LENTEN DEVOTION FOR SATURDAY, MARCH 22

I say to you stand up take your mat and go home. And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!" (Mark 2:11-12)

The Assurance of New Life in Christ

Some experiences in life one cannot forget!

Standing with the grieving family around the bed of Robby Shaw, a twenty-one year old boy who had suffered the slowly debilitating disease of Muscular Dystrophy since the age of six, we were suddenly amazed by the movement of his body. From his semi-conscious state he sat up in bed (a feat which he had been unable to do on his own the past ten years) and said to his weeping sister, "Don't cry Laura, don't cry. I can run again." Then, he lay back down, took a few more peaceful breaths and died.

In utter amazement and overwhelming joy we all looked at each other with the same flabbergasted expression that I picture in my mind was on the face of those who gathered around the paralytic when Jesus told him to get up and go home. "And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them."

What a blessing to have experienced this event face-to-face. I shall never forget it! And what a witness to the resurrection Robby gave to us. Telling us of his new found freedom wiped our tears away and assured us of God's promise, if we remain faithful, "the home of God is among mortals. God will dwell with them as their God; they will be God's people, and God will be with them; God will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away." (Rev. 21:2-4)

R. Bruce Meyer

LENTEN DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, MARCH 21

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. (Matthew 16:25)

The season of Lent, if nothing else, reminds us that it is not a comfortable faith we have chosen.

Youth Ministry consultant Mark Yaconelli tells of his son's decision to become a Christian - a decision quickly retracted because, as the observant young boy put it, "Dad, Jesus gets killed." As Christians, we may get our warm-fuzzy season of Christmas and our triumphant Easter morning, but in between, each year, we're asked to face the reality of death and defeat.

In the art gallery at Princeton University, there hangs one of the more gruesome crucifixes I've encountered. The body of Jesus is emaciated, veins bulging, covered in blood. His body looks very human. I found myself drawn to this crucifix during times of personal struggle, times when the world didn't make sense, times of darkness, times like Lent.

In that crucifix, I saw a pain that touched the core of my humanity. It reminded me that that is exactly what Jesus' death did - touched the deepest pain at the core of our humanity. It was more than the Sistine Chapel's depiction of the hand of God touching the hand of man. It was God entering into our pain, walking in our fear, crying out with our voices.

Make no mistake, it is a dangerous faith we profess. It is a faith of blood and death. But in that danger, death, and defeat, we find the God who is there with us in all the pain, fear - and yes, danger - it takes to be truly human.

We did not want it easy, God, but we did not contemplate that it would be quite this hard, this long, this lonely. So, if we are to be turned inside out and upside down, with even our pockets shaken just to check what's rattling and left behind, we pray that you will keep faith with us, and we with you, holding our hands as we weep, giving us strength to continue, and showing us beacons along the way to becoming new. Amen. (prayer by Anna McKenzie)

Amy Morgan

LENTEN DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 20

Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. "For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you." ... "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 12:1b,15,34-35)

The night before he died Jesus gathered together with his disciples to give them an example washing their feet of what it meant to be in relationship with God. Further, he taught them what it meant to be disciples: to seek the welfare of all people. This is not dependent on one's feelings for another person and excludes no one.

Seeing the world in terms of "us" and "them" is therefore impossible for the Christian. Our task is to practice a commitment to the worldview that we are all children of God and must seek to serve others without judging their worth. Is there a price to be paid for this commitment? Yes, crucifixion. But on the plus side, one experiences eternal communion with God.

Dear Lord, our God, draw us into communion with you that we might claim our place as children of God who love one another, as you have loved us. Amen.

Ernest Krug

LENTEN DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19

Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord. (Leviticus 19:32) Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not life bring understanding? (Job 12:12)

Growing older is often a painful and sobering journey. My father died when I was 12 and my mother and I were close until she died just a month away from her 99th birthday.

She lived with us for 12 years after she broke her hip. It was a 12-year odyssey watching this very independent lady, wonderful teacher, and a terrific grandmother gradually succumb to the sadness and pain of aging. Losing her independence, hearing, and confidence was difficult to watch. She did read and could talk politics with the best of them though.

Loneliness was the most devastating aspect as one after the other offspring left home. She championed each one and loved them unconditionally. She called them her monuments and they are. They all carry on her generosity and love to reminisce about Grandma's quotes.

Most of those twelve years were great, however, some were difficult. The deacons in our church filled an important need in her life when she chose not to go out. They visited often and it became her touch with outside. She certainly looked forward to their visits. Our deacons are wonderful, sharing, compassionate people, and I was privileged to be their moderator at one time.

Kate Thoresen was another thoughtful and reliable resource. She went with my mother and me to Beaumont because my mom didn't want to go. Hospitals seem to treat the elderly as if they don't count. When the intake nurse asked mom, "Who is the president of the U.S.?" my mother drew herself up and said, "Do you want the German pronunciation or the American?" (It was George Sr. at the time.)

In remembering my mom on her birthday this week, I recall how important cards, a phone call, or a visit were in her life. There are many lonely people in our church. They still have all their mental faculties, or most of them, but they're reluctant to venture out, especially at night.

I personally am going to send Valentine's and Easter cards to some of my "longer" friends that I've not seen or talked to and I hope this memory will encourage you, who read this, to do the same. James M. Barrie said, "Those who bring sunshine in to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves."

Lou Stewart

LENTEN DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY, MARCH 18

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3:1) For a very long time the first 9 verses of Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 have been important and comforting to me and my life. I have come to feel that their message is very needed in today's world. It is so easy to say and to hear: "I'm so busy, I don't know where the time goes!" So often we live from one event to another, hardly taking time to notice the in between time. If we are not careful, the church's seasons may come and go with just such unawareness. We love the joy of Easter, the marvelous resurrection, but the 40 days before - the days of Lent - are a prelude to this special day. What an opportunity it is to use this season to slow down, reflect, and remember our Savior's life, and the meaning it has for us today. We can make it a blessed time for us under heaven. Dear God, Slow us down to live and appreciate each day of your seasons. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Sue Leydorf

Give and it shall be given unto you. Good measure pressed down, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give is the measure you get back. (Luke 6:38) Recently, I was distressed when someone called me an Indian Giver. I have not heard that term in years. She meant I did not give freely that true gifts are given freely. There is another side to the story. The item in question was not meant to be a gift at all. I don't know if I should have given it to her; I wanted it myself. I prayed to God for a solution, and this devotion is it. I do not believe I am an Indian Giver, but I don't always give freely. In Joyce Rupp's Cup of Life, she says, "Anything is clutter that keeps me totally absorbed in myself and unaware of what God is offering me." My mind is not always free to receive God's gift. God's gift is grace, and he gives it to all of us, freely, if we are ready to receive it. Help me to see what clutters my mind and keeps me from being aware of God's gifts, so
I can give and receive freely. In Jesus' name, who sets the example. Amen.

Maggie Garza

LENTEN DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, MARCH 17

So stand ready, with truth as a belt, righteousness as a breastplate, shoes with the readiness to announce the Good News of peace. Carry faith as a shield, accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the Spirit gives you. Do all this in prayer. (Ephesians 6:14-18)

Contrast the visual image of a warrior fitted with all of the armor above and a preschooler prepared for his first major snow outing of the season. Hat, mittens, scarf, snowsuit, and boots wrap the child until he can barely waddle into a snow bank. The child knows only the confidence of being cared for, carefully prepared against that cold. Now, put the heartfelt joy, the wonder, and innocent pleasure of that child inside the body of the one outfitted by God to do His work.

Even though the world can be cold, and the cold can be painful and bitter for those with no home or no income to heat the home they have, we are loved. We are prepared.

How can we fail when we reach out through the cold to those who need warming? Share your time, your words, or your gifts, so that you, too, can trust the armor of God like the preschooler.

Dear Lord, Help me open my heart to joy, accept the freedom of your armor, and do your work in this world. I ask all of this knowing that I am prepared by You to do all things You ask of me. Amen.

Ceci Marlow Stuart

LENTEN DEVOTION FOR PALM SUNDAY, MARCH 16

Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything with prayer and thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6,7)

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep…God is great, God is Good…Thank you for the world so sweet, thank you for the food we eat…These were my first childhood prayers. Later I learned The Lord's Prayer, and week after week our pastor prayed May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in thy sight…

Each Sunday in CrossWalks, the children gather in the chapel for a time of song and prayer. There is rarely a shortage of hands competing for attention as the kids are invited to offer up prayers of thanksgiving. "Thank you God, for cheese, for Geckie (a pet Gecko), for my family, for my friend's grandparents passing softly in their sleep, for puppies and all animals, for life, for being here, for my grandma feeling better, for our church." Two weeks ago, one six year old shouted out with unbridled joy and enthusiasm, "Thank God for God!" The gratitude of the children goes on and on, and I have so much to learn from them.

Prayers, Parables, and Promises, our church Lenten theme this year, has led me to think about how it is we learn to pray. In this Lenten season, when we frequently focus on spiritual disciplines, may we find comfort in the familiar prayers of our lives as we also open ourselves to explore other ways to offer ourselves to God in spontaneous prayers of gratitude, through breath prayers, walking prayers, and more.

Thank you, God for the gift of prayer and for your persistent efforts to teach us a language of love. May we be able to hear a little more clearly the whisper of your heart in our ears this season as we turn to you again and again and again. Amen.

Cindy Merten