March 30, 2009

Read Psalm 31

For you are my refuge, into your hands I commit my spirit.--Psalm 31:4b-5

Everyone has experienced a “terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.” Whether it is work or the economy, terrible two’s or tempestuous teens, cancer battles or even death, sometimes life makes you want to crawl back in bed, pull the covers up and hope that it all goes away.

In Psalm 31, the psalmist, overwhelmed with grief, pain and surrounded by enemies, begs God for mercy. However, he continues to look to God with enduring faith and places his life and soul in God’s hand expecting help and protection.

One of the recurring themes in our commitment class is creating time in our life for things that bring us closer to Christ. Worship, prayer, service, giving and learning will bring us to greater faith and willingness to commit our life and spirit to God. As we grow closer to God, it is easier to face the bumps in the road. We know that he will watch over us and support us. For me, this is what gives me the courage to rise each day, to try again to be more kind, more patient, more what God wants me to be.

Pray: Dear God, Remind me to commit my life and soul to you each day. Give me the courage to face each difficulty with grace and dignity, to find the good in all those I meet. Amen

Barbara Ziegler, an orthotist, works primarily on helmeting for children with plagiocephaly. Often she can be found in the Tykes room on Sunday.

March 29, 2009

Read Psalm 51: 1-12

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. –Psalm 51:1-2

Of all the reasons I look forward to the season of spring, spring cleaning nears the top of my list. While to some it may be a dreaded undertaking, to me it is an opportunity to review and assess, sort through and throw out maybe, too.

Every year it seems I commence the task with high expectations. Initially, it feels refreshing to drag everything out, re-evaluate its functionality, and discard what is deemed unnecessary. It doesn’t take long however, before I’ve emptied every last drawer and my once-good intentions are now sprawled over my entire apartment. Suddenly, what began as a pretty straightforward task has quickly become something a bit more overwhelming.

In Psalm 51, David is engaging in the ultimate act of soul cleansing. He is confessing his wrongdoings and as he sorts through his sins, is asking for God’s help. In this Psalm, David provides us with a model for confessing our sins to God. His example instructs us to simply acknowledge our sin and ask for God’s forgiveness. Spring cleaning is, in the simplest sense, an opportunity to clear away our self-made obstacles and begin anew.

God who makes all things new, I come before you, believing in faith that you know me by my true heart. Here I stand, in my nakedness and need, recognizing in my very vulnerability, the hope offered by your "steadfast love." Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a right spirit within me for it is your love alone that will hear me and heal me. Amen.

Kalen Brune lives in Clayton and loves her job as a school social worker!

March 28, 2009

Read John 6:60-71

When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe I can do this?” They said, “Lord, we do.”—Matthew 9:28

What a great affirmation this verse of Scripture has been over the past month as I have struggled with the trials of life. There were times when the loss of my job and the subsequent impact on my family was overwhelming. The persistence of these thoughts would only seem to deepen the sense of despair and magnitude of the problem. In the midst of this internal chaos was an inner voice that kept stating “Dear child of mine, lift your eyes upward and seek me. I know the concerns you have and the fears of the unknown, but I ask only that you trust in me and allow me time to work in your life.”

Trusting in God is one of the hardest things to do as a Christian. Yet, as I have opened up to complete trust in the Lord, the feelings of despair and gloom dissipated and I have felt my spiritual life renewed. I have come to sense that the more I trust in Him…the more He reveals Himself to me. I have found that by trusting in Him and being obedient in my prayer life, He is active in my situation and He is REAL.

Lord God - In all times and in all situations, may we know that you are an awesome and all-powerful God that is always in work in our lives. Despite our limited and finite understanding, You remind us to place our trust and hope in You knowing that You are in charge and will lead us. In Your most Holy name, we say Amen.

Sue Curfman is a new member of The Gathering and works in the healthcare field.

March 27, 2009

Read Jeremiah 23:1-8

Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the LORD.—Jeremiah 23:2-4

During the season of Lent, I often find myself feeling a little misplaced - disoriented maybe. It’s a strange time of year: the seasons are on the cusp of changing, but you can still expect to have a balmy Spring-like day followed by a wintry blast of cold, cloudy air. It’s unsettling. And it doesn’t help that in our communal life at church, we’re a little more somber, more penitent, more reflective. Lent reminds us of Jesus’ time in the wilderness and the years the Israelites spent wandering in the desert. So it’s little wonder that we might feel slightly misplaced. Things just aren’t quite right. We’re not “at home.”

In Jeremiah, the Israelites were far from home, too. They’d been scattered all over the place as a result of some bad leadership. They know they’re not where they belong. And God knows they’re not where they belong. So God makes a promise - a pretty incredible promise. God promises that everyone will make it home. Everyone. They will be brought back to the fold. They will be fruitful. They will have good leaders. They will not fear or be dismayed. And they will all be there.

However misplaced we might find ourselves, however far we’ve been scattered from our home in God, God takes it upon Godself to gather us up and bring us back. And no one will be missing.

Pray: O God, greatest of all shepherds, help me keep my faith in your promise that you will always find me and bring me home. Amen.

Yvi Martin is a seminary student at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, and a candidate for ministry in the Missouri Annual Conference.

March 26, 2009

Read Romans 8:12-27

[W]e ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. 24For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.—Romans 8:23-25

Today’s scripture refreshes the idea that we are on this earth not just of our own will, but to fulfill the will of our Father in Heaven. We have heard “we are all children of God” since we were kids in Sunday school. That hasn’t changed just because we grew up. We are reminded not to live life for the daily physical “things,” but for our future lives with Christ. Be joyful and eager. Just as you keep checking your cell phone for that call, we should also be ready and waiting with bated breath for God to call us home. It may not be familiar to talk to God in prayer. He is always listening and will help you find the words. Prayer means practice. If we follow God and not the desires of the flesh we will find not only time for prayer, but that it comes more easily to us.

Pray: Father in Heaven, help us to forget the will of this world and look toward the fulfillment you provide us. Let the spirit excite us and help us to feel that child-like eagerness for you. We know we do not pray as we should, but you are always listening. Lead us to find the words we seek to speak to you. Let your will be done. We lift up thanks and praise in your holy name, Amen.

Heather Neun is an undergrad in biology at Saint Louis University and mother to 3 year old Sean.

March 25, 2009

Read John 6:27-40

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.—John 6:35

This evening I made myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for dinner. It wasn't really a sandwich, though, because we didn't have any bread. I needed to find a substitute. After a thorough search of the fridge -- I even looked behind the Christmas cheese log -- I found find a tortilla. But, the PB&J tortilla was not very satisfying. A while later, I was back in the pantry searching for something to snack on.

Every day we search for things that will fulfill us -- literally, emotionally and spiritually. Some things leave us wonton, others leave us sick. And we search, often in vein, in odd places for satisfaction despite God's presence all around us. We often ignore Jesus' call to come to him while looking for something else that will satisfy our hunger and quench our thirst.

Yet, unlike my PB&J tortilla, Jesus satisfies. When we come to him there is no need to search for anything more, for he provides for and sustains us. The Spirit fulfills us totally when we dine at His table.

Dear Lord, guide us to your Son so that we may never be hungry and enrich our belief so that we may never be thirsty. Satisfy us with the bounty of your love. Amen.

Brian Reuwee is a native of West St. Louis County, but went to high school in Springfield, Mo.

March 24, 2009

Read John 6:16-27

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.—John 6:27 (King James Version)

In this passage, Jesus says that we should seek what is enduring, not what is in the moment, and reminds us that what is enduring is the promise of everlasting life.

Life isn’t always easy. In fact there was a six-month period from October ’07 until March ’08, where I thought God was punishing me for some big sin, or maybe for my collective sins. During that time my 19-year-old and my Dad both died. I wondered: where was the benevolent Jesus I believed in?

The truth is that I didn’t do anything to “make” it happen. It just happened. I had turned my back on Jesus, then found The Gathering where my heart has filled with God’s grace and I am learning to bask in the promise of everlasting life where I can be reunited with those I love. And I am at peace in that promise.

Dear Jesus, may we learn through your teachings to trust in you, that even when we don’t understand, you will provide not only what we need in the moment, but for all eternity. Amen.

Lonni Schicker is a Registered Nurse, currently completing a Doctorate in Education. She works for SSM and is a Professor of Health Administration at Lindenwood University. Her children, grandchild and family, as well as the gift of The Gathering and the love of Jesus Christ are her joy.