Lent Is Over

Well, folks. Lent is over.

We've celebrated Easter:
The Lord is Risen!
The Lord is Risen Indeed!

That means we're no longer posting new devotions for Lent (I know, big surprise there), but we'll leave these here for a while. We pray that these devotional readings and writings from members of our congregation have been a blessing in your life, and that you have come to know us a bit better. More importantly, though, we pray that you have come to know our risen Lord, Jesus Christ, as your Lord and Savior.
Feel free to stop by our web site (which will "soon" be undergoing a complete makeover) at www.gpumc.org as well as visiting us for Sunday worship. Grosse Pointe United Methodist Church is located at 211 Moross in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord make His fact to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you.
May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.
Amen.

April 16, 2006 - Easter Sunday

The Day of Resurrection

The day of resurrection!
Earth, tell it out abroad;
the Passover of gladness,
the Passover of God.
From death to life eternal,
from earth unto the sky,
our Christ hath brought us over,
with hymns of victory.

Our hearts be pure from evil,
that we may see aright
the Lord in rays eternal
of resurrection light;
and listening to his accents,
may hear, so calm and plain,
his own "All hail!" and, hearing,
may raise the victor strain.

Now let the heavens be joyful!
Let earth the song begin!
Let the round world keep triumph,
and all that is therein!
Let all things seen and unseen
their notes in gladness blend,
for Christ the Lord hath risen,
our joy that hath no end.

The Lord is Risen!
The Lord is Risen Indeed!
Hallelujah!
Amen and Amen!

April 15, 2006

Reflections on Scripture
(from the Living Bible – Paraphrased 1971)

1 John 2:1 – “My little children, I am telling you this so that you will stay away from sing. But if you sin, there is someone to plead for you before the Father. His name is Jesus Christ, the one who is all that is good, and who pleases God completely.”
Where would we stand without Him?

2 John 1:5 – and now I want to urgently remind you, dear friends, of the old rule God gave us right from the beginning, that Christians should love one another.
Sure is true today, isn't it?

Jude 1:5 – My answer to them is: Remember this fact – which you know already – that the Lord saved a whole nation of people out of the land of Egypt, and killed every one of them who did not trust and obey.

Revelation 3:20 – “Look! I have been standing at the door, and I am constantly knocking. If anyone hears Me calling him and opens the door, I will come in and fellowship with him, and he with Me.”
What a wonderful thought to finish on!

Bob Kiess

April 14, 2006

You Are Here

Read Psalm 16:8-11

After a conversation with Steve Lorenz (who gets the credit for the title of this devotion), I imagined myself standing at the directory of my life (like a mall directory) looking for that dot on the map that reads “You Are Here.”

Even if I know where I want to go, I have to find out where I am first. Where I am may turn out to be a disappointment. I could discover that I am much farther away from my destination than I’d hoped – or not. I also may discover that the path I took to the “You Are Here” spot was a poor choice – maybe I missed something I really wanted to do along the way, or maybe I took too many wrong turns. It could be that somebody else’s needs or actions led me a different way. I might have discovered many amazing things along the way. No matter what my path was, or whether the decisions involved were good or bad – where am I now?

I am here.
The map tells me so.
How do I get where I want to go?
From here.

I imagine Jesus standing at a directory in the Garden of Gethsemane and finding the “You Are Here” spot. I imagine seeing his shoulders sag and his head slump. His destination couldn’t have looked very appealing. His path up to that point though certainly had been filled with amazing things. He was pretty close to his destination, but where was he then?
He was there.
The good news was he knew that he wasn’t the only one at that point on the directory. I imagine Jesus looking at that spot on the directory again and reading “You Are Here” and I am with you. We can read the same thing.

Prayer for the day: Dear God, help us to not dwell on wrong turns along life’s path. Thank you for being with us where we are. Amen.

Thought for the day: No matter where you go, there you are.

Jacki Rumpp

April 13, 2006

A Place at the Table

And when the hour came, he sat at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, "I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you I shall not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God." And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, "Take this, and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." And likewise the cup after supper, saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. But behold the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. For the Son of man goes as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!" And they began to question one another, which of them it was that would do this. A dispute also arose among them, which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For which is the greater, one who sits at table, or one who serves? Is it not the one who sits at table? But I am among you as one who serves. “You are those who have continued with me in my trials; and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. - Luke 22:14-30

As we look at the disciple’s confusion, we can at times see our story. Sometimes we, too, can be more concerned with our need for affirmation – especially during those times in our lives when we feel tired and spent – then we are called to be. Sometimes, we, too, can let our fears get the best of us

We do not need to be overcome by self-concern or thoughts on who is the “greatest.” Which of us is the greatest? Everyone is – especially if we measure greatness the way that Jesus does – by service and not by self-importance.

Each one of us plays an important role in the overall plan of God. Each one of us, regardless of our betrayals or short comings, is loved by God more than we will ever fully realize. In the midst of disciples who are concerned about their own human greatness – with betrayals, denials, and death just around the corner – it does not stop God’s salvation from being offered to the world.

One of the earliest charges leveled against Jesus was that he “welcomes sinners and eats with them.” He did the same at the Last Supper. He still does. Thank God, he still does.

Submitted by Rev. Bob Wright

April 12, 2006

Beyond Belief

And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:30-31 NKJV

That sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? What must I do to be saved? Just believe. Just believe - that’s pretty easy, isn’t it? It seem to me that depends on what you mean by belief.

Sure, it’s not hard to say “I believe you” to someone, but how easy is it to really do it? Belief, as it’s use in this passage, doesn’t just mean a mental assent to a series of propositions. It’s not like following an argument in a debate or a proof in math class. You may accept each step of logic, you may even accept the conclusion, but if it doesn’t mean something to you personally, there isn’t much to your belief.
You may well believe your kid’s promise to be home by midnight, but at 11:35, when Devin signs off, how easy is it to head off to bed and go right to sleep? As the Petra song says, “There’s a higher place to go, beyond belief.” That higher place is trust.

One of the greatest things about our Christian faith (remember that word, “Faith”) is that it’s not simply a philosophy of life. It’s not a competitor with stoicism, existentialism, logical positivism, or any of those other philosophical -isms. Our faith is a trust in a Person; it’s a relationship with Jesus Christ. Believing that tighter oil supplies will make the price of gasoline go higher is easy. It’s also fairly empty. Believing that Jesus Christ was born, lived, died, and rose again because He loves us is an entirely different thing.
Once you believe that, you have to believe Him; not just believe in Him, but believe and trust Him personally, and in what He has already done for us. That’s what our faith is all about, because that’s Who our faith is all about.

Prayer: Father, we thank You that we don’t have to trust in what we can do, but rather we can trust in what Your son, Jesus Christ, has already done for us, and in what the Holy Spirit continues to do in us. Amen.

Thought for the day:
But we never can prove
the delights of his love
until all at the altar we lay;
for the favor he shows,
for the joy he bestows,
are for them who will trust and obey.

Charlie van Becelaere

April 11, 2006

The Garden Spirit

When I was growing up, our Summer table was laden with the greatest variety of homegrown vegetables and fruits. We had a country home with lots of fertile land, and my Mother spent many hours converting much of it to flower beds, vegetable gardens, fruit trees, and berry patches of every kind. Before riding my bike or going swimming, I had to put in my time planting, weeding, or picking, and I really didn't mind doing it. The food was plentiful and delicious; the flowers fragrant and beautiful; the labor well worth it.

Every Fall, with the coming of the frost, my Mother would become somewhat depressed; declaring that the garden was too large, and the work too hard. But each Spring,l as the gardening catalogs arrived, she would start planning the beds, talking cheerily of converting another bit of land into a new plot.

Growing up with a garden is knowing the full circle of life, and the promise of rebirth each Spring. My Mother is now interred in our lovely Memorial Garden – the proper resting place for one so intimate with the earth and the cycles of the growing season. In a sense, she is still gardening.

“With the kiss of the sun for pardon
And the song of the birds for mirth
One is nearer God's heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on Earth.”
Anonymous

Sarah Frakes

April 10, 2006

Reflections on Scripture
(from the Living Bible – Paraphrased 1971)

Titus 3:3 – Remind your people to obey the government and its officers, and always o be obedient and ready for any honest work.

Philemon 1 – From: Paul, In jail for preaching the Good News about Jesus Christ, and from Brother Timothy.
Paul never forgot to pray for his friends, no matter where he was. Not a bad habit!

Hebrews 11:1 – What is Faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.

Boston Marathon, 1989 Hebrews 12:1 – Since we have such a huge crowd of men of faith watching us from the grandstands, let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those sins that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up; and let us run with patience the particular race that God has set before us.
Amen to verse 12!

James 1:22 – And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. So don't fool yourselves.
Amen to that statement!

1 Peter 2:17 – Show respect for everyone. Love Christians everywhere. Fear God and honor government.
Great advice for anyone!

2 Peter 2:22 – There is an old saying that “a dog comes back to what he has vomited, and a pig is washed only to come back and wallow in the mud again.” That is the way it is with those who turn again to their sin.
Ugh! don't think some people will like that.

Bob Kiess

April 8, 2006

Is God Dancing on Your Potato Chips?

Read: 2 Samuel 6:14-21

Not too long ago I had "one of those days." I was feeling pressure from a writing deadline. I had company arriving in a couple days and the toilet was clogged. I went to the bank, and the trainee teller processing my deposit had to start over three times. I swung by the supermarket to pick up a few things and the lines were serpentine. By the time I got home, I was frazzled and sweaty and in a hurry to get something on the table for dinner.

Deciding on Campbell's Cream of Mushroom soup, I grabbed a can opener, cranked open the can, then remembered I had forgotten to buy milk at the store. Nix the soup idea. Setting the can aside, I went to plan B, which was leftover baked beans. I grabbed the Tupperware container from the fridge, popped the seal, took a look and groaned. My husband isn't a picky eater, but even HE won't eat baked beans that look like caterpillars.

Really frustrated now, I decided on a menu that promised to be as foolproof as it is nutrition-free: hot dogs and potato chips. Retrieving a brand new bag of chips from the cupboard, I grabbed the cellophane and gave a hearty pull. The bag didn't open. I tried again. Nothing happened. I took a breath, doubled my muscle, and gave the bag a hearty wrestle. With a loud pop, the cellophane suddenly gave way, ripping wide from top to bottom. Chips flew sky high. I was left holding the bag, and it was empty.

It was the final straw. I let out a blood curdling scream. "I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!" My husband heard my unorthodox cry for help. Within minutes he was standing at the doorway to the kitchen, where he surveyed the damage: an opened can of soup, melting groceries, moldy baked beans, and one quivering wife standing ankle deep in potato chips. My husband did the most helpful thing he could think of at the moment. He took a flying leap, landing flat-footed in the pile of chips. And then he began to stomp and dance and twirl, grinding those chips into my linoleum in the process!

I stared. I fumed. Pretty soon I was working to stifle a smile. Eventually I had to laugh. And finally I decided to join him. I, too, took a leap onto the chips. And then I danced. Now I'll be the first to admit that my husband's response wasn't the one I was looking for. But the truth is, it was exactly what I needed. I didn't need a cleanup crew as much as I needed an attitude adjustment, and the laughter from that rather funky moment provided just that.

So now I have a question for you, and it's simply this: Has God ever stomped on your chips? I know that, in my life, there have been plenty of times when I've gotten myself into frustrating situations and I've cried out for help, all the while hoping God would show up with a celestial broom and clean up the mess.

What often happens instead is that God dances on my chips, answering my prayer in a completely different manner than I had expected, but in the manner that is best for me after all. Sometimes I can see right away that God's response was the best one after all. Sometimes I have to wait weeks or months before I begin to understand how and why God answered a particular prayer the way he did. There are even some situations that, years later, I'm still trying to understand. I figure God will fill me in sooner or later, either this side of Heaven or beyond.

Do I trust Him? Even when he's answering my prayers in a way that is completely different from my expectations? Even when he's dancing and stomping instead of sweeping and mopping:? Can I embrace what He's offering? Can I let His joy adjust my attitude? Am I going to stand on the sidelines and sulk, or am I willing to learn the steps of the dance he's dancin' with my needs in mind? I'll be honest with you: Sometimes I sulk. Sometimes I dance. I'm working on doing more of the latter than the former. I guess the older I get the more I realize that He really does know what He's doing. He loves me and I can trust Him. Even when the chips are down.

Author Unknown

April 7, 2006

Love Without Measure

Freda Bright says, "Only in opera do people die of love." It's true. You really can't love somebody to death. I've known people to die from no love, but I've never known anyone to be loved to death. We just can't love one another enough.

A heart-warming story tells of a woman who finally decided to ask her boss for a raise in salary. All day she felt nervous and apprehensive. Late in the afternoon she summoned the courage to approach her employer. To her delight, the boss agreed to a raise.

The woman arrived home that evening to a beautiful table set with their best dishes. Candles were softly glowing. Her husband had come home early and prepared a festive meal. She wondered if someone from the office had tipped him off. Or … did he just somehow know that she would not get turned down?

She found him in the kitchen and told him the good news. He offered his congratulations and then they sat down to the wonderful meal. Next to her plate the woman found a beautifully lettered note. It read: "Congratulations! I knew you'd get the raise! These things will tell you how much I love you."

Following dinner, her husband went into the kitchen to clean up. She noticed that a second card had fallen from his pocket. Picking it off the floor, she read: "Don't worry about not getting the raise! You deserve it anyway! These things will tell you how much I love you."

Someone has said that the measure of love is when you love without measure. What this man feels for his spouse is total acceptance and love, whether she succeeds or fails. His love celebrates her victories and soothes her wounds.

He stands with her, no matter what life throws in their direction. He may say that he loves her to death. But he doesn't. He loves her to LIFE. For his love nourishes her life like nothing else can.

Upon receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, Mother Teresa said: "What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family." And love your friends. Love them without measure.

Love them to LIFE.

P.S. OPTIMISM .... is getting married at age 90 and looking for a house near a school!

Cindy Rolka

April 6, 2006

A Sacred Thing

Read 1 Corinthians 3:16

When my oldest brother died at age 44 many years ago, I started something that has given me a lot of comfort; I had his memorial service tape recorded. I did this so I could savor the words of comfort and admiration that were said at this lovely service.

And so it was on the first anniversary of my dad’s passing, a few months ago, that I pulled out the recording of his service. Worship services go fast many times but not as fast as a memorial service for someone you love. So I was taken back when I heard for the first time the parting words of the Unitarian minister at the end of my dad’s service. She said,

“Let us be confident that a human life is full of purpose and meaning. In life and in death a human life is a sacred thing. So be it.”

Well, the sense of this benediction is nothing new. As Christians we are admonished to appreciate everyone as a child of God. But out of a different mouth and to a certain extent out of a somewhat different religious tradition, these words rang true and provide comfort to me today

So I offer these words so they may provide comfort to you, too. So be it.

Vivian Anderson

April 5, 2006

Find Faith in God's Presence

Read Luke 2:41-52

In the story of “The Boy Jesus in the Temple,” Jesus is twelve years old and he disappears for three days. His parents searched everywhere for him. When they found him, he was in the temple. His mother said, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been very worried, and we have been searching for you!” Jesus answered, “Why did you have to look for me? Didn't you know that I would be in my Father's house?” His parents did not understand. Jesus became wise, and he grew strong. God was pleased with him, and so were the people.

Jesus had faith in God. From the start he knew where he belonged, in his father's house. What is faith? It's not belief, it's much more powerful. It is when we have confidence and trust in something, there is a complete absence of doubt. It is the internal notion of knowing it's going to be okay. Faith is powerful, but can be broken. Faith is our own true connection to God. How we receive or inhabit this connection is a different story.

Ever since I was little, I was pre-programmed to have this connection, but I'm the one who has to install it and be able to read the manual. When I was growing up, I had the children's Bible, went to Logos, and had the Jesus Loves Me, This I Know song permanently implanted in my brain. But when I was little, I don't believe I truly knew what God was. It was more like a subject in school; I learned about it, but never was able to use or truly understand the information. God was like a really good dessert, you don't know what exactly is in it, all you know is that it tastes of feels good. My prayers back then probably consisted of every Christmas present that I desired. “Dear God, please bring me Barbie and Ken, and their pink dream house.” But Christianity no longer has the same meaning to me. I finally have to establish my connection with God, although some people never establish their own connection. I have to find my lifeline to God.

Confirmation has directed me in the right direction. It's like I'm playing piñata blind-folded, confirmation has turned me so I'm facing the right way, but I have to take the swing. Jesus, when he was my age, established his connection to God by growing in wisdom, stature, spiritually, and socially (Luke 2:52). We can't match exactly Jesus' faith, but I feel I can be a follower, and grow by walking in his footsteps. I could grow in wisdom by reading the Bible and learning through other people such as pastors or followers of God. I could grow in stature by becoming stronger physically. I could grow spiritually by praying, by worship, and by taking sacraments. I could grow socially by being around others, and considering the needs of others. Doing these things I feel will raise me up a step higher to God.

Bringing myself closer to God will lead me into a Christian life, the kind of life I would like to live. Christ loves and makes sacrifices for us today, how could I not want to know him or be able to feel his presence? There is no greater human need than to feel connected spiritually to our Savior. Everyone is accessible to God, even if there is even nothing left, there will still be God; I would love to fully follow and receive Him. I will find my faith in God.

During the Christmas season, God should be most thought of. It was the birth of our only human form and truly seen form of God, Jesus. People seem to be distant from Jesus. People instead of worshiping, they become wrapped up in materialistic gifts. Jesus is replaced with Santa, and the three Kings' gifts are being replaced with an Xbox. No longer do people see the Star to Bethlehem. My wish at Christmas is that presents are replaced with God's presence. And the greatest gift of all should be God's presence. We are returned to God. Establishing my faith in God will lead me to his Glory.

Cassie Rickard

April 4, 2006

You Need a List


Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3

Last year there was a devotional in The Upper Room written by a woman whose best friend of many years was moving across the country. The woman who was leaving asked her friend to, "“pray for me every day when you make your bed".

If you want daily prayers from me, that may not be the request you should make. But if you'’re on my prayer list, you have them.

A few years ago there was a devotional in our GPUMC Lenten Devotionals about having a prayer list and using it daily while standing in line, picking up kids, expecting a phone call, waiting for an appointment, etc.

I've always prayed, often giving thanks for our blessings and praying for family, friends and others in need. But I realized I didn'’t have a LIST. So I made one. I have it on my nightstand and in my purse. I use it when I get out of bed (not when I make the bed) and when I'’m waiting for whatever. I add to it and subtract as needs change. It is a good reminder of special prayer needs and thanks to be given.

Thought for the day;
If you need a grocery list, you need a prayer list.

Shirley Van Becelaere

April 3, 2006

Prayer is a Way of Life

And he said to them, "When I sent you out with no purse or bag or sandals, did you lack any-thing?" They said, "Nothing." He said to them, "But now, let him who has a purse take it, and likewise a bag. And let him who has no sword sell his mantle and buy one. For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me, 'And he was reckoned with transgressors'; for what is written about me has its fulfillment." And they said, "Look, Lord, here are two swords." And he said to them, "It is enough." And he came out, and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place he said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed: "Father, if thou art willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will, but Thine, be done." And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, "Why do you sleep? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation." - Luke 22: 35-46

“Prayer is an exercise of faith in the fullest sense of the phrase. Prayer requires a good bit of conditioning and there are no short cuts. This is hard news and hard work – especially for lumpy people like me. We wear out too quickly.” (Rev. Bill Carter, from a 2001 sermon).

Jesus prayed and the disciples slept in a grief-filled slumber.

Jesus could pray to God in his greatest hour of anguish because that was his pattern in life. There are those who do not pray through a sense of fatalism. “Why pray,” they will say, “if the only thing I am going to get is what God desires.” We tend to forget that the struggle we go through in praying is of great value – no matter what the outcome. Our relationship with God – and not the consumerism which only gives meaning to something if we get what we want – is the chief goal to why we pray.

Prayer is a way of life because it is based on a relationship with the living God. It would be different if we were believers in a “Star War’s” religion – latter day Stoics who believe that the universe ruled by an impersonal force. Then our task would be merely to adjust ourselves to whatever life placed in our path.

The whole aspect of our beliefs as Christians is based on our belief in a God of love and grace. It was out of this love that Jesus came into the world. It is the basis of salvation for us and for our world. It was his belief in such a God that Jesus could kneel in the garden on the night of his arrest and pray that the “cup might pass him by.” It was also this relationship and trust that also allowed him to say – in the midst of it all – in the silence –

“Nevertheless not my will, but Thine, be done:"

The best way to understand prayer is to start – to become involved with a dialogue and a relationship with God. For in this world which gives us – at times - eyes that are too weary – we are told by what Jesus said and practiced that prayer is essential. Our relationship with God will make all of the difference in the world – both in this world and in the next.

Submitted by Rev. Bob Wright

April 1, 2006

Comfort of Trust

Read Jude 1:20-25

“Why haven’t I been praying about this?”

Christian was lying in pain in the ER, waiting for the doctor to come help him. I was there at the foot of the bed, watching him there, in the most intense pain I think I've ever seen, and that's when it hit me: “Why haven't I been praying about this?”

It had started not long before that moment. He had come home from having lunch with his grandparents, and had to lie down – hoping the pain would go away on its own. It didn't. It got worse, and then it got worse, and then it got even worse. Finally, I asked, “Should I take you to the hospital?” When he agreed to go, I knew something was seriously wrong – after all, what 21 year-old says “yes” to the emergency room?

We hustled downstairs, past Heidi (letting her know where we were going, of course), into the car, and quickly down the road to the ER. (I'm pretty sure Christian wouldn't describe it as quick, though.)

A few forms and questions and such later took us to the bedside, waiting for the doctor to come help, and there I was, asking myself, “Why haven't I been praying about this?” I'm sure a lot of it was because it happened quickly, and I just had to react and get things going – that's not so bad. I'm sure a lot of it was because I figured I had to be in control to take care of my kid – that's not bad either. I'm also sure a lot of it was because I just count on myself to be able to handle whatever comes my way – oops, that's not the way I want to think about things. That's the thought that caught me; “Why am I counting on myself, and not on God?”

Well, I don't think I needed to be quite that hard on myself, because I think there's yet another reason in there. I'm sure a lot of it was because I am so comfortable with the idea that God is taking care of us, that I don't really worry about things the way I “should” - even when they're serious. I think it's a good thing, being able to let God handle things for me. As the Keith Green song goes, “Just keep doing your best, and pray that it's blessed, and Jesus takes care of the rest.”

But there it was again: “and pray that it's blessed.” I've written devotions about developing a life of prayer. I've led retreats and lock-ins on prayer. I've resolved over and over to work on developing my prayer life. And there I was, wondering why I hadn't been praying.

It took me back to one of the early days of my marriage. Heidi and I were sitting in our “library” back at Bob (that's the house we lived in before Cleveland), and we realized that we were having a wonderful time together, just sitting there, not talking, just being together. I think that's what I had been doing with God – just sitting there together, not talking; and that's great, but I also would really like to cultivate a more “verbal” relationship as well. Once again, I know what I have to work on – I have to work on not working on so much myself, and talking to God about all of it, not just the overwhelming stuff.

Thank you, Lord, for those quiet moments together, but I thank You more that we can sit down and talk about whatever needs discussing. Let's do this more often. Amen.

Charlie van Becelaere