Day 63 May 21, 2020

 Today is a special day in the Christian calendar.  Today is Ascension Day and the assigned scriptures for today are: Psalm 47; Acts 1:1-11; Ephesians 1:15-23 and Luke 24:44-53.

 Luke 24:44-53  (CEB) 44 “Jesus said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law from Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. 46 He said to them, “This is what is written: the Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and a change of heart and life for the forgiveness of sins must be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 Look, I’m sending to you what my Father promised, but you are to stay in the city until you have been furnished with heavenly power.”

Ascension of Jesus 50 He led them out as far as Bethany, where he lifted his hands and blessed them. 51 As he blessed them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. 52 They worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem overwhelmed with joy. 53 And they were continuously in the temple praising God.”
 
The Message:  44 “Then he said, "Everything I told you while I was with you comes to this: All the things written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets, and in the Psalms have to be fulfilled."

45 He went on to open their understanding of the Word of God, showing them how to read their Bibles this way.

46 He said, "You can see now how it is written that the Messiah suffers, rises from the dead on the third day,
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47 and then a total life-change through the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed in his name to all nations - starting from here, from Jerusalem!

48 You're the first to hear and see it. You're the witnesses.

49 What comes next is very important: I am sending what my Father promised to you, so stay here in the city until he arrives, until you're equipped with power from on high."

50 He then led them out of the city over to Bethany. Raising his hands he blessed them,

51 and while blessing them, took his leave, being carried up to heaven.

52 And they were on their knees, worshiping him. They returned to Jerusalem bursting with joy.

53 They spent all their time in the Temple praising God. Yes.”

Jesus spent three years of ministry preparing his disciples to continue his teachings and God’s mission in the world.  After his crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples many times offering encouragement and preparing them for this time.  He is turning the ministry over to his followers and reminds them that they will receive what God has promised to help equip them for this ministry.  That promise is the gift of the Holy Spirit which we will recognize on the Day of Pentecost.  It is interesting that Luke is the only Gospel mentioning the Ascension.  It is also interesting to me that the observance of the ascension by the disciples is without any kind of excitement except that Luke records that they are filled with joy.  They are praying, they are worshiping Jesus, they get up and go back to Jerusalem.  How do you imagine you would have acted if you had witnessed Jesus being taken up to heaven? 

 “The Ascension” “Everliving God, your eternal Christ once dwelt on earth, confined by time and space.  Give us faith to discern in every time and place the presence among us of him who is head over all things and fills all, even Jesus Christ our ascended Lord.  Amen” (Laurence Hull Stookey, USA, 20th century.

 Today: Food Pantries

​Day 62  |  Wednesday, 20 May 2020     

WE WILL SEE ONE ANOTHER AT NOON FOR PRAYER

           Franny J. Crosby wrote a familiar hymn in 1875 titled “I Am Thine, O Lord”.
 1.   “I am thine, O Lord, I have heard thy voice, and it told thy love to me;
but I long to rise in the arms of faith and be closer drawn to thee.
Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, to the cross where thou hast died.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, to thy precious bleeding side.”
 
2.   “Consecrate me now to thy service, Lord, by the power of grace divine;
let my soul look up with a steadfast hope, and my will be lost in thine.
Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, to the cross where thou hast died.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, to thy precious bleeding side.”
 
3.   “O the pure delight of a single hour that before thy throne I spend,
when I kneel in prayer, and with thee, my God, I commune as friend with friend!
Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, to the cross where thou hast died.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, to thy precious bleeding side.”
 
4.   “There are depths of love that I cannot know till I cross the narrow sea;
there are heights of joy that I may not reach till I rest in peace with thee.
Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, to the cross where thou hast died.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, to thy precious bleeding side.”
 
She based her hymn on Hebrews 10:22
To put that verse in context, here is Hebrews 10:19-25
 
Second summary of the message
                                                                          
19 Brothers and sisters, we have confidence that we can enter the holy of holies by means of Jesus’ blood, 20 through a new and living way that he opened up for us through the curtain, which is his body, 21 and we have a great high priest over God’s house.  22 Therefore, let’s draw near with a genuine heart with the certainty that our faith gives us, since our hearts are sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies are washed with pure water.     
                                                              
23 Let’s hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, because the one who made the promises is reliable.   24 And let us consider each other carefully for the purpose of sparking love and good deeds. 25 Don’t stop meeting together with other believers, which some people have gotten into the habit of doing. Instead, encourage each other, especially as you see the day drawing near.

          Over the past months as the world has been crippled by the COVID-19, it strikes me that the people of faith have been drawn closer to God’s loving son, Jesus the Christ.  In the uncertainty that has and still exists, we want something consistent and that is our faith in Jesus love for us.  Our faith involves trust and confidence that God will provide what we need when we need it most.  These are still challenging times with an uncertain future. 

Draw us nearer dear Lord to your precious love.  As we continue on this journey through these days, we trust in your provisions for us.  We need your reassuring presence in our lives.  Be with those whose needs are greater than ours right now.  Hear our prayers for we are yours.  Amen

​Today: caution for those returning to their work.
 

​Day 61  |  Tuesday, 19 May 2020

I am following up on the comments from the Church Mouse from yesterday and taking us into our faith journey.  In John 6:26-58, our hunger is satisfied by the living bread of Jesus.  As well as being prepared physically, we need to spiritual food as well.  As the bread of life, Jesus is the source of life.  “Unlike other allegedly life-giving gifts, Jesus satisfies human need fully and permanently.” CEB p1342 In the affirmation that partaking of the life giving bread of Jesus means eternal life, eternal life is both present and future.  Yes, we need to be prepared with our physical needs, but we also need to be prepared with our spiritual needs.  We will need all our resources to continue the journey through this pandemic.

John 6:26-58 Bread of life

26 “Jesus replied, “I assure you that you are looking for me not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate all the food you wanted. 27 Don’t work for the food that doesn’t last but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Human One will give you. God the Father has confirmed him as his agent to give life.” 28 They asked, “What must we do in order to accomplish what God requires?” 29 Jesus replied, “This is what God requires, that you believe in him whom God sent.” 30 They asked, “What miraculous sign will you do, that we can see and believe you? What will you do? 31 Our ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, just as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”  32 Jesus told them, “I assure you, it wasn’t Moses who gave the bread from heaven to you, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 The bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

34 They said, “Sir, give us this bread all the time!”

35 Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But I told you that you have seen me and still don’t believe. 37 Everyone whom the Father gives to me will come to me, and I won’t send away anyone who comes to me. 38 I have come down from heaven not to do my will, but the will of him who sent me. 39 This is the will of the one who sent me, that I won’t lose anything he has given me, but I will raise it up at the last day. 40 This is my Father’s will: that all who see the Son and believe in him will have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

41 The Jewish opposition grumbled about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.”

42 They asked, “Isn’t this Jesus, Joseph’s son, whose mother and father we know? How can he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?”

43 Jesus responded, “Don’t grumble among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless they are drawn to me by the Father who sent me, and I will raise them up at the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets, And they will all be taught by God. Everyone who has listened to the Father and learned from him comes to me. 46 No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God. He has seen the Father. 47 I assure you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven so that whoever eats from it will never die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever, and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. It isn’t like the bread your ancestors ate, and then they died. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.”

“You satisfy the hungry heart with gift of finest wheat.  Come, give to us, O saving Lord, the bread of life to eat.”   “Become to us the living bread by which the Christian life is fed, renewed, and greatly comforted.”  Hear our Prayers, Amen
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Today: Let us again pray for the medical professionals

Day 60   |  Monday, 18 May 2020     
Another translation of the 23rd Psalm for you
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 Psalm 23 – The Message Translation (MSG)
God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure. You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.

 From the Church Mouse: Being prepared ahead of time:
 If this fall and winter is as problematic as science seems to indicate, then the time to prepare is now.  Being prepared ahead of time will give you the confidence and the skills you need to survive.

 Challenge #1: Disruption of our supply chain
*Protein: our supply chains are already showing signs of disruption with many necessary items.  This fall and winter may make supplies difficult to obtain and/or more expensive.  Today let’s consider essential protein scarcity and protein rich alternatives for a balanced plant-based diet.

 The top 10 alternatives to meat:

1)   Quinoa: contains all 8 essential amino acids making it more nutritious than rice or couscous.

2)   Tofu: also known as bean curd and is made from soybean milk, contains high amounts of protein, calcium and vitamin E.

3)   Mushrooms: have twice the amount of protein than most vegetables.  Larger portobello mushrooms make a satisfying replacement for burgers.

4)   Cottage cheese: provides the most protein per calorie and the least amount of fat.

5)   Fish: seafood such as lobster, shrimp, octopus, tuna, salmon and halibut are higher in protein and lower in fat than most meats.  Shellfish such as mussels also have high levels of iron.

6)   Lentils: have one of the highest levels of protein by weight of all the pulses (beans, peas, and lentils) and only 1% fat, making them an excellent ingredient to bulk up meat free curries and soups.

7)   Quorn: as a leading brand of imitation meat, Quorn has a very similar taste and consistency, especially when mixed with your usual spaghetti sauce, curries, and chili.  It has all the essential amino acids found in beef or chicken but has 75% less fat than even lean beef.

8)   Edamame beans: these are actually baby soya beans one of the only vegetables to contain all the health benefits of meat.

9)   Nuts: these are a fantastic everyday source of protein.  One cup of almonds provides more protein than an egg.

10)    Chickpeas: a nutritious source of protein and are the main ingredient in hummus.

I will compile a cookbook with recipes using these ingredients.

Gracious God, you provide for us the resources we need to prepare ourselves for our future.  We confess that we do not like the present circumstances where we are having to think about how we will to be prepared for possible changes.  Guide our thinking and continues to be our shepherd.  Hear our prayers.  Amen

Today: Patience and wisdom
 
 

Day 59  |  Sunday, 17 May 2020
 
NOTE: We have a black bear in the neighborhood.  It has taken down bird feeders of Carolyn, Eileen and Ann.  Remove all feeder as sources of food for the next two weeks.  Be careful when walking the woods - carry a noise maker if possible.

The assigned readings for the 6th Sunday of Easter are: Acts 17:22-31; Psalm 66:8-20; 1 Peter 3:13-22 and John 14:15-21.

            Paul became quite a witness for the Christ and the new age movement.  In Acts, he finds himself in the middle of Athens which was the center of classical Greek learning and culture.  In the midst of that setting, Paul introduces God as the “creator of all things, as the life-giver to all creatures, and as Lord over all nations.”  We refer to our connection to God as being God’s children.  Some translations use the term offspring.  I have always appreciated that term “offspring” as I relate to God.  I am part of God’s family.  WOW!  I am one of God’s beloved children.  What that means to me is that I am loved, I am protected, I am not alone.
 
Acts 17:22-31 (CEB)
22 Paul stood up in the middle of the council on Mars Hill and said, “People of Athens, I see that you are very religious in every way. 23 As I was walking through town and carefully observing your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: ‘To an unknown God.’ What you worship as unknown, I now proclaim to you. 24 God, who made the world and everything in it, is Lord of heaven and earth. He doesn’t live in temples made with human hands. 25 Nor is God served by human hands, as though he needed something, since he is the one who gives life, breath, and everything else. 26 From one person God created every human nation to live on the whole earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God made the nations so they would seek him, perhaps even reach out to him and find him. In fact, God isn’t far away from any of us. 28 In God we live, move, and exist. As some of your own poets said, ‘We are his offspring.’
29 “Therefore, as God’s offspring, we have no need to imagine that the divine being is like a gold, silver, or stone image made by human skill and thought. 30 God overlooks ignorance of these things in times past, but now directs everyone everywhere to change their hearts and lives. 31 This is because God has set a day when he intends to judge the world justly by a man he has appointed. God has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”

The Message
22 So Paul took his stand in the open space at the Areopagus and laid it out for them. "It is plain to see that you Athenians take your religion seriously. 23 When I arrived here the other day, I was fascinated with all the shrines I came across. And then I found one inscribed, to the god nobody knows. I'm here to introduce you to this God so you can worship intelligently, know who you're dealing with. 24 "The God who made the world and everything in it, this Master of sky and land, doesn't live in custom-made shrines 25 or need the human race to run errands for him, as if he couldn't take care of himself. He makes the creatures; the creatures don't make him. 26 Starting from scratch, he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living 27 so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn't play hide-and-seek with us. He's not remote; he's near. 28 We live and move in him, can't get away from him! One of your poets said it well: 'We're the God-created.' 29 Well, if we are the God-created, it doesn't make a lot of sense to think we could hire a sculptor to chisel a god out of stone for us, does it?
30 "God overlooks it as long as you don't know any better - but that time is past. The unknown is now known, and he's calling for a radical life-change. 31 He has set a day when the entire human race will be judged, and everything set right. And he has already appointed the judge, confirming him before everyone by raising him from the dead."
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Guiding Parent, thank you for your creation.  Thank you for being a loving, protecting parent who has adopted us into your family.  During these times when we are separated from our genetic families, it is so comforting to know that we are part of your family.  In you, we move, exist and have our being.  Let our words of praise fill our days.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow!  Hear our prayers.  Amen
 
Today: pray for your families.
 

​Day 57  |  Friday, 15 May 2020    
         
Today’s thoughts are from The Church Mouse

             The church mouse has a Master’s degree and post-Masters certification in New York State and Pennsylvania. These were received from Saint Bonaventure University's graduate program in Counseling Psychology from 1991 through 1996.

 Sixteen years were spent from 1991 through 2007 working at Dunkirk City Schools with youth at risk, substance abuse counseling, and high school counseling. Two years prior to 1991 were spent volunteering at Dunkirk City Schools during internship programs.

The survivalist information comes from a lifelong passion for the subject prompted by being raised by people who lived through the 1918 Spanish flu, the Great Depression and World War II.

Let's think today about mental fatigue, boredom, loneliness and fear.

1. Mental fatigue:

The best way to overcome mental fatigue is to get rest, change what you do, get mild exercise, have our COVID-19 conversations, play games, and use your imagination (fantasizing).

     2.  Boredom and loneliness:
*Boredom is usually experienced in long-term survival situations (like ours), where loneliness and repetitive activities are keeping the human mind from being challenged.

The best method for dealing with boredom is to keep busy, and remember that even your smallest activity is playing a part in your overall survival goal.

*Loneliness can often leave you with a feeling of despair; it can make you want to just   give up. In order to deal with loneliness, you must first accept your current situation, and understand that by keeping busy and focusing on your goal, you can survive. Rely on your skills, and on your ability to get through your situation and ultimately reach your goal of survival. Talk with God!

     3. Fear:
Fear is the body's way of avoiding dangerous situations that can cause us physical and mental harm.  As long as the fear is founded on tangible facts, it can be very useful.

Fear can keep our actions in check, and it can trigger our natural “fight or flight” response. Fear that is unfounded in facts can impair our ability to make rational decisions, and it can jeopardize our ability to survive. Worry is a type of fear that can be based on facts but can be something that has not and may not ever happen.  Don't be fearful of the unknown, don't worry about that which you cannot control period instead, keep your mind on the task before us: preparing to mitigate the threat at hand, and to concentrate on survival.

*When you consider our survival situation, always remember to S.T.O.P.

          Stop     Think     Observe     Plan

*The U.S. Army uses the acronym S.U.R.V.I.V.A.L. to help soldiers remember how to survive.
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            Size up the situation
            Undue haste makes waste
            Remember where you are
            Vanquish fear and panic
            Improvise
            Value living
            Act like a native (do with less)
            Live by your wits  
 
Blessed God who has gifted us with many skills.  Help us use our skills and knowledge to overcome any mental fatigue, boredom, loneliness, and fear we may be feeling due to having to stay at home.  Strengthen our will to survive and surround us with your strength.  Bring us inner peace.  Hear our prayers.  Amen
 
Today: How are you surviving?  Pray for what you need.

Day 56  |  Thursday, May 14, 2020
            A scripture reference we see posted a lot and many events is John 3:16. I understand why people love quoting this verse but I also know that it is important to read the other verses around this one to appreciate what was happening.  Leading up to John 3:16 is this whole discussion with Nicodemus about new birth, which Nicodemus finds very confusing.  I don’t think Nicodemus is the only one confused.  There have been many discussions around the concept of new birth.  The heart of the Gospel of John is “new life as God’s children through faith in Jesus’ person and mission.”  “Seeing, or entering, the Kingdom of God requires a transformation comparable to a new birth.” (CEB 1335) Look at it as an inward change by God’s Spirit.   For me, that is not a onetime experience.  It is a continuing process.  One of my most favorite quotes is “I am a Christian in the process of becoming” and it will take my lifetime.  “To be born again from above means receiving life in the Spirit through the life-giving death of Jesus.” (CEB 1336)
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Today I am quoting John 3:1-18 form The Message. 

1 “There was a man of the Pharisee sect, Nicodemus, a prominent leader among the Jews.

2 Late one night he visited Jesus and said, "Rabbi, we all know you're a teacher straight from God. No one could do all the God-pointing, God-revealing acts you do if God weren't in on it."

3 Jesus said, "You're absolutely right. Take it from me: Unless a person is born from above, it's not possible to see what I'm pointing to - to God's kingdom."

4 "How can anyone," said Nicodemus, "be born who has already been born and grown up? You can't re-enter your mother's womb and be born again. What are you saying with this 'born-from-above' talk?"

5 Jesus said, "You're not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation - the 'wind hovering over the water' creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life - it's not possible to enter God's kingdom.

6 When you look at a baby, it's just that: a body you can look at and touch. But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can't see and touch - the Spirit - and becomes a living spirit.

7 "So don't be so surprised when I tell you that you have to be 'born from above' - out of this world, so to speak.

8 You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it's headed next. That's the way it is with everyone 'born from above' by the wind of God, the Spirit of God."

9 Nicodemus asked, "What do you mean by this? How does this happen?"

10 Jesus said, "You're a respected teacher of Israel and you don't know these basics?

11 Listen carefully. I'm speaking sober truth to you. I speak only of what I know by experience; I give witness only to what I have seen with my own eyes. There is nothing secondhand here, no hearsay. Yet instead of facing the evidence and accepting it, you procrastinate with questions.

12 If I tell you things that are plain as the hand before your face and you don't believe me, what use is there in telling you of things you can't see, the things of God?

13 "No one has ever gone up into the presence of God except the One who came down from that Presence, the Son of Man.

14 In the same way that Moses lifted the serpent in the desert so people could have something to see and then believe, it is necessary for the Son of Man to be lifted up -

15 and everyone who looks up to him, trusting and expectant, will gain a real life, eternal life.

16 "This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.

17 God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.

18 Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.”

            Gracious God, we pray for your Spirit to continually work in us to keep us fresh in our faith journey.  We thank you for our new birth in Jesus which has put us on our journey within your Love.  Hear our prayers.  Amen.          
 
  Today – pray for the children who are becoming ill.
 
 

​Day 54         Tuesday,  12 May 2020

           For almost two months now we have been under a stay at home order.  We have all had to adjust our patterns of living.  We have been dwelling on the things we cannot do, such as:

   We cannot get any closer than six feet to another person.
        We cannot get our hair cut, permed, colored etc.
        We cannot go to the movies, restaurants, stores in the mall.
        We cannot worship in our church buildings.
        We cannot attend a funeral for a friend.
        Nonessential businesses cannot open.
        We cannot gther for our exercise group.
        Students and teachers cannot be in a school building.
        Groups of more than 10 are not allowed.
        We cannot watch any sports.
        We cannot travel to see family members.
        We cannot visit in the hospital, assisted living homes, nursing homes and even some active senior living buildings.

          And the list goes on as we add whatever each of us has not been able to do since the invasion of the Virus.
 Today, I want you to spend some time thinking about what we can do, such as:

        Make masks
        Take a walk
        Exercise at home
        Call a friend
        Eat a take-out meal to help a restaurant
        Gather on Wednesday’s at noon for the Lord’s prayer
   Thank each and everyone you encounter who is working on our behalf
        Send a card to someone in need
      Follow three simple rules (which we studied in 2019 from Rueben Job)

                   “Do No Harm; Do Good; Stay in Love with God”

Add whatever you wish to this list.  I just want us to think about what we can do rather than what we cannot do.
 
Colossians 3:12-17, 23                                                                                                                                            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. 15 The peace of Christ must control your hearts—a peace into which you were called in one body. And be thankful people. 16 The word of Christ must live in you richly. Teach and warn each other with all wisdom by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 Whatever you do, whether in speech or action, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus and give thanks to God the Father through him.  23 Whatever you do, do it from the heart for the Lord and not for people.      
                       
 Colossians 4:6 6 
Your speech should always be gracious and sprinkled with insight so that you may know how to respond to every person.

 Lord our God, today we pray that we will do no harm, that we will do good and that we will stay in love with you.  Guide our thinking and praying to what we can do.  Hear our prayers.  Amen
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Today:  What can you do?