Daily devotionals

Taking Off and Putting On

Posted on by Betsy

My daughters and I exchange clothes like other people exchange recipes. We are able to wear each other’s things and have very similar tastes, so this makes it easy, not to mention affordable. One of my favorite dressy dresses is a hand-me-down Lily Pulitzer lace dress from my youngest and I just delivered a bag of work-appropriate skirts to my oldest. It is fun for us to see each other in our used clothes and it always reminds me of when they were little girls and would play dress up in my closet. I did the same in my mother’s closet when she was getting ready for a night out with my father. I loved to parade around her bedroom with my grandmother’s hand-me-down fox stole over my pajamas. It came complete with the head and beady eyes. I did not let that pass down to me.

In our reading today, Paul wrote a letter to the church at Colossae and advised them about taking off things in order to put on better things. We are invited to dress up in the image of Christ, who wears neither Greek not Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free. In clothing terms, Christ’s clothing is one-size-fits-all.

Colossians 3 (Common English Bible)

5 So put to death the parts of your life that belong to the earth, such as sexual immorality, moral corruption, lust, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). 6 The wrath of God is coming upon disobedient people because of these things. 7 You used to live this way, when you were alive to these things. 8 But now set aside these things, such as anger, rage, malice, slander, and obscene language. 9 Don’t lie to each other. Take off the old human nature with its practices 10 and put on the new nature, which is renewed in knowledge by conforming to the image of the one who created it.11 In this image there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all things and in all people.

Imagine what our world would be like if we took off anger, rage, malice, slander, and obscene language. Gosh, imagine what political campaigning would be like if we took off those things! Then imagine what would our world be like if we put on compassion, kindness, gentleness, and patience. Can you feel the difference?

12 Therefore, as God’s choice, holy and loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Be tolerant with each other and, if someone has a complaint against anyone, forgive each other. As the Lord forgave you, so also forgive each other. 14 And over all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

It starts with you and me. It starts with how we treat people in the grocery store, how we speak to our neighbors, what we post on social media, and how we talk to our children. Take off the ugly and let your life be a reflective image of our Lord.

Let there be peace of earth. And let it begin with me.

Peace on Earth by Mary Anne Mong

Even a Cup

Posted on by Betsy

Have you ever felt like you were empty of hope, resources, energy, strength, or provisions? Trusting God means you will be open to receiving grace by whatever means God chooses to use. Often this comes in the form of another person’s generosity.

In our passage from Matthew this morning, Jesus instructed his disciples to find places of hospitality and generosity as they traveled throughout the countryside. Being welcome in someone’s home was an important indication of how receptive they might be to hearing and living out the Good News.

Matthew 10 (Common English Bible)

11 Whatever city or village you go into, find somebody in it who is worthy and stay there until you go on your way. 12 When you go into a house, say, ‘Peace!’ 13 If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if the house isn’t worthy, take back your blessing. 14 If anyone refuses to welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet as you leave that house or city.

Last Sunday I had the opportunity to share a story from my family about how God provides for us when we feel as though all of our provisions have run out. My grandfather was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad, so even during Great Depression he had an income because the trains always ran. As the country slid into a terrible economy, men looking for work would ride the trains by jumping in and out of boxcars as they slowed down as they went through stations. These fellows were known as hobos, and they went between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia in search of farm or factory work. My grandparents lived in railroad station towns like Huntingdon and Altoona, right in the center of the state, and so often times a man would come to the door of the little house they rented near the station and ask for a piece of bread and a cup of water.

My Grandmother was a solid Christian woman who believed in God’s promises, and she also understood the biblical call to practice hospitality. So if a hobo appeared at the door asking for bread, they received a sandwich. If they came in the afternoon, Grandmother would insist they come in and sit at her kitchen table and eat their sandwich while she worked on supper. If they happened to come by at supper, they were seated at the dining room table with the rest of the family. Many refused to come in, preferring to eat on the back steps. But Grandma insisted and she was hard to resist!

Matthew 10 (Common English Bible) continued

40 “Those who receive you are also receiving me, and those who receive me are receiving the one who sent me. 41 Those who receive a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. Those who receive a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 I assure you that everybody who gives even a cup of cold water to these little ones because they are my disciples will certainly be rewarded.”

One night a gentleman who had been there before came back through, and grandmother welcomed him in. As they were saying goodbye, she remarked  that there had been a steady stream of hobos at the table each night, and she wondered if other families in Altoona were receiving guests as well. “Probably not, Ma’am, we all know to come to you,” he replied. “How do you know that?” she asked. He pulled a piece of chalk out of his vest. “You see, whenever we get into a town and a nice Christian lady such as yourself offers us something to eat, we mark the curb by the house, so the other fellows know they are welcome there.” Grandmother was amused at this and then asked, “What kind of mark?” And he knelt down and drew the sign of the fish, an ichthus, on her back step. He said, “We make the sign of Jesus, Ma’am, so that the others know that this is a house where God lives.”

Is God calling you to practice radical hospitality with someone whose provisions have run out? May we live our lives in such a way that someone would chalk the fish, the sign of Jesus, on our front curb.

Jesus’ Sign by Lynne Mathis

Mulligan Grace

Posted on by Betsy

Well, it was bound to happen. My husband and I finally got pickle-balled. Our neighbors all play and two of them invited us to join them on the Colington courts for a lesson/game. I immediately responded with all the reasons why my game would be terrible, starting with my lack of depth perception, my out-of-shape arms, etc. As it turned out it was a lot of fun and I wasn’t as horrible as I thought I would be.

Part of the reason it was an enjoyable was that our opponents gave us unlimited mulligans. Now, if you play golf, you’ll recognize that word. For the uninformed like me, a mulligan is basically a free do-over. Because we had never played before, each serve that didn’t make it across the net or that made it too far over the net was a chance for a mulligan. And by the way, you don’t score extra points by hitting the ball over the tall fence enclosure and then having to chase it all the way down Colington Road. Seemed unfair, but there you have it.

In theological terms, we call this grace. Grace is the undeserved, unmerited favor of God that offers us unlimited mulligans. Fell off the wagon? Mulligan. Committed a sin yet again? Mulligan. Walked away from God’s will for your life? Mulligan. God loves us so much he offers a steady stream of grace whenever we confess and repent. You can always come home again.

Ephesians 2 (The Message)

7-10 Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish! We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.

I had the chance last week to talk about grace to two extraordinary teenagers who are about to be baptized in my church. Their pursuit of this sacrament was fostered by an extended family who is strong in their faith and triggered by the death of their great grandmother a year ago. Granny also got baptized in my church as a much older adult. Seeing this commitment made this boys want to make the same commitment for themselves. As we talked about the gift of grace that God offers to everyone, they could visualize this in their great-grandmother’s life.

You, too, can be a means of grace for someone. Your offer of love, kindness, help, and free mulligans can go a long way in someone’s life. Is God calling you to extend his unconditional love to someone who needs it? Don’t delay. God’s waves of love are available to all.

Heart Waves by Beth Rary

The Best Smell

Posted on by Betsy

“Things that smell” and I are not good friends. I have an allergic reaction to many things that smell, so I tend to pull back if a heavily perfumed or overly after-shaved person tries to come in for a hug. Many a Sunday I have gone home with a headache because I am wearing someone’s perfume on my cheek and neck after a vigorous embrace. Mind you, I love a good hug, just not the after-effects.

I discovered many years ago that I can wear scented lotions (never perfume) if they smell like food products. True story! I have a healthy investment in vanilla, coconut, and lemony lotions from Bath and Body Works. They even have me on speed dial for when these products go on sale. Last week my youngest daughter told me that her son smelled a coconut scent in a store and asked if Nana was there. I love that he associated that smell with me.

You may remember several Old Testament allusions to making a “fragrant offering” to the Lord. I’m sure you also recall the story about Mary breaking the neck of the perfume jar to anoint Jesus’s feet. The smell of the fragrance filled the room (John 12:1-8). Notice what Paul does in today’s passage as he thanks the Philippians for their generous offerings:

Philippians 4 (Common English Bible)

10 I was very glad in the Lord because now at last you have shown concern for me again. (Of course you were always concerned but had no way to show it.) 11 I’m not saying this because I need anything, for I have learned how to be content in any circumstance.12 I know the experience of being in need and of having more than enough; I have learned the secret to being content in any and every circumstance, whether full or hungry or whether having plenty or being poor. 13 I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me strength. 14 Still, you have done well to share my distress.

Paul’s bold assertion in verse 4 that he can “do all things through Christ, who strengthens me” is one to print on your heart and sear into your mind. How often we forget that the source of our strength and the renewal of our courage are within him when we are without! Christ helped Paul to be content in every circumstance. Are you content in every circumstance? If not, what’s missing?

15 You Philippians know from the time of my first mission work in Macedonia how no church shared in supporting my ministry except you. 16 You sent contributions repeatedly to take care of my needs even while I was in Thessalonica. 17 I’m not hoping for a gift, but I am hoping for a profit that accumulates in your account. 18 I now have plenty and it is more than enough. I am full to overflowing because I received the gifts that you sent from Epaphroditus. Those gifts give off a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice that pleases God.

Isn’t’ that a lovely thank-you note? To tell the Philippians that their generosity gives off a fragrant aroma is a beautiful word-picture and a reminder of what happens when we offer a sacrificial gift at the altar. Truly it pleases the Lord.

Where is God inviting you to present a sacrifice of yourself that would be pleasing? Is there something you could do today to be the sweet smell of generosity for someone in need? When we give in this way, our gifts release fragrant aromas that fill the room with hope, love, and faith.

Sweet Smell by Michelle Robertson

When They Leave

Posted on by Betsy

Imagine the scene.

I was walking down the aisles in the local Kroger, minding my own business. It was early September many years ago and I had ten thousand things running through my brain as I shopped. “Get broccoli/what time is that meeting tomorrow/don’t forget cream cheese/need to work on my sermon tonight” … and I unknowingly turned the corner and headed down the bread aisle. I found myself in front of the Little Debbie snack display, and my unconscious brain kicked in a shopping list reminder: “Oatmeal Creams for Jamie. Swiss Rolls for Sarah.”

I stopped my cart to search for these items, was immediately overwhelmed with a tidal wave of grief. I felt the uprising of hot tears as I realized that there are no kids at my house that require stocking up on school lunch items anymore. My youngest had just joined her sister at college days earlier, and I was now an empty nester.

Lord, I detest that label.

These life transitions for parents can be extraordinarily painful. The journey from preschool to Kindergarten, where you can’t fathom your child on the bus with the big kids, is quickly replaced by them leaving the security of Elementary School for the wildness of Middle School. A day later they’re in High School and then a prom or two later, off to college. Before you know it, they’re gone.

Eventually they have the nerve to leave home forever to start a career, marry someone, or live in another state. Had I fully understood that having children would be a series of letting go that gets harder each time, I might have just skipped over having kids and gone right to being a Nana. Too bad that isn’t an option.

This back-to-school time of year brings back all those tender “see-ya’s” and “come home soons.” I’m watching parents every Sunday as they move slowly into the reality of their impending school separations. College kids are already moving into their dorms this week and their hollow-eyed parents are trying to live into their new normal. It’s like watching a car wreck in slow motion. I see the impact coming, I want to warn them away, but I can’t stop looking, and I can’t do anything to help them.

These parents are sitting on the same pew as a man who is desperately gripping the back of the pew in front of him, hoping to remain standing on the first Sunday in 61 years that his wife will not beside him. Across the aisle is a young mother soothing her two young children and wondering how in the world they will survive her husband’s sudden and abrupt departure from their marriage and their home. I see the woman behind her tearing up at the mention of losing a loved one. It is the seventh anniversary of her father’s death.

Everyone has lost someone. Life is a process of saying goodbye to places, things, and people we love. Where can we go when our hearts are broken?

Psalm 147

The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
    he gathers the exiles of Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted
    and binds up their wounds.
He determines the number of the stars
    and calls them each by name.
Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
    his understanding has no limit.

Sing to the Lord with grateful praise;
    make music to our God on the harp.

The psalmist makes a bold and life-sustaining claim that the God who ordered the number of the stars in the sky sees your hurt and knows your pain. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Even in these painful moments of letting go, God is with us and his love sustains us.

What does that mean to you today? We are invited to take every wound to Jesus, our Wounded Healer. He will bind up our hurts and gather us up, no matter what exile or desert we are walking through.

This may actually be the greatest power of the incarnation. By becoming human, God as Jesus walked the painful paths that we walk. He experienced hurt and his heart was also broken. He watched Judas betray him and then he himself left people he loved. Like you, he also had to let go of people he loved and places he cherished. He gets it. He gets us. Glory to God, we are known and understood by our great and powerful God.

And parents of departing students, you’ll get through it, I promise. I did, and lived to tell about it. And soon enough it will be December and they’ll be back with a ton of stories, experiences, and lots of dirty laundry. Thanks be to God!

Childhood’s Sunset by Michelle Robertson

Say Hello

Posted on by Betsy

Are you a fan of receiving lines at events? It used to be common to have a receiving line at wedding receptions. The purpose of these lines was to allow the wedding hosts to individually greet their guests and allow guests to have a brief moment with the bride and groom (and their parents) before the festivities began. The advantage was that everyone could then enjoy the reception after all had been properly greeted. The disadvantage was the fact that the line had to keep moving, so greetings were superficial at best. Introductions were hurried, and if a name was forgotten, it was embarrassing to say the least. When receiving lines fell out of favor, the bridal couple was then expected to go to every table at the reception and greet their guests, which is why many newlyweds miss the chance to eat dinner at their own wedding. It’s a conundrum.

Today’s passage from Romans reads like a receiving line. Paul is sending a team of co-workers to his church in Rome with instructions for their care. He wants to ensure that the church receives these folks properly.

Romans 16 (Common English Bible)

I’m introducing our sister Phoebe to you, who is a servant of the church in Cenchreae. 2 Welcome her in the Lord in a way that is worthy of God’s people, and give her whatever she needs from you, because she herself has been a sponsor of many people, myself included.

Note that Paul instructs the church to welcome Phoebe “in a way that is worthy of God’s people.” Oh, what a reminder this is to the church! The importance of our greeters and ushers can’t be overstated. As the front line of hospitality, these precious volunteers are doing the work of the Lord as they make the first impression of the church. Are they warm? Do they smile? Can they answer questions about the location of the nursery, rest rooms, children’s wing, etc.? Welcoming people with the warm acceptance of the Lord is worthy of God’s people. Blessed are those who say hello in the name of the Lord.

Greetings to Roman Christians

3 Say hello to Prisca and Aquila, my coworkers in Christ Jesus,4 who risked their own necks for my life. I’m not the only one who thanks God for them, but all the churches of the Gentiles do the same. 5 Also say hello to the church that meets in their house. Say hello to Epaenetus, my dear friend, who was the first convert in Asia for Christ. 6 Say hello to Mary, who has worked very hard for you. 7 Say hello to Andronicus and Junia, my relatives and my fellow prisoners. They are prominent among the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. 8 Say hello to Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. 9 Say hello to Urbanus, our coworker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. 10 Say hello to Apelles, who is tried and true in Christ. Say hello to the members of the household of Aristobulus.11 Say hello to my relative Herodion. Say hello to the members of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. 12 Say hello to Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who are workers for the Lord. Say hello to my dear friend Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. 13 Say hello to Rufus, who is an outstanding believer, along with his mother and mine. 14 Say hello to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who are with them.15 Say hello to Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16 Say hello to each other with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ say hello to you.

The word “hello” has an interesting history. According to Merriam-Webster, it is a derivative of the word “hail,” which harkens back to the Middle Ages. Shakespeare used “Hail” as a common greeting in his writings. Hail was a derivative of hale, health, and whole, thus the greeting was a blessing for good health. Hail became holler and hallo, but it was the invention of the telephone that solidified “hello” as the proper greeting. Thomas Edison is credited with this transition.

So when we say hello to those who have been sent to us, we are offering them the blessing of wholeness in the name of the Lord. Can you think of any better way to invite people into your church? This Sunday, see how many times you can say hello!

Hello by Michelle Robertson

Look Me

Posted on by Betsy

Our two-year-old grand-twins have reached the stage of wanting our attention when they do things they have just learned. FaceTime has enabled us to participate in their toddler Olympics, and we always know we are in for a show when they interrupt their mother by yelling, “PAPA! NANA! PAPA! NANA! WATCH ME! WATCH ME!” This continues until we yell, “WE’RE WATCHING! SHOW ME! SHOW ME!” They’ll peer intently into the phone until they have ascertained that we are indeed watching, and then perform twirls, spins, running around the house in circles, rolling a ball, etc. while yelling, “LOOK ME! LOOK ME!” It’s exhausting. Not for them, for us.

Today’s psalm is very interesting in its format. Before you read the whole thing, take a look at the beginning of each sentence. Do you see this pattern? Tell me. Show me. Deliver me. Teach me. Guide me. Make me. Bring me. And finally: Wipe out my enemies. Destroy my attackers. This use of verbal directives is striking! Do you get the sense that the psalmist has a very deep and personal relationship with God (so much so that he comes off as a little bossy!) and that he fully and completely believes God is able to do all these things? I do. With the intensity of a toddler, he demands our attention.

It probably comes as no surprise then to learn that this is a psalm of David.

Now that we’ve looked at the beginning phases, let’s isolate the phrases that follow the words “because” or “for.” You’ll see this pattern emerge: I trust you. I offer my life up to you. You are my God. You are righteous. You offer me faithful love. I am your servant. The demands at the beginning of each sentence are softened by the assurances of David’s covenantal relationship with a God who loves him completely. Our toddlers make their demands for our attention based on the deep and sure knowledge that we love and adore them.

Psalm 143 (Common English Bible)

Tell me all about your faithful love come morning time,
    because I trust you.
Show me the way I should go,
    because I offer my life up to you.
9 Deliver me from my enemies, Lord!
    I seek protection from you.
10 Teach me to do what pleases you,
    because you are my God.

Verse 10 reveals the basis of David’s pleas. He asks God to guide him by God’s good spirit into a good land. Remembering that the concept of the Holy Spirit is a New Testament thing, this wording speaks to David’s deep understanding of the many layers of God. God as warrior, God as protector, God as deliverer, God as Spirit. David understood the width, depth, height, and dimensions of the God he loved. Do you know God this well?

Guide me by your good spirit
        into good land.
11 Make me live again, Lord, for your name’s sake.
    Bring me out of distress because of your righteousness.
12 Wipe out my enemies because of your faithful love.
    Destroy everyone who attacks me,
        because I am your servant

If you felt bold enough to list your petitions to God today, what would you say? What aspects of God’s relationship with you would you base your pleas on? Do you ask to be led by God’s good Spirit? May we approach our Lord with the assurance and directness of twin toddlers.

Look me, Lord!

Look Me!

House of Prayer

Posted on by Betsy

Does your church have a prayer room? One of the first things I did when I was appointed to my last church was clean out the unused library behind the sanctuary and have the Trustees designate it as a prayer room. The newly organized prayer ministry outfitted it with couches, a kneeler, and good lighting. We set up a table that held Sunday morning prayer requests and a sign-in book for prayer ministry volunteers so that we could gauge the use of the room. In no time we realized that people used the room all week long, enjoying a quiet space to pray deliberately for the concerns of the church, the town, the nation, and the world.

The importance of people praying regularly for their church, their staff, one another, and for concerns beyond the local congregation cannot be overstated. Since we opened the prayer room, we have gone through unexpected leadership changes, the pandemic, financial uncertainty, deaths of key leaders, painful disaffiliation conversations, and even hurricanes, yet we are still strong and standing.

That’s what prayer can do.

We continue our study of Isaiah 56 today. In this portion, Isaiah continued to prophesy about the place immigrants would have in God’s kingdom. God promised that those who serve and love him, keep the Sabbath holy, and who hold fast to his covenant will be brought into God’s holy mountain and enter God’s house of prayer.

Isaiah 56 (Common English Bible)

The immigrants who have joined me,
    serving me and loving my name, becoming my servants,
    everyone who keeps the Sabbath without making it impure,
    and those who hold fast to my covenant:
7     I will bring them to my holy mountain,
    and bring them joy in my house of prayer.
    I will accept their entirely burned offerings and sacrifices on my altar.

If the phrase “house of prayer” sounds familiar, you may be remembering Jesus’ overturning of the marketplace tables in the Temple: “He said to them, “It’s written, My house will be called a house of prayer. But you’ve made it a hideout for crooks”  (Matthew 21:13). Yikes! Jesus ain’t playin’, friends. Those who sought to cheat the worshippers and profit by overcharging for the approved sacrificial animals were cast out from the Temple court. God does have a limit to how much will be tolerated.

The church is designed to be a house of prayer for all peoples. What are you doing to ensure that all peoples are welcomed in? Will you join God in the work of gathering up the outcasts?

   My house will be known as a house of prayer for all peoples,
8         says the Lord God,
    who gathers Israel’s outcasts.
I will gather still others to those I have already gathered.

How can our churches be more open to strangers?

Maybe we should start with prayer.

United Methodist House of Prayer, Lewisburg, PA by Alan Janesch

Recipe For Happiness

Posted on by Betsy

I met with a frustrated spouse last week who outlined a list of grievances that she is experiencing in her marriage and ended with, “I’m just not happy.” She and her husband are starting marriage counseling, so I feel hopeful that the issues will be discussed and resolved. But the conversation made me ponder the subject of happiness. I believe she was honest in what she said, but it made me concerned for folks who pin all their happiness on one relationship with another person. Are there things we can do apart from our relationships that would bring happiness into our lives so that when those relationships go through rough patches, we can still find joy?

What does the Bible say about happiness?

Then I stumbled upon this nugget from Isaiah. The Old Testament prophet spent his career warning Israel about apostasy and their standing as God’s people. But did you know he also offers a recipe for happiness?

Isaiah 56 (Common English Bible)

The Lord says:
    Act justly and do what is righteous,
    because my salvation is coming soon,
    and my righteousness will be revealed.
2 Happy is the one who does this,
    the person who holds it fast,
    who keeps the Sabbath, not making it impure,
    and avoids doing any evil.

Act justly. Do what is righteous. Anticipate the coming salvation. Hold fast to God’s promises. Keep the Sabbath holy. Avoid doing evil. If you meditate on that list of ingredients, you can see how happiness would follow. And God goes on to ensure that his listeners understood that this recipe is not just restricted to the Jews but is available to anyone.

3 Don’t let the immigrant who has joined with the Lord say,
    “The Lord will exclude me from the people.”
    And don’t let the eunuch say,
        “I’m just a dry tree.”
4 The Lord says:
    To the eunuchs who keep my sabbaths,
    choose what I desire,
    and remain loyal to my covenant.

We get a foretaste of the New Covenant in these verses regarding immigrants and eunuchs. These people certainly represented those outcast from Jewish society. Eunuchs were denied full participation in the temple rituals, according to Leviticus 21:17-20. God is saying very clearly that while society may deny them inclusion, all are welcome in God’s temple and courts. God is also saying that while you may feel outcast, the word of God is higher and stronger than your feelings.

Indeed when Jesus arrived, he opened up his ministry to the outcasts first.
5     In my temple and courts, I will give them
    a monument and a name better than sons and daughters.
    I will give to them an enduring name
    that won’t be removed.

Isaiah’s prophecy of a time when all would be welcome at the temple found its home in Jesus. He ate with sinners, healed the Gentiles, fed the poor and marginalized, and died for us all. His Temple is for the world.

Have you ever felt outcast in your community? Have you ever been shunned by family, neighbors, or the church? Are you lacking happiness in your life? Check the recipe again and see if you can spot a missing ingredient, starting with keeping the Sabbath.

May we open the doors wide for all to come in and taste and see that the Lord is good.

Happiness Pancakes by Mary Anne Mong

Rear Views

Posted on by Betsy

I joined the modern age of backup cameras in cars a few years ago. My latest car is the first one I’ve driven to have this feature, so my tendency is still to put the car in reverse, throw my right arm over the back of the passenger seat, twist my body around, and watch the driveway behind me as I back out. It took months to remember to look forward to see the dashboard screen’s display from the backup camera. After a few months of trying to only look forward at the screen, I gave up. The helpful red/yellow/green lines indicating my trajectory seem to just add to my disorientation, so unless I hear the “beep beep” indicating that I’m too close to something, I just turn my head toward the back of the car and look out the rear window. Old school? You betcha. On the other hand, I haven’t run over anything.

Our passage in Joel made me think of looking behind you in order to steer in the direction you want to go. Looking through the back window is helpful in reverse, but the only way to move forward is to look ahead. Yet I have to look back to get away from the house, so every trip starts that way. It was the same with the tiny nation of Judah as they were being assaulted from a terrible army from the North. Their own apostasy had pulled them farther and farther away from God and their position as God’s inheritance was in jeopardy due to their sins. Before they could move forward, God forced them to look back.

Joel 2 (Common English Bible)

Between the porch and the altar
        let the priests, the Lord’s ministers, weep.
    Let them say, “Have mercy, Lord, on your people,
        and don’t make your inheritance a disgrace,
        an example of failure among the nations.
    Why should they say among the peoples,
        ‘Where is their God?’”

The priests were instructed to pray “between the porch and the altar,” indicating that they were to lead the people in a prayer of repentance as they cried out to God for mercy. This prayer needed to happen before the priest even entered the Temple, as he was crossing the “porch” where the people waited to get in. Joel 2 is often used at the beginning of Lent when the church is called to gather together for forty days. We are invited to return to God with all our hearts, with fasting, with weeping, and with sorrow. The Hebrew word for “repent” is the same as the Hebrew word for “to turn.” We understand repentance as a turning completely away from the sin you have been involved in and turning toward God. Joel instructs the people to repent, and then envisions the Lord responding with passion and pity. The people and the land will be restored.

18 Then the Lord became passionate about this land, and had pity on his people.

19 The Lord responded to the people:
See, I am sending you
    the corn, new wine, and fresh oil,
        and you will be fully satisfied by it;
    and I will no longer make you
        a disgrace among the nations.
20 I will remove the northern army far from you
    and drive it into a dried-up and desolate land,
        its front into the eastern sea,
        and its rear into the western sea.
    Its stench will rise up;
        its stink will come to the surface.
The Lord is about to do great things!

Everything will be restored: The corn, the new wine, the reputation among nations they had enjoyed, the bounty of the land … God will not withhold anything.
21 Don’t fear, fertile land;
    rejoice and be glad,
    for the Lord is about to do great things!

This is exactly what happens when we look behind us for any remaining sin, confess it and repent, and then look forward to God’s forgiveness. What unspoken sin are you holding on to today?

What unspoken sin is holding on to you today?

Give it up, Turn and return to your merciful, loving, and forgiving God. The Lord is about to do great things!

Great Things by Michelle Robertson