"Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth." The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Psalm 46
One of the things I find myself saying lately is "Why am I surprised at God's providence, grace, and faithfulness"? When life deals lemons, with God‘s help they turn to lemonade. Each time this happens, I immediately thank the Lord for helping me find the light in the situation, but I remain surprised. Why do I continually think of God‘s providence as an accident or a coincidence? As my Lord and Savior, it should be no surprise that God‘s presence in my life is continual and "his mercies endure forever."
Psalm 46 is a comfort. It encourages us to have hope in the Lord. In difficult times, we can "find refuge and strength" in God. Psalm 46 proudly promises that the Lord is with us and the God of Jacob is our refuge. Similarly, in Genesis 28, God promised Jacob that he will watch over him wherever he may go, and that God will keep his promises. This same God keeps watch over us; He cares for us, protects us, and sustains us. In this Lenten season, let us not be surprised at God‘s providence, but find comfort and security in His promises.
Allison Parker
This passage says to us that God is all powerful. We can go to him for comfort and help no matter what the situation. Our God is all powerful and reigns over everything including His people. This idea helps me to feel safe and secure. To know that my God is our refuge helps calm any doubt or fear we may have.
We feel safe because we know that there is someone greater than we that is protecting us and watching over us. This is shown by everyday experiences such as when God protects us from wrong choices and instead leads us down the right path. It's also humbling to think that there is something greater than all of us.
Max Spiers and Alyssa Day
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Lenten Reflection - March 14, 2011
Where could I go to escape from your Spirit or from your sight? If I were to climb up to the highest heavens, you would be there. If I were to dig down to the world of the dead you would also be there…Or suppose I said, "I'll hide in the dark until night comes to cover me over." But you see in the dark because daylight and dark are all the same to you. (CEV)
Psalm 139:1–12
It is an extreme comfort to me, as I am reminded in this passage, that regardless of what I may be going through, I am always in the grasp of our loving Lord. As a child is afraid to take that first journey across a sidewalk without the security of training wheels, they do so anyhow knowing that they have the promise of their parents that they will be there in the event they lose balance. So we should remember without a doubt that when we step out beyond our safe footing in our journey that our Father will be there to catch us.
We must remember that our Lord is not only with us in troubled times but also with us in times of victory and celebration so we should never fall short in praising our Lord both in good times and bad.
In these uncertain and worrisome times, both in our nation and around the world, we should not forget that the Lord will help us if we so desire. Knowing this, we should approach these challenges the very way the Lord would have us do with peace, love, trust, and fairness, especially to those in need.
In closing, I can’t help but to wonder, with the assurance that our Lord is always with us, why then is it sometimes so hard to reach out to those less fortunate? Remember, we are to be the tools our Lord uses in spreading His love, concern, and PROTECTION.
Steven E. Dorsey
Psalm 139:1–12
It is an extreme comfort to me, as I am reminded in this passage, that regardless of what I may be going through, I am always in the grasp of our loving Lord. As a child is afraid to take that first journey across a sidewalk without the security of training wheels, they do so anyhow knowing that they have the promise of their parents that they will be there in the event they lose balance. So we should remember without a doubt that when we step out beyond our safe footing in our journey that our Father will be there to catch us.
We must remember that our Lord is not only with us in troubled times but also with us in times of victory and celebration so we should never fall short in praising our Lord both in good times and bad.
In these uncertain and worrisome times, both in our nation and around the world, we should not forget that the Lord will help us if we so desire. Knowing this, we should approach these challenges the very way the Lord would have us do with peace, love, trust, and fairness, especially to those in need.
In closing, I can’t help but to wonder, with the assurance that our Lord is always with us, why then is it sometimes so hard to reach out to those less fortunate? Remember, we are to be the tools our Lord uses in spreading His love, concern, and PROTECTION.
Steven E. Dorsey
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Lenten Reflection - March 13, 2011 The First Sunday of Lent
Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.
Matthew 18:19
Ah. The power of prayer! My first thoughts when I see this verse are of our St. James' Prayer Chain, the list of people in need on our prayer, and our own daily supplications.
How many times has someone whose name was on the prayer list, or their friend or relative, thanked the congregation for their prayers with the acknowledgement that "your prayers worked"? My own experience with "2 or more" praying for me was 22 years ago during a serious medical experience. When a friend told me that she had put my name on her church’s prayer list, I was quite taken aback. I wasn't familiar with prayer chains, and she told me of this passage from Matthew and also the one from I John 5:14, "If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." It gave me such a positive image, that I was certain I would be healed if it was His will.
Does it mean we can ask for absolutely anything in prayer, like winning the lottery for example, and it will be granted to us? Hardly! We can only ask for what Christ Himself would ask. Sometimes our prayers are not answered the way we would have wished. We cannot dictate to God and must be willing to accept his wisdom. Real prayer is communion with God. What we need is for Him to fill our hearts and minds with His thoughts so that His desires will become our desires and be reflected back to Him in our prayers, whether it is just you, or 2 or more.
Peggy Horn
Matthew 18:19
Ah. The power of prayer! My first thoughts when I see this verse are of our St. James' Prayer Chain, the list of people in need on our prayer, and our own daily supplications.
How many times has someone whose name was on the prayer list, or their friend or relative, thanked the congregation for their prayers with the acknowledgement that "your prayers worked"? My own experience with "2 or more" praying for me was 22 years ago during a serious medical experience. When a friend told me that she had put my name on her church’s prayer list, I was quite taken aback. I wasn't familiar with prayer chains, and she told me of this passage from Matthew and also the one from I John 5:14, "If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." It gave me such a positive image, that I was certain I would be healed if it was His will.
Does it mean we can ask for absolutely anything in prayer, like winning the lottery for example, and it will be granted to us? Hardly! We can only ask for what Christ Himself would ask. Sometimes our prayers are not answered the way we would have wished. We cannot dictate to God and must be willing to accept his wisdom. Real prayer is communion with God. What we need is for Him to fill our hearts and minds with His thoughts so that His desires will become our desires and be reflected back to Him in our prayers, whether it is just you, or 2 or more.
Peggy Horn
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Lenten Reflection - March 12, 2011
Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don't miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out. (The Message)
Colossians 4:2–6
This passage is an encouragement to pray and be ready for opportunities that arise for us to share Christ and His love with others, often found under a heading aptly referring to "Christian Graces."
It is useful to understand the context, as the preceding portion of Colossians is labeled in most Bibles as "Rules" or "Guidelines" of a Christian Home. It speaks about how we should relate to others in a variety of relationships: husbands and wives, parents and children, employees and employers.
Then this particular passage moves on to how we interact with others – in some translations it says “outsiders.” This may be a casual acquaintance or a stranger. We are to be prayerfully ready to make the most of every opportunity to serve Christ in the people we encounter on a daily basis. We need to be equipped with speech filled with grace, which is not always easy in this hectic life. How many times have we said, "I should have said this." or "I should have done that"? In other Bible translations, the passage emphasizes "continuing in prayer" in order to have the wisdom to "know how to answer each one."
Perhaps during Lent we can all take extra time to pray and be aware of the opportunities God is giving us to be like Christ to the people He puts in our path. Also remember, it’s up to us to take action and carry out what He is inspiring us to do. The ball is in our court, what will we do with it?
Laura Miller
Colossians 4:2–6
This passage is an encouragement to pray and be ready for opportunities that arise for us to share Christ and His love with others, often found under a heading aptly referring to "Christian Graces."
It is useful to understand the context, as the preceding portion of Colossians is labeled in most Bibles as "Rules" or "Guidelines" of a Christian Home. It speaks about how we should relate to others in a variety of relationships: husbands and wives, parents and children, employees and employers.
Then this particular passage moves on to how we interact with others – in some translations it says “outsiders.” This may be a casual acquaintance or a stranger. We are to be prayerfully ready to make the most of every opportunity to serve Christ in the people we encounter on a daily basis. We need to be equipped with speech filled with grace, which is not always easy in this hectic life. How many times have we said, "I should have said this." or "I should have done that"? In other Bible translations, the passage emphasizes "continuing in prayer" in order to have the wisdom to "know how to answer each one."
Perhaps during Lent we can all take extra time to pray and be aware of the opportunities God is giving us to be like Christ to the people He puts in our path. Also remember, it’s up to us to take action and carry out what He is inspiring us to do. The ball is in our court, what will we do with it?
Laura Miller
Friday, March 11, 2011
Lenten Reflection - March 11, 2011
Then he said to them all, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."
Luke 9:23–25
This passage occurs after Jesus has fed the multitudes with five loaves and two fishes—He is praying and tells His disciples what is to befall Him: His trial, crucifixion, and resurrection from the dead. This verse is deceptively simple: If you wish to follow me, you must let go of selfishness, pick up your cross, and come with me. He then presents the Apostles with a paradox: in order to save your life, you must lose it. Those who put worldly things in front of heavenly things will find, in the end, they have lost everything, while those who renounce the world and give their life to Christ will be rewarded with everlasting life. The message is plain, straightforward, and easily understood. We know what we are called to do and what we must do -- but so often we forget or ignore this fundamental charge of Christianity. Perhaps, in this penitential season of Lent, we can, with the aid of prayer and reflection, strive to pick up the cross that Jesus asks us to bear.
Diana Doswell
Luke 9:23–25
This passage occurs after Jesus has fed the multitudes with five loaves and two fishes—He is praying and tells His disciples what is to befall Him: His trial, crucifixion, and resurrection from the dead. This verse is deceptively simple: If you wish to follow me, you must let go of selfishness, pick up your cross, and come with me. He then presents the Apostles with a paradox: in order to save your life, you must lose it. Those who put worldly things in front of heavenly things will find, in the end, they have lost everything, while those who renounce the world and give their life to Christ will be rewarded with everlasting life. The message is plain, straightforward, and easily understood. We know what we are called to do and what we must do -- but so often we forget or ignore this fundamental charge of Christianity. Perhaps, in this penitential season of Lent, we can, with the aid of prayer and reflection, strive to pick up the cross that Jesus asks us to bear.
Diana Doswell
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Lenten Reflection - March 10, 2011
Do you see what this means - all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down…and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. (The Message)
Hebrews 12:1–2
After reading the assigned passage, the children of Atrium III wanted to see how it was written in the Bible that we use in class. The following was what they decided was the passage’s message:
From the students of Atrium III (grades 4-6)
Hebrews 12:1–2
After reading the assigned passage, the children of Atrium III wanted to see how it was written in the Bible that we use in class. The following was what they decided was the passage’s message:
- To follow Jesus you have to leave everything behind that gets in the way, including sin.
- If you focus on sin, your race will be long and winding. If you focus on Jesus, your race will be smooth and easy.
- Endure the race. Get rid of things that slow us down like stress, excuses, blame and addictions.
- If you hold onto sin, then you can’t race the race of life.
- Focus on the prize – being closer to Jesus and looking to Heaven.
From the students of Atrium III (grades 4-6)
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Lenten Reflection - March 9, 2011 Ash Wednesday
Let the LORD lead you and trust the LORD to help. (CEV)
Psalm 37:3–7 (CEV)
Today, known as Ash Wednesday, begins the forty day (forty-six including Sundays) journey to the crucifixion. For the next forty days we will attempt to prepare our hearts and minds for the reality that faced our Lord and Savior two thousand years ago. For many of us the next 40 days can be painful, challenging, and at times overwhelming. And that’s ok because the next 40 days can also be life changing. The season of Lent allows us time to evaluate who we are, who God is, and who God is calling us to be in light of that relationship. Lent is an invitation to turn away from our sins, weaknesses, strengths, shortcomings towards God’s grace.
The psalm quoted above is an incredible reminder that the journey we are about to embark on has to be led by our Lord and Savior. When we trust the Lord to help, when we trust the Lord to lead us, then true repentance and true transformation can begin. Only God knows where we are heading in the next forty days. Trust in His love, His grace, and His direction. As ashes are imposed on your foreheads tonight as a sign of repentance, remember that we aren’t on this journey alone. Buckle up friends; we’re in for an incredible journey towards the cross.
Amanda Knouse+
Psalm 37:3–7 (CEV)
Today, known as Ash Wednesday, begins the forty day (forty-six including Sundays) journey to the crucifixion. For the next forty days we will attempt to prepare our hearts and minds for the reality that faced our Lord and Savior two thousand years ago. For many of us the next 40 days can be painful, challenging, and at times overwhelming. And that’s ok because the next 40 days can also be life changing. The season of Lent allows us time to evaluate who we are, who God is, and who God is calling us to be in light of that relationship. Lent is an invitation to turn away from our sins, weaknesses, strengths, shortcomings towards God’s grace.
The psalm quoted above is an incredible reminder that the journey we are about to embark on has to be led by our Lord and Savior. When we trust the Lord to help, when we trust the Lord to lead us, then true repentance and true transformation can begin. Only God knows where we are heading in the next forty days. Trust in His love, His grace, and His direction. As ashes are imposed on your foreheads tonight as a sign of repentance, remember that we aren’t on this journey alone. Buckle up friends; we’re in for an incredible journey towards the cross.
Amanda Knouse+
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