Daily Devotional

At church camp is where I first encountered a wonderful tradition. During the day, students and staff would take time to practice what is called TAG (Time Alone with God). Each camper and staff would take their Bible and a devotional and find their place away from the rest of camp to have a time alone, encountering God.  As a young teenager, this was an extremely difficult practice…

For most of us, time at the lake is a relaxing getaway from the busyness of life. For Peter, the lake was life.  He was a fisherman who grew up on the waters of the Sea of Galilee. Most likely he learned his trade from his father. He spent his days and nights fishing and selling fish to the community. The lake was work for Peter. The lake was the only life Peter had ever really known.

When Jesus approached Peter and his brother Andrew, his invitation to follow would truly disrupt their lives.  Jesus said to them, “Follow Me. I will make you fish for men!” Suddenly, what Peter had done for his entire life was now a thing of the past.  Jesus had invited him into an entirely new life, a new adventure.

I wonder how Peter felt as he left his nets and followed Jesus?

On more than one occasion, I have looked to the sky to try and catch a glimpse of the International Space Station in the evening sky. You can track the orbit of the ISS from the NASA web site. It is truly a site to behold when the small dot flies overhead. It reminds me of how big creation truly is.

Recently, Isabella Payne, a young girl from England, joined her father on his ham radio. The two were so excited when they were able to establish a connection with Kjell Lindgren, an astronaut aboard the ISS. It was a brief exchange, due to the speed of the ISS. The International Space Station maintains a ham radio in case of emergency. However, the astronauts often use it to communicate with civilians. Isabella was so excited when she heard Kjell’s voice as he identified himself and his location. It was an other-worldly interaction.  Later that day, Kjell reached out on social media and told Isabella that it was one of his favorite moments on the ISS…

I’ve recently discovered KC Davis: counselor, author, and mother of two. In her book, “How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing”, Davis outlines her shame-free, compassionate attempt to home care. As a working mom, I immediately identified with her and appreciated the content she had to offer. As we continue through the sermon series, “Living to Learn, Learning to Live”, I’m hoping that her systems resonate with some of you all, too.

One of Davis’ strategies that I find myself using most often in my own home is her “5 Things” tidying method. Have you ever looked at a cluttered room and felt paralyzed by not knowing where to begin? Enter the 5 Things method. Davis says that in any given space, there are only five different things: trash, dishes, laundry, things that have a place, and things that don’t have a place…

To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of David.

O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is thy name in all the earth!

Thou whose glory above the heavens is chanted
    by the mouth of babes and infants,
thou hast founded a bulwark because of thy foes,
    to still the enemy and the avenger.

When I look at thy heavens, the work of thy fingers,
    the moon and the stars which thou hast established;
what is man that thou art mindful of him,
    and the son of man that thou dost care for him?

Yet thou hast made him little less than God,
    and dost crown him with glory and honor.
Thou hast given him dominion over the works of thy hands;
    thou hast put all things under his feet,
all sheep and oxen,
    and also the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
    whatever passes along the paths of the sea.

O Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is thy name in all the earth!

My son, do not forget my teaching,
    but keep my commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years
    and bring you peace and prosperity.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
    in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

It is overwhelming to think about the amount of information available to us as a people who live in the digital age. With just a click of the mouse, or a tap of our finger on our smart phones, we can access more information than any generation before us. Information is available to us in large amounts and at rapid speeds.  This is just the information we request. We are also bombarded with information we do not request. Data and images are all around us.

In an article by Forbes, Jon Simpson says that the average person is, “exposed to around 4,000 to 10,000 ads each day.” That is a staggering number. Even on the low end, it is difficult to fathom that amount of information. We are exposed to material that is designed to inform, influence, and manipulate us…

My daughters love the animated movie, “The Tale of Despereaux.” This is a great movie based on the book of the same title by Kate DiCamillo. The book features a mouse, which becomes a hero of sorts, named Despereaux. A princess named Pea and a rat named Roscuro. These three character’s stories are brought together by soup.

This movie opens with the royal cook preparing a special soup for a dinner with the King and Queen. The staff is busily preparing this soup when the chef, who is referred to as a genius, dismisses everyone from the kitchen. It is then, through a little magic, that he is joined by another character, Boldo. Boldo is made up of a soup pot and vegetables. It is Boldo who helps the chef prepare his exciting dishes that are so beloved by the people.

My favorite line from this great movie is spoken just before Boldo and the Royal Chef finish their soup. The narrator reads, “It’s hard to be a genius all by yourself. In fact, sometimes it takes a little help.”

One of my favorite hymns is “Wonderful Words of Life.” This classic gospel hymn was written by Philip P. Bliss. From an early age, two things captured Bliss’ attention: music and his faith. He would become a traveling music teacher in the late 1800s. He would travel around his home state of Pennsylvania. He would teach choirs and individuals the great music of the church, while also performing to help earn a living. He eventually made it to Chicago where his music teaching grew and flourished.

Philip P. Bliss eventually connected with some of the great preachers and evangelists in Chicago. He would play and write music for Dwight L. Moody and Major Webster Whittle. With his connection to these two wonderful men of faith, Bliss would see his music career transform. After learning more and more about his faith, he would turn his full attention to writing new hymns for these thriving and growing ministries…

Many years ago, during a time of life that was very hectic and overwhelming, I knew that my devotional life was in need of some attention. I also knew the importance of spending dedicated time with God, so I began to pray asking God to show me what needed to change in my life. The word that came to mind was “intentional.” Intentional was not what I preferred to hear! I much prefer spontaneity, and love experiencing those “God moments” that seem to come out of the blue. But if God said “intentional” I knew it was something I needed to try…