Learning

 

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom; and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem.  His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the company they went a day’s journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him.  After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.  And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so?  Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.” And he said to them, “How is it that you sought me?  Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” Luke 2: 41-49 (RSV)

This devotion was inspired by the windows in the sanctuary at Eastridge. The second window from the southeast corner illustrates the story of Jesus in the temple at age twelve. The youngster stands in the center of the window; three bearded rabbis hover to one side. His parents, who dominated the Nativity window and remained in the foreground in the Nunc Dimittis window, have now shrunk to tiny figures in the corner. Beneath Jesus’ feet is a lamp signifying scholarship.

What conclusions can we draw from this familiar story? The danger of making assumptions? Evidence of a strained relationship between parents and adolescent? Jesus as a child prodigy? As a teacher I’m pleased to read that Jesus is described as listening and asking questions. All of us, including Jesus must learn what it means to be human. And for this we look to our history and literature, and the thoughts and writings of the wisest among us today, as well as those who have gone on before.  They provide us with the materials for our task.

Prayer: Oh God of Wisdom, give us the joy of learning and the gift of discernment to see how you are working out Your purpose in the world today, and how we are called to participate. Amen. 

Bill Wehrbein (reprinted from Eastridge Devotion book, 2008)

In Pursuit of Humility, Or a Lesson from Audubon

The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. James 4:10

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Colossians 3:12

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

The children’s book The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon by Jacqueline Davies and Melissa Sweet highlights the fact that many years ago, people didn’t know why birds disappeared in the winter. Some theories: They hibernated under the ice, similar to what turtles do; they hibernated in tree trunks and logs; they went to the moon (!). While these theories may seem silly today, until Audubon helped to prove that birds flew south and then returned to their breeding/nesting grounds north in the spring, people simply did not know.

We don’t always have the answers. This may be true when we experience doubt, or when we are boastful. God is in control. When we learn that what we thought was true is not or has changed, we are humbled.

Prayer: Dear Lord, it’s sometimes hard to admit when we don’t have the answers, or to admit we may be wrong about something. Help us to be open and show humility, especially when interacting with others. Amen.

Donna Gustafson

I’ve included a photo of a white-crowned sparrow, said to be Audubon’s favorite bird (I took this photo in Colorado in 2023). Click on photos to view larger.

Asking for Help

 “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”  Galatians 6:2

Have you tried assembling a piece of furniture that arrives on your porch in a box? It seems the instructions were designed for a non-reader who has extensive technical knowledge and the ability to recognize the difference between a screw and a nail drawn in 7-point font. The only tool provided is an angular piece of metal with eight ridges on one end.  

After carefully unpacking the numerous pieces and staring at a drawing with no written directions, you take a break and try to think of a friend whose arm can be twisted to come over and help you. Finally your text messages elicit a response from one candidate; you negotiate the “barter,” i.e. pizza, beverages, babysitting, and your helper is on the way. They arrive with a very large tool bag, looks over the arrangement of pieces and hardware you created on the floor, and says, “No problem!” 

Within minutes, your handy friend has rearranged the pieces, and you begin to feel hopeful that the random shapes really will create your new furniture. Under your friend’s direction, you hold pieces together while the electric screwdriver buzzes for only a few seconds to create tight connections. You picture yourself spending 10 minutes inserting the same screws using the provided metal tool and congratulate yourself for calling your friend. Before long, the handyman steps back from the project, holds out their arms, and says, “Pretty good-looking, if I do say so myself.”  

Everyone is happy! The friend lugs their tool bag home knowing they helped you and have pizza or free babysitting to look forward to. You and your family are pleased to have your décor improved with the addition of the new piece of furniture. And the project has been completed—the cardboard box can be taken to the recycle bin. 

The Scripture encourages us to ask for help; without asking God for help, we won’t succeed in the world. When God puts you in difficult situation, He wants you to ask for help. We must depend on God’s guidance to accomplish the plan God has for us; we’re not intended to do it by ourselves. We all want to feel useful and helping others is a way to do that. When we accept help from others, we give them permission to ask for favors. It’s an amazing chain reaction: God has a plan for us; His plan is revealed to us; because we feel inadequate, we reach out for help from someone else. That person not only provides the support that we need to succeed, but it also furthers God’s purpose for them.

Prayer: Lord God, we know you have a plan and a purpose for each of us. It’s more complex than assembling a piece of furniture, and we can’t accomplish your plan without your aid and direction. Help us to realize when we need to ask for assistance; to not be too proud or stubborn to recognize who can help us. Your instructions have been handed down through the generations, but we still struggle to decipher their meaning for our own lives. We ask that you guide and support us in this endeavor. Amen  

Carol McClain (reprinted from 2024)

The Perfect Equation

So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Hebrews 13:6 KJV

Thou shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood anymore. For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name. Isaiah 54:4b-5a KJV

For most of my adult life, I've had difficulty solving problems which fall under a category I jokingly call the "Three M's": mathematics, mechanics, and manual labor. Perhaps it is one of those problems psychologists refer to as right-brain versus left-brain dominance.

Luckily, my husband of nearly forty years excelled in "Three M" problems. So, for the better part of my life, our division of labor regarding household chores worked well, and things went along quite smoothly. Now, however, as a widow, I find myself needing to solve lots of "Three M" problems: dealing with finances, learning to operate lawn care equipment, and doing chores that require a certain amount of physical strength. Finding the right solution when things go wrong can be both difficult and frustrating.

Just at the peak of a very frustrating problem, I received a list of "Christian One-Liners" via e-mail. The "one-liner" that seemed to catch my attention was entitled, "The Perfect Equation": 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given. Reading that equation made finding solutions to all the "Three M" problems I've been struggling with pale in comparison.

A few days after turning my problem over to the Lord in prayer, I was having lunch with a friend, who gave me the name of someone to consult, and, shortly thereafter, the situation was resolved. What I discovered is that I was the main obstacle to solving the problem. When we need help, we can find it — just a prayer away.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for putting our lives into perspective, and for being there as we struggle. Most especially, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, the perfect solution in every equation. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Judy Welch (reprinted from 2003 PresbyCan Daily Devotional)

Words from Psalm 119

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 

Identities

The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.  He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. John 1:9-13

As I was driving to work one day, I followed a vehicle with a personalized license plate reading “JENZ MOM.” Of course, little else in my life has given me more pleasure than to be known as “Gina’s mom,“ and “Matt’s mom,” and “Erin’s mom.”  But I began to think about my other identities: wife, daughter, sister, “in-law“…grandmother, aunt, cousin…friend, neighbor, colleague, citizen. 

As I pondered, I came to realize that my most important identity is that of Christian, a child of God. For ultimately, it is my understanding of God’s love and my relationship with Christ which form the thoughts, words, and actions that shape and define all my other relationships. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, it is an incomparable privilege to be a “Child of God.” We thank You for Your unfailing love and pray that we can be worthy members of Your family. Amen. 

Judith Keller, reprinted from March 2009

Rooted in Christ, Growing in Grace

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him...Colossians 2:6-7 

Animals

But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. Job 12:7-10

My daughter was enchanted by animals from a very early age, and was curious to get to know them and communicate with them. I tried to free myself of my inner fears of some animals and insects, and encourage her comfortable familiarity with the wild. She was the zoo visitor who would always gladly let a snake have its way with her, or let bugs crawl all over her. 

She loved being on Zoo Crew, especially when she was able to help with the Critter Encounter area. She brought her pet rats to 4H Pet Pals meetings and loved being at the animal exhibits at all the local fairs. She participated in domestic rat rescue programs, and helped find homes for rats used in the Nebraska Wesleyan University behavioral psychology courses. 

She did not enjoy ideal health growing up, so she earned a GED rather than complete high school classes; then she took veterinary technician courses online.  Our vet allowed her to observe and assist with procedures and surgeries, including those on her own animals. 

This spring, a year and a half after a life-giving 4th liver transplant, she helped her husband open up his own veterinary clinic (he is a vet) in South Korea. They serve both Koreans and English-speaking pet caretakers who need detailed communication. Because there is no specific training for veterinary nurses in Korea, she has ample qualifications as an assistant because of her experience and her general knowledge of human medical treatment (as an observant and informed patient). Her husband considers her to be his head nurse as well as assistant and office manager. Her blog and word-of-mouth have publicized their clinic as specializing in "exotic animals" such as hamsters and rats, so they have many tiny patients.

I get the news every few days of some interesting patient, including the dog that escaped and led them on a several-blocks-long chase through their downtown area.  She and her husband spend many long hours day and night at their clinic, making use of a pull-out bed there. Currently, they have three stray kittens they are treating, who will be offered to good homes eventually; one of them was separated too early from his mother and is having to be hand-fed and taught all the basics of elimination and hygiene. These are the things my daughter handles with ease.  

This is all born of a tremendous love for all the things animals teach us about living in God's world, about companionship, about loyalty and love, and about taking care of one another. Every day I am grateful for the people who helped my daughter to be well, or to feel better when she wasn't; but I am also grateful for the animals who shared their lives with her and cared for her. The cat she was especially close to used to sit with her in bed and have what we called "the laying-on of paws".  

There is a beautiful Benjamin Britten vocal piece with lyrics from a poem by Christopher Smart, and I hope you will be able to base your prayer on a few of those words:

For I will consider my cat Jeoffry.

For he is the servant of the Living God, duly and daily serving him...

For in his morning orisons he loves the sun and the sun loves him...

For every house is incomplete without him, and a blessing is lacking in the spirit...

For I perceived God's light about him both wax and fire...

For God has blessed him in the variety of his movements...

For he can tread to all the measures upon the music.

Amen.

Mollie Manner (reprinted from 2018)

Words of Praise from Psalm 150

Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 150:6 

Faith the Size of a Mustard Seed

When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him.  “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”

“You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.

Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:14-21 

Walking in the Light Together

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another...1 John 1:7 NIV 

I Will Go With You

So Israel set out with all that was his, and when he reached Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.

And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!”

“Here I am,” he replied.

“I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes.”

Then Jacob left Beersheba, and Israel’s sons took their father Jacob and their children and their wives in the carts that Pharaoh had sent to transport him. So Jacob and all his offspring went to Egypt, taking with them their livestock and the possessions they had acquired in Canaan. Jacob brought with him to Egypt his sons and grandsons and his daughters and granddaughters—all his offspring. Genesis 46:1-7

Seeing this photo (below) in an online church art site Eastridge uses, I was reminded of a recent conversation in our Wednesday bible study about Corrie Ten Boom.

The prompt was a discussion of Genesis 46:1-7, in our study book on Joseph, “Finding God Faithful”.

God promised to be with Jacob wherever he was, not just where he was living, but where he was asked to move (the land of Goshen) following Joseph’s request in this scripture. We saw similarities with Jacob’s situation in that he was heading to a new land, and Corrie’s arrest and removal from her home to head to a concentration camp. The similarity: trust that God is with us wherever we are, even in the “unlikely” places.

The Hiding Place was a book, made into a movie in the 1970s. From the Amazon blurb (the book is still in print!): Corrie ten Boom was the first licensed female watchmaker in the Netherlands who became a heroine of the Resistance, a survivor of Hitler's concentration camps, and one of the most remarkable ministers of hope in the twentieth century.

In World War II she and her family risked their lives to help Jews and underground workers escape from the Nazis. In 1944 their lives were forever altered when they were betrayed, arrested, and thrown into the infamous Nazi death camps. Only Corrie among her family survived.

Corrie was released due to a “clerical error”, but she knew that God was with her in Ravensbrück and beyond.

Two of the many quotes attributed to Corrie that fit with the Genesis passage above:

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.”

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being with us wherever we are, even if it seems far from the beauty of your creation and love. Help us to trust in you. Amen.

Donna Gustafson

The Least of These

 I was hungry and you fed me,

 I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,

 I was homeless and you gave me a room,

 I was shivering and you gave me clothes,

 I was sick and you stopped to visit,

 I was in prison and you came to me.’

Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:34-40 (The Message) 

In this scripture passage, Jesus tells the story of the sheep and the goats who are divided by the Son of Man. The King tells those who have been blessed by God to take their inheritance because they provided him with food, drink, shelter, clothing, and companionship when he needed it. The listeners do not believe him and ask when they provided those necessities of life. The King replies that whenever people helped one of the least of the brothers and sisters, they did it for the King. And by doing so, the righteous will have eternal life. 

Rather than feeling overwhelmed by the magnitude of problems we see in our nation or community, we can take this lesson to heart and reach out to help one person. Whether it's someone we know personally or a complete stranger, our assistance can mean a great deal to the person who is in pain. Let us look around to see where we can assist someone in need, for by helping another, we are serving the King, our Lord Jesus Christ.  

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the blessings you have poured down on us. Help us to remember that our inheritance awaits us in your kingdom. If we see someone who is hungry, thirsty, homeless, sick, or in prison, let us remember that what we do for any one of them, we do for our Lord.  

Robin Hadfield (reprinted from 2017) 

Growing a Seed or a Child

This year, the EPW (Eastridge Presbyterian Women) studied a PW Horizons Bible Study entitled Let Justice Roll Down. Lesson nine was Sustaining Creation’s Health for All.  One part of that lesson began, "sowing a seed is an act of faith. It’s not a tremendous one, but some of us who have planted seeds have seen too many fail to take the process for granted." 

Since we are worshiping as a child this summer, my mind took that idea one step further. Much like a seed, a child grows. First a healthy cry, a tender grin, then a chuckle and a reaching out for you. A love you can never forget. Then that child grows into teenager years and just as you begin to lose hope, they become adults. You may find them holding your hand now and making sure you are all right and upright. 

In the same way that you look at that growing seed with awe, you find God folding you in his arms and holding you tight as you watched that child grow into adulthood. In fact, God watches over our coming in and our going out. I hope he does for it takes more faith for me to sow that seed or plant that plant these days. I watch as each young plant becomes mature and blooms just as I watched that child become a lovely adult with God’s love. 

Standing back in awe, I worship and thank God as each child I know becomes an adult and each seed becomes a living organism, part of God’s creation. 

The following prayer was the prayer used for lesson nine. 

Prayer: God who creates and recreates, renew our vision and invigorate our souls, that we may both see and seek the world you desire for all. Help us translate hope into daily actions in the corner of the earth that we call home. Amen 

Carolyn Olsen

God Values You

If you had one hundred sheep, and one of them strayed away and was lost in the wilderness, wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine others to go and search for the lost one until you found it?  And then you would joyfully carry it home on your shoulders.  When you arrived, you would call together your friends and neighbors to rejoice with you because your lost sheep was found.  In the same way, heaven will be happier over one lost sinner who returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!  Luke 15:4-7

I am fond of Jesus’ parables. The parables are wonderful stories for faith building, and especially for children. Most of the time I view the world through children and their faith development which is why I chose this Bible selection. This parable talks about a shepherd who left his 99 sheep to search for a lost one (one who strayed away). He knew that the lost one was in danger. Each sheep is of high value, just as each of us is of high value and loved by God. When the shepherd found the sheep, he carried it home. In the same way, God rejoices when any of us are lost (strayed away) and we return to God. Each one of us is to be that shepherd and minister to those that have strayed and bring them back to God. This is a challenge for you to be a shepherd.  

Prayer: Dear Lord, give me courage to be a shepherd and to share God’s love.  Amen. 

Susan Taylor (reprinted from Daily Devotional Book, November 2008)

Words from Hebrews

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering. Hebrews 10:23
 

Music in your Life

It seems like a very long time ago that a little child raced through my house shouting rhyming words. Many of her and later her sister’s books were in rhyme and their daddy read in many voices for each character of the books. Mama would often say, “Use your inside voice please”. This would be followed by a groan from a small child. 

But then one day, daddy began to tell the little girls about how you could put rhyming words to music and sing them in a voice that even mom would like. So began singing aloud, loud and soft. Little ditties at first and then harder ones. 

At age three, a lady started a choir for the oldest girl to join with friends from the church. She brought the music home and practiced every day. Songs began to follow the family everywhere. Moving to a new home stopped the choir but brought piano lessons and more music sounded in the small house.  

Another move brought the little girl home to say, “There is a church very near here that has a children’s choir”.  And so, every Wednesday, away she would go on her bike to sing in this new choir and her family followed her to Eastridge Presbyterian Church. Both daughters sang and sang and the family sang and music followed us wherever we went. 

So worshipping as a child this summer also means singing new and old songs. All the Sunday School songs were not new but old favorites and the hymns are lovely memories of younger days. 

The song that the three-year-old sang in choir is imprinted on her mother’s brain.  It is as follows:

I don’t want to wait until I grow up to be what Jesus wants me to be.

I can read the Bible and pray, do a loving kindness today.

I don’t want to wait until I grow up to be what Jesus wants me to be. 

Prayer: Lord Be with Us in Song and Joy Each Day of Our Lives. Amen 

Carolyn Olsen

Summer Days

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!

This Too Shall Pass

When times are good, be happy;

    but when times are bad, consider this:

God has made the one

    as well as the other.

Therefore, no one can discover

    anything about their future. Ecclesiastes 7:14

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

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

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

In a short video on YouTube, shared from an interview, Tom Hanks has this bit of wisdom: “this too shall pass”. You feel great, you have all the answers: this too shall pass. You feel bad, you feel angry: this too shall pass. "Time is your ally", Tom says: just wait.

I thought of this when I cut peonies to display in vases in the house. They are so lovely and the scent is as well, but soon they’re shedding petals on the sill, they’re browning on the hedge. “This too shall pass” ensures that we don’t take some things for granted.

“This too shall pass” when times are hard: take heart, it won’t last forever, God is with you.

“This too shall pass” when times are easy and things are going well: don’t take it for granted, thank God for his provision.

“This too shall pass” when we’re feeling like we know it all, a reminder that humility might benefit us.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to remember that you are with us during the difficult times, and help us to remember to be thankful when things are going well and we feel your blessing. Amen.

Donna Gustafson

Bing Videos

Happy 4th of July!

 

Pass on Great Truths

We are not keeping this to ourselves, we’re passing it on to the next generation—God’s fame and fortune, the marvelous things he has done. Psalm 78:3

That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born who should arise and declare them to their children. Psalm 78:6

Our children and their children will get in on this as the word is passed along from parent to child. Babies not yet conceived will hear the good news. Psalm 22:30-31

The great account of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, especially, is to be taught forever. Jesus died to save us and give us life forever in heaven.

My grandmother, Bessie Johnson, lived ¼ of a mile away from the farm I grew up on. We saw her often and even lived in her house while our farmhouse was being remodeled. She loved the Lord and worked on many committees and served the Methodist Church of Holdrege, Nebraska faithfully. She even had me prepare a speech one time for a group she belonged to at the church. She hosted our Christmas family gatherings, and all her children and grandchildren came to her house. I was going there even after I was married and had children. Christmas was always honored by scripture and stories on these occasions. And she never was angry at me. She taught me a lot by her manner of life.

My parents, LaVern and Pauline Johnson, were strong advocates of going to church every Sunday, which is what people did on that day. They wanted to worship our Lord and taught me to revere our Lord. Things have changed, especially after the Covid time. Not as many go to church every Sunday in today’s world with sports, work, and other activities, but there are still many ways to pass on the greatness and love of our Lord Jesus Christ to the new generations. Bryce and I choose to go to church, worshipping with others, participating in giving food to the community, and socializing with members. You can choose your own way.

The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 1:4-5: I thank God for you, Timothy, for your honest faith, handed down from your grandmother Lois to your mother Eunice, and now to you.

God chose you from the beginning to be saved. 2 Thessalonians 2:13

You are a dearly beloved child of God.

Sandra Hilsabeck 

Run to the Lord and be Comforted

Scripture about comfort: 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4

This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life. Psalm 119:50

Words from Proverbs

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6