Day #2295

April 13, 2020 

This certainly seemed appropriate as a way to help me smile this week (even if it is about food - yuk!). Anyway, hope it makes you smile, too!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2294

April 12, 2020 

The good news?! It is this Good News - Christ is risen. He is risen indeed! Alleluia!!!

Happy Easter! Thanks be to God!!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2293

April 11, 2020 - The Daily Intersection - Day #2293

A trip to the Walk-in Clinic didn’t give me a lot of answers, but at least I know I should eventually be ok. Still sick today, however, so I am feeling the love for the staff and folks who were able to gather to tape a worship service for Easter. In nearly 12 years, I have not missed a Sunday (that I remember) due to being sick (even following gallbladder surgery I had on a Thursday). But today, I just could not make it. And it’s EASTER! Well, the body can only do what it can do. 

As I knew they would, the folks did a great job!! Jesus will be celebrated. The Good News will be proclaimed (even if most of the message came from Rev. David Lose and his weekly devotion). And I am recuperating. All is well, as they say, all is well.

But have I mentioned this will be a Holy Week to remember?!?!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2292

April 10, 2020 

Today I am grateful for these words from Catherine Malotky in the WELCA Blog - Daily Grace: 

Our celebration does not come without grief, however. There is no Easter without Good Friday. Those who loved Jesus and who saw him put to death on the cross grieved him deeply; they prepared his body for burial having no idea what was to come Easter morning. Even though we have the benefit of knowing the rest of the story—that death is not the end—this knowledge does not make the pain of our own personal Good Fridays any easier.

And the pains of Good Fridays come in many and varied ways. Grief. Fear. Anger. Exhaustion. Irreparable relationship breaks. Illness. 

And boy can I relate to the last one, as I spent most all day in bed, sick! Could this be the way my body has finally said - enough for a while!? Yikes!!! Not the virus, but not good, either. Prayers you all are well!!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2291

April 9, 2020 

So if I thought Palm Sunday was one to remember, how about filming a video devotion on/for Maundy Thursday, quickly followed by videoing Good Friday with our Presbyterian neighbors across the alley. No wonder tempers are short and an argument with the hubby ensued. Where is that peace I need?! Where is my tolerance?!? Where is my understanding and persevering spirit?!?! Lord, have mercy. What you must have endured that week!!!! I am humbled…and grateful!!!!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2290

April 8, 2020 

The daily devotion, d365, included these words from Paul Baxley today: 

Even when we betray him, Jesus is still waiting to welcome us home and invite us to serve him again. Betrayal doesn’t have the last word. Thank God, grace does. 

What a beautiful reminder on this Wednesday of Holy Week!

And just because we should have something to smile about in the middle of the week, here’s a photo of Simon and his brother while we were taking a few minutes to video chat/play. 

Isn’t this hysterical?! I certainly am thankful for this new way for us to stay in touch - Messenger for Kids. And thankful for their smiling faces!! Love you both!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2289

April 7, 2020 

Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture comes from Matthew 21:1: After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. (NRSV)

The women went to “see the tomb.” Isn’t that an odd thing to do!?! After all, they don’t take spices in the Gospel of Matthew. They don’t go to properly prepare Jesus’ body. Instead, we hear they go to “see the tomb.” When I was a young girl, I remember going later in the day with the family to see the grave of my grandfather. It was covered in flowers, and I was chilly because it was late November. And at my young age, I thought it was the oddest thing to do - go and “see the grave.” Why would we want to do that? As my family gathered together, they cried. They told stories. They even chuckled a time or two. But they were together at the last place where my grandfather would have been on this earth. 

Perhaps that is why the women went to “see the tomb.” To be where Jesus would have last been on earth? To be together in their grief? Can you imagine their shock and surprise when not only is the tomb empty, but the risen Jesus greets them?!?! 

This is the good news that will carry me through the rest of this Holy Week, even when we hear the awful events of Jesus’ final days. That there is more to come. That there is amazement to come. That there is great Good News to come. Yes, we can go to the tomb to see it, but Jesus won’t be there. Nope…he’s loose in the world. In and through us!! Thanks be to God!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2288

April 6, 2020 

When we came west, one of the unique things we discovered about where we now live is there is only one area code for the entire state. ONE! And so for many years, the state has celebrated 4/06 as MT Day. I love it!!

So to all of you, smile, and have a 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2287

April 5, 2020 

Well, this was certainly a Palm Sunday to remember. I cannot even begin to imagine how the rest of Holy Week will go. 

But for today, even though the building is empty, the church makes a statement along with the believers in Jerusalem: "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!"

Also for this week, from 8:00-8:30 pm each evening, the congregation has been invited to turn on their front porch/house lights as a way to show the world the Light of the World shines through the church, wherever we are!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2286

April 4, 2020 

The word for the day - rest. Finally. Thanks be to God! And a wish for all who are struggling to have a respite from the challenges of this "new" world.

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2285

April 3, 2020 

In the midst of this “new normal,” I give thanks to all who helped make possible another worship video. Simply that - thank you!!!

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2284

April 2, 2020

What a day - there is so much going on in people’s lives. Fear. Frustration. Confusion. There are decisions to make. Communication to be sent. The world seems to be on overload! And so am I. Which makes me wonder how I let myself miss the thing that has been centering me - the 3 + 3 at 3:00? It certainly made the rest of the day seem off. And not something I want to let happen very often!!

I found comfort, therefore, in these words shared by Rev. David Lose and written by Brené Brown: “courage is not the absence of fear or vulnerability, but rather is the ability to persevere in the midst of fear and vulnerability.”

Perseverance. A good word. Something good to remember. 

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2283

April 1, 2020 

The word for the day - thankful! For all this technology, even though it can sometimes drive us a bit crazy. Today I had a brief video chat with our godson. What fun to see him online and even “play a game” with him. I also had a chance to connect with a couple of the High School Youth through an online meeting. How good it was to do something almost “normal” on Wednesday, and to laugh and catch up! 

Yes, I am thankful - for phone calls, text messages, email - all of what helps us stay connected.

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2282

 March 31, 2020 

Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture comes from Matthew 21, verses 1-3: When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” (NRSV)

This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday. It will certainly be unlike any I have experienced, with virtual worship and all, but the event remains just as important. Sunday we will hear about Jesus coming into Jerusalem for his final time. He knows what he will face there, yet he still has things to do and preparations to make for the week. Part of his need includes finalizing how he will enter the city. Have you ever wondered why Jesus sent his disciples for a donkey? Why would the King of the Jews not come on a majestic white steed? Also, how does he know the owner will "send them immediately" when the disciples explain the Lord needs them? 

I believe Jesus came into Jerusalem humbly as one of the final indications that his kingdom was very different than the Jews expected. A white steed would indicate a very different type of king. Also, doesn’t Jesus know the heart and mind of us all, meaning he had no doubt what the donkey owner’s reaction would be. 

Yet, those words, “The Lord needs them,” can apply to so many things. The Lord needs our open hearts and minds. The Lord needs our willingness to serve. The Lord needs the church, the people, to be his hands and feet in the world now. The Lord needs our courage. The Lord needs our hope and trust. The Lord needs them....no, the Lord needs us. What an honor and privilege that is! May we respond by sending/giving what he needs, immediately.

Blessings. And prayers.

Day #2281

March 30, 2020 

This made me smile today and I thought it just might do the same for you:

Blessings. And prayers.