41 Lives.

These past couple Sundays we've taken up a special offering for Imagine No Malaria.  Read more here.

I am proud to announce that as a church we have saved 41 lives.  41 human lives.  41 grandfathers, daughters, nieces, teachers. 

41 lives. 

That is amazing!  41 miracles!

Announcements for the week of June 9th

Imagine No Malaria

We saved 41 lives! 41 miracles!

Administrative Board Meeting

June 13^th, Thursday, 7:00pm. Grange Hall.

Rev. Nancy Out of Town

This week is Annual Conference, the gathering of Methodists from the Holston Conference.  Nancy will be at Lake Junaluska for Annual Conference and then she and Ben will stay in North Carolina, as Nancy will be marrying her friends on June 15^th.  That Sunday we will have a guest preacher, Tim Ragle, our brother from Crossroads UMC, on June 16^th.  

Summer Bible Study: District Academy!

This summer (June & July) we’ll be taking a break from our Bible Study to participate in a District Academy Bible Study.  It will be an eight week overview of the Bible.  This will be a great opportunity for us this summer, when so many of us have unpredictable schedules.  It will be Wednesdays at 6:30 at Crossroads UMC.  It’ll be June 19^th-August 7^th.  We’ll start back our Bible Study on August 14^th.

Vacation Bible School

Mark your calendars: this year VBS will be Thursday-Saturday, June 27-29^th.  More details coming soon!  If you want to help PLEASE attend the meeting this Wednesday!  Let Nancy know if you’d like to help, but can’t make the meeting.

Fifth Sunday Singing is now called Fifth Sunday Praise

And we are hosting in June!  June 30^th at 6:00pm here at Grange Hall.

The word CHURCH

Today I was re-reading a chapter from the book The Andrew Paradigm.                                              

At least once a chapter the author, Bishop Michael J. Coyner, invites someone he considers to be a good example of a "Lead Follower" to respond to a question Jesus asks in Scripture.

During the Intro of Part I a young adult named Ben Boruff responses.

He writes, "A friend once asked me why I am a Christian.  I struggled to reply. My mind pictured church-related items such as pews and praise bands, but none of those things helped me explain why I am a Christian. There are many personal and theological reasons why I call myself a Christian, but at that moment I could only think of hymnals and acolyte sticks."

Boruff's response got me thinking:  What do you think when you hear the word CHURCH?  Do you think of pews and hymnals and acolyte sticks?  Do you think of the building where you worship?  Do you feel guilty? Happy? Angry? Peaceful? Hopeful? Joyful?

Do you think of the community of folks you worship with? Pray with? Eat with? Open up to and support?  Do you see the faces of the men and women who support you and keep you accountable? Who you support and keep accountable?

What do you think when you hear the word CHURCH?

Feel free to comment with your answer!

Youth Team Meeting Tonight!

Youth Team!

Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray. - Proverbs 22:6

First Meeting: Thursday, May 2^nd. 7:00pm. Church Hill McDonalds.

 (in same Parking Lot as Food City, off 11W)

We will discuss ways to reach children and youth: VBS, Youth Group, Sunday School, etc.

Specifically at this meeting we will form a team of folks who will rotate responsibility for leading programing for the Elementary School Kids on Wednesday Nights from 6:30-7:30pm. Nora Barton and Michelle Snodgrass have volunteered to create/prepare programing.  We’ll form this rotating team so that we can pour into the Elementary Kids and still each have time for Adult Bible Study and Spiritual Growth.

We will also brainstorm ideas for upcoming Vacation Bible School and how to offer Sunday School in a small membership church.

This is an exciting time.  Come be a part of this mission!

Breaking News: Baptism Service Scheduled!

Our Baptism Service has been scheduled!

THIS Sunday, May 5th at 8:30 at Clouds Bend UMC we will celebrate the Baptism of some folks from the Valley Parish, and our own Dartania and Ariana!  If you would like to be baptized during this service, please let Nancy know as soon as possible!

Time: 8:30am (to leave time to get to regularly scheduled church services at 9:45/10:00am)

Place: Clouds Bend UMC  940 Bradbury St Kingsport, Tennessee 37660

Directions from Grange Hall UMC:
1. Turn Left out of our parking lot
2. Turn Right onto Independence
3. Turn Left onto 11W when Independece ends
4. Turn Right onto Netherland Inn Road
5. Turn right onto Ridgefields Rd
6. Turn right onto Chippendale Rd
7. Take the 2nd right onto Bradbury St

Please join us as we celebrate!  What a wonderful time!

Valley Parish T-Shirt Prices

I just spoke with Kathy Litle, our Valley Parish Shirt Order-er and she let me know the final prices for our shirts. She ordered the shirts this week and they should be in two weeks from now. 

T-Shirt Prices:
S-XL: $7.73
XXL: 9.48
3XL: 10.48
4XL: 11.48
5XL: 12.48
6XL: 13.48

Golf Shirt Prices:

S-XL: $10.35
XXL: 12.10
3XL: 13.10
4XL: 14.10
5XL: 15.10
6XL: 16.10

Revelation

At Grange Hall we are currently studying Revelation during our Wednesday Night Bible Study.

As we have found, Revelation is a very complex book, full of rich imagery that can be very confusing.  The first couple of weeks we focused on one chapter at time, which was helpful in chapters 2 and 3, but once we hit chapter 4 (when John describes his vision of heaven and heavenly worship) it became harder and harder to discuss in depth, harder and harder to find words (which I am sure is how John felt as he was recording his vision for us!).

Many of us have been frustrated because so much of the book is so hard to understand.  I think, though, that something like this vision of John's is not necessarily meant to be understood so much as it is meant to be experienced.  With that in mind, the past couple of weeks we've been trying to experience the vision as John saw it, by practicing Lectio Divina (click here for a description of this way of praying the scriptures) and by reading it chapter by chapter, one person reading while we close our eyes and try to experience it, try to see what John saw. This way has been much more helpful in our experience of Revelation.

**Note I said "helpful in our experience of Revelation" not necessarily in our comprehension of Revelation!

The night we practiced Lectio Divina we read chapters 5-7. We wrote down our questions that came up in our personal contemplation.  Following are the questions and my best attempt at an answer, informed by many scholars who have come before. Thank God for commentaries and the folks who write them!

WE are the CHURCH

When I was growing up one of my favorite hymns was "We Are The Church" (in fact it is still one of my favorites).  I love the words.  It really hammers home the idea that we are the church.  We don't just go to church, we ARE the church.

In his first letter to the Corinthians Paul writes, "For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body..." (1 Cor. 12:13).  We, as Christians, are the body of Christ.  All of us all together make up Jesus here on earth.  So when we are at the grocery store or the movie theater or out with friends for dinner we represent Jesus on earth.

Similarly all Christians make up the church.  No matter where we go, we are the church, wherever we are. We at Grange Hall have a sign outside our building that says, "Grange Hall United Methodist Church."  That sign isn't referring to the building, it's referring to the people to come together in that building.  The people in our church family make up Grange Hall United Methodist Church, we don't go to Grange Hall United Methodist Church. 

Following you'll find the lyrics to, "We Are The Church."  What do you think of them?  Do they challenge you in any way?  Do you think of yourself as the church or as someone who goes to church?

We Are The Church

I am the church! You are the church! We are the church together! All who follow Jesus, all around the world, yes, we're the church together!

The church is not a building, the church is not a steeple,  the church is not a resting place; the church is a people!

We're many kinds of people, with many kinds of faces, all colors and all age, too, from all times and places.

And when the people gather, there's singing and there's praying; there's laughing and there's crying sometimes, all of it saying,

At Pentecost some people received the Holy Spirit and told the good news through the world
to all who would hear it.

I am the church! You are the church! We are the church together! All who follow Jesus, all around the world, yes, we're the church together!

Welcoming Families with Children

One of my favorite websites, Ministry Matters, recently had an article about welcoming families with small children.

Click here to read the article. 

What do you think about the Tips this pastor shared?
Which of his tips do we already do well? Which ones do we need to work on?

Were you ever in the situation that the pastor describes, trying to get your kids ready while trying to find a place to worship?

When you found a church you connected with, what made you stay?

Here is the last word from the author of the article: "Remember that there is a deep longing within parents of young children to connect with God and for their kids to connect with God. This is a critical time for the parents and the children. Let’s do everything we can to create a place for them to connect with God."

Amen!

What is a Methodist?

Maybe you've had a conversation with friend or a new acquaintance about church.  You say, "I worship at Grange Hall United Methodist," and they respond, "Hmmm... What EXACTLY is a Methodist?"

What is your response? How do you define Methodist? Have you thought much about it?

Your response is important!

I came across this article recently about a person trying to define "Methodist."  Click here to read it. The author writes, "A Methodist is a Christian who is in training to love God with all his or her heart, soul, and mind and to love his or her neighbor as himself or herself."

This comes from the Gospel according to Matthew.  Someone asks Jesus,“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a  second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” -Matthew 22:36-40

What do you think of that definition?  How do you define "Methodist" for yourself?

Announcement for the Week of April 28th

Stay tuned for Baptism Service Info.  Check here or our facebook page: facebook.com/GrangeHallUMC for breaking news!

The parsonage has a new phone number: (423) 256-2465.

Proctors!

Carters Valley Elementary is looking for folks to help Proctor tests coming up this week. 

Monday, April 29th-Thursday, May 2nd everyday 8:00-11:00am

You can pick and choose dates, you don't have to commit to the whole week, or to both weeks.  Let Nancy know if you are interested in helping out and she will get you signed up.

Visioning Meeting

Tonight. 6:30. Here.

Anyone who is interested in the future of our church, please attend.  We will pray for the guiding of the Holy Spirit and ask questions about who we are and who God is calling us to serve.  You won’t want to miss it!

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

Day 43: March 31^st Resurrection Sunday!

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”

The Tomb Is Sealed

Day 42: March 30^th Holy Saturday

Scripture: Matthew 27:57-66

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away.

It Is Finished

Day 41: March 29^th Good Friday

Scripture: John 18:1-19:42

After Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to a place where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas brought a detachment of soldiers together with police from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked them, “Whom are you looking for?”

Last Supper

Day 40: March 28^th Maundy Thursday

Scripture: Luke 22:1-23

Now the festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was near. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to put Jesus to death, for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve; he went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers of the temple police about how he might betray him to them. They were greatly pleased and agreed to give him money. So he consented and began to look for an opportunity to betray him to them when no crowd was present.

Set Aside Every Weight and Sin

Day 39: March 27^th Wednesday

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.

The TV show Biggest Loser is about folks who are extremely overweight, who have come to The Biggest Loser Ranch to change their lives. They learn to exercise and lose weight.  During an episode one of the trainers is talking with a man who is carrying around 200 extra pounds of body weight.  The trainer puts on a special vest that weighs 200 pounds and tries to walk around and do every day things.  It is incredibly difficult for him.  The trainer now knows what it is like to carry around that extra weight.

Imagine putting on that vest, but instead of weights that vest is our sin.  It is hard to live full, abundant lives while carrying around 200 extra pounds of sin! 

In this section from Hebrews the author tells us to set aside our sin that we cling to so closely.

What does setting aside your sin look like to you?  Ask God to show you a sin you need to set aside.  Ask God to show you what your life will look like once you decide to set that aside.

Ask God for the gift of the Holy Spirit to sustain you in your efforts to set aside your sin.

 

In our print prayer journals we have a space for Notes, Ideas, Drawings, and Observations.  Feel free to keep your own journal.  Or share your ideas, prayers, and observations in the comments section below.

Holy Week Activity:  Bible Study "What Does Easter Mean? Part II" at Chalybeate Springs UMC at 6:30pm.  Join us!  

You Are My Strong Refuge

Day 38: March 26^th Tuesday

Scripture: Psalm 71

In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me and save me. Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel. For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth. Upon you I have leaned from my birth; it was you who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of you. I have been like a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge. My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all day long. Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength is spent. For my enemies speak concerning me, and those who watch for my life consult together. They say, “Pursue and seize that person whom God has forsaken, for there is no one to deliver.” O God, do not be far from me; O my God, make haste to help me! Let my accusers be put to shame and consumed; let those who seek to hurt me be covered with scorn and disgrace. But I will hope continually, and will praise you yet more and more.

Today is the Tuesday of Holy Week. In two days Jesus will celebrate his Last Supper with the disciples.  In three days Jesus will die. 

How does that knowledge affect your reading to today’s scripture? Read Psalm 71.

What parts of this Psalm do you know to be true?

Ask God one thing God wants you to pray for yourself.  Don’t ask what you can pray for others.  Ask God what God wants you to pray about for yourself.

Tell a trusted friend.  Pray about it with him or her.  Close by praying this Psalm.

In our print prayer journals we have a space for Notes, Ideas, Drawings, and Observations.  Feel free to keep your own journal.  Or share your ideas, prayers, and observations in the comments section below.

Holy Week Activity:  Bible Study "What Does Easter Mean? Part I" at Lebanon UMC at 6:30pm.  Join us!  

New Things I Now Declare

Day 37: March 25^th Monday

Scripture: Isaiah 42:5-9

Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. I am the Lord, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to idols. See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.

Sit quietly.  Read the scripture. Read it again.  Read it a third time. 

What do you hear?  What has God done for you?  What has God given us to do?

Ask God what he has given you to do.  Ask God where he is calling you, where he is leading you.   Throughout the day keep asking God. 

Say “God, where are you leading?  I will follow.  God, where are you leading? Show me the way to go.  What are you calling me to do?”

Throughout the day keep asking God.

At the end of the day do you see more clearly where God is calling you? Do you have a better sense of where God wants you to go? What God wants you to do?  What new thing is God going to do in your life? In the life of our church? Write about it.

In our print prayer journals we have a space for Notes, Ideas, Drawings, and Observations.  Feel free to keep your own journal.  Or share your ideas, prayers, and observations in the comments section below.

Shouting Stones

Day 36: March 24^th Sunday

Scripture: Luke 19:28-40

After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it.’” So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They said, “The Lord needs it.” Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”

Today in worship we read the passage from the Gospel according to Luke of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

Re-read this scripture again, slowly.

What did you hear in worship this morning about this passage?  Did you have a new insight into it through a prayer we prayed or the sermon or a hymn?  Write about it. 

Ask God to show you even more about this story. 

What do you make of the last verses: “Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”  Ask God to show you what this means.  Do these verses make a difference for your daily life? How so? 

In our print prayer journals we have a space for Notes, Ideas, Drawings, and Observations.  Feel free to keep your own journal.  Or share your ideas, prayers, and observations in the comments section below.

Free Day Saturday!

Day 35: March 23^rd Saturday

Choose a favorite scripture, one you have never understood, one you are curious about, one you’ve heard recently and read it.  Ask God to show you a new insight into the words.  Read each sentence slowly.  Let the words sink in. 

Ask God to reveal the meaning throughout your day. 

Pick a sentence and repeat it over and over again as you do the dishes or go on a walk or work on a project.  Have you noticed anything new? 

At the end of the day thank God for all he has shown you today.

In our print prayer journals we have a space for Notes, Ideas, Drawings, and Observations.  Feel free to keep your own journal.  Or share your ideas, prayers, and observations in the comments section below.

Turn Around

Day 34: March 22^nd Friday

Scripture: Matthew 4:17-22

From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

Next week is Holy Week.  This is the week we follow the last moments of Jesus’ life.  On Tuesday and Wednesday we’ll have Bible Study as a Valley Parish, Tuesday at Lebanon and Wednesday at Chalybeate Springs. Thursday we will celebrate Maundy Thursday with a Passover Seder Meal and Holy Communion at Okolona.  Friday we will have Good Friday Worship at Okolona and Grange Hall.  We follow Holy Week to remember the greatest thing Jesus did for us.  We delve down deep into the emotions of Jesus’ last hours so that on Easter morning we can fully experience the joy of the Resurrection.

Read our scripture passage from Matthew for today. This is the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.  How does he start? Jesus asks people to repent (a word that means “turn around”) and he calls his disciples.

The disciples leave everything and follow Jesus. Is there anything you need to leave behind to better follow Jesus?  As we go into Holy Week, what is keeping you back from totally and completely following Jesus?

Close your eyes. Ask Jesus if he’d like you to follow him to the cross. Does he want you to leave something behind? Ask Jesus what he wants you to leave.

Hold your hands out and mentally put the thing that is holding you back in your hands.

Now, with a prayer, give it over to God. Feel the arms of God wrap around you in a loving embrace. 

In our print prayer journals we have a space for Notes, Ideas, Drawings, and Observations.  Feel free to keep your own journal.  Or share your ideas, prayers, and observations in the comments section below.

Holy Week Events

Holy Week is such a special time for Christians.  This week we follow Jesus as he lives his last week on earth, before his resurrection.

To observe this Holy Week we have a variety of Bible Studies and Worship Services designed to learn more about Jesus' last week and to deepen our walks with God.

On Tuesday and Wednesday Nights we will have a Bible Study that focuses on the events of Jesus' last week.

Rev. Richard McKee from Okolona & Chalybeate Springs, Rev. Mike Ladd from Ross Campground and Cameron, and our own Rev. Nancy Martin will teach the classes together.

We'll cover topics like Jesus' anointing by Mary at Bethany, when Jesus washed his disciples' feet, the Institution of the Last Supper, when Jesus Curses the Fig Tree, and Jesus' death.

Tuesday Night's Study will be held at Lebanon in the Sanctuary at 6:30 pm March 26^th 4208 Carters Valley Road Church Hill, TN--by the Tiny Giant

Wednesday Night's Study will be held at Chalybeate Springs in the Sanctuary at 6:30 pm March 27^th 592 Upper Possum Creek Road Gate City, VA

Our normal Wednesday Night Fellowship Supper will be cancelled and we'll meet in the Grange Hall parking lot at 6:00 pm to carpool/caravan to Chalybeate Springs.

If you'll be finding your way to the church on your own, follow these directions from Grange Hall:

·         Turn R out of the parking lot of the church onto Carters Valley Road
·         Turn R onto Mt. Pleasant Road
·         Turn L onto Stanley Valley Road---travel for a while, you'll pass Okolona UMC on your right
·         At the old Down Home General Store turn R onto Caney Valley Loop
·         When you get to a fork in the Road turn R onto Plum Grove Road
·         After a while you'll get to Chalybeate Springs UMC which will be on the Left

Thursday is Maundy Thursday which will be held at Okolona in their outbuilding "The Flame" at 7:00 pm

Maundy Thursday is the day we remember the Passover Meal Jesus shared with his disciples; the last meal Jesus ate before his death and resurrection.

Last year for Maundy Thursday we gathered together at Okolona and had a Seder Meal tasting.  We will do that again this year.  If you didn't make it last time, you won't want to miss it this year, and if you went last year, you'll know how powerful and edifying it was! Please encourage your friends, family and neighbors to attend.  You really won't want to miss it!

We'll taste the tradition food of a Passover Seder Meal, the same foods that Jesus and his disciples were eating on the night in which he was betrayed.

We'll also celebrate Holy Communion, the sacrament that Jesus instituted during that Last Supper.

Join us!

Follow these directions from Grange Hall:

·         Turn R out of the parking lot of the church onto Carters Valley Road
·         Turn R onto Mt. Pleasant Road
·         Turn L onto Stanley Valley Road---travel for a while, you'll see Okolona UMC on your right            

Friday is Good Friday.  There are two opportunities to worship on this day. 

Good Friday is the day Jesus dies.  We read the story of his suffering and death and leave the sanctuary in silence.

Noon at Okolona 

This worship service will focus on the time Jesus spent on the cross and what it means for us today. Led by Rev. Richard McKee.

7:00 pm at Grange Hall

This will be a Tenebrae service, or service of Darkness.  As we read the story of Jesus' suffering and crucifixion we will extinguish candles.  A powerful worship service.  Led by Rev. Mike Ladd and Rev. Nancy Martin.

Please make time to attend these services.  You won't be sorry you did!

Wait for the Lord

Day 33: March 21^st Thursday

Scripture: Isaiah 40: 27-31

Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God”? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

Read our verses for today as a love letter.

What does Isaiah teach us about the character of God? List these characteristics.

What does this scripture tell you to do? 

Ask God to show you.

In our print prayer journals we have a space for Notes, Ideas, Drawings, and Observations.  Feel free to keep your own journal.  Or share your ideas, prayers, and observations in the comments section below.

That Your Joy May Be Complete

Day 32: March 20^th Wednesday

Scripture: John 15:1-11

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.

As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.”

Two weeks ago, on March 6^th, we read the same scripture.  Do you remember?  Go back to Day 18 and re-read the exercise. 

Today we will do the same thing. There are many parts of this scripture we could focus on. 

Right now, ask God to show you what part God wants you to concentrate on.

Re-read the scripture.  Which part is popping out at you?

Silently repeat this line or word or sentence. 

Is it the same part from two weeks ago? Is it different?

Today, whenever you walk through a door way, remember that part of scripture.

At the end of the day, consider what you learned from this scripture.  Why did God focus your mind on that particular part of scripture? 

If it was the same as last time, why? If it was different, why?  What new insight do you have into Jesus’ farewell words to his disciples?

In our print prayer journals we have a space for Notes, Ideas, Drawings, and Observations.  Feel free to keep your own journal.  Or share your ideas, prayers, and observations in the comments section below.

Clothe Yourselves with Love

Day 31: March 19^th Tuesday

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17

“As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Our scripture for today is one that is often read at weddings.

Sit quietly for a moment.  Close your eyes. Breathe in and out.

Now read our scripture, slowly.

Think through every word. 

Paul says, “Above all, clothe yourselves with love.”

Ask God what that means for your life.  Consider ways you might clothe yourself with love. Is the Holy Spirit motivating you to do anything?

In our print prayer journals we have a space for Notes, Ideas, Drawings, and Observations.  Feel free to keep your own journal.  Or share your ideas, prayers, and observations in the comments section below.

With Thanksgiving

Day 30: March 18^th Monday

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7

“Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

In Paul’s letter to the Philippian Christians we hear again not to worry.  This seems to be a theme throughout scripture!  

Read our verses for today.  Pay special attention to verse 7: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

What does peace which passes understanding look like to you? Can you imagine that kind of peace?

Today in your prayer, tell God everything you are thinking and feeling with thanksgiving.  Ask God to give you the gift of peace that passes all understanding.

In our print prayer journals we have a space for Notes, Ideas, Drawings, and Observations.  Feel free to keep your own journal.  Or share your ideas, prayers, and observations in the comments section below.

Are you the older brother or the younger?

Day 29: March 17^th Sunday

Scripture: Luke 15:1-3; 11-32

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate. “Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’”

Today in worship we read the passage from the Gospel according to Luke when Jesus tells the story of the Prodigal Son.

Re-read this scripture again, slowly.

What did you hear in worship this morning about this passage?  Did you have a new insight into it through a prayer we prayed or the sermon or a hymn?  Write about it. 

Ask God to show you even more about this story. 

Often when we hear Bible stories that we know so well we skim the text and skip over the parts we know well.  Don’t do that now.  Read each word.  There are new discoveries to be made here.

Ask God to give you a new insight into this familiar story.  When the artist Rembrandt painted this story he painted himself as the older brother.  Where do you see yourself in the story?  Why? Write it down.

In our print prayer journals we have a space for Notes, Ideas, Drawings, and Observations.  Feel free to keep your own journal.  Or share your ideas, prayers, and observations in the comments section below.

Free Day Saturday!

Day 28: March 16^th Saturday

Choose a favorite scripture, one you have never understood, one you are curious about, one you’ve heard recently and read it.  Ask God to show you a new insight into the words.  Read each sentence slowly.  Let the words sink in. 

Ask God to reveal the meaning throughout your day. 

Pick a sentence and repeat it over and over again as you do the dishes or go on a walk or work on a project.  Have you noticed anything new? 

At the end of the day thank God for all he has shown you today.

In our print prayer journals we have a space for Notes, Ideas, Drawings, and Observations.  Feel free to keep your own journal.  Or share your ideas, prayers, and observations in the comments section below.