Words from the book of Isaiah

Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21 

Lily

 ...Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on.  Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them....Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.   Matthew 6:25-34

I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like the lily; he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon....    Hosea 14:5

His cheeks are like beds of spices, mounds of sweet-smelling herbs; his lips are lilies, dripping liquid myrrh.   Song of Solomon 5:13

My gardening efforts are more as an editor than as a creator; or perhaps I could claim that my gardening artistry is more as a sculptor than a painter.  Besides watering a few pots of herbs and flowers, my primary outdoor pursuits are weeding, mowing, and trimming.  

There is a wonderful John Singer Sargent painting of two girls in white dresses lighting paper lanterns among luxuriant blossoms, called "Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose". It has always reminded me of summer gardens at dusk; even more so because I spent many a summer twilight watching my two daughters chasing fireflies. The lilies in the painting are white and pink, and very trumpet-like. They seem to gather around the girls, focused on the lanterns. They echo the ruffles on the girls' white dresses. I have never seen lilies blooming like that; they show up in beautiful florist shop bouquets, but they are far more exotic than the day-lilies that show up in gardens I have tended.

The lily referred to in Biblical writings could have been any variety of flowering plants similar to what we know as lilies, including tulips and irises. It was probably any brilliantly colored, somewhat cup-shaped blossom that would have been noticeably elegant in order to be compared to Solomon's robes. It was also one of the symbols for Christ.  

Myrrh is an aromatic oil from a resin that does not come from lily pollen, but the reference in Song of Solomon refers to the sweetness of the lily-like lips of the beloved. Myrrh was a prized, so it can be assumed that the lily too was a symbol for something very desirable.

The rains of late June coaxed all sorts of jungle-like greenery to take over half of my back yard. By the time I was able to get to it, it looked like a tangle of vines from Sleeping Beauty's castle, or some malevolent botanical species from Harry Potter stories.  

When I cleared a section of the garden of these epic monsters, I was rewarded with a lovely area full of day-lilies, with strong stalks and bursting buds. Two of them broke heroically into bloom later in the day, shaking out layers of bright orange ruffles that were easily visible from inside the house. They gave me the courage to keep attacking the suffocating overgrowth, and for the moment I have restored some measure of peace to the garden.  

Anyone with an appreciation for nature's glories is moved by the splendid variety of blooming things. We should look at ourselves with the same wonder, appreciating the miracles that make us what we are.  

I tend to be overloaded with clutter and the noise of the world. I try to tend the garden of my life so I can breathe and reveal what God is making of me. It requires powerful resistance in this world to simply be the beautiful creatures we are. It seems that anxiety is always making a fresh attack on us. I try to keep those triumphant lilies in my mind as I fight what I hope is the good fight.  

As usual, when a symbol or metaphor takes root in my consciousness, I become aware of other references from day to day. I have recently been re-reading a Harry Potter book, and his dead mother Lily is always revered in Harry's and other characters' memories. Her sister Petunia, who was a vain and punitive character, is aptly named as the more common, less revered flower.   

Recently I worked with a voice student in some musical theatre workshops. She was trying to prepare a good cut for an audition piece, and she needed a lot of assistance from the workshop presenters. I accompanied her on the piano as they worked with her, and we talked afterwards about her music. She was so grateful, and asked if she could hug me. It was so touching - not just to receive that sincere appreciation, but to watch her blossom as we all worked with her.  I was tickled that her name was Lillian. 

My grown daughter has a close friend she met in grade school named Lily. I saw her recently and was struck again by her radiant smile and energy. I am aware of powerful community activities she is involved in. She has come through some immense personal challenges in her life, to be a person who guides and leads others with respect and a nurturing, positive attitude.  

Prayer: Wondrous Gardener, your lily is a beautiful reminder of your stunning creation and your ardent care for all of it; for all of us. Help me to revere your work, which is creating your world day after day. Help me to accept the care and nourishment that will make me continue to grow. When there is anxiety or other antagonists threatening the flourishing of your work, help me to prune those things from my life and my world. Thank you for the lily, and for the eyes to appreciate its infinite beauty. Amen.

Mollie Manner (reprinted from 2018)

Words from the book of Mark

And Jesus said "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how." Mark 4: 26-27 

Love, Serve, Care

Recently on Facebook, someone posted the following (in italics) by Jon Gordon. 

Focus on three things today and everything else will take care of itself. Three Keys to a Happier Life:

      Love without expectation.

      Serve without wanting recognition.

      Care even if others don't.

     

Love: John 15:17 This is my command: Love each other. Love is reflected in human relations of brotherly concern. Jesus commands that you love each other and Jesus gives you strength to love. How can you show love today? You can smile and say hello to people you see today. You can call a friend.

Serve: Galatians 5:13 For you have been called to live in freedom...to serve one another in love. How can you serve? You could take a meal to someone. You could volunteer for an organization. You could help in Eastridge's Food Pantry.

Care: James 1:27 … we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles. Caring is showing concern to others in a positive way. How can you care? Send a card to someone for their Birthday, Get Well, etc. Talk to others and ask how they are.

Think daily about the Keys of Happier Life. Love, Serve, and Care and make them a part of your life.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to show us how to Love, Serve, and Care. Give us encouragement to Love, Serve, and Care. Amen

Susan Taylor (reprinted from 2019, edited for clarity)

Words from First John

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:12 NIV 

Waiting Before Working

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

 

The “Jesus Calling” devotion book by Sarah Young sits on our bathroom counter. I read the devotion during my morning routine, somewhere around putting on the moisturizer or drying my hair. Her August 29 devotion has stuck with me:

“Demonstrate your trust in me by sitting quietly in My Presence. Put aside all that is waiting to be done and refuse to worry about anything. This sacred time together strengths you and prepares you to face whatever the day will bring. …When you spend time with me, I restore your sense of direction.” 

Ouch! So reading, pondering and talking to God about the devotion in the midst of my morning routine is probably good, but I think God wants my full attention before I even begin my day. I need to work on that.  Being a morning person, I usually say a quick “Good Morning Lord” before heading to the shower and going over the day’s list of things to do. Reading the devotion falls somewhere in the middle.

During an extremely overloaded time at work, I began praying “What project is next Lord?” He would answer that prayer with what needed to be done at that moment. I kept asking that question all day long and He was faithful in answering all of them. 

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for always waiting on me to call your name. I want to be close to you but so often do not stop long enough to enjoy a conversation with you, only a quick thank you or short prayer. You feel just like I do as a parent when I cherish a small quick conversation or visit with my children. Forgive me. 

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23). Amen.

 

Cathy Schapmann (reprinted from 2017)

Planet Perfection in honor of Earth Day

I’m currently reading a novel by Richard Powers called Bewilderment. It’s about an astrophysicist who is struggling with his (possibly) autistic son following his wife’s death. One of the things they do together is “travel to” imaginary planets that the father has created with his scientific expertise. The author has created each planet as an allegory for what’s happening in the characters’ lives.

To me, what stands out is this: it’s incredibly difficult, if not impossible, for a planet to have everything going for it to support life. Many of the planets come close, but then meteors take out all life. Or the planet is freezing on one side and burning up on the other. Or the length of a day is such that it physically cannot support life as we know it. While reading these descriptions in the book, the thought occurred to me that God has created an earth for us that is JUST RIGHT. We may not feel that way sometimes, but when we stop to appreciate how life on earth keeps going, albeit changing as it goes, we should feel a sense of awe.

Here is the passage from Genesis 1 in The Message, where God creates the earth. I like the phrase “And there it was” used after each day’s work, and “God saw that it was good” is almost unchanged in all biblical translations.

First this: God created the Heavens and Earth—all you see, all you don’t see. Earth was a soup of nothingness, a bottomless emptiness, an inky blackness. God’s Spirit brooded like a bird above the watery abyss.

God spoke: “Light!”

    And light appeared.

God saw that light was good

    and separated light from dark.

God named the light Day,

    he named the dark Night.

It was evening, it was morning—

Day One.

God spoke: “Sky! In the middle of the waters;

    separate water from water!”

God made sky.

He separated the water under sky

    from the water above sky.

And there it was: 

    he named sky the Heavens;

It was evening, it was morning—

Day Two.God spoke: “Separate!

    Water-beneath-Heaven, gather into one place;

Land, appear!”

    And there it was.

God named the land Earth.

    He named the pooled water Ocean.

God saw that it was good.

God spoke: “Earth, green up! Grow all varieties

    of seed-bearing plants,

Every sort of fruit-bearing tree.”

    And there it was.

Earth produced green seed-bearing plants,

    all varieties,

And fruit-bearing trees of all sorts.

    God saw that it was good.

It was evening, it was morning—

Day Three.

God spoke: “Lights! Come out!

    Shine in Heaven’s sky!

Separate Day from Night.

    Mark seasons and days and years,

Lights in Heaven’s sky to give light to Earth.” 

    And there it was.

God made two big lights, the larger

    to take charge of Day,

The smaller to be in charge of Night;

    and he made the stars.

God placed them in the heavenly sky

    to light up Earth

And oversee Day and Night,

    to separate light and dark.

God saw that it was good.

It was evening, it was morning—

Day Four.

God spoke: “Swarm, Ocean, with fish and all sea life!

    Birds, fly through the sky over Earth!”

God created the huge whales,

    all the swarm of life in the waters,

And every kind and species of flying birds.

    God saw that it was good.

God blessed them: “Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Ocean!

    Birds, reproduce on Earth!”

It was evening, it was morning—

Day Five.

God spoke: “Earth, generate life! Every sort and kind:

    cattle and reptiles and wild animals—all kinds.”

And there it was:

    wild animals of every kind,

Cattle of all kinds, every sort of reptile and bug.

    God saw that it was good.

God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make them

    reflecting our nature

So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea,

    the birds in the air, the cattle,

And, yes, Earth itself,

    and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.”

God created human beings;

    he created them godlike,

Reflecting God’s nature.

    He created them male and female.

God blessed them:

    “Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!

Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air,

    for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.”

Then God said, “I’ve given you

    every sort of seed-bearing plant on Earth

And every kind of fruit-bearing tree,

    given them to you for food.

To all animals and all birds,

    everything that moves and breathes,

I give whatever grows out of the ground for food.”

    And there it was.

God looked over everything he had made;

    it was so good, so very good!

It was evening, it was morning—

Day Six.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for this earth you have created. Help us look with new eyes and not take what you have designed for granted. Help us to care for this planet that we call home. Amen.

Donna Gustafson (reprinted from 2021, but with different photos! Click on each photo to view larger. Photos taken by Donna.)

Today is the Day

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 (NIV) 

A popular praise song by Lincoln Brewster is called "Today Is the Day." Here are some of the lyrics: "I’m casting my cares aside, I’m leaving my past behind, I’m setting my heart and mind on You Jesus. I’m reaching my hand to Yours, Believing there’s so much more, Knowing that all You have in store for me is good. Today is the day You have made, I will rejoice and be glad in it; And I won’t worry about tomorrow, I’m trusting in what You say. Today is the day."

The song particularly struck home with me this time. Especially the phrase, "I won't worry about tomorrow." I have to admit that I worry a lot. And usually it's about things that I have no control over anyway, so the worrying is a waste of time. Like the weather. Or it may be something I have at least some control over; like whether I have enough money to retire. And sometimes it's something that really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things; like what to wear to a special event.

I need to work on trusting in what God has to say and in setting my mind and heart on Jesus. God has made the day and everything in it, and He watches over me at all times. I struggle with wanting control over everything, when it would be better to remember that God is in control. All he has in store for me is good. As the scripture states, tomorrow will worry about itself. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, as we approach a new year, we realize every day could present problems, but it doesn't help to worry. The Lord has made each day, and we need to rejoice and be glad in it. God is in control and will handle our worries if we simply turn them over to him. Please forgive us for thinking we can handle everything ourselves and for wasting time worrying about the future. Help us to cast our cares aside and reach our hand to yours. Amen.

Robin Hadfield (reprinted from 2017)

Prayer Life

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26

Call to me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3

Then he spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart. Luke 18:1

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon you. In the day if my trouble I will call upon You, for You will answer me. Psalm 85:5, 7

Pray without ceasing. In everything giving thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

My last year of serious heart issues, marked by the need for trust in and patience with medical care, setbacks, and unforeseen trials; has found me desperate to pray, yet very much lacking any structure to do so. I was often more desperate than guided. 

While I am now making good strides in my recovery, I have developed some serious digestive issues which are impeding my ability to gain weight and strength. Then came the Pandemic, the spread of a deadly disease, which filled our nation and world with economic and health turmoil and much fear and anxiety. 

And I still was floundering in my prayer life. Unexpected help came from our very own Reverend John Duling who shared that he begins his daily prayer with confessing his sins.

Direction, guidance!  Thank you John, God, and the Holy Spirit for starting me on a structure that feels so good. God, whose Son suffered and died to forgive our sins and earn Salvation for us, can use His Unending mercy to forgive my daily mistakes, sins, shortcomings. He can help me with self awareness, honesty, and personal growth, like no other source of help can.  

I was on my way but decided I needed to turn to the ultimate source of guidance available to me always, God’s Word. The above verses presented me with new purposes for my prayers. I decided thanks was next in line and began to commit to thanking God for different Blessings daily. I am so Blessed! So, in Everything give thanks!

Of course, I was already very good about petitioning for help. I began to focus more on trusting and not losing heart. I am trying to give my needs to God and lose some of my control.  (That’s a life long process!). 

Listening is also now part of my prayer life, often extending throughout my day. I don’t want to miss out on the great and mighty things God has to show me. And, I want to know Him and focus on a commitment to a growing, intimate relationship with Him.

And, when I am lost again and so overwhelmed that I cannot formulate my own prayers, I know that the Holy Spirit will take over for me.

My desire for structure and routine has now made its way into my prayer life. It is a process which means it will evolve and change just as life does. And some days I will do better than on other days.

Prayer: Father God, we long for daily time with you to seek your mercy and forgiveness for our shortcomings and to listen for your guidance. We want to always thank you for our many blessings and continue to ask for your help with situations and for those we love who are suffering. Guide us to continue to turn to you daily and grow in our relationship with you. 

Connie Barry (reprinted from 2020)

Goodbye, Stale Prayers

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18  (New Oxford Bible)

While driving to an appointment, I was listening to the Bott (Christian) radio network. The pastor was teaching on the topic of prayer. He caught my attention when he asked the following two questions: 1) “Are your prayers becoming stale”? 2) “Do you find yourself praying for the same things and using the same words over and over”? 

If the answer was yes, he suggested we try praying the scriptures. I wasn’t sure I wanted to listen anymore as that idea had been introduced to me several years ago and after trying it for a week or so I went back to praying in my own words. Somehow praying scripture made me feel I had lost the intimacy I feel when talking to God in my own words.

However, the next morning, I decided to give it a try. I did as the pastor suggested and prayed from the book of Psalms because as he said the whole book of Psalms is a book of praise. I started with Psalm 23 because the words are familiar and I am comfortable saying them.

After I prayed the first line: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” I stopped. Then in my own words I praised Jesus for shepherding me through a difficult time. I moved on to the next sentence: “He makes me to lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside the still waters; he restores my soul.” Then I thanked Him for the necessities of life especially a home in which to find solace.

With each line of the 23rd Psalm, I found that I could stop and add my own words of praise, thanks or petition. This was definitely a new way for me to pray. It allowed me to maintain that closeness that I had missed in my previous attempts to pray the scriptures.

My long-range plan is to choose each morning one of the many names there are for Jesus and the scripture describing that name, i.e., Shepherd, Light of the World, Savior, etc. Now I’ve said good-bye to stale, repetitive prayers.

If you find that your prayers have become stale and repetitive, perhaps praying the scriptures would be of help to you, too.

Prayer: Father, we praise you for the beautiful words in the Holy Bible, and we thank you for hearing our prayers in whatever words we say them when they come from our hearts. In your Son Jesus’ holy name we pray. Amen.

Judy Welch (reprinted from the 2017 Eastridge Lenten Devotional)

Rest

And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. Genesis 2:2-3

Sometimes it is right and appropriate to do absolutely nothing. Even God chose to conclude his work by resting. Every living thing needs its rest. Sleep reverses the tiring activities of the day. Energy and vitality return to us after a rest. Industrious, highly productive people sometimes feel guilty about doing nothing. The last thing most people want to be is lazy. Some say, "the devil finds work for idle hands," but God himself has set us an example of rest. Sometimes with our work, rest cannot always come on Sunday. But each of us needs time when ordinary works gives way to God, the Word, and our families.

Prayer: Lord God, teach us that it is our duty to work and also to rest. Amen.

Peg Olmsted (from the 2008 Eastridge Daily Devotional Book) 

Facts in the Bible

To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. Acts 1:3

I am continually amazed at the experts who run the Institute for Creation Research (ICR) in Dallas, TX. It is an amazing place in a quiet neighborhood which I have visited many times and brought family and friends with me. Their writers Henry Morris, Ph. D, Henry Morris III, D. Min, John Morris, Charles C. Morse, D. Min. and Brian Thomas, Ph. D, put out the “Days of Praise” every three months. It is sent to me free and they are so greatly written. I cannot bring myself to throw any of them away.  

Today I read from the March, April and May publication written in 2020. It tells of the 40-day periods which occur 17 times in the Bible. They write that it is noteworthy that 40 days is one-ninth of the original (and prophetic) lunar/solar year of 360 days. There are nine 40-day periods mentioned in the Bible. Six of the periods are finished by Kings 19:8 at page 596 in my “The Message Bible” and the seventh one doesn’t occur again until page 1676 with the last being page 1972 at Acts 1:3. What is remarkable to me is that God continually has reasons to have this happen 9 times. I read them this morning. Do you wonder why God used the same size period of time nine times? The oldest Henry Morris wrote this and points out all were stories of great stress and intense testing for one or more of God’s people except the last one. This last one is the 40 days of triumph Christ spent with His disciples. These writers continually point out items to me that make me understand the miracles of Jesus Christ and the connections of the New Testament with the Old Testament.  

(1)Genesis 7:12, 17  

(2)Exodus 24:18          

(3)Exodus 34:28  Deuteronomy 9:18   

(4)Numbers 13:25,14:34          

(5)1 Samuel 17:16                 

(6)1 Kings 19:8     

(7)Jonah 3:4          

(8)Matthew 4:2, Mark 1:13, Luke 4:2        

(9)Acts 1:3  

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you Lord that all of our periods of stress can end because of the triumph of Christ in his last 40 days when we ask Him to be with us and guide us. Amen.

Sandra Hilsabeck                                                                                      

Let There Be Light. And There Was.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. Genesis 1:1-5

Sunshine warms our bodies and makes us feel better was how Kris Adler-Brammer began her children’s sermon on April 12. Those words made me sit up and take notice because when the sun shines, I often find myself seeking its warmth. In Texas, I can find a lounge chair sitting by the side of the pool, arm myself with a jug of water, a few veggies and some fruit and a soft pillow in case I need a nap and begin my day by watching and listening to the birds and sounds of the out of doors. This is what I saw and heard one morning not long ago.  

A small bird opened its beak and gave a long song. To my amusement, the mockingbird in the front yard repeated the song. Tall grass hid the identification of a small bird but her tail appearing above the grass told me it was a small wren.  Suddenly, all chatter ceased and a hawk filled the sky. Even the squirrels hid in the leaves of the live oak. Then the enemy was gone again and the cardinal called and joined his mate at a bird bath nearby. It was a busy time in the back yard that day but the birds and animals and I enjoyed every ray. 

God did see a need for light in our world just as Genesis says. He did make the light but it is our responsibility to not only enjoy the light but to take care of the light and the world he made for us. We need to appreciate and worship the world we have been given. Our state is a low water state so it will be up to us to grow plants that thrive in near drought conditions. We need to enjoy the rain if and when it comes instead of grousing about what a nasty day it is. We can practice being content with what we have not always wishing for more. Amen 

Carolyn Olsen

 

 

Built for This

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14

Sometimes when the winter temperatures are subzero and the wind is whipping about, I think of the barred owl and other creatures I enjoy photographing. Are they staying safe and warm? Are they surviving? Not all do, of course, but these creatures are usually just fine in cold weather. They are “built for it.” Unlike ours, their bodies are made to withstand severe temperatures.

Birds, for example, can drop their metabolic rate to conserve heat, while they use their feathers as insulation and a means to trap warm air close to their bodies.

In the liturgy I used for a recent family funeral, I used some clippings from {her} journal. From this scrapbook, a portion of a letter-to-an-advice-columnist included this response/advice: “Remember, though, that we are built for this. We are meant to die and we are meant to witness death. We are meant to love, too.”  

A similar phrase (“made for this”) appeared in an article I just read in Better Homes and Gardens. The interview was with a homeowner who lost everything in the Pacific Palisades fires in 2025. Or maybe not everything: when sorting through the rubble, she discovered a set of bowls from her wedding china: inexplicably preserved, when everything else had been incinerated. A friend who had marveled along with her about the timing of the fires and the discovery of the plates: she had been practicing meditation and they both felt this was central to her survival and perspective: “it’s almost like you were made for this.” She (the homeowner) says that we don’t survive difficult things in our lives without breaking somewhere. “We’re more fragile than we look, and also so much stronger than we ever imagined.” It all becomes part of our stories.

Prayer: Dear Lord, we are “built for this”. We are created in your image, as your beloved children. Help us to use this knowledge to strengthen us spiritually. Amen.

Donna Gustafson

(I couldn’t miss an opportunity to share photos of a barred owl (since I referenced them above!) and a golden-crowned kinglet, famous for withstanding cold temps.)

Good and Faithful Servant

The last several months we have struggled with my Mom's health, and last week she went to be with Jesus. As her daughter I thought of all the things she did for me and what I would miss about her the most. When we met with the pastor of the Broken Bow Berean Bible church he said what would you like me to preach about during the service? My sisters and I all said Salvation. 

My Mom lived in a town of about 4,000 people and everyone knew her; she was vibrant, outgoing, kind, and never knew a stranger. But what we want her to be remembered for is her love for Jesus and being a faithful servant. She became a Christian at a young age, but as she matured and especially when she retired we saw incredible changes in the way she served her community, church, and her family. She had always been involved but once she had time she made it her #1 priority. The verse says "you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things". 

Every day God is working in our lives to help us become the best disciple that we will allow Him to make us. We all need to volunteer a little more, help with VBS, work at the Food Pantry, the list could go on and on. God has created us to serve him, and by being servants we are able to touch others so they can see the Face of Jesus!

Becky Rankin (reprinted from 2018)

Keeping it Real

Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Selah Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”—and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah Psalm 32:1-5

The commentary in The CEB Study Bible points out that David’s penitential prayer in Psalm 32 clarifies “that true happiness derives not from being sinless but rather from being forgiven” and “the psalmist’s problems result not from divine wrath but rather from the failure to confess sin, and perhaps from the energy expended in pretending to be perfect.” What a poignant reminder for us in the age of social media. The pressures created by hyper-competitive work or school environments are daunting, to say the least, and functioning in a culture that celebrates image above substance creates its own set of adversities. Indeed, it is exhausting—and mentally unhealthy—to maintain a deceitful image of perfection. As taxing as this deception is online, how much more so is it to struggle in a vain effort to withhold our most intimate failings and wrongdoings from God?

 

Prayer:

Creator God,

“This morning

and all mornings,

as we face the day

daunted by expectations

others place upon us,

weighed down by burdens,

unsure of outcomes,

opposed,

alone,

afraid,

remind us that you faced all this and more,

that we might loose

the chains that bind us,

rise above and beyond

the troubles of this world,

and know peace

in your embrace.”*

Amen

*© John Birch, 2016, www.faithandworship.com 

Barry and Alinda Stelk (reprinted from 2018)

Words from Hebrews

Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 

Animals

But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. Job 12:7-10

My daughter was enchanted by animals from a very early age, and was curious to get to know them and communicate with them. I tried to free myself of my inner fears of some animals and insects, and encourage her comfortable familiarity with the wild. She was the zoo visitor who would always gladly let a snake have its way with her, or let bugs crawl all over her. 

She loved being on Zoo Crew, especially when she was able to help with the Critter Encounter area. She brought her pet rats to 4H Pet Pals meetings and loved being at the animal exhibits at all the local fairs. She participated in domestic rat rescue programs, and helped find homes for rats used in the Nebraska Wesleyan University behavioral psychology courses. 

She did not enjoy ideal health growing up, so she earned a GED rather than complete high school classes; then she took veterinary technician courses online.  Our vet allowed her to observe and assist with procedures and surgeries, including those on her own animals. 

This spring, a year and a half after a life-giving 4th liver transplant, she helped her husband open up his own veterinary clinic (he is a vet) in South Korea. They serve both Koreans and English-speaking pet caretakers who need detailed communication. Because there is no specific training for veterinary nurses in Korea, she has ample qualifications as an assistant because of her experience and her general knowledge of human medical treatment (as an observant and informed patient). Her husband considers her to be his head nurse as well as assistant and office manager. Her blog and word-of-mouth have publicized their clinic as specializing in "exotic animals" such as hamsters and rats, so they have many tiny patients.

I get the news every few days of some interesting patient, including the dog that escaped and led them on a several-blocks-long chase through their downtown area.  She and her husband spend many long hours day and night at their clinic, making use of a pull-out bed there. Currently, they have three stray kittens they are treating, who will be offered to good homes eventually; one of them was separated too early from his mother and is having to be hand-fed and taught all the basics of elimination and hygiene. These are the things my daughter handles with ease.  

This is all born of a tremendous love for all the things animals teach us about living in God's world, about companionship, about loyalty and love, and about taking care of one another. Every day I am grateful for the people who helped my daughter to be well, or to feel better when she wasn't; but I am also grateful for the animals who shared their lives with her and cared for her. The cat she was especially close to used to sit with her in bed and have what we called "the laying-on of paws".  

There is a beautiful Benjamin Britten vocal piece with lyrics from a poem by Christopher Smart, and I hope you will be able to base your prayer on a few of those words:

For I will consider my cat Jeoffry.

For he is the servant of the Living God, duly and daily serving him...

For in his morning orisons he loves the sun and the sun loves him...

For every house is incomplete without him, and a blessing is lacking in the spirit...

For I perceived God's light about him both wax and fire...

For God has blessed him in the variety of his movements...

For he can tread to all the measures upon the music.

Amen.

Mollie Manner (reprinted from 2018)

Easter Matters

Now after he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons.  She went out and told those who had been with him, while they were mourning and weeping.  But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.  After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country.  And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them. Mark 16:9-13

We have just celebrated Easter Sunday. It was a grand and glorious day! The sanctuary of our church was filled with worshippers. The atmosphere was enthusiastic for the event. The music and message of the Word emphasized and led us through our worship.  We again heard the account of the resurrection.  We celebrated with joy that it is real.  Hallelujah!  Christ has risen!

However, it was a troubling event for the first disciples. It seemed impossible for them to imagine. Things, like a resurrection, just don't happen. Even after the resurrection as Jesus was walking with two of His followers, they were so focused on the crucifixion and events of Jesus' death that they didn't recognize who was walking with them. Even Mary Magdalene failed to recognize Jesus when He was standing right in front of her. It took a while for all of them to accept what had happened as truth - Jesus Christ, their Master had risen from the dead. He was alive.

What kind of effect will all of this have on us?  A writer of religious studies has summarized the value of Easter in this way:

     Easter says that Jesus' death and resurrection matter

     to us because -

           it makes sense out of living

           it gives purpose to our life

           it means our life has a future

           it means death is not the end of life

           it means you will live forever

           it means that God offers all of this because of

           His grace in Christ Jesus. 

The events of study and review of Holy Week with the Easter Sunday good news will continue to build our faith so as to reach our Christian goal!

BELIEVE that Christ is risen. Easter is TRUE.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we give you thanks for the strength of faith that we have gained as we worshipped and studied the events of Holy Week. Now we pray that you will guide and direct us so that our Christian faith will continue to help us grow closer to You and the ultimate goal You have for us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen

Lauren Holcombe (reprinted from 2018)

Easter Sunday

"Don't be alarmed," he said, "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him." Mark 16:6 

Good Friday

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "it is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30 

Dandelions for Dinner

Everyone shall eat roast lamb that night, with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Exodus 12:8 TLB

Each spring when the grass turns green and those pesky little yellow flowers appear in my lawn once again, I am reminded of my mother and of the dandelion greens she served for dinner when I was growing up. However, as a student of the plants of the Bible, I am also reminded that dandelions symbolize the suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ.

There is perhaps no meal in all history more worthy of remembering than the Passover meal Jesus ate with His disciples during the week we now call Holy Week. Exodus 12:8, quoted above, describes the foods which are to make up the Passover celebration. It was the custom of the ancient Hebrews to eat five bitter herbs with their unleavened bread and lamb. Many herbs have been mentioned, but most botanists believe the five herbs to have been lettuce, endive, chicory, mint, and dandelion. Today we would probably refer to them as salad.

I no longer eat dandelions for dinner, but each spring as they appear in my lawn, I feel a sense of wonder that they were likely among the bitter herbs Jesus ate with His paschal lamb during Passover almost 2,000 years ago. When dandelions dot our landscape, they serve as a gentle reminder that our Lord Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. He became our Paschal Lamb, the Lamb Who takes away the sin of the world.

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, we are so saddened when we think of that Last Supper and of Jesus' suffering and death on the cross, but we are eternally grateful that He came to save us from our sin. In His holy name we pray. Amen.

Judy Welch (originally shared on the Presbyterian Church of Canada devotional page, shared here in 2025)

A Decision to Face the Cross and Beyond to Resurrection

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Matthew 26: 36-45   

I saw a program on TV that I have thought of in light of Jesus’ Passion. This particular program is “Babylon 5” on which a group of monks from a monastic order came through the Station. These brothers were followers of “The Teacher,” (a clear reference to Jesus). There was a crew member on “Babylon 5” whose family was murdered and the crew member felt that one of the monks was the murderer.  The brother had been sentenced, re-programmed to forget the crime, and part of his sentence was to serve as a brother who followed “the teacher”.  As time went by, the crew member was able to bring some of the brother’s memory back and recall the horror of the crime.

The interesting thing is that the commander of Babylon 5 spoke to the brother who was struggling what to do with the memory and be faithful to “The Teacher.”  He recalled that “The Teacher was in a garden praying what to do about a life-or-death decision he had to make: stay and teach or leave. The brother monk had a decision too - to leave or stay and face up to his crime and seek forgiveness. The crew member and brother monk meet at which the crew member beats the brother leaving him for dead. The commander finds the dying brother, whose last breath is, “Like the Teacher, I stayed.” He acted in faith to the teachings of “The Teacher.”

Interestingly, the crew member who had murdered the brother was sentenced to be a brother and follower of the Teacher himself. The commander was upset, but the Abbot challenged him saying that “The Teacher” was forgiving and gave everyone a second chance.

We are called upon now to make a decision of faith. Can we make the decision to stay because Jesus stayed?  May the example of Jesus be our example to dare to live as the Teacher lived for us to face the Cross and beyond to the Resurrection.  Amen 

Prayer: O God, we thank You for Jesus, who stayed and prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane that Your Will be done even as the Cross looms ahead. May we have the courage of faith to live with a faith the encounters the cost of the Cross, but which brings us to a renewal of faith, life and resurrection in Jesus’ name. Amen

Rev. Dr. John J Duling