Month: March 2021

I often notice the more time I spend with someone, the more connected we feel.  We begin to know how someone processes thoughts and the things which make him or her angry.  We begin to see what is important to the other.  Wendy and I have been together for many years.  We often think the same things and will know how the other will react.  We are more and more connected the years we spend together.  As time goes by, we can sometimes tell how the other feels just by being in the same room, no words needed.  We sense the needs of the other simply through presence.  

As I read Jesus’ teachings to the disciples, I begin to understand a little more what he may have meant by asking them (and us essentially) to abide in him.  This is Holy Week and as we travel this journey, we should begin to get a sense of the struggles and the triumphs of this time.  We understand a little more each time we travel this journey.  By abiding in Jesus, we get a clearer picture of the true sacrifice he made for us, all in love.  

Jesus paints a picture of what he means to abide by comparing this to a vine and branches.  If the branch is disconnected from the vine, it withers and loses all nutrients.  When it is connected, it has the opportunity to thrive and produce fruit like no other.  Fruit is not produced without the vine.  So the more connected the branches are to the vine, the more nutrients they receive.  They are more stable and filled with good things.  The more connected we are to Jesus, the same thing happens.  This requires us to abide in him.  This means we pay attention.  We have to take the time to sense his presence and his guidance.  We have to be willing to take the time to study his teachings and then follow them.  This is a process which develops over time.  Just like a relationship, it takes effort and attention to really, truly abide.  Being connected is the key.  

As we travel this Holy Week, take the time to become more connected than you have been.  Listen to the teachings.  Find out how you might become more like the Creator.  Follow where God might be leading.  It is all part of abiding.

Focus Scripture:

John 15:1-5

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. ² He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. ³ You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. ⁴ 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. ⁵ 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. 

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

As we journey through this Holy Week, we are reminded of the highs and lows of this time.  There is a celebration and a remembrance which is taking place.  It is the time of Passover.  This is a time set aside for God’s people to remember when he brought them out of slavery.  He brought them into freedom – although the wilderness probably didn’t look much like freedom.  Passover reminded them of salvation.  God put his hand of protection over them so they did not encounter any of the plagues.  God lifted them up and gave them the strength and endurance to go in the middle of the night – before the dough could even rise.  He gave them the courage to gather all of their things and leave behind the life they once knew – even if it was a life of slavery.  He was with them in a mighty way.  

This is a powerful celebration and retelling of the story of God’s redemption.  God says continually…do not forget.  God reminds us of the same thing – do not forget how I have redeemed you and brought you through.  Don’t forget the times when I was with you, even when you did not know it.  Don’t forget I have saved you and set you free.  

Holy Week is an important week to remember.  We remember the sacrifice of Jesus – our redemption, our salvation, the One who set us free.  We remember the journey he traveled as he took on the weight of the world so we might not carry this weight alone.  We remember how God passed over his children as he cared for them and how he continues to shield his children today.  We celebrate God is still at work in our lives.  May we spend today remembering.

Focus Scripture:

Matthew 26:18-19

¹⁸ He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” ¹⁹ So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal.

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

This is Holy Week.  It is a week of remembrance, an opportunity to re-tell the story.  As a follower of Christ, this is one of the most important weeks of the year.  Jesus is entering danger.  He is purposely riding into the heart of the storm.  He knows what is coming but he does it anyway.  He knows the risks and they did not outweigh the outcome.  Jesus is walking a path of destruction but does it with such love and humility.  He doesn’t approach it with guns blazing.  He doesn’t come in rallying an army.  He doesn’t even call for re-enforcements.  He simply does what he knows he is called to do.

As the celebrations of Palm Sunday echo in his ears, he also has the knowledge this will not be the cheers he will hear for long.  He knows the crowds don’t get what he is about to do.  He understands the disciples will not be by his side, even as he has given them his all.  He gets this is going to be painful and cost him so much.  His ministry on earth is almost over.  The cheers are misunderstood cries for help.  He is there to help – but in the most unusual of ways.  His help will take his life.  He knows this and yet, he still goes.

When we are struggling, Jesus knows.  He gets it.  When we are seeking, he understands.  When we feel like we are challenged on every side, he has been there.  He has walked the most difficult path and is with us to remind us we are not alone.  He knows.  And because he knows, he loves.  

Today, know Jesus hears you.  He is with you.  He knows your pain.  He understands your hurt.  He also celebrates with you.  He rejoices when you rejoice.  You are not alone.  He knows.  He loves.  He walks with you.

Focus Scripture:

Mark 11:8-11

⁸ Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. ⁹ Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

“Hosanna!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” 

¹⁰ “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

¹¹ Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

We don’t realize how much we appreciate modern conveniences until we do not have them any longer.  They are so simple yet they make our lives a little bit easier.  We have been without a dryer for over a month.  We have a washer and for that, I am grateful.  My mom lives next door so it is not impossible to access a dryer (yes, I am most grateful for family).  So it is not like we are suffering.  It is just inconvenient.  For everything except towels, we wash our clothes and hang them to dry.  They are everywhere.  We hang them on any surface that will hold them.  When there is a big load, it is like walking through a museum of laundry.  At least it smells good.  We have learned towels don’t dry well indoors.  They need breeze.  And since we don’t have a line outside, they get taken to the dryer of a family member. 

It isn’t really a big deal.  But it sure feels like one when having to try and find a spot for the clothes to dry.  It helps me, though.  In some small way, my perspective is shifted and I am reminded just how privileged my life really is.  I wonder if I need all the clothes I have.  I wonder why I feel like it is such an inconvenience to dry my clothes.  I also wonder if the part to fix the dryer will ever arrive.  

I am grateful for inconveniences.  It helps me to realize how much I have been given.  It gives me an opportunity to see if I am being a good steward of the gifts from God.  I am challenged to think beyond the normalcy of my day.  Mostly, it helps me to live more grateful.  With or without a dryer, I am grateful.  What makes you live more grateful?

Focus Scripture:

Philippians 4:5-6

⁵ Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

Today is the day to… We could just wait until there is a better day.  We could wait until tomorrow or the next day or the next.  We could have done it yesterday.  But we put it off.  We put off whatever it is we have been wanting to accomplish.  Maybe it is a chore we are putting off.  We know the weeds aren’t going to disappear out of the flower bed on their own.  We know they need to come up.  But surely we can wait until… Maybe it is something fun we keep pushing off the calendar.  I will go on that hike or visit that friend or take a day off when… It may be something as simple as deciding today is the day to be extra kind or spend more time listening and less time talking.  Maybe today is the day to show a little more love to those we love the most.  Maybe today is the day to simply find a moment to breathe.  Today may just be the day to… (and you fill in the blank).

We hear all the time how tomorrow is not guaranteed.  We understand that our time is limited.  Yet we put off those things which may be important to us for whatever reason.  It could be we are too busy or too tired or too behind or too – whatever.  We can come up with more excuses than we even realize to not do the things we wish we were doing.  Or we could decide – today is the day.  This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it – as the Psalmist reminds us.  Today is important and beautiful and an opportunity.  Don’t waste your todays on thoughts of your tomorrows.

What will you do today?  How will you show the love of God to your neighbor?  How will you accomplish something new?  How will you tackle that chore?  This is the day to…

Focus Scripture:

Psalm 118:23-25

²³ This is the Lord’s doing;
    it is marvelous in our eyes.
²⁴ This is the day that the Lord has made;
    let us rejoice and be glad in it. 
²⁵ Save us, we beseech you, O Lord!
    O Lord, we beseech you, give us success!

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

“God, I thank you.”  Those words seem so easy.  They should be on the tip of our tongue at most any moment.  We have so much to be thankful for.  A day should not go by without taking account of all we are thankful.  It should be part of our day to give thanks to the One who provides us more than we ever think, imagine, or realize.  And when things are going well, thanks can roll right from our lips.  When a prayer is answered the way we asked, we give thanks.  When things come out the way we desired, we proclaim thanks.  Those are given – or at least should be. 

What about the times when thanks is not our first response?  What about the times when our prayers are not answered the way we asked, requested and pleaded?  What about the times when we didn’t get the test results we wanted?  What happens when there is more work to do and it stares us in the face with such force?  What do we do when our world, at least as we see it at the time, falls apart?  I don’t know about you, but thankfulness is not automatic.  Most of the time, thankfulness is the farthest from my thoughts.  If I am honest, I often fail to see anything in which to give thanks.  I can be mad or angry, disappointed or hurt.  But to give thanks?  The human in me says no thanks.  

And yet, there are still so many things to give thanks for – so many beautiful gifts filling our world.  While our own world may seem shattered at the time, this does not mean God has stopped working.  It does not mean he is not with us.  It does not mean he has forsaken us.  It does not mean we are abandoned.  There are still so many things in which to give thanks.  It takes just a moment to realize all we have been given.  It takes just a step back (or two or three) from our perspective.  It takes just a word of thanks to help change the view which holds us hostage.  

Giving thanks is not always easy or welcome or our first response.  Sometimes it is our absolute last response.  Today, maybe we make it our only response – God, I thank you.  No matter what comes my way, I thank you.  No matter what I may face today, I thank you.  You are with me and I thank you.

Focus Scripture:

Psalm 28:6-7

⁶ Blessed be the Lord,
    for he has heard the sound of my pleadings.
⁷ The Lord is my strength and my shield;
    in him my heart trusts;
so I am helped, and my heart exults,
    and with my song I give thanks to him.

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

March is always one of those months we expect to see some stormy weather.  It is as if Spring is trying to be birthed from Winter and it doesn’t always flow so well.  This morning, as God began to turn on the lights on my part of the world, I noticed the sky.  Sure, it is still really windy and stormy.  But the sky looked so angry.  It seemed to speak of its displeasure with all that was going on.  It moved and shifted as if it had a message to speak. 

We can certainly take this as a part of the progression of this season.  Or we could see a sign, a message of sorts.  Over the years of reading and studying the Bible, it has become really evident to me that God has an expectation of us we often overlook.  I don’t remember hearing much about it growing up, if at all.  I don’t remember this ever being a focus in the church.  But God has given us a directive to care for his good creation.  We are taught in Genesis that God created and it was good.  He continued to create good things, including you and me.  And when he created humanity, he gave us the responsibility for loving and caring for all he had created.  It is our job – our high calling, so to speak.  Yet, it seems to be the most overlooked.

We treat God’s creation as if it is expendable.  We don’t worry about what we are doing because we will die and it will be someone else’s responsibility.  We want what we want when we want it, regardless of the price there is to pay.  We don’t want to sacrifice or do anything which may inconvenience us.  We simply ignore all the signs, ignore God’s directive, and ignore anything which gets in our way.  Yet, if we believe God created, how can we not be concerned for all he created?  If we truly believe God provided, how can we be so irresponsible with the things which he has provided?  It seems to be poor stewardship.  It seems to go against our calling.  It is wrong.

The good news is – it is never too late.  As long as God continues to create, we have the opportunity to care for his creation.  Take note of the things you do in a day.  Think about the ways you impact – for good or bad – this good creation.  Consider changes we can all begin to make to follow God’s directive and care for his goodness.  May it begin with me.

Focus Scripture:

Genesis 1:28-31

²⁸ God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” ²⁹ God said, “See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. ³⁰ And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. ³¹ God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

What do you look forward to?  Are you waiting on Friday to get here?  Is there a vacation you have in mind you can’t wait to happen?  Are you looking forward to a special event or an important birthday?  Are there milestones coming up you anxiously await?  

We all want something to look forward to.  We want something we can see ahead of us to keep us going through the mundane of daily work and life.  We want a target, some goal ahead we can achieve to keep us focused.  We may just want the week to be over – so we are looking for the end of it.  

What if we looked forward to each new day?  I know…it sounds a bit crazy.  Not many of us wake up each morning excited about the day ahead – unless it is that special day or we are on vacation or we can sleep in for a change.  But what if the mundane, normal daily life became something we were excited about?  What if we woke up looking forward to our work or whatever we need to do that day?  Could it change our perspective on what happens?

I am not saying every day will be great.  But if we woke up seeking the good in each day, looking forward to what God has planned, I think it would help us to realize all we have been given.  We may lead more thankful lives.  Our lives may be filled with more hope and joy.  We might begin to see the opportunities we had previously missed.  We may find God is with us…even at work or the doctor’s office or the grocery store.  We just might find there really is something to look forward to each and every day.  

This is the day that the Lord has made.  May we get excited about all he has planned.  May we seek the good.  May we see God.

Focus Scripture:

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

We all struggle in some way.  We all find ourselves afraid at times.  We all have issues we cannot seem to resolve.  Many of us fight anxiety or loneliness.  Some are riding the overwhelming waves of grief.  Others are lashing out in anger for no apparent reason.  We can hide all of these feelings deep inside, but they eventually show themselves in unexpected ways.  

What if we approached our day with the understanding that everyone struggles.  From the outwardly most confident to the completely humble, everyone has something they are dealing with.  We don’t always talk about it – not everyone has earned the right to hear our story.  We don’t always let people in on our issues – people can take advantage if placed in the hands of the wrong ones.  So many put on a brave face and move forward.  

If we start with the understanding that we are all struggling in some way, could it make us more understanding?  Could it be we find ourselves more patient?  I wonder if we could become more kind and loving – even to those who seem so angry and mean and harsh.  Could it be the people who most drive us crazy could actually steer us to prayer?  I think we could approach the world a lot differently if we simply realize no one is immune to difficulties.  No one gets an easy ride in this life.  Some struggle more than others – but no one gets to avoid difficulties altogether.  

May we find ourselves more kind today.  May we shine with the light of Christ, showing hope as we move through our world. 

Focus Scripture:

Galatians 5:22-23

²² By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

One of the things that is most alarming is how we treat one another.  It isn’t as if this is anything new.  I have been reading about some of the Saints of the Church recently.  In too many cases, the saints ended up being martyred.  Why were they killed?  They were killed because they refused to deny their faith.  They held firm to their faith in God and this made someone in charge angry.  So they were tortured or killed.  This all happened because people with power thought they were so right that everyone who didn’t agree was wrong.  The wrong was so wrong that death was the answer.  Believe like me…or else – this was a clear statement.

While this does still occur in other countries, in the United States, this should not be the case.  It does, however, show up in other ways.  We have decided that everyone must believe like us or they are wrong – so wrong we can’t fellowship with them.  If someone doesn’t act, vote, believe, speak and think like I do – they are out.  Yet, this isn’t at all the teaching of the Bible.  

I can’t help but think how self-absorbed  and yet insecure the emperors and rulers must have been.  They had to have people to tell them they were great and their ideas were perfect – probably because they didn’t even believe it themselves.  They couldn’t even take it when someone disagreed with them – speaks of extreme insecurity to me.  But too often, we can fall into similar traps.  If someone doesn’t agree or believe like me, am I so insecure about what I believe that I cannot even hear them or want to be around them?  Do they need to believe like me…or else?  I don’t think so.

It seems to me we are taught a different way.  We are taught the way of God’s love.  We are taught the way of compassion and kindness.  This way doesn’t have room to bully someone else into our beliefs.  It doesn’t give space for belittling someone else for ideas and opinions different than our own.  This way is one of giving.  This way is one of praying for one another.  This way is one of patience.  This is the way of Jesus.  

Consider how you treat those who do not believe like you.  How might we show the love of Christ in ways that reach out rather than set ultimatums?

Focus Scripture:

Colossians 3:12

As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery