SATURDAY, APRIL 9

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

They say there are no coincidences. So, I guess finding the book Things Happen When Women Care (Barnes, Emilie, 1973) at the Rummage Sale was intended. As I was reading it I came to this diagram.

This diagram reminded me of my grandmother who was raised a Catholic, and though not especially religious, always thought of other people, and the verse at the top of the page also happened to be her favorite. In the days when most women stayed home, she taught in the Rochester, NY public schools, eventually rising to principal in the late 20’s. In the stock market crash of ’29, grandfather lost his shoe factory and could not find another job. Gram kept working and became Dean of Women. When she retired she held the highest position in the system.

She came to live with us in the 1950’s after her husband died and was a true inspiration to me. She often quoted the verse when I said I could not do something. She died in 1968. It was a cold December and I was riding the bus home from Wayne State where I was studying to be a children’s librarian. All of a sudden I stood up and cried, “Stop!” The bus lurched to a stop. I saw a phone booth and told the driver I needed to make a call. He waited. When I got back on I said, “My grandmother just passed.” Everyone stared at me. Whenever I hear that special verse, I think of Gram.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, there are no coincidences, everything happens in your time. We all need someone to lean on. Help us remember when we need strength, we can lean on you. Amen.

Maggie Garza

FRIDAY, APRIL 8

“I have complete confidence in the gospel, it is God’s power to save all who believe.” (Romans 1:16)

The Power of the Gospel

I think that I am like most people, constantly reading and researching information trying to understand and discern God’s will.

Several years ago, the keynote speaker at a conference I attended referenced the number of books one could read to discern God’s will. He said his friends are forever telling him that they just read this book and that book and how wonderful and inspiring they were and that I should read them. I replied, “Have you read Isaiah, Jeremiah, or Micah?” He indicated that we should read and reread the books of the Bible to discern God’s will.

Therefore, I have decided to reread the book of Romans during the Lenten season. This book is Paul’s letter to the Romans which was written to prepare the way for a visit Paul planned to make to the church at Rome. He wrote to explain his understanding of the Christian faith and its practical implications for the lives of Christians. This was his most complete message to the church in Rome. The gospel reveals how God puts people right with himself – it is through faith from beginning to end – “The person who is put right with God through faith shall live.” (Romans 1:17)

Prayer: God of light and spirit, put us right with ourselves. Amen.

Rosy M. Latimore

THURSDAY, APRIL 7

“Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?” (Isaiah 55:2a)

I really wanted an e-reader. I spent a lot of time figuring out which one I should buy, and even more time imagining how wonderful it would be to own one of these magical devices: lots of reading material easily carried around and available whenever I felt like reading.

Well, let me tell you: it is a wonderful magical device. But am I satisfied? Of course not. Now I really want a pair of Golf Sandals. Or maybe a fancy new digital camera. Or …

But then, I know this about myself: things do not really make me happy – the pleasure of some new toy quickly fades. What gives me real joy? The sense of blessing I feel every morning when I awake: another day in which to be thankful. An awsome sunrise. A moonrise. The amazing power of the foamy surf crashing against a sandy shore. A child splashing in a bucket of water drawn from a dark bay on a moonless night ... and in the spashing water, bio-luminescence sparkling like stars. These are gifts from God himself – reminders of His abundant love.

Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good,

and delight yourselves in rich food.

Incline your ear, and come to me;
listen, so that you may live.

(Isaiah 55:2b-3a)

Prayer: Dear Lord God, thank you for this amazing world and for every moment you have given me to experience it! Amen.

Charlotte Fischer

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6

“Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; … she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.” (Luke 21:3-4)

For a class I’m taking at ETS, I was required to prepare and tell a biblical story. Since I wanted to focus on someone who was physically disabled, and someone who had not encountered and been healed by Jesus, I chose the story of Mephibometh, found in 2 Samuel. 9.

Mephibometh was the grandson of Saul, and he would have been in the race to be king if things had played out differently. Instead what we primarily know about him is that he had “two lame feet.”

Maybe the story is right and King David really just wanted to do something to help Mephibometh in memory of his friend Jonathan, or maybe he wanted to keep an eye on the remaining member of Saul’s family, or maybe a little of both. David called Mephibometh into his presence and told him that he would eat at the royal table that he had appointed someone to farm his Grandfather’s land on his behalf. But, David never talked with Mephibometh about what he might want or if and how he could be a real part of the ruling of Israel.

As things turned out, David could have used some help. If he had listened to voices of people who weren’t like himself, he might have been able to make Israel into the place that the prophets tell us God intended it to be and not the place where violence continued under the leadership of his children and his children’s children. David did a lot. But, in looking back, we can see that he might have done so much more.

We at First have the same opportunity that David did when we seek to intentionally include people who are unlike us. Like the wealthy people who threw lots of money into the temple treasury, we can take big risks because the worst thing that can happen is that our plans won’t work out the way we want. Often, that is not a bad thing. As I thought through the story, I felt more sorry for David than I did for Mephibometh because, though incredibly blessed, David ended up being a king like all of the others and not the real model of what he could have been.

Prayer: Gracious God, help our church act so that future members will look back on us and say, “Those folks really took some big risks and we’re so glad that they did!” Amen.

Terry Chaney

TUESDAY, APRIL 5

“And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.’” (Matthew 26:39)

Random Acts of Kindness

Here are a few unexpected things you may have recently experienced:

a neighbor bringing you a container of savory homemade soup;

a friend gifting you with a loaf of her freshly-baked bread;

help from a never-before met distant neighbor walking her dog stepping up and helping you bag a huge pile of leaves;

snow removal from driveway and walks by a nearby neighbor after an unpredicted snowfall;

the repeated giving of unsold fresh bagels from the owner’s deli to Baldwin Center’s food program.

We know all of these as RANDOM ACTS of KINDNESS.

Jesus’ extravagant gift to believers was no random act. Rather, it was an intentional act of ultimate sacrifice – giving His life that all who believe might have eternal life.

As we live out our own lives, we, too, can offer acts of kindness, caring, and compassion following Jesus’ example:

providing shelter for the homeless,

helping those who’ve become unemployed,

impacting children in foster care,

supporting the sick and grieving,

working for a more just society,

and therefore ushering in the KINGDOM right here in our midst.

We can be KINGDOM builders; join in here at FPC.

Prayer: Gracious and loving God, open our eyes to opportunities and guide us to practice acts of caring and compassion. In the name of our risen Lord. Amen.

Patricia Lindroth

MONDAY, APRIL 4

“In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)

I keep a poster in my study called “the Golden Rule” which reminds me daily that though we may be different, we are still one. Wouldn’t most problems be solved if we could follow through with this simple concept we all learned in kindergarten?

Native Spirituality: “We are as much alive as we keep the earth alive.” (Chief Dan George)

Zoroastrianism: “Do not do unto others whatever is injurious to yourself.” (Shatast-na-Shayast 13.29)

Jainism: “One should treat all creatures in the world as one would like to be treated.” (Mahavira, Sutrakritanga)

Judaism: “What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. This is the whole Torah; all the rest is commentary.” (Hillel,Talmud, Shabbat 31)

Islam: “Not one of you truly believes until you wish for others what you wish for yourself.” (The Prophet Muhammad, Hadith)

Hinduism: “This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you.” (Mahabharata 5:1517)

Buddhism: “Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find

hurtful.” (The Buddha Udana-Vargo 5.18)

Confucianism: “One word which sums up the basis of all good conduct ‘loving-kindness.’ Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself.” (Confucius Analects 15.23)

Unitarianism: “We affirm and promote respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.” (Unitarian Principle)

Christianity: “In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.” (Jesus, Matthew 7:12)

Prayer: Creator God, Remind us that each of us is made in your image, but that we are not all the same. Help us to cherish our connectedness in a way that promotes universal peace and love. Amen.

Joanne Blair

SUNDAY, APRIL 3

“Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. Don’t be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:6-7)

We find numerous references to animals and birds in the Scriptures. Because I am a frog I look for references to my people in the Bible but the only ones I see are nasty, connecting my species with plagues people found distasteful, so I will ignore them. Most helpful are the references Jesus makes toward birds.

Sparrows: Not one of them is forgotten in his sight. Do not worry about your life. Ravens. They neither sow nor reap. They have neither storehouse nor barns and yet God feeds them.

It is obvious that Jesus really liked sheep. He describes humans as God’s little flock. They are stupid but useful. Wool was big business in Palestine and Jesus referred to himself as the good shepherd, comparing himself to the herder protecting the flock. I, however, wish to stick with frogs, with my compatriots, and the way Jim Henson refers to me and other frogs.

I really do believe that all of you are at the beginning of a wonderful journey. As you start traveling down that road of life, remember this: There are never enough comfort stops. The places you are going to are never on the map. And once you get that map out you won't be able to refold it no matter how smart you are. So forget the map, roll down the windows, and whenever you can, pull over and have a picnic with a pig. And if you can help it, never fly as cargo.

(It's Not Easy Being Green, The Jim Henson Company, Inc.)

All I can say is that Lent is for frogs, given our green-ness and the assessment that it isn’t easy being that color. Too likely to be stepped on. Hard to get over the stereotype that causes people to describe us as slimy. Folks do not like to touch us as they do with sheep, who are brainless but cuddly and soft and easy to push around.

Prayer: I pray that the two legged creatures might learn what we frogs know – that life is not easy but we have a scriptural map and the awareness that we can survive without being stepped on. Amen.

Kermit