Perseverance and Henry David Thoreau

 

 

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.” 1 Peter 5:10

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3-4

From Thoreau: ”Do not despair of life. You have no doubt force enough to overcome obstacles. Think of the fox prowling through the wood and field in a winter night for something to satisfy his hunger. Notwithstanding cold, hounds and traps his race survives. I do not believe any of them ever committed suicide.” Now, I know a couple of things about this quote that might rankle:

• In many circles we have moved past the language “committed suicide” to “died by suicide”.
• We should not minimize someone’s feelings and actions by suggesting they could have withstood something in their life we likely know nothing about. 

However, I believe there is something to take away from this. For me, it’s this: we are stronger than we think, and…keep going, keep going, keep going. In addition to what the quote implies, I'd like to include that we can ask for help, from God and others, including professional help.

Some scripture to support was included above, but I also believe that if we can sometimes just hang on until the next day, things may look different. In the chapter on "Appreciate Whatever is Pleasing" in the book "Appreciate These Things" by Jill J. Duffield, she shares that some days we just need to look for the beauty, wherever we may find it. "The ache for beauty was still urgent in me, but my hope for riding out the tide of pain began to rise," she shares after noticing something pleasing on what was for her a difficult day. Small things, and the promise that hope brings.

This Thoreau quote, along with a beautiful Wyeth painting of a fox ("Fox in Winter" by N.C. Wyeth; from "Men of Concord", 1935), was shared on the Thoreau Society page on Facebook. I’ve shared that lovely painting here, plus my own photo of two local foxes playing in the snow!

A bit more about Thoreau: Henry David Thoreau (born July 12, 1817, Concord, Massachusetts, U.S.—died May 6, 1862, Concord) was an American essayist, poet, and practical philosopher renowned for having lived the doctrines of Transcendentalism as recorded in his masterwork, Walden (1854), and for having been a vigorous advocate of civil liberties, as evidenced in the essay “Civil Disobedience” (1849). (from Britannica.com)

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to remember that we can turn to you when we're struggling. Help us reach out to people in our life (friends, family, professionals) when we feel despair. Give us strength to keep going. Amen.

Click on photos to view larger. 

Donna Gustafson

Ash Wednesday

Join us around the table between 8 am and 8 pm for a short service of ashes and contemplation.  

Ashes will be available all day with music for contemplation in our sanctuary.  

Can’t make it to the church on Ash Wednesday?  Packets of "ashes and prayers” will be at the Welcome Desk beginning Sunday, February 15.

 

Helping Others

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” John 13: 12-17

This last month I was fortunate enough to help out on a Tuesday night with the Food Pantry. In all honesty, it wasn’t hard work, and there were enough of us helping that it didn’t take long at all. In a way, I kind of felt guilty as I drove back home that the task wasn’t harder and didn’t take longer! And then I realized what a selfish thought that really is, as though if helping out were harder, then I would feel better about having helped. All me, me, me. Volunteering and helping do things for others shouldn’t be about the helper; it really is all about those being helped. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? And yet we’re humans with complex emotions and wants. Christ provided us with the ultimate example of servitude toward others without asking for anything in return except our faith in him, our knowledge that he died so that we might have a place in the Kingdom of God. What a truly glorious gift he gave to us! Our hope for ourselves should be that we emulate his example as best we can to others here on earth.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to open my heart that I might be a better helper to others. And above all else, let me always remember that the power and glory are yours alone, and it’s through you that I gather strength and comfort to do what I hope is right in your eyes. In Christ’s name, Amen.

Greg Tubach (reprinted from Eastridge Daily Devotion book, 2008)

Happy Presidents' Day

 

Presidents' Day, officially Washington's Birthday at the federal governmental level, is a holiday in the United States celebrated on the third Monday of February. It is often celebrated to honor all those who served as presidents of the United States and, since 1879, has been the federal holiday honoring Founding Father George Washington, who led the Continental Army to victory in the American Revolutionary War, presided at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and served as the first U.S. president from 1789 to 1797. (Wikipedia)

Promises

When God made a promise to Abraham, because he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore to himself saying, "I will surely bless you and multiply you."  And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. Hebrews 6:13-15

Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.  And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10: 23-25

His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Thus he has given us, through these things, his precious and very great promises. 2 Peter 1: 3-4

One of my favorite old-time hymns is Standing on the Promises of God. The tune of that hymn causes me to repeat the words to myself. The words of "eternal praise," "overcoming doubt and fear," "listening to the call," "bound by love" keep repeating in my mind as I think of that song. It reminds me that our Christian faith is based on promises from God that we have learned about from studying the message that Jesus brings to us in the Bible. The promises become our expectations that we have because we believe in God. I suppose we become disappointed and somewhat doubters if certain promises don't seem to come our way in a timely manner. However, as written in Hebrews, as our faith grows, we overcome our doubts and concerns and rely on the "promises from God."

While we live to claim the promises from God, our church has promises from us. We made promises of support and involvement when we joined Eastridge Church. We continue to make verbal promises during worship activities and responses. Our church lives because of our promises. Today, our church has several service and financial needs. Are we living up to our promises? Can we expect to claim promises from God if we haven't fulfilled our promises to our church? Let us meet the needs of Eastridge Church.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we give You thanks for the messages of promise that You have presented to us through Your son, Jesus. Help us to grow in faith in order to fulfill our promise to follow Your word and to search for the direction You would have us live so that it would be pleasing in Your sight. Amen

Lauren Holcombe (reprinted from 2017, shared today in memory of Lauren)

Parable of the Lost Sheep

If you had one hundred sheep, and one of them strayed away and was lost in the wilderness, wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine others to go and search for the lost one until you found it?  And then you would joyfully carry it home on your shoulders. When you arrived, you would call together your friends and neighbors to rejoice with you because your lost sheep was found. In the same way, heaven will be happier over one lost sinner who returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! Luke 15:4-7

I am fond of Jesus’ Parables. The parables are wonderful stories for faith building, and especially for children. Most of the time I view the world through children and their faith development. This is why I chose this Bible selection: this parable talks about a shepherd who left his 99 sheep to search for a lost one (one who strayed away). He knew that the lost one was in danger. Each sheep is of high value, just as each of us is of high value and loved by God. When the shepherd found the sheep, he carried it home. In the same way, God rejoices when any of us are lost (strayed away) and we return to God. Each one of us is to be that shepherd and minister to those that have strayed and bring them back to God. This is a challenge for you to be a shepherd.

Prayer: Dear Lord, give me courage to be a shepherd and to share God’s love. Amen.

Susan Taylor (reprinted from Eastridge Devotion book, 2008)

Praise in Music

Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. James 5:13

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16

Music brings us together to share our joy and sorrow, to comfort us, to rouse our spirits, to celebrate, and to stir up memories. When we get together with friends of the same “era,” reminiscing about favorite tunes and lyrics tightens the bonds among us. I know a family of musicians who take their guitars and keyboards whenever they gather.  Every family reunion is ended with a bittersweet singing of Edelweiss - “May the Lord, mighty God, bless and keep us forever.”

Although solos can be beautiful, the community created when a group of musicians perform is a unique experience. Just like athletes who feel a surge of energy when their team successfully defeats an opponent, choir and orchestra members feel their spirits soar when the climax of the finale is perfect. Individuals who previously had no connection come together to achieve a mutual goal.

Sacred music holds a special place in worship. Everyone has a specific hymn that is meaningful to them. When the initial notes rise from the piano or organ, the warmth of the familiar words and melody comfort us; we join in heartily and create a community of believers sending the message to God. Cantatas and oratorios pull us into the story they are telling. The opening chorus of Beethoven’s “Messiah” can send your heart beating in anticipation of the soaring solos and choruses to come. Whether it’s a traditional hymn written by John Wesley, a stirring gospel or spiritual, or a praise song sung with guitar accompaniment, the shared experience of joining with a congregation to sing affirms our membership in a community with shared beliefs.

A study reported in the Journal of Religion, Spirituality and Aging, found that adults who participated in religious music activities had a greater sense of purpose and meaning in life as well as reduced evidence of anxiety and depression than others who were not involved in spiritual music. Along with the spiritual benefits of music, it can improve our learning, concentration, memory, mental fitness, and reduce pain. The benefits of music affect people of all ages. Involving and encouraging young children and teens to join a community of music lovers exposes them to the same benefits.

Prayer: Dear God, make us aware of opportunities to sing praise to you. As we join with the community of your believers, let us sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in our hearts to you. Amen 

Carol McClain (reprinted from April 2024)