Devotions

for Lent

Acknowledgements

Our thanks to:

Mary Margaret Porter for her advice and support during this project

All those who wrote devotionals for the book

All those who contributed artwork

Lisa Underwood who put it all together

~ ~ ~

Devotions for Lent Coordinators:

Margo Wehrung Jacque Harris Donna Hatfield

Stephen Ministry has been serving others since 1975 and is now active in over 11,000 congregations worldwide. Stephen Ministers provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care and support to people experiencing grief, divorce, cancer, job loss, loneliness, disability, relocation, and other life difficulties. They undergo over 50 hours of initial training, in addition to continuing education opportunities, and they meet regularly to support each other in their ministry. Davidson College Presbyterian Church currently has 20 active Stephen Ministers and 4 Stephen Leaders. For information on Stephen Ministry or to request care, please contact one of the Stephen Leaders:

Susan Manning Alice Sudduth

Mary Thornberry Margo Wehrung

Will You Come and Follow Me?

Following often feels easier than leading – simply put your feet in the footsteps of the person before you and go. But when those footsteps are Christ’s that journey takes on new meaning.

Mark’s Gospel tells us of how Jesus called the disciples to service. “As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.” (Mark 1:16-20)

In each instance, Jesus called the disciples to follow him by simply calling to them. And in each case, they say nothing, they leave what they are doing and follow.

During this Lenten season, we, like the disciples, are being called to follow in service to Christ. There will be opportunities to serve, study, pray and worship as we journey with Christ to the cross and wait in anticipation for the day of resurrection.

The hymn “Will You Come and Follow Me” will guide our journey together as we seek to follow Christ – to put our feet in his footsteps and begin the journey, together.

Those who contributed to this devotional booklet were given a choice of lectionary passages for each particular day to focus on and were guided in their writing or art by the words of this hymn. We hope you will find this resource useful as we step out together to follow Christ this Lenten season.

~ Mary Margaret Porter

Ash Wednesday, February 13

Jonah 3:1-4:11, Hebrews 12:1-14, Luke 18:9-14

Lord, your summons echoes true when you but call my name. Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.

Lent might appropriately be called “A Season of Turning.” Each of these Scripture passages for Ash Wednesday, the first day of the Lenten season, provides rich material for considering how Lent might become a season for hearing Jesus’ daily, personal summons to you in order that you might turn toward him in ways that are more deeply transforming than you have ever experienced before. Read how Jonah exhorted the people of Ninevah to make a 180º turn from their evil ways toward God, and pray for God to reveal the places in your life where you are being called to make a 180º turn. Read Hebrews’ compelling description of Jesus as one who “for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross,” and pray for the Spirit to strengthen you in the midst of your personal trials and challenges and to transform these experiences so that they become your joy. Read what has to be one of the most difficult passages in the entire biblical record for Western Christians, Luke’s account of Jesus’ response to the question, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Pray for the openness to examine the degree to which money and material possessions are barriers to your faithful discipleship. May Lent 2013 be a transforming season of turning for you.

O God, as we are marked with the ashes of repentance, grant us the grace to pray honestly

in order that we might hear your summons and turn toward you.

~ Lib McGregor Simmons

Good Friday, March 29

Genesis 22:1-14: I Peter 1:10-20; John 19:38-42

All of these passages are tough to read and even harder to understand

the God behind these words. The first one is the almost sacrifice of

Isaac. The second talks about salvation and being washed in the blood

of the lamb, and the third is about preparing Jesus’ body for burial.

All of them deal with gritty, human life and functions. None of them are

passages we use very often or with much ease in our church. We

question the God who would test us and ask to sacrifice a son. We

cringe with language that speaks of our ransom with blood. We jump

from the death and burial of Jesus to Easter morning.

We live in an antiseptic world in our affluent lives in the U.S. I have had

the opportunity to travel in Nicaragua with our partnership teams and

recently visited friends in India. These countries are more of an “in your

face” type of life and existence. The hurts of the world are more visible.

In those countries and other parts of the developing world, it is more

readily apparent where our food comes from and what happens to our

trash and waste. The interconnectedness of life hangs on a more fragile

thread. Here the hurt and dirt of the world is far from our everyday. So

we just don’t want to deal with a God who is in the less appealing parts

of life and doesn’t fit our softer, gentler view of faith.

Why did God test Abraham only to provide what he needed? What was

it about our sin that made it necessary for Jesus to die? Do we really

want to follow a God like that? Our Study Catechism gives a clue when

it says that sin is more serious and grace more abundant than we

realize. Our hymn for Lent calls us to a risky faith that may lead us to

the less antiseptic parts of life. Are we ready? Are the hurts and sins of

the world that serious and is grace that abundant?

~ Linda Steber

Thursday, February 14

Deuteronomy 7:6-11; Titus 1:1-16; John 1:29-34 The theme for this year’s Lenten Devotionals comes from the beautiful hymn of the Iona Community, “Will You Come and Follow Me.” It brings to mind the hymns we sang at Senior High Fellowship meetings and Youth Conferences, the enthusiasm we felt and expressed as we sang the challenges of the callings of our Lord. We have been privileged to visit Iona, that small, rugged, windswept island off the coast of Mull on two occasions. What a thrill it was to be that ancient sacred place, with its stone monastery and its large Celtic cross in the cemetery. In the tiny chapel we placed our hands on a real copy of the Gutenberg Bible, the Book that undergirded the Reformation, the tradition on which we stand. Perhaps it was similar to Moses’ experience as he shed his sandals before the burning bush. When we look at DCPC’s steeple we see the cross. When we are in the sanctuary, we see the cross. Both crosses are replicas of the Celtic Cross, which is believed to have originated in Iona. Another tradition is that from the monastery of Iona, under the leadership of Columbo and Aidan, Christianity spread throughout Scotland. Today’s Scripture Readings reflect the challenge Moses gave to the children of Israel following the presentation of the Ten Commandments, Paul’s challenges to young Titus, and John the Baptizer’s challenge to his audience—and to us today.

O Lord, continue to challenge us. Amen. ~ H. Reid and Martha Montgomery

Celtic cross at Iona Abbey

Friday, February 15

Genesis 31:25–50;1 John 2:12–17; John 10:1–18

The Loss Of A Lifetime

It was December…We were so excited about the upcoming birth of our first child. Cool winter brisk in the air, Christmas Spirit to fill our hearts, absolutely full of joy! December 21, 1993—a day that changed our lives forever; a day that we discovered our precious daughter, Kendall Kelly Clark had died. Kendall weighed 7lbs,12ozs, with beautiful brown hair and blue eyes. Our sweet Kendall was born silent and still. As joy and anticipation dissolved into confusion and grief, painful questions refused to go away: Why? What did we do wrong? Doesn't God care? We couldn’t breathe. Words cannot describe the intense pain we experienced while holding Kendall, seeing our baby taken away and then looking at her little white casket with pink roses. The finality of each act seemed more than we could bear. Stricken with the worst grief we had ever known, we wondered how hearts so broken could still beat. Broken as we were, we recognized our need for God. He has been our ultimate source of strength. Had we not been humbled to this place, we doubt we would know God as we do today. We have found strength in focusing on who God is instead of what has happened to us. We worked through our grief with God carrying us. Kendall is in Heaven, she saw Jesus first. Kendall was planted on earth to bloom in Heaven. We know the day will come when we be reunited with our daughter. Peace takes over as we reflect on this Homecoming. We have found great hope and comfort in the following scriptures over the years:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,

His mercies never come to end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

“The lord is my portion,” says my soul. “Therefore I will hope in him.”

Lamentations 3:22-24

Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels

always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 18:10

Maundy Thursday, March 28

I Corinthians 10 14-17, 11:23-32 Perhaps our invitation to the Lord’s Table is more sacred than normal communions.

“You must never let familiarity breed contempt.”

(The Message 11:26)

I used to dread Communion as a boy, because my mother always cried. When I asked why, she said because she felt so unworthy. (Of course I was not a participant because I had not been confirmed, a wise practice then and now.) When I became more theologically aware I tried with some success to persuade mother that the sacrament communicated forgiveness and grace. As the wise highland Scot parson urged a reluctant partaker, “Take it, woman, it’s for sinners, it’s for you.” Still some trepidation bespeaks a longing and need for forgiveness and grace and produces a healthy gratitude to a generous Savior and an imperative to serve God. Paul understood that The Lord’s Supper was also about not just our relations with God, but also to one another. The invitation I grew up with included that test,

“You who do truly repent and are in love and charity with your neighbor…”

When we come with grudging hearts, bitterness or contempt, we dishonor those for whom Christ died. Jesus’ words from Matthew ring clear.

“So when you offer your gifts at the altar and remember that your brother or sister

has something against you, leave your gift and be reconciled

and then offer your gift.”

Ingredients for Maundy Thursday—trepidation and reconciliation. ~ Will Terry

Wednesday, March 27

Philippians 4:1-13

In this Lenten Devotional, contributors have been asked to create

responses to Biblical passages. That’s very difficult, and not always

appropriate. Today’s reading, for example, is excerpted from Paul’s

letter, written from prison to the church in Philippi. The church was the

first Paul founded in Europe (see Acts 16) and apparently it held a

special place in his heart. It might even be said that the Letter to the

Philippians is a spiritual love note; surely not a piece to be chopped up

and swallowed in easily digested morsels.

But Paul might forgive me if I do exactly that, because as the church at

Philippi was to him, so this Presbyterian church at Davidson is to me. I

will try to do what it asks me to do.

Paul’s letter was written in response to the development of a schism

within the church. As a consequence of its location, Philippian church

membership naturally divided between Jewish and gentile Christians.

But some within the Jewish contingent were demanding that Gentile

members first become Jews by undergoing circumcision. Our excerpt

begins with an appeal to members Euodia and Syntyche to “agree

together in the Lord,” that is to stop bickering. Apparently these women

had taken opposing positions on the issue, and just as clearly, both had

earlier helped Paul in his developing mission. Now he wants them to

join other church members in encouraging unity. In that context he

offers them joy in the face of adversity, with the familiar and beautiful

poetry which forms the core of our reading:

Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, rejoice!

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and

supplication with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Unity!

~ Bob Manning

Gracious God, You took little Kendall into your arms, laid your hands upon her and blessed her. Thank you for her life. Thank you for your presence in our sorrow. Thank you for the strength as our lives go on. Lord, we lift up other parents that are suffering the loss of a child, carrying a heavy cross. Father, help to heal their wounds, fill them with your love, power and hope. Thank you that we, together with Kendall, are enveloped in your love. Fill us with grace to trust your promise of eternal life. You, God, are the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory Forever. Amen. ~ Kristin and Bill Clark

“In the Womb of A Woman” Collage by Jacque Harris

Saturday, February 16

John 1:4-51

Come and See! If you have ever tried to talk to someone about the Christian Faith, you

know how easily it can turn into an argument. The emotional

“temperature” can rise quickly in the room. No one likes to feel

“pressed” into the corner.

When Jesus “called” Phillip, he readily responded according to our text.

In fact he wanted his friend Nathanael to come and meet this man

about whom the prophets spoke, “the man from Nazareth.”

Nathanael comes out with one of the best known questions in the Bible,

“Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” How easy It would have

been for Phillip to respond, “Of course it can, there are a lot of fine

people in Nazareth as in all our villages.” Instead, he simply

responded, “Come and see.” Evidently a brief conversation with Jesus

led Nathanael to become a follower.

Thomas Henry Huxley, the “agnostic” English biologist of the 19th

century once wanted to know about the Christian faith so he asked a

man to tell him what Christ meant to him. The man simply told Huxley

about his faith and how it affected his life. According to the Scottish

Theologian, William Barclay, “when he had finished there were tears in

the great agnostic’s eyes. ‘I would give my right hand,’ he said, ‘if only I

could believe that.’”

It was not clever argument that touched Huxley’s heart but a simple

presentation of God’s love through Jesus Christ. Did Huxley become a

Christian? It is best that we leave the results up to God and share the

faith by word and deed. God works in mysterious ways. May God work

through us all as redeemed sinners. Amen.

~ Scott Woodmansee

Tuesday, March 26

John 12:21

"Sir, we want to meet Jesus."

Quiet Surprises with Jesus

We sit on the patio sipping tea,

crunching toast, silver spoons and

blueberry jam between us.

Rabbits breakfast on the giant clover

that sprang up in the flower garden.

An indigo bunting flashes color in the mimosa.

As dew dries and pale fog vanishes, we wade

through bluets and soft yellow flowers in the front field.

He runs with the butterfly kite and I feed out string,

a moment of uncertainty, then the lift.

We grin at each other. He takes the string ball, releases more,

gives the butterfly freedom to soar against azure sky.

In the afternoon, we walk through delicate greens of April woods,

a briar catches his jeans, I snip it loose with clippers.

We balance on rocks in the creek, shifting them to form a bridge,

cross to the pasture fence, stare into soft brown eyes of milk cows.

Walking home we tell knock-knock and elephant jokes and one about a

chimp walking into a bar and our laughter bubbles higher than the trees.

We sit on the back steps while the sun lowers itself for the night.

Jesus, I didn’t know you were so fun.

He smiles, stretches his feet into crew cut grass

and I see the healed scars.

~ Carolyn Noell

Monday, March 25

Philippians 3:1-14

Discipleship and Discipline

The Apostle Paul suggests there is a similarity between the discipline

required of an accomplished athlete and that required of us in our

pursuit of maturity in Christ. For comparison, he uses the example of a

runner in a footrace. At the end of the course there awaits a prize for

those who have appropriately conditioned their bodies and are striving

to reach their desired goal. Achievement results from disciplined

training and focused effort.

With this metaphor, the Apostle is suggesting that discipline is required

of the Christian who has as a goal, becoming mature in Christ. Lent is

an appropriate season for this reminder, as these days of spiritual

introspection and rededication offer many conditioning opportunities.

The prize for which we are to strive is not salvation but maturity in

Jesus Christ. For us who have professed Christ, salvation is a given in

the sense that life is a given. We do not have to work for that, as Christ

has done that work for us. We appropriate salvation by faith alone.

What we are to strive for is spiritual maturity. That should be our

passion.

Paul alerts us to the motivation that produces this passion as he

acknowledges that he himself has not reached spiritual maturity

(perfection), “but I press on to make it my own because Jesus Christ

has made me his own.” Christ has made each of us his own. That is

reason enough for us to press on in our growth toward maturity in

Christ, to make it “our own.”

~ Sally and Bill DuBose

First Sunday in Lent, February 17

Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Romans 10:8b-13; Luke 4:1-13

Will You Come and Follow Me?

Will you come and follow me if I but call your name? Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same?

Will you let my love be shown, Will you let my name be known,

Will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name? Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?

Will you risk the hostile stare Should your life attract or scare?

Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?

Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name? Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?

Will you kiss the leper clean And do such as this unseen,

And admit to what I mean in you and you in me?

Will you love the ‘you’ you hide if I but call your name? Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?

Will you use the faith you’ve found To reshape the world around

Through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?

Lord, your summons echoes true when you but call my name. Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.

In your company I’ll go Where your love and footsteps show.

Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.

Text © 1987, WGRG the Iona Community (Scotland), admin. GIA Publications, Inc.

Monday, February 18 Hebrews 2:11-18

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of

death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. Hebrews 2:14-15/NIV

“Chain letters have existed in one form or another since the late 19th century, with precedents dating back almost a thousand years. The Prester John letter, a fictional missive purporting to originate from the ruler of a paradisiacal "land of honey and milk" in the East, was circulated throughout Europe during the Middle-Ages and is regarded as a progenitor of the genre. Without a doubt, the Internet has proven to be the greatest boon to the proliferation of chain letters since the advent photocopy machines. Email messages, which can be forwarded to multiple recipients with the click of a mouse button, are the ideal medium for this type of folklore. It is no wonder the Internet is glutted with them. For good or ill (and most experienced users would say ill), chain letters are an online fact of life.” (David Emery/About.com)

Every time my 12-year-old son gets a “chain” message on Facebook, he asks me whether or not he should forward it. He, at this young age, is actually afraid for his very life if he does not give into the demands of the message. Those demands could be anything from: “If you do not forward this message to at least 15 people, you will die in two days” to “If you do not send this message to 5 of your most beloved friends, you will never find your true love.” These fear provoking letters and demands are annoying and, well, evil. Here is what I am now telling my son: Jesus broke this chain letter before it ever existed. Jesus, by his death and resurrection has already beaten death! You will not die because you do not forward these horrible threats. In fact, by forwarding these ghastly messages, you are perpetuating the evil that Jesus has already beaten! Instead take the opportunity to turn the unsent message into prayer for the originator of the chain and prayer for countless would be recipients, our fellow mankind. Prayer: Dear Lord, we pray for those that fall prey every day to the senseless barrage of misguided thought that enters our digital mail box. May we have the strength and presence of mind to turn these unsolicited thoughts into useful prayer in Your name. Amen. The chain always ends with Christ! ~ Stephanie Rollans

Palm Sunday, March 24

Zechariah 9:9-12; 1 Timothy 6:12-16; Matthew 21:12-17

Lord, your summons echoes true when you but call my name. Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.

In your company I’ll go Where your love and footsteps show.

Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.

(Sixth Stanza in Will You Come and Follow Me?)

~ ~ ~

Eternal God, you call us to ventures

of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden,

through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with courage,

not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us

and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

From the Book of Common Worship, Daily Prayer

~ Submitted by Alice Sudduth

Saturday, March 23

Jeremiah 31:27-34; Romans 11:25-36; John 11:28-44

When Every Impulse Tells Us To Retreat

When every impulse tells us to retreat; To wait until the call is more distinct; The God who sees beyond our fear,

Who trusts beyond our doubts, Is near.

For every door we closed to come this way, There is a threshold waiting to be crossed; And Christ, who hears us when we knock,

Who answers when we ask, Is here.

And now with porous hearts and minds we come

To soak in living water and to bathe In God’s own ever flowing grace,

To seek the deepest truth, To learn.

At table, font, and pulpit we are fed

And beckoned to the honest, holy grit We need to be your ministers,

To be your body here And now.

From The One Who Taught Beside The Sea, by John Thornburg

~ Submitted by Michael Rowland

Tuesday, February 19

Upon receiving a cancer diagnosis, I started a journey and I have

learned so much. One of the most important lessons has been to trust

in The Lord, knowing He is with us always.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares The Lord,

"plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

As we venture through lent, we go with full confidence that God is in

charge. He is our refuge and will be with us. Take time during the day

and say out loud, "Jesus, I trust you." This will center you in His

presence. By asserting your trust, you will stay close to our Lord and

Savior.

~ Margaret Stauffer

Wednesday, February 20

Prov. 27:1–6, 10–12; Phil. 2:1–13; John 18:15–18, 25–27

~ Art by Pidge Osborn

Friday, March 22

John 11:21-27 Martha said, "Master, if You'd been here, my brother wouldn't have died. Even now, I know that whatever you ask God he will give you." Jesus said, "Your brother will be raised up." Martha replied, "I know that he will be raised up in the resurrection at the end of time."

"You don't have to wait for the End. I Am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live. And everyone who lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all. Do you believe this?"

"Yes, Master. All along I have believed that you are the Messiah, the Son of God Who comes into the world."

~ ~ ~ I recently went to the funeral home once again to give my love to a friend whose Father died Christmas night. It seems like just yesterday that she loved and supported me when my Father died . . . but it has been 4 1/2 years. We have lost many loved ones in the past 5 years, some having lived a long, happy life, and two family members and two friends who left us much too young. Just as Martha was confused about her brother Lazarus' death, in our yearning to understand or grasp death, we have the same assurance that Jesus gave her in John 11:25 when he said that even when we die, we live in Him. It is that hope that carries us through grief, and assures us of a future life with Him. My friend placed a small brown paper bag of seeds into her Father's hand and shared with me that they were for his Heavenly garden. In her loss, she is believing that her Heavenly Father has taken away her earthly Father's pain and weakness and is meeting and welcoming him with open arms. This is the hope that inspired my friend to share with me that rather than being sorry that her Father died on Christmas night, she was thankful that he had received the gift of Heavenly life. It is that promise that holds us, comforts us, and gives us hope . . . "the one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live." ~ Vicki Gray

Thursday, March 21

John 10: 10-42

Jesus the Good Shepherd, The Son of God

In this scripture, the Jews thought Jesus was either mad or amazing. In general, they did not listen or believe him and decided to reject him. Jesus spoke to these unbelievers as the Good Shepherd, the Son of God.

My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish.

No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else,

and no one can snatch it out of the Father's hand. The Father and I are one.

John 10: 27-30 As a child, I knew more about our neighbor's dairy farm animals than about sheep and shepherds. Sitting in Sunday School at small semi-circular tables (with the teacher in the center) listening to stories from the Presbyterian Church's children leaflets, my knowledge grew of Jesus, sheep and the Good Shepherd. Memories of this time and growing up in church are marked by children's songs and stories, scripture and meaningful hymns.

Fairest Lord Jesus, Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty, What a Friend We Have in Jesus, Our God Our Help In Ages Past, Tell me the Old, Old Story - these remain part of my life's sound tract. Wonderful hymns, music and verse continue to increase my knowledge and appreciation of my faith.

If I could speak to the early Jewish community of Jesus' time, as well as today's church, my early memories of story and music continue to ring true. They remain as clear and lovely as in the pre-school Sunday School so many years ago.

These are the words of a favorite song: Praise Him, Praise Him, all ye little children Thank Him, Thank Him, all ye little children

God is Love, God is Love, God is Love, God is Love Love Him, Love Him, all ye little children

Serve Him, Serve him, all ye little children God is Love, God is Love, God is Love, God is Love

~ Marjorie Burris

Thursday, February 21

Deuteronomy 9:23-10:5; Hebrews 4:1-10; John 3:16-21

Losses and Hurting

Many years ago I had a friend who appeared to have a lovely life…he was a veterinarian, was a beautiful person inside and out and he was very athletic. However, for the most part he couldn’t acclimate to the life that he’d chosen and was often depressed. His life hadn’t turned out as he had wanted. He missed the fame and notoriety he’d had when he was a starting high school football quarterback. He frequently reminisced about the glory days when he had it all and about how difficult it was to go from that early stage of his life to his new life. He really missed those days as he felt the finality of that time ….it was gone. At the time, I really thought he was a bit shallow as he had had so many fine opportunities that others hadn’t. And, why couldn’t he be thankful for what he had now? I didn’t get it….feeling sad over no longer being a football player…come on!

However, today, a bit older, I understand how he must have felt as I think about him in regards to how others may feel similarly in today’s economy. Imagine an airline pilot who had trained to fly planes and this was the work that he or she was meant to do…the one thing that they love and then, due to an economic downturn they were laid off from this wonderful job that they love. What next? Maybe they will train to take on another job but what a hard transition. And, too, there may be difficult times, especially if they have a family. So, what if we had to give up that one thing that we dearly love?

Even now it may seem like a big difference between the loss of being a high school football quarterback star and that of an airline pilot, especially, since we all have “age perspective.” You know what I mean….the words that ring out sometimes in movie houses, “How could you kids be in love…you are too young to know what love means.” Age puts a different perspective and a different spin on a lot of things. But, should it? This is the point of my friend’s situation. All of us have heart ache that is very real no matter what the circumstance or at what age. It doesn’t matter whether we are CEOs of companies who lost our next client, or maybe we just lost our best friend, or maybe just failed an Algebra test, or possibly missed our Senior prom when we were looking forward to it. Today, at this moment in time, any one of us may have a hurt due to a loss that is as unique and as real as our own individuality. And hopefully, by the grace of God and our own experiences, we will be sensitive to those who are hurting no matter what their situation. ~ Meredith Allen

Friday, February 22

Deuteronomy 10:12-22

When I was 10 years old my parents gave me my first Bible. On the

inside of the front cover they wrote these words: “Happy 10th birthday!

Micah 6:8. Love, Mom and Dad.” I remember going to the index of the

Bible and finding where Micah was and then looking up the passage.

There I found the familiar question, “What does the Lord require of

you?”

In Deuteronomy, Moses asks the same question of the Israelites and

gives an equally compelling answer. In chapters 10 and 11 we find a

grand summary of the previous 9 chapters and an invitation for the

people to fear God and to walk in God’s ways. Moses reminded the

people that a relationship with God isn’t about the outward appearance

of a person but rather about the condition of their heart. When a

person’s heart is right with God, then their life is in concert with God;

their step is in step with God.

Walking in God’s ways is spelled out in fairness and justice and

compassionate treatment of the orphan, the widow, and the stranger.

In order to walk in this way we are invited to give up stubbornness –

being “stiff necked” – and truly dedicate ourselves to God’s service.

Micah’s words are en echo of these words from Deuteronomy: “Do

justice. Love Kindness. Walk humbly with God.”

During this season of Lent we are invited to consider the way of Jesus

and the call of Jesus. He invites us to study his life and to walk in step

with him. He invites us to make a true and lasting commitment that

transforms us from the inside out. Our life of faith goes beyond skin

deep – straight to the heart.

Let us pray: Gracious God, you see me and you know me. Show me

the places in my life that are out of step with you. Help me to give them

to you and to trust you completely with my life. Through Jesus Christ

our Lord, Amen.

~ Robert Alexander

Wednesday, March 20

John 10: 1-18

“His sheep follow him because they know his voice.

But they will never follow a stranger….

I am the good shepherd:

I know my sheep and my sheep know me.”

Often we decline to follow the most challenging paths because we are

unsure where they might take us. “Is this really what I ought to be

doing?” we ask ourselves. “Wouldn’t it be a mistake to take on more

than I can handle?”

When phrased in such a way, our answer has to be “yes – that would

be an error.” How are we to know where Jesus is leading us? What are

we called to do? Where do we draw the line at “too much”? When is it

our own sense of comfort and security that are blocking the vision of

what God wants from us?

The answer this passage suggests is that we need to listen, to get to

know the voice of our master. We must be still, keeping our ears and

our hearts open. If we listen prayerfully, we can then follow in

confidence.

The hardest part for many of us may be the idea of following anyone.

Our society stresses leadership so much that we may be out of practice

in following. Yet we are called to follow, to be servants, to be sheep in

God’s fold.

Lord, give us the wisdom and the courage

this day to follow where you would have us go.

We know that you will lead us in the paths of righteousness.

~ Mary Thornberry

Tuesday, March 19

Jeremiah 25:1-17

Jeremiah 25:1-17 confronts us with several theological truths for our

Lenten reflection that may surprise us but really shouldn't.

The prophet denounces as incorrigibly sinful those who have been

called to be God's servant people, for they (we) have provoked the

divine anger by steadfastly ignoring the Lord's persistent warnings (see

Jeremiah 25:3-7).

Our sin is not just an occasional mis-step; we persistently do those

things we ought not to have done (trespasses, if you will), or leave

undone those things which we ought to have done (debts). This truth

should not take us by surprise, since we (at least verbally) acknowledge

this reality by our regular liturgical prayers of confession.

God's continued forbearance should not be misconstrued as eternal

indulgence. There is a limit to God's patience (Jer. 25:7-11). Since

we know our God to be a God of justice, this also should not

surprise us.

Confronted by our persistent sinfulness, God calls a new name to be

"my servant" -- astoundingly, the pagan Babylonian ruler

Nebuchadnezzar.

But this divine action also should not surprise: Scripture relates that our

utterly free Lord used Assyrian king Sennacherib to execute the divine

anger against Israel (Isaiah 10:5-15) and Persian king Cyrus ("his

anointed"!) to free Judeans from exile (Isaiah 45:1) and a peasant babe

born in Bethlehem to save the world.

Our God is not limited by the imaginations of the theologians or the

strategies of the religious establishment, much less the powers of the

political or commercial world.

~ George Ramsey

Saturday, February 23

Deuteronomy 11:18-28

In this passage God promises the people of Israel that if they follow His

commandments, they will prosper. He asks them to love Him and keep

His commandments. He goes on to tell them to keep these words in

their hearts and to place them on their doorposts as a reminder of His

love. Jewish families still keep these promises, written on parchment,

in a small case attached to their door posts. Pious Jews will touch the

case (called a mezuzah) when they enter or leave the house and repeat

the words of the promise.

Christian monastic communities have used prayers at specific times of

the day to remind their members of the need to love and obey God.

What can we as modern Christians do to remind ourselves of these

same promises? Can we develop rituals to help us

remember as we move through the day?

Our God,

We thank you that your promises are as true today as they were

when you first gave them to Moses and the Israelites.

Help us to remember your ancient promises

during this time of Lent. Let us seek ways

to remind ourselves of Your love and care

as we move through our daily routines.

Amen.

~ Donna Hatfield

Mezuzah

Second Sunday in Lent, February 24

Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18; Psalm 27 Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 13:31-35

Will you come and follow me if I but call your name? Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same?

Will you let my love be shown, Will you let my name be known,

Will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

(First stanza of Will you Come and Follow Me?

~ Foster Harris, 2002

Monday, March 18

John 9:1-17

What is Lent?

Back in the 1940’s when we were Southern Presbyterians we did not

observe Lent. We heard about it from Lutheran friends who gave up

stuff like chocolate for forty days before Easter. Now we Presbyterians

are observing Lent.

In 2013 our Stephen Ministry Team is challenging us to make changes.

We are not to give up for Lent, but to get up and do Christ’s mission.

Our theme song from the Iona Community (Scotland) asks “Won’t you

come and follow me?”

Today please read John 9:1-17, or better yet, some verses beyond

these. We find ourselves in the middle of a mixed up, confusing and

funny story of Jesus’ healing of a very smart blind man!

It’s a story of misunderstanding and questions by others. Those who

get involved fail to acknowledge Christ’s miracle and lose their way with

their questioning. The one person who stands out is the one who was

blind from birth, but now “sees.” He is a witness that is immovable. “No

matter what any of you say, I know he is a prophet and I can see.” He

had stood the test, taken a stand, and set the pace for us.

Our call is to give out rather than give up. Let our Lent be a time for re-

enlisting in the Mission of the One who shakes the World and all who

are in it. That one is Jesus, the Christ, and our Lord. Can we answer,

“Let me turn and follow You and never be the same!”

~ Ruth and Bill Boyce

Butterfly Bowl

By Melissa Reddick

Inspired by butterfly seen on Lantana bush outside Bradford Store, in Huntersville, North Carolina.

Wheel thrown stoneware, hand painted and carved surface, 10"D x 8"H

Fifth Sunday of Lent, March 17

Jeremiah 23:16-32; 1 Corinthians 9:19-27; Mark 8:31-9:1

Will you love the ‘you’ you hide if I but call your name? Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?

Will you use the faith you’ve found To reshape the world around

Through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?

(Fourth stanza of Will You Come and Follow Me?)

Monday, February 25

John 4:27-42

Sometimes we come to the well alone, when others have gone into town,

in the heat of the day, when it’s inconvenient.

We come alone because we know we’ll be alone,

to avoid judgment, stares, disapproving looks.

But when we step out in loneliness, Jesus is sitting right there;

not with his disciples, not with the town folk

who claim to know everything about us. Just Jesus, inviting us to serve him in simple ways,

a bit of conversation, a drink of water.

A great mystery is here: we discover that we are changed,

that we do not worry so much about what others think of us

when we meet Jesus. Freedom.

~ Andrew Scales

Tuesday, February 26

The scripture for the day- John 4:43-54- is one of the many reports in the gospels of Jesus’ healing power. In the hymn “Will You Come and Follow Me,” which we are using as our theme for lent this year, one verse says:

“Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name? Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?

Will you kiss the leper clean and do such as this unseen, And admit to what I mean in you and you in me?”

How are we called to be a part of God’s healing power? There are many ways but, for me, one of the most meaningful has been intercessory prayer. In his book titled Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home, Richard Foster writes “If we truly love people, we will desire for them far more than it is within our power to give them, and this will lead us to prayer. Intercession is a way of loving others . . . In the ongoing work of the kingdom of God, nothing is more important than Intercessory Prayer.” Do you find it hard to pray for others? Foster urges us to “begin by praying for an increase in your love for others. As God grows your capacity to care you will very naturally begin working for the good of your neighbors, your friends and even your enemies.” Through my time of intercessory prayer I have come to believe prayer is the place we can begin to participate in God’s healing power in the broken and hurting places around us. And we may be surprised by where we are led. At 11:30 a.m. on Wednesdays a group of people gather in Lingle Chapel for a time of intercessory prayer and silence. I have asked someone close to me who has been on the prayer list at DCPC to share what it has meant to her to know people are praying for her. Here's what she says: “It's truly an awesome feeling to know that prayer is being made on an exact time and day by a faith filled group of believers. What a blessing it is to know we have so many kind people thinking of others. As God's children we are blessed to be in a world where we can see the results daily of our answered prayers. We need to never lose sight of what a privilege it is to be able to come together before God in prayer. Let's all remember: everyone can pray- only One can answer.” Will you consider joining our Intercessory Prayer group on Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m. in Lingle Chapel? ~ Alice Sudduth

Saturday, March 16

Jeremiah 23:9-15; Romans 9:1-18; John 6:60-71

I suspect that the most consistent thing about life has to be its inconsistency. Choosing not to be neatly categorized, life has opted to be a tossed salad of tragedies and triumphs, despair and hope. The bad is perplexingly close to the good. The just is frighteningly near to the unfair. Life is a clock’s tick away from death. Evil is paradoxically close to goodness. The inconsistency of life. As a result, one moment can simultaneously usher in sweet victory or crushing defeat. The same day can bring both reunion and separation. The same birth can bring both pain and peace. Truth and half-truth often ride the same saddle. (And yes, James, good and evil can come out of the same mouth.) Yet, it was in the inconsistency that GOD had his finest hour. Never did the obscene come so close to the holy as it did on Calvary. Never did the good in the world so tightly intertwine with the bad as it did on the Cross. Never did what is right involve itself so intimately with what is wrong, as it did when Jesus was suspended between heaven and earth. GOD on a cross. Humanity at its worst. Divinity at its best. Something is said at the cross about inconsistencies. Something hopeful. Something healing. Consistent did battle with inconsistent and the consistent won. Something is also said about GOD himself. GOD is not stumped by an evil world. He doesn’t gasp in amazement at the dearth of our faith or the depth of our failures. We can’t surprise GOD with our cruelties. He knows the condition of the world…and loves it just the same.

From No Wonder They Call Him the Savior, by Max Lucado

We, the DCPC congregation, on January 6 repeated these words together during our call to worship—“We have followed a light, and the light now lives in us.” Selah! Let it be so! ~ Barbara Fagg

Friday, March 15

John 6:52-59

This piece is inspired by John 6:52-59, and is made largely out of

recycled materials.

As Jesus promises eternal life to those who eat of his body and

drink of his blood, water and vines flow from the elements in this

representation.

And just as we are made new by this promise, recycled materials

are made into a new creation here.

~ Allison Wehrung

Wednesday, February 27

Jeremiah 3:6-18, Romans 1: (26-27) 28-2:11, John 5:1-18

bread

Thursday, February 28

Jeremiah 4:9-10, 19-28; Romans 2:12-24; John 5:19-29

I Will Come to You

You are Mine

Thursday, March 14

Jeremiah 22:13-23; Romans 8:12-27; John 6:41-51

~Art by Betsy Hazelton

Wednesday, March 13

Jeremiah 18:1-6; Romans 8:1-11

This simple, profound story of Jeremiah’s call from God to “…go down to the Potter’s House, and there I will let you hear my words”….has held up for centuries among the most loved of all Biblical passages. When paired with Romans 8, one has much of the ‘heart of Christianity’ in a nutshell. I am among those countless ones for whom this text has had special significance, which, like the ancient Jeremiah, has made all the difference! In my early, first awareness of this story, I often wondered: “why couldn’t God speak to Jeremiah in his own desert tent? What did the Potter’s House have to do with Jeremiah’s ‘hearing’?” (Hint: the Hebrew people had turned to alien gods, and weren’t listening to Jeremiah’s warnings.) Funny, isn’t it, what so often keeps us humans from ‘hearing’ a word from God, in the midst of our ever-so-busy, distracted lives?

Over the years, there have been two particular times when I seemed to be extra ‘hard of hearing’ too, and I learned from Jeremiah. It was in my 30’s when life seemed desperately dark, and I had lost all hope that there could be a new way of living. It was then I was given the chance to work with clay on a real potter’s wheel. It was there I learned how the ‘clay of our lives’ can dissolve into mud with untrained hands. But clay always remains malleable, and with a master potter can become a useful tool or a thing of beauty.

Again in my 50s, once more I was deeply distressed, in search for I ‘know not what.’ I lived a year in Washington, DC, as part of the Church of the Savior. I worked in their “Potter’s House” - a general meeting place, book store, lunch room, and worship space for that deeply committed group of people. Many came from far and near to experience their unique model of “church” which offered total acceptance, compassion, and deep spiritual growth, along with work to transform the lives (and decayed buildings) of that slum part of DC.

Maybe these Lenten weeks of quieter reflection could be your visit to the Potter’s House, where Jeremiah heard two important ‘words’ from God: 1/ A Reminder that our lives are fragile clay, but are always re-workable when we can hear the Master Potter. And 2/, we can rest totally on the Promise of God, that no degree of brokenness, and no darkness, can separate us from God’s care - which can re-make us anew, as the Potter sees fit. I wonder what message you hear today in the Potter’s House?

Sing from our Hymn of the Month:

“Lord your summons echoes true when you but call my name. Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.”

~ Ann Williamson

“Presuming to speak in the voice of God,

as this song does, can only be done with integrity if the singers understand their words as an expression of what they believe about God’s nature and God’s intentions. It is an

occasion for affirming faith, not for wishful thinking.” Text and music by David Haas, ©GIA Publications, Inc. Reprinted under OneLicense No. 8841. This hymn will appear in the new Presbyterian hymnal, Glory to God, which will be published this fall.

~ Submitted by Jane Cain

Friday, March 1

Matthew 7:1

“Judge not, that ye be not judged.”

I did not like ‘Dr. B.’ He was arrogant and kind of a snob. You could tell he thought he was doing us a favor just being there. I could tell from the first lecture, just the way he strutted around and his body language, that he was kind of a jerk. Besides, he was from the other campus, not one of us. What did he know about what we needed? Well, I got through pathology and moved on. Student life was getting exciting as we were about to get our first patient assignments. I opened my package and eagerly looked through the materials. I was horrified. There were 110 students in my class and hundreds of faculty on the two campuses of the Medical/Dental College. What were the odds that I would be assigned, as a patient, this pathology professor who I had decided was a real loser? I just couldn’t believe it. I thought and thought over the next few days. I had a plan that had to work. I would go to the school psychologist and plead my case. He was kind of flaky, in my opinion, but that was his job, right? He was supposed to fix those interpersonal conflicts so life would go along smoothly. After telling him how impossible I thought this union would be, and after giving him all the sound reasoning behind my request to get this patient reassigned, he told me he thought I should take this person as a patient. My plan had backfired, or something else was at work here. Clinic came and I saw Dr. B and we entered into that student doctor/patient relationship. I was uncomfortable but I’m good at hiding those things. He, on the other hand, was very affable, and pleasant. I was confused by my feelings. I had convinced myself that I was not supposed to like this person. I learned he had two sons, about my age then, who were Eagle scouts. At that time that didn’t mean a whole lot, but if you know me now you know how significant that is to me. We got to talking about my Volkswagen. He invited me over to his house and showed me how to change the oil and service my VW. Ours had evolved into a very rewarding and fun relationship. We finished our work over the next year or so. I moved on with other patients and I guess he was assigned to another student after I graduated.

Tuesday, March 12

Jeremiah 17:19-27

One of the traditions many people observe during the season of Lent is

to deny themselves something they enjoy—chocolate, alcohol, sugar,

caffeine etc.

The text for today from Jeremiah speaks to another way we can

observe Lent –honoring the Sabbath. Jeremiah commands the exiles

who have returned to Jerusalem to observe the Sabbath and keep it a

holy day for worship and rest. Jeremiah’s words hearken back to the

fourth of the Ten Commandments:

“Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy.” (Exodus 20:8)

It’s a challenge in our culture to set aside an entire day of our week for

worship and rest, but as followers of Christ we are called to be in

communion with him and what better time than on the Sabbath.

Worshipping on Sunday morning is always an appropriate way to honor

the Sabbath, but what about Sunday afternoon and evening? Do we

rest and relax with our family or do we get back to our daily routine of

chores, errands and work?

Some people in our society have to work for the benefit of the rest of us:

doctors, nurses, and public safety personnel. But for those of us with a

choice, do we spend our Sabbath in worship, study, meditation, time

with family, and rest or on worldly commitments? As we walk this

Lenten journey, let’s consider ways that we can change our priorities to

answer God’s call to honor the Sabbath and keep it holy despite our

busy lives.

~ Susan Manning

Monday, March 11

Jeremiah 16:1--21 It would have been so easy for the exiles from the southern kingdom of

Judah to forget their calling, their special mission, to serve and glorify

the one true God.

Which is what happened to the northern kingdom when the

descendants of those 10 tribes forgot their identity and became just like

other conquered peoples of Assyria and whose story ends in 2 Kings.

It would have been easy for them to settle down by the waters of

Babylon, intermarry with the locals, substitute their holy days and

traditions with their conquerors’ feasts and forget. It would have been

easy for Daniel and Mordichi, rising to the pinnacles of power in a

foreign land, to forget that God – and not foreign princes – is the

ultimate monarch.

But they didn’t. They held fast to God’s promises to Abraham and

Moses. Promises of Zion, promises of a place for them. And within a

few score years, those promises were kept again and the Exile was

over.

So when you are not in a place where God wants you to be –

emotionally, spiritually, or physically – and giving up on God would be

oh so easy, remember.

Remember you are a beloved child of God.

~ Erik Burriss

It wasn’t until years later that I realized what an impact Dr. B and that flaky psychologist had on me. It occurred to me that I was the arrogant snob. I was so busy judging other people that I was missing the important lessons of life. Dr. B taught me not just pathology, he taught me that there is good in all of us regardless of the packaging. He could have sought his care from any professional in the community, but he chose to put his care in my hands. A student! That is a leap of faith. He was a proud father, a devoted teacher, and a good person. Over the years I have sometimes forgotten these lessons but in quiet moments of introspection they come back to me. The haunting regret I have is that I never told him how grateful I was (and still am). It occurred to me that I am part of his legacy. Maybe he knew that, it just took me a while to realize it. Now I must ask what my legacy might be. For me it might be more meaningful to ask not ‘What Would Jesus Do?’ rather, ‘Who Would Jesus Deny?’ ~ Ben Yarborough

Ben Yarborough (center) with Scouts in Troop 58

Saturday, March 2

Jeremiah 5:20-31; Romans 3:19-31; John 7:1-13

~ Art by Katie Gottlieb

Will you use the faith you’ve found

to reshape the world around

through my sight and touch and sound

in you and you in me?

Hear this, you foolish and

senseless people,

who have eyes

but do not see,

who have ears

but do not hear:

Should you not fear me?”

declares the Lord.

Jeremiah 5:21-22a

Fourth Sunday of Lent, March 10

Gen. 43:16–34 ; 1 Cor. 7:10–24; Mark 5:1–20

Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name? Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?

Will you kiss the leper clean and do such as this unseen,

and admit to what I mean in you and you in me?

(Third stanza of Will You Come and Follow Me?)

Stained Glass

~ Art by Allison Wehrung

Saturday, March 9

Romans 6:12-23 ‘Slavery’ is thankfully not a term we hear often in casual conversation

anymore. In the United States at least, this concept has been relegated

to the history books for the most part. That is, until we sing the old

hymn “Amazing Grace,” written by a reformed slave trader, John

Newton. This spiritual has become so much associated with the

institute of slavery as a hymn of hope and salvation that one cannot

sing it without recalling its link to the slave trade in this country.

Paul too, in his letter to the Romans, was conveying a message of hope

and salvation to those in slavery; although this slavery was of a different

kind. It was a mental and spiritual slavery to Roman society and it’s

idolatry.

Paul subverts the common understanding of slavery as of benefit only

to the slave owner. He explains that who choose to become slaves to

God gain the most valuable prize of all; eternal life. And Paul is not

simply writing about eternal life in heaven either. He writes of eternal life

here-and-now in a form of slavery to God’s goodness that yields the

most fulfilling and purposeful life.

We may not live under the rule of Caesar, but we all find our own terms

of enslavement, be it to money, time, food, substance abuse, or even

self-doubt. It is only by God’s gift of grace, Amazing Grace, that we are

freed to become the slave of our true master; the Triune God.

~ Mary Margaret Porter

Third Sunday in Lent, March 3

Jeremiah 6:9-15; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; Mark 5:1-20

Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name? Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?

Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare? Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?

(Second stanza of Will You Come and Follow Me?)

~ Art by Betsy Hazelton

Monday, March 4

Jeremiah 7:1–15: Rom. 4:1–12; John 7:14–36

About Worrying and Loss

I am from a family of worriers…supposedly originally handed down from my maternal grandmother who I dearly loved. Having one of her qualities was pretty special and then worrying about things was considered possibly a good thing because it kept you on your toes and made you pay attention to things that were important! And, too, it showed that you cared. However, in today’s world, there are so many more challenges and most of us may have something that we worry about or maybe, too, we have that “worrying” gene that I referenced. But, in any case, there are many of life’s challenges that we may worry about, such as “test” anxiety in our youth, anxiousness over wedding plans, fear of failure in a professional realm, divorce, …and the list goes on. For myself, even though my grandmother handed down her worrying gene to me, my childhood was based on a good solid religious foundation that benefited me with a friend in Jesus and a large family who shared and helped me through my experiences that sometimes would take a toll on my psyche. But, it wasn’t until I met Frank Shavender through the Stephen Ministry program that I learned that there is a Jesus in all of us and that special people come into our lives every now and again possibly by God’s hand to share their take on life to reinforce our own beliefs. In the Stephen Ministry program we all shared a lot about ourselves that bonded all of us as family and friends as we grew together as a team. Frank shared with me that he had never had any real worries in life because he knew that everything was in God’s hands and he had no control over anything so why should he worry. I was blown away by this and he was very good natured about answering all of my questions in this regard. So, you didn’t fret over your Med exams? And you didn’t worry about things life would throw at you? Nope, he had never gotten upset about much at all…it just wasn’t his to worry about.

Friday, March 8

Romans 6:1-11 Some Bible verses we’ve known practically all our lives. They are

familiar – and, dare we say – comfortable. Even when they present a

challenge to our approach to living, we think we know what they are

asking of us.

For me, there has been a challenge in this passage as I have sought to

hear what it is saying to me, urging me to understand and believe and,

yes, to write about. Perhaps that is not so for you. Perhaps it speaks

clearly to you. That is the gift of Scripture. It speaks to each of us in

different ways.

Reading the Bible, studying the Bible, learning from the Bible all require

of us an openness of spirit, a willingness to seek and search, a humility

before The Word.

It was in the words of two verses of the baptismal hymn, “We Know

That Christ is Raised,” that I began to gain a greater understanding of

this passage:

“We share by water in His saving death. Reborn we share with Him an Easter life

As living members of a living Christ. Alleluia! Alleluia!

“A new creation comes to life and grows

As Christ’s new body takes on flesh and blood. The universe, restored and whole, will sing:

Alleluia! Alleluia!”

I pray my spirit will remain open to receive the gift of understanding that

the Holy Spirit brings as I approach Holy Scripture. May it be so with

you, as well.

~ Jean Jackson

Thursday, March 7

John 8:21-32 It may not come as a shock that a passage from today’s scripture can be found engraved in the lobby of the CIA headquarters in Washington, DC:

“. . . and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

It seems logical enough—after all, the CIA’s task is to discover truth to protect our freedom. Yet, this excerpt in isolation from the verses before distorts what it means. And, I’m sure that members of the CIA don’t read this quote morning after morning as they stroll into the building with Starbucks in one hand and in the other a briefcase that is ripping at the seams and think, “Jesus was exactly right, we are trying to be true disciples.” If they bother to read it, they probably think, “Yes, the truth is necessary to freedom, which is why I have a job.” I don’t think anything about Jesus would be included. This verse often gets lifted from the larger passage, and in turn, used to push agendas totally unrelated to what Jesus is talking about. This verse is a favorite among groups who want to use scripture to back up their divisive agendas, or others who simply confuse truth with tradition.

There’s good reason Pilate has to ask Jesus, “What is truth?” (John 18:38). The truth is just as confusing as Jesus’ teaching—clear as mud, at best. But, what is clear is that the truth includes Jesus: “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (14:8). To seek truth is to seek Jesus because they cannot be separated. And, as tempting as it is to pull a CIA move and lift the one verse that resonates from this passage, we can only do that with the understanding that the truth we seek and the freedom that results is so intimately tangled with Christ’s life that they can’t be separated. And for that, we give thanks—today and every day. God of all time, We come to you in gratitude that it was you who stretched the heavens and placed the stars in their posts. We come to you in gratitude that it is you who summons the sun to rise each morning and set each night. We come to you in gratitude that it will be you who commands the waters to roll onto the shores for decades to come. And, we give you gratitude for your son who is a witness to your truth. Thank you for loving us enough so that you want us to understand you more fully. Like those who came before us, many times we misunderstand or don’t understand at all. We are confident and grateful that you are with us as we seek you in the midst of all we do. As we search for meaning, and for truth, and for you, usually with words, we give thanks that you are a God who also grasps us in our silence. In our seeking, we know you hold us always. Please give us the perseverance to seek relentlessly, for we know “the truth will make [us] free.” In Jesus’ name, AMEN. ~ Betsy Lyles

I remember holding his hand in his last few days and he looked at me and said …”It is in God’s hands.” Frank passed away several days later due to complications with cancer. More importantly, Frank and his wife were great friends who have reminded me that we needn’t worry that God will take care of us through all of life’s bumpy roads. It was important to me that I shared with Frank that he had been a voice from God and an inspiration for me so that I could continue my life’s journey. This is a poem altered somewhat for this devotional which I gave to him the day I visited him at the hospital….

It’s In His Hands

A gentle wind blows….

moving a field of long legged poppies into a rhythmic dance so, limber and graceful… finally getting their chance!

A sunrise crests over a blue mountain range… with such beautiful, surreal linings...it’s just spectacular awe.

And, yet, too, we still wonder at the timing of it all!

A tiny baby is born… And, surprisingly it’s a boy!

An unexpected adventure… but yet incredible joy. A farmer plowing his furrows which are meandering and wide,

with rich, fertile dirt and another hopeful crop of hearty young seeds that will eventually top!

A violent storm screams and its gale winds blow.

And my colorful, billowy sails suddenly fill. The graceful boat surges ahead with waves nipping the seal

But, no worries this sail since my heart is just still. See, I remember his voice and his devotional to me. Explaining a life’s journey with the man of Galilee.

It Is In His Hands!

In memory of Stephen Minister friend, Frank Shavender

~ Meredith Allen

Tuesday, March 5

Romans 4:13-25

No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God,

being fully convinced that God was able to do what He had promised.

I have spent a lot of time in life feeling uncertain and I often have trouble taking action unless I feel sure that the choice being offered is the right one. One area where my faith grows stronger though, is that God keeps his promises—even if it takes a lifetime to understand that.

When I was 21, I was hanging around my parent’s house, out of school, jobless, and uncertain what to do. A friend was driving cross country to California and asked me to go with her. I wavered until my parents told me to just go and see what happened. My older brother lived in San Francisco so they knew he could put me on a plane home if need be. A week later my friend and I stopped at Half Moon Bay 30 miles south of San Francisco. It was sunrise and we planned to go into the city once it was late enough to knock on my brother’s door.

As I walked on the beach that early morning I experienced a sense of knowing that was so strong that I felt sure what to do and I didn’t waver. I knew that I would take care of a child and stay in San Francisco. When I informed my brother of this decision a couple hours later he pulled out the San Francisco Chronicle help wanted ads and told me to start looking. After glancing over the ads I pointed and said, “that’s the one.” My brother replied, “Call the number.”

I did call, interviewed the next day, and got the position. The job included living in a home in Pacific Heights with a breathtaking view of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. It also included making a lifelong friend with the baby’s mother. I looked after the child, Alexander, for almost a year. I attended his high school graduation before moving back to North Carolina. A couple of years ago, I flew to San Francisco to attend his wedding. In 2012 he became a father.

When I moved back to North Carolina, I arrived the day before my nephew, Andrew, was born. He and his brother have been an important part of my life for the last 13 years. I have no children of my own but now I can see, in retrospect, that God has kept the promise of blessing me with children. These days the children that bring me joy attend the DCPC Weekday Preschool. I give the glory to God! ~ Lisa Underwood

Wednesday, March 6

Romans 5:1-11 How often have we asked or been asked, “What are you giving up for Lent?” In light of our scripture lesson, perhaps we need reconsider this question as altogether too small and self-centered.

Paul writes in Romans 5:6, “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly” (NRSV). Note well that Paul does not say that Christ died for the godly. As the following Adam-Christ comparison in verses 12-21 makes unmistakably clear, the ungodly includes every last one of us, whether in the past, present, or years to come. The consequence of Christ’s death is that the enslaving power of sin and death over us has been broken; we, the ungodly, now are reconciled and liberated unto God and one another, without qualification by any ifs, ands, or buts. The peace amidst the conflicts of the world we could not achieve on our own God has accomplished for us “at the right time” when “Christ died for the ungodly” (v. 6). God “proves [God’s] love for us” (v. 8) in Christ’s death and confirms in raising him from the dead. God does not distantly proclaim God’s love from the heavens; God enacts it “up close and in person” within all the blood, grit, and grime of history. God’s cruciform love “has now been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit” (v. 4), and we are set free through God’s rescue operation of loving us, the ungodly, into loving others.

As Paul understands what is going on, God is working to transform the world toward the end that “God may be all in all” (1 Cor. 15:28). So sure is the power of God’s grace, proved on the cross, that we, who are but “the first fruits” of God’s coming universal harvest, can “boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope” (vv. 3-4). God’s love for the world, supremely manifested on the cross, is the love in which we presently are called to participate, celebrate, grow, share, and reaffirm each day in the everyday world for which Christ died.

And so the question for Lent becomes not “What are you giving up?” but rather “What may you give?” What may you contribute to God’s movement to redeem the world? Lent thus involves not something we begrudgingly decide to give up to become godly but rather prayerful reflection upon a gift we joyously may give out of the overflowing abundance of God’s love we have been fore-given. And God’s fore-given, forgiving love is meant for our giving to others in glad thanksgiving, with all the ingenuity, creativity and compassion we can muster in witness to God’s kingdom of love, come and coming, in Jesus Christ our Lord. ~ Sherrill Holland