Read – Luke 24:1-12

Christ is Risen! Right? That is what we said and sang about in church on Easter Sunday as we worshiped together. Christ is risen, death has been overcome. This one day will inspire pages of inspiring words that share how God has power over the grave. This is the day that is why we have faith. Right?

“But what if I doubt?” This is probably the hardest question to ask today. My answer is then you would be in good company. When you read the scripture from Luke, did you notice that people have been doubting on this day since the very first Easter? The women went to the tomb, found it empty, and didn’t know what to make of it. They were confused and scared. They listened to the explanation and then went and told the disciples. How did the disciples react? The Common English Bible said “the words struck the disciples as nonsense and they did not believe the women.”

Doubting is normal for today. But so is faith. Searching to find out if there is something more. Even though they thought it was nonsense, Peter still went to see what had happened. He still did not fully understand…but he would.

On this day of resurrection glory, even if you doubt, are you willing to leave room to believe? That is what the resurrection is all about. Being open to having faith in spite of your doubts.

Lord help me choose faith. Amen.

Over the last few years school yard fences have been displaying signs that say “Be Kind”. I'm not sure where the idea came from, but the idea seemed to catch on. If it were up to me, I would plaster the sign on every building and school fence just to remind people that showing kindness is such an intentional way to live one's life.

A recent television news show told the story of a young African American couple who saw an elderly white man outside their house in the freezing cold. Without thinking “should I or—shouldn't I”, the young mother (let's call her Marian) brought the man into her home. She tried to get an ambulance, but the severe weather did not permit one from coming to the home. The family did all they could for the man until an ambulance was available, and then Marian went to the hospital with him. As a result of this kindness—bringing him into their home and being with him during his hospital stay-- Marian's family has adopted the man and formed a very satisfying and friendly relationship.

Luke's scripture speaks to the message that Jesus taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves and that by doing so, we show the same kindness that the Father shows to us. Kindness must be taught to us as young people whether it is in our home, our church, or school. There is a song whose message says, “We have to be carefully taught.” We are so blessed when God puts role models in our path to teach us the importance of showing kindness. Jesus did not die on the cross without first teaching us how to show care to others. It is only by serving others that we know the full meaning of kindness and the beauty of lasting friendships.

Pray:
Lord, help us to be kind to each other. May we follow the example that you have set for us, and love generously and graciously. Amen.

Read - Esther 5:1-8

Most would say the opposite of courage is fear. To have courage you cannot have fear. I agree more with the quote attributed to Franklin D. Roosevelt, originally said by Ambrose Hollingworth Redmoon (born James Neil Hollingworth,), “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.”

Queen Esther is one of the best examples of being courageous. In the scripture, Queen Esther has gone to see the king in the inner court of the palace. She has not been invited to the inner palace, so she has risked her life. If the king is not happy she is there, he can order her to be killed. So why go? Because she was the only one who could save the people of Israel from all being killed. I would guess she has a bit of fear, but to her this is more important.

I cannot relate to losing my life to share God’s love. Yet, the world we live in right now is not without fear. Is sharing about the love of Christ more important than that fear? Is standing up for God’s justice?


Pray
Lord, help me have courage in the midst of the fear I feel. You understand, let your Spirit help me understand too. Amen.

Read - John 13:1-17

In this seemingly simple act, Jesus took something dirty and made it clean. He knelt down and tenderly washed his disciples tired, dusty feet. Yet, I would argue he did so much more. He washed everyone’s feet, including Judas’ who Jesus knew would betray him. Jesus as God incarnate did not place himself above others. Instead, he showed true love and served all who were there that night. I would say it is this act of service that Jesus made clean.

What do I mean by that? Well, are there jobs that you are unwilling to do: trash collector, fry cook, etc.? What would you think if you saw someone famous doing those jobs? Would it change your mind on that profession? Would you look at the people differently who normally do those jobs?

I think Jesus wants us to understand that we need to have compassion for others. We need to step out and do the things that may make us uncomfortable in order to make wrongs right. We need to not place ourselves higher than others; for in God’s eyes, we are all equal.

Pray
God, help me to serve who you serve, love what you love, and follow where you lead. Amen.

Read - 1 Samuel 24:1-10

I have to confess that I do not remember reading this scripture before. It did not go how I expected. I was expecting David and his friends to stay hidden and worry that Saul would see them and kill them, not that they would contemplate taking Saul’s life and end up showing mercy.

I remember playing the game mercy as a child. To play, two people hold hands and try to hurt the other person by bending wrists until someone yells, “Mercy!” This meant that the other person was ready to stop hurting.

That is the key to mercy isn’t it? There needs to be a desire to stop hurting. It can be hurting ourselves or someone else. I know this is something I often feel lately. I wonder if this is how God feels most of the time? Is this why God shows mercy? Because the Lord is ready for us all to stop hurting each other. Maybe we should talk to the Lord and find out.

Pray
Lord, is your desire to show mercy to the world? Can you guide me to live into your desire? Help me show mercy and not vengeance, especially when it is not expected. Amen.

Read - 1 Kings 17:8-16

We live in a different world is a phrase that couldn’t be any truer to my mind after reading this story from 1 Kings. Here we have a widow who opens her door to a stranger, and after listening to his plea, shares what little food she and her son have left to eat…in a drought.

I grew up in the ‘80s and early ‘90s. I learned all about “Stranger Danger”. If you saw someone you didn’t know, you didn’t talk to them. Yet at the same time, I was learning another lesson. I watched Sesame Street practically every day. On that program, I learned that it was possible that “stranger” did not automatically mean bad.

If we share love with a stranger, like the widow did to Elijah with her act of compassion, then it is likely the stranger will not stay one. You may just end up with a friend. Regardless, God calls us to share. View your life as being full, not empty, of love and share it.

Pray
Dear God, help me to see the ways that I can share love with people I do not and may never know fully. Help me to recognize that even when I feel I have nothing to give, I still have myself. And sometimes, that is just right. Amen.

Read - Luke 6:27-42

One of the things I admire most about Jesus is how he is not afraid to address tough topics. I often think of these topics as issues that we like to keep hidden. Topics like sin and evil. Topics like judgment and justice. Topics like loving all people, even our enemies. Wait, we have enemies? See, another one of those topics.

I invite you to read the above scripture again. Take it section by section, or even verse by verse. This teaching of Jesus has a lot of information in it. A lot of information that makes me stop and think about my actions. Love my enemies. Give to those who will not be able to repay me. Those are so hard to follow. Forgive as you will be forgiven. Judge as you want to be judged.

Honestly, it is impossible to do as Jesus is instructing. What if that is the point? What if it is supposed to be impossible? Impossible for each of us  to judge others, to lack compassion, to hurt those we do not like, including ourselves. I wonder if that is the point.

Pray
Lord, you call me to love my enemies and not judge others. Help me to do this, starting with compassion for God and myself that overflows into the world, just like you did. Amen.

For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. –Zephaniah 3:17 NLT

Aside from tree pollen causing my sinuses to act up, I love the season of spring. I love how each day brings new changes to the landscape. One day a bush is nothing but bare twigs; the next it is a magnolia in bloom. Flowers are blooming, birds are singing, the earth is alive! Spring is a season where it is easy for me to see God in action.

The thing is though, we don’t spend our lives only in a season of spring. We go through times where everything is bright and God is easy to find (spring). We have times where we know God is present, but don’t actively seek Him (summer). Then, we have times where things get a little tough, and we have to be more intentional in seeing God’s presence (autumn). And finally, there are the times in our lives where it is just plain hard to see that God is there (winter).

The beautiful thing to me, is that we never stay in our personal seasons of winter. For just because it appears that our world has become lifeless and that God is nowhere to be found, we can find hope that God is still present. God is still at work. And most importantly, spring will come again.

I like to think that the disciples experienced this first-hand. They were called and became familiar with Jesus (spring). They followed Him, and watched the many miraculous works He performed (summer). Then they were foretold what would happen, but didn’t understand (autumn). Last, they watched as Jesus was tried, crucified, and later buried (winter). To use a common saying, the rug had been pulled out from under their feet.

Where was God now? How could the God they believed in allow His own Son to die such a horrible death? Were they next? How would they go on?

And yet, God was still at work. Life would spring forth again. Christ would rise. God’s presence would be made known once again to the disciples. They would then go on to make sure the message spread of Christ’s redeeming love and God’s continual presence in our lives (Yes, even during winter).

Prayer: God, we thank You for simply being present. Even when we forget to acknowledge You, You are still here with us. Help us to praise You through all seasons, especially the winters of our lives. We ask this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

P.S. Here is a song that has been a favorite of mine for some time now. Maybe like Nicole Nordeman, you too will come to see God in every season.

Read 1 John 4:7-21

So much of my faith life has been a continual lesson on just how much I am loved by God.
I would like to think that as a child I knew this lesson to be true all the time. Yet as an adult, I am constantly needing to remind myself of this important fact again and again.

It is so easy to let the world influence how I perceive myself to be. I see others and I start to compare and contrast myself to them. This often leads me to believe that I am lacking in some aspect. And if I’m lacking, then does that mean I am not as good? Am I not worthy? Am I loved less?

I’m touching on this topic because I have recently noticed in the news a push for awareness in suicide prevention. We have now experienced one full year of our lives being up-ended due to a worldwide pandemic. Our lives have been changed radically, to the point that the internet is the main source of human interactions for many people.

Life online is not real though.

Have you noticed that we often aren’t our authentic selves online? I mean that we often don’t post pictures of us on bad hair days, or tell stories that show us in the wrong. We photoshop, cut and paste, and just plain edit our lives. We share polished, more perfect versions of ourselves.

Day after day, we are bombarded with images of happy, perfect people. Unfortunately, there are people who cannot see themselves as one of them. They wonder, “Why am I not happy? Why can’t I be like them? Am I not worthy? Am I even likeable let alone lovable?”

The answer is an emphatic YES!

God loves you! God looks past your perceived flaws and loves you. You are loved just as much on your worst days as on your best. God’s love is not earned; it is freely given. God loved us first, before we even had an inkling of who God is.

Again and again we must remember this truth: God loves us.

Prayer: Dear God, when the world around me tries to label me as less than perfect or unlovable, help me to remember that you call me worthy. You say I am Your child. You say that I am loved. Help me also to remember that everyone is Your child and just as worthy of Your love as I am. Thank You that Your love is never-failing and unconditional. Amen.

*Should you or someone you know need to speak with a counselor, Rev. Tessa is always willing to listen, and be contacted through the church office. Another resource is the Suicide Prevention Hotline. Their number is 800-273-8255. They have trained counselors available all day, every day. Please remember that you are not alone.

I am a crafter. I have tried my hand at origami, knitting, wood working, stained glass, and so much more. I like being creative. I like taking unassuming objects and making something unique. It give me joy.

One of the people who instilled this desire to create was my Nana. Whenever we would visit, my Nana was never far from a canvas bag that was stuffed with supplies for her latest crochet project. There would be crochet hooks, skeins of yarn, patterns, and most likely a Bingo dauber or two (they ended up everywhere).

She would find a spot to sit, and out would come the yarn. Stitch by stitch she would methodically fashion something from what seemed like nothing. It was awe inspiring to me.

When I first expressed an interest in learning, she was my guide. She taught me the basics from the standard stitches to reading a pattern. Then we moved on to more complicated things. Through it all, she was there to offer what she had learned through experience.

The greatest lesson I learned from her was this: don’t be afraid of mistakes.

Perfection comes from God, and we are humans. Humans make mistakes. We can work towards perfection, but a mistake is not going to make the finished project any less beautiful. God will still love us, imperfections and all.

Prayer: God, I come before You today acknowledging that I am not perfect. I make mistakes again and again. Yet You look at me, and still call me beautiful. I cannot thank You enough for Your unconditional love. Help me to create a life that is pleasing to You, mistakes and all. Amen.

Read Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18

I’ve had the pleasure of getting to watch my nephew go through his first few years of development. I say years because even though he is only 14 months old at the time of writing this, I knew of him when he was still in his mother’s womb. I saw his sonograms. I saw him develop from a small, featureless bean (or nugget as my sister called him) into a tiny human. I also watched as his parents eagerly awaited his birth.

Since he was born, the joy has only increased. Yes, there have been the usual moments of anxiety and frustration when he has gotten sick or stayed up through the nights, but the smiles he has brought to our faces have only gotten bigger as he has grown. Watching him smile for the first time, sit up on his own, then crawling, now walking…it all brings a sense of wonder and excitement.

The one bit of his development that I am most in awe of is his response to hearing his name. When my sister or brother-in-law say “Oliver”, he looks them in the eyes and smiles. Now, the smiles are all a little different. Some are a subtle lifting of the lips (almost mischievous), while others are big and tooth bearing, but they all cause him to light up. In return, his parents light up too.

I’d like to think it is the same way with God. God knew us before we were born. God’s watched us as we’ve grown. God knows our name. Knowing our name is more than knowing a word. It is knowing our history. Knowing what has made us who we are, even the things we don’t share with anyone else. Knowing all of that, and yet loving us all the more for it.
God calls our names. We turn to him, and light up, knowing that a beaming smile will be waiting for us.

Prayer: Heavenly Creator, it is unfathomable to me that with all the people on this planet You would know my name. Not only know my name, but know all of me. I am comforted that even on my worst days, I can turn to You and receive a smile; receive love. Help me to see the overlooked, learn who they are, and call them by name. Help me to share Your love now and always. Amen.

There is no rocket science behind just treating people equally.

The accompanying video to this devotion displays the reality concerning “the race” of life. Sometimes we don’t recognize the head start we have been given until we look back. Don’t you think it would be nice if we all received the same nurturing from the onset of life?

There is a great deal of inequality everywhere. Even in the United States, the poster child for civil rights, people are still ranked by social status, education, and other man-made scales. Some people have been given unfair circumstances to overcome. If you are someone who has been discriminated against, please know that God does not show favoritism. He loves each person the same!

Racism has rightly been called America's original sin. It remains a blot on our national life and continues to cause acts and attitudes of hatred, as recent events have made evident. The need to condemn and combat the demonic ideologies of white supremacy, neo-Nazism and racism has become especially urgent at this time.

Questions you should consider when approaching this subject as an individual.

Have I done enough to inform myself about the sin of racism, its roots, and its historical and contemporary manifestations? Have I opened my heart to see how unequal access to economic opportunity, jobs, housing, and education on the basis of skin color, race, or ethnicity, has denied and continues to deny the equal dignity of others?

Have I ever witnessed an occasion when someone "fell victim" to personal, institutional, systematic or social racism and I did or said nothing, leaving the victim to address their pain alone?

Racism manifests in the social structures and unjust systems that have perpetuated centuries of racial injustice. I seek forgiveness and move towards reconciliation. I look into my heart and ask for the will and the strength to help contribute to the healing of racism in my time.

Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.  -Jeremiah 17:14 NIV

This scripture should be in all of our minds with what’s going on right now in the world. We all need to praise the Lord and ask that his healing hands come down and heal the earth of this horrible coronavirus. “The Lord gives back to those who believe in his goodness.”

This also brings to mind a song that I really enjoy, “Healing Rain” by Michael W. Smith. The third verse of “Healing Rain” is a favorite of mine:

Healing rain, it comes with fire so let it fall and take us higher
Healing rain, I’m not afraid to be washed in Heaven’s rain*

None of us should be afraid to be washed in Heaven’s rain, to let it cleanse all of us.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever. -Revelation 21:4 NIV

As this verse from Revelation says, he will wipe every tear from our eyes. I believe that if we would read our favorite verses out of the Bible each day, and prayed to our Lord and Savior, that it would help put an end to this pandemic.

Prayer: Our wonderful Lord and Savior, we truly thank thee for this fantastic world that you created for us; all the beautiful scenery thou blessed us with, the love and mercy thou gives us each day. All we are asking precious Lord, is for you to put your healing hands upon the world and heal it of this horrible coronavirus so we can all live in harmony, and be full of love and happiness. We pray to thee. Amen.

“Precious Lord, Take My Hand” is one of my favorite hymns. It has special meaning to me because this is the last song my daughter Megan sang as a solo in public during her battle with cancer when she was seventeen. The words can be melancholy, but I find great strength and assurance in the words, “Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, let me stand, I am tired, I am weak, I am worn.”

In the midst of this pandemic, we hear lots of conversation about mental health and how we can cope with the anxiety of separation and fear of the unknown. Thomas Dorsey who wrote this hymn had not only experienced the American blues music scene, but was directing, composing and singing in church choirs in Chicago in 1932 when his wife and newborn son both died as she was giving birth. Overcome with grief, he composed this hymn which reflects not only his blues background, but his Christian faith.

Whenever we need a helping hand to keep us going, God is ALWAYS ready to take our hand and lead us in whatever direction we need to go. God will help us find the strength to live our lives with purpose wherever we find ourselves, even in the midst of a world-wide pandemic.
My prayer for all of us today is wherever we may be, and in whatever situation we find ourselves, that we can feel the assurance that God’s hand is there waiting for us to grasp it so that we may feel the strength that only God can give. Precious Lord, take my hand. Amen
 
Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, let me stand,
I am tired, I a weak, I am worn;
through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light:
take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.*
 
*“Precious Lord, Take My Hand”, Thomas A. Dorsey © 1938 Hill & Range Songs, Inc., renewed Unichappell Music, Inc.

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." –Genesis 1:26 NIV
 
As I was looking for an idea for a devotion to share on the Trinity Web page, and knowing that Earth Day is April 22^nd, I found this hymn written by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette “O God, Creator of All Things”. Here is the first verse:

O God, Creator of all things, the earth belongs to you!
In love, you place it in our hands and give us work to do.
"Take care of what is mine!" you say. "Build up and don't destroy."
When we find courage to obey, your earth is filled with joy.*

I would like to share the Hymn Note for “O God, Creator of All Things” that explains in the author’s own words why this hymn was written.

"O God, Creator of All Things" is a new hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette that lifts up God's call for Christians to care for the environment. It begins with an acknowledgement that to "have dominion" (Genesis 1:26) means to care for creation in a loving, responsible way. The hymn celebrates practical ways we can be good stewards of the earth: We can use God's gifts of wind, water, geo-thermal and solar energy. We can do our best to get our food from local, organic sources. We will see health benefits when we build community bike paths, plant trees, and work together with others in community gardens. God calls us as people of faith to work in personal, political and prayerful ways to care for creation. Caring for God's earth is simply a way of showing our daily thanks to God for all that God has given us.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the many blessings You have given us. At a time when things are so uncertain, and not knowing when we can get together with family and friends again, we know You are right beside us in all that we do and feel. We pray for those who are struggling with the virus and other illness, and for all who put their lives on the line. God, thank You. We know we are loved by You as You sent us Your son, Jesus. Amen.
 
*“O God, Creator of All Things”, Carolyn Winfrey Gillette © 2012 www.carolynshymns.com

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. -Hebrews 11:1NRSV

This last Easter Sunday, we sang a song titled “Hymn of Promise”. If you have attended a United Methodist church over the years then this song is probably known to you, maybe even one of your favorites (it’s one of mine). In its verses we sing of the promise of each coming spring after a cold winter, the hope that comes from a light in the dark, and of new beginnings from each ending. It is not only a “Hymn of Promise”, it’s a hymn of hope, and a hymn of faith.

Around fifteen years ago, I set a goal that I would read the entire Bible. I did not set a timeline, I simply challenged myself to read at least a chapter before each day was over. Almost at the end of my goal, I came upon the book of Hebrews, and in it a chapter that resonated with me. Chapter 11 starts with the verse written above and moves on to recount the many acts of blind faith over the years from Noah and the Ark to Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt and more.

-who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions... -Hebrews 11:33 NRSV

While we may not be called to shut the mouths of lions, we are called to live in faith; to live in the assurance of things hoped for but not seen. The second verse of “Hymn of Promise” is my favorite. It goes like this:

There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
there’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.*

I cannot see the future, but I can have faith in the one who can.

Prayer: God, it is often hard to wait for the dawn when we go through the darkness of life’s troubling times. We get caught up in our suffering and forget to seek Your presence. We forget to have faith in things unseen. Help us instead to trust in You and Your unfailing, never-ending love for each of us. Guide us as we walk by faith and not by sight. Amen.       

“Nevertheless, the righteous will hold to their ways, and those with clean hands will grow stronger.” -Job 17:9 NIV

Job is thought to be the oldest written book in the Bible.I did not know that until recently. It makes sense though. If you have ever read this book, you find it is a story about a man, Job, who lost everything. The story goes that the Devil wanted to prove to God he could make life of man so miserable that man would deny God and turn away. God told the devil to do his best to Job, because he believed Job would not turn away.

As I read this book, I learned a lot about how to respond to God when life is not good. Job questioned, Job yelled, Job hurt,but Job never quit believing in God. He never believed it was punishment either. He did ask why but he stayed in relationship with God.

What is there to learn from Job? I believe we learn how we can respond in all of life, but especially when we are in uncertain and troubling times. We can also learn how amazing God really is. At the end of the book, God reveals to Job all of the turmoil and pain that has been stopped.

As we come to April and the season of Easter, we are going to be celebrating at home. Some will have lost loved ones to this new virus. Some of us will be uncertain about our finances. All of us have no idea what the future brings. Yet, at the same time, I hope you can look to Job and see the promise God gives us. A promise to continue to be with us, through all things.

Jesus Christ added to this message with his death and resurrection. God’s life giving power cannot be stopped. May we keep looking to God for how to live so we can keep growing stronger just as Job did. Just as so many have in this journey of life.

Prayer: Thank You for Your gift of life, Lord.Life that gives hope in the midst of fear. Life that helps us keep loving, when would be easier to turn away. Life that overcomes all things, even death. Thank You that Your message of being with us and watching over us at all times continues. Help us have faith, like Job did. Faith that keeps us connected to You, believing in Your power and glory, God. Amen.