Daily Devotional

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” – John 1:5

It was 9:02 in the morning on April 19, 1995, when a loud explosion was heard across downtown Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City and the world would soon realize that a bomb had exploded, destroying much of the Alfred P. Murrow Federal Building, and killing 168 innocent people. It is, to this day, the worst act of domestic terrorism in the United States. From this horrific event an important phrase emerged that I want to remind us of today.

Immediately, people from around Oklahoma City, including our amazing first responders, began helping. They cared for the wounded, comforted the victims and their families, and responded to whatever need emerged. St. Luke’s opened its doors to help…

Vernon Jackson has taken his career to new heights in the past few years. Vernon owns and operates the Nobel Barber and Beauty shop in Cincinnati. By all measures his business is successful. What really makes his work unique and successful are Vernon’s VIP clients. They truly make Vernon’s a blessing to him and to so many. They are special clients who receive Vernon’s full attention.

Since 2021 Vernon has opened his barber shop, on his day off, to children with special needs. He provides these VIP clients and their parents a special, sensory sensitive haircut. Vernon had heard so many terrible stories about the problems parents and their children face when simply trying to get a haircut. He decided he could provide a special environment to help these children feel comfortable. By opening the shop to only one client at a time, Vernon can control the stimulus and help make each client relaxed. This provides for maximum comfort. When the clients are comfortable, they are more willing to allow their hair to be cut…

The first time I stepped into the batter’s box, I struck out. It did not take my coach long to diagnose my problem with batting. I was afraid of getting hit by the ball. When the pitch was thrown, I would step backwards, away from ball and the plate. Even if I did summon up the courage to swing the bat, I was too far away from the ball to make contact.

My coach immediately started working with me to overcome my fear and step towards the ball…

After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tibe′ri-as; and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathan′a-el of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zeb′edee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat; but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.”

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.  Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rab-bo′ni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” Mary Mag′dalene went and said to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

“For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not I will help you.” – Isaiah 41:13

I have driven hundreds of thousands of miles in my life. I love to drive and prefer it to almost any other mode of transportation. I have driven in large cities with congested traffic and country roads where you are more than likely to get stuck behind a combine than in a traffic jam. No matter where the road may be and where the road may lead, I am happy to drive.

There was a short time in my life when driving was a struggle for me.  During my junior year of college, I was involved in an accident that totaled my car and sent me to the hospital. Thankfully, everyone involved was physically fine, although neither of the cars in the incident would ever be driven again. 

Although I did not realize it at the time, the wreck affected me more than just physically. The impact happened at more than 70 mph…

We have just come through Holy Week and the great celebration of Easter. This past week was filled with beautiful stories of the work of Jesus in the world. Throughout Holy Week, the love of Jesus was on full display as he entered Jerusalem, was betrayed, arrested, and eventually hung on that “Old Rugged Cross.” Sunday was so inspiring and uplifting as we gathered to celebrate the triumph over sin and death. This past week was, once again, a reminder to me of just how much God loves and cares for us.

As Holy Week ended, I could not help but think about the powerful words from George Bennard’s beautiful hymn, The Old Rugged Cross. George Bennard, a Methodist preacher and evangelist, wrote the hymn in 1913. The song transports the singer to the foot of the cross. The hymn begins:

On a hill far away, stood an old rugged Cross
The emblem of suffering and shame
And I love that old Cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain…

One way that people celebrate Easter is by serving. It is natural to want to serve others when we experience the hope and joy of Easter.  Luke Flerlage is a young man who wants to share the joy of Easter with as many people as he possibly can. Luke Flerlage is only 6 years old and yet is helping to lead the way in sharing the love and joy of Easter with the people of Missouri. When he was just age 3, Luke joined his mom, Beverly, working at a ministry known as “Alleluia Baskets.”  Luke and Beverly worked with Karen Melser, the organizer of Alleluia Baskets. Their work is to make sure that as many children as possible have an Easter basket, filled with goodies, to help bring joy on Easter.

Luke loved filling baskets for other kids. He told his mom that, “He wanted to help more kids smile”…

I recently had the opportunity to attend a special celebration to honor Creed Humphrey. Creed Humphrey is from Shawnee, OK and is a real hometown celebrity. Creed is best known for his tremendous success as a football player. While at Shawnee High School, Creed earned All-state and U.S. Army All-American honors. In college, Creed would play for the University of Oklahoma. He would once again excel, being named the Big XII Offensive Lineman of the Year as well as, once again, being named an All-American. Creed would be drafted into the NFL and plays for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Creed Humphrey’s career has been more than successful in the NFL. Kansas City became the Super Bowl champions, just this past season…

Easter Sunday at St. Luke’s was a wonderful day! We gathered to worship our risen Lord and Savior. There were so many moments that brought us joy on this special day. It is Monday and now we are faced with the demands of our busy schedules. The stores have begun replacing the candy and baskets with their summer displays. The demands of life have slowly begun to overshadow our beautiful day of worship.

As quickly as our society moves from one moment to the next, it is easy to see why Easter often becomes just another day on the calendar. As Christians, Easter is much more than a single day of celebration, or a special Sunday on the calendar. Easter is the defining moment of our faith…