin I had committed when describing some piece of music I’ve written. I don’t think that piece would sell well! But for us, now, in 2022, it offers a little context to understand what these words originally meant. Knowing that these words were written by David as he felt great remorse over a terrible sin gives the words life today. While adultery may not be on your list of past sins, the truth is we have all done things that bring great pain to others and ourselves and we feel bad about them. Thinking of something you wish you hadn’t done, read this psalm and see if you can relate to the words.
 

All of this is not very uplifting, is it? We want to shy away from these kinds of thoughts and feelings and focus on the happy stuff. That’s probably why people tend to like happier, more upbeat music. But we are now one week into Lent, and this is a season for us to turn inwards and focus on our spiritual journey, our shortcomings, our harmful actions, and our distance from God. One interesting part about verse 3 of this psalm is the part about sin being always before us. To me, this acknowledges that, even in forgiveness, that sin still lingers in front of us on our path. Forgiveness is not the end of the story. During this Lenten season, take some time to ponder on past sins and where you see them still lurking in your life today. We cannot change the past nor can we change our inherent nature, but we can change our behaviors and actions. I wish for myself and for all of you that this Lenten season may be one of spiritual and personal growth so that we may make the body of Christ healthier together.

Prayer for Today

God of Great Goodness, we are challenged during these forty days and nights to repent and bring our broken, shattered hearts before you. Cleanse us with your love and forgiveness and create in us a pure heart that we may spread the love of Christ instead of hate and pain. Let us build up your Church, not for ourselves, but so that you may delight in our works. Amen.

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

-Psalm 27:14 (NIV)

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

-John 16:33 (NIV)

“The only constant in life Is change” is a quote attributed to Heraclitus a philosopher who predated Socrates in 500 BC.  Many of you may recognize it, or if you had not can surely relate to it. How our lives and the world we live in can change so quickly, one day it looks like the two year pandemic is finally receding and life can return to normal, yet the next day, a totalitarian dictator can bring the world to the edge of disaster waging an unprovoked war on a sovereign nation and his Slavic brothers and sisters. While the US and government and NATO are helping by providing aide, we are not able to help as much as we should for fear of a wider war. With all our modern communication technology and social media, it almost seems like we are there with the Ukrainians in their suffering. After 20 years of our own wars in the middle east, we all yearn for peace.

In the Wednesday Shepherds Men’s group, we have been reading and studying a book by Max Lucado titled “You were Made for this Moment”. Max’s book is about Esther in the Bible, a story of two Jews: Queen Esther and Mordecai saving the Jewish nation while exiled in Persia from a madman. Max in his book shares an interesting story. In 1892 the boll weevil arrived in Alabama from Mexico, by the 1920s, the pest was destroying most of the cotton crop in the south and could not be eradicated. In 1916 on a trip through Virginia and South Carolina a seed seller by the name of H.M. Sessions learned that peanuts were impervious to the boll weevil. So, he came home and sold the seeds and by 1919, Alabama became the largest producer of peanuts in the nation. Max makes the observation, had there been no boll weevil there would have been no peanut harvest.

Sometimes we tend to forget that God is for us, not against us. God is near us, not away from us and lives within us. We have to try and not be done in by bad news. We have a good God, that has a good plan, and it is revealed in his good book. We all want peace in this world, but the only true peace comes through Jesus. Jesus is the only constant in life and as prophesied in Isaiah 9:7, “Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”

Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus and Holy Spirit. Help us to always remember that trust in you is all that matters. Although we often do not trust you in all things, we are forgiven for our doubts, and we should never forget that you are the only constant in this world and our lives. Help us always to remember that you will make things right, whether it is boll weevils or dictators. Help us always to remember that through your Son, that all things are made right it in this world and that we never forgot your promise of everlasting peace and justice. Amen.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Коли я піду хоча б навіть долиною смертної темряви, то не буду боятися злого, бо Ти при мені, Твоє жезло й Твій посох вони мене втішать!

-Psalm 23:4

“Yea though I walk…” Familiar words we recite in times of great loss and fear, funerals and times that feel hopeless. It’s being uttered repeatedly in earnestness and hope in bunkers throughout Ukraine currently. The pictures above are from a mass being celebrated this week. This week, we begin the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday. We receive the mark of the cross in ashes and a reminder that we come from dust and to dust we shall return. It reminds us of our mortality and marks a season of reflection, sacrifice, and penitence. And we are reminded that in life and in death, we belong to Jesus Christ.

Our brothers and sisters in bunkers in Ukraine this week will be keenly aware of their mortality, surrounded by death and the ashes of their own cities and homes. As we enter these next 40 days, we will reflect, and we will respond as a nation and world, perhaps requiring sacrifice as we place sanctions or see a rise in prices of fuel and goods and so forth. It will be hard for us and harder for them. We will watch the news and worry for them and for the world.

And in the midst of this chaos and tragedy and mortal danger, we as believers have hope with our believer brothers and sisters in those bunkers. We trust in the words of our Ash Wednesday traditions and services… in life and in death, nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus Christ. Let us remain connected, aware, and in solidarity with all who suffer and pray for peace. This week and for the Lenten season, remain vigilant and prayerful. Do not become overwhelmed by the news, but informed and compassionate, so we may lend our help and resources as we see need.

Prayer for Today

Lord, make me neither complacent, nor overwhelmed. Send your spirit to keep me hopeful and helpful to all in need, trusting you are with us. Amen.

How To Cross A River

I was contemplating what to write for the Reflections devotion, and randomly came across the article “How to Cross a River Safely." (Disclaimer - all the survival advice given as to crossing a river, or attack by crocodile or bear is not assurance of survival.) The advice on how to actually survive crossing a river or an alligator/ bear attack is followed by a relevant and reflective scripture. Only God’s wisdom is without error.

1.   Look for a safer crossing if the water is fast and knee-deep or more (Duh!). Always ford a river at its widest point, the water will be shallower and slower.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it. -Isaiah 30:21

2.   Wear sandals or water shoes to improve footing. Move across the river with shuffling sidesteps. You're less likely to fall since you don't lift your feet as high when shuffling.  

You've made room beneath me for my footsteps, and my feet didn't slip. -2 Samuel 22:37

3.   Face upstream, lean into the current, National Parks Service recommends keep your eyes on the far shore. You may become dizzy if you look down at the swirling water.

Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. -Hebrews 12:2

4.   If you're with a group, link arms and cross together. This creates more contact points with the streambed, gives everyone more solid footing.

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend

themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. -Ecclesiastes 4:12

Then I thought what if there are alligators in the river? 

1.   If you happen to lock eyes with an alligator on land, run away as fast as you can in a straight line. If a gator grabs you in the water, don’t give up. Fight and fight hard!

I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown. -Revelation 3:11

2.   Crocodilians are most active and most dangerous at dusk and at night.  Best advice is to learn where crocodilians live and stay away. The only sure way to survive an encounter with an alligator is to never meet one in the first place.

Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. -James 4:7

Then I wondered about how to survive a potential bear attack: 

1.   Not to worry- take off your hiking boots, put on your tennis shoes and run faster than the other hikers. Wear a bear bell to warn off the bear. Firing a gun doubles your chance of incurring serious injury as compared to using bear spray.

The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. -2 Timothy 4:18

After reading all the advice on survival I decided to up the definition. The most succinct definition was “to continue to live or exist, especially despite danger or hardship.” Our life journey with God will most assuredly include “crossing” challenges. So we need spiritual survival skills. A recurring theme of survival was Learn.

But as for you, continue in what you have learned

and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it. -2 Timothy 3:14

Timothy admonishes us to remember what we have learned to continue. We are to honor both the lessons and our teachers. Israel crossed the River Jordan to the Promised Land. 

As believers we are symbolically crossing the Jordan River. In Christ we are freed from the bondage of sin and granted access to forgiveness. At our life’s “crossings” God will never abandon us.  The first verse of the poem At the Crossing Over Jordan written 1897 by Charles Bentley brings clarity to this devotion-

When we near the river Jordan,

With its rushing, swelling tide,

Let us put our trust in Jesus as we go;

We shall hear his gentle whisper,

“Fear not, I am by thy side,”

At the crossing over Jordan he’ll be there.

Finally, let us remember God is faithful to provide protection, and a future for each of us:

For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord.

They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. -Jeremiah 29:11

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.

-Hebrews 10:23

Prayer for Today

Lord, help me to trust You with an unwavering and courageous faith. Help me to remember you will never depart from me thou art ever with me. I praise You Lord for you are ever faithful to lead me safely across all rivers. Amen.

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

-I Thessalonians 5:11

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

-Hebrews 10:24-25

Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor.

-Romans 15:2

I keep my finger on the pulse of what’s trending and consequently follow a variety of folks across various social media platforms. One of my favorites is active on Instagram and TikTok as a storyteller, comedian, and professional encourager. This week, she told a story of her college days. She was, in her words, “volun-told” to work at a women’s conference and assigned the duty of being the “atmosphere” committee. Her job? She was to be a plant in each talk that would shout affirmative things about the speaker, nudge people around her to take notes and be in general agreement. This inauthenticity offended her sensibilities. But the mission to be positive and encouraging felt important. In a world in need of both authenticity AND encouragement, what is one to do?

Well, this young woman started by finding bright green caution vests. Then she recruited others. When asked their job, she said that they’d been asked to join the Awareness team. Their function? They would walk up to people and make them aware of things… “are you aware your dress is fabulous? I am aware your dress has pockets! Are you aware your entire vibe is incredible and your haircut is trendsetting?” In other words, they made everyone aware what a special and wonderful quality they brought to the conference. Was the atmosphere enhanced? Guaranteed.

The world can be discouraging. And the world can be full of lies. We are called to be encouraging and truthful. And we can be both. Even at the same time. That calling is not just “feel good” propaganda, but the life and light and goodness of our calling as followers of the Way. Scripture is full of this message, and it’s especially prevalent in Paul’s letters to the early Church. We shine a bright light in a dark world when we choose to be bearers of encouragement in discouraging times. This week, compliment a stranger, encourage a coworker, be extra kind to a friend or family member going through a rough patch. Make someone aware that they matter and you notice.

Prayer for Today

Lord, help me make others aware that they are a gift from you, and we love them for it. Amen.

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.  As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”  

-Matthew 7:1-9 NRSV

This Sunday is the day of the church year where we hear about the Transfiguration of the Lord. It is always the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. The transfiguration account is one scripture reading most of us don't claim to understand. We know there is a lot of bright light, confused disciples, the appearance of Moses and Elijah, and the voice of God. I have always had some questions about this. First, how did they know Jesus was talking with Moses and Elijah? Peter at least must have had a clue since he referred to them by name. I feel like we have received the truncated version of this story and are missing some details.

Or maybe that's not the point at all. Poor Peter. This must have been a very confusing time for the disciples. If you read the previous chapter, first the Pharisees and Sadducees tried to test Jesus, but he wouldn't be tricked by them. He then warns the disciples to beware of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Peter then declares Jesus to be the Messiah, and in the very next paragraph tries to correct Jesus and say he won't suffer and die, to which Jesus famously replies, "Get behind me, Satan!" to the same disciple who had just declared him to be the Son of the living God.

Six days later, Jesus and his inner circle of friends are going up on a high mountain, and WOW what's going on??? Peter assesses the situation and approaches Jesus, trying to be hospitable to their special guests, it suddenly gets a lot brighter, the voice of God comes from the cloud, and the disciples fall to the ground, scared to death. Then the scripture says, "Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid."

I think we're a lot like the disciples. We mean well. We try to follow. Sometimes we get it right. Sometimes we are given a glimpse of God's glory and are not sure how to respond. Sometimes we babble on until the voice of God tells us to stop and listen. And when we are finally face down flat on the ground, we feel the touch of Jesus and hear the words, "Get up and do not be afraid." He is there with us. Do you remember the end of Jesus' Great Commission? "And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20b NRSV)  Always!

Whom can you touch today? Whom can you encourage? Whom can you console? Whom can you strengthen? Jesus said, "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

Prayer for Today

Holy God, open our eyes to the needs of those around us. Help us to take the love we have received and give it away to others. Help us to follow the example of your son, in whose name we pray. Amen.

If ever there was a picture that illustrates being born again, this would be it! Casting off the old, revealing the new life within. We each have the opportunity to start each day new. Let yesterday go, there is nothing you can change about it! Call on the Holy Spirit to guide us through the new day, our thoughts, our words, our intentions, our actions; place ALL in His Holy capable hands, seeking His wisdom…not the world’s wisdom.

We hear less and less about being “born again” in today’s world! But Scripture clearly states the importance of this intentional action. In the words of Jesus…John 3:6-7 “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, you must be born again.” And in 1Peter1:23, “For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living Word of God. And then again in 1John 4:7, Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.”

All believers belong to God, who loves us more than we can ever comprehend! What JOY in knowing that fact. What PEACE in living in that fact. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the pressures, and worries of the day, but we have an Advocate in the Holy Spirit, who gave us new life when we first believed. Hold on to that truth, no matter what mountain you face….He is with you and will never forsake you. Isaiah 41:13…For I Am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” 

Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, we praise and thank you for the new birth we were given in Jesus Christ. We thank You for the forgiveness of sin in our lives. We thank You for the love You shower on us. Show us how to love others as You do and strengthen each of us to live a life that reflects Jesus. In His Holy name, Amen.