Corona Devotionals

There is an expectation in our hearts today.  There is a weariness too.  It's been a year.  A couple years, actually.  A couple long years.  A couple fearful years.  A couple previously unimaginable years. A couple dividing years.  A couple life-changing years. But worry, what-if's, division, and fear should not be what define our years, nor our hearts.  Man-kind has always had questions and struggles, but we also have always had the Answer and Hope.  God created the world with order and meaning and He sent His Son to live and then (even) die for us, and for our peace. God's purpose was to bring peace and hope to our chaos. ( “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.    But take heart! I have overcome  the world.”  ~John 16:33) . Today we wait in expectation for a new Year and what's next , just as so many have before us .  In 1744 Charles Wesley wro...

The definition of a priest has not changed much in a couple thousand years. When Paul wrote the book of Hebrews, he said " Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. (2) He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. " (Hebrews 5:1-2). That was true of a priest then, and that is true of a priest now. The duties of a priest have not changed much in a couple thousand years either: Paul is still correct in saying that " Every high priest...is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. (2) He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. " (Hebrews 5:1-2). Hebrews 5 was building up from Aaron (Moses' brother) being called by God (and the people) to be a...

Over whelmed? By the pressures/requirements/expectations of today? Under whelmed? (I thought life/marriage/parenting/work/school would be easier/simpler/more joyful/less expensive/more "ideal"/less "emptying"... I went to bed and woke up tangled in these ropes, and overtaken by their (mental) intimidation and weight. I saw only trouble and sorrow. I loved my mom, but she is gone. I love my husband, but he can't be my savior. I love my kids, but they are kids. I love my family, but they have their own "stuff". Everyone does. I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. (Psalm 116:1) That was my unspoken "ask" today: that someone would hear my voice. And while the world and even those close to us are otherwise-occupied, I love the Lord because he hears our voice and because he bends down to listen (Psalm 116:1-2). We can trust Him on this, today, tomorrow, and as long as we have breath! (Psalm 116:2). Death wrapped...

And whatever you do,  whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks  to God the Father through him.  ~Colossians 3:17 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the  Lord , “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.    ~Jeremiah 29:11 ~~~~~~~~~~ Driving home the other night, our fifteen-year-old got surprisingly serious.  He asked if I had ever "demanded" that he "get A's" in his classes?  I quickly assured him that we had not,  but they usually follow if you have studied the material, and that part we did establish.   He (and each of our kids) strive to maintain personal goals of achieving "A's" (not for us, but for themselves), and I think he was searching for the catalyst of it.  He wanted to "blame" me, but I have to "blame" God:  And whatever you do,  whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving...

Christmas has come and gone, again. So much preparation, build-up, effort and exertion...and then "Poof!", we are on to the next thing. But don't leave that Baby in the manger and walk away for another year. Jesus wasn't born for one bloated day of presents and food. He is so much more . And as His sons and daughters (we are!), He has so much more for us than what we did (or did not) experience on Christmas. “I will put my teaching within them, and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people." ~Jeremiah 31:33 ~~~~~~~~~ In the beginning (Old Testament) time of God's relationship with us, the division between His Holiness and our sin was satisfied by prescribed temple sacrifices such as the firstfruits of the harvest and the first born male of cattle and sheep (Exodus 34), but Jesus being born (to us) in that stable changed everything. Jesus changed the sacrifices "required" to God because His birth in Bethlehem si...

A tale of two reactions. The cause and effect of two different responses. Living in kindness and humility...or dying in selfishness and spite? Am I talking about our responses at family gatherings/work/relationships or a married couple 2,000 years ago? Both. I feel the Bible applying Nabal and Abigail (husband and wife) to you and me and the reactions we choose. Nabal's heart was mean and his spirit was critical, which are a lethal concoction when mixed. I know because that poisonous venom has spewed from my lips and heart, and maybe yours too. In contrast, Abigail's heart was wise and kind, and her love for others ran deep. She accepted the truth (" Nabal is a wicked and ill-tempered man... ~I Samuel 25:25) but did not assume that she "knew" the truth of others and their situations, because how can we ? ~~~~~ David had recently crossed (sheep herding) paths with Nabal and his ( 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats ) flocks ( I Samuel 25:2 ) . And while together, D...

The word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. ~John 1:14 In that Bethlehem barn so long ago, The word became flesh. ( John 1:14). Witnessed only by Mary and Joseph and the stable's four-legged audience. We observed his glory... ( John 1:14). But His radiance cannot be contained or limited, and even the stars shouted of His birth: "For we have seen  His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”  ~Matthew 2:2 The holy mystery surrounding the depth of Your love  becoming flesh and dwelling among us may never be fully unraveled. Our finite minds and hearts can't grasp the full...grace and truth that You were born to bring. But we can (symbolically/spiritually/figuratively/faithfully) grasp that tiny hand reaching out to us from the manger today. Today we observe Your glory. The glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. ( John 1:14). We obs...