Thursday - July 24, 2025

SCRIPTURE Psalm 24.1 “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” WORDS OF HOPE A World of Mirrors Is it a blessing or a curse that we know what we look like? I am thinking of the animal world, specifically the three growing kittens we feed on the porch. (The Tabby Twins and Tipper) I know they can see their own reflections as they gaze into the glass door. Do they know it is themselves? Do they care? I doubt it. Like the rest of the animal world, they need no mirror. They know an empty stomach. They know needing to fill it. They know cold and warmth. They are not consumed by the inevitability of sickness, age, or death. I pondered a Bible verse in Genesis about God saying we have created humans in “our own image” giving the reader a riddle about who “they” are after whom we are created. We know how we look obsessively; our own image. We further that notion by wanting to have less weight or more weight, more this, less that. When we look in the mirror, do we look like God? The passage urges us to us ask the question, what does God look like? I know what I’ve been told; all about God in human form being Jesus. I don’t think I look anything like Jesus. But analyzing further, could God be part human and part animal like those ancient Egyptian deities, the ones who concentrated on what they did, not how they looked? In the human world of our self-imposed drive to look younger, have more energy, and, by every means, attempt to defeat death in the process, we might look in that mirror and ask What doesn’t look like God? Rather than How does God look, we should be asking Who is God? I could simplify the whole thing by saying God is Love, the love that surrounds the humans with their questions and the kittens with their Kibbles. Every day at feeding times, I know how blessed the kittens are to not have to ask, or to know, but only to be. Maybe that’s what the Almighty meant in saying “Be still and know that I am God.” PRAYER God of our Creation, as we look in our mirrors, may we see your love of the world and all that is in it reflected in our eyes. May the kittens of our lives always teach us the joy of being a part of it. Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR Charlie C. Rose Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

SCRIPTURE  Psalm 139:17-19 from The Message Your thoughts - how rare, how beautiful! God, I'll never comprehend them! I couldn't even begin to count them - any more than I could count the sand of the sea. Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always with you! And please, God, do away with wickedness for good! And you murderers - out of here! WORDS OF HOPE A few weeks ago, I celebrated my fifty-ninth first day of school. I began kindergarten at age four and have been in a classroom in some capacity or another every year since then. I spent many years as a student before becoming a professor. I also raised two girls who were educated in both private and public schools; so, I have experienced education from every side of the desk. It goes without saying that much has changed in education during these past fifty-nine years. I’m not sure that the majority of it has been for the better. Today marks the observance of International Day to Protect Education from Attack. “ The day was established by a unanimous decision of the UN General Assembly, calling on UNESCO and UNICEF to raise awareness of the plight of millions of children living in countries affected by conflict. The resolution proclaiming the Day was presented by the State of Qatar and co-sponsored by 62 countries. The General Assembly resolution affirms that governments have the primary responsibility to provide protection and ensure inclusive and equitable quality education at all levels to all learners, especially those in vulnerable situations. It further emphasizes the need to intensify efforts and increase funding to promote safe and protective school environments in humanitarian emergencies by taking all feasible measures to protect schools, learners and educational personnel from attack, refrain from actions that impede children’s access to education, and facilitate access to education in situations of armed conflict.” This declaration was written to address education primarily in war-stricken areas. Sadly, it is needed as well in schools that are not in declared war zones. One of the things that has changed the most during my life in education is that students and teachers no longer feel safe at school. Passing a math or spelling test is far less worrisome than will everyone make it home safely at the end of the school day. Though it may be further below the surface, many enter their places of worship each week with these same worries. Like our schools, our churches, mosques, and synagogues have also had their sense of being a place of safety shattered. The most beautiful of God’s thoughts is that of love. Indeed, no human mind can fully comprehend the vastness of God’s love. It is our responsibility as children of God to become lifelong learners when it comes to growing in our understanding of God’s love. It has many facets. It can look, sound, and feel many different ways. One thing that I am certain of is that God’s love creates for us a feeling of safety. For all those that want God in our schools, let that be the God of safety, the God of love. How much more would our students learn if rather than practicing regular lockdown and armed intruder drills we were required to practice love thy neighbor drills. I doubt I will live to see it, but I pray hard for the day when schools feel safe, when all the scary drills are no longer necessary, when students, teachers, and parents don’t begin each school day wondering if this will be “the day” it happens at my school. PRAYER “And please, God, do away with wickedness for good! And you murderers - out of here!” Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR Kris Baker Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

SCRIPTURE  Philippians 4:6-7 …do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. WORDS OF HOPE So many of us are anxious during this stressful political time. It makes me uncomfortable that politics is more divisive than it ever has been. There was a time when my marriage wasn't legal. We were so happy when the time came that we could be legally married. But now we have threats against our marriage again. And so many of my friends at church in the trans community literally have active bills in the State and National political stages that affect their lives almost every day! It breaks my heart. Hate should not be legislated! Most people are concerned about our healthcare, especially older people. It seems health in America and around the world is in jeopardy. It is hard to find peace and joy in these turbulent times. I have a Facebook page called Jan's Joy that I use in addition to my personal page that I try to promote daily joy in the world! It is my life mission. But promoting joy has become a little more difficult in these times. The verse above tells me to be thankful and to pray no matter what! And that God is able to give us a peace that is beyond understanding! I claim joy as well. I believe joy is a state of peace deep within our soul that sustains us despite external circumstances. No matter how turbulent our life may be, we can hang on to the lifeline of God's joy deep within us. If we constantly cultivate that joy through our walk with God, it keeps us sane in a world that has lost its mind! An old church camp song I used to sing says: I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy, Down in my heart, Down in my heart, Down in my heart; I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy, Down in my heart, Down in my heart to stay. (by George W Cooke) And it must be based on this scripture because the second verse says I've got the peace that passeth understanding down in my heart. So, I encourage you to remember the "secret" to having Joy and peace is to pray and be thankful. And it will guard our hearts and minds! PRAYER God of Peace and Joy, we pray giving thanks for your presence in our lives that helps us find that peace that surpasses our understanding and keeps us sane in troubled times. DEVOTION AUTHOR Jan Nunn CoH Volunteer

SCRIPTURE  Colossians 4:7-8 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here. WORDS OF HOPE Scripture is littered with little known people with difficult to pronounce names that have made a big difference. In the last few verses of the fourth chapter of Colossians alone, Paul ends this epistle mentioning Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Barnabas, Justus, Epaphras, Nympha and Archippus. One can suppose that if Tychicus or Onesimus were as well known as the Apostles Bartholomew or Thaddeus, we might not only know how to readily pronounce their names, but there might also be a Tychicus Memorial Hospital or an Onesimus University! What can we know about Tychicus and Onesimus? They were ordinary men who became trusted messengers. Tychicus is mentioned beyond the 4 th chapter of Colossians, having also been mentioned in the 20 th chapter of Acts and the 6 th chapter of Ephesians. He’s described as a “faithful minister and fellow servant”, having been trusted with messages that were critical before written communication was widespread. Onesimus was a former slave who became honored as a “dear brother” to Paul. Including Onesimus as a helper was radical in a society where slaves had little status. In verse 15, Paul sends greetings to Nympha and the church that meets in her house. Including her in his letter is profound, as Paul recognizes not only her hospitality, but her leadership as well. In a patriarchal culture that gave women minimal recognition, Paul knew that leadership by lay people, including women, were central to the early church’s growth. This closing section of Paul’s letter to the church in Colossae (say that word 10 times fast!), isn’t just a list of names. It reflects the relational, collaborative, and sacrificial nature of the early church. It shows us the importance of partnership, unity across social and ethnic lines, prayerful vigilance, and spiritual encouragement. It also shows us that Christianity is meant to be communal, not just personal. Each one of us, whether we have an unpronounceable name and/or a perceived marginalized status, have an important place in the continuing story of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are called to work together, love each other, give sacrificially, pray continually, and live joyfully. PRAYER Lord, thank You for the faithful servants who quietly build Your Kingdom through encouragement, prayer, and perseverance. Help us to be like them—steadfast in our calling, generous with our gifts, and devoted to others in love. May we complete the ministry You have entrusted to us, for Your glory alone. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Thomas Riggs

SCRIPTURE Psalm 139. 1-6 You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. 5 You surround me, behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.  WORDS OF HOPE Today’s Psalm eloquently addresses the mystery of God’s omniscience, an attribute impossible for the human mind to comprehend, at least on the divine level. But do you have anyone in your life, a partner or a close friend, who sometimes seems to have that gift, too? You know the person; the one who can finish any sentence you start, the one who knows whatever ingredient to hold or add ordering for you at a restaurant, the one who knows how you’ll vote, when you’re ready to end a visit with a third person, what you think is hilarious, what could make you sad. I have a friend, my best friend, who has a favorite movie quote answer to every question I ever text to him, such as- Question: Do you think he’ll like the idea? Answer: (I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse) Question: What do you think of this place? Answer:(Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.) Question: How do you think this will turn out? Answer: (May the Force be with you.) Question: What’s taking so long? Answer:(Houston, we have a problem.) Question: Is this party boring you? Answer: (I see dead people.) In the space of this devotion, I don’t have room to continue the list but you get the idea. He knows exactly what I think is funny and knows he will not have to explain what is from The Godfather and what is from The Sixth Sense. He knows me. We sense the presence and workings of God in so many aspects of the people around us, the love and wonder in a child’s eyes, a kind word from a stranger, an act of forgiveness, an understanding nod, but the Psalmist says that God’s Omniscience is too “lofty” for us to ever understand. In its entirety, I agree. Yet, through those special people in our lives who finish our sentences or know exactly the right movie quote to lift our spirits, an all-knowing God doesn’t seem too lofty after all. PRAYER Parenting God, it is comforting to be reminded that you are not only ever-present, but ever understanding of every aspect of who we are. Through your love, may we get to know ourselves a little better, too. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Dan Peeler Order of St. Francis and St. Clare