NUMBER ONE

The top devotion of 2019 comes from the WELCOME series and it is a story from Walt’s childhood about two very special neighbors.

Great Neighbors

STEP ONE: BREATHE

Take a deep, cleansing breath. Allow the air to fill your lungs and expand your body. Exhale and empty yourself into the room. Repeat three times - once for the one who Created you, once for the Incarnate One who walks beside you, and once for the Spirit whose life fills your being.

STEP TWO: DWELL IN WORD

“People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.”

— Mark 10: 13-16

Ed and Marie lived in the white ranch house directly across the street from the place where I lived most of my childhood and adolescence. They were a kind, older couple. Although they never had children of their own, they loved kids and shared an experienced welcome with them. On an impromptu visit to their house, there were always cookies, milk, and a game to play.

Occasionally, my mom would run late with her errands and not make it home in time before we returned from school. Huber Street School was up the block, a short walk away. In the days before we had a house key, if we got home before our mother did, then it was time to scurry across the street to visit Ed and Marie.

There was nothing extravagant about them except for their gracious hospitality. Unlike many adult counterparts, Ed and Marie treated children as people. They were genuinely interested in what we were doing and how school was going. My parents raised us to respect elders and always address adults as Mr. and Mrs. Ed and Marie, however, did not want to be called by their last name. They were always to be "Ed and Marie."

Ed taught my brother and me how to hold a golf club. In his basement, he set up a little chip and put range. With patience and good cheer, he tutored us in the finer points of form as we hit golf balls across the room towards a netting against the far wall. It was fun.

Ed owned a white Impala with a red interior. I was too young to know what year it was, but most likely, it was from sometime in the 1950s. He probably bought it when he returned from his service in World War II. It was more than a car; it was a source of pride and joy. Often, I would see Ed in front of his house, washing his beloved Impala. I’d wave and shout a greeting across the street. Ed would return both pleasantries.

One day, after months of using his basement range, Ed arranged an outing to a golf course. My brother John and I got to ride in the front bench seat of Ed's Impala. It was a big day. Ed drove the better part of two hours to a golf course that he knew in the northwestern part of the state. It was attached to a college, and they allowed youth to accompany adults on the greens.

We got to use a driver for the first time. It went much as you might expect it would. I'm not sure how many golf balls we donated that day to the "woodland fund." Let's say that our enthusiastic inexperience lightened Ed's golf bag. I have a vague memory of my dad providing a few boxes of balls to Ed as a thank you.

The weather was spring-time fabulous, the company fantastic, the golf... well, two out of three isn't bad. Seriously, the actual golf was the least important part of the equation for us kids. Ed took us golfing! We went on a real course and hit golf balls.

The day was an extension of the gracious hospitality that these two adult children of God shared with others. As a child, I knew that Marie and Ed went to church. They attended the Roman Catholic church in town, across the street from the Lutheran church where my family went. I don't know if they ever recalled Jesus's instruction to his disciples to welcome children as the three of us ran across the street, dragging our school bags and empty lunch boxes, disrupting an otherwise quiet afternoon. Whether they remembered the words or not seems irrelevant. Through their kind actions, patience, and eagerness to show interest in our lives - they followed Christ's words to both the letter and the spirit. They were great neighbors.

STEP THREE:  A TABLE PRAYER

I offer the following prayer for you to use today as you pray at table.

GENEROUS GOD, FROM FOOD AND SHELTER TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS, ALL THAT WE HAVE IS A BLESSING FROM YOU. STRENGTHEN US DURING THIS MEAL IN BODY AND SPIRIT SO THAT WE MIGHT APPRECIATE THESE THINGS AND USE THEM AS OPPORTUNITIES TO CARE FOR OTHERS. THROUGH JESUS, AMEN.

Permission granted to share with friends and family. Copyrighted 2019. Walt Lichtenberger

NUMBER TWO

Number two comes from the FAITH series. It is a travel experience that Walt had while visiting a sacred Lakota site.

Medicine Wheel

STEP ONE: BREATHE

Take a deep, cleansing breath. Allow the air to fill your lungs and expand your body. Exhale and empty yourself into the room. Repeat three times - once for the one who Created you, once for the Incarnate One who walks beside you, and once for the Spirit whose life fills your being.

STEP TWO: DWELL IN WORD

“On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines,of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death forever. Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”

— Isaiah 25:6-9

High in the Bighorn mountain range in northeastern Wyoming, there is a sacred place known as Medicine Wheel. Across generations, native tribes of the Great Plains have made pilgrimages to the site. To this day, they hold time-honored ceremonies on this lofty ridge surrounded by jagged and tree-less peaks. Having gone there myself, I can attest to it being a unique, off-the-beaten-path, spot of sacramental encounter. It is a holy dwelling for communion with God.

You don't just go to Medicine Wheel. It is a quest, and it takes an effort to get there. The road you travel from the little town of Sheridan, Wyoming, is a two-lane that rapidly switch-backs into the sky. Once in the Bighorn range, the highway continues to curve back and forth. Those prone to motion sickness ought to consider medication. Highway 14 and then 12 are so remote and high that they see closures in winter. Respecting nature's seasons and timing is not an option when trekking to Medicine Wheel. To hear the voice that dwells in the mountains requires humility and patience. You have to slow down and approach with reverence.

Today, Medicine Wheel is a National Historic Landmark and managed by the National Park Service. An information kiosk stands adjacent to a small parking lot. Next to this tiny building is a trailhead. Unless you make special arrangments ahead of time for handicap accessibility, the only way that you can get to Medicine Wheel is by foot. Nothing about this journey is particularly easy. You must be patient, intentional, and willing to expend

The narrow trail hugs a ridge as it curves and winds along. After about a mile, the path opens up to a large flat surface. At this point, you can see a scattering of rocks, encircled by wooden poles linked by rope. When you get closer, you will notice bright bands of cloth tied onto the loose barrier. Red. White. Black. Yellow. Blue. Green. The colors each hold significance to the tribes. They are prayer strips and bundles of tobacco, sage, and offer fragrant offerings. It is a sacred place.

Native peoples are allowed to leave these gifts as markers of gratitude and continuing presence. I had it explained to me by a Park Ranger that it is a tribal belief that when you leave these small tokens behind, your prayer continues in your absence. It is part of the ritual that a pilgrimage to this holy place entails - a sacramental exchange of sorts. Pilgrims offer something tangible in a location where the intangible spiritual realm is near.

When you get closer, you start to see order emerge. Someone arranged the stones in a giant wheel, complete with spokes. The rock circle is about 80 feet in diameter. In the center of the 28 spokes lies another circle. Five smaller circles line the perimeter with a sixth circle just outside. Although archeologists are not sure exactly who created the wheel or how long ago, it is ancient. It has been in existence for thousands of years (maybe as many as seven thousand) and predates any Western building, sanctuary, or monument in North America.

When I approached Medicine Wheel for the first time, a sense of awe filled me. It was like I had stepped inside a magnificent Gothic cathedral. There was no denying that I was in what Celtic spirituality calls a "thin space." Here the separation between heaven and earth is reduced to a very narrow gap. God seems closer than elsewhere. In thin space, you experience a deepened connection. When someone goes on a spiritual pilgrimage, they head to one of these sacred destinations with the intent of communing with the divine.

Slowly I walked around the ancient circle of rocks in the direction that the sun travels. From east to west, I went with my camera in hand. My purpose in taking pictures was not to collect photographic souvenirs. I sought the clarity of the camera's lens to help me focus on what I was seeing. Although I was traveling with my family, I did this alone. They were off chasing marmots (I kid you not.) Each step I took was deliberate, and I stopped often.

In my silence, I offered prayer without words. I crept along, step by step. Then I'd stop and breathe in deeply. I allowed the experience of being at a mountain top shrine to dictate my movement. Time disappeared as a concern. I became aware of the wind as it blew across the site. Indeed, this was holy ground, and I was privileged to be in the presence of God.

In Trinitarian fashion, I walked around the circle three times. I did this not to claim the space for Christ as the Conquistadors did in days past. There was no need to plant or etch the shape of a cross. Instead, I received the sacred experience as a gift that

enhanced my faith in God, who I've come to know as Trinity. Whenever I encounter what is holy to others, I find that it enhances and expands my Christian faith.

My prayerful walking allowed me to commune with Creator, Christ, and Spirit in a way that was unique and unlike my usual experiences in designated sanctuaries. My scriptural imagination was active and in high gear. Images of Isaiah's vision of God gathering all peoples on a holy mountain to a feast (see Isaiah 25:6-9) swirled with stories of Jesus's transfiguration and ascension.

Near the clouds, as the wind varied its intensity in my face, I knew in a moment why religions and cultures around the globe have designated mountain tops as sacred sites. If I were to build a temple or a shrine, I would do it on the 'thin space' real estate of a mountain top.

As I reflect on my visit to Medicine Wheel, it was a sacramental encounter. Even though it did not contain bread, wine, or water - there was something undeniably spiritual and tangible. In a way that I have difficulty describing, I felt my faith in the mystery of the Trinity enhanced as I walked in that mysterious place. There was a presence that I couldn't easily shoehorn into a concise creed or doctrine. Raw and unfettered by constructions, the Spirit blew without restrictions upon that ridge.

I wanted to tie my bandana to the rope fence alongside the prayer bands already there to leave a part of me in that holy place. Respecting the request of the tribes that use Medicine Wheel for sacred ceremonies, I did not. Imposing my need to leave a token was not sensitive to the fact that this was the sanctuary of another.

I walked away from Medicine Wheel with more than just my bandana in hand. A place opened in my heart for the majestic of a timeless mystery that resists explanation.

STEP THREE: RESPOND IN PRAYER

Gracious God, your Spirit blows free and reaches each corner of this earth. I thank you for the places and experiences where you come close and touch my life. Through communion with you, I find blessing and benediction for life. Praise to you! Through Christ, amen.

Permission granted to share with friends and family. Copyrighted 2019. Walt Lichtenberger

NUMBER THREE

Number Three is part two of the fictional story about a church potluck. It comes from the Lent series, BROKEN and BELOVED.

A Story of Potlucks, Wisdom, and Foolishness - Part 2

STEP ONE: BREATHE

Take a deep, cleansing breath.  Allow the air to fill your lungs and expand your body.  Exhale and empty yourself into the room.  Repeat three times - once for the one who Created you, once for the Incarnate One who walks beside you, and once for the Spirit whose life fills your being.

STEP TWO: DWELL IN WORD

“Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

— Luke 7: 48-50

The story continues from yesterday….

At first, Mrs. Pryce just stood in the doorway of the kitchen.  From left to right, she scanned the room and looked into the agonized faces of the other women.  Each one's avoidance told her what she needed to know; someone was questioning her authority.

Who?  

When Mrs. Pryce's eyes spotted Pastor Beth with the cardboard box of fried chicken in her hands, Vanessa Pryce had her answer.  It was the pastor; it was time once again to re-establish the proper pecking order.   

"We can't put that out," Vanessa spoke with unswerving confidence.   

Pastor Beth replied, "Why not?" 

"For starters, it is not in a dish.   Nor is it homemade or enough for everyone to have a piece.  We have standards, and there are rules that we must follow from the department of health," declared Mrs. Pryce in a voice reserved for judges when they hand down a sentence.  

Pastor Beth went to the corner shelf and took one of the dishes that someone forgot to pick up from a previous function.   She proceeded to wash her hands.  Following hand sanitization, Pastor Beth carefully placed each piece of supermarket fried chicken into the borrowed bowl.  

The rest of the women in the room looked on with stunned apprehension as if they were watching a moth flutter in the direction of a flame.  Didn't the pastor know what was going to happen?  Nobody crossed swords with Mrs. Pryce and emerged the victor.  Even though she might be right - at least two of the women raised a similar version of Pastor Beth's question - was this a battle that the pastor needed to fight?   

Mrs. Pryce stood unmoveable, blocking the path to the fellowship hall.  Now her arms were crossed, and she wasn't smiling.  Even a child could perceive the indignation that came from this powerhouse of a person.  Silence, tension, and trouble hung heavy in the air of that church kitchen.

When Pastor Beth finished preparing her dish, she shared a story...

Back in the church where I grew up, there was once was a single mother who had three children.  She was a good mom and worked hard to support her kids.   It took three part-time jobs to make ends meet.  She didn't complain because she was able to provide for her daughters.   Each week, on Sunday morning, she brought her family to church.  Having finished a late-night shift at a local bakery, the mom was always tired and had a hard time staying awake during the sermon.  

Once a year, the church had a giant potluck.  Everybody brought dishes and filled the table with large bowls of salads, meats, and Jellos.   One year, not having the time to prepare a large dish between getting off work and getting to church, the mother stopped at a local convenience store and picked up a box of donuts.  It was her offering and contribution.  It was the best she could do under the circumstances.

Now how do you think MY mother would have felt if when she came through the line, she didn't see what she brought?  How do you think her daughters would feel not to see their favorite sprinkle-covered donuts?

Pastor Beth's story and questions hit with all the punch of a parable of Jesus.   The eyes of the women once again returned to check out their shoes.  This time, shame shrouded their passive glances.  

With tears welling up in her eyes, Pastor Beth continued, "The cardboard box said that this chicken was from Susan.  It is her offering to this feast.  There must be a place for it on the banquet table."  

Pastor Beth walked towards the kitchen door and Mrs. Pryce who was still standing in the way.  Just before the two women collided, Vanessa stepped to the side.  Her anger was seething as she watched the pastor put a tiny bowl of chicken on the potluck table.  

Pastor Beth then went to the end of the buffet and got her plate.  She arrived in the line, as odd circumstance would have it, right behind Susan and her children.  Slowly they walked along the table of food, scooping out salads and jellos.  Susan's youngest proudly announced, "look, mommy! There is the chicken we brought!"   

Susan smiled.

And so did Jesus.

STEP THREE:  RESPOND IN PRAYER 

Gracious and loving God, give us the wisdom to see beyond our limited experiences and incomplete perceptions.  Open our hearts so that we might push away the ignorance that prevents us from fully sharing your love.  Through Jesus, amen.

NUMBER FOUR

Number four comes from the Lenten series, BROKEN and BELOVED. It is a fictional story set at a congregational potluck.

A Story of Potlucks, Wisdom, and Foolishness - Part 1

STEP ONE: BREATHE

Take a deep, cleansing breath.  Allow the air to fill your lungs and expand your body.  Exhale and empty yourself into the room.  Repeat three times - once for the one who Created you, once for the Incarnate One who walks beside you, and once for the Spirit whose life fills your being.

STEP TWO: DWELL IN WORD

“Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—that she is a sinner.”

— Luke 7: 39

The following story is a fictional story.

Vanessa Pryce ruled her worlds with sophisticated charm, elegance, and tyranny.  Although she was in her eighth decade of life, Mrs. Pryce was a formidable force of nature.  Over the years, many tried unsuccessfully to reckon with her.  From family members, social peers, and a chain of preachers, they learned the hard way that to oppose Vanessa's will was to fail miserably.  

Mr. Pryce amassed a small fortune in real estate holdings.  When Mr. Pryce died in his late fifties from a sudden heart attack, he left his wife with a large house, cabin, boat, a sizeable bank account, and a hefty life insurance payout.  At the time of Hector's death, everyone was concerned about how his widow, who was now by far the wealthiest person in the county, would fare.

Sexism blinded those who worried from the truth that Vanessa was mostly responsible for her husband's success.  Not only was she the smarter of the two, but she had nerves of steel when it came to negotiations.  

Vanessa Pryce liked to be in control and exercised her power and wealth regularly.  She demanded that things be in order according to her designated standards.  It was the case in every sphere of her life from the condition of her home, the functioning of Pryce Holdings, her book club, and at church.  

At church, Vanessa was deeply respected.  Which is a nice, church-polite way of saying, "FEARED."  No one wanted to invite the wrath of the mighty Mrs. Pryce.   Occasionally a young, idealistic pastor, knowing that it was unhealthy for the community for one person to wield such unquestioned authority, would make the mistake of standing up to Vanessa.  

None succeeded.  Most would leave the parish with the scars of the encounter as a 'hard-learned' lesson in church politics.  There was the gospel of Jesus Christ, and then there was the GOSPEL ACCORDING TO VANESSA.  The sooner the preacher understood, the better.

One day, there was a potluck after worship.  Everyone brought their Tupperware containers filled with salads, jello, and entrees to the small kitchen adjacent to the fellowship hall.  All through worship, the covered dishes waited on a large table.  At the start of the closing hymn, a small group of ladies left the sanctuary to make ready the feast.  As you might guess, Mrs. Pryce was the leader of the advance party to the festivities.  

Not only are potlucks traditionally the highlight of a church's social calendar but they also help to maintain the social hierarchy of a congregation.  Strict unwritten rules are often in effect as to what is appropriate, and what is not, when it comes to potluck fare.  

To this very day in Potluck-practicing congregations, it is a sense of personal pride to go home with an empty Tupperware container.  Likewise, you can bring permanent disgrace upon your family name with an unpopular dish.  It is a high-risk proposition, and in general, the taste buds of must congregations run picky, so experimentation is generally not welcome.  If you are wondering, lime Jello is always a safe bet.

Mrs. Pryce was all too happy to remind her carefully selected assistants of "proper" potluck protocol as they delicately arranged the dishes on the long banquet table.  "That's Mrs. Anderson's famous marshmallow salad; it goes here."  "Looks like Mrs. Carlson made her walnut salad, again; let's put that over there."  "We must put Pauline's pickled dish near the front so that no one misses it."  

One by one, under the careful eye of Mrs. Pryce, the table filled with food.  Before the women completed their work, hungry folks began to fill the room and took their seats.   Let the ritual begin.  The pastor stands in front of the fellowship hall and waits patiently for the 'all-clear' signal.  While waiting for Mrs. Pryce, it is good to review the sacred text: 

"Thou shalt not begin the potluck until the pastor prays upon the food.  HE proceeds to pray only after properly admiring the spread of food [please note: after the ordination of women, Mrs. Pryce did not think it appropriate to embrace gender-neutral language].  Adoration of Mrs. Pyrce is salutary and mandatory; those fools forgetting to give appropriate acknowledgment shalt be cast into outer darkness. (VANESSA chapter 4, verses 5-8.)"   

After praying, the pastor is to step aside and allow the famished congregation to devour the food offering.  

Pastor Beth followed the rubrics to the letter.  She was a seasoned pastor, wise in not only the ways of scripture but also in all manner of congregational dysfunction.  Knowing that a group of women would still be in the kitchen, Pastor Beth popped her head in to say hello.  Cheery banter ensued.  

As the women laughed and chatted, Pastor Beth noticed that one dish remained on the kitchen table.  Instead of the fashionable Tupperware, it was a small cardboard container of fried chicken from the supermarket.  It wasn't the large family size but the one that you can buy for around five dollars.  Pastor Beth asked, "What is this?  Why isn't this food out?" 

In an instance, silence filled the room.  The kitchen assistants suddenly looked to the floor to make sure that they still wore shoes.  Pastor picked up the box of chicken and continued, "This was brought by Susan.  She wrote even wrote 'from Susan' on it."

At that very moment, Mrs. Pryce entered the kitchen and the drama escalated.   

The story continues tomorrow...

STEP THREE:  RESPOND IN PRAYER 

Gracious and loving God, why do we persist in thinking ourselves wiser than others?  Why do we cower when others demand their wisdom upon us?  Meet me in the broken places of my life, among the relationships that are under the strain of ignorance.  Shine your wisdom into the darkness of our foolishness.  Let your love and mercy instruct me and guide my pathways.  Through Jesus, amen.

NUMBER FIVE

Number five comes from the FAITH series. It is a fictional story that invites us to consider what is most important in our lives.

The Cobbler - A Parable

STEP ONE: BREATHE

Take a deep, cleansing breath. Allow the air to fill your lungs and expand your body. Exhale and empty yourself into the room. Repeat three times - once for the one who Created you, once for the Incarnate One who walks beside you, and once for the Spirit whose life fills your being.

STEP TWO: DWELL IN WORD

“Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God,
who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them;
who keeps faith forever;
who executes justice for the oppressed;
who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free;
the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts s up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the strangers;
he upholds the orphan and the widow,
but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.”
— Psalm 146: 5-9

There once was an old cobbler who lived in a remote village. While working, he whistled a happy tune. Although he always seemed to have enough work to survive, the cobbler was not wealthy. Over the years, when folks hit hard times and couldn't afford to pay, he'd fix their shoes without charge. The cobbler would always say that as long as he was able, no one's footwear in that village was going to be in disrepair. He took great pride in fixing all holes and worn out places.

One day a stranger walked into the cobbler's shop. He wore a dark cloak and a wide- brimmed hat. Dressed in all in black, the traveler had a mysterious way about him. In a crackly voice, he said, "fix my boots, and in three days when I return, I shall give you your heart's desire." The stranger produced from under his cloak a pair of tattered boots; put them on the counter and disappeared.

As the cobbler held the boots in his hand, he wondered where they had been. The leather was scratched and battered. Both soles had large holes, and the chipped heels were almost worn away.

He had his work cut out for him; this repair wasn't going to be easy. For a job of this size, three days was a challenge. Furthermore, he was afraid of what the stranger might do if the task was uncompleted and not to his satisfaction. After pushing aside

the other shoes on his bench, the cobbler began in earnest. For the next seventy-two hours, he did not stop, sleep, or eat.

Although riches had never driven the cobbler before, he was intrigued by the stranger's promise to give his heart's desire. With hands busy, he reflected upon what that might mean. Was his heart's desire to have enough money that he would never again need to worry about making ends meet? Did he desire fame? A castle on the hill with servants and an army to keep him safe? Did he want for his family, now grown, to never face hardship or distress? Could his wife, who died last year, be restored to life?

The cobbler's experienced hands removed the sole and heel from the boot. Due to extensive wear, these needed replacement. These soles had traveled many roads. If only they could speak, imagine the tales they'd tell. The cobbler tossed the silent scraps into the waste bin. There was no time for idle wanderings of the mind; there was work to do!

As he cut and sized the new leather soles, the cobbler recalled the days that he apprenticed in his trade. He was a mere boy. While learning from an experienced mentor, he made many mistakes. His teacher made him take apart many shoes until he got the sizing and lacing just right. It wasn't easy, but as he gained patience, so too did he acquire a sense of pride in an ever-increasing skill. So many times, he wanted to give up. Many nights he prayed for the strength to keep going.

When he finished the soles for the stranger's boots, the cobbler was glad that he had the courage back then to stay with it. Fixing footwear turned out to be an excellent way to make a living. Over the years, he was able to help others out and live out his Christian vocation behind his cobbler's bench.

As he sewed the soles back onto the boots, his thoughts shifted to the many connections that he made in the broader community. Everybody needed his services at one time or another. When folks came into his shop, he treated them equally and with respect. It didn't matter whether someone was rich or poor - the cobbler treated each one like he imagined that Jesus would do.

On Sundays, instead of opening his shop, he would go with his family to the local church. In those days, it seemed like the whole town came out to worship. Together they praised God and heard stories of the Bible. His favorites were from the life of Jesus. Although Jesus was a carpenter and worked with wood and not leather, the cobbler felt a kinship. He found inspiration and courage from Jesus to live his life with compassion, kindness, and generosity.

Once he attached the sole, the cobbler set to work upon fastening the heel. Tap. Tap. Tap. With a little hammer, he pounded tiny nails into the underside of the boot. A heel, affixed properly, allowed a rider to dig into the stirrups and stay in the saddle. It brought to mind how his prayer and worship practices kept him going through the rough days of life.

If it wasn't for his faith, he doubted that he would have made it through the darkest of days while he watched the love of his life fade away. Her illness was beyond even the best healer's abilities. When she died, everything in the cobbler's life seemed worn away. Just as these thoughts swirled around his mind, a tear formed in the corner of his eye. It still hurt. Gravity pulled the salty liquid down to splash upon the new heel.

The vamp, toe, counter, and shaft of the boot were heavily damaged. Dirt from unknown lands filled the deep cuts. With a soft damp cloth, the cobbler scrubbed gently. After drying the wet leather, he worked lanolin cream into the clean scratches. Slowly and deliberately, the soothing balm made its way into the boot. A gentle buffing brought back the luster of the leather, making it look like new.

Now the cobbler thought about the role that forgiveness played in his life. Each week, he sought forgiveness from God and others. Asking and giving forgiveness were essential parts of the cobbler's faith. Again, following in the path of Jesus, he knew that forgiveness wasn't an option that he could disregard. Forgiveness helped to repair the scratches of life and restore its luster. Without it, life would crumble and crack.

As the sun rose on the third day, the cobbler finished his task. Thanks to the master cobbler's skilled hands, the boots were good as new. On a small scrap of paper, he wrote a note to the stranger. Putting the slip into the boot, he took the pair and placed them on the front stoop of the shop. He closed the door behind him and locked up his place of business. The cobbler was tired and headed home to go to bed.

Later that morning, the stranger returned to find his renewed boots waiting for him outside of a closed shoe-repair shop. Holding them, he admired the cobbler's skill. He read the note. It said, "For the last three days, these boots reminded me that the greatest treasure in life, my heart's desire is that of my faith. Over the years, it has given me courage, strength, and connection. I am grateful for the blessing that my faith continues to be for me. With gratitude, I mark this bill - paid in full."

STEP THREE: RESPOND IN PRAYER

Gracious God, allow me to be grateful for the gift of faith that you have given me. Let me express my appreciation by being generous with my time, talent, and treasures. Through Christ, amen.

Permission granted to share with friends and family. Copyrighted 2019. Walt Lichtenberger

NUMBER SIX

Number 6 comes from the HOPE series and is another imaginative retelling of a Jesus-story. A twelve-year-old Jesus finds shelter and refuge in the Temple.

At Home In God’s House - A Jesus Story Retold

STEP ONE: BREATHE

Take a deep, cleansing breath. Allow the air to fill your lungs and expand your body. Exhale and empty yourself into the room. Repeat three times - once for the one who Created you, once for the Incarnate One who walks beside you, and once for the Spirit whose life fills your being.

STEP TWO: DWELL IN WORD

"Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him."

Luke 2: 41-

Where was that boy? It was the only thought occupying the mind of a frantic mother. "That child is going to be the death of me," Mary announced to whoever would listen and be sympathetic with her dilemma.

The crowd that surrounded her and her husband, Joseph, was not insignificant. They were pilgrims heading home after the annual trek to the Holy City of Jerusalem.

Passover was such a festive time, and the ancient city swelled with passion and people. The movement of people was reminiscent of the exodus itself, on which the ritual celebration centered. Through the sharing of time-honored traditions, foods, and prayers, the faithful did more than remember what God did to liberate the ancestors from slavery in Egypt. They ate, danced, and prayed for they were part of God's ongoing work of liberation. Through a mysterious warping of time, they and their children were the ones that Moses was leading out of bondage.

Fear displaced any memories of festive joy for mother Mary. Where did her son go? As Mary and Joseph scrambled among the subgroups of relations, friends, and fellow Nazarenes, their anxiety increased exponentially. At first, they thought that Jesus was with someone else. For safety reasons, the pilgrims traveled together. The migration was so massive that smaller groupings of folks naturally formed.

Unfortunately, the boy Jesus was not in any of them. To make matters worse, they were already a day's journey from Jerusalem. Their son, not even thirteen (which the Jewish tradition considered as the age of adulthood,) was alone in a city that could be a dangerous place.

Separating themselves from the safety of the caravan, the worried parents head back to Jerusalem. Mary's heart was racing and filled with trouble. Was this what the old Simeon spoke of when he foretold, on their first visit to the Temple with their newborn son, that "a sword will pierce through your own soul?" As Mary and Joseph hurried along the road of uncertainty, away from the safety of their fellow travelers, it was as though someone had run a sword

straight through their hearts. They hastily offered a prayer - dear God, protect our child, and may we find him.

For three days, the search continued.

The metaphorical sword did more than pierce the distraught parents' soul; now, their soul was bleeding out. Was their son still alive? Such horrible thoughts were forming in their minds like the gathering of a foreboding storm. What would they do, if?

For a moment, they needed to suspend their search. Mary and Joseph went to the Temple. They needed to connect with God as their souls were weary. Entering the porticoes and grounds of the Temple complex, they felt more secure. Not too long ago, it was in this place that Simeon praised God after having seen their newborn child. So did Anna. These two older people were previously unknown to the new parents. They seemed to think that their son was something special, a fulfillment of ancient prophecies.

This warm memory of Anna's joy-filled, toothless smile and the glint of a happy tear in the corner of Simeon's eye momentarily distracted Mary and Joseph from their persistent worry over the loss of their boy. Our child brought them such hope that God remembered long- standing promises.

As she was pondering the treasured remembrance, Mary's focus drifted beyond their crises. She wondered about larger realities as bigger pictures came into her imaginative view. Joseph's excited hand shook her back to the present. "Mary, Mary, I have found him!"

Joseph led the perplexed mother a short distance to a group of men gathered on some steps. They were teachers, each having dedicated their lives to the studying of the Torah. Among

them, Jesus sat and listened. Their boy was unharmed! If that wasn't enough to make his mother overjoyed, he was engaging in reflection upon the Torah. It was a Jewish mother's dream!

It didn't take the parents long to swift emotional gears from relief to anger.We were so worried! You better have a good explanation, young man, for what you put your poor mother through...

Before emotions escalate, the gospel writer Luke steps in and redirects the conversation. Where else would the one, whose birth the angels sang, be but in the Temple? God's chosen

messiah - even before the ritualistic coming of age at thirteen - finds a home in the studying of and reflection upon Torah.

Here we find the necessity - a 'must' of this gospel - of Jesus dwelling in the shelter of God's Word. Throughout the narrative that follows, scripture will play a critical role. It will guide, comfort, and be a companion for the fullness of Jesus's ministry. At times, Jesus will quote it directly. Other times, it will underlay Jesus's actions or words.

Jesus's teaching is inseparable from the ancient story of God's salvation. Put another way - Jesus's life, death, and resurrection are linked to the bigger account of God's restorative love for the whole universe.

God's love doesn't start in Bethlehem, but it was birthed a thousand times before in each interaction that God had with humanity going back to the first breath into Adam's clay frame.

According to Luke, this is something that the boy Jesus knows even before he becomes an adult. Nestling in God's Word, we too, find a place to connect our life story with a cosmic tale

that is as old as time itself. It is a place for us to linger amid all the drama and trauma that life brings our way.

STEP THREE: RESPOND IN PRAYER

Gracious God, let me find a place of shelter in your Word. Let me trust in your promises and dwell in the sure and certain hope that you will always be near to me to comfort, correct, guide, challenge, and resurrect. Through Jesus, amen.

Permission granted to share with friends and family. Copyrighted 2019. Walt Lichtenberger

NUMBER SEVEN

Number seven comes from the HOPE series. Throughout 2019, Walt wrote haiku poems to accompany beautiful “Inspirational Images” created by his son Mark. This is an example.

Imagine Waiting

STEP ONE: BREATHE

Take a deep, cleansing breath. Allow the air to fill your lungs and expand your body. Exhale and empty yourself into the room. Repeat three times - once for the one who Created you, once for the Incarnate One who walks beside you, and once for the Spirit whose life fills your being.

STEP TWO: DWELL IN WORD

A Duo of Haikus on Waiting

A long-time passes;

I wait as my mind races.

Frustration builds steam.

Line seems extra slow;

I always pick the wrong one.

Time to learn patience.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER:

When was the last time you waited for God to act in your life? Have you ever made demands that God act in a certain way, according to a certain time-table? How did that go for you? What would it look like to be open while anticipating God’s action? How might you work on increasing patience as an act of prayer?

STEP THREE: RESPOND IN PRAYER

Gracious God, help me to be a better waiter. Empower me to wait for your grace, blessing, correction, and renewal with an expectant spirit. Allow me to trust, breathe deeply, and yearn for the healing, restoration, wisdom, and resurrection that comes only from you. Through Jesus Christ, amen.

Permission granted to share with friends and family. Copyrighted 2019. Walt Lichtenberger

NUMBER EIGHT

Number Eight comes from the EVERGREEN series which began 2019. Walt wrote twelve devotions, one for each day of the Christmas season. It was so well received that he repeated the series for the 2019 Christmas season.

Twelfth Day of Christmas:

STEP ONE: BREATHE

Take a deep, cleansing breath. Allow the air to fill your lungs and expand your body. Exhale and empty yourself into the room. Repeat three times - once for the one who Created you, once for the Incarnate One who walks beside you, and once for the Spirit whose life fills your being.

STEP TWO: DWELL IN WORD

“O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to all the generations to come. Your power and your righteousness O God reach the high heavens.”

— Psalm 71: 17-18

I’m tempted to blow the horn.  My travel is going slower than it should, all thanks to the inactivity of the person in the car ahead of me.  It’s been three hours since I came to the stop sign.  Okay, maybe that is an exaggeration.  Still, it seems like I’ve been waiting longer than it should take and I have things to do, places to be.  The "stupid" driver in front of me is delaying me and, I’m in a hurry.  Where did they ever learn to drive?  Judgment and unkind words flow effortlessly from my otherwise calm demeanor.  Beep!  Beep!  

Christmas Day seems like it was ages ago.  Though the Christmas holiday technically lasts until the end of today, January 5, for all practical purposes, it is over for another year.  Back to patterns of basic survival in the suburban wilderness.   

In isolated, private vehicles, we scurry from appointment to appointment and task to task as quickly as possible.  There is a lot to do, lots of places to be, and we all need to accomplish plenty by the day's end.  Of course, that is, unless we get stuck behind someone who is unaware and incapable of driving their vehicle in the manner that we'd have them.  

My hand is closer to the horn and about to offer its encouragement to the situation when I notice a big Evergreen tree on the corner.  It gives me pause.  The large green boughs dusted white by the most recent snowfall is a sight to behold.  Even in this cold environment, in the midst of winter,  the tree manages to remain green.  It invites my patience and awakens my spirit.  

My mind drifts back to when I was a child.  In Elementary school, my science teacher would orchestrate an annual sale of pine saplings. For a dollar or two, you could buy a tree to plant.  I did and learned the lesson that tree growth takes much longer than the attention of a pre-teenage boy.  It takes years before a sapling becomes a mature pine.  Time and patience are needed.  

I don't recall what happened to the sapling I once planted in my backyard.  I'm guessing that it didn't make it - apparently, the nurture of my pre-teenage self wasn't sufficient to allow for it to thrive.  Since, then, I have watched other trees grow.  It requires long-term sight.  You watch a tree grow through the years.  

The evergreen on the corner must have taken decades to get to be that large.  Did a child plant it as a sapling they acquired at school?  If so, I wonder if they point out their accomplishment to their grandchildren? I planted that tree when I was your age! Indeed, many seasons have come and gone in its lifetime.  How many times has snow blanketed its branches?  How many summers has it provided refreshing shade to the bunnies and neighborhood cats?   

My thoughts wander further afield.  From the vantage point of expanded time, beyond the frenzy of being in the moment, I imagine a bigger picture.  Alongside the growth of the evergreens, I sense the shaping of mountains and the carving of the rivers.  Each element bears witness to the deliberate and brilliant strokes of a Master artist.  Upon the canvas of creation, what wondrous things our Creator has grown!

In my daily scurrying, and fretting about who is slowing me down, I pass right by this big picture without so much as a recognition of its existence.  I am too busy to notice.  "Slow down, grasshopper," speaks the acquired wisdom of the evergreen, who remains on the corner in all kinds of weather.  

Breathe.  Allow the gift of your next breath to fill your being with patience.  Settle into your place in God's creation.  Acknowledge the presence of your Creator who works on a grander, more lasting scale.  

Find in the situation of being delayed by another, an opportunity to slow down and connect with someone God has also created in God's image.  What are their needs?  How might I extend the kindness of Jesus with them?  

When we invite patience to dwell in our hearts, we find a host of other virtues quickly blossoming within us. Compassion.  Forgiveness.  Love.  Grace.  Now the growth is rapid, and it quickly pushes out judgment, intolerance, self-superiority, pride, bigotry, and hatred.   Evil and violence can not grow in such conditions.  God smiles as the spirit creates anew within our being.          

Suddenly, I hear a beep... someone is laying on their horn.  I regain awareness of where I am.  I'm at a stop sign.  It is my turn to look both ways and go on my way.  In my rearview mirror, I see the angry face of impatience.  I take a deep breath and turn.  As I pass the large evergreen, I smile, grateful for its lesson.      

STEP THREE: RESPOND IN PRAYER

God of bigger pictures, allow me to welcome your presence with a quieter spirit.  Give me the patience that I lack.  Let me deeply breathe to slow down and learn the lessons that I would otherwise pass by and overlook.  Let me see in my connection with others the opportunity to grow as your child.  Through the Incarnate Christ, Amen.  

NUMBER NINE

Number nine comes from the HOPE series. Each week of the series, Walt offered some practical actions that you could take that would move in the direction of hope. Leaning toward hope, it becomes part of the way that we live our lives.

Take Courage

STEP ONE: BREATHE

Take a deep, cleansing breath. Allow the air to fill your lungs and expand your body. Exhale and empty yourself into the room. Repeat three times - once for the one who Created you, once for the Incarnate One who walks beside you, and once for the Spirit whose life fills your being.

STEP TWO: DWELL IN WORD

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. — Psalm 46: 1-3

Fear has long been a problem for the human creature. Sure, fear helped to protect our neanderthal ancestors from sabertooth tigers, and to this day heightens our senses in the presence of real danger. The trouble is that the emotion that triggers fight or flight can also paralyze, deceive, manipulate, distort, and quickly complicate situations. Fear makes us react before we think; in such a state, we are less likely to consider possibilities.

A strong motivator, fear can cause even the most peace-loving person to take up arms against a sea of worries. Conflicts and violence thrive upon fear as an essential ingredient to start, fester, and escalate. It does this by tapping into that part of our created selves that struggles to survive. When danger threatens us, we turn inward to protect and persevere. It can lead to behaviors that are harmful as take action or fail to take action.

Tribal and familial instincts flare up within ourselves, and we stop thinking about anyone else. Suddenly, we perceive our neighbor as only those who mirror us; we put everyone else in the enemy category. Once this happens, all sorts of nasty options are "on the table": judge, exclude, isolate, suspect, barricade, and bomb. History teaches that violence is the destination at the end of each of these paths. Theology teaches that our inward obsession is sinful and contributes to the overall power and presence of evil.

In the final of our weekly Acts of Hope, let's look at courage. In the face of threats, big and small, courage allows us to move in the direction of life (ours and others). Unlike fear, courage dances with hope. We have courage because we have hope that things will be better.

The source of both our courage and hope is critical. We can hope and take courage in a great many things: ourselves, wealth, knowledge, physical strength, gods and God, etc. The list is seemingly endless. Although we each have a list of our own, there are items that we all share in common. (if you are not sure that you have such a catalog of items - ask yourself, "who or what do I depend upon?" Write them down.)

Depending on the circumstance, we will turn to and rely on different things on our checklist. For example, if your house is on fire, you will turn to and hope in your local fire department. Their response, skill, and equipment can encourage us even as we watch the flames come out of the building. Similarly, we hope that when we take our dog out for a walk that our bodies will be able to make it around the block. If we didn't, then we would stay at home with an unhappy puppy. With leash in hand, we set out each day encouraged by our physical health and ability.

Throughout our days, we are continually testing the things we hope in and taking notes. Over time our confidence in certain things increases while decreases in others. We are both disappointed and assured. Eventually, we discover whether something is worthy of our devotion or not. Martin Luther said, in his explanation in the Small Catechism to the Ten Commandments, that a god is anything in which we put our faith and trust. We hope in our gods. Luther cautioned that any god that is not God is bound to disappoint and not ultimately deserving of our unrestrained hope.

Back to fear and courage. If God (the Creator to which the scripture bears witness) is at the top of our "things-in-which-we-hope" list, then we can take courage. God will not disappoint us but will remain present no matter our struggle. God's presence will give us the wisdom and strength that we need to face the darkest nights and scariest days. Further, if we courageously lean in God's direction, we connect ourselves with others.

Since God is Creator of all, the boundary of who is our neighbor is always in the process of expanding; even to the point of including those, we have labeled an enemy. Answering the question - where is God leading - with the honesty of our hearts, we discern the path that leads to peace, healing, restoration, and resurrection.

God's way is one that pushes back the fears that the other things on our list generate. For example, consider wealth. Many folks trust and hope that their wealth will provide them everything that they need. For them, wealth is a god to be honored, worshiped, and protected. Anything that threatens portfolio or holdings is to be feared. Rapidly, they turn inward and fear losing it all. Comfort zones become gated compounds. Wealth traps people into a mindset and reality that excludes, restricts, and isolates. Wealth is a harsh deity that lacks compassion and transforms its worshippers into heartless, self-centered, and fearful minions.

Jesus taught that we could use our wealth and possessions courageously. Instead of fearfully hoarding or conspicuously consuming, we can live generously. Each day, we can share what we have beyond ourselves, family, and friends to those who are just outside our comfort zones. Our wealth can be a powerful tool that can bring clean water, health, and sustenance to those who live around the globe. For example, supporting global relief organizations such as Lutheran World Relief, we can make a difference in the lives of children who we will never meet but will be forever grateful. When we give financial support, we participate in the inbreaking of God's kingdom by contributing to actions that restore, heal, and seek balance. Spiritually, we benefit from

breaking the self-directed bonds of wealth that keep all too many people captive in fear. You can't fear losing wealth if you courageously give it away. Through generous giving, you also reorient perspective and priorities; our purpose in life is not to accumulate and multiple wealth but rather to trust in God for daily bread that connects us to others.

So, what's on the top of your "things in which we most hope" list? Where is God on that list? Be honest. It doesn't help to say, "at the top," and then to live in such a way that demonstrates the falsity of that claim. Are you living according to Jesus's teaching and life-example? What would it look like if you did? Where do your greatest fears lie? What would it mean to face them with courageous acts that hope in God's promises and presence? What small steps might you take in this direction?

STEP THREE: RESPOND IN PRAYER

Gracious God, life can be so complicated and busy that I find myself pulled in many directions. Many things demand attention and promise "solutions" to all my problems. Give me the wisdom to discern your pathway. Strengthen my weakened resolve with new courage to live in the way Jesus did. Following Christ, let me find rest as I hope in you. Through Jesus Christ, amen.

Permission granted to share with friends and family. Copyrighted 2019. Walt Lichtenberger

NUMBER TEN

Number Ten comes from the Lenten series, BROKEN AND BELOVED. Walt imagines the gospel writer, Luke, as he sits at his desk and works on his story of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. He has good news to share and for centuries, we have been blessed by his words.

Jesus Story Retold - Luke’s Passion for the Story

STEP ONE: BREATHE

Take a deep, cleansing breath.  Allow the air to fill your lungs and expand your body.  Exhale and empty yourself into the room.  Repeat three times - once for the one who Created you, once for the Incarnate One who walks beside you, and once for the Spirit whose life fills your being.

STEP TWO: DWELL IN WORD

“Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been instructed.”

— Luke 1: 1-4

At a small wooden desk, the old man sat with his writing materials.  A tiny clay oil lamp gave a flickering light to the room.  Though it was late, Luke wrote with all the passion of someone decades younger.  The words flowed effortlessly from his spirit to the parchment.  

Luke wrote dear Theophilus - or 'lover of God.'  It was a smart way of saying that he wrote this story for everyone who loved and sought after God.  The story was good news and for years to come Christians would call it "Gospel."    

Luke had gathered the stories from Jesus's life for some time.  Some he based on Mark's Gospel account, written a few years prior.  Others came from other less famous sources.  Tales around campfires that he remembered hearing as a boy.  Like precious gems, Luke carefully handled each and arranged them in an order that seemed fitting.   

He always wished that he had been alive when Jesus carried out his earthly ministry.  Imagine what it must have been like to be a part of the crowd as Jesus preached about God's kingdom and healed the sick.  No wonder folks still shared the stories throughout the region.   They were powerful and gave hope.  

Luke wrote with a purpose.  He would give an orderly account so that others might know and understand concerning the truth that lied at the heart of faith.  The life of Jesus demonstrated God's liberating love for all humanity.  God desired to be in fellowship with a broken creation.  It was a story that Luke felt compelled to tell to not only those who never heard it but also to lovers of God.  It was a sacred story for believers to cherish and to strengthen faith.  

Page after page, the stories of Jesus's compassion smoothly flowed.  In particular, tales about Jesus's infamous table fellowship with outcasts and sinners caught Luke's attention.  It was remarkable.  No wonder Jesus had such a reputation - a glutton and a drunkard - amongst the holier-than-thou Pharisees.  Instead of comprehending these meals as visible signs of God's restorative kingdom, they saw them as sordid affairs.  

The aging physician knew a thing or two about healing.  From years of practicing medical arts, Luke knew of the isolation and separation that illness of mind, body, and spirit could wreck on individuals and communities.  Again, when Jesus healed, it pointed to the larger reality of God's realm breaking forth into our own.  Peace - Shalom - wholeness - this was the gift of a generous God whose steadfast love was endless. 

Luke wrote such beautiful prose for generations to come.  A thousand years later, scholars would extoll his skilled use of the Greek language.  People all over the world would treasure Jesus-stories known only through his Gospel (such as the Prodigal Son, the manger in Bethlehem, and the Good Samaritan).  To this very day, twenty-one centuries later, Christian living is inspired by Luke's orderly account.   As the broken and beloved children of God, our faith is comforted and challenged by the way he told Jesus's story.   

STEP THREE:  RESPOND IN PRAYER 

Gracious and Loving God, be with me on this day.  By your Spirit, empower and strengthen me in my faith so that my love for you might compel me to respond with faithful actions to praise you and to love my neighbor.  Through Jesus, amen.

NUMBER ELEVEN

Number Eleven comes from the WELCOME series. At the end of each week, I shared a “recipe” for hospitality. It offered some practical suggestions on how to embrace the kind of hospitality that characterized Jesus’s ministry. This particular recipe come from the third week.

Hospitality Recipe #3: A Dash of Humility

STEP ONE: BREATHE

Take a deep, cleansing breath. Allow the air to fill your lungs and expand your body. Exhale and empty yourself into the room. Repeat three times - once for the one who Created you, once for the Incarnate One who walks beside you, and once for the Spirit whose life fills your being.

STEP TWO: DWELL IN WORD

“I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
O magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together.”

— Psalm 34: 1-3

I grew up in a town in northeastern New Jersey that had five different pizzerias (plus a Dominos, which didn't count). A local family-owned and operated each pizza parlor. They made the classic thin-crusted delicacy that still makes me miss my homeland. They tossed the dough by hand, lobbing it into the air in a fluid, sweeping motion. The pizza, embellished with toppings and a mound of mozzarella, went into a large oven. As soon as it cooked, the pizza man cut it and put the pizza into a cardboard box.

Each of the pizzerias in town had their name on the box in either red or green ink. Accompanying the brand identity was a printed coupon. Buy 8 or 10 and get one free. I can remember the stacks of cardboard pizza coupons on top of the refrigerator. We always seemed to have at least two different piles from different pizza places.

The other thing I recall about the pizza boxes used in the town of Secaucus was a tag line: you tried the rest, now try the best! Different pizzerias used the same advertising jingle on their boxes. Each had to brag about being the best. It made me chuckle. How could they all be the best?

Bravado was, and remains, part of New Jersey culture. We reflected the attitude on our pizza boxes. Growing up in the small town of Secaucus, everybody you knew was "the best." Pride was not in short supply. It led to many heated conversations about sports, gardening, and pasta sauce (or as my Italian friends called it - gravy.) When people in North Jersey talk, usually with passion, they use their hands. Therefore, when boasting, arms are generally in motion. It is an experience to behold. We were the best at being “the best!”

At the end of the third week of the WELCOME devotion, we will add a dash of humility to our recipe for Christian hospitality. I suggest a dash because we don't want to slip into the trap of bragging about being humble. A dash is all it takes to add essential flavor.

Humility is vital because unless we step away from the boasting of self, it is tough to focus on others. How can we see the need in the face of others if we don't step away from the mirror? How can we hear what challenges others face if we don't stop talking? Looking and listening are humble acts that allow us to serve.

When Jesus's disciples argued about which one of them was the greatest, about who was best, it became a beautiful teaching moment. Jesus offered an alternative to the treadmill of perpetual greatness that was a part of the culture of the time. Roman society was highly stratified. Inherent in that system was a need to maintain one's social status. Having the best seats at the banquet tables was a visible way of showing that you were to be honored and respected. If you weren’t first, then you could easily fall into the last place.

Jesus's path to greatness did not consist of bragging or vying for the top places. Instead, it revolved around service. Throughout his ministry, Jesus recognized the presence of others, listened to their challenges and hurts, and reached out to help. He invited those who wished to follow his way to do the same.

Debating about having the best pizza, or best hotdish, or best theology is an unnecessary distraction. Such things misplace the focus of ministry and life. Instead of hovering over the self, Jesus encourages an outward radiance.

Being humble in each day and interaction that we have with others helps to move us in the direction of Christ. Serving others as Jesus did, is not necessarily easier. It will involve more than one sacrifice on our part. It is, however, a path of deep and lasting satisfaction, joy, and meaning.

Maybe the pizza boxes of my homeland aren't far off. You've tried the rest, now try the best!

STEP THREE:  A TABLE PRAYER

I offer the following prayer for you to use today as you pray at the table.

LOVING GOD, IN THE LIFE OF JESUS, YOU CAME TO SERVE. YOU HUMBLED YOURSELF TO LIVE AMONG US. WE BREAK THIS BREAD WITH THANKS FOR ALL THAT YOU GIVE US. MAKE US MINDFUL OF THE NEEDS OF OTHERS SO THAT WE MIGHT REACH OUT TO THEM IN HUMBLE SERVICE. THROUGH JESUS, AMEN.

Permission granted to share with friends and family. Copyrighted 2019. Walt Lichtenberger

NUMBER TWELVE

Week One: Day Five - Myth #1: Belief is the same as Faith

STEP ONE: BREATHE

Take a deep, cleansing breath. Allow the air to fill your lungs and expand your body. Exhale and empty yourself into the room. Repeat three times - once for the one who Created you, once for the Incarnate One who walks beside you, and once for the Spirit whose life fills your being.

STEP TWO: DWELL IN WORD

“So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.”
— 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

The first of the Faith Myths that we will be cracking open might raise an eyebrow or two. For some, it might seem downright wrong to suggest that belief is not the same as faith.

In our secular culture, faith and belief seem to be interchangeable and live in the realm of unsubstantiated opinion. I have my faith/beliefs, and you have yours. Thanks to the internet, we can see that the range of views is seemingly limitless. Many of these sentiments are fickle, temporary, or downright bizarre. Today we believe this; tomorrow we have faith in that. This movement is such that it can give us spiritual whiplash and we bounce back and forth.

What is more, since we define belief/faith as things that are accepted without proof, there appears no objectable way of sorting out between my 'truth' and yours. No matter how bizarre or baseless our convictions might be, we are allowed to hold them. Your beliefs in unicorns, large men in red suits, magic, and that the Twins are the best team in baseball, stand alongside my belief that you can't get a good slice of pizza outside the New York metro area. Oh, we can, and do, debate such things with varying degrees of passion. But at the end of the day, to each his/her wacky opinions.

No wonder we find ourselves spiritually adrift. We are bombarded with so many varying truths, lies, beliefs, sentiments, speculations, and even conspiracies. We have privatized faith in the process and have put it on a proverbial shelf along with other volumes of things disputed. We take faith down from the shelf only when we feel the need, or we want divine intervention in a crisis. If we don't get immediate satisfaction, we'll put it back and reach for the book of unicorn lore and get out our crystals.

It is time for us to crack open the myth that belief and faith are one and the same.

We start with clarifying our language and definitions. I have found Paul Tillich's distinction between belief and faith to be instructive. Belief is an act of knowledge with varying levels of evidence and probability. Like I mentioned above, we hold all sorts of beliefs with different levels of proof. We know stuff, and that stuff allows us to carry on in specific ways.

We make predictions about how things will turn out in the future because of things we believe to be true. For example, we buy a particular brand of car influenced by our belief, past experiences, and knowledge of a specific car company's track record. It doesn't make sense to spend a lot of money on something that we know will leave us stranded on the side of the road. Only time will tell if our trust was well placed. If we have years of hassle-free driving, then we were wise in believing in the carmaker whose product we chose.

Of course, we might hold out and despite all evidence and experience to the contrary continue to maintain that a particular manufacturer makes the best vehicles on the market. Some folks just buy Chevys or Fords no matter what. Belief works like that too.

Faith, on the other hand, is more significant than our accumulated beliefs and opinions. Tillich points to faith as a matter of existential import. What is the grounding for your life? What matters most? Where do you find the strength to live? There are no other books on this proverbial shelf for none are able to stand alongside our ultimate concern and conviction. No unicorns. No Twins. No New York pizza. Faith, if it is true faith, stands alone.

To have faith is to seek communion with God. It is a life-long quest of yearning, questioning, praying, doubting, and committing ourselves. Belief is undoubtedly a part of the journey. Traditions, experiences, sacred texts (such as the Bible), and wisdom all help to shape beliefs along the way. But none of these finite realities are ultimate in themselves. They all fall short of being God and therefore ought not be the object of our faith.

When we put faith in things that are not ultimate, we find ourselves engaging in blaphemous living. We exchange the mystery, majesty, and magnitude of the Divine for simple, tangible, and off-repeated creeds and doctrines of narrow belief. When this happens, we worship gods that are not GOD. These idols will disappoint and leave us in despair and desparation.

Seeking God which is above all and beyond limitations, we yearn to be set free from all that limits life and prevents relationships from flourishing. In short, we long for the kingdom that Jesus announced through his preaching, teaching, healing, and self- emptying living.

When we talk about faith, we are having a big conversation about big things. God. Existence. Life. We also get into places of good and evil, suffering, restoration,

redemption, and resurrection. Across the globe and within each religious tradition, questions related to all these are pondered endlessly. Wisdom and foolishness, insight and ignorance, clarity and confusion, all these things abound as each makes holy claims about faith.

Faith lives in that part of the human creature that we call the spirit or the soul. It is the spiritual lifeblood of all people. It can be felt, thought, experienced, imagined, measured, and observed. That said, language might have a hard time describing or capturing its essence. It is not unlike trying to catch a beam of light in a jar. Good luck with that.

We would do well to keep our thoughts about faith as open as possible, allowing for them to transform over time. Doubts and questions are actually useful tools, alongside belief, that can over time shape and form faith.

Though real, honest to goodness, faith is illusive and impossible to contain, it drives us onward to life itself. We find the courage to live through our faith. Perhaps that is the best proof of faith's existence. Because humans have faith, we carry on through all sorts of unknown perils and possibilities. Faith allows us to face the future and even death itself.

STEP THREE: RESPOND IN PRAYER

Gracious God, let me seek you above all things. Push me beyond the deepest of my convictions and darkest of my doubts. Nuture my faith so that it stays open to your unimaginable presence. Guide me to focus my life in your direction. Through Jesus Christ, amen.

Permission granted to share with friends and family. Copyrighted 2019. Walt Lichtenberger

NUMBER THIRTEEN

Number 13 comes from the HOPE series that Walt published in the early summer. The story comes from Walt’s travels and recalls an encounter that he had with an artist in Key West.

Alonso - A Story of Hope 

STEP ONE: BREATHE

Take a deep, cleansing breath. Allow the air to fill your lungs and expand your body. Exhale and empty yourself into the room. Repeat three times - once for the one who Created you, once for the Incarnate One who walks beside you, and once for the Spirit whose life fills your being.

STEP TWO: DWELL IN WORD

"I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words. My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise. Hear my voice according to your steadfast love; O Lord, according to your justice give me life.” Psalm 119: 147-149

Each night as the sun sets at Mallory Square on the island of Key West, he moves water and pigments with a brush. There was a time when Alonso's work consisted of using a pail and a mop at the local library. Now he lives his full-time dream of being a watercolor artist, selling his work to the tourists who come for the nightly sunset celebration. Watercolors of all sizes adorn a temporary gallery that he sets up nightly on the street. It isn't the only place you can get an original "Alonso" - boutique galleries on the island also feature his work - but it's the only regular place that you can watch the artist in action and listen to his moving tale of hope.

As the watercolors blend on the thick white, 140 lb paper, Alonso is quick to tell his story. He smiles a full-rounded face smile. Using his thin brush as a pointer, he directs your attention; "Do you see that pier over there? That is where my parents brought my brother and me when we fled from Cuba."

Alonso was one of nearly 125,000 Cuban refugees that fled their homeland during the Mariel boatlift. Fidel Castro lifted travel restrictions from April to October 1980, allowing people to leave Cuba without penalty. Dozens of boats made the ninety-mile trek between Cuba and Key West. More than bodies filled these watercraft, they were packed with many hopes for an improved life.

Marielitos (which is the name that history has given to this group of Cuban exiles) like Alonso's parents, wanted something better for their children. They were willing to take a risk to provide shelter from the devastation of Castro's control.

Parents around the world want happiness, health, security, and prosperity for their beloved. No matter their culture or language, refugees share in this hope and are willing to sacrifice to bring it to pass. It is hard to legislate or stop at a border the passion that is present in a parent's heart when it comes to their children.

Without neglecting his watercolor creation, Alonso continued; "You know, the movie Scarface got it wrong. Hollywood made it seem like they were all criminals who left Cuba. I can tell you, that wasn't true. Everyone on the boat was like my parents."

Fears that Castro was emptying jails and mental institutions shifted public opinion away from supporting the Mariel exodus. In truth, this was only an anecdotal reality. The vast majority of the Mariel exiles were indeed like Alonso's parents - refugees that were driven by the desire to have a brighter future. They wanted to escape the violence, persecution, and restrictions of their native land. They sought shelter and a hiding place where they could live their lives without fear and dread.

Upon the paper, a blue sky emerges as the ultramarine pigment dances with the water. A stroke of crimson and Winsor yellow blends to form a golden band of orange in Alonso's sky.

Simple. Beautiful.

"They came to this county and worked hard at many jobs. They made sure that each boy graduated from High School. We love this country. It has been a place of opportunity for my family." Alonso's smile widened.

For a moment, Alonso placed his paintbrush down on the folding table of his portable, street- gallery. He looked up from his work and beamed. There was a sense of pride in not only what he created but in his story that he shared. It was his parent's love that brought him across the waters on a makeshift watercraft. Their hope was a strong force in his life that continued to the current time even though they remained with him in memory only. It not only shaped the circumstances of where he grew up and what opportunities were available to him - it crafted his very being. Like his watercolor, hope added color, depth, blending, and opacity to the masterpiece of his life.

STEP THREE: RESPOND IN PRAYER

Gracious God, you are the source of all hope. Be present to those who are in distress and despair. Strengthen their resolve and raise them. Open a place in all of our hearts for the refugee. Let compassion guide our language, thoughts, politics, and buying decisions in such a way that we work toward helping those in need find shelter, security, and a share of the goodness of your creation. Through Jesus Christ, amen.

Permission granted to share with friends and family. Copyrighted 2019. Walt Lichtenberger

NUMBER FOURTEEN

Number 14 comes from the LOVE series that Walt published in February.

Love is a choice God wants us to make

STEP ONE: BREATHE

Take a deep, cleansing breath. Allow the air to fill your lungs and expand your body. Exhale and empty yourself into the room. Repeat three times - once for the one who Created you, once for the Incarnate One who walks beside you, and once for the Spirit whose life fills your being.

STEP TWO: DWELL IN WORD

“For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
— Galatians 5:13-14

I learned a long time ago that in ministry, as in life, you can't make everybody happy. From time to time, folks leave anonymous messages on the church's answering machine expressing their displeasure. As a leader, there is not much follow up that you can do if people won't own their opinions. I have made it a practice, and a policy, not to address anonymous complaints.

Recently, we got the strangest message that makes me both chuckle and wonder. There was a fair bit of anger in the electronic recording. This tirade demanded that the church stop sending Valentines!

Let me offer a little context. For the past few years, St. James Lutheran has hosted a Valentine's Day Luncheon for its widows and widowers. We go to Olive Garden and treat everyone to soup, salad, and breadsticks. Folks have much appreciated this ministry of our church that reaches out to those who are missing loved ones on a day that celebrates love.

This year, we used handmade invitations for the luncheon. They fit in tiny square envelopes. What we didn't realize at the time of mailing, was that these little invites required additional postage. Nowhere on the envelope box was that mentioned. Upon delivery, the postal worker collected fifteen cents from each recipient. As soon as we realized the mistake, we started handing out dimes and nickels. Most folks found the situation humorous. At least that is what we thought as we handed out the reimbursements.

Stop sending Valentines; they cost us money! The angry caller did not share in the mirth of an honest mistake. Instead of delighting in being invited to a free lunch, they chose to grumble about fifteen cents! Since they didn't leave their name, we are unable to apologize or give them their fifteen cents. If by chance it was you, let me know, I will provide you with both.

The whole scenario got me to think about a core aspect of Christian spirituality. At the heart of the life, ministry, and teaching of Jesus of Nazareth was the command to love one another. Based on the love that God has for all people, Christians are to reflect

God's love to others. This love happens or doesn't, through words, deeds, and thoughts.

Years ago, a first-grade teacher friend, used to teach her classroom to make 'loving- choices.' When a child did something that wasn't kind, she would ask them, "is that a loving choice?" Even those who regularly misbehaved knew the answer to that question and were able to take corrective action.

Making loving choices is not to be reserved for children. It is something that we each need to consider regardless of our age. The health of our relationships depends upon it. Whether we are talking about life partners, children, families, friends, co-workers, neighbors, or our community - we all need to make and be the recipients of loving choices. Kindness, compassion, mercy, forgiveness - these are essential values connected with loving choices. Without them, things fall apart, separate, breakdown, disintegrate, and implode.

Love is a choice that God wants us all to make; this is a statement that all Christian denominations would support. The core ethical teachings of Judaism, Islam, and Buddism also agree. When fringe elements or extremists in any religion depart from love, others in those traditions point out that they do not represent their respective faiths.

Each day presents a myriad of opportunities for each of us to make loving choices. No matter who we are, how old we are, or in what pew we worship we can decide to act in loving ways. We can use words filled with kindness and concern as we relate to others. On the other hand, we also have the freedom to grumble, complain, and gripe. In countless situations throughout each day, we decide.

Fellow Minnesotans, I'm talking about more than being nice. Love moves deeper than surface politeness, smiles, and waves to a place where our spirit connects with another. It is a matter of the heart that honors all people as created in God's image. As such, it is a holy and sacred endeavor.

Think about what a difference we could make if we each commit ourselves to the work of choosing to love. It could have revolutionary effects in our civil discourse, online postings, family chats, and the messages that we leave on church voicemail.

STEP THREE: RESPOND IN PRAYER

Loving God, you have chosen to send your grace, mercy, and compassion to me. Your love blesses my life in so many ways. Lead me to make loving choices this day in my dealings with others. Guide my words, thoughts, and actions so that they reflect your love. Through Jesus's love, amen.

Permission granted to share with friends and family. Copyrighted 2019. Walt Lichtenberger

NUMBER FIFTEEN

From Broken and Beloved - Lent 2019. At the start of each week of Walt’s devotional series, he provided a introduction note to the reader. These notes outlined the main topic for the week that would run through all the devotions. Number 15 is the introduction note for the first week of the BROKEN and BELOVED series.

Despair and Hope

STEP ONE: BREATHE

Take a deep, cleansing breath.  Allow the air to fill your lungs and expand your body.  Exhale and empty yourself into the room.  Repeat three times - once for the one who Created you, once for the Incarnate One who walks beside you, and once for the Spirit whose life fills your being.

STEP TWO: DWELL IN WORD

“Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.”

— Luke 24: 13-16

Our first paradox to consider involves big picture stuff: despair and hope.  There is nothing like jumping into the deep end of the pool - no time to ease in and gradually get our feet wet.  Despair and hope are classic existential topics in a theological conversation that has spanned the centuries.  Poets, preachers, philosophers, and teachers have all struggled with this ultimate paradox connected to the meaning of life.  

Where do we find purpose in our short span of years?  Since we are all going to die (at a time not usually known) what does anything matter?  No one knows for sure what happens after death - nobody has come back to let us know (except for Jesus who is remarkably silent on what he saw while lying in the tomb.) 

When these questions press upon us, we can find it easy to despair.  We might get stuck in the muck of feeling utterly helpless.  Lacking the strength to engage with others, we might turn inward, which only initiates a downward spiral.  Courage falters.  Despair increases.  It can feel as though we are at the bottom of a massive hole with no prospects of ever making it out.  It is not unknown for people, who are trapped in this place, to take desperate measures.  

But despair is one side of the equation.   Hope lives at the opposite pole and is just as strong of a feeling.  If despair pushes us inward and downward, then hope opens us outward and upward.  When we hope, we trust in forces beyond ourselves and seek strength in God's presence.  

So what makes this a paradox?  Why place these concepts in tension with one another?  Don't we need a linear movement from despair to hope?  Problem solved?

Despair and Hope coexist in the life of people of faith.  We can't separate ourselves from despair and cling solely to hope.  It would be nice if we could, but that is not in our DNA.   Even if it were possible to escape the pit of despair for good, we are part of a community in which others still find themselves in captivity.  Those hope-filled members of the Body of Christ have a responsibility to be present to and care for those wrecked by despair.  Since we find ourselves at any given point in time at different places on the spectrum between these poles, we may be the ones who can encourage or the one who needs encouragement.  

In this first full week of Lent, we will delve into the creative tension between despair and hope.  Our journey will consist of a creative retelling of a Jesus story, an inspiring image, some poetry, and a few stories.  It is my intention to provoke a few thoughts, raise some questions, and provide a little comfort along the way.  In short, I seek to shine a little light on your path (and my own).

In Christ’s Light, 

Walt    

STEP THREE:  RESPOND IN PRAYER 

Gracious and loving God, on this first Sunday in Lent, we confess that we are broken and in need of your love.  Come into the places where life is messy, and we find ourselves apart from your ways.  Forgive us and renew our lives with your presence so that might share your life with others.  Through Jesus, amen.

NUMBER SIXTEEN

From Broken and Beloved - Lent 2019. This series ran throughout the season of Lent.

No Escape

STEP ONE: BREATHE

Take a deep, cleansing breath.  Allow the air to fill your lungs and expand your body.  Exhale and empty yourself into the room.  Repeat three times - once for the one who Created you, once for the Incarnate One who walks beside you, and once for the Spirit whose life fills your being.

STEP TWO: DWELL IN WORD

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.”

— Proverbs 3:5

For a time, it seemed like everyone I knew was trying out an Escape Room experience.  Perhaps you have done it?  You pay someone to lock you in a room with a group of people that you may or may not know.  There are clues in the room that will eventually lead you to a key that allows you to unlock the exit door.  Time is ticking.  Can you escape in time?  

I've not tried it myself.  I'm hesitant to put myself in that situation with a group of people I don't know as I'm afraid that it would play to my worst attributes.   Under pressure, if no one else steps up, I will take control.  Because I can usually see multiple options and solutions when faced with a problem, I would spring into action and try to do it myself or direct others.  Or, if someone else jumped in, I would allow them to take over.  I would hold back making too many suggestions.  Either way, I'd not be at my best nor would I be of much help to the group.  It wouldn't be much fun, and in the end, I'd be frustrated that we couldn't escape.

So that's why I haven't yet tried an Escape Room.  With the right group of people, however, I think it would be fun.  If I could pick all those in the room, I'd give it a try.  Knowing each other, we'd be able to play off our strengths.  With the group that I have in mind, I'm confident that we could solve any puzzle presented.  We could escape with time to spare.

During this Holy Week, we are focusing on the paradox that has served as our overall theme throughout the whole Lenten season:  Broken & Beloved.  

Between these poles, we live out our lives in a variety of relationships.  From our spiritual relationship with our Creator to the intimate relationships with close family, from acquaintances with friends and coworkers to sacred communion with others in our faith community - we exist in the tension of being broken and beloved.    There is no escape.

No matter how hard we try to get out of this paradox, we are unable.  There is no magic key or code hidden in an unusual place.  Neither is there any amount of brilliance or smarts that can figure it out.  We can't put together a dream team that will prevail against time and incredible odds either.    Try as we might, we are stuck with being human.   We can't escape our created nature.  

It doesn't mean that we won't try.  Each generation comes up with its solutions and experiments.  We search for magical elixirs and fountains, attempt unified theories, and accumulate miles of data.  We cling to political ideologies as ultimate solutions, craft ointments to sooth, and develop toxic concoctions to turn back aging processes.  We buy into the myth that humanity is progressing and improving at a constant rate toward enlightenment.  We may not escape, but eventually, a more-perfect human will make it.   Maybe our brilliant kids will figure it out.    

Throughout this Lenten series, I have suggested a different path.  Instead of trying to figure out a problem that can't be solved and wasting time in an endless search for unattainable perfection, we need to embrace reality.  Lean into our imperfection.  We do this not with dejection and resignation but in the sure and certain hope that God meets us in tension and failure. 

Jesus sought engagement with messy, imperfect, and vulnerable.  In so doing, he blessed the poor, meek, and broken-hearted with the presence of God.  The cross stands not as a solution, as some might suggest, to all life's problems.  It is not a code or key that opens heavenly victory to the ones that know how to wield its power correctly.  It doesn't offer magical protection against all evil and ensure its wearer superpowers of salvific import.  To think along these lines is to imagine faith merely as an escape plan that allows us to jettison from this world to the next.  Such thinking is inconsistent with the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus that we find in the gospel stories. 

The cross stands to remind us that instead of escaping human frailty and imperfection, God moves in the opposite direction.  It is an ultimate symbol that the Creator of heaven and earth has chosen to get real with us.  God comes to us not with an escape pod but with love and mercy.  It meets us where we are and transforms our very souls in real time.

STEP THREE:  RESPOND IN PRAYER 

Gracious and Loving God, direct my attention away from elusive and unattainable perfection.  Instead of escaping reality, let me be real.  Meet me amid my brokenness with your forgiveness, grace, and love.  Through Jesus, amen.

NUMBER SEVENTEEN

Number 17 comes from the FAITH series. It is an example of the many original parables that Walt created in 2019 from his observations of common occurrences and objects.

A Piano Parable

STEP ONE: BREATHE

Take a deep, cleansing breath. Allow the air to fill your lungs and expand your body. Exhale and empty yourself into the room. Repeat three times - once for the one who Created you, once for the Incarnate One who walks beside you, and once for the Spirit whose life fills your being.

STEP TWO: DWELL IN WORD

“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”

— Colossians 2:6-7

The following is an original parable. Parables played an essential part in the teaching ministry of Jesus. He used simple stories about everyday occurrences to ignite the imagination about the extraordinary kingdom of God.  

 There once was a little girl who wore pigtails and frilly dresses. One day she asked her parents if she could take piano lessons. Even though no one in the family played a musical instrument, they agreed. Since they didn't have a piano on which to practice, they borrowed an old keyboard from a friend.  

Although the little girl could barely reach the keys, she was determined. It was a sight to see. She plucked out the notes from her lesson book at the borrowed keyboard perched at the end of the kitchen table, with her feet dangling from a chair. Initially, it was more noise than music. 

The little girl was persistent and carried onward. Note by note. She struggled through her scales and learned beginner tunes. At times, her frustration level was so high that she wanted to quit. But she didn't. Even when what she was doing didn't make sense or sound all that good, her commitment was unwavering.

Little by little, through her dedication, melodies emerged. Notes started to come together in pleasing ways. Of course, the music got harder. By the time the little girl's feet reached the floor, she was no longer playing nursery rhymes from beginner books.  

Eventually, her parents replaced the keyboard with an upright piano. All through the girl's teenage years, she kept playing. There was something beautiful in the music that touched the depth of her soul. Knowing the joy of playing the piano, she continued practicing and struggled through new pieces. Even when life got busy, and she had a family of her own, she managed to find the time to connect her fingers to the keys and her heart to the music.

So it is with those who seek to follow in the paths of God. Faith takes practice, patience, and determination. The wise hang-in there and make the time for prayer, worship, and service to others. Over time, a rich melody emerges that brings indescribable joy. Fools rarely make it beyond the noise.  

STEP THREE:  RESPOND IN PRAYER

Gracious God, give me the patience and determination to continually seek your ways in my life. Inspire me to practice my faith so that it becomes second nature. Comfort me as I struggle along the way. Pick me up when I fall. Allow the joy of your presence to carry me onward. Through Jesus, amen.

Permission granted to share with friends and family. Copyrighted 2019. Walt Lichtenberger

NUMBER EIGHTEEN

from LOVE - published in February 2019, this series ran for four weeks and was the first in a three-series bundle called Living Faithful.

Number 18 is a retelling of a Jesus story from the gospels. I wrote a bunch of these in 2019 from the perspective of someone whose life was changed forever from an encounter with Jesus.

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A Jesus Love Story (retold): Love Chooses

STEP ONE: BREATHE

Take a deep, cleansing breath. Allow the air to fill your lungs and expand your body. Exhale and empty yourself into the room. Repeat three times - once for the one who Created you, once for the Incarnate One who walks beside you, and once for the Spirit whose life fills your being.

STEP TWO: DWELL IN WORD

“I do choose. Be made clean.” — Jesus (in Luke 5:13)

He sat on the side of the road, just outside the city-alone. Underneath his ratty cloak, his skin was irritated. In places, the sores burst open and oozed a sickening fluid. It was no wonder that others despised lepers and labeled them to be "unclean." There wasn't a day in the last decade that he didn't cast the same judgment on himself.

He used to think that the disease which gradually ate away at his body and spirit was God's punishment. Before the outbreak, he tried to live up to the high moral code of the Pharisees. Back then he had a name, and a family, and a trade, and happiness. He thought he followed all the rules, but there were so many.

Many days, he pondered what caused God's anger. For the life of him, he couldn't recall the infraction. For years, this bothered him. If only he could remember what he did, perhaps there was a chance to ask for forgiveness. How could God show mercy if he was unrepentant?

A decade later, he gave up trying to solve the puzzle of his predicament. These days, his thoughts went sideways. What kind of God would demand the payment of such prolonged misery for an infraction so minor that he could no longer recall it? Was such divinity worth the worship and praise that he once gave so freely? Why did God do this to him? Why did God abandon him?

The only comfort that he found was in the limited shade of the palm tree that he leaned upon with his pox-covered back. Although there never was a good time of day to be sitting destitute along the side of the road, outside the city gate, it was worst when the sun was high in the sky. The dust of the early morning travel hung in the dry air. Heat radiated from all the flat surfaces. No one was around. Even the ones who took pity on lepers, throwing coins or scraps of bread, were indoors in cooler places.

Suffering and anguish were the only companions a leper could expect as he tried to fall asleep as he baked under a discarded old garment.

One day, in the heat of his despair, he heard the footsteps of a large group of people head his way. As he opened his eyes, he saw the one that they called Jesus. Rumors travel fast in these times; it is especially true when the tales are of miraculous healing. Jesus made the blind to see and physically broken bodies to walk. At least, that is what was said; could such things be possible? What was the chance that such mercy could also extend to lepers?

He bowed his face to the ground. It was a habit that came with the shame of being a leper; don't look anyone in the eye, you are not worthy of such things. This time, though, he bowed as a sign of respect to the one about which others spoke so highly. With downturned head, the leper courageously spoke and begged.

Begging was part of a leper's survival. Every day, your existence depended upon the charity of others. Coins. Scraps. These were the things that compassionate hearts tossed to the ones who lived on the fringes.

In Jesus' presence, however, the ask was different. Instead of money or food, the unnamed leper was fearless in requesting to be clean. Physical healing was only part of what was needed. He desired to be a person again, complete with name, family, trade, and place in the community. He wanted to leave his spot on the side of the road and go home.

What joy would fill his heart to share a meal with loved ones! What delight to be allowed to enter the synagogue and praise God in ancient psalms and songs! "Clean" meant a renewed connection to God and others. It was a dream lost through years of struggle and pain. But, in the presence of Jesus, the dream returned; "Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean."

Time stopped. What would this Holy Man desire? Would compassion or judgment or silence follow?

Extending his hand, touching his contagious shame, God responded; "I do choose. Be made clean."

Time quickened once again. Without hesitation, the disease left Yosef's body. He could feel the pimples dissolve and the sores close. Gone in an instant were the pustules that plagued his skin. It was time for Yosef to show himself to the priest, time to offer the appropriate offering of thanksgiving. Now was the moment to celebrate God's decisive action in his life.

Chosen by love, Yosef joyfully left his isolation at the side of the road and went home to his family.

STEP THREE: RESPOND IN PRAYER

Loving God, remind me of your love whenever I look with unkind judgment upon others. Ignite within me a deep sense of compassion that will open my heart. Move me to choose kindness and generosity as I interact with those I'm apt to judge or overlook. Through Jesus's love, amen.

Permission granted to share with friends and family. Copyrighted 2019. Walt Lichtenberger

NUMBER NINETEEN

The first devotional in the Top Nineteen of 2019 comes from the FAITH series. This series was originally published in the early Fall and ran for four weeks. At the end of each week of the series, I offered suggestions on how to apply the focal topic to living out our everyday lives.

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Being Faithful: Communing

STEP ONE: BREATHE

Take a deep, cleansing breath. Allow the air to fill your lungs and expand your body. Exhale and empty yourself into the room. Repeat three times - once for the one who Created you, once for the Incarnate One who walks beside you, and once for the Spirit whose life fills your being.

STEP TWO: DWELL IN WORD

“So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.”

— Galatians 6:9-10

I used to think that the word 'communion' was reserved for the sanctuary. After all, it is one of the many terms that we use to describe the sacrament of the altar. Holy Communion remains a critical experience in the faith life of Christians worldwide. It is a coming together of believers to share in the risen life of Christ. Through the Lord's Supper, we receive God's gifts of forgiveness, grace, and love. We also find ourselves connected into a community of the baptized. Through communion, we find strength and nurture for our faith, both individual and corporate. Communing is part of being faithful. 

It is also true that we can and should use the word 'communing' outside of the authorized sacred places. Communing happens, or not, whenever we are working to build community with others. When we practice our faith, sharing God's grace, we "re-present" Jesus. This witness, in turn, creates and deepens relationships. It makes possible restoration as folks come together and share life (and faith, too.)   

We live in a broken world. Many people, ourselves included, are hurting. We suffer from a variety of separations. Alone, we feel anxious, inferior, vulnerable, and afraid. All these emotions spark a defensiveness that works against us. Instead of seeking relationships with others, we push them away through the construction of barriers.  

We think these metaphorical walls will keep us safe. They do the opposite. They further separate us from our neighbors and make us more isolated. It is a devilish cycle that escalates quickly. Our ramparts rise rapidly. Over time, our efforts entomb us in fear, inaction, and self-centered living. There is a theological word to describe this condition; we call it 'sin.'  

Communing beyond the sanctuary table is the process of breaking down the barriers that separate us from others. It involves intentional living that recognizes the people and the rest of the creation that surrounds us. It asks the Mister Rodgers' question, "who are the people in my neighborhood?" And it seeks to answer it in a personal way.  

Communing requires listening to the stories of others to learn a little more about what makes them tick. Kindness and compassion are implicit in this work as we put their needs before our own. Understanding the struggles of others, we will discover ways that we can help. Over time, relationships will expand and deepen through our conscientious efforts.   

It won't be easy. We aren't the only ones with walls and barriers constructed by fear and insecurity. Sometimes others will reject even the best of our intentions. We might have to overcome suspicion and prejudice. It will take the courage of our convictions and the strength of our faith to hang in there. Our interactions might make us want to give up and walk away.  

Just as our trips to the Communion Table are not 'one and done,' so too are efforts to build community. We need to stay with it and work for the long haul. As Eugene Peterson aptly described the life of discipleship, it is a long obedience in the same direction. Heading in the way of Jesus, we love, forgive, include, encourage, care, and attend to the needs of others. This path, though at times smooth and easy, can be rough, rocky, and seemingly impassable.  

Thankfully, we don't need to travel alone. In addition to those who God has placed around us, we have the ever near presence of God. The spirit of the risen Christ is our companion. Christ lives in, with, before, behind, above, and under us. Being faithful is about recognizing this presence, celebrating it, and responding to it. 

STEP THREE:  RESPOND IN PRAYER

Gracious God, I thank you for creating me and all people. Help me to relate to others in the same way that you connect to me with love, grace, kindness, and forgiveness. Give me the courage and strength to pull down the walls that separate and build bridges of vibrant relationships. Through Jesus, amen.