Thank you!

Please join me in thanking this year’s contributors for their heartfelt devotions, and to each of our readers, who are the reason behind this ministry.  We know that all of our gifts are from God, so it is a privilege to use them in this way.

Lori Earls, Editor

• Anne Travers
• Austen Earls
• Clare Crawford
• Carolyn Hornick
• David Moorman
• Dinah Morris
• Dirk  Labuschagne
• Emily Earls
• Eric Lawson
• Hannah Ruth Wellons
• Hugh Wellons
• Jeanne Pritchard
• Jenny McKenzie
• Joan Bowers
• Joe McCrobie
• John Blanton
• Judy Hensley
• Kay Koehler
• Laurie Powell-Ward
• Leigh Sackett
• Linda Tartisio
• Lisa Goad
• Lois Jones
• Lori Earls
• Louis Newton
• Mary Jo Shannon
• Pat Wade
• Rebekah Wellons
• Stuart Revercomb
• Wade Whitehead
• Wendy Robinson

The two-year Daily Lectionary used for this booklet comes from the Presbyterian Book of Common Worship (Westminster John Knox Press, 1993) where it was adapted from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer; it may also be found in the Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study, published each year by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).  The editor has chosen to include Sundays this year, although they are not traditionally included in the days of Lent.

Life and Peace

Rom. 8:1–11

Life and Peace

“To be controlled by human nature results in death; to be controlled by the Spirit results in life and peace.”  Romans 8:6 (Good News)

Isn’t that what it is all about?  Human nature, with all of its mistakes, ugliness and free will leads to death.  It results in the death of relationships, death of progress and promise, and death of hope.

But when we give up control, when we stop struggling against the still, small voices of the Holy Spirit, palpable tranquility and peace results.

Do we ever really have control?

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Heavenly father, as we acknowledge the gift of Christ’s death and resurrection, help us to bend to Your will and Your plan for abundance for us.  Amen

Lori Earls

No, you won’t

John 13:36–38

No, you won’t

“Jesus answered, ‘Are you really ready to die for me? I am telling you the truth: before the rooster crows you will say three times that you do not know me.’” John 13:38 (Good News)

The truth hurts, doesn’t it?  Even in well-meaning ways.  I’ve always meant to write to my grandmother.  But I don’t, and she knows I probably won’t.  I always mean to send Christmas cards, but they never seem to get out of the box.  And then the boxes get donated to other people who knew I’d buy them and not use at least some of them.

Peter really wanted to stand up for Jesus.  But he faced roman soldiers!  He saw how they’d arrested Jesus.  He knew how they would treat Jesus, because it was Rome.  The military was very efficient, and their protocols very well known.

And Jesus knew that too.  He knew that Peter wanted to stand by him.  He knew he would try to be brave, but Peter was human as well.  His instinct to protect himself was strong.  And he lived long enough to see Jesus resurrected, and to share what he’d witnessed of both his life and death.

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Heavenly Father, forgive my thoughtless ways.

Lori Earls

Right NOW

John 17:1–11

Right NOW

“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”  John 17:3 (NIV)

I remember very clearly a conversation I had with my mother one Sunday afternoon when I was maybe 10 or 11 years old.  It was late in the day, and I don't know what was really on her mind, but she asked me, "What do you think happens to us when we die?"  ...heavy stuff for a kid!  But we discussed our best understanding of what we believed as Christians, and were left mostly with a muddle of vagueness.  I don't know that I've ever come any closer to being able to answer her question than I could that afternoon.  I've always been puzzled and full of doubts about the great hereafter... living forever? ...I just don't know.

But here, Jesus puts it so simply.  Eternal life isn't about living forever; it's about living NOW, knowing God, and knowing Jesus Christ...right NOW.  Being part of the life eternal starts today if I choose for it to!  Well...wow!  This brings me a certain peace that I no longer feel stressed to "figure out" what happens when my time on this Earth is through.  It doesn't matter in the same way.  I'm still full of ideas and hope and doubts, but my life eternal doesn't depend on that...I get to live it now.

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Gracious Father,  Thank you for the gift of eternal life.  Help me to appreciate and rejoice in it every day. Amen.

Laurie Powell-Ward