Wednesday - March 27, 2024

SCRIPTURE John 16:33 I have said all these things to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble: but take heart! I have overcome the world. WORDS OF HOPE Five weeks this side of total knee replacement I have hit a raggedly painful point in physical therapy. And with it so many things have piled on: the awareness of how powerfully the mind, body, emotions, and spirit are taxed by major surgery and the experience of post- surgical brain fog, sleep deficit, fatigue, and vulnerability. Although I have made great strides since the end of March, sometimes I wonder what land I’m in. So it’s no wonder that the phrase “Take Heart!” has come to me now. Deriving from the Old French corage or Latin cor, meaning heart, it’s the cry to draw courage from the core of who we are. Yesterday, while in the throes of my own pain, I was moved to cast the net of prayer out for those close and far away whose lives are filled with sorrow and loss, chaos and catastrophe and extend the cry for them: For my beloved community members who are experiencing complicated surgeries of family members, death and grief, fears for their adult children, and serious illness, take heart! Know that you are held in love. For the Israelis desperate for their loved ones still held hostage to be returned safely home and for the Palestinians suffering from relentless battle trauma, malnutrition, and the death of their children, take heart! For those like Anthony Blinkin and other diplomats working with every fiber of their being for peace, take heart! International forces are mobilizing. For those in Oklahoma and Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa whose homes and communities have been leveled by tornados and whose hope is battered, take heart! In neighbor outreach and official aid, help is on the way. For all those across the country barred by punitive laws from needed health care, take heart! Many resist injustice on your behalf and are working for your care. For those whose values and personal integrity have urged them to speak the truth in personal relationships, in the workplace, the political arena or in campus protests, take heart! May the truth set us free. For those who look at the political and religious spheres filled with hatred and division and despair, take heart, and summon the courage to take one small step to bridge the divide in love. And you, O God, who must look at your world and weep to see the damage we have done to nature and to each other, take heart! There is much good in us yet and a new generation yearns for repair, justice, shalom. PRAYER “Ignite [our hearts], O God, with courage to resist/ to tend the fires of love and peace where hate and fear persist.” DEVOTION AUTHOR Dr. Pat Saxon

SCRIPTURE Psalm 37:1-2 Do not fret because of the wicked; for they will soon fade like the grass and wither like a green herb. WORDS OF HOPE We live in a world of anxiety. The arguments of others, social media, 24/7 news, all wash up against our lives and fill our minds with fearsome possibilities. Coupled with the genuine uncertainties of economic security and health dangers, the effect can wear on one's nerves, disturbing (or destroying) any sense of well-being or real purpose for life. "Fret not" is such a simple admonition for better living, but the word itself denotes the real danger in such a response to adversity. To fret means to allow something to "eat, gnaw at you, to agitate or irritate you by continuously rubbing and wearing you down". That's exactly what this constant fearsome barrage does, it wears down your mental and physical strength and robs you of peace. But equally important, it attacks your spiritual well-being! Such continuous wearing against your mind fills it with worry and fear which clouds your attention to a healthy relationship with God. The verb "fret" is an active verb. "Do not fret" means don't allow your mind to become so enmeshed in these negative events that they are self-destructive to your well-being. This doesn’t mean we should ignore what’s happening around us or shut ourselves off from the world. We must choose to hear, but not be consumed by these events of life. They don't have to be given power to wear you down. The Psalmist reminds us of why we should not allow ourselves to allow negative energy to overtake us. The antidote resides in the Spirit of the Psalmist, the power of prayer and our openness to hearing God’s words of comfort, eternal love and of peace. Stay strong with God! PRAYER Lord, open my eyes to behold your ancient words of wisdom which, even in today's world, will instruct me in the way of living which you desire for me. May it always be so! Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR  Donald (Luke) Day Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

SCRIPTURE Mark 6.34 When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things. WORDS OF HOPE This is National Teacher’s Week and today, specifically, is National Teacher’s Appreciation Day. Whenever any of this sort of National Holiday comes around, reminding us to thank or appreciate a certain group in our society, I am reminded that these individuals should be honored every day of the year. This is especially true of our teachers, people who have made an enormous contribution in shaping who we are, how we think, how we learn, how we communicate. Yet, they remain some of the least appreciated and least remunerated members of our American society. How many names of your favorite teachers can you remember? I was blessed to have some great ones and in my latter years, still carry vivid images of their finest work, gifted to so many throughout their prolific careers. I remember, Miss Moore, Mrs. Poteet, Mr. Windham, Mrs. Murley, Mr. Mattingly, Mrs. Mitchell, Mr. Lanham, Mrs. Roberts, and so many others. I remember Mr. Morgan calming us down during the Cuban Missile Crisis. I remember Mrs. Peters stalwartly soothing the shock and confusion of our home room class on the afternoon our President was assassinated. Our teachers taught us so much more than the definitions of the parts of speech and how to calculate logarithms. They taught us how to live through their example, how to react to the unexpected, and how to teach each other. They literally played out the role Jesus practiced the most in his ministry among us. Among all his most exalted titles, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Messiah, Redeemer, his most often used term of awe and respect among his closest followers was “Teacher.” That was his principal mission on earth; to question, to enlighten, to encourage, to inspire. To be our Beloved Teacher. Today, on National Teacher’s Day, we humbly appreciate his disciples. PRAYER Thank you for being our Rabbi, our instructor, our Salvation, our friend. May we studiously and joyfully remember your example and realize that we can be known by no higher title in this life than “teacher.” Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR Dan Peeler Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

SCRIPTURE 1Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. WORDS OF HOPE The American Nurses Association is celebrating National Nurses Week 2024 May 6 - May 12, and throughout May. This year's theme, "Nurses Make the Difference," honors the incredible nurses who embody the spirit of compassion and care in every health care setting. On this day, we raise awareness of all nurse contributions and commitments and acknowledge the vital role nurses play in society. If you have ever been in a hospital, no doubt you sing praises of nurses. You see a doctor maybe once a day. But your continuous care is provided and supervised by the nurses. If you have an unexpected event, the nurse will be the one responding. If you did not know it before the COVID-19 pandemic, you know it now: Nurses are the unsung heroes of healing. From delivery rooms to disaster zones, medical facilities would simply not function without them. They are the lifeblood of every health care setting. The history of nursing in the U.S. military dates as far back as the Revolutionary War. Military nurses often worked for little to no pay, under dangerously deplorable conditions, without rank or recognition. And nurses did more than save lives; they paved the way for future generations of nurse professionals by changing the course of American medical history. In Arlington National Cemetery's Section 1, you will find a diverse mix of grave markers, from basic white headstones to massive, ornate monuments commissioned by generals and other U.S. leaders. Among them, you will also find the graves of 23 pioneering female Civil War nurses. God calls humans into service where they can best serve. We sometimes only think of ministers as being called. But when we think of the nurses, we must admit they must have received a special call. They must have extra grace from God to deal with people at their worst! My nurse friends tell of patients so hard to deal with in their pain and fear during hospitalizations. They do fight the good fight like our scripture above mentions. And often in very difficult circumstances like Covid and challenging patients. We acknowledge that like the theme of this year's celebration, nurses make the difference! PRAYER God who calls us to serve humankind in many ways, thank you for the precious gift of the nurses you call to help us when we are suffering illnesses. DEVOTION AUTHOR Jan Nunn CoH Volunteer

SCRIPTURE  Acts 10:34-25 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. WORDS OF HOPE In the 10th chapter of the Book of Acts, we hear the story of Cornelius and Peter. Cornelius is a Roman centurion described as a God-fearing, generous man who prayed to God regularly, but had yet to hear the Good News of Christ. Being instructed by a vision from God, Cornelius sent for the Apostle Peter to come to him in Caesarea. Meanwhile, in town called Joppa, Peter is having his own peculiarly odd vision that shows him that ‘nothing that God has made is unclean’, teaching Peter that this Good News he preaches is to be shared beyond just the Jewish people. So, when Cornelius and Peter meet, they share their stories of God’s visions with each other. As a result, Peter preaches the Gospel directly to a Cornelius, his family, and many gathered friends. And for the first time, a Gentile audience hears the Good News of Jesus Christ. “God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.” These are radical words, both then and now. God shows no favoritism. God accepts those who love God and love others. There are no darlings. There are no exclusions. God loves all. How easy is it for you to hear that message? In some ways, it’s an easy missive to hear because it means we’re included. In other ways, it’s a difficult idea to hear because it means the people we don’t like are also included. Not only does God love difficult people, but God doesn’t love us more and them less. My dad had two signs on his desk. The one facing outward read “God loves everyone, but I’m his favorite.” That was his tongue-in-cheek, self-deprecating humorous message to put visitors at ease. The other sign facing toward him read “God loves the people that annoy you.” It was his constant reminder that God shows no favoritism and accepts everyone, so he should too. When I get cut-off in traffic or listen to someone bloviate politics that make my blood boil, I don’t want God to accept them. Wherever there are people who share my ideals and do amazing things to help others, I want God to shower them with special blessings. Cornelius wanted that to be different. Peter preached that it should be different. No exclusions, no favorites. We are all loved and beloved by God. PRAYER You extended your arms on the hard wood of the cross, Lord Jesus, so that the whole world might be embraced by your love. Thank you for your servants, Cornelius and Peter, who taught us to love as you love, without exception or favor. Lead us from prejudice to truth. Deliver us from division to unity. Enable us to reconcile and be reconciled. And all for your love’s sake. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Thomas Riggs