The Book of Days
A Spiritual Guide to Lent 2003
Meditations on Bible Readings
by Members of
Heritage Presbyterian Church
Alexandria, Virginia
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The Book of DaysA Spiritual Guide to Lent 2003Meditations on Bible Readings |
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Heritage Presbyterian Church Home Page
Contents
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Beginning Lent First Week Second Week Third Week Fourth Week Fifth Week Holy Week Easter |
March 5 - March 8 March 9 - March 15 March 16 - March 22 March 23 - March 29 March 30 - April 5 April 6 - April 12 April 13 - April 19 April 20 |
Copyright 2003 Heritage Presbyterian Church, Alexandria, Virginia
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to all those who helped prepare this booklet:
And, of course, special appreciation to all the contributors of meditations for this lenten season, who shared their experiences and insights with us.
--Rev. Bill Teng
Introduction
Only one King
Has shed his blood
That men might walk in brotherhood
Whose coin is love,
And graved thereon:
A scourge, a cross,
A crown of thorns
Whose reign
Is without period...
The King of heaven:
The son of God!
John Richard Moreland (1880-1947)
The cross was an emblem of a slave's death or murderer's punishment; it was looked on with profound horror in the time Christ lived. The crown was a symbol of royalty, worn by ordinary priests and high priests, and later by kings.
To Christians, the cross represents the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ. The crown represents Christ's kingly attributes—He is the king of glory.
As we read these Lenten meditations may we ponder the meaning of the cross and the crown.
Pat Carvellas, Elder
Discipleship Committee
Bible Readings: Ps. 5, 147:1-11; Amos 5:6-15; Heb. 2:1-14; Luke 18:9-14
Meditation: (Luke 18:14b, Amos 5:14)
I heard of a preacher whose sermon was based on Jesus' parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. The preacher was a good speaker, had a good theological education and had worked hard preparing this sermon. The delivery was excellent and the preacher brought out all the finer points of the parable. At the end of the sermon, as usual, the preacher offered a short prayer of response: "Lord, we thank you that we are not like that Pharisee. Amen."
As we enter the season of Lent, a time for reflection and repentance, it may be all too easy to be like that Pharisee, that preacher, or the people that Amos addressed. We try to do good—and are proud of what we do. We utter the right noises, but our confidence is misplaced. We make claims on God, but our attitudes do not truly reflect God's will. We say that the Lord God Almighty is with us, but our lives do not truly reflect the love and righteousness of God.
This Lent, may we each reflect deeply and humbly on what God expects from us and seek to amend our lives. May we walk more closely in the path of humble service shown by the example of Jesus. Yet, however hard we try, we know that our best efforts are always flawed; we always fall short of our own ideals, let alone God's. At the end, we can only cry out, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
Prayer: Father God, I am your child and I only want to please you. Let me understand how I may do your will in every situation. Give me grace to see my failings; give me strength to overcome them. And, when I fall short, have mercy. Amen.
David Childs
Bible Readings: Ps. 27, 147:12-20; Hab. 3:1-18; Phil. 3:12-21; John 17:1-8
Meditation: (Psalm 147:12-20)
The passage reminds me of several things. The first thing that it reminds me of is the winter. When it is cold and we are bundled in heavy clothes as we have been recently, we should think of our blessings. When it is snowing the snow looks like wool and frost is like ashes. When it is raining the hail plops off our windshields like pebbles bounding off. We should remember that this is all part of God's plan for us.
Soon spring will come and bring us warmer weather—a time of renewal is upon us.
The other thing that this passage reminds me of is the special role of Jerusalem. Jerusalem is a Holy place and is sacred. The Lord strengthens the resolve of the people of Jerusalem. This Psalm could have been written to commemorate the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. It is believed that this was written postexilic.
Praise the Lord for his blessings, in the dark of winter when the snow is falling and the winds are blowing, and in the spring, when life is renewed. Bless the people of Jerusalem for they are blessed. Praise the Lord.
Prayer: As Jesus prayed in John 17 20-23, "My prayer is not for the disciples alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that may one as we are one. I am in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me, and have loved them even as you have loved me."
Reid Graham
Bible Readings: Ps. 22, 148; Ezek. 18:1-4, 24-32; Phil. 4:1-9; John 17: 9-19
Meditation: (Psalm 22: 1, 31)
"My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?...They shall come, and declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this." These verses are the beginning and ending of Psalm 22. We all recognize the words Christ spoke on the cross (Mark 16:34). They begin a lament that goes on for 20 verses and sounds like it could have been written by Christ to describe the last few days of his life. But, Psalm 22 ends with 10 verses of praise! Some scholars believe that in speaking those first words of Psalm 22, Christ intended to quote the whole of the Psalm, or at least to remind his followers of it. Or maybe the message is that this is only the beginning of the message. It looks like the end to a life and a ministry, but it is a beginning that will show the greatness of God.
Just by chance, I have the same passages that I had three years ago, when Heritage first started writing Lenten meditations. It reminds me of a passage from T. S. Eliot: "We shall not cease from exploration; And the end of all our exploring; Will be to arrive where we started; And know the place for the first time." And what is the result of three years of "exploring"? Many of us noticed over the course of studying our Lenten assignments that the readings from the Old Testament fit very well with the passages of the New Testament. In the Alpha course it became even more clear that the Bible was not just a collection of books, but that the pieces came together to give a consistent picture of God's Word. Like a mosaic, the dark and bright bits of the individual passages form an imposing and inspiring picture,and the whole is far more than the sum of the parts.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for revealing yourself to us through your Word and your Life. Amen.
Pamela Russell McClelland
Bible Readings: Ps. 43, 149; Ezek. 39:21-29; Phil. 4:10-20; John 17:20-26
Meditation: (John 17:20-26)
After attending the Presbyterian Women's interfaith breakfast at Grace Presbyterian Church, I wondered how we Christians in the 21st century can relate to other cultures and religions. By learning about and respecting other cultures and beliefs, we can all work toward a peaceful world; we can share our concerns and fears.
In John 17, verse 23 it says, "I am in them and Thou in me, that they may be perfected in unity, that the world may know that Thou didst send me—love them even as Thou didst love me." Christians should live in unity—our love can enable us to go out into the world and share our faith in our neighborhood, the community and the world at large.
Prayer: Dear God, help us understand the differences of the world we live in; help guide us toward Christian unity. May we feel empowered to make a contribution to a more peaceful and just world.
Joan T. Coe
Bible Readings: Ps. 84, 150; Dan. 9:3-10; Heb. 2:10-18; John 12:44-50
Meditation: (Heb 2:10-18; John 12:44-50)
These two passages speak to me of how profound and poignant Christ's coming to earth was. "I have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness" (John 12:46). We are all welcome to surround ourselves in Christ's light...to breathe it into ourselves and breathe it out into the world....to be Christ's disciples....Christians. It is not an exclusive club. Everyone is welcome. What good news!
The news gets even better! John 12:47 continues "...for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world." Christ's focus continues on redemption...on a second or third or fourth or fifth chance as long as we are truly trying to live by God's laws.
Accordingly, in Hebrews 2:18 "For because he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted." When I focus on Christ, the man, I feel empathy and love for this man that suffered so, who sacrificed his life to speak God's truth, who was humiliated and scorned by others who turned their hearts and minds away. How brave he was... How much strength he had through his singular focus and reliance on God, his Father. He did not humiliate, retaliate, or scorn his enemies...he sought to convert them in a loving passionate manner. How incredible!
During Lent I am humbled by this humble man...Christ...how he came into the world and changed everything by his example, his words, and his love. I am truly grateful God led me to hear the good news!
Prayer: Dearest God, thank you for sending your only Son, Jesus Christ, who teaches us all to love one another...to accept faults...to encourage...to not judge...but to save. Let us hold dear His example, and reach out to others in love and understanding...and in the good news! Amen.
Karen Morris
Bible Readings: Ps. 119:73-80, 145; Gen. 37:1-11; 1 Cor. 1:1-19; Mark 1:1-13
Meditation: (1 Corinthians 4-19)
Paul praises the people of Corinth for their gifts and says they have been called into fellowship and unity: "He will keep you strong to the end."
Some time ago I made a banner. It shows Adam and Eve, the first people God created, together with fish and animals. Then there are modern people, working on computers, driving cars and trucks, with rows of similar red houses and the cogs and wheels of heavy industry; people using their gifts in varied ways to live their lives.
Jesus Christ came to share with us in our every day lives—God taking on the ordinary, a living, breathing man, doing all the things on my banner and more. Jesus brings all aspects of creation into focus and creates unity. At the top of my banner are a lion and a lamb together, representing God's everlasting kingdom of fellowship, unity and peace. Paul reminds the Corinthians, and us, that we have spiritual gifts of grace and knowledge; that God will give us strength to the end. As we read these words we should learn to recognize that we can be part of God's kingdom by living ordinary lives and doing mundane, sometimes tedious activities in church and outside. Doing this, we become more fully part of God's kingdom and deepen our Lent experience.
Prayer: Faithful, loving, righteous Creator, thank you for sending your Son and giving us grace, knowledge and strength. Help us to follow Him and share with all your people. Amen.
Kathryn Childs
Bible Readings: Ps. 34, 146; Gen. 37:12-24; 1 Cor. 1:20-31; Mark 1:14.25
Meditation: (Psalm 34)
A reading of this passage gives very clear ways in which to live. Some learn this early in life, some later in life. I was the latter. Better late than never applies here. Until I accepted Christ I always tried to fix my problems on my own with no spiritual guidance. This worked fairly well in good times, which I was fortunate to have most of my adult life. But when things went bad I still tried on my own to fix them. Every attempt made them worse. Later I came to know that by turning to Christ, I could depend on him to help me through difficult times. In the Words of Psalm 34:4-5, I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. What a burden to be lifted and all just for believing in him. Even then the leap of faith can be hard to make. But when this leap is taken, there is someone who will always be with you and never let you down. You can't even say that about yourself.
What would Jesus do? Trying to answer that question while encountering the situations of life helps keep us radiant and our faces not covered with shame. As Psalm 34 comes to a close it explains to all of us the Lord's guarantee: "The Lord redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him."
Prayer: Dear Lord God, remind us to seek your guidance in good times, not just bad. May you not be our last resort but our constant companion. Shine your light when we stray that we may follow it. When tribulations come, tap us on the shoulder to remind us that you are there. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Marty Nau
Bible Readings: Ps. 5, 147:1-11, Gen. 37:25-36, 1 Cor 2:1-13, Mark 1:29-45
Meditation: (2 Timothy 2:23-26)
The 2 Timothy passage seems especially relevant for modern Christians. It seems to summarize much of the second letter to Timothy and much of the gospel as well. It is so easy to fall into the trap of trying to argue people into belief and faith. Especially when we know we are right and have a Bible full of answers, the temptation is to take great pride in that knowledge and spend our time pointing out problems we see in others.
In today's world, it seems that more often than not the public depiction of Christians is as people telling others what they should and should not be doing. It seems that Christians most often get involved in public debate and are willing to take a stand over issues like abortion, cloning, most anything having to do with sex, and other "family value" topics. The Bible does give clear guidelines on the right and wrong of many of the issues, and Christians should not stand by and accept an "anything goes" morality. But 2 Timothy 2:23-26 and these other verses help remind us how we should go about confronting the fallen world around us.
These verses also help return our focus to why we should take any public stands in the first place. The only reason to argue with someone over a sin or a moral decision is if we honestly think that argument can help bring them or others closer to God. And in everything we do, we need to constantly remain aware of how we are perceived and what our underlying motivations really are. But perhaps most importantly, we should make sure that arguing over someone else's sin does not prevent us from doing all of the things we are called to do as a Christian. Although there are a number of injunctions against various sins in the Bible, the Old Testament prophets and Jesus spend much more time telling us what we should be doing: "feed the hungry, help the oppressed, and love your neighbor." Maybe if Christians focused more on those issues, the others would take care of themselves.
Prayer: Dear God, help us to know how we can interact with and serve others in Your name so that they might come to know you as their Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Eric and Julie Sapp
Bible Readings: Ps. 27, 147:12-20; Gen. 39; 1 Cor 2:14-3:15; Mark 2:1-12
Meditation: (Gen. 39:6)
"So he left all that he had in Joseph's charge." This famous passage about Potiphar, Joseph, and Potiphar's wife has a cast of characters and a plot which would do well on daytime television. But in the midst of all this drama one character is usually overlooked. God is that character, and of course he is really the most important figure in the story.
It was God who was with Joseph and "caused all that he did to prosper." So much so that Potiphar finally "left all that he had in Joseph's charge, and with him there, he had no concern for anything but the food he ate."
It was God who so filled Joseph's life that he could resist the temptation and recognize it as a "sin against God." It was God who was with Joseph in prison and "gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer, who committed to Joseph's care all the prisoners who were in the prison, and whatever was done there, he was the one who did it—the chief jailer paid no heed to anything that was in Joseph's care because the Lord was with him."
The drama is usually called "The Story of Potiphar's Wife." It should be called "The Story of Joseph's God," for this is an account of the power of God in the life of one of his followers.
All of the scriptures listed revolve around the theme of the power of God and the effect He has upon those who follow Him. In the Old Testament and the New the power of God and the power of his son, our Lord Jesus Christ, is most often seen as a blessing for whose who love God. During Lent especially we are reminded of how the power and love of God is brought to us through the crown and the cross.
Prayer: Oh Lord, let us know our weakness and your strength. Amen.
Dorothy and Arnie Porter
Bible Readings: Ps. 22, 148; Gen 40:1-23; 1 Cor. 3:16-23; Mark 2:13-22
Meditation: (Psalm 22)
Subtitled "The Song Of The Cross," this psalm makes it clear that even the best people sometimes suffer. I was struck when reading the opening phrase, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?," that this seems to be another way of stating one of the questions I have been agonizing with for some time, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" Sharing the grief associated with two recent tragic events has finally allowed me to see that while God may not be able to stop these tragic events from occurring, it is our faith in Him that helps us through those awful times. Indeed, as I have recently witnessed faith communities coming together to support those left behind, or "the ones left standing," as a recent song written in the aftermath of 9/11 so eloquently states, I have felt the power of God working through that community of faith. To know that through God's love there is hope to move beyond the agony of sorrow, to eventually find peace and comfort, is, I believe, a living testament to the power of faith.
Prayer: Glory to you, exalted Jesus, who by Your dying and rising give meaning and substance to our songs of sorrow and of joy. Amen.
Jeff Taylor
Bible Readings: Ps. 43, 149; Gen 41:1-13; 1 Cor. 4:1-7; Mark 2:23-3:6
Meditation: (Mark 2:23-3:6)
One of my fondest memories growing up in Hong Kong was spending extended summer vacation time with my grandparents who lived in neighboring Macau, a Portuguese colony about a three-hour ferry ride away. My grandfather (on my mother's side) was a Baptist deacon and an optometrist by profession and my grandmother was a midwife. They were devoted Christians and believed in observing the "Christian sabbath" religiously. Every Sunday, not only would they close their practices and spend almost all day in church together, but the entire family would eat in a restaurant. They believed even preparing a meal at home was not in the spirit of keeping the sabbath!
Just in case you thought my grandparents were being too strict or that the Pharisees were being too petty and unreasonable, consider the following (compiled by Robert W. Pelton in The Door):
--Young girls are never allowed to walk a tightrope in Wheeler, Mississippi, unless it's in a church.
--In Blackwater, Kentucky, tickling a woman under her chin with a feather duster while she's in church service carries a penalty of $10.00 and one day in jail.
--No one can eat unshelled, roasted peanuts while attending church in Idanha, Oregon.
--In Honey Creek, Iowa, no one is permitted to carry a slingshot to church except a policeman.
--No citizen in Leecreek, Arkansas, is allowed to attend church in any red-colored garment.
--Swinging a yo-yo in church or anywhere in public on the Sabbath is prohibited in Studley, Virginia.
--Turtle races are not permitted within 100 yards of a local church at any time in Slaughter, Louisiana.
I'm sure there were good reasons for these laws (and I would even agree that it should be illegal for anyone to eat unshelled, roasted peanuts or swing a yo-yo while attending church anywhere), but I just can't help but wonder why people would go to such extremes to dictate how the sabbath should be observed? I have a suspicious feeling that today's gospel passage doesn't really have anything to do about doing nothing on the sabbath but has everything to do about what we should be doing on the sabbath.
Jesus' message is loud and clear that "The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath" (v. 27). But instead of rejoicing in this liberating teaching of Jesus, the Pharisees "immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him" (v. 6)—this in fact had become the beginning of the end for Jesus that led to his eventual arrest, trial and execution!
It's often a tradition for some Christians to "give up" something during Lent as a kind of penance—a kind of self-denial as a test of pious discipline. And sometimes we can become legalistic at it. In the spirit of what Jesus is teaching us here, how about considering "taking on" something as well—something that would enhance our relationship with God and one another, and help us prepare for the realities made present at Easter? Let us keep the spirit of Lent in balance with our calling to be active disciples of Christ.
Prayer: Loving God, deliver us from our legalistic tendencies and forgive our judgmental attitudes. Help us to be positive toward you and others. In this Lenten season, bind us to your boundless grace and guide us toward your liberating light; even through Jesus Christ our Lord, who suffered and died for us. Amen.
Pastor Bill Teng
Bible Readings: Ps 84, 150, Gen. 41:14-45; Rom. 6:3-14; John 5:19-24
Meditation:
I would like to share my thought on John 5:19-24. Open to the passage and see what you think. The Father and the Son are One. Jesus is the very heart of God the Father (verse 19). The Father and Son are showing the human race things that are marvelous (verse 20). The Father raises the dead. The Son gives life to whomever He pleases (verse 21). If you honor the Father, you honor the Son who is appointed by the Father, the judge over all creation (verses 22-23). Jesus' words are the Father's words—believe the good news and pass from death to life (verse 24).
As Christians it is good news that our sins are forgiven, even forgotten, by God. As we believe that Jesus has taken our punishment for us, we should also believe our Father in heaven holds our best interests at heart.
Prayer: Dear Lord, may we be glad to go through life together with You. May we believe that you love us. May we love You and each other more and more. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Perry Nicholas Carvellas
Bible Readings: Ps. 119:73-80, 145; Gen. 41:46-57; 1 Cor. 4:8-21; Mark 3:7-19a
Meditation: (Mark 3:7-19a)
I was pondering about Jesus climbing into a boat and then talking to the large crowd that had gathered on the shore of Lake Galilee.
There is a little sketch in the Good News Bible that shows Jesus in the boat, a short distance from the shore. He is by himself in the boat and the little boat shown has what is perhaps a small sail. Well I am somewhat familiar with boats, and this particular "set-up" would be rather tricky. It would be very difficult to maneuver the little boat so close to shore. There would probably be some small waves on Lake Galilee and keeping a boat stable and pointed toward the shore, without running aground, would take some maneuvering. With the sail up, and unless the wind was blowing consistently and directly off the shore, there would be lot of fiddling to control the boat. Fiddling with sails and tillers and then speaking to a large crowd at the same time would be rather difficult.
It would be difficult for some, but not for Jesus; he must have had some divine intervention. Sometimes I feel like the tide is against me and there is too much fiddling needed for me to stay on course. When I feel this way, I try and remember to pray for strength from God. The wind does not always change in my favor immediately, but I find, through prayer, I can keep my boat steady and pointed in the right direction.
Prayer: Dear Lord, we know that we can turn to you in all times, even during those small concerns that arise daily. If we ask with an open heart and a thankful heart we will hear your answer.
Jenny Kennedy
Bible Readings: Ps. 34, 146; Gen. 42:1-17; 1 Cor. 5:1-8; Mark 19b-35
Meditation: (Gen. 42:1-17)
Each of us has been put to the spiritual test numerous times in our lives. We never seem to know when circumstances will stare us down as if to say "what are you made of today." There have certainly been days when I was not made of much. I no doubt felt much the same way Joseph's brothers felt when he tested them and accused them of being spies. There have also been times when I faced the test and passed triumphant. Those felt good! Before each case the outcome was known by God. God knew when I would fail and when I would succeed. He had already made his forgiveness available to me. Nevertheless, I was still accountable. If my eternal outcome depended on the results of my own trials, I would come up far short. Thankfully, Jesus faced the ultimate test for us. As a human being, I cannot comprehend what it took for Jesus to come into this world with the knowledge that his test would be so severe. I can be thankful and praise God that through Jesus the sacrifice has made God's grace available to each of us while still here in this world. God's grace is there for the asking.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I praise you and I thank you that you sent your Son Jesus to make the ultimate sacrifice so that we may have everlasting peace. I pray that when I am tested, you will find my actions satisfactory. Stand with me through my trials and bring me through to the days of everlasting peace.
Cameron Coates
Bible Readings: Ps. 5, 147: 1-11; Gen. 42:28; 1 Cor. 5:9-6:11; Mark 4:1-20
Meditation: (Mark 4:1-20)
The reading from Mark is the very familiar parable of the sowers. The seed was sowed by the wayside and the birds ate them. Some fell on stony ground where it grew but quickly withered because there was no depth to the soil. Another portion of seed fell among the thorns where it grew but was choked out by the thorns. That which fell on the good ground grew well and produced abundant food. The disciples didn't understand the parable so Jesus explained it to them—a rarity. He explained that the thorns were the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches and lust.
The reading from Corinthians warns the believers in Corinth to avoid the non-believers lest they be tainted by them. In this Lenten season we cannot avoid non-believers—they are all around us in our daily lives. But we can prepare ourselves like the good ground so that the thorns cannot choke us out. We prepare our ground by faithful study—so we know the thorns when we see them. See you in Sunday school!
Prayer: Father, during this Lenten season when we are preparing for the celebration of the resurrection—the gift that You have given us through Your Son Jesus—let us prepare our own spiritual soil so that we can fully understand the enormity of Your grace. Amen.
Sam Armstrong
Bible Readings: Ps. 27, 147:12-20; Gen 42:29-38; 1 Cor. 6:12-20; Mark 4:21-34
Meditation: (Psalm 27)
When you are a 4 year-old boy, your life involves playing with cars and trucks; climbing anything and everything, attending preschool, going to birthday parties, and attending sports events where Dad is the coach. One day, three weeks before Christmas, your Mom takes you to the pediatrician to have a small spot on your cheek examined. That small spot causes concern, and leads to four surgeries to be certain all of the small spot is removed. Needless to say, a young, happy life has had an "enemy" enter. After the 4th surgery, which is successful, there comes the realization that there will be chemotherapy treatments for the next 48 weeks! Concern is felt not only among the family, but among medical staff, business colleagues and neighborhood, preschool and sports friends. Everyone is so helpful—bringing food; putting up Christmas decorations; removing snow and driving the family to medical appointments. All of these activities are certainly supportive to the family. Supporting this family in prayer is also a priority.
In Psalm 27, the psalmist relates the need for help during times when he feels surrounded by enemies. Although the threat is different, the psalmist relies on his faith or trust in the Lord to help. There is a sense of hope that he will see the "goodness of the Lord." "Be strong, and let your heart take courage, and wait for the Lord!"
Prayer: Dear Lord, we thank you for carrying the burden for us when we know we cannot do it alone. Thank you for the Heritage Church Family who is providing additional support for this family in prayer. Thank you for always being there with your love and care. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Elizabeth Tolles
Bible Readings: Ps. 22, 148; Gen. 43:1-15; 1 Cor. 7:1-9; Mark 4:35-41
Meditation: (Psalms 22)
"... It was you who brought me safely through birth, and when I was a baby, you kept me safe. I have relied on you since the day I was born, and you have always been my God. Do not stay away from me! Trouble is near, and there is no one to help."
Picture being a teenager again, enjoying time with friends, as you sit in the front passenger seat of your friend's SUV. Two more friends are in the back seat. It's a dark night and the driver is driving like any teenager would, moderate speed for the most part, gently rolling the stop signs at intersections as he makes his way to yet another friend's house on the cold Friday evening. So cold in fact, that black ice has formed in a pothole about 100 feet just around a bend in the road. The SUV makes it around the bend easily enough, but the driver doesn't see the pothole. The vehicle hits the pothole, begins to turn out of control and swerves to the right into the curb. It then swerves back across the road, hits the opposite curb, destroys a road sign and rolls over multiple times down a 15 foot incline. The SUV (not an accurate description of what it looks like at this point) slides to a stop upside down, about 10 feet from the corner of a house.
Luckily, there were only minor injuries.
When friends are involved in a car accident—friends that you've known since grade school and those that you haven't—one thought is perfectly clear. The only thought that enters your mind is: "Is everyone all right?" It's moments like these that make you realize something like this could actually happen to you or your friends. When there is an accident of any kind involving someone you know, the rest of your life tends to stop for a time. You begin to pray for the people involved, for the families of those involved, and for yourself, because you don't want to have fewer friends then you had the day before. You wonder why God would allow such a thing to occur—why he didn't intervene and save them from harm? Or, maybe he did, since no one was seriously hurt. At the same time, you wonder whether it was meant to be—and that maybe, for some strange reason, it was already "in the making" the day your friend received his license.
Prayer: Lord, Protect us through all accidents, big and small. We pray that you will not take the lives of the people we remain close to so soon. We can only hope that your watching eye will be ever present over us and your continued guidance will see us through any rough times we may experience. I thank you Lord, that my friends involved in the accident are okay, safe and able to continue to live happy lives. Amen.
Bryan Russo
Bible Readings: Ps. 43, 149; Gen. 43:16-34; 1 Cor. 7:10-24; Mark 5:1-20
Meditation: (Psalm 149:1,3)
Surely the harp is beautiful to look at, and when Lisa Taylor plays for our service it is beautiful to hear. When I mentioned my scripture assignment to Tanya, my granddaughter, she reminded me of my autoharp. Yes, we did praise the Lord with the autoharp and with song.
Four years ago when I began attending Heritage I was impressed with the hymnal we use—and the number of hymns that were new to me. I went to the Seminary bookstore and bought one for myself. Many hymns were inspired by a particular scripture (see "Index of Scriptural Allusions" on page 687 of the hymnal). The hymn "Give Praise to the Lord" is based in Psalm 149.
Sing to the Lord a new song—some days our new song might be in a minor key, perhaps a reflection of sadness we feel because of problems or even tragedy of our own or of others for whom we feel concern. Some days our new song might be seeing an old song or a familiar scripture in a new way. The last verse of the hymn "Morning Has Broken" reminds us to "Praise every morning, God's re-creation of the new day."
Prayer: Dear God, We enjoy new clothes, new toys, new books, new recipes, new friends... Please give us new thoughts so that we can praise you with new songs. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Mary Lyons
Bible Readings: Ps. 84, 150; Gen. 44:1-17; Rom 8:1-10; John 5:25-29
Meditation: (Psalm 150)
The week begins in pre-dawn darkness. Monday morning darkness. Prior to prayer and laps around the neighborhood, I picture my week: Multi-tasking through the mundane, packing lunches, piano lessons, lesson plans, endless piles of laundry, major projects, meetings, dirty dinner dishes and packing each minute of every day with productivity.
Anticipating Sunday's Sabbath rest, I pull myself out of bed vowing to survive the next 6 days in one piece. I will try to simplify, say no and fight the temptation to squeeze more into my week. But Sunday rolls around, and I have failed, again. Psalm 150 calls me to praise the Lord for his mighty deeds! Praise him with harp, trumpet, cymbals and dancing! Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Why do I slide into my pew, exhausted, my worship half-hearted, routine and sometimes drowsy? My life needs correction. I need to slow down, treasure my time with the Lord and rejoice with His people in His sanctuary.
Prayer: Help me, Lord, to find energy to pour into the worship you so richly deserve. Help me to restructure my week so I can come thankfully to Sunday lavishing praise upon your holy name. Thank you for the gift of music that helps us to communicate our love for you. Fill our worship with your Spirit, making it genuine and pleasing to you. Amen.
Karen Galambos
Bible Readings: Ps 119:73-80, 145; Gen. 44:18-34; 1 Cor. 7:25-31; Mark 5:21-43
Meditation:
We often think of the Lord as being like a loving parent. The Lord loves us as his creation. He is faithful to his promises. What is the moment in your life that reminds you of this?
There was once a child who at ten required eye surgery. Ophthalmology was not as advanced then as it is now and general anesthesiology for children wasn't either. As he regained consciousness he slowly realized that his eyes were bandaged. He could see nothing. He could not move for his arms were tied. Before being untied he had to promise not to remove the bandages again. The nurses had gone through several sets of bandages already. The worst was yet to come. Deprived of sight, he was disoriented. Suffering nausea caused by the anesthesia, he had no idea what had happened to him. The inner ear played tricks on him. He kept thinking the bed was turned. Blinded by the bandages, he had no idea whether he would be able to see when they were removed.
It's been a long time since I was that child—so deeply reminded of my own helplessness. Faithfully, my mother stayed by me. Somehow she was there when I called her. She straightened the bed, helped, comforted and reassured me. The bandages, of course, were only temporary.
As the scripture readings for today remind us, like children we rely upon the Lord to provide for our needs. As my mother always was to me, the Lord is faithful to us all. We expect that. But we are also reminded that it is our task to be faithful in return—faithful first to God but also, as in the story of Jacob, faithful to each other.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, always with us, thank you for your love for us and for your faithfulness in keeping your promises to us. Forgive those times when we stray—when we take for granted the many blessings you have bestowed on us, when we are selfish in our desire for things we would be better off without, and when we fall short in keeping our obligations to you and to each other. Help us acknowledge that you are God and are with us always. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Bert Japikse
Bible Readings: Ps. 34 and 146; Gen. 45: 1-15; 1 Cor. 7: 32-40; Mark 6:1-13
Meditation: (Ps. 146:7)
"The Lord sets the prisoners free." For over 26 years I have participated, with other men from Heritage, in a program at the Alexandria Jail, sponsored by the Good News Mission that provides Christian counseling and Bible study to the inmates. This experience has shown me that God is an abundant provider and helper. During visits I show videos based on the Bible and with God's help I am able to use the videos as a vehicle to study the truths of the Bible and God's redeeming love given us through Jesus Christ. Through this program and the other "life learning" programs sponsored by the Chaplain, I have seen many of these men accept Christ as their Lord and Savior and begin changing their lives. They are not freed from the physical prison they find themselves in (most have committed a crime against society), but they are freed from the prison of life style and decisions that put them in prison.
The Lord blessed me with the evidence of this during the annual Good News Banquet this October. I had the opportunity to meet a young man, a former inmate who attended my sessions, who had been released after serving six years in federal prison. He sought me out saying, "Mr. Lyons, I want you to know how much those videos help me better understand the Bible. I think they are so effective that I am now using them as part of my youth ministry at my church."
This reminded me of the story of Joseph told in Genesis; a story that really resonates with the inmates. How God used the adversities in Joseph's life, including time in prison, to prepare him for a very important job. It also tells of Joseph's understanding of God's involvement (Gen. 45:7). This clearly shows God as a faithful provider and deliverer. And He is indeed!
Prayer: Lord, we thank you so much for being such a faithful and abundant provider. Thank you for providing us with the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ in whose name we pray. Amen.
Dave Lyons
Bible Readings: Ps. 5, 147:1-11; Gen 45:16-28; 1 Cor. 8:1-13; Mark 6:13-29
Meditation: (Psalm 5 and Psalm 147)
In the book of Psalms, chapter 5 says, "For you are not a God who delights in wickedness, evil will not sojourn with you." During these difficult times of wars, famine, terrorism and other evils, we need to know that God will not sojourn with evil. This psalm also states "the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful. Those who rebel against God will be cast out." In Psalm 147 it says, "He casts the wicked to the ground... He sends out his command to the earth, His word runs swiftly." At times it is difficult to comprehend God's presence during these tragic events; still we know He is with us. God's power and understanding are beyond our grasp. We are in awe of God, we worship him and praise him. Psalm 5 says, "Spread your protection over them so that those who love your name may exalt in you." God will bless the righteous and protect them.
Prayer: Be with us today and the days to come; make us aware of your universal glory and protection. Our hope is in the Lord who sent His only begotten son, the Christ, who came into this world not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
Anonymous
Bible Readings: Ps. 27, 147:12-20; Gen 46: 1-7; 28-34; 1 Cor. 9:1-15; Mark 6:30-46
Meditation: (Psalm 27)
Upon looking up the meaning of Psalms, I found that it often is called the hymnbook of the Second Temple. In its present form, the collection consists of 150 songs, hymns and laments. In Psalm 27 we find David asking, "Whom shall I fear and of whom shall I be afraid?" In verse 11 David asks the Lord to teach him God's way and in verse 9 to "Hide not thy face from me."
All of us enjoy reading Psalms and singing the many hymns based on that book of the Bible. Who among us does not enjoy singing "God of Grace and God of Glory." Its lyrics ask God to grant us wisdom and grant us courage for the facing of each hour. What comfort to know that he is present every minute of each hour. We all rush around with busy schedules and sometimes give him what is "left-over" of our day. Is it not God that allows us the strength to carry on our many tasks? Why then do we think we are doing all of this by ourselves? Let us then, as David suggests, sing and make melody to the Lord.
Prayer: Lord, teach us thy ways; to be strong and take courage. Let us not loose sight that all we have and do comes from you. Let us not forget thy love for us all and help us to serve thee in a more loving way. Amen.
Winnie Larson
Bible Readings: Ps. 22, 148; Gen. 47:1-26; 1 Cor. 9:16-27; Mark 6:47-56
Meditation: (I Corinthians 9:16-27)
Paul is writing to the Corinthians about voluntarily taking on a responsibility and the duty to perform that responsibility as long as it needs to be done. He also focuses on the need to see another person's point of view to communicate effectively with the people for whom he has assumed responsibility. In Paul's case, his duty was to preach the gospel. He assumed the lifestyle and values of Jews when preaching to them and the lifestyle and values of Gentiles when preaching to them.
Paul's letter reminds me of my responsibilities and duties as a parent. I wanted to be a parent, but sometimes the day-to-day responsibilities are very challenging, especially with a teenager. It is hard to balance keeping a teen safe and letting the teen grow into adult independence, sometimes by making mistakes. I often forget to see through my teen's eyes to understand her point of view, which is often well reasoned and reasonable though different from my own opinion. Sometimes it is hard to say no to her when I feel uncomfortable with the potentially bad situation an activity could lead to; that is when I remember my duty as a parent to guide her safely toward adulthood, whether she likes my decisions or not.
Prayer: Lord, we are all your children, struggling toward maturity. Grant us patience and wisdom so that we may nurture our children as you nurture us with unconditional love. Amen.
Susan Watkins
Bible Readings: Ps. 43, 147; Gen. 47:27-48:7; 1 Cor. 10:1-13; Mark 7:1- 23
Meditation: (1 Cor. 10:13)
"No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it."
For the Kentucky residents whom the mission trip group helped last summer, living conditions make an outlook on life, as well as a stronghold of faith in God, seem unrealistic and doubtful. The home, or "disaster sight" that I worked on, was one that I could not imagine spending a night in, let alone living there for a lifetime. However, the inhabitants of this home did not let their misfortunes consume their lives. Surprisingly, they were some of the most delightfully content and faithful people I have met, sharing laughs on their front porch, helping out a neighbor and always offering a hand (or a drink of cold water) to us. Thanking us every day for the help we gave, they believed we were sent in answer to their prayers.
Though extremely poor, they seem to depend on God, prayer and their community to provide them what they need in life. It made me realize that I take for granted what most of them have never even had. I have never been tested as they have. I wonder if I would endure. I think often of that week spent in Kentucky. I am thankful to God for my many blessings!
Prayer: Dear Lord, I thank you for my faith, my family, and a church congregation that supports me. Please help me be strong enough to endure the tests that life will place before me. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Phil Smith
Bible Readings: Ps. 84, 150; Gen. 48:8-22; Rom. 8 11-25; John 6:27-40
Meditation:
Psalm 150 is the last Psalm; however, on reading it we find it to not be least in importance. It is impressive with guidance that we are to find all ways to praise God, and to acknowledge the many reasons we have to praise God.
One of my elderly uncles took Psalm 150 seriously. He would, at various times, seemingly quietly, slip up behind a person or group, and with a loud voice shout, "Praise God, Halleluiah!!!" Most of the time we were badly startled. Some chastised him, not for praising God, but for the momentary fright. But the old boy was on the right track—using whatever means to praise God. Recently I heard a sermon that suggested the reason we need to praise God is not for His sake, but for our sake, using this to constantly remind ourselves that we do truly have uncounted reasons for praising God. Thoughts along this line are particularly meaningful during the Lenten season as we reflect on what God, and Jesus, did for us.
During prayer we usually work in a word or two of praise, but anxious to get to our list of requests, we tend to get past the praise phase very quickly. Perhaps a challenge would be for one to attempt prayers that are entirely praise.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we praise you with a heart filled with thankfulness and appreciation for all our many blessings. We will seek to make genuine, pure praise an integral part of our thoughts, actions and prayers.
Charles Jones
Bible Readings: Ps. 119:73-80, 145; Gen. 49:1-28; 1 Cor. 10:14-11:1; Mark 7:24-37
Meditation: (Mark 7:24-37)
Two miracles are found in these passages. In Tyre, a Gentile mother comes to Jesus begging him to cure her young daughter. This woman represents the pagan world. Jesus acknowledges to her that she is not one of the chosen people. However, she in turn replies that even the "dogs" receive the scraps left over from the chosen's table. Because of her faith and belief in Him her daughter is made well. The deaf and dumb man is brought to Jesus by his friends begging for his healing. It is sufficient to know that Jesus looks upwards to heaven for this healing to take place. In this way there is little doubt that the healing power has come from God in Heaven and that the glory goes to Him and not to Jesus the man.
During the Alpha class this last fall, we shared an evening that included a healing prayer time. For some it was a moving experience. We do know that we are all God's children and for us His table is never empty. He feeds us daily, listens to our prayers and answers them in His own time and way. Prayers may not always be answered as we would like, but we know His love and compassion surrounds and upholds us in all circumstances.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for being here for us in our days of ordinariness and in times of need. Knowing your love for us is boundless, gives us hope in our daily lives. May we always remember that through you all things are possible. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Gail Trimble
Bible Readings: Ps. 34, 146, Gen. 49:29-50:14; 1 Cor. 11:2-34; Mark 8:1-10
Meditation: (Psalm 34:3)
How do we incorporate children into our collective exaltation to God?
For several years I resisted leading the young children of our church. I love being around my own children and their friends, but the idea of being responsible for a room full of them was daunting. In recent years, however, I finally relented and became involved in the Children in Worship program. The experience has transformed my own perception of prayer and worship.
Upon becoming involved in the program, I soon realized that the purpose is not merely to prepare children to become participants in the adult worship service, but rather to embrace children for the spiritual beings that they already are. They have a true curiosity about God and his stories, which are presented in visual and tactile ways to form a lasting and meaningful impression. They delight in using the wooden figures in their classroom to tell the Bible stories again and again. Their artistic creations, thoughtfully crafted with paint, beads, or modeling dough, are their expressions of praise, wonder, and questioning to God. Yes, they have difficult moments, just as adults do in our journey of faith. I have had to pray often for patience and understanding. But in the end, I believe that every Sunday in that small room, there is a worship service as meaningful as in any sanctuary.
All of us are afforded so many opportunities to interact with children as part of our extended family of faith. You need not be "cut out" to work with children to get involved. You only need an open and prayerful attitude toward the children around you, and the willingness to learn with them and from them.
Prayer: Dear God, we remember that in Mark 10:13, Jesus says, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Help us to have childlike hearts as we worship you, and give us sensitivity as to how we can encourage and nurture the faith of the children in our lives and in our church family. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Emily Perez-Reyes
Bible Readings: Ps. 5, 147: 1-11; Gen. 50:15-26; 1 Cor. 12:1-11; Mark 8:11-26
Meditation:
When I was in high school, I used to think that I knew everything and that I was always right. Like most people my age, I had many conflicts with my parents because I was always right and they knew nothing. I frequently complained about my parents to my peers at the Heritage Youth Group (HYG). During one of HYG's summer retreats, the group ended the week with a string talk. A string talk is where everyone in the group would be give an opportunity to verbally reflect about challenges they had in their life and how they have sought God to help them get through those difficult times. During the string talk, I spoke about the difficulties I had with my mother. Later, someone reminded me to be thankful for my Mom. The words struck me like a ton of bricks. That moment had such a profound affect that it changed my relationship with God and the way I live my life.
Although I did not change my thought process immediately, I did decide to do some serious soul searching. It took me many years to process this. I prayed, mediated, and asked God to take my doubt and my selfish ways and open my heart and mind to his will. When I reflect back on my younger years I see a girl who did not fully understand what God was all about. The gifts of the Spirit are from God, and my Mom is a gift to me from God. How awesome is God! God is a provider of all kinds of needs. When we seek and ask God to take care of our needs, He will do so. All we need to do is take the first step by handing all of our anxieties and uncertainties over to God, and trust in him.
Prayer: Lord, teach me to be satisfied with myself and my state in life. Lift me up from every concern except your will for me. Show me my faults and guide me in overcoming them. (Meister Eckhart, 1996).
Kim Lyons
Bible Readings: Ps. 27, 147:12-20; Ex. 1:6-22; 1 Cor. 12:12-26; Mark 8:27-9:1
Meditation: (Psalm 27)
This psalm really caused me to reflect on how I live and have lived my life. A particularly intense part of my life occurred after I left the Navy and entered graduate school. When I look back at my days in graduate school, I get mixed feelings. On the one hand, I have to pinch myself at my good fortune. I ended up partnering with another graduate student who proved to be my perfect complement. Our mission was to devise a way to make magnetic field measurements inside a 1 million degree nuclear fusion chamber. The path involved designing a special gun to shoot a special glass probe fast enough so that we could make measurements before the probe melted. Needless to say we had plenty of challenges. We hired a handful of undergraduates, and with the support and advice from our committee of professors, proceeded on our grand technical odyssey.
The work was fascinating. We constantly faced new challenges in nearly every technical discipline from electronics to chemistry, optics to engineering, physics to whatever else. In pursuing these challenges, an incredible environment of unbridled creativity resulted as we convened each week to understand the problem and suggest what to do next. You'd be astonished at how many truly awful ideas the team attempted trying to solve various problems. Yet, occasionally one worked and we moved on to the next one. Ultimately, after five years, we finally succeeded. Because it was so hard, and the team so focused, few things in my life have been so satisfying.
So why do I have mixed feelings? Because during that time, I never knew how it would turn out. For four and a half years, every problem that we solved was followed by another problem that might have rendered useless all of the work that preceded it. As my wife can attest, that fear and anxiety cast a heavy shadow on our lives. If someone could have just told me, "look, this is going to be hard, but in the end this is going to work," I would have been a changed man. I can't imagine the rich joy those years of freedom, struggle, and creativity would have yielded.
This desire to know our struggles are not in vain is true of most things in life. But what struck me in the Psalmist's words was the fact that God DOES tell us how it will end. The opening line is, "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" How much joy is missed, and how much energy, time, and effort is wasted worrying. Granted, He doesn't tell us what our kids will do or how our marriage will turn out or any of the other things that make us wonder. These are part of the journey. But we do know where the journey ends.
Prayer: Oh Lord, please help me to live my life joyfully and confidently with knowledge that you are our light and salvation.
Jim Galambos
Bible Readings: Ps. 22, 148. Ex. 22:1-22; 1 Cor. 12:27-13:3; Mark 9:22-13
Meditation: (1 Cor 12:27-13:3)
Of all the passages in the Bible, this is one of the most familiar and most beloved by me and by many others, I am sure. The scripture speaks of the many gifts it is possible to possess—preaching, teaching, healing, speaking in tongues—and so forth, but then goes on to say that, without love, these are meaningless.
I was blessed to have grandparents in the ministry. In the mid 1920s, they and their five young children drove, across country, from Pennsylvania to southern California. There they began a Presbyterian church which they served for the next thirty-five years. I say 'they' because my grandmother, though not an ordained minister, was surely a vital part of the ministry. My grandfather was a wonderful preacher, and my grandmother was a gifted teacher. But, without question, the greatest ministry they made to their family, their church, and their community was the absolutely glowing love that they showed to everyone. Their faith was so strong! During those years they lost all three of their adult daughters—to pneumonia, diabetes and then cancer—but continued to be such witnesses to the good news of Jesus Christ. Both of their sons (one was my father) became Presbyterian ministers. I am absolutely certain that they are the reason I am a Christian today. You could not grow up around them and NOT believe! They did not go around quoting scripture. They were LIVING examples of God's love. So, when I read these scripture verses they ring absolutely true for me. I feel blessed indeed to have had grandparents such as these.
Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, we thank you for the cloud of witnesses that has gone before us. Help us to show your love in the lives we live each day so that others, too, may come to know your love for us. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.
Rachel Messman
Bible Readings: Ps. 43, 149; Ex. 2:23-3:15; 1 Cor. 13:1-13; Mark 9:14-29
Meditation: (1 Cor. 13:1-13)
I remember with love and honor my dad, George Augustus Grant, who died 17 years ago on this date.
How delighted I was when I realized that the selections for today's meditation includes one of the scriptures that Richard and I chose as the first reading in our marriage ceremony last year! The love expressed in this scripture reminds us that love of this enormity is essential for a lifelong marriage. The depth of the love talked about is an important component in our relationships with others, if we are to love others as we love ourselves. Love of this extent permits us to comprehend that it is God's love for us that is greater than any other love. This is so profound because as husbands and wives we love each other very deeply. How awesome that God loves us so much more.
Prayer: Our Father in Heaven, we thank you for married love. We profoundly implore you to teach us to mature in love and grace, to love and care for others more than ourselves, and to be more like our Savior. All that we ask we do in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Vivien Peterson
Bible Readings: Ps. 84, 150; Ex. 3:16-4:12; Rom. 12:1-21; John 8:46-59
Meditation: (Psalms 84 and 150)
As a member of the choir, I am familiar with these psalms; we have anthem music based on both of them in our choir music library. The choir has the ability to transform these words from plain text in the Bible to beautiful works of music. We are fortunate at Heritage to have gifted musicians on the church staff and a large group of volunteers who do their best to get the message to the congregation by means of the anthem or the offertory each week.
We are taught that we learn by obtaining information in various ways. Psalm 150 indicates that some of the services were accompanied by trumpets, a stringed lute, harp, pipe and clanging cymbals. Tambourines and dance were also used to convey the message. It would have been difficult to not stay awake during one of the services with music. In the past, there has been a banner in the choir room with the message. "He who sings prays twice." By participating in the service by singing from the congregation, we all form a common bond of worship.
Prayer: Dear Lord we ask that you allow us to do your bidding as it is written in the final Psalm "Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary, praise him in his mighty firmament! Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Praise the Lord." Amen.
Mike Larkin
Bible Readings: Ps. 119:73-80, 145; Ex. 4:10-31; 1 Cor. 14:1-19; Mark 9:30-41
Meditation: (Mark 9:30-41)
One of the things I love about the Gospels is how the disciples are portrayed with all of their human flaws. If they had been as perfect as Jesus, it would be hard to relate to them. But I very definitely can relate to them, and it gives me comfort that Jesus understood their faults and still loved and accepted them. In Mark 9, verses 30-41, the disciples didn't understand Jesus' teaching at first, but were too embarrassed to admit it. Is there any one of us who hasn't experienced the exact same situation? Next, they argued amongst themselves about who of them was the greatest. Although we adults have matured past openly arguing as such, we do compare ourselves to others and feel superior to those who, in our minds, fall short. Is that any different? Again, they were too proud to admit to Jesus what they had been discussing, but Jesus didn't need to be told. He knew. We can look to Jesus' teachings to learn how we should behave, and we can look to the disciples as how not to behave. But we can also look to them for inspiration, because they kept trying. And, through perseverance, they spread Christianity throughout the world.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your guidance. Please let us feel your presence, even when we are ashamed of our actions, words or thoughts. And let your acceptance of our shortcomings inspire us to be less critical of others, whom you also love.
Christian Reynolds
Bible Readings: Ps. 34, 146; Ex. 5:1-6:1; 1 Cor. 14:20-33a, 39-40; Mark 9:42-50
Meditation: (Mark 9:42-50)
Jesus delivers a hard teaching in this passage. In one sense, it is hyperbole and, in another, it can be taken quite literally. Jesus is not really advocating that we amputate our hand or foot or eye. He is using those harsh images to underscore the seriousness of His teaching. The serious point that we are to take quite literally is this: We must take whatever action is necessary, no matter how extreme, to be obedient and conform our will to the will of God. This obedience is the proof of our faith—the faith through which we have eternal life. Eternal life is what Jesus means when He talks about entering "life" and entering "the kingdom of God." We must "cut off" (give up, rid ourselves of) anything in our lives—pleasures, habits, friendships—which come between us and perfect obedience to the will of God. As we look forward to Easter, we see a wonderful parallel. Jesus' obedience to the Father's will resulted in His own hands and feet being cruelly pierced. After His sojourn of a perfectly obedient earthly life, Jesus reenters eternity with his hands and feet forever maimed. Because of His obedience, we can enter eternal life.
Prayer: Father, open my eyes to those things in my life that are displeasing to you and give me the will and the courage and the trust to cut off what You don't like. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Jack Adamson
Bible Readings Ps. 5, 147:1-11; Ex. 7:8-24; 2 Cor. 2:14-3:6; Mark 10:1-16
Meditation: (2 Cor 2:14-3:6)
This portion of Paul's letter to the Church in Corinth reveals a quiet personal reflection of Paul and the challenges that he was facing in his ministry. There will always be opposition to the proclamation of the gospel, but the contrast in these verses that Paul makes between death and life is particularly relevant to our day. As messengers of the gospel we are able to be God's workers in bringing others to spiritual life. As always, the key is that it is by God's power that we as sinful humans are able to bring the aroma of Jesus Christ to a fallen world. You look about and realize that through the course of cyclical history, there is really only one new thing happening, and that is the renewal that comes when an individual passes from spiritual death to life and surrenders their heart and mind to Jesus Christ. The new covenant described by Jeremiah, and further contrasted here between tablets of stone and the heart, emphasizes the new life that one receives through God's sovereign grace. Each one of us can, and indeed must be, used by God as human agents of this gift of life in Christ.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, you have created and sustained our world by the word of your power. Yet you have graciously spoken to and saved souls one at a time. Help each of us to have that aroma of Christ, and bring that message of salvation to others, one person at a time. We trust that through the power of the Holy Spirit, we will be ones equal to such a task. Amen.
Larry Jones
Bible Readings: Ps. 27, 147:12-20; Ex. 7:25-8:19; 2 Co. 3:7-18; Mark 10:17-31
Meditation: (2 Cor. 3:7-18)
What a serendipitous assignment—to be given scripture passages to write about which include one of my favorite verses of the Bible! Early in my college years, when I was struggling to make sense out of Christianity, I was given a little book by Henry Drummond called "The Changed Life." In it he poses the difficulties encountered in trying to live a good life as we try by resolutions to "pull ourselves up by our bootstraps" (surely an antiquated expression!).
Drummond goes on to the "law of influence"—-how we become like those people we habitually admire—how we "mirror" those we respect. Turning to 2 Corinthians 3:18, he equates glory with character and paraphrases the verse: "We all, reflecting as in a mirror the character of Christ are transformed into the same image from character to character...Reflect the character of Christ and you will become like Christ. To become a true Christian, make Christ yourconstant companion." Drummond concludes by likening Faith to the attitude which sets the mirror at the right angle, and the Will is what keeps it in position. This verse and Henry Drummond's interpretation of it have had a profound influence in my life.
Prayer: Lord God, help me to set the mirror of my daily living to reflect the character of Christ more fully. Amen.
Marjorie Glassco
Bible Readings: Ps. 22, 148; Ex. 9:13-35; 2 Cor. 4:1-12; Mark 10:32-45
Meditation: (Ps. 22, 2 Cor. 4:1-12)
I find that I am daily reminded of the constancy and eternal presence of our Lord God. These verses reminded me that those who believe in the Lord are always living within His love and protection. This is the case no matter what we may face. 2 Corinthians 4:5 voices this clearly: "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." Psalm 22:24 reminds us that He has not hidden His face from those who believe in Him.
Whenever I have turned to God, in anguish and despair, he has guided me to never turn away from His constant love for us all, but to focus on serving others in this world in His name. This constant presence has granted me courage in the face of adversity and divisiveness so that, indeed, healing has occurred and love has remained present in spite of great losses of beloved family members.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your constancy and ever-present love in my life. You are my strength and my redeemer and I will be your faithful servant. Amen.
Karen Christenson
Bible Readings: Ps. 43, 149; Ex. 10:21-11:8; 2 Cor. 4:13-18; Mark 10:46-52
Meditation: (2 Cor. 4:13-18)
The day that my mother died was not a moment in time when I lost faith in Jesus and the promise of eternal life. Nor was I angry at God. It was a period though when my anger over the shortcomings of medicine and individual competencies over-shadowed any uplifting feelings that faith could bring.
Ironically, as I bitterly considered a medical lawsuit and actively fleeing my lifelong profession of nursing, I discovered that my belief in the gift Jesus gave us grew stronger. This did not come to me overnight. God quietly and consistently pursued me to intervene in dissolving my anger over several months. He then led me to believe that where medicine was unable to care for my mother and to relieve her pain and suffering, he would step in.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 says, "So we do not lose heart, though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed every day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, because we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." This matured belief also helped me to accept the limitations of medicine, and that man is not totally self-sufficient for all things in his life.
Prayer: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change...courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference..." (Various sources credited: Dr. Reinhold Niebuhr, Union Theological Seminary, NYC, 1932; Friedrich Oetinger, 18th century theologian; 14th century prayer.)
Fran Myers-Lovell
Bible Readings: Ps. 84, 150; Zech 9:9-12; 1 Tim. 6:12-16 or Zech. 12:9-11, 13:1,7-9; Luke 19:41-48
Meditation: (Psalm 84; 1 Tim. 6:12)
Psalm 84:4 says, "Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise." I've found that it is easy to praise God and thank him for his goodness when things in my life are going well. I had never been as grateful to God as the day my husband and I got married. I exuded gratitude. I told everyone how thankful I was to God for putting this wonderful man in my life. Indeed, I was somewhat proud of myself for remembering that the glory should go to God.
Then during our wedding ceremony, our very wise and spirit-guided pastor mentioned that it is no great feat to be grateful to God during the good times in our life. God wants us to sing his praise at all times, particularly when things are not going our way.
Selfishly, I felt slightly put off that the minister put a damper on my joyfulness on such a special day. But when we suffered job loss the week after our honeymoon and the deaths of my sister and my husband's young nephew within the first year of our marriage, the meaning of my pastor's message began to take hold. God is not just there when we are in the mood. We are asked to ever sing his praise. It is easy to turn from God during bad times, or to question him and doubt his goodness. But God instructs us that "Happy are those whose strength is in [him]" (Ps. 84:5). According to his word, we must ever sing his praise. We must "fight the good fight of the faith" (1 Tim. 6:12). God's reward for our faithfulness is not only strength and hope during this life, but is the eternal life to which we are called.
Prayer: Heavenly father, thank you for your faithfulness. You are with us at all times, good and bad. Help us to remember you always, and to ever sing your praise.
Dana Buckman
Bible Readings: Ps. 119:73-80, 145, Lam. 1:1-2, 6-12; 2 Cor. 1:1-7; Mark 11:12-25
Meditation:
The overall theme of these readings is acknowledgement of the power and love of God and encouragement to us to have faith in His grace. The Mark reading contains the familiar story of Jesus overturning the tables of the moneychangers in the Temple. From this we get the modern-day phrase "turning the tables." Less well known is Jesus' admonition to not use the Temple as a shortcut for carrying water. We have always known about shortcuts but now we place icons on our computer screen that are shortcuts to our favorite applications. This is very useful. However, in the same manner in which Jesus issued his admonition, are we taking shortcuts in the practice of our faith? Are we lazy about reading the Bible since the Pastor or the Sunday school teacher will tell us what we need to know? Do we only take easy jobs on the church committees so as not to overly commit our time and talents? Our consciences should be attuned to the temptation to take shortcuts when they shortchange the commitment we know we should make.
Prayer: Father, may we have the faith in your loving power that was shown in the Psalms. May we have the encouragement that Paul gave to the Corinthians. And finally, don't allow us to take shortcuts in our service to you. Amen.
Beth Armstrong
Bible Readings: Ps. 34, 146; Lam 1:17-22; 2 Cor. 1:8-22; Mark 11:27-33
Meditation: (Psalm 146)
Bill and I are gently teaching our young son to pray. Each night before bed we have a "night-night" prayer. We tell William to tell God what he is thankful for. As he says such things as "thank you playground," and "thank you crane." William is learning to praise the Lord. This is a peaceful, quiet time. William has not yet experienced hardship or suffering in his young life. It is a humbling and precious thing to nurture the faith of our child and to teach him about the Bible.
The psalmist writes that "I will sing praise to my God as long as I live," yet this can be hard to do this during the difficult, challenging, grieving times in our lives. We hope our training when William is young will equip him to turn to God in prayer and praise at all times during his life. Psalm 146 speaks to me of God's all encompassing holiness and power, even during the times of suffering and pain we experience. If we read the psalm with a bitter heart, we could probably list many times when we feel that God has not "come through" to give food to the hungry (v7) or to frustrate the plans of the wicked (v9). If I feel this way, I remember that we as Christians are God's "hands" on earth. What can I be doing to minister to others in his name? And as I contemplate events that I don't understand, and frankly that I will always find hard to accept, such as the tragic death of my cousin Megan in a car accident less than a week after our son William's birth, I remember that this psalm says, "The Lord reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations" (v10).
I am reminded of Isaiah 40:26, which President Bush quoted so aptly following the deaths of the Columbia astronauts: "Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing." Stop now and read the whole of Isaiah 40 along with Psalm 146. God is the all-knowing, all-powerful creator, and His ways are not our ways. He created us and all there is, and He loves us so much that He gave us His son, Jesus. We frequently hear the words I've written in these last sentences. Don't let them just slide by as you read. Stop and really consider them. Jesus died on the cross so that as we believe and have faith in Him, we are reconciled from our sins and live eternally in relationship with God. How can we not praise God at all times?
Prayer: Dear God, our Heavenly Father, we praise you and thank you that you are the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them, and that You remain faithful forever. Teach us to have thankful hearts for all that You are and for the fact that we can put our full hope and trust in You at all times through Christ Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Sara Sams
Bible Readings: Ps. 5, 147:1-11; Lam. 2:1-9; 2 Cor. 1:23-2:11; Mark 12:1-11
Meditation: (Psalm 147)
At the end of church service some fifteen years ago, I was getting ready to sprint out the door when I heard, "How about joining our choir?" I did join the choir and have loved being part of such a dedicated, wonderful group of people ever since. Our choir enjoys singing and praising our Lord through music every Sunday. How blessed we are to sing for His glory and to help in the worship service. It is also especially nice to be part of a congregation who sings. There have been many Sundays when I know that the spirit of God is surely with us because we all are singing so joyously. I have been in some churches where no one, except for the choir, sings. It just depresses me. (I say a silent prayer of thankfulness for our congregation every time). One of my favorite hymns is "When In Our Music God Is Glorified." All verses are great, but here is the third verse: "Let every instrument be tuned for praise! Let all rejoice who have a voice to raise! And may God give us faith to sing always: Alleluia!" In these days of Lent let us continue to lift our voices in song. We are all blessed when you do.
Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, we praise your name, and thank you for the gift of music in our lives. We thank you that we may serve you through our songs, as well as how we live everyday. Be with each of us today and fill us with your spirit. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.
Nancy Pope
MAUNDY THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2003
Bible Readings: Ps. 27, 147:12-20; Lam. 2:10-18; 1 Cor. 10:14-17, 11:27-32; Mark 14:12-25
Meditation (Mark 14:12-25)
During the Last Supper, Jesus says to his disciples that one of them will betray him and that it will be terrible for whoever it is. He continues by saying that it would have been better for that man if he had never been born. I believe that this is true for everyone who betrays someone to whom they are very close. I might not have betrayed any of my friends, but I have done things to them that are just as detrimental to their well-being. The repercussions of my actions have not only hurt my friends, but they have hurt me as well. Although, many times, wrongs can be righted, neither party is ever able to completely get over the damage that has been done, and it leaves a scar on the relationship that will never entirely disappear. The only thing one can really gain from these mistakes is experience and the resolve to never make the same mistake again.
Prayer: Lord, help us to have the foresight to realize how our actions will affect others before we carry them out. And when we do make mistakes, help us to find the courage and wisdom to correct them. Amen.
Mollye Watkins
Bible Readings: Ps. 22, 148; Lam. 3:1-9, 19-33; 1 Peter 1:10-20; John 13:36-38 or John 19:38-42
Meditation: (Lamentations 3)
On this Good Friday, we try to remember the suffering of Christ on the cross for us. Although we tend to focus on the physical pain and anguish He felt while being crucified, the fact that all of mankind's collective sins were laid on Him must have been much more excruciating than the physical pain could ever be. Yet Jesus, like a spotless lamb who had done nothing to deserve this fate, took on this suffering willingly and for our benefit. In the passages from Lamentations, Jeremiah feels some of the desperation, hopelessness, and utter aloneness that Jesus must have felt. He feels trapped, besieged and surrounded with bitterness and hardship. He feels as though God is shutting out his calls for help.
When we find ourselves in similar dire straits, perhaps after the seemingly senseless or premature death of a loved one or possibly when we face our own mortality or death, we should remember that Christ has been there and suffered like that and more so, just for sinners such as us. After sinking into deep despair, both Christ and Jeremiah never gave up their hope of relief provided by God's mercy and everlasting faithfulness. To rise above whatever problems and troubles may be surrounding us, we need only remember that "The Lord's loving kindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is thy faithfulness."
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for taking our penalty, for serving our sentence for us, by dying on the cross. We did not deserve such mercy, yet You died for each and every one of us anyway. When we find ourselves in places of misery and despair, help us to remember that Good Friday when You took our sins upon yourself, and for us to know that You too were tempted to lose hope but remained faithful to your Father. Give us the patience to wait silently and to seek You in our times of need. Help us to claim Your promise that your love will never fail us and that when our trial is past, we will emerge renewed and be found faithful.
Kent Johannes
Bible Readings: Ps. 43, 149; Lam. 3:37-58; Heb. 4:1-16; Rom. 8:1-11
Meditation: (Romans 4)
We all have busy lives and look forward to weekends. We have plans to "catch up" on minor household repairs, errands that have been postponed, bills to pay or other correspondence that we have, for one reason or another, temporarily set aside. From this passage, we are reminded that "God rested on the seventh day from all his works."
When we consider all the mighty works performed by the Lord, we are utterly humbled. Our tasks appear infinitesimal by comparison. We must always find ways to make time for moments of prayer and thoughts of our Lord. We as Americans, with all our faults, pride, and self-righteousness, have so very much to be thankful for. We, of all peoples, should never forget the many blessings that we enjoy. We should do everything in our power to be worthy of such bountiful blessings.
Prayer: Oh Lord, make us ever mindful of your generous blessings on us and our nation. Help us to help others who are less fortunate as a responsibility in gratitude for your bountiful blessings. May we continue to strive to make this a more perfect world in ways that are within our capability. Amen.
Jim Ferguson
Bible Readings: Ps. 93, 150; Ex. 12:1-14; John 1:1-18 or Isaiah 51:9-11; Luke 24:13-35 or John 20:19-23
Meditation: (Luke 24:13-35)
The disciples walked slowly and hopelessly from Jerusalem to Emmaus. Then came the revelation of Jesus Christ, and they walked hastily and hopefully from Emmaus to Jerusalem. Only in remembrance had they understood the message. Our Christ is known by revelation. But we must be ready and able to receive such a message and to understand that message, in remembrance.
Do I see Jesus the Christ revealed in my brother who is homeless? In my sister who is drug-addicted? In children who are hungry? In my coworker who speaks unkindly? Do others see Christ in me? Each day, as I visit in the homes of my hospice patients, I pray that I will see and feel the presence of the living Christ in whatever surroundings I find myself. I pray that my patients and their families and I will walk together on a very difficult part of their journeys on this earth, knowing the love of God and of Christ.
Each Easter Sunday morning of our lives, may we ask ourselves, "Are we ready? Are we ready for the empty tomb? Are we ready to see the revealed Christ in others? Are we ready to walk hastily and hopefully to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to all of our brothers and sisters on this earth in whatever circumstances they, and we, find ourselves?
Are we prepared to witness to what we have seen revealed in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and to what we believe? Are we ready to walk with Christ each moment of our lives—to recognize him and to witness him to others? Are we ready to believe? Are we ready to hope?
Prayer: Gracious and loving God, we thank you for that most precious gift of all—your Son, Jesus Christ, who lived among us, who died for our sins, who rose again and left that empty tomb that we, also, might have eternal life, and who walks with each of us today and always. We rejoice that you have chosen us to walk the walk with Christ throughout our lives. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Amen.
Rev. Jean Coyle
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Updated 6 Mar 2003
