Welcome to In This Season! Our series of devotions appears Monday, Wednesday and Thursday of each week.
TODAY: MAY 1, 2024
Today’s Devotion was Written by Ketti Spehar
2 Corinthians 9:8
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
8 And God is able to provide you with every blessing[a] in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.
I have an eighth grader and recently his choir teacher asked for pictures for a slide show I am sure I will cry through, for his May 15 choir concert. She is asking for pictures of him, when he was little. So, we went back in time through photos on our phones. We laughed at many and relished in the young man he has become. As I sat back and looked at how much he changed I couldn’t help but look at those same pictures of me and see just how much I have changed.
You can’t tell from the picture of me, but I can tell — you see, the person I was 14 years ago isn’t the person I am today. I was riddled with worry, anxiety and fear and it got me to thinking … If I could go back to the person I was in the pictures, I would tell myself that everything will work out. That this too shall pass and to take a breath. To try to remember that these worries may seem so large, but they are small in the long run. That once they are gone, new ones will be in their place so don’t give them too much thought. To enjoy this version of you, because everything you were, has helped you become everything you are. Extend that grace you give to others to yourself because before you know it a new season will be upon us. Enjoy the ride because no matter how many turns your life can take you can always count your blessings.
APRIL 29, 2024
Today’s Devotion was Written by Heidi Busch
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV
Does anyone else ever feel like we make resolutions at the wrong time of the year? My motivation to make change in my life rarely feels inspired in the dark depths of a January winter. I’m supposed to get up in the pitch dark and work out, really? No thank you; I’d rather hibernate.
But when the breeze finally feels warm, the trees start to green and the sun greets me each morning, I often feel a sense of urgency to make something happen … make something new, refreshed or transformed. Often that sense of urgency is accompanied by a complete lack of patience. Somehow, I convince myself that change should happen as fast as the weeds start popping up in my garden.
I was reminded of my own hypocrisy just this week as I was instructing at our karate school. One of our students struggles with immediate frustration when he doesn’t get moves right the first time. He compares himself to students who have been there for months or years. When we reflected on this together, we discussed how much energy he was wasting on frustration instead of putting that energy into doing the next move better. We talked not about the technique he was trying to master but about his mindset in the practice, and I found myself thinking maybe a little transforming of the mind was what I should prescribe to myself!
When we allow our personal desires or competitive nature to speak louder than God’s call in our lives, we can often find ourselves floundering in frustration. We miss the subtle Holy Spirit callings and awareness that illuminate every next step of whatever transformative journey we happen to be on. With patience, our minds can be transformed and renewed in a way that helps us clearly hear the direction we are called to walk.
Creative and Loving God, thank you for the constant reminders in this season that transformation is possible. Renew your spirit within our minds and walk with us in the journey. Amen.
APRIL 25, 2024
Today’s Devotion was Written by Pastor Kyle Jackson
“I have come that you might have life and have it to the full.” John 10:10, paraphrased.
We are in a section of the lectionary where we are getting a lot of the gospel of John. The lectionary divides into three different years and three different gospels. There is Matthew, Mark, and Luke. They are called synoptic gospels. They go together. There are many similarities. Then there is the gospel of John. It is wild. Comparing Matthew, Mark and Luke to John is not like comparing apples to oranges. It is more like comparing a cat to a microwave. We are currently in the gospel year of Mark. Since Mark is the shortest gospel, there is extra room for us, especially during Easter, for us to get more gospel of John stories.
We are experiencing a season at Mount Calvary of abundance and fullness. We are in the Easter season and additionally, we have had Pastor Mark’s ordination and five funerals. There is much happening and sometimes we just need to hold on. I find when there is much abundance happening, I can start to feel overwhelmed. And overwhelming is an interesting feeling and emotion. It is both exciting and sometimes a little bit too much. When I am feeling this way, I find it good to check in with myself and take good care. I go on a walk. I go home early one day (and don’t feel guilty about it!) I listen to music. My wife and I go out with dear friends for a nice dinner.
Jesus, the Christ comes to us so that we have an abundant and full life. This means we will laugh harder. We will cry harder too. We will feel all of life in all of its fullness. Capture and mark these moments. And remember. These are the good ol’ days!
APRIL 24, 2024
Today’s Devotion was Written by Kara Paulson
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15: 5-8
au·da·cious
1 a: intrepidly daring : ADVENTUROUS
an audacious mountain climber
I recently rewatched a movie from about 20 years ago, called Hope Floats. Maybe you’ve seen it? Sandra Bullock stars as Birdie, a woman whose whole life is upended when she is betrayed by her husband and her best friend. Shattered, she takes her young daughter and goes limping home to her mother’s house in her old hometown.
With confidence crumbled, Birdie simply goes through the motions of her life. Then, she reconnects with a childhood friend who helps her remember who she used to be. He reminds her that she was so brave … daring even. Audacious! With the love and encouragement of family and friends, she begins to believe that she can heal, that her life can again be something special.
In John 15, Jesus encourages the disciples to be audacious too. Go out, he says, and be intrepidly daring. Know that you are firmly rooted and the fruit you bear will glorify your Father in Heaven.
Remember today that we are firmly rooted too, and can live adventurously, with the same promise. We can go forth with good courage, knowing that rain and wind only make vines grow stronger!
Easter Benediction:
As Christ burst forth from the tomb, may new life burst forth from us showing itself in acts of love and healing to a hurting world. Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit bless you now and forever. Amen.
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