Feb. 18 – “You are the man!”

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Today’s devotional comes from one of Jim Hawkinson’s blog post of 5 years ago.  

Shattered shards of clay pots, that’s all we really are.  Knowing it deep within and being reminded often – whether in dreams by night or everyday events – there is no hiding from our own brokenness as human beings.  Is that why the pervasive anxieties all around are so hard to truly face, much less absorb?  The Old Testament Nathan’s prophecy to King David (2 Samuel 12) was hardly spent on him.  It continues through the ages, coming down on us as well:  “You are the man!”

One can, of course, like so many keep doing, run and hide from it all, proudly pretending innocence.  We see it all the time in others and know it in ourselves, deep within.  Ought we not rather thank God that He persists in calling the likes of Nathan to break through our hidden nature and confront us with our sin?

What’s so amazing about grace is that the God who thus probes our depths does so not to destroy our lives but to recreate them from within.  Stay up on your own high hill and you will be brought low.  But receive him in the valleys of your life and you will be exalted.

Read the hymn by Joseph Hart (1712-1766) below – even sing it to the Beach Spring tune if you can. Allow it to illumine the darkness within you.  And let it awaken the joyous reminder that God sent His Son to make us whole.

Come, you sinners, poor and needy, bruised and broken by the fall;
Jesus ready standsto save you, full of pard’ning grace for all.
He is able, He is able, He is willing, doubt no more;
He is able, He is able, He is willing, doubt no more;

Let not conscience make you linger, nor of fitness fondly dream;
All that He requires of sinners is to turn and trust in Him.
He will save you, He will save you, ‘tis the Gospel’s constant theme.
He will save you, He will save you, ‘tis the Gospel’s constant theme.

Lo! Th’ incarnate God, ascended, pleads the merit of His blood;
Venture on Him, venture wholly, let no other trust intrude;
None but Jesus, none but Jesus can do helpless sinners good.
None but Jesus, none but Jesus can do helpless sinners good.

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Feb. 17 – Jill’s Story

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Lent is a time to remember and reflect.  So we’ve asked a number of people to share their stories with us.  Today, we hear from Jill Heath, a member of the LCC family…

I was blessed to be born into a Christian family and raised in the Covenant church going to Sunday School. One night at age 6, I could not fall to sleep until I asked Jesus into my heart. I got out of bed and found my mom in the living room. I told her I needed to ask Jesus into my heart. She prayed with me and my life was changed forever.

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Feb. 16 – At the feet of Jesus

It is not easy for me to slow down, to pause and really think about what Jesus went through on my behalf. It is hard. It can be painful – to focus on pausing, on really taking in what Jesus went through—for me and for you.

Here is a hymn, a meditation, that brings me there, to the foot of the cross. It shines a mirror on my sin; then on the incredible love and sacrifice of my Lord and Savior.
O sacred Head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down,

Now scornfully surrounded with thorns, your only crown:

How pale you are with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn!

How does that visage languish which once was bright as morn!

 

What you, O Lord, have suffered was all for sinner’s gain;

Mine, mine was the transgression, but yours the deadly pain.

Lo, here I fall, my Savior! ‘Tis I deserve your place;

Look on me with your favor, vouchsafe to me your grace.

 

What language shall I borrow to thank you, dearest friend,

For this your dying sorrow, your pity without end?

O make me yours forever; and should I fainting be,

Lord, let me never, never outlive my love for thee.

Bernard of Clairvaux

– Carol Dieball

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Feb. 15 – Janis’s Story

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Lent is a time to remember and reflect.  So we’ve asked a number of people to share their stories with us.  Today, we hear from Janis Carlson, one of our Deacon Team members…

I cannot recall a time when I did not know about Jesus. My parental home was a God-fearing, God believing wonderful home. The atmosphere in our home left no doubt that Jesus Christ is God’s gift for salvation. Yet, knowing about the Lord is not knowing Him. When I was seven years old, I came home from Sunday School talking about faith as much as a child like me was capable. After talking my mom was with me as I prayed to accept Jesus as my Savior. However, I did not have a clear memory as the time passed. Many friends had dates written in their Bibles recording the time they put their trust in Christ. I had no date. It did cause me some concern. Yet, I knew I believed. I knew Jesus promise was true. So later when someone showed me in the Bible Timothy’s story — Paul said in 2 Timothy Chapter 1 — “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” that’s my story, I thought, just change the names of grandmother and mother. What a happiness I knew.

Years have passed. There have been ups and downs but always a steady sense of God’s love and powerful keeping me in His care. The journey of growth continued and does so today.

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Feb. 13 – Acknowledging the Dark

I’ve often heard it said that Easter is our most important Christian holiday, trumping

Christmas, but felt that we don’t live it out that way. As a mom, I’ve tried to be

thoughtful about how we celebrate Christmas, and particularly Advent. We try to do

things throughout the season to help our family recognize the true meaning of

Christmas. But what do we do about Lent? How do we “celebrate” Lent? How do we

recognize the true meaning of Easter? Are we (and our children) catching the spirit

of this season, and are we living out the Gospel through our Lenten and Easter

practices?

Part of the trouble is that Lent is quiet, contemplative; there’s even some darkness.

It doesn’t translate as easily into fun family activities. But as wise Solomon tells us,

“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven….A time to

cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.” (Ecclesiastes 3: 1 & 4,

NLT) Life is meant to have highs and lows, and a season of dark is necessary for us

to appreciate the light when it comes. Lent is about stepping into what Christ did for

us and considering His preparation for the cross. Our families will benefit from

acknowledging the dark, even though it’s not quite as much fun as counting down

the days before His birth.

– Julie Dahlberg

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