The Lost Coin

“Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ’Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:8-10

My friend and I enjoy bird watching trips together. Last week I read this scripture as part of my morning devotion time before we left to see the spring migration of the birds. Our first stop was a small waterfall on the river, with hundreds of swallows flying hungrily over the river catching insects and scooping up water to drink. The yellow warbler was there along with the common yellow throat. We watched as a dozen kayakers entered the river for a beautiful day of paddling. We proceeded up the back road to the national refuge seeing the upland sandpiper, bobolinks, and lark sparrows. At the refuge we enjoyed the buffalo and their calves, the meadowlarks, and the cliff swallows stopping at a muddy pool by the river, taking mud into their mouths, and flying back under a bridge close by to build their colony of nests. At that point, my friend noticed that he had lost one of the front pieces of his binoculars. He searched the surrounding ground, the car, and then thought back to all the times we had gotten out of the car. I assured him that we would take the same route back after having lunch and doing some shopping in town. As a backup plan, he looked up the binocular piece on the internet, concerned that it might no longer be available, or might be very expensive as the glasses were 30 years old. On our return trip, we stopped frequently to search for the missing piece, and finally arrived back at the waterfall. My friend looked hard not expecting much and then returned to the car. Once inside he opened his hand to show me the missing piece. We both rejoiced at this. Then I thought of my devotion that morning on the lost coin. I shared it with my friend.

Finding the lost coin or the lost binocular piece reminds us of the joy of God when a sinner repents and becomes a Christian. I remembered the joy and the peace I had seen on the faces of new Christians as they started their new journey in faith that their sins were forgiven.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your messages and parables in the Bible that teach us of the joy to be found in being your followers. Help us to help others to discover this joy and also to help new Christians as they begin their walk in their new faith. Thank you for the joys of your creation, the waterfalls, the birds, the rivers, and the diversity of the animals on this earth. Amen

Nancy Hall

Happy Memorial Day

 

 

Glimpses of the Kingdom

But Jesus said, let the children come to me; do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. Matthew 19:14 New English Bible

For one whole week, I was blessed with the opportunity to catch glimpses of the kingdom through the eyes of three of my grandchildren. While they visited me, we laughed, played, ate junk food, sand and danced in the rain, watched movies, and stayed up until the wee hours of the morning. We had a wonderful week together.

Soon, Courtney will be ten. she brings such joy to life. Her personality is such that when she walks into a room, if there is no fun, makes some. Her insight and perception of others is sometimes quite astounding. She constantly signs the silly rhyming songs of childhood, making up verses as she goes. Finding myself the subject of a verse or two had me laughing at yet another of my human foibles. What a gift she has, helping us see who we are and making us laugh at what we see.

It will be fall before Tim is ten. He is all boy meeting the world head-on, but he shows such tenderness and love of God's creatures. The first night of his visit, he sat at peace in the grass watching fireflies, catching them at will then letting them go. As he taught his cousins to catch the fireflies, his eye/hand coordination simply amazed me. He easily caught them midair. I was unable to catch even one. However, my inadequacy reminded me of a favorite adage of my daughter's (Time's mom): "He who hasn't made a mistake hasn't made a discovery", and I was making so many discoveries.

Stephanie is seven. She truly has a gift for loving and caring. Her spirit just seems to soar while singing and dancing in the rain. Watching her with her peers gave me real insight into her gift. It was then that I observed how she made sure all were happy, included, and comfortable before she thought of herself. During an evening of severe weather and tornado warnings, though she was quite frightened, Stephanie unknowingly gave me the most wonderful description of love, saying, "I know we'll be all right, grandma, because we're warm, safe, and together." Surely that must be how Our Lord feels about all of His children.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for letting Your little children come to us for they truly bring us glimpses of the kingdom through Your gifts of joy, peace, and love. In Your Son, Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Judy Welch 

Teach Us to Number Our Days

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 

Be careful, then, how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil.  So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:15-17  

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 

The older I get, the more I find myself wishing I had more time...in my day...in my week...in my life. I want more time, but do I really need more time? The song, “Life in My Day”, by Newsong, really speaks to me about this: “I can't help feeling I'm always behind/ So much that I could do, if I could just find the time/ But then it hits me/ Time is not the answer/ You've given me/ All the time in the world/ All that I need is/ A little more life in my day/ A little more of your life/ A little more faith/...A little more of your light/ To show me the way/...Lord I need more of you/ In all that I do.” 

Even if sometimes it doesn't feel like it, God gives us exactly the amount of time that we need. It's a “good and perfect gift” from him. We wish for more time but should instead try to concentrate on using this fleeting and precious gift wisely.  Let me tell you, this isn't easy to do. I try to focus on what God wants me to do, but sometimes get overwhelmed because so many things seem equally important... what order should I do them in? Also, too often, I become distracted by more attractive or fun options. And sometimes, I'm in such a hurry, I'm oblivious to what God wants.  

Jesus was able to balance his time perfectly—whether slowing down and praying, or moving ahead boldly. He could do this because he fully trusted God—his wisdom, his Word, his will. This is what I must do also... living under his guiding hand at all times. Am I resting, refreshing, pondering and noticing when he calls me to slow down? Am I seeking, listening, trusting and moving when he calls me get going? If I “Trust in the Lord with all my heart, and do not depend on my own understanding,” if I “Seek his will in all I do,” then I can be certain “ he will show me which path to take.” (from Proverbs 3:5-6) 

Prayer: Dearest Jesus, we regret all the time we've wasted following our own way instead of yours. Please forgive us! We want to be good stewards of the time you've given us, so “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” And thank you for each and every precious moment you give us. Amen. 

Sharon Irvin

Summer Prayer of Inner Peace

Our inner sanctuary of peacefulness often diminishes in the flurry of summer’s social activities, with endless tasks remaining unfinished at home, the return from vacation to numerous deadlines and pressures of work. When this happens, our internal direction and sense of purpose easily upends itself. If we lack attentiveness, our ability to live out of our best self tends to lessen. Now is the time to restore an awareness of the magnificent temple within us where the Spirit of Peace abides. We can return to this calm, abiding presence whenever we deliberately choose to do so. May the following prayer be a source of remembering and tending to this indwelling gift. 

Peaceful Presence, 

Grant me the courage to slow down the hurried pace of life in order to be mindful of your ever-present guidance and assistance, especially when I try to go it alone.  

Restore my perception of the inherent joy that awaits me in each day if only I turn toward you with a recognition of your vibrant energy moving through me.  

Awaken me to a keener awareness of your light-filled presence within my being, especially when life fills with shadows of sadness and the cloudiness of concerns.  

Show me how you are dwelling in those places of my life where I’ve forgotten to welcome you with an open heart of acceptance and hospitality.  

Interrupt my self-defeating schemes and desires so I have a keener sense of how they lead me further from you and obliterate inner peace. When you move me toward change and deeper relationship with you, show me where my resistance to that growth-filled invitation resides.  

Enliven my physical senses to the beauty and wonder of ordinary moments and a resounding gratitude for your presence within those moments.  

Shake free what keeps my thoughts and feelings imprisoned in anxiety and useless fretting.  

Draw me into the stillness essential for your serenity to dwell in my being, and lead me into times of solitude, even if you have to drag me there.  

Come, tickle my mind and heart into restored peacefulness so I more readily and wisely welcome you to the home of my heart. 

Rupp, Joyce. Prayer Seeds (pp. 160-161). Ave Maria Press. Kindle Edition. 

What It Takes?

During the month of March, I had a major life change. I got a new job. Getting from point A to point B was a messy process. I was uncomfortable and had to prepare for the worst. I got the job offer March 11^th and started my new position in Omaha March 21^st. Prior to the new job offer, my current job had been experiencing fluctuations and the temporary role I was fulfilling for about a year was being phased out. It was disappointing and I felt like I had failed in some regard. I was proactive of my current situation. I applied and received the necessary government support such as food stamps, Medicaid, and energy assistance.

I know I have not been the only one who has felt uncertainty throughout the pandemic, but I had to face hard truths. I had been job hunting for over a year without success. My current role was being phased out quickly and I knew I would have less income coming in. Six months prior I had applied for emergency rental assistance in Lincoln based on some advice from a friend. This proved to be a lifeline as I had gotten approval for my rent to be paid April through June along with my internet bill. The same day I received the funds, I received notice from my boss that my hours would be drastically reduced in that my temporary role was disappearing. It was devastating, but I didn’t scorch the earth. I managed to work with my landlord to receive money back that I had prepaid for the April rent. I went and received it that day. I came back to work with about a dozen cookies and handed them out to all the employees who were working that day including the boss who had just given me devastating news. He needed a cookie just as much as I needed to give him that cookie. We are often presented the question of “What would Jesus do?” as Christians. I believe that Jesus would have gotten cookies for the office. He would have also continued to persevere despite the challenges. He was comfortable with being uncomfortable. 

From Matthew 4:1-11: 

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written,

“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
              but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,’

and

“‘On their hands they will bear you up,
               lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,

“‘You shall worship the Lord your God
             and him only shall you serve.’”

  Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to              him.

I could have screamed and cried or let anger run through my veins, but I chose a different way. I took this setback and persevered. It was a week later that I was able to find a new job in Omaha. I came back to my boss with the exciting news and planned my transition. My transition wasn’t a failure, but an opportunity to face the world with stronger resolve.

There are other factors to this story. During this time of transition, I was taking an independent study on data mining that had strengthened my resume significantly. I was consistent with my work with career advisors and my continued learning to find this opportunity. I had to become comfortable with being uncomfortable while continuing to plug away at this important life change. I was fortunate enough to have the resources such as friends and family to help guide me during this period of transition. I am fortunate and blessed to have people who want to see me succeed. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, please guide us through these difficult times of uncertainty. Help us to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Help us to live as followers of your only son Jesus Christ. Continue to guide us through your words and through the Holy Spirit. In your name we pray, Amen.

Charles Kendeigh

 

Renewal

 

“Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalms 51:10

Have you noticed a lot of demolition and construction in your town? I have a habit of driving around during my errands and observe what new buildings are in the area, and I have noticed more demolitions than I normally see. I have read in the paper and Facebook where the buildings are being torn down and a new building is being constructed. I have noticed that several buildings that may look okay on the outside but must have structural or interior damage that can’t be seen from the outside that brings the decision that it needs to be demolished and a new building started.

It is kind of like people: they look okay from the outside. They are friendly, active and just continue to dive into their busy schedules. Their interior is falling down within them, their fears, their emotional state, their physical body is in pain, but they never show it.  

It is so important for us to recognize that the surface is not the true story. We need to open our hearts and minds to listen and react in a manner that shows we are here for someone when they are in need. Sometimes just a friendly smile, a tap on the hand, or even a hug can heal the soul and allow them to reach for help.   

Prayer: Let us ask in Jesus' name for renewal and strength. Let us pray for those that need to be reinforced in the love of Christ. Amen.

Lori Hood

Thankful for Music

It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten stringed lyre and the melody of the harp. Psalm 92: 1-3

In April, we traveled with friends to Tennessee, spending most of our time in Nashville. I remember going to Nashville, Chattanooga, and Memphis as a child in my grandparents giant Winnebago. Stopping to see the “tourist” attractions. 

Two of our days this trip were spent on “Broadway”. Going from restaurant to bar to store. Every place that was open offered live music. If a restaurant or bar had multiple floors there were musicians playing throughout. We heard covers of other people’s music and some original songs. We heard songs that were familiar that were played by the people who wrote them, even if another artist had taken them to the top of charts. I don’t really listen to country music so I was a bit nervous, but we heard every type of music. Old bluegrass, new country, folk, pop, rock, gospel, even heavy metal. Many of these musicians were introduced with a bit of their story, they had toured opening for big name acts, they had been on “The Voice” or “American Idol” or “America’s Got Talent”. 

It was quite an experience to spend two days listening to so many different voices, instruments and artists. To think about the ways that we rely on music; to worship, to relax, to celebrate, to express love or pain. I also thought about the passion of a musician. To leave their home, to follow a path that allows them to do what they want. To sacrifice. To work multiple jobs to allow them the basic necessities so that they can follow their heart. Jesus was a carpenter, and a speaker, and a teacher. He sacrificed long before his time on the cross for the people of God. 

Prayer: God of sound, thank you for music. Thank you for giving us cause to celebrate, and reasons to sacrifice. Thank you for sending your son to show us that in times of suffering and in times of celebration you are with us. Amen. 

Christi Moock

Open Thine Hand

Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy in the land. Deuteronomy 15:11

The Love of Gardening

Thou shalt be like a watered garden. Isaiah 58:11

Where do we look to find the constancy of God's love? Every Christian has something, which strikes that chord of closeness and belief that God will always be there to care and provide for us. If you are a gardener like me, perhaps you, too, have found this message revealed through plants and flowers.

We meet the very first gardener, Adam, in Genesis 2:15: "And the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it." Thus, our love affair with gardening had begun.

Isn't it amazing that many of the food producing plants God provided in the earliest of gardens still grow in our gardens today? In Numbers 11:5 (KJV) we read: "We remember the fish which we did eat in Egypt freely, the cucumbers and the melons and the leeks and the onions and the garlic."

Apart from the food producing plants, many gardeners believe that there is no beauty on earth greater than that found in a flower garden. How would you define beauty? An old Hispanic Proverb describes it in this way: Love beauty, it is the shadow of God on the universe.

When Jesus needed to talk with the Father, He often sought the beauty and solitude of a garden. Just as Jesus felt closer to God there, so, too, do we. It's not at all surprising when gardeners tell us that the most important growing, which takes place in a garden is that of the gardener, himself or herself.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for the beauty of Your earth and for the food that You continue to provide. Nowhere else is the beauty and the constancy of Your love revealed more wondrously than through the seeds of faith that grow as we garden with You. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Judith A. Welch

Believe in Me

 

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:1-14

We are Called Believers

Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us. 1 John 3:21-24 

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Romans 1:18-21 

When we hold a strong belief in God’s salvation, we can believe God hears us when we pray! 

However, we as human believers, darken our hearts and forget that the invisible God created the heavens and all the earth which is visible to us. When we do this, we deteriorate into wickedness. We need to see our Lord in the flowers, the animals, the sky, the earth, and humans, even babies. Our belief allows us to give him thanks and obey his commands. We know this by the Spirit he gave us and trust his words that his son will return to earth. 

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for giving us your Spirit so that we can genuinely believe you created all that is on the earth and be true believers in all our actions. In Jesus' name, Amen. 

Sandra Hilsabeck

Miracles

"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle". ~ Albert Einstein

In our Wednesday morning bible study, we are studying the book "Matchless: The Life and Love of Jesus" by Angie Smith. We find ourselves admiring Angie's bible study habits and attitude. In the lesson(s) on miracles, we are discovering new things we had either not known before, or not considered in depth before.

Last week our discussion led us to ponder a question from the lesson: "What do you think constitutes a miracle?" A miracle is defined (according to Oxford Languages online) in these ways: 

• a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency
• a highly improbable or extraordinary event, development, or accomplishment that brings very welcome consequences
• an amazing product or achievement, or an outstanding example of something

Of course, in our study based on scripture, a miracle certainly has divine intervention. In particular for this study, the miracles of Jesus while he walked the earth.

However, the quote by Albert Einstein above speaks of attitude, gratitude, and hope. In looking for the divine in the everyday.

Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” John 4:48

He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20

Who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number. Job 5:9

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to see the miracles around me. I am grateful for your presence in my life...thank you for your miraculous love. Amen.

Donna Gustafson               (click on photo to view larger)

Jesus Comforts His Disciples

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. 

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

“You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. John 14:1-29

Faith

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11: 1-2

“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

I don’t think of myself as a control freak but I am a planner. I think most of us feel more secure when we somehow feel we have control over our lives, situations, and decisions; “control”, in that, our perception of how the world is and should be is right, tidy, agreeable, and comfortable (and we set it up that way!).

Brene’ Brown invited guest, Father Richard Rohr, to her podcast, Unlocking Us. In the episode, Spirituality, Certitude, and Infinite Love, he says, “Many religious folks insist on answers that are always true. We love closure, resolution, and clarity, while thinking we are people of faith. How strange that the very word, faith, has come to mean its’ exact opposite. It’s come to mean, “if I have faith, I am right.” The egos need to feel separate and superior. And if you follow those voices you might go to church but you’ll never be a spiritual person. They want a new way to be right…to be “right for God”, as if God needs that.” (Surely, he’s referring to the “other guy”, not me, right? Or is he?)

Certitude is the freedom from doubt, especially in matters of faith or opinion; certainty. Kate Bowler states, “Precarity is a state of being uncertain. Things are given but then taken away. It describes the contingency of uncertainty; when we just don’t know when things are going to get better. How do we live IN to hope? How do we live inside uncertainty, without trying to imagine it’s something we’ll ever get over? How do we live inside things we can’t change; live inside the “not-yetness” of the kingdom of God?”

Kate asks, “When have you seen someone living beautifully inside of things they couldn’t change? What inspires you about their example?” The bible is full of these examples. Read about the faith of Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Joseph, and Moses in Hebrews, chapter 11? For them, was it about being right or faithful? Was it easy? Certainly, no. Did they have doubts? Of course.

If our faith is in our control, we will always come up short. If our faith is in the one who holds the controls, we will be sustained. When we humble ourselves and surrender our control to God, we will receive infinite love, hope, and compassion and realize our hope is in the certainty of Christ. God’s peace flows over us, even in the midst of our doubt, pain, waiting, and plans. Our hearts and minds can be opened when we rely on our faith in the Almighty, rather than in our control.

In the prayer offered by Kate Bowler:

God, Give us faith to live here, inside lives we did not choose. Give us the courage to see things a little more clearly, and the language of gentle honesty. As our ties to certainty are loosened, may you surprise us with the certainty of Your love and expressions of hope unimagined. Amen

Diane Worrell Eaton 

Keep Love Growing

“For you shall go out in joy and be led back in peace.” Isaiah 55:12

This time of year, Jim and I spend much of our time in our garden, sometimes working to turn over the soil, or plant seeds or small plants, potatoes and onions, and, unfortunately, start weeding. However, we are already harvesting asparagus, which is delicious and wonderful to have in our two beds. 

But the best part is to sit on our patio and just enjoy looking at all that is growing. It is then that we can feel totally at peace. Gazing at the daffodils, which are almost over, and the tulips, hyacinths and the flowering trees like red bud, Bradford pear, flowering crab apple and others brings such joy and peace.  Though there is so much happening in the world that can create negative thoughts, enjoying nature can restore our joy.

“Keep Love Growing” by Keri Joy Walker

Keep love growing, cultivate with care. Add a little tenderness and plenty of fresh air.

Keep life simple, you reap just what you sow, so spread those seeds of love and watch them grow. 

Keep love growing, it isn’t hard to do. Just remove those weeds of fear and watch the love shine through.

Stay lighthearted, you reap just what you sow, so spread those seeds of love and watch them grow.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord for the beautiful earth you have created for us.  Let us take time to “stop and smell the roses” and rejuvenate ourselves with the joy and peace that surrounds us.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Carolyn Brandle

 

Our Daily Bread

John’s clothing was a rough coat of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Matthew 3:4 (New English Bible)

He would have been glad to fill his belly with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. Luke 15:16 (New English Bible)

Over the past several years, I have enjoyed reading books about plants of the Bible. There are so many interesting stories about Biblical plants, but often there are many controversies as well regarding the exact plant referred to in a particular scriptural verse. Whatever the story might be, it always amazes me to learn that many of these plants have been growing for thousands of years.

One night last summer as I closed the windows in my sunroom, I heard the throbbing sound of the locusts in the trees. It was a monotonous and somewhat irritating noise, and it started me thinking about one of the more interesting controversies regarding a Biblical plant: the carob (or locust) tree. Botanists seem to be in agreement that the pods of the carob tree were the “husks” of Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son, but what did John the Baptist eat? Was it insects or did he pluck pods from the locust tree? What exactly was St. John’s Bread?  Evidence is available to support both the plant and insect theories, but no clear conclusion has been drawn.

As I listened to the night sounds of the locusts and felt the pulsing rhythm as if it were a human heartbeat, I wondered what Our Lord provided as St. John’s Bread, but somehow at that moment, it seemed irrelevant. The “singing” locusts were reminding us that for thousands of years God has been providing our daily bread, and we can rejoice in His steadfast love.

This is what the Lord God says:  I, myself, will search for my sheep and take care of them. Ezekiel 34:11

Prayer:  Thank You, Father, for touching us with the sights and sounds of Your presence and with the blessed assurance that You will always be there to provide for our needs.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Judith A. Welch

Happy Mother's Day on Sunday, May 8

 

Some Mother's Day-inspired scripture:

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” ... Proverbs 31:25-30 ESV

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 ESV

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12 ESV

As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. Isaiah 66:13 ESV

Prayers

On this National Day of Prayer, I'm sharing a few of the cards we put together with prayers from liturgies during 2019.

Please click on each photo to view larger. 

Contact the church office if you would like to have one or more of these printed on a card (printing from here will not result in good quality cards).

 

Known

O Lord, you have searched me and known me! 

You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. 

You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. 

Even before a word is on my tongue, beyond, O Lord, you know it altogether.

You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me. Psalm 139: 1-6 

During these pandemic times, there are people who have too much time on their hands, and there are people who need to remind themselves to breathe. I find myself in this second group. In these moments when I breathe and notice the things around me, I am finding great comfort in seeing the ways that he God of the universe 1) knows what I need, and 2) is making Himself known to me through His Word, and through His world, through His beauty, and through His people.  

The new co-worker who has now become essential

The little piece of knowledge that makes all the difference

The unanticipated game-changing solution just as I am about to burst into tears

The daffodils that are coming up in my yard

The social distancing birthday party Jon threw for me and two friends on our driveway

The good night’s sleep without dreams about COVID-19

The blessing that virtual technology has been to everyone

The text from a friend at just the right time

The knowledge that my dad is living safely in a facility

The message from Melanie asking if we’d like to video chat and drink wine

The sidewalk chalked message

The photo of blooming flowers and blossoming trees Mitchell sent

The vendor who says, “yes, we have supplies”

The audio devotion that helps me to sleep at night

The 70-degree day and the walk in the sunshine

And the list goes on 

I know that neither my need nor the surprise comes as any surprise to God. And I find hope in the promise that God knows me, and He knows the world, and He has lost not lost control. 

This song by JJ Heller made me smile last weekend. It’s called You Already Know.

Everything around me seems uncertain
My weary heart can’t take much more surprise
I wish there was a point on the horizon
Something I could see with my own eyes

I need tell you that I’m scared
I feel completely unprepared
And nothing’s what it was two weeks ago

You already know
You already know
Everything I’m scared of
Everything I hope
You hold my tomorrow
And all tomorrow holds
You already know

I can’t seem to find the easy answers
Someday I hope the suffering makes sense
I just need to know that you are with me
Even if you keep me in suspense

And we talk so much these days
Because I have so much to say
You stay and listen to me closely even though
You already know

Chorus: 
Whatever I’m feeling
Whatever is coming
Whenever the ending
You’re already there
You go before me
You go behind me
Wherever I’m going
You’re already there. 

Prayer: Dear Lord of all the universe, I know that neither my need nor the surprise comes as any surprise to you. And I find great hope in the promise that you know me, and you know the world, and although I am realizing just how little control I have, you never lose control. 

Lori Snyder-Sloan

 

Come Unto Me

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-29 

The first time I heard this scripture was through a song by Linda Rich — “Come Unto Me.” The time was the late 1960’s when the Vietnam war was raging, college campuses were exploding with protests, national guards with rifles were patrolling campuses, buildings were burned, students and professors were arrested, and students were killed at Kent State. I felt confused by it all—everything I thought I knew was in question. Then I heard Linda’s song:

(chorus) Come unto me all ye who are heavy laden , I will give you rest (repeat)

I am the lily of the valley

I am the bright and morning star

I didn’t come to save the perfect

I’ll meet you right where you are.

(chorus)

I am the Savior and the Shepherd

I am the truth, the life, the way,

No one comes unto the Father,

But by me, why do you delay.

(chorus)

The song gave me the peace to know that God could take away all my worries, that he loved me, and that he was with me despite all that was going on around me.

I think that in some ways, the current times are as troubling. The Ukraine is under attack by Russia. Millions of innocent people are fleeing and have lost everything. The homes they knew previously no longer exist—they are just rubble. Thousands have been killed. The evil there seems all pervasive with no end in sight.

Reread the scripture above and turn to Jesus to find rest for your souls and comfort from above. We don’t have a lot of control over the circumstances, but we can pray for God’s peace and comfort for those in peril as well as ourselves.

Prayer: Jesus, the world seems in unbelievable turmoil, help us lean on your strength, your promises, and your truth to get us through these times. Amen

Nancy Hall

Judging Others

Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgement, you make will be judged, and the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Matthew 7:1-3

Recently I was asked in Bible Study what do you need to work on in your life? I said judging others and situations. In this scripture, Jesus teaches about judging others. Jesus says do not judge. If you judge others in your head, or talking to others, you will be judged. Jesus says why do you see the speck (a blemish or something you find objectionable) in your neighbor's eye but do not see the log in your own eye? Do we judge to build ourselves up? I am making an effort not to judge others and/or situations and to make an effort to build up others.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, be my constant reminder not to judge others and to build up others. Amen

Susan Taylor (reprinted from 2018)