Tuesday - January 16, 2023

Kris Baker

SCRIPTURE


Acts 5:1-11

 

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.

Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”


When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.


About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”


“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”


Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”


At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.


WORDS OF HOPE


This story about Ananias and Sapphira is a troubling one. What did they do that was so wrong as to cause their deaths? We’ll come back to that question.


Today is National Religious Freedom Day, a day whose observance was due to the work of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison on the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, which ultimately became the framework for the part of first amendment of the U.S. constitution, that says that Congress will make no law respecting an establishment of religion. This is supposed to keep there from being both political control of religion and religious control of government. Whether or not we are currently protected by the first amendment rests in how we understand the meaning of religion.



At the time the U.S. forefathers were writing the Constitution, religion was understood at its root to be a way of living that acknowledged a supreme being that was to be worshipped. This worship should happen in certain ways and people would be either rewarded or punished both on earth and in heaven based on how they lived their mortal lives. Much has been written about the nature of religion both before the time of Jefferson and Madison and after. It’s definition has morphed and thus so has the role of religion in culture and society.


Paul Tillich (1886-1965) was a Lutheran theologian and Christian existentialist. He wrote that religion is “the state of being grasped by an ultimate concern, a concern which qualifies all other concerns as preliminary and which itself contains the answer to the question of the meaning of life.” He also says, the basis for one’s religion is “whatever dominant concern serves to organize a person’s values, whether or not that concern involves belief in any unusual realities.” Thus, “religions” are constructs made by groups to fit their specific needs for living and understanding. And the freedom to do so is given in the first amendment of the Constitution. 


Tillich’s definition can be construed to give movements such as Marxism, white-supremacy, and celebrity fandom the designation of religion. With any kind of freedom, perhaps especially religious freedom, should also come responsibility. At the basis of Tillich’s thought is not the rights and freedoms of the individual, but the place and responsibilities of the individual in the community. One’s “religious beliefs” should support the good of community. This is where much of today’s “religious thought” falls short. Much is done in the name of religion that benefits the individual or a very small group of people. Is practicing such a way of life guaranteed to us as religious freedom?


The notion of focusing on the individual may be where Ananias and Sapphira went astray. They sold property and lied about the profits saying that they had given the entire amount of their proceeds to the apostles. They were thinking first of themselves and in doing so lied also about their commitment to the community. Death seems like a harsh punishment for what they did and I suspect the fear that was felt by the people observing these deaths was terrifying as how many of them, and us, put our own needs and desires before the needs of our community?


As we go about our days, we must live faithfully through our “religious values” knowing that what we believe is what shapes and guides us, but that these same values and beliefs may not be the same ones that guide our neighbors. We do have the right to believe as we feel called. We also have the responsibility to do so in a way that does not harm others with whom we share the path.


PRAYER


O God, I give thanks for the freedom to love, follow, and proclaim your goodness. Guide my ways such that I will do these things responsibly —showing love, mercy, and compassion to those whose way is different from mine. Help me to create hope, unity, light, and joy in the communities in which I live. Amen


DEVOTION AUTHOR


Kris Baker

Order of St. Francis and St. Clare


Need Some Inspiration? Read our Daily Devotions

Wednesday - April 15. 2026

By Hardy Haberman • April 15, 2026
READING  Jonah 1:7-10 As my life was ebbing away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple. Those who worship vain idols forsake their true loyalty. But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Deliverance belongs to the Lord!” Then the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out onto the dry land. WORDS OF HOPE I always remember hearing the story of Jonah and the Whale as a child. I guess it was more believable that he was swallowed by a whale than a “big fish”, but I think the story as told to children misses the point. Jonah was swallowed by the fish because he was running away from God. He had been tasked with carrying God’s message to the great city of Nineveh and that overwhelmed him. He was so reluctant that he tried on escape on a ship, and we all know where that led. The point is not about being swallowed by a whale, but perhaps it is about being overwhelmed by missions that feel a bit like facing a whale: big, scary and a lot of work. The moral of the story to me is that sometimes we must face our fears and just buckle up and do the work before us. In the end just following God’s plan seems a lot easier than enduring time in the stomach of a big fish. PRAYER May I use the strength that God gives me to do the work before me. May I always remember how Jonah made his task much more difficult that it was by trying to run away from God’s guidance. Amen DEVOTIION AUTHOR Hardy Haberman

Tuesday - April 14, 2026

By Logan Alexander Johnson • April 14, 2026
SCRIPTURE Jonah 1:1-5 One day long ago, God’s Word came to Jonah, Amittai’s son: “Up on your feet and on your way to the big city of Nineveh! Preach to them. They’re in a bad way and I can’t ignore it any longer.” But Jonah got up and went the other direction to Tarshish, running away from God. He went down to the port of Joppa and found a ship headed for Tarshish. He paid the fare and went on board, joining those going to Tarshish—as far away from God as he could get. But God sent a huge storm at sea, the waves towering. WORDS OF HOPE  Jonah’s flaws are so relatable. He chooses to disobey God. Yet in verse 9, he tells the sailors, “I worship God.” Have you ever decided that your way was better than the Lord’s? Have you tried to maintain the appearance of faith while actively running away from it? I learned about a Married Men’s virtual Life Group at the church of a well-known and influential pastor. During a chat with the group leader, I told them I was married to a man. I wanted to show up as my most authentic self. The group leader said someone from their senior leadership team would reach out. They never did, even after I followed up. This wasn’t the first time a church rejected me for being gay, but the experience still stung. In my heart, I could hear the words of Jesus: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34) Did I listen and forgive the church leaders? Of course not. Like Jonah, I chose to run, not to another city, but into the darkness of resentment and depression. I lost an entire day of work feeling sorry for myself and googling churches that would validate my identity. I considered never listening to the pastor’s sermons again, and felt guilty for supporting someone with views so different from mine. This suffering was my version of the storm God sent Jonah. Eventually, I realized that it wasn’t a punishment. It was an act of love to get me back on course. I took away several lessons: Anchor to God’s unconditional acceptance and approval instead of human validation. My spiritual practice is richer when it’s not in an echo chamber. I can take a religious leader’s wisdom that resonates and leave the parts that don’t. Forgiveness is about setting yourself free from negativity and aligning with God’s love, not condoning another person’s actions. We all face storms. I hope sharing this story helps you weather your next one and follow what God is calling you to do. PRAYER Lord, I’m ready for Your assignment. Speak to me and give me the courage to obey. I trust that Your Love will bring me through every storm. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Logan Alexander Johnson

Monday - April 13, 2026

By Thomas Riggs • April 13, 2026
SCRIPTURE  Judges 6:39-40 Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew.” That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew. READING "The opposite of faith is not doubt -- it is certainty." - Anne Lamott WORDS OF HOPE In Judges 6, we meet Gideon at a moment of deep uncertainty. God has already called him to deliver Israel, but Gideon hesitates. He asks for a sign: first, that a fleece would be wet with dew while the ground stays dry, and then the reverse. Miraculously, God graciously answers both requests. When we first look at this story, it seems that Gideon displays doubt. Given how overwhelming the stakes can be to being Israel’s deliverer, I think it’s less about doubt and more about assurance. Gideon is not testing God out of rebellion; he is seeking clarity in the face of fear. How often do we find ourselves in Gideon’s shoes? We’re looking up phone numbers for a real estate agent and a mover. Suddenly, what felt like a nudge now doesn’t seem so sure. The new job offer looks like a win-win, but you don’t know if you’re ready or qualified. That person you’ve been seeing is everything you’ve hoped for, but you’ve been hurt before and you’re not sure you want to leap again. Are you asking for a sign because you doubt or because you just need that little bit of extra assurance? What’s striking in Gideon’s story is that God doesn’t rebuke Gideon for what could be perceived as doubt. Instead, She does exactly what she always does. She provides reassurance. Looking for signs shouldn’t become our default setting when making a meaningful decision and that’s not what this story is implying. Instead, it reveals something important about the nature of God. He is compassionate with our fragile faith. The story isn’t about Gideon’s uncertainty; it’s about His patience. Anne Lamott got it right: Faith is not the absence of questions or being fearless in the moment. It is the willingness to move forward even when resolutions to the questions are not fully resolved. PRAYER Gracious God, You know how often we long for clarity and reassurance. Thank you for your patience with us when our faith feels small. Give us wisdom to discern your voice, courage to trust your leading, and strength to act when the time comes. Help us to move from hesitation to faithful obedience. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Thomas Riggs

Friday - April 10, 2026

By Rev. Dr. Gary Kindley • April 10, 2026
SCRIPTURE The Book of Psalms 25:6-8 (adapted from NRSVUE translation) Be mindful of your mercy, O God, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from days of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, Holy One! Good and upright is God; therefore God instructs the broken in the way. WORDS OF HOPE The Sins of Youth and Other Times I have replayed them in my head too many times. Poor decisions of my past. Hurts I’ve inflicted on people whom I genuinely loved and cared for. Words I’ve spoken thoughtlessly that left wounds upon others. Actions I took or neglected to take. The writer of today’s passage from the Book of Psalms understands. Sins of our youth are common. The Creator of our frontal lobe where decisions are made must understand better than any experienced neurologist. After all, that part of the brain isn’t fully developed until around our mid-twenties (usually a bit earlier in women) so I would imagine God’s expectations are lowered and forgiveness is a given. What about the rest of our life? The years of our 30’s and 40’s and upward can seem equally horrid in places. The poor choice that cost us dearly. The good job we left too soon. The failed relationships, broken marriages, poor parenting. It is the human experience—but not entirely. We can take comfort in knowing that it is also the nature of being human that along with mistakes there will be successes. There are times of blessing and opportunity and moments of unexpected kindness and serendipity. Theologically, we call it Grace. We demonstrate both our character and our persistence by trying and failing and trying again. We make many good choices, too. Especially when we follow the path that Jesus demonstrated which became known simply as, The Way. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. What the Apostle Paul proclaimed as the fruit of the Spirit of God. The nature of the Christ-follower. Psychologists and sociologists tell us that there are times when we are not fully prepared for what we face. Those are times when we did the best with what we had or what we knew at the time. Or perhaps we are still making choices out of our wounded parts that were formed from childhood hurts or neglect. We’ve not taken time to heal our wounds and live out of our better and true Self. Turn the page. It gets better, especially when we seek to make it so. As the Psalmist said so well, “All the paths of the Divine are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep covenant and seek to live in God’s sacred way.” PRAYER Dear Jesus, who loves us, help us we pray, to strive for good choices, and live in Grace when we stray. Today, may we offer ourself and others Grace. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Rev. Dr. Gary G. Kindley, LPC Pastoral Psychotherapist drgk.org

Thursday - April 9, 2026

By Dr. Pat Saxon • April 9, 2026
SCRIPTURE  Genesis 1:25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds… and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. READING “We have only begun to love the earth, … only just begun to envision how it might be to live as siblings with beast and flower and not oppressors.” Denise Levertov, “Beginnings” WORDS OF HOPE Last Wednesday, Sage and I pulled up at the old house in East Texas that has been a sanctuary for some 40 years. I was exhausted and, like so many, had been battered by the cruelty and chaos of the powers that be and needed renewal, so the trees’ vibrant greening, the migratory loons calling across the waters, and the does heavy with child called my heart to open. Since tumultuous weather had pummeled the area a few weeks ago, I entered the house cautiously—checking ceilings for leaks and other signs of damage. A sigh of relief issued forth as all seemed well—until I reached my bedroom where signs of a raccoon incursion from the attic were everywhere: broken ceiling tiles, scraps of old insulation, animal droppings, new raccoon scat, and muddy paw prints. While empathizing that these masked creatures had probably sought refuge from the storms, I was disheartened at the wreckage and that rather than being able to rest while here, I’d have to kick into work mode trying to find someone to repair the house and make sure there were no critters still in the attic. I would also have to don mask and gloves and disinfect the area in a way that would protect Sage and me from toxins in raccoon scat. Beginning to unload the car, I saw something move on the leaf bed by the back door. I walked closer and discerned the dark shape and patterns of a snake, but couldn’t tell whether it was venomous or not. At my closeness, she arched her slender neck in warning, and I scooted Sage into the house. I told her that I meant her no harm—and hoped that my soothing tone and the lack of hostile action would signal my non-threatening presence. This is not to say that I am casual about snakes: The bite of a copperhead years ago landed me overnight in the Marshall hospital followed by several painful days at home, so I have a healthy respect. But in Franciscan mode, I resisted what seemed the code of many area folks—to kill snakes in any situation—and left her to find her safe place. When Brad, the wildlife removal person, came out, he was a spiritually grounded man who sang in a praise band and lived by a creed for animal life akin to my own, using humane traps and non-toxic products. God does indeed show up in strange places! As we discussed procedure, I felt the worry begin to release in the face of his expertise and his care. In the midst of these encounters, a beautiful cedar waxwing flew inside, rapt by the holly berries which load our bushes, and, in spite of much wooing and humane ways of encouraging him to return to freedom, he stayed the night. Over the course of the time he bunked in with us, he grew to know my voice, I think, becoming less frantic when I approached, at times perching quietly on a curtain rod. A few days ago, the administration gave the go-ahead to ignore the endangered species protections in the Gulf of Mexico though a huge number of species have gone extinct worldwide. While the extra intensity and care on behalf of these 3 creature-kin asked for more from me in a weary time, I cannot think it is less than what they are due as God’s good creation. And I think of those who gave—and give—extra care to me and feel grateful that Brad and I were here for them. PRAYER Teach us, God of all creation, that practicing care for our creature-kin is indeed another kind of “Good Trouble.” Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Dr. Pat Saxon

Wednesday - April 8, 2026

By Charlie C. Rose • April 8, 2026
SCRIPTURE Ephesians 3:4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ. WORDS OF HOPE Ancient Writings On this first week of the Season of Eastertide, I’m wondering if the writers of scripture would be curious about all the church Seasons or astounded that people are still reading and interpreting their narratives and letters. In this stage of human development, we have a rare opportunity to understand that what we do will likely have an impact in the distant future. The internet makes us aware that what we report on social media immediately becomes news about who we are. We have the chance of purposefully creating our legacy for future generations multiple times over. The ancient writers may not have known the impact of their epistles and grocery lists, but here we are the stewards who have a unique glimpse at how these civilizations lived, fought, and died. A snapshot of time. We try to ‘read’ what we can into the lives of those people who struggled to live in such a mysterious and violent era. The people who fought to survive in Jesus’ day had a much bigger puzzle to fill in about their origins, what they believed, and whether or not they had a greater purpose. Yet, here we are with their mail which was postmarked 2000 years ago. What an incredible gift they left us. Their thoughts are now our Gospels. Theologians have been busy for millennia trying to decipher their ancient code that has now fallen into our hands. Perhaps instead of zooming into ancient scriptural insights with our modern microscope, we might be wiser to attempt to understand who those original authors were, living under Romam rule, contrasted to our lives today, with freedom to speak our minds. There are many among us however, who have taken advantage of that freedom and interpret those ancient writings to their own political advantage. There are those who consider themselves Christians yet manage to ignore the bigger picture teachings about loving our neighbor as ourselves and have in many ways reverted to eye-for-an-eye, tit-for-tat mentality. They will be leaving behind their lessons in bullying and brutality, but my prayer as I write my feelings and complaints on the internet is to consider “what will my life look like when somebody reads my own mail in a few thousand years?” What will I do or say to create a better world with my life and works as an example? It helps me to remember to pause before I rant. What will you tell yourself as you write your own thoughts and feelings that could someday be considered somebody’s internet scriptures? PRAYER May I never shy away from telling the truth of God’s love for all and may the spirit of my conversations or writings always reflect the spirit of Jesus. Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR Charlie C. Rose Order of St. Francis and St. Clare
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