Month: February 2016

Categories
PWTE Daily Devotion

Hope Forever

Oregon Gardens, Silverton, Oregon

There will always be hope until Christ returns.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.”  
Psalm 131:3 English Standard Version

Oregon Gardens, Silverton, Oregon
Oregon Gardens, Silverton, Oregon

As long as the Oregon Gardens is in business (which hopefully will be for some time) these bronze statues of a boy and girl will endure.  These figures grabbed my attention as I took more pics of them from various angles.  Yet, the reality is that they may not stay here forever

As long as this world spins, there will be hope even though the things of life will disappear.  The hope we have in Christ transcends the uncertainty of worldly hope.  “I hope it snows tomorrow.”  “I hope I can sleep tonight.”  “I hope the creek don’t rise.”  There is an air of uncertainty in each of these statements.

There is no air of uncertainty in the statement that Jesus Christ is going to return, that he is going to raise the dead, and that all things will be placed under his feet.  This is our hope, and as long as the community of God’s people exists in the here-and-now, there will be this unwavering hope in God’s promised future.

Copyright Douglas P Brauner

Categories
Reflection

A Favorite Bible Verse – by Gerald Givens

God was there before there was a “me.”

How many times have you been in a discussion or a class and asked what you favorite Bible verse is?  There are many responses and many good verses – some of my favorites are:

Joshua 24:15b, “. . . choose this day whom you will serve, .. . But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Psalm 8:4a, “what is man that you are mindful of him . . .“

Matthew 28:20b, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

John 15:5 (my confirmation verse), “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (They knew me then.)

Peru SunsetThere are others. Each fits a different situation and each is a great verse, but recently I have been reflecting on Gen 1.1, “In the beginning God . . .”.

What a great way to begin.  Most will know this verse continues “created”.  Indeed before we even knew we needed salvation God sent his son for those who were lost.  So again in a different beginning, that is the beginning of my redemption, God was there first.

I take comfort that in every situation, before there is a ‘me’, there is God.  I have had my share of making a hash of things.  But before I took a step, God is there.

Sometimes He helped me do the right thing, sometimes He watched and shook His head as I made a mess of things, and sometimes He tried to teach me how I might do better the next time.  Sometimes He was there supporting me as I expressed my regret, sorrow or commitment.  But always He is there.

I like to think I am something special, and I am, because He chooses to make me special.  But in the beginning there was/is/will be God.

That is what is really special – “In the beginning God . . .”

Copyright Gerald Givens

__________________________

01 CancerGerald Givens is a retired USAF Lieutenant Colonel (1969-1991) and contract satellite engineer/program manager (1991-2011). He was born on 16 March 1945, and blessed to be baptized in April 1945, and married to his lovely wife, Karen, on 23 December 1967. He has served HCLC as Lay Minister and member of the Board of Directors. For many years he served with Karen and a third grade and kindergarten Sunday School teacher.  Recently he has led numerous Financial Peace University classes and co-chaired with Karen the Holy Cross Momentum emphasis,”SOAR” which was intended to bring Biblically based financial management training to the broader Holy Cross community.

 

Categories
PWTE Daily Devotion

The Gift of Rest

Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Colorado

Jesus invites us into his rest.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'”
Mark 6:31 New International Version

The Sangres de Cristo Mountains are one of the longest mountain chains in the world running from Poncha Pass in Colorado to Glorieta Pass in New Mexico.

Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Colorado
Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Colorado

Sangre de Cristo is Spanish for blood of Christ. It’s believed that these mountains received their name because of the red color reflected off the snow at sunrise and sunset.

The Sangres are a place of respite. There are no major cities close to the Sangres in Colorado, so the miles upon miles of hiking trails are places of solitude. The Rainbow Trail itself runs north and south for 100 miles. The Sangres invite us to rest.

Jesus’ invitation to his disciples is his invitation to you.

The rest you and I need begins in the blood of Christ. We enter his rest through the gift of forgiveness. We don’t have to live in the guilt and shame that for so long have permeated our lives.  His blood has washed away our guilt.

With his blood covering you, you’re invited today into his presence for rest. I don’t know what stresses you face, but God does. Rest from all that pummels your life is found in the presence of Jesus Christ. His promise is true; he is with you to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).

Copyright Douglas P Brauner