Category Archives: Presbyterian Church (USA)

Christian, devotion, faith, Holy Spirit, Luke, Gospel of, Presbyterian Church (USA), Uncategorized, United Church of Christ (UCC)

Glimpses of Grace Daily Devotion for June 4, 2017

Devotional Reading from the Daily Common Lectionary: Acts 2: 1-21

Text:  And suddenly there came the sound of the rush of a mighty wind… (v. 2a)

When I was a boy I was in school when a tornado hit, seemingly out of nowhere. This was in a day before severe weather sirens, weather radios and cell phone alerts. School had just let out for the day so most of the students were on their way home. Only a relatively few of us remained in the building. Miraculously, no one was injured. The tornado forever changed the school, though, as the destruction was nearly total.

The thing that I remember most was the eerie silence accompanied by a loud roaring wind that seemingly occurred simultaneously.  For the longest time, decades in fact, whenever a thunderstorm would roll in, my stomach would lurch. I wonder if that is what the experience of Pentecost was like in today’s reading. Seemingly out of nowhere and without warning there was the rush of a mighty wind that filled the entire house as the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles like tiny tongues of fire. The apostles were filled with the Spirit of God. This Spirit changed them forever. They became bold and innovative proclaiming the Good News, the gospel of the Jesus they knew, even at the risk of their lives!

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of gentleness, the hymnwritere says, blowing through the wilderness, calling and free. It is the spirit of restlessness that stirs us from placidness.  The Holy Spirit calls from tomorrow and breaks ancient schemes as it frees us from the bondage of Yesterday and allows captives to dream dreams. (Taken from the lyrics of “Spirit” by James K. Manley)

On this Pentecost may you be touched by the life changing Spirit of God. May you be stirred from placidness, dream dreams and make bold decisions. Amen.

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Christian, devotion, I John, Presbyterian Church (USA), Psalms, Uncategorized, United Church of Christ (UCC)

Glimpses of Grace Daily Devotion for June 3, 2017

Devotional Reading from the Daily Common Lectionary: Psalm 23

Text: Ye, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death… (v. 4, King James Version). Even though I walk through through the darkest valley (a number of more modern translations)

I received a text message from a friend who has had more than his share of problems. He has suffered just about every imaginable loss over the past year and a half or so; family, job, wealth, etc. Another hard knock came his way recently, one that would have have knocked him off balance at any other time, but it was the final straw. He felt like he was going to break.

“What have I done to cause God to do this to me?! Have I been so bad?!”

The cry of anguish in the soul.  I thought about how I would respond as we were in different states of the country. I wanted to choose my words carefully. I also wanted to pray and think about my response. Finally I wrote him saying that I’m not sure of many things but there are a couple things of which I am very sure. He did nothing wrong and God is not punishing him. That is not Who God is. God is love (I John 4:8).  Bad things happen because we live in a broken world. Secondly, remembering the words of the most beloved Psalm as well as the Cross of Jesus, I am convinced that God is with us in our pain and suffering, even if we cannot feel His Presence. God walks beside us in Life’s dark valleys, especially the dark valleys of the soul. And, in the words of Paul in his letter to the Romans, nothing in this world can ever separate us from God’s love.(Chapter 8) That God-love is unconditional. And it is transformative. Earlier in chapter 8 Paul wrote from his own life experience saying that while God does not cause evil, God can redeem evil and bring something good out of the ashes; not perfect, but good.

I don’t know if my response was what he needed. I have not heard back from my friend. But I do know that in my response I revealed not some pious jargon but the deepest  beliefs of my faith.

Maybe my words can be of comfort to you or someone you know.

Be our light in the darkness, O Lord. Be present and protect us through the hours
of the night, so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this life may rest in your eternal changelessness. O Lord, drive far from us all snares of the enemy; let your holy angels dwell with us to preserve us in peace; and let your blessing be upon us always; Amen. (from The Book of Common Prayer, compline service)

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Christian, devotion, Luke, Gospel of, Presbyterian Church (USA), Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace Daily Devotion for June 2, 2017

Devotional Reading from the Daily Common Lectionary: Luke 10: 38-42

Text: “…you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. (vss. 41b and 42a)

The story of two sisters is almost parable in nature. Most people identify themselves with one sister or the other; the one who is conscientious and works diligently or the other who doesn’t. I think, though, that what the story is meant to tell us that the sisters’ story is really our story. We may identify with one sister or the other, based upon our nature and upbringing, but the challenge in life is to find a balance between the two.

Some time ago I read that the hardest working muscle in the human body is the heart. It beats millions of times in a lifetime. It is able to do this because it maintains a balance between work and rest. When it gets out of balance, life threatening arrhythmias occur. We need to find a balance in life. It is the way God made us.

In the first Creation story of Genesis 1, God set aside a sabbath day of rest. This time of rest and recreation applied to animals and people alike. There was even a time of rest for the fields that grew crops to eat.

Finding a balance is increasingly difficult for those of us who live with “first world problems”. It is hard to unplug from the constant “dings” of messages and calls on our smart phones. I do not pretend to have an easy answer because I have tried a variety of easy answers. I discovered that there is not a “one size fits all”. You have to find your “balance”; the one that God intended for your life.

Lord, help me find a balance between my “Mary and Martha”. If I am too preoccupied with work, help me find sabbath. If I am not occupied enough by the duties before me, help me pick up a greater load. My goal is to grow closer to You. Help me find that balance. Amen.

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Christian, devotion, Good Samaritan, Luke, Gospel of, Presbyterian Church (USA), Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace Daily Devotion for June 1, 2017

Devotional Reading from the Daily Common Lectionary: Luke 10:25-37

Text: But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” (vs. 29)

The Parable of the Good Samaritan, well known in Christian circles and maybe even in other traditions. It has almost passed into the area of “folk religion”.  The set up and the parable have so many things to teach us. First, there is Jesus’ reminder that salvation is not about what we do but what God does for us. This is a hard lesson for we who prefer the call of rugged individualism and “pull yourself up by the bootstraps” to the Unconditional, Unmerited Grace  of Jesus. But the most important point in the reading is the question of neighbor; “Who is my neighbor?”

Years ago one of the bedtime stories that I would read to my daughters was a little Happy Day Book entitled “Who Is Your Neighbor?” On one of the pages the unknown staff author wrote: “Who is your neighbor? A neighbor is someone who needs you.”

As I look around the world I see a “heap of hurt out there.” Followers of Jesus cannot be content with “what is” if they are really going to take Jesus seriously. He once said that His followers would do what He did and greater things because they had the Holy Spirit and each other. We are challenged to touch the life of needs us.

So often we are overwhelmed by the complexity of the world around us. The challenge seems so great, and we seem e so small. But whenever I think this way I remember Jesus’ lesson of the mustard seed. The Kingdom of God starts small and by the generous grace of God grows to impossible heights. Today, plant a Kingdom mustard seed. Read to a child who has no one to read to them. Take time to listen to someone who is lonely and has a story to tell. Let someone into your lane of traffic. Soon you will be doing “greater things.”

Lord God, give me eyes that see my “neighbor”. Whisper to me what I should do. Direct my path. Let me recognize Your Presence at the end of the day. Amen.

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Christian, devotion, Evening, Presbyterian Church (USA), Psalms, Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace Daily Devotion for May 31, 2017

For Devotional Reading from the Daily Common Lectionary: Psalm 9

Text: I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart;  I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.  I will be glad and exult in you;  I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. (vss. 1 & 2)

Psalm 9 is a reading for this evening, when the day is done. At the end of each day I lie in bed and reflect upon the events of the day. Then I think more deeply upon the two or three things that brought me real joy and “give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart.

We sleep better when we end the day with a heart filled with thanksgiving. We sleep more soundly when we close our eyes enveloped by the Psalmist prayer, “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.” (Ps. 4: 8)

Sleep tight.

As I close my weary eyes, Lord, give me a thankful heart and the confidence that in Your presence I will sleep in safety. Amen.

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Christian, devotion, Luke, Gospel of, Presbyterian Church (USA), Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace Daily Devotion for May 30, 2017

For Devotional Reading from the Daily Common Lectionary:  Luke 10: 1-17

Text; Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you. (vs. 8)

Taking Jesus seriously can be fun, if you make it fun.  It can be a joy, if you make it joyful.

Today’s devotional reading is full of lessons and insights. For example, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (v. 2) There is a lot of Kingdom work to be done in this world but there are few willing to do the work. That is just a fact. “I am sending you out like lambs in the midst of wolves”. (v.3)  The world is a cruel place. People will try to take advantage of you.  But being a disciple of Jesus does not mean that you are naive. In Matthew’s gospel disciples are told to be “wise as serpents and innocent as doves; understand the ways of the world but do not adopt them.

In building my spiritual muscles I have taken to today’s “text”; “eat whatever is set before you” as a guide. As a rule, unless it doesn’t fit my budget, whenever I eat out, I spend little time looking over a men. I simply order the special of the day! As a consequence, besides the broadening of my palate, I am learning to be content in the midst of a world of choices.

C,S, Lewis inspired me. He had powerful insight on Gluttony. Gluttony can be of “Delicacy” as well as of “Excess”. The person who thinks that they are practicing “Temperance” because they only want a little, “done properly”, of course, is a glutton consuming everyone else’s time and energy! (The Screwtape Letters, Letter 17)

My spiritual exercise may not for you, but each of us has something that we can do to develop a spirit of Contentment. It may be exercising even though you do not have a gym membership, or recovering the dying art of handwritten letters or any number of things.  The point is to learn the spiritual practice of “Contentment”. I believe that as we grow in Contentment we will be better equipped to “harvest” and watch out for wolves!

Lord God, that world tells us that we have to have this thing or that thing in order to be fulfilled. All we really need is to learn how to be content in Your Presence. Show us our path to Contentment so that we can be better disciples. Amen.

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Christian, devotion, Love, Luke, Gospel of, Presbyterian Church (USA), Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace Daily Devotion for May 29, 2017

For Devotional Reading from the Daily Lectionary: Luke 9: 51-62

Text: When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But He (Jesus) turned and rebuked them.” (Vss. 54, 55)

I can totally understand James’ and John’s passion in the story. Though they shared a common ancestry there were long and deep divisions between the Jews and Samaritans in Jesus’ day. James and John felt as if the Samaritan village had “dissed” Jesus. To them their question was a matter of honor. But Jesus would have nothing of it.

His Kingdom, God’s Kingdom was not like other kingdoms. It was not territorial. It did not have borders. It was truly color-blind.  People would not be brought under the reign of this Kingdom by force or threat. No, every knee would bow in response to a stronger force, a force that changes the heart. Love.

Love you enemies. If you enemy is thirsty, give him a drink. Pray for those who persecute you. Pray for those who hate you. Jesus was a radical calling others to join Him in this radical Kingdom.

Jesus knew that force of arms only brings a pseudo-submission. Resentment and revenge fester deep in the heart. But Love, well that is a different force. It softens the heart and brings about a real and lasting submission.

Love is not always soft. It may be hard because it looks out for the greater good. It equips for sustainability. You may be hated because you see a bigger picture. But in the end, Love is the only thing that truly wins.

Lord, soften my heart and teach me how to love those who are the hardest for me to love. Amen

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Christian, devotion, Glory, Matthew, Presbyterian Church (USA), Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace Daily Devotion for May 28, 2017

For Devotional Reading from the Daily Lectionary: Matthew 10: 24-33, 40-42 (The Message)

Text: Do not be bluffed into silence by threats from bullies. There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life–body and soul–in his hands. (v. 28, The Message)

Have you ever been ashamed of yourself? I don’t mean has someone else ever made you feel ashamed. I mean have you ever been ashamed by something that you did, or, more painfully, something you did not do?  I have.

I was attending a service club meeting when someone made a very inappropriate remark at another group’s expense. The remark was not witty but cruel. Everyone at the table laughed.  And rather than calming and politely saying that the remark was “out of bounds” or inappropriate, I kept silent.  Shakespeare once wrote, “A coward dies a thousand times before his death, but the valiant taste of death but once…” (Julius Caesar) I now know what he meant for I have lived that moment of silence over more than once.

Our challenge as Jesus-followers is to live our lives in such a way that God is honored, glorified, if you will. We do not tear others down. Nor are we silent in the face of prejudice. Rather, we lift others up for like rising boats, when others are raised we are, too.

So today, challenge yourself to speak no ill of anyone. Seek ways to build others up. Glorify, Honor God not only by your deeds but by your words and thoughts.

Lord, let me see others through Your eyes. Let my words be kind and uplifting. Let my spirit be generous. Amen.

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Christian, devotion, faith, Luke, Gospel of, Presbyterian Church (USA), Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace Daily Devotion for May 27, 2017

Today’s Assigned Devotional Reading from the Common Lectionary: Luke 9: 37-50

Text: An argument arose among the disciples as to which one of them was the greatest. (v.46)

In security; it’s everywhere. It begins at a young age. Can a child have more than one best friend? What happens if your best friend plays with someone else or gets invited to a party and you don’t? The Smothers Brothers made a fortune over the schtick “Mom always liked you BEST!”

Many of our systems encourage a certain amount of insecurity. I inwardly chuckle when there is are multiple valedictorians at a graduation ceremony. Each one of the students worked hard, made sacrifices along the way, but still, I’ve seen one school have as many as 16 valedictorians! The television show Modern Family showed the humor in all of this competition in an episode where two of the characters felt ridiculous parental pressure to be valedictorian of a high school class. They even had a footrace around the school track!

In all three of the synoptic gospels we have some variation of the disciples arguing among themselves and even asking Jesus which one of the 12 was the greatest. Jesus placed a child in their midst and said that whoever comes to Him as a child is the greatest. In the eyes of God, the greatest is the least.  The disciples evidently didn’t understand because no sooner had Jesus answered their question than John said, “Master, we saw someone who is not one of us casting out demons in your name. We tried to stop him but he wouldn’t stop!” Make him stop! On my, our childish ways.

As followers of Jesus we can have ambition. We can even ascend the scale of affluence and influence, but we must always remember that the higher on those scales, the more responsibility we have to God. Our ambition should be in trying to out-serve one another without keeping score and worrying about who’s serving more!

And boy, is that hard! My insecurity keeps getting in the way!

Lord, let me not compare myself to another or be envious of another’s worldly success. Let me till the field in which You placed me. Continually remind me how to be faithful to the end. Amen. 

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Christian, devotion, Glory, Luke, Gospel of, Presbyterian Church (USA), Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace Daily Devotion for May 26, 2017

Devotional Reading; Luke 9: 28-36

Text: Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to Him!”

The reading assigned for today is what is called The Transfiguration of Jesus. It was a mystical experience that three disciples experienced.  The thing that stood out to me was the last three words of our text; “Listen to Him!”

The disciples initial response to the Transfiguration was to build a memorial or a shrine commemorating the event.  We do do the same thing. Some are very elaborate. Others are not.  Along the highways where I live there are make-shift memorials marking the place where someone died in an automobile accident.

There is nothing wrong with this, but they are a “one and done.” Sooner or later they are largely forgotten as the generations pass. For example, no one recalls where the Old Testament patriarch Jacob erected his memorial marking his “God-moment”.

God wants followers of Jesus to be “living memorials.” That is why the voice from the cloud told the disciples to “Listen to Him!” Do what Jesus told you to do! Love with a holy and complete love those whom God loves. Take Jesus and His teachings seriously. Be a light that breaks the darkness of a broken and troubled world. Let what you do and say be a blessing that glorifies God.*

Lord, make me into a living memorial that reflects the love of Jesus to others, especially to the dark places of the world. Amen.

*While researching a sermon recently I did a word study of “glory” and “glorifies”. Using the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament I discovered that “glory” and its derivatives means “to honor.” May your life and mine be God glorifying.

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