SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16

Give thanks in all circumstances … (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Magic Words

Most of us learned, early in life, to use our “magic words”.

My Mother insisted that magic things would happen if I simply remembered to say “Please” and “Thank You”.

I’ve learned now, late in life, that she was right.

Life is smoother, it hums better, when we indicate our gratitude by acknowledging kind words and deeds.

It becomes a good HABIT that endears us to others.

How easy it is to take each other for granted especially within the confines of families.

Yet that is when it is needed most.

In the larger family picture I’ve learned that a higher power is there to hear our prayers.

Do we remember to ASK for what we seek?

More importantly, do we remember to give THANKS for what we receive?

Louise Westfall (Associate Pastor FPC 1989-2001) taught us that

“If our only prayer were THANKYOU it would be enough.”

Remind me Lord to acknowledge thy support each and every day. Amen

Janet Munson

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. (John 3:16)

John 3:16 is one of the most widely quoted verses from the Holy Bible. Martin Luther called it “the Gospel in miniature.” Eugene Peterson paraphrased it in The Message as:

This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.

Fanny Jane Crosby alluded to this scripture in her words for a familiar hymn:

To God Be the Glory

To God be the glory, great things He hath done!

So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,

Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,

And opened the lifegate that all may go in

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,

Let the earth hear His voice!

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,

Let the people rejoice!

O come to the Father through Jesus the Son,

And give Him the glory: great things He hath done!

(Presbyterian Hymnal #485)

We admire this Good News and all of its variations throughout the world in windows, stories, poetry, and music. During Lent, may we recognize the undeniable truth in it.

Loving God, all glory be unto you. We praise you for the gift of your Son. We offer thanksgiving for the Word that you have made known to us. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Irv Poston

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light. The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world knew him not. He came to his own home, and his own people received him not. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. John bore witness to him and cried, "this was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, for he was before me.’” And from his fullness have we all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known. (John 1:6-18)

As we go into our traditional Lenten season and reflect with sadness on the crucifixion of our beloved Christ, I turn to God's giving us his Son through his Spirit. That wonderful heritage of our faith tells us as believers he has endowed us with salvation through Jesus Christ.

Thank you for the blessed gift of your Son, Jesus Christ, who teaches us everyday to be good Christians. We will never understand the cruel way he was taken from the world, and we mourn his death every Lenten season, and rejoice when Easter comes. Amen.

Barbara Buchanan

ASH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2013

The Word of the Lord endures forever. (1 Peter 1:25) 

And They Were All Filled With the Holy Ghost – Acts 2:1-42

First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham, Michigan has 50 windows of the Word. The twelve in the upper sanctuary are shown in this year’s Lenten Booklet. Information about all of the windows is available in The Archives.

May we learn through our windows the Word of God. Amen.

Tenney Brinkman