Category: Devotionals

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.
-Philippians 4:11 NLT

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From Strength for Today: “Paul had made huge mistakes and caused tremendous pain that scarred his past, but his life changed dramatically when he met Jesus. He began to help others and share himself vulnerably. Instead of bullying his way to victory, he would sometimes go hungry. Instead of being celebrated, he would sometimes suffer loss.”

I’m no Paul (I’ve never gone hungry for one), but I changed when I met Jesus in my heart. Being stubborn, that change continues to be slow. My wife didn’t a chance to see the changes. She passed away a few short months after we were Baptized. She seemed to know so much. I wonder if she saw the changes beginning. She always saw potential in me that I thought I had squandered in my scarred past.

Contentment is tricky. I love myself for what I have become and I love the greater self yet to be revealed.

I love that my boys have been here to see me grow in God’s love. I hope my mistakes can serve as guardrails for their own journeys and that they understand that none of this would have been possible before I saw myself as a child of God.

What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us?
-Romans 8:31 RSV

My son is exploring my dusty CD collection and finding himself drawn to Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie.

I know a ton of my Christian brothers and sisters would object to that material even being in my home, much less letting my sons blast it while we dance, build Lego, and (on the rare occasion) do chores.

The world is full of temptations and demonic infuences. I don’t see power in trying to keep them at bay. Rather, I want to engage with the worldy things and see God’s meaning in them. All things work in God’s favor. Yes, we must live intentional lives and not be led astray by those who do not love us. Our intention must be to stay in God’s love while loving ourselves and our neighbors. Marilyn Manson is my neighbor. He may have horrible intentions, but those intentions are powerless against God’s plan.

The performance of “Man of La Mancha” we watched this weekend had a wonderful take on this idea in its playbill.

You can read it for yourself in the images below. It concluded with this verse:

But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
-Matthew 19:26 RSV

God works through all art, high and low, good and bad. I have no fear of free speech and “dangerous” ideas.

The key is to be engaged. God is in all things, but we must look for Him.

So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
-2 Corinthians 5:20 RSV

It’s a daunting task to identify as a Christian and then be asked to explain my words or actions. A representative of Christ? I’m not fit to fill that role.

I rely on the Holy Spirit to guide me into an honest assessment of my works. I make a lot of mistakes, but I ask for help recognizing and correcting them.

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Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer every one.
-Colossians 4:5-6 RSV

Humility is where I start. I try to live my life in love, with Jesus as the model. I’m not shy about that, but I try to listen more than preach.

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Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.
-Colossians 4:2

I don’t know how to improve on this one. I’d love to increase the frequency of my daily prayer time. My mind, body, and spirit always feel gently refreshed after I speak with God.

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Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
-Colossians 3:12

I am not always at the top of my game. Sometimes I don’t want to put on the uniform or gi because I feel weak or incapable.

The same applies to how I show myself to the world. I’m not an especially knowledgeable Christian and I have wild questions and ideas. For all my faults and mistakes, I make an effort to put on the clothes of a believer and live as God calls me .

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Keep yourselves in the love of God; wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And convince some, who doubt; save some, by snatching them out of the fire; on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
-Jude 1:21-23 RSV

I am befuddled. The difference between the translations of Jude 1:22 are dramatic.

But this I do know, living in God’s love is the only way to be a source of harmony in the world.

I was short with my sons today. I was not fully living in God’s love.

Yet, we were productive and achieved much and now we are enjoying some puzzle time before bed.

Although I strive to live more compassionately, there is often a chance to repair mistakes.

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.’
-Matthew 25:23 RSV

I’m struggling with processing the last couple devotionals. Yesterday’s is still in draft form because I couldn’t wrap my head around it.

A week ago I restarted a morning practice of breathing, meditation, prayer, and quiet. I’m communicating directly with God as many of the mediation avenues we use are not giving me clarity.

I understand this to be a call to responsibility. In this season of my faith, I am taking responsibility for my relationship with God through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

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Salmon begot Boaz, and Boaz begot Obed; Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David.
-Ruth 4:21-22

God works through the generations and we work today. It seems impossible. Both the past and future are unknowable and we can barely perceive our immediate reality.

Trust is the main action of faith. I trust that God has a plan. When I am living most presently is when I feel in line with that plan. Fighting against it or being distracted from the flow of the plan causes detachment and suffering.

Intention on the present needs constant renewal. Distractions are many and ego has devilish manner.

I spent time with friends in the woods today. We were present for each other as we each experience transitions in life.

Maybe it’s only been a week or two, but I’ve missed this connection with other parents. Renewal can come from many places. I am grateful to God for these present friends and their gifts of attention.

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The Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay your hand on him. Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him.”
-Numbers 27:18, 20 NIV

Mary brought physical touch into my life in a way I had not experienced. She was a hugger and I wasn’t. I came from a physically reserved family and this was a new and awkward rhythm for me.

Having children broke apart the awkwardness. Our boys fell asleep in my arms so many times. To this day we wrestle and hug and kiss and tickle and, with the recent introduction of the Punch Buggy game into our lives, hit each other a lot.

It wasn’t until I lost Mary that I saw how much I valued touch. I’ve talked with a lot of widows and widowers and the loss of frequent, intimate touch is the most commonly felt agony.

I hug my boys more than ever. I relish the contact in soccer as much as any other aspect. Jiu-jitsu is the ultimate in physical contact in a safe environment. My romantic relationships have also taken on a greater level of attention to physical contact.

I experience God primarily through nature and people. Touching the ground and the trees and even spider webs connects me to all of God’s creation. Similarly, physical touch connects me to the whole of humanity. It is intense and can be frightening, but on the whole, I experience great love through the connection to Creation.

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