Daily Devotions for the 2017 Season of Lent
Transforming lives by Loving God, Serving Others and
Building Christian Community
150 East Franklin Street • Chapel Hill, NC 27514
www.universityumc.church
AshWednesday,March1,2017
SlowDownandGoFast
PAUSE
“WhatareyougivingupforLentthisyear?”Perhapsthisisn’tthefirstquestionoftheseason.Perhaps
theinitialquestionweneedtositwithisthis:“WhataboutthewayIlivemylifeisabarriertofriendship
withGod?”
LISTEN:Matthew6:16-18
16
“Andwheneveryoufast,donotlookdismal,likethehypocrites,fortheydisfiguretheirfacessoasto
showothersthattheyarefasting.TrulyItellyou,theyhavereceivedtheirreward.17Butwhenyoufast,
putoilonyourheadandwashyourface, 18 sothatyourfastingmaybeseennotbyothersbutbyyour
Fatherwhoisinsecret;andyourFatherwhoseesinsecretwillrewardyou.[a]
REFLECT
WhenIwasveryyoung,Irecallaninstanceofmybrotherprayingbeforetheeveningmeal.Calvinwas
hungry and impatient, and hurried through the “God is great” at a speed that blurred the words and
requiredcommentbyourfather.Calvin’shandswereonthebowlofpotatoesevenbeforethe“Amen”
camefromhismouth.“Slowdown,Calvin!”Dad’swordswerenotjudgmental,butgentleandpersuasive.
“Whenyourushthroughtheprayer,youmightaswellbesayingtoGodthateitheryouorthefoodis
moreimportantthantakingafewminutestosaythankyoutotheOnewhohasprovidedit.”Well,the
foodwasimportant,especiallytoahungryfive-year-old.Yet,Dad’swisewordshavestayedwithme-
don’trushyourconversationswithGod.IamnotsureDadwasintentionallytryingtoteachtheologyat
thetable,butthat’swhathewasdoing:“Takecare,children,thatyouractionsandyourbehaviorreflect
thenatureandcharacterofGod.”Speedprayersatmealtimerevealourimpatience,orevenourdesire
forfood,notourdesireorgratitudeforaGodwhomadeusaspeoplewhoeat.
InMatthew’sgospelJesusinstructshisfollowerstopraybeforeheinstructsthemtofast;slowdownto
rememberwhoGodis,thengofast.NoticethatJesusdoesn’tsay“Praythisway,andthen,ifyoufeellike
it,gofast.”Fastingfollowsprayer,especiallywhenwelearntoprayasJesushasinstructedus.Whenwe
learntoprayforGod’snametobehallowed,forGod’sKingdomtocome,forGod’swilltobedoneon
earth,andforGodtogiveusourdailybread,wearelearningtoprayforaparticularwayoflifethatisnot
limitedtoour“innerbeing”,butalifethatwe“wearinourbodies.”Fastingisonewaytolearnthatwe
arebodies,andthattheflourishingofourbodiesisdependentonGodwhoprovidesabundantly.When
wefastwebecomestarklyawareoftheneeds,quirks,andfrailtiesofourbodies.Intheprocessoffasting
fromfood,ourstomachswillmakestrangenoises,ourheadsmayache,andperhapswewillhavetrouble
focusing.WebegintorealizeinnewandwonderfulwaysthatthewayGodhasorderedtheworld–by
creatingusasthosewhoeat,andprovidingallweneedfromtheearthtobenourished–isnothingless
thanmiracle.Ourresponseisadeepgratitudethatisexpressedinjoy,resultinginanincreaseddesireto
knowGodandbeknownbyGod.
Fastingalsopointstoourfalsegods.WhenfastingcomesasadirectresultoflearningtheprayerJesus
hastaughtus,welearnthatperhapswehavehallowedourowndesires,createdkingdomstosuitour
ownwills,andgrabbedwhateverismostconvenienttofillourbellies,oftenattheperilofneighboror
creation.
1
Wedonotfastsothatwecanloseweightorprovetoourneighborsthatwearepious;wefastasaresult
ofprayer;prayeratbestreorientsourdesires.WhenwedenyourselvesduringLent,wearemakingspace
tocomprehendthemysteryoftheGodwhocreatedallthatisandcalleditverygood.
PRAYER
LovingGod,ourheartsarerestlessuntiltheyrestinyou.Increaseourdesiretoloveyouaboveallothers,
sothatthejoyofthelifeyouhavemadepossibleisevidentinourbodies.DuringthisseasonofLent,walk
withusaswewalkwithJesustothecross,tothetomb,andtotheresurrectedlife.Amen.
GO
SlowdownthisseasonofLent,andgofast.Slowdowntolisten,thentakeupalifeoffastingfromthe
habitsorpossessionsthatyouthinkyoucannotlivewithout.KnowthattheFatherwhoseesinsecretwill
besmiling,waitingtoembraceyouwithopenarms.
(Letyourdoctorknowifyouarefastingfromfood.Or,tryasimplefastofsnacksbetweenmeals,beverages
otherthanwater,oronemealaweek.PrayforGod’sguidance.Whenyouaretemptedtobreakthefast,
slowdownandtalktoGod.)
Rev.GraceG.Hackney
Thursday,March2,2017
AMetamorphosis
PAUSE
Thereisgreatjoyinforgiveness,bothfortheonewhoforgivesandtheonereceivingforgiveness.Ibelieve
Godhasgreatjoyinforgivingourtransgressions,forhedesiresonlyourhighestgood.However,strange
asitseems,acceptingforgivenessisoftenharderthanofferingforgiveness,sinceacceptingforgiveness
meansadmittinghavingtransgressedwhichouregodoesnotwanttodo.
LISTEN:Psalm32
1
Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Happy are those to whom
theLORDimputesnoiniquity,andinwhosespiritthereisnodeceit.
REFLECT
MartinSmith’sbookReconciliation:PreparingforConfessionintheEpiscopalChurchwasrequiredreading
earlyinthetwo-yearSpiritualDirector’sFormationProgramIwastakingseveralyearsago.Ittoldmehow
toprepareforalifetimeconfessionbygoingbackasfarasIcouldremember,includingso-called“sinsof
youth”, and those harbored, rationalized, or denied. This took several months to do, using the Ten
Commandments,Beatitudes,Jesus’twocommandmentstoloveGodandneighbor,andotherguidance
fromtheBible.Havingthisonpaper,IwenttomyMethodistministeratSt.Andrewby-the-SeaUMCon
HiltonHeadIsland.Hedidn’tquiteknowwhattodo,excepttosuggestthatIpraytheJesusPrayer,“Lord,
JesusChrist,SonofGod,havemercyonme,asinner.”
Overour14yearsatHiltonHead,IperiodicallywenttoweekendretreatsattheCistercianAbbeyofOur
LadyoftheHolySpiritatConyers,GA,southeastofAtlanta.Retreatantswerewelcomedtoprayseven
timesadayinchoirloftsadjacenttothemonksandtoparticipateinthedailyEucharist.Duringthedays
and evenings, there was opportunity to attend classes taught by the monks and Abbot on the retreat
2
themeoftheweekend.AndeverySaturdayeveningtherewastheopportunitytogotoconfession.With
somefearandtrembling,Idecidedtotakemyseveral-pagelistoflifetimetransgressionsintotheroom
designatedforconfessions.ThereIsatinacomfortablechairandconfessedfacetofacewithamonk,
FatherMalachy,sittingcloseby.Hewasakindlyoldgentlemanwhoremindedmeofoneofmyuncles.
HissisterhadgivenhimacopyofThomasMerton’sSevenStoryMountainin1948,anditsomovedhim
that he became a Trappist monk. He recognized that I had a good conscience and had made some
progress,butwouldfindmorechallengesahead.Bythepowerofapostolicsuccession,heabsolvedmeof
mytransgressions,toldmetotearupmylist,andthattheslatewaswipedclean.Healsogavemea
penance to prayerfully read Psalm 51 and 130 frequently. It was a metamorphosis! I went into that
confessionfeelingaslowasaworm,andcameoutfeelingasfreeasabutterfly-afeelingwhichexiststo
thisday.
JohnWesleybelievedthattheentrancetothelifeoffaithisrepentance;thatitisGod’sprevenientgrace,
thatelementalgraceforeveryone,whichleadstorepentance.TheChristianlifecannotbeginwithouta
person’sacknowledgementofsinandanearnestdesiretochange.FaiththencomesasthegiftofGod.
Wesleycalledthisjustifyinggrace.WesleyfurtherbelievedthatafterwehaveacceptedGod’sforgiveness,
wearetomoveoninGod’ssanctifyinggracetowardsperfection.
PRAYER
Thankyou,mercifulGod,foryourgraceandforsendingyourSonintothisworldforoursalvation.Amen.
GO
Beasfreeasabutterfly.
DonSchoene
Friday,March3,2017 Ground-InDirt
PAUSE
"Whosinned,thismanorhisparents?"thePhariseesaskedJesus.TheApostlePaulpointsthefingerat
oneman–Adam–themudmanGodfashionedoutofthedustoftheearth.Ifwelatter-daycreaturesof
thegroundarebornsoiledwithAdam’sdirt,whathopedowehaveofbeingwashedclean?
LISTEN:Romans5:18-19
Thereforejustasoneman’strespassledtocondemnationforall,sooneman’sactofrighteousnessleads
tojustificationandlifeforall.Forjustasbytheoneman’sdisobediencethemanyweremadesinners,so
bytheoneman’sobediencethemanywillbemaderighteous.
REFLECT
GrowingupinEasternNorthCarolina,Ispentsummersoutdoorsmakingmudpies,climbingmagnolia
trees,andbuilding“houses”inthedirtRoxaboxen1 stylewithsticks,trash,andotherscraps.Nomatter
howoftenIbathedorhowhardIscrubbed,mykneesandelbowsremainedstubbornlydiscoloredbya
brownishlayermybrothersteasinglycalled“ground-in”dirt.Oh,thehumiliation.
1
Roxaboxenisawonderfulchildren’sbookbyAliceMcLerran.
3
Iwaswellintomiddleschoolbeforetheliteraldirtwashedoff,butbythattimeIhadbeguntounderstand
anothertypeofstain–theground-indirtofhumanbrokennessandsin.Aswematureinourfaith,we
finallylearnthelesson18thcenturyschoolbooksusedtoteachtheletterA:“InAdam’sFall,wesinned
all.”
InwritingtotheRomans,PaulshowsusthatacrucialpartofourChristianjourneyislearningtobehonest
withGodandourselves.Wemustbewillingtoadmitthatwehavesinnedandfallenshortofbeingthe
personGodwouldhaveusbe.LikePaul,wematureasChristianswhenweareabletoadmit,"Idonot
understandmyownactions.ForIdonotdowhatIwant,butIdotheverythingIhate"(Romans7:15).
Noneofuswakesupasking,“HowshouldIsintoday?”It’snotthatothersareperfectandwesomehow
don’tmeasureup.Weallweartheground-indirtofsinanditsnaturalconsequence,death.It’sAdam’s
fault.Throughthisoneman,sincameintotheworldandeversince,allsubsequentbeingshavebeen
sinners.
Butwait!BythetimethosecolonialschoolchildrengottotheletterC,theylearnedamorebeautiful
truth:“Christcrucified,forsinnersdied.”AsPaulwrites,“Forjustasbytheoneman’sdisobediencethe
manyweremadesinners,sobytheoneman’sobediencethemanywillbemaderighteous.”OrasJohn
Wesleyputit,“Bynatureyouarewhollycorrupted.Bygraceyoushallbewhollyrenewed.InAdamyou
alldied:InthesecondAdam,inChrist,youallaremadealive.”Asitturnsout,thereisnodirtsoground
inthatitcan’tbewashedcleanbytheonewhoisourlivingwater.
PRAY
Wethankyou,OGod,thatyouhavegivenusanenduringhope.Wethankyou,thatthroughourfaithin
youandinyourSonJesusChrist,youenterintoeverydustyheartandwashitclean.Amen.
GO
GointheknowledgethatthroughthedeathandresurrectionofJesusChristyouhavebeenpardoned,
yoursinsforgiven,andyouhavebeenmaderighteousbeforeGod.
PastorMitziJohnson
Saturday,March4,2017
“Snakes.Why’dithavetobesnakes?”
PAUSE
Even a creature you revile or involuntarily recoil to see has a place in God’s creation. And even those
creaturesthatGodhaspunished,usincluded,havearoleinourbeautifulworld.
LISTEN:Genesis3:1-17
REFLECT
Asa6-year-old,Ihadanightmarethatinvolvedbeingchasedaroundmybackyardbyasnake.Ultimately
Itrippedface-firstoveralogintheyard,andasIfelltotheground,thesnakerearedupandopenedits
mouthtostrike.Iwokescreamingandrandownthehalltomyparents’room.FormonthsIspentthe
nightontheflooroftheirroom.
Ihatesnakes.
4
I’llneverpassasagirlygirl.Icanhandlebugsandspiders(evenifI’dprefernotto).IdoubtI’djumpona
tablescreamingshouldamouseskitteracrossthefloor.Idon’tminddirt.IhavetwosonssoIgetmy
shareofit.Snakesthough…I’mwithIndianaJones.
SowhileIcanhandlemuchofwhatmysonsbringhome,frompilesofrockstojarsofbugstocupsfullof
mysteriousmud-based“potions,”Ican’thandlesnakes.Notthesnakeskinstheyfindandleaveonthe
porch,notsquashedsnakesfoundintheroad,andcertainlynottheliveonethathungoutbehindmy10year-old’sbikeforawhilelastsummer.
“Buttheyeatbugs!”my6-year-oldargues,andmy10-year-oldchimesinwithLyme-diseaseprevention
tips. “They are an important part of the food chain,” I am told, and also: scientists have studied their
venomforcurativemedicines!Isn’tthatexciting!Iconsidermyselfalifelonglearnerandpayattentionto
thesnakelessonsmyboysteachme.
Iloveknowledge.Iloveknowledgeandhatesnakes;aregularmodern-dayEve,Iam.
OneofGod’spunishmentsforeatingtheforbiddenfruitisto“putenmitybetweenyou[thesnake]and
thewoman,”andinthismostancientoftalesIfeelGod’swordasdeeplyasanythingintheBible.But
whileGodcursedthesnaketocrawluponhisbellyandeatdust,hedidnoteradicatehimfromtheEarth.
Indeedmyboyshavetaughtmethatsnakes,likeallofGod’screatures,areanimportantpartofthisEarth
weliveon.
PRAY
Lord,yourcreationisfullofwonderandfear.Someofusfearsnakes;othersfearsharksorspiders,or
rumblingthunder.Butallofyourcreationhasameaningandaplace.Helpustoacceptourfearsofyour
creationandappreciateitallthesame.Amen.
GO
Whatdoyoufear?Whateveritisyoufear,itishereonEarthforareason.Acceptyourfearsandtheir
placeintheworld.Yourfearstoo,areGod-given.
AletheaGerding
Sunday,March5,2017
1stSundayinLent
Matthew4:1-11
YouareinvitedtoworshipGodincommunityatUniversityUMC(150E.FranklinSt.,ChapelHill,NC)or
joinusonlineathttps://www.youtube.com/user/ChapelHillUUMC.
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Monday,March6,2017
Testing1,2,3
PAUSE
Haveyoueverpreparedtospeaktoanaudienceandthemicrophonedoesnotwork?Whenthathappens,
weoftenchecktoseetheproblemandthentryitagainsaying,“Testing1,2,3,”toseeifitisnowworking
satisfactorily.
LISTEN:Matthew4:1-11
REFLECT
InMatthew4:1-11,JesusisbeingtestedbySatannotoncebut3times.“ThenJesuswasledupbythe
Spiritintothewildernesstobetemptedbythedevil.Hefastedfortydaysandfortynights,andafterwards
hewasfamished”(Mt.4:1-2).Thetemptercameandsaidtohim,“IfyouaretheSonofGod,command
thesestonestobecomeloavesofbread,”butHeanswered,“Itiswritten,‘Onedoesnotlivebybread
alone,butbyeverywordthatcomesfromthemouthofGod’”(Mt.4:4).AndSatanagaintemptedJesus
andinverse7Jesussaidtohim,“Againitiswritten,‘DonotputtheLordyourGodtothetest.’”Inverses
8-9,SatanagaintemptedJesusbutJesusresponds,“AwaywithyouSatanforitiswritten,‘Worshipthe
LordyourGod,andserveonlyhim’”(Mt.4:10).
Everydaywearetestedinonewayoranother.Howwerespondtothetestssayssomethingabouthow
weliveourlives.Mycousincontractedpoliowhenshewas29yearsoldandwasmarriedwithtwosmall
boys.Shewasparalyzedfromtheneckdownandcoulddonothingbutmoveherheadfromsidetoside.
Initially,shecouldnotunderstandwhyshewasafflictedinthiswayandhowshecouldlivewithoutever
movingagain.Iamsureshewastemptedtogiveup,blameGodandlosefaith.
Throughherstruggles,andperhapswiththeencouragementofothers,herfaithwasdeepened;itcarried
her through 40+ years of living on a respirator and many of those years within an iron lung. I often
wonderedifIwereputtosuchatesthowIwouldhaverespondedinasimilarsituation.Sheisarole
modelformethatnomatterwhathappens,Ihopetohavethefaithshehadtomoveforwardandtrust
inGodtosupplymystrength.JesuswastestedandHetoorecognizedthatwedonotliveby‘breadalone,
butbyeverywordthatcomesfromthemouthofGod’(Mt.4:4).
Mycousincouldnotattendachurchservicebutherchurchcametoher;sheconductedregularBible
studyinherhomeeachweek.Sheandherfamilyweretestedandthey,likeJesus,reliedonGodtosee
themthroughtheirtrials.
PRAY
GraciousGod,whenwearetested,grantusthecourageandthefaithtohavetheconfidenceofJesusto
knowyouareour‘breadoflife’andwillabidewithusalways.
GO
Whenwearetested,doweasJesusdid,relyonGodtosupplyourstrengthtoseeusthroughthe
challengesoflifenotonce,twiceorthreetimesbuteachandeverytime?
JaneM.Campbell
6
Tuesday,March7,2017
TheJourney
PAUSE
TheSpiritualLifeisajourney.Alloflifeisajourney.
LISTEN:Genesis12:1-3
NowtheLORDsaidtoAbram,“Gofromyourcountryandyourkindredandyourfather’shousetotheland
thatIwillshowyou.2Iwillmakeofyouagreatnation,andIwillblessyou,andmakeyournamegreat,so
thatyouwillbeablessing.3Iwillblessthosewhoblessyou,andtheonewhocursesyouIwillcurse;and
inyouallthefamiliesoftheearthshallbeblessed.”
REFLECT
“Journey,”veryearlyoninWesternCivilization,becamethestandardmetaphorforthehumanlifetime.
BoththeBibleandtheclassicalliteratureofGreeceandRome,fromearliesttimesemploythismetaphor.
InClassicalliteraturetheprimetravelerisOdysseus,inHomer’seighthcenturyB.C.Greekepicpoem,the
Odyssey.ThemetaphorsodeeplygraspedclassicalcivilizationthattheRomanepicpoetVirgiladaptedit
toastoryofthefoundingofRome,theAeneid.
The Biblical authors of Genesis introduce the founding journey in Genesis 12:1-3. A married couple,
AbrahamandSarah,arecalledbyGodtomakethelongjourney(about800miles)fromUroftheChaldees
(moderndaysouthernIraq)tothelandofCanaan(moderndayIsrael).ThefirstwordthatGodsaysto
Abrahamis“Go.”Godsays,“Gofromyourcountry…tothelandIwillshowyou.”
ThroughacomplexseriesofeventsthedescendantsofAbrahamandSarah,theIsraelites,endupleaving
the land of Canaan and going to Egypt. The book of Exodus begins 400 years later with the Israelites
enslavedinEgypt.AgainGodcallsthemtogo,toescapefromEgyptandgotothepromisedland,theland
ofmilkandhoney,thelandofCanaan.
AfterHistransfiguration,JesussetsHisfacetowardJerusalemandmakesthehardjourneythatwilllead
tothecross.Afterhisresurrection,thelastwordshewillsaytohisfollowersare,“Go,intoalltheworld,
makingdisciplesofallnations.”
In Acts 9, God says to Ananias who leads the Apostle Paul out of his blindness, “Go, for [Paul] is my
instrumentwhomIhavechosentobringmynamebeforegentilesandkings.Paulwillthenbecomethe
greatestChristiantravelerofall.
God’sliteralcalltothesevariousheroesoftheBibletotravelbecameametaphoricalcall.ThePromised
Land,theultimateendofthejourney,becameametaphorforHeaven.Ourspiritualjourneyisourquest
throughlifetoaneverdeeperexperienceandunderstandingofGod,untilwewillbewithGodfullyinthe
lifetocome.
IfwereadtheliteraturesofEasterncivilizationsandreligionsofIndia,China,andJapan,wewillfindan
absenceofthejourneymetaphor.Heroesarenotonjourneys.Wheretheyalreadyareistheircenterof
theworld.Theyhallowtheplacewheretheyare,keepitsafefromintruders,andstaythere.
Christianshaveinternalizedthejourneymetaphorintoawayofunderstandingourlives.Wememorialize
andactivatethatspiritualjourneyinthecustomofpilgrimage,atraveltoaholyplace.St.Helena,perhaps
7
thefirstpilgrimandmotheroftheemperorConstantine,travelstotheHolyLandinordertoidentifyall
the places where Jesus had been. Chaucer’s pilgrims make the journey to the Holy Cathedral of
Canterbury.
ForNorthCarolinaUnitedMethodists,ourHolyPlaceisLakeJunaluska.PerhapsGodwillcallusasachurch
tomakeapilgrimagethere!
PRAYER
OurleaderGod,leadusandfollowusonthejourneythatisourlives.Makeourlife’sjourneymoreand
moreaspiritualjourney,untilweultimatelyfindourrestinyouandyourpromisedland.ThroughJesus
ourtravelcompanion,Amen.
Rev.ChristianWilson
Wednesday,March8,2017
FaithasBrightasaStar
PAUSE
You’velikelyseenthispaintingbefore,buttakeafewmomentstoslowdownlifeandtoreallyhavea
look.Whatdetailsdoyounotice?…Ipromisethiswilltieinsoon.
VincentVanGogh.TheStarryNight.1989.MuseumofModernArt(MOMA),NY
LISTEN:Genesis15:1-6.
REFLECT
HerethroughbothAbrahamandtheLord’swords,wegetasenseofhowawesomeGodcanbe—
knowingexactlywhatweneed,whenwemostneedit.
ThepassagebeginsastheLordapproachesAbrahaminavision,tellshimnottobeafraid,andhintsatthe
greatrewardstocome.AsAbrahamspeaks,wegetasenseofhisanxietyandconcernabouthislackofa
successor.EarlierinGenesis,GodhasalreadypromisedtomakeAbrahamintoagreat,blessednationthat
willspreadacrossendlessamountofland(Genesis12:2-3and12:14-19).ButasAbrahampointsout,he
8
hasyettohaveanheirwhocaninheritthisgreatpromise.HowlongAbrahamhasbeenwaiting!What
hardshipshehasalreadyendured!Howpatienthehasbeen!
Yetstillinversestwoandthree,Abrahamexhibitshisunwaveringfaith.Herepeatedlyusestheverb“to
give”andacceptsallthingsascomingfromtheLord.Abrahamviewseverythinginhislifeasdrivenbyand
provided by the Lord. By completing centering his thoughts around what the Lord provides, Abraham
demonstratesthatheistotallywillingtofollowtheLord’spathforhim.
Ultimately, Abraham’s faith is rewarded as seen in the last section of this passage. The Lord brings
Abrahamoutside;heinstructshimto“looktowardstheheavensandcountthestars,ifyouareableto
countthem,soshallyourdescendantsbe.”
Haveyoueverexperiencedyourfaiththroughawonderfulsight?Experiencedsuchamomentofintense
reliefafteraperiodofwaiting?Here,wecanimagineAbrahamandhisexperiencethroughVincentVan
Gogh’sfamouspainting,TheStarryNight.Inthenightskyweseesixbrightorbs,shininginvarioushues
of mustard and buttercup. They are seemingly out-shadowed by the bright yellow crescent moon
dominatingtheupperrightofthecanvas.Ifyoulookclosely,youcanseethateachstarismadeupof
countlessindividualbrushstrokes.Uponfurtherinspection,youmightseehowthebluesandyellowsmix
andmingleinthebrushstrokesasVanGoghseeminglyanimatesthewindblowingacrossthecanvas.I
like to think of these tiny brush strokes and the majesty of the night sky in relationship to Abraham’s
vision.Heispromisedinfiniteblessingsandprosperity.
AswecontinueourjourneytowardsEaster,letusconsiderthewayswemightreorientouractions
towardsGod.Whatareyouwaitingfor?HowmightyoumodelAbraham’spatienceandfaithinyour
ownlife?
PRAY
Lord,inaworldfilledwithswirlingcloudsofconfusion,guideustothebright-shininglightofyourplan.
Revealthewaysthatwecanfaithfullyfollowyou,andgiveusthepatiencetoworktowardsyourgoals.
Wearethankfulforallthatyouprovide,andanticipatewhatistocomeinthefuture.Allgloryisyours,
Amen.
GO
AsAbrahamsawGod’spromisefulfilledinhisvisionofthenightstars,howmightyouseeGodinthe
worldaroundyoutoday?
CarleeForbes
Thursday,March9,2017
WhatDoAbrahamandIHaveinCommon?
PAUSE
Manyofuscompareourselvestoothersinordertomeasureourperformancesandeventodetermine
themeaningfulnessofourlives.AsChristians,howdoesthatfitintoourrelationshipwithGod?
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LISTEN:Romans4:1-5
WhatthenarewetosaywasgainedbyAbraham,ourancestoraccordingtotheflesh? 2ForifAbraham
wasjustifiedbyworks,hehassomethingtoboastabout,butnotbeforeGod.3Forwhatdoesthescripture
say?“AbrahambelievedGod,anditwasreckonedtohimasrighteousness.” 4 Nowtoonewhoworks,
wagesarenotreckonedasagiftbutassomethingdue. 5Buttoonewhowithoutworkstrustshimwho
justifiestheungodly,suchfaithisreckonedasrighteousness.
REFLECT
I am really a good guy. I really am. Even when my favorite soccer team plays on television on Sunday
mornings, I am in church. I attend Sunday School and The Omega Project, where Christian Wilson, a
ministerandretiredreligionprofessor,leadsusthroughtheScriptures.Iserveonchurchcommitteeslike
HigherEducationandWorship.IpledgetocontributeacertainamountofmoneytoUniversity United
MethodistChurcheachyear;notasmuchasIcould,butIcontributearegularamount.Ievenoccasionally
missaCarolinabasketballgameinordertosupportthechurch.Thatisrealsacrifice.
Now, how does that match up with Abraham? Please remember though, Abraham was father of the
Jewishnation.IamamerecitizenofChapelHill,livingintheChathamCountyportionofChapelHillat
that.Abrahamwas“God’sfriend.”
AbrahamwasaskedbyGodto,“Leaveyourcountry,yourpeopleandyourfather’shouseholdandgoto
thelandIwillshowyou.”Abrahamresponded.Hewentastold.HeobeyedGod.Thatwasaremarkable
decision.Hemovedfarawayfromfamilywhichwasnotatallcommonthen.HelikelyreceivedGod’s
instructioninaclimateofworshippingBabylonianpagangods;yethebelieved.
As you recall, Abraham and Sarah were childless, which was not well understood in their culture, and
indeedconstitutedarealsourceofshameforthem.ThebirthofIsaacwasablessingofthehighestform.
ThenGodorderedAbrahamtosacrificeIsaaconthemountain.AcknowledgingtheheartacheAbraham
musthavefelt,whatweknowisthathedidasGodinstructedandtookIsaactothemountain.Againhe
obeyedGod.Hetrusted.
ConsideringthemundanedeedsoreventsIhaveexperiencedandthespectacularaccomplishmentsof
Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation, there is no comparison. In either case however, a certain
amountofearthlystatus,esteemoradmirationmightaccrue.However,forbothofusbeforeGod,deeds
andearthlyaccomplishmentsalonearenotimportant.Godcanseeintothedoer’sheart.Thatiswhatis
important.Theheartiswherethedoer’smotivesareandondisplayforGodtosee.
ItwasbecauseoftheAbraham’sfaith,notthedeedsarisingoutofthefaith,thatrighteousness,aneternal
promisefromGod,wasaffordedAbrahamorfoundinAbraham’sheart.AbrahamandIdohavesomething
incommon.JustasAbrahamwasanexample,Iinmyroutinelivingcanbeanexampleoffaithandbelief
inthepromisesofGod.IcanreceiveGod’spromise.Weallcan.
PRAY
DearLord,giveusthefaithandbeliefthatAbrahamhadtofollowyourinstructions.Makeusawareof
yourpresenceinourlivesthatwemaybeexamplesofthelifethatJesuslivedandtaughtustolive.We
praiseourLordandsaviorwhodiedforoursinsandshortcomings.Amen.
10
GO
Donotconcernyourselfwithdeedsbywhichyoumightacquiretheesteemoffellowhumans.Seekto
pleaseGodbyfaithinandobediencetoHim.
JoeRitter
Friday,March10,2017
TrustingGod:AStorywithinaStory
PAUSE
Haveyoueverfeltaloneandpowerlessinthefaceoflife’schallenges?Godcanandwillhelp.Justask.
LISTEN:Psalm121
REFLECT
Forthefirstelevenyearsofmylife,IlivedinasmalltowninWesternNewYorkwithmyparentsandfour
youngersiblings.BothMomandDadhadbeenraisedinthearea,sowewerepartofalargeextended
family. I have many happy memories of my childhood there. Most are associated with my maternal
grandmother,“Nana.”ThedaughterofacircuitridingPresbyterianminister,shehadtaughtinaone-room
schoolhousebeforemarryingmygrandfather.NanawouldoftenbabysitmysisterBarbaraandme.She
waswonderfulatengagingus.Welovedtosingalongwithherwhensheplayedhymnsontheoldupright
pianoinherlivingroom;andwelookedforwardtospendingthenightbecausethestoriesshereadtous
weresogood.HersourcewasUncleArthur’sBedtimeStories(circa1950).ThestoryIrememberbest
includedanillustrationofaboysoundasleeponhisbedwhileaterriblethunderstormragedoutsidehis
window.Here’sthegistofthatstory:
Abusyfarmerwashavingtroublehiringresponsiblehelptoworkwithhimonthefarm.Againandagain
hehademployeddriftersashands,onlytofindthemlazyandunreliable.Onedayateenageboyshowed
uplookingforajob.Theboywasstrange;allhesaidtorecommendhimselfwas,"Icansleepthrough
storms." The desperate farmer hired him anyway. After a short orientation, the boy quietly did his
assignedworkeverydaywithoutdirection.Thenonenightthefarmerwasawakenedbytheboomand
crashofabigthunderstorm.Herushedtotheroomwheretheboywassleepingandtriedtoarousehim,
buttheboywouldnotwakeup;sothefarmerwentoutonhisowntosecurehispropertyfromdamage.
Hewasangryandvowedtofiretheboyuntilherealizedthateverythingthatneededtobedonetoprotect
thefarmfromtheravagesofastormalreadyhadbeendone.Thecowswerefedandsettled,thehaystacks
werecoveredandtieddown,theequipmentwassheltered,andthegatesandbuildingswerelocked.It
wasthenthatthefarmerunderstoodWHYtheboycouldsleepsohard.Hehaddoneallhecouldand
trustedhisboss–andultimatelyGod–tohandletherest.
Today’sscripture,Psalm121,isapsalmoftrust.BiblescholarsthinkpilgrimstravelingtoJerusalemmay
haveusedit.Structuredasdialoguebetweenapilgrimandarespondingpriest,itsmessageistwo-fold:
1)Godisourguardianandprotectorand2)weshouldtrustinHispower,loveandintentiontoprotectus
–especiallyindifficulttimes.
TheboyinUncleArthur’sstoryreliedonGodtoseehimthrough.Ididthesamewhenmyparentsdecided
tomovetoCentralFloridain1956.Theyboughtasmallhouseinthecountry,enrolledthethreeofus
olderkidsinschool,employedaneighbortokeepthetwolittleonesduringmyschoolhours,andquickly
11
foundnewjobswithcommutes.ThatiswhenIknewmychildhoodwasover.BydefaultIwouldbein
chargeofcaringforthehouseandmysiblingswhenevermyparentsweregone.Therewasnooneelseto
help.Iwasangryanduncooperativeatfirst,buteventuallyacceptedwhatIcouldn’tchange.AllIcould
dowastrustinGod’spower,loveandprotection.Theyearswentby.LiketheboyinthestoryIworked
hard,oftenexceedingothers’expectations.EventuallyIwentawaytocollege,gotagoodjob,marrieda
wonderfulmanandstartedafamily.Ourchildrenarenowintheirfortieswithchildrenoftheirown,and
IamtheNana.MylifetodayisbetterthanIevercouldhaveimagined.ThanksbetoGodforkeepingme
safeandansweringmyprayers!
PRAY
LovingGod,thankyouforprotectingandguidingusthroughlife’sstruggles.Teachustotrustyouandto
rememberthatweareneveralone.
GO
Whereveryouare,youcanseekGod’shelp.
CarolineMartens
Saturday,March11,2017
CreationItselfWillBeSetFree
PAUSE
AppearinginaUUMCSundayservicebulletinafewyearsago,therewasthisprayer:“Grantusthegrace
tolivefullyintheassuranceofyourpresence,sothatwemaywitnesstoyourloveandpeacethrough
thestrengthofourowncharacter.”DoyouyearnforassuranceofGod’spresenceinyourbusydaily
life?Howcancreationbesetfree?
LISTEN:Romans8:18-25
REFLECT
It’sanordinary,coldNovemberFriday.Small,lowcloudsscudacrossacrispbluesky.Iamdrivinghurriedly
throughmyneighborhood,anxiousnottobelateformyhaircutappointment.Iseethelightsturnred.I
waitbehindtwoothercarsatthebusyintersection.Wewait.Thesunmovesinandoutofthepassing
clouds.Alightbreezehaspickedup.Iglancedown,andthereinthemedianarelittlegrey-browndrytufts
offinegrasseswithtinydarkseedheads,growingoutofthehardseamsoftheconcretepaving.AsIwatch,
theybegintotremble.Ifeeltheirlifeessence.Theyrespondtothelightbreeze.Theytrembleandvibrate.
Theirconnectiontothebreathoflifeissoevident,yetsounnoticed!IammesmerizedasIwatchtheir
silent,vigorousmovements.Itisremarkable!Itisamiracle!ThenIlookforward,andthatBreathofLife
iseverywhere,flowingandswirling,connectingeveryobject,everyperson,everycar,everycloud.Ilook
backatthelittledrygrasses,andyettheytremble,still!Thelightchangestogreen,andItakealeftturn.
Suddenly I realize that I have just experienced being alive, very alive, just then! I am astounded. I am
grateful.Ifeelenergized.Ifeelhopeful.Ifeellovedandloving.ThomasMerton,writingin“Conjectures
ofaGuiltyBystander”writes:“Hereisanunspeakablesecret:paradiseisallaroundusandwedonot
understand.Itiswideopen.”
12
PRAY
Loving God, thank you for placing hope and love in even the small movements of tiny, trembling dry
grasses.Thankyouforgrantingusthefreedomtodiscoverthepresenceofyourgloryrevealedtousin
ourordinarydailylives.Thankyouforthegracetofeelwhatitmeanstobefullyalive.Helpustoseethat
your“creationwaitswitheagerlonging”torevealitselftousthatwemayberevealedtoourtrueselves,
and our hearts may be opened by your love. May your hope for all of creation, and your love as it is
revealedtous,bringustofullyofferourselvesinloveandpeacetohelpsetyourcreationfree.
GO
“HewhowiththehelpofGod’sgracebecomesawareofthewill’sconstantmovementsandlearnsto
directthemtowardGodwillneverfailtotastesomethingofheaven’sjoyeveninthislife,andcertainlyin
thenext,hewillsavoritfully.”(From“TheCloudofUnknowing,”Anonymous,14thCentury,Editedby
WilliamJohnston).
SueAldworth
Sunday,March12,2017
2ndSundayinLent
John3:1-17
YouareinvitedtoworshipGodincommunityatUniversityUMC(150E.FranklinSt.,ChapelHill,NC)or
joinusonlineathttps://www.youtube.com/user/ChapelHillUUMC.
Monday,March13,2017
Areyou“bornagain”and“saved”?HowcanthesethingsbeNOW?
PAUSE
“Jesusansweredhim,“Verytruly,Itellyou,noonecanseethekingdomofGodwithoutbeingbornfrom
above.…Jesusanswered,“Verytruly,Itellyou,noonecanenterthekingdomofGodwithoutbeingborn
ofwaterandSpirit.…“Indeed,GoddidnotsendtheSonintotheworldtocondemntheworld,butin
orderthattheworldmightbesavedthroughhim.”(John3:3,5,17).ReadtheseversesfromJohnslowly
threetimes.TakeafewminutestobestillinsilenceandaskGod,“WhatdoesthismeanformeNOW--in
thistime,inthisplace?”BeattentivetoGodspeakinginnewways.
LISTEN:John3:3-9,16-17
REFLECT
ImustadmitIfeelavisceralcringewhenIhear“bornagain”or“saved.”SeveralyearsagoIwasattending
mymaternaluncle’sfuneralinmywesternNorthCarolinahome.Havingbeen“raised”intheMethodist
Church I was startled when the non-Methodist preacher began to shout, “Have you been ‘born-ded’
again?Haveyoubeensaved?”FromthatpointonIwantedtobesavedfromthispreacher.Theeulogyof
mybelovedunclewassupplantedbyalitanyof“hell-fireandbrimstone”rhetoricofcondemnationand
damnationofsoulswhodidnotbelieveinthisPunishingGod.
13
SeveralyearsagoIjoinedtheWednesdayMorningWomen’sBibleStudy.Ithasbeena“saving”placein
myspiritualjourney.Thesewomenhaveprovidedasafe,loving,non-judgmental,butchallengingplace
toexpressmydoubtsandconcernsaboutwhoGodisandhowGod“saves.”
LastAprilMitziaskedmetolead,inherabsence,asessionfromAnimate:Faith[SparkHouse].Thelesson
wasSalvation:AbundantLifeNowbyShaneHipps.Questionsofsalvationhavebeenattheforefrontof
Christian conversation for generations. For many believers, salvation is essentially the key to a good
afterlife.ButShanedevotesverylittleattentiontotheafterlife—“Salvationisnotjustaone-timepromise
forwhenwedie.It’samoment-by-momentpossibilitywhilewelive.ForJesus,salvationishereandnow
justasmuchasitisthereandthen.”Shanedescribesthese“hereandnow”Godmomentsas“salvation
moments.”ThinkJohnWesley:“Ifeltmyheartstrangelywarmed.”
Formea“salvationmoment”isasenseofGod’srescueorchangeNOW.Asuddensenseofclarityor
awakening that seems God sent. A “born from above” moment. A “restoration” moment. Have you
experiencedsuchmoments?
N.T. Wright, renowned British New Testament scholar, seems to agree with Shane Hipps about the
afterlife.In2012JohnMurawskipublishedanarticletitled,“N.T.WrightAsks:HaveWeGottenHeaven
AllWrong?”MurawskiquotesWright,“First-centuryJewswhobelievedJesuswasMessiahalsobelieved
heinauguratedtheKingdomofGodandwereconvincedtheworldwouldbetransformedintheirown
lifetimes. This inauguration, however, was far from complete and required the active participation of
God'speoplepracticingsocialjustice,nonviolenceandforgivenesstobecomefulfilled.Whatwearedoing
atthemomentisbuildingfortheKingdom.OncetheKingdomiscomplete,thebodilyresurrectionwill
followwithafullyrestoredcreationhereonearth.Indeed,doingGod'sKingdomworkhascometobe
knowninJudaismastikkunolam,or‘repairingtheworld.’”
Afewfinalthoughtson“beingbornfromabove.”InOctoberourgroupstudiedCompanionsinChrist:The
WayofGrace[UpperRoomBooks].GodgraciouslyledmetoasermonbyTheRev.Dr.ThomasG.Long
titled“TheStartoftheTrail.”PonderRev.Long’swordsofwisdom:
“WhatJesustoldNicodemuswasshocking...shockingtoNicodemusandmaybeshockingtous,too.Jesus
said, ‘Nicodemus, you don't need God in your life.... You don't need God to come into your life. That's
backwards.YouneedtocomeintoGod'slife.…GodoffersusGod'sownlifeasagiftandbeckonsusto
enterit.YouneedtobeinthelifeofGod.Infact,Nicodemus,youneedtobebornalloveragain,thistime
bornintoGod'slife."
‘Idon'tknowhowtodothat,’saidNicodemus.‘Idon'tknowhowtobebornalloveragainintothelifeof
God.’
AndJesussaid,‘Iknowyoudon'tknow.Well,thereisgoodnewsforyou,Nicodemus.ThelifeofGodisnot
farawayfromyou.ThelifeofGodhascomeneartoyou.Indeed,thelifeofGodissittingrightnexttoyou,
speakingtoyounow.’
ThelovethatbindstogetherFather,Son,andHolySpirit,thepassionatelovethatflowsinthedivinelife,
intherelationshipsoftheTrinity,hasspilledoutintotheworldinJesus.GodsolovedtheworldthatGod
hasgivenGod'sonlySon...givenaSonnottocondemntheworldbuttosaveit...givenaSonasawayinto
thefullnessofthelifeofGod.Inotherwords,JesusChristiswherethetrailstarts,thetrailthatleadsus
intothejoyfulandlovinglifeofGod.”
14
PRAY
SaviorandCreatorGod,YouwholovedyourcreationsomuchthatyousentJesustosaveusandnotto
condemn us. Guide us to seek and follow the Jesus trail so that we can assist you in the repair and
restorationofyourcreationNOW.ThroughJesusChristandinthepoweroftheHolySpirit.Amen.
GO
Be“bornagain”and“saved”intotheabundantlifeofGodNOW.BeattentivetoGod’s“salvation
moments”NOW.FollowthetrailofJesusthatleadstorestorationofGod’screationNOW.
RitaProctor
Tuesday,March14,2017
WordoftheLord:ColoringBooks
PAUSE
IfIweretosummarizethebookofExodusinafewwordsIwouldsaythatittalksaboutlivingintheword;
perhapsofChrist,religiousknowledgeorpersonalpreferencesrelatingtoyourbeliefs.This,muchlike
otherbooks,passages,ortextscanbeinterpretedmultipleways.
LISTEN:Exodus20:1-17
Exodus 20: 1-17 starts out with the sentence, ¨And God spoke these words" followed by The Ten
Commandments.Bydefinition,TheTenCommandmentsare¨lawsorruleshandeddowntoMosesby
GodonMountSinai.¨WhenIsawthisdefinition,Ihadonequestion:“Aretheselawsmeanttobefollowed
exactlyorinterpreted?”
OnethingthatIhavelearnedovermyyearsinBiblestudies,churchservices,SundaySchoolhoursand
youthgroups,isthatinordertotrustinGodandgrowasaChristianyouhavetodoatleastonething.
YouhavetotrytotakethewordoftheLordintoyourownsituation.Everyword,idea,orstorytalked
aboutisnotsetinstone;theseideasandstoriesaremeanttobeaddedonto.These"lawsandrules"set
guidelinesorareastofollow--likeacoloringbook.
Idon'tknowaboutyou,butmycoloringbookwouldbeallovertheplace.Mycolorsmightnotbethe
sameasyours;mylinesanddesignsmightnotbeeither.ButIdon'tthinkGodcaresaboutthedifferent
colorsordesigns.IthinkGodcaresaboutwhatyougetoutofthebigpicture.Messyorneat,insidethe
linesoroutsideofthem,itdoesn'tmatterupthere.Ourstoriesandideasareuniqueandpersonal,such
astherulessetbyGodandsuchashisrequests.
TobeagoodChristianIdon'tthinkyouhavetofollowexactlyeverythingwrittenintheBible.Idon'tthink
youhavetocrossyourt'sanddotyouri's.IthinktorelatetoGod,tobeabletocoloryourownpicture,
you have to interpret God's words. God will guide you along the lines of his words to follow in his
footsteps.Colorinsidethelinesoroutside;makeitabstractorsimple.Whateveritlookslike,youwillbe
exceptedbyGodintohiskingdom.Ithinkthekeyistorelatepersonally.Whoknows--maybeJesus/God
hasacoloringbooktoo!
PRAY
Lord,helpustoliveourfaithwhereyouare--outsideofthelines,outsideoftheboat,andwalkingwhere
nooneelsegoes.Suchafaithisonethatcompelsshepherdboystostanduptogiants,widowstousethe
15
lastbitofflourandoilinthecupboardtofeedstrangers,andfishermentowalkonwaterinthemidstof
aragingstorm.Letmejoinyouinlivingfaithoutsideofthebox.-Anonymous
GO
Goandcolorthepartoflife’spicturethathasnotyetbeendreamedorsetinstone.
VictoriaWoods
UniversityUMCYouth
Wednesday,March15,2017
BeforeandAfter
PAUSE
Beforewestumbledindarkness;nowwewalkinthelight.Beforeweweredeadandsubmergedinthe
watersofsin;nowwearerisen,ourlungsfilledwithlife-givingbreath.Whatmakesthedifference?What
causesustoseeclearly,tobreathedeeply,andpulsewithnewlife?TheimmeasurablegiftofGod’sgrace.
LISTEN:Ephesians2:1-7
REFLECT
I’malwaysintriguedbythosedietingbeforeandafterpictures,butIneverreallytrustthem.Placedside
byside,thetransformationlookssoeasy,sosuddenasifthepersonwenttobedonenightwithhispajama
bottomscuttingintohiswaistlineandawokethenextmorningneedingabelt.Ofcourse,weknowin
reality there were menus planned, calories counted, slices of cake declined, and a thousand reluctant
walksintherainandcold.
It’sthesamewiththose“fixerupper”showsonHGTV.Atthetopofthehour,we’reshownabungalow
thatismoldy,dingy,andheldupbyspitandaprayer.Fasterthanyoucanmakeasandwich,there’sa
glisteningshowpiecerepletewithsubwaytile,doublevanities,andakitchenislandthesizeofaSubaru.
Onlythebravestamonguswouldtrythiswiththeirownhome.Suchtotaltransformationsnecessitate
blood,sweat,andtears.Alotoftears.Don’tthey?
Waryasweareofsomuchsmokeandmirrors,wedistrustthosescripturesthatdescribethefree-flowing
mercyofGod’sgraceinChrist.Surelywemustdosomethingtoreceiveit?Surelythere’satallyboardin
theskysomewheremakingnoteofoureveryattitude,thought,andaction?IfGodissmartandfairand
wise,thewaywearesmart,andfairandwise,thenGodwouldkeepscore.TothisPaulsays,“No.”Our
divinetransformationhasnothingtodowithhowloveablewewere,buthaseverythingtodowithhow
incrediblylovingGodis.
ItisGodwhomakesusaliveinChrist.ItisGodwhoraisesuswithChrist.ItisGodwhoplucksusoutof
ourhumdrumcontentmentwiththelowestcommondenominatorandsitsusintheheavenlyplaceswith
Christ.WhenwetrulygraspthesheerenormityofGod'smercy,love,graceandkindness,wecan’thelp
butrespondbythrowingourwholeselvesintobringingaboutthehealthandhealingofGod’speopleand
therebuildingofGod’starnishedworld.
PRAY
Evenwhenwearedead,Paulwrites.
16
EvenwhenweturnawayfromtheOnewhocreatedus.
EvenwhenweliveinthegripofwhatdrawsourgazefromGod.
Evenwhenweareoblivious.
Evenwhenwefollowapathfashionedofnothingbutourowndesires.
Evenwhenwewanderfarandwillfullyaway.
Evenwhenweforgottolookpastourownfeetandtoseethewondersnotofourmaking.
Evenwhenwefailtostandinawe,tobreathethanks,toleanintothelovethathaswaitedlongforus.
Evenwhen,Paulwrites.
Evenwhen,
eventhen:grace.
OLord,wepraiseyouformakingusalivetogetherinJesusChrist.Amen.
GO
God’sloveisfreelygiven;therefore,mayyouwalkinabundantlife,eternallife,fullnessoflife,afreed
life,alovedlife,alovinglife,andagrace-givinglife.Andforallthesegifts,givethanks.
PastorMitziJohnson
Thursday,March16,2017
Adoration:StartHere
PAUSE
Scripture is full of examples of God’s people responding to God in adoration, reciting back to God
examplesofGod’sgreatnessatworkintheworldandinindividuallives.What’sgoingonhere?What
differencedoesitmakewhenwegiveadorationfirstplaceinourworshipofGod?
LISTEN:Psalm95
REFLECT
SeveralyearsagoIsteppedoutsidemycomfortzoneofregularchurchattendanceandjoinedaWomen’s
BibleStudy.Ididn’tjustjoinit;Iofferedtohostit,whichmeantIcouldn’tshowuplateandleaveearly.
Clearly,I’darrivedatapointwhereIwasreadytogetseriousaboutengagingwithmyfaith.Knowingthat
spiritualgrowthwasmymotivation,thegroupleadertookmeasideoneeveningtoofferanobservation
aboutmyapproachtoprayer.“Lianne,”shesaid,“Yourprayersseemtofocusawholelotonaskingfor
stuff.”Right.Sowhat’syourpoint?“Don’tgetmewrong,”shecontinued,“Supplicationisoneaspectof
prayer,butitisn’ttheonlythinganditisn’tnecessarilywhereyouwanttobegin.”Blankstare.
ShethenwentontointroducemetotheACTSapproachtoprayer:Adoration,Confession,Thanksgiving,
andSupplication.Inthatorder.Sheaskedmetocommittothisapproachforaweekandreportbackthe
nexttimewemet.Inparticular,sheaskedmetopayattentiontowhathappenstoC,TandSwhenprayer
beginswithA.Iacceptedherchallenge.WhatIlearnedthosemanyyearsagoandcontinuetobeamazed
bytodayisthatadorationchangeseverything.WhenIbeginmyprayerwithadoration,confessionismore
honest and less intimidating; thanksgiving transcends the obvious and embodies the unexpected; and
supplicationislessaboutaskingandmoreaboutsittinginsilence,confidentthatthegoodnessofGodwill
havethelastword,regardlessoftheseverityofthepain,thedepthoftheworry,orthecomplexityofthe
problem.
17
How do we go about adoring God? By speaking back to God through scripture, song, and our own
experiencesofGodatworkinourlives,innatureandintheworldaroundus--thetruthaboutwhoGod
is.Today’spassageofscriptureisawonderfulexampleofadoration.ThepsalmistproclaimswhatGod
has revealed about God’s own character: the rock of our salvation, great above all gods, creative,
compassionate. Attributes abound but prove inadequate in expressing the fullness of the psalmist’s
praise.“Let’ssing!”instructsthepsalmist.“Let’smakeajoyfulnoise!Let’sbowdowninworship!Let’s
remember and never lose sight of these eternal and irrevocable facts: He is our God and we are the
peopleofhispasture,thesheepofhishand.”
PRAY
Loving, faithful, mighty God, you are the Alpha and Omega who is, who was and who is to come, the
Almighty.Thisiswhoyouare,andwhoyouareiseverythingIneed.Amen.
GO
OmagnifytheLordwithmeandletusexalthisnameforever(Psalm34:3).
LianneMacGregor
Friday,March17,2017
PAUSE
Couldyouloveonewhohaswrongedyou?Ifyouwrongedanother,wouldyouhopetheycouldforgive
youandloveyouagain?Jesuslovedeventhosewhowrongedhim.Hecallsustodothesame.
LISTEN:Luke22:1-13
REFLECT
In today’s scripture Jesus is preparing for dinner. The dinner is the Passover meal, or the Festival of
UnleavenedBread,whichcelebratestheJewishpeople’sdeliverancefromslaveryinEgypt.Granted,his
instructiontofollowamancarryingajarintoahouseandtoprocurethehome’sguestroomisrather
unorthodox.Butnevertheless,thesearedinnerpreparations!
Withwhomdowesharedinner?Mostofusinviteourfriendstodinner,orthosewhomwehopemay
becomefriends.Mealsareplacesofconnection,timesinwhichintimacycandevelop.Wedon’tinvite
thosewhohavewrongedus,orthosewhointendtoharmus.Wejustdon’tdoit.ButJesusdoes.
JesuspreparesthePassovermealforhisdisciples,includingtheonewhowillbetrayhim,JudasIscariot.
WecouldponderJudas’motivesforbetrayal,butthatwouldmissthepoint.Itwoulddistractusfrom
what’sreallygoingonhere.JudasintendstobetrayJesus,tohandJesusovertotheauthoritieswhointend
tokillhim.Jesusknowsthis!Andyet,evenstill,Jesussetsaplaceforhimatthetable.Glass,plate,utensils
–theyareallthere.
Perhaps this is not surprising. Jesus never seemed very good at discerning acceptable dinner guests.
ThroughoutthegospelofLuke,Jesuscriticscomplain,“Whydoyou[Jesus’disciples]eatanddrinkwith
taxcollectorsandsinners?”(5:30)and“Thisfellowwelcomessinnersandeatswiththem”(15:2).Jesusis
notonlyseeninpublicwithundesirables,heevenembracestheminprivate.“Hehasgonetobetheguest
18
ofonewhoisasinner”(19:7).SowhenJesusputsJudasontheguestlistofhislastdinnerparty,Jesusis
actingincharacter.
WhenwecelebratecommuniontheliturgyremindsusofJesus’character.“Heatewithsinners,”theGreat
Thanksgivingproclaims.ItisareminderthatJesus’standardsforfriendshavelittletodowithpeople’s
actions,andeverythingtodowithJesusownunbounded,inclusivelove.
ThisisthegoodnewsofLent:theguestlistofsinnersatJesus’tableincludesthelikesofyouandme.
PRAY
Opentheeyesofmyheartwithyourlove,LordJesus.ShowmehowIhavewrongedothers.Givemethe
couragetorepentandseektheirforgiveness.Andgrantmethegracetoforgivethosewhohavewronged
me.ForIwishtoloveasyoulove.Transformme,LordJesus,Ipray.Amen.
GO
RememberthatJesusatewithsinners,peoplelikeyouandme.Extendyourtabletoothers.Pullupextra
chairs.LovelikeJesus,forJesusfirstlovedus.
PastorCarlH.King
Saturday,March18,2017
APowerfulLove
PAUSE
ManypeopleseemtothinkthatGodonlylovescertainpeople,asinthosewhobelieveinGodanddon’t
commitspecificsins.ItisimportanttoknowthatGodloveseveryone,nomatterwhattheylooklike,or
whattheybelieve,orevenwhatwrongstheycommitted.
LISTEN:Romans5:6-11
REFLECTION
Jesusdidn’tdieforusbecauseweweregreatpeoplethatdeservedtobeadmiredandloved,butrather
becauseoftheopposite.Hediedforusbecausewewereunworthysinnersthatdidn’tdeservesucha
sacrificetobemadeforus.Weareallbroken,whetherwewerethedisobedientchildwhosnucksome
candy when their parents told them not to, or whether we were the mass shooter who murdered
hundreds of people in one day. Comparing the wrongdoing of a disobedient child to that of a mass
murderermayseemirrelevant,orevenridiculous.Butasdifferentastheiractionswere,therewasone
thingincommonwiththem:theybothcommittedasin.
WhywouldGodsendGod’ssontodieamosthumiliatingandpainfuldeathonthecross?Itisbecauseof
God’sloveandgraceforeachandeveryoneofus.Nomatterwhatwrongswecommit,orwhetherwe
evenbelieveinGod,weareallgiventhemostpowerfullovethatweourselvescouldn’tevenimagine.To
knowthatGodlovesusthatmuchdespiteourbrokennatureistrulyanamazingthing.Whetherwehave
doneGod’swillonEarthornot,wearewelcomedintoheavenwithanunconditionallovethatneverdies.
WewillallbeheldcloseinGod’sarmsandliveinalifeofeternalharmonyandgrace.Godlovesthemass
shooterjustasmuchasGodlovesthedisobedientchild.Godreceiveseachwiththatsameunconditional
lovethatnoonecouldcomprehend.
19
PRAYER
DearGod,thankyouforlovingusallnomatterwhatwethinkordo.Helpustoknowthatyouarealways
thereforus,andremindusthatyouhaveaplaceforusinheaven.Pleasegiveustheabilitytobemerciful,
just,kind,humble,graceful,andlovingsothatwecanlivelikeJesusdid,andtoknowthatyouloveus
unconditionally.Thankyouforallyoudoforus.Inyournamewepray,Amen.
GO
GoandlivelikeJesus,showingloveandkindnesstoeveryone.
KatieKincade
UUMCYouth
Sunday,March19,2017
3rdSundayinLent
John4:5-42
YouareinvitedtoworshipGodincommunityatUniversityUMC(150E.FranklinSt.,ChapelHill,NC)or
joinusonlineathttps://www.youtube.com/user/ChapelHillUUMC.
Monday,March20,2017
AWell-thofTestimony
PAUSE
ThestoryofJesus’conversationwiththeSamaritanwomanatthewelltugsatourdesiretobelovedand
acceptedforwhoweare,wartsandall.There’ssuchreassuranceinJesus’affirmationofthisheavyhearted
womanthatwecanbetemptedtostopreadingwhensherunsoffintotown.Butthewoman’sencounter
withJesusisjustthebeginning.
LISTEN:John4:5-42
REFLECT
WherewereyouduringtheGreatChapelHillWaterCrisisof2017?Didyoudashtothestoretostockup
ongallonjugs?Didyouescapetoafriend’shouseinDurham?Ordidyousecretlyenjoytheexcusetobe
lazyandungroomed?(Myhandgoesup,here!)
InthehalcyondaysbeforeOWASAdelivereditsdecree,Iselectedthispassagetowriteabout,because
thestoryoftheSamaritanwoman’sencounterwithJesusatthewellissopreciousandprofound.AsI
approachthestoryagain,havingsufferedthrough24hourswithoutaccesstowater(recognizingthat,as
the entire Twitter community rightly pointed out, Flint has it much worse), I expected to find a new
appreciationforJesus’promiseoflivingwater.There’snothingliketheinconvenienceofabasicsurvival
needtomakeapersonstoptakingthesupplyforgranted.
All of the story’s original meaning was there: the surprising kindness that Jesus demonstrates to this
outsider,herdawningrecognitionthattheirconversationwasaboutmorethanH20,Jesus’compassionate
20
patienceasheuncoversheremotionalpain,andherEaster-morningexclamationoffaith.Jesus’deep
quenchingofthewoman’sspiritualthirststruckmeinanewwayafterhavingfeltabitparchedmyself.
The story doesn’t end, however, at verse 26 when Jesus reveals he is the Messiah. The rest of the
communitynowenterstobroadenthescopeofJesus’promise.Thesudden(“justthen”)appearanceof
thedisciplesanddepartureofthewoman(withoutherwaterjar!)almostsoundasthoughthescenehas
ended.Butifyoureadon,youdiscoveranadditionallayerthatcontinuesJesus’message.
Asthedisciplespuzzleoveryetanotherenigmaticdeclarationfromtheirleader,thewomanralliesthe
townspeopleto“comeandsee,”echoingJesus’owninvitationinanearlierchapter.Nolongerdejected,
shethrowsopenthegatethatbarsentrytooutcasts,tramplesthefencethatseparatesin-groupsfrom
out-groups,andboldlyrelatesherconversationwithJesus.Twiceshereferstohimas“someonewhotold
meeverythingIhaveeverdone.”
Inverse39weseethefruitsofhercourage:“ManySamaritansfromthatcitybelievedinhimbecauseof
thewoman’stestimony….”AllshehadtodowasdescribeherencounterwithJesus,andtheHolySpirit
movedherlisteners’hearts.Thegospelwriterusestheword“many”intwodifferentversestodescribe
thenumberofSamaritanswhocametobelieveinJesusastheMessiah.
Whatisyourrefreshingtestimony?
PRAY
Godofallgraceandglory,thankyouforthismomenttolearnfromyourword.Helpeachoneofusto
leavebehindthewellsthatprovideonlytemporaryrefreshmentinordertotakeholdofthesourceof
livingwater.Leadustopeoplewhomightneedacupofquenchingcoolness,andgiveuscourageto
disclosenotjustwhatweknowbutalsowhoweknow.
GO
Ho,everyonewhothirsts,
cometothewaters;
andyouthathavenomoney,
come,buyandeat!
--Isaiah55:1
JennyMcGlone
Tuesday,March21,2017
ByGrace…Allthingsarepossible
PAUSE
Wehaveallheardcountlesstimes,“bytheGraceofGod!”Butwhatdoesthatreallymean?
LISTEN:Ephesians2:8-10
Forbygraceyouhavebeensavedthroughfaith,andthisisnotyourowndoing;itisthegiftofGod—9not
theresultofworks,sothatnoonemayboast.10Forwearewhathehasmadeus,createdinChristJesus
forgoodworks,whichGodpreparedbeforehandtobeourwayoflife.
21
REFLECT
Graceisaconceptthatisbyitsnaturehardtograsp.Ithinkthisistrueformanyofusbecauseweare
nevertrulypreparedtounderstandandgrasptheoverwhelmingpowerofloveandgreatnessthatisGod.
Infact,I’mnotsuremostofusareevencapabletounderstand.
Iwasblessedinthepasttoactasafriendinfaithforoneofourconfirmands.Hesharedwithmehis
frustrations after having had the opportunity to visit one of the other faith communities with his
ConfirmationClass.Hewasfrustratedbecausehefeltlikeoneofthechurcheshevisitedwastryingtoput
God in a box, based on their own definition of God. After thinking about it, we both agreed that it is
impossibletoputGodinabox…GodISTHEBOX!
Andsoitiswithgrace,Ibelieve.God’sgraceissolarge,soencompassing,sogreatthatwecannotbegin
tounderstanditcompletely.Thebestwemightdoissimplyacceptitandtrytolivealifethatmightbe
pleasingtoHim,basedonallthatweknowtobetrue.
Sothisisformeaprescriptionforlife,thatIwouldliveinawaythatmightbepleasingtoGod,assmall
andinsignificantasIam.NotsothatImightpleaseothers,orpleasemyself,butthatImightpleaseGod.
ForitisthroughGod’sgracethatwearesaved,notbyanythingthatwedo.
PRAY
OGod,mayyourgracefindmeinallthatIamdoing.Amen.
GO
LivealifethatmightbepleasingtoGod.Ifyouevencomeclose,youwillbewellonyourwaytopeace.
ShawnMcClarnon
Wednesday,March22,2017
JoyforAll
PAUSE
Doyoueverfeellikeyourgoodworksgounnoticedwhileyourshortcomingsgetalltheattention?
LISTEN:Luke15:1-10
REFLECT
Iwasoneof“those”studentsgrowingup;fromthetimereportcardswereissuedinthe3rdgrade,Igot
straightA’s.I’msuremyparentswereproudthatIearnedA'sineverysubject,buttheyweren’ttheones
puttingthatkindofpressureonme;Ididthatonmyown.Ifeltdriventopleasemyteachersandparents,
andbydoingso,Iwaspleased.Iwasself-driventomakeperfectmarksinschool,andIsucceeded.Until
thedayIdidn’t.In7thgrade,IreceivedmyfirstB—inScience.Iwascrushed.Myacademicmarkswereno
longerperfect,andIhadletdownmyteachersandparents.Cryingandashamed,Ihandedmytainted
reportcardtomydad,expectinghimtoshowhisdisappointmentandevenanger.Hisreactionsurprised
methenandamusesmenow.Hecheered!Heclapped!Hecalledtherestofthefamilyintocelebrate
andrejoiceinmyfirstB.Rejoice?Ididn’tunderstand.
Jesus’ parables present many layers, interpretations, and take-away lessons today as they did twothousand years ago. Jesus told The Parable of the Lost Sheep and The Parable of the Lost Coin to the
22
PhariseesandthescribesinreactiontotheirgrumblingsthatHetalkedtoandsatwiththetaxcollectors
andsinners.Whywasthererejoicingatonefoundsheepandonefoundcoin?Becausetheninety-nine
sheepandtheninecoins(representingthePhariseesandscribes)didn’tneedanycelebration.However,
thetaxcollectorsandsinnerswereeagertohearJesus’teachings.Jesusexplainedthat“therewillbemore
joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no
repentance.”WhydidmydadrejoiceandcelebratemyoneBamongallA’s?Becausehedidn’tneedto
celebratetheA’s.
Butthere’smore,morefrommydadandmorefromourHeavenlyFather.Ididn’tneedtomakeallA’sto
beacceptedbymyteachersandlovedbymyfamily.Moreimportantly,God’sgraceisavailabletoallwho
believeinHimandrepentoftheirsins.Andwe’reallsinners:taxcollectors,Pharisees,scribes,shepherds,
womenwholosethings,evenmiddleschoolgirlswhomakeB’sinScience.Ourimperfectionsrevealour
humanness,andwhenweacknowledgeourshortcomingsandaskGodforforgivenessandguidanceto
getontherightpath,thatisreasontocelebrate.
PRAY
Lord,leadusawayfromfeelingandactingself-righteousandleadusclosertohumilityandclosertoyou.
Amen.
GO
WiththeknowledgethatGod’sgraceisavailabletoeachofus,letusrepentofoursinssothatwetoo,
mayrejoiceinthepresenceofangels.
SarahCooley
Thursday,March23,2017
InAbundance,MoreWorry?
PAUSE
Digginginthedirt,plantingandgrowingcanreconnectuswithGod’screationandreapemotional,
physicalandspiritualbenefits.
LISTEN:
Matthew6:25-30
REFLECT
Asagirl,mygrandmotherlivedthroughtheGreatDepression.Herfamilyof10livedonafarm,growing
theirownfood,raisinganimals,andtradingwithneighborsforanyitemsthattheylacked.Ifshewentto
schoolwithalunchthatshefoundalittlerepetitiousorboring,shesimplyswappedwithotherchildren.
Bytoday’sstandards,mygrandmother’sfamilywaspoor.Buttheydidn’tconsiderthemselvesassuch,
andshedidn’tfindherselfworryingthattheywouldlackfoodorotherbasicnecessities.Hermothermade
theirclothes.Theyhadeachother.Tohearhertellit,theyhadallthattheyneeded.
Jesus,inverse25,tellsusnottoworry:“Therefore,Itellyou,donotworryaboutyourlife,whatyouwill
eatorwhatyouwilldrink,oraboutyourbody,whatyouwillwear.Isnotlifemorethanfood,andthe
bodymorethanclothing?”
23
My life is filled with plenty, more than enough food and material possessions for my needs. But
bombardedwithadvertisementsandoptions,sometimesIcanbeledtothinkthatIdon’thaveenough.I
stewoverthe“right”dresstoweartochurch,theperfectdinnertoservetoguests.Eveninallofmy
abundance,Isometimesstillworry.Perhapsyoudo,too.
ButI’venoticedthatwhenIchoosetorestinandrelyonGod,andtosimply“be,”myworryoftenceases,
atleastforalittlewhile.Iwonderifmygrandmother’sfamily–becausetheywereconnectedtotheland,
eatingaccordingtowhatevereachseasonbrought–foundthemselvesmoreconfidentthatGodwould
provideindueseason.CanIbecontenttowaitontherightseason?
Today,fewofusgrowanyofourownfood.Manyyouthandyoungadultshaveneverevenvisitedafarm.
All sorts of produce and meat come to us from around the world, delivered to our neighborhood
supermarket,sowetypicallydon’teatseasonallyandlocally.
WebuyapplesyearroundfromWashingtonStateandNewZealand,manyofwhichhavebeenstoredin
chilled,modifiedwarehousesforsixmonthsormoretopreventripening.Webuyimportedfarmedfish–
muchofwhichispoorinqualityandhasanegativeimpactontheenvironment.Ourbreads,ladenwith
preservatives,lastforweekswithoutrotting.
Whilewehavedevelopedmethodstoincreaseourabundance,wealsohaveconditionedourselvesin
unhealthy,unsustainableways.Butwhatif?Whatifwesupportthelocalfarmer,whodoesliveaccording
totheseasons?WhatifwestartedgrowingsomeofourownfoodtobetterattuneourselvestoGod’s
creation?Whatifwereclaimedourconnectiontothelandandsawitasaspiritualmandatetoreduce,
reuse,andrecycle?
Couldweslowouranxiousmindsandworryless?Couldwebe,andthenlooktoyoutodo?
PRAY
DearCreatorandSustainerofLife,helpustoputasideourfearsofinsufficiencyandtocometoyou
withthanksgivingforallthatwehave.Wecannotaddasinglehourtoourlivesbyourworry.Helpusto
be,andhelpustobeyours.Amen.
GO
Thissubtractionprayer,basedonPsalm46:10,bringsmepeaceintimeswhenIfindmyselfworriedor
anxious,soI’vecommittedittomemory.Asyoureaditslowly,mayGod’swordsalsospeaktoyouin
timesofneed.
BestillandknowthatIamGod.
BestillandknowthatIam.
BestillandknowthatI.
Bestillandknowthat.
Bestillandknow.
Bestill.
Be.
AmyHoogervorst
24
Friday,March24,2017
SurelyGoodnessandMercy
PAUSE
The23rdPsalm,oftenreferredtoas"TheShepherdsPsalm”ismemorizedandreferredtomorefrequently
thananyotherPsalm.
LISTEN:Psalm23
REFLECT
I remember my third grade Bible School teacher teaching these six verses to me and my classmates.
Recently,IheardamemberoftheclergyrefertothisPsalm,bysharingahumorouscomment:"Children
wereaskedtomemorizethe23rdPsalmandthensayitaloud.WhenDanny'sturncame,hesaid,"The
LordismyShepherd,"andsatdown.Theteacherasked,"Areyougoingtosaytherest?"Hisreply,"That's
allIneedtoknow."Howcomfortingitistoknowthat"TheLordisourShepherd."
There is a sense of renewal if we take time from our busy lives to enjoy the many wonders of God's
creationofgreenfields,parksandstreams.Toooftenthesewondersaredestroyedbycarelessfires,air
pollutionandchemicals,pluswasteproductsdisposedinthestillwaters.Howcomfortingitistoknow
thatGodisalwayswithus.PartoflivingisexperiencingtrialsandtribulationswhichthePsalmistcalls,
"thedarkestvalley."Irememberaseverecaseofwhoopingcoughasachild,thenlaterinlifeafractured
backandasevereAsianfluillness.DuringconvalescenceIhadtheopportunitytoreadscripture,spend
timeinprayerforhealingandtogivethanksforalovingmother'scare.
Verse4ofthePsalmremindsustofearnoevilforGodiswithus.Howcomfortingthisiswhenweare
askedtoserveinanewwayormaybetotraveltonewareasandshareaschurchleadersourfaithin
Christ.OneincidentIrecallwhereIreliedonfaithinGodwasatduskinWashingtonD.C.Myhusbandwas
thereonbusiness.Ihadvisitedsomemuseumsandwaswalkingalonebacktoourhotel.Approachingme
werefivetallyoungpeoplewhomademeanxious.Ithoughtiftheyareouttodoharm,Iwillflingmy
purseasfarasIcanandscream.Astheyapproached,Ikeptwalkingtowardthemandlookedtheleader
intheeye.Hecommented,"Boydoyoulooknice."Ireplied,"Thankyou,"andadded"ThankyouGod"
andkeptwalking.
Ihaveacarved,tallwoodenstaffthatChristiansinSamoapresentedtome.DonandIhadoneweekthere
formanytimesofworshipandfaith-sharingduringaglobaltour.Weareallmembersofaworldfamilyof
Christians.ManyareveryinvolvedservingasChrist'smoderndaydisciples,sharingtheword,preparing
tables of food and offering hospitality. Many of our members in distant lands and isolated areas are
gratefultohavevisitorscomeandrememberthem.Ifdistanceseparatesus,ourprayersuniteus.Prayer
isawonderfulgiftandagreatwaytorememberothersandbeinconversationwithGod.
AmotherwaspreparinghersonAdamtostartschoolasakindergartener.Itwasathreeblockwalkfrom
theirhometoschool.Hedidnotwanthismothertowalkwithhim.Sincehewasanewstudent,shehad
someconcerns.Herneighboroftenwalkedwithafriendwhopushedaninfantinababybuggy.Theywere
Christian friends and she readily agreed to follow Adam and his neighbor friend. As they walked, the
neighborasked,"Whyarethosewomenfollowingus?"Adamknewthe23rdPsalm.Heanswered,"Surely
GoodnessandMercywillfollowyouallthedaysofyourlife."
25
PRAY
CreatorGod,thankyouforbeingwithusallthedaysofourlife.Forgiveuswhenwefailtocareforthe
manywondersofyourcreation.Thankyouforyourholywordthathasbeensharedforcenturiesand
continuestoguideandsustainbelievers.Amen
GO
MayyougoandbefaithfulfollowersofChrist,mindfuloftheneedsofothers,bothphysicalandspiritual,
asweserveinGod’sname.
FrancesM.Alguire
Saturday,March25,2017
WhoamI?
PAUSE
Toknowhowtoshineyourlight,youmustfirstknowwhoyouare.
LISTEN:Ephesians5:8-9
Foronceyouweredarkness,butnowintheLordyouarelight.Liveaschildrenoflight—forthefruitof
thelightisfoundinallthatisgoodandrightandtrue.
REFLECT
Insideourhouse,allwaswell-eventerrific.Yet,2016mayhavebeenthemostconfoundingyearofmy
lifeintheworldatlarge.Iwrestledwithhowtoliveinthelight,howtobeabeaconofGod’sloveinthe
midstofdistressingandpolarizingtimes.
Asawriterwithanonlinepresence,IknewIhadtochoosemycausescarefully.WouldIspeakupabout
everyissuethatcrawledundermyskin?Ididn’twanttobethewritereveryoneignoredbecausehervoice
joinedthecacophonousroaroftheinternet,whereeveryonehasanopiniononeverything,andeveryone
isangryaboutsomething.
AsIdiscernedmypublicpersona,IhadtorememberwhoIwas.Andwhoweareisreallywhoseweare.
WeareGod’sbeloved,childrenhecreatedinthewomb,tohavespiritualgifts,interestsandskills.The
5thchapterofPaul’slettertotheEphesiansbegins,“ThereforebeimitatorsofGod,asbelovedchildren,
andliveinlove,asChristlovedusandgavehimselfupforus,afragrantofferingandsacrificetoGod.”
IultimatelydecidedtocraftmyvoicearoundtheGod-givenaspectsofmycharacterandmyuniquelife
experiences as a special needs mom, which have led me to advocate for children. This would be my
offering,mylivingsacrifice.MypromisetomyselfandmyreadersisthatIwillalwaysfightforchildren
whoaredifferent;Iwillbetheirvoicewhentheirsaren’theard.ThecausesIbelieveinanddiscussinmy
privatelifemaynevermakeittothescreen,andthatisok.ThatdoesnotmeanIdon’tcareordon’thave
opinions. It doesn’t even mean I won’t take action. It simply means I have chosen my public words
carefully,soasnottobecomewhitenoise.
Whataboutyou?AsGod’sbeloved,whatisyourvoice?HowdidGoddesignyou?Howcanyoubea
childoflightwhobearsfruit“thatisgoodandrightandtrue?”
26
PRAY
DearFather,helpmetodiscernthewordsandactionsthatwillserveyouandbringhonortoyourname,
forItrulydesiretobeachildoflight.MayIacceptwithgracethelifeyou’vegivenmeandreturnittoyou
asalivingsacrifice.Amen.
GO
“IfIcouldonlyholdGodinmymind.IfIcouldonlyalwaysjustthinkofHim.”
FlanneryO’Connor
MeredithDangel
Sunday,March26,2017
4thSundayinLent
John9:1-41
YouareinvitedtoworshipGodincommunityatUniversityUMC(150E.FranklinSt.,ChapelHill,NC)or
joinusonlineathttps://www.youtube.com/user/ChapelHillUUMC.
Monday,March27,2017
APresentMindset
PAUSE
Wealllongforpeaceandfreedominourheartsandourminds.Whenwefocusourmindsonthingsof
theSpirit,thereisfreedomandthereispeace.Howinourdailylivescanwerenewthisfocusandlivein
Christ’sfreedomandpeace?Howcanwesharethiswithothers?
LISTEN:Romans8:1-11
REFLECT
SomanydaysI’vearrivedatadestination(work,home,etc.)afterdrivingandhavenorecollectionofthe
drivetogetthere.Idon’trememberifthereweremanycars,whatthetreeslookedlike,orwhatthesky
lookedlike.MymindoftenracesaroundsomanythingsthatIfailtoseethepersononthesideofthe
road who needed help, or really listen to my daughter talking about her day. Why does this happen?
Whereismymind?Whatisgoverningmythoughtsandactions?ButtherearealsodayswhereIwakeup
andIamintentionalinmythoughts,inmyprayers,andinmyactions.ThesedaysIseeothersfirst;Ifeel
therealityandthegraceoftheday,andthereisclarityinthepresent.Whatcreatesthisdifferenceof
experienceandthought?EachyearIchooseawordtobethe“theme”oftheyear.Iprayforwhatthat
wordandfocusshouldbeandthisyearthewordispresent.TobepresentandsetourmindsontheSpirit
changesourperspective.AswefocusonthisseasonofLent,mayourmindsbesetontheSpirit,onpeace,
onservingothersbeyondourselves,onreallylistening,andbeingpresentrightwhereGodwouldhave
us.Maywerememberourdrives,ourconversationsandthegiftofthepresent.
27
PRAY
Lord,youhaveprovidedfreedomandpeaceinYourSpirit.Wethankyouforthisgiftandpraythatyou
openoureyesandmindstothispeaceinyou,intheeveryday,inthebigandinthesmall,sothatwemay
sharethatfreedomandpeacewithothers.
GO
Makemeachannelofyourpeace,
Itisinpardoningthatwearepardoned,
Ingivingofourselvesthatwereceive.
Andindyingthatwe’reborntoeternallife.
-StFrancisofAssisi(PeacePrayer)
JohnaRegisterMihalik
Tuesday,March28,2017
GoingAboveandBeyond
PAUSE
Itissaidthat“Ifyoudowhatyoulove,you’llneverworkadayinyourlife.”Similarly,ifyoutakejoyin
whatyouareaskedtodo,itwillneverbeaburden.
LISTEN:Jeremiah31:31-34
Iwillputmylawwithinthem,andIwillwriteitontheirhearts.
REFLECT
"Whatissomethingthatyouhavetodo,butforwhichyoudomorethanisrequiredbecauseyoujustlike
todoit?"ThiswasthequestionIputtothemiddleschoolSundaySchoolclassacoupleyearsago.The
answersweren'tterriblysurprising:shootbaskets,playthepiano,writestories,etc.Thequestiondidhelp
thekidsrecognizethatdoingwhatyouaretoldisn'talwaysthedrudgerythatteenagersmakeitoutto
be.
SowhydidIaskthisquestion?WewerestudyingtheGospelsandIwastryingtobringthemaliveby
showingtheclassscenesfromFrancoZeffirelli’sfilm"JesusofNazareth."Inourscenefortheweek,Jesus
saystohisdisciples,"Godwantstowritethelawonyourhearts."Ithoughttomyself,“Idon'tremember
thosewordsbeingintheGospel,”soIgrabbedmyconcordance(ormaybeIjustlookedituponmyphone),
andsoughtoutwherethosewordsappearintheBible.Ifoundthemonlyintoday'spassagefromJeremiah
andinHebrewswherethewriterquotesJeremiah.
In both places, God is establishing a new covenant with his people. Under the original covenant with
AbrahamandMoses,God'speopleagreedtoworshiponlyhimandtoabidebyhislaws,andGodgave
themalandinwhichtoprosperandprotectionfromtheirenemies.ThepeopleofIsraelrepeatedlyfailed
toliveuptothecovenant,andhavinglostGod'sprotection,wereconqueredandtakenintoexile.
JeremiahprophesizedthataftertheexileGodwouldcreateanewcovenant.Underit,thelawwouldnot
beimposeduponpeople,butwouldlivewithintheirhearts.ThewriterofHebrewsexplainedthatthis
newcovenantwasbasedonthereconcilingpowerofthecross.Undertheoldcovenant,peoplemade
28
sacrifices in the vain hope that they would cancel the sin of violating God's laws; but under the new
covenant"wehavebeensanctifiedthroughtheofferingofthebodyofJesusChristonceforall."
Sowhatdoesthishavetodowithwritingthelawonourhearts,andwhydidZeffirellichoosetogivethese
wordstoJesusinhisfilm?Jesustaughtusthatwhilethelawgovernsouractions,Godistrulyconcerned
aboutwhatisinourhearts.Itisnotenoughtoresisttheurgetokillanotherperson;wemustcleanse
ourselvesoftheangerthatleadstokilling.Thishigherstandardseemsimpossibletomeet,yetJesustells
us,"Myyokeiseasy,andmyburdenislight."
ThisapparentcontradictionissolvedbyJesus'deathandresurrection,whichmeansthatwearenolonger
judgedbyouractionsorourdesires,butbyourfaith.Godknowsthatwewillfail,butifwedesireto
succeedandconfessourfailures,wewillbeforgivenandreceiveeternallife.Thisisthetruththatsetsus
free.Thelawisaburdenwhenitkeepsusfromhavingthetreasuresinthislife,butwhenourtreasureis
inheaven,theburdenislifted.
LikethekidsinmySundaySchoolclasswhowantedtodomorethanwasrequiredofthembyshooting
extrabasketsorplayingthepianolongerthanrequired,weallhaveobligationsatworkandhomethat
wedooutofjoymorethanrequirement.WeshouldbringthissamefeelingtodoingGod'swill,bytaking
joyinlovingGodandservinghischildren.
PRAY
Lord,weoweourlivestoyouandweknowthattheseliveswillfallshortofyourexpectations.Wethank
youfortheloveyoushowedbygivingusyourson,sothatourfailingswillnotseparateusfromyou.We
praythatyouwillwriteyoulawonourheartssothatwemayalwaysseektoreturnyourlove.
GO
Letusapproachwithatrueheartinfullassuranceoffaith,withourheartssprinkledcleanfromanevil
conscienceandourbodieswashedwithpurewater.Letusholdfasttotheconfessionofourhopewithout
wavering,forHewhohaspromisedisfaithful.Andletusconsiderhowtoprovokeoneanothertolove
andgooddeeds.
KarlKnapp
Wednesday,March29,2017
ThoseDryBones
PAUSE
Manytimeswhenweexperienceextremelossorstresswesaythatwefeelasifweare“fallingapart.”In
thismemorablepassagefromtheOldTestament,welearnhowGod’sgracecanputusbacktogether
again,nomatterhowfracturedweare.
LISTEN:Ezekiel37:1-14
REFLECT
Mythirdgradeclassatalocalelementaryschoolrecentlycompletedaunitonthehumanbody,largely
focusingonthefunctionandpurposeofourskeletalsystem.Inoneofourintroductorylessonswegave
29
eachchildalengthofyarnandaskedthemtocreateahumanfigurewithitonthetabletopinfrontof
them.
Mostofthechildrenusedtheyarntoformanoutlineofahumanbody–abitliketheclassicgingerbread
man.“Wow,thoselookgreat!”weexclaimed.“Now,pickthemupandshowthemtoyourfriends!”
Ofcourse,whenthestudentspickeduptheirfigures,theyfoundthemselvesholdingjustthepieceof
yarn.Their“person”hadlostitsshapeandfallenapart!Thatishowweintroducedtheconceptthatour
skeletalsystemprovidessupportandstructurefortherestofourbody,aswellasallowsustomoveand
protectsourinternalorgansfromharm.
TheprophetEzekielspoketoapeoplewhohadlosttheir“shape”aswell.Despitecountlesswarnings,
thousandsofJudeanpeoplehadbeenexiledtoBabylonbecauseoftheircontinuingsinagainsttheLord.
They were lost and scattered and confused. And yet they still refused to repent and ask God for
forgiveness.Theyseemedtohaveforgottenthattheirinnerstrengthandsupport,theirabilitytogrow
andmove,andtheirultimateprotectioncameonlyfromGod.Theyhadfallenapart.
Ezekielwasrelentlessincallingouthispeoplefortheirtransgressions.Andyethewasequallyrelentless
insharingthemessagethatreturningtoafaithfullifewouldleadtothehealingandrestorationofnotjust
thenationofIsrael,buteventuallytosalvationfortheworld.
Theprophet’svisionoftheValleyoftheDryBonesisoneofthemostmemorableaccountsintheBible,
especiallytakeninthecontextofthisgreatermessage.Inthepreviouschapter,theLordhadcommanded
Ezekieltotellthepeople,“Iwilltakeyoufromthenations,andgatheryoufromallthecountries,and
bringyouintoyourownland.Iwillsprinklecleanwateruponyou,and...anewheartIwillgiveyou,and
anewspiritIwillputwithinyou.”(Ezekiel36:24-26).
WhathappensnextisavividillustrationofthepoweroftheLordtodojustthat.AstheLordleadsEzekiel
intothisastonishingvision,iftheprophetishorrifiedatthesightofcountlessdryhumanbonesbefore
him,heshowsnosignofit.AndwhentheLordcommandshimtoprophesytothosewhoclearlycannot
hearhiswords,hedoessowithoutflinching.Perhapshehasgrownaccustomedtospeakingtothosewho
willnotlisten!
Amazingly,thebonesriseupandknitthemselvesbacktogetheragain.Theyareclothedinflesh,and
inhalethebreathoflife.Theyareonceagainwholeandlivingpeople.
Atfirstglance,thispassagestruckmeasanunusualchoiceforaLentendevotion.ButasIreflectedonit,
especiallyinthecontextofthepreviouschapter,IbegantoseethatEzekielisnotjustshowingusthe
futureforthepeopleofIsrael,butisgivingusaglimpseintoourownfuturesasawholeandredeemed
people,madepossiblebythedeathandresurrectionofJesusChrist.Heisrisen,andweareaswell.
PRAY
Lord,throughoutScripture,youremindusthatyouareourGod,andweareyourpeople.Thankyoufor
sprinkling our dry bones with your clean, living water; for giving us new hearts and spirits; and for
breathingthebreathoflifeintous.
30
GO
God’sgraceremindsusthatnobonesareevertoodrytoberaisedandknitbacktogether,andtherefore
nopersoniseverbeyondthescopeofGod’spowertorestore,healandbless.Letusrememberthatin
thedaytocomeaswecarryonwiththispreciouslifetheLordhasgivenus.
SusanMorris
Thursday,March30,2017
GodGoesSilentonUsAll
PAUSE
HastherebeenatimeinyourlifewhenyoufeltGodwentsilentonyou?WhowasthevoiceofGodin
yourtimeofdarkness?WhenhaveyoubeenthepresenceofGodforsomeoneelse?
LISTEN:Psalm13
REFLECT
Wehaveallsufferedtimesoffearorloss.AsthePsalmistsays,sometimesthefearleavesusfeelingthat
Godhasabandonedusinourtimeofneed,andwewonderhowlongGodwillhidefromus.However,we
mustcontinuetotrustinGod’ssteadfastlove.
RecentlyIwaswithagroupofconfirmandsandseveralsharedtimeswhentheyhadsufferedlossand
howtheirliveshadbeenovershadowedbygrief.Thecommonthemeinthesestorieswasnothowthey
hadsuffered,buthowothers(friends,teachers,family)hadhelpedthem.OftenthewayGodcomesto
usintimesoftrialisthroughthosearoundus.Sometimesit’ssomeoneclosetous;sometimesit’sagroup
ofpeoplehalfaworldaway.
Foragroupof79orphansandvulnerablechildreninKenya,UUMChasbeenthevoice,handandheartof
Godastheymovedfromsufferingtosurvival,fromsurvivaltosecurityandfromsecuritytoprosperity
overthelastthreeyears.OneoftheseorphansisDavid.
Davidandhisyoungerbrotherlosttheirfatherwhentheywereyoungandtheylosttheirmotherafew
yearsago.Davidwasnotafraidofhardwork,buteventhoughhetriedhisbesttoearnmoneyforfood,
hecouldnotalwaysfindwork.Whenhedidwork,hewasn’talwayspaidfairlybecausetherewasnoone
tostandupforhim.Hecouldusuallyaffordonlyonemealofcornandbeansperday.Therewasno
money for clothing, and he and his brother were not able to go to school because they did not have
uniformsorschoolfees.Intheyearshestruggledjusttosurvive,DavidfeltabandonedbyGodandbyhis
community.
OnedayDavidheardthatagroupcalledZOEwashavingameetingforyouthlikehim.Afterthemeeting,
Davidjoinedwithotherorphanstoformagroupthatmetweeklytoworktogetherandlearnhowtotake
careofthemselvesandtheirfamilies.Afterafewmonths,DavidandtheothersinhisZOEfamilywere
informedthatachurchintheUnitedStates,UniversityUMC,waspartneringwiththemontheirjourney
toself-sufficiency.Davidandtheotherswereamazedthatagroupofpeoplefromtheothersideofthe
worldbelievedinthemandlovedthemwithoutevenmeetingthem.
31
After some initial training, David was given a small grant to open a stall where he could sell dry
goods.Withintwoyearshehadexpandedhisbusinesstoincludeaphonechargingserviceandasocial
clubwherehechargespeopletocomewatchTVandhavetea,coffeeorcocoa,makingthemostofhis
approximately6’x6’stall.Nowheandhisbrotherareabletoeatthreehealthymealsadayandhis
brother is back in school. Although they still miss their parents, they are no longer alone. They are
connectedtotheothersintheirZOEgroup,toGodandtoyou.
InJanuaryofthisyear,DavidandhisZOEgroupgraduatedfromtheprogram.Theywillcontinuetomeet
weeklyandsupporteachother,butnowtheyprosperindependentofZOEandofoutsidesupport.These
youth have made it through their times of darkness because members of a church half a world away
reachedouttothemandshowedthemtheloveofGod.
PRAY
CreatorGod,whoclothestheliliesofthefield,helpustorememberthatinourdeepestdespair,Youhave
notdesertedus.Youarethereforusinthehandthatreachesouttoliftusupandinthekindwords
spokentocomfortus.
GO
ForsurelyIknowtheplansIhaveforyou,saystheLord,plansforyourwelfareandnotforharm,togive
youafuturewithhope.Jeremiah29:11
ErikaLusk
Friday,March31,2017
PlantedbyGod
PAUSE
Areyouplantingagardenthisspring?WhatdoesitmeanthatGod“plantsus”inaparticularplace?Where
haveyoubeenplanted?
LISTEN:Amos9:13-15 REFLECT
ThefirsttimeIexploredthepieceoflandthatwasofferedasagifttothechurchinCedarGrove,Ileft
withliterallythousandsoffreckle-sizedtickscoveringmylegsandarms.ScenobiaTaylor,thelandowner
whowasofferingthisfive-acrepieceoflandtothechurch,hadwiselystayedontheroadsideofthefence
and watched me, her husband and Fred the Farmer walk the 5 acre abandoned parcel of land on
LonesomeRoad,CedarGrove.
Mrs.Taylor’sofferoflandtothechurchhadcomeastheresultofamurderascantquartermilefromthe
overgrown,tick-infestedland,andonlytwomilesfromthechurch.BillKing,awhitestoreowner,had
been shot in broad daylight at his bait and tackle shop on the corner. Hope was scarce in this part of
Orange County, and so was a sense of safety, fresh local food, and the neighborliness that sustains
communitiesthroughthickandthin.
Thefiveacreswasovergrownwithsweetgumtreesandthistles,obviouslynotgoodformuchotherthan
thebreedinggroundforticks.Yet,Godhadanotherplan.Outofthefear,themisplacedhope,theanger,
32
theresentment,andthegriefofapeoplewhohadgatheredatthesiteofthemurderasasignofsolidarity
forthe“waythingsshouldbe,”Mrs.Taylor,descendentofslavesandsharecroppers,giftedthechurch
with land to be used for reconciliation in the community. Anathoth Community Garden was birthed,
mimickingtheprophetJeremiah’scalltosettledowninaparticularplace,plantgardensandeatwhat
theyproduce,seekingtheshalomoftheplacewherethepeoplehadbeensent.(SeeJeremiah29).Today,
Anathoth provides fresh food and a sense of neighborliness to more than 150 households. (See
www.anathothcommunitygarden.org).
God’spromiseforrestorationisneverlimitedtoGod’speople,butalwaysincludesthelandandallthat
inhabitstheland.WhenAmosendshisprophesywithavisionofafruitfullandwhichdripsplenty,itis
God’s people who are given the good work of rebuilding, inhabiting, planting, drinking, making, and
eating.Throughthisgoodwork,God’snameastheCreatorofallthatisgoodisglorified,andthepeople
calledbyGod“mypeople”bearwitnesstothebeautythatcanrisefromthedust,orevenfromatickinfestedpieceofland.
PRAYER
Restoring God, as we draw near to the annual remembrance of the death and resurrection of Jesus,
restoreusasapeoplewhorebuild,inhabit,plant,drink,make,andeatofyourdivinegoodness.Rootus
deeplyinthisparticularplace,thatwemightstandfirmintimesoftrial,andbearfruitthatpleasesyou.
Amen.
GO
ConsidergettinginvolvedinUniversity’sCommunityGarden.LearnthestoryofhowtheUmsteadland
wasgiftedtotheChurch.Whatroledoyouplayinseekingandworkingforthepeaceoftheplacewhere
youhavebeenplanted?
Rev.GraceG.Hackney
Saturday,April1,2017
DeathisNoLongerFatal
PAUSE
Asyoubegintocenteryourself,lookaroundandobserveallofthelightyousee.Youmayberelyingonly
on the sunlight or you may be sitting under a reading lamp late at night; or perhaps the only thing
illuminatingtheroommaybetheglowcomingfromthescreenofthedevicefromwhichyouread.Listen
inthispassageforwhatChristsaysaboutdarknessandlight,deathandnewlife.
LISTEN:John11:1-45
REFLECT
Before my husband and I lived in Scotland, we were not really aware of the significant difference in
latitude between the United States and the United Kingdom. In fact, we both seemed to assume that
Canadawasagoodcomparison.Thisnaïveassumptiondidn’tbecomeaproblemuntilNovemberwhen
wereallybegantonoticethedaysgettingshorterandshorter...andshorter.Themostdevastatingday
wasacoldmorninginearlyDecember.Iawokewhileitwasstilldark.IfeltgroggyandIfiguredIhada
fewmorehourstosleep.Icheckedtheclockanditglared8:30am.AsIstumbledoutthedoortowalkto
work, I looked up the coordinates of St. Andrews and compared them to North Carolina. Immediately
33
following,IorderedasunrisesimulationlamponAmazon.Myexperiencethatmorningfailedtocurbmy
bewildermentlaterinthedayasduskcreptinaround2pm.ThatwinterinScotlandasInavigatedmyway
throughthedarkness,Ilongedmorethaneverforthelight.
In this passage from John, we read about the Light of the World calling Lazarus from death to life.
Throughoutthepassage,Jesus’wordsrepeatedlydirectourattentionnottodeathordarkness,butto
lightandresurrection.Lazarus’illnessisnotfatal,JesusretortstothemessengersentbyMaryandMartha.
ThisresponsecarriesadualmeaningasitforeshadowsboththeresurrectionofLazarusandofChrist.
Deathisnolongerfatal,hepromises.
Later,inaconversationwiththedisciplesaboutreturningtoJudea,Jesusrepliestotheirconcernabout
hissafetybyspeakinginmetaphorsaboutlightanddarkness.Thosewhoseethelightoftheworlddonot
stumble, he says. In other words, those who know Christ live in light. He subsequently illustrates this
conceptofresurrectionandeternallifeinhisraisingofLazarus.Inabeautifulunfoldingofthestory,Christ
allowshimselftobebothteacherandfriendasheweepswithhiscommunity.HereassuresMarthawith
oneofhisseven“Iam”statementsfoundinthegospelofJohn.Iamtheresurrectionandthelife,heoffers
asabalmtoherbrokenheart.Attheclimaxofthestory,Christ’swordsonresurrectionbecomefleshas
hecallshisfriendfromthegrave.Withouthesitation,Lazarusstumblesoutofthedarknessofthegrave
andintothelightofChrist.
PRAY
Lordoflightandlife,youarealampuntoourfeetandalightuntoourpath.Leadusthroughthisseason
ofLentaswelearnhowtoreflectyourlightintotheworld.Amen.
GO
Thinkaboutwaysyouorthosearoundyoumightbestumblinginthedarkness.Howareyouprayingfor
resurrectionandthelifeofChristtoguideyou?HowmightyoureflectthelightofChristintheworld?
Onalighternote,considerreplacingthelightbulbsinyourhousetoCFL.AccordingtoEnergyStar,ifevery
home in the U.S. replaced even one bulb, there would be enough energy to light more than 3 million
homesforoneyearandsavemorethan$600millioninenergycost.
LauraIsaac
Sunday,April2,2017
5thSundayinLent
John11:1-45
YouareinvitedtoworshipGodincommunityatUniversityUMC(150E.FranklinSt.,ChapelHill,NC)or
joinusonlineathttps://www.youtube.com/user/ChapelHillUUMC.
Monday,April3,2017
LettingGo,Kenosis,andCenteringPrayer
PAUSE
“Lettinggoistheworkofalifetime—learningtopatientlyandgentlynavigateourownheartswiththe
34
infiniteloveandhealinggraceofGod.Lettinggoisthejoyofthejourney,thesecretofthesaints,and
theessenceofspiritualexperience.”(1)
LISTEN:Philippians2:5-11
REFLECT
Thetheologicalbasisoflettinggoliesintheprincipleofkenosis.KenosiswasthecoregestureofJesus’
life,hishumbleself-emptyingasexplainedbytheApostlePaulinPhilippians2:5-11.
CynthiaBourgeault,authorofCenteringPrayerandInnerAwakening,stressesinherretreatsonCentering
Prayer that the methodology of Centering Prayer is essentially a gesture of letting go. If you want to
developthesamemindthatwasinChristJesus,asurgedbyPaulinthetextabove,atime-testedwayis
thedailypracticeofCenteringPrayer.
CenteringPrayerisamovementbeyondconversationwithGodtocommunionwithHiminlovingsilence
andstillness.ItislearningtoreceivethegiftofGod’spresencethroughintention,notthroughattention
tothings,thoughts,noreventoabreathoramantra.Byquietingthenormalfacultiesoftheintellect,
imagination,memory,andwill,weprepareourselvestoexperiencethegiftofGod’spresence.Whatwe
seekisbygracealreadywithinus.Thechallengeistoallowourselvestobecomestillenoughtoallowthis
interiorsilencetoemerge.WhenthegiftofGod’spresenceisbestoweduponusandexperienced,we
meetGoddirectly,immediately,notmediatedbyanythought,prayer,reflectionorreading.
CenteringPrayerisalsoacatalystforthepurificationoftheunconscious:theexposingandreleaseof
those hidden and sometimes neurotic inner compulsions that can sabotage even our best spiritual
intentions.Dr.Keatingsaidthattoproceedincontemplativeprayertherehastobean“unloadingofthe
subconscious.”Hecallsthis“DivinePsychotherapy.”
Centeringprayerisnotmeanttoreplaceotherkindsofprayer;ratheritcastsanewlightanddepthof
meaningonthem.ItisatthesametimearelationshipwithGodandadisciplinetofosterthatrelationship.
Aswithmostspiritualdisciplines,itissimplebutnoteasy.Perhapsthiswillbethedayyoubeginanew
practice.
PRAY
ThankyouGodforsendingyoursonJesusChristtoourworldtoteachusloveandhumility.Amen.
TheminimumtimeforCenteringprayeris20minutes.Guidelinesareasfollows:
“Lord,IwillbestillandknowthatYouareGod”(Psalm46:10paraphrased)
“ForYou,andYoualone,mysoulinsilencewaits”(Psalm62:1paraphrased)
1.ChooseasacredwordasthesymbolofyourintentiontoconsenttoGod’spresenceandactionwithin,
suchas:God,Jesus,Abba,Father,Yahweh,Mother,Mary,LetGo,etc.
2.Sittingcomfortablyandwitheyesclosed,settlebrieflyandsilentlyintroduceyoursacredword.Keep
yourbackstraightwithyourheadsquarelyonyourshoulders,notbowingdown,andwithyourhands,
palmsup,onyourlegs.Youmayuseyoursacredwordasamantrainitiallyuntilyousettlein.Breathe
deeplyuntilyouarecompletelyrelaxed.
3.Whenengagedwithyourthoughts,emotions,bodysensations,images,returnever-so-gentlytoyour
sacredword.Letgoofthem.Letthempasswithoutanyinvolvementorresistance.Themorethoughts
35
inwhichyouengage,themorepracticeyouhaveinlettinggo,inbecomingmorelikeJesus.Ifyoufeel
yourselffallingasleep,openyoureyestoasoftfocus.
4.Attheendoftheprayerperiod,remainsilentwitheyesclosedforafewminutes.Providetimeand
spacetobringthekenoticdanceintoyouractivelife.(2)
GO
LetthesamemindbeinyouthatwasinChristJesus.(Philippians2:5)
(1) JonathonErdmam,June12,2016meditationinForwardDaybyDay.
(2) TheabovewastakenandadaptedfromabrochurepublishedbyContemplativeOutreach,Ltd.:
The Method of Centering Prayer, The Prayer of Consent by Thomas Keating, and also from
CenteringPrayerandInnerAwakeningbyCynthiaBourgeault.
DonSchoene
Tuesday,April4,2017
HowtoFixaBrokenVessel
PAUSE
Doyoueverhavevoicesinyourheadremindingyouofallyourfaultsandsins?Youarenotalone!Whether
yourenemiesarerealorjustinyourhead,thereisrefugeinGod’slove.
LISTEN:Psalm31:9-16
REFLECT
OftenwhenIlayinbedatnight,Ihavethisunhealthytendencyofrunningdownalistofmyfaults:You
paymoreattentiontoyourworkthanyourfamily.Youspendtoomuchmoney.Youaren’tworkinghard
enough.Youaretooimpatient.Youdidn’tgetenoughdonetoday.Youspenttoomuchtimelookinginthe
mirror.Youthinkmoreaboutyourselfthanofothers.Youdon’tloveGodenough.Yousintoomuch.
Perhapssomeofthesethoughtsareunfair,buttheyeachcontainsometruthofmysins.Iamnotthe
personIwanttobe.
Evenifnooneisplottingtotakemylifeorrunningatthesightofmelikeinthispsalm,Icanimaginethe
fearofwhatpeoplewouldsayordoiftheykneweverythingaboutme—allmythoughtsandwhatIdo
whennooneislooking.Weallknowwhatit’sliketowonder,Whatwouldtheythinkofmeiftheyknew
allofmysins?
Thosenegativethoughtsthatlingerattheendofalongdayarethe“whisperingofmany…thatscheme
togetheragainstme.”IfItookthemasabsolutetruthIwouldwasteawayinshameandmiserylikethe
psalmist. Sometimes they even make me a “broken vessel”—what could have been productive and
beautifulstartstoleakallovertheplaceintheshadowofmydemons.Noonecanstandtoliveunder
constantscrutinyandtheweightofthesumoftheirsins.Thankfully,wedon’thaveto;wecanseekrefuge
intheLord’s“steadfastlove.”
DidyouknowJesusprayedthisverypsalmwhenhecommittedhimselftoGodashefacedhisveryreal
enemiesandpersecutorsonthecross?Becausewecouldn’tdoitourselves,heputhislifeinGod’shands
36
andtradedplaceswithussothatwearesavedfromsinanddeath.Hetookthebrokenvesselofhumanity
andmadeusnew.
OnsomedaysIletmysinseatawayatmeandotherdaysIambetteratrememberingGod’sgraceand
thepromiseoftheresurrection.ItrytolearnfromthemandtakemorestepstobecomethatpersonI
wanttobe—moreloveforGodandfewersins.ThenIdomybesttoletGodtakecareoftherest,because
ifmyvesselisbrokenandleaking,mycupwillrundry.Andweallknowyoucan’tpourfromanempty
cup.
PRAY
HeavenlyFather,despiteourmoralfailures,wefindmercyinyourlove.MakeusvesselsforyourHoly
Spiritsowecanpouroutyourloveforothers.Wegiveourthanksfortheredemptivepromiseofyour
Son.InJesus’namewepray.Amen.
GO
Andwhenyouweredeadintrespassesandtheuncircumcisionofyourflesh,Godmadeyoualivetogether
withhim,whenheforgaveusallourtrespasses,erasingtherecordthatstoodagainstuswithitslegal
demands.Hesetthisaside,nailingittothecross(Colossians2:13-14).
SallyScruggs
Wednesday,April5,2017
LoveIsasStrongasDeath
PAUSE
TheBiblehasoftenbeenchargedwithasevereshortageofthatmostcommonanduniversalofliterary
genres,thelovestory.TheonlygoodlovestoryintheOldTestamentisthestoryofJacobandRachel
(Genesis29),althoughtherearequiteafew“luststories,”DavidandBathshebabeingtheworst(1Samuel
11).TheNewTestamentcompletelylackslovestories.YetonebookoftheBiblestandsoutassomething
totallydifferent,theSongofSongs.
LISTEN:SongofSolomon8:5-7
TheSongofSongs,orasitisbetterknown,theSongofSolomon,isanextendedpoemsetintheformof
adramaabouttheromanticlovebetweenamanandawoman,whosenamesweneverhear.Eachof
themspeaksinbeautifullovepoetry,whileachorus,withwordsofwisdomaboutlove,isinterspersed.
Thepoemsarerapturouslypassionateandfrequentlysexual.
TheChurchthroughoutthecenturieshashadtroubleacceptingthepoemsastheyare.Instead,wehave
triedtoallegorizethemaspoemsaboutthelovebetweenChristandtheChurch.Afterthetitleofthe
book,theveryfirstlineis,“Lethimkissmewiththekissesofhismouth.”Thisdoesn’tsoundlikeChrist
andthechurchtome.OnehastodoalotofstretchingtoallegorizethisintoapoemaboutChristorGod.
IndeedGodisnevermentionedintheentirebook.
Inthelastchapterthewomansaystotheman,“Sealmewithasealuponyourheart,asasealuponyour
arm,forloveisasstrongasdeath.”AsfarasIamaware,thisisthefirstmentioninallofliteratureofan
associationbetweenloveanddeath,whatwillbecomeknownasthe“love-death”theme.
37
ThethemewasfirstlivedinhistoryinthereallifestoryofMarkAnthony,aRomannoblemanwhoalmost
becameemperor,andCleopatraVIIthequeenofEgypt.Afterhearingthattheirforceshavelostthecrucial
BattleofActium(31B.C.)andknowingthatifcapturedtheywillbeexecuted,thetwoloversinseparate
placesbyseparatemeanscommitsuicide.
OnlyafewyearslaterinthefourthbookofVirgil’sepicpoemAeneid(19B.C.),wereadofthefictional
heroAeneas’sloveaffairwithDido,theQueenofCarthage.WhenAeneassailsawaytofoundthecityof
Rome,hislastsightofCarthageisaburningfuneralpyreinwhichDidohascommittedsuicideratherthan
livewithouthim.
InMedievalGermanicliteraturewehavethestoryoftheill-fatedloversTristanandIsolde,whichwassix
centurieslaterturnedintoanoperabyRichardWagnerinwhichIsoldesingsLiebestode,theLove-Death
ariabeforehersuicide.
Bestknowntous,however,isWilliamShakespeare’smostfamousplay,RomeoandJuliet,whenlikethe
real life Anthony and Cleopatra (about whom Shakespeare also wrote a play), commit suicide when it
appearsthattheirlovecanneverbefulfilled.
After Shakespeare the theme occurs again and again in literature and music. In Giaccomo Puccini’s
MadamButterfly,Butterflywaitspatientlyanddreamsinthearia“UnBelDie,”(OneFineDay)ofher
lover,LieutenantPinkerton’sreturntoherinJapanfromhisnativeAmerica.Whenhedoesreturnwith,
anAmericanwife,Butterfly,asshemust,commitssuicide.
LeonardBernsteinandStephenSondheim’smusicalWestSideStoryisamodernadaptationofRomeoand
Juliet.AndrewLloydWebber’smusicalMissSaigonisanupdateofMadamButterfly.
Thelove-deaththemeevenechoesevenintorockmusic.ListentothewordsoftheBlueOysterCult’s
smashhit,“Don’tFeartheReaper.”
Sometimesinthethemebothofthecouplecommitsuicide;sometimesonlythewoman(never,onlythe
man).Yes,wecouldallegorizethispoemofscriptureandthesestoriesofloveanddeathtoChrist’sdeath
onthecross,adeaththatwitnessedGod’soverwhelmingloveforusall.
Butinthisdevotion,inthisreadingofthatmostunusualofallBiblicalbooks,letusjusttakeitforwhatit
says.Romanticlove,lovewhichthevastmajorityofushavebeenprivilegedtofeel,isthemostpowerful
ofhumanemotions.Loveisasstrongasdeath.
PRAY
OGodofLove,thankyouforlettingthisbookbeintheBible.Thankyouforromantic,passionatelove.
Andforthoseofuswhohavehadthejoyofbeinginlovewiththesamepersonformanyyears,forthose
ofuswhohaveknownthatlovewhichispartedonlybydeath,wegivethanksforyourblessing.
InthenameofHimwholoveduswiththegreatestlove,Amen.
Rev.ChristianWilson
38
Thursday,April6,2017
TheTreeofLife
PAUSE
TheBookofRevelationtellsusthatJesusisthebeginningandtheend,theAlphaandtheOmega.Although
RevelationwasnotthelastbookoftheNewTestamenttobewritten,itappearslastintheorderofthe
NewTestament.Therecouldnothavebeenabetterchoice.
LISTEN:Revelation22:1-5
REFLECT
Revelation serves as a perfect bookend to the other end of the Bible, Genesis. Genesis begins with
creation,thebeginningoftime.Revelationendswiththeconsummation,thenewheavenandthenew
earth,thetransformationoftimeintoeternity.
InGenesis2,wereadofthecreationoftheprimevalGardenofEden.Wereadofaparadiseonearth,of
amanandawoman,ofatreewhosefruitisforbidden,ofatemptingserpent,andoftheflawedcharacter
ofhumanity.AlmostlostinthisstoryofbeginningsisanothertreeGodplantedintheGardenofEden.
Unlike the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, this other tree’s fruit is not forbidden. It is not
forbidden,butitisnevereaten,eventhoughitsfruitbringseternallife.GodcallsittheTreeofLife.From
Genesis2theTreeofLifeisnevermentionedagainuntiltheBookofRevelation(thephrase“treeoflife”
isusedinProverbs,butnotinreferencetothetreeintheGardenofEden).
TheBookofRevelation,avoidedbymostUnitedMethodistsandhorrendouslymisinterpretedbyvarious
fundamentalistdenominationsandchurches,takesusfromveryearthlyfirstcenturyscenesinspecific
realchurchesinsevennamedcitiesinAsiaMinor(moderndayTurkey)throughaseriesofend-of-time
apocalyptictribulations,toagloriousvisioninitslasttwochaptersofthenewheavenandnewearth.The
newJerusalemcomesdownfromheaven.Throughthecentercityrunstheriverofthewateroflife.The
treeoflifebridgestheriver.Itbearstwelvefruits,producingadifferentfruiteachmonth.Theleavesof
itsbranchesareforthehealingofthenations.
Can we in our 21st century very earthly lives relate to this heaven come to earth vision? For me this
particularrelatingisodd.InJanuaryof1988MarianneandIfoundourselvesonatourbusintheJudean
desert.ThebusstoppedforustoseetheruinsofancientJericho,excavatedinthe1950’sbytheBritish
archaeologistKathleenKenyon,through30separatestratarepresenting30separatesettlementsgoing
allthewaybackto8,000B.C.
AfterwardthebusstoppedatafruitstandontheoutskirtsofthemoderntownofJericho,amileortwo
away. As we looked at an abundance of fruits, the guys who ran the fruit took out sharp knives and
expertly slashed open different kinds of fruits for us to sample. They were all delicious, better than
anythingIhadevergotteninagrocerystoreorafruitstandhere.ForthefirsttimeItastedapummello,
whichIhadneverhadbefore,andhaveonlyappearedinourgrocerystoresforthelastfewyears.The
lastfruitwetastedwasanorange.Ihadeatenalotoforanges,butneverbeforeorsincehaveIhadan
orangelikethis.EverybiteexplodedinmymouthwithmoreorangeliquidthanIthoughtanorangecould
possiblecontainandadeeperorangeflavorthananythingIhadhadbefore.
FromtherethebuswhenontoQumran,andwelookedinthreeofthecaveswheretheDeadSeaScrolls
werediscovered.ThenitwasbacktohomebaseinJerusalem.
39
Fromthatday19yearsagotothisveryday,InevermadeanyassociationbetweenthefruitsatJericho
andthefruitsofthetreeoflife.I’mnotevensurewhyIammakingthatassociationnow.ButasIam
thinkingnow,I’mthinkingofthatphraseaboutthetreeoflifeandthatitsleavesareforthehealingof
thenations.ThemenfromwhomweboughtthefruitswerePalestinianArabslivinginIsraelioccupied
territoryinoneoftheworld’smostintractableconflicts.TheHolyCitycomingdownfromheavenisanew
Jerusalem.HealingthisHolyLandwillbeasdifficultasthehealingofanynationsonearth.
PRAY
OGod,shedsomeleavesfromthetreeoflifetohealthatlandnow.Shedsomeleavesfromthetreeof
lifetohealothernations,andtohealourown,evennow.Amen.
GO
“PrayforthepeaceofJerusalem.Maytheyprosperwholoveyou.Peacebewithinyourwallsandsecurity
withinyourtowers.ForthesakeofmyrelativesandfriendsIwillsay,‘Peacebewithinyou.’”(Ps122:6-8)
Rev.ChristianWilson
Friday,April7,2017
TheSayingsofJesusontheCross
PAUSE
Thinkaboutatimeyouhavefeltforsakenorabandonedorexcluded.Spendafewminutesremembering
thethoughtsandfeelingsthatsurgedinsideyouatthetime.ImaginehowJesusfeltonthecrosswhenhe
criedout,“MyGod,myGod,whyhaveyouforsakenme?”Imaginethefeelingsofthebystandersatthe
cross;Jesus’motherandthemanywomenstandingwithheratadistance;andthecenturion.Withwhom
doyoumostidentify?
LISTEN:Matthew27:45-55
REFLECT
“The Sayings of Jesus on the cross (also called the Seven Last Words from the Cross) are seven
expressionsbiblicallyattributedtoJesusduringhiscrucifixion.Traditionally,thebriefsayingshavebeen
called‘words.’TheyaregatheredfromthefourCanonicalGospels.Threeofthesayingsappearonlyinthe
Gospel of Luke (23:34, 43 ,46) and three only in the Gospel of John (19:26-28, 30). The other saying
appearsbothintheGospelofMatthew(27:46)andtheGospelofMark(15:34).
Traditionally, these seven sayings are called words of 1) Forgiveness, 2) Salvation, 3) Relationship, 4)
Abandonment,5)Distress,6)Triumphand7)Reunion.1”Canyourelatetothesewordsdemonstratedin
yourownpersonallifeexperiences?
ThesesayingsofJesusonthecrossseemtoreflectthefullnessandunityofhisfullyhuman,fullydivine
lifewhileonearth.FatherRichardRohrexplainsthat“…inByzantine[EasternRomanEmpire]artand
manylatericonsJesusisshownholdinguphistwofingers,indicating,‘Iamfullyhuman,andIamfully
divineatthesametime.’Wewerestruckdumbbythisparadox.”
40
In addressing this paradox Father Richard articulates: “But in most of Christian history we have
emphasized the divinity, omnipotence, omniscience, and ‘almightiness’ of Jesus, which makes actually
followinghim—orlovinghim—seemunrealistic.…FormostChristianstoday,Jesusistotallydivine,but
notreallyhuman.Hereisthepricewepayforourinabilitytothinknon-dually:WhenwedenywhatJesus
holds together, we can’t put it together in ourselves! And that’s the whole point: you and I are also
daughtersofheavenanddaughtersofearth,sonsofGodandsonsofthisworld.Botharetrueatthesame
time,whichdefiesallreasonandlogic.Wealsoarealivingparadox.Butweneedamodel,anexemplar,
apromise,andaguarantee(allwordsusedinPaulineletters)toimaginesuchafaroffimpossibility.For
us,thatmodelisJesus.…salvationisagradualrealizationofwhoweare—andalwayshavebeen—and
willbeeternally.”2
InMatthewandMark,JesuscriesouttoGod:“MyGod,myGod,whyhaveyouforsakenme?”InLuke,
heforgiveshiskillers,reassuresthepenitentthief,andcommendshisspirittotheFather.InJohn,he
speakstohismother,sayshethirsts,anddeclarestheendofhisearthlylife.1Ifwecanrelatetothese
wordsandactionsofJesus,thenitispossiblethattheseemingimpossibilityofbeinglikeJesusmightjust
bepossible.Mysteryuponmystery.
RevisitthefeelingsofforsakennessyourememberedinthePAUSEsectionofthisreflection.Trustthat
Jesushasfeltthesesamehumanfeelingsandfeelsthemnowthroughyou.
Jesussaid,“Andremember,Iamwithyoualways,totheendoftheage.”Matthew28:20.Wearenot
alone.ThanksbetoGod.
PRAY
GraciousandlovingGod.YouwhosenttheWordmadefleshtoliveamongussothatwewouldknowthe
depthandbreadthofyourbeingandlove.HelpmetograsptheseemingimpossibilityofChristwithinme.
Letthattruthsetthe“real”mefreetobewhatyoucreatedmetobe.ThroughJesusChristwithinmeand
inthepoweroftheHolySpirit,Amen.
GO
LivewiththeparadoxthatyouandIarealsodaughtersofheavenanddaughtersofearth,sonsofGod
andsonsofthisworld.Botharetrueatthesametime.
1. Retrieved2/23/17fromhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sayings_of_Jesus_on_the_cross#
2. Daily Meditations of Father Richard Rohr, OFM. Fully Human, Fully Divine, Thursday, February 11,
2016
RitaProctor
Saturday,April8,2017
“Youknowwhathashappened…”
PAUSE
PraiseGod!Liketheearlydisciples,weknowthegoodnewsGod“senttothepeopleofIsrael,preaching
peacebyJesusChrist—heisLordofall.”
LISTEN:Acts10:35-43
41
REFLECT
Peter delivers this short message to Gentile Romans in the home of a centurion named Cornelius.
NormallyIwouldfocusonthisculturalcontextandtheGentile-Jewconflict.IwouldreflectonPeter’s
vision of the “unclean” food and Cornelius’s visit from the angel. Today, however, I am struck by two
words:Youknow.WearenotstandinginCornelius’shome;wearenotnewChristiansinCaesarea.Yet
thismessagecertainlyappliestousaswell,becausewehaveheardtheGoodNews.
Howoftenthough,doweliveasifwedon’tknow?Wewonderhowtoshareourfaithwithothers.We
don’twanttooffend,don’twanttoseemcrazy,don’twanttobeostracized.Particularlyduringthistime
ofLent,wewonderhowmuchtosayaboutourfaith.DowewashoffourcrossesonAshWednesday?Do
wetalkaboutwhatpracticeswe’veadoptedorhabitswe’veabandonedduringLent?Sowerationalize.
Wequestion.Wehemandhaw.Wewonderandprayaboutwhattosay.
Coulditbesimplerthanthat?
Peterexplainedthegospelinlessthan10sentences.Couldwedothat?Couldwesimplysharewhatwe
believeandbecontenttoletGodbeinchargeoftheoutcome?Maybesharingourfaithissohardbecause
we’reworriedabouttheresults.Weworrywhatpeoplewillthink.Weworrywe’llloseourcredibility.We
worrywe’llsaythewrongthing.Perhapsworstofall,weworrywe’llturnthemevenfurtherawayfrom
Christ.
Maybewhatwe’rereallyafraidofislosingcontrol.Weloveschedulesandcalendars.Weorganizeand
manageandplan.Wesetgoalsandworkdiligentlytoachievethem,sometimestoexcessandburnout.
Wecreatetheillusionofcontroloverourlives,buttheonethingweknowwecan’tcontrolisanother
person.Wecannotcontroltheirresponsetooursharingofthegospel.
ButPeterremindsus:Weknow.Weknowwhatwebelieve.Ourfaithallowsustonotknoweverything;
infact,thebeautifulmysteryiscrucialtothefaith.Ithinkwewoulddowelltorememberweareseedsowers,butwearenottheHarvester.Wejusthavetosharewhatweknow.
PRAY
God,remindmeonceagainhowJesusassuresus“myyokeiseasy,andmyburdenislight.”Remindme
ofwhatIknow-ofyourSon’sbirth,death,andresurrection-andhowknowingithaschangedme.Give
methehumilitytotrustyouwithmymeagerwordsandmychildlikefaith.Amen.
GO
Weplant,trustingGodforthegrowth.
Weactinfaith,trustingGodfortheoutcome.
Webuild,trustingGodtofill.
Weoffer,trustingGodwiththeresponse.
-EmilyP.Freeman,SimplyTuesday
MeredithDangel
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Sunday,April9,2017
Palm/PassionSunday
Matthew26:14–27:66
YouareinvitedtoworshipGodincommunityatUniversityUMC(150E.FranklinSt.,ChapelHill,NC)or
joinusonlineathttps://www.youtube.com/user/ChapelHillUUMC.
Monday,April10,2017
It’salwaysdarkestbeforethedawn
PAUSE
Justasquicklyasyoucanfindyourselfincompletedarkness,youcanfindyourselfblindedbyGod’sglory.
LISTEN:Psalm118:1-2,12-24
REFLECT
“God will never give you more than you can handle.” Though we have certainly been through a lot
together,myhusbandandIareoftenabletomusterenoughgratitudeforourabundancethatwejoke
thatGodmustthinkwearenotabletohandleverymuch.Infact,wehavebecomemastersatusinghumor
asacopingmechanismintimesofgreatstress.Sometimesthatmeansourhumorisalittlebleakoreven
inappropriate,butoneofthestrengthsofourmarriageisourabilitytofindwhateverlightwecanintimes
ofdarkness.
Besides making me laugh when I need humor the most, my husband is a shoulder to cry on, the first
personIruntoortextorcallwhensomethinggood,bad—welllet’sbehonest,anything—happens,a
soundingboardwhenI’mfrustratedbyothers,mybestfriend.Heismyrock.Heseesmyfaultsandstill
lovesmedespitethem.
TheloveinmymarriageisonlythetipoftheicebergthatisGod’sloveforus.Godistheultimaterockand
shelter.Whenweseenothingbutdarkness,Heisourshoulder,oursoundingboard,ourbestfriend.He
seesourfaultsandstilllovesusdespitethem.Whenwewouldbecastawaybyothersforourfaults,God
looksatthosefaultsandsays,Actually,Icouldusethosefaultsasthechiefcornerstoneofmykingdom.
Chiefcornerstone!?ThatmeansGoddoesn’tjustacceptourfaults.Heturnsthemintoourstrengthsfor
thegloryofHiskingdom.
Let’sreconsiderhowwemightreshapeourfaultstoglorifyGod.Canweturnourangerintopassionate
outreach?Ifwe’veletsomeonedown,canwebuildastrongerrelationshipoutofourapology?Whenwe
maintainourfaithfulnessinthebleakestofsituations,westandtoreapthegreatestrewards.Whenthe
rewarddoescome,letusbaskinitandtrulylive,rejoice,andbegladinit!
PRAY
HeavenlyFather,turnusfromimperfectstonesintochiefcornerstonesforthebuildingofYourkingdom.
Wefindstrengthinyoursteadfastlove,theultimatefoundation.Amen.
43
GO
Notestinghasovertakenyouthatisnotcommontoeveryone.Godisfaithful,andhewillnotletyoube
testedbeyondyourstrength,butwiththetestinghewillalsoprovidethewayoutsothatyoumaybeable
toendureit.(1Corinthians10:13)
SallyScruggs
Tuesday,April11,2017
LookUp…notOut
PAUSE
Perhapsnowmorethanever,ourheartsandmindsneedtolooktoChrist.
LISTEN:Colossians3:1-4
SoifyouhavebeenraisedwithChrist,seekthethingsthatareabove,whereChristis,seatedattheright
handofGod. 2 Setyourmindsonthingsthatareabove,notonthingsthatareonearth, 3 foryouhave
died,andyourlifeishiddenwithChristinGod.4WhenChristwhoisyour[a]lifeisrevealed,thenyoualso
willberevealedwithhiminglory.
REFLECT
We seem to have worked ourselves into this period in history where we are perpetually mad about
something.Formanyofus,we’remadabouttheoutcomeoftherecentelectionandthedirectionwe
thinkourcountryisheaded.
Forothers,wearemadbecauseourfavoriteteamdidnotgettherightcallinthegamelastnight,last
week,orever!
Andforstillothers,wearemadbecauseweseewhatwethinkthedirectionofthechurchis,andit’snot
wherewethinkitshouldbe.
Paulhadadviceforallofus.Setyourmindsonthingsabove…notearthlythings.Letthosewordssoakin
foramoment.Breathethemin.Allowthemtosoakintoyourmindandsoul.
WhatmightourworldlooklikeifwetookPaul’sadvice?Perhapsinsteadofyellingateachotherupand
downFayettevilleStreetinRaleigh,orFranklinStreetinChapelHill,wewenttoworktoimprovethelives
ofourneighbors.Ifweputourmindstothingsabove,wemightstopyellingateachotherlongenoughto
understandwhatothersarethinkinganddoinginthefirstplace.Perhaps.
AswepauseduringthisLentenseason,Iurgeallofustoseekfirsttounderstand.Insteadofthrowinga
stoneatthosewedisagreewith,pickupthestoneandbuildahousewithit.Itispossible.
Andaswedothismore,Iamconfidentthatsmileswillreplacefrowns,songswillreplaceshouts,andlove
willovercomethosedarkearthlyfeelingsthatwearefeelingsomuchrightnow.
PRAY
DearGodabove,drawourattentionbacktoyouandawayfromourselves,thatindoingsowemightallow
yourpeacetoovercomeournoise,yourlightwillovercomeourdarkness,andyourlovewillovercomeall
else.
44
GO
LooktoChristfirst.Hewillprovideoutcomesthatfarexceedanywemightimagine.
ShawnMcClarnon
Wednesday,April12,2017
PAUSE
Howdoyoulimityourlifeexperiencesbystayinginthe“familiarandcomfortable?”
LISTEN:Psalm117
PraisetheLord,allyounations!Extolhim,allyoupeoples!Forgreatishissteadfastlovetowardus,and
thefaithfulnessoftheLordenduresforever.PraisetheLord!
REFLECT
ItendtofocusontheNewTestamentinmydevotions.Somehow,IalwaysthinkoftheNewTestamentas
bringinghopeandwhenIthinkoftheOldTestament,IoftenthinkoftheTenCommandmentsorlistsof
begets.IlistentotheOldTestamentreadingsinchurchandfocusonthemwhenIamreadingadevotion
whichcallsforthem,buttheyarenotmy“goto.”AsIsigneduptowriteoneofthesedevotions,there
werenotmanyNewTestamentversestochoosefromsinceIwassigningupverylate.Iinitiallychoseone
ofthefewremainingNewTestamentverses,butitdidnotspeaktomeandIcouldn'timaginewhatIwould
writeaboutit.IthenfinallybeganlookingupremainingOldTestamentselections.AsIcametothis
chapterinPsalms,Ihadtowonderatmyownintractability.Ilovemusic;Ienjoypoetry.Whywouldn'tI
gravitatetowardthePsalms?!
So I approach these verses from two different perspectives. One, I am chagrinned at my own short
sightednessandunwillingnesstobeopentoalltheBibleandallmyGodhastooffertoguidemeorto
upliftmyspiritsindifficulttimes.ThevoiceandteachingsofJesusaren'ttheonlylessonsformeinmy
Bible.ThisisagoodmetaphorforotherwaysthatIamlimitingmylifebyfallingbackonwhatisfamiliar
orcomfortableandissomethingIwillponderandmeditateoninthedaysahead.
TheotherwayIamseeingthispassageisasmusicandpoetry.HowbeautifularethePsalms!Psalm117
istheshortestchapterintheBibleaswellasbeingtheshortestPsalm,andyetitsayssomuchtous.Praise
God,everyone!Helovesusgreatlyandwillbefaithfultousforever.Whatsecurityandcomfortthatbrings,
aswellasJoy.
TheSpiritoftentouchesmethroughmusic.MythreefavoritetimesoftheweekaresinginginourSunday
churchservice,choirpracticeonThursdaynights,andwaitinginthehallsothatIcanlistenduringKatie's
weekly voice lessons. What joy sacred music brings me! We sing hymns and anthems taken from the
Psalms,butIcanjustimaginethewonderwhentheywerenewlywrittenandsettomusicbeingplayedby
stringedinstruments.Musicallowsustoexpressourconvictionsandourjoysinauniversallanguage.Itis
ourlossthatthetunesdidnotremainwithus,butIamgratefulthatthepowerfulwordsofthePsalms
endured.
PRAY
Lord,helpmetobeopentoallYouwouldhavemetoexperience.ThankYouforthegiftsofmusic,poetry
andpraise.Amen.
45
GO
Openyoureyes,yourearsandyourhearttoexperienceallthatGodhasinstoreforyou.
BeckyKinkade
MaundyThursday,April13,2017
Befilled!
PAUSE
SometimesIthinkthatweforgetthattheLastSupperwasjustthat,amealsharedtogetherwithJesus
andallofhismuchbeloveddisciples.
LISTEN:ICorinthians11:23-26
ForIreceivedfromtheLordwhatIalsohandedontoyou,thattheLordJesusonthenightwhenhewas
betrayedtookaloafofbread,andwhenhehadgiventhanks,hebrokeitandsaid,“Thisismybodythat
isforyou.Dothisinremembranceofme.”Inthesamewayhetookthecupalso,aftersuppersaying,
“Thiscupisthenewcovenantinmyblood.Dothis,asoftenasyoudrinkit,inremembranceofme.”For
asoftenasyoueatthisbreadanddrinkthiscup,youproclaimtheLord’sdeathuntilhecomes.
REFLECT
ManyyearsagoIrecallreadinginaUMWResponseMagazineastoryofayounggirllivinginathirdworld
countrywhowouldpeekintotheopenwindowofthesmallMethodistchurchinhervillage.Shesoon
realizedthatinsidethechurchtheywere“givingoutfood”soshebravelywalkedinandcamedownthe
aislefortheopportunitytohelpsatisfythatgnawinghungershefeltinherstomach.Soonshelooked
forwardtoeachSundayforthatwonderfullittlemeal.
IwanttobelievethatthememberstherereachedouttoherinChristianlovesothatatsomepointshe
receivednotonlyfoodtosatisfyabitofherhungerbutthatsheeventuallyunderstoodtheblessingof
receivingthespiritualfoodprovidedbyChrist.AndIchoosetobelievethatshe,probablynowayoung
woman,issharingthelightandloveofChristtoothers.
BeforetheMethodistchurchbeganthepracticeofreceivingcommunionbyintinction,myformerchurch
celebrated communion by having each person feed another person standing near them at the altar –
sometimes a family member, a friend or a total stranger. What a beautiful method of sharing the
communionelementswhenyoupickupthatpieceofholybread,dipitinthejuiceandplaceitinthe
mouthofafellowbelieverandthentheotherpersonservesyoulikewise.Theconnectionispersonaland
intimate.ThechurchlaterdisbandedthatpracticebutI’vealwayskeptafondmemoryofthatexperience.
Regardlessofhowweservecommunion,IpraythatIwillalwaysrememberboththespiritualneedsand
thephysicalneedsofallpersonsatthecommuniontablesharingwithmeinthisholymoment.
PRAY(Hymn641)
Fillmycup,Lord,IliftitupLord,Comeandquenchthisthirstingofmysoul.Breadofheaven,feedme
‘tillIwantnomore;fillmycup,fillitupandmakemewhole.Amen.
46
GO
“Just like the strangers who'd fed me in El Salvador or South Africa, I was going to have to see and
understandthehungerofothers,differentmenandwomen,andmakeagestureofwelcome,andeat
withthem.AndjustasIhadn't"deserved"anyofwhathadbeengiventome…Ididn'tdeservecommunion
myselfnow.Iwasn'tgettingitbecauseIwasgood.Iwasn'tgettingitbecauseIwasspecial.Icertainly
didn'tgettopickwhoelsewasgoodenough,holyenough,deservingenough,toreceiveit.Itwasn'ta
privatemeal.ThebreadonthatTablehadtobesharedwitheveryoneinorderformetoreallytasteit.”
―SaraMiles,TakethisBread:ARadicalConversion
ElizabethAndrews
GoodFriday,April13,2017
AftertheWorstHasHappened
PAUSE
Whenourdaughterwasfirststartingkindergartenattheneighborhoodschool,wewouldcarefullygo
overwithheringreatdetailwherewewouldmeetherafterschooltobereadytowalkherhome.Butno
matter how many times we went over it, she would implore us in the most heart-wrenching way,
“Mommy,Daddy,don’tbelate.Please,Mommy,Daddy,don’tbelate.”Wehadneverbeenlate,butshe
was just exhibiting what has to be one of the most acute emotions we human beings can suffer:
abandonmentanxiety.
LISTEN:Psalm22:1-22
MyGod,myGod,whyhaveyouforsakenme?Whyareyousofarfromhelpingme,fromthewordsofmy
groaning?
REFLECT
OnGoodFridaywefocusonamanwhowaskilledbyallthethingsthatcanpossiblykillahumanbeing:
lies,betrayals,fears,hammerandnail,spearandspike,hatredandjealousy.Withbloodshoteyesand
groaningvoice,Jesusspitsoutalamentstillrememberedasoneofhissevenlastwordsfromthecross:
Why,whyGodhaveyouabandonedme?
Makenomistake:GoodFridayisadayofabandonment.Thecrowdsaregone;thedisciples,hisfriends,
quiver and cower behind locked doors; his enemies openly mock him; and he feels himself slowly
suffocating,thewayyoudieonacross—alone,forsaken,abandoned.Whereareyou?
LorenEisleywasonabeachinCostabeljustbeforedawnwatchingalltheprofessional“shellers”search
fortheirnickelanddimetreasures,anythingofvaluetoeatorsellwhichhadwasheduponthebeach
fromthenightbefore.
ExceptEisleysawoneman—ankle-deepinsurf—pickingupstrandedstarfishandinsteadofkeepingthem,
wastossingthembackbeyondthesurfwherehehopedtheywouldhaveachancetolive.
Eisley watched and then smiled at the seeming futility of the man's effort and then walked away. Yet
anothermorning,hefoundhimselfjoiningthestarthrowerindoingthesamething.Hewritesofit:
SilentlyIsoughtandpickedupastilllivingstar,spinningitfaroutintothewaves.“I
understand,”Isaid.“Callmeanotherthrower.”OnlythenIallowedmyselftothink,heis
47
notaloneanylonger.Afterustherewillbeothers.Wearepartoftherainbow—an
unexplainedprojectionintothenatural...
Ipickedandflunganotherstar.Perhapsfaroutwardontherimofspaceagenuine
starwassimilarlyseizedandflung...
Iflungandflungagainwhileallaboutusroaredtheinsatiablewaterofdeath.But
we,paleandaloneandsmallintheimmensity,hurledbackthelivingstars...
Thetaskwasnottobeassumedlightly,foritwasmenaswellasstarfishwe
soughttosave.Foramomentwecastonaninfinitebeachtogetherbesideanunknown
hurlerofsuns.(Eisley,TheStarThrower,p63-71)
“NobodyknowsthetroubleI’veseen,nobodyknowsbutJesus”—butheknows,andhisexperiencemakes
itabsolutelybelievabletoyouandmethatJesusisupthismorningwalkingtheshorelineofourtimeand
place,siftingthedebris,pickinghiswaythroughallthewayswefractureandbreak—andhavingfound
whatheneeds,heliftsusup,clearsawaythedamage,andlaunchesusbacktolife,NewLife,theNew
Creation.CallmeaStarThrowertoo!
PRAY
Hewasbornsinginglove,
Helivedsinginglove,
Hediedsinginglove.
Ifthesongistocontinue,wemustdothesinging.
DearFriendsinChrist:SingLove,SingJustice,SingPeace.
Rev.DavidHarwood
HolySaturday,April15,2017
TheMysteryofDeath
PAUSE
Inthefaceofdeath,allwordsfallsilent,theirmeaninglost.
LISTEN:Job14:1-14
"Amortal,bornofwoman,fewofdaysandfulloftrouble,comesuplikeaflowerandwithers,fleeslikea
shadowanddoesnotlast.Doyoufixyoureyesonsuchaone?”
REFLECT
The Christian philosopher Nicholas Wolterstorff supervised my thesis at Yale Divinity School. He is an
exceptionalscholarandadeeplyfaithfulmanwhohaswrittenextensivelyonart,culture,philosophyand
religion.LamentForASonisWolterstorff’sprofoundanddeeplypersonalaccountofgrievingthedeathof
his25-year-oldson,Eric,whodiedinaclimbingaccident.Earlyinthememoirofgrief,Wolterstorffwrites:
“Istandbeforethelibrary,wherehespentsomanydaysofhislastmonths.He’swalkingup
thesesteps,throughthosedoors,tothedesk,askingforabook,receivingit,sittingdownata
table–whichone?–copyingoutthesenotesIhave.
48
No,Iseenothing;noformatall,notevenatrace.Allboneandmusclegone,thestepsswept
clear–nosmile,nosturdystep,nobrightintelligence,nosilhouette,noloveembodied.Where
heshouldbe,Istarestraightthrough.
Turnitback.Stoptheclockandturnitback,backtothatlastFriday,thatlastSaturday.Lethim
doitover:getuptoolatethistime,toolatetoclimb,readabook,waitforhisbrother.Lethim
doitrightthistime.Letusalldoitright.”(p.23)
Inhisreflections,Wolterstorffwrestleswiththestarkrealityofdeath:“Whatdoesitmean,Ericdead,
removedfromourpresence,coveredwithearth,inert?Orissuchshatteringoflovebeyondmeaningfor
us,thebreakingofmeaning–mystery,terriblemystery?”(p.43.)
On Holy Saturday, the Church affirms that Jesus was dead. His body, lifeless. Inert. I find strange
consolationinJesus’experienceoftheterrifyingrealityofdeath.OnthisHolySaturday,deathleavesus
silent; our only task is to be still. In the stillness of his grief, Wolterstorff wrestled with God and the
meaningofsuffering,andwrote:
“God is Love. That is why [God] suffers. To love our suffering sinful world is to suffer. God so
sufferedfortheworldthathegaveuphisonlySontosuffering.TheonewhodoesnotseeGod’s
sufferingdoesnotseehislove.Godissufferinglove.
Sosufferingisdownatthecenterofthings,deepdownwherethemeaningis.Sufferingisthe
meaningofourworld.ForLoveisthemeaning.AndLovesuffers.ThetearsofGodarethemeaning
ofhistory.
Butmysteryremains.Whyisn’tLove-without-sufferingthemeaningofthings?WhyissufferingLovethemeaning?WhydoesGodendurehissuffering?Whydoeshenotatoncerelievehisagony
byrelievingours?”(p.90)
LikeWolterstorff,IdonotknowwhyGoddoesnotrelieveGod’sownsufferingbyrelievingours.Ionly
knowthatHolySaturdayoffersusthestrangeconsolationthatwithus,Godsuffers.
PRAY
CreatorGod,thisHolySaturdayIamdeeplyunsettled.Deathisinevitableandterrifying.Andyetfacing
thefinalityofdeathiswhathelpsmefullyappreciatetheEasterpromiseofresurrection.Grantmegrace
toponderthestrangeconsolationthatbeforeJesusarose,hediedasutterlyandascompletelyasone
dayIwill.Makethisconsolationfertilesoilformyhopeinyourresurrectionpromise.InChristIpray.
Amen.
GO
Take time to be silent and still today, for only after silence and stillness do we truly appreciate the
trumpetingofresurrection’spromiseinChristJesusourLord.
Rev.CarlKing
49
HappyEaster!
April16,2017
John20:1-18
YouareinvitedtoworshipGodincommunityatUniversityUMC(150E.FranklinSt.,ChapelHill,NC)at
6:30 a.m. (Sunrise Service), 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. Alternatively, join online at
https://www.youtube.com/user/ChapelHillUUMC.
50