Claiming the Tree of Life

Blessed is the one

    who does not walk in step with the wicked

or stand in the way that sinners take

    or sit in the company of mockers,

 but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,

    and who meditates on his law day and night.

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,

    which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither—

    whatever they do prospers.  Psalm 1:1-3

Many of us have been in grief and horrified by the shooting at the Tree of Life Synogogue in Pittsburgh on October 27th (editor's note: this shooting happened in 2018). A friend and I attended a memorial service at Tifereth Israel Synogogue in Lincoln. It was reassuring in the midst of this tragedy that so many from many faith traditions were in attendance at this memorial service. It was a united voice – a concert of voices that would agree that hate has no home in this community or elsewhere in the United States. 

One point made a profound impression on me: the Tree of Life as portrayed in Psalm 1. It is descriptive of those who walk in the way of the Lord – who meditate on the Law of God - God’s Word every day and night. They are like a tree planted by streams of water. That tree is a tree of life that bears fruit and will prosper. My encouragement is that we find the solace of this fruit bearing tree – of God’s Word – God’s Spirit Who ministers not only to this community, but more so, to the Pittsburgh community and to those directly impacted by this tragedy. Yes, God cries with us and we with each other. God is with us in this - as Emmanuel – God with us in Jesus Christ. May we find comfort, strength, and a voice that has the courage to say, “No more!”

Prayer: Most gracious God, keep us nurtured and strengthened through Him Who is our Vine and we are His branches. Fortify us with Your Spirit. May we bring words and deeds of life to a world that is so encumbered by death. Let this day be a day for living in the name of Him Who is the Resurrection and the Life, Jesus Christ. Amen

Rev. Dr. John Duling (reprinted from 2018)

Seek the Lord

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his face continually. 1 Chronicles 16:11 

Family Trees and Olive Branches

Do not be like children in your thinking, my brothers; be children so far as evil is concerned, but be grown up in your thinking. 1 Corinthians 14:20 

Then we shall no longer be children, carried by the waves and blown about by every shifting wind of the teaching of deceitful men, who lead others into error by the tricks they invent. Instead, by speaking the truth in a spirit of love, we must grow up in every way to Christ, who is the head. Ephesians 4:14 and 15.

Christina Hergenreder used these verses to speak to over one hundred women at the Shiloh campground in Nebraska this year. My sister and I were able to attend and grew in our understanding of family dynamics. 

First, we were told to tell what it was like to enter our family living room at the home we grew up in. We both said it was usually a great feeling in our home in the country in Nebraska. It was a safe home, the neighborhood was so safe, we never locked our doors. We kids never had a key to the house. 

We were lucky that our parents believed the Bible. We did not have alcohol, parents missing, or a lot of brokenness. We had pet dogs and cats and even a pet skunk. The skunk was de-scented and had been brought to us after the neighbor ran over the mother in his field. He brought it to us knowing we cared for animals. The veterinarian removed the sac of foul-smelling fluid, and he became a household pet.

However, we learned from the campground conference from Genesis 50:20, Luke 23:24 and Ephesians 4:14 and 15 that these actions would help us when tragedy or disagreement appears in our family: 

• We do not control others’ emotions or actions
• To glorify the Lord in our actions
• Our identity can be made with using the riches of our Lord’s glory
• We need to forgive even when we don’t want to 
• Love surpasses all
• Bring your hurt to our Lord
• Teach your kids from words of Jesus in the Bible
• Love of Christ and family passes all else

We also learned to build family with

• Devotions 
• Weddings
• Big birthday gatherings
• Touching and holding each other
• Eating together
• Touching each other with love 
• Building a family mission statement

To top off a beautiful day of learning I got a Facetime call from a granddaughter while at the event, that she had become engaged. Thankfully, we get to invite a fine young gentleman into our family. He used a lot of what we learned to build family when he invited friends from far-away places to view his giving of a diamond.

Sandra Hilsabeck

Words from Ecclesiastes

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3:11 

All I Need

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matthew 6:25-26

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23:1

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Philippians 4:11

On a Connection Card (available in our church pews), there is a question: “How can we pray for you?” A child turned in her card recently, answering, “nothing, I got everything I need.”

I thought of a child’s view and how we can appreciate this, how we can use her example to be content with what we have. Now, that doesn’t mean we don’t need others’ prayers or that we should always be content with the status quo. However, I think gratitude and appreciation and just paying attention are what this is about.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to be thankful for all that you’ve given me. Help me to find joy and contentment in my circumstances, because you are there with me. Amen.

Donna Gustafson

Words from Psalm 65

You crown the year with your goodness, and your paths drip with abundance. Psalm 65:11 

Clear Thinking & Common Sense

Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life; don't for a minute lose sight of them. They'll keep your soul alive and well, they'll keep you fit and attractive. You'll travel safely, you'll neither tire nor trip. You'll take afternoon naps without a worry, you'll enjoy a good night's sleep. No need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday's just around the corner, because God will be right there with you; he'll keep you safe and sound. Proverbs 3:21-26 (The Message)  

This has been a difficult period in our country as we have become more divided than ever over political issues. The media sometimes adds to the concerns we have when they discuss the issues. I’ve heard commentators use the words “fear” and “panic” when they discuss the public’s reactions to the news of the day.

This passage from Proverbs advises us to keep our sound judgment and use common sense, for they will help us on our travels. Especially appropriate is the section suggesting that we don’t need to panic over predictions about doomsday—because God is with us and will keep us safe and sound.

How appropriate it is to reconsider these words from thousands of years ago. It’s easy to be overwhelmed when it seems all the news is bad and there doesn’t seem to be any hope. We worry about the political scene, climate change, the economy, health care, and education, to name a few. But worry doesn’t really get us anywhere. It merely diverts our attention from honoring God for our blessings.

            

Eastridge will soon be conducting its stewardship campaign, and it might be tempting to fall prey to all the negative news around us and think our church pledge is an item that can be moved to a lower priority. However, the next verses of the Proverbs chapter advise us not to take such action:

         Never walk away from someone who deserves help;

               your hand is God's hand for that person.

            Don't tell your neighbor "Maybe some other time"

               or "Try me tomorrow" when the money's right there in your pocket.

The church budget includes money to operate the church building and programs, but it also includes funding for local, national, and international mission projects. Prayerfully consider your situation when completing your pledge form. Remember that God is always there and will provide and try not to succumb to the fear and panic that seems all around us. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, we thank you for giving us common sense and good judgment. We need your assistance to remember our blessings amidst the “fear” and “panic” that seems to be everywhere today. We know you are always there and will keep us safe. Help us to always understand that we can reach out to others, for our hands can be your hands.

Robin Hadfield (reprinted from 2018)