What is it? Manna is a collective video devotional offering from the youth of Bethany. We hope the readings, reflections, and songs can provide you with some faith, hope, and love at this time. Thanks to all those who put together this first Manna offering. Be on the look out for another Manna video coming soon!
Justin March leads the Bethany Lutheran Church Men’s Ministry and sends a weekly email message to the Men’s group every week. Justin has generously permitted us to post his weekly reflections here.
These past few weeks I have found myself reflecting on this very question. After deep cleaning our home, spending lots of time in the yard, and watching countless hours of Netflix, my mind starts to drift, and I begin to ponder what do I want to do next?
For me, the answers could be quite simple. I am anxious to go to a concert, I am ready to dine out, I am hungry to attend church, and I dream of taking vacation. I am ready to be around my friends, do something exciting, and celebrate in the streets. But when I think about what I want to do next, it becomes apparent that this time of isolation has taught me something valuable.
What I need to do next is already here. When I think about how this quarantine has changed the way I spend my days, it becomes apparent God had a plan. He knew I needed to slow down. He knew I would benefit from spending more time with my family, more time in his creation, and more time in his word. He knew that my journey had become stale, and I was comfortable with the life I was living. And he knew that for me to progress and become stronger in my Christian walk, my world needed to pause so I could see how my faith could get me through the upset conditions.
I now understand that “what’s next” needs to be “what now?” I need to understand where I am, on my journey with Jesus, and contemplate what I can be doing today to take that next step. I need to confide in him, listen to him, and pursue his mission for me. I need to love others, spend time with them, and understand their needs. And I need to trust in Jesus, follow his lead, and become the disciple he needs me to be. All of this is what I need to be doing now, not next.
We don’t know how long it will take to find a cure for COVID-19. We don’t know when it will be safe to come out of our homes. And we don’t know when our world will bring back the lifestyles we are accustomed to. So, we fall into the trap of barraging our thoughts with what comes next. We think about all the things we could be doing. We fantasize about that next grand adventure. And we spend our time watching the news in hope of someone announcing that magical date when all of this will end.
Instead of asking yourself “what’s next” try to ask “what now?” Get lost in the pages of your Bible. Research organizations that need your help. Reach out to a friend or family member and see how they are doing. Or, simply get outside and relish in God’s beautiful creation. We have been given the extra time to slow down and pay attention to how God is working through our lives. We can either choose to wallow in the redundancy of these isolated times, or we can choose to rejoice and strengthen our walk with Jesus.
Now that I am thinking about “what now”, instead of “what’s next”, I see how wonderful God’s presence truly is. The time to reflect, be patient, and relax, will drive a new energy and help me become a stronger disciple for him. And the way we handle “what now” will shape us to be ready for “what’s next!”
Day 1 – Each breath we take is an opportunity to experience the presence of God with us and within us. A simple yet deep form of prayer called “Breath Prayer” invites individuals to notice this connection with the Spirit of God through each inhale and exhale.
The Practice Explained: Choose a short prayer such as “Jesus Christ, have mercy on me” or “God is here; with me now” and break it into two parts. Breath in deeply and say the first half of the prayer quietly. As you exhale, quietly say the second half of the prayer. Repeat this process at least 10 times, trying to deepen and slow your breath with each cycle.
Affirmations have been proven to provide great emotional and psychological benefit. The Bible is filled with hundreds of powerful passages that can be read as God’s affirmation of you. Take a quiet moment to read the above passage several times. Imagine God sitting with you and speaking the words directly to you. Let this affirmation rest in your heart and mind today. Return to these words from God again and again throughout your week.
Day 5 – We conclude each week-long exploration of a spiritual practice with a prayer. May this practice of silence calm your heart, still your mind, and fill you with a sense of peace.
The Practice Explained: This week, take time each day to sit in silence for at least 5 minutes. Sit in a chair with a firm back, feet on the floor, eyes closed and try to let go of all your thoughts. Think of this as a time with God; a time of prayer where your job is only to listen.
Pastor Nate shares a brief overview of the structures (and the many layers) of the Lutheran Church.
Affirmations have been proven to provide great emotional and psychological benefit. The Bible is filled with hundreds of powerful passages that can be read as God’s affirmation of you. Take a quiet moment to read the above passage several times. Imagine God sitting with you and speaking the words directly to you. Let this affirmation rest in your heart and mind today. Return to these words from God again and again throughout your week.
Pastor Nate’s children message for 4/26. Scripture for today: Matthew 13 and the story “Treasure Hunt” from the Jesus Storybook Bible.
Day 4 – Like all good spiritual practices, silence changes us. Through long periods of silence God is often able to shine light onto the dark corners of our soul that we work so hard to keep hidden. We learn about ourselves and we learn about our God not just through books and sermons, but through the simple, consistent, practice of silence.
The Practice Explained: This week, take time each day to sit in silence for at least 5 minutes. Sit in a chair with a firm back, feet on the floor, eyes closed and try to let go of all your thoughts. Think of this as a time with God; a time of prayer where your job is only to listen.
This devotional was written by Vicky Daub. Vicky leads Bethany’s Operation One Nation team.
As the Lead of Operation One Nation, Bethany’s team supporting the military, I received the email (names have been deleted) below Wednesday, April 14. The 244th is an Army Reserve Unit (just west of Denver International Airport) that Bethany supports on a regular basis through Operation Breadbasket and other efforts.
Dear Vicky,
I am sad to inform you that two former Soldiers passed away last week. One was 39 years old and left a wife and two small boys (suicide). Another, I believe who was also in in his 30s, died due to a heart attack. Both served with my husband in Iraq. I will be contacting the wife of the first Soldier to see if there is anything the Family Readiness Group can do to help. Family and friends of this family have set up a Go-Fund-Me site. I know that the first Soldier suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. It seems that the stress of today’s environment is affecting our Soldiers significantly.
Thank you.
Coincidentally (I think not!!!) on this same Wednesday, I had a quarterly meeting with Colorado’s Joining Community Forces (JCF) team. I decided to answer this email after the JCF meeting. Toward the end of this meeting, I posted the email in the Zoom chat box. Within an hour, I had emails from several members of the JCF team, offering their immediate assistance for the grieving family. As it turns out, the most immediate family need was grief support and counseling. Two days later, the Soldier’s wife had already received the immediate assistance that she needed from various JCF resources. (FYI…the original Go-Fund-Me request was for $5,000; the pledged amount today is over $10,000. The online Meal Train site for the family is full through the end of April.)
What struck me in the next few days is the calls I got, thanking me for letting everyone at JCF know about this situation. This happened three different times. People were calling to thank me…??
My response in each case was to state that I felt blessed that my contact at the 244th had reached out to me in the first place, and that I was able to help in a small way. The most profound thank you came from this contact herself. She told me that she has been involved with countless veteran suicides in her work with the 244th over many years. She also told me that she has never seen this level of support for a veteran family after a suicide. All I could think to say was it was my honor to help. She told me that the funeral service for this Soldier will be at Fort Logan after the COVID-19 crisis passes. She asked if some of us from Operation One Nation might be willing to attend this funeral (if the family agreed). I said of course.
Now, for the rest of the story…
I initially thought that this contact needed financial support for this family. I was worried about how much financial support Operation One Nation had to offer.
How often do I do this? How often do we all do this? That is, start to solve/worry about a problem before understanding what the situation is!
Also, notice how God already had things under control!!! God knew what this family needed, and through these various agencies, provided help for this family in mere hours! All I had to do was ask.
Dear Jesus, you know what we need, before we even ask it. Thank you for walking beside us, and offering help, when the situation seems impossible. Be with these grieving families, Lord. And be with us as we grieve with them.Thanks for always loving us so well. Amen.
Day 3 – The above song is based on Psalm 46:10 and provides a beautiful, meditative experience with that scripture. When practicing silence, it can often be helpful to first listen to a quiet song similar to this one, as an entry into the silence.
The Practice Explained: This week, take time each day to sit in silence for at least 5 minutes. Sit in a chair with a firm back, feet on the floor, eyes closed and try to let go of all your thoughts. Think of this as a time with God; a time of prayer where your job is only to listen.
Jack Lindsey is the current “Past-President” at Bethany. He has graciously agreed to share some of his past devotional writings on this site.
A note from Jack:
We certainly are not close to Valentine’s Day as referenced in this column, but the blood banks’ needs are a great or greater than ever during this epidemic …Gift of Life
“Just as the body cannot exist without blood, so the soul needs the matchless and pure strength of faith.” – Mahatma Gandhi
February has two noteworthy holidays, Washington’s (now President’s) Day and Valentine’s Day. Assuming we are all pretty much at our limits for politically related discussions, this column is instead focused on affairs of the heart – or more to the point, Valentine’s Day gift giving. Blood, that vital fluid that circulates life-giving oxygen, nutrients and other essentials is a gift you may not have considered.
Former Bethany member and Disciple Jerry Retzlaff inspired this month’s column when he wrote this recently: “The complexity of the human body boggles the mind. If you’ve studied biochemistry, you know that blood by itself is an amazing conglomeration of cells and plasma, chemicals, enzymes, proteins. With H2O, hemoglobin, hemeproteins, metalloproteins, glucose, coenzymes, cofactors, mineral ions, prosthetic groups – the myriad functions and workings (let alone the sight of blood) may make one faint.
“As humans, we share the bond of blood, yet (also) seek a spiritual connection. As Christians, the complex becomes perfect simplicity. We know that because of His undying love and amazing grace, we are saved and bonded by the innocent blood of our Lord and Savior!”
It is apparent that the importance of this particular gift has always been in our awareness as people. Some of the earliest archaeological evidence of formal burial by humans found that the mineral red ocher was used to give the deceased a semblance of vitality going into the unknown world of death. As Jerry notes, Christians see blood as a central element of not only life, but also salvation and gifting. Christ’s words to his disciples, to us, are about the gift. “… after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.’” Luke 22:20
So, this Valentine’s Day month, consider a gift to those who are in such a condition that the lack of this very essence may deprive them of life. Organizations such as the Red Cross, Children’s Hospital, and Bonfils Blood Center can help with one-time giving, or even with establishing a regular donation. For more information, try this link: http://www.bonfils.org/
Peace and Health,
-JL
© 2010 Jack Lindsey, Denver, Colorado – Used with permission
Affirmations have been proven to provide great emotional and psychological benefit. The Bible is filled with hundreds of powerful passages that can be read as God’s affirmation of you. Take a quiet moment to read the above passage several times. Imagine God sitting with you and speaking the words directly to you. Let this affirmation rest in your heart and mind today. Return to these words from God again and again throughout your week.
The latest episode of the Bethany Lutheran Prayer and Study podcast is now available.
In this episode you are invited to meditate on the words of Isaiah 25:6-9. The title of this episode is “Banquets and Feasts”
“Banquets and Feasts” Isaiah 25:6-9 by Bethany Prayer and Study • A podcast on Anchor
The Practice Explained: This week, take time each day to sit in silence for at least 5 minutes. Sit in a chair with a firm back, feet on the floor, eyes closed and try to let go of all your thoughts. Think of this as a time with God; a time of prayer where your job is only to listen.
Justin March leads the Bethany Lutheran Church Men’s Ministry and sends a weekly email message to the Men’s group every week. Justin has generously permitted us to post his weekly reflections here.
“I want to dance with you.”
Every time I hear this song, by the rock band Live, I become emotional. It is powerful, heartfelt, and always awakens my docile soul. As Ed’s voice swings from a calming ocean breeze to the roar of crashing waves, it is pure and full of truth. And when the song is over, I am usually left with tears streaming down my face. It is just one of those songs.
(Here’s a link so you can listen to it yourself)
So, as I was feeling a little lonely this week, my spirits were lifted as this song was orchestrated from my playlist. The somber subjects of quarantines, distancing, and isolation were replaced by ones of love, devotion, and hope. The words penetrated with a blissfulness only God could provide, and I was reminded of all the people I have been blessed to “dance” with. And by the time the last note came through those speakers, I understood how God was using others to get me through these troublesome times.
My friends, this is just a blip in our journeys through life. I know it seems long, and I know it feels lonely. But there will be a day where we get to rejoice in the streets. There will be a day when we “dance” with those that have stuck by us. And there will be a day when God celebrates with us, takes our hand, and reminds us of how grand our lives can be.
As I listen to this song again, my faith grows with the promise that we will never be forsaken. It grows with the knowledge that there are others who are waiting to “dance” with me. And it grows with every conversation, every prayer, and every positive message.
It may not be physical, and it may feel like a solo, but “the dance” continues. Every time you talk to a loved one, every time you pray for one another, and every time you support someone in need, another step is taken. And before you know it, each step has been choreographed into a beautiful dance.
“I want to dance with you.”
Day 1 – For centuries, people of faith have found spiritual insight through the practice of silence. Our world today is filled with distractions constantly vying for our attention, meaning that the practice of silence can be all the more powerful.
The Practice Explained: This week, take time each day to sit in silence for at least 5 minutes. Sit in a chair with a firm back, feet on the floor, eyes closed and try to let go of all your thoughts. Think of this as a time with God; a time of prayer where your job is only to listen.
To learn more about our Faith Into Practice series click here
Check the “Images” tab every weekend for the next installment in this series
We often focus a lot of our attention on learning more about our faith. We read the scriptures, listen to sermons, and converse with friends about various ideas and experiences. The scriptures tell us to “be transformed by the renewing of our minds” and so these pursuits are important and admirable.
But it’s also essential that we practice our faith. Faith is NOT just an intellectual pursuit but rather a new way of being in the world. For centuries the Christian tradition has developed meaningful and powerful spiritual practices that have provided individuals with new ways of growing in their understanding of Gods character and presence in their lives.
Each week we will introduce a new spiritual practice that can assist each of us in our life of faith. We’ll explore the practice each day from a new angle. Our hope is that these “bite-sized” posts can provide you with a daily invitation to encounter God in a new way.
Now, more than ever, we are called to put our faith into practice. Our hope is that these posts might provide you with some tools to help.
Affirmations have been proven to provide great emotional and psychological benefit. The Bible is filled with hundreds of powerful passages that can be read as God’s affirmation of you. Take a quiet moment to read the above passage several times. Imagine God sitting with you and speaking the words directly to you. Let this affirmation rest in your heart and mind today. Return to these words from God again and again throughout your week.
Why do you think Jesus came to earth?
I ask people this question and here are the usual responses I often get:
-To Seek and save the Lost
-To reveal God to us
– To defeat demonic spirits of this world
– To die for our sins
These are good answers, and in certain ways they are correct, but none of them are the reason that Jesus himself gives in the Scriptures. You might have missed it, because its just at the tale end of a verse right in the middle of John’s Gospel, but Jesus says very clearly: “I came that you might have life and life abundantly.” (John 10:10b)
And in Luke 4:43, Jesus says, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”
In other words, Jesus came to usher in a new Kingdom, he came to reveal to us a different way of living in this world.
All of this got me to thinking, and I do my best thinking when I express my ideas through pictures. So, here are two pictures to consider:
As I consider the way I currently live, and the way that many of us currently live, I think of picture #1. We have this tendency to want to grasp on tightly to everything in our lives. We desperately try to hold on to our possessions and our rights and our ideas and we get angry or defensive when something or someone threatens any of this. And when we try to cling tightly to any of these things, there are almost always huge systemic problems as a result.
The economic collapse that took place in this country ten years ago was the result of a few powerful people clinging tightly to their blessings. And the splits that have taken place throughout the history of Christianity, are the result of people clinging tightly to their understanding of Christian Truth. Notice how the sand in picture #1 is falling out the bottom of the hand. If you’ve ever tried to hold a handful of sand like this you know that clinging tightly to it will always result in loss. In the same way, when we try and cling tightly to the blessings God has given us, something falls away; something is lost.
I think that Jesus wants to lead us into a way of life that looks more like picture #2. I’m convinced that Jesus’ desires for us to see our possessions, ideas, and rights, as blessings from God, rather than as the things that define our life. We are called to hold these blessings lightly, with open palms, and to have faith in the promise that we are defined by God’s love for us. It’s clear that this is the life Jesus modeled. He loosely held all of His blessings, He gave generously when there was need, and He willingly gave up His very life, for God’s purpose and our sake. He gave up His life so that we might know God’s love and discover a new way of life through Him.
May we learn to follow Jesus into a new way of life– a life where we hold our blessings loosely and give freely to others. Amen.