For Such A Time As This 041520 – Karen Haldeman
To the Good Folk of the Palmyra Church of the Brethren,
“Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in the books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.” - Martin Luther
For Our Prayers:
Contact Bethany at bhoffer@palmyracob.org or call/text 937-417-5938 if want to be included in an updated video that will be released in about two weeks. We would love to see you! Join the fun!!
Reminder:
If you know someone who does not have email, please call them and offer to read this email to them and share this devotion with them. And, check in on how they are doing.
Today’s Devotion:
I am thankful to Karen Haldeman for providing today’s devotion. Karen invites us to look in unexpected places for signs of hope. If you wish to respond to Karen directly, her email address is kbhaldeman@verizon.net.
Shalom,
Dennis
Scripture - Isaiah 43:18-19 (CEV)
“Forget what happened long ago!
Don’t think about the past.
I am creating something new.
There it is! Do you see it?
I have put roads in deserts,
streams in thirsty lands.”
Thoughts:
I like to watch for the sun to rise in the morning, especially during times when I’m feeling anxious. There’s something about the predictability of it that is soothing and comforting to me. And I am fortunate to live at a spot where the eastern horizon is not blocked by houses or trees.
So, the other morning after a night of poor sleep, I made a cup of tea and sat at the window to watch for signs of orange and crimson to appear. Though it was still pretty dark outside, I could tell that it was only partly cloudy, which meant that there was a good chance of seeing patches of light and color between the clouds at the horizon. And I waited.
As I sipped my tea, I noticed the overall sky was gradually becoming more gray than black, yet I couldn’t see the colors I was hoping for. Sighing with disappointment, I began to think it was going to be another dreary day.
As I got out of my chair to move on to my morning routines, I noticed some brightness to the left of where I had been watching. A stripe of bright orange was peeking through the clouds after all! I had been watching for the sun to rise at the same place on the horizon where it had risen several weeks ago, forgetting that it appears further north now that it is spring. I had almost missed this morning gift of hope because I was looking at the wrong place.
Prayer:
God of past, present, and future, I often lack courage to shift my gaze beyond the familiar. Especially during days of challenge, show me hope and surprises in unexpected places.
“Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in the books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.” - Martin Luther
For Our Prayers:
- June Blouch, who has strained her back quite badly and is dealing with a lot of pain and discomfort.
- A negative COVID-19 test result for the person we’ve been praying for!
- For Brethren around the world:
- Brazil - Authorities are saying that conditions as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic will be at their worst during the next two weeks. Churches are not meeting. Pray for the church members and their leaders including Marcos and Suely Inhauser.
- Nigeria - Although the federal government has closed all schools and asked people to stay at home, each state has set their own lock-down rules. The rules are much stricter in urban areas like Lagos and Abuja. Many places are not gathering for worship. The Church of the Brethren in Nigeria has postponed their Annual Conference. In the midst of the pandemic, Boko Haram has continued their attacks and fear is prevalent. Pray for EYN President Billi along with all the leaders, pastors, and church members.
- Great Lakes Africa (Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo) - The closing of borders, schools, and religious services has caused severe financial difficulties for day workers who don’t eat if they don’t work. The Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund was able to provide grants for both countries. Food was provided for 250 households in Rwanda and 550 in DR Congo. The leaders send their sincere thanks for this much-needed assistance.
- Spain - The country has been under an aggressive shut down, but they are hoping the worst is now behind them. The seven churches have not been meeting, but they are praying daily and preaching the gospel through social media. The church members have been assisting one another with economic needs as they arise.
- Venezuela - Prayers are requested for peace in the country during this time. They are also praying that every Venezuelan might have a genuine encounter with Jesus Christ.
Contact Bethany at bhoffer@palmyracob.org or call/text 937-417-5938 if want to be included in an updated video that will be released in about two weeks. We would love to see you! Join the fun!!
Reminder:
If you know someone who does not have email, please call them and offer to read this email to them and share this devotion with them. And, check in on how they are doing.
Today’s Devotion:
I am thankful to Karen Haldeman for providing today’s devotion. Karen invites us to look in unexpected places for signs of hope. If you wish to respond to Karen directly, her email address is kbhaldeman@verizon.net.
Shalom,
Dennis
Scripture - Isaiah 43:18-19 (CEV)
“Forget what happened long ago!
Don’t think about the past.
I am creating something new.
There it is! Do you see it?
I have put roads in deserts,
streams in thirsty lands.”
Thoughts:
I like to watch for the sun to rise in the morning, especially during times when I’m feeling anxious. There’s something about the predictability of it that is soothing and comforting to me. And I am fortunate to live at a spot where the eastern horizon is not blocked by houses or trees.
So, the other morning after a night of poor sleep, I made a cup of tea and sat at the window to watch for signs of orange and crimson to appear. Though it was still pretty dark outside, I could tell that it was only partly cloudy, which meant that there was a good chance of seeing patches of light and color between the clouds at the horizon. And I waited.
As I sipped my tea, I noticed the overall sky was gradually becoming more gray than black, yet I couldn’t see the colors I was hoping for. Sighing with disappointment, I began to think it was going to be another dreary day.
As I got out of my chair to move on to my morning routines, I noticed some brightness to the left of where I had been watching. A stripe of bright orange was peeking through the clouds after all! I had been watching for the sun to rise at the same place on the horizon where it had risen several weeks ago, forgetting that it appears further north now that it is spring. I had almost missed this morning gift of hope because I was looking at the wrong place.
Prayer:
God of past, present, and future, I often lack courage to shift my gaze beyond the familiar. Especially during days of challenge, show me hope and surprises in unexpected places.
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