Day 1: The Comforter Has Come
Reading: John 14:15-27

Devotional: Jesus promised His disciples a Helper, the Holy Spirit, who would be with them forever. This same Spirit dwells in believers today, providing comfort, guidance, and strength. Reflect on how the Holy Spirit has been present in your life, especially during challenging times. How has He brought peace and reminded you of God's truths? Today, ask the Holy Spirit to fill you anew, empowering you to live out God's will and experience His peace that surpasses understanding.

Day 2: Created for Love
Reading: 1 John 4:7-21

Devotional: God created us for love - to be loved by Him, to love Him in return, and to love others. This passage reminds us that God is love, and His love was demonstrated through Christ's sacrifice. As you read, consider how God's love has transformed your life. How can you more fully embrace His love and extend it to others? Challenge yourself to show Christ-like love to someone today, even if it's difficult.

Day 3: Called to Holiness
Reading: 1 Peter 1:13-25

Devotional: We are called to be holy as God is holy. This isn't about perfection, but rather about allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us into Christ's image. Reflect on areas of your life where you struggle to live in holiness. How can you cooperate with the Holy Spirit's work in those areas? Remember, holiness isn't achieved through our own efforts, but through surrendering to God's transforming power.

Day 4: Hope in Suffering
Reading: Romans 8:18-39

Devotional: Life often brings pain and suffering, but as believers, we have a hope that transcends our circumstances. This passage reminds us that nothing can separate us from God's love, and that our present sufferings pale in comparison to the glory that awaits us. If you're going through a difficult time, how can you anchor yourself in this hope? How might your perspective change if you viewed your trials through the lens of eternity?

Day 5: Walking in the Spirit
Reading: Galatians 5:16-26

Devotional: Walking in the Spirit means living in constant reliance on God, allowing His Spirit to guide our thoughts, decisions, and actions. As you read about the fruit of the Spirit, assess your own life. Which aspects of the fruit do you see growing? Which areas need more cultivation? Remember, this fruit isn't produced through our own effort, but through abiding in Christ and yielding to the Spirit's work. Today, practice being aware of the Holy Spirit's presence and guidance in your everyday moments.

Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on the themes from the message, The HERO Who Shuts the Mouths of Lions (Sunday August 17, 2025; Daniel 6)

Day 1: Overcoming Doubt with Faith
Reading: Matthew 14:22-33
Devotional: Peter's walk on water reminds us that doubt can creep in even when we're in the presence of Jesus. Like Peter, we may start our journey with confidence, only to falter when we face life's storms. But Jesus' response to Peter's doubt is gentle and immediate - He reaches out His hand can called him to real faith. Today, reflect on areas in your life where doubt might be hindering your faith. Remember that Jesus is always ready to catch you, even in your moments of uncertainty. Ask God to strengthen your faith and help you keep your eyes fixed on Him, rather than the turbulent circumstances around you.

Day 2: God's Love Casts Out Fear
Reading: 1 John 4:7-21
Devotional: Fear often stems from a lack of trust in God's love for us. Today's passage reminds us that God's perfect love casts out fear. Meditate on the depth of God's love demonstrated through Christ's sacrifice. How might fully embracing His genuine, demonstrated love change your perspective on your current fears and anxieties? Consider writing down your fears, then beside each one, write a truth about God's love and care for you. Let His love be the antidote to your fear today, and practice responding to fearful thoughts with reminders of His unfailing love.

Day 3: Standing Firm in Temptation
Reading: Matthew 4:1-11
Devotional: Jesus' response to temptation provides a powerful model for us. Notice how He consistently uses Scripture to counter the devil's offers. This underscores the importance of knowing and internalizing God's Word. Today, identify an area of recurring temptation in your life. Search for and memorize a relevant Scripture that speaks truth against that temptation. Practice using this verse as a shield when you face that temptation. Remember, God always provides a way out - often through the power of His Word living in us and working through us.

Day 4: Finding Purpose in Suffering
Reading: Romans 5:1-5
Devotional: Suffering is an inevitable part of life, but as believers, we can find purpose and hope even in our trials. Paul tells us that suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope. Reflect on a current struggle in your life. How might God be using this difficulty first to bring glory to Himself in the eyes of other and you, and then to refine your character or deepen your faith? Ask God for the strength to endure and the wisdom to see His hand at work, even in challenging circumstances. Trust that He is working all things for your good and His glory.

Day 5: Resting in God's Sovereign Care
Reading: Daniel 6:10-23
Devotional: Daniel's unwavering faith in the face of certain death is a powerful testament to trusting in God's sovereignty and worth. Even when facing the lions' den, Daniel continued his practice of prayer and thanksgiving. His example challenges us to maintain our faith and spiritual disciplines, especially in times of crisis. Today, practice Daniel's posture of gratitude. Make a list of things you can thank God for, even in the midst of your current challenges. Ask God to give you the courage to trust Him fully, knowing that He is able to shut the mouths of any "lions" you may face.

Each week we will offer a series of five daily devotionals based on the previous Sunday's sermon. This week we continued our series in the Book of Daniel entitled, "Who is the HERO in your life?" The sermon title was, "THE HERO WORTH DYING FOR," from Daniel 3. Here are devotional thoughts for yoru daily reflection.

Day 1: Unshakeable Faith in the Face of Trials
Reading: Daniel 3:8-19

Devotional: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's unwavering faith in the face of certain death is a powerful testament to trusting God completely. Their declaration, "our God whom we serve is able to deliver us," reminds us that our faith should not be contingent on favorable outcomes, but on the unchanging nature of God. Today, reflect on areas in your life where you need to trust God more fully. Are there situations where you're hesitating to stand firm in your faith? Remember, like these three men, our God is able to deliver us, but even if He doesn't, He is still worthy of our complete devotion.

Day 2: God's Presence in Our Suffering
Reading: Isaiah 43:1-7

Devotional: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine." These words from Isaiah echo God's promise to be with us through every trial. Just as He was present with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace, God promises to be with us in our darkest moments. Today, meditate on times when you've felt God's presence in difficult circumstances. How has He shown Himself faithful? Remember, no matter what "waters" or "fires" you may be going through, you are precious in His eyes, and He is with you.

Day 3: The Danger of Pride
Reading: Proverbs 16:18-19, Daniel 4:28-37

Devotional: Nebuchadnezzar's pride led him to challenge God's sovereignty, asking, "who is the God who will deliver you out of my hands?" This sobering example reminds us of the destructive nature of pride. It can blind us to God's truth and lead us to sin against both God and others. Consider areas in your life where pride might be taking root. How can you cultivate humility and acknowledge God's supremacy in all things? Remember, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."

Day 4: Living and Dying for Christ
Reading: Philippians 1:20-21, Romans 14:7-8

Devotional: Paul's words, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain," echo the commitment of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They were willing to die rather than compromise their faith. This challenges us to examine our own dedication to Christ. Is He truly the center of our lives? Are we living in a way that demonstrates He is worth both living and dying for? Today, consider how you can more fully align your life with this profound commitment to Christ.

Day 5: God's Unfailing Love and Presence
Reading: Psalm 23

Devotional: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me." This beloved psalm reminds us of God's constant presence and care, even in our darkest moments. Like a shepherd, He leads us, comforts us, and prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies. Reflect on how God has been your shepherd. How has He led you beside still waters or through dark valleys? Remember, His goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our lives. Today, rest in the assurance of His unfailing love and presence.

In this powerful message, we're reminded of the extraordinary truth that God reveals His mysteries to us not just for our own benefit, but so we can share them with others. The story of Daniel interpreting Nebuchadnezzar's dream serves as a compelling illustration of this principle. When faced with an impossible task, Daniel turned to prayer and sought God's wisdom. This teaches us that prayer should be our first resort, not our last. The key lesson here is that when God is the hero of our lives, He will reveal truths to us that are meant for others. Just as Daniel was given insight to save not only himself but all the wise men in Babylon, we too are called to be conduits of God's truth in a world that desperately needs it. This message challenges us to consider: Are we ready to stand before our 'kings' and proclaim the truth God has given us?

Day 1: God Reveals His Truth
Reading: Daniel 2:19-28

Devotional: Just as God revealed the mystery of Nebuchadnezzar's dream to Daniel, He continues to reveal His truth to us today. Sometimes, this revelation isn't just for our benefit, but for others around us. Reflect on how God has spoken truth into your life. How might He be calling you to share that truth with others who need to hear it? Remember, when God is the hero of your life, He will reveal truth to you that is intended for someone else. Ask God to open your eyes to the opportunities He's giving you to be a vessel of His truth in your community.

Day 2: The Priority of God's Glory
Reading: Isaiah 43:1-7

Devotional: We were created for God's glory. This profound truth should shape how we view our purpose in life. It's not about our personal achievements or societal recognition, but about reflecting God's character and goodness to the world around us. How does knowing you were created for God's glory change your perspective on your daily activities? Consider ways you can intentionally live for God's glory today, whether in your work, relationships, or personal time. Pray for a heart that seeks to glorify God in all things.

Day 3: The Exaltation of Christ
Reading: Philippians 2:5-11

Devotional: The passage we read today paints a powerful picture of Christ's humility and exaltation. Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. This truth should both humble us and fill us with awe. Reflect on what it means to have "this mind" in you which was also in Christ Jesus. How can you cultivate humility in your life while also boldly proclaiming Christ's lordship? Ask God to help you live in a way that exalts Christ in all you do.

Day 4: God's Comfort in Affliction
Reading: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Devotional: God comforts us in our afflictions, not just for our own benefit, but so that we can comfort others with the comfort we've received. Think about a time when God comforted you in a difficult situation. How did that experience equip you to help others? Look for opportunities today to share the comfort you've received with someone who is struggling. Remember, your past trials can become a powerful testimony of God's faithfulness and a source of encouragement for others.

Day 5: The Hope of Eternity
Reading: Revelation 5:11-14, 20:11-15

Devotional: Today's reading gives us a glimpse into the future, where all creation will worship the Lamb and where final judgment will occur. This reminder of eternity should both encourage and challenge us. How does the promise of eternal worship impact your daily life? Consider the reality of judgment and the urgency it brings to sharing the gospel. Pray for a renewed sense of eternal perspective and for courage to share the hope of Christ with those around you. Let the promise of eternity fuel your faith and motivate your witness today.

Each week we'll post five days of devotional thoughts to help you make more of the opportunity for growth each Snday sermon provides. This week's sermon, the first in a series of eight from the Old Testament book of Daniel, coems form Daniel chatper 1 and asks, "Who is the HERO in your life?" 

Day 1: God as Our Hero
Reading: Daniel 1:1-21
Devotional: As we read about Daniel's resolve to remain faithful to God in a foreign land, we're reminded that God is the true hero of our story. Like Daniel, we face challenges that threaten our faith and identity. But when we choose to honor God above all else, He empowers us to stand firm. Today, reflect on areas in your life where you might be tempted to compromise. How can you make God your hero in those situations? Remember, it's not about your strength, but about trusting in God's faithfulness and power.

Day 2: The Father's Loving Embrace
Reading: Luke 15:11-32
Devotional: The story of the prodigal son illustrates God's unfailing love and eagerness to welcome us home. Just as the father in the parable watched daily for his son's return, our Heavenly Father eagerly awaits our coming to Him. No matter how far we've strayed or how unworthy we feel, God's love remains constant. Today, picture God running to embrace you. What fears or doubts keep you from fully accepting His love? Allow yourself to be enveloped in the Father's loving arms, knowing that in Him, you are fully accepted and forgiven.

Day 3: Faith in the Face of Adversity
Reading: Daniel 3:8-30
Devotional: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's unwavering faith in the fiery furnace exemplifies trusting God in the most challenging circumstances. Their resolve echoes Daniel's earlier commitment to remain faithful. When faced with adversity, our natural instinct might be to compromise or seek an easy way out. But true faith stands firm, knowing that God is with us even in the flames. Reflect on a difficult situation you're facing. How can you demonstrate unwavering faith like these young men? Remember, our God is able to deliver us, but even if He doesn't, He is still worthy of our trust.

Day 4: The Transforming Power of Christ
Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
Devotional: When we make Christ our hero, we're transformed from the inside out. Like Daniel, whose appearance and wisdom surpassed his peers, our lives begin to reflect God's glory in tangible ways. This transformation isn't just for our benefit, but so that we can be Christ's ambassadors in the world. How has your life changed since making Christ your hero? In what ways can you more fully embrace your role as Christ's representative? Ask God to continue His transforming work in you, making you more like Jesus each day.

Day 5: Hope in God's Sovereign Plan
Reading: Romans 8:28-39
Devotional: Even in exile, Daniel trusted in God's sovereign plan. This passage in Romans reminds us that God works all things for the good of those who love Him. When life doesn't go as planned, or when we face loss and disappointment, we can hold onto the hope that God is still in control. He is writing a larger story of redemption, one in which we play a crucial part. Today, consider the challenges you're facing. How might God be using these difficulties to shape you and bring about His purposes? Trust that nothing can separate you from His love, and that He is your ultimate hero who will bring you through to victory.

In a world often characterized by judgment, retribution, and self-interest, there's a transformative concept that has the power to heal relationships, restore hope, and reflect the very heart of God: mercy. But what exactly is mercy, and why is it so crucial in our spiritual journey?

Mercy is not just a nice idea or a fleeting emotion. It's a fundamental attribute of God's character and a requirement for those who claim to follow Him. As we explore this topic, we're confronted with three essential questions: What is mercy? What mercy have we received? And what is required of us regarding mercy?

At its core, mercy is God's goodness applied to our badness, His love applied to our sin, and His grace applied to our guilt. It's the quality in God by which He faithfully keeps His promises and maintains His covenant relationship with His chosen people, despite their unworthiness and unfaithfulness. In essence, mercy is God doing what He knows is best for those who deserve it least.

The Old Testament provides a powerful illustration of God's mercy in action. In Deuteronomy 30:1-6, we see God's promise to the Israelites. Even after they break their covenant with Him and face the consequences of their actions, God assures them that when they return to Him with all their heart and soul, He will restore their fortunes, gather them from the nations where they've been scattered, and circumcise their hearts so they can truly love Him. This passage reveals a God who responds with overflowing mercy when His wayward people return to Him.

But what about us? What mercy have we received? To answer this, we turn to one of Jesus' most famous parables: the Good Samaritan. While this story is often seen as an instruction on how to treat others, it's also a profound revelation of God's mercy towards us.

In this parable, we are not the Good Samaritan - we are the man beaten and left for dead by the side of the road. We are the ones robbed of hope, peace, love, and dignity. We are the ones abandoned by the religious and political systems of our day. And Jesus? He is the unlikely rescuer, the one who, though we were His enemies and owed Him nothing, gave everything to save us.

This is the heart of the Gospel - that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Jesus, like the Good Samaritan in the parable, saw us in our brokenness and sin, and instead of passing by, He sacrificed His own comfort, His own life, to rescue and restore us. This is the ultimate act of mercy.

Having received such incredible mercy, what then is required of us? Jesus addresses this question directly in the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21-35). In this story, a servant who has been forgiven an enormous debt (equivalent to millions of dollars) refuses to forgive a fellow servant who owes him a trivial amount. The message is clear: those who have received mercy are morally obligated to extend mercy to others.

This parable teaches us that mercy and forgiveness are inextricably linked. In the family of God, among those adopted through faith in Jesus Christ, mercy is not just a nice option - it's a familial, spiritual obligation. If we have truly experienced the mercy of God in our lives, it should naturally flow out from us to others.

Here's a challenging thought: If we can have mercy in a given situation and choose not to extend it, we deny the reality of Christ in us. While we can't do everything, and sometimes we truly can't do anything, most times we can do something. We can choose to be merciful and forgive, or we can be merciless and carry a grudge. We can pray for someone or curse them. We can feed the hungry or turn our backs. We can visit the sick and imprisoned or stay comfortably at home. We can encourage a child or put them down. We can clothe the naked or ignore the needs around us. We can be kind or cruel - or perhaps worst of all, indifferent.

In essence, we can choose to be more like Jesus and less like the world, or we can be less like Jesus and more like the enemy of our souls. The choice is ours, and it's a choice we make daily in countless situations.

But why should we extend mercy, especially to those who don't deserve it? The answer lies in our own experience. Have we never failed? Never lied, cheated, or sinned? Never courted bitterness or nurtured pride? Have we never been unfair to others for our own advantage? Have we never been duped, deceived, or taken advantage of? Have we never been imperfect, vulnerable, or weak? Have we never made a bad decision or expressed poor judgment? Have we never simply been wrong about something?

If we're honest, we've all been in these situations. We've all been the man in the ditch at some point in our lives. And if we have received mercy in our moments of need and failure, how can we think that others don't deserve the same mercy from us?

The prophet Micah summed it up beautifully: "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8). This verse encapsulates what God wants from us - justice, mercy, and humility.

As we reflect on these truths, we're confronted with a crucial question: What will we do with our lives? There is someone in each of our lives today who does not deserve mercy but needs it anyway. Will we extend it to them? Will we reflect the character of Christ by showing mercy, even when it's difficult?

Remember, blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. We may not be able to forgive and be merciful in our own strength, but with Jesus, we not only can - we must. In the power of the Holy Spirit, we are called to be to others as Jesus is to us.

Let us pray that our hearts will always cry out, "Make me a servant, Lord. Make me a servant today." For in serving others with mercy and compassion, we most closely reflect the heart of our merciful God.

This is the text of the prayer we offered at the opening of the Naitonal Day of Prayer on the steps of the Cook County, MN courthouse on Thursday May 1, 2025 at noon:

Psalm 24:1 (ESV) The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,

Daniel 2:21 (ESV) He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;

Daniel 4:17 (ESV) . . . that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.’

Job 12:23 (ESV) He makes nations great, and he destroys them; he enlarges nations, and leads them away.

Jeremiah 18:7-10 (ESV) 7 If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, 8 and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it. 9 And if at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, 10 and if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will relent of the good that I had intended to do to it.

Acts 17:26-27 (ESV) 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him.

Proverbs 21:1 (ESV) The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.

Revelation 11:15 (ESV) Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”

Psalm 86:9 (ESV) All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.

Ezekiel 22:30 (ESV) And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.

God, you who sits upon the throne and whose will and power rule over all the nations and all the peoples and all the governments and leaders of the earth, we make no claim of sinlessness or perfection as we stand before you on behalf of our families, our friends, our communities, our nation, our world. We do not present ourselves as those to whom you owe peace or prosperity or grace or even good government.

We, and your people, and the people of this nation of which we are a part, have at many times and in many ways fallen short of the glory for which you created us. We have chosen our ways and our interests over your ways and your interests. We have been self-seeking rather than God seeking. We have pursued the wealth of this world, often at the expense of others, rather than pursuing the wealth of the riches of the glory of God in Christ Jesus, a blessing to all people.

We have been narrow in our thinking, cold in our loving, heartless in our judgment. Where you have clearly required of us mercy we have acted without mercy. Where you have called us to do justly, we have refused to advance true justice that brings lost people to the knowledge of Your turth. Where you set before us that we should devote ourselves to walk humbly with our God, we have insisted on following our own paths, even when we know there is a way that seems right to a man but the end thereof is destruction.

Over and again you have entreated and warned us to choose life but we are enamored with death. We murder our children in the womb. We snuff out the lives of our elderly and helpless. We exalt violence both in practice and premise. We have lied and promoted liars to our rule over us. We have cheated and turned our eyes away from deceivers, refusing to hold them accountable to what is right and just on the eyes of the Lord our God. We let others get away with the sins we ourselves desire to get away with.

But, we are here, clothed in no righteousness of our own, standing in faith in Jesus Christ. We know that we are no better than those for whom we pray simply because of any ideology we hold. We have one hope, one plea as we make our case before you today and seek your mercy. We stand in Christ and on Christ and for Christ and ask you to pour out mercy and wisdom and forgiveness and grace and justice and righteousness upon us and upon our nation. Give us your Spirit once again to refresh and renew and revive your people that this nation and every nation may know once again the joy of your favor.

Father, replace our fear with your love. Replace our arrogance with the humility of Christ. Replace our weakness of conviction and conscience with the power and presence of your Holy Spirit. O Lord, you see us as we are. Make us what we can be. You see us in the dark. Bring us to the light. You see us enveloped in wrong. Wrap us in right. We confess our sin. Grant us your forgiveness. Let today be the dawning of a new day in this nation and in the world. We know that one day judgment will come and you will establish your eternal kingdom in this world. But until that day comes, O Lord, make us faithful and holy and just and right and true and make this a nation where, from top to bottom and bottom to top, you are loved and honored and exalted and cherished and obeyed.

Now Father, make known your will as we pray. Give us clean hands and clean hearts. Restore your joy and glory in us and then lead us to pray according to your will and purpose. Give us your mind and heart and Spirit so that we may have what we ask for.

We ask this of you in the name of Jesus, the Son Whom you love. Amen

I suppose, if people today had a favorite Psalm in the Bible, they would identify Psalm 23 as their favorite . . . or at least the one they've heard about.


The first three verses describe an idyllic reaity in which everything is peaceful and abundant and right. It is a life that God offers and provides but it is not the life that every person in the world will experience.

Verse four describes the reality we all face. Every single one of us, from the beginning of time to now and until the end of time will "walk through the valley fo the shadow of death." We will face our own mortiality and we will, at tomse point in time, die. Death will come for us. We can fight it, we can resist it, we can medicate and exercise and add barley green to our carrot juice to our heart's content but one day you, me, all of us, will die.

The questions for us is not, "Will I die?" but what will be my experience of God while I live? Can the reality in this described in this Psalm be my life experience? The asnwer to that question is, "It depends." It depends on the fourth word of the first verse, the first person singular possessive pronoun: "my."

Whether or not you fully participate in a real and vital relationship with God in which you can say, truthfully, "The LORD is my shepherd," makes all the difference. It is only when we live in a faith relationship with God, a relationship where we put aboslute trust in Who God is and what He says about Himself and us, that we have a life context and a heart condition in which the blessings and proimises of htis Psalm can be ours.

Whether or not we will face want depends on whether or not "the Lord is MY shepherd."

Whether or not we face death without fear depends on whether or not "the LORD is MY shepherd."

Whether or not goodness andmercy will pursue us like greyhounds after a rabbit; whether nor not we will dwell in the house of the LORD forever, secure His glory life without end depends on whether in this life, right now, the LORD is YOUR shepherd.

We make the LORD our shepherd when we put our faith in Jesus Christ and follow Him as our Savoir and Lord of our life. We will all face death. How we live up to death and what happens to us following our death depend entirely on whether we make the LORD our shepherd. Don't wait. Trust Christ now.

James 1:27 (ESV)  Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.



Picture a man in a pure white suit replete with cumberbund, top hat, tails, and an alabaster walking cane with a golden parrot head knob. The man in your mind walks on the sidewalk in front of a row of houses, not delapitated dwellings but well loved, modestly cared for. The neighborhood is not poor but not wealthy. There is a sidewalk for pedestrians but no paved surface in the roadwayfor the horses and the carriages they pull or for the newly minted, loud, and sometimes frightening steam powered vehicles that have begun to apepar from time to time making their way noisily to the more notable homes just up the hill.

Let the rain fall, in your mind, as you watch this man all in white make his way hurriedly, determinedly along. He has places to go, people to see. He is not meandering. He is focused, intense. He knows his purpose in the world, in the day, in his heart. He is steadfast.

The man unknowingly courts danger and danger is about to make its play. The man, dressed in white, walks beside a muddy upaved road. And behind him, nothing unusual, a team of four pull its draught, fully loaded, to market. The horses and the man arrive at the muddy pool of water, a puddle amassing in the road from the rain at the same time. The horses hooves, the carriage wheels scatter and splatter the muddy water across the pure canvas of the man's white suit. If only he'd heard them coming . . . .

James tells us, Christians, that as we walk through world robed in faith and in the righteousness of Christ, there is danger. There exists the danger of being splattered, stained by a sinful, corrupt world as it makes its way to eternal damnation for its rejection of God's grace in Christ. But let us not think it is only guilt from unconfessed sin about which James warns us (according to one version) to keep ourselves "unspotted from the world." He inherently warns us not take up the world's reactions to personal circumstances.

For instance, James warns us not to take on anger or belligerence when life disappoints us. In telling us to keep ourselves "unstained from the world" he warns us from becoming jealous and arrogant when others succeed where we think we ought to have prospered. James waves us away from parading our discouragement as a manipulative effort to gain sympathy (a stategy that reeks of faithlessness and hell.)

But what does such a holy, faithful perspective as James requires of us in the Lord look like in real life? My niece, Kristi, endures several significant chronic health conditions. She recently updated her CaringBridge site and I want to share with you the content of her update. I read through it and heard in my heart this admonition from James: "keep oneself unstained from the world." I offer you Kristi's words and faith as an example, an illustration of what a duly warned, faith-filled, and steadfast life may look like. Kristi entitled her thoughts, "Still."

Still

Dear Friends and Family,
There never seems to be the perfect time to write an update. Not because there is not anything going on, but because chronic illness is just that..."chronic". It goes on....and on...and on. And I worry that continuing to post problems, concerns, and updates may become wearying to those that I love- I never want to be a burden, and I know that there are so many others that are going through difficult times as well - and so you all end up with looooong breaks between posts. However, I have found that despite the dearth of posting (I am sorry for that), I still have an army of loved ones who think about me and my family, ask about us, and pray for us. Oh, how you love and pray - it is such a precious gift.

And so, on no day in particular (it just happens to be a Friday), I felt that perhaps it would be a good time to restart posting periodic updates. For those who pray, I am hoping that some details for prayer will be helpful. And for anyone who is also experiencing periods of long (seemingly neverending) difficulty, I hope that knowing that you are not alone will bring you hope. And to anyone reading this far into the post, thank you for all the ways you continue to show such amazing love to my family and me.

Onwards with the update:
As I mentioned above, chronic illness is just that...chronic. In many ways, it is like having the flu every day, and yet you can't just call in sick and lay in bed every day, and so you learn to cope as best you can (with a LOT of pills-the picture attached is just one of my 3x/day pill rounds).





Coping and learning to manage has been a lot of the focus of the last year or so. Nothing major has changed as far as diagnoses and treatments. However, being on a palliative care service has been a breath of fresh air - we are prioritizing and maximizing symptom management, day-to-day comfort, and quality of life over aggressively pursuing any and all treatment options. I still see my doctors, continue on TPN (IV nutrition), have surgery or other treatments if needed, etc. - but I am not allowing my life to revolve around "being sick". I did not want my or my family's identity to be so wrapped up in my illness that we forgot to live the rest of our lives. Over this past year, because we are not spending so much time in appointments and traveling for doctors, I have had the time to mentally and emotionally process what has happened and how life has changed in the last years, to grieve some of the losses, and to reflect on what has *not* changed (more on that in a moment).

As far as my illnesses go:
*Autonomic/neurologic issues (POTS/dysautonomia): some symptoms are fairly well managed with medication, however I have had more issues with worsening daily headaches/migraines over the last year. There is one more medication left that is safe for me to try. I also struggle greatly with fatigue and pacing normal life and managing exertion is a struggle.

*New diagnoses this past year: "Mast Cell Activation Syndrome" (when the body overreacts to allergic triggers); this can cause a myriad of symptoms. Also "Eosinophilic esophagitis" which is an excess of allergic-reaction type cells in the esophagus (this explains my semi-recent swallowing difficulties). Both of these issues often occur in the same "illness cluster" along with gastroparesis, EDS, MCAS, and dysautonomia. I have meds that help with both of these, and a couple of new doctors on my list.

*The Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (connective tissue disorder) continues to be problematic - my hip surgery in July 2023 had a looooong recovery time. Ironically, as soon as I had finished 9 months of physical therapy from that, my right shoulder dislocated and has continued to periodically dislocate. Surgery is an option, but also has risks of not being successful because of my issues, so we are praying and considering options. The EDS also causes other issues, such as back pain and waking up with dislocated fingers (not painful, just very....odd!).

*Gastroparesis and motility issues continue, still causing constant nausea and other digestive issues. There are still very few nausea medications I can safely take, and unfortunately the most helpful of the safe meds was discontinued this past year. I am continuing on the (T)PN (IV nutrition), and I have both of my feeding tubes that I use for medications and symptom relief. Our plan is to continue with the TPN as long as possible, so every week we get $3500 worth of IV nutrition supplies delivered to our door....and we are so, so thankful for this. What a gift.

You may have noticed a theme in this post - words like "still" and "continue" and "chronic". If I may, though, I would like to mention just a few additional "still"s- a few other things that have remained the same, even though days may continue to be difficult. I hope that this list is a comfort for anyone else who may be struggling.

Things that Remain the Same in Difficulty:
1. I am still myself. My illness has not redefined who I am as a person- yes, it has changed things about me, but I am still the same person who God created. I have not been robbed of my identity by my illness. (Psalm 139)

2. My life still has purpose, despite my limitations. Wow, that purpose looks a LOT different than I thought, even 6 years ago. And I still do not know the full extent of what that purpose will continue to look like. Sometimes it feels like all of my work, education, and experience was for nothing....but (by His grace) I know God better than that. He is "always doing 10,000 things and we might know three of them" (John Piper). In the meantime, I can focus on living every day in a way that honors God and encourages others in some way.


3. There is still joy. Joy is there, even when things are difficult or uncertain. I have had difficult days, but I have also had days where I have laughed until I cried. God has been so kind as to give glimpses of grace throughout this time and sent gifts that bolster hope and remind us of His love (one of our biggest gifts over the last few years has been our sweet Bentley....who is definitely not the most spoiled little dog on the planet- obligatory pictures attached). The God of hope does indeed fill us with joy and peace in believing. (Romans 15:3)


4. God is still God, He is still on His throne, and He still keeps ALL of His promises. And God does not change. My doctors may change, my plan of care may feel fragile, I may feel uncertainty and instability when I look into the future....but God is faithful. He does not change His plan of care for my life. Anything He has told me in His Word is 100% true and believable. I can rest in His character-His love for me, His faithfulness, His wisdom, His power. I can look forward to His promise of a renewed and restored Heaven and earth (and body!) when Jesus comes back. These things will never change. These are some pretty amazing "still"s.

One last "still" - I am still loved by you all, and that is such an amazing gift. You all have not given up on me or my family. You call us, you text, you write notes, you visit, you ask about us, you have helped us in practical ways....and so many of you pray. You show us the love of Christ in so many ways. Thank you, thank you.
May I beg your prayer for one specific burden this week, as I close? My mom has a biopsy for a nodule that was (thankfully, in God's good providence) found on her lung. The biopsy is scheduled for Thursday February 27. We are praying for her to stay healthy between now and then, for benign test results, and an ultimate trust in the Lord for whatever is ahead.

Until next time (which I promise will be sooner than last time),
Kristi

As religious faith in general and the Christian faith in particular become more and more maligned and marginalized in western culture, I find it intriguing how many people who discredit and disapprove of the Bible (Christianity’s primary book), people who have all too often never even read it, take great pleasure misquoting it in certain common circumstances. Of particular interest are the people who counter with the words, “Thou shalt not judge,” or some shortened variant like, “Judge not!” when their stated opinion or behavioral choice is rejected or opposed.

Ninety-nine point nine percent of the time I hear that phrase being uttered, it is offered as a kind of ultimate rebuke, a last ditch defense, a final resort from the lips of someone who has lost an argument about the moral validity of some perspective and hopes to end the discussion on a win by resolving their opponent to the level of personal hypocrisy. It usually goes something like this: “You’re a Christian and you are telling me something that directly opposes my point of view. Why don’t you do what Jesus said and stop judging me?”

I’ve seen more than one good, healthy discussion vaporize at the drop of this verbal, emotion-packed bomb. I’d like to suggest, though, that those who use the words of Jesus, “Judge not that ye be not judged,” usually use them incorrectly. You see, there is a real difference between “judging” someone, as Jesus uses the term in the instance most often misquoted, and striving for discernment, a pursuit held up as honorable and necessary.

To judge, as Jesus used the term, means to act as the final interpreter of a person’s character and the final authority over a person’s eternal outcome. To judge, as Jesus used the term, means to act in place of God, as if one knew all the secrets of another’s heart and could take wise and inclusive action in regards to their heart. That “judging,” that arrogant assumption that you or I can be the final judge over someone else’s entire person, is what Jesus intends us to avoid, if for no other reason (and there are more reasons) than that it is impossible for any of us to know all that is in another person’s heart (we don’t even know all that is in our own hearts) or to know with any degree of certainty at all what the final outcome of someone else’s life will be.

“Judging” however, is not the same as “discerning.” Discerning is a conscious effort to carefully and considerately explore the moral right and wrong of a situation, or an opinion, or an action, with the desire, in the end, to honor God and serve those involved.

Discernment pursues the understanding of what is morally right and acceptable to God while trying to avoid what is morally wrong and unacceptable to God. Notice this: discernment is not about deciding whether one person thinks another person is right or wrong. Discernment is about understanding what moral position God holds in relation to the question under discussion. The standard for determining moral acceptability is God, not the speaker of the moment. Discernment has no desire to pigeonhole people (that would be “judging”) but for the sake of what is best for all to understand and embrace what God Himself has said is most like Himself in our thinking, our living, and our loving.

We would do well, all of us, I think, to learn the difference between “judging” and discernment. The difference is primarily a motive of the heart. The motive in “judging” is pride, self-exaltation. The motive in discernment is humility and love. To search carefully and considerately for the distinction God makes between what is good and what is evil, between what is right (according to Him) and what is wrong (also according to Him) is the necessary pursuit that gains what is best for all of us.

She was just twelve weeks old when we brought her home fourteen years ago. She and her brother, Bentley, had been a litter of two bred specifically by my brother-in-law in hopes to provide us with a "doll face, teacup Yorkie." She was the best! As a puppy she would sit at my feet and look at me to be picked up. I would bring her to my lap and she would immediately stretch out on my forearm and bury her nose in my elbow and sleep while I read my Bible in the mornings. We loved each other for every one of those fourteen amazing years.

Yesterday, she died.

She did not "cross over the rainbow bridge" or "pass away" or any other euphamism we insert to avoid telling the real, hard truth. Lucy, my dearest non-human friend, took her last breath and died.

I don't know whether the pets we love will be in heaven or not. There is no decisive verse that I can find in Scripture that provides a concise and definitive answer to that question. I do know I loved her and she loved me and that "Love never ends" (1 Corinthians 13:8a, ESV), so there's that.

But, I want to tell you why, the day after she died, I am rejecting using a euphemism for her death.

We seem to like to avoid the truth about death and use our words and figures of speech to hide death's true nature. We speak of death as we would a doctor: "Well, at least she is not in pain anymore." As if death can offer something unachievable in life, like healing. We speak of death as though death is a savior: "She's in a better place now." As if death can somehow deliver us from the joy and hope and possibility and beauty life lays out before us like a smorgasbord on a cruise ship. We say, "Ah, finally, she has passed into peace." As if death can solve all the challenges that come with living in a spiritually corrupt, imperfect, sinful world.

But death is none of these. Death is not a doctor to heal our incurable diseases, not a savior to rescue us from our environment of pain and fear, not an escape from the hard realities of real living. The Bible speaks clearly to the question. Death is not a euphemism but an enemy.

1 Corinthians 15:26 (ESV) 26  The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

Death is no friend of ours to finally do us good when all else fails. Death is an enemy that stalks us, haunts us, threatens us, and finally defeats us. Death is not a benefit of life but a punishment for sin:

Romans 6:23 (ESV)  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Death came into the world because of sin. God gave the first human He created a law. God the Creator said, "Of all the trees of the garden you may eat, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the midst of the garden you shall not eat; for the in the day you eat of it, you shall die." And we know from God's word they did find that tree and were seduced into eating its fruit and their faithless disobedience initiated spiritual and physcial death for themselves and all their posterity. Death is the just and right punishment imposed by our Righteous and Just and Holy Creator on disbedient, sinful rebels.

The very existence of death serves as a warning. Hebrews 9:27 informs us that it is given unto every man once to die and then comes judgment. The same biblical author a chapter later points out

Hebrews 10:26-29 (ESV) 26  For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27  but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. 28  Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 29  How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?
 
Death does not befriend us. Death warns sinners, people who by nature and choice have rejected the love and grace of their Creator, they will face Him at the end of their lives. Death warns us that unless action is taken all will not be well for us. Death testifies it is no doctor, no savior, no escape, no friend. Death is an enemy, an applied punishment, a warning to deal with God on HIs terms before He in justice deals with us on the terms of sin and guilt we present.

What ought we to do in light of death? What can we do in light of death? Let me be clear.

Romans 3:22-24 (ESV) 22   . . . For there is no distinction: 23  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24  and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

Everyone sins. Everyone is a sinner. Everyone falls short of the glory of God, the standard of our Creator for our existence, therefore we are all subject to the punishment of death. No one escapes. But, God has made a way for us to deal forthrightly with our sin. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to live on our behalf in our place the life of innocence and love and faithfulness we were created to live but because of our sin nature, cannot live. This same Jesus who succeeded to live that sinless, innocent life, died on the cross in our place on our behalf. He, alone, did not deserve death yet He died for us all. He accepted the punishment your sin, my sin, deserves. Jesus died to put death to death.

God declares that anyone who puts their faith in Jesus will be forgiven, their guilt will be extinguished, the sentence of justice will be removed from them and replaced with mercy and grace. Only then will death resolve to a mere doorway, an occasion, grievious but hopeful.

The pain of death, the fear of death, the hardness and horror of death, do not shy away from death and attempt to make it other than it is: an enemy, a punishment, and a warning. It is not death that saves us but God through the life and death of Jesus Christ who saves us who cannot save ourselves. Trust Christ, confess your sin to God, commit your life to Christ and live in faithful expectation of eternal life in Christ and you will have gained a true appreciation for the role of death. The death of Christ spells the death of death.

Put your faith in Christ.