April 24, 2020

​Daily Lectionary Readings for Year A

Psalm 116
Gratitude.  Even in my most trying days, there are reasons to be thankful.  For the kind note that someone sent in the mail.  For the telephone call that helped me remember the sound of another person's voice.  For the open Bible that gives me a pathway to walk with God.  For friends who are close in heart even if they are far away in body.  For family and the stories that sustain me when I am weary.  For the love and faithfulness of this congregation.  For the work of God all around, in the sunrises and sunsets, the hopping bunnies, the fat robins, and the strength to help me find a way when there seems to be no way.  What are you grateful for today?  Let us begin and end today in gratitude.

Isaiah 26:1-4
Trust.  Say this: "Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord we have an everlasting rock."  Trust in God, because God has been worthy of your trust.  God has been faithful.  God has taken you by the hand and has led you on this journey of life.  God will show you how to endure this time in the wilderness.  Place your worries about finances and futures in God's care.  Say this: "Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord we have an everlasting rock."

1 Peter 1:13-16
Prepare.  Will we ever have a time like this again?  What will we choose to do with this unique opportunity to shelter in place, to rest, to find ourselves again?  Every day we have choices to make.  We can fill ourselves up with things that will make us weaker.  We can be bitter.  We can be selfish.  We can be angry.  We can be hostile.  We can look back.  We can get sucked into negativity.  Or, we can fill ourselves up with things that will make us stronger.  We can pray.  We can study.  We can clear our minds.  We can strengthen our hearts.  We can dream new dreams.  We can heal our wounds.  We can prepare for what is next.  How are you using this time to prepare your heart to serve God and neighbor?

Peace,
Dean