Lenten Devotional

Day 40 – April 19, 2025 (Holy Saturday)  Holy Saturday was a day of mourning. Less than a weekbefore, Jesus rode into the city on a donkey – a sign of the coming Messiahforetold in the Old Testament – with palm branches being waived as the peopleshouted “Hosanna, hosanna. Blessed is He who comes in the name of theLord.”  Just yesterday, for the people of Jesus’ time, they experiencedhis arrest, trial, journey to the hill known as Calvary, where he was crucifiedbetween two thieves. The sky turned black and the Earth shook to it’s core.Jesus’ body was prepared and placed in a tomb, as was the custom in those days.Holy Saturday is that quiet day after a great loss where

Day 39 – April 18, 2025 (Good Friday) I’ve always thought it odd that the Friday before Easter was called “Good Friday.”  Knowing that this was the day Christ died on the cross for our sins didn’t seem like it was very good at all, at least not for Jesus. But the word “good” generally means “holy”.  Some do exercise special recognition of the noon – 3:00 p.m. timeframe on Good Friday to recognize the death of Christ.  Most services recall the biblical account of the seven last words (sayings) of Christ on the cross:  “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34)  “Today, you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43)  “Woman, behold, thy

Day 38 – April 17, 2025 (Maundy Thursday)  Some think this day is called “Monday Thursday” because the word “maundy” is unfamiliar.  Maundy, from the Latin “maundatum”, means “mandate” or “command”.  The reason we call this day in the season of Lent “Maundy Thursday” is in remembrance of the Last Supper where Jesus commanded us all to love one another.  Jesus didn’t just instruct his disciples how to love and serve, he showed them. During this last supper, Jesus attended to them by washing their feet. This custom was usually done by the lowliest of servants, not the guest of honor! He also carried out the first communion at this dinner, using bread and wine to help illustrate his body

Day 37 – April 16, 2025 The Holy Spirit in the Wilderness The problem with being in the wilderness is surprise; the unexpected and terrifying. It is impossible to positively identify what is next. A plan is not possible. When in the wilderness, life becomes suspended. Everything stops. I have actually been thrown into the wilderness more than once. I have even walked into it unknowingly. Three years ago, as President of United Methodist Women, I was leading our 100+ faithful followers in a joint spring luncheon in the Wesley Center. I had gotten a call the day before from my daughter, Cynthia, about pain in her neck and shoulder. I listened. At the luncheon, I asked for prayer for

DAY 36 – April 15, 2025  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your minds in Christ Jesus.   Philippians 4:6-7 Cancer. It was late 2008 when my wilderness experience began with a diagnosis of tongue cancer.  With no risk factors to blame for it, I found myself wondering “why?” and “why me?”.  With 3 young kids; 6th grade, 4th grade and almost 3 years old, Joe and I felt overwhelmed.  We didn’t feel forgotten by God, but we did feel a bit lost.   I had surgery to remove the cancer and

Day 35 – April 14, 2025  Summer and Fall of 2022 felt a lot like trudging through the wilderness looking for the break in the trees.  My father was slowly succumbing to a battle with Lewy Body/Parkinson’s disease and my mom devoted herself to caring for him full time.  I was having a hard time juggling the day to day needs of raising a family versus a longing to be back at my childhood home to help my parents.  There were times when I would feel overwhelmed, and John 1:5 would pop into my consciousness; “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”.  That verse has always reminded me that even though sin, death and