I’m at the airport now.  Haven’t seen Gene or Amanda yet.  I have just spent the last 30 hours running around like a maniac trying to get packed and ready.  Good thing they send a packing list - it was a huge help!!  We fly from here to Atlanta, where we have a long layover and orientation before overnighting it to Rio.  More later….

We got here safely and it is only today that I could finally get on my netbook.  We rested most of yesterday recuperating from the 9 hour flight (no movie!  The computer system wasn’t working!).  Today we started Bible Study and we are going grocery shopping this afternoon.  We don’t have a church to go to tonight, so we will worship here instead.  More later…!

Praise the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens. Praise Him for His acts of power; praise Him for His surpassing greatness. Praise Him with the sounding of trumpet, praise Him with the harp and lyre, praise Him with the tambourine and dancing, praise Him with the strings and flute, praise Him with the clash of cymbals, praise Him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Psalm 150

Halleluiah! On a day such as this, again the Lord has proven his infinite wisdom to me. At first, I was worried about writing a devotional for Easter, of all days. But the answer was where it always should be, in the Word of God. I can’t say it any better than Psalm 150. Today, you should praise the Lord with all your heart, all your soul, and all your might, with all the uninhibited and unadulterated strength you can muster. This is the day that the Lord has made and we should ALL rejoice in it! If you’ve ever thought about saying, “Amen!” or “Halleluiah!” in the middle of a church service, this is the day!

Today, it is important to thank God, but I think it is more important to believe in His resurrection. It is unfathomable to understand the intense belief Mary, the disciples, or the two men on their way to Emmaus experienced when they realized Jesus had risen and conquered death…for all of us! I know I often fall into the trap the disciple Thomas did in John 20:24-29, and get weak in my belief of Jesus’ resurrection. I want to see the nail marks in His hands, and put my hand in His side in order to believe. I want concrete evidence. Even when I’ve already received so many concrete answers, and many wonderful blessings. Jesus tells us that, “…blessed are those that have not seen and yet have believed.” Another answer from the Word of God! I believe! Praise God! Halleluiah!

So today, on Easter Sunday, believe! Praise God with all your might! Jesus has risen and conquered death for you and me. Let all God’s people say, “HALLELUIAH!”

Wonderful and magnificent God, what a great day this is, that you have made. We rejoice in Your name, we celebrate Your Son Jesus. Praise the Lord! Halleluiah! Halleluiah! Amen!

Rusty Smith

1 Kings 3:16-28, Luke 23:50-56

When I was growing up, Paul Harvey, hosted the radio program The Rest of the Story. He would tell true stories, which seemed completely ordinary until he sprang the surprise twist on you. After he had revealed this unexpected outcome he would pronounce, “And now you know, the rest of the story.” Every year when I come to the last day of Lent I ponder that brief yet profound space between our life events, transitions, crossroads and… the rest of the story.

What must the disciples have been thinking after the events of Good Friday? Jesus had described His death and resurrection specifically, but “the disciples did not understand any of this – its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.” (Luke 18:34) So, how long must that space after His death have felt? How could they possibly imagine a positive outcome?

In 1 Kings, chapter three, two women and a baby appear before Solomon. Each woman claims that the baby is hers. Solomon says, “Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other.” Is there any sense in what is happening? Can we possibly fathom “the rest of the story”?

In the space between dilemma and outcome, where is our faith? Can God be trusted? How about the moment after a cancer diagnosis, or the days of “hang time” after being fired? How about the altered sense of reality immediately after the passing of a loved one? These challenging moments are the spaces that prepare us for God’s wisdom to be revealed and the unexpected to happen in our stories.

The Lord granted Solomon “a wise and discerning heart.” (1 Kings 3:12) As the story in 1 Kings continues we see the most unexpected twist happen as the real mother’s identity is revealed. Likewise, the most incredible twist in history occurs as the Son of Man is raised from the dead. Who could write such amazing stories but God? Can we not also imagine that God has written the rest of our stories and therefore we can trust Him with our lives?

Lord, as we wait in anticipation to celebrate Your resurrection, let us take great comfort in the fact that Your wisdom can be trusted. Help us to embrace the “spaces” and “hang time” in our lives as opportunities to grow our faith. Calm our hearts and bring us peace as we wait for the rest of the story. Amen.

Lisa Gibbs Smith

Psalm 40 (focus: verses 1-3)

“Jennifer, I’m sorry, it is NOT benign.” I dropped the phone, struggling to breathe. Is this happening? I’m 41! I have a husband and three little boys! I have a life full of plans, things to do! I have CANCER?!? I melted to my knees, sobbing. “What do I do now? OH, LORD JESUS, GOD OF MERCY!! Help me Lord! Please, I can’t do this — let it be a mistake! But oh, God, if this is real, get me through quickly. I‘m no good at waiting! I need answers!”

The Lord turned to me and heard my cry. Within hours, I was wrapped in the prayers of sisters and brothers. The next day, specialists explained with confidence what I had and how they would treat it. God gave us instant clarity on what could have been a hard decision, and a surgery date much sooner than we expected. A mere seventeen days after that heart-stopping phone call, and the tumor was out! THANK YOU LORD!!!
I was not supposed to need chemotherapy, but tests proved otherwise. The treatments took my hair, appetite, energy, time, and there were no shortcuts around it. But the Lord brought me through that too – using the prayers, help, and encouragement of people we knew, and of some we didn’t, but He wanted us to know. And, in His “just-like-God” way, He surprised us all with how much I, a former champion of the ponytail, relished the freedom of my bald head.

But more astounding than the ways God answered my plea for swift passage through the fire, was the joy and peace He filled me with on the way. God’s perfect love really did drive out all fear (1 John 4:18), and he let me see — beyond the hypothetical — that I did not fear death. He lifted me from the pit, and gave me a firm place to stand. And now I stand on that rock with a new song in my mouth – a hymn of pure praise to the Ever-Faithful, All-Merciful, Almighty God, who loves us so much that He gave His only Son.

Thank you Lord, that as you heard and knew the pain of Jesus on the cross, and brought him to the fullness and joy of your everlasting life, so you hear us, and know our pain, and do not forsake us when we cry out, but come to lead us, too, into everlasting life. Amen.

Jennifer London

For the life of the creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar. Leviticus 17:11

“Mrs. Edelbrock, lab results show that you are severely anemic. Let’s run some additional tests to see what might be the underlying cause for your symptoms.”

Well, that would explain the lethargy and fatigue of recent weeks. I have awakened a few nights later as the peace of a February snowfall is once again blanketing the house where my family lies sleeping. The winter stillness frames the underlying thought that pulls me from my bed sheets, “The life of the creature is in the blood.”

In just a few days the six members of my birth family will gather here to celebrate my brother’s 50th birthday. In many ways, this event could not be better timed. We are walking through trying times as we collectively wrestle with the challenges that overwhelm this middle season of life…raising teens, caring for aging parents, planning for college and retirement, confronting precarious personal health and employment issues, and keeping our marriages and families intact as we press on in our daily routines. It’s draining.

The buildup of brokenness in our earthly walk wears us down often leaving us flat, depleted, and despairing. I am learning in my spiritual journey that our individual efforts to cope and stay the course prove to be only temporarily fruitful at best. That which is broken remains broken and fragile until, once fully surrendered, it becomes a transformed and perfected work of God’s ultimate plan for healing and redemption.

This is what I continue to pray for as I release each and every one of my family members to the Lord’s certain and promised care and intervention. He came and gave the gift of His own life to forever cancel the effects of sin and chaos in ours. As we gather at the Cross in just a few days time, let’s consider with rediscovered wonder and awe the unmatched gift of His body and blood broken and drained out for us…then race forth in the miraculously transformed life that sings out in joy-filled witness to the world, “What can take away my sin…what can make me whole again…Nothing but the blood of Jesus!

Abba Father, take up residence in our prayers and our witness as we humbly lift our fallen and broken world to You, that others might come to know the true and transforming power of your life and love. AMEN

Laura Edelbrock

“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and break it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. Gave thanks and he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying Drink ye all of it. For this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. “ Matthew 26:26- 28

This devotional is too short to go into all the detail of “Why Jesus?” Just think. Once you realize that someone who is sinful cannot find Heaven where God resides- but that, Jesus can show you the way– a new way to rid yourself of sin. With Jesus acting as a mediator between man and God, the New Testament can be used a guide to a life closer to Christian beliefs and teachings. Jesus was the first to practice what Christians call communion. He recognized the sacrifice needed to rid mankind of sin. By accepting the symbolic body and blood of Christ, I am pledging that I will live my life based upon his teachings. I strive to understand all that that means. I want to live in a world in which all the people believe in Christ and live their lives accordingly. Just image a world in which there is no murder, no theft, no sickness, no lying, no adultery, etc. I believe it is coming some day—maybe soon.

I am still surprised today when I have a problem or question I can not answer or resolve– that if I use prayer along with the Bible, which I randomly open, God will clarify the direction I should take.

Lord open my eyes to see the many gifts you have given me
Lord let me hear the beautiful music which is life, and surrounds me
Lord let me speak evil of no one
Lord show me the right path to follow so that my family and friends can be with you
Lord Jesus grant me peace and resolve to follow your lead Amen

Archie Sabin

…”Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ Matthew 14: 28-31

Oh how I love my Bible studies especially our current Companions in Christ class. What a gift it is as we all read the same passages and at the beginning of the next class, we share some of our insights. All of a sudden, a scripture that may have meant a lot to begin with – now has even broader and deeper significance as my Sisters in Christ share their own thoughts and related life stories.

Although not very good at it, one of my ambitions is to try memorizing some of these beautiful, inspirational and sage verses. Last year, in particular, as I was having tremendous struggles at work amid my mother-in-law Signe’s worsening health, I was feeling overwhelmed. The previous week’s lesson was where Peter had enough faith to get out of the boat after Jesus had called him and began to walk on the water toward him, but began to sink. Peter reached out his hand and cried “…Lord, save me!”

What a simple verse and yet in its simplicity and brevity, it’s one I quickly have mastered and lean upon often. That particular week, it had tremendous impact as I could almost physically feel the Lord lift me out of the depths.

While I know that the verse ended with Jesus’ responding “You of little faith,” I know that Jesus understands that it’s all part of the journey of being human for eventually Peter would believe enough to go the distance for him.

Beloved Jesus, You know that we are on this journey walking toward you. Give us the faith that that one day, we may be so close as you reach out and pull us up with you.

Cathy Betts

How deserted lies the city, once so full of people! How like a widow is she, who once was great among the nations! She who was queen among the provinces has now become a slave, Bitterly she weeps at night, tears are upon her cheeks. Among all her lovers there are none to comfort her, All her friends have betrayed her, they have become her enemies. Lamentations 1: 1-2

“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.” Mark 11:22-23

Throughout the Bible there are lessons of grief, famines, and frightful and sometimes gory experiences. Then, there are also many stories of forgiveness, salvation, and awe inspiring and comforting experiences.

Walking from the Metro to work there is familiar homeless man that I talk with occasionally and provide a little help. A couple of weeks ago I asked if he found shelter during the cold weather. He said that he had and then said “I am blessed”. This is truly an example of what I would call the fortunes of the unfortunate. When we personally or our friends or people we know of only by name are down and out, in a funk or however we describe those lows, we must remember that God will be there to support and give us a foundation of unrelenting love. Life is a roller coaster and with the power of faith in God we can soar to amazing heights. Strap in!!!!

God, you are powerful and loving. Many years ago you showed us the ultimate ‘low’ followed a few days later by a wonderful risen Lord. Belief in You can provide us strength to prevail over conflicts in our lives. Praise and thanks to You. Amen.

Scott Goltry

“See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zechariah 9:9

Last Palm Sunday, I will never forget Pastor Gene’s “eeee-awww” as he explained that sometimes in doing the work of God, you are called to either go and get the donkey that Jesus eventually rode into Jerusalem or sometimes you are the donkey.

For the last few years, I have had on my heart the desire to give back to the church. The Saturday before Easter, God decided to answer my unspoken prayer.

After the Good Friday service, Bobby and I were approached to help with some planting on Saturday morning so that the church would look nice for Easter Sunday. Having nothing to do Saturday morning, we agreed to help.

Saturday morning came with a lot of cold rain. Coming from the desert, I am hyper vigilant in my approach to rain since my dislike of being wet is matched only by cats. Yet inexplicably, I arrived at the church prepared to plant but not for the rain. Despite the rain, everyone decides to start planting.

Three hours later, I am soaked through and my fingers are caked in mud and frozen. I have encountered all manner of insect and worms that I would prefer to never see again. As the wind keeps blowing in the rain making it colder, Philippians 2:13-15 pops into my head, “do all things without complaint…” At this point in my misery, Bobby turns to me, dripping, and says, “we’re the donkeys.” I started laughing so hard, I’m sure God heard me in heaven. In the end, the plants were planted and my prayer was answered, not in the way I would have liked, but it was answered greater than I could have imagined because now I can stand in front of the church, point at some of the plants out there and say, “I planted that”.

Father, I know You answer even our unspoken prayers. In our walk with You Lord, please help us to surrender our will to You and gladly do Your work without complaining or arguing so that we can shine like stars in the universe.

Jessica Rodriguez