Ephesians 6:14–16 (NRSV)
Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith...

You may not believe anyone hears or answers your prayers. Consider this one that Linn wrote for today's devotional. It asks for wisdom. It asks for enlightenment in all aspects of the person praying it, heart, mind, soul. It asks for bravery. And it asks for a reason; to love our neighbors.

Today we read and meditated on Luke 4: 16-30. Jesus' first sermon in his home town. The reaction was violent when he suggested God's love and grace are available to non-Jews and women, too.

Heavenly Father, be with us and our neighbors during this difficult time. Help us not to lose sight of your compassion, as faithful as the daily sunrise, and unchanging, no matter what swirls around us. Help us to be responsive to your call.
Amen

Romans 12:9-12.
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.

The devotional is on Mark 10:17-22, the "Rich Young Ruler" story. "Sell all you have and give to the poor... " He goes away sad even though Jesus loved him. We'll discuss this in person tomorrow, the first of the "Difficult Words of Jesus" by Amy-Jill Levine.

Tamarah Lee usually conducts the "Children's" moment in our worship service. The kids love it and the adults learn a lot as well. She wrote today's meditation on Micah 6:6-8 for our Lenten devotional, "From the Ground Up." If you'd like a copy, just let me know.

Maybe you'll find yourself barefoot in the warm sand or soft soil someday and be overwhelmed by gratitude for life itself. It's a mystical moment.

nvitation: Are you finding God every day? How are you engaging with your community?
Prayer: Heavenly Creator, help us to see and focus on your love as we lead with love even if that means taking risks for justice. Amen
~Carla Keats

God of all wisdom, plant us by the streams
of Your truth and mercy. Nourish our
hearts, renew our minds, and ground us in
Your love, so that we may grow strong,
bear good fruit, and reflect Your justice and
compassion in all we do. Amen.

~Hanna Groome from "The Ground Up"
(copies by request)

Today is the second day of the 40 day fast for Lent. This year, several members of Redmond United Methodist Church contributed to a Lenten Devotional entitled "From the Ground Up". Terri Bye Heavener a Lay Minister, wrote today's thoughts on Isaiah 58. Copies available on request.

As long as no selfish short-sighted billionaires take their chainsaw to it...

"Atlas Shrugged" was suggested as a read to me in 1964. 18-year old me was so angry and upset by the anti_Christian selfishness, advocacy for the fortunate (as if we're not an interdependent society) so angry that I drove to the swampy wetlands of Tomoka Park and threw that book into deep water.