Devotion

Reading

It was missing a piece. /And it was not happy.
So it set off in search of a missing piece.
And as it rolled, it sang this song:

Oh, I’m lookin’ for my missin’ piece/Lookin’ for my missin’ piece.
Hi—dee—ho,/ here I go,
I’m lookin’ for my missin’ piece.

A Word of Hope

Oh, so very long ago, when I combed bookstores for gifts for my young niece and nephew, I came upon Shel Silverstein’s The Missing Piece, whose opening is cited above. With its minimalist drawings and catchy rhyming song, it depicts a search for someone/something to complete the central figure, referred to as It. (Access a delightful animated version of the book here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKGXEE-sZVs)

As It sets off on its journey, It stops along the way to smell a flower, delight in a butterfly and other small pleasures, but the quest-drive propels It forward. Over oceans and mountains, swamps and jungles It goes, searching. Every time It thinks It discovers someone who could fill its emptiness, It is disappointed. Someone doesn’t want It back;  another doesn’t fit—they are too big for the space or too small for the space. Sometimes its hold is too loose, sometimes too tight, crushing the missing piece. When at last It finds the “perfect match” and takes MP rolling, rolling, rolling through life, It begins to move so fast that it doesn’t take the time to enjoy the flowers or be still enough for a butterfly landing. And It loses its song.

In the moment of realization, It gently places the missing piece on the ground and takes up his song of the road again: Oh I’m looking for my missing piece….

This richly suggestive “children’s book,” an archetypal journey of yearning and aspiration, mirrors a persistent human desire for completion. But, as Thomas Merton once said: “Your life is shaped by the end you live for. You are made by what you desire.”

St. Augustine understands this truth. After a youth of pleasure seeking, he cries out to God: “[I]n my unlovely state I plunged into those lovely created things which you made. You were with me, and I was not with you.…You called and cried out loud and shattered my deafness. You were radiant and resplendent, you put to flight my blindness. You were fragrant, and I drew in my breath and now pant after you. I tasted you, and I feel but hunger and thirst for you. You touched me, and I am set on fire to attain the peace which is yours.”

It is Divine Love which fills our ache for completion, fills the God- shaped hole inside.

Prayer

Beloved Missing Piece, may we relinquish fruitless searching and find our rest in you. Amen.

Devotion Author

Dr. Pat Saxon

Scripture

Psalm 103.1

Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise God’s holy name.

A Word of Hope

How would you define your soul; maybe, the part of us that lives forever, our personality, our life force? I like the poetic definition in Psalm 103: My inmost being. Besides that, the Bible says very little about the soul other than using the term to describe loving God with our authentic selves.

Certainly, that fact does not prevent a lot of people from proclaiming biblical evidence for their own assumptions about the soul. “Only humans have souls. There are no animals in Heaven.” The Bible doesn’t say that. “She sold her soul to the devil!” The Bible doesn’t say that either. The soul is not a marketable diabolical commodity. Even the wonderful Harry Potter books use the soul as a major plot element. The central villain discovers a spell that splits the soul into seven pieces, which he hides away in various containers called Horcruxes. As long as a piece of his soul is kept safe, Lord Voldemort cannot be killed. Needless to say, finding biblical reference to soul-splitting would not be a valuable use of our time either.

I do like the term “Horcrux” however. I have many possessions that I call my Holy Horcruxes. Each one was a gift from a friend. When we joyfully give to each other, we are sharing a part of ourselves, of our inmost being. The Holy Horcruxes are also prayer-inspiring objects. Whenever I look at a potted plant, a book, a tea cup, anything that was given to me, I remember the givers and I send a quick prayer their way; a prayer for the peace and comfort of their souls. One member of the church staff loves to find special soaps and hand lotions every year as little Christmas gifts. I pray for her every time I wash my hands. Another friend has given me dozens of obscure super-hero action figures throughout the years. I think of him in prayer every time I look at Captain Midnight or the Black Canary.

How many Holy Horcruxes do you have in your home, pieces of the souls of people who have shared their love with you? Take a moment and look again at their gifts and remember: your prayers can enrich the part of them that lives forever.

Prayer

Thank you for the Holy Horcruxes in our lives. May they remind us that you, too, love each of us with your inmost being. Amen

Devotion Author

Dan Peeler
Minister for Children and Families
Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

Scripture

Hebrews 10. 1-4

“The Law is not our salvation.”

A Word of Hope

Humans, from the first day one of us stood upright, have believed that we had to earn our salvation. This was true before humanity knew what it meant to be saved or discovered by whom. Sacrifices to the gods have been commonplace in most civilizations by most races. Most of the animal and human sacrifices have stopped today except for some remote tribes.

However, “civilized” men and women still feel a need to sacrifice something to earn God’s favor and ultimately “salvation.” We believe that WE must say certain ritual prayers, conduct ritual ceremonies, fast on a regular basis and do an “assortment” of things to make our relationship with God “right.” The sacrifices only serve to remind US and not GOD of our need for reconciliation. For the faithful, we know that our reconciliation is unearned and only accomplished through the life, death and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

We need to recall that Jesus and our salvation is a pure gift with which we are invited to cooperate but do not cause. Deep breath, Deep breath! I realize it is unbelievable – at least, hard to believe. But we are loved and saved as we are – not as we have been or as we may be one day. We are known by not only name, but nickname and have been for all eternity.

Prayer

O Holy One! Each day we are reminded of your faithfulness and your love. Each day, too, we have moments of doubt. Your love is always simply too wonderful for us to wrap our minds around successfully. Forgive us those times that we do not appreciate the life you have given to us. Help us to share your love with others and in doing so, remind ourselves of the special relationship we have with you.

We pray these words through your many names, O Holy One!

Amen

Devotion Author

Bob Shea
Cathedral of Hope
United Church of Christ

Scripture

Psalms 150:3-6

Praise God with trumpet sound; praise God with lute and harp! Praise God with tambourine and dance; praise God with strings and pipe! Praise God with clanging cymbals; praise God with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (Inclusive Language)

A Word of Hope

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr Day 2020. One aspect of the Civil Rights Era that had significant meaning during civil rights movement was music. There were multiple songs which encouraged people to take an active role in the movement to gain equal rights for all. Lyrics and instruments (music) is a common denominator among all people. It touches our senses which can empower people to take action.

The scripture above says that people during “ancient times” also understood the impact of music and how God enjoyed being praised through instruments, singing, and dancing. This form of worship brought joy to the Creator of the Universe then as it does now. The word “praise” is repeated eight times in these verses which highlights worship, instruments, and lyrics.

The Impressions (People Get Ready), The Staple Singers (I’ll Take You There), Sweet Honey in the Rock (Eyes on the Prize), Bob Dylan (The Times They are a Changing), Mavis Staples (We Shall Not Be Moved), Sam Cooke (A Change is Gonna Come) and The Roots (Ain’t Nobody Gonna Turn Me Around) sang songs that had universal appeal during that era. The music was not only shared at sit-ins and marches but also at concerts, night clubs, and parks so people could know of the movement as it related to peace, freedom, justice, ecology, and human rights. It crossed cultural boundaries. It even crossed into other genres of music including gospel, rock and roll, jazz, blues, and soul.

Music has a mysterious way of drawing people together. Each one of us knows music is powerful. The rhythms, the metaphors, and the rhymes speak volumes to the listener. Today as we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, let us remember the Civil Rights movement by praising God for life, music, and liberty.

Prayer

Dear Alpha and Omega: We are grateful that you give us the creative spirit, the words, and instruments to help us recognize that you created us all to meld together like an awesome band. Singing, playing instruments, and collaborating together can be an excellent example of how working together for equality, justice, peace, and human rights can make a significant difference in the lives of many people just like Jesus did when He was on this earth. May it be so. Amen!

Devotion Author

Reverend Winner Laws
Cathedral of Hope Staff

Scripture

Acts 10:38

God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; and he went about doing good.

A Word of Hope

I recently heard a local DJ talk about how much she loved the opportunity she had to do something good for someone else. She’d helped a woman jumpstart her car on the way to work. On the surface, this was no epic hero’s tale – which may be part of the point. But the joy this DJ radiated while recounting the event touched my spirit. She said her daily prayer will be for God to help her see these opportunities and take them.

I began reflecting on times when I reached out in similar acts kindness and was blessed enough to see the results.

Two months ago, a friend of mine set off for a trip to Asia she’d been planning for a year.  From the moment she left Dallas, she kept her friends updated on every leg of the journey. The setbacks she experienced from the very beginning were almost excruciating to read. After a long flight delay leaving DFW, she missed her connecting flight in LA, was put up in a hotel until the airline could put her on another plane to Asia. 
For three impossibly long days of false starts.

I knew I would either be back in Dallas or crying in the fetal position at the airport by that point if it were me. I told my friend how much her grace and patience inspired me and prayed her trip would be that much greater from the multiplied good karma. Once she (finally) arrived in Asia, I cherished her every update. It turned out to be a life-changing, unforgettable trip.

Upon her arrival back in Dallas, she sent me a message thanking me for my supportive comment early in her trip. What she didn’t disclose in her social media updates was the crippling frustration she was feeling at the time. She received my message as she sat in her hotel room in LA crying after deciding to give up and return to Dallas. She said my comment gave her some strength to continue on her journey and thanked me again.

Tears welled up in my eyes from both the surprising effect of one comment I made and the realization of the many opportunities I’ve squandered to act in seemingly small ways that can make an enormous difference.

I believe the times we act out of empathy and altruism are the moments when we are at our most authentic. I know they’re the times when I sense the presence of God most viscerally. I could use more of those in my life.

Prayer

Most Loving God,
Make us a people who, like Jesus, go about doing good. Not as an obligation but as the pure extension of Your Love within us.
May we daily call to mind this simple, powerful prayer:
Where would you have me go?
What would you have me do?
What would you have me say?
And to whom?

Devotion Author

Matthew Crawley

Scripture

Romans 8:1 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.

A Word of Hope

This scripture in Romans is both powerful and life changing. This is an invitation to live a guilt free life. It is also a challenge to us to abstain from guilt-tripping other people!  

It helps to understand how guilt works. Many of the things we do in life affect others. When we do the “right thing”, we feel self-respect. If our action does not meet our own standard for “rightness”, the difference between our action and our standard is the space where guilt lives.

My Sunday school teachers taught us to avoid guilt by always doing the right thing. To be fair, they also taught us to ask God for forgiveness when we failed to behave perfectly, as we surely would.

I believe there is more to what this scripture is teaching. I believe that those who are wrapped up in following Jesus do not need to worry over much about failure. When a spirit of love guides us, we will be doing the “right thing” most of the time. When we notice that we have somehow missed the mark, or missed an opportunity to show love to another, we simply correct it.  If we have caused harm, we clean it up. Do whatever it takes to make it right. If we have thought an uncharitable thought, we notice and change our thoughts.  Like sailors who notice they are off course, we change the set of our sails so that we return to following the steps of Jesus. We do not need to beat ourselves up. We simply change course. It takes only a second, and the guilt disappears.

As for guilt-tripping others? The way I read this scripture, it says “… There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.  None. Not for ourselves, and not for others. The only good function of guilt is to help us notice when we are off the mark.

Prayer

  Holy Spirit, fill me with Godly love so that it flows through me to every person in my world, to those I meet and those I only hear about, to those I already love and even those with whom I disagree or have actively disliked. Let me be so full of love that I have no time for guilt and condemnation. Let me be all about my Savior’s work today and every day. Amen.

Devotion Author

Carole Anne Sarah

Scripture

Psalm 90:17   

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us, yes, establish the work of our hands.

A Word of Hope

I recently injured my hand in a fall. Nothing serious, but enough pain to remember how dependent I am upon both of my hands for interaction, grasping, or even holding someone’s hand. On some level we all use our hands to communicate. The blind use their hands to see, the deaf use hands to hear and keyboards are flooded with hands transmitting millions of words every day.

When we were magnificently created, God made it possible for us to hold things with our hands such as food, each other, and to touch those in need. God gave us hands so we could serve and receive. While we use our hands to do “things” they were also created that we may carry out God’s “will”.

Of course, hands can be used for negative communication, as well. Rude hand gestures, or to strike someone when angry. When we hesitate to let go of ideas or objects in our lives, those tightly held possessions in our hands can keep us from experiencing the fullness of God’s plan for our lives.

The tiny hands that reached out to Mary as a baby became the same carpenters’ hands that healed the sick, held little children, fed the crowd, and were nailed to a cross. Just as Jesus showed his love to Peter on the Sea of Galilee when he reached out his hand to catch him before he fell, Jesus also showed his love and servant hood as he lovingly washed the disciple’s feet.

Throughout our church, as in the Bible, we see instances where hands bless others, are raised in prayer and praise, offer blessings and tithes as well comfort those in need. God created each of our hands with a unique identity, placing a stamp of approval by ensuring no two sets of fingerprints are ever the same.

Prayer

Creator God let us remember that like Jesus, our hands are designed to be your hands, doing your work, on this earth. Amen

Devotion Author

Donna Jackson

Scripture

1 John 4.7-8 The Message

My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn’t know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can’t know God if you don’t love. 

A Word of Hope

Today is Organize Your Home Day.  Organization is big business.  In a society that tells us we need more, more, more, book after book on “systems” for a well-organized home, stores dedicated solely to things to help us make our homes tidy, and several reality TV shows whose plots focus on society’s inability to organize all of our stuff abound.  When I walk through the “home organization” aisles of a store, I often become overwhelmed.  There is a box, a basket, a shelf, a hook, a specialized container for everything.  In theory, this sounds great…a place for everything and everything in its place.  But, on the occasions when I have succumbed to one of these “helpful” items, I get home and realize that it doesn’t fit in the space I thought it would or it doesn’t hold my stuff quite the way I had hoped.  It just doesn’t work the way I had envisioned.

Trying to find the perfect container for God has much the same outcome.  Many search for that container only in the form of organized religion, in a church.  Organized religion is characterized by doctrine, hierarchical structure, and shared prescribed rules and rituals, things that theoretically should help us keep our spiritual lives neat and tidy.  These, however, are human constructs and are not always of God or for God.  When doctrine and authority and rituals are used to hurt people, the religion is no longer of God. Christ was not sent to create strife in the world, or to draw lines between “us” and “them,” or to build an empire unto himself.  Christ came only to conquer the world with love, a love offered everyone.  Negative experiences in the church are much like the disappointing organizational tools in which I had such hope.  God and the love of God cannot be contained in doctrine and dogma created by humans.

Why is it so hard for us to figure this out?  People continually try to find that perfect container for God – the basket that fits on THAT shelf, the hook that will hold just enough weight, the jar with the spill-proof lid but is transparent so we can see inside, the perfect church.  None of these will work. 

The only container that will hold God perfectly is our heart.  It is big enough.  It is the right shape.  It will always fit where we intend to place it.  It is the one container that we can keep filling and never have to clean out because there is always room for more love.   A church becomes the place where we house our containers.  It needs to be a safe place for our hearts.

Prayer

May I always make a place for love in my heart, an immeasurable amount of love for my God and a God-like love for all peoples.  Amen

Devotion Author

Kris Baker
Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

Reading

“No human being is broken. We become disconnected from Source very easily.” – George Gray Eagle Bertelstein

A Word of Hope

When I read this quote, I was amazed by its power! We do so often become disconnected from our Source. God is always there, but we often get so busy that we forget, or pull away. And we often cry “where is God when I am suffering?”

Our attention span is short and shiny objects distract us from our journey and purpose! Our work gets in the way. Our growing families keep us busy. We often say, “If I just had more time, I would. . . “

If we learn to carve out time for the important relationship with God at the top of our priorities and at the beginning of our day, we find that we are less likely to become disconnected from our Source. It took a teenage daughter to convince me that God didn’t mind the fact that I wasn’t a morning person! (She was surely not Miss Sunshine first thing in the morning!) I had convinced myself that it was best for me to have my time with God at night.

I changed my routine and started my day with God. It was during the most challenging time of my life. But I began to discover that if I was securely connected to God first thing each day those difficult roadblocks and mountains I had to climb seemed a little more manageable. And it prepared me for the next time life was full of land mines.

I hope you have a plan to keep yourself connected! God doesn’t disconnect from us. But we must make our effort to be sure we stay connected.

Prayer

Precious God who is our Source of life and love, thank you for always being there for us! Thank you for helping us be our best self if we remember to remain connected to you.

Devotion Author

Jan Nunn
CoH Volunteer

Scripture

God’s thunder tympanic,
God’s thunder symphonic
Psalms 29:4 (The Message)

A Word of Hope

Sometimes God is too loud.  For an introvert like me, God can be deafening.

If David were writing our assigned reading, Psalm 29, in today’s vernacular on the internet it would be entirely in CAPITAL LETTERS.  SHOUTING.  David means it as a form of praise to God.  A description and demonstration of God’s power and majesty.  But to me it is a cacophony that hurts my ears.

Life can be so noisy I want to shut it all out.  I long for quiet.  Being an introvert doesn’t mean I don’t like being around people.  My job requires me to direct meetings of as many as 100 people.  I love it.  But on the weekends I need quiet.  Those in relationship with me know to give me the “alone time.”  I gained an understanding that this need for quiet can be a strength when I read the book “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking” by Susan Cain.

At the beginning of this new year I am afraid the decibel levels are only going to rise as the political campaigns kick in to high gear.  We have been shouting at each other for nearly 4 years and no one is listening.

On top of that we all have personal events and challenges that add to the tympany drumming our brains.  We are uneasy worrying about what this year may bring to our lives, the demands made of us.  We long for quiet assurance.

David knew this.  After using 150 words in 10 couplets proclaiming God’s might and power in as loud a shout as he could muster David lowers his voice to a mere whisper requiring me to be very still to hear as he calmly, tenderly ends his praise with:  “God gives his people peace.”

Prayer

God of my being, I long for your quiet peace.

Devotion Author

Dennis Bolin