Chaos

"Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Mark 10:14

On Sunday, I worshipped in a place of chaos. Surrounded by small children, I found it hard to concentrate on the sermon or to worship in my usual way. About to become irritated, I suddenly realized that I was lucky enough to be able to worship in the midst of the future of Eastridge church. That random thought made worship so much easier and I grinned at the small child and laughed as I thought of the burp from the preceding Sunday.

Instead of gray heads, I was surrounded by young thriving children and their parents. Dressed for whatever might come their way, they bowed their heads, listened to their children sing, and generally tried to pay attention. They were especially interested in the music and children’s moment when the time came. I remembered the passage in the Bible where Jesus says, “suffer little children to come unto me for of such is the kingdom of Heaven.”

It is so good to check on these little folk, their names never stay with me long for after all I am old. But they report on chapter books, tell me about school, stop to tie grandmother’s shoe. When my oldest child was little, she sang a song which had a phrase, “I don’t want to wait until I am grownup to be like Jesus wants me to be. I can read the Bible and pray, do a loving kindness today.” I do not remember who wrote the song or what the title was, for that was nearly 50 years ago, but I do remember a small child really believing it. Yes, the church service was nearly in chaos but the future of our church looks bright and that is still another item to be thankful for in this time of giving thanks to God for all we have.

Prayer: Thank you God for little folks, for old folks and those in between. Thank you, God, for giving us all that we need and time to enjoy it all. Thank you, God, for patience and love exhibited in young parents and grandparents and help us all to appreciate what we have. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Carolyn Olsen (reprinted from 2018)

Don't Judge a Book by its Cover

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him;   for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”  1 Samuel 16:7

I went to my collection of “Children’s Moments” books for an inspiration for a devotion and found one to adapt for today.  Visualize two books in a bookstore, one book has a colorful cover and is blank inside.  The other book has a plain cover and is colorful inside. If you saw these two books, which one would you choose to bring home and read? People are just like the two books. Our outside appearance does not always show what is inside. Sometimes people that are beautiful on the outside are not so nice on the inside and sometimes people who are not so beautiful on the outside might be very nice. You cannot judge a book by the cover and you can’t tell what someone is like on the inside by looking at their outside. God cares about the way we are on the inside—character, if we are mirthful and full of love. God does not care what kind of clothes we wear or how we fix our hair. What matters is how beautiful we are on the inside. We should not be worried about how people look, but getting to know how they really are on the inside.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to not judge others by appearance, but look at their heart and character. Amen.

Susan Taylor (reprinted from the Eastridge Daily Devotional Book, 2008)

God Provides Heaven

So, at the end of their final breath, He honors their request and God says: Get away from me, you who do evil. I never knew you.” Matthew 7:23

But the Bible says this about God, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.” Ezekiel 33:11

Max Lucado also says, “Christ Jesus, who never sinned, endured the awful forsakenness of hell. The supreme surprise of hell is this: Christ went there so you will not have to.”

“God at this very moment, issues invitations to heaven by the millions. God may speak through nature or nurture, majesty or mishap. But through all and to all he invites: Come, enjoy me forever. Jesus describes the length of heaven and hell with the same adjective: eternal,” says Max Lucado in his book.

“Much perishes in hell. Hope perishes. Happiness perishes. Privileges like the wonder of the Alps, the sunrise of the desert, children’s laugh, dinner cooking, and rhythm of a good song are confiscated at the gateway to hell.” Says Max Lucado also in his book called (John) 3:16.

C.S. Lewis wrote, “I willingly believe that the damned are, in one sense, successful rebels to the end; that the doors of hell are locked on the inside. How could a loving God send sinners to hell? He does not. They volunteer.”

Max also says, “Sinners do not want God telling them how to live. They mock what he says about marriage, money, sex, or the value of human life. They regard his son (Jesus) as a joke and the cross as utter folly. They spend their lives telling God to leave them alone.”

Through death He (our loving Jesus) [destroyed] him who had the power of death, that is, the devil.” Hebrews 2:14 

The son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

Prayer: Oh Lord, thank you for Jesus, who died so we can go to heaven. You say our life here gives us the choice. Thank you for sending Jesus to die for us so we can choose to live our lives away from wickedness and choose heaven. Amen.

Sandra Hilsabeck

A Prayer for today

 

Words from 2 Timothy

God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 

A Prayer for today

 

Stressful Days

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—

he who watches over you will not slumber;

indeed, he who watches over Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you—

the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm—

he will watch over your life;

the Lord will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore. Psalm 121

Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes. Ephesians 3:20

It is my busy season at work. “Busy” doesn’t seem to capture it very well. Stressful describes it better. Add in personal obligations and it is overwhelming at times. Can you relate?
 
In a previous devotion I shared where I have learned to ask Jesus “What is the next thing I need to do?” in the midst of being pulled in so many directions.  And He faithfully answers. And then I ask again and He answers. Like a child, I trust my Father to tell me what is best.
 
At particularly stressful times, I calm myself by taking a breath in while thinking “breathing in peace” and exhaling while thinking “breathing out grace”. Peace to calm me and grace to give others. Jesus brings me back to thinking clearly and stops (sometimes) my tongue. I keep doing this until my breathing becomes slow and calm.

When roadblocks hit (computer doesn’t cooperate, a project stalls without other information, a headache comes on), I now look at those moments as God saying “That’s enough for now; let’s deal with that later”. Be thankful for little things (a hot shower, ice cream, or my husband making dinner).

At night when you can’t shut off your brain of things to do or worry, I do two things: 1) I get up and write down the list of “to do” things in my head; and 2) I say the Lord’s Prayer in my head very, very slowly concentrating on each word. Say it again until you fall asleep.

Remember to show extra love to those closest to you as they often, unintentionally, receive less time and attention from you. Love brings you back to center.
 
Peace and grace to you.

Prayer: Dear Father, In the midst of trial and stress, thank you for your peaceful presence guiding us if only we would look to you to show us the way. We will keep trying to let you lead instead of trying to do it all on our own. Amen.

Cathy Schapmann (reprinted from 2018)
 

Connections

 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. Psalm 95:6

Thanksgiving week we watched the documentary “The Last Blockbuster” on Netflix. If you remember the excitement of going to pick out a movie, or are old enough to remember renting a VCR this might make you feel warm and fuzzy. The premise of the documentary is the demise of the chain, some bad business decisions and the reasons people think Blockbuster went under. There is certainly coverage about the business side, but the secondary story is one of community and emotion.

The documentary creator/director reminds people of the experience of going to the video store, negotiating and compromising with a date, families getting something for everyone, children taking turns. The underlying message is about getting to know employees at the video store, knowing what people like to watch, asking for advice. This seems funny to a new generation with Netflix, that uses artificial intelligence and data metrics to recommend things for us that are consistent with what we regularly watch on the electronic platform.    

As we watched the documentary, I couldn’t help but think of the similarities with church since COVID. We don’t have to get dressed up, we can do other things during the service, we get a message from the minister, we might be lucky enough to get some music. The entire service is sometimes crafted together and recorded ahead of the actual day of worship. This is the Netflix version.

But I like the Blockbuster version. Getting to church early to see a friend or drop something off for VBS, or towels from the last funeral, or to pick up the next book for Bible study. The tactile things about church are not only communion, and music, and smiles, but they are also the feeling of community. In a time when we have succeeded in leaning on technology as a means to remain connected, I miss the in-person church meeting, the act of stopping during church office hours to drop off or pick up and the “high touch” of bumping into someone after a service who shares with me a bit of their journey…

Prayer: God who taught us to love, help us to remember the joys of worship, the bond of community and the assurance that there are others with our values, desires, and fears. Thank you for giving us ways to stay connected in times of a great pandemic, and for helping us to return to a more familiar time. Amen.

Christi Moock (reprinted from 2021)   

Words from Psalm 34

I taste & see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him. Psalm 34:8

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Great is thy faithfulness, great is thy faithfulness, morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed thy hand hath provided. Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Words from Romans

How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? Romans 10: 14-15

Attitude and our Faith

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8

A joyful heart is good medicine. Proverbs 17:22a

I love how a co-worker’s child always says “I will!” when I say “have a good day!” We may not be able to control the world, but our attitude can be a reminder that we CAN be in control of our reactions and responses to what happens to us. Attitude can make a difference in our sense of well-being and affects our relationships with others. Gratefulness also affects our sense of spirituality.

In a recent devotion in The Upper Room, the author speaks of praying for those whose trash she is picking up at a park, and how “God changed my anger and frustration into forgiveness and empathy”. She uses the phrase “reshape our thoughts” in much the same way I refer to attitude here. In another Upper Room devotion, the author mentions someone referring to a positive attitude as coming from Jesus. Sometimes overt positivity gets a bad rap (the implication that it masks our true feelings), but in this case, a positive attitude in our interactions with others can show God’s love and light.

In addition, I think of our attitude shaping the way we feel that prayers are answered. A few years ago I had started to make notes for devotions, noticing areas where my prayers were answered. Some might say it’s all a matter of perspective, and I can’t disagree. However, I’d rather believe that God also had a hand in those answered prayers.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to remember that I can’t control what happens around me, I can’t control the behavior of others, but I CAN control how I respond. Help me to keep an open perspective and see how you are present in my everyday interactions. Amen.

Donna Gustafson

Words from Proverbs

How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver! Proverbs 16:16

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

“Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. Matthew 14:13-21

Science in the Bible

 

All the rivers run into the sea: yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, there they return again. Ecclesiastes 1:7 

He (God) draws up the drops of water, which distill as rain to the streams; the clouds pour down their moisture and abundant showers fall on mankind. Who can understand how he spreads out the clouds, how he thunders from his pavilion? See how he scatters his lightning about him, bathing the depths of the sea. Job 36:27-30 

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11 

We have been experiencing a drought here in Lincoln. These verses in the Bible tell how God makes the rain. This rain makes the crops we raise on our farm grow and fills the aquifers under the land. Man has never been able to make the clouds rain. What we can do is sprinkle the ground by bringing the water up from under the ground to water the top of the earth, but we cannot replenish the underground water like God does with the rain. 

Consequently, we have been praying for rain to water our flowers, the crops in our fields where we raise corn and soybeans, and the golf course where we play and enjoy out the windows of our house. 

Think about it. God controls the movement of the earth, the clouds that rain on it, the winds that blow on it and the sun that shines on it. As smart as man believes he is, he is not in control of these things. 

Prayer: I give thanks to you, almighty Lord, who created our earth and manages it. Help us to be patient when we pray for rain. Help us to recognize the power you have over all things. Give us belief in your power. In Jesus’ name, Amen.                                                              

Sandra Hilsabeck (photo above shared by Sandra)

The Wilderness

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea. "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness; Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." Matthew 3:1-3

The Spirit immediately drove him (Jesus) out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to him. Mark 1:12-13

But so much the more the report went abroad concerning him; and great multitudes gathered to hear and to be healed of their infirmities. But he withdrew to the wilderness and prayed. Luke 5:15-16

I recently returned from a birding trip to the middle of nowhere in western Nebraska - the Crescent Lake National Wildlife Preserve. While talking to the ranger there, I learned that an application had been made to make part of the preserve designated as wilderness under the Wilderness Act of 1964. I started thinking about the wilderness defined by the US Park Service - to be undeveloped is to be primeval in nature, without permanent improvement or human habitation. A place to experience something other than the comforts of modern convenience.  What was it like for John the Baptist and Jesus to be in the wilderness? Did they find beauty in the starkness around them? Did they feel and hear the wind? Did they see the tiny flowers clinging to a smidge of soil on the rocks? Did they hear birdsong in the morning and the evening? Did they recognize the raptors overhead or the birds that lived in that barren place. Did they see small creatures sunning themselves or racing to their holes in the heat of the day? At night, did they observe the stars and the cosmos and think about God's creation? In their isolation, were they able to hear and experience God?

The Crescent Lake Preserve offered an abundance of nature and isolation. It certainly felt like a place of peace in a turbulent world. It is a beautiful place in the sandhills with wide diversity and an abundance of habitats and species. Rather than a trying experience of survival, I believe John and Jesus appreciated the whole wilderness experience and the closeness to God and the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the preservation of the wilderness. Thank you for the opportunity to be alone and to experience your creation. Thank you for helping us be undistracted and to listen for your voice. Amen.

Nancy Hall

Final Instructions

Read: Matthew 28:16-20

The Great Commission is a classic scripture and one that can be read with new insights after years of preaching it. That would be my encouragement as one reads these final words of Matthew’s gospel which Jesus gives to His disciples. We are all in a constant state of transition to something new every day. Each day is a new opportunity of discovery, challenge, and adventure. What might the Great Commission say to us for our daily adventure this very day?

The essential points of the Great Commission are:

·         All authority is given to Jesus Who shares that with fellow disciples.

·         Make disciples (students) of all nations – everyone is a student in his or her own right.

·         Baptize one in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit (Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer).

·         Teach all that Jesus has commanded.

·         Jesus is always with us.

So how may these essential final instructions be used daily?

·       We claim this day in the Name and Power of Jesus Christ as Lord of the Day and of whatever we are to face.

·       We are a constant student – disciple-in-training. Think of one’s favorite teacher or mentor and how that person still influences us today. Imagine what one’s mentor or teacher may suggest to make a new discovery or “aha.”  The adventure is to find out what that could be!

·      Baptize – the moment of faith comes in our hearts and minds to respond to Jesus.  Baptism is a sign of that faith.  Reaffirm that faith through your faith story.  One practice would be to have anointing oil in hand to anoint one’s head as a reminder of their baptism – That reminder is of our ongoing student status each day and claim that we make of this day for the Lord!

·      Teaching – as we are all students, yet so we can be a mentor, a teacher, an advocate of faith to another so that they too can be given these “final instructions” for their daily lives. A simple smile, greeting, or invitation of grace opens the door.

These are suggestions of how Jesus’ Great Commission – Jesus’ final instructions could be used. My encouragement is to see how you read the Great Commission and figure how you may fulfill its instructions. For me it never is always the same, but that is the adventure and teachable power of this passage.

Prayer: O Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, be active in this day with me. It is Your day during which I open myself to Your instruction from Your Word. May I be receptive to whatever surprise, adventure or challenge that I encounter because I know You guide me. In my faith, I remember Your loving grace accepts me and claims me as Your kin by baptism.  So, may I serve You by my witness to others that they too can claim the Commission You gave to all Your disciples. In all of this, I know that You are with me to the end of the age! Amen

Rev. Dr. John J. Duling

           

How to be Happy

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel

            Of the wicked

Or stand in the way of sinners

            Or sit in the seat of mockers.

But his delight is in the law of the

            LORD,

And on his law he meditates day

            And night.

He is like a tree planted by streams

            Of water,

            Which yields its fruit in season

And whose leaf does not wither.

            Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1:1-3 

All over the place today, in colleges, in high schools and even in grade schools, they are planning classes to help people be happy. Here in Psalm 1:1-3 is a reasonable explanation of how to be blessed and/or happy. 

Way back in the Old Testament, it was explained how to be delighted by the law of the Lord, be planted in a beautiful place and have enough water and food to eat. It even says the walk of the law of the Lord will make a man be prosperous. 

For this reason, Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance-now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. Hebrews 9:15

Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, you have made us be happy knowing our sins are forgiven because our Lord and Savior, your only son, Jesus Christ, died for us. He died in order that we would be saved and have eternal life in heaven. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Sandra Hilsabeck

Prayer

"Don't pray when you fell like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it." ~ Corrie ten Boom

Believe It - Or Not

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and He delivers them.  (Psalm 34:7 KJV) 

In the middle of May, I was facing a problem which caused me a great deal of stress. You know the kind of stress I mean. It sends you to your knees in prayer and it keeps you awake at night. I prayed sort of nonstop. By that I mean I am not good at praying those beautiful long prayers. I talk to the Lord basically in “one liners” throughout the day.   

My Christian journey as it stands now is a little over 8 decades long during which I have read a few books about angels. I have also read a plethora of Christian eyewitness stories about seeing an angel or having an angel leave something to show they had visited. The Guideposts magazine is full of all kinds of inspirational stories like that.

When my friend, Wilma, was alive she often told a story about how she saw an angel sitting on the hood of her car after a terrible accident. The angel just kept encouraging her to “hold on” till an ambulance came. Somehow these supernatural happenings left me a little bit skeptical.

The night before my problem was to be solved, I woke up about 3:00 a.m. I tried to get back to sleep but I could not. So, I decided to go downstairs to the sunroom and lie down on the sofa. I turned on the TV to distract me. At some point, I fell asleep and slept until 6:00 a.m. ready for a cup of coffee and ready to face the day.

I flung my legs off the sofa and put both feet flat on the floor. There it was a tiny white feather with taupe-colored edges on one side. How could that be? I do not have feather pillows. I have no pets and the exterminator had just been here saying that he could find no critters or rodents in the house. My doors and windows were all closed and locked. How could there be a feather on the floor?

My problem was resolved quickly and easily to my benefit that day, and I have just gotten over my skepticism of supernatural happenings and guardian angels visiting. I have kept that little feather and I took a picture of it just lying there on the floor by the sofa that morning!      

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are so amazing and we praise you for all the ways you watch over us. Thank You for all that You do and for just smiling at us when we are so unbelieving. Even though I am an octogenarian, I’m still learning about You and loving You even more every day. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Judy Welch (photo at top shared by Judy) 

God’s Evident Plan

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-kept in heaven for you, who through Faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1: 1-5

And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. 1 Peter 5:4

For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance-now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. Hebrews 9:15

Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:17

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:20

If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.  2 Timothy 1:12-13

Through our baptism we receive the Holy Spirit. We just need to believe! Heaven is where we need to store up our treasures. God’s plan is to provide salvation for us through His son, Jesus Christ. The inheritance we receive through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, when we believe, will never fade, spoil or perish.

Prayer: Oh Lord God Almighty, thank you for Jesus who saved us from our sins. Help us to be faithful. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Sandra Hilsabeck

Restore our Souls

These summer days, Shepherd Lord, You lead us amid green grasses and peaceful waters to restore our souls. 

Thank you for your goodness and mercy!