Mar. 31....a Father's compassion

Psalm 103:13-14 “As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him. For he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.”

Matthew 7:11 “If you, with all your sins, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to anyone who asks him.” Heavenly Father,

How much more you give, when we come and ask! I’m very fortunate that I grew up with a good earthly father, who served as an example to me of how a father should act and how a father loves his children. Using that example I can readily identify with you as my Heavenly Father. I had a father who spent time with me, who listened to me, who taught me, who expected a certain level of behavior of me, who provided for me, who protected me, who showed love and compassion towards me, who forgave me, who tried to prepare me for life. Those are the same things you do as a Father. You are always there if I need you. You listen when I pray to you and answer me when I cry out. You teach me through your scriptures. You give me commandments and guidelines and examples to follow so that I might live righteously. You provide for my daily needs….bodily, spiritually. You are my Rock, my Shield, my Defender, my Good Shepherd! You keep me safe and secure from the Evil One. You love me enough to die for me. Your compassion and mercy are unending…..amazing grace! You forgive my sins and wash me clean. You gave me not only a Savior, but also a Guide and Example. Through your Holy Spirit, I can become the person you wish me to be. I can become more Christ-like if I allow your presence in my life at all times. Just as I could always turn to my earthly father when I was in need, so can I turn to You. If my earthly father drew forth a response of love and respect, how much greater my love and respect for You, O LORD! You who know me best, and love me anyway. Thank you! Amen

Mar. 30....love without boundaries

Psalm 103:11-12 “For as the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our transgressions from us.”

1 John 5:14-15 “We have this confidence in God: that he hears us whenever we ask for anything according to his will. And since we know that he hears us whenever we ask, we know that what we have asked him for is ours.” Heavenly Father,

Thank you for your unlimited love! “As high as the heavens above the earth” and “as far as east is from the west”……what terrific descriptions of love that has no end or limit! If I rose off the planet and headed upward, I could soar forever. The heavens have no “roof”. If I headed west I would never reach an end, but travel in an endless circle. What better way to describe a love that is always present and never past. It is difficult to understand such love! Our own capacity for love is much more limited. We love those who are easy to love…..those who we find kind and agreeable and no trouble. We love those we are required to love…..family members we are related to. It is much harder to love those who irritate us, or those who bore us, or those who hurt us, or those who repel us, or those who are different from us, or those who reject us. We have many excuses for refusing love to others around us. But you, O LORD, promise to love all who call upon you and to forgive all who sin against you. You proved this love by doing what none of us would ever do….giving yourself as a sacrifice so that we might live. You weren’t forced to do it………you did it willingly. You didn’t ask for volunteers………you stepped up and took the job. You didn’t ask if we were worthy or lovable, but just loved us anyway. Love without a “roof”. Love without boundaries. Love in an endless circle. This is holy love, righteous love, perfect love, graceful love, unlimited and boundless love. Thank you! Amen

Mar. 29....grace increases

Psalm 103:10 “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.” (NIV) Romans 5:20-21 “Despite the increase of sin, grace has far surpassed it, so that, as sin reigned through death, grace may reign by way of justice leading to eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Heavenly Father,

These are wonderful words and thoughts. As sin increases, God’s grace increases. We can’t sin more than God can forgive! Grace is greater than sin. You don’t treat us as our sin deserves. You treat us as if our sin doesn’t exist. Amazing Grace! It is easy to see where that term comes from. The whole idea of forgiving the unforgivable, and loving the unlovable, and accepting the unacceptable based on Jesus’ one sacrifice on our behalf is just too amazing to totally comprehend! We just feel the love and the relief as our burdens slip away. We feel the guilt release us and Christ’s love setting us free. “Not according to our sins does he deal with us”……but instead according to Christ’s love. And because grace is greater than sin, grace always wins. This must be what a prisoner feels like when released from jail. Suddenly he is free again…..no walls, no jailer, no punishment, no restrictions, no stain on his character, no longer held under sentence of death. Free! It’s when we look at that freedom and realize it was bought and paid for by grace, not by our own innocence, that we see the depth of the love behind it. We don’t deserve it. We actually did the crime and deserve to be punished. But the judge has accepted a substitute who volunteered to take our place. Once we accept that sacrifice of love and understand what grace is, we love in return. God’s love increases our capacity to love. Jesus within makes us not only free, but changes us in response. We desire to show his love to others. Grace reigns. Love wins. Forever! Amen

Mar. 28....merciful and gracious is the LORD

Psalm 103:8-9 “Merciful and gracious is the LORD, slow to anger and abounding in kindness. He will not always chide, nor does he keep his wrath forever.” Luke 7:47 “I tell you, that is why her many sins are forgiven……because of her great love. Little is forgiven the one whose love is small.” Heavenly Father,

Today’s topic is your great mercy and love that is beyond our comprehension. Because we love so little, we have trouble understanding one who loves so much. We can’t fathom One who would become like us for the sole purpose of dying and redeeming us. One who loves enough to take our punishment, suffer for our sin, be humiliated for our wrongs, be lowered to our level of imperfection, when in fact you are perfect! Why?? We can only accept that this level of love that we can’t comprehend fully, is one of your attributes or part of your character. We cannot fully understand, but we can gratefully accept your gift of grace! We can be thankful that we have a God who shows endless mercy and love. Once we accept this great love and mercy, we are overwhelmed with a sense of thankfulness and peace and freedom. Sin is a heavy burden. Even those who don’t acknowledge it, must surely feel the weight and pressure it brings to bear on others lives, if they have any sense of oneness with the rest of humanity. Even with our limited ability to love, we must surely recognize the burdens of others as they struggle in this world. Helplessness is our usual reaction. You, O LORD, have never been “helpless”! You are Help incarnate! You are healing, love, mercy, forgiveness, grace, peace, joy, and all else that is good and wonderful! You are Hope! You are the “Light of the World”! You are Salvation! You are LOVE! “Mercies new every morning”…..a phrase that describes your love and grace found in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Mar. 27....He redeems your life

Psalm 103:3-4 “He pardons all your iniquities, he heals all your ills. He redeems your life from destruction, he crowns you with kindness and compassion.” Mark 2:17 “I have come to call sinners, not the self-righteous.” Heavenly Father,

(Originally written on New Year's Day) This was a great verse for New Year’s Day! Jesus came to pardon all our sins, heal all our brokenness, and redeem our lives for eternity. New Year’s is a time for resolutions, repentance, and change. A time to start new with a clean slate. With Christ’s grace we can be forgiven, healed and redeemed. I just tried to explain this in a letter to my daughter. I felt that I did it badly and she would ignore it. Until we see our own sinfulness, until we acknowledge there is a God we need a relationship with, it is hard to explain the need for redemption or resolution! Jesus said it plainly……”It’s not the healthy that need a doctor, but the sick.” Some people don’t see their sickness or their need for healing. That is the sad part. We all need healing. There is no one who is not sick, broken, in need of redemption. Christ came for all of us. I thank you every day, LORD, for sending the One who frees us from sin, heals our broken lives, and redeems us and makes us worthwhile in your sight. I pray for all who have not yet found the hope of your redemption and salvation. I pray for all who have not found the freedom from sin and death found in your grace. I pray for all who have yet to find the peace of your presence in their lives. “Come, Lord Jesus!” Heal the world! I know you have already done this, but please open the hearts and minds of those who as yet don’t see your salvation! I pray for all the lost and those who need to seek and find you. I pray that all will open the gift of grace this year. Speak to hearts that need to hear you. Amen

Mar. 26....forget not all his benefits

WEEK 13: OUR COMPASSIONATE FATHER Psalm 103:1-2 “Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” Luke 1: 78 “All this is the work of the kindness of our God; he, the Dayspring, shall visit us in his mercy.” Heavenly Father,

This psalm says to praise you with our soul, our “inmost being.” You command that we love you with all our hearts, all our minds, all our soul, all our strength. What is my soul…..my inmost being? This is the “breath” that you breathed into man that makes him “in God’s image” and different from all other creatures. It is the part that recognizes that we don’t really belong in the world, that we have a “home” somewhere else. It is the part that seeks God and longs for a relationship and to understand things beyond this world. We want to connect with you and “forget not all your benefits.” We see your greatness around us, we see your provision for our needs, we know we are loved and cared for. Our “inmost being” cries out to “find” you, to be with you, to thank you and acknowledge you. In the Luke passage we take a further step and recognize your greatest gift…..you chose to “visit us”, to live as one of us, to experience what we experience and to forgive us through your great love and mercy. At Christmas we celebrate your coming to earth as a baby. Now we need to celebrate the man Jesus Christ, who was your incarnate self sent to teach us, share with us, heal us, redeem us, suffer for us, lift us closer to you in a lasting permanent relationship. “Forget not!” That is our rallying cry. Our soul will remember! Our whole being will worship and praise! We know we are yours and that we are headed home, safe and secure in your loving embrace. Thank you, O LORD! My soul sings your praise forever! Amen.

Mar. 25....unsearchable

Psalm 145:3-4 “Great is the LORD and highly to be praised; his greatness is unsearchable. Generation after generation praises your works and proclaims your might.”

Romans 11:33-34 “How deep are the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How inscrutable his judgments, how unsearchable his ways!” Who has known the mind of the Lord? Heavenly Father,

Your greatness is unsearchable. Man tries. All of our sciences search for answers that prove or disprove your existence. All our sciences search to duplicate or improve or understand the things that you’ve made. Some men strive to BE god themselves. Some of man’s searching is noble….to cure disease, improve quality of life, provide for more people what they don’t have. Some of man’s searching is curiosity….space travel, archeology, most pure scientific research. But man usually ends up taking his searching too far…..creating weapons, duplicating and cloning for profit, selfish greed, destroying and mutating what doesn’t please. When we go from helping those who suffer to hoarding or profiting by others misfortune, we expose our ungodly nature and prove that we are very definitely NOT gods ourselves. We can not truly “know the mind of the Lord”, but we can learn much by observing what You have created…..beauty, powerful images, perfect Harmony, balance, and by reading your scripture for evidence of your character…..love, mercy, compassion, grace, justice, righteousness. Your nature is eternal and unchanging. You are God and we are not. It all starts with You and stops with You. It all belongs to You. We cannot search for your mind and duplicate it, but we can and should search for your character and duplicate it. You tell us to call on You, seek You, reverence You, form a relationship with You. You sent Jesus to show your loving accessible side and to demonstrate the character we should duplicate and follow. You are “near to all who call on You in truth.” Not for our own selfish purposes, but to fulfill Your purposes. Jesus is Truth. We seek you through the Truth of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen

Mar. 24....the sheep of your pasture

Psalm 79:13 “Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; through all generations we will declare your praise.”

John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Heavenly Father,

Considering how few people raise sheep or have any knowledge of sheep in today’s world it is sort of amazing, that the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd is one of the most popular, and the 23rd Psalm one of the most well known passages of the Bible. I guess anyone can look at a cute but helpless lamb and see the love needed to care for it. If you’ve ever seen sheep, they have a helpless look about them, as they seem to wander aimlessly and appear lost at all times. That’s us, all right! Lost and wandering aimlessly in the world. Having a “Good Shepherd”, one willing to lay down his life for us, is a truly great blessing to be thankful for. Every sheep passage in scriptures calls to our very nature as the “lost and aimless” people that we are. Jesus Christ…..seeks the 1 out of 100 lost sheep……finds them green pasture and still water…..knows their name…..protects them……is with us in the “valley of death”……seeks all the sheep for one flock under one shepherd. Most important, our Shepherd loved us enough to die for us. That is love that most of us know we will never achieve even though we might want to think we would die for those we love. Christ died for all. All the sheep of the world can come to him and he will welcome and protect them. Jesus didn’t say, “I’m only willing to die for the worthy or special sheep”. Jesus chose to die for ALL of the unworthy and lost and non-special sheep (that’s us!) “No greater love” has been shown in this world. Jesus Christ bought us and added us to his sheep pen. We are his sheep, of his pasture. Our choice is to not wander away, but to stay with the one who loves us. We give him our thanks, our love, our loyalty. Amen

Mar. 23......hope

Psalm 71:8, 14 “My mouth shall be filled with your praise, with your glory day by day…..But I will always hope and praise you ever more and more.”

Ephesians 1:11b-12 “We were predestined to praise his glory by being the first to hope in Christ.” Heavenly Father, “I will always hope”…..I like this phrase. I can’t imagine life without hope or hope without You, O LORD. My hope is in You……the source of my strength, the source of my salvation, the source of my peace. My favorite hymn when I was growing up was:

“My hope is built on nothing less, then Jesus’ blood and righteousness. No merit of my own I claim, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”

I still believe that and know it is my faith statement. “My hope is built”……constructed, made, founded, based……”on…..Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” It starts with Jesus and his sacrifice for me. His forgiveness of my sins. Jesus is the “solid rock” that we have to start with. He told us that the wise man builds his house on the rock. He is the Rock! A firm foundation. A solid base to hold us. I’ve constructed my hope on the basis of his love and faithfulness. Hope doesn’t always come easily and it can be a fragile thing. But when we base it on something solid, something that can’t be moved or shaken, it will be lasting. I renew my hope every day as I see God’s faithfulness to me and his provision for my needs. Hope grows strong when it has a firm foundation. Hope is a result of faith that has been tested and proven to be true. Hope is a living positive response. Hope is a lifeline connected to a secure anchor. Hope is “blessed assurance.” Hope is not wishing. Hope is believing and trusting. “My mouth shall be filled with your praise”……because you are my hope and my salvation, now and forevermore! In the name of Jesus Christ, our “solid rock” of grace. Amen

Mar. 22.....All the nations

Psalm 67:4-5 “May the nations be glad and exult because you rule the peoples in equity; the nations on the earth you guide. May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you!” Ephesians 1:14 “He is the pledge of our inheritance, the first payment against the full redemption of a people God has made his own to praise his glory.” Heavenly Father,

This is a prayer that is in my heart at all times. “May ALL the people (nations) praise you!” I know that the day ALL people worship and praise one God, You, the LORD God Almighty, that we will have peace. There is so much unrest and war, especially in the Middle East areas. Our young men and women are dying trying to bring freedom and peace to the people there. There is so much deep-seated hatred and mistrust in that area of the world. The rest of us aren’t perfect, but we do manage to live in peace and are allowed to worship as we please. Not all here worship You, but we can try to change that through love and not through hatred. I wish I knew your plan for the “sons of Ishmael” and “the sons of Isaac”. There has been war and hatred since Abraham! What can we do to bring about peace? How can we help all people to see their need for You and their duty to obey You? I guess the answer is that “we” can’t do much of anything……but You can. We can pray. Every day we can pray for peace and feel a desire for peace in our own hearts. We can treat all people as your children whether they have found You yet or not. We can show Christ’s love to our enemies as he directed us to. Loving the unlovable and those who hate us is not easy for anyone. But if we truly desire peace in this world we have to learn to love with Christ’s love. We have to want ALL people to be saved. We have to want ALL people to worship and praise You…….the LORD God Almighty, Creator, Savior, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace, and allow Him to grow within us. Come Lord Jesus! Come Holy Spirit! Come peace! Amen

Mar. 21....A steadfast heart

Psalm 57:7 “My heart is steadfast, O God; my heart is steadfast; I will sing and chant praise.” Philippians 4:8 “Finally, my brothers, your thoughts should be wholly directed to all that is true, all that deserves respect, all that is honest, pure, admirable, decent, virtuous, or worthy of praise.” Heavenly Father,

David repeats the phrase, “My heart is steadfast” twice here. It is almost like he is seeking to reassure himself of his trust in you. Sometimes when we face trouble, even though we believe and we trust you, we need to remind ourselves with a sort of mantra. Like children walking through a dark scary place, we say aloud to ourselves, “God is there, everything is OK”. Hearing it repeated makes it more real. Saying it time and time again firmly plants the idea in our hearts and minds. The more we say it the more real it becomes. The darkness recedes and we see the Light shining at the end of the tunnel. Jesus is the Light of the World. He is always shining, but sometimes we have to walk through dark places seeking the Light. The Light doesn’t move, just as the sun doesn’t move, but we move away from it at times or allow clouds to obscure it. We need to keep repeating, “My heart is steadfast”. As long as our heart is safe with you and we trust in your Light, we can wait until it comes into view again. The clouds are only temporary. Your love and light are eternal. Paul tells us in Philippians to focus on ”whatever is…true, deserves respect, honest, pure, admirable, decent, virtuous, or worthy of praise.” You are all of those things! If I keep my focus on all of those things found in You, I won’t get lost and my heart will remain steadfast. This results in thanks and praise. Almighty God, loving Savior, Holy Spirit, I love and praise you. I thank and glorify you. I pledge my heart steadfast and yours. Amen

Mar. 20....Come..to an out-of-the-way place

Psalm 9:1-2 “I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will declare all your wondrous deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, Most High.” Mark 6:31 “Come by yourselves to an out-of-the-way place and rest a little.” Heavenly Father,

(Originally written on Christmas day) I was upset because the day has been so busy that I haven’t had time to do my devotional until now at 10:15PM! Today is Christmas and we’ve been on the go all day…..church, unwrapping packages, visiting with relatives, driving back and forth across town. I’ve enjoyed the day, especially since my daughter is in town for the weekend, but I’ve missed my quiet routine, also. When I read today’s Psalm verses I couldn’t help but feel that I haven’t done these things. When I was picking up some of the discarded Christmas wrappings there were several figures knocked over in the little plastic nativity. Jesus was shoved to one side and Mary toppled over. What a metaphor for Christmas! The Christ child displaced by wrapping paper and “stuff”. (sigh) I don’t want it to be this way in my life! I want the “single-hearted” devotion that the psalmist displays…..”I will….with all my heart…..give thanks….declare your deeds….be glad and exult….sing praise to your name.” Instead of setting aside some time for quiet and solitude as suggested, I’ve barely had time to think of you or to pray to you or to give thanks today. Jesus tells us in Mark, to “come by yourselves to an out-of-the-way place and rest a little.” That’s what I need. I want to spend some time in the stable with the baby Jesus and sing with the heavenly choirs and feel the peace that we associate with this celebration of your birth. Not the holiday, but the holiness. A new mother relishes the quiet moments spent watching her sleeping child. A quiet celebration. A time to marvel at the love and sweetness of it all. A time to bond with the new baby and begin a relationship. Draw me aside, Baby Jesus, and help me begin anew to get acquainted and take the time to know you. Draw me to that quiet out–of-the-way place where I may give you my heart. Amen.

Mar. 19....justice

WEEK 12: Boundless Munificence

Psalm 7:17 “I will give thanks to the LORD for his justice, and sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.” Romans 6:4-5 “…just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live a new life. If we have been united with him through likeness to his death, so shall we be through a like resurrection.” Heavenly Father, The psalm extols your bountiful greatness and unending provision. We thank you and we sing your praises! This verse says, “I will give thanks to the LORD for his justice.” That isn’t something most of us give thanks for! Justice brings to mind judgment and courts. We don’t want to be judged, but we do want our own brand of “justice”. For most of us justice means fairness (mostly applied to ourselves!) When things are “right” for us (as we see them) than that is justice. Justice means to us that we are treated fairly and get all we think we deserve. What is Your justice? What is “fair” and right in your eyes? When we look at justice as righteousness, then it seems different. Righteousness isn’t about what is fair to us, but what is “right” in relation to your holiness. None of us are righteous! We all need help with our relationship to you and with our relationship with others based on righteousness. However, You took pity on our sinful helpless natures and sent someone to be our righteousness for us. You sent someone to be our justice as well as to judge. Jesus came to take our place on trial and to bear our punishment. We don’t always understand “why”, but we know it is an act of great love. None of us would volunteer to take someone else’s punishment that lead to death. That wouldn’t be “fair”. We are much more comfortable with “an eye for an eye”…..as long as it isn’t ours. We sing praise to “the Name of the LORD Most High!” Jesus, name above all names is our justice and righteousness, and because he came, we too might “live a new life” in him. Thank you LORD Most High! Thank you, LORD, Jesus Christ, our Savior! Amen.

Mar. 18.....Call upon God

Psalm 55: 16-17 “But I will call upon God, and the LORD will save me. In the evening, and at dawn, and at noon, I will grieve and moan and he will hear my voice.” James 1:12 “Happy the man who holds out to the end through trial! Once he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life the Lord has promised to those who love him.” Heavenly Father, To be saved, first we must call upon you. What does that mean? First it means acknowledging your existence. Second it means acknowledging your supremacy. Third we acknowledge your faithfulness. You are there (I AM!) You are in charge (Creator, Almighty God, One True God, Lord of Lords, King of Kings). You are worthy of our faith and trust (Rock, Savior, Deliverer, Good Shepherd, High Priest, Friend). As varied as your many names, are your many attributes. Once we see and recognize them, we totally rely on them. Our faith grows as we experience your love and faithfulness. At Christmas time we focus on the coming of Jesus Christ. Generations of people cried out for mercy and salvation and You sent an answer…..You heard their cries and You saved us. Jesus came that we might find the one thing of importance…..You. Jesus is a 3-D picture that we can see and understand and hear and accept. A picture of perfect love. No more a distant unseen God, a far away scary God we can’t quite understand, but instead a very accessible, very gentle, very loving, very “human” Savior that looked like us, but also looked like You. People were drawn to Jesus by his kindness, love, understanding, power, charisma, goodness, authority. People recognized this Savior and followed him willingly. He moved people’s hearts then and still does. His presence as a baby drew shepherds and kings! His presence as a man drew disciples and sinners. His resurrection drew apostles and strong allegiance. He laid down his life that we might wear that “crown of life” as promised. He freed us! He redeemed us! He saves us still! Hallelujah! Glory to God in the highest!……and peace to all! Amen

Mar. 17.....Peacemakers

Psalm 34:14-15 “Turn from evil, and do good; seek peace, and follow after it. The LORD has eyes for the just, and ears for their cry.” Mathew 5:9 “Blest too the peacemakers; they shall be called sons of God.” Heavenly Father,

These verses have a lot of commands…..turn, do, seek, follow. The two babies we read about at Christmas embody these commands. Elizabeth’s son, John, came first preaching repentance (turn from evil) and telling us it was time to change and to produce fruit that shows our repentance (do good). Then Jesus came and taught us about love and forgiveness and peace. In the Sermon on the Mount he tells us that those who act as peacemakers (seek peace, follow after it) will be called “sons of God”. Obviously peace is very important, if it makes us God’s sons! You are a God of peace and we live in a chaotic world. Somehow your peace must penetrate the evil. Jesus can make that happen if we let him! There was nothing about Jesus that doesn’t lead to love and peace. Anyone who preaches in his name a religion that involves hatred, non-acceptance, war, or exclusiveness, is not getting the message. Everything Jesus did or said involved peace and love. Yes, He also pronounces judgment against sin, but he died for those who commit the sins. Hate the sin. Love the sinner. Peace starts in love. If you love people you will make peace with them. Peace is a heart attitude that says, “I love you and want what is best for you and don’t want to fight over anything with you.” Jesus gives some hard lessons on forgiveness and peace….turn the other cheek, give up your cloak as well as your shirt, forgive 70X7 times, don’t cast the first stone, remove our own log rather than point out your neighbors mote, take care of the widows and orphans and the prisoners. If we are busy living the life of love Jesus showed us, there will be no time for war and hatred….only peace. Teach me to be a peacemaker! Amen.

Mar. 16.....the shield of faith

Psalm 7:10-11 “A shield before me is God, who saves the upright of heart; A just judge is God, a God who punishes day by day.” Mathew 5:8 “Blest are the single-hearted for they shall see God” (“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” NIV) Heavenly Father, This Psalm says that, “a shield before me is God”. Ephesians tells us our shield is a “shield of faith” that will extinguish the arrows of the evil one. Help me hold up my “shield of faith” when I feel weak and defeated. The evil one destroys peace of mind and adds burdens to our spirit to weigh us down. Please, O LORD, my Shield and Defender, drive back the evil one! Extinguish his arrows and bring peace to the battlefield. Many families and churches under great attack. Defend us, O LORD! I feel very in touch with what the author has written today: “To live a good and holy life we must be single-minded in doing the will of God at all times. Many around us would try to dissuade us from the road we have chosen and to abandon the standards we have set as our goal. We must dare to be different.” I think I need this message right now because discouragement is setting in and the road looks hard and the goal isn’t easy to see at times. Please lead me when I feel blind, teach me when I seem deaf, give me wisdom and understanding and patience and courage and perseverance. Keep me going forward toward You in whatever I do. I need your shield! I need your help to be single-minded at all times. Help me be “pure of heart”, “upright of heart”, “single-hearted”……all indications that I belong to You and not to the world. The state of my heart governs the state of my spirit. Protect my heart with the Breastplate of Righteousness. Your holy armor is all I need to keep me safe and secure. Come, Lord Jesus! Save us, O LORD….now! amen.

Mar. 15....He fulfills the desire of those who fear him

Psalm 145:19 “He fulfills the desire of those who fear him, he hears their cry and saves them.” Mathew 5:6 “Blest are they who hunger and thirst for holiness; they shall have their fill.” Heavenly Father,

(originally written in December) The phrase “fills the desires” sure is easy to identify with at this time of year. Every loving parent is busy trying to fill the desires of their children with presents under the Christmas tree. We’ve gone beyond showing our love to trying to buy it. We want our children to have everything, and we want it for ourselves, too. The problem is that it’s just “things” and it teaches us to want and expect more “things”. Our whole world has come to revolve around the making, selling and buying of “things”. It is a vicious circle of madness that we can’t seem to get out of. Here in scriptures when we talk of fulfilling desires it’s of a different nature completely. The desire in question is a desire for You, for a relationship with our God that is right and holy. You promise that those who “hunger and thirst for righteousness” will be filled. You promise to “fill the desires” of those who “fear” You. Filling and satisfying our deepest desires is not about “things” and never should be. When we desire You above all else, we will find true happiness and blessing. I wish that the one present that everyone would unwrap this Christmas would be the Christ child, Jesus. Until we began to desire You and only You, we will continue to travel in circles. The true path, the Way, leads through the Christ Child. Jesus is the Door. Jesus is the answer. Fear, reverence, awe began at the manger because the baby leads us to understand your great and merciful love and forgiveness. Fill my desire for You, O LORD! Fill my heart with Jesus Christ and the hope of salvation he brings. Amen

Mar. 14....For lowly people you save

Psalm 18:27-28 “For lowly people you save but haughty eyes you bring low; You indeed, O LORD, give light to my lamp; O my God, you brighten the darkness about me.” Mathew 5:5 “Blest are the lowly (meek); they shall inherit the land (earth)”

Heavenly Father,

Who are the lowly? The meek? The humble? As a child my favorite parable was the one of the Pharisee and the tax collector who went to the temple to pray. I so very much wanted to be like that tax collector and be humble! But was my reasoning right? Being a natural introvert and tremendously shy person, the idea of being humble was very appealing! It seemed like for once in my life that it was actually desirable to be “shy” and to abase myself. I didn’t have to apologize about my lack of confidence and unworthiness, my desire to go through life unnoticed. But that isn’t what the parable was about. Being humble or lowly or meek isn’t about wanting to be unnoticed and disliking yourself. We need to have these feelings to a certain degree, but only in our relationship with You, LORD. We must have a sense of our lowliness in comparison with your greatness. To know that you are God and that we are sinners. The Pharisee’s sin wasn’t that he fasted or tithed, but that he bragged about them and wanted everyone to know he was better than them….better in God’s eyes and more righteous. In reality we all start equal. None are righteous. None are good! All are sinners. We all must cast our eyes down in your holy presence and admit that we have sinned. The Pharisee thanked God for what he was. The tax collector begged God for mercy because of what he was. The tax collector saw himself as God sees us…..dirty and sinful. That is lowliness and humility. But the Good News is: “For lowly people you save” and “you….give light to my lamp” Once we know who we really are in God’s sight, like the tax collector we will beg for mercy and You will give us “the Light of the World” to save us. Jesus is our Savior! Jesus is our Light! “Come, Lord Jesus!” amen

Mar. 13.....The LORD heard

Psalm 34:6 “When the afflicted man called out, the LORD heard, and from all his distress he saved him.” Mathew 5:4 “Blest too are the sorrowing; they shall be consoled.” (Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.” NIV)

Heavenly Father,

The message of Christmas is in this Psalm….”The LORD heard!” When the poor man, the afflicted cried out for help, You heard “and from all his distress he saved him.” People look to you and cry out for help with their daily distress and wonder why you don’t make all the wrongs of the world right. Fix it! Fix the world, if you created it. Stop suffering. Stop poverty. Stop evil. But that would make man little more than puppets dancing on their strings with every move choreographed and executed. Why exist at all for that? You created man as a being who could make his own decisions. A being with intellect, emotions, a soul and spirit. You created us in “your image.” That means we are created with a free will and the need to make choices and take responsibility. Because you are great and all-wise you knew we would make wrong choices. You knew we would disobey. But the good news is, “the LORD heard!” You heard and you acted. Love came to earth. Your love, perfect love, unselfish love, a Savior, Christ the Lord. Jesus, the Babe Incarnate. To raise us up, you came down. “And from all his distress, He saved him.” We may not always understand the evil and chaos of our world, but we can always know that You hear and You have acted. Salvation has been provided. A spotless Lamb has been sacrificed and died in our place. We are saved! The gift is always there, not just at Christmas. We need only come and ask for your salvation to receive it. You won’t pull the strings. We are responsible for our decision. “Come, Lord Jesus!” amen

Mar. 12.....the little ones

WEEK 11: WHO DOES GOD SAVE? Psalm 116: 6-7 “The LORD keeps the little ones; I was brought low, and he saved me. Return, O my soul, to your tranquility, for the LORD has been good to you.” (NAB)

The LORD protects the simple-hearted. When I was in great need he saved me. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.” NIV

Mathew 18:3 “I assure you, unless you change and become like little children, you will not enter the kingdom of God.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 “I repeat, it is owing to his favor that salvation is yours through faith. This is not your own doing, it is God’s gift; neither is it a reward for anything you have accomplished….”. Heavenly Father,

You “keep the little ones”. You save those who are “brought low” You welcome those who are like children into your kingdom. I always remember a book I read that says to be saved, according to scripture, we must be “little, least, lost, dead”. The New Testament abounds with examples of Jesus speaking for those who are lost like sheep, little like children, least among men, and who die to themselves. We must be “brought low” or humbled to find your salvation. As soon as we admit that we can’t save ourselves, you are able to take our hand and lead us to safety. I like the term “simple-hearted” that is used in the NIV translation. It isn’t easy in this complex world to be simple-hearted. We are taught be the world to be tough, street-smart, always prepared, strong, independent, aggressive, and more. But when we are busy being all of those things we cease to be simple-hearted. It takes a simple heart to turn to seek you. It takes a simple heart to be willing to say, “It doesn’t matter that I can’t do it, because there is someone bigger who loves me and will save me. I need only trust and obey.” Faith is the gift that the simple-hearted have. Grace is the gift that they are given in return. This Psalm passage ends with the words, “Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.” Be at rest……God loves us…..admit your need and find him. Jesus came as a “little” one and has experienced the same conditions as we have. Then he died……to save us. Now our risen Lord sits on high and holds his arms wide to bring us home to the Father’s presence. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Come to same us. Amen

Mar. 11....He has given food...

Psalm 111:5 “He has given food to those who fear him; he will forever be mindful of his covenant.” 1 Corinthians 11:26 “Every time, then, you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes!”

Heavenly Father,You “give food to those who fear” you. To fear you is to reverence and worship you, to hold you in great awe as our Supreme Creator, Holy God Almighty. You are the loving Father who provides what his children need, even in great sacrifice to yourself. You are the “food” we need. Christ made it plain for us. “I am the Bread of Life”. Bread is a simple nourishing food. It is all that many of the poorest nations have to live on at times. Bread is a healthy food easily made in many forms. I think it is interesting that you hear of prisoners being given just “bread and water” as a simple bare necessity meal. Bread and water…….2 things that Christ claimed to be……the “Bread of Life” and “Living Water”. We are all prisoners of this sinful human nature and Christ came to “set the prisoners free.” He feeds us, he frees us. He tells us we must “hunger and thirst” for righteousness to be truly blessed. We must want the Bread of Life and the Living Water! We must crave it! “The fear of the LORD, is the beginning of wisdom.” When we fear you and seek you with all our hearts we find you. When we hunger and thirst for true bread and living water we are set free from our prisons. We are fed. We are filled. Food and fear, freedom and filling. Thank you, LORD, that I need never go hungry. You are always there to feed and fill me. The Psalm continues” “He will forever be mindful of his covenant.” You are faithful to your promises. Forever! Give me the Bread of Life and the Living Water and nourish me and make me grow and produce fruit for your kingdom, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Mar. 10....God's gracious care

Psalm 90:17 “ May the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours; prosper the work of our hands for us!” John 15:4 “No more than a branch can bear fruit of itself apart from the vine, can you bear apart from me.” Heavenly Father,

(originally written in December)

Thank you for your “gracious care.” Because you care for us, we are able to care for others. Show me where and how I can do your work, that you will guide and prosper it. Too often I try to plan and lead where you don’t send me, and fail to go where you want me to go. I close my eyes so I won’t have to see the things I don’t want to do. I make up my mind that I only have so much time and energy to give and don’t allow you to fill me and use me with your endless sources of energy and time. It all boils down to me being a sulky child saying “Do I have to?” I have this idea that my life is mine and I want to claim it for my own purposes. Time to grow up! It’s your time and my life is your life to use as you choose. Help me to welcome your guidance and to follow your will. Fill me with enthusiasm for your work and a willing heart to love and serve. The first Christmas was about your gift of love for mankind. We’ve kept a tiny bit of that thought and still make Christmas about giving even though we turn it into something crazy. I see people open their hearts and their pocketbooks to help others who they normally would ignore. Help me and all other Christians to keep our eyes open all year and not just at Christmas to the needs of others. Show us how to give, what to give, when to give and where to give to do your will and allow you to “prosper the work of our hands” and to bear “much fruit” through our connection to you. “One small child, ”…….came to show us how to love. In his name, I pray, amen.

Mar. 9....garmented with flocks

Psalm 65:13 “The fields are garmented with flocks, and the valleys blanketed with grain. They shout and sing for joy.” Mark 4:26-27 “This is how it is with the reign of God. A man scatters seed on the ground. He goes to bed and gets up day after day. Through it all the seed sprouts and grows without his knowing how it happens.” Heavenly Father,

I like these images! When we were in Wales we saw lots of fields “garmented with flocks.” The sheep dotted the hillsides everywhere we went. And anyone who has ever flown in a plane over the Midwest and prairie states has seen them “blanketed with grain”. I often think it looks like a quilt from the sky. You are a truly wonderful God who clothes and covers the world with your bounty and provision! We have so little to do with the growth and splendor of the world. It’s your dirt, and your seeds, and your rain, and your sunshine that brings growth and a bountiful harvest. Thank you, O LORD! The final verse speaks of spiritual growth. Man plants and tends the crop, but only you can bring in a harvest of souls with the power of your Word and the Holy Spirit. We try to help, but it all comes back to you. That is why I pray daily with all my heart for my children and the children in Sunday School. I want them to be among your harvest! I know you love them and want them, too. Please work your miracle of love and redemption in their hearts! Please fill them with your Holy Spirit and show them your face everywhere they turn. Bring them home to you. Gather them in. Send the Good Shepherd to find the lost lambs. You promise that you will. Let the seeds of faith grown and sprout in them. Let them see the heavenly love that came to earth for all mankind. I pray for all the lost sheep everywhere and long for the day that all will be saved and drawn into your arms. “Come, Lord Jesus, come and visit your people!” (from a song: Come Lord Jesus) amen

Mar. 8....crowned the year with your bounty

Psalm 65: 11-12 “You have crowned the year with your bounty, and your paths overflow with a rich harvest. The untilled meadows overflow with it, and rejoicing clothes the hills.” 1 Corinthians 3:6 “I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. This means that neither he who plants nor he who waters is of any special account, only God, who gives the growth.” Heavenly Father, You have truly “crowned the year with your bounty”. We celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ at the end of the year…..He is the crowning glory of your bounty. All your riches are found in Him. If we reap nothing else at a year’s end, He alone is a crop or bounty worth rejoicing over. When the birth of the baby was announced by the heavenly choir, “rejoicing clothed the hills”. The whole night sky lit up in wonder and song to sing His praises. We often lose this sense of wonder and glory in the bustle of the year-end celebrations. The lights of the stores and decorations hide the pure light of the angels and the star. We have to get out on the hillside alone in the dark like the shepherds to hear the heavenly songs. The angels are still singing, but we have to draw away from the world to hear them. The star is still shining……Jesus is the star of Bethlehem, who shines that the whole world might see and find their way home to the Father. We can dim the light, but we can’t put it out. Jesus Christ is eternal light, the Light of the World, the hope of salvation, the incarnate vision of God’s love. So many songs sing his praises. One verse that rings out with the news of your Light at Christmas is in Silent Night:

“Son of God, Love’s pure Light Radiant beams from thy holy face With the dawn of redeeming grace Jesus, Lord at thy birth.”Amen

Mar. 7.....the house of the LORD

Psalm 23: 6 “Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come.”

(“Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.” KJV) John 10:10 “I came that they might have life and have it to the full” Heavenly Father,

(originally written near Christmas time) I bet David didn’t know he was writing a Psalm that works great at Christmas time (since he didn’t know what Christmas is ) But I feel the rightness of these scriptures today as I wait for the Christ child. Jesus says in his own words why he came: “I came that they might have life, and have it to the full.” Full life is life with You, the Father, forever “in the house of the LORD”. Full life is being forgiven and saved. Full life is the “goodness and mercy” that “follow me all the days of my life.” Many ask, “Why do I need Jesus?” The answer is simple……because he leads us to a full life, an eternal life. Only Jesus can give us the assurance that we are saved and made righteous and born again. Each year as we wait for Jesus to “come” once again, we remember the blessings and peace and hope and love that he brings into our lives. We can’t ever be truly happy and certainly not blessed until we right our relationship with You, O LORD. We are meant to dwell in that home far away…..the “house of the LORD” and we don’t have to wait to find it. Jesus has given us the blessing now and we can allow it to bless and change our life here a well as provide a secure future in eternity. Why wait? We were given this special gift to enjoy now. Jesus wants us to unwrap the package this very minute and not wait any longer for the joy and love of his grace! There will never be any other gift that equals the gift of grace found in Jesus Christ. THANK YOU! Amen

Mar. 6.....the Good Shepherd

Psalm 23:3-4 “He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil, for you are at my side. With your rod and your staff that give me courage.” “John 10:14 “I am the good shepherd, I know my sheep and my sheep know me…..for these sheep I will give my life.” Heavenly Father, I doubt that there is a Christian anywhere who doesn’t know and love this Psalm with its reassuring image of the Good Shepherd leading his sheep to food and water and guiding them through the “dark valley” and protecting them. These may be the most beautiful words that David wrote in the Psalms. Even for those of us who have never been shepherds and don’t know a thing about sheep, the images are clear and comforting. Jesus continues the thoughts in John when he tells us that He is the Good Shepherd. Not only does he know each sheep by name, but they know him also. A mutual bond of love and trust is there between our Savior and us. Jesus promises that he will seek the “other” sheep also to save them. He wants the world to be one flock with one shepherd. He gives us the job of helping to gather the sheep and we often fail Him. We are not the Good Shepherd that He is. We must strive daily to become better shepherds who care enough to seek the lost sheep, learn their names, love them, and lead them into the flock. We can’t replace the Good Shepherd, but we can lead them to Him so that they may know the love and comfort that David writes about, also. We all need Him to set our feet on the “right paths” and sometimes that takes the rod of discipline and the staff of protection. But when we walk in “the dark valley” we will know no fear, for he will be there with us. Thank you for knowing my name, LORD, and I lift to you the names of my children who need to be found and held safely by you…..please lead them home. Amen.

Mar. 5.....Beside the still waters

WEEK TEN: I WILL PASTURE MY SHEEP Psalm 23: 1-2 “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul.” (“He leads me beside the still waters” NIV) John 4:14 “But whoever drinks the water I give him will never be thirsty; no, the water I give shall become a fountain within him, leaping up to provide eternal life.”

Heavenly Father, Your Shepherd, Jesus Christ, “leads me beside the still waters” and “restores my soul”. This devotional says that sheep are afraid of rapid waters. I didn’t know that! So the shepherd seeks out the “still”, restful, quiet waters for his sheep. It says this is a metaphor for his presence inside us, “the quiet joy and interior peace of his abiding presence.” I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about what it means to “abide” lately. To abide is to stop, rest, habitate, take up residence, make a permanent home. It isn’t a short visit or temporary housing. Abiding is a long settled position in one spot. If Christ abides in me, he lives there permanently. Wow! Back to the shepherd: The shepherd is the one who leads us to the place of abiding, the still safe waters and the green nurturing pastures. For what purpose? To “restore my soul”. We can only find that abiding state of peace when we allow Christ to lead us to his home, his presence. “Restful waters”……it sounds great. It makes me think of coasting along in a canoe with my fingers trailing in the water and the birds singing and the flowers blooming and everything is peaceful and right. Quiet, solitude, safety. Just my God and I. It makes me think of the old song:

“My God and I walk through the fields together. We talk and laugh as good friends should and do…”

Hand in hand with the Good Shepherd beside the “still waters”. Thank you for your abiding presence and the still peaceful waters of abiding that you lead me to. Restore my soul, now and always as I abide in your presence. Amen

Mar. 4.....honey from the rock

Psalm 81: 16 “While Israel I would feed with the best of wheat, and with honey from the rock.” Ephesians 1:7 “It is in Christ and through his blood that we have been redeemed and our sins forgiven, so immeasurably generous is God’s favor to us.” (NAB)

“…the forgiveness of our sins in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” (NIV) Heavenly Father,

Of the 2 verses today I find it easier to focus on the Ephesians verse. The psalms verse talks of “honey from the rock” which for me has no meaning. My devotional says it is a phrase meaning “extreme abundance”. This is what you provide for your chosen people. You always cared for your people even when they turned from you over and over. Your love is abundant. Your love is consistent. Your love is immeasurably generous. With Christ’s coming “your people” expanded to include all who would believe on his name and accept his sacrifice of blood for the redemption of mankind and the forgiveness of our sins. Your abundant love encompasses all. Your grace is there waiting to be taken by all who desire it. Our choice. Until we can acknowledge your existence and your supremacy over our lives, until we can recognize our own sin and failure, we remain poor in the face of great abundance of riches. We have the rock, but no honey. It is typical of man to fail to see what is right in front of him in plain view and instead to gripe and complain and demand. We haven’t changed much in 2000 years from the original “chosen people”! You provide and we complain. But both then and now the promise and the hope were always there. The riches you want to give, the grace that you wish to impart are waiting. I hope this year that more and more people recognize “the pearl of great price” and sell all to have it. All it costs is our will in exchange for your will. Our sin and despair in exchange for freedom and forgiveness and your loving grace. Why would anyone refuse such a gift exchange???? Thank you, LORD! May Jesus come down and fill all our hearts. Amen.

Mar. 3.....Bountiful rain

Psalm 68: 9-10 “A bountiful rain you showered down, O God, upon your inheritance; you restored the land when it languished; Your flock settled in it; in your goodness, O God, you provided it for the needy.” Mathew 6:30 “If God can clothe in such splendor the grass of the field, which blooms today and is thrown on the fire tomorrow, will he not provide much more for you, O weak in faith!” Heavenly Father,

I’m having trouble finding a focus on today’s passage. I guess the phrase “bountiful rain” catches my eye the most. Often times we don’t thank you for the rain because for some there is too much at one time. Others who live in dry climates probably show much greater appreciation for the unexpected delight that rain brings. During the wet seasons I forget my need for rain and want it to go away or to stop leaking in my roof. But during the dry summers when I see the ground crack open for lack of rain, I have prayed for your “bountiful rain” to come and nourish what is dying and parched. We don’t always understand the cycles or the reasons, but the underlying principle is still the same…..God provides. The bounty is there always, and we do appreciate it. We can't make it rain more or less when we have the whim, but You, O LORD, control the weather and send the rain in the measure you deem necessary. If man had to order his own weather there would be chaos! We would argue about when and how much and where it should fall. We would seldom requests the things the earth truly needed at the right times or in the quantity necessary. We would allow our own likes and preferences and plans to affect the end results. Some would want a world of Florida’s and others a world of Seattle’s. No one would want the extremes that are sometimes necessary. But You, O LORD, are God and wise enough to know what your creation and your creatures need! We must trust you to send the “bountiful rain” in its season and to provide for the needy at all times. We need faith more than understanding, trust more than control, hope in all things to come, and always, always to give thanks! Thank you! Amen.

Mar. 2.....God has blessed us

Psalm 67:6-7 “The earth has yielded its fruits: God, our God, has blessed us. May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear him!” John 6:11 “Jesus then took the loaves of bread, gave thanks, and passed them around to those reclining there.” Heavenly Father,

I know that I don’t really thank you as often as I should. I just did 2 Thanksgiving exercises recently……one with the kids at church and one with Betty…..where we listed alphabetically things and people we are thankful for. It’s a fun thing to do and helps bring to mind my many blessings, but it isn’t enough. My blessings are there in front of me every day, and I should readily think of them without having to make lists and turn it into a project. Thanksgiving should be an attitude that I have at all times. I should thank you every minute of the day in everything that I’m doing. I would probably complain less and find more joy if I learned to say thanks in all things at all times. It is so easy to fall into a habit of petty gripes over every little inconvenience. When our blessings are great, we focus on the little flaws! How often you must heave great signs of exasperation as you wonder when we will “grow up” and grow outward in our outlook. As always we need to remember, “it’s not about us”. We need to move our focus into the world and into the troubles of others, and then we will have no problem seeing our own blessings more clearly. This is a time of great tribulations in the world and perhaps that will help us with this outward focus. We praise you for the harvest of blessings we have and seek to harvest more blessings for others. Turn my thanks into action. Turn my heart and hands outward. May I help to reap your harvest of souls in the world in some small way. My group talked this week about planting seeds and preparing soil. Help me to fulfill my mission to bear more and better fruit for you! May I bless others through the blessings you have given me. Thank you! Amen.

Mar. 1....in your light we see light

Psalm 36:9-10 “For with you is the fountain of life, and in your light we see light. Keep up your kindness toward your friends, your just defense of the upright of heart.” “I am the light of the world. No follower of mine shall ever walk in darkness; no, he shall possess the light of life.” Heavenly Father,

Light is a powerful image and a perfect metaphor for your Son, Jesus Christ. Light illuminates, it brightens, it warms, it shines. Jesus said, “I am the Light of the World” and for those who believe, it is easy to hang onto the image. We all know what light is and its power over darkness. Very few of us like being in total darkness. It’s scary! We become disoriented, we become afraid, we literally come to a stand still for fear of making a false move. Even a small sliver of light changes all that. Light is hope for finding a way out of the darkness. Jesus is indeed our hope for leaving the darkness of sin and death. With Jesus there is always light. The psalm today says that “in your light we see light”. Light begins with You, O LORD. You are the creator of light, the very source of light. Jesus came that we might see the light that always radiates from your throne on high. Our eyes could never bear to see the light of your holy presence, but Jesus brought us that “sliver of light” that we need to have hope and to begin to find our way out of the darkness. And now we know that You also expect us to become light for others. Your light begat Christ’s light who now passes the light on to us to share. Your Holy Spirit within us will allow us to shine your light of love into the darkness of this world, into the forgotten corners, the deep black holes and caves, the closed up hearts and prisons. We don’t always know how, but I pray that your light will multiply and grow until your light shines everywhere as it should. What we can’t do, you can. In your light, all can see the light and possess the “Light of life.” amen.