Saturday, March 15

Anyone can come to you, and you will listen to their prayers.

Psalm 65:2

WHO I AM

“I wouldn’t be who I am if it were not for you.” These words, spoken by my grandson, have endeared him to me. I can’t recall anything specific, but I remember many times when he needed us; and we were there.

Time and again I’m in need. The specifics matter not. I search for God’s guidance and comfort, and He is there.

 

Prayer: Thank You Lord for hearing and answering my prayers!

Janet Munson (2014)

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In everything give thanks

1 Thessalonians 5:18

I’m going back decades to a little book by Jane Walsh Augland called A Friend is Someone Who Likes You, a small book with powerful words. It took a near-death illness for me to realize how many friends I have. I have a grateful heart.

 

I could feel the love and concern from my friends during those dark days - in big and small ways from prayers, to cards, to visits.

 

A Covenant friend gave me another small book called Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, a book of daily devotions. I read it every day and it reminds me how blessed I am even if I don’t always realize it. It, too, is a small but powerful book. It reminds me: In all things give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

 

Prayer: Gentle Jesus, remind us again to be grateful for friends and relatives, for great and little deeds, and especially for each new day. To you we pray. Amen

Maggie Garza (2014)

Friday, March 14

We know that in everything God works for good with those who have Him, who are called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28

 

Over the years, I have become increasingly aware that many times answers to my prayers come through other people - most often through women I know through circle or Presbyterian Women. It was during the "moving years" (we moved eight times in a ten year period) - often lone1y, uncertain, unhappy years - that I first became so aware something said or something read at a circle meeting or an Association luncheon that day had been just what I had needed. Skeptically, I tried to explain some of this away as a chance happening or a lucky coincidence - though I had to admit those "chance" events happened less often with the bridge and golf groups. Gradually I came to accept this love and support which God sends to us through others who love him and make themselves a part of his plan. I was no longer amazed at the powerful atmosphere for caring God creates in groups of Christian women, in fact, now I expect it and seek it out!

 

But this verse in Romans carries a second part to this message of consolation ... one of challenge. If I am to be a recipient of God's work through others, then I must be an instrument of that love also. The challenge lies in our making ourselves available to expressed needs, of saying "yes" when we are asked, Of following that often disturbing inclination that we should "become involved" in a task, in a cause or in the lives of others. When we make ourselves and our special talents available, God can work for good according to his purpose. It is not our task to decide if we are worthy, or whether our talent is “good enough.” We need only to be willing to listen to God within us and to go where he calls us. We will find constant evidence that God is working for good in everything and that he often works for and with and through those who love him.

 

Prayer: Our Father, Help me to look for your presence in everything and in everyone. Help me to see your loving care in words and deeds of other Christians during even the most terrible of times. Use me this way, Lord, for I know in sharing myself I can become an instrument of your love. Help me today to look for at least one way I can become part of your plan. I ask this in Jesus' name, through whom all things are possible. Amen

Libby Dickinson (1991)

Thursday, March 13

 ... but the gift of God is eternal through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:23

THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE

I look around

In a world of gifted people

And wonder, a bit wistfully,

What is my gift?

What do I have to give the world?

The gift of God to each of us

Is life itself,

This bubbling, restless force

That churns inside us,

That seeks expression and direction

Like a rushing stream...

Sometimes formed by circumstances

As a stream is by its banks,

But never contained by them.

Moving, changing form

Ducking under obstacles, splashing over them.

My Gift from God?

Life!

And how twice-gifted I am

If the stream of my life has been given direction

By the meaning of Jesus Christ.

by Gordon and Gladis DePree

 

Prayer: Heavenly Father at this time of Lent we thank you for the awesome message of Easter -- the promise of eternal life. We praise you for the gift of your constant and unconditional love. HeIp us to love you as we ought to love and to love and serve others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

Doris Bergan (1991)

Wednesday, March 12

... we are to live not by imitation but by incarnation! God's spirit has been given to the Church - us! We are to be the Body of Christ and he now takes on our flesh and blood to live out His life through us.

I Give Up, God by Bryan Jay Cannon

Christ lives through each one of us in countless ways both large and small. Not a day goes by that I do not see the living Christ in someone.

I am in that twilight state that follows surgery. The anesthesia is wearing off, the pain is beginning to make itself felt, and I cannot string together three intelligent words. I have watched Cathy Brown's concern grow as she has waited with me for 30 minutes and the medication has still not appeared. Sunlight reflects from her armor as she marches into the hospital corridor to do battle for me at a time when I am unable to do battle for myself. I see the Christ in Cathy Brown.

 

I hear the Christ in Jane Perdue's soft, "Hey, Bev." No matter how happy, sad, lonely or frenzied I am feeling, her 'Hey' is the sound of homecoming. It fills me with a peace that truly is the "peace that passes understanding."

 

Louise Westfall makes herself vulnerable by sharing with a gathering of Presbyterian Women the pain and brokenness she experienced in her divorce and the deaths of her father and young sister-in-law. I meet the Christ in Louise Westfall.

 

I feel the Christ in Blanche Brooks as she reaches out and lovingly touches the cheek of baby Christopher Lyttle. As one of the most senior members of our family of faith strokes the cheek of one of the youngest, I feel the ongoing and eternal love of Christ transcending the boundaries of time to connect all of God's children, for all time, in community.

 

I experience the Christ in my daughters as, at the close of a dreary, gray winter day, they call me to a window to share their wonder as the setting sun suffuses earth and sky with a shimmering pink blush of angels.

 

In whom have you seen the Christ today? For whom might you make Him live tomorrow?

 

Beverly Schneider (1990)

Tuesday, March 11

Mary Geib's father-in-law, Clem Block, wrote these two poems. He is a Grand Rapids poet who has published 3 books of poetry and has received the Golden Poet Award.

EASTER THEN - EASTER NOW

Easter then was resurrection, Easter, a triumphant day,

Easter now is resurrection, 'cause God rolled the stone away.

Easter then found hope renewed, Promised then eternity,

Promises remain today, Promises to you and me.

Easter then they knew not all of God's real Master Plan.

Easter now we know not all – Mysteries remain to man.

Imperfections of each man, Were imperfections way back then,

Easter pointed out the how, Guidelines for the lives of men.

Easter then said God is Love, Easter now repeats that vow

Easter ever - Easter is, Easter then – Easter now

 

PRAYER FOR POWER

Our heavenly Father, of thee we ask,

Performance power for every task;

Guard our tongues, guide each thought,

Make us do the things we ought;

Light our candles while we read.

Let our hearts forever bleed

For thee, O Lord ... Amen.

 

Mary Geib (1991)

Monday, March 10

 I will give thanks to Thee, O Lord, among the people; and I will sing praises to Thee among the nations, for thy loving-kindness is great above the heavens; and thy truth reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and thy glory above all the earth. That thy beloved may be delivered, save with thy right hand, and answer me!

Psalm 108:3-6

 

Gar’s Close Call

My son’s best friend planned a trip to Florida last year. When the day to travel arrived, he didn’t feel quite right, so he took his wife to the airport and sent her down South. He had received an invitation to have dinner with friends that night, completely spur-of-the-moment. He arrived at the friends’ house and instantly collapsed. The next day, he woke up in the hospital.

 

When the Doctor entered his room, the Doctor asked “Who do you have to thank for being here?” Our friend replied, “Why, you Doc!” To which, the Doctor said “No, you have a Greater Force to thank! If you had boarded that airplane they would have taken a dead body off in Florida.”

 

A blood clot had hit his lungs. Our friend has made a complete recovery. Thanks be to God!

 

Prayer: Dear Lord, give us the wisdom to listen to the message you send us every day: That you are here with miracles large and small, universal and personal.

Pat Holmes (2014)

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Prayer does not change things. Prayer changes people and they change things.

This sermon topic was printed on a sign at the Westchester Christian Church in Los Angeles, California.

Kay LaForest saw it from the freeway. (1990)

 

First Sunday in Lent, March 9

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

Ezekiel 36:26

Come into my heart…

Come into my heart, Come into my heart,

Come into my heart Lord Jesus.

Come in today, Come in to stay,

Come into my heart Lord Jesus.

Listen

Often I ask my children if they have a song in their hearts to take them through the day. Today, I sang the above song to my son. As I looked around, it seemed the house was very much out of order. You see, I have all four of my children at home now. My oldest moved home for a hospital internship. Her sister just graduated, bringing 4 years of college accumulations back home. My son is a teenage boy who needs no explanation and my youngest is – well, the youngest, still in elementary school.

The thought of attempting to bring order out of chaos caused me to say a prayer. “Lord, please help me to clean this house up”. As I contemplated the overwhelming task, my own heart came to mind. Is it crowded with things that don't belong there? Maybe things I have placed there that God has asked me to move or remove? Misplaced anger or greed or a memory of something I needed to forgive and forget? Burdens too heavy to move on my own or things I am arguing about with God as to whether they should even be there in the first place? Do I have wrongly cherished sins I have held onto too long? Are there negative attitudes I am trying to hide in the corners? Perhaps there are ideas or recurring thoughts to be tempted by and stumble over?

Prayer: Dear loving heavenly Father, You are an awesome God who makes order out of chaos. You did it when You created the world and You do it all the time in people's hearts if they would only let You take control. Lord, this morning, I give You my heart and ask You to take over. I humbly ask You to forgive my sins through Christ Jesus who died for me and cleanse me from all my sins. I know my heart has much to be changed. But I thank You, that You are a God who is in the business of changing hearts and changing me. Give me new heart today. I ask these things in Jesus name. Amen.

Melinda Smith (2014)