When Commercials Make Us Cry

Sometimes even commercials can make us cry. 

Thanks, Nico. 

To Give Sincerely and Dutifully

How might we give so sincerely and dutifully? 

We're Back!

After a week off, we're back blogging! 

Happy Monday! Enjoy the video! 

Lenten Devotional - Day 40

Hebrews 4:1-16

"Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

grace

"unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification"

The resurrection is drawing near. Our "unmerited" grace is upon us.

How do we humbly and boldly receive such grace?

Gracious God, your abounding grace has become our reality. Amen.

Lenten Devotional - Day 39

Matthew 27:32-50

"And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'"

for·sak·en

"abandoned or deserted."

Take pause today to reflect on these words from Jesus, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

What do these words mean to you?

Magnificent Savior, today we carry the cross. Amen. 

Lenten Devotional - Day 38

Mark 14:12-25

"Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

re·mem·brance

"something that is done or made to honor the memory of a person, thing, or event"

When we break bread and pass the cup we are doing it in remembrance. 

As we approach Easter Sunday, how are you remembering?

Holy One, we remember. Amen.

Lenten Devotional - Day 37

Lamentations 2:1-9

"How the Lord in the Lord's anger has humiliated daughter Zion!"

la·ment

"a passionate expression of grief or sorrow."

We have entered Holy Week. Judas is plotting his betrayal of Jesus. The Twelve will share their last meal with Jesus. Death by persecution and crucifixion are imminent. 

Let your laments be heard.

Ruler of All, we know what must be done, but we do not like it. Our tears flow in abundance, our hearts break, and our souls wither. This is not fair. Amen. 

Lenten Devotional - Day 36

Psalm 34

"Look to the Lord, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed."

ra·di·ant

"sending out light; shining or glowing brightly."

 Where have you felt God's radiance? How might you send out your light? 

Almighty, we have seen your light. We have felt your radiance. Guide us as we look to glow brightly as you do. Amen.

Lenten Devotional - Day 35

Mark 11:12-25

"Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your God in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses."

for·give

"stop feeling angry or resentful toward (someone) for an offense, flaw, or mistake."

Are you forgiven? Have you forgiven? 

Weaver of Peace, help us to forgive. Help us to be forgiven. Amen.

Lenten Devotional - Day 34

2 Corinthians 4:13-18

"So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day."

re·new

"give fresh life or strength to"

What does it mean to be renewed? How are you being renewed?

Almighty Renewer, we come to you with full hearts. Please renew us. Amen. 

Lenten Devotional - Day 33

2 Corinthians 4:1-12

"But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us."

Watching pottery be made is a fantastic sight. The clay starts out on the wheel as an unnamed and unidentifiable object. Though, over time and often after a few potential restarts, the piece of pottery will eventually begin to take shape in the potter's hands. The clay spins peacefully and gracefully, spiraling in an almost poetic fashion. The majesty of pottery taking shape and holding form is not unlike how God works in us daily. We are created, shaped, and molded by God, through God, and with God becoming beautiful yet sturdy vessels of God's grace, peace, and love. 

Where do you feel God shaping you most in your life at the moment?

Masterful Potter, shape us into clay jars. Amen.

Lenten Devotional - Day 32

Psalm 102

"For my days pass away like smoke, and my bones burn like a furnace."

The words used in the above passage are honest and painful. At times, during our life of faith this is what we are called to do, be upfront and blunt with how we feel. We are angry. We are frustrated. We are confused. We are scared. We are hurt. We are sad. However, in opening up ourselves by expressing our raw emotions we make ourselves available to hear, see, and feel God's grace.

When was the last time you were completely open about your feelings?

God, the smoke has begun to clear. We are hurt and we are in pain. Amen. 

Lenten Devotional - Day 31

2 Corinthians 2:14-3:6

"But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing God."

We all have certain smells that we enjoy best. It might be a fresh cup of coffee, newly cut grass, or the smell outside after a refreshing summer rain. No matter what it is, these familiar and comforting smells bring us joy not only because of their pleasurable fragrance, but because, more often than not, they invoke emotions within us. They take us back to a place of great happiness. They remind us of a loved one. They inspire. Much is the same with what Paul is speaking about in the above passage. Our knowledge of God, our faith and belief in the love and grace which God has given to us, is a consistently comforting fragrance in our lives.

What smells do you love best? Why?

Our hearts and souls are full of the fragrance that comes from knowing You. Amen. 

Lenten Devotional - Day 30

Mark 9:42-50

"Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.'"

At first glance the words from Jesus in this passage can seem harsh. Jesus speaks about having a millstone tied to our necks and being thrown into a sea, we are told to cut off our hand and our foot, and to cut out our eye. This not only seems violent, but incredibly counterproductive. Though, as we come to the end of this passage Jesus' message becomes much clearer. It is far less about taking these statements literal and much more about recognizing our true, inner selves. What are our stumbling blocks? What stumbling blocks do we put in front of others? The challenge set before us is this, once we recognize these methods of hindrance, can we become clean enough to be properly salted once again? 

What is a stumbling block in your own life of faith? How might you remove this stumbling block?

Gracious and Loving God, salt us with your light, love, and grace. Our hearts and souls are once again fresh and raw, ready to be seasoned with your life-sustaining spirit. Amen. 

Lenten Devotional - Day 29

Exodus 4:10-20 (21-26) 27-31

"But Moses said to the LORD, "O my Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor even now that you have spoken to your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.'"

Ever had a moment when you feel inadequate? A moment when you felt as though you could not possibly fulfill a task assigned to you?

Consider these words from Marianne Williamson.
 

You are a child of God. Light your light shine. 

Lenten Devotional - Day 28

Exodus 2:23-3:15

"God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM.'"

After encountering God, Moses is concerned about how he might effectively communicate to the Israelites. He asks God, "If I come to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' what shall I say to them?" What is God's response? God simply states, "I AM WHO I AM." 

When we communicate with one another we often search for the perfect words, aiming to respond eloquently and effectively through an almost poetic prose. In reality, just as God prompted Moses, all we really need are simple words and basic explanations. Not because we are not capable of articulate speech, but because we do not need to complicate the message. I am who I am. We are who we are.

Have you ever over complicated a conversation?  

I am who I am. Amen.  

Lenten Devotional - Day 27

1 Corinthians 12:27-13:3

"And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing."

Sometimes we have to be reminded of what exactly it means to love and to be loved. Often times this occurs in places we would never expect. One such example would be from Honey Maid, the makers of the Graham Crackers and other delicious snacks.

Check out the videos below to see how Honey Maid reminds us all that at the end of the day, love is really all that matters.

Honey Maid produced this video in an attempt to celebrate ALL families. As you might imagine, there were a lot of differing opinions. 

Here was Honey Maid's response.

We do not always have to agree on what is "right," but let us all remember, if we do not have love, we have nothing at all.

Lenten Devotional - Day 26

Psalm 126

"The LORD has done great things for us, and we rejoiced."

Ever had a day when everything seems to be going right? You get a great grade on a test, you meet a deadline early, your hair looks great, you don't get stuck at a single red light on your morning commute, or perhaps your longtime crush asks you out on a date. Some days are just like that, they're fun, they're easy, and they give us reason to rejoice. In these moments of bliss, these times when everything feels perfect and the stars are all aligned, do we remember to offer up our thanks and praise to God? Just as God cries when weep, so too does God laugh when we smile. Let us not forget to rejoice for the God who continues to do great things for us.

Think of one really great thing that has happened to you recently. How did you express your gratitude?

 God, we see your smile and feel your laughter. Thank you for keeping our hearts light, our burdens low, and our lives full of reasons to rejoice! Amen. 

Lenten Devotional - Day 25

Mark 8:11-26

"And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, "Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.'"

Jesus' above reaction and remarks come immediately after the Pharisees, in an effort to test Jesus, have asked him for a sign from heaven. One of the most poignant aspects of this passage comes not from what Jesus says, but how Jesus reacts to the challenge. "[Jesus] sighed deeply in his spirit." What a powerful statement and what a powerful image. Jesus, God in flesh, the one who is free of sin, reacts just as any human being would to such a personal attack; he becomes frustrated and impatient. However, is that not the initial message? Jesus is given space to "sigh deeply in his spirit." Should we all not be afforded the space and opportunity to react similarly? In response to an overtly earthly, human challenge, Jesus' initial response is one of earthly, human instinct. May we all have the courage to let our spirit sigh deeply when needed.

When have you felt frustrated by a comment, question, or challenge directed at you? What was your initial response?

Our spirits are sighing deeply. Amen. 

Lenten Devotional - Day 24

1 Corinthians 11:2-34

"So then, my brothers and sisters, when you come together to eat, wait for one another."

Fellowship and community are such an important way to not only build relationships, but to express our love, care, and concern for others. A great way to create intentional opportunities for fellowship and community is to break bread with one another. In extending an open invitation to the table, we are afforded the opportunity to sit and share both a meal and our lives with our sisters and brothers. In doing so we are in constant reminder of these words, "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until the Lord comes."

When was the last time you shared a meal with family and friends?

The bread has been baked and the cups have been filled. We open our hearts, our minds, and our lives to each other. Our hunger satisfied with fellowship and our thirst quenched with community. Amen.