Saturday, March 18

 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.

Matt.13:16-17

The words of Jesus quoted in the verse above promise that we have an advantage over the many prophets and righteous people, past and present, who have no real awareness of the miracles of Advent and Lent.

These two blessed seasons allow us an awareness, if we really look and listen, of the miracles of the Birth, the Ministry; the Death; and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

It is as though a Flower was planted with the Birth of Christ. It grew as He grew and matured as He carried out his Ministry. It suffered on Good Friday. It burst forth in joyful glory on Easter Sunday.

Our problem is, as Isaiah warns (Matt. 13:14 and Isaiah 6:9), that … “You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive.” We have been privileged to see and hear about the wonders of Advent and Lent.
Our tasks are to listen and to understand; to look and to perceive; and finally to act as Christ would have us act.

O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light riseth up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what thou wouldst have us do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us all from false choices, and that in thy light we may see light, and in thy straight path may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Book of Common Prayer, 1990 p. 832

 Mary Kay and Paul Sparre

Friday, March 17

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

Health is a state of zest, of enjoyment, of gusto, of really living your own life, singing your own song, making your own music as fully as possible. It's not a static state. It's the state of constantly growing and changing.

We change with the seasons. A life is like a symphony we're weaving. It's the greatest artistic job we're ever called to do -- to make a work of art of our entire life. But like the symphony, it's different in its various parts. Different themes swell and subside, new ones appear, and our task is to weave it into a consistent whole. We must be attentive to Our total Self.

Lawrence LeShan, Ph.D.

Only with God's help and guidance can we achieve any kind of a happy tapestry of life, for we are not strong enough to do it alone. Thank you God for being there at all times. Amen.

Martha Rambie, 1996

Thursday, March 16

 For it was by hope that we are saved; but if we see what we hope for, then is it not really hope. For who hopes for something he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Romans 8: 24-25  Good News Bible

One person can make a difference.  I use this line often at work with my hospital laboratory staff and almost daily to myself.

It took on greater and clearer meaning, it was an "a-ha moment", when I was on the Kenya mission trip in August. We met so many wonderful people during our trip, but two brave women, Beatrice and Faith, changed my life. Their stories and their lives brought me to tears. I want to have the bravery they have.

Both of these women are champions to the young Masai girls who are trying to escape from the horrifying coming of age ritual of female genital mutilation that is still practiced today by the native Masai.  Many of these young girls, some as young as age 7, run away from home rather than endure the ritual. They often have no where to go.  That is where Beatrice comes in. She and her daughter live and run a girls home for these girls . The home is in the middle of the vast empty Masai land, with no running water or plumbing.  The girls are taught they are beautiful, smart, and loved by God. More importantly, they are safe, they receive an education, and if it is safe to do so, will maintain some contact with their families.  To us, the spoiled North Americans, the conditions the girls live in are awful,but the girls are happy, full of joy and love, and eager to be successful adults.

 Faith counsels young girls  in schools and remote villages and teaches them about female health, positive body images and encourages the girls to find their own voice.  Faith left her family to escape from the ritual, and it has taken her many years to reconnect with her family.  With the support of FPC Birmingham, she is pursuing her degree in Public Health and has big plans for continuing her mission to help these girls.

Beatrice and Faith are remarkable women and are making a difference every day to those girls. I like to think that our team made a difference while in Kenya by finishing a school and a church, but I know that for me the trip was a trip of hope. A hope for the future of those girls and boys we met, a hope for the growth of the church community at the dedicated church we helped build, a hope for the country as a whole, and a hope for the preservation of the Mara where the spectacular animals roam free from poaching.

My eyes were opened to the kindness of others, the faith that Beatrice and Faith have even when it seems hopeless, and the hope they give those girls to have a brighter future.

Hope is always a feeling I get during Lent and this year I will be thankful for my new Kenyan friends, and I will remember every day what the girls said to us: : " God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.  

Thanks be to God.

Dear God,  I thank you for my Kenyan friends and the memories created with them.  In this season of Lent, let us be hopeful for the future and grateful for the blessings of today.  Give us the strength and patience to make a difference- one person at a time.  In your name we pray, Amen

Mary Aho

Wednesday, March 15

 Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart, and bring me Out of my distress.

Scripture: Psalm 25:16-17

Pray Loneliness Away

That you need to talk with man
Thus loneliness repairing
But I say, "There is always God,
Who never from you parts.”
To Him please talk in confidence,
He knows the praying heart.
There is no separation, dear,
From Him who is all love,
Just admit it and accept it.
He hears you from above.
You'll be comforted in praying,
The answer soon will come.
It will surprise -- delight you
To see God's will is done

This poem was written by my sister, Hazel Benedict, after I told her I was lonely.

Doris Scheel, 1996



Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.

Luke 11:1b

Jesus taught the disciples the Lord's Prayer, and many of us learned these words from early childhood. We also pray as the Spirit leads us. When we pray, we confess our faith and lift up our concerns, remembering that:  

The sun rises in the morning and sets in the evening; We meet challenges daily:  Health problems, financial problems, family problems, miscellaneous concerns regarding health, home, transportation, employment, civic affairs.

Does Jesus care about these things?  The old hymn reminds us that "His heart is touched by my grief ... I  know my Saviour cares."

What a blessing it is, when we pray, to know that God hears, Jesus prays with us, and the Holy Spirit guides us according to our requests and needs.  

Thanks be to God.


Ginnie Spurr

Tuesday, March 14

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.

1 John 3:1a (NRSV)

For Valentine's Day this year, Charlotte and I went to our favorite restaurant when we vacation in Palmas Del Mar, Puerto Rico.  It is an outdoor restaurant along the harbor there which features wonderful seafood.

After we were seated, a group of about twelve to fourteen locals sat down next to us at a long table.  Though we speak no Spanish, it was fun to watch what happened.  The last to join the party was a couple with a stroller.  In no time, a four month old baby emerged, and he was picked up, passed around, and smothered in love.  

There was no doubt who his grandmother was, and the proud parents beamed as all the aunts and uncles took turns hugging, kissing, laughing, bouncing, and rejoicing in this wonderful gift to the family.  Some things are universal and transcend time and cultures.

We can only imagine the celebration that is in store for us when we are reunited with our families in Heaven.  The Bible speaks of banquets, tells of Jesus turning water into wine, and of great rejoicing.  Prepare to be overwhelmed when we encounter the Giver of life and all good things.

"See what love the Father has for us that we should be called children of God....and we are"

Heavenly Father, evidence of your goodness, power, and love are all around us.  Help us to behave as your confident children who are sure of your grace, mercy, and tender love for us.  In Jesus name, amen.

Carl Fischer

Monday, March 13

 Come close to God and He will come close to you

James 4:8

The Clock of Life

For some the Clock of Life moves slowly

For others it moves fast

And no man knows the hour of day

The hands will stop at last.

It’s said the clock is wound but once,

And God alone doth know

Just how and when the hands will stop

Or if they’re fast or slow.

So while our clock is running smooth

Let’s do our Father’s will

And give the world our very best

Ere the hands are still

By Robert H. Smith (1932 - 2006)

As my imminent move to Cedarbrook of Bloomfield Hills comes closer I will not need a favorite thing of 40 years here - a lovely wall hanging of walnut wood with gold and white print that I enjoyed while on the phone being “trapped on hold.”  While waiting, I would be calmed and soothed by the above words. At Cedarbrook I will be using my cell phone. No landline phone there.

I pray the Holy Spirit guide, comfort, and enable me to be the best He would have me be.

Sheryl McCristal

Second Sunday, March 12

 I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD!”

Psalm 122:1

Worshiping with Children

On a recent Sunday I unexpectedly spotted our four-month old grandson, Jason and his parents from the back of the sanctuary seated together with my father and husband in the pews. Our daughter-in-law generously handed me the baby as I slipped in on the end of the row. On this day I experienced one of the greatest joys of worshiping with family. We responded to the call to worship, greeted one another in peace and joined together in singing the opening hymn, “Sing Glory to the Name of God.” You may recognize the tune as “From All That Dwells Below the Skies.” In this hymn the word “Alleluia” is repeated seven times in each stanza. Holding Jason looking attentively around the sanctuary, he smiled and snuggled contentedly in as we sang all five stanzas. It was a special and sacred moment to be treasured.

Sometime during the singing, I had a flashback of yet another such moment singing the very same hymn just a year and a half earlier with our then two-year old granddaughter standing on the pew next to me.  Moments after singing with her, we walked through our front hallway as we headed to the Sunday School rooms when she stopped, pointed to one of the stained glass windows and exclaimed, “Alleluia!”

Our Presbyterian Book of Common Worship says in the preface: “The community of faith, gathered in response to God’s call, is formed in its worship. Worship is the principal influence that shapes our faith, and is the most visible way we express the faith.”  I am grateful for the gift of these two holy moments planted in my memory, engaging my senses and reminding me that as we gather with people of all ages,  both the time and the space are sacred, and our participation becomes a kind of spiritual practice. Our songs of praise, prayers of confession and petition all contribute to the spiritual formation of our families in ways that we may never know.  The presence of Christ in Word and Sacrament seeps into our very being as we gather in community and provides touch-points to invite us into a deeper experience with God and one another.

Loving God, may our practice of worship open our hearts and minds and carry us out to serve you with hope, courage and love that never ends. Amen.

Cindy Merten