The Lamb of God

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 1 Thessalonians 4:13

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. 1 Thessalonians 3:12

I was having breakfast with Bryce and looked over at my shelves on the north wall. Here was the sunlight shining right on the lamb I put there to represent the Lamb of God, our Savior, Jesus Christ. It jolted me and I made Bryce look. It was like Jesus was there and was shedding his light for us to see. Then I noticed the bird sitting on the rock with the word “Hope” was also lit up by the sunlight. I received this bird from one of my Hope Renewed class members that I taught at Eastridge for nine years. I loved the hope we shared those evenings. No matter what happens, we can have hope in the Lord.

I just had to take a photo as I may never be at that spot at that certain time of day with the sun at just that level. You can actually see the shadow of the lamb’s head.

It is Holy moments like that that bless me more and more as I get older. Enjoy each day and watch for those Holy moments.

Prayer: Dear Lord, please increase our love for You and make us aware of all that is around us. Help us to love one another and be strengthened by your presence in and around us. Amen.

Sandra Hilsabeck

Words from Proverbs 20

 

 Knowing what is right is like deep water in the heart;

    a wise person draws from the well within.

  Lots of people claim to be loyal and loving,

    but where on earth can you find one?

 God-loyal people, living honest lives,

    make it much easier for their children.

God is in charge of human life,

    watching and examining us inside and out.

  Love and truth form a good leader;

    sound leadership is founded on loving integrity. Proverbs 20: 5-7; 27-28 The Message

A Better Life

Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude. Colossians 4:1-3 (The Message) 

It's criminal to ignore a neighbor in need, but compassion for the poor-what a blessing! Proverbs 14:21 (The Message)

And then take on an entirely new way of life-a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you. Ephesians 4:19-21 (The Message)

In Christ's body we're all connected to each other, after all. Ephesians 4:24 (The Message)

I recently heard a speaker who suggested four components that can help each of us live a better life. First, live with gratitude. Second, live with compassion. Third, try to do something in a new or novel way. And fourth, connect deeply.

All of these concepts are included in the Bible, as noted above. And they're all ideas that can help make us better Christians. If we live with gratitude, we become more aware of all the blessings we have received from God. And if we focus on the things we can be grateful for, maybe we can turn away from some of the negative thinking we often carry with us.

Living with compassion means caring for others around us. Just as Jesus did. There are a number of ways we can demonstrate compassion--by donating money to charities or by volunteering to help those in need. But we can also show concern in our everyday interactions with those around us. It only requires that we stop to listen to a friend's problem or that we say hello to a stranger on the street.

Taking action in a new way can also be simple. Read a nonfiction book rather than a mystery. Attend a documentary instead of a violent action movie. Talk to someone new at church. Or it can be more involved: like learning to speak a different language.

The most important, but also the most difficult, of the suggestions for how to live a better life may be the final one: connect deeply. We need human interaction, but it needs to be more than just saying "How are you?" Friendships are vital to good mental and physical health. And faith can help us develop deeper connections with others. Sharing our faith with friends builds stronger friendships. And as stated in 2 Corinthians 5:20 of The Message, we should become friends with God because he's already a friend with us. We can lead better lives with God's help.

Prayer: Dear God, we're often looking for ways to make our lives better. These four notions may help us. But we know, Lord, that our lives will definitely be improved if we strive to be your friend, as you are our friend. Please be with us as we try to be grateful, compassionate, brave enough to try new things, and connected. Amen.

Robin Hadfield (reprinted from 2016)

Wisdom

 

Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;

    teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.

  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

    and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

  For through wisdom your days will be many,

    and years will be added to your life. Proverbs 9:9-11

Love Your Neighbor

When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 19: 33-34  

Immigration laws are a hot political topic. Should citizens of other countries who enter the United States illegally be entitled to public benefits such as health care and food stamps? Should there be a path to citizenship for undocumented workers? Should certain immigrant students be allowed to have driver’s licenses, and should they be charged in-state college tuition rates? What should be done about the thousands of unaccompanied children arriving from Central American countries? 

As Christians, in struggling to answer these complicated questions, we must certainly consider God’s law as it was imparted to the Jewish people through Moses long ago.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege of living in a safe and secure environment with access to food and shelter and health care. We know that we have brothers and sisters for whom these basic needs are not easily met. We ask that You guide us in making fair and just decisions that will improve the quality of their lives and bring Your Kingdom nearer for all of us.  Amen.

Judith Keller (reprinted from September 2014)

Help

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from their troubles. Psalm 34:17

While I generally spend most of my time and efforts at work on clinical projects, the last 10 months I have been working on two different financial projects. This is far outside my comfort zone and often leaves me feeling a little out of sorts.  Some of the team members that I have to work with are challenging. The rules for Medicare are difficult to interpret and often lead to arguments among team members. And most of all, at least for me, working in the healthcare industry has always been more about taking care of the patient, and less about making sure that we are reimbursed for that work.  

Before these meetings I have found myself pausing outside the door to pray.  Simple prayers like “God, a little help please” or “God, I can’t take it if we have another shouting match” or some days “God, I really like my job, except for this project”. While I am so thankful for the opportunity to learn about the rules and how they impact the physicians and nurses caring for our patients this work has felt like a tremendous burden and I find myself wanting to rush through the pain and break free from the troubles. Even though God hasn’t stepped in to rescue me, I feel better whispering to him in confidence before I take on this work.  And I continue to believe that he is with me while I facilitate difficult conversations, navigate solutions and help those involved make decisions and improve the process so that the care that we provide will be affordable to the community in need.  

Prayer: God who is always present, thank you for listening when I fuss, for comforting me when I am burdened, for giving me strength to fight for the right things. Thank you for all the opportunities in my life, both the hard and the easy.   

Christi Moock (reprinted from January 2020)

The Tongue

But no one can tame the tongue-a restless evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:8

Someone recently said the following in a conversation. The tongue has no bones but is strong enough to break a heart. So be careful with your words.

Harsh words said by one human to another stirs up anger and hurt. It can cause a real rift. The dictionary says that a rift is a breach in friendly relations between people or in the unity of a group.

Think back and remember a time when someone did not control their tongue when talking to you or you observed this happening. Remember your hurt or watched someone being hurt. Can you remember a time when you did not control your tongue in a situation and you hurt someone? Think about controlling your tongue and the words that break a heart.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help me remember not to use harsh words aimed at others- tame my tongue and not hurt others. Amen

Susan Taylor (reprinted from November 2017)

Words from Psalm 34

 

I will extol the Lord at all times;

    his praise will always be on my lips.

  I will glory in the Lord;

    let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

  Glorify the Lord with me;

    let us exalt his name together.

 

  I sought the Lord, and he answered me;

    he delivered me from all my fears.

 Those who look to him are radiant;

    their faces are never covered with shame.

 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;

    he saved him out of all his troubles.

  The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,

    and he delivers them.

 

  Taste and see that the Lord is good;

    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

 Fear the Lord, you his holy people,

    for those who fear him lack nothing.

  The lions may grow weak and hungry,

    but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

  Come, my children, listen to me;

    I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

  Whoever of you loves life

    and desires to see many good days,

  keep your tongue from evil

    and your lips from telling lies.

  Turn from evil and do good;

    seek peace and pursue it.

 

  The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

    and his ears are attentive to their cry;

  but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil,

    to blot out their name from the earth.

 

  The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;

    he delivers them from all their troubles.

 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted

    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

 

  The righteous person may have many troubles,

    but the Lord delivers him from them all;

  he protects all his bones,

    not one of them will be broken. Psalm 34: 1-20

 

Words from Psalm 94

 

The Lord is a God who avenges.

    O God who avenges, shine forth.

  Rise up, Judge of the earth;

    pay back to the proud what they deserve.

  How long, Lord, will the wicked,

    how long will the wicked be jubilant?

 

  They pour out arrogant words;

    all the evildoers are full of boasting.

  They crush your people, Lord;

    they oppress your inheritance.

  They slay the widow and the foreigner;

    they murder the fatherless.

  They say, “The Lord does not see;

    the God of Jacob takes no notice.”

 

 Take notice, you senseless ones among the people;

    you fools, when will you become wise?

  Does he who fashioned the ear not hear?

    Does he who formed the eye not see?

  Does he who disciplines nations not punish?

    Does he who teaches mankind lack knowledge?

  The Lord knows all human plans;

    he knows that they are futile.

 

  Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord,

    the one you teach from your law;

  you grant them relief from days of trouble,

    till a pit is dug for the wicked.

  For the Lord will not reject his people;

    he will never forsake his inheritance.

  Judgment will again be founded on righteousness,

    and all the upright in heart will follow it.

 

  Who will rise up for me against the wicked?

    Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?

  Unless the Lord had given me help,

    I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.

  When I said, “My foot is slipping,”

    your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.

  When anxiety was great within me,

    your consolation brought me joy. 

   But the Lord has become my fortress,

    and my God the rock in whom I take refuge. Psalm 94: 1-19; 22

Caring for One Another

If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in your patient endurance of the same sufferings. 2 Corinthians 1:6

When I was a child, I often erupted in anger and maybe in my aging process, I am reverting to childhood for suddenly I seem to have less time for foolish people. Less time to feel concern for the person who chooses not to wear a mask. Less time to care for the young adult who seems to be feigning illness to get added attention. Less patience for the person who runs a red light or speeds ahead of me or turns sharply into my path. Less tolerance for foolish conversations or use of insulting slurs.

Sometimes I voice my complaints to the man with whom I live. He often answers gently, tomorrow is another day. At least I am not alone to stew in my discontent or dismay.

Today a letter came from a recent widow friend of ours. Her only daughter also died not many years ago. She wrote the following, “Spending this sacred Christmas Day home alone facing oneself with 100% honesty in peace with one’s God – a gift all its own. I am so grateful for the special people God has put in my life.”

Good grief, thought. Carolyn, have more patience. Be thankful for what you have. There is still soft snoring in the night, someone to hold my hand when I laugh or cry and sometimes after I have yelled aloud. We were certainly not alone for Christmas and even if we had been, zooming would have filled the afternoon with thoughts and feelings of love and companionship and we would have had one another.

How many people did spend Christmas Day alone? How many people spend day after day alone? During this very odd time in our lives when we face the outside world with a certain amount of fear, are we forgetting how to communicate with others, how to feel for one another’s problems? Do we even know about one another’s problems? And the worst part is, do we even care?

Can we spend a few moments each day trying to be more caring and more loving toward our fellow man, woman, and child? Maybe 2022 will be different, but even as I have my doubts, I also have my hopes.

Prayer: Dear Lord, hear our prayers. Help us to help one another, to be there for others and to be happy in spite of doubts of the future and also to be loving toward our fellow man.

Carolyn Olsen

Do Not Be Anxious

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 

"Do not steal.” “Do not lie.” “Do not deceive one another.” Leviticus 19:11 

An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies. Proverbs 14:5 

Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Pray to the Lord to take the frogs away from me and my people, and I will let your people go to offer sacrifices to the Lord.” Exodus 8:8

Have you ever been pulled aside by a policeman and checked to see if you were part of ISIS? I mean the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. The ISIS that was responsible for terrorist or suicide attacks in our country.

Well, I was on 143rd Street in Kansas City, Kansas. I saw all my notebooks containing my writing for my latest book, my rolling suitcase and my rolling backpack slide out of the back of my son-in-law’s SUV. This disturbed me and I became anxious as I slowed and pulled over as far as I could because the road was busy at 8:00 in the morning. I thanked the Lord later because two women also stopped their cars and helped me gather all the items and put them back in the car. I love that He sent them to help me.

I started going to pick up my daughter again and realized since the hatchback was open when I zoomed onto 143rd Street, maybe some things had fallen out on the few blocks before. So, I turned around and checked those streets, but when I came back to 143rd there was a car sitting by the intersection. And - I saw my son-in-law’s gun sitting in the intersection. We had missed it. I became very anxious when the man sitting in the car said he had called the police. I had picked up the gun and gone over to tell him it was mine. He was waiting for the police. I decided I better wait although it was getting late. He was carefully standing with his door over him and his child in the back. And yes, Bo, the dog, was also in my car, but thankfully had never gotten out in all the hustle and bustle.

Ok, I did not lie when the officer started asking questions about why the gun was in the street, whose gun it was and more. I knew I wasn’t guilty of a crime. He said he had orders to check out all weapons found on street property to see if they had been involved in ISIS activity. “Ok” I said, and I don’t think I turned to the Lord about the gun or frogs or anything else. I am sure if I had, I wouldn’t have been so anxious.

Finally, the officer received his information, asked a few more questions and decided he had to let me go on my word and the evidence. My daughter said, “You’re late.” I said, “Let’s go, and I will tell you on the road.” It was funny to her as she knew it was all over and she started laughing. She even called my sister and they laughed together. I started to calm down. She said they hadn’t registered the car yet as they had just purchased it in Texas which could have made my release even more difficult.

Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, please help me to remember to talk with you and ask you to be with me when I get in those situations. Amen.

Sandra Hilsabeck

 

Beauty in the Everyday

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34

For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. Romans 11:36

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. Psalm 9:1

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

I’ve been doing picture puzzles on my phone with an app called Art Puzzle from Easybrain. In addition to being a calming activity, I love how the dreamy, Disney-like artwork shows the beauty in the everyday. For example, a puzzle might simply be a kitchen scene with cookbooks and a pet cat sharing space with a Coca-cola can and an overgrown plant.

I thought: if we appreciate the beauty around us, will it make us happier? More content? I’m not sure, but I know God probably approves if we look at what’s around us in a grateful, thankful sense. As we head into another new year, let us take this opportunity to practice gratitude. In particular, appreciation for what we see around us. If we can’t see it (perhaps due to failing eyesight), maybe it’s something we hear or feel. Beauty in the everyday moments. Thank you, God, for this beauty in our immediate realities.

It’s winter. While there may not be snow on the ground to lend an air of beauty, I do notice little things while I’m out taking photos (winter photos included below). The hues of winter include grays and browns that may sound drab, but are really lovely: the foggy, dreamy quality of the background on a cold day when the sky is overcast.

Gratitude and noticing nature are subjects I return to often (as those of you who read this online ministry have noticed!). I think practicing gratitude benefits us many times over. In Brene’ Brown’s newest book, Atlas of the Heart, the section on gratitude confirms that this emotion positively affects our well-being. (More on Brene’ Brown’s book in an upcoming devotion!)

In a video clip I recently watched, the author spoke of "cultivating joy". The two things he suggested doing were "paying attention to the positive conditions that are already present in your life" and practicing "nowhere to go, nothing to do" (he suggests sitting quietly and just being present), both of which echo the choice to be grateful.

Take a walk outside today, or simply look at your surroundings, taking notice of things you may usually pass over or pass by. Start a gratitude journal. Make a list of things in which you’re thankful. Say a prayer, thanking God for those little things (and big things) in your life.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to notice the beauty around me. Help me to look at life in a new way, to appreciate the world around me. Amen.

Donna Gustafson          

(click on photos below to view larger)

Even When...Will I Still Believe?

Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God”? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:27-31 (NIV)

I wait [patiently] for the Lord, my soul [expectantly] waits, and in His word do I hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than the watchmen for the morning; more than the watchmen for the morning. O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is lovingkindness, and with Him is abundant redemption. Psalm 130:5-7 (AMP)

Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. Romans 8:26-28  (MSG)

For several years, I've been earnestly praying for an estranged relationship. I'm often asking God, “Why?! I just don't understand!” and “How long do You want things to go on like this?!” and “Isn't there something more I could do to move things along?” It seems as if God's not answering my questions.  I've tried to wait patiently for His timing, but it's SO hard!

This situation is truly putting my faith to the test. Even when things don't get better...even when I don't get answers...will I still believe? Unfortunately, when I worry and fret over this estranged relationship, I'm showing that I don't trust God to handle everything. It's a struggle not to put what I want ahead of what He wants.  But ultimately, my relationship with Him needs to come first...I must place my complete trust in who He is.

God sent me a hopeful, encouraging reminder in church recently. As we sang one of my favorites, “Everlasting God” (based on the scripture from Isaiah above), I remembered another time He spoke to me through that song. This time, God reassured me, “I've got this. Trust me. I haven't forgotten you. I've heard your prayers.” Oh, how my soul needed to hear that. I now feel strengthened for the journey ahead.

I'm so thankful that God sometimes helps us in the waiting by sending us little -and sometimes big - reminders that He's heard our prayers. And He reassures us that, even when we don't see or understand how, He's still working for our good. So if I keep my eyes and ears open, I just might find the encouragement, strength and guidance I so much need.

Prayer: God of Hope, forgive us for letting our faith waver when life's disappointing and doesn't go the way we want. During trying times, please give us the strength we need to hold tightly to hope. And thank you for the many ways you've been faithful throughout our lives. May we remember this to give us encouragement for today. Amen.

Sharon Irvin (reprinted from April 2019)

Train Children

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge. Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod he will not die. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death. Proverbs 23:12-14

We believed in disciplining our children. I can remember one time when our son thought he could get away with something because his father was out of town on business. I took him down the stairs shaking him with my hand on his shoulder and said, “It doesn’t matter that your father is gone, you will still have to behave.” His behavior changed, like he just needed to be told that.

When they were toddlers and refused to listen, we didn’t hesitate to paddle our children with our hands without hurting them and take them to their room telling them they couldn’t come out until they behaved. As they got older, we just had to remind them of certain consequences.

I can remember my mother sometimes had to use my toy broom when I refused to listen. One day my brother and I must have been very obnoxious while she was doing laundry on the cold porch; and she used it on both of us. Never did my parents beat me, they just let me know they wouldn’t put up with disruptive behavior. When we were out in public, we looked at our parents and knew how we should behave.

I read these verses this morning and thought about what my son and grandson did last night at our Christmas in our home. We all got up from the table and they started to help clean up. I had to tell them, “The dishwasher motor was broken and the repairman had gotten a broken motor so don’t put anything in there.” My son immediately started running soapy water in the big sink and the grandson placed himself beside him and they washed all the messy dishes. My heart was warmed at their behavior. I knew my son, who is a contractor, had to come down off a roof where he had been working all day. The grandson had been working for his employer on-line all day. They had to be tired but jumped right in to help us. Because of that, our kitchen was put back into normal shape by 9:00 am today.

Prayer: Thank you Lord, for giving us good instruction in your Bible about disciplining our children. Amen.

Sandra Hilsabeck

The Journey

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 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

I consult Facebook every day. Because I am connected to a community of caring and perceptive people, I am rewarded with many heartening things. But the feed I scroll through also contains many small-minded posts from others who have friended me for various reasons, or from marketing sources. 

A few nights ago I checked Facebook after a tiring day and read something hypocritical written by an acquaintance, on a very timely subject. I had a knee-jerk emotional response of indignation and disappointment. 

I had to step outside of myself for perspective and realized that I was reacting to something with disproportionate strength of attention and emotion. So often, when this happens, I discover I have spent too much time on an activity of little worth. 

Through the day, I try to monitor what draws my attention. I have to turn off the car radio sometimes, because the sky is too beautiful to split my attention with (other than driving safely). Sometimes the channels I have to change are in my thought patterns. My mind is fed by everything I see and experience, and it does not always tend to ruminate on the most inspiring, joyful, and courageous things. Especially when I am weary, I find I need to choose carefully what I listen to.

Like many people I know, I have an ongoing project for personal growth. With the new year, I feel renewed energy for pursuing the current steps in my goals. When the poet Mary Oliver died recently, many of her words were reprinted in articles about her. I found them to resonate with my inner journey. Her references to nature reminded me of how much I want a deeper relationship with God's world, and how it requires turning down the volume drastically on the attention-getters in the material world. 

It really doesn't matter that Facebook gives as much space to things that matter as to things that irritate. One is not required to listen to the news in order to get on with the day. Everything that catches attention is not as worthy as the thing that the discriminating mind has the power to pursue. But this is a lesson that is ongoing with me. I am amazed at how far I have to go.

This prayer is excerpted from "The Journey", one of the many compelling poems by Mary Oliver.

God of the earth which teaches me when I pay attention, help me to be fueled by these thoughts: "One day you finally knew what you had to, and began, though the voices around you kept shouting their bad advice--But you didn't stop. You knew what you had to do...Little by little, as you left their voices behind, the stars began to burn through the sheets of clouds, and there was a new voice which you slowly recognized as your own, that kept you company as you strode deeper and deeper into the world...." May your voice be the one I listen to above all others, and most deeply in my heart. Thank you for the gift of your world to teach me about your love. Amen.

Mollie Manner (reprinted from 2019)

After Christmas

O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise, you perceive my thoughts from afar. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely Psalm 138: 1-4

This past holiday season, I began with a great deal of love and joy. I wrote the Christmas letter, opened the address book and started on the yearly adventure of cards for all. But the next page was full of friends no longer living, the next where widows live, and this one where friends have moved to assisted living. What a downer, but I plowed on, determined to reach the end of the addresses and finish the chore (what I viewed it as now). Cards began to come in, full of picture of grandchildren, greats (grandchildren), and pets. No letters to speak of, sometimes, only very spidery writing on the front of the envelope.

So I moved on to the next favorite thing of the season: purchasing gifts. Luckily my grandsons had told me almost exactly what they needed and the granddaughters had their mother clued in on what would be a nice gift for gramma and papa to purchase. Not too expensive but things that would make their lives happier and more fun. A strange gift appeared in my eyesight for one son-in-law and socks to replace the holed ones for the other. The gift for my husband was easy. Take him to the shoe store, and with the help of my daughter, it was a great success. The plane was on time and the granddaughters were there to pick us up. The holiday was definitely beginning to look very promising.

Christmas Eve online with Eastridge was just what we needed to really make our lives full of joy and peace. Then on Christmas Day, loads of presents, and Zooming with the other half of our family. Working on a jigsaw puzzle in the afternoon with daughter number 2 and granddaughter Leah filled the holes that COVID had created. COVID was nearly forgotten but our masks were ready for us once again as we entered the airport to return home. I ordered a wheelchair since I knew it was nearly a mile to gate 27. We arrived just in time for our plane but…it had been delayed by 2 hours, then 3 hours, but no one complained and the bathroom was very near. During the wait, I texted a friend and found that she is having to move because of financial problems. What am I complaining about? Life is meant to be full of ups and downs, meant to have to wait for promised events, meant to share joy and sorrow with friends and relatives. Christmas is meant to be shared with others and remembering the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. We finally flew home and today, the holiday has ended but the love and joy of family and friends, plus the hope of the tomorrows remain. Whatever I am doing from now on, I am going to try to remember the peace and joy of Silent Night on Christmas Eve.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to realize what we have and be thankful, for not just what we want or how we hope for it to be. Be with all who have less and help them to hope once again. Amen.

Carolyn Olsen

Words from the book of Peter

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. 2 Peter 3:18

Genealogy

A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David. Matthew 1:1-6

Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. Isaiah 64:4

A record of Jesus’s genealogy is in Matthew 1 of our Bible. It continues and names the generations until Jesus was born. As we get older, we become more interested in who came before us. My father was 88 years old when he asked me to take him to Sweden so he could see southern Sweden where his grandmother was born. He had a Swedish friend named Sixten that we could also see. We arrived at Sixten’s home and ate the reindeer stew he had made for us.

From there Sixten took us to the largest Immigrant Museum in Europe. Bryce and Sixten’s brother Gert went up into the microfiche records and found my dad’s relatives and their descendants. Sixten said he could call and see if they wanted to see their American cousins. This was more than my dad had ever thought possible. They said, “Yes, we want to see our American family!”

God had a hand on behalf of us which you can believe by what happened next. Sixten told the relatives we could be there in 3 hours. We (my granddaughter, my father, Bryce, myself and Gert) headed out in Sixten’s Volvo while it was raining. About three hours later the sun came out and a beautiful rainbow shown in the sky. Under the rainbow were about a dozen people with cars blocking the road.

We were able to enter four relatives' homes and had many days with relatives who looked like us and were so excited to see us. It helps me understand the importance of Jesus’s genealogy.

Prayer: thank you, Lord for showing your blessing of this reunion with the beautiful rainbow. Amen.

Sandra Hilsabeck

How to Involve the Body of Christ in the World

I would like to base my devotion "How to Involve the Body of Christ in the World" on a scripture from The Sermon on the Mount in which Jesus is speaking:

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven. Matthew 5: 14-16

Jesus came to the earth, in the form of man, to shed light to the world so men might see God through Him. Christians are to shine for Jesus' sake, or in other words, to carry on Jesus' message of hope and love to the world. Jesus is saying that we, as Christians, are the light of the world.

Man is to be the bearer of eternal light. Man is to let his light so shine that other men shall see the light and give glory to God. We as Christians must radiate God’s light through Jesus, for Jesus and God are one.

As Christians we sometimes feel that we have to debate with ourselves whether or not to love, to hope, or to perform any other action which shows Christ’s light in us. We often feel that we must hide the fact that we are Christians.

The sun warms the earth with light and we too as Christians must show our Christian love by gathering and reflecting light from Christ to the world around us.

As a college freshman, life on campus is new, exciting, and presents challenges. The biggest challenge is to live as Christians - showing Christ’s light. We have been reared in Christian homes, but now we are on our own and it is difficult at times to remain a shining light. We are set in a new world of changing forces surrounding us. I guess you might say we had been in a protected world through high school, but now we are faced by an open new world.

In a church related college, the students have a common background, but at a state college such as Towson State College, it is more of a challenge because of the varied backgrounds of the students. It is more of a challenge to shine our light as a Christian.

I have picked a few examples that I have observed on my own campus relating to the new world in which we are faced.

1) The first is going to church on Sunday. At college you don’t have your parents encouraging you every Sunday morning and it is easier to just not go, for many. But I have found that those of us who do go set an example for others to follow.

2) Second is taking the Lord’s name in vain. It stops me short when I hear this going on, but I have found that setting an example of yourself and not using it is the best remedy for people that notice. 

The whole idea of showing light is based on setting an example for others by the way we carry out our lives. If we can live a life as a Christian, we are showing others the Christian life – thus involving Christ in the world. I have found that the people at college who live a Christian life and involve Christ in their everyday life tend to be looked up to and followed by others. (I went to Towson State College in Baltimore, Maryland, and belonged to a Christian Fellowship group.)

When the lights go out, confusion results but when they resume, things go back to order. This can be related to us as Christians. If we turn out our light of Christian love and hope, then the world will be in confusion. Let’s keep our light burning for Jesus – setting an example for others is letting our light of Christian love and hope shine.

~Susan Taylor, adapted herself from an essay she wrote in 1965, during her freshman year in college. Susan found this recently when cleaning out storage areas. (reprinted from June 2021)

Commitment or Resolution?

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:18

As a child I remember New Year’s Eve as a very special family time. My parents would first let us stay up until midnight; it was a true time of celebration. It always felt like it was the beginning of a wondrous time- that continued from the Christmas celebration. I don’t remember all the activities that we did but it was definitely family time! We used the same noise makers for several years. One was a dancing pineapple that spun around in circles and played music (long before all the moving/animated toys of today); a banana riding a tricycle moving toy and my Chinese twirling drum with tiny bells that would hit the drums. My father would make us each a special drink to cheer in the New Year, Seven-up with a little cherry flavoring, or coke with a little chocolate. They were served in Mom’s special event glasses and a straw was always included to top it off as an official cheer beverage.

Now as the New Year’s Eve’s passing much more rapidly than in my childhood, I can’t say I have enjoyed them as much as I did in my childhood. In the last few years I have wondered how to bring the excitement and hope back into the event. I had found over the years that making new year resolutions was not much of an accomplishment because so many years I didn’t complete them. Did I not complete them because I didn’t really find it as important as I had, or was it because I chose the many common ones that others choose each year such as going on a diet, exercise more just to make a resolution?  I decided not to make resolutions for a few years. 

I now find that at the end of each year and beginning of the New Year I don’t make resolutions as I did, but I recommit myself to follow the path the Lord has set before me. I remind myself to be more thankful for the many blessings each day. This may include just the fact that He made a beautiful sky like a painting for me to see. The time I get to spend with family and friends. I opened my life to include new adventures for me such as writing these devotions which is something I had never done before. I was given the opportunity to volunteer in the church and other places to build new friendships. I find I am more committed to follow through not just through the New Year but throughout my lifetime. Each day I find myself with more blessings in recommitting myself to listen for His path or maybe His resolutions.

Prayer: Dear Lord, open my eyes that I may see, open my ears that I may hear, open my senses that I may feel your glory. Open my heart that I may find the many blessings that you have prepared for me that I may miss. Thank you for each second, minute, hour and year that I am blessed to enjoy those around me and the life around me that you have provided. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

Lori Hood (reprinted from 2018)

Go, Tell it on the Mountain!

Go, tell it on the mountain

Over the hills and everywhere

Go, tell it on the mountain

That Jesus Christ is born!

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Having a conversation with a friend, they mentioned a person and through the conversation she was surprised that I knew that person. I said yes, I graduated with them. The friend stated I never felt a warm feeling when around this person.  I said they had a hard life and they really have a heart of gold. 

When supervising an employee, the employee was not one of my top performers.  Unfortunately, his life changed dramatically when he lost four relatives within a few short weeks. I attended each of these funerals in support, not because I knew any of them but wanted to let him know others cared. After a few months, I noted his performance improved and he was reaching to be one of my top employees. During a review, I mentioned that I really appreciated his efforts and that if he needed anything to continue in his work area let me know. He told me that I was the only person from work that attended his family funerals and that it really felt good to know someone cared enough to attend.  

How easily we interpret someone’s personality without really knowing them. I know that I myself do not at times seem approachable. I am usually in some deep thought of things I need to do, people I am concerned about and just daily activities. I do try to improve with a smile or a hello; and address the person, looking in their eyes for a connection. 

We judge others so quickly by the way they dress, their hairstyle, their jewelry and even their expression. What would it be like if we allow that person to be truly known for who they truly are. Okay, maybe they don’t have the same beliefs, political standings, or even the same monetary lifestyle; but deep down we all need to feel that someone cares, that someone will be there for them.

Just living the lifestyle God wants us to live and tell of the love He has for everyone. Not just a few, but everyone. Showing kindness, showing patience, showing respect to everyone is an expression of God’s love. Giving up your seat for someone, letting someone else have that parking stall close to the door.  Maybe helping someone at the checkout counters when they are a few cents short. Just small acts become big reactions. Show His love and celebrate as we have the last month of the wonderful news that God gave us His son. 

Prayer: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Lori Hood