God is in the World Today

Faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world-just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God's grace. Colossians 1:4-6

Beth Moore from Houston says:

We have no idea what unseen activity surrounds us! I can hardly wait until we sit at Christ’s feet in heaven and hear the behind-the-scene stories of historical events. No doubt about it. We will sit bug-eyed. God’s ways are unfathomable, His creativity untamable. Just when we think we’ve heard it all, God will tell His side of the story. Beloved, if you and I could see the whole picture surrounding our own historical events, we’d go face to the ground in startling amazement. Imagine Christ saying to you one day in glory, “Take a look at this scene with me, Child. I want you to see what was going on in the heavens when you were going through that crisis. Look at all that happened in your behalf. Gaze at that great cloud of witnesses cheering you on to victory. Now aren’t you glad you chose to walk by faith and believe Me?”

I hope God one day shows me what was happening behind the scenes after the worst time of despair in my adult life when I was absolutely certain I did not have the wherewithal to persevere. I know a war was going on in the heavens and that the devil was hitting me so hard that Christ alone could have gotten him off of me.  

My neighborhood bible study is on Chapter 10 of Daniel. We are learning that God and the angels Michael and Gabriel are busy working in the world today. What an awesome thought.

Prayer: Dear Lord, you are awesome, thank you for seeing us and being with us each day. Help us to understand and see some of what you are doing. I know we won’t fully see until we join you in heaven. Your love and grace are so amazing. We praise you Lord. Amen.

Sandra Hilsabeck

Markings

This one will say, “I am the Lord’s”, another will be called by the name of Jacob.  Yet another will write on the hand, “The Lord’s” and adopt the name of Israel. Isaiah 44:5

In my quest to read a book a week this year, I recently read a suspense novel in which the antagonist is killing victims by tattooing them with poison.  Throughout the book, there is interesting information about the history of tattooing and body modification. From scarification to piercing, tattooing and branding there is a significant human history associated with marking ourselves. 

As I was reading this book I paid much more attention to the tattoos and modifications we commonly see in public – pierced ears, ear disks, eyebrow rings, nose rings and more. At the basketball game I read the tattoo on the arms of the girl at the concession stand “Breath in the moment, breath out the past”.  At the grocery store I noticed the imprint of a baby’s foot on the forearm of a young mother.  At the gym a detailed cross on the back of a weightlifter.  And I started thinking about the reasons that we choose to permanently mark our bodies.

In the book, and in this article from the Biblical Archaeology Society https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-topics/hebrew-bible/what-does-the-bible-say-about-tattoos/ there is mention of the practice of tattooing as a method of reflecting ownership. This horrible assault on humanity was seen in times of slavery in the United States, slave ownership in the ancient Near East and during the Holocaust in the marking of those held in concentration camps.  Beyond that we also see cultures with temporary markings – henna tattoos to celebrate a special event like a wedding, an ash cross for Christians on Ash Wednesday or the wearing of a bindi in Hindu and Jain cultures.  All of these are marks that we use for a short time, or may repeat multiple times, but they are not permanent like a tattoo. 

By definition, all of these modifications create some kind of scarring on the human body. They reflect things we are passionate about, or perhaps ways that we have been harmed. They mark a celebration. We use them to memorialize the people we have loved and lost. We may even use them to reflect our beliefs, with crosses, scriptures and prayers. Since they are only a marking on our human body and we believe that our soul is forever with Christ does it matter if we mark ourselves during our time here? 

Prayer: God who knows every inch of our human frame, help us to remember that our time on earth is short. We know that we are yours with or without any additional markings.  

Christi Moock

Together

“When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I’ll be there!” Matthew 18: 20 (The Message)

“Now this is what the Lord says. He created you, people of Jacob; he formed you, people of Israel. He says, “Don’t be afraid, because I have saved you. I have called you by name, and you are mine.” Isaiah 42: 1 (NCV)

We are all navigating these strange waters of physical distance. I have worshipped from the couch in my home by tuning in to the Live stream services with EPC. They have brought much encouragement and peace and a sense of connection. I am appreciative of the technology and individuals who have made it possible for this to occur. 

Until Easter Sunday, though, I hadn’t been in the EPC sanctuary to assist in leading worship. In my midst (but remaining six feet apart!), were Pastor Melodie, Brian, director of music, Vince, AV tech, and Brent, at the organ. That was it; just the five of us. As I stood to approach the microphone as I’ve done many times before, waves of emotion flooded my heart. This was not rehearsal. The pews were eerily empty. I had an overwhelming realization of how much joy it brings to me to praise God together in word and song, share God together in presence and love. I’m afraid I’ve taken that for granted in the past, now that it is not possible. This just didn’t feel “right”. I was quite humbled, to realize the honor and privilege it is to be welcomed into the precious, holy “sanctuaries” of your own homes. 

It was at that time, I sensed we weren’t alone. It wasn’t just the five of us there. The Holy Spirit was moving and soothed my unsettled heart! A sense of peace swept over me as I peered out at the pews and saw each of your faces; most of whom I know your name and which side or pew you usually sit; those faces who I’ve prayed for and have prayed for me; faces I might not know yet; those faces I miss when they’re absent and I worry about, hoping they’re ok; those faces who’ve worked beside me, led, inspired, and encouraged me. New faces, old faces, faces from the past…you were all there. Together, we will be, we are, even in physical distance!

It helped me to imagine the Holy Spirit and Living God was moving in our homes, in our worship and in our hearts, wherever we were! I prayed the risen Christ stirred us with the message of joy and hope in the words and music that were shared. I prayed God would offer protection and breathe comfort and peace for whatever is weighing heavy on our hearts. I prayed that while we are living in these uncertain and scary times, we release those fears and concern to His care and can live a life of gratitude to our Savior. It’s too heavy for us to carry. I prayed God would soothe the longing for connection, of belonging. I prayed that we can find security in knowing that God knows each of us by name and how much we are loved! We count; we belong to Him; we matter (to Jesus and to many others!) Social distancing does not equal absence! 

To God be the glory!

Diane Worrell Eaton

Strength

"Our God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble." from Psalm 46

A family with young children in our church was having a rough time recently, trying to balance having everyone at home all the time with the coronavirus, trying to get work done around the house, school work, and still maintain some sense of order and sanity.

One day, when one of the parents was at his wits end, trying to balance laundry, cleaning the house, school work, and cooking dinner, the 5 year old of the family kept saying "dad, dad, dad!" Feeling guilty for being slightly annoyed, Dad stopped what he was doing, and knelt down to be eye to eye to the child. Taking a deep breath, he asked the child what was wrong.

"Please fix my book!" The child had become fixated on a small, beaten up book he was carrying around the house.

Dad took note of the book's title, "The Strength to Love" by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Convicted, the dad found some tape and fixed the book. With a smile, the child took the book in his hands and ran off to play with his sister.

It's amazing how God speaks to us at times we may least expect it.
The very next day, someone else in the Eastridge church family called this family. With love in her voice, she asked about the children and then just so happened to share a text of one of her favorite hymns from Martin Luther, MLK Jr.'s name sake: A Mighty Fortress is Our God.

She shared that beautiful verse "We shall NOT fear, for God hath willed, Christ's strength to triumph through us!"

Thanks be to God for continuing to speak to us in the power of the Holy Spirit...in the voice of a child...or a friend's call, quoting a hymn, even when we least expect it.

~from a church member

He Took Our Sins

Surely he took up our infirmities

 and carried our sorrows,

Yet we considered him stricken by God,

Smitten by him, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our

transgressions, he was crushed

for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us

 peace was upon him,

and by his wounds we are healed.

We all, like sheep, have gone astray,

each of us has turned to his own way;

And the LORD has laid on him

The iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:4-6 NIV



We thought he brought it on himself,

That God was punishing him for his own failures.

But it was our sins that did that to him,

that ripped and tore and crushed him – our sins!

He took the punishment, and that made us whole.

Through his bruises we get healed.

We’re all like sheep who’ve wandered off and gotten lost.

We’ve all done our own thing, gone our own way.

And GOD has piled all our sins, everything we’ve done wrong,

On him, on him. Isaiah 53:4-6 THE MESSAGE



Prayer: O Lord, forgive us for the sins Christ had to take from us onto the cross. God even turned away from him along with many of his people and friends. He was terribly alone, forsaken and hanging on the cross in pain for us. Guide us to be better, to pray for direction from You and totally love your son, Jesus. Amen.



Sandra Hilsabeck

A Different Easter

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:26-27

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

Easter looked a bit different this year. There was no sunrise service on the patio, attended by a stalwart few. There was no breakfast following, with talk of Easter dinner later in the day, or a nap. There was no gathering for coffee before or after worship, no choir singing, no handbells ringing, no scent of Easter lilies. 

  

But it was still Easter. We were still worshiping together, we still watched the sun rise on a spring day that was a bit cold. Like the chipped-ear bunny in the photo below, it was maybe imperfect and not quite right, but it was Easter all the same. We were connected by worship, in our own living rooms and kitchens and bedrooms, connected as we watched the service unfold from the sanctuary where only five were gathered. The celebration of the day was the same: Jesus rose from the grave!

Life over the past month has been that way…different, imperfect (if life can ever be considered perfect), not quite right. Maybe like the bunny below we can put on a brave face and carry on, even though we know life isn’t the way we may want it to be right now.

God is with us, through the uncertainty and worry, through the sadness and grief. Let us take that comfort that He offers.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for being with us today, and give us hope that carries us into tomorrow. Be with us in our doubt, and help us trust that your guiding hand will be with us always. Amen.

Donna Gustafson

Becoming a Beloved Community: Lent Week Six: April 6-April 12

Click here to read the devotion