Author Anne Lamott writes, "Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you."
Take a sabbath from electronic devices from sundown March 7 - March 8.
Go to:
www.globaldayofunplugging.org for more information and ideas
Sweets and treats
Arguing
TV
Video games
Complaining
Choose one of these things to FILL UP today:
Memorize: 1 Corinthians 10:31
Read, or have someone read with you: Colossians 3: 12-17
Read, or have someone read with you: Psalm 100
Write or draw a prayer to God: What can you thank God for?
Pray: Praise God!
“Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness; come into his presence with singing!” Psalm 100:1-2
“Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.” Ephesians 5:19
When scanning new artwork in Churchart, a company we use to
provide photos and clipart, my eyes fell on the drawing below. I couldn’t help
but start singing the tune in my head, something I’m certain many of you do
when you hear a title or a phrase from a favorite or well-known song or hymn.
Whether it’s considered an “earworm” or just a happy sing-along song, we may hum
or sing the tune.
If you’ve grown up in church, you’re probably no different
from me in that certain songs flood you with emotion. They take us back in time.
They make us sad, or happy. They make us nostalgic. Most music has the capacity
to do this, but when we hear a hymn that means something special, God may
feature in that appreciation.
When I asked some of the members of my bible study to share
what spiritual music/hymns/church music means to them, here are some of the
responses I received:
Gospel music and hymns remind me of my mother. She and her
two sisters often performed together, and Because He Lives is one song that
the three of them would sing together. It’s one of those songs that makes me nostalgic
and whose lyrics comfort me at the same time.
God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone,
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he brings;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
And then one day, I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to victory,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the gift of song, of music, of
lyrics that draw us closer to you and others. Amen.
Donna Gustafson
.png)
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8
I recently heard that 95% of the Bible is poetry. A definition of poetry is literature that evokes a concentrated awareness of experience or a specific emotion response through language chosen and arranged for its meaning, sound, or rhythm. There are six books of the Bible that are considered poetry: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, and Lamentations. Besides these books, poetry appears throughout the Bible. In Bible poetry it is common for 2 or more lines to share the same thought with the second line building up or intensifying the first. Philippians quoted above seems to fit this description.
Some Bible poetry compares and contrasts such as Romans 28: 38-39. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
An example of the use of words and their repetition to create an emotional response is John 1:1-5. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
A similar poetry example with the use of words is I Corinthians 13: 4-7. Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does no insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Why is there poetry in the Bible? It certainly makes the text more interesting, more creative, and more connected with the reader. In a time when many people could not read, it is easier to memorize and remember the main thought. The poetry sends strong messages about God and Christ that stimulates our emotional responses with warmth and comfort.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we read both the old and new testaments, help us pay attention to the poetry representing God's creativity in communicating his love for us. Amen
Nancy Hall
"See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” Colossians 2:8
When
the Apostle Paul wrote these lines to the Colossians, he believed they were
under attack and in danger of being dragged away from their devotion to Jesus
Christ by the deceitful ideas of false teachers. The meaning of “vain deceit” is re-phrased in
newer translations as “high-sounding nonsense” and “empty deceit.”. The term “vain”
means empty, vacuous, useless, fruitless, and devoid of significance, point, or
benefit. False teachers were spreading
dangerous lies and deceptive philosophies, but, to the Colossian believers, the
ideas sounded appealing. Paul’s opinion was that it was all hogwash. Their
greatly touted teachings were fruitless, pointless, misleading concepts that
lacked any actual content. Without a solid foundation in the truth of God’s
Word, Christians could quickly be captivated by the vain deceit (or
high-sounding nonsense) of false religions.
Paul saw the roots of empty deception coming from two sources—“the
tradition of men” and “the rudiments of the world.” God’s thoughts are certainly
higher and wiser than the thoughts of humans. False teachers spew ideas spun from their own lowly mortal minds and not
from the truth of God’s Word...if a person starts from a blatantly anti-spiritual standpoint, they are going
to come to anti-spiritual conclusions. This reminds us that “wisdom” of fallen
humans can be at odds with Christ's teachings. We must “test the spirits” to
see if what they are teaching comes from God. The most effective defense against vain deceit is knowing the truth and
holding fast to Scripture.
Before the Apostle Paul issued his warning against false teachers, Jesus alerted His followers to “false Christs and false prophets” who would rise up, mock the truth, and even attempt to deceive God’s believers; Paul used a Greek term that implies trickery or cheating. Christians must follow the Lord’s instruction and watch out that no one deceives us or leads us away from Christ. This challenge is overwhelmingly present in today’s world filled with vain prophets.
Prayer: Dear Lord-Give us clarity of thought needed
to critically evaluate the words we hear that intend to lead us away from a
Christ-centered life. Help us sort
through the cacophony of distracting events that draw us away from our
principles and values. Guide us to find
your path for us each day. Amen
Carol McClain
.jpg)
Jesus said, “I am the Road, also the Truth, also the
Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. If you really knew me, you would
know my Father as well. You’ve even seen him!” John 14:6-7 The Message
These words in the “Love” chapter of the Bible are from John
14 of the New Testament of the Bible. The Message is a version of the Bible in
Contemporary Language. Jesus is telling us there is plenty of room in heaven
for us with Him and God. We just need to believe in him and what he tells us.
The godless world can’t take him in because it doesn’t
have eyes to see him, but you know him already because he has been staying with you and will even be in (Spirit) you! John 14:16:17
The person who knows my commandments and keeps them,
that’s who loves me. And the person who loves me will be loved by my Father, I
will love him and make myself plain to him. John 14:21
I attended two funerals this week, one for an elderly
grandfather and one for a 33-year-old unmarried cowgirl. Her horse was with her
in the announcement picture in the newspaper. John, Chapter 14, of the Bible
tells us he is preparing a room for us in heaven. Then he tells us all we need
to do is love Him and keep His commandments. As I sat there at one funeral,
holding my granddaughter’s hand, I felt the Spirit that he gives us. What a
future we have in heaven!
Prayer: Dear Father in Heaven, thank you for sending your
son to suffer and die for my sin. Help me to follow your ten commandments, to
love others as you do, and to live as you want me to live. Thank you for the
promise of heaven with you. Thank you for the Spirit which can be with me here
on this world. Amen.
Sandra Hilsabeck (photo above shared by Sandra)
“Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him bodily in the form of a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved, with you I am well pleased.” Luke 3:21-22
A few years ago, Eastridge did a Lenten study entitled,
“Faith Seeking Understanding: Temptation in the Desert” by M. Craig Barnes. One
of the chapters made a big impression on me. It was called, “The Surprise of
Being Beloved.” In it, the author said, “Jesus did not receive the designation
of being the beloved son with whom God is so pleased until he identified with
humanity in his baptism.” He said that because this identification was so total
that it applied to humanity too. We are also the beloved of God, who is very
pleased with us.
He went on to say that no matter what we do, good or bad, we
still remain God’s beloved. His next point blew me away: we can’t make God more
pleased with us than he already is no matter how many good things we do. That’s
how beloved we already are. What is your reaction to this kind of love?
Prayer: Lord, may we respond to your unconditional love with
a resounding “I love you too” and commit to “living as God has called us to
live—ethically, justly, compassionately.”
Nancy Brumbaugh
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” Matthew 7: 12-15
The New Testament includes several phrases that have become
a common part of our colloquial language. This verse provides the idea of a
wolf in sheep's clothing. In previous verses, Jesus warned his followers they
must enter the narrow gate and walk the hard road that leads to eternal
life. Most people choose to enter the
wide gate and walk the easy path that leads to destruction. Christ, himself, is
the narrow gate and the only way to salvation. The life of sincere inner
righteousness is harder than the shallow, performance-based hypocrisy modeled
by many.
In these verses, Jesus tells His followers to beware of
false prophets; those who claim to be literal "prophets," or leaders.
It also applies to those who make false claims about their religious devotion.
Such people often put on the appearance of innocence, empathy, or brotherhood
when in truth, they are as deceptive and dangerous as hungry wolves wearing
sheep skins to conceal their true intentions. Jewish people of Jesus' era would
have grown up hearing stern warnings about listening to false prophets.
In these verses, Jesus is pointedly identifying those who
oppose Him—those who point people toward the wide path of destruction—as false
prophets hungry to devour an easily-led people. In Jesus’ time, these were the
religious leaders of Israel who eventually accuse Jesus of deceit and
blasphemy. He is warning his listeners ahead of time that those men are the
false prophets; they "devour" in that they rely on the continued
fear-driven submission of the Jewish people to maintain their own power and
position.
Prayer: Our Father, help us to have the clarity of faith
to recognize and resist the influence of false prophets who try to lead us
through the wide gate of easy rewards and ultimate damnation. Let us see beyond the surface and into the
evil intent of power-greedy leaders. Amen.
Carol McClain
You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord. Lev. 19:18
It was a sad day when my next-door neighbors of 30+ years moved away. I knew I would miss them as we had become good friends over those years. I knew also that their home would sell quickly as it was beautiful inside and out.
The day the
new young family of 5 moved in I count as a blessing as it was the first time
in my long life that I would have the opportunity to get to know people of a
different background and ethnicity from my own.
Their 3
children range in age from second grade to preschool and are just adorable. When their little faces look up at me and call
me, “Miss Judy,” it melts my heart. I am
just beginning to love my new neighbors.
After the
Saturday night snowfall we had last month (not the predicted snowstorm), I
opted to stay home from church anyway in order to prevent a fall on a slick
spot and possibly reinjuring my right foot. I was just finishing up physical therapy and I didn’t want to have to
start over. So I went to church that
Sunday morning via YouTube.
When the
service was over, I went to look out the window at the snow-white beauty in my
front yard. There they were, all in a
row. All 5 of my new neighbors with appropriately
sized shovels in hand, scooping the snow from my sidewalk. Because it was cold out, I stepped out onto
the porch and called to the dad saying I would open my garage door and he could
use my snowblower to finish up. The dad
replied, “No thanks, we’re trying to teach our children that it’s okay to help
your neighbor – even when it’s hard.” I
said thank you and went back inside.
Pastor
Thomas had recently preached a sermon on, “Who is Your Neighbor.” So, I had just been thinking about how to show
neighborly love not about how to receive it, and here were my new neighbors
graciously extending their neighborly love and teaching me that sometimes
giving it needs to be done even when it’s hard to do.
Prayer: Heavenly
Father, we praise you for showing us not only who our neighbors are, but how to
receive as well as give neighborly love. Help us to be grateful and
thankful for all Your love wherever we find it in this world. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
Judy Welch
"But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea." Matthew 18:6 (RSV)
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and
will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." I John
1:9 (NIV)
I felt my anger boiling up once again. Someone was recounting how his father had
hurt him as a child. My friend showed me the scars, told me of horrifying
events from childhood, scared for his life when he was barely old enough to
understand what was happening. In those
moments, I feel nothing but judgement and anger towards a parent who would
scare or hurt a child. Jesus definitely
had extremely harsh words for someone who would hurt or cause a child to
stumble.
I realized a few moments later I was forgetting the
gospel. Yes, what that man's father had
done was terrible and he should receive consequences for it. But scripture reminds us "all have
sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." I am in need of repenting
and confessing just as much as anyone else. Sin has separated everyone from God and only through the sacrifice of
Christ can we be redeemed to the Father. We as Christians don't always like talking about sin. How often the call to repentance has been
abused. People have been told they have
been in sin throughout history for not "getting the theology exactly
right" or dancing or taking one drink of alcohol or simply being
themselves. We as the Church, by focusing on things that don't matter, have
often lost our power in proclaiming those things that are sin: abuse, murder,
hatred, the hurt we cause others as well as the truth that ALL have sinned. I
am not better than you as you are not more righteous than me. We also have so
often forgotten the beautiful truth of the gospel: that ALL have sinned BUT
also ALL have hope through Jesus Christ!
Who in your life have we by not proclaiming the gospel or
not living it or through hatred in your heart, have we forgotten is not beyond
the grace of God? I had to memorize the Westminster Shorter Catechism when I
was younger. It beautifully says in
questions 33 and 34:
Q33: What is Justification? Justification is an act of God's
free grace, wherein He pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in
His sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputeth to us, and received by
faith alone.
Q34: What is adoption? Adoption is an act of God's free
grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the
privileges, of the sons of God.
I am grateful that we are a confessional church (even when I
don't feel like it!) and in confessing I am reminded each week I am no better
than any other person but thanks be to Jesus Christ! It is SO difficult to
forgive those who have hurt us or hurt others but how often we have done that,
even in little ways. When we fail, we have a way to healing and hope and
forgiveness that is available to all people everywhere! When we gather as the
church, as broken people, may we remember that we are each no better or no
worse than any sitting next to us in the pew for all have sinned and fallen
short of the glory of God BUT "...we are receiving a kingdom that cannot
be shaken, let us be thankful..." and "If we confess our sins, he who
is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all
unrighteousness." -I John 1:9 (NRSVUE). Thanks be to God!
Brent Shaw
Presidents' Day, officially Washington's Birthday at the
federal governmental level, is a holiday in the United States celebrated on the
third Monday of February. It is often celebrated to honor all those who served
as presidents of the United States and, since 1879, has been the federal
holiday honoring Founding Father George Washington, who led the Continental
Army to victory in the American Revolutionary War, presided at the
Constitutional Convention of 1787, and served as the first U.S. president from
1789 to 1797. (Wikipedia)
Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:14
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
the Mighty Warrior
who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he
will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does
not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not
self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does
not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always
trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
February is a good month to think about love: for example, consider
the loving kindnesses of friends and family. Maybe it was a kind word, a smile,
a pat on the back or a special celebration. For some of you it may have been
the unexpected kindness and love of a stranger who just happened to be in the
right place at the right time. Or instead of being the recipient perhaps you
are the one who takes time to help a neighbor, prays with a sick person, reads
to a child, offers a ride, cooks a hot meal or donates to disaster relief for
people you will never see. We could go on and on about the subject of love
which leads us to the love of God. He loves each one of us dearly with a love
that has no end. It is a perpetual love that occurs continually. God’s love is
not just for a particular day, month, sickness or event in our lives: it is
forever.
Whatever you’re celebrating or struggling with right now may
you continue to grow in faith, blossom with hope, and know the love of friends
(Philanthros), the love of family (Familios), the love of romance (Eros), and
the love of God (Agape).
Prayer: Dear God, we thank you for your never-ending
love. Thank you for sending Jesus. Help us to be good and faithful stewards of
your love. Amen.
Georgia Lambert (reprinted from the 2008 Eastridge Devotional book)
Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1
February has always been the black and red month for me. I always looked forward to this month when I was in elementary school in the 1940s. Of course, there was the large box that had a mail slot cut into its top and was covered with red or pink paper. It was big enough for many small valentines; this was no more enjoyable for me, though, than making black silhouettes of Presidents Lincoln and Washington for the walls of the classroom. You were proud that these men had been such magnificent leaders of your country. They ran their races and endured. February is Black History Month now and we can add Martin Luther King to the list of runners.
Our lives are races of a sort. Christ has given us goals, sometimes difficult ones to achieve. Some days we race toward what we consider the end like rabbits, other times we look around as we travel and make slow or irregular steady progress like the tortoise. God wants us to keep on loving and trusting him all during the race to love and assist our neighbors as we slow down, to endure for him.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help us endure and run the race for your glory. We pray for your continuing help and love each day of our lives.
Carol Budka (reprinted from the 2008 Eastridge Devotional book)
A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold. Proverbs 22:1
Shakespeare said, "Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing; 'twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands; but he that filches from me my good name robs me of that which not enriches him and makes me poor indeed."
When I was a little girl about 11 or 12, autograph books were very popular, and I carried mine everywhere and asked my teachers, classmates, and relatives to sign it. Most of my friends wrote things like: "When you get married and have twins, don't come to my house for safety pins." Or maybe they said: "When you are old and cannot see, stand on your head and think of me." Silly verses, I'll grant you.
But my dad surprised me and wrote that verse from Proverbs 22 in my autograph book..."A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold." He was very proud of being an honest man and a Christian. Even though we didn't have much, he wanted me to know that I could amount to something if I did the right thing. He also wanted me to know I could be proud that I was a child of God. I think that impressed me, because at that point I made up my mind that I wouldn't ever disappoint my parents if I could help it. And I also resolved to always be a part of God's family.
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the heritage and influences our parents gave to us. Thank you for our good names. Help us to be proud of our values and to show by our lives what we believe.
Gerry Draney (reprinted from 2008 Eastridge Devotional book)
In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness; turn your ear to me and save me. Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of evil and cruel men. For you have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you. Psalm 71:1-6
When you were a kid, were you a pessimist or a worrier like me? Did frightening events or negative things said by others influence your perceptions or attitudes? Granted, there are a lot of bad things happening in the world, and some people get more than their fair share of misery. But one of the many things about being in relationship with God is that there is always something to hope for. Christian faith is about being hopeful for the future. There is always something better coming around the corner. There is always something new and amazing that God is working to make happen.When the righteous call for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. Psalms 34:17-20
By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to
do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together
with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our
doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open
his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might
stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and
shouting our praise.
There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even
when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop
passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered
steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert
expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the
contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously
pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!
Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn’t,
and doesn’t, wait for us to get ready. He presented himself for this
sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to
get ourselves ready. And even if we hadn’t been so weak, we wouldn’t have known
what to do anyway. We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying
for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to
selfless sacrifice. But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son
in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him.
Now that we are set right with God by means of this
sacrificial death, the consummate blood sacrifice, there is no longer a
question of being at odds with God in any way. If, when we were at our worst,
we were put on friendly terms with God by the sacrificial death of his Son, now
that we’re at our best, just think of how our lives will expand and deepen by
means of his resurrection life! Now that we have actually received this amazing
friendship with God, we are no longer content to simply say it in plodding
prose. We sing and shout our praises to God through Jesus, the Messiah! Romans
5:1-11, The Message
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you (in thy sight), O Lord, my rock (strength) and my redeemer. Psalms 19:14
After reading Psalm 19 the other day, I felt all warm and happy reading verse 14. Rarely can I relate when I first heard a Bible verse, but verse 14 brought back great memories. I was in fourth grade Sunday School and our teacher during the first class of the fall had us memorize verse 14. Then each Sunday at the end of the class, we would recite it together like a prayer for the following week. I think this bonded us together in some way as we journeyed together later through Communicants class and the church's youth groups. This reinforced my belief in the early ministries of the church and their importance to our children.
Prayer: Thank you, God, for all that are part of the ministries in the church for our children. Thank you for the resources available to us in this ministry. Thank you for people early in our own lives who invested in the future of our faith. Thank you for your word through the Bible that directs us to love and praise you, follow your guidelines for living, and teaches us about your son and your grace and how to love one another. Amen
Nancy Hall
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the
kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus
asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be
born!”
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the
kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth
to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at
my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You
hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.
So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not
understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and
we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our
testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how
then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the
one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the
wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may
have eternal life in him.”
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only
Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For
God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the
world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does
not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name
of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world,
but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone
who does evil hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that
their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the
light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in
the sight of God. John 3:1-21
Then God said, “Let the waters below the heavens be gathered into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so. God called the dry land earth, and the gathering of the waters He called seas, and God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:9-10
It is I who made the earth and created man upon it. I stretched out the heavens with My hands and I ordained all their host. Isaiah 45:12
Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice. Psalm 96:12
Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. Luke 12:27
Then God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit after their kind with seed in them”; and it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit with seed in them, after their kind; and God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:11-12
Apricity: a word that means the warmth of the sun in winter. Apricity is an old word that is not used much anymore. Hearing about it reminded me of reading that native tribes of Canada (Yupik and Inuit) have many words for snow. Using specific language to convey feelings is a beautiful way to communicate and share ideas.
My love of nature has prompted me to write a devotion for Earth Day each year (sharing today, even though Earth Day is in April, just because it's winter!). Our natural world has so much beauty and diversity and possibility! It’s fun to find a special word to convey something that we may have a hard time communicating, but sometimes a piece of art or a photograph can show others exactly what we mean…or invite a variety of reactions!
A Lincoln neighbor is the National Geographic photographer behind the Photo Ark: highlighting species in danger of extinction so that we care about them. When Joel Sartore needed to remain at home in Lincoln when his wife was hospitalized, he paid a visit to the Lincoln Children’s Zoo. This prompted his idea to showcase animals so that the world could get to know them better, with the implication that if we care about something, we will work harder to protect it. On his website: "
Showing an appreciation and getting to know this world we live in can go a long way toward realizing God’s words in Genesis (scripture shown above).
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for this wonderful world we call home. Help us to appreciate it so that we can protect it and care for it. Amen.
Donna Gustafson (reprinted with edits from 2023 Earth Day)
(photos shared by Donna Gustafson, all taken in January and February 2023 in Lincoln, NE. Click on each photo to view larger)
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:16 (New Oxford Bible)
My mom was one of the kindest people I have ever known. When I was growing up in the 1940’s (the WWII years), I watched as she interacted with the people who came to our home. She never let anyone leave our house until they had either enjoyed a cup of coffee or were leaving with a small gift from her kitchen.
After the war ended, life gradually normalized, and before long, the stores had a better supply of products to sell and things like coffee and sugar were no longer rationed. At last, one could buy sugar without a government coupon.
My mother loved to make candy. My brother and I would help with the taffy pulling. She also made Hershey’s cocoa fudge and puffy white clouds of divinity, but she was known for her sweet and salty peanut butter fudge. It had the smoothest texture and just a hint of saltiness in every bite. (Her secret ingredient was finely crushed saltine crackers).
After all these years, I still try to keep the “little kitchen gifts” a reality, but I’m not a candy maker. I do love to bake cookies though. NO, nothing fancy, just old-fashioned oatmeal raisin cookies, Toll House cookies and chocolate dipped Skippy peanut butter cookies. I try to give everyone who helps me with chores a little gift of homemade cookies.
Last week it was cold and snowy but I cleaned the lid on my garbage container with Clorox Clean-up then I double bagged some cookies and taped the cookies along with a note that said “Thank You. Enjoy the cookies” to the top of the garbage container. I do this every few weeks to thank the man who does such necessary but unpleasant work. But last week the thank you note was still taped to the lid when I went out to put the garbage container away.
I noticed the garbage man had scribbled a note at the bottom of my note which read, “You’re the good Cookie!” I smiled off and on the rest of that whole day after reading those 4 words.
It’s the little things!
Prayer: Thank You, Father, for the little kindnesses
that people do for one another that make all our lives so much better. Amen
Judith Welch
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you,” Isaiah 43:2a
I’m a grocery store cashier and my customers have been
asking me if I’m ready for a new year. When I thought about it, I had to say
no. But then in my devotional reading of “Jesus Always,” author Sarah Young
urged readers to look back over the past year and remember the times when God had
been with them in a very real way. So, I thought about it and I could remember
a number of times when I had felt God’s presence. Her point was that He would
again be with me in 2025. This helped me face a new year that looks difficult.
My brother has cancer. He’s my baby brother, eleven years
younger than me. At the beginning of January, he had extensive surgery to remove
the cancer. He came through the surgery very well and was able to go home two
days early. My family is grateful for these answers to prayer. But he still
faces painful radiation and chemotherapy. Isaiah 43 promises that God will be
with us in the new year.
Whatever you are facing in the new year, God promises to
walk alongside you.
Prayer: Dear God, we are grateful for this new year of life.
Thank you for the many blessings of 2024. Guide us in 2025 to follow you. Thank
you that you are always with us in good times and bad times. In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Nancy Brumbaugh
Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
This winter I have enjoyed the Juncos at my bird feeder. Juncos are traditionally called the snowbirds. They are beautiful little bird with steel gray backs and stark white fronts. They live in the Northwoods during the summer and come spend the winter with us. Generally they seem to be loners - visiting the feeder when other birds are absent, or standing on the sidelines of the deck while other large groups are feeding. Quite often, they are on the floor of the deck, eating the left-over seeds others have thrown away. The exception this winter was those two weeks we had extremely cold weather. Those days the juncos joined the other birds in the feeder. When I normally only see one Junco at a time, there were 8 in the feeder amongst the sparrows and finches. It made me realize that in a crisis, they came together to survive.
When I think about loners in our community, my first vision is of the homeless who chose sleeping in the street or under bridges or some out of the way place, rather than coming to the mission. I have heard these loners say they feel more comfortable outdoors. They don't like the other people at the mission. They don't trust others who might steal from them or attack them so they go off alone. During those 2 weeks of extreme cold, Pastor Tom was on television inviting and encouraging these loners to come and stay warm and be supported at the mission. I wondered how many accepted this invitation despite their prior behaviors. In a crisis, things change.
I keep my feeders full for the birds, especially in bad weather. Inspired by a recent Bible study which focused on loving everybody, I have put together bags of things for the homeless which they may need. My daughter has dropped these off in areas that she sees the homeless and they have quickly disappeared. My hope is that the loners will feel loved and not alone.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to be aware of others who are alone yet need to know that someone cares about them. Help us to support those who cannot support themselves. Help us be a welcoming community who steps up during crisis times. And finally, don't forget the timid little juncos - keep the feeders full so the loners can eat. Amen
Nancy Hall (reprinted from April 2024)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
