In his hands are the depths of the earth and the mountain
peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for
he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Psalm 95:4-5
We enjoyed our annual trip to the North Woods this year even
with the differences because of COVID 19. There were no sauna nights, no family potluck in the Yurt, no trips to
the Wifi cabin to check e-mail (this was a good thing), no loud and raucous
family game nights with cousins, and no watching small children while other
family members spent a day on the lake. We accommodated these missing traditions with LOTS of time on the boat,
outdoor visits (with plenty of bug spray) and more walks around camp to see
each other for a quick hello. On our
times boating around the lake we paid more attention to the water clarity, the
beautiful water lilies, the tamarack trees, and the wildlife. We were delighted to see our first nesting
loon, several deer, baby chickadees and lots of chipmunks, squirrels and
Franklin’s ground squirrels. My husband
and I have wondered before if we love this vacation destination because of the
family reunion feel, or the closeness to nature, the absence of technology or
just the sensation that we are stepping back in time.
On the drive home I thought about how rejuvenated I felt
with a week away, enjoying the beauty of the outdoors and paying attention to
God’s creatures. I couldn’t help but
think of Pierpoint’s 1863 hymn “For the Beauty of the Earth”. I remember singing this in church as a very
small child, with my grandmother. I was
amazed to find out this hymn is nearly 150 years old. In doing a little research I found that
Pierpoint originally wrote this for use during communion and that the original
lyrics were a “sacrifice of praise” instead of the now common refrain “this,
our hymn of grateful praise”.
http://hymnbook.igracemusic.com/hymns/for-the-beauty-of-the-earth
This
year I have worked more than ever before, and I really
didn’t realize how badly I needed a break. Even though this is something
we do every year, it was more special this
year. More valuable. More interesting. More focused on recognizing the
beauty. Relaxing in the wonder of wilderness. Splashing in the cold
lake. Taking time for family. Being grateful.
Prayer: God who created our world and has shared wisdom with
man on the need to preserve it, thank
you for a week in the beauty of northeast Minnesota. Thank you for entertaining animals, time with
family and a break from responsibility. Your world is so beautiful and we are so blessed to experience it.
Amen.
Christi Moock (reprinted from 2020)
Eastridge Daily Devotion
Views
Thursday, October 17, 2024
For the Beauty of the Earth
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Roads
He leads me to paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Psalms 23:3
“There is more than one way to get to Omaha”
I grew up in Sioux City, Iowa and the above phrase was very familiar to me. Literally, there were 2 highways to Omaha—one in Iowa and one in Nebraska. Conversing on this, there were usually footnotes on where the best places were to stop and have coffee or chili, the best road conditions, the cleanest bathrooms at gas stations, and the fastest routes. As I have gotten older, I have recognized additional meanings to this phrase. There is more than one way to solve a problem. Many people can contribute with their skills to get to the communal goal. It is okay to take different paths for a positive result.
While I was in grade school, there was an uproar in town regarding the city’s libraries and a bookmobile. The city council planned to close several of the small neighborhood libraries and replace them with a used bookmobile. The argument was: it is cheaper to run a bookmobile than pay multiple salaries and do the upkeep on the buildings, and the bookmobile could go to many neighborhoods (poor) where people could not get to a library. If you wanted a specific book, you could call ahead and the bookmobile could provide it to you. The city could have fewer librarians and save on the cost of salaries. The counter argument: the current libraries were used extensively by the neighboring schools that did not have libraries in their buildings, the data showed that the libraries were used by many children and adults, there were more books available in the libraries along with resources than a bookmobile could supply, and the physical libraries were already paid for. The librarians were faithful city employees who would lose their jobs. There was also the cost of buying a used bookmobile. My mother was the head of my school’s PTA and the PTA supported keeping the libraries. We attended many city council meetings, signed petitions to keep the libraries, and looked at the success of bookmobiles in similar communities. Not everybody was happy with the end result, but we all survived. The city closed the little libraries and bought the bookmobile, but because of the communities' interest in solving the extended problems with the schools, a special fund was established to help the schools start their own libraries, there was a commitment to build new bigger regional libraries and a new central library with a much wider set of resources to the community, and library employees from the smaller libraries would not lose their jobs but would work in the bigger regional libraries. Plus, the city recognized these faithful librarians for their service to the community.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for all those who have helped provide our faith community with worship and fellowship opportunities, ongoing Bible studies, Christian education, music, running the day-to-day management of the church, writing devotions, and providing prayer shawls. Thank you for the mission commitments in our community and the world. Help us to remember that there are many roads to Omaha, and there are people with many skills who contribute to your church and the goal to praise you - God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Nancy Hall (reprinted from 2020)
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Stressful Days
I lift up my eyes to
the mountains—
where does my help
come from?
My help comes from
the Lord,
the Maker of heaven
and earth.
He will not let your
foot slip—
he who watches over
you will not slumber;
indeed, he who
watches over Israel
will neither slumber
nor sleep.
The Lord watches over
you—
the Lord is your
shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm
you by day,
nor the moon by
night.
The Lord will keep
you from all harm—
he will watch over
your life;
the Lord will watch
over your coming and going
both now and
forevermore. Psalm 121
It is my busy season at work. “Busy” doesn’t seem to capture it very well. Stressful describes it better. Add in personal obligations and it is overwhelming at times. Can you relate?
In a previous devotion I shared where I have learned to ask Jesus “What is the next thing I need to do?” in the midst of being pulled in so many directions. And He faithfully answers. And then I ask again and He answers. Like a child, I trust my father to tell me what is best.
At particularly stressful times, I calm myself by taking a breath in while thinking “breathing in peace” and exhaling while thinking “breathing out grace”. Peace to calm me and grace to give others. Jesus brings me back to thinking clearly and stops (sometimes) my tongue. I keep doing this until my breathing becomes slow and calm.
At night when you can’t shut off your brain of things to do or worry, I do two things: 1) I get up and write down the list of “to do” things in my head; and 2) I say the Lord’s Prayer in my head very, very slowly concentrating on each word. Say it again until you fall asleep.
Remember to show extra love to those closest to you as they often, unintentionally, receive less time and attention from you. Love brings you back to center.
Peace and grace to you.
Cathy Schapmann (reprinted from 2018)
Monday, October 14, 2024
He is Faithful
I know who stands behind
Is always by my side
He is a friend of mine
Is always by my side
Friday, October 11, 2024
Animals
Thursday, October 10, 2024
"Whatever you ask in prayer"
Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” Mark 11:23-25
Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. John 14:13-14As the two of us waited in our motel room in Kimball, we spent time watching the weather reports on TV and flight information on our computer. Those of us living in the Midwest know the weather can change within a heartbeat. The more we watched the weather reports, the more anxious we became as the sunny skies in the Denver area were being replaced with the elements of ice, snow and intense wind. We began to worry about whether flights would be able to land in Denver. And if they did, would the roads be passable for our loved ones to make the three hour trip from Denver to Kimball?
Patty Niemann (reprinted from 2013)
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Police Officers
Dear Wesley,
I prayed for you this week. I have always been proud of what
you do for our country. Law enforcement is a necessity and you, as my
granddaughter’s husband, are the only part of my family in law enforcement. I
am thankful you are the father of my great grandsons. But I never tell you
these things, so here I go-
I received a paper on “How to Pray” for law enforcement.
I prayed I am thankful for law enforcement and especially
you.
I prayed for Intercession, that Christ will protect you.
I prayed that you would be drawn closer to God.
I prayed God makes you into what he wants you to be and
gives you everything you could possibly need each day.
I prayed Jesus would be with you each and every day.
I Looked at Psalm 40:1-3 and prayed it for you as I know you
come across these things. The Living Bible says, “God Blesses those (police
officers) who are kind to the poor. He helps them out of their troubles. He
protects them and keeps them alive; he publicly honors them and destroys the
power of their enemies. He nurses them when they are sick, and soothes their
pains and worries.”
I prayed that as you face devastating violence, lots of
people without jobs, people who have depression or stress disorders, people who
have tried or succeeded with suicidal temptations and more, you will remain
calm, and our Lord will be with you. 1 Chronicles 22:12 says, “And may the Lord
give you the good judgment to follow all his laws when he makes you king of
Israel” (you are king when you arrive at difficulties). For if you carefully
obey the rules and regulations which he gave to you, you will prosper. Be
strong and courageous, fearless and enthusiastic!” I pray these for you.
I will continue to pray for you, love you and honor you!
Sandra Hilsabeck