Devotional 11-22-19

Paul’s Warning
 

II Thessalonians 3: 6-13

As he began working on his second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul remembered how well  his previous letter had been received by them. They were on their way to establishing their own church and it was wonderful! They were enthusiastic about what was happening! They were so eager to learn more about this man called Jesus, and to start their church in his name. Paul’s first letter to them was full of information about Jesus and Paul’s personal knowledge of him. There was much to be done to bring in new believers. Paul had given them a lot of encouragement and incentive to work hard. They were growing together through Christ’s love. They understood that Paul expected them to work together and keep busy to be successful.

But Paul had heard some disturbing news from his followers. Many of the Thessalonians were idly wasting their time while others continued working and doing the right thing. He believed it was time to set the record straight. Everyone was to be working! Paul’s followers told him that plain idleness had set in because everyone decided they would just wait for Jesus to arrive.

Paul must have thought long and hard about what he would say in his second letter to the Thessalonians. They must understand that certain things were to happen before Jesus returned. No one knew quite what those things were, or how long that would take, but Paul told them to get back to work! They must not sit idly around doing nothing. He warned that idleness would not be tolerated. He urged them in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down, work hard, and earn their meals. Most important, Paul just wanted them to do what he had asked, and to do it right.

Heavenly Father,
How blessed we are when we work together for the common good. Whatever the goal, we have fun doing it together, sharing the work, using the best of the talents You have given us. And when the work is over and the day is through, we smile. No need to worry, Father! There will be no loafing, no whining, no complaining, no waste of time, for this work, dear Lord, is done for You. Amen

Diane Feaganes

Devotional 11-15-19

The Song of a Baby's Cry

Lectionary Readings:  Isaiah 12; Isaiah 65: 17-25; Psalm 118; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17; Luke 20: 27-38     “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.  The Lord is my strength and my song, he has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12: 2

I have a framed message in my living room that says: “God gave us music so we could pray without words.”  It is the end-part of an anonymous quote that starts with “Bach gave us God’s word; Mozart gave us God’s laughter; and Beethoven gave us God’s fire.” Music is a magnificent means of communication.  Most of us have chosen one or more genres that we enjoy and probably a list of examples that make a “favorites list”.   God created us in his image, so I joyfully jump to the conclusion that God loves music also.  I believe He gave us music to communicate with each other and with Him.

Some have speculated that music actually begins in the womb.  The rhythm of the mother’s heart, all of mom’s internal bodily noises, as well as the music of the fluid the baby moves in supply melodies to the developing baby’s brain.  Then after birth, the loving messages of those who cuddle and attempt to soothe the baby provide the first external notes.

Babies, however, cannot respond in kind (at least at first).  Babies mainly communicate with crying. The baby cries for food, warmth, dryness, relief of gas, fear, loneliness, etc.  Crying does not initially compare favorably to a definition of a song.  Many a care giver has been frustrated by the cries of a baby--especially when it seems that after multiple attempts to determine the cause of the cry, the baby is not soothed.  And yet, the song of crying signifies life—the child is sending out messages.

I have really enjoyed my volunteer hours at Lily’s Place and am thrilled when asked to cuddle one of these special little ones.  I am not always successful in the game of “soothe the baby to sleep” though.  Recently we’ve cared for a special one who frustrated many of his care givers.  He cried when he was being fed and therefore didn’t always eat his full measure, he cried when he was swaddled, and when he was unbound, cried when he was both wet and dry, cried when he was rocked and when he was still, cried when left alone and when he received attention. He was prayed for, sung to, loved, cuddled, rocked and snuggled. It seems nothing soothed him—at least for any length of time.  What was he trying to communicate?  What was he saying with his cries?

The baby’s cries were frustrating but not life threatening. But maybe the cries symbolize something else, like the collective cries of all those in pain or who grieve.  Perhaps they are the messages of all who are lonely and afraid.  They could also be a joyful statement: “Look, I’m alive in spite of my rough beginning and I want everyone to know it.”  He was communicating with us and we were trying to listen to catch his meaning. His song was not the one we expected, but it was his message.  What can this baby teach us about our relationship with God?

We are often too busy with our own agenda to listen for God’s message.  We fill our own silence with white noise and insignificant background sound to feel less alone and isolated. When we seek Him or respond, our song often sounds flat and out of rhythm because we have not truly listened to God.  God tells us to not be afraid, that He is with us.  However, God’s message to us is not always what we expect as He speaks to us in many voices and uses words, music, nature, silence, etc.. When we ignore His message we miss the chance to sing a new song that allows God to become our salvation and strength.

“I love you, Lord, and I lift my voice to worship you, O my soul rejoice!
 Take joy, my King in what you hear; May it be a sweet, sweet sound in your ear.”
                                                                                                            Laurie Klein (the Faith We Sing)

Chyrl Budd

Devotional 10-25-19

When we mismanage powerful emotions and fail to completel embrace the pain or release control, the emotions can bury themselves  like the root of a noxious week that sprouts again when most unexpected to spoil the landscape of our lives.  -- Elizabeth Barker

Resentments can destroy your life the same as weeds in a garden and when we think we are just setting things right by letting others know how a person hurt us we are really hurting more than them. We hurt ourselves, we hurt that person’s reputation and we can hurt other’s opinion of them. If we can’t give a person grace, then just shut up and take it to God. He is the only one who can bring peace to any situation or circumstance or heart.

I failed in this regard. Learn to pause. Learn to reign in those powerful emotions that can destroy us. That is when we are our most vulnerable. That is when we will make mistakes. That is when we will fail if we are going to fail. It can sneak up on you. Sometimes it takes a long time to fall. By the time you land face down with dirt packed in your throat, it’s too late for wishing you had controlled your emotions. It’s been years but I still taste the dirt in my mouth from bitterness. Not the bitterness of what that person did but the bitterness of my own hard heart. Take it to God. Never run from God. He is grace. He is never the cause of your pain. He is the rain of love that surrounds and enables us to get through any circumstance or emotion. Pause and Pray. Pause and Pray. Pause and Pray. Don’t run. Stay close to God.

See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that "no root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled. Hebrews 12:15

Barbara Smith Lavalley

Devotional 10-18-19

Inspired by Psalm 145

I speak for the moment.
I speak in the time I have available to me.
I pray that my words of praise to God
would last forever.

My gratitude stretches across time,
into eternity,
My thankfulness is for today,
for it is all I have,
but I offer it to you, and
and I praise your name forever.

Great are you,
my God and King.
My creator,
for without you I would not live today.
My redeemer,
for without you I would not live tomorrow.
My sustainer,
for without you, I would not live at all.
Great are you,
and worthy to be praised.

You are unknowable,
Unsearchable,
and yet you hold my heart
in your hand.

I pray my generation,
my children's generation,
and those who come after me
who I cannot even imagine,
know you,
and declare your work
in their lives.

My mind,
my heart,
my breath
are full of your grace and mercy
and I pray I will never forget.
I pray that my words of praise
would last forever.

Kim Matthews

Devotional 10-4-19

"Because of the Lords great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."
Lamentations 3: 22-24 NIV

 In Lamentations 1: 1-6 Jerusalem is in mourning. Psalm 137 is about suffering in captivity. I have never experienced physical captivity, but I am all too familiar with mourning and the captivity of grief. In January, as most of you know I lost my 26 year old grandson. In April, I lost one of my best friends since 7th grade to brain cancer. During that time I also lost three old friends that although they were no longer a part of my life, were still friends who will always have a special place in my memories and in my heart.

Our church has also had more than its share of mourning and grief in the past 12 months. We have lost people who we felt were irreplaceable to us personally and to our church. We have experienced the ups and downs of joy and fear as three of our grandchildren were born with health problems. We have celebrated, cried, prayed, and loved each other through all of this and so much more.

How do we as Christians deal with living in a world that will never be quite the same without our loved ones in it? In Philippians 4: 4-7 NIV Paul tells us: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." How do you "Rejoice!" when you heart is breaking? When I am feeling sad, it helps me to remember the good times and to thank God for that person, the relationship, the love, and all the joy that they brought into my life and the lives of many others. Could this be a way rejoicing?

Because of the Lords great love, we are not consumed by our grief, for his compassion never fails. I will wait for him--for his healing love.

Margaret Williams

Devotional 9-28-19

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”   Romans12:12
"Continue earnestly in prayer. Being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.”  Colossians 4:2

Recently, I was reading The Secret of the Abiding Presence by Andrew Murray.  He has a chapter,  “The Power of Intercession” in which he writes about the value of united intercessory prayer. Never had I thought of prayer in quite that way.  One prayer adds to another and the effects are great.  Murray writes about the “superhuman energy” of such prayer.

Today I am thinking about our beloved country with its deep divisions, a country that needs badly united intercessory prayer. Our prayers might include ones for the healing of our nation, for those suffering at our border looking for asylum, Puerto Ricans seeking better government, members and friends in our church who grieve over the death of a loved one, those who are ill, jobless, and missionaries abroad and at home.

I believe that I am part of a congregation that prays, and I am thankful.  May we always “be one in the spirit” and, although we go different ways, let us pray united in the spirit, abounding in love.  Jesus has promised, “Surely I will be with you always.”
"Bless be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love
The fellowship of kindred minds.
Is like to that above.” 

Martha Casey

Devotional 9-20-19

Prayers for Rulers
 

 Lectionary Readings:  Jeremiah 8: 18- 9: 1; Psalm 79; 1 Timothy 2: 1-7; Luke 16: 1-13.
“The first thing I want you to do is pray.  Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.  Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply in humble contemplation.  This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.  He wants not only us but EVERYONE saved, you know, everyone to get to know the truth we’ve learned:  that there is one God, and one Mediator between God and us—Jesus, who offered himself in exchange for everyone held captive by sin, to set them all free.” 1 Timothy 2: 1-5. (The Message)

Throughout the years, many authors have provided instruction and guidance on the methods and mechanics of prayer.  Still others have given witness to the saving and sustaining power of prayer. The gospels record Jesus’ instructions on prayer for his disciples and Paul provides instruction in many passages of his letters.  In this letter to the disciple Timothy, Paul urges Timothy to make prayer a priority and to include everyone including rulers in his prayers.  What??? I don’t know about you, but even though I know that praying for our governmental leaders is a good thing, I have a hard time putting them on my priority list.

However, in spite of rampant persecution and abuse of power and authority such as Paul was dealing with in the first century, he commanded Timothy to pray for governmental leaders.  In fact, throughout all the accounts of strife and warfare between countries, the church is always encouraged to pray for those who rule. No stipulations such as “only pray for the good leaders” were tacked on to the command.  Jesus said: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:44). Also, Peter said, “Fear God.  Honor the King/Emperor” (1 Peter 2:17).

How can we ignore the commands of Jesus, Peter and Paul???
Will you join me in making it a priority to pray for all rulers and leaders of governments? We may not know specifically what to pray for, but we can pray that God will guide decisions; that God will give directions to all who request it; that God will give each ruler insight, compassion, strength and love in all their dealings.

This passage in 1 Timothy repeats the foundation of Christ’s message:  that God’s grace and mercy are for everyone.  All are to be welcomed at the table and are to be included in the fellowship of believers.  Jesus’ sacrifice was for every person.  All are capable of receiving God in a personal relationship.  As believers, it is our responsibility to pray just as Paul describes “in every way we know and for everyone we know”.  We are not required to be or act perfectly-- we are only commanded to follow as best we can; to live as closely to God as possible; to share the love of Christ with all we meet.

Dear God, we come to you today asking for forgiveness.  We have not always followed your commandments.  In fact, we have been quite derelict at times.  Please help us to follow your teachings more completely and faithfully.  We ask that you be with our rulers and leaders today and every day.  Give them skill and compassion in dealing with their responsibilities and in making decisions.  Give them insight into the lives of those they are governing so that the best solutions and plans can be implemented.   Grant us all peace and the mercy of your love.  AMEN.

Chyrl Budd

Devotional 9-13-19

The Negative Superlative

1 Timothy 1:12-17 Common English Bible (CEB)

¹² I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength because he considered me faithful. So he appointed me to ministry ¹³ even though I used to speak against him, attack his people, and I was proud. But I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and without faith. ¹⁴ Our Lord’s favor poured all over me along with the faithfulness and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ This saying is reliable and deserves full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I’m the biggest sinner of all. ¹⁶ But this is why I was shown mercy, so that Christ Jesus could show his endless patience to me first of all. So I’m an example for those who are going to believe in him for eternal life. ¹⁷ Now to the king of the ages, to the immortal, invisible, and only God, may honor and glory be given to him forever and always! Amen.
Common English Bible (CEB)
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible

When I read today’s scripture reading, I was reminded of Sunday school lessons that I heard when I was a child. Stories about Saul’s conversion and Moses leading his people out of Egypt played in my mind. When I heard the stories, I was impressed but thought they really didn’t have much to do with me. I would never do anything important.

Now that I’m much older and have twenty-twenty hindsight, I see that Jesus Christ used me in much the same way as He used Paul and Moses – of course on a lesser scale!

Do you remember taking timed tests in elementary school?  They were the bane of my existence! We took timed tests on multiplication tables and the timed CTBS (Achievement) Test. But the one that seems to have affected me the most was the timed reading test that came with the SRA Reading Lab. You see, I could read fast. Or I could read for content. I just couldn’t do both at the same time.

The lab was simply a box containing color-coded cards. Each color corresponded to a reading level. The idea was to read the article and answer the questions at the end correctly. Of course, before we could begin, we had to know what our reading levels were. How would we know? You guessed it! We took a timed test!

I won’t keep you in suspense. I was one of the last ones to finish the questions. When I got my assessment, I was in the lowest level, green. As the months passed, I did work my way up the color scale, but I never quite got over the embarrassment of being the slowest reader – which meant to me that I was the dumbest student.

I made my way through junior high and high school with good grades, but I always felt insecure about my intelligence. In order to remember information, I would read orally to myself, make up acronyms and draw pictures and charts to remind me of facts. It would be later, in the college of education, that I would learn that the more senses I could use to learn something, the more likely I was to keep it in long term storage. I realized that I wasn’t stupid after all, and later I was able to teach those strategies to other “slow” students in my classroom. I would tell them, “I was the slowest reader in my class. If these strategies can change my life, they can certainly change yours!”

I think that is what Paul is saying in his letter at the top of the page. As Saul, he had hunted, persecuted, and killed Christians. He was filled with hate. That was just the sort of person Jesus needed to spread the word of His grace and love. After his conversion, Paul would tell anyone who would listen,” I was the worst sinner ever. If Jesus’ love and grace can change my life, they can certainly change yours!” He meant it then. It’s still true today.

Prayer: Immortal, invisible God, many times I act in ignorance and without faith, but You always take me back. Thank You for guiding my life. Like a good parent, You don’t always give me what I want, but You have always given me what I need. Let me remember that even when I’m the worst, You love me best, not because I’m worthy but because I’m Yours. In Your name I pray.
Amen

Becky Warren

Devotional 9-7-19

Philippians 4: 8-9

This week has been terribly sad week for Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church,

We have lost a great leader and friend in Mr. Frank Hanshaw to a terrible accident outside the family business.

Mr. Hanshaw has been part of my memories at JMUMC for as long as I can recall.  His presence and leadership have always been dedicated to doing what was right in all phases of his life but especially here at our church.  His example has been a guidepost for a lot of lives.  His impact will be present for a long time.

The scripture in Philippians offers a blueprint that I think Mr. Hanshaw would wholeheartedly endorse and offer a direction for us all to emulate.

May God comfort his family in this tragic circumstance and assist us all to remember his example.

Mike Bowen

Devotional 8-31-19

How firm is your root?

Gospel Reading; Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 “Parable of the Sower”

This parable is the first of many that Jesus will be teaching the Disciples and the people concerning the Kingdom of Heaven.  Although the people he is speaking with at the time, for the most part, are rejecting him.  In the parable Jesus uses the actions of a person sowing seeds by broadcast seeding.  On a land that is rocky, dry and where other vegetation may also grow with the sown seeds, not all of the seeds will mature.  In the first illustration, the seeds land on hard ground and are soon eaten by the birds. In the second some of the seeds land in rocky areas with some soil but not enough to sustain growth.  The third example, the seeds fall on soil but the seeds from weeds grow at a faster pace and choke out the farmers seeds.  The seeds that are sown on fertile land will grow and produce good crops some of which will produce great yields.

So how does this parable speak to us today?  Well there are those that hear the spoken Word but may reject it or let the evil one distracts them from understanding the Word.  Others will hear the Word and understood, even rejoicing, but when turmoil enters their life and their roots in faith and understanding the Word are weak and they fall away.  Others have worries of life, other distractions of fame, money and things. These choke out understanding the Word and the call to be Disciples for Christ.  When the Word is heard and understood it will result in fruitfully by bringing others to Christ, “thirty, sixty and even one-hundred-fold, thus leading others to Salvation.  It also means working for Christ by using the fruits of the Spirit that we are all given.

A friend of mine recently told me his story after he accepted Christ.  He was so excited about what he had experienced he wanted to share it with others, to bring them to Christ.  So, he talked with all of his friends and thought that they would attend his church one Sunday.  But when Sunday came not many attended.  He began to doubt himself.  (The Evil one speaking to him).  He prayed and tried again.  But this time he let Christ enter the hearts then he nurtured them and before he knew it some attended, then more and soon others started their journey with Christ.  So, he was sowing the seeds where there was good nurtured soil and watched his friends grow into Disciples of Christ.

As we sow the seeds, nurture the seeds we too can see others grow into Disciples of Christ and then they well become the sower.

Blessings to all,
Fred Herr

Ref. A Christian Apologetics Blog posting by Bill Pratt

Devotional 8-16-19

Discipleship Disturbs Our Peace
Isaiah 5: I-7
Psalm 80: 1-2, 8- I 9
Hebrews I I :29-12:2 Luke 12:49-56

The Old Testament readings offer an allegory of the loving, nurturing Gardener. He has worked tirelessly to prepare the soil for the tender plantings, believing his care will result in a grape harvest worthy of a priceless wine. The time of harvest reveals just the opposite; a grape that is sour, wild, unworthy of the care and precautions he worked tirelessly to provide. Rather than ripping up the vines our Gardener instead removes his protections and destroys the watchtower and winepress.

The Psalmist adds to this allegory the grieving laments of the people, people who have known peace and prosperity, but now are experiencing injustice, vulnerability, and brokenness. They beseech God to restore them; to make His face shine on them again.

The passages from Luke and Hebrews have given me a different perspective, reading them together in light of our current social climate, than I used to think they meant. Have we Christians become, over many years and generations, the bitter, sour fruit so lovingly planted by the Gardener? The change has taken place slowly at times, more quickly at others; but we do find ourselves living in a time when poverty, injustice, lack of compassion, lack of love for humanity, acquiescence, and lethargy have put out the glowing embers of our own Christianity.

The author of Hebrews tells us of many heroes of the faith, but some died gruesome deaths, and many did not receive what was promised in their lifetimes. These are the heroes making up the great cloud of witnesses, cheering us on to the finish line. But what must we be willing to endure, what path must we take, to reach this finish line? Jesus speaks to us in Luke, "I came to bring fire to the earth...Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!  From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three...You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?"

Jesus tells us the life of faith is risky and arduous. Discipleship does not guarantee health, longevity, power or wealth. The great cloud of witnesses stands ready to cheer us on to the finish line of faithful discipleship. The journey to that finish line is compelling, offering some of us pain and loss along the way. The peace Jesus offers is deep life-changing peace that may disrupt our relationships; break in order to mend; upset what we used to believe discipleship means, because His peace is worth the risk.

Gracious loving Father,
We offer our prayer to be faithful in completing the journey with courage, demonstrating the love of Christ for everyone, the outrage of Christ at injustice and inhumanity, and the strength of Christ to carry us forward when we fall. Amen.

Linda Summers

Devotional 8-9-19

THE TRUTH ABOUT FAITH

THE 13 BOOKS OF HEBREWS
 Hebrews 11:1-3 NRSV
¹Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. ² Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. ³ By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.
Having read the short book of Hebrews for the first time (yes, it’s true) I have discovered It is full of thought- provoking information, supposedly written by an unknown author.  Scholars apparently can’t agree about who may have written it or for whom it was written. But I was fascinated with it! In Chapters one through ten, the writer focuses on many aspects of Jesus and his life, using what I believe is an unusual approach which is very interesting and leaves much to think about. The writer believed his audience was faced with deciding whether they would stick with Judaism or change to Christianity and makes a good case for becoming Christians because of Jesus and his impact on their lives. He compares the Old Testament with life’s advantages to living in the present—the life of those who lived after Jesus’ time.  He maintained it was far better than those who lived during Old Testament times.

Have you thought much about the meaning of faith? In Chapter 11 the writer discusses true faith. He defines it in the above verses, and further examines it by relating the faith of numerous men in the Bible who counted on their faith in order to trust in God’s promises. Some promises were kept, some never materialized, but these people kept their faith.  Some never saw results during their lifetime, but they were fulfilled by God, nevertheless.

In the remaining Chapters 12 and 13, he goes into more details about faith and what these men interpreted as God’s promises, the New Covenant, and more about the vivid contrast between Old Testament Judaism and New Covenant Christianity--why Christianity is so much better for everyone. He writes of the new kingdom and what is required of mankind to be a part of it. So much of what he says can so easily be applied to our present contemporary Christianity and what the future holds for all Christians, when God’s promise to all who are faithful, is fulfilled.

If you, like me haven’t read Hebrews…or it’s been a long time since you’ve read it, please do so! It is written in such a way that you must take the time to think about it and appreciate it as being just a little, or perhaps even a lot different from what we are used to. I enjoyed it!

Diane Feaganes

Devotional 8-2-19

Hope from the Shoot

Being a parent is difficult no matter what the child’s age.  Hosea 11: 1-11 reminds us of God’s love for Israel.  The more He tried, the more they disobeyed.  His love is strong but they do not appreciate that love. He tries many different approaches such as “Tough Love,” but they even begin to worship false idols.  God searches for the delicate balance in order to nurture, teach, instill discipline, and love for one another.

This balance is the greatest goal that any parent must face.  In today’s society, this challenge of being a parent is especially difficult. It can be a heart breaking experience and totally devastating because of the current drug crisis that has attacked our population. Some parents are blessed with that wonderful balance and never have to deal with the worship of the “drug idol.”  I am one of the blessed in raising my daughter, but I have seen close parents “wail” at the total agony in seeing their child being literally swallowed by the addiction of drugs. They struggle to help but to no avail. Any child can succumb, there is no “type.” The worship of this idol means more than family or parent. I saw some parents totally give up.

As a high school counselor, I remember that for quite a while the popular approach of the philosophy of so called “tough love” was recommended.  God tried this with his children but eventually decided that was not the answer.  The answer was not to abandon but to love.  The approach changed in society so that help was love, understanding, and support.

In Colossians 3: 1-11 God wants us to be aware of the following: the power of prayer, the cross, power of forgiveness, the depth of his love, and need for patience.  All of these are characteristics of a Christian. Only through the acceptance of a higher power can we keep that parent’s love strong. I have seen this acceptance eventually give a parent peace in dealing with the devastation.  The child eventually accepting Grace from God in his life. It can sometimes take years but the patience and love of a parent can help it happen.

In Isaiah 11: we learn that the royal line of David will be chopped down like a tree but from the stump will grow a shoot.  This shoot will be Hope of the coming of the Jesus.  He will bring hope and love to the people   What greater love can parent give than the Hope of God’s Grace as God gave the people of Israel?

 

Carol L. Brown

Devotional 7-26-19

Lanterne Rouge

I love bicycling. Sometimes I ride nowhere – for no reason…just so I can ride my bike. For my age, I’m pretty new at the sport. Only seven years compared to other’s 25+. But that’s ok. I told myself in the very beginning that I was going to enjoy the ride and not put myself in a situation to consider a 30, 40, or 50 mile ride as “bad” because I didn’t finish it before someone else or that I didn’t do it as well as I had a previous time. So far – so good. Staying ‘true to my school’.

For riders of all categories – young/old, fast/slow, new/seasoned – the Tour de France represents the absolute pinnacle of the sport. These cyclists are primo. The TDF lasts three weeks and is comprised of 21 stages. Day after day after day the racers ride 100+ miles, climb and descend mountains in the Pyrenes and the Alps and suffer through ALL weather conditions > the race isn’t called on account of rain…or snow…or heat. The leaders of certain categories are recognized as the Tour progresses. Best time by a yellow jersey, most points by green and so on. A position held that is not recognized by jersey or award but is respected as much as any is that of last place – Lanterne Rouge. So named to represent the red light a train conductor would hang on the last car. So why is last ok?

In the 2018 Tour de France a young rider named Lawson Craddock (from Texas) rolled into an errant water bottle in Stage 1 and crashed. In that crash he opened a gash on his head that would drip blood into his eye for the rest of the day, and he broke his scapula. Do you remember riding a bike? How do you think you would do with a broken shoulder blade? Despite his injuries, Lawson pressed on. I told Kim, “He will have to drop out in the mountains. There is NO WAY he can climb up out of the saddle. He will tug his arms off.” Yeah right! Are there degrees of wrong? I was VERY wrong. Lawson pressed on. By rolling into Paris 20 stages later and finishing 145^th he earned the moniker, Lanterne Rouge. Thirty-one riders over the course of the three weeks crashed out, dropped out, timed out or just plain quit. Lawson didn’t.

Being a Christian in 2019 is a little like the Tour. The effort is long. It is difficult. Uphill in many ways. But we must not quit. Our commitment to the mission is challenged. There are people out there (even IN THERE [church]) trying to knock us off our bikes. You get scolded, fined, and booted out for that kind of stuff in the Tour > glad church is more forgiving. People drop out because the road proves to be too much. They ‘time out’ because they feel that they are the only ones doing anything, and they give up. Some walk away because of a disagreement with another. Our society is so polarized right now. We draw sides based on PEOPLE and their ideals and how well those ideals matchup to what we like. Always remember that no single individual represents an entire people. Because ONE behaves badly, do not assume that ALL in that group are also behaving badly. One bike rider that cheats is NOT the symbol for all cyclists. Press on. Stay the course. Do what Jesus said and love. He didn’t say to make everyone like you. He said to love.

Lanterne Rouge. I think I would like to be called that someday. Called that because I wasn’t flashy or fast: just steady and committed.

Matthew 20:16

Steve Matthews

Devotional 7-19-19

Luke 10:38-42  "While Jesus and his disciples were traveling,  Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him as a guest.  She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his message.  By contrast, Martha was preoccupied with getting everything ready for their meal.  So Martha came to him and said, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to prepare the table all by myself?  Tell her to help me."

The Lord answered, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things.  One thing is necessary.  Mary has chosen the better part.  It won't be taken away from her." CEB

Ah, Martha, a woman whose story starts so well: she has the gift of hospitality, and has welcomed Jesus to her home as a guest.  This is a role model for us as people of faith.  We in the church have spent much of the past couple of years emphasizing the importance of hospitality and generosity, as we welcome people to our church and community. We've remodeled and renovated our building to make it safer and more accessible.  We've talked in small groups and in worship settings about the gifts that new people bring to our lives, and the gifts that we offer them---deeper relationships with God and a caring community in which to grow in faith and discipleship. 

We've talked, too, about the way that our church "family" shares together in our joys, and brings comfort when we face sorrows.  At the beginning of the scripture for today, Martha seems to have all this figured out; she has extended the welcome and she has family to help her follow through.

Quickly, things take a sad but familiar turn.  Martha is conflicted.  She's offered this hospitality, but now it's become a lot of work!  She's preparing a meal for her guest, and there are lots of details to sort out.  The Common English Bible says that she becomes "preoccupied with getting everything ready....." How modern and relatable this story becomes.  Saying "come on in," is the easy part. Actually serving the guest is the challenge, at our home or at our church home.  Did we remember to open the right doors? Did we offer a friendly greeting?  Did we show a visitor where the nursery is, or where the Sunday School classes meet?  Did we explain about the after-church reception in the Commons (and tell visitors how to get there)?  Does the bulletin give enough detail so that someone who hasn't been here before, could easily follow along?  And, of course, if someone needs prayer or other assistance, would they feel comfortable asking us?  Did they hear and see in us, the presence and power of God?

This brings us to the center of the story, and what Jesus says is the "necessary" thing.  Martha is bogged down in the details, and her frustration now leads her to a complete failure of hospitality.  "Don't you care..." she asks her guest, complaining now that her sister Mary has been listening to him, instead of helping with dinner.  She's annoyed at her family, for not doing enough to help, and she's forgotten the whole reason for the dinner in the first place--- to welcome Jesus. Martha even tries to triangle Jesus into her family conflict, asking him to tell Mary what to do. There's no welcome or warmth in that.  Meanwhile, Mary has taken time to just be in the presence of the Holy One, to make room in her life for him. Jesus reminds Martha that this is the necessary thing, the "better part." Our "doing" is not as central as our "being" in the holy moments that we have together. He's speaking to her, but also to us.  When we welcome people to our church home, all the details matter, but they are secondary to our central purpose:  welcoming people to learn about Jesus, and his love for them, so that they can form a faith relationship that will be life changing for them.  We are inviting them to share a faith journey with us, as we listen, learn, and worship together.  If we focus on Jesus, the details will begin to become clear to us, and second nature ---because we will be genuinely welcoming and loving, caring about each person we meet as a valuable child of God.  

Prayer for the Day (from Ruth Duck, Flames of the Spirit) "God of stillness, God of action, help us to find a proper balance in our lives.  Teach us to find the time and space for prayer and learning, like Mary, who studied at the feet of Jesus.  May we do our share in common serving, like Martha, who offered her skill in the kitchen.  In work and in prayer, may we be worthy disciples of Jesus, the Word of your love. Amen."    

Terry Deane

Devotional 7-12-19

Sharing in the Inheritance of the Light

Read these two verses from the first chapter of Colossians:

Verse 3: In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our lord Jesus Christ

Verse 9: For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord., fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.

Years ago, when Steve and I were first married, Gloria Peak approached us after worship.  She told us that she had been praying for us.  I'm not certain, but I think she was part of a prayer group in the church, and maybe we had been assigned to her as people for whom to pray.  Being told by someone that she is praying for you is an awkward moment.  I thanked her, and asked her to not stop. 

How do you feel when you find out that someone is praying for you, specifically, by name? I imagine we all feel a sense of gratitude.  It is a gift to know that someone is remembering you, and is praying for you.  It is an act of steadfast love, reflecting the grace of God.

Years later, I was attending a meeting at West Virginia Wesleyan College.  It was the month before Grant, our older son, was to start school there.  On a break, I walked across the campus and sat on a wall across the street from his dorm.  I spent some time in prayer for him, thinking about his future college years, praying for him as he left home to do something new.  When we dropped him off to start school, we left him with a care package.  Among the many items in the box was a note from me, telling him of my prayers for him.  I hoped it was one way to help him understand how loved he was (and is) - by his family and by his God.

Who are you praying for right now? Who in your life needs to be reminded that you love them, that you care enough about them to lift them in prayer? Who needs to be reminded of the love of God, and that they are not alone?

I invite you to take a seat in a pew, or find a quiet wall, and spend some time in prayer for that person.

And for you, I pray verse 11-12:

May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. Amen

 

Kim Matthews

Devotional 7-5-19

Prescription for Spiritual Healing

Lectionary Readings: 2 Kings 5:1-14; Psalm 30; Galatians 6:1-6 & 7-16; Luke 10: 1-11 & 16-20.

“Elisha sent a messenger to say to him (Naaman) “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.” But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy.”  2 Kings 5: 10-11

According to the scripture found in 2 Kings, Naaman was a commander of the army for the king of Aram.  He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram.  He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.  He also had an idea that he deserved special treatment from those who were healers.

Have you been given instructions by your health care provider to complete a series of actions that were designed for your healing and then decided that you knew better and would modify or ignore the instructions???  We are truly blessed with a multitude of pharmacological preparations (drugs) designed to treat any number of diseases and problems. However, all drugs have possible side effects (even the lowly Aspirin) and there are no guarantees that a particular drug will work for every individual as it was intended.  Most drugs work in tandem with modifications of diet and activity and are prescribed together as a unit.  We tend to think that the drug is all we need, probably because changing diet and exercise involves a change of habit=lots of work!.  We now know that leprosy is caused by a bacterial infection and can be treated with antibiotics.  Naaman did not have access to antibiotics and had to rely on the treatment activities offered by Elisha.

In this passage from the Old Testament, we find that Naaman expected more from the prophet Elisha than just to go wash in the dirty waters of the Jordan.  He expected the miracle cure and the majesty of the curing process.  Washing in the Jordan without the personal exhortation of Elisha seemed too easy to actually provide a cure.  Naaman’s servants convinced him that if Elisha had told him to do some fantastic thing, he would have done that.  Why not complete this simple act to see if it would work?? He eventually washed in the dirty river Jordan seven times, his leprosy was healed and he returned to his homeland vowing to faithfully serve the one true God of Israel. Without the expected fanfare, Naaman was healed and changed physically, mentally and spiritually.

How often do we ignore the call from God to serve by doing a particular activity or series of actions?  How often do we modify God’s instructions to “do things our way”?? Paul tells us in Galatians that we “must not grow weary of doing good but continue to serve God to reap the reward of eternal life.”  When we sow seeds “our way” all we will reap is weeds. I have a hard time relinquishing control of any situation, but I know that when I surrender to the power of God, He will guide the process And the outcome.  My spiritual health as well as mental and physical health are wrapped together in His plan.  We have no idea if our actions are making a difference at any given time.  We can only offer our words and actions as our offering, asking God to control the situation.

Dear Loving and Forgiving Father, please continue to send us messages to guide and teach us.  Hear our prayers as we ask for your understanding and eternal patience as we learn these lessons again and again.  Thank you for your love and for always giving us another chance to change. Continue to call us to your service in planting the seeds of the kingdom. Help us to surrender daily so that we might serve you by sharing Your love through our words and actions.  AMEN

Chyrl Budd

Devotional 6-28-19

Catch the Spirit

Please read Galatians 5:13-25 Common English Bible (CEB)

¹³ You were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only don’t let this freedom be an opportunity to indulge your selfish impulses, but serve each other through love. ¹⁴ All the Law has been fulfilled in a single statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.

 ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against things like this. ²⁴Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the self with its passions and its desires.

Some of you know that I taught middle school students for thirty-nine years. What you may not know is that in all that time I only had two items stolen from me. One was a cassette tape of “We Are the World,” and the other was my wallet/check book. That in itself may not sound like a big deal, but it is pretty remarkable considering that I did not start locking my classroom door until my twentieth year of teaching, coincidentally the same year my wallet/checkbook was stolen.

I know it sounds rather gullible of me to leave my belongings in an unlocked room, but I always was a trusting soul. I believed my school chum when she said she wouldn’t drop me on my tailbone as she helped me up from the gym floor. I believed a high school boyfriend when he said he was not going back to his former girlfriend. I even believed my doctor when he said that my mother’s morning sickness was not an indicator that I, too, would have morning sickness! Ha! But hope sprang eternal, and I continued to tempt fate.

The stolen cassette tape was not a big deal, but my wallet/check book was. Within the wallet were almost an entire book of checks, money that was to last me until payday, two credit cards, my driver’s license, my AFT card, my PEIA card, and my voter’s registration card, along with little notes I had collected from my children and husband. The cards I would later replace - at great cost. The notes were irreplaceable. Their loss WAS a big deal.

If I had the chance, what would I say to the person who took the wallet? I would say, “You really hurt me. You caused me inconvenience, you cost me money I did not have, but most of all you took some of my best memories.” And then maybe I would have that person read Galatians 5:13-25!

Recently I met a man who lived by the words and the spirit of that scripture. Jon and I were attending my granddaughter’s softball game, and I did not want to carry my purse to the ball field. I have a self-made money clip that I have fashioned from my credit card, debit card, and bills wrapped with a rubber hair band. I grabbed it, locked my purse in the car, and stuck the money clip in my pocket. In my defense, I want you to know that a woman’s jean pocket is not as deep as a man’s. Anyway, as we were leaving the game, the money clip fell out of my pocket and into a puddle. I did not see it. I did not feel it. We would have driven away if it had not been for the kindness and honesty of a man sitting close by.

He quickly grabbed it, chased us through the parking lot, and tapped Jon on the shoulder. I immediately recognized Ruby’s hair band. I thanked the kind stranger repeatedly; he just smiled and said that he was glad to be of service.

That was all there was to it. It did not last for more than a few minutes, but it made such an impression on me! Even as shallow as I am, I wasn’t just happy that he had not stolen my money and cards.  I was happy because a man who did not know me at all, knew how anxious I would be and how stupid I would feel. He put himself in my place!

Whenever I think of this experience, I will see that man’s smiling face and hear Paul’s words, “You were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only don’t let this freedom be an opportunity to indulge your selfish impulses, but serve each other through love. All the law has been fulfilled in a single statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Prayer - Heavenly Father, please let Your Holy Spirit fill my heart so that I, too, can serve others with love. Paul said that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. I could use some help in all of those categories. I ask this in Your name.
Amen

Becky Warren

Devotional 6-21-19

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
 

Hebrews 11:1 (King James Version)

Paul (although there is some disagreement among scholars that he was the author of Hebrews) makes the argument that faith, based upon the word of God, enables the believer to make the right decision when presented with a difficult choice.  Faith is synonymous with perseverance.  Chapter 11 of Hebrews recites the stories of several Old Testament figures to illustrate his point.

For example, Noah, when faced with the unknown after being warned of things not yet seen, was convinced by his faith in God that a flood was coming.  He persevered in the face of doubters and derision and stayed true to his belief.

Faith is the belief that God is right and if we pray and hold fast to our belief we will prevail in the end.  Whether the challenge is in our work, in a relationship, in school or even at Church, if we maintain our faith in God we will be all alright.
 

Lee Oxley

Devotional 6-14-19

That All May be One

Please read John 17:20-26

Have you ever had someone tell you that they had been praying for you? How did it make you feel--humble, touched, maybe even surprised because you hadn't realized that you were in need of prayer? I have read this passage many times, but this is the first time that it really struck me. Jesus prayed for us! He prayed for unity that we would be as one with God and with each other. Jesus prayed that the love God had for Him would also be in us! Words are hard to find that can explain how that makes me feel. God's love is in us, Jesus' love is in us! Do you feel the amazing awe of that?

In this diverse climate that we live in today, we surely need that prayer. How do we heal our decisive world? How can each of us use the talents that God has given us to replace hatred, distrust, and fear with hope? God's love is in us! Jesus' love is in us! How can we fail to share that amazing gift of love with the world?

Margaret Williams

Devotional 6-7-19

This Sunday we will celebrate Pentecost, the birth of the church, the day the Holy Spirit descended upon the Disciples of Christ after his ascension.  But who/what is the church? Who are we today?

As I was contemplating this writing, the song “We are the church” came to mind.  As the song says “we are the church, you are the church”.  The church is not a building; the church is the people.  Many kinds of faces, ages, from many places and from many times.  There are times we march, times we hide but we are always learning.  When we the church gather we sing, pray, laugh and even cry.  But we are always saying WE ARE THE CHURCH!!

We the people of JM or any congregation, are many, we all have many gifts and talents that God has given us to share as one body.  (Romans 12:4-8).  For any church to live out our mission of making disciples for Christ (Matthew 28:19) .  We need to work together, and we are not to expect the clergy to do it all.  Jesus didn’t do his Ministry alone; he called on his disciples as well.

As the church we are called to love all.  “Romans 12:9-17 CEB: ⁹Love should be shown without pretending. Hate evil, and hold on to what is good. ¹⁰Love each other like the members of your family. Be the best at showing honor to each other. ¹¹Don’t hesitate to be enthusiastic—be on fire in the Spirit as you serve the Lord! ¹²Be happy in your hope, stand your ground when you’re in trouble, and devote yourselves to prayer. ¹³Contribute to the needs of God’s people, and welcome strangers into your home. ¹⁴Bless people who harass you—bless and don’t curse them. ¹⁵Be happy with those who are happy, and cry with those who are crying. ¹⁶Consider everyone as equal, and don’t think that you’re better than anyone else. Instead, associate with people who have no status. Don’t think that you’re so smart. ¹⁷Don’t pay back anyone for their evil actions with evil actions, but show respect for what everyone else believes is good.

I believe that our JM Mission statement sums it all up, as a church/people of Christ.

“The mission of Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church is to bring others to Christ, embrace them with love, nurture everyone in faith, worship God joyfully, and reach out in service to the world.”

Let’s pray, God thank you for your love of all persons, thank you for our guide Jesus Christ.  May we be led to be the church for all in the world, as WE ARE YOUR CHURCH. May the Holy Spirit be our driving force.  Amen

The Holy Spirit be with you.

Fred Herr

Hymn “We are the Church”  BY DONALD S. MARSH; RICHARD K. AVERY

Devotional 5-31-19

For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. (John 13:15)

If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. (Romans 12:8)

 We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19)

I like that Facebook shows what I posted in previous years each day. Recently, a post was from 2013. I had had a cyst removed from my knee, and I was publicly thanking the doctor, nurses, and staff at the out-patient surgery center, plus my daughter-in-law who was my chauffeur, and finally my son, Marty, "who made me a killer peanut-butter and jelly sandwich that was so God."

My first reaction was, "stupid auto-correct," or, "stupid me and my typos." But the more I thought about it, the more I thought maybe it was right on. I would suggest that showing a kindness is a God-thing.

A little thing like a peanut-butter sandwich means a lot to someone who hasn't eaten all day, in this case because of the anesthesia. A simple smile or kind word might be just what someone needs to get them through a hard day. A meal or a visit during a time of crisis can mean the world to someone. God-things.

Does one have to be a Christian to deliver kindness? No, but as Christians, we have the example of Christ and because of his love for us, we are compelled to pass it on.

I challenge you to do a God-thing today.

Anita Gardner Farrell

Devotional 5-24-19

Falling Apart
 

I have a terrible fear of heights. I haven’t always had it. There were times in my youth that I climbed neighborhood trees, dived off of the Riverside Club high diving board, and found myself on the roof of Meadows Elementary School. But sometime during my teen years, I found I could no longer do any of those things.

When I began driving, I noticed that I became very apprehensive if I didn’t know exactly where I would end up because steep roadways scared me beyond reason. When I learned to snow ski, I was very cognizant of black diamond signs that could lead me to certain death, or at least certain pain! I have never sought professional help for my phobia, but I suspect it has something to do with being a control freak. Anyway, because of my fear, I shy away from trips to Gatlinburg or celebrations of the New River Gorge Bridge Day!

Recently Jon and I attended his nephew’s wedding in Washington, DC. We decided to do some sight seeing while there, and I had already mentioned that I would not be taking the tiny elevator to the top of the Washington Monument. I couldn’t really think of any other “high” adventures to avoid, and he agreed to my terms.
We stayed in Arlington, Virginia, right across the Potomac River. I was really excited that we’d be taking the nearby subway into DC. We walked the few blocks to the Rosslyn Metro Station, purchased our Metro cards, and headed for the escalator. At the edge, I looked straight down 207 feet and froze. The black moving staircase was beckoning me to my death, and I was having none of it.

I looked at Jon and cried, “I can’t do this!” He didn’t hesitate. He didn’t cajole. He didn’t argue. He simply stepped in front of me, enfolded me in his arms, and said, “Close your eyes. I won’t let you fall.” I did as he said, knowing that he would keep me safe.
As we traveled into the bowels of the earth, a hymn from my childhood played in my head, and although I couldn’t remember all of the words, I knew it had to do with God holding me in his arms in times of trouble.

There are several stanzas, but the following are the ones that came to me that day.

“God Be with You till We Meet Again”
      By Jeremiah E. Rankin 1880

God be with you till we meet again;
by his counsels guide, uphold you,
with his sheep securely fold you;
God be with you till we meet again.

God be with you till we meet again;
when life’s perils thick confound you,
put his arms unfailing round you;
God be with you till we meet again.

If you’re falling apart due to grief, fear, addiction, or loneliness, my escalator story may sound trivial, but Jesus and his modern–day disciples guided me through some pretty frightening situations. They want to help. Let them put their arms around you. They won’t let you fall.

Heavenly Father, thank you for those you have sent to help me through times of trouble. Let me now be that disciple who enfolds someone who is falling apart and say, “Close your eyes. I won’t let you fall.”

Amen

Becky Warren

Devotional 5-17-19

Hallelujah!

The Message has been used for this devotion

 Psalm 148

As I sit on our screened-in porch writing, I hear the beautiful sound of birds singing. How long will it last, I ask myself, as the sky darkens in the west, and the wind begins to blow. I think to myself, not again! Is the rain ever going to stop?

And I pick up my laptop and head inside. Settled in and ready to continue, I read the Psalm listed for this week’s devotion, Psalm 148. The Psalm continues along the theme of giving praise, as I learn in verse13, " to the name of God--It’s the only Name worth praising.”  The psalmist mentions God’s angels and warriors in praise of Him. Then he jumps to some of the most beautiful of God’s creation as giving praise as well. Who would think that the sun, the moon, the morning stars, heaven, and yes--even the heavenly rain clouds, would join in praising the name of God!  “Praise, oh let them praise the name of God. He spoke the word, and there they were! He set them in place from all time and eternity, He gave his orders, and that’s it!”

The Psalm goes on to include listing of men and women of the whole world; and animals of all types, shapes and sizes, hills and mountains, and the acts of nature, such as hurricanes, all created by God, the psalmist says, and all should praise Him.

So what is the psalmist trying to say? How does an inanimate object, a non-human without a mind, or feelings, or understanding, praise God? Through their actions, just as we can. The rain beats down heavily on the earth, and its companions, the thunder and lightning, share their praise in concert with it. The stars? They twinkle or shine a steady beam of light from the heavens. The hills and the mountains are joined by the sun and the moon in praising their creator, all day, all night, as their light plays along their valleys.

God’s creatures, both wild and domestic, speak in their own way with growls and howls, with their music compositions, with their tramping and running. Some bark. Some meow. Some moooo. Some baaaa. Their ways of praise for their creator are many and diverse, and I believe they are praising God.

And us? What about us? We can sing our praises or pray directly; just like God’s creations, we can praise Him through our actions. It’s a curious thing that the psalmist includes the creations of God’s world in praise with us!

Lord, your amazing creations join us, and in their own way, praise your Holy Name with us. It is one way to let You know how much we love you, and how grateful we are for Your love.  Amen.

Diane Feaganes