Sunday, February 28

The Second Sunday of Lent

Genesis 41:14-45

Psalms 8, 24, 29, 84

Romans 6:3-14

John 5:19-24

Psalm 29

"... the God of glory thunders ... The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars...The voice of the strikes with flashes of lightening... The voice of the Lord shakes the desert..."

I've always loved storms. Not entirely sure why, other than it I think it started as something my father and I shared, and there are few places on earth that the storms can be more dramatic than those rolling in across Lake Erie.

My youngest sister, however, is terrified of storms. The other evening, I received a nervous voice mail message that she left while driving home through a particularly nasty storm in Phoenix. She was asking why I loved the storms, so that perhaps she could focus on something that would take her mind off her fears. It made me think -- what was it about storms that I was drawn to? Well, there isn't room here for the entire response but briefly, my explanation drew the conclusion that storms, and thunderstorms in particular, remind me that God is totally in control of everything. When the thunder rolls, it is hard to hear anything else - which hopefully reminds us that when God is speaking (...like when we ask Him a question but don't shut up long enough for the answer...) we should be listening. Whatever we plan, whatever we attempt to accomplish, happens only at the whim of our Lord. Now - that can be an excuse to lay back and say, “What's the point?!” or my personal challenge - to push on and, with lots of prayers and faith, give it my best shot.

So what's your excuse? Let's say we go run in the rain!

Vicki Craven

Saturday, February 27

George Herbert, Priest (1633)

Genesis 41:1-13

Psalms 55, 138, 138:1-17

1 Corinthians 4:1-7

Mark 2:23-3:6

Psalm 138

“You answered me when I called to you.

With your strength you strengthened me.”

Recently when I had the care of my three year old grandson I asked God to give me and my husband the strength and patience to nurture and care for one so young and active. Each day I asked and each day it was there.

God gave the strength and also a renewed wonder of His universe through the eyes of a three year old. When he saw the moon and stars he was excited and clapped his hands. An ordinary lead would capture his interest for a long time, a squirrel eating a nut would amaze him. Through his smile and the delight in his eyes I once again marveled at the many wonderful things our Lord has given us.

Even as wars wage, even as economies teeter, even as we experience sickness, loss and helplessness God is there when we call and with his strength we shall be strengthened. Believe it.

Susan Montgomery

Friday, February 26

Genesis 40:1-23

Psalms 40, 51, 54, 95

1 Corinthians 3:16-23

Mark 2:13-22

Mark 2: 13-22

“It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick.

I came to call not the upright, but sinners.”

It’s so easy, and in some ways natural, to see yourself as the center of the universe. With this comes the notion that others should try and live up to the example you set. The fact is that each of us is very capable of sin, but we often focus our scrutiny on others. “You see a lot, Dr. Lecter. But are you strong enough to point that high-powered perception at yourself?” What we need to realize is that our sins are known in heaven, and that they are forgiven. We are being called not because we have reached perfection, but because we need a leg up. Surely there is no higher calling.

Mark Ramey, Jr.

Thursday, February 25

Genesis 39:1-23

Psalms 19, 46, 50

1 Corinthians 2:14-3:15

Mark 2:1-12

“Therefore neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who causes the growth.”

1 Corinthians 3:7.

If the gardener is not the being who brings the plant to life but God, then every little blade of grass is a miracle from the Lord. I find this to be a very warm and comforting notion, because that means all around us is living, breathing, growing proof of God. The leaf on a bush, the petals on a rose, and the fruit on a tree are all undeniable proof of God. So I invite you in this Lenten season to take a look outside and admire nature for what it is, God’s miracle.

Phillip Eukel

Wednesday, February 24

Holy Day

St. Matthias the Apostle

Genesis 37:25-36

Psalms 49-72, 119

1 Corinthians 2:1-13

Mark 1:29-45

We all have faced difficult times where there really is no easy answer. The choice to either take the high road but admit wrong doing or take the easy road and let someone else take the burden becomes a difficult and a time consuming decision. Why do we let ourselves tangle with these decisions when there clearly is only one correct answer? How many times did Jesus, when faced with incredibly hard decisions, stick to his faith and his true self only to be beaten up over and over again? How many of us would have taken that same beating over and over? Wouldn’t a little white lie be a whole lot easier and less painful on ourselves? Yes, temporarily it might, but that is not what Jesus calls us to do. Jesus calls us to pick the difficult choice, to ask ourselves “is it right” and then trust God that he will make it right. True faith will get us through anything, even the most difficult decisions. Psalm 119 teaches us that our obedience to God will help us through any situation, no matter how hard or how bad the situation is. Many times when we breakdown and suffer through the “little white lie” we scar ourselves with the aftermath. The covering up, the lie that keeps on growing, the hurt we feel when we see the person most affected by our decision. Contrast that with the times you make the difficult but “higher road” decision and you take the burden of the situation. Yes, you might feel a little bruised but that bruise heals quickly, a scar never goes away. Life is complex but the truth is simple. This Lenten season remember to take the hard road, not the easy road. 1 Corinthians 2:5 reminds us, “So that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom but on God’s power.”

Courtneay Odden

Tuesday, February 23

Polycarp, Bishop & Martyr of Smyrna (156)

Genesis 37:12-24

Psalms 45, 47, 48

1 Corinthians 1:20-31

Mark 1:14-28

Imagine a life where your week’s work was that of the Lord and for an hour or so on Sunday you took a break from the Lord’s work to go to the office. A nice thought, but with some consideration, a thought that provides comfort.

Priorities sometimes get out of order and the focus that I feel I should have slowly becomes blurred with distractions of the world. When this happens it is important to take the time out of my routine to get back to my center and push Jesus back to the “work” of my week. If I can just pray… and listen, I can push the world back to its rightful place and allow the voice of Jesus to be heard. We hear the “work of the Lord” often on Sunday but not nearly as often Monday through Saturday. If we can bring heaven a little closer and make the “Lord’s work” our work a little more often, the comfort that we all desire will begin to be the routine. In this Lenten Season take comfort in the Lord’s work and allow Christ to be your center.

Kevin Odden

Monday, February 22

Genesis 37:1-11

Psalms 41, 44, 52

1 Corinthians 1:1-19

Mark 1:1-13

Genesis 37 1-11

¹¹ His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.

Mark 15 6-15

⁹"Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate, ¹⁰knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. ¹¹But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.

Jealousy, envy and resentment- how do they feed us in a way that God cannot? What do we gain from these “respectable sins?” Why do we hold onto, even covet, them? Often, feelings of jealousy come from a perceived threat. Wasn’t it the perception of threat that moved Joseph’s brothers to abandon him? And surely, it was the threat of power and an eternal kingdom that led the High Priests and Pharisees to call for the crucifixion of Jesus. What does jealousy move us to do?

By focusing on perceived threats such as these, we take our eyes off of Jesus and the incredible plans that he has for us. Luckily, the Bible is full of instruction on how to avoid these destructive tendencies. Take for example Romans 12: 9-10 (from The Message):

“Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply and practice playing second fiddle.”

This brings to mind Fr. Patrick’s prayer to “surrender the center space.” By praying this as our own, we can hope to step aside from ourselves to allow Christ to do a bold new work in us! How refreshing to know that there is no threat that is greater than God, especially when he resides in the center of our being! Galatians 5: 26 (from The Message) instructs us in this way …

We will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better or worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.

During this holy season of Lent, let us reflect together on what draws us away from Christ, be it jealousy, envy, or resentment, and meditate on the peace and love that radiates from our having surrendered our center space to our risen Lord!

Heavenly Father, enable us to surrender our center space to you, teach us to play “second fiddle” and show us through opportunities to love our lives as an original. In your son’s name we pray, Amen.

Melissa Peter

Sunday, February 21

The First Sunday of Lent

Daniel 9:3-10

Psalm 63:1-8, 98, 103

Hebrews 2:10-18

John 12:44-50

In the Desert of Judah, fleeing from his enemies, David calls out to God:

God – you’re my God!

I can’t get enough of you!

I’ve worked up such hunger and thirst for God,

Traveling across dry and weary deserts.

So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open,

Drinking in your strength and glory.

Psalm 63 1:2 (The Message)

I’ve never fled from a human enemy. My foes and adversaries take shape in the daily concerns of life; the health of my family, financial matters, time commitments, etc. Many times I find myself in the Desert of Stress and Worry, a lonely and hard place to live.

Thankfully, there is a way out of every desert. Like David, I can enter into worship and confess my needs. I can lean on the prayers, songs and bible passages stored in my heart. I can remember the words Paul wrote to the Philippians, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things” (NIV). Then, I am able to receive strength and guidance from my Lord. My problems don’t always evaporate, but I am better equipped to face the issues of the day.

Savior,

He can move the mountains

My God is mighty to save

He is mighty to save

Forever

Author of salvation

He rose and conquered the grave

Jesus conquered the grave

(from the worship song,
Mighty To Save, by Rueben Morgan)

Juli Browning

Saturday, February 20

Ezekiel 39:21-29

Psalms 30, 32, 42, 43

Philippians 4:10-20

John 17:20-26

In Paul’s letter to the believers in Philippi, he teaches,

“I have learned the secret of being content in every situation, whether well fed or hungry.”

In those times of hunger – financial issues, relationship problems, health challenges, ministry setbacks, natural disaster, disabilities, death, and all that plagues the human race, God is there with us. As believers we know his presence even in those times that we feel very alone and can’t understand how things could have happened as the did.

For some of us, being content and living faithfully in those times of plenty is also a challenge. Author Andre Seu calls this living as though we are “waiting for the other shoe to drop.” We spend so much time and energy focusing on the what if’s, that we don’t enjoy and praise God for the abundance He has given us.

In Beth Moore’s study of the book of Esther, she demonstrated an exercise that helped her face her worries. Take the statement “If ______ , then______.”

You can plug in any disappointment, disability, disease, divorce, or disaster that you fear or worry about. If that happened what would you do next and then after that, and so on... At the end of the scenario you will find that, “If ______, then GOD.”

And so as Paul teaches us, “ I can do everything through God who gives me strength.”

Dear Heavenly Father, during this Lenten season let us not worry about the “what if’s,” and instead focus on your presence in every situation. Thank you for the gift of your Son, crucified for us so that we may live in your presence.

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

Amen.

Bernadette Ellis

Friday, February 19

Ezekiel 18:1-4,25-32

Psalms 31, 35, 95

Philippians 4:1-9

John 17:9-19

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,

whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,

whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence,

if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

A few of Paul’s writings can be seen as quite contentious and some are most thought provoking but nothing he wrote can, for me, compare to this passage of absolute perfection and truth. For me this exhortation mirror images the Great Commandment used every Sunday in our service:

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,

and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

This is the first and great commandment.

And the second is like unto it: Thou shalt love

thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments

hang all the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 22:37-40

Our Lord was quite specific that he came to save sinners and commanded us to think of others before ourselves, to give up the selfish attitude and to be selfless. I can not think of any better way to achieve our Savior’s directive than to focus on the words expressed by Paul in Philippians 4:8 – “whatever is true, honorable, pure, lovely and praiseworthy ... think about these things.”

Our daily lives are filled with “what’s in it for me.” It is difficult to break the mold – indeed, there are forces of evil, way beyond human understanding, pressing us to live the supposedly easier route of sin – but deep down within all of us there is a tiny seed of Christian faith that can jolt us to the realization that Paul was right –

think about these things.

Have you thought about such things today?

John McGarvey

Thursday, February 18

Habakkuk 3:1-18

Psalm 37

Philippians 3:12-21

John 17:1-8

Several years ago Bishop Alard came to Holy Spirit for Confirmation services and in his sermon that day he said the newest four-letter word in the English language is “WAIT”!

In one of today’s readings, the psalmist despairs that people are disobeying God’s law and the “bad guys” are getting away with it; Habakkuk is also deeply disturbed that God’s people are suffering while the wicked go free. Both must ultimately have faith that in God’s time, not their time, those who trust God, pray, and remain loyal will see things come right in the end and the evil-doers will be judged accordingly. We’ve all heard sermons where the theme was “God’s time is not our time.” Still, when we are faced with very difficult situations in our own lives, it is just as difficult for us as it was for the psalmist and Habakkuk to wait patiently for whatever it is to come to a conclusion whether it is the outcome we prayed for or not.

For me personally, it is heartening to know that even persons whose writings were chosen to be in the Bible were sometimes frustrated waiting for God to act – after all these centuries, we are just the same as the biblical characters. And, even St. Paul was sometimes impatient and frustrated because some in his churches were not behaving themselves or because of his own personal sufferings. But in today’s reading from Philippians he says, “...forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on to the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Would that I could keep this in mind when circumstances have me thinking I just “can’t wait.”

Virginia McGarvey

Wednesday, February 17

ASH WEDNESDAY

Amos 5:6-15

Psalms 32, 95, 102, 130, 143

Hebrews 12:1-14

Luke 18:9-14

Psalms 102 and 143

Prayer in Time of Distress

Both of these Psalms focus on prayer when we are feeling distressed and in need. Our journeys are filled with uncertainty and Christ is there to be our constant Companion. While the evil one enjoys veering us off our path toward Christ, HE is always there to make that right turn back in HIS direction.

Very often I find myself as a “prayer drifter.” Longing for that direct path to the Lord in my time of need, I find myself drifting from my prayer away from HIM. I will be praying for a high school friend suffering from the treatment of breast cancer and suddenly I find myself engrossed in our old fun days and out of my prayer focus. Or, I will be praying for my son, that he plays with conviction and fairness in his upcoming basketball game, then I’m off on a tangent of his grades or friends, and again, I find myself drifted away from prayer. Other times, I am praying for the right course of our nation and its leadership and then in the next instant I am stewing over what I read in the news today away from prayer. The telephone rings and my prayer thoughts are stopped in its course.

The evil one is always trying to change our course. He forgets however, that the Lord hungers and thirsts for our prayers and the spiritual connection that prayer bonds us to HIM. Prayer is like the rubber band that always pops us right back to HIM with that “OMG” moment of “I’ve drifted” and then once that realization hits us we are right back on the path to Christ. Distressful times bring us to Christ. He wants to heal us and longs for those times of prayer. Distressful times also bring uncertainty and we tend to lose focus and drift.

Lord, thank You for always bringing me back to YOU. My direction can be fuzzy at times but YOU are my constant Companion. Lead my journey, keep my focus on YOU, forgive me when I drift away. Let me neither look forward or behind and know that You are right beside me always, even at those moments of losing my way. When my thoughts begin to drift, please redirect my attention back to YOU. I pray for your grace to help me focus in prayer and that YOU are right beside me when I’m in “prayer drifter” mode.

Stephanie Hart