Daily devotion

Amazing Grace

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Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32 ESV

Singing the song Amazing Grace should be more than just a celebration of what we have received from God. Instead, it can be an opportunity to express the unlocking of God’s grace in our hearts in a way that makes it known to others: especially those who are hardest to love. It is easy to be gracious for those we like and who have blessed our lives. But it is even easier to make excuses for complaining about folks who have treated us badly. We forget that Jesus forgave us and loved us while He was nailed to the cross and we didn’t even know Him or care about Him at all. But grace means that when we are hurt by others God wants us to allow Him to pour HIs Calvary love out through us to them. Then, through the radical forgiveness of Jesus we can together experience and give God all the praise for His wonderful and truly amazing grace! I hope you might enjoy listening to us singing this wonderful hymn at Discovery Villages this past Sunday.

See You Later Banjo

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Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:1-2 KJV

Last Sunday was a sad day here, when the Vet told us that our little friend Banjo had to be put down. Though Banjo had only been with us for the last three and a half months, he had become a part of my daily routine. God gave a calling to each of us and Banjo’s was to teach people (especially me!) to slow down, cuddle up with friends and trust. Almost every morning since he arrived after his home was flooded in the hurricane, Banjo and I had gone for a walk. Now, I have always been an avid walker, but my walks were much changed since my little buddy came along. With Banjo’s pace somewhere between a meander and a browse, I didn’t get much of a cardio workout anymore, but I met more of our neighbors, and on our nighttime walks I began to pause long enough to notice the stars and feel the bite of the breeze.

I was also reminded to be thankful for both the people and the puppy dogs around me, because we never know how long they will be with us, and we rarely understand how precious they are until they are gone. It is often said that Jesus never hurried. He took time to consider sparrows and slowed his pace for a blind man begging by the roadside. He marveled at wildflowers, and He sat by a well waiting for a woman who no one else would speak with. Today, Jesus is in Heaven ruling the universe by His Father’s side. His suffering is over, and He is in a place of perfect peace and unspeakable joy. Yet, He still takes time for sinners like you and me. His calls us to follow Him at a pace slow enough to learn to love our neighbors and notice the glory of God in the world that He has made. But Jesus also tells us to pack our bags, because this world is not our home. He has prepared a place for us in our Father’s house, and I can’t but believe that Banjo is outside mine romping through the front yard there and waiting for me to go with Him on some amazing walks around the block!

Launching into the New Year

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This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 ESV

Every day is the day that the Lord has made, but I love the quote from the film “War Horse”, when young Albert is talking to his horse saying, “Now some days are big days, and some are small ones….Today is a big day, Joey!” Of course, every day is big, since it is one that God has miraculously given us to live. But tomorrow as we step into the New Year, that sense of bigness weighs more heavily in our minds. I suggest that rather than just going back to the gym, you might consider devoting more time to God each morning in Bible reading and prayer. “365 Days With Jesus” is a guide and a resource among many available to help you along that path. The link below is for the Kindle edition, the one above for the print. God bless, Happy New Year and “Go Penn State!”