What Can You Give?

Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. Deuteronomy 15:10

Pastor Melodie’s Bible study on Mark via Zoom last week started with breakout groups telling stories of having received gifts. They could be any kind of gift. Then we told how we felt about receiving it.

Bryce had an answer for me when I asked him to help think of a special gift. He said, “Remember the night we arrived back to the Lincoln airport at 10:30 pm.” We realized as we started driving we had a flat tire so stopped just outside the airport at a gas station. The tire would not take on air and they had no other help for us.

Unknown to us a young heavy set man was gassing his car and overheard our problem. He said he had the tools and could put our spare tire on for us. It was cold and he didn’t have a coat on, but he proceeded to open the floor of our SUV, retrieve our spare, and laid on the ground and made our vehicle driveable. He gave us his talent, his time and his tools. We tried to pay him but he wouldn’t take money.

Prayer: Dear Father in Heaven, thank you for people like the gentleman we met on that cold night last February. Thank you for the Bible for explaining to us that we need to be cheerful givers, without a grudging heart, at all times. Thank you for offering a blessing to us when we give to others. Amen.

Sandra Hilsabeck

For the Beauty of the Earth

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:    a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

These last several days as the snow has fallen and covered our world in Lincoln, I sit and look out of the window and marvel at the beauty of nature. It made me think about the hymn “For the Beauty of the Earth”. I keep on singing it in my head, and in spite of the enormous amount of snow that we received, I’m glad to live in an area with four seasons.  

Sing or say these words to the song in your heart and mind:

                For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies.

                For the love which from our birth over and around us lies.

                Lord of all to thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise.

I started this after our big snowfall, but I’m now finding it difficult to continue to feel blessed for the four seasons in Nebraska. As Pastor Melodie pointed out in her sermon on February 14, the snow keeps coming and with it bitter cold temperatures, and many of us are more than ready for spring to start. We’re ready for crocuses, daffodils, flowering trees, green grass and warm days. But we can have faith that it will all happen and the snow will melt, finally, for this year.  

Prayer: Dear Lord, as we deal with the challenges of winter, let us not forget the beauty of your creation. Be with us during this cold, bleak winter until spring comes to rejuvenate our lives. Amen.

Carolyn Brandle

Prayer

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:18

This Lent at Eastridge we are observing daily micro-practices (from Vibrant Church Communications). According to the author of the booklet, “some practices can be done on the spot, some during the day, and others will take some time and/or preparation.” Pastor Thomas posts the daily observance on our Eastridge Presbyterian Community Facebook page (also found in the booklets mailed out…contact the church office if you’d like a copy!).

Day Two, entitled “Prayer Rhythm” was to say a prayer each time we do something regularly (some examples: brushing teeth, taking a walk). It occurred to me that a devotion I had been working on regarding prayer fit well with this practice!

Usually I have assistance when I do bulk mailings here at church. Eastridge members Lauren and Melinda Holcombe have most recently helped (pre-COVID), as well as Laura in the office. I appreciate their assistance with this time-consuming task! However, I worked on two recent mailings on my own, and it occurred to me as I worked: sticking labels on is a form of prayer. As I read your name when I see your label, I picture you and/or your family for 2-3 seconds. Those 2-3 seconds that I’m placing the label securely on the envelope can be a form of prayer. My prayer and/or thoughts might not hold a lot of detail, but I don't think that's the point. Just an awareness of each church member as a beloved child of God is enough. 

Similarly, editing photos can become a form of prayer. When I take photos at a wedding, I take between 1500-3000 digital photos, in the form of JPEG files that I then edit for the customer. Editing that many files is no quick task, and I find myself immersed once again, while editing, in the day of the wedding. It’s a form of prayer that I engage in, being connected to this couple and their family as I travel back in time to their special day.

In what ways can you add prayer to your life?

Prayer: Dear God, there are many forms of prayer, many ways to connect to you. Show me ways that I can include others in my prayer life. Show me ways I can turn to you in the mundane tasks of my day. Show me ways I can turn to you in the holy tasks of my day. Amen.

Donna Gustafson

Missing a Call

For many are called, but few are chosen. Matthew 22:14 

Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling

Will L. Thompson, 1880

Verse 1

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,

calling for you and for me;

see, on the portals he’s waiting and watching,

watching for you and for me 

Over the weekend I worked a COVID vaccine clinic for high risk patients. In the afternoon, we were ahead of schedule and we set up a few volunteers to call patients who were scheduled later in the day to see if they could come early.  Since this was generally an elderly population who had just received a call to come for vaccine in the last 48 hours we were asked to not leave messages and only speak with those who were scheduled for an appointment (or the family member who would be bringing them). This absence of messages was an effort to avoid confusion.  

As I was calling these individuals, from a number they definitely wouldn’t recognize, I thought about the times we avoid answering a call. On our cell phone or home phone we may ignore a call from someone that we don’t know, or suspect to be a telemarketer or bill collector. Maybe we ignore a call from someone who is very chatty because we don’t want to make time to speak to them. Maybe we ignore a call from work, or church or another group that we volunteer with because we feel the need to protect our personal interests and we know they are calling to ask for time or money. Maybe we ignore a call from a relative because we are avoiding a conversation or argument. 

I wondered how often we are missing out from something that we desire because of our own conscious avoidance? What if that number we think is a telemarketer is actually someone offering us a vaccine? Or someone asking us to come in early for something that we are waiting for? What if it is our work calling to offer us an incentive or promotion? What if it is our church asking us to be involved in a once in a lifetime opportunity for service? What if the chatty friend is reaching out because they are having an emergency, or that family member we have been avoiding is calling to make amends? 

Technology is a blessing and a curse. When I was a teenager I didn’t have call waiting or caller ID and I was envious of friends who did. As an adult, call waiting means that I have to decide which call is most important, the one I am already on and the one that is coming in. With caller ID I can see who is reaching out to me and make a conscious decision to accept or ignore. I don’t need an answering machine or voicemail to screen my calls the way that I may have 20 or 30 years ago. What am I missing or trying to control with these actions?

Prayer: God who sends us messages, help us to be open to your call and to contacts from other who are trying to reach us. In these difficult times, help us to have faith that those reaching out are doing so for a reason. Let us use our conscious avoidance to end undesired calls instead of ignoring them. Amen

Christi Moock

Dancing with God

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. Psalm 30:11-12 

Let them praise God’s name with dancing and make music to Him with tambourine and harp for the Lord takes delight in His people; he crowns the humble with salvation. Psalm 149:3-4

So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him: he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. (Parable of the Prodigal Son) Luke 15:20

One of my favorite TV shows is “Dancing with the Stars”. As I watch from week to week, it amazes me to see the improvement each celebrity exhibits as he or she becomes more confident in themselves and their ability to execute the dance with their professional dance partner. Some celebrities possess a natural ability to dance while others show more awkwardness. But even the most awkward celebrity shows progress as their professional dance partner guides and leads them through the steps during their daily practices in an attempt to put their assigned dance performance together. 

As I reflect on my life, I view it as a dance with God. At times, it has been as smooth and graceful as a Viennese Waltz while at other times it has been exuberant and joyful like the Lindy Hop or Jive. Still at other times, I have allowed my anger and haughtiness towards God to resemble the Paso Doble or take the form of the freestyle dance when I wanted to throw out all the rules and do things “my way”. Through the years, I’ve even allowed myself to drift away from God’s arms, all the time knowing, God’s arms would be open wide and ready to accept me back into His loving and guiding embrace at a moments notice. 

Prayer: Dear God: Thank you for being my dance partner in life and, ultimately, in death. Open my heart to feel your guiding hand each day as we move together through our ups and downs and joys and sorrows. May my trust in you increase daily knowing you have a plan for my life if I just will take notice and feel your gentle, guiding touch.  Amen 

Patty Niemann (reprinted from October 2009)

Words from the book of Timothy

 

Continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,  so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3: 14b-17

Surprise, Surprise!

Editor's note: In December we lost one of our devotion writers. Not only was Lois Poppe a faithful writer for this ministry, she was instrumental in reviving it as an online blog (with an email reminder/link) four years ago. Here is one of her devotions from 2017. 

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”  James 1:17 

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8

“We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophesy, in proportion to faith; ministry, on ministering; the teacher, in teaching.” Romans 12: 6-7 

Last April, I was given a blooming orchid plant – my first, orchid plant gift.  I watered it carefully and it continued to bloom for two months.  I enjoyed its beautiful blooms and was sad to see it go.  I placed it under our back yard deck and forgot about it. 

Last week as I picked tomatoes at the edge under the deck, the orchid plant greeted me with brilliant new blooms.  What a special gift! I couldn’t wait to show the orchid blooms to my family and neighbors. 

Daily, each of us receives gifts from God.  Often we do not recognize them or give thanks for these gifts.  Can you name gifts you have recently been given by God?  Even though we haven’t earned these gifts, we receive them gratefully. 

Prayer: Dear God, we are thankful for your most precious gifts.  Help us to follow your example and to share our talents and gifts with others. Amen. 

Lois Poppe (reprinted from October 2017)

Ash Wednesday

Join us for Ash Wednesday worship via Zoom. 

Check the link in our newsletter or Lamp, found on the website.

A New Creation

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 16-21

Light for the Way

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises... 2 Peter 1:4.

While studying Mark, I decided it would be interesting to read Mark from one of Aunt Sigrid’s Bibles. (Aunt Sigrid was one of Duane's many great aunts). Aunt Sigrid was a leader in her church and a country schoolteacher who finally retired at 75 years of age. I have found many interesting items in her Bibles and one last bookmark remained. As I read it, it seemed to fit our times and trials.

This was written by Annie Johnson Flint according to Aunt Sigrid's handwritten note. 

God hath not promised skies always blue.

Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through.

God hath not promised sun without rain.

Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

God hath not promised we shall not know, Toil and temptation, trouble and woe.

He hath not told us we shall not bear

Many a burden, many a care.

But God promised strength for the day,

Rest for the laborer, light for the way, grace for the trials, help from above, Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

Prayer: Lord help us to bear with the present and hope for the future.  Amen

Carolyn Olsen

Believe

But not everybody is ready for this, ready to see and hear and act. Isaiah asked what we all ask at one time or another: “Does anyone care, God? Is anyone listening and believing a word of it?” The point is, Before you trust, you have to listen.  Romans 10:16-18 The Message

The anarchist’s coming is all Satan’s work. All his power and signs and miracles are fake, evil sleight of hand that plays to the gallery of those who hate the truth that could save them. And since they’re so obsessed with evil, God rubs their noses in it—gives them what they want. Since they refuse to trust truth, they’re banished to their chosen world of lies and illusions. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 The Message

Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that very hour. Matthew 8:13 NIV

Then Jesus turned to the captain and said, “Go. What you believed could happen has happened.” At that moment his servant became well. Matthew 8:13 The Message

As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him (Jesus) will never be put to shame. Romans 9:33 NIV

Bryce and I were praying in this week between Christmas and the New Year’s Day, and we had a revelation. We have one of our family in jail. He keeps making mistakes and taking drugs. Why? We say this over and over again. He has a good wife and children. Why does he keep repeatedly using drugs and alcohol and end up doing something that puts him back in jail? He knows we all love him as many in the family have tried to help him.

Then it hit us. Until he comes to the point of forgetting about what disappoints him. Or thinking about how he disagrees with a boss. He will have to start thinking of others or he will keep falling. Until he believes Jesus is our Savior and begins to trust in the Lord, he will keep falling as it says in 2^nd Thessalonians.  Before he can trust, he will have to listen as it says in Romans 10. Until he listens and believes Jesus came to save him, he will be banished to his chosen world of lies and illusions as it also says in 2^nd Thessalonians.

Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Romans 8:14 NIV

He needs to become led by the Spirit of God. This can come only when he starts to love others and do for others. Have you noticed how much love the people have that work in soup kitchens and missions, that give extra to their employees, that work to help others and put others first? He must first believe, see the needs of others, and then act on those needs, spiritually or physically to be healed. He must believe to become well so he can trust enough to never be put to shame. Stumbling will stop with listening and believing.

Prayer: Dear Lord, Oh, how I wish we could believe for this relative and stop the hurting of himself and others. We need your Spirit to be so prevalent in front of him that he no longer can refuse to let you in. Help him to learn the truth and live righteously. Help him to listen, to BELIEVE. Amen.

Sandra Hilsabeck

 

His Eye is on the Sparrow

Our organist Brent shared an article about how this song was meaningful to someone at just the right time, and I think of how true that is with many songs, including hymns.

Regarding this particular hymn, His Eye is on the Sparrow, I think of all kinds of birds. I think of birds that are looked at with admiration and fondness, and those that are looked over, maybe because of their annoying behaviors, commonality, or invasiveness. In fact, I've included one below that isn't always favored in the birdwatching community. But God's "eye" is on them all! Just like He loves us all.

Maybe hearing the song during online worship last Sunday was meaningful to you! Lyrics are below, with the refrain printed just once:

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,

Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,

When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I’m happy,

I sing because I’m free,

For His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,

And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;

Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,

When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,

I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

(photos I've taken over the years, some even here on the Eastridge property)

Donna Gustafson

God Knows Us

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1 

I have been thinking about this devotion for several months. I love the reinforcement in the scripture that God knows us. I wonder if God remembers us by certain traits or qualities.  When I talk to others about this I think about Biblical references. Can you imagine God saying to the angel Gabriel “You know, John, John the Baptist, he has that place down by the river, long beard, friendly eyes, that John”.

As humans, dwelling on earth, we are often caught up in what other people think about us. “Marcus, you know Marcus, the one who works in tech and closed that billion dollar deal with Amazon.” Or “Susie, you know, Susie the one with 5 kids who wears the same dress to church every Sunday”.  Or maybe even “Jane, you know Jane, the one who lost her job and has been in a deep depression for months”.  Sometimes we have things we want people to think, we have it all, we are so successful, someone is so nice. There are also ways that we don’t want to be known, as the one without much money, or the one who has been betrayed, or the one who is always angry. 

As Christians, how would we want God to describe us? Have we done the things that we want Him to see? Do we have shame that He can wash away from us? Can He forgive the times that we have disappointed Him?  Would we want Him to describe us based on the good things? Since He knows every part of us, would He say something about what others see versus what He sees?  If you lived your life, based on how God would describe you, what would you do differently? 

Prayer: God who knows our names and everything about our lives, give us grace during our human experience, help us to remember the goals that you have made for us. Help us to use your lens on those around us and to see the goodness in one another. Amen.   

Christi Moock

Being Grateful Enhances our Lives

Every time I think of you, I give thanks to God. Philippians 1:3.  

In this time of uncertainty (when will we get the vaccine?), fear (discrimination and hate is loose in our country) frustration (we miss being with our family and friends), difficulty (some folks are facing economic and job, housing struggles), I often feel at loose ends, a bit lost and all over the place.  I have decided that I needed a new focus, and have chosen gratitude in my relationships as my focus.

Gratitude is defined as a warm feeling of thankfulness toward the world or toward specific individuals.  It means thanks and appreciation.  Gratitude, which just so happens to rhyme with attitude, comes from the Latin word gratis, which means thankful, pleasing.  When you feel gratitude you are pleased by what someone did for you.  I think that’s the easy kind of gratitude.  I want to work on looking at my relationships like Paul stated, truly giving thanks for those in my life and dwelling on their good points, “looking at them through the eyes of love”.

That can be difficult to do at times as other folks have different needs and do not exist to please us.  They think and act independently from us and can be annoying.  It is also easy to take our loved ones for granted.  Over time, it becomes easy to see others’ faults too clearly and to dwell on the hard times and not the good times.

On the site, Wanderlustworker.com, the author lists 7 ways Gratitude can change your life.  I am adding my own twist on these to help guide me in my relationships. 

1.  Gratitude shifts our focus to looking at others in a positive light, even when  problems or disappointments arise. This is a lifelong process, and a choice, I am sure.

2.  Gratitude improves the quality of your life. Studies have linked gratitude with satisfaction of life.

3.  Having gratitude makes you feel happier. It’s a natural occurrence.

4.  Having gratitude reduces your fears.  Keeping a gratitude journal can help to reduce your fears and worries, as you live more in a  state of abundance.

5.  Being grateful toward others strengthens your faith and your belief in God, and allows your gratitude and relationship toward him to grow.  You can also develop a focus toward helping others as part of your spiritual enlightenment.

6.  Feeling gratitude toward others gives you peace of mind.  This focus fosters good will, positive vibrations, and the desire to add value to the world by first being grateful, no matter what.

7.  This overall feeling of gratitude motivates you to reach for your goals. 

Prayer: O Heavenly Father, we ask that you guide us to live a life of gratitude towards others.  We thank you for your neverending Love and Mercy, and pray that we can show that to others and let them feel our gratitude for being in our lives. 

Connie Barry

Hugs

And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them. Mark 10:16

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

I heard a doctor prescribe at least 4 hugs a day for a cancer patient. Different studies have shown that we need 8 hugs a day for survival. Embracing creates energy for both parties. I read an article that was originally printed in Goodnet; that said, “Hugging is a crucial part of human development.”

I have read that a touch (a handshake, a tap on the shoulder, etc.) can be healthy too; but I doubt it has the same effect as a hug.

I can tell you when my nieces and nephews give me a hug it fills my heart and mind with joy. It sometimes can mean the difference between a negative or positive outlook on the day.  It reminds me of the show, Everyone Loves Raymond, where the grandfather Frank sniffs the twins heads and explains that he's "sucking in that youth". Is it really youth or is it the love that fills his heart?

Haven’t you ever received a hug when you were so stressed, and then felt the release of the stress and tension? There are so many healing factors that are wrapped up in a hug.

Seeing someone in pain or hurt; not being able to hug them with the current situation seems so harsh and uncaring.

What can we do but express our feelings maybe better than we ever have in the past to replace that embrace? Express the love in our eyes that show we are listening and care.

Prayer: Pray to the Father for His loving embrace to extend not only to those we meet, but those that are hurting and not receiving that hugs that sustain survival. Pray for guidance in how we can comfort those we meet.

Lori Hood

Tuning out the Waterfall

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10

If you live by a train track or a highway, you know about habituation. The word habituation refers to a decrease in response to a stimulus after repeated presentations. It’s protective.  After you become accustomed to this sound, you pay less attention to the stimulus and your response to the sound will diminish. This diminished response is habituation. You learn to tune out the noise.

Unfortunately, habituation also happens if you live by a waterfall or the ocean.  And it also happens to our response to God’s goodness and love. After a lifetime of knowing God, He still blesses us and loves us. We just stop noticing it. And we definitely stop responding to it. Gone is the joy of appreciation, the peaceful feeling of walking with God, the security that comes from being loved beyond all measure. Habituation is no longer protective. We need to hear that waterfall.

Habituation is natural, but it’s not inevitable. Hearing the waterfall is a part of our worship and it brings so many blessings.

Your Grace Still Amazes Me – Philips, Craig and Dean

My faithful Father, enduring friend
Your tender mercy's like a river with no end
It overwhelms me, covers my sin
Each time I come into your presence I stand in wonder once again

Your grace still amazes me

Refrain:  Your love is still a mystery
Each day I fall on my knees
'Cause Your grace still amazes me
Your grace still amazes me

 

Oh patient savior, You make me whole
You are the author and the healer of my soul
What can I give You, Lord what can I say
I know there's no way to repay You only to offer You my praise

Your grace still amazes me

It's deeper, it's wider, it's stronger, it's higher
It's deeper, it's wider, it's stronger, it's higher
Than anything my eyes can see

Your grace still amazes me 

Prayer:  Dear Lord, I know of your great love, but I admit I take it for granted. I miss out on the amazement I could be experiencing, and I fail to worship you as I should.  During Lent and every day, I ask you to open my eyes and ears to your blessings so I can again hear the beautiful waterfall.  Amen

Lori Snyder-Sloan

God's Love

For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any thing else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:38-39    

Today as I watched the snow falling down and building up rapidly, I remembered many years ago when I was working. We had been told that all employees were expected to show up for work on time—even during bad weather. Our patients needed us and we needed to plan ahead to get to work. Eight inches of snow had fallen overnight and was blowing around. I remember getting up early and shoveling out my driveway and praying that I would not get stuck on my way to work. I drove carefully, and made it to the employee parking lot, almost getting stuck in its entrance. The snow continued falling heavily and I dreaded trying to get home at closing time. Then I got an e-mail mid-afternoon saying that all nonessential patient care employees could go home. I decided to finish up a few things when there was a knock at my office door. One of our executives was there and told me to go home right away. I am sure she could have left earlier or even when the e-mail was sent out, but instead she was knocking on each office door in my hall, telling us all to leave right away and drive safe to get home. Then she headed towards the main patient treatment area to inform the therapists and supporting staff there to leave. I remember feeling cared for and loved by this head boss who took the time to make sure we would be safe.

This week during my devotion time, I read the above verses from Romans. It reminded me of our loving God, how his love is total in all circumstances. How He cares for us and is always with us.

Prayer: Thank you God for your love. Thank you for those around us who show us your love. Help us remember that you are always with us, even in the snow. Amen

Nancy Hall

Don't Wait

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 

What are you waiting for the right time for? How many times have you heard someone say that "when I get enough money I will join a gym and become fit"? Or "if I had more time I would visit an old friend or take an art class"?  We spend a lot of time waiting for something to happen to live our lives. Especially during the pandemic I have heard a lot of people say "once this is over; I am going to..." What if we quit waiting for something to happen and just do what we can now?  Instead of feeling locked in and unable to do what we usually do, we find a different way to do it. Maybe it’s time to clean out the closets, that drawer that everyone has and avoids. I know many people found the time to work on house remodeling or repair jobs in their house. The best was spending time with your family playing games, watching movies together or doing craft projects together or best of all, just sit and talk. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard someone say "when I lose weight I will..."  Why not do it now?  We never know how much time we have until it is too late. Life is to be enjoyed. Life is our time to express our love. Life is a time to count our blessings. Life is to be shared. 

A recent posting on Facebook said, “Do more things that make you forget to check your phone”. Maybe we need to put our phones down and spend our time accomplishing that which we have procrastinated completing.

How many have said "I will read the Bible when I get a chance"? How many other books have you read but you haven’t read the Bible completely?  We need to stop waiting for things to change to accomplish what we want to achieve.

Prayer: Dear Father in Heaven, open our eyes that we see what lies before us is something we can do if we only have faith and stop procrastinating. Help us to stop making excuses why we hold ourselves back from goals we know we can achieve with your strength. Guide us to spend more time with you and your teachings to see the glory of the world and the life you have set before us.  Forgive us for our doubts and fears that have held us back for so long. Thank you for all the blessings you have given us that we take for granted so often. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.   

Lori Hood

Touch

That which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched-this we proclaim concerning the word of life. I John:1 

In one of the last AARP magazines, there was an article on touching and how we need to be touched. In this article, they interviewed a lady in a nursing home who talked about how she missed being touched. How sad. Even sadder during this pandemic the thought of being alone day after day. The voice of a loved one comes through the window or by cell phone. You eat alone, you are alone and like my sister you disappear into the past and your loved ones despair for your mental health. Then I thought about how babies love to be touched. They crow and laugh and reach out to you. 

Teenagers often say, "Don't touch me" but they wear a grin when turning away.  Can you feel a text on your phone? Sometimes when I wake in the morning, a text has arrived from a beloved grandchild. It fills my day with gladness and I remember how they used to cuddle with me or big hugs when they finally were taller than gramma. It is a touch of reality in this cold world. 

Jesus felt the touch of the unclean woman. So even he was not immune to touch.  He asked Who touched me?  His disciples wondered, after all, you are in a crowd.  But he felt the touch and the woman was clean. We don't have the power to cure someone, but we can surely help someone to at least feel love. 

Touched by human hands, touched in gratitude, touched in love, touched by the word of God. We cannot actually touch our friends and relatives these days but maybe we can touch their hearts with a text or a call or even an archaic letter. Just let someone know you still love them or at least are thinking of them during this strange time. 

Prayer: Dear God, let us remember our fellow man and reach out to touch them in some way. Amen 

Carolyn F. Olsen

Compassion and Vulnerability

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