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 - August 11, 2026

By Kris Baker • August 11, 2026
SCRIPTURE  -James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. WORDS OF HOPE A couple weeks ago I had an early flight out of DFW. Because lines and gate changes are unpredictable, I got to the airport early “just in case.” I prepared for the worst, and was gifted with the best; no issues at all getting checked in and moving through security. This allowed me time to grab breakfast in the terminal. Though the line for coffee and a breakfast biscuit was long, it moved quickly. Most people grabbed their sack of food and headed out into the gate area. I had time, so I found a seat in the restaurant where I could sit and relax a bit…and people watch, my favorite airport activity. My spot was right across from a bank of trash cans. Halfway through my meal, I noticed a small-in-stature, middle-aged Muslim woman pulling the barrels out, tying the full bags up and replacing them with new ones. As she did this, she meticulously sprayed with disinfectant and wiped down the area all around. I watched for several minutes. People walked over and dumped their trash. She politely stepped out of their way. No one spoke to her. Not a single “Good morning.” When I went to dispose of my trash, I handed her a $20 bill and said, “Thank you for what you for your work.” She looked at me stunned and said only, “Why?” I told her that she was appreciated. I then went back to my table to finish my coffee. Once the trash cans were neat and clean and the woman had cleared and wiped the dirty tables in the area, she walked over to me with a smile on her face and said, “Thank you.’” I replied, “You are most welcome.” And we both went on with our day. The good deed in this story is the work of the woman. Despite being seemingly invisible to the majority of people in the airport, she continued to do her job as if every eye around was watching…deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. As I sat on the plane awaiting take-off, I replayed a discussion from my CoH small group from the night before. We left each other that night with the challenge to pay attention to the people whose presence, labor, wisdom, or care that often goes unnoticed. I hope the woman cleaning up at this airport restaurant on that Tuesday morning knows that her presence, work, care, and wisdom were all seen and greatly appreciated. She made an impression on me that will linger on. How many people move through their days unnoticed by those around them? God sees them. And God sees those of us that do not notice them and their deeds. I challenge each of you to accept the challenge our small group undertook; pay attention to the people whose presence, labor, wisdom, or care often goes unnoticed. In the words of a wise friend of mine, “Change how you see. See how you change.” PRAYER Jesus, you show us the beauty of valuing the least, the last, and the overlooked. As I go through my day, help me to open my heart to see those who are often unnoticed and to accept and learn from the wisdom they share. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Kris Baker Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

Monday - August 10, 2026

By Jan Nunn • August 10, 2026
SCRIPTURE Psalm 9:1 I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart: I will recount all your wonderful deeds. WORDS OF HOPE My word for 2026, drawn from a group of face down cards on the first Sunday of the year, is Witness. It fits me pretty good. Last month we met a couple of women at lunch after a Wings basketball game from a very conservative town in Virginia. They came to Dallas for two Wings games. They were a couple, but not out in their town. They were surprised to see so many gay people at the Wings game. They had never seen that many gay people in one place before and were surprised to see how open the gay people were in public. They never expected that in Texas! Of course, I asked them if they had heard of the world's largest gay church that was in Dallas! They had never heard of a gay church at all! I spent some time (ignoring my friends at my table) telling them about Cathedral of Hope and how we had championed the gay community for 56 years! They were amazed to hear of a church that welcomed and celebrated gay people and all people. I hope they have seen our web site by now; I am trying not to be too aggressive. But I did tell them about our website and became Facebook friends with one of them, It is amazing after all this time to still find people who have not heard about Cathedral of Hope. Maybe the local, VERY conservative university in their town blocks the internet and airways so no one can hear the good news that God loves gay people. We try so hard to reach everyone. Earlier this year I met a young gay college student right here in Dallas who did not know about CoH. She did not even know the Arboretum had a Pride celebration. I told her all about CoH. She was amazed to hear about such an unusual church. I guess we all must keep witnessing about God's inclusive love! My Baptist roots told me I needed to do that! But I doubt they would be pleased to know my witness of God's love is inclusive not condemning! PRAYER Amazing God, thank you for our church and the 56 years we have shared your inclusive love with the world! DEVOTION AUTHOR Jan Nunn Cathedral of Hope Volunteer

Friday - August 7, 2026

By Charlie Rose • August 7, 2026
SCRIPTURE  Isaiah 43:19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. WORDS OF HOPE I love the idea of ordering things from a kiosk, like the ones they have at some McDonalds - Not that I allow myself to eat there too often. It seems virtually trouble free and accurate. You can add extra cheese or pickles, tell it no onions, and the list appears before you on the screen. Oddly enough, I first discovered these kiosks while on vacation one year in Paris at the equivalent of McDonalds they call the Q, I think. The biggest difference is they are actually good burgers without all the added chemicals we allow in the States, and which are outlawed in Europe. I like that. Europeans are smart and they seem to have each other’s backs. In fact, I don’t think we’re too far away from ordering medical services from kiosks. We have telemedicine already. It seems like a natural next step. You could be an A-lister and get premium, but non conflicting treatments while you’re out cold. Think of it! Having your gall bladder out? You could add on cutting of that ingrown toenail while they’re at it. Come to think of it, we already do that with religion and spirituality. So many of us pick and choose our favorite things to either believe or omit out of all the things religious practices offer. Uncomfortable with the dark-skinned Jesus? Make him lighter. Middle Eastern Jesus too Jewish? Make him a protestant televangelist full of the right gospels to fit specific political temperaments. Want a more exciting origin story? Make Jesus’ birth take place in Roswell New Mexico. No limits to the menu. It seems like this kiosk thing is an idea that has been waiting to be born for centuries. If you have one, what does your Jesus look like? If you could order up your own custom afterlife, what would that look like? Is it a big party with all your loved ones with you, or is it lights out, you’re at peace? I don’t have to wonder if I would want Jesus to be there. After all these years of picturing my own image him, I have no doubt I would be surprised. PRAYER Lord Jesus, in our fast-moving world full of changes and distractions, help us to slow down long enough to get to know you better in the assurance that you know us and care for us 100%. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Charlie Rose Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

Thursday - August 6, 2026

By Carole Anne Sarah • August 6, 2026
SCRIPTURE Psalm 63:1,3-4 O God, you are my God, I seek you, my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water... Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name.  WORDS OF HOPE In Love I am moved by this love poem from the psalmist to God. If written from one mortal to another, we would say he was “definitely in love". I still say that he was and believe that it is a wonderful thing to be in love with God. Those who know me well will not be shocked. They know that I am a great proponent of being "in love." I confess publicly that love is a risk and I am a compulsive gambler. Some think that love is a feeling that just happens when the right two people get into close proximity. I believe that it is much more easily understood and predictable. "Falling in love happens when we allow ourselves to be authentic and honest, daring to share things about ourselves that we are afraid may not be acceptable to another. When the other person hears our truth, and understands or even celebrates us as we are, something goes zing within. They are inspired to dare sharing a piece of their truth and experience a zing when we accept. On it goes, until we are both feeling known, really known, and zings abound as we finally declare ourselves "in love". I think I understand how the Psalmist got to the place of writing this beautiful poem to God. The writer bared his soul, accepted that God knew the very worst of him and the depth of his longings, even those for which he had no words. And he allowed himself to experience the love of God both in spite of and perhaps even because of who he was. That is how I believe we too can experience the amazing love that inspired this psalm. PRAYER God, my first lover and my greatest love: I come before you, knowing that you see every truth there is to know about me, even those which I have not permitted into my own awareness. I am humbled by the knowledge that you love me, sometimes in the presence of my bad and my ugly parts, sometimes because of the good or even great that is within me that I cannot see. I love you, God. I love to be in your presence. Help me make time to spend alone with you so that our love can grow. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Carole Anne Sarah

Wednesday - August 5, 2026

By Hardy Haberman • August 5, 2026
SCRIPTURE  Matthew 15: 33-38 The disciples said to him, “Where are we to get enough bread in the desert to feed so great a crowd?” Jesus asked them, “How many loaves have you?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” Then ordering the crowd to sit down on the ground, he took the seven loaves and the fish, and after giving thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all of them ate and were filled, and they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. Those who had eaten were four thousand men, besides women and children. WORDS OF HOPE This well-known miracle story is one that has been dissected many times, but the phrase that speaks to me is the disciple’s question, “Where are we do get enough bread in the desert to feed so great a crowd?” It’s a question we are still asking today. There are countless people in our own city facing what is referred to now as “food insecurity” but I prefer the term “hunger”. We live in a society that has enough riches to create trillionaires yet so many people go hungry. I think the point of the story is not the miracle Jesus performed, but the question of how to do it. If we ask it of ourselves the answer becomes clear. We must share our riches. Whether through taxation or charity, we can feed everyone. We do it at Cathedral of Hope every week, serving literally millions of meals every year to anyone who needs a meal. We manage to do it and yet we still each have enough for ourselves. It’s a “no-brainer”. If we truly want to follow Jesus’ guidance, we should share our resources. PRAYER Help us to learn the discipline of sharing, whether through tithing or acts of generosity. We have enough to make sure no one goes hungry. Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR Hardy Haberman

Tuesday - August 4, 2026

By Dan Peeler • August 4, 2026
SCRIPTURE  Acts 2.44-47 All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. WORDS OF HOPE Today’s Scripture reading from the Book of Acts paints a picture of an idyllic and serene beginning of the early church with everyone living in a Christian Camelot and we would not be surprised to hear them bursting into a chorus of : “A law was made a distant moon ago here…July and August cannot be too hot...and there’s a legal limit to the snow here…” The Book of Acts of the Apostles was written by the Gospel writer, Luke, and described a blossoming era well before the letters of Paul which spent a lot of time addressing conflicts in the churches and listing rules of appropriate behavior. In Galatians we read about volatile conflicts between Peter and Paul themselves. No one is immune to being human in the Scriptures, even in the remainder of the Book of Acts. I’ve heard sermons a distant moon ago that declared no one could be a good Christian unless they followed this Acts example of selling all their property and giving their money to the poor. Of course, the scripture doesn’t say that. They sold some of their possessions and property, not all of it. They were basically generous with one another, especially regarding those most in need, as they celebrated their new faith together. I’m grateful to the church councils and faith leaders who compiled the writings that we now call the New Testament. They gave us a good cross section of the best and the worst of times. They let future generations know what to expect. The road to following the Way of Jesus was rocky then and it’s rocky now. Camelot had its problems, too. In Texas, we are assured that July and August temperatures cannot be regulated by the law. And we know that churches are imperfect. Yet, these beautiful words Luke left to us in Acts 2 are always there to remind us that the faith which brought the body of believers together then is the same faith that brings us together now. They set the standard that was a natural result of following the Gospel of Love. PRAYER Thank you, God, for the examples set by those who came before us. May we always remember that the same exuberance for your gospel is alive and in our midst every time we have the opportunity to live it together. Thank you for your church. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Dan Peeler Order of St. Francis and St. Clare
More Posts