#dailydevotionals

Start your day with morning coffee and a devotional.

Clean and Unclean

Posted on by Betsy

In Acts 10, we read a remarkable account of a vision Peter had regarding clean and unclean foods. In that vision, God told him to kill and eat of any of the animals that were presented on a sheet, which included those considered unclean by Levitical Law. A pious Jew like Peter could not do this, but God commanded him to obey.

Immediately a delegation from Joppa was at his door, inviting him to come to with them to speak with their leader Cornelius, a well-respected centurion and righteous Gentile. When Peter arrived at the house, he told the large gathering that had assembled, “You all realize that it is forbidden for a Jew to associate or visit with outsiders. However, God has shown me that I should never call a person impure or unclean” (Acts 10:28). 

Acts 10 (Common English Bible)

 25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in order to honor him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Get up! Like you, I’m just a human.” 27 As they continued to talk, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28 He said to them, “You all realize that it is forbidden for a Jew to associate or visit with outsiders. However, God has shown me that I should never call a person impure or unclean. 29 For this reason, when you sent for me, I came without objection. I want to know, then, why you sent for me.”

30 Cornelius answered, “Four days ago at this same time, three o’clock in the afternoon, I was praying at home. Suddenly a man in radiant clothing stood before me. 31 He said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayers, and your compassionate acts are like a memorial offering to him. 32 Therefore, send someone to Joppa and summon Simon, who is known as Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, located near the seacoast.’ 33 I sent for you right away, and you were kind enough to come. Now, here we are, gathered in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has directed you to say.”

34 Peter said, “I really am learning that God doesn’t show partiality to one group of people over another. 35 Rather, in every nation, whoever worships him and does what is right is acceptable to him.36 This is the message of peace he sent to the Israelites by proclaiming the good news through Jesus Christ: He is Lord of all!

Peter demonstrated incredible growth in his understanding and knowledge of the truth of God’s inclusive call to righteousness. It was a huge departure from his previous way of thinking and helps us understand his passion for instructing people of faith on righteous behaviors and attributes in 2 Peter, as we read in our last devotional.

When he acknowledged that God accepts anyone who “does what is right,” the centuries-old wall between Jews and Gentiles was shattered and replaced with a bridge built of grace, love, and acceptance. Peter followed his own outline from faith to knowledge to affection for others to love. By the way, it always ends with love.

How deep and wide is your love? Do you still consider some groups of people to be “unclean”? This Scripture clearly states that God doesn’t show partiality to one group of people over another.

If God doesn’t, how dare we?

This is my neighbor’s cat, Lola. She loves everybody.

An Outline for Living

Posted on by Betsy

Do you use outlines to help you organize your thoughts when you write? I always tape an outline of my sermons inside my bible so that I have something to refer to if I get lost. I dislike preaching from a manuscript, so this is the perfect compromise. Outlines give direction!

See if you can spot the outline in our Scripture passage today. It gives direction for a righteous and holy life:

2 Peter 1:1-11 (Common English Bible)

1From Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ. To those who received a faith equal to ours through the justice of our God and savior Jesus Christ.2 May you have more and more grace and peace through the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.

3 By his divine power the Lord has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of the one who called us by his own honor and glory. 4 Through his honor and glory he has given us his precious and wonderful promises, that you may share the divine nature and escape from the world’s immorality that sinful craving produces.

5 This is why you must make every effort to add moral excellence to your faith; and to moral excellence, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, endurance; and to endurance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, affection for others; and to affection for others, love. 8 If all these are yours and they are growing in you, they’ll keep you from becoming inactive and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 Whoever lacks these things is shortsighted and blind, forgetting that they were cleansed from their past sins.

10 Therefore, brothers and sisters, be eager to confirm your call and election. Do this and you will never ever be lost. 11 In this way you will receive a rich welcome into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.

Let’s unpack that.

Faith. Peter begins with faith, just as someone who was called “The Rock” would do. Faith is the strong foundation for the rest of our learning. We understand faith to be the “reality of what we hope for, the proof of what we don’t see “ (Hebrews 11:1).

Moral Excellence. Added to faith is virtue, an attribute of following moral practices and behaviors that are above reproach. As we grow in our knowledge of Christ, we can only be a witness to his power in our lives if those lives are morally sound and Christ-like.

Knowledge. Not to be confused with intellectual understanding or instinct, knowledge is the product of our conversion. It increases through study of the Word, prayer, and community interaction. Knowledge of the truth of Jesus Christ was and is essential to the future of the church as it wrestles with false teachings.

Self-control. Both Peter and Paul include self-control as a necessary ingredient of a godly life (Galatians 5:23, 2 Timothy 1:7). It makes sense. How could we attain righteousness with a disordered and out-of-control life? We couldn’t. Neither could those who followed false teaching.

Endurance. Perseverance in all of these things on Peter’s outline will win the day. Being steadfast, intentional, and consistent in practicing these habits will increase our knowledge of God and keep us strong in the face of temptation, suffering, and evil.

Godliness. Godliness is both the goal and a necessary step. Godliness is a state of piety where we walk in God’s precepts and strive to be obedient to God’s will. Godliness includes looking and interacting with the world in the way that God would. Asking ourselves if a thought, word, or deed is what Jesus would think, say, or do gives us a daily insight into godly living. 

Affection for others. Did you notice that the early parts of the outline are inward-focused while these later parts focus our faith outwardly? Displaying acts of neighborly love is the result of knowing God at a deeper level and feeling the impulse to share God’s love with others around us.

Love. Love is the pinnacle of all of God’s work in us. Love completes the outline of demonstrable godliness and proves that we have learned how to apply Peter’s teachings to our lives. Love is the beginning, the middle, and the end of the lesson. It is by our love that we are known.

It is important at this juncture to note that this is not a check list of abstract rules of a moral code that must be obeyed. No, indeed, this a statement of what living in Christ and living for Christ looks like. Peter outlined behaviors that are rooted in our relationship with Christ and are an expression of what comes out of that relationship, as opposed to what must be put in to gain that relationship. Grace makes it impossible to work hard enough to gain Christ. Freely given, all we need to do is accept him and then continue to grow in these things. 

How do you measure up to Peter’s list? Are there areas in your life that could use some improvement? Are your inner and outer faith worthy of Christ?

May we strive to grow in our righteous living, especially in love.

Colington Sunset

Testing, Testing

Posted on by Betsy

For 36 years my husband flew commercial airplanes for a living. Prior to that he flew jets in the Navy. The pace of that life had a certain rhythm to it. We never knew his schedule until the 15th of the month prior. That was tricky to say the least! But another part of the schedule involved recurrent training. Every nine months he had to return to Delta’s training center in Atlanta for full flight simulator training and ground school. I always knew it was coming when the big black aircraft manuals come out for study sessions. In addition, every quarter pilots have to complete an online training module and are subject to in-person line checks with trained observers. Very few industries regularly test their employees to this extent. Does it give you comfort to know that your pilot has passed so many tests?

In our passage today, James talks about the positive aspects of being tested. James was the half-brother of Jesus, who led the church in Jerusalem. While not a believer in Jesus’ lifetime, (is that a sibling thing?) James converted after a post resurrection appearance recorded in 1 Corinthians 15:7. His letter was written to the early Jewish Christians who were scattered beyond the borders of Isreal. It focuses on maintaining a living faith during trials and temptations. 

James 1 (Common English Bible)

2 My brothers and sisters, think of the various tests you encounter as occasions for joy. 3 After all, you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 Let this endurance complete its work so that you may be fully mature, complete, and lacking in nothing.5 But anyone who needs wisdom should ask God, whose very nature is to give to everyone without a second thought, without keeping score. Wisdom will certainly be given to those who ask.6 Whoever asks shouldn’t hesitate. They should ask in faith, without doubting. Whoever doubts is like the surf of the sea, tossed and turned by the wind. 7 People like that should never imagine that they will receive anything from the Lord. 8 They are double-minded, unstable in all their ways.

9 Brothers and sisters who are poor should find satisfaction in their high status. 10 Those who are wealthy should find satisfaction in their low status, because they will die off like wildflowers. 11 The sun rises with its scorching heat and dries up the grass so that its flowers fall and its beauty is lost. Just like that, in the midst of their daily lives, the wealthy will waste away. 12 Those who stand firm during testing are blessed. They are tried and true. They will receive the life God has promised to those who love him as their reward.

We notice that James started by affirming that tests happen to all of us and moves quickly into language about finding the joy in those tests. This is an amazing concept for anyone who has ever endured a test of any kind, yet it accurately pinpoints the reality of the Christian walk. Endurance leads to our maturity of faith. Faith is tested by trials, not produced by them. In that way, trials reveal the actual depth of our faith. James encouraged us to seek wisdom when tested, reminding us that God is happy to give wisdom to those wise enough to ask. We don’t seek knowledge in these moments, as knowledge is understood to be simply raw information and dry facts. Wisdom is the ability to use knowledge in appropriate and life-giving ways.

James’ words about doubt may sound harsh, especially to those who appreciate the kind of questioning that Thomas went through to deepen his own faith. But in James’ case, it is a matter of intention. The unbelief of doubters meant that they asked God for things with no foundation, trust, or belief, as though God was a Magic 8 Ball. Such double-mindedness quickly passes away like the flower in the fields. 

Are you being tested right now? Find joy in knowing that God is producing the patience and wisdom of mature faith in you. Stand firm!

Tried and Tested

Wise Guys

Posted on by Betsy

Early in my ministry I did prison ministry for about five years. It was eye-opening, important, and terrifying at the same time. I visited a state prison with a death row one time and had to pass through metal detectors, metal doors, and intense security. Guards ushered me into a large open waiting area that spoked off into many different wings. Wide-eyed, I waited for hours to be called. Suddenly I spotted a SWAT team member go through an entryway that hadn’t opened before. Behind the door I could see a large chair with foot rests. Did I just see the electric chair? Why would it be in such a visible place? I couldn’t breathe. In a few minutes he returned in his newly polished boots. The “electric chair” was a shoe-shine perch. Foolish me!

The horror I felt at the very idea of the electric chair is exactly the idea that the Greeks and Jews had of the cross. Public executions by hanging a man on the cross were horrific. The cross became a symbol of deep shame, humiliation, and indecency. 

Paul understood that when he wrote these words to his church in Corinth. Corinth was one of the largest cities of the ancient world and was known for its wealth, prosperity, and growing business sector. It was also known for its debauchery, drunkenness, and loose sexual morals. Paul’s letter in 1 Corinthians is a response to reports he had received regarding some of the behavior in the church. 

In a series of contrasts, Paul draws out an argument to settle their disputes. God chose the foolish over the wise. God chose the weak over the strong. God chose the low class nothings over the affluent somethings. God chose life over death. So preaching Christ crucified is an act of foolishness that has to overcome people’s aversion to the cross. 

1 Corinthians 1 (Common English Bible)

18 The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are being destroyed. But it is the power of God for those of us who are being saved. 19 It is written in scripture: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will reject the intelligence of the intelligent. 20 Where are the wise? Where are the legal experts? Where are today’s debaters? Hasn’t God made the wisdom of the world foolish? 21 In God’s wisdom, he determined that the world wouldn’t come to know him through its wisdom. Instead, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of preaching. 22 Jews ask for signs, and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, which is a scandal to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.24 But to those who are called—both Jews and Greeks—Christ is God’s power and God’s wisdom. 25 This is because the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

26 Look at your situation when you were called, brothers and sisters! By ordinary human standards not many were wise, not many were powerful, not many were from the upper class. 27 But God chose what the world considers foolish to shame the wise. God chose what the world considers weak to shame the strong.28 And God chose what the world considers low-class and low-life—what is considered to be nothing—to reduce what is considered to be something to nothing. 29 So no human being can brag in God’s presence. 30 It is because of God that you are in Christ Jesus. He became wisdom from God for us. This means that he made us righteous and holy, and he delivered us. 31 This is consistent with what was written: The one who brags should brag in the Lord!

Paul once thought the cross was foolish. Nobody hated the cross more than Saul, until that glorious moment when God struck him down and struck him blind on the road to Damascus in Acts 9. Three days later he could see the glory of the cross and began preaching “foolishness” from that day. No wise scribe or debater could do what Jesus did on the cross. Paul preached that salvation is not the achievement of human cleverness or wisdom but is the eternal embrace of God’s great love and incomprehensible action at Calvary.

Are you foolish or wise? Are you willing to preach Christ crucified to a generation that wants signs and wisdom? Be a wise guy; people are dying to hear the good news.

Its a Sign

Crossing the Finish Line

Posted on by Betsy

One of the blessings of observing Lent for six weeks is the focused anticipation of Easter. Some of us anticipate it with the breathless excitement of a child waiting for her Easter basket full of jelly beans. Some of us anticipate it like a child attending an Easter egg hunt….we know there are hidden treats there somewhere, but we are still looking through the high grass. Most of us just want the six weeks of self-deprivation to end.

Whatever your perspective is as we begin this last week of Lent, Easter is coming. The hour approaches. The finish line is in sight! The culmination of this season of disciplined waiting is about to end.

How are you doing?

Have you kept up with the commitments you made on Ash Wednesday to be more diligent in your fasting, prayer, scripture reading, meditation, repentance, worship, and serving?

Yeah, me neither.

You might be like me. I have been satisfactory in one area. I picked up two Cokesbury contracts this Lent, so I am writing and studying Scripture for hours on end. But I totally bombed in another. I committed to not snacking in the evening and that has been a big fail. My definition of “evening” keeps getting pushed back…all the way to midnight.

Today’s Scripture is a glimpse of how Jesus spent his last hours before the crucifixion. Notice his complete and total commitment to what was about to happen.

John 12 (English Standard Version)


20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

The hour has come. This must be finished. A grain of wheat must die in the ground to produce seed for the fruit. You must die to your life to produce seed for eternal life. Jesus invites us to follow him in this last hour.

27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.

Jesus didn’t waver at the end. Neither should we. Let us push on with our Lent practices and finish strong. Remember that the whole point of Lent is to bring us closer and deeper into God’s Holy presence. It’s not so much about “giving up” as it is “focusing in” on who God is and whose we are. That focus allows God to be glorified in our lives and the crowd of people around us will know we are Christ-followers by our example.

The finish line is in sight! No turning back.

Almost There

Old School Lent

Posted on by Betsy

Over the last few Sundays I have worshipped at St. Luke United Methodist Church in Orlando, Florida. This magnificent church boasts a large and well-rehearsed choir and a full orchestra every Sunday at their traditional service. I find myself being drawn to tears by the music at least once every service. I hope and pray that if you are ever in that area, you will make a plan to go there. I am a music geek/nerd and music speaks to my soul in ways that words can’t. But be assured that every spoken word of prayer, liturgy, and sermon in that church Is spellbinding and as moving as the music.

I am such a nerd that if a hymnal is available, I reach for it. Yes, the words are displayed on two huge screens at the front of the chancel area, but this girl likes to do it old school. I can read music, so part of the attraction is to watch the notes and see where they go. Sometimes I sight-read the alto just to hone my rusty skills (apologies to those who sit near me!). Another advantage of using the hymnal is that you can see the theology build through the entire hymn. You can’t do that with screens. Songs like “Lord of the Dance,” which so beautifully tell the story of Jesus verse by verse, aren’t nearly as effective on the screens. Next time you’re in church, pick up a hymnal and see what I mean.

The selection for the first Sunday of Lent was “Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days” found on page 269 of the United Methodist Hymnal. This hymn is five verses of perfect teaching about the meaning and purpose of Lent. While we all know that Lent is the 40 day season of preparation (or, as the preacher put it, “rehearsal”) for Easter, we tend to forget the nuances of what Jesus did in his forty days in the wilderness. We focus on our own disciplines, and hopefully grow closer to God through our fasting, praying, repentance, and study, but it is easy for us to be me-centered instead of Jesus-centered in this season. While focusing on our spiritual growth is truly part of Lent’s goal, we miss out on the deeper and richer story that surrounds us.

“Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days” reminds us of the truth at the heart of Lent. Jesus fasted and prayed for us in his forty days. He calls us to mourn our sins and remain close to him. He contended with Satan in the wilderness and won that battle, enabling us to also withstand the temptation to sin. He was hungry and thirsty, setting an example for us to die to self as he did for our sake. He lived by the Word of God so that we might live by the Word. He abides with us through our penitence, our life, and our death. And thus when Lent has fulfilled its purpose, an Easter of unending joy will be ours.

Look, Easter is coming regardless of your participation. Easter is a force beyond anything our obedience or disobedience can control. Ignore it and it will still come. But will you experience unending joy? Or will that day just be filled with bunnies, eggs, and candy and then it’s all back to life as normal?

Lent is an invitation to rehearse and prepare for unending joy. But you have to be all in for it to work. I pray that today you resolve to finish these forty days as you started, with serious contemplation and dedicated time spent in repentance, fasting, praying, and immersion into God’s Word. And if you haven’t started any Lent practices, start now. When we do this, Easter will usher in the unending joy that Jesus died for.

Read it and weep

Watch Night

Posted on by Betsy

What are your plans for tonight? Will you glam up and attend a party or get into comfy pajamas and watch the ball drop from Times Square? I am an advocate for the latter. When my mother was in an Assisted Living facility we would spend New Year’s Eve with her. That place did it right. At 4:00 in the afternoon they reset all the public clocks to 11:00 p.m. and we gathered in the common room for the countdown to “midnight.” We shared a festive toast as the clock struck 12:00 and then everyone rolled back to their rooms for the rest of the night. Perfection! But my preference on New Year’s Eve is to attend a Watch Night service if I can find one.

The tradition of Watch Night can be traced to the early 18th century in Moravian churches, when churchgoers began marking the occasion with a worship service of prayer, proclamation, and singing to reflect upon the year past and to contemplate the one to come. Our own John Wesley adopted the practice for his  Methodist followers. Wesley believed that Methodists and all Christians should reaffirm their covenant with God annually, so he created a service in which an individual renews his/her covenant with God.

In 1755 Wesley held his first covenant service using words written earlier by Richard Alleine. Wesley published this service in a pamphlet in 1780, and this form was used without alteration for nearly a century in England. It has been modified somewhat in more recent years.

The covenant hymn, “Come, Let Us Use the Grace Divine,” was written for this service by Charles Wesley. The service is included in The Book of Worship under the title “An Order of Worship for Such as Would Enter Into or Renew Their Covenant with God–For Use in a Watch Night Service, on the First Sunday of the Year, or Other Occasion.” (from umc.org)

Watch Night was given new significance among African Americans on December 31, 1862, when, according to tradition, slaves in the Confederate states gathered in churches and private homes on the night before U.S. Pres. Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation was expected to go into effect, pending his signing of the document. The soon-to-be-free slaves stayed awake all night and watched the night turn into a new dawn while waiting for news that the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued, thus making all the slaves legally free.

I hope you consider a Watch Night service if one is available to you or find one online. Marking this night with prayers, a good sermon, meditation, hymns, and quiet reflection is far preferable to any party or gathering you might be considering. And the hang-over is much better in the morning.

Psalm 63 (New International Version)

You, God, are my God,
    earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
    my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
    where there is no water.

2 I have seen you in the sanctuary
    and beheld your power and your glory.
3 Because your love is better than life,
    my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live,
    and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
    with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

6 On my bed I remember you;
    I think of you through the watches of the night.


The Watches of the Night by Michelle Robertson

Ignore the Wrapping

Posted on by Betsy

Living on a canal affords us magnificent views of the sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and the neighbors’ back yards. Think “Rear Window,” the iconic Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly thriller. In that movie, Stewart is confined to a wheelchair after an injury, and spends hours watching his neighbors from his apartment’s rear window. He witnesses what he realizes is the murder of one of them, and the disposal of her remains by her guilty husband. If you have never seen this movie, find it today if you enjoy Hitchcock mysteries. Or just to watch Grace Kelly, who is absolutely ethereal in this film.

But here in Colington, I have only observed the mundane things of water living; neighbors and their kids swimming off their docks, people enjoying the sunshine on their decks, a lot of waterfowl, lots of fishing, and early morning crabbers going out in their boats to check their traps. On Wednesdays I see sailboats circling in the harbor for the weekly community sail out to the sound. One time I watched an aggressive osprey fight with a large eel that kept slipping out of its talons. The osprey almost dropped it on my head as it victoriously flew over my deck back to its nest to feed the family. That surely would have caused me to list my house for sale immediately, views or no views.

The fronts of our houses face the water, so when you travel along the streets of Colington, you are actually looking at the rather plain backs of houses. I remember taking my Mom on a boat ride on the canals and she exclaimed, “Oh, the houses are so pretty! I never realized I’ve been looking at the back of the houses all this time!” Indeed, the fancy decks and staircases, the covered porches, and the tiki bars that people have constructed all face the water. It’s like the houses have turned their backs on the street in order to face the prettier view themselves.

There is a saying that comes to mind: Never judge a book by its cover. This is just a reminder to us to look deeper and don’t make assumptions about books, houses, and especially people.

There was a time when a man named Samuel was sent to select the next king of Israel. When he looked at the fine young men standing before him, all of them Jesse’s sons, he naturally selected the biggest and most handsome one, but God said no. He continued down the line, and each time God rejected the obvious selection:

1 Samuel 16:7 New International Version (NIV)

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Finally, the smallest son was called from the field where he had been tending sheep. This one, the runt of the litter, was the one whom God chose. His name was David, and he became one of Israel’s greatest kings.

The Lord looks at the heart. People focus on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks inward.

What can we glean from this today? Is there someone in your life who needs and deserves a deeper look? Are you guilty of making snap judgements about people you meet, based solely on their appearance? Where is God calling you to take a second look, and this time to look at the heart?

I met an elderly lady once in the lobby of a very fine restaurant. We were surrounded by all sorts of people, nationalities, and ages. The younger ones were tattooed, as most younger ones are today. Within the first three minutes of meeting this woman, she expressed outrage at all the girls and their tattoos. I live on the Outer Banks and don’t even SEE tattoos on people anymore. It’s wearable art. Everybody has at least one. This lady was dressed to the nines, but would have been highly offended if someone had criticized her choice of scarves and fake pearls. She would have wanted people to see the real her. So do the tattooed girls.

Take a look around you. The down-and-out person might be just the one Christ is calling you to befriend. The uppity church lady wearing too much perfume might be shielding a life of loneliness and heartache. The frantic, hassled guy at the gas pump might have just been told his wife is dying of cancer. The rude teenager might be having suicidal thoughts.

Look deeper. Ignore the wrapper. Be like Jesus and look into the heart. What is on the outside is just window dressing, but what is inside is a real human, deserving of your kindness and consideration. That tattooed girl just might be royalty under all that ink.

After all, she is the daughter of the King.

Painted Rock by Kathy Schumacher

Of Lice and Men

Posted on by Betsy

Anyone who has had a child in public school has likely dealt with a lice infestation. My youngest came home from school nine times in her first grade year with the dreaded “lice outbreak” notice in her backpack. Since she was a very social child, can you guess how many times she got lice? Yep: Nine. The process of removing lice involves using a strong chemical shampoo, fine-tooth combing, washing all jackets and clothing, spraying all stuffed animals and putting them in a plastic bag for 48 hours, laundering sheets at a high temperature … it was exhausting. Finally, in deep frustration, I visited the classroom to talk to the teacher to see if there was anything to be done. Imagine my surprise when I walked in the room and found groups of children lounging together in BEAN BAG CHAIRS during reading time. I was a little like Jesus, throwing bean bag chairs out of the temple that morning. And the lice notices instantly stopped. Imagine that!

Today’s passage takes us back to the battle of God versus Pharaoh. The weapon of choice in this particular battle was lice.

Exodus 8 (Common English Bible)

16 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Stretch out your shepherd’s rod and hit the land’s dirt so that lice appear in the whole land of Egypt.’” 17 They did this. Aaron stretched out his hand with his shepherd’s rod, hit the land’s dirt, and lice appeared on both people and animals. All the land’s dirt turned into lice throughout the whole land of Egypt.

18 The religious experts tried to produce lice by their secret knowledge, but they weren’t able to do it. There were lice on people and animals. 19 The religious experts said to Pharaoh, “This is something only God could do!” But Pharaoh was stubborn, and he wouldn’t listen to them, just as the Lord had said.

The lice infestation was the third of ten plagues. God knew that Pharaoh would not listen or give in. Indeed, in Exodus 3:19, God told Moses that he was sure that Pharaoh would not let the people go. Free enslaved labor for decades was something Pharaoh could not give up. Even in this passage we see an acknowledgement that producing lice was something only God can do, yet it took seven more plagues and the parting of the Red Sea before Pharaoh understood the power of God in all its might. Of course by then it was too late.

Before we indulge in too much eye-rolling at his stubbornness, let’s stop for a moment and think about our own behavior. Do we ever underestimate the power of God in our situations? Have you ever doubted God’s interest or intention in your time of need? Have you ever felt that your sins have disqualified you from a right relationship with God? Most of us have. But we need to remember that Jesus died on a cross for the very thing you did that has made you feel disqualified. Remaining stubborn about God’s power to forgive and redeem is like saying what Jesus did at the crucifixion didn’t count. And that is heresy.

So relish the power of God and what only God can do in your life. Jesus died for it! Embrace it and live.

Early Light by Michelle Robertson

Wash and Be Clean

Posted on by Betsy

Parents of young children often experience frustration about having to repeat things over and over. It can be hard to teach kids about right and wrong when they are distracted and simply not paying attention. I remember this being an issue again when my kids hit middle school. Thoughts of boys, outfits, mean girls, academic pressure, etc. seemed to fill their heads and pushed out through their ears, preventing my sage and wise words to filter in. Any parent will tell you that one of the hardest parts of disciplining your children is when you know you’ve warned them a thousand times not to do something and suddenly you find yourself reprimanding them for the very thing you said not to do. It is heartbreaking when “Daddy said so!” no longer works.

This idea of fruitless repetition, endless warnings, constant cajoling, and then watching the children completely ignore every effort is not lost on God. Nobody can match God’s persistence, and nobody can match God’s love. But even God had a breaking point, and that is where we find ourselves in our passage from Isaiah today. God’s anger and frustration are so great that the leadership of Judah is referred to as “leaders of Sodom and people of Gomorrah.” Every listener would remember the story from Genesis when God rained down fire and sulfur to destroy these two cities due to their immorality, injustice, egregious rebellion of God’s word, and their refusal to give aid to the poor and needy, despite God’s many and continuous warnings. Judah had so far been saved from such extinction, but it is only a remnant of what it once was.

Isaiah 1:10-18

Hear the Lord’s word, you leaders of Sodom.
    Listen to our God’s teaching,
        people of Gomorrah!
11 What should I think about all your sacrifices?
    says the Lord.
I’m fed up with entirely burned offerings of rams
    and the fat of well-fed beasts.
    I don’t want the blood of bulls, lambs, and goats.
12 When you come to appear before me,
    who asked this from you,
    this trampling of my temple’s courts?

The issue in Isaiah’s day was Israel’s apostasy and desire for the false idols of their neighbors. Prophets had been sent one after another to warn them but were ignored. Isaiah is called to proclaim harsh words of judgement and condemnation to them in hopes that they will change their ways.

What made things worse was their ability to do evil in God’s sight and then come to the altar with a meaningless offering. God clearly detested their false worship and empty ritual, even to the point of saying that such worthless gestures were repulsive, hateful, and a burden. God is tired of bearing them any longer.

13 Stop bringing worthless offerings.
    Your incense repulses me.
New moon, sabbath, and the calling of an assembly—
    I can’t stand wickedness with celebration!
14 I hate your new moons and your festivals.
    They’ve become a burden that I’m tired of bearing.
15 When you extend your hands,
    I’ll hide my eyes from you.
Even when you pray for a long time,
    I won’t listen.
Your hands are stained with blood.

The solution is given, but like our own children, is not entirely received. God invited them to wash and become clean by ending their wicked deeds and making a new life. This new life would be marked by learning to do good, helping the oppressed, advocating for the widow and orphan, and seeking justice. This is God’s way of giving them yet another chance to turn their blood stained sins into washed-white hearts.

16     Wash! Be clean!
Remove your ugly deeds from my sight.
    Put an end to such evil;
17     learn to do good.
Seek justice:
    help the oppressed;
    defend the orphan;
    plead for the widow.

What do you bring to God’s altar today? Is it just a show of piety with darkness in your heart, or are you willing to be subjected to the rigorous cleansing that only God can give? Only when we are honest and humble in our intentions will be heard in our petitions. Your Father is calling. Are you listening?

18 Come now, and let’s settle this,
    says the Lord.
Though your sins are like scarlet,
    they will be white as snow.
If they are red as crimson,
    they will become like wool.

Daddy said so.

SnOBX