Wednesday - January 31, 2024

The Reverend Dr. Neil G. Thomas

SCRIPTURE


Mark 5. 1-20


Jesus Restores a Demon-Possessed Man


They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.


When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”


Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”


“My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.


A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.


Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.


As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.


WORDS OF HOPE


At first glance, this scripture seems a little weird. Jesus arrives on the other side of the sea and is confronted by a man who has made his home among the tombs, among the dead. This is his environment and his expectation based of his circumstances and Jesus meets him. Mark says that the man fell to his knees at the sight of Jesus and is confronted by his own question, “What do you want from me?” In the ensuing conversation Jesus offers him freedom from the impure spirits that had tormented him and sends them into surrounding pigs who run off, rushing down a steep bank and into a lake where they are drowned.


Those who witnessed these events, those who saw the impact of Jesus’ encounter with the man were both confused and perhaps frightened, asking Jesus to leave their region. The man is left to witness to his own people just what Jesus had done for him and, with his testimony, the people were amazed.


Of course, as with all Scripture you must be able to contextualize them within the times that they are written. Pigs are not kosher and the book of Deuteronomy states that the Israelites shall not eat their flesh or touch their dead carcass. In their tradition they are unclean, and it is understandable why pigs are used in this miracle.


The bigger story, for me, in this miracle is in the question that the man asks of Jesus, ““What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?” While this is a question from within him, from the “legion”, this is a question that is vital for us all.


We are so often taught a theology of asking God for things. This is not a bad thing. In my daily prayers I often find myself asking God for things, for answers, for other people to be blessed. However, it is less regular that I sit in my own life and ask God to tell me what God wants from me. Is this your story as well?


The more I thought about this today, the more I realized that perhaps, if I spent more time asking God this question, perhaps I would have more clarity for my life and my vocational work.


Believe me, I am grateful to a God who has often rescued me from numerous situations that could lead me on a destructive path or a path that is not beneficial. I am grateful to God who has offered me ways to follow the call that I believe that God has placed in front of me. I am grateful to God who reminds me every day that my everyday actions can make a difference. Today, I am convicted by the question what more can I do for God and what does God want from me.


The conclusion of this story is a testimony to what happens when you are listening to God’s response to our question. For the man in the story, he found wholeness and healing. He found a new life that bore testimony to others, leading them to belief in Jesus.


Friends, our story is a testimony for others and Jesus calls us to live our story – a story that is still evolving and not yet finished. However, this story has an impact and will help others to see your changed life. This is the miracle.


In the words of one of my favorite hymns, Amazing Grace, “I once was lost but now I’m found.”


May we take a moment, amid our asking God for blessings, to also ask God, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?”


PRAYER


God, thank you for your faithfulness toward me, hearing my prayers and responding to my needs. Hear me today, O God, as I ask You – What do you want from me? Amen.


DEVOTION AUTHOR


The Reverend Dr. Neil G. Thomas

Senior Pastor

Pronouns: he/his/him

Need Some Inspiration? Read our Daily Devotions

Tuesday - March 10, 2026

By Kris Baker • March 10, 2026
READING “Today we can leave the governance of the universe to God.” - Martin Luther WORDS OF HOPE  Have you ever noticed how many times you are asked a question that begins with “What are you doing….?” What are you doing this weekend? What are you doing tonight? What are you doing for spring break? What are you doing after church? What are you doing for dinner? What are you doing for Lent? What are you doing to make the world a better place? What are we doing? I don’t consider myself to have a Type A personality, but I do live each day with a somewhat lengthy To-Do list. The funny thing about my list is that I don’t write down the absolute “have-tos” for the day like feed the dogs, teach my classes, take my medication, I write down all the things that take up time but don’t really have to be done today. And then I judge my day and myself by how successful I was at accomplishing all the things on that list. The reality is that no ill will come to me or anyone else if I fall short of checking every single thing off that list today. And yet, I feel like not doing it all diminishes my “goodness”. I am certain that I am not alone in these feelings. When my youngest daughter was a toddler, bedtime consisted of me singing the song “Seek Ye First,” by Karen Lafferty, many many times. The text is based on various passages from the Gospel of Matthew. Seek ye first the kingdom of God And His righteousness, And all these things shall be added unto you. Allelu, Alleluia! Ask, and it shall be given unto you; Seek, and ye shall find. Knock, and the door shall be opened unto you. Allelu, Alleluia! Man shall not live by bread alone, But by every word That proceeds from the mouth of God. Allelu, Alleluia! In those days of parenting a small child, singing these words with her were often just another thing to cross off my to-do list. Get the baby to sleep so I could get all of the other things done that were still left on my daily list. Looking back now, thirty-three years later, I realize that the times spent singing this song over and over with my daughter were God speaking to me through the voice of a little child, a small voice pleading with me to “seek-y” first the kingdom of God, a message that both she and God knew that I needed to hear. How different might our days be if we more carefully curated our to-do lists and made the top item to seek first the kingdom of God? How might our relationship with God be strengthened if when we are asked what we are doing, we respond by saying, “sitting quietly in the presence of God?” How different might we feel if we left governance of the universe to God? PRAYER “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10) Be still and know that I am. Be still and know. Be still. Be. DEVOTION AUTHOR Kris Baker Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

Monday - March 9, 2026

By Jan Nunn • March 9, 2026
READING Spiritual Hymn: "Follow Me", lyrics by Ira F. Stamphill: I traveled on a lonely road and no one seemed to care. The burden on my weary back had bowed me to despair; I oft complained to Jesus how folks were treating me, And then I heard Him say so tenderly, "My feet were also weary, upon the Calvary road; The cross became so heavy, I fell beneath the load, Be faithful weary pilgrim the morning I can see, Just lift your cross and follow close to me." "I work so hard for Jesus" I often boast and say "I've sacrificed a lot of things to walk the narrow way, I gave up fame and fortune, I'm worth a lot to Thee" And then I hear Him gently say to me, "I left the throne of glory and counted it but loss, My hands were nailed in anger upon a cruel cross, But now we'll make the journey with your hand safe in mine, So lift your cross and follow close to me. Oh Jesus if I die upon a foreign field someday, 'Twould be no more than love demands, no less could I repay, "No greater love hath mortal man than for a friend to die" These are the words He gently spoke to me, "If just a cup of water I place within your hand Then just a cup of water is all that I demand. But if by death to living they can Thy glory see, I'll take my cross and follow close to Thee. WORDS OF HOPE I love the old-time hymns. They bring to mind the best parts of my growing up years in church. Much of my church experience was full of guilt and shame. But the hymns are full of great wisdom. What wonderful theology "If just a cup of water I place within your hand. Then just a cup of water is all that I'll demand." How wonderful to put your faith in a God who won't ask you for more than you have to give! And in my life each time I have trusted God with what I had, God blessed me with more! During your practice of Lent, I hope you will be able to find a song of faith that moves you to a closer walk as you follow Jesus’ example on this earth. PRAYER Wonderful God, thank you for giving us your faithful promises to always be with us. DEVOTION AUTHOR Jan Nunn, CoH Volunteer

Friday - March 6, 2026

By Thomas Riggs • March 6, 2026
SCRIPTURE  Ephesians 2:14-16 For Christ himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. WORDS OF HOPE We live in fractious and divisive times. Political polarization between progressives and conservatives has widened so much over the past several decades that compromise is nearly impossible. Americans increasingly get their news and commentary from different algorithmic media ecosystems, making dialogue more difficult. Questions about race, immigration, economic inequality, religious identity, and gender roles have become focal points of intense disagreement. And yet, amidst this division, there are countercurrents of cooperation. Local communities, service organizations, faith groups, and civic groups continue to work across differences to address practical needs. More recently, we have seen such collaborations in the Twin Cities area and in local municipalities that have banded together to support marginalized communities and oppose the takeover of inappropriate facilities for detention centers. These efforts remind us that division, though powerful, is not the only force at work in our common life. In the second chapter of Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus, Paul offers the imagery of a “dividing wall of hostility” being torn down, teaching that the gospel removes barriers—ethnic, cultural, or social. The church is called to live out this unity, not rebuild the walls Christ has already torn down. Today is World Day of Prayer. The chief purpose of this Day is to unite Christians around the world in prayer and informed action for peace, justice, and the needs of others. The movement encourages ongoing compassion, understanding, and support for ministries that uplift communities and address human need. This present time continues to be fractious because our disagreements are sharp, identities feel threatened, human lives are endangered, and trust is fragile. In many instances, that division may not or should not be bridged; we must be clear-eyed and resolute about standing up to injustice and speaking out when peace is threatened. But even so, we remain open to Paul’s words and to the purpose of the World Day of Prayer, which calls us to dismantle the “dividing wall of hostility” and to seek, wherever possible, the patient work of rebuilding understanding and common ground. PRAYER Lord Jesus, you are our peace. Break down the walls that divide us and reconcile us to one another and to you. Put to death the hostility in our hearts and make us one in your love. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Thomas Riggs

Thursday - March 5, 2026

By Charlie C. Rose • March 5, 2026
SCRIPTURE  Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. WORDS OF HOPE My first job as a teenager was working at Six Flags Over Texas in Ride Operations, assigned to the Spelunkers Cave. The industry calls this type of amusement park attraction a “dark ride” which takes took you through a long winding trough that tells a story of the mystical, pointy-headed Spelunkers in their daily routines, similar in a way to Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean. Another dark ride is Space Mountain, but it’s a roller coaster set in a dark building. I have ridden it enough that I thought I was pretty familiar plus it isn’t terribly fast, I recalled from my dozen or so rides before. Then there was the time my then-partner and I had travelled to France. We had the opportunity to go to Disneyland Paris. We were not really roller coaster people , but I talked him into Space Mountain, because what could be different from its American counterpart? We had boarded and got buckled in when I noticed the sign saying this is a roller coaster-type ride in the dark with high-speeds, sharp turns, and corkscrew twists. I thought “High Speed. Oh no.” I turned to apologize for the mistake that was about to happen. I managed to barely get out the words “I am so sor...” as our heads were plastered against the seats as it took off into the dark; zero to 60mph in 4 seconds; now a completely new experience, with no clue about what happens next. Life is sometimes like that, whether at home, or work, or with new people. Of course, we survived the afternoon, better or worse, nauseated, mostly in the rain, which didn’t help him forgive me any sooner. It was trial and error with good intentions, lessons learned. We later found Pirates of the Caribbean was much more our speed, but I had some convincing to do this time to gain back his trust since this adventure was a safe, cute, traditional storybook pirate story, transporting us back in time, up a waterfall, canon firing, villages pillaged, and ending with no nausea. Mission accomplished. No matter how you view going into the dark unknown, you always have a choice. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. You may choose to stay in the darkness or walk into the light. You can take a chance and be optimistic for a rewarding new life-adventure or stay the same with the old and familiar. Generally, most of us prefer the safe and familiar, or at least the reassurance that we won’t be too worse for the wear if we take risk walking (or riding) into the dark. Lent is a good time to consider that kind of walk, that walk of faith. What do you do in your life? Do you walk in faith? I invite you to be present in this moment wherever you are today in your life’s journey. Are you ready? Deep breath, eyes open, and let’s take one step forward and say this aloud: “Here we go!” PRAYER Loving God, there are so many times I’ve begun again and again, repeating the same mistakes, forgetting what I’ve learned. Today, I invite you to guide me on the next part of my journey, however dark and unknown it may seem, because you provide the light I need to see me through to a successful end; to grow in faith with you. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Charlie C. Rose Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

Wednesday - March 4, 2026

By Hardy Haberman • March 4, 2026
SCRIPTURE  Ezekiel 36: 25-28 I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you, and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you and make you follow my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances. Then you shall live in the land that I gave to your ancestors, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. WORDS OF HOPE This passage from Ezekiel sounds a lot like the rite of baptism. I guess it shouldn’t be surprising since Jews of the time of Ezekiel, which was during the Babylonian exile, took ritual baths, Mikvahs. These were used as a purification ritual, and most likely were the roots of baptism. The idea that after this ritual cleansing you had a new heart and spirit sounds like the spiritual renewal of Baptism to me. Considering that I am reminded of my own Baptism. I was sprinkled not immersed but the significance was just as profound. I knew it was not magical, but symbolic, yet I still felt changed afterward. It gave me a reference point to remember, a stake in the ground of my spiritual journey and it meant a great deal to me. I like the prophets of the scriptures. They spoke in visions, metaphors and sometimes rants, but their words resonate with me. Like the one “shouting in the wilderness”, the prophets often are trying to get the attention of a people who have lost their way. Their words and actions are wakeup calls intended to be guideposts to a better life. Maybe that “sprinkling” Ezekiel speaks of was meant more as a splash of water in the face, to get the attention of his listeners as well as a cleansing. PRAYER May we hear the words of the prophets as both cleansing waters and a splash in the face to wake us from our slumber as we move through the world. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Hardy Haberman

Tuesday - March 3, 2026

By Dan Peeler • March 3, 2026
SCRIPTURE  Revelation 19.6-8 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give God glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and the bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” WORDS OF HOPE Today’s reading is a joyful one, especially coming from the Book of Revelation, a collection of scripture usually known for its disasters, deadly decrees, and dastardly dragons. In its typical poetic language, the passage refers to the happy ending longed for by its original readers who had lived under various incarnations of oppression and national dysfunction for their whole lifetimes. The subject is the holy union of God’s Church with their Christ. The church is pictured as the bride decked out in the finest white linen, which stands for the pure and righteous acts of God’s holy people. All is well, not a weed among the impeccable blooms in God’s eternal garden. The writer of Revelation tended to deal in absolutes. In this case, absolute goodness has finally overcome absolute evil. In our present day, and from our point of view, we can often easily determine exactly who is good and who is evil on the world stage. It is fair to see leaders of countries who unabashedly invade other nations as evil. So many of them even look as if they have been cast for the part. It’s also easy to label anyone who supports or promotes these leaders as being evil. We can congratulate ourselves for being the good guys, the flowers of the world’s garden threatened by their weeds of ruin. It is no challenge to recognize and condemn these obvious villains, but what happens when prejudice, bigotry, envy, or hatred define and denounce us as the evil ones? Undeserved or not, almost everyone on the planet is a weed in somebody else’s garden. I know I am and you probably know a few disagreeable gardeners yourself. So, one of my favorite weird holidays is National Weed Appreciation Day, when we recognize that some weeds are quite beneficial in our ecosystem. They can even be nutritious herbs for food. Some of them even have healing properties. Remember, the weeds have the same Creator as the Gladiolas and we can rejoice and be glad that even though we may sometimes be judged as weeds, everything has a purpose in God’s Creation. PRAYER Help me to know who I am and guide me to know your purpose in my life. Remind me that even though I may be judged by others, the final judgment is yours. DEVOTION AUTHOR Dan Peeler Order of St. Francis and St. Clare
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