It's still dark out as we make our way to our van and get in. It's 3:45am and we are energized. We push the CD into the player and back out of the garage as the joyous music fills the space. We make our way down State Street and turn right on Coliseum Blvd. We are heading to our first stop of the morning; J.C. Penny to pick up our annual free snow globe that they give away each Black Friday. We park and walk into the store navigating the crowds of people. With the ease of two veteran shoppers, we find the globes, grab them and move on to the special sale items of the early morning. We are in an out of the store in less than 30 minutes as we found the short check- out line. And so it goes….

Since Tiffany was 5 we have been going out on Black Friday. We love jumping into the crowds and having a special morning together. We always look for the freebies and some years we actually buy gifts. But mostly, we get a kick out of being together. We get all the ads and go through them on Thanksgiving and plot out our annual shopping adventure. We are not the only ones. Sure, the newspaper and internet love to point out the "crazies" every year. This year it was the lady who pepper sprayed all the people in line around her when she got frustrated and a grandfather who got mistaken for a shoplifter and another man who had to be subdued by police because he was drunk. There are those who need to stay home if crowds and lines are not their thing.

What's not reported are the hundreds of families that dress up in Christmas colors and hats and custom made sweatshirts (we did that one year) and enjoy going out together. They laugh and joke and take their time meandering through stores and stopping for coffee or breakfast. They have a list but are not concerned if they do not fill it. Their goal is being together.

Whether it's a crazy jaunt in the wee hours of the morning or a trek across the field to chop down a Christmas tree(we do that too), or a meal together or skyping with family and friends far away, make a goal of this Advent season to be together. If you feel you are all alone then remember your church family. We exist for the purpose of togetherness; togetherness with God, with God's Son and with each other. Remember that Christ came to be with us in our loneliness. Togetherness can be experienced with God as we receive his love and presence in our lives. Jesus promises us the Holy Spirit who will be with us forever. Today, may you experience togetherness with God and look for ways throughout this season to be together with your church family.

Read Psalm 100

As the service began, she was up on stage. The crowd, previously in chairs on the floor, were now up on their feet clapping to the upbeat music and her beautiful voice as she led them in worship. She has a great smile and a personality that says "I care about you." She is involved with not only the praise band in her Disciples of Christ church, but with the youth group as well. She, we'll call her J, was only nine when I first met her at the church I had been appointed to that year. Now married and with 2 children of her own she has become a beacon for God.

At the conclusion of the service, the senior pastor invited anyone forward who wanted to give their life to Christ and become members of the church. A young family with four children came forward. The pastor introduced them and welcomed them and then invited us to stand for the last song. As the music began, he motioned for J's husband to come from his seat next to me and be with the family. He placed his arms on their shoulders and prayed for them. No one but the young family could hear him but it was clear that he was passionate about what he was doing. As J sang on the stage 3 feet above him, he was below praying for God to anoint this new family. What a snap shot. I was so thankful.

This young couple has faced their own demons in past years. They struggled with their faith and whether or not God existed. They fought addiction and met the challenges of a new marriage. They struggled to find a church that welcomed them. And now, look what God has done. He has been called to ministry and she is doing ministry every week. I was so thankful. In ministry, there is no deal or guarantee that a pastor will ever get the chance to witness the power of God in the lives of those who have been a part of past congregations long ago. But then, ever so often, a snap shot of life is granted and thanksgiving for the moment occurs.

May you be granted snap shots of God's power this week as you prepare for Thanksgiving Day. May you be aware that you may be a snap shot of God's power and grace to someone else.

Read Psalm 121

It had been looming over us ever since we moved into our house. Its shadow was a reminder of its ominous presence and its lack of buds in the spring and missing leaves in the summer was a reminder of its deadness. Within 10 feet of our home, growing through our patio was a large 95 foot high hickory tree. Once it became clear that it was dead we went about the process of finding someone to cut it down. The problem was that due to its proximity to our house and the fact that it was located in a fenced in backyard a bucket truck could not be used. The first three to look at it declined to attempt the feat.

A week ago I made another call to a "hazardous tree removal service." I explained our situation and they planned to send someone out that afternoon or next day to look at it. Twenty minutes after I made that call we heard a loud noise and the house shook. A gust of wind had blown off a large chunk of the tree top and it skimmed the edge of our back porch and landed with such force on the ground that it dug a hole into the yard. I called the tree service back and they came out that afternoon and planned to cut it down in two days.

The rest of that day with the wind blowing was nerve racking. We kept the dogs inside and stayed away from the back portion of our house for fear of the monster tree coming down. The words of this Psalm reminded me that we were in God's hands, "I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:1-2) God's presence carried us through the next two nights until the tree service came and cut down the tree. With every thud of every log that came down I was thankful that it was not on our house.

We need to remember that God is with us in real circumstances of life. We need to remember that God is our help in times of trouble or distress. Although my family was able to avoid any harm, our calm came only through our faith in God. Today, look to God to be present in your situation that you might experience God's calming presence and deliverance.

Read Psalm 96: 1-4

I am mindful this week of those men and women who have served this country. Veteran's Day causes me to appropriately pause and to remember the many who have worn the uniform of honor in all branches of the service. My Dad was in the navy at the ripe ol' age of 17. He served on the USS Dayton. We have had many talks over the years of the experiences of his time on ship and the relationships he formed with those other sailors who were away from home in a vast blue ocean where water and sky seem to come together.

I am not only thankful for their sacrifice in war but for their extreme sacrifice that occurs when they return home. In the last church that I served there was a man who started attending that arrived at church a little late or right on time and sat in the back. Before the last hymn was over he was out the door. Over time he stayed a little longer and I finally had the opportunity to meet with him. He explained that because of his multiple tours in the Middle East he had trouble with crowds. Loud noises spooked him and he still had nightmares. Yet, he continued to battle these fears so that he could come to worship. His war carried on every day and even while in worship.

I am mindful that I have never had to serve in the military. As thankful as I am that I have not had to go into literal battle, I am even more thankful for those that have. The sacrifice of war is not always death on the field. It is the raging war that continues inside once our Vets have returned home.

Today, be mindful of our Veterans of War and on Veterans Day, this Friday; lift up a prayer of thanks and support.

READ Psalm 139: 13-14

I dropped my daughter off at school and on my way back home I indulged my vise of a Starbuck's coffee stop. I actually went inside so that I might have a look at their blueberry muffins. I ordered and as I took out my wallet I noticed them. My finger nails were painted orange!!

Last night was Halloween. Tiff and I have always dressed up and enjoyed the evening of trick or treating and handing out candy from our eerily decorated porch. This year we went by the church to enjoy the trunk or treat and then back home to pass out candy, stop by a house or two and then off to a neighborhood haunted house. My daughter insisted that I needed orange nails to go with my pumpkin theme. I reluctantly agreed. After all, it was Halloween.

When we returned from our evening I inquired as to where the nail polish remover was. She couldn't find it then but was sure it would turn up in the morning. I went to bed with my beautiful nails. This morning, I didn't even think about it. I am not used to having my nails painted.

I gave the woman at the counter my Starbuck's card, a nice gift from a church member, and tried to appear as serious and as "manly" as possible with neon orange nails. She never said a word. Neither did the large crowd in the lobby which included two policemen.

Psalm 139 reminds us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made; even when we may not feel like it, look like it or act like it. It is comforting to know that God loves us as we are even during those fearful and wonderfully embarrassing moments of life.

READ 2 Samuel 12: 1-13

I’ve just returned from another week of classes for my doctor of ministry program.  Twice a year I have two week intensives at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois.  It consists of being in class 8 hours a day with plenty of reading and writing ahead of time.  Then, twice a year I attend a 2 day executive seminar at Kellogg School of business in downtown Chicago.  This compliments the program on congregational leadership with practiced business principles.  A third day is then spent back at the seminary integrating the theological with the practical and the spiritual with administration. 

This recent trip was at Kellogg and I was excited to read the title of the afternoon 5 hour seminar, “Failure Tolerance Strategies.”  So many business programs are heavy on “being a success” that it can be intimidating.  The premise of this seminar was simply that, we all fail.  Failure is a part of the human condition and it is our response to that failure that matters as opposed to the failure itself.  If each of us accepts the fact that we will fail many times in our lives, then there is great hope that we will become wise leaders who have risen from such experiences, learned from them and moved forward.

King David was failure.  Not once, or twice but a bunch of times.  In this passage from 2 Samuel the prophet Nathan recaps the king’s failures and shares the punishment for them.  After being confronted with all of these various mistakes and blunders, David’s response was, “I have sinned against the Lord.”  That’s it!  He didn’t deny the allegations or defend them.   He simply admitted them, received the consequences and then moved forward.  He is still considered one of the great kings despite his failures.

As you contemplate your day, or week or life, I invite you to view your failures as a step forward.  God honors the integrity of our journey of faith and will not abandon us.  It is healthy to admit, “I blew it today,” and then move forward.  Granted, it is not easy and takes practice and humility but it is a necessary part of the life of a Christ follower to admit one’s sins without dwelling on them, learn from them and move forward.  I leave you with a quote from John Maxwell who is Christian leadership speaker: “Failing forward is the ability to get back up after you’ve been knocked down, learn from your mistake, and move forward to a better director.” 

Read Luke 9:57-62

Every time I exit the bank parking lot I am confronted by a giant pot hole. It and its smaller counterpart have been a gaping bane of my existence ever since I moved here. It plagues any driver who takes the short lane that lies in between a small shopping area and the bank. The pot hole is a tire killer that is deep enough to pop off a hub cap and send a car’s tires out of alignment. I have been amazed that no one has filled the hole. One would surmise that the bank would want its customers to be less anxious every time they leave their facility. One would think that the shopping center would like its patrons to be able to drive safely to their stores. One would think that somebody, anybody would fill the big hole in the middle of the street! Yet, there it remains.

Some light was shed on the situation when I caught a story about the pot hole on the local news. It appears that there is some disagreement as to whose responsibility it is. The lane is not owned by the city. It is a private drive that is shared by the respective merchants but without clarity as to who is the rightful “owner.” So, because of this dispute nothing is done. The area business folk appear to be perfectly comfortable to allow the dispute to drag on as long as it doesn’t cost them anything. It is a reminder that folks can come up with plenty of excuses to do nothing.

Jesus was used to hearing excuses. He became accustomed to people who refused to take responsibility for their faith. He had plenty of people who tagged along with his group but not nearly as many followers. There is a cost associated with following Jesus. Jesus spells it out at the end of chapter nine in the book of Luke. Basically what he is saying is, “it is all or nothing.” (My paraphrase) Either Jesus is our priority or he isn’t. There is no half way point. As intimidating as that may sound, you only have to talk to Peter after the resurrection, to Mary Magdalene after her healing, to the woman who was saved from stoning or the blind man who received his sight to discover that is worth it. Never let excuses hold us back from following Jesus. We end up missing out on so much.

I’ve got a wheel barrow, a shovel and a rake. I think it is time to fill a hole. No excuses. How about you?

Read Romans 8: 18-25

There were two of them. With skill and precision they held the compact apparatus that was about to be pushed into the skin on my back. In order to synchronize their deed they counted out loud, “one, two, three…” Then I felt the first 40 needle sticks into my back. Each apparatus held 20. There would be one hundred and twenty altogether. There were 3 such moments as they moved lower down on my back increasing the intensity of the discomfort. After the appropriate waiting period and cataloging the size of each of the marks that had been inflicted on my skin, they returned with 21 syringes. This time they would again synchronize their pokes as one by one I received 12 shots down my left arm and 11 down my right.

For those of you reading this who may have an aversion to needles, it must sound like a scene out of a horror movie. The thought of such “suffering” causes you to shiver and perhaps to begin feeling badly for my “misfortune.” But consider this…

Prior to this appointment with the allergist, I had been experiencing great discomfort for the previous eight weeks. Persistent coughing, sneezing, watery eyes and sinus drainage were the standard experience. Trying to preach all those weeks without coughing was frustrating. It is hard to concentrate on what one is about to say when a nasty cough is lurking in the bottom of one’s throat. Two rounds of antibiotics and gallons of cough medicine were not doing the trick. Three trips to doctors and numerous calls brought no relief. That is how I ended up in “Dr. Frankenstein’s” lab.

The allergist came in after three hours of testing to share the news and details of my allergies (plural) and mild asthma. He said that he could ease my discomfort and put me on a course with medicine and weekly shots that would lead me toward the immunization from my allergies. In short, I was given hope that I could not envision and a promise that the intensity of my suffering would eventually end. Relief would come one day.

In chapter 8 in the book of Romans, Paul says some important things. First, he says that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us (vs. 18) and secondly, that hope that is seen is no hope at all (vs. 24). All suffering does come to an end, one way or another. The tough news is we aren’t given a time table or any guarantee that the specific suffering will end during our life on this earth. But, we are promised that it will end. We are also reminded that hope comes when we cannot see the end of our story of suffering. God provides this hope to carry us through our suffering. Glory is on its way and we have no way to comprehend what it will be like. Glory is coming! What a great God to care for us when we are hurting the most.

In no way am I attempting to compare my “suffering” with an allergist’s test to the suffering that comes with chronic pain, terminal illness and loss. Yet, the same promise about our suffering and the same hope applies to them all.

Today, may you find hope in your suffering. May you anticipate the glory to come and be motivated to carry on. May the tough news be out-weighed by the glorious news that God is still present with us!

Read John 15: 1-8

Earlier this year I decided to tackle the taming of some of our landscaping. Now keep in mind that we inherited the landscaping when we moved into the house in February. When spring came we had this cool surprise as all of this neat stuff started appearing all around our yard; flowers, shrubs, plants and ivy. The ground ivy in the front has been kept in two nice circular patches. The ivy on the side of the house is in a nice rectangular patch. The front ivy was growing quite a bit so I decided to do some pruning. I got my hedge trimmers and went to work in a fine sweeping motion to even out and cut the tall ivy. I also sculpted around my front porch, trees and bordering rocks. Many things were revealed as I cut the ivy back and discovered additional flower patches, large landscaping rocks and window sills.

I was nearly done and ready to quit when I decided to cut one more small line of ivy. The hedge trimmer stopped working. Why? I had cut the extension cord in two! Clean as a whistle I sheared my brand new 100 foot cord into two 50 footers! I should have stopped earlier but no! I begrudgingly packed up, went inside hoping the neighbors had not witnessed my stunning "professionalism" with a hedge trimmer.

Sometime later I decided to remove the weeds from the rectangular patch by the side of the house. It was hot. It was humid. I had just mowed the lawn. As I gazed at the fairly large patch of ivy with lots of weeds dotted among it I did what any reasonable man of God would do. I started up the lawn mower and cut it all down. That's right, I mowed the ivy. It looked great, problem solved.

The ivy is all doing well despite my attempts to hack it away with unorthodoxed methods. It's pretty hearty stuff.

Jesus tells us that he is the vine and we are the branches. Stick close and our faith will grow. The vine is very hearty. You really can't hurt it or kill it no matter what you do. But you can let go, you can reject it. You do have to stick with it, be careful not to cut off the power source, and try not to be too quick to give up and cut it all down. Just as the ivy hangs onto the landscaping of my house despite my efforts, Jesus calls us to hang onto him despite the pressures and concerns of our lives and challenges. Cling to the vine.

Read Jonah 4

It's raining. I'm standing in the rain getting wet. I'm even looking up into the rain. I'm not alone. I am in a small crowd of people; adults, children and teenagers. We have been summoned to come outdoors on a rainy day and to stand on the wet pavement of the parking lot to witness an event. The fire department is there too! They brought their ladder truck. They are part of this crazy gig. As the water soaks through my shoes I watch as a pumpkin is placed in a canvas bag hanging from the top rung of the fire truck's ladder as it is raised a zillion feet in the air. You can feel the heightend anticipation as we all watch the slow rising orange squash rise into the air. The ladder comes to a stop as a young fireman climbs all the way to the top of the ladder. He unties the bag and after a ONE, TWO, THREE, count he drops the pumpkin and we all scream with delight as it smashes into pieces of rind, seeds and pumpkin goo! "Get a bigger pumpkin," I yell with others. A giant pumpkin is taken through the same steps with the same result only bigger! We cheer. It's over. Wet and happy we leave.

It doesn't take much to entertain us some days. We love to watch things explode!!

Jonah was also waiting for an explosion. Jonah is a great example. He is angry in chapter four because God did not destroy an evil city like he said he would. The reason? The people of the city changed their ways and asked for forgiveness which God granted. Jonah was waiting for the big explosion; the pumpkin drop if you will. To illustrate his point, God provide shade for Jonah through a large plant. God then caused the plant to whither so the sun beat down on Jonah. Jonah was ticked. God's respone: (I paraphrase) "You are mad about a plant that you did not plant or care for and yet the city of Ninevah (the evil city) had 920,000 people in it that were lost in their sin. Shouldn't I care about them?"

Point: Although exploding "pumpkins" are neat, we should never be too quick to celebrate someone else's misfortune. God may have something else in mind.

Read Jeremiah 29:10-14 (Key Verse - 11)

I had it all timed out. Linda took Tiffany to school early for choir. I got up, showered, dressed and ate my breakfast. I didn't make any coffee so that I could pop into Starbuck's instead. I love that place. One of my greatest luxuries in moving to Fort Wayne is to take a few mornings a week and drive to Starbuck's for a grande size (medium) cup of Pike's Peak Roast coffee. The Pike's Peak is also fair trade which means the coffee grower received a fair wage for his product. Pretty cool since a lot of third world coffee growers get ripped off. Anyway, I arrive and decided to get the viente size (large) because I needed it. I looked at my watch and was proud of myself for being on schedule which meant I would arrive at the office with plenty of time to put together my meeting agendas for that morning.

I pulled into the church parking lot and relished in the fact that few cars were there. I opened my car door and started out as I simultaneously reached for my coffee. In my excitement I grabbed the top of the disposable cup and the lid popped off and hot black coffee poured over my pants. "Ouch!!!" It is amazing how a relatively small amount of liquid can make such a big mess. There was coffee in the cup holder and storage space. The seat was wet and my pants were drenched. I had one mega huge stain on my right leg and thigh. I was so mad but had no one to be mad at. I didn't want to go home and change and thought about going on inside all wet. I soaked up the coffee with tissue, put a plastic bag on the wet spot on the seat, and got in. I started to drive out of the parking lot but then changed my mind again determined not to let this spill change my schedule. I put the car in reverse and went back to my parking space only to feel how wet my pants were. I put the car in drive and drove home to change my pants only to return to the office later than planned. Not my greatest defining moment.

Bottom line: things don't always go as we plan so it is best to trust God when our plans go awry.

Read James 1:2-8

Daggone if they didn't fill up again! My gutters I mean. In the short time I have lived here I have cleaned my gutters more than any other time. Spring buds, Tulip tree blossom things, summer leaves, and sticks and now some weird fall bud things are filling up the gutters again. Before long it will be fall leaves. It is a beautiful neighborhood and everyone remarks about the trees and how big they are and how nice it is living in a kind of forest. Heck, that's one of the reasons I liked this house. I love trees and the animals they house and the shade they provide and the ambiance of it all. But man, do I get tired of cleaning my gutters; especially the high ones I can barely reach on a 20 foot ladder. But, those around me won't let me complain. After all, I did pick this place and the trees were there then. "After all," they say, "what'd ya expect?"

If you have big trees you will have lots of leaves and clogged gutters. If you live a life of faith, you will have challenges. James reminds us that, "….the testing of your faith develops perseverance." (James 1:3) James pulls no punches and assumes that challenges and trials will come along. It should not be a surprise. No one can live life very long without some form of trying circumstance. What'd we expect when we said we would follow Jesus? Did we really believe that life would be perfect and free from the trials of life? Jesus never taught us this. Jesus made it clear to the disciples and to us, that a life of faith is tough but that God would see us through.

James shares with us that challenges have a positive outcome: perseverance. What'd ya expect? Did you really think that God would abandon us when times got tough? Hardly. Jesus is always with us. I'm glad to know this because when I slip off the roof while cleaning my gutters I will need his company! Expect something positive to come out of your challenge of today!

Read Isaiah 40: 3-5

The small gate opens allowing us to move forward and to take our seats. I'm scared. My daughter has talked me in to this again. We step into the car and sit down next to each other. The seat belts are clicked in place and checked. Then the lap bar comes down and we wait for the "thumbs-up" sign from the attendants. I'm frightened. The "thumbs-up" is given. Once given, there is no turning back. Now the slow "clink, clink, clinking" begins as the chain appears to strain under the weight of its passengers as it groans going uphill. It feels like an eternity before we reach the top. Now the ride begins… DROP, WHIP, TURN, DROP, TUNNEL, TURN, SPEED, DROP, WHIP, TURN!!!! The exhilaration is unbelievable as I scream at decibel levels I did not know I possess. The sweat on my palms dries in the 60 mile per hour wind created by the speed of the roller coaster. It comes to a jolting halt. We passengers all look at each other. There is momentary silence. Our hair has been twisted into bird nests, our eyes are wide with water in the corners, and we are just starting to breathe. Our pale skin begins to turn pink as the color returns with renewed blood flow. Then; each person in turn slowly begins to smile…then laughs…then laughs some more and begins talking incessantly about the experience we just had. Slowly the car pulls up to the "station" in time for the next riders to get on for the ride of their lives.

I now understand why the rollercoaster cars stop before entering the loading station. If the future riders saw our faces at the moment we stop then they would never get on for the ride. Yet, after just a few moments to soak in what has just taken place, everything changes and our happy countenance invites the next group to join in the fun. Why do we do it? We do it because even though it is frightening at the beginning, the end result is so worth it. The joy at the end cannot be experienced without the climb and the speed and turns.

Why do we live a life of faith? We have been invited to by God through Christ and many others. It is because even though it can be frightening at the beginning, the end result is so worth it. Following Jesus is not easy. When the "gate" opens inviting us to follow we have to make a decision to "get in the car." Once in, we pray for the "thumbs-up" that God hears our cry for mercy, forgiveness and direction. God gives the nod and the ride of faith begins. There are times when we are scared and worried. There are times when we want to get off the ride but when we get to the end it is all worth it. The prophet Isaiah promises that the "rough ground shall become level, the rugged places made plain." (verse 4) The ride will eventually stop for us to gather ourselves to see God's glory. Others will continue to feel invited to a life of faith as they watch us ride the "coaster."

Today, may your life and witness be inviting to another. Whether you are climbing up the hill or hitting a turn at fast speed, be reminded that it will come to a stop and you will begin to breathe again.

Read 1 John 3:18

Day after day they make the walk to the non-air conditioned bus in the heat of the morning.  Dressed alike they move together in rehearsed fashion and share small talk before climbing the stairs and finding a seat.  One by one they get off at their respective stops and begin walking again through the nicer neighborhoods of Jackson, Mississippi.   They each reach a fine house for a final destination where they will spend the next 10 hours taking care of white babies, cooking for white families and cleaning their toilets that they are not allowed to use.  They are treated as non-persons, these black women who worked as maids for white families in 1962. 

It is a time in history that is depicted in the movie "The Help."  My family recently went to the theater to see it.  I hated for my daughter to have to witness the reality of prejudice, injustice, and favoritism during a time when I was alive, young that I was.  Yet, I would hate it even more for her not to know the truth; racism was and is real.  It's a good movie that explores the ranges of emotions and the realm of racism in the south during the height of the civil rights movement.  It has some funny moments too but they are overshadowed by the reality of the two worlds of the time:  one for whites and one for blacks.

I remember going on one of my first work mission projects when I was a sophomore in high school.  I went to Pace, Mississippi which is about an hour from Jackson.  Even in the early 70's the tension there between whites and blacks could be cut with a knife.  We stayed on the side of the literal tracks in a small black community while on the other side were white folks.  Not more than a week before we arrived, a young black boy had been murdered in Jackson.  He was hung.  I've never forgotten that.   It took me a few years to understand how surprised the black community was that a group of whites from up north would come to help them work in their community.  We were invited into their homes and shared meals together.   It almost seems surreal now.

Today, "let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."  Oh, and I'd go see this movie if I were you.

He had to borrow a suit. She invited her few close friends. The family gathered as the 20 year old bride walked down the aisle to meet her 21 year old husband. It was hot in the non-air conditioned sanctuary of the Methodist Church. After the simple service they kissed. They had cake. The photographer was not a pro. They only have three pictures of the actual ceremony. He took a picture of the maid of honor coming down the aisle instead of the bride. They went on their honeymoon in a borrowed car to a cottage on a lake in northern Indiana. He had just gotten out of the Navy and she was the daughter of a single mother. It was August 17, 1947.

64 years later they still celebrate that day. The fruit of their love has been four children, eleven grandchildren and four great-grand children. They're still in love and talk most often of their family instead of their accomplishments in education or the workforce. They put all four children through college and were present at the hospital for every grandchild. Today, they celebrate their 64th anniversary.

They raised their kids in the Methodist church where they taught Sunday school, led the youth group, worshipped and prayed. They instilled faith in their family and integrity in their friendships. They have been and continue to be an example of unconditional love, unwavering faith and commitment to family.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! I love you both! Thanks for the faith!

READ John 12:20-25

The large band shell and stage served as the backdrop to the scene unfolding before me.  At stage right on the ground level, 3 folding tables had been set up to hold the popcorn machine, drink machines and the napkins and brown paper bags.  A group of young people were playing volleyball not far from the popcorn machine in a prepared area.  They were waiting for the night to grow dark enough so the movie could be seen on the large screen that was center stage.   At stage left there was a large playground where the occasional squeals of joy could be heard as young girls and boys were being spun around on a merry-go-round.   Others were on the jungle gym or swings.  Parents milled about or sat on benches to chat as their kids played. 

A block further downtown a live band of middle aged adults played retro music while a couple of grandparents danced with their young grandchildren.  The stores on square were open with promises of SALE and CLEARANCE in their windows and on the merchandise on tables in front of their buildings.  I had stepped back in time to a serene and peaceful place called Clear Lake, Iowa.  The town sits on a large lake which is visible just behind the band shell.  This little community has been able to hang on to the peaceful summer evenings when families come out of their homes to stroll the sidewalks and meander among the simple activities that create memories for a lifetime.  I wanted to hang on to it too.  I wanted to take it all with me.  I knew that once I returned home the serenity would dissipate with the onslaught of required work and business.   The vacation would soon die.  Or would it?

Jesus talks about this grain of wheat that has to die before it can live.  But in dying it sprouts back to life and grows and flourishes.  The reference is to himself and his sacrifice but it is also a promise of life from the barren land of our sinfulness and the promise of a peace in the assurance of life after death.  In other words, the sprouting takes place from within.  I don’t have to be in Clear Lake to keep it’s serenity with me.  I don’t have to live on the lake to appreciate what it offers.  So I brought it home; the peace not the lake.

Each day since my return from vacation I return to the lake within me.  I go to the shore of the calming waters of both Clear Lake and of Galilee; the place where Jesus did his ministry.  I return as often as I need so that the dying seed of vacation is sprouting up as the living strength that time away provides.  Today, go to the place within that brings you peace.   Look for a seed of serenity that may be planted in your heart that will allow the sprouting to begin today.

As you read this devotion I am on vacation with my family. I’ve written this before I left so that it would not interfere. I consider this a time of Sabbath. Sabbath is not synonymous with Sunday. Rather, Sabbath is that experience of away-ness with God. Being away from the day-to-day activity of the church is healthy. It provides me with continued perspective that the world is bigger than any town I live in or any church I serve. This time helps me to reprioritize that God is first, family next and then the church. I invite you to pray for me and my family during this time. Pray that this is a time of play and laughter, rest and fun, deepening and strengthening. I covet your prayers.

I invite you to find times of Sabbath in your own life. Whether it be an extended time or not, find a way to escape the grind and spend quality time with your faith and your family. It is essential to our survival as human beings.

Jesus is our greatest example. He always took time away from his ministry to deepen his personal faith. We can learn from him. Today, may each of us follow the example of Jesus, and seek out some Sabbath time.

The stalls are empty. The large saddle barn is quiet. The bleachers around the main arena are the only witnesses to the inactivity. To walk through the fairgrounds today, one would think it is a mundane and boring place of solitude. A stranger would not know of last week’s intensive heat that kept 40 horse owners attentive as they cared for the over 50 horses that were housed there during the Allen County Fair. She would not be privy to the hundreds of conversations that took place over the week, the excited screams of the winners the whinnies of anxious horses. The bright colored ribbons have been taken home. Only the few hoof prints left in the mud and the indentations in the grass bear witness to the many galloping goliaths that trod this soil on the way to ring to present themselves. There is no evidence of the blood, sweat, and tears that were shed during the week long fair that helped to shape and mold the young lives of boys and girls in the 4-H program. There is no one there today to tell the story.

Within 30 minutes of the conclusion of the last worship service on Sunday morning Good Shepherd UMC is empty. The music has stopped, the classes are over the coffee pots are cleaned and dried and the lights are turned off. A person walking in after church would not know that God’s Word had been shared that lives were challenged and prayers were lifted. He would not know that a baby was sung to, victims were prayed for, healing was offered and friendship was shared. He would not know of the weight that had been lifted, the illnesses that were comforted and the broken that were loved. The sounds of children in the halls have been silenced, the voice of hope and freedom has stopped and the music of inspiration has stopped playing. There is no one there to tell the story.

Or is there? Is there a part of your connection to Good Shepherd that is worth telling? Are you telling the story of faith? The only way others will know of the incredible work of God in any given place is if the people who have witnessed such things share the story with others. Telling the story of what happened on Sunday to a co-worker, sharing the events of camp with a friend, telling of the part of the sermon that you connected with or the song that lifted you up to another is vital for the growth of faith beyond the church. You are needed to tell the story. Today, tell the story of this past Sunday to a friend. Share with another why you are part of a worshipping community. If you do not tell the story, some may never hear.

Read Psalm 127

She was scared. She was terrified. She took one more step up the 50 foot pole before declaring that she wanted to be lowered down. Her small body made it easy for the adventure specialist to lower her down to the ground in her harness and safety line. As the next few campers made their ascent up the pole and on to the small platform that held them until they jumped off connected to a zip line, she grew in her desire to try again. She had never taken off her helmet or her harness. She was determined. She went back to the base of the pole. As she looked up she saw more than a challenge, she felt a courage surge within her from an Almighty God!

Up the pole climbed Joy (not her real name.) The sweat formed on her forehead and legs. Tears welled up in her eyes that those on the ground could not see. She was maturing beyond her 10 years of age as we watched. With each step she gained in her confidence. “I am going to do it this time,” she told herself. The anchor man kept her safety rope tight and called out words of encouragement. The other campers on the ground began to cheer and holler, “You can do it Joy! You can do it.” With a last push of strength and courage she made it up onto the platform and smiled at the well- wishers below. Her safety line was attached to the zip line and for the next 15 seconds she flew through the air like the eagle she had become that day.

“Where does my help come from?” the psalmist asks. It comes from God. I was so blessed to be with elementary kids for a week and learn from their faith. They are challenged with bipolar siblings, ADHD, divorced parents, illnesses and other issues of life and yet they found hope in the God who sustains us all. They found help from Jesus. Today, remember that help is available when you face a challenge.

READ Matthew 11:28-30

It all seemed so innocent; a hot day, four friends, two recent graduates, going for a swim, a fun day together. Arnie (19), Tristan (17), Aaron (19) and Justin (18) went swimming together. They challenged each other to see who could make it to the sandbar out in the middle. Not a bright idea on the flooded White River with a strong undertow. So, chalk it up to a poor decision. Tristan got tired, tried to swim back but couldn’t. The undertow pulled him down into the murky water and he was gone. Three days later they recovered his body. As you read this today they will celebrate his life in a worship service at Hillside United Methodist Church; the place I served for 12 years.

I share the tragic tale because I know these guys, I knew Tristan. He was a wiry kid with little supervision and little to no faith background. He came to church when another middle schooler invited him because she said the church was cool. What she meant was that she had been accepted as a gay teenager and he would be accepted with his black clothing and pierced ears. He attended sporadically, went on a youth retreat and then disappeared. The last time I saw him was at his Grandfather’s funeral.

Aaron, Arnie and Justin have been friends a long time. They have been a part of the church more consistently. I know they are hurting now because they were there when Tristan went under. They feel responsible, guilty and in pain. I hurt for them

Truth is that it is no one person’s fault. It was a tragic, stupid, crazy accident that we wish we could do over. But we can’t.

I heard a woman sing a song in church today titled, “Come to Me” based on the scripture I listed at the beginning of this devotional meandering. As the woman’s almost haunting song hovered in the air I got a picture. I pictured Tristan under the water dying. As he prepared to take his last breath he opened his eyes. He saw the outstretched arms of Jesus and heard a similar song singing “Come to me.” As his body stopped working his soul floated into the arms of the Messiah who carried him out of the water and into his kingdom. I believe in grace, I believe in forgiveness, I believe in eternal life.

I believe that Tristan is with God, that Christ offers his grace to those that witnessed the terrible event and that Christ forgives everything else. I hurt today, but I am comforted in knowing that God reached out to Tristan before the swim, during the drowning and after he died. Christ holds Tristan and he will hold those affected by his death in his open arms.

Read Psalm 23

I had no idea that they were filming a remake of “Private Ryan” but the evidence was all around me. Bazookas and mortar fire was taking place all around my house! The canon that was firing literally shook my walls. Then there was the constant “pop, pop, pop” of small arms fire. It was some battle too with lots of troops because it went on and on and on for the last three days. As I drove through the neighborhood I looked for the movie trucks and special effects crew but only saw kids on the street with matches and small items with fuses. Funny, I thought for sure that there was a war going on out there.

Needless to say, the war was just a bunch of kids and adults shooting off fireworks and blowing up things. In the meantime, I had two dogs at home that were going CRAZY!!! They had to sleep in the house for those 3 days. But, when I would go outside with them they did okay. They stayed close and were a bit nervous, but they did okay. As long as someone was with them, even world war three was manageable.

Who do you walk the valley with? Psalm 23 says that we need not walk the valley of death itself alone because God is with us. Any “war” of life can be navigated as long as we walk with God. Today, walk with God knowing that the fireworks will eventually end.

Read Ecclesiastes 3: 1-11

The wind was strong but warm. With the full hot sun beating down on the sand the water was inviting. Coquina is a beautiful beach on the Gulf side of Florida. I had taken a couple of hours away from my parents to enjoy the climate with my brother. As he was walking the beach looking for shells, I waded out into the knee deep water to enjoy the generous waves. Some were coming in at five feet high and I could feel the undertow pulling the sand from underneath my feet with each passing wave.

I had traveled to Florida with my brother to visit my parents and to talk with them about the transitions they were experiencing in their lives. It was a time to share and laugh and to be honest about life, change and the future. It is a once in a lifetime visit when parents and kids talk at the same level. It is a time when our love is deepened by the situation that life has brought upon us and our faith is strengthened by the reminder of God’s presence.

As I looked into the brilliant sun, a good five to six foot wave surprised me and slammed into my back. The spray from the wave shot up and whipped my prescription glasses off of my face and into the turbulent water. I jumped after them and dove into the shallow, salty water to capture them. They were gone; swept away to a far off land or down into the depth of the changing terrain. I was now legally blind.

So in the midst of my parent’s transitional needs, I found myself dependent upon my Dad once again as he was my eyes behind the wheel of his van as he drove me to the eye doctor. He waited for me outside the examination room just as he did when I was a kid having my teeth cleaned or being seen by the doctor for the measles. He was patient and made sure that I was taken care of this day. We had both just gone back in time.

God is a caring God. Even at a time that was slated to be difficult and painful, the Almighty finds a way to remind an aging father that his life still has great purpose; that his children still need him and that we all will continue to work together. On that Father’s Day weekend, I was truly thankful for my Dad and I know he was thankful to be my Father. What a gift; what a gift. There really is a time for everything.

Read Psalm 139:1-14

I just saw a segment on the Today show about thin women who are having liposuction done on their already small bodies. The segment included statistics that 200,000 women had the procedure performed on them last year alone. The discussion between the host, a liposuction surgeon and a clinical psychologist ran around the mulberry bush. “If a person is psychologically healthy and wants to have such a procedure done then I would say okay,” said the psychologist.

The case in point was an aging fashion model (maybe 28-30) who currently is a size two. TWO!!! She shared that she wants to stay fit and look good because there are plenty of younger women waiting in the wings to replace her. I’m sitting there watching and screaming at the television, “AND THAT IS THE WAY THAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE!” What I mean to say is that aging is a natural part of life and creation has this incredible balance that allows one person to age as another is born. We were not meant to look the same over our life span. Look at some celebrities! They look more like a wax manikins that real people. How unfortunate. I honestly do not believe that God intended us to discover plastic for the application of eternal youth. It also reminds us that our self esteem is determined by what is inside and not outside. If this were not the case, then why would those who are viewed as beautiful on the outside having so much done to their bodies.

Consider: I have close friend, more like a brother, who has a teenage daughter who hates her body. I baptized her. She has anorexia nervosa and began refusing to eat and calling herself and all those around her fat people. She got down to 75lbs and then has spent the last 3 months in hospitals and residential facilities where they are teaching her to love herself. Her brain does not see herself the way God does, the way her loving Christian parents do. Her parents would give it all for her to look in the mirror and see God’s beautiful child. They do not want to suck her perceived “imperfections” from her body but rather restore the truth that she is phenomenal and lovely as she is!

It is sad to me that anyone would spend so much to preserve one’s body for fear of losing the “perfect” shape. Why? It is because we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” according to the author of Psalm 139. The Psalm tells of how God created us and molded us and was there with us in the womb. God is always pleased with God’s work and never looks upon our physical body with disdain. Sure, we all have things about our body shape that we may like to change but, we should never assume that God feels the same way. Eternity is for heaven not earth. We need to stop trying to create eternal youth on earth and focus on preparing for eternal life that is yet to come. Today, look in the mirror and say, “God loves you.” It’s a simple way to mimic God speaking to you from the other side of that mirror reminding you of your beauty both inside and out.

After church this past Sunday, I was walking with a family toward my office so that the young girl could get a couple of my now famous gumballs. On the way to the door she gave me a picture she had drawn. It was clearly a picture of a girl. She is standing in a half moon shaped object on the water. The funny thing was, as I looked at it, the girl had on a beautiful green dress and jewelry in her hair which covered one eye. “Is this a picture of you?” I asked. “You have on a very pretty dress.”

“No,” she said, it’s not me but I’ll give you a hint. The girl is standing in a boat on the water and she really likes the water and has something behind her you can’t see that is in the water.” Then it dawned on me.

“Does she have a tail? Is she a mermaid?”

“Yes,” she said.

How absolutely silly of me; not to recognize that it was a picture of a mermaid. Yet, when I saw it through her eyes what it became quite clear. Of course it was a mermaid and a very well- drawn one. The young girl had an idea that she drew on paper (during my sermon I might add lol) and it made perfect sense to her. With a little help, it made perfect sense to me.

1 Corinthians 13: 12 says, “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror, then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” The one who helps us see more clearly and to know more fully is Jesus. Jesus helps it all to make sense. Life, love, challenges, heartaches and struggles. When we first encounter a challenge or perplexing situation we don’t “see the mermaid.” But with more “light” from above and more understanding from “within” the “mermaid” begins to emerge from the canvas.

The picture proudly hangs on the closet door of my office. It is worth asking people as they enter, “what do you see in this picture?” In time I am hopeful that they will see the mermaid.

Read Psalm 51: 7-12

Every time it rained I was being driven crazy by gutters that were full of spring tree junk! This stuff from Mother Nature solidified around the down spout opening of each of my gutters creating a dam that rivaled Hoover’s when it came to stopping water. A window of time presented itself when I was home. I got on top of the ladder and began cleaning the stuff away. After I cleared the “dam” then I took the hose and gingerly pushed it into the length of gutter so that it could clean out the rest. It sounded good at the time. I turned on the hose only to discover that the water was still not going down. I ran back up the ladder and with great “patience and love” I began YANKING on the “s” shaped piece of gutter only to have black muck begin to spew out into my face and onto my body. This did not dissuade me, however, as I YANKED harder now determined to free the demon that had made residence in my gutter connection. The “s” piece finally came loose and I held it in my hand and screamed with triumph as I shook the black goo from its bowels. My maniacal laughter attracted the neighbors as I celebrated under the shower of water that was now gushing through the opening above my head that I had just created. I climbed down the ladder, turned off the water, and then returned to reconnect the “s” piece of gutter to the main pipe.

After all was in place, I again turned on the water and prepared to relish in the moment of victory as I “knew” the water would freely flow down the drain. But it didn’t! There was a clog in the vertical length of pipe somewhere. Now desperate, I turned off the hose, I ran inside and grabbed a yardstick and proceeded back up the ladder to the “devils corner” of my house. Again, with great “patience and love” I JAMMED THE YARDSTICK as far as I could into the vertical piece of pipe. It broke off but I didn’t care. I JAMMED again as another piece broke off and then one final time. It was still clogged. Muddy, wet, angry and desperate I stormed into Lowes where I purchased a new plastic “s” section of gutter that I had ruined and a flexible plastic piece of tubing to JAM into the foul gutter, this time from the bottom up. Once I returned I went to work to loosen the evil substance that was blocking my flow of water. Finally, after what seemed like weeks, it began to come forth complete with my three pieces of yardstick. I HAD WON, I HAD WON, I HAD WON!!! (Or had I?) There has got to be a better way!

And there is. We often try to change our lives by ourselves. We try to lose weight without the support of friends and family, we try to fight our addiction without the help of professionals and we try to rid our life of sin without God. Psalm 51 is a great reminder that we need to seek God’s help and presence in our lives to affect real change. Only God can “create a new heart.” God is the better way.

Today, get some help with your gutter. I wish I had.

READ John 1:6-14

I’ve lived in Indiana my whole life. You would think I would be used to it by now but I’m not. Spring is a fickle time of weather; temperature, rainfall, pollen, and sunshine. The lack of consistency of any of the aforementioned items affects we humans and can send us into a tailspin of physical and emotional challenges. It’s the lack of sunshine that bugs me. At first the spring storms are exciting. I have to admit that I enjoy being trapped inside during the clapping thunder and bright lightening with a good book and cup of coffee. But as the clouds continue for a period of days I discover two things: 1. I am missing something terribly important and 2. I am becoming far too comfortable in the darkness.

There was a time in my ministry, nearly 15 years ago, when I discovered that I suffered from Seasonal Affective Disorder. This is a very fancy term for “when the sunshine is brief I get depressed.” I was treated for this ailment with a medication that I referred to as my “Happy Pill.” When I took it, it brought my physiological and cognitive level up to that of folks that did not suffer from it. It was amazing to know that my body could change in such a fashion as to go from darkness to light emotionally, physically and spiritually.

Thankfully, I no longer suffer from this ailment at a clinical level but I do believe that what John addresses in chapter 1 of his Gospel we need to pay attention to today. John shares in verse 9 that the true light “that gives light to every man/woman was coming into the world.” The true light was and is Jesus. Without the influence of the love and forgiveness of Jesus on a daily basis we can become too comfortable in our “darkness.” We all need the illuminating grace of the Christ to remind us that we do have a reason to get up each morning and to move forward. We all need others around us to remind us of this “light” and to help to brighten up our darkest days. The light is for every person not just for some and the really great news is that the light has already come.

Many days we all need a spiritual “happy pill” to pierce our darkness of circumstances so that we may see the world as God does. So today, since it is raining I will seek out a good book to begin with anticipation of the sun outside to brighten my world and the anticipation of the Son inside to illuminate my soul.

READ: 2 Kings 1:9-14

As I sat on the low uncomfortable sofa awaiting the session to begin, I enjoyed the energy in the room. A ball was being tossed back and forth, a laser light was being pointed on the back of kids’ heads, “reserved” places on chairs and sofas were being “stolen” from one another as positions shifted. There were several conversations taking place simultaneously with an occasional scream, yell, or shout. This was typical of a middle school gathering.

Earlier, we had dinner together around 3 long tables that were set in the middle of the small living space in the two story lodge on the United Methodist Campground. A prayer was shared by one of the youth and then after eating, the youth took to their respective jobs of clearing the table, washing the dishes, drying the dishes, taking down the tables and putting away chairs. It was exciting to see them work as a team.

Now we were getting ready for a time of sharing and witnessing to our faith in the evening session of the confirmation retreat. As two older youth from past classes shared about their faith journeys, the 8 th grade confirmands (those who are to be confirmed), listened intently. I enjoyed being able to share my excitement for t hem as they moved toward becoming adults in the faith. The church is preparing to “pass the mantle” of faith to these young people. Confirmation is that rite of passage in the church when a youth makes an important decision; I want to become, belong and believe. They must choose if they want to become a member of the body of Christ, to belong to a faith of generations and to believe that Jesus died for them.

Before the great prophet Elijah was taken up to heaven in a flaming chariot, he asked his apprentice what he could do for him. In today’s passage, Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. In short, he asked Elijah to pass the mantle (symbolic of what a clergyman wears and then gives to a predecessor) of his faith to him.

This Sunday at the 8:30 a.m. worship service the church will pass the mantle of its faith to a group of 8 th grade youth who have been trained in the faith. It is a blessing to witness and an important moment for the church. Today, I invite you to think and find those people that you might pass your mantle to one day. It is the way that faith continues to spread and grow.

Read Ephesians 2:8-9

Sometimes ministry gets it right and this was one of those cases. I have seen Bishop T.D. Jakes on television before. He is a bigger than life African American pastor with a booming voice and big body to match. His church, The Potter House, located in Dallas, Texas, claims a membership of 30,000 people. This large non-denominational church has a significant outreach into its surrounding community and beyond. This dynamic ministry has done something successfully that many ministries have not. It has created a feature motion picture that will touch a lot of lives. It does not waste film trying to be too “churchy” or too “Christian.” It lets the actors and their actions speak for themselves.

“Jumping the Broom” is out in theaters now. I had the opportunity to see it on Mother’s Day with my family. The plot surrounds the impending marriage of a man and a woman who come from diverse backgrounds. With great skill, the movie unfolds the lives and relationship of those involved; both good and bad, sinful and righteous with a foundation of faith. It pulls no punches on the issues but does a good job of allowing the viewer to wrestle with them too before coming to any conclusion.

I like the fact that a famously popular preacher has not avoided the reality of life in this film. I like the fact that the movie tackles issues of the family that each carries the potential to tear it apart. It was a great movie to watch on Mother’s Day with my family as we reflected on our own relationships. It is not a kid movie, but certainly one that teenagers will relate too as they are beginning to become involved and think about the very issues of this film: marriage, fidelity, sexuality, dating, values, lies, racism, tradition, secrets, forgiveness, grace, hope and triumph. Let’s face it, too often we try to shield our teens and our families from the very things we need to be talking and praying about each day. This movie provides a way to begin the discussion. It can make us a little uncomfortable, but that does not diminish its value.

“Jumping the Broom” is about taking a literal and spiritual leap of faith into the sea of humanity and relationship. As a white man in a theater of predominately black viewers I felt right at home as this cultural and spiritual event unfolded. Although clearly set in the black culture, the film transcends race as it delves into the dynamics of family life. Today’s scripture reading reminds us that none of us can earn God’s grace but rather it is a free gift of God. We all need that free gift.

In short, it is a movie that I recommend seeing.

READ Acts 2:42-47

Once a month I have the privilege of leading “House Church.” House Church is a worship experience for a group of 12-15 senior citizens in one of their homes. They meet weekly for worship and prayer and invite a member of the ministry staff to lead them. They share in Holy Communion and fellowship. They have been meeting together for nine years! This past week I met a younger woman who was attending with one of the regular members. She is from Indonesia and has been living in Fort Wayne for nearly a decade. She announced a praise during prayer time of becoming a United States Citizen this past January. After worship was over we had the customary fellowship and food time. As she was helping to put away folding chairs, I asked her to share more of her story. She had one.

She shared that in 1998 there was great unrest between the Muslims (90% of Indonesians are Muslim) and the Christians and the Chinese. That year there was a riot in which the Muslims attacked the Christian and Chinese population. In 2000, it escalated to the point of burning down churches, raping women and burning their bodies in the street. This woman was at home with her children waiting for her husband to get home. She was very afraid and feared for her life. 8 churches had been burned down that night, Christmas Eve. Her husband’s business was burned down along with her brother-in-law’s. They came to the states. She told me that whenever she is free from her job on Thursdays she never misses House Church because it reminds her of how they worshiped in her native country. They worshiped in homes until it became too dangerous. Her citizenship means a great deal to her. She has freedom of religion.

The first Christians worshiped in homes and shared everything the scripture tells us in today’s reading. The Lord added to their number daily. I think House Churches are a great way to grow the church. We must never take for granted the religious freedom we have in this country. And, we have an added responsibility to use this freedom to strengthen the church. Today, let’s make a commitment to worship regularly. Let’s look for a small group to worship with and begin to look for ways to help grow the church in our neighborhood or with our group of friends. Join me at House Church. Experience the joy of small group worship and the freedom of faith. The Lord will add to our numbers daily.

READ: Genesis 1:1-5

I was excited to get my free cup of coffee. It was Good Friday and school was closed. It was also Earth Day and Starbuck’s had advertised that anyone who came into one of their stores with a travel mug would receive a free cup of coffee. Great idea! Save the paper cup and save a bit of the earth. My daughter and I went together and entered the store. The woman behind the counter asked what she could get for us? “I came to get my free cup of coffee for Earth Day!” Her response surprised me;

“Never mind the fact that it is Good Friday! Besides, God created the earth but the coffee is for… and she mumbled on and on.

The first thing that popped into my head was, “but you are not giving away free coffee for Christ and Good Friday. You are giving it away for Earth Day.” The thought never made it to my mouth. As I left I thought about what was happening. Obviously, this woman of faith thought it an injustice that folks would flock to Starbucks for a free cup of coffee to honor the earth, but that few were acknowledging the death of the Savior. The problem for me is that although she appeared to see the two events; creation and Good Friday as competing things, I see them as inseparable. When God created the “heavens and the earth” in Genesis 1 Jesus was there. When light pierced the darkness, Jesus was there. Good Friday is the culmination of God’s plan that began with creation.

The other problem I have is someone getting upset with me, or any customer, for not shouting “Happy Good Friday” when the clear agenda for the company was to help preserve the earth by giving a free gift. This is an admirable thing to do. It could be easy for me also to be upset at the lack of observance that is given to Christian Holy days but then I realize the bigger problem. Many just do not know any better. It is up to the church to help bring people to a place of faith where they can celebrate the significance of the life of Christ with a larger community of faith. A big first step is being willing to see outside of oneself such as, say….Earth Day and the need to help the environment. All the events of God are inseparable not competitive. God cares as much about the earth and you and I as he does about God’s son. That’s the incredible reality of God’s love and the depth of God’s grace. Today, think about Jesus when you buy a cup of coffee and think about the earth when you dispose of the cup. The two really are inseparable.

READ PSALM 100

As I approached the row of sinks in the large restroom of the arena, the joyful man was using his energy to clean those same sinks that are constantly used during an event. I was struck by the smile on his face. “It’s a never ending job isn’t it,” I said. “Oh I don’t mind,” he said, “it’s alright.” As I washed my hands his tattooed forearms moved quickly as they scrubbed and then dried the basin and cleaned the shelves beneath the mirrors. “Thanks,” I said. “You have a good night sir, “he said, “I hope you enjoy the show!” This was one happy man. He did not begrudge the folks that kept coming in and dirtying his sinks. He appeared to see each new “customer” as an opportunity to do his job well. He was cheerful, courteous, and helpful. When I walked out of the large restroom I realize that I had been impacted by the joy of this man. His attitude made a difference to me and I was truly appreciative. Through only a momentary encounter, I was changed.

“Shout to the Lord, all the earth,” the psalmist shares, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise.” (Psalm 100 verses 1 and 4) We are reminded that our relationship with God is something to shout about to others. One moment with God can change our lives. We have reason to experience happiness every day as we contemplate God’s place in our lives!

This is Holy Week. As we commemorate the last days of Jesus may we find something to shout about each day. Shout about his gift of remembrance through the bread and wine. Shout about his example of servant-hood as he washed the feet of the disciples. Shout about his courage as he stayed put when the torches of the soldiers were visible. Shout about his defiance of injustice and his cry for forgiveness. Shout about his death on the cross which brings us life and his triumph over the grave which gives us salvation! By all means shout about God’s love!

Read Luke 1:35-38, Key Verse: 37

The coliseum arena had been set up for the competition. A horse and rider had to navigate several obstacles in the shortest amount of time in order to claim one of the top ten spots. This national event brought in riders from all over the country to the Ohio state fairgrounds. I watched as rider after rider exhibited skills to illustrate the power and control over the horse, the speed and agility as well as the ability to complete each obstacle. The riders were both western and English style and included both men and women. It was a sight to see.

Sight is what each horse and rider had in common until now. The announcer introduced the next rider who would be on a horse that was completely blind. The horse was completely dependent on the rider to not only navigate around the ring but to do jumps as well. A literal hush came over the crowd as the young rider communicated with her horse. It was a marvel to watch this large animal put its trust in the words and cues of the rider. When the rider commanded jump, the horse went up, when it was time to stop or to turn or to….well you get the picture. When the ride was over, it was the only pair to receive a standing ovation.

Do we trust anyone like that? Do we trust God to guide us through the obstacles of our lives? We should. The scripture reminds us that “Nothing is impossible with God.” Mary had to put her total trust in God that this baby she was carrying was the messiah and that she could handle being his mother. I don’t know why it is so hard, but for some reason it continues to be a struggle to put our trust in God through Christ. If a blind horse gets it, why can’t we? Think about that today and may you begin to put your trust in someone other than yourself. I recommend beginning with Jesus. Say a simple prayer asking God to help you trust today. Stop horsing around. Or, maybe we should start!

I’m thankful for such reminders. People can be like that. Through faith, they can be reminders of life, hope and promise. Like a green plant on an office desk, they can help us to look to a better future on a cloudy day. They bring bright colors into the grey experiences of our lives. They promise to bloom and bring freshness to an otherwise stale day or event.

God is that…life in death, light in darkness, the color in the gray. Jesus was sent to provide the hope that humanity so desperately needed. Holy Spirit is our reminder of a better life, better day, better moment than what we can possibly imagine.

Today, look for a reminder on your desk, in your car, in your locker, on your table or in your home that brings life, light and color. It sure makes a difference on a “rainy” day.

READ PSALM 46 (Key verse - 10)

I have taken off my shoes and carefully take step after step to insure that I stay in between the lines that border my path. It seemed like such a simple thing to do but now I realize that I am very conscious of each breath that I am taking as well as every step. I am thinking about God. I contemplate what God is doing in my life today! In my mind and from my heart I say the name of each of my family and extended family. I begin to pray for the world, for families in crisis, for a vision for the church. Time is on my side at this moment. I have a lot of it spend with God and I realize that I have a lot on my mind and heart to share with God. It is freeing, and unburdening. I like this path. I want to walk it again.

Many have never heard of it before. Many others have heard of it but do not understand it. “Is it ‘new age’ stuff,” they ask? “Is it a Christian practice,” they ask? They are referring to a Christian form of worship named Taize. This is a quiet service of soft music, scripture and repetitive singing that is designed to bring one closer to God. It was actually started in the town of Taize, France around 1912. The worship service usually offers those who attend the opportunity to walk a prayer path most often referred to as a labyrinth. As a person walks the path it allows for quality time with God.

I long for this quality time with God. It seems we experience so little of it these days. Psalm 46:10 gives us great advice when it reads, “Be still, and know that I am God;….” It also reminds us that “God is our refuge (safe place) and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (46:1) it is a reminder to spend authentic and quality time with God.

When the Taize service is over I leave in the same attitude of quietness as when I came in. No big good-byes or lots of conversation. After all, we didn’t come to see each other, we came together to see God. I like that. Today, I invite you to spend quality time with God. Walk a path, say a prayer, listen to your breathing. God is in all of those things.

READ PSALM 121: 1-8

It happens like clockwork. First, the lightning flashes and then the first burst of thunder sounds. Wait for it…it starts out slowly and then speeds up and grows in intensity. It first mimics the rain itself with little clicking noises. But then it gets louder and louder as her paws bang and bang and bang on the back porch door. Remy hates storms. She’s our beagle. Thunder sends her into a frenzy and she needs lots of reassurance. So, you guessed it, I’ll get out of bed, head downstairs to the door, and go out and help calm her down. I’ll lock her and our other dog inside the back porch so that they feel more secure and then I leave and they go to sleep. Even if more thunder comes, they will be okay for the night because I responded to their need. They got my number!

They’re just dogs and yet they have trained their human to come when they panic. Is it possible for God to train us in the same way? “I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2) This psalm reminds us that we should have God’s “number.” When the first flash of “lightning” comes into our day or lives and after the first loud clap of “thunder” interrupts our status quo, we should know where to turn. We are to turn to God. God will respond in the midst of our storms. God will come “downstairs” and make sure we are alright. God does watch over us and cares about us. Do you have God’s “number?”

It’s prayer. The prayer isn’t always quiet or formulated. Sometimes it is a screaming prayer or a cry of desperation or a banging and banging on the gates of heaven for someone to answer but it is still the way we contact God and God always responds.

Today, don’t be scared by the thunder in your day, instead, call for help. God will respond.