Posts from August 2021
Daily Devotions
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. vss. 5-6a Isaiah 35:5-7a The religious leaders of Jesus’ day were quite familiar with the law and the writings of the prophets and kept a look-out for signs of the Day of the Lord, the moment when God would act to bring salvation to Israel. And when…
Daily Devotions
Say to those who are of a fearful heart, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.’” vs. 4 Isaiah 35:4 We’ve seen enough Hollywood movies to have a pretty good image of what the prophet is referring to here. In this scene we’re cowering in fear while dreaded enemies slowly advance on our position. And a voice shouts out, don’t be afraid, here is…
Daily Devotions
Then he called the crowd again and said to them, ‘Listen to me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.’” vss. 14-15 Mark 7:14-15, 21-23 Jesus is obviously not saying that we can eat pepperoni pizza, covered with cheese, every morning for breakfast and suffer no consequences. And he likely wasn’t familiar with what we call “clean eating” in the sense…
Daily Devotions
You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.” vs. 8 Mark 7: 1-8 Jesus had harsh words for the Pharisees and their preoccupation with ritual and ceremony. He tells them that everything they considered so important, all the traditions they’d inherited from their ancestors–everything was purely human invention! Imagine the shock waves rippling through their community! Jesus was saying that all they held dear was rubbish, and that they had abandoned what really counted with God. Poor…
Daily Devotions
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” vs. 27 James 1:22-27 James cuts to the chase in his first century letter to believers. Already he was aware of those who used religion as a facade, as a societal means to improve their own standing. It’s nothing new! We know what he’s talking about–while about 70% of Americans claim…
Cassidy Named to Spirit Board Post
Energy for Caring Meet Amy Cassidy. The first time Amy Cassidy visited Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, she quickly assessed this was a special place with an important mission. The occasion was a dinner for a small group of people, that included Amy and her husband Joel (Joey), hosted by Executive Director Eric Simonson and his wife Michelle. Amy listened to Eric describe how the center provides hospitality to retreaters who are on a journey of renewal, whether for one…
Daily Devotions
You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness.” vss. 19-20 James 1:17-21 The letter of James was written to congregations of early Christians who had an appreciation for Judaism and provides a different perspective from that of Paul. The writer begins his words of guidance with three basic principles for life in Christ. “Let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak,…
Daily Devotions
O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill? Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart…” vss. 1-2 Psalm 15 According to this worship liturgy, there were strict standards for entry into the temple sanctuary on the hill of Zion in Jerusalem. Any who presumed to enter the house of the Lord had better be sure that they had their ducks in a row, that…
Daily Devotions
But take care and watch yourselves closely, so as neither to forget the things that your eyes have seen nor to let them slip from your mind all the days of your life; make them known to your children and your children’s children—” vs. 9 Deuteronomy 4:7-9 It’s not unusual for the faith convictions of our early years to be eroded away by the passage of time. Some of us grew up in homes with parents who were committed followers…
Daily Devotions
You must observe them diligently, for this will show your wisdom and discernment to the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and discerning people!’” vs. 6 Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6 Even in its best years Israel was not a particularly imposing country. It lacked size and resources and wasn’t in a position to rule or conquer. Through most of its history it was subject to the whim of its more…
Daily Devotions
Simon Peter answered him, ’Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.’” vss. 68-69 John 6:62-69 From time to time members wander off and cease to be a part of a worshipping community. It could be that they’re burned out and want a break from heavy involvement–or maybe they’ve gotten upset, something that seems to happen with some frequency, especially…
Daily Devotions
When many of his disciples heard it, they said, ‘This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?’” vs. 60 John 6:56-61 Many people are attracted to the person of Jesus. His teachings point us to a way of life that is admirable–we can all agree on how important it is to love others and give ourselves in humble service. But there are some teachings that have been contentious from the very beginning, and one of those has to do with…