Tuesday February 18

Psalm 100 Know that the Lord is God, It is he who made us, and we are his, we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. (v.3)

Recently, the nation has been in controversy over a Judge’s ruling that frozen embryos are unborn babies. Now many parents are unable to complete their plans to use these embryos without fear of litigation. The future for all is uncertain until legal opinions can be clarified.

In choosing the Scripture for today and recently listening to a History of the Bible audio, I was reminded of when I visited Jerusalem and saw the Dome of the Rock. This is an important site for the three major religions of the world. All of us agree that God is Lord. Also, we all agree the prophet Abraham is crucial in our faith. So, in my Christian understanding, I am at peace with the Word of God on creation and life. I put my faith in Proverb 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all you heart and lean not on your understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your path straight.”

Thank You, God, for creating me and letting me be born again in Your Spirit. And loving me no matter what the world says.

Isaiah 63:7-14; Psalms 97, 99; 1 Timothy 1:18—2-8; Mark11:12-26

Wednesday, February 19

Mark 11:27—12:12 “Haven’t you read this scripture: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone.’” (v.10)

In this parable, Jesus tells the story of a vineyard and the many times a landowner sends his servants to collect his share of the crop. Finally, after the caretakers beat all the servant representatives sent, he sends his own son who they also beat and kill.

Recently I listened to a narration of the history of the Bible which reminds me of this parable. It describes the series of God’s covenants with man. First there was the Abrahamic Covenant, followed by the Noahic, Davidic, and, finally, the New Covenant. We all know we live by the final covenant. This was Easter when Jesus was sacrificed for our disobedience to the previous attempts by God and His forgiveness of our sins through faith and gift of salvation.

As I write today it is Good Friday and our YMCA mission committee has prayed for our members and staff daily at 10:30 a.m. each day of Holy Week. We have been trying to remind the many people coming into the Y to work on their body of their need for spiritual renewal and to keep the “C” in YMCA. Also, we have a non-denominational Easter service in the gym we are inviting them to attend if they don’t have a home church. Happy Easter soon, He has risen!

Isaiah 63:15—64:9; Psalms 101, 109; 1 Timothy 3:1-16

Thursday, February 20

Mark 12:13-27 “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!” (v.27)

As I’ve grown older, I always check the obituaries in my Veterinary Journals comparing my life to others who have died. At 84, I’m very thankful for my long life compared to many. This week, I’ve gone to three funerals for good Christian brothers. The first was at my Episcopal church with well-dressed city folks. It was for a very successful businessman and founding father of the Healing Ministry at our church. He had experienced a documented miraculous healing himself from ALS disease. Doctors, including a neurological friend of mine, couldn’t believe that prayer and his faith had healed him. He lived another 30 years. When I asked him once about his healing, he explained to me that when he asked Jesus to heal him, he experienced what the Bible calls a “born again event” or spiritual baptism. This was like the disciples’ experienced in Acts, a Pentecost event. He said the physical healing was an added bonus.

My second friend was a rancher-farmer and his country missionary Baptist funeral was a much different church, crowd, and preacher. Most were wearing cowboy boots and hats. I was the only one in a suit and tie.

The service talks by the family and friends for these two men represented good and faithful lives who trusted in God’s promise of eternal life in heaven!

I am so thankful for mentors like these in my life.

Isaiah 65:1-12; Psalm 105:1-22; 1 Timothy 4:1-16

Friday, February 21

Isaiah 65:17-25 “Wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,” says the Lord. (v.25 NKJV)

Again, as a veterinarian, when I read this Scripture, which is a favorite of mine, it reminds me of an old print called “Peace” that we have in our home, showing this Isaiah scene with a little child leading the animals. This is a prophecy for the Davidic kingdom to be restored by Christ.

Since retiring six years ago, I’ve spent a lot of time researching what the Church believes about the role of animals in God’s plan. The reason I have wanted to know more about this is to offer caregiving support for my grieving clients during the loss of their family pet. The decision to euthanize a loved pet is a tough one for me, and my clients that consider their dog or cat a family member. Can I assure them their pet will be in heaven?

Today our rector gave a teaching on heaven. He explained that after our earthly death, as believers, we will be with Jesus in transition initially, and then there will be a heaven on earth where suffering and death will no longer exist. It will be a much better place than now. It seems to me, this second “Garden” will be just like Isaiah’s prophesy and, in this heaven before Christ’s return at Judgement Day, we will join our loved ones and pets.

Following euthanasia, I try to offer a prayer for my clients to assure them of God’s forgiveness and that this final compassionate act of love is to prevent suffering. It is our mutual God-given responsibility to care for His creatures.

Psalm 102; 1 Timothy 5:17-25; Mark 12:28-34

Saturday, February 22

1 Timothy 6:6-21 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing out of it. (vv.6-7 NIV)

As I complete this week of Lent, during these writings, I think back to how I started this journey of Scriptures with an experience of brotherly love on a spiritual church retreat. This led me into new friendships which I hope will continue in a men’s group for my church. Then I wrote about a tough current topic our nation faces namely, human abortion laws. Next, I shared some of my YMCA Holy Week experiences. Then, I celebrated my two Christian friends’ funerals and was reminded of my mortality. One day this Holy Week, I had a Christian brother disagree with me on my belief that pets will be going to heaven. So, I repeated an earlier writing of mine on that subject.

I read recently that our faith is increased by reading God’s word. I hope what I have shared of my life has done that for you as it has for me. Now, as an older man, my heart is full of gratitude to God for a blessed life. I have tried to live with a spiritual oneness with Jesus, as he promised. I am confident in my salvation and eternal life to come. This Easter I have a satisfied mind and contentment.

Isaiah 66:1-6; Psalms:107:33-43, 108; Mark 12:35-44

Sunday, February 23

Psalm 118 The Lord has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death. (v.18 NIV)

There is an excitement and comfort in knowing that the Lord is in control of my life. He knows that the distractions that lead me toward other gods are only momentary. I am comforted in knowing that God will use these distractions for His greater purpose. He may use them to help me grow or even to help another person grow spiritually. Sometimes that growth can be painful and yet, I still feel His love. After all, He is not out to destroy us, but to bring us into relationship with Himself. God never loses sight of His goals. “‘Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?’ says the Lord” (Isaiah 66:9a).

It is only through His love that we are made perfect. We spend all our lives allowing God to bring us to perfection—a perfection achieved in Jesus—a perfection we will never achieve in this life but are assured in eternity. The crowds shouted, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” (v.26a), as Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey (Matthew 21:9). God will bless all who come in His name.

Isaiah 66:7-14; 1 John 3:4-10; John 10:7-16

Monday, February 24

Matthew 5:1-12 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (v.8)

William Barclay says the beatitudes are not statements but are exclamations and should begin with, “O the blessedness of...!” Barclay also says that the beatitudes are not just hopes for the future but are exclamations of that which exists now, though not in perfect form.

Katharos, the Greek word for pure, means clean; unmixed; unadulterated; unalloyed. So, this verse could read, “O the blessedness of those whose motives are absolutely clean, for they will see God.” Whew! That’s tough to achieve even when we are doing work we know God has called us to do. In this verse, Jesus challenges each of us to examine the motivations behind our thoughts, choices, and actions.

The call has gone out for new vestry members for the church in which I worship. I struggle with whether my decision to place my name on this list is because God is calling me to this ministry or because I am being self-serving. Do I want changes because it will bring others closer to Jesus or am I only thinking of myself? Our priest has talked often about how serving on the vestry can be an opportunity for spiritual growth. The speaker lined up for the new vestry workshop also sounds very interesting. I realize that while I will benefit from this ministry, others will benefit also. It is not I alone who will do the work, but it is God working through me as I offer myself as God’s instrument. Thanks be to God!

Ruth 1:1-14; Psalm 106:1-18; 2 Corinthians 1:1-11

Tuesday, February 25

Ruth 1:15-22 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. (v.18)

What is it that called Ruth so strongly to give up all that she had left to go with Naomi? As a childless widow, surely Ruth’s chances for re-marriage and security were greater in Moab where she had family and friends. It’s obvious her love for Naomi was great. But was love for Naomi all that motivated her?

Could Ruth have felt that something better was ahead despite the appearance of logic? Could she have felt the calling of God for a greater purpose? In the New Testament, Jesus tells us we must give up all to follow him. This is what Ruth did. And her obedience led to her becoming the great-grandmother of King David and an ancestor of Jesus.

It is unlikely that Ruth imagined such a great honor as this. Yet, because of her love for Naomi and insistence to follow her and her God, we are assured that, no matter our past or our background, we too may be used by God to fulfill His plan for heaven and earth in generations to come.

Psalms 120, 121, 122, 123; 2 Corinthians 1:12-22; Matthew 5:13-20