Saturday, March 21

And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

John 20:11-18

Our daughter [was] studying in France [at the time this was written]. At the last moment before she left home, she was informed that her travel plans were changed, and her plane would land at a different airport. Previous arrangements were now useless. When she arrived she would know nobody. Now she would have to get to her host family from the airport on her own. We were particularly concerned about these first few hours in a strange country in which she spoke the language only tentatively. Who would help her? How could we insure her safety? As over-anxious parents we felt so helpless. So we prayed fervently for her providential care.

And then, when she got off the plane in Paris, an unknown woman approached her and offered assistance. Sensing our daughter's need, she watched that our daughter followed her verbal directions accurately. When she went the wrong way, this woman even ran after her and reset her course a second time.

This lady was as an angel to our daughter. She was an answer to prayer, and we thanked God for her presence.

Where have you had angels in your life? How has God met your needs at unexpected times? Have you thanked God for these special signs of love and care?

Most loving God, thank you for ministering to us through angels that you place in our lives during our hours of need. I thank you for the life of your Son and am eternally appreciative of the redemption of our sins that was brought about through His death and resurrection. Please let me live my life in gratitude for His love for me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Jim Bates (1994)

Angels watching over me

Friday, March 20

I have come as a Light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer wander in the darkness.

John 12:46

An Alphabet Of Spiritual Inspirations From The Bible (continued)

V	Valley	Ps 23:4	Yea, though I walk through the Valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me.
V	Virtue	2 Pet. 1:5-7	Add to your faith Virtue, to Virtue  knowledge, to knowledge self- control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance Godliness, to Godliness brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness love.
W	Wisdom	Prov. 9:10	The fear of The Lord is the beginning  of Wisdom.
W	Worship	Ps 99:5	Exalt The Lord our God, and Worship at His footstool (earth).
X	Xmas	Ps 118.24	Same as Christmas (Web. Dictionary). This is the day The Lord has made;  Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

And the word became flesh and dwelt among us

Thursday, March 19

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may have a new life.

Romans 6:4 (NIV)

In this season of Lent, we tend to think a lot about the suffering and death of our Lord, Jesus Christ. But do we remember that we were baptized into his death? This is not morbid but, rather, liberating. We can join Jesus in his death, leaving behind all that keeps us from being the very unique selves God has created. We can die to forms, pretenses, and the temptations of this world and claim “a new life.” In this new life you and I can begin again (and as often as necessary) to respond to God's special, unique claim upon each of us. This is the real source of our humanity, and the power of God's glory makes it happen.

Heavenly Father, we praise you and thank you for bringing each of us into communion with yourself through the death and resurrection of your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. We affirm our desire to crucify with Christ our inhumanity that we may claim our real humanity by the power of his resurrection and your glory. Amen.

Rev. Dr. Ernest Krug, Parish Associate (1994)

Wednesday, March 18

Then they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling and those who were buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold doves; and he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. He was teaching and saying, ‘Is it not written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations”? But you have made it a den of robbers.’  And when the chief priests and the scribes heard it, they kept looking for a way to kill him; for they were afraid of him, because the whole crowd was spellbound by his teaching. And when evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city.

Mark 11:15-19

The story startles us. Jesus, the Suffering Servant of God becomes the Tiger in the Temple. The scripture paints a vivid picture. Jesus entered the temple and began to drive out those who were robbing the worshipers.

Could Jesus be confronting us as well? Is He possibly asking us to consider what may be robbing us of the sense of the Holy in our lives? Could he, even today, be turning over some of those tables that actually get in the way of our relationship with God and hinder the positive potential for which we were uniquely created?

I remember vividly an episode when I was in junior high school. All of the “important” and “popular” girls were cheerleaders. I, along with 15 other hopefuls, tried out for the team in front of the whole school. Girls were selected according to the applause meter. How I wished that the meter would bounce off the end of the scale when it came my turn. But, when it came to me, instead of the thunderous ovation, there was a polite round of applause probably from sympathetic teachers. Gulp. Thud. I wanted to put a paper bag over my head and go home.

My best friend, Judy, had the same thing happen to her. As we walked home together that afternoon, we started to talk about our disappointment. We also shared our secret expectations about the overwhelming applause. We started to laugh. Together.

On that sun-shiney afternoon, we also discovered that it was not the end of the world. We didn't have to be everything to everybody. We didn't have to win at everything. It was a real turning point. When the “tables" of unrealistic expectations get overturned in our lives, such occurrences can be quite freeing. At such times we may experience Christ as the “Tiger in the Temple" who calls us to change. He also becomes Christ the Liberator who frees us into an honest and worshipful relationship with God and others.

Holy God, Enable us to boldly and bravely turn over those “tables” in our lives which clutter up our worship of You. Help us today to turn our lives over to the One who bids us to Follow. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

 Kate Thoresen (1994)

Tuesday, March 17

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. at the same time, pray for us as well that God will open a door.

Col. 4:2-3 NRSV

Max¹ was right. Last year my mantra was “God will get you through this.” It won’t be painless (it wasn’t). It won’t be quick (it wasn’t). But God will use this mess for good (He did). Max was right. He used this mess (chronic lymphocytic leukemia) for good.

First, one of the physicians assistants asked to use my case to help other doctors use what they learned to help other patients like me, with a cancer stage unknown at the time of admission.

Second, I have learned to find joy in small ways: a new day, life, our crazy dog’s antics, friends, remission (I never thought I’d hear that word), seeing my short play on stage at Village Players.

Mostly, though, I feel a sense of well being. Although the road may not always be smooth, I am more open to new ideas, new challenges. I pray more. I trust in God more than I did. I ask for God’s help to make me more patient, help me accept things as they are and with God’s help change what I can. And with His help I will continue along this path and He will open new doors.

Dear Lord, help me find my way with your help. Lead me in new directions and open my heart and mind to follow your way always. In Jesus name, Amen.

Maggie Garza

God will open a door

¹Lucado, Max,  You’ll Get Through This (nelson, 2013) A3

Monday, March 16

Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Philippians 4:8

WORDS

Sticks and stones may break my bones,
but words will never hurt me!

We may have taken some comfort in whatever protection those words offered us as children, but we know as adults they are not true. Words have great power and must be chosen carefully when we communicate with others. We all know this, but are we aware that we must be careful in the words we choose for ourselves?

Words. We surround ourselves with them: the books we read, the TV and radio programs we select, the movies we go to, the people we talk to and the songs we sing. We are much affected by these words. Frederick Buechner wrote [in The Clown in the Belfry]:

"If there is poison in the words, you are poisoned; if there is nourishment in the words, you are nourished; if there is beauty, you are made a little more beautiful. In Hebrew, the word dabar means both word and also deed. A word doesn't really say something, it does something. It brings something into being. It makes something happen."

In other words, as we fill our eyes and ears, we also fill our minds and hearts. Words do shape our lives--and we need to be careful. Paul provided excellent guidelines for us when he wrote to the Philippians hundreds of years ago. As we think about Paul's words, think also of the words to an early-learned prayer [Psalm 19:14].

Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, Oh Lord, my strength and my redeemer.

Libby Dickinson (1993)

Fourth Sunday, March 15

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Jesus Christ took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12-14

Everyone has his goals; it is almost the American way. A child works especially hard to make a sports team. Lots and lots of practice and he will often attain that goal. A college student wants more than anything to make the Dean's List. Many late nights studying and she will most likely meet her goal. A concert violinist will work hours and hours to reach the goal of playing a deeply moving concerto. In life we often have goals regarding our jobs, our relationships and our personal lives. Yet once we attain our goal...then what?

So often an earthly goal takes on a different look once we have achieved it. We may, in fact, become a bit disenchanted and even have a sense of restlessness after meeting our destination. Perhaps this is because these goals are small steps in our lives. They are important but only in their own perspective as to how they relate to the moment. As Christians there is just one lasting goal. We must move ahead, witnessing to the world as we go along, to that time in eternity with Jesus Christ.

Lord, I ask your daily presence in my life that I might not “lose sight of the forest for the trees." Please help me to rejoice as I meet daily goals but also help me to focus on moving forward. May I lead a disciplined Christian life and keep my perspective on the true purpose of my existence. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

 Sarah Krug (1994)