We will be posting new daily devotionals starting February 17th.  Keep an eye out and visit often! 

If you would like to download a copy of the entire devotional, a pdf is below.  The document contains four copies of the devotional.  If you would like to make copies for your youth or anyone else, simply print the pdf as is, make double-sided copies, cut into four quadrants, and staple.

Lenten Devotional for Download

Lent 2010

Lent is a time of preparation.  In the early church it was time for those coming to be baptized to prepare for that moment.  Easter was the day that baptisms were celebrated, marking new life in Christ.  This series of devotions is based thematically around a different spiritual discipline each week.  Take a few minutes each day to read the scriptures and quotations and then reflect on your practice.  Let Lent be a journey of self-discovery and a journey toward holiness.  Take these words from 1 Peter 1:13-16 as a starting place for your journey:

[P]repare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed. Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; for it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’

With Lenten Blessings,
~Brian Rossbert

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Worship   
April 2, 2010

Read: Luke 22:14-23

"As worship begins in holy expectancy, it ends in holy obedience. Holy obedience saves worship from becoming an opiate, an escape from the pressing needs of modern life."
~Richard Foster

Many of our acts of worship are about remembering.  Remembering does not only mean recalling events in our minds, but it means embodying a past act.  In doing so, we bring the past into the present so that we might live into a preferred future.  Nowhere is this more evident in Christian practice than at the Communion Table. 

Do the rites and rituals of the Church continue to live through you after the hour of worship is over?
 

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Worship   
April 1, 2010

Read: John 4:19-26

"When we worship together as a community of living Christians, we do not worship alone, we worship 'with all the company of heaven.'"
~Marianne H. Micks

Christians do indeed worship a God we know.  Through the Incarnation, we have come to intimately know our God in Jesus Christ.  That knowledge continues to dwell in us by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Our worship is a time of truth-telling the story of God's coming to us in Christ 2000+ years ago and his return in the future.

How do you tell the Truth in worship?
 

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Worship   
March 31, 2010

Read: Genesis 12:4-9, Exodus 3:1-5

"In olden times sacrifices were made at the altar - a practice which is still continued."
~Helen Rowland

The hymn We Bring a Sacrifice of Praise sings these words, "We bring the sacrifice of praise, into the house of the Lord. And we offer up to you the sacrifices of thanksgiving. And we offer up to you the sacrifices of joy."  There are altars all around us everyday, we only need the eyes to see them.  When we do, our worship enters the world and so do our sacrifices of praise.  This is embodied and living worship.

What altars do you pass by unknowingly everyday?

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Worship   
March 30, 2010

Read: 1 Chronicles 16:28-24

"If there is one characteristic more than others that contemporary public worship needs to recapture it is this awe before the surpassingly great and gracious God."
~Henry Sloane Coffin

Worship is not about us, it is about God.  We, not the preacher, the musicians, lay worship leaders, acolytes, or anyone else are responsible for glorifying God in worship. While it is a community act, worship depends on individuals coming with the expectation of having holy encounters for an ordinary space to be transformed into a house of worship.

Do you expect to encounter God in worship?

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Worship   
March 29, 2010

Read: Psalm 100

"The most valuable thing the Psalms do for me is to express the same delight in God which made David dance."
~C.S. Lewis

The worship of God is not something that only happens once a week for an hour.  Our worship can take place at any time, in any place.  The psalmist invites us to "make a joyful noise to the Lord."  This doesn't mean we have to know all the right words or hit all the right notes.  What God desires is that our hearts be filled with joy when we come into God's presence in worship.

How do you make a joyful noise to the Lord?  Is your heart filled with joy when you worship or is it weighed down?

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Service   
March 26, 2010

Read: James 2:14-26

"Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can." ~John Wesley

We can never earn God's love through our works, but our faith can and should find expression through outward actions.  Faith and praxis are connected when we realize the same grace that saves us empowers us to serve others.  God's love transforms our awareness of the world.  We begin to see  our interconnectedness in Jesus Christ and then act appropriately to heal the wounds of the entire Body.

How can you be a live your faith today?

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Service   
March 25, 2010

Read: Luke 10:25-37

"If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together."
~Aboriginal Activist Group - Australia

Too often, blindness strikes us as we live our everyday lives.  We fail to see our neighbor in the grocery store clerk, the homeless person and the person who cut us off on the highway.  With mindful attention, we can begin to see our neighbors wherever we happen to be.

The next time you find yourself aggravated or impatient with someone, use this breath prayer - "This person is my neighbor."  Does this help to shift your perspective and the feeling of your heart?
 

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Service   
March 24, 2010

Read: Matthew 22:34-40

"You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you."
~John Bunyon

The love of God with our whole being naturally flows into love and service to and with our neighbor.  The two are inextricably linked and contagious.  We are vessels of God's love and when we are filled, even just a little bit, we can share the amazing love of God with others.

Take a moment to pause and gauge your connect with God.  How does your feeling of connectedness relate to your interactions with others?

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Service   
March 23, 2010

Read: Micah 6:6-8

"Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little."
~Edmund Burke

God's demands of us seem simple - do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God.  Is our service to others and this world directed in these directions or are we trying only to meet basic needs?  Acts of mercy are a good start to the work of service, but if we are not working to change the structures that create need, we are only addressing one half of the puzzle.

How could you grow your acts of mercy into a fight for justice?

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Service
Read: Philippians 2:5-11

"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile."
~Albert Einstein

Servanthood necessitates that we come down from our own lofty places to be one with another.  Service takes many forms, but in the end it is a matter of allowing our hearts to be shaped by Christ and molded by those we serve.  Surprising encounters and amazing lessons take hold when we approach service in this way.

Is your service to others done with humility and willingness to by shaped by the experience?

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Stewardship   
March 19, 2010

Read: 2 Corinthians 9:6-12

"Interesting that three things we crave most in life -- happiness, freedom, and peace of mind -- are more easily attained by giving them to someone else."
~Unknown Author

For some, the best part about Christmas or birthdays is the giving, not the receiving, of gifts.  Giving creates space within our beings to receive from others.  The same is true as we live our lives of faith.  But we must, at the same time, be vulnerable enough to receive.  Recall the story of Jesus washing the Disciples' feet - in that moment they were being taught about service (giving), but also about the grace of receiving.

Are you a cheerful giver and receiver?

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Stewardship   
March 18, 2010

Read: Matthew 25:14-30

“A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for.”
~William Shedd

Ours is not a "bury your head in the sand and wait" kind of faith.  Christianity demands that, by the power of the Spirit, we remain active and engaged with the world using all of our faculties to build one another up.  Too often fear, anxiety, hopelessness and hatred stand in the way of being able to use our gifts.  With faith we can over come these barriers and employ our gifts to bear fruit for the Kingdom.

Does anything stand in the way right now to being fully you?  Naming these barriers is a first step toward overcoming them.
 

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Stewardship   
March 17, 2010

Read: Ephesians 4:1-16

"You will discover that you have two hands. One is for helping yourself and the other is for helping others."
~ Audrey Hepburn

God gives to each one of us gifts and abilities for building the Body of Christ.  Our gifts are complimented by those of others and are given life and utility in the midst of community.  Our work will not be done "until all of us come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God."

How are your gifts complimented by the gifts of others for building up the Body of Christ?

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Stewardship   
March 16, 2010

Read: Deuteronomy 26:1-11

"Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So, spread your love everywhere you go."
~Mother Teresa

Stewardship is about priorities.  We are asked to make sacrifices in the way we live our lives by bringing to God an offering of what we receive from our labor and from Creation.  The way in which we offer and spend our resources is a statement about our priorities and commitments.

Where do you offer your first fruits?
 

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Stewardship   
March 15, 2010

Read: Genesis 1:26-31

"The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit."
~Nelson Henderson

Dominion in the Genesis story does not mean domination. God has gifted to humanity authority over the Creation.  With authority comes responsibility and obligation.  Our use of resources cannot be utterly self-serving or else we run the risk of exploiting our natural resources and one another in the pursuit of more and more. 

Do you use resources wisely?  What is one behavior you could change that would honor God's Creation more?

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Confession   
March 12, 2010

Read: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

"Forgiving and being reconciled to our enemies or our loved ones are not about pretending that things are other than they are. It is not about patting one another on the back and turning a blind eye to the wrong. True reconciliation exposes the awfulness, the abuse, the hurt, the truth. It could even sometimes make things worse. It is a risky undertaking but in the end it is worthwhile, because in the end only an honest confrontation with reality can bring real healing. Superficial reconciliation can bring only superficial healing."
~Desmond Tutu

How do you enact the ministry of reconciliation we have been given by Christ?

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Confession   
March 11, 2010

Read: Luke 15:11-24

“It is the confession, not the priest, that gives us absolution.” ~Oscar Wilde
Desmond Tutu writes, "To forgive is not just to be altruistic. It is the best form of self-interest. [W]hen I talk of forgiveness I mean the belief that you can come out the other side a better person. A better person than the one being consumed by anger and hatred. Remaining in that state locks you in a state of victimhood, making you almost dependent on the perpetrator. If you can find it in yourself to forgive then you are no longer chained to the perpetrator. You can move on, and you can even help the perpetrator to become a better person too."

A dimension of confession is forgiveness.  We receive forgiveness and are called also to forgive.  Do you forgive easily?

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Confession   
March 10, 2010

Read: Mark 5:25-34

“Deep in my heart I'm concealing things that I'm longing to say. Scared to confess what I'm feeling - frightened you'll slip away.”
~Madonna (from the movie Evita)

Sometimes our confession is not for the forgiveness of a sin, but is rather an admission of our weakness or our need for help.  Confession in those times takes the form of reaching out to one who can help us; one who can give us strength.  Healing can sometimes come from unexpected places, but it can only come if we ask for it. 

When have you experienced unexpected healing?  Are you in touch with your broken places to be able to ask for help?

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Confession   
March 8, 2010

Read: 2 Samuel 24:10

"Open confession is good for the soul."
~Scottish Proverb

As we journey to wholeness in our selves and our relationship with God, we must have courage.  We must have the courage to admit our shortcomings.  We must have courage to admit our failures.  We must have courage to say we are lost and ask for directions.  Confession takes courage.

Is there something you need to confess?  If so, what is your confessional practice?

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Confession   
March 9, 2010

Read: Psalm 32

"Confession is the first step to repentance."
~English Proverb

Through confession comes learning.  We learn about ourselves, others and God when we approach confession with humility and vulnerability.  As we learn, we are able to take the next steps toward authentic relationship.  Confession, however, needs follow up action if it is going to change our lives.

What have you learned in confession?  Has it led to life changes?

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Simplicity
March 5, 2010

Read Romans 12:1-2

"Out of intense complexities intense simplicities emerge."
~Winston Churchill

Paul encourages his readers to "not be conformed to this world."  If we stand in a place of hospitality to the will of God in our lives, we will find that our minds, bodies, and spirits will be transformed.  The complexity of life will be transformed into simple truths and simple ways of living.

How are you conforming to this world?  What do you need to let go of to be renewed in your mind?

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Simplicity
March 4, 2010

Read Psalm 19:7-10

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."
~Leonardo da Vinci

God's love, made known to us most fully in Jesus Christ, is at the same time simple and profound.  It is transformative if only we allow ourselves to let it penetrate the very fabric of our existence.  God's perfect law finds expression in simple acts of kindness.  God's is a law of love and righteousness.
How do you obey the perfect law of God?

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Simplicity   
March 3, 2010

Read: Exodus 16:4-8, 13-18

“There is no greatness where there is not simplicity, goodness, and truth”
~Leo Tolstoy

God's provision in our lives is often very simple.  For the Israelites in the Wilderness, God provided simple gifts.  When the people gathered them, they always had just what they needed.  God's truth was in those moments of eating and delight.  God's goodness was in the simplicity of the meal.  Too often, we fail to see the beauty in the simplest of things opting instead to laud the complex technologies of our day that make life a little easier, but blind us to the simple gifts that are all around.

Take a moment (or two) today to slow down and notice the beauty of the simple things that surround you.

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Simplicity   
March 2, 2010

Read: Luke 12:22-34

“Nature is what we know - Yet have not art to say - So impotent our wisdom is To her simplicity”
~Emily Dickinson

Consider this Shaker hymn:
Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
    'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
    'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gain'd,
    To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,
To turn, turn will be our delight,
    Till by turning, turning we come round right.

How can simplicity be a gift for you?

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Simplicity   
March 1, 2010

Read: Matthew 6:19-21

“As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness .”
~Henry David Thoreau

Do you own your possessions or do your possessions own you?  This is a dilemma of our modern day consumer culture.  Our possessions, in the end, cannot make us happy nor can they come with us into the next life.  True happiness does not come in the things we can hold in our hands, but through authentic relationship with God and with one another.

What is your most prized possession? Could you live without it

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Prayer & Meditation    February 23, 2010
Read: Luke 11:1-4   

"Prayer is the key to heaven, but faith unlocks the door."
~Unknown Author

The Lord's Prayer is a simple prayer that encompasses a great deal of confessions of our lives of faith.  When our hearts or our minds seem to be locked in our prayer time, saying the Lord's Prayer can open the door to conversation with God.

Try praying the Lord's Prayer and pausing at the end of each line to take in God's life giving breath.

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Prayer & Meditation   
February 25, 2010
Read: 1 Samuel 3:10; Proverbs 8:34; John 10:27

“Prayer is when you talk to God; meditation is when you listen to God.”
~Diana Robinson

In prayer we not only make requests of God, but we also receive God's answers.  God speaks in many ways and answers prayers at times only in a whisper.  For Elijah (read 1 Kings 19:11ff) God was not in the wind or the earthquake or the fire, but in "a sound of sheer silence."

How do you listen for God's response in your prayer time?

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Prayer & Meditation   
February 24, 2010
Read: Daniel 6:10-13   

“What most of all hinders heavenly consolation is that you are too slow in turning yourself to prayer.”
~Thomas Kempis

Prayer can add rhythm and texture to our day.  It can be a way of welcoming the morning and the possibility of the day ahead as well as a time to reflect with thanksgiving on the day that has past.  The ringing of a phone or the sound of a church bell can be a reminder to slow down for one moment and thank God for the blessings you have received.

Do you have regular time(s) for prayer?  What in your regular day could be a signal for you to stop to pray?

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Prayer & Meditation    February 22, 2010
Read: Jeremiah 33:2-3; Phillipians 4:6-7   

“I have had prayers answered - most strangely so sometimes - but I think our heavenly Father's loving-kindness has been even more evident in what He has refused me.”
~Lewis Carroll

When you call upon God is there an expectation for an answer?  Sometimes God's answer to our prayer does not line up with our own desires.  These can be some of the hardest times in our lives of faith, but we are called to follow where God's Spirit leads us even if that's not where we were planning to go. 

Are you prepared for God's answer to your prayers?
 

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Introduction    February 19, 2010
Read: Matthew 6:1-16   

“It's not necessarily the amount of time you spend at practice that counts; it's what you put into the practice.”
~Eric Lindros

As we enter into a time of exploring just a few of the spiritual disciplines of our faith, we might want to take stock of Jesus warnings.  Disciplines are ways in which we conform ourselves to the will of God and open ourselves up to God's "still, small voice."  Be cautious not to practice these disciplines out of vanity, but practice with humility and willingness to be changed.

What do you hope to have revealed to you this Lent?
 

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Introduction   
February 18, 2010

Read: John 10:1-18

“Life in abundance comes only through great love”
~Elbert Hubbard

The journey of Lent is about seeing the abundant life that Jesus offers us.  As we venture through Jesus' walk to the cross, we ponder what it means to receive "life abundantly."  In receiving, we are also called to be givers of life through the love we share with the world in the power of the Holy Spirit.

What signs of life o you see around you?

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Introduction   
February 17, 2010

Read: Luke 4:1-13   

“What makes the desert beautiful is that somewhere it hides a well.”
~Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Jesus' desert experience can serve as a metaphor for our experiences of darkness, loneliness and suffering.  The desert is a beautiful place sometimes because we, like the Israelites, have the opportunity to form community and tap into the powers of life even when it seems no life could take root there.  Desert experiences can nurture our whole lives of faith as we grow stronger and more aware.

When have you experienced the desert?  What did you learn there?