Saturday, March 29

I clipped the following from a “Concern” some years ago and think its message is timeless.

PRAYER OF A UPW MEMBER

God give me an understanding heart

that I may see in every being a part of thee.
So let me share another's woe
that we may help our faith to grow.

Give me a dedicated heart

that I may bring time, self and talents to thee, our King; serving and constantly striving to be
worthy of all thy gifts to me.

Give me a grateful, joy-filled heart

that I may cheer those in deep grief or filled with fear;
maintaining, whatever problems there be,
praise and unwavering trust in thee.

Author: Fay Robinson Los Osos, California

Submitted by: Vera Harkin (1990)

EDITOR'S NOTE: CONCERN was the name of the magazine published by the forerunner of our current national Presbyterian Women organization. Our PW magazine is now called Horizons.

Friday, March 28

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are.

1 John 3:1 (New International Version)

Many people spend a lifetime looking for an acceptance the Bible calls the Blessings. Whether the one(s) you look to give you acceptance has been a good or a poor model of the Heavenly Father, you can be certain of His love. When you pray "Our Father, who art in heaven” you are not trying to gain the attention of a cold, busy or harsh God. Rather, he is calling you. He delights to claim you as His own child.

Today you hear His claim on you quietly through His Word and the Sacraments. On the last day He will loudly announce your name for all the world to hear - This is my child!

Come to Him freely today. Trust Him completely. His creating you and His purchasing you with Christ's blood tells you exactly who you are. You are His child. Call upon your Father with joy today.

Karen Spann (1991)

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Thou hast made us for thyself O God, and we are restless until we find our rest in thee.

Confessions, Saint Augustine

We are aware of a hunger within us that no man, no woman, no beauty in nature, no music, no game, no sport, no work can satisfy. We realize the happiest of human friendships are not enough. They cannot quiet all the desires of our hearts. For a little while it may seem they do, but sooner or later the answer comes to us that only friendship with You can make life complete.

Prayer: Lead us to you we pray.

Sheryl McCristal (1990)

Thursday, March 27

Jesus said to the crowds, "Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened. For everyone who searches, finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or, if the child asks for fish, will you give a snake? If you then who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.

Matthew 7:7-12

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 

I thank God for answered prayer:

for freedom from paralyzing fear
for strength in adversity
for comfort in sorrow
for a healthy family
for a marriage saved
for hope in the face of despair
for forgiveness
for safe travel
for resolution of personal problems
for grace to forget
for successful job searches
for healing of mind, body, spirit
for daily bread
for reconciliation among dear ones
for courage in crises
for the ability to serve you
for countless blessings received daily.

Count your blessings today.

Virginia Spurr (1991)

Wednesday, March 26

FAITH

Faith looks across the storm ... It does not doubt,

Or stop to look at clouds and things without.

Faith does not question why when all His ways

Are hard to understand, but trusts and prays.

It seeks the greatest gift and asks not sight:

It does not need to see ... He is its light.

Above the tempest's roar it hears its voice:

And with its hand in His, faith can rejoice.

It fears no cloud or wind that it can bring;

Faith looks across the storm and still can sing.

~ Author Unknown

Faith-work . . . . How often have we heard that term and wondered at its meaning? How do we work at faith? Either we have it or we don't? And when we have it, does it not often mean that we believe that God will do the work if we just pray and wait?

I think this poem gives us some direction if we look at the verbs. Faith uses its energy in positive directions ... it does not doubt, does not question why when events do not seem part of an understandable plan, asks not sight but looks, trusts, prays, seeks, hears, rejoices, and sings. These are positive steps, often taken deliberately, in the face of frustration, discouragement, despair, grief and fear. They take work and they take courage ... and they begin with a real partnership with God. Faith-work is what it takes to keep our focus on our traveling companion as we go firmly and bravely forward.

Prayer: Dear God, give me courage this day to act my faith in positive ways. Help me to look, listen, seek, trust, and pray. Help me to rejoice and sing as I push aside negative thoughts and deeds. Help me think of you as a constant companion, God, for with my hand in yours, I can do all this. Give me the courage to keep my faith strong. In Christ's name I pray. Amen

Libby Dickinson (1990)

Tuesday, March 25

Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.

1 Peter 4:10

A couple of years ago, my dear friend Joanne Blair said she “wanted to talk to me”. I immediately thought “oh no, what am I in for now?”, but I decided to go ahead and meet with her. Joanne told me that there was a new ministry taking shape here at FPC that would partner members with challenged children. This ministry has since evolved into what we know as AAIM (All Abilities Inclusion Ministry). Joanne told me I would be a “perfect” candidate; I was doubtful. As many of you know, Joanne is very persuasive and I decided to give it a try.

Fast forward to today, and I can tell you that there is something very special happening with this ministry. The opportunity to buddy up with these awesome kids has been so rewarding; I am learning a lot, mostly how to live in the moment and be flexible (very hard for a planner and structured personality!) As so often happens in life, I feel that I gain so much more than I give. There is nothing like a big bear hug from one of our kids, or finally receiving a big grin from a reluctant participant (after a year!) I invite you to explore this ministry, and see what love and caring can accomplish on a Sunday morning.

Prayer: Loving Father, help us to remember that is it better to serve than to be served, to love freely and often and to care for those who need it most. Amen

Cindy Lanzen (2014)

Monday, March 24

So often the words of a hymn can speak to us if we will take the time to really listen. This particular hymn was pointed out to my confirmation class as our young minister's favorite hymn. Now, as we begin Lent, let us resolve to listen carefully to the words of our Sunday hymns and therefore receive twice the enjoyment - once of the music and for the lyrics.

 

BE THOU MY VISION

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;

Naught be all else to me, save that thou art;

Thou my best thought, by day or by night,

Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
 

Be thou my Wisdom, and thou my true Word;

I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;

Thou my great Father, and I thy true son,

Thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.
 

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise;

Thou mine inheritance, now and always;

Thou and thou only, first in my heart,

High King of heaven, my treasure thou art.
 

High King of heaven, my victory won,

May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's Sun!

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,

Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

Listen
 

Ancient Irish translated by Mary Byrne, 1905

Verified by Elizabeth Hull 1912, alt.

 

Louise Held (1990)

Third Sunday in Lent, March 23

Do not let your heart be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.

John 14:1

Pick up the newspaper and read all about the chaos in our world. Click on the TV and see all of the devastation, live and in living color. It is horrifying and even frightening. Maybe you despair. Yet, look behind the headlines and the TV reports. Think about the many people who came from all over the country to help those in need in New York and New Jersey (Hurricane Sandy last year). Think of strangers who came together to help, to comfort each other following a senseless slaughter in Connecticut (Sandy Hook Elementary School).

Despair may cause you to ask, “Where was God?”

God is right here with us just as He has been and always will be. Remember the Twenty Third Psalm:

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures;

he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.

He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,

I fear no evil; for you are with me;

your rod and your staff — they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.

 

Prayer: Our Father, in the name of Jesus, keep us ever mindful that “your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

 

Nancy Therasse (2014)