Lent 2019

Lenten DEVOTIONAL

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Lent 2019 I am pleased to present the third annual Lenten Devotional Guide for the Friends University community. Building off the success and momentum of the Advent Guide, I pray that this collection of devotional reflections will prove to be a meaningful part of your Lenten season.

In the Christian tradition, Lent is the period of the liturgical year from Ash Wednesday to Easter. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer—through prayer, repentance, almsgiving and self-denial—for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the death and resurrection of Jesus. This season culminates with the passion of Christ and climaxes in Easter, the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Each day I invite you to read the scripture and the accompanying brief devotion. Then, take a few moments to be still and present before the Lord, as you consider the significance of this Christ’s life, death and resurrection.

This Lenten Devotional Guide is a great collection of contributions from various faculty, staff and students who have read, prayed, reflected and put their thoughts on paper for all of us. I am thankful for their kind and thoughtful participation. I am grateful to all who have worked to help make this project a reality, especially Aubrey VandenHoek, Chapel intern, who has taken this on as yet another “special project.”

May these reflections on scripture help you walk each step of the Lenten journey until you find yourself standing at the mouth of the empty tomb—proclaiming, “He has risen, indeed!”

Grace and peace, Guy Chmieleski Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Campus Ministries

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A Guide for Daily Devotion Quiet Your Heart As we seek the Lord, it is important that we slow our pace, our mind and body, so that we might better “see” and “hear” what the Lord might have for us. A major part of preparing a place for God to speak involves turning down the volume of the noisy world we have become so accustomed to living in. Take a few minutes to focus your mind’s attention and heart’s affection on the ever-presence of Jesus.

Opening Prayer Comfort, comfort your people, O God! Speak peace to your people.

Comfort those who sit in darkness and mourn, Forgive us our sins and end the conflict in our lives.

The Reading of Scripture Take time to slowly, and prayerfully read the scripture passages assigned for the day. Sit with the stories and try to find yourself in the narratives. Don’t force a lesson, but instead allow yourself to take in all of the different elements of the scriptures.

The Devotional Reflection Read the devotional reflection for the day. The devotional reflection will correspond to the season of Lent and the scriptures assigned to that day. A current student or campus leader has contributed each reflection – all of whom are on their own spiritual journey and walking with you through this season of Lent.

Listen for God Before you rush on to the next part of your day, take a few moments to sit with the things you have read, and ask God if there is something specific for you to takeaway for today. If you sense a leading, be willing to follow it. Maybe write it down somewhere where you will be reminded of it. Allow this to orient you and the work, relationships, and experiences you have throughout your day.

Prayers The following is a suggested guide for prayer during Lent.

• Pray for all Christians around the world and especially for those who endure persecution for their faith.

• Pray that Christ’s peace may cover the world. Pray for the end of conflict and war and the triumph of truth and justice. Pray for those who suffer and grieve.

• Pray for our nation and all those in authority.

• Pray for all those who engage in the educational ministry of the Church and especially for Friends University.

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Wednesday, March 6, 2019 Joel 2: 12-17 The college years are a period of immense growth and learning both mentally and spiritually. These years are also often glamorized as “the time of your lives” or “the good ‘ol days” within pop culture. The expectations placed upon the relatively short period of time from when you first walk onto campus to when you walk across the stage can feel overwhelming. The pressure to maintain an active social life coupled with the stress of needing to succeed academically, perform well at your extracurricular activities, or secure an internship or job is intense. With all these tasks at the forefront of your minds, your relationship with Christ can become lost or minimized in the daily grind or hustle.

Fortunately, as Joel 2:12-17 reminds us, our God is a loving and compassionate Father who is waiting patiently for us to rend our hearts to Him even after a period of absence or lapse of faithfulness on our part. As we enter this season of Lent, I would encourage you to focus not on what you are sacrificing for Christ, but what you are gaining from a renewed commitment to Him. Even if we have strayed far from His word or presence, scripture says not only does God accept us back into the fold, but He bestows His blessings upon us. Thus, renewing our spiritual walk with Christ should not be viewed as a loss of time from our other-worldly pursuits, but a gain in peace, love, commitment, and grace.

Yet, we have to be willing to accept Christ’s love and His blessings for our lives even when we may feel inadequate or unworthy. Receiving God’s blessings requires both reflecting on what God has already done for us and making room for Him in our day-to-day schedules, so He can continue to guide our hearts and minds.

Communing with God does not have to be a solitary act. In fact, Joel encourages us to gather the people, leave our rooms and worship together. In other words, bring God with you into class, the gym, the practice room, the art studio, your work environment, etc. Change your perspective from taking time away from these activities to enriching them with His presence. As you go about your day, reflect upon the ways that you can strengthen your relationship with Christ and be open to Christ’s blessings for you during this season of restoration.

Kassia Waggoner Assistant Professor of Composition

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Thursday, March 7, 2019 Acts 7:30-34 | Exodus 5:10-23 | Psalm 91:1-2 & 9-16 “After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to get a closer look, he heard the Lord say: ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.’ Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look.” (Acts 7:30-34) The most fascinating part of this story is not that a bush was on fire without burning up, but that Moses did not dare to look upon his God. It’s not that Moses had a false impression of who God is, in fact it’s quite the opposite. He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he stood there as a sinful man in front of a holy, just and perfect God, and the only response he could muster was fear. Surprisingly, this is not one of the times in scripture that God says do not be afraid, instead telling Moses he should take off his shoes too!

Just like Moses, we stand today before a perfect and holy God, and just like then, God says, “I have heard [my people’s] groaning and have come down to set them free” (vs. 34). However, this time there is a difference; instead of leaving us to cower in fear like we deserve, Jesus raises our chin with His hand saying, “Look!”

An angel appeared in a burning bush on a mountain long ago, blazing brightly and lighting the darkness. God’s Son appeared on a cross in a far more profound darkness so we might lift our eyes to see a glory outshining with dazzlingly intensity that which Moses gazed upon all those centuries before. Because of what Jesus has done for us, fear is no longer necessary to approach God. We can look upon a holy God because we have been transformed into a holy people, covered completely by Jesus’ spotless perfection.

On that tree, upon which our Savior bled and died, let our eyes now rest. Here we are faced with God’s wonder and glory, here we see His unfailing love. Do not be afraid to look.

John Ralston ` Senior, Spanish, Singing Quakers, JVE

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Friday, March 8, 2019 Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 | Exodus 6:1-13 | Acts 7:35-42 “The Lord is my refuge.”

The Psalmist makes this bold statement at the beginning of Psalm 91. But what does it mean? Firstly, the presence of Jesus is a judgement-free place. It’s a place where you can drop the mask and stop worrying about appearances. It’s a place where you can speak the deepest things on your mind. It’s a place where you can truly feel safe.

Do you view Jesus in this light? As we go about life, we tend to pick up baggage. This baggage can also be called a narrative, that is, a story we tell ourselves about God. These beliefs don’t have to be earth shattering, in fact, they tend to be little falsehoods that slip in under our radar.

Maybe it’s a fear your’e “not correctly saved.”

Maybe you think your problems are “too little” for God. Maybe you’re afraid you’ve “upset” God. All of this baggage stands in the way of us seeing God as He truly is. In reality, you are completely justified, holy and blameless in front of God. There’s nothing you can do to shake that truth.

Once again, as the Psalmist says, the Lord is our place of hope, our place of complete peace. Eugene Peterson translates Psalm 91:1-13 using this phrase, “His huge outstretched arms protect you—under them you’re perfectly safe; His arms fend off all harm.”

Take a few minutes to sit in that image. You, held in the arms of God. Hold this feeling with you as you go throughout the day.

Lacey Morris Junior, Human Services/Sociology, Christian Spiritual Formation Certificate

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Saturday, March 9, 2019 John 12:27-36 | Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 In John 12:27-36, Jesus is discussing the times to come. In our culture, we have become obsessed with time.

Clocks are nearly everywhere around us: on our walls, in our pockets, on our appliances, on our car dashes, and on our wrists. No matter where we are it seems that we have a need to know what the exact time is. I think it is safe to say that we enjoy time for the structure it gives us, the certainty it provides and the rhythm it allows.

While those things are helpful, time can often constrict us, rush us and steal us from the present moments.

In verse 35, Jesus says, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you…” Jesus gives his listeners no specifications and no exact times as to how long the light will be with them. Instead of being concerned about when the light will end or paralyzed by the darkness to come, Jesus commands his listeners to “walk while you have the light.” He is saying be present to these moments and live fully into the time that is now, the time that you have with the light.

Just as Jesus spoke and said to walk in the light while you have it, I want to challenge us to walk in the present circumstances that we have. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says that there is a time for everything, because all of these things found in verses 2-8 can be helpful to build us and shape us if we allow them to. I believe this is best done by living into our present moments whether they are seemingly good or seemingly hard. Walk in the weeping while you have it. Walk in healing while you have it. Walk in the gathering while you have it. Walk in the silence while you have it. Walk in the tearing apart while you have it. Whatever your current condition is, do not flee from it, but be present to it. Allow Christ to work in you through it no matter how much longer it might last, because it is okay to not know and it is okay to not have the certainty of the time. This current season might only be just a little while longer.

Christa Titus Senior RA, GRH, Health Science, Christian Spiritual Formation

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WEEK ONE Week one Verses

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Sunday, March 10, 2019 Deuteronomy 26:1-11| Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 | Luke 4:1-13 | Romans 10:8b-13 It’s the first Sunday of Lent – and possibly one of the first moments you’ve had to slow down enough to let the meaning of this season sink in past the surface layers of your subconscious. That’s how most of us function, isn’t it? We live life at such an intense pace, with calendars that tend to manage us rather than the other way around. It’s crazy when you really think about it, because we all too often struggle to recognize the weight and significance of moments like these. Seasons of life, like the annual season of Lent, give us the opportunity to quiet much of the noise around us and better pay attention to the one thing – Jesus – that shapes everything.

Lent is the season that leads us to Easter, but before we can celebrate the life we are given through the resurrection of the Savior, we are invited to journey with Him through the final weeks of His life. It is an invitation to step into some of the suffering He endured, for the sake of better understanding the grand gift He offers us – salvation. In fact, it’s hard to really grasp the magnitude of this divine gesture, Christ’s saving work on the cross, without spending the weeks leading up to Easter intentionally and thoughtfully exploring postures and positions like sacrifice, obedience, temptation and salvation.

Our scripture passages for today, all in their own unique ways, touch upon these same themes that we don’t often enough give serious time or attention to. These postures, these positions – they embody the very life of Christ, and the challenges that we face as we attempt to live as faithful followers of Jesus.

Sacrifice.

Obedience.

Temptation.

Salvation.

Read over our scripture passages for today. Sit with them. Allow them each to wash over you as you are still in the presence of Jesus. Ask Him for fresh eyes and ears, to see and hear, the world as Christ does.

Then challenge yourself, and ask God for His divine strength, to walk through the days and weeks ahead with a greater sense of connection to Christ in this season of Lent. Pray for it! Work for it – everyday! Make it your sacrifice to God, during this season of Lent, to fight off the temptation to do life on your own terms, and instead, in a posture of obedience, choose to yield your life to the Savior of the world!

Guy Chmieleski Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Campus Ministries

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Monday, March 11, 2019 Psalm 17 | 1 Chronicles 21: 1-17 | 1 John 2: 1-6 We’ve recently come out of seasons of Advent, of Christmas, of Epiphany—each season is full of gifts. We enjoyed the gift of waiting and anticipation. We celebrated the gift of Christ, of his birth and mercy incarnate.

We remembered the gifts brought to the child, Jesus, by the wise men few. We have experienced many gifts and are now choosing to remember, believe and rejoice in another.

Perhaps, as you continue to delve into the word of the Lord throughout this Lenten and Easter season, you will choose to abstain, to fast from one thing or another in order to open time in your life to commit to prayer, to remembering, and to preparing yourself to accept and rejoice in the next gift—the gift of sacrificial love. If you have not yet, try to choose one regular thing in your life (perhaps that is social media, screen time, gossip, distraction, junk food, etc.) and abstain. This could be as Guy Chmieleski presented in yesterday’s devotion, what brings you into a greater sense of connection to Christ.

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Tuesday, March 12, 2019 Psalm 17 | Zechariah 3: 1-10 | 2 Peter 2: 4-21 Scripture Focus:

He is like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion lurking in ambush.

“Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry!

Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!

From your presence let my vindication come!

Let your eyes behold the right!

You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, you have tested me, and you will find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.

With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.

Arise, O LORD! Confront him, subdue him!

Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword, from men by your hand, O LORD, from men of the world whose portion is in this life.

You fill their womb with treasure; they are satisfied with children, and they leave their abundance to their infants.

As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.�

My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped.

I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words.

Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.

Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings, from the wicked who do me violence, my deadly enemies who surround me.

They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly.

They have now surrounded our steps; they set their eyes to cast us to the ground.

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Wednesday, March 13, 2019 Psalm 17 Dear child of God, you are living an abundant life. There are so many good things in each and every day: the air in your lungs, the smile of a friend, the beauty of nature... but these blessings are not the reason why your life is abundant. Your life is abundant because you have constant access to the eternal God in all His fullness and goodness. What would it be like to live each day in the assurance that God is enough? Such an assurance can only come out of a life of contentment.

Psalm 17 shows the difference between a life of contentment and a life of grasping. Following the wicked through the Psalm, it becomes clear that these people do not believe they have the resources to meet life. The Psalmist describes the man of this world as “a great lion hungry for prey” (verse 12). This person is ruled by hunger and will do anything to satiate it, including harming others and puffing himself up. Those who seek after God are also hungry but are not ruled by their appetites. Rather than seeking to appease their desires, they seek God Himself: “And I – in righteousness I will seek Your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing Your likeness” (verse 15). They do not need to seek fulfillment of their desires because God is enough for them and He provides for their needs: “You still the hunger of those You cherish” (verse 14).

The season of Lent is an opportunity to become fully satisfied with God. When we fast from food, media or anything else that forms a part of our everyday lives, we become hungry. Our first impulse when we are hungry is to try to fill the hunger to make it go away. When we fast, though, we seek God instead, trusting that He is enough. We do not try to get what we want out of God, but rather learn to be satisfied with Him in the midst of hunger. We invite Him into our emptiness.

Dear child of God, if you come gently before the Lord and empty yourself in His presence, you will not be disappointed. You will learn that hunger with God is so much more satisfying than fullness without Him. I pray that this season, you learn to stop living out of a lack and wasting your time in grasping and getting. I pray that you become more and more satisfied with God until your life becomes a life of contentment and abundance in Christ.

Bethany Filer Sophomore, Music, Christian Spiritual Formation, Singing Quakers, JVE

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Thursday, March 14, 2019 Psalm 27 | Genesis 13:1-7, 14-18 | Philippians 3:2-12 Psalm 27:1 starts with saying that “The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?” In life, we are sometimes faced with things that fill us with fear. For example, one of my fears is clowns, but I do not think that the Psalmist had clowns in mind when writing this. I believe that the Psalmist was talking about being afraid of those who are against him. Just like Satan was against Jesus in those 40 days in the wilderness. We are often pushed outside our comfort zone to explore and experience new things. Jesus might ask us to get out of our comfort zones to explore His calling on our lives and to see what He has in store for us. In order to discern our calling, we can dive into different spiritual practices, such as the one that Jesus practiced in those 40 days. One example is fasting. There is no better time to practice a new spiritual exercise than now.

I encourage you during this Lent season that you step outside of your comfort zone and practice some spiritual disciplines. It might just be that fasting would challenge you in a way that helps grow your relationship with Christ. As you explore, I hope you will keep Psalm 27 in mind, with how it starts, but also how it ends. I leave you with Psalm 27:13-14 “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

Bailee Nichols-Clary Senior, Religion and Philosophy

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Friday, March 15, 2019 Psalm 27 | Genesis 14:17-24 | Philippians 3:17-20 This winter’s day, I planned to meet friends for lunch.

We gathered to share stories and exchange Christmas gifts. It was an enjoyable time spent, the pace of conversation quickening and slowing dependent upon the urgency of the topic. Food was served, grace offered and the storytelling again commenced. While dining, my dear friend mentioned we had known one another over 30 years. I blinked, almost in disbelief at this realization. Our friendship had provided so much personal joy, security, faith sharing and strength.

As I drove home, enjoying a spectacular sunset this same evening, I began thinking about my long and treasured friendship, and how this special relationship sustained me during important times. We had shared much together in life, always with a thread of faith and belief to connect us more closely.

Philippians 3:17 says, “Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.”

As miles passed, my thoughts deepened. Specifically, I wondered, “Have I been a good friend to God? Am I constant in my servanthood, while also allowing God to provide in my times of need, offering security and peace?”

Psalm 27:1 says, “The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?”

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David demonstrated the trust of a committed and faithful believer. He faced great trials and tribulations, yet continued to seek goodness, beauty and safety in the Lord Almighty. David called upon the Lord, never doubting only seeking. David was not a fair-weather friend.

As we prepare our hearts during Lent, perhaps we should revisit the personal relationship God desires to have with us, to be our stronghold, light and salvation.

Invite the sweet peace and presence of the Lord to our tables, thoughts, actions and decision-making, believing and trusting that His power will sustain us through all trials. Friends are a true blessing. Trust, seek, be patient and know that God is with us. He is the greatest friend to humankind.

Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait for the Lord; Be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

The Servant Song by Gillard: “Will you let me be your servant? Let me be as Christ to you. Pray that I might have the grace to let you be my servant too.”

Lisa Schmidt Director of Graduate Workshops

Saturday, March 16, 2019 Psalm 118:27 We are not designed for solitude or complete independence. I try so often to walk with God by myself, and after Christ humbles me to my inability to experience Him fully on my own, He surrounds me with so many people who invest in me and demonstrate a genuine care for the growth of my faith. Christ desires deeply for each of us to take part in the Kingdom of God because it is at large today. However, the Kingdom is not me and Him or you and Him. It is all of His children in proximity to each other praising the same awesome God. We, as followers of Christ, are called daily to praise God, not passively, but with jubilation and the utmost surrender to Him. In Psalm 118:27, we are reminded to join in the “festal procession” for Christ. Jump, scream, run, cheer, sing and dance for your KING. Live in His name, as is our calling in Psalm. Make noise for Him and remember that a crowd can cheer louder than an individual. When you’re worshiping in a dimly lit sanctuary and you are frozen with fear when God asks you to go to the alter, go with a friend. Know that your praise is no less genuine, and you are no less worthy of the Kingdom.

As you walk alone to your next class, sit at a crowded basketball game or stand still during Sunday morning worship, see and acknowledge the light, the Jesus, in everyone and everything around you, and live accordingly.

Glorify God without shame and with energy in everything you do.

Dear awesome God, boy-oh-boy do I love you. I know I can’t surrender myself completely without your help and it scares me to think of sacrificing my comfort to follow you, but I want to. I pray that you help me to want you and to engulf me and take me completely into your love. I want to run a hundred miles to give you a rose and scream my love for you from the mountain tops. Thank you so much for never forsaking me and for endlessly blessing me. I love you lots. Amen.

Be afraid and do it anyway, friends.

Sydney Roe Freshman, Sociology and Christian Spiritual Formation

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WEEK TWO Week two verses

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Sunday, March 17, 2019 Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 | Psalm 27 | Philippians 3:17-4:1 | Luke 13:31-35 We often live our life in fear, even if we believe in God. Abraham is genuinely anxious and frustrated at God’s timing with his covenant to make Abraham’s offspring a great nation. Abraham wanted to see God’s promise achieved. So, out of fear of losing the promise, he and Sarah had Ishmael with Haggar. God’s response, though, was that Ishmael would not be the seed of all but only the very flesh and blood of Abraham and Sarah would be that beginning.

Periodically, we trust God and, in the Psalm, we see the sentiment of the Psalmist as great joy and confidence in God granting victory and fulfilling His promise. Ideally, with God, there is to be no fear. In fact, “fear not” is often a start to a conversation with God. Typically, it means to not be afraid of God or what comes next. But, it is also a reminder to not let fear guide you for there will be victory with God. Today’s passages all refer to covenants, God’s promise. A covenant is an agreement between a sovereign and his people. This implies stipulations on both sides of the agreement. The importance of these passages on covenants is that they clarify our proper role and relationship with God through Christ. We are to be the new citizens of heaven, the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise of a great nation.

Christ’s statement that He completes His work is a claim pointing to all of God’s promises made throughout scripture. God does this for us and that is His part of the covenants. During Lent, we should be aware that Christ’s death and resurrection is not just an event but the capstone to the entire dialogue between God and His people.

Our task, then, is to submit to His will, His timing, and His tasks. This is the only way for us to fulfill our part of the covenant. Christ even says that He genuinely wishes to gather us, but we are unwilling. It is our fears that prevent us from submitting to His great authority. Jesus wants you to know that there is no fear in Him. He alone can accomplish the task of salvation, redemption and fulfillment of the covenants. He already desires us and demands our lives. When we genuinely act on that we too can shout with joy for the victory won for us.

Jeremy Gallegos Professor of Philosophy and Ethics

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Monday, March 18, 2019 Psalm 105:1-42 | Exodus 33:1-6 | Romans 4:1-12 On this Monday, journal about what you have learned from fasting thus far. Is it teaching you about what you are missing out on when you distract yourself? Is it allowing you to grow closer to God? How do you feel? Do you feel as if you are in a deep connection with Jesus?

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Tuesday, March 19, 2019 Psalm 105:1-42 | Numbers 14: 10-24 | 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Lent is a season of reflection and preparation. During these 40 days, we fast from something that easily takes our attention, instead turning our attention to the Lord. This fast enables us to participate in the sacrifice Christ made for us.

We are now about two weeks into this period of contemplation. For me, this is about the time that my fast has become more of a habit – something in the back of my mind – rather than something to point me back to God. I notice it less than I did in the beginning, and when I am not noticing the fast, it can no longer serve the purpose of turning my attention to Christ. This practice which is meant to take me out of my ordinary routine has now become a part of my ordinary routine. As I read through these scripture passages, one phrase stuck out to me: He is mindful of his covenant forever.

Mindful seems to be a buzzword in our culture these days. Everywhere you turn there is a new app or trick for practicing mindfulness. While it is popular, practicing mindfulness is also quite difficult. We do not have the attention spans to continually be mindful, not for 30 minutes of meditation, let alone 40 days of Lent.

But our God is mindful forever. He does not forget us, not even for a moment. His covenant with the human race is always at the front of His mind.

I may be a silly human who easily forgets my God is with me, but my God is constantly present to me. As you reflect today, think about this eternal presence. In the midst of class, work, homework and practice, your God is present. He is mindful of you and His promise to you. Try this practice to help you be mindful of the Lord’s presence: Begin by breathing deeply, in and out. In sync with your breath, try this simple prayer or something similar: “Lord, remind me of your presence.” Let your prayer rise and fall with your breathing, and repeat for 10 or 15 breaths. This practice can be done in the privacy of your bedroom, walking to class or driving to work. Try it multiple times throughout the day today, and pay attention to how you feel both before and after the practice.

God is mindful of His covenant forever.

Shawntel Shirkey Apprentice Institute Recruiting and Event Coordinator

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Wednesday, March 20, 2019 Psalm 105 Sometimes it is hard to grasp certain aspects about God that we may not see in our own lives, but perhaps we are not searching hard enough to discover His presence in every moment that we breathe. The faithfulness that God shows to us stretches all the way from the Old Testament into our daily lives today. Psalm 105 speaks of His covenant to Israel, but before we unfold their story, it is important to view covenant as a binding contract that could never be broken. It is so binding that even when we are unfaithful, God is still faithful no matter what the circumstance.

The Israelites struggled many times with unfaithfulness; they created idols, they feared starvation, they almost turned back to slavery, and many other things which we can probably relate to in some way or another. But every time Israel would turn their back on God He would provide for them food and water; He would protect and defend them against their enemies; He rescued them from slavery; He blessed them with the Promised Land; He lead them through the wilderness; and the list goes on.

These blessings may seem farfetched in our society with all of its luxuries, but God still does these things for us today. It is our responsibility to notice them as blessings that are from Him. I want to challenge you to look at your life: the people in your community, your mentors, family, friends, your job, the food you eat, the roof over your head, and all the other things we take for granted, and see God in them. Those are blessings from Him that testify of His faithfulness to you. He is a faithful God that will never leave you or forsake you. Make a list of every way you see Him in your life, notice Him in those things throughout your day, week and month. It may start to change your view of the world and even change you.

Sarah Durant Senior, Vocal Performance, Christian Spiritual Formation

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Thursday, March 21, 2019 Daniel 3:18 The period of Lent was conceived, more than anything else as a time of waiting. The notion of sacrifice—of giving up, or going without—is tightly entwined with these 40 days, as a way to help remind us of Jesus’ greatest sacrifice, and spiritually humble us in preparation for the glorious promises conveyed through the celebration of Easter. But mostly, it is about waiting.

Waiting patiently, enduring doubt and fear and difficulty, looking forward to God’s salvation, but not knowing when or how it will arrive, is a key part of the Christian life. If we gain anything from reflecting on the scriptures during the long days leading to Easter, it is a reminder of putting our hope and trust in Christ, whenever–and, indeed, however–His grace may come.

The Book of Daniel tells the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. These exiles from Israel had been made provincial authorities–yet, faithful to God—they refused to worship the idol that King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon commanded his subjects to bow down to.

Infuriated, Nebuchadnezzar said he would burn them alive in a furnace if they did not submit. They responded that they had confidence that God, if He wills it, would protect His faithful servants from the fire. And then they added, as the King James Version of the Bible puts it: “But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up” (Daniel 3:18).

The first three words of that passage of scripture– “but if not”–speak volumes. They have served, for many years, as a call to endurance, resolution and faith.

As more than 350,000 British, French and Belgian troops were trapped on the beaches of Dunkirk in 1940, with the Germany army surrounding them, picking them off one at a time, a British commander sent a coded message to London. It read simply: “But if not.” The meaning was clear. Yes, we hope to be rescued; we pray for it. But if rescue does not come at this time, in this way, our commitment to the cause, our refusal to surrender, remains firm.

Life can be hard; waiting patiently for Easter, for God’s promises, through pain and hardship, is part of that hardness. We are called to be confident and faithfully endure. God gives us Lent before Easter to help us learn how to do just that.

Russell Fox Professor of Political Science

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Friday, March 22, 2019 Psalm 63:3 The middle of the semester is a very understandable time to feel emotionally and physically drained.

These days, there are a number of products ready to meet our needs. From energy drinks to the latest self-help trend, someone always has a quick fix. When I find myself feeling depleted, I typically think; “oh it will pass” or “I must improve to move past it.” I am quick to be dissatisfied with life and on the lookout for ways to quench the nagging desire to improve my current circumstances.

David knew better, he knew God was his help. Although David was in the wilderness of Judah, he was much more concerned about the spiritual desert he was experiencing as opposed to his physical sufferings. David must have experienced God in a way I can only imagine. It causes me to reflect on ways I experience God and how His presence is always near. It is often during times of struggle and suffering, that God commands our attention and brings to light how desperate we are for Him. In what ways do you focus on amending your needs?

Are you allowing yourself to be distracted from the help God is offering?

I encourage you to reframe your needs of this world and listen to what your soul is craving. Psalm 63:3 says, “Your steadfast love is better than life and my lips will praise you.”

Sarah Hatcher Co-Director of Residence Life

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Saturday, March 23, 2019 Psalm 63:1-8 | Isaiah 5:1-7 | Luke 6:43-45 The scripture says that the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. What is your heart full of? You can tell by what you speak. Is it full of grace? Are your words good and profitable for building others up? Or is it evil there?

During Lent, consider what habits you need to change in your life so there is only good stored up in your heart.

What evil things need to be cut out? It doesn’t have to be extreme, just contemplate which of these needs ousted: anger, rage, malice, slander, greed (which is idolatry), and filthy language from your lips? Take up your cross with Christ and leave the nastiness without looking back. Look to Him when the bad looks enticing and the good looks too hard.

How can you store up good things in your heart? Maybe your traditional and sacrificial Lenten season should be complemented with practices of promoting what is good. This is still a sacrifice because it would be easier to do nothing. Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12) because each tree is known by its fruit and a good person produces good out of the good stored up in his heart (Luke 6:44-45).

Jolene Jensen Freshman, Zoo Science, Conservation Science, Christian Spiritual Formation

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WEEK THREE Week three verses

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Sunday, March 24, 2019 Isaiah 55:1-9 | Psalm 63:1-8 | 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 | Luke 13:1-9 Lent is the season in the liturgical calendar where the Church is in preparation for Easter. It is a time of repentance, mourning, prayer and self-denial. Most who observe Lent take the time during this season for selfreflection and repentance. Individual repentance is critical to spiritual growth; communal repentance is critical to healthy spirituality in the Church.

Today’s passage in Corinthians outlines the ways in which a majority of the Israelites failed to follow God. Paul talks about them as a community, the body of believers whose sin kept them in the wilderness for 40 years.

He goes on to address the current group of Christians and continues to address them using plural pronouns.

Community is important and repenting as a body of believers, not only as individuals is important for the Church.

We must not keep to ourselves in our confession and repentance, but as communities of believers, we must recognize where we have participated, been complacent or created systems rooted in violence, greed, racism, sexism, oppression of the poor and marginalized and much more. These problems are not only in the public sphere of life but exist within our own bodies of worship. How are the systems in our churches hurting more than they are helping? How have we as a body of believers become complicit with or participated in systems that are causing oppression rather than embracing the marginalized?

Take some time today to talk with someone in your church community about how you can see God together during this time and ask where as a community of believers you might be led to confession and repentance.

Haley Alloway Associate Campus Poster and Outreach Coordinator

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Monday, March 25, 2019 Psalm 39 | Jeremiah 11: 1-17 | Romans 2: 1-11 It has been three weeks since the Lenten season began. As you are fasting from whatever it is you are fasting from, I encourage you to seek out friends this week and connect with them. One of the greatest blessings of being a Christ follower is Christ-centered community. Table fellowship is beautifully constructed so that each member of the community can engage in conversation and accountability. Meet with others in your home, or their home, grocery shop together, cook a meal together, eat dinner together, and check in on each other’s lives as you fast and abstain (from something other than food). If you are fasting with food, plan your table fellowship for a weekend that you’re not on a fast, or eat specific foods you are not fasting from. If you’re needing some accountability to let the Lenten season draw you closer to Jesus, this can be a helpful way to keep yourself in check. We grow best when we grow together.

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Tuesday, March 26, 2019 Psalm 39 Psalm 39 is a beautiful reminder of how important it is to rely on God. When we try to do everything ourselves and figure it all out in our head, it becomes so overwhelming that we eventually blow up and usually end up saying more than we ever intended.

For David, he said it like this “But as I stood there in silence—not even speaking of good things—the turmoil within me grew worse. The more I thought about it, the hotter I got, igniting a fire of words…”

He couldn’t keep it all bottled up. As you read, you’ll see how David prays, completely bursting and crying out to God. He says, “let me know how fleeting I am.”

The language used might sound a little dramatic, but I think there are some good reminders to be received here. What I really feel in David’s prayer is “Lord, remind me of my need for you. Don’t let me try to do it all on my own. Show me how short my life is so that I can rely on you completely and not waste it.”

I think we often find ourselves in the same position as David. We try and try and try to not do the wrong thing. We think that by our own power we can achieve whatever it is we are trying to accomplish. Often, we forget the power of the Lord.

Father, we acknowledge your presence. We are thankful to be in it. We are in awe of you.

Father God, we thank You for the wonderful counselor that we have in You, what a great privilege to be able to come completely before You with anything and everything. May we not become silent, but may we actively pursue You, and then become vessels that pour out Your truth to others. As we continue in this season of Lent, may we not take it lightly the price You paid, but may we be completely astounded by Your glory and power and love for us. God, make us aware of how you are moving in, through and around us – today, this week, and this season of Lent. You are so good and so gracious, and we love you so much.

Thank you.

Olena Brown Freshman, Ballet, Health Science, Christian Spiritual Formation

As we continue into this season of Lent, I encourage you to meditate on what it really means to lean into the Lord. To rest in him, trust Him and let Him speak through you to give life and light to the world. As you dwell on the cross and the meaning behind it, truly take a minute to feel the power and love of Jesus, that He would endure all the suffering so that we may have an abundant life. Then, remember that we have access to all the same power through Him, we need only ask for His help.

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Wednesday, March 27, 2019 Psalm 39 | Numbers 13:17-27 | Luke 13:18-21 David begins Psalm 39 by describing how he will keep his tongue from sin and put a muzzle on his mouth while in the presence of the wicked (39:1). Basically, this demonstrates the fact that we can easily fall in line with what is happening around us. David must have been surrounded by negativity and wickedness, so in an effort to remain righteous, he decided to close his mouth altogether. So, he tells us he remained silent, not even saying anything good (39:2). However, we can conclude that this did not work very long for him because he says, “but my anguish increased; my heart grew hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned.” (39:2-3).

This Psalm goes on to talk about how fleeting life is and how the span of our years is nothing before the Lord.

Some of what David is saying can seem quite full of anguish and despair. I think, though, what he was getting at was that people were not realizing there was more to life than just the physical world. In Psalm 39:6, David writes, “in vein they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be.”

In this Old Testament passage, the Israelites were still roaming the desert and were exploring the land of Canaan. Moses sends out a few men to see what it had to offer. The men came back with fresh, juicy grapes and sweet pomegranates and told of how the land flowed with milk and honey (13:27). The Israelites probably could not see past their shortcomings in the desert, so they must have been infatuated with this idea of a land that flowed with milk and honey. This can tie back into the passage from Psalm. They were only concerned with fulfilling their physical desires, unafraid of the consequences of their actions.

In Luke 13:18-21, Jesus is telling the parable of the mustard seed and the yeast. Both of these items start out extremely small, but grow into something much greater. During this time of Lent, we should work on not focusing on the physical here and now and what we see, but to see that God is more and has more for us. Place your hope in God alone.

Mark Persinger Junior, Health Science

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Thursday, March 28, 2019 Psalm 32 | Joshua 4:1-13 | 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:5 “Christ has died.” These words, often spoken flippantly and skipped straight over, are particularly important during this Lenten season. More often than not we neglect to linger on the deep impact these words would have had for our spiritual ancestors, the apostles, as they stand seemingly bereft of the man they thought would save them. We move straight on to the “Christ has risen bit,”with its joyful proclamation of victory and look forward with hope inspired by the statement Christ will come again. We move straight to the purpose of the pain and suffering of Christ’s death, yet during Lent, we are reminded to stand in the tension of this moment in the story where hope’s face has yet to be revealed. Lent seems to be a period of time particularly conducive to the practice of silence, where space is made to sit with the apostles in this tension: a waiting period where what we await may not be apparent. It is a time of bereavement.

Yet, this does not strip Christ’s death of its meaning. Indeed, the suffering makes the meaning all the more pronounced. The Psalm we are reading from today reminds us of the joy of forgiveness. A joy that we would not know if it were not for God’s abundant love for us made manifest in the horrible and painful death of Jesus. As Jesus submits Himself to death for our sake, we find the intersection of suffering, of hope, and of grace brought into a situation which, for a time, seemed truly hopeless! It is in this act of grace we see God confirming, once and for all, His overwhelming love for those whom He created. As the light of the sun is reflected in the moon, so too does this act of grace and love find itself reflected into our world through our lives as followers of Christ.

Lent is that point in time where we have yet to see the light of God’s grace illumine a dark and hopeless night.

I encourage you, however, to consider that even now this light hurtles through the cosmos on its way into the lives of God’s people and those whom they encounter.

Sam Dupuis Senior, Zoology

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Friday, March 29, 2019 Psalm 32 | Joshua 4:14-24 | 2 Corinthians 5:6-15 During the Lenten season, we, as believers in Christ, are preparing ourselves for the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. How do we prepare ourselves for such an event? During Lent, this usually comes through prayer, repentance, giving or self-denial. These different practices, whether giving something up or trying something new, allow space to reflect on ourselves. Whatever you are doing this season, it is in an effort to reorient your life toward Christ. Take a few moments to read through Psalm 32.

I read this Psalm, and I see a movement from death into life. In verse 3, the Psalmist is lamenting that God’s “hand was heavy upon me.” But in verse 5, it reads, “Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,’ and you forgave the guilt of my sin.” At this moment, the Psalm passes from lament into celebration. When the Psalmist repents, he is then able to celebrate and praise God. I believe that confession and repentance are significant, though often lost on us in modern church practice.

Confession and repentance are important aspects of reorienting ourselves toward Christ in this season of Lent. These practices are not about being forgiven, for we are already forgiven. They are given to us that we may be reoriented toward Christ and be prepared for His overwhelming love that is revealed to us on the cross. In confession, we are allowing ourselves to be seen by God but even more importantly by ourselves.

We acknowledge to ourselves that we have brokenness only Christ can fix. During this season, we should all consider taking time to “confess [our] transgressions to the LORD” along with the Psalmist in order to submit ourselves wholly at the foot of the cross.

When we have reoriented ourselves during this season, we can celebrate with the Psalmist at Easter saying, “Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.” And as we shout for joy, we also remember what Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:15, “And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.” Now, let us prepare to give our lives wholly to Christ who gave His life wholly to us.

Devin Withrow Sophomore, Religion and Philosophy, Christian Spiritual Formation, Singing Quakers, Apprentice Outreach

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Saturday, March 30, 2019 Psalm 32 | Joshua 4: 14-24 | 2 Corinthians 5: 6-15 “So we are always of good courage.”

Lent is often a season of difficulty for me. Every year, I am reminded of the grave sacrifice Jesus paid so that we might not owe anything but faithfulness. It is often painful for me to remember that during this time, Jesus was tortured, that He did not die beautifully and painlessly—but brutally and honestly. It is often hard for me to see past Friday and into Sunday. I don’t know how to not get stuck thinking about my sins—about the sins of the world. I do not know how to better use this time as a time of rejoicing and of glorifying the Lord. This is why the verses in 2 Corinthians 5 have been so impactful to me this season.

“For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.”

Good faith and courage are brought to us through this passage. We are recruited to a “ministry of reconciliation.” We know that because Friday happens, Sunday must come! We know that we are called not to be so mournful that we stop acting, that we stop moving for the good of the kingdom. We are called to this message because it is a good one, because it happened, because God has overcome the world!

This is not a story of shame. It is not one told so that we may be brought to tears at our selfishness, anger and impurities that called Jesus to the cross. That is not where the story ends. The story is told because we are new creations in Christ. The story is blessed because it reminds us of the kindness and love that has surpassed every year, every human infliction, every subtle statement of disbelief to shake awake our souls and call them into purpose.

“We are always of good courage… for we walk by faith, not by sight.”

We don’t have to stand at the literal, physical foot of the cross to experience goodness. Instead, we can fast, we can pray, we can reach out in Jesus’ name to bring connection and reconciliation so close to us that we may deny neither our faith, nor our living God. Aubrey VandenHoek; Junior, English, CSF, Campus Ministries

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WEEK FOUR Week four verses

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Sunday, March 31, 2019 Joshua 5:9-12 | Psalm 32 | 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 | Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 Although the Lenten season is a time where we practice sacrifice and withdrawal, this time is not meant to be empty space. During Lent, many people practice sacrificing something like social media or sweets. Instead of focusing on what you would be lacking, focus more on what you will be gaining. Margin is a great thing to practice within your day or week. Margin is having a set aside time where you don’t have anything to do but spend time with God. What will you do in this time of reflection? Journal? Draw? Pray? A good example of how to practice margin well during Lent is this: if you are sacrificing social media, every time you are tempted to look at social media fill that time with reading and meditating on scripture. This way, it’s not as if you are missing out on something, but you are making space for the Holy Spirit to work in your life.

Psalm 32 can be a great encouragement to us, especially in this season of waiting and sacrifice. Psalm 32:5 says, “I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity.” When you have margin and are spending time with God, it is extremely important to be as vulnerable as possible, both with God and with yourself. The practice of confession is not meant to make you feel shame, but to break down barriers built by sin so you can build up your relationship with God. Another thing to keep in mind is that the place where you meet with God is safe. “You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah” (32:6-7). You don’t have to keep your guard up or hide anything from God because God already knows you intimately. This time is for you to get to know God more intimately and understand how God is already at work in your life.

Lastly, God sees you and will guide you to understanding… if you let Him (32:8-9). What practices help you understand God’s love for you and how God is already at work? And most importantly, how can you be more vulnerable and invite God into your life today?

Sarah Mason Senior, Religion & Philosophy

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Monday, April 1, 2019 Psalm 53 | Leviticus 23:26-41 | Revelation 19:1-8 Journal about the journey you have taken thus far in the year. What has God been teaching you about yourself?

About others? About Him? How can you learn to further rely on and trust in Christ during this season? How can you better lean on Him in order to make the reality of His sacrifice mean something in your life today?

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Tuesday, April 2, 2019 Psalm 53 | Leviticus 25: 1-19 | Revelation 19: 9-10 “The land will yield its fruit, and you will eat your fill and dwell in it securely.”

This passage in Leviticus speaks on the year of jubilee. It is a blessed time of rejoicing and gladness! Of Sabbath and rest! In a time, such as Lent, it is good to experience rest. It is good to experience joy. I am not always good at resting. I can be far too achievement motivated at times, and if I am not accomplishing some grand task, it is hard for me to see that I am doing any good with my existence. There was a call on these people in Leviticus that asked them to do exactly this—stop working and achieving and distracting yourself with accomplishments long enough to rest in God’s command. This is not a call to sloth, by any means. It is a call to focus, a call to centering attention. In this Lenten season, as you engage in the word of the Lord, as you center your attention around the sacrifice of Jesus, the living hope that is Jesus, rest and proclaim this great joy.

“It shall be a solemn year of rest for the land. The Sabbath of the land shall provide food for you” and everyone and anything who lives in your land with you.

Though the chasm that laid between God and His people at this time was large, this rest created space to say, “The work is finished! And now we may proclaim the name of our King, God on high!” I want to challenge you to be more motivated during this Lenten season by your relationship with Christ who set you free. I want to challenge you to create space to Sabbath throughout this season. Maybe your Sabbath will turn into a once-aweek fast from work and distraction in order to experience the resurrection of Christ in a new and beautiful way this season. Maybe it will be a new surrender of control for you, so you can allow yourself to trust that God, in your faithful Sabbath, will provide for you the same way in which the Sabbath of the land was to provide food for people in Leviticus.

“It shall be a year of solemn rest.”

Learn to rest in Jesus’ name this season! Learn to proclaim the joy of our God with your time of Sabbath. God will be faithful.

Aubrey VandenHoek Junior, English, CSF, Campus Ministries

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Wednesday, April 3, 2019 Psalm 53 | 2 Kings 4:1-7 | Luke 9:10-17 God Provides in Abundance God works in a way of meeting us where we are, taking what little we have to offer, and works it all together for His good. God doesn’t simply meet our needs, He makes sure that we are taken care of. God’s provision is plentiful and comes in an over abundant quantity, but in order to enter into this abundant life we must complete the task of surrendering all we are and all we have. Only then, in complete and daily surrender, we are inviting God to multiply us for His kingdom.

It took a lot of courage for the widow to surrender her only possession, a small jar of oil. However, once she let go of something so vital to her life as she knew it, God was able to use it. God not only provides what is necessary for the widow and her family in this story, but He gave in abundance.

As we celebrate Lent, especially in this season of life, change seems to be inevitable. I believe God is on a mission to radically change the world through His people, even if that means baby steps. In order for God to change the world through us, or even simply change our daily lives, we must not sit in what is comfortable. We must not hold on so tightly to our one jar of oil. If we never let go of the one jar, we may miss out on God’s promise to overflow the vessels in ways we never even imagined could be possible.

Matty Donaldson Junior, Business Administration

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Thursday, April 4, 2019 Isaiah 43: 1-7 Close your eyes. Yes, you read that right. Close your eyes and picture yourself. What do you see? If you’re anything like I am, you see all of the things that you’d like to change about yourself and that you don’t particularly like about yourself. Now, think about the fact that you were made in Jesus’ image and that He knows you by name. The Savior of the universe would do anything for you. In Isaiah 43, God tells us just how far He would go to show how much He loves us. He would give up the most precious of land and riches just so you can hear Him say the best three words: “I love you!”

God desires so deeply for us to feel His love and for us to love Him in return. He will shut out the most dominant worldly powers to encourage His sons and daughters to come out of hiding and into His amazing love. In His love, we have nothing to fear. Isaiah reassures us that we can walk through waters, rushing rivers, or even a blazing fire. All it takes is us to come running to Him and devote our lives to walking with Him. The world may be a flawed place where bad things happen to good people. This can cause some fear or doubt, but I want to encourage you. Do not be disheartened by this. Take these experiences as an opportunity to dig deep into the love of God and experience His peace as you walk through these rivers or fires.

Bailey Pohlman Freshman, Elementary Education

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Friday, April 5, 2019 Psalm 126 | Isaiah 43: 8-15 | Philippians 2: 25-3:1 God is in the business of restoration.

What in your life needs restoration? What needs help being picked up, mended and put back together? God isn’t someone who takes pleasure in seeing our lives falling apart. He longs for us to be made whole. To be alive. To be restored into the image we have been created in. The image of God. And how do we participate in this restoration?

With willingness, open hearts, open minds and moldable lives.

You. You were made for a life of abundance. You were made to feel alive and whole. You were made for more than that which seems to burden you. How will you live alive? How will you welcome the restoration of yourself, back to your home base, back to who you were made to be?

We can feel joy because of our restoration. What has been restored in your life? What do you need restored?

Invite God in. Yeah, He is already there, but for your own sake, let him in the door.

And then share. Share about your restoration. Your story of resurrection. Share about how all of your broken pieces are/have been put back together, put back together with a filling of gold.

Restoration is here.

You’re no longer broken.

Laura Jo Peck Senior, Sociology, Christian Spiritual Formation, Singing Quakers

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Saturday, April 6, 2019 Psalm 126 | Exodus 12:21-27 | John 11:45-57 “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs.”

Little did these chief priests and Pharisees know that one of the greatest signs of Jesus’ life was about to be prophesied and proven. Do you think anyone suspected the miracle that was about to take place? Do you think even Caiaphas knew that the glory of the Lord was about to be received into the earth? Do you think they wondered what would happen next? I wonder, sometimes, what these people did with themselves on Monday… after this man whom they had sentenced to death arrived back at the scene, living, resurrected, revived. They did not have the prior insight that we have during Lenten and Easter seasons.

“If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”

These men were afraid. They saw into the life of Jesus and feared what would come of them if He continued to reveal Himself to His people. They did not know, and they did not want to know who Jesus truly was, for they were afraid that what He said and what He did was true. I think they were afraid to believe that they were encountering Goodness, and they were afraid to believe that when they encountered Goodness, they hated it. “’You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.’ He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation…”

Can you imagine what it must have felt like to hear the high priest proclaim that a man would die on your behalf? If someone told you this now, would it not shock you? Would you try to stop it? Would you feel pressured by the loss of this good man’s life to be so much better than you have been? I often wonder if the words of Caiaphas made those around him shudder. I wonder if anyone wept in the knowledge that someone had to die in order to save them from their sins. I wonder if anyone had a hard time accepting that gift of grace, that agape love. I wonder if they ever wished He hadn’t. And I wonder if they knew that this was the only way, and were okay with it because it was an expression of the affection, the merciful, passionate and relentless affection of their King.

Aubrey VandenHoek Junior, English, CSF Campus Ministries

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WEEK FIVE Week five verses

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Sunday, April 7, 2019 Isaiah 43:16-21 | Psalm 126 | Philippians 3:4b-14 | John 12:1-8 Looking Back or Looking Forward?

By the fifth Sunday in Lent, one is ready for Easter to arrive. Yet, as long as we celebrate Lent, we are continually reminded of the beginning day, Ash Wednesday. When we face difficult times in our regular lives we often look back to the “good old days,” whether they were actually good or not. Seldom do we look forward to anything other than a day on a calendar: a birthday, a wedding, a graduation. We simply don’t know what the future holds in store for us.

Our readings for today tell a different story. In Philippians, Paul says, “whatever things were gain for me (in the past), I have counted those things as a loss (i.e., in the negative column of a balance sheet).” Then he says, “I press on” twice. Paul uses this Greek word in its two distinct connotations, to pursue some goal or to pursue someone, see v. 6, to draw a comparison between what was his past and what IS his future. In Isaiah, God says we are not to call to mind the former things, not to ponder what happened before, because God is about to do something new. We are to be aware of the new activities of God, because God is not a God of the past, but of the present. He is doing some amazing stuff, some remarkable stuff.

The Psalmist reflects on the past in order to anticipate the present. God’s prior work in my life and yours is exactly what encourages us to ask for Him to continue being present in my life and yours. “Being present” means being actively engaged, not just sharing a GPS coordinate with someone. The reading from John 12 prepares us for what our present activity is to be–dying. Mary anoints Jesus with a ridiculously costly perfume, the kind you won’t find at Wal-Mart or even Costco. Mary takes nearly a year’s wages, $18,000 at minimum wage today, and lavished Jesus feet with it. This reversal in foot aroma brings to mind another passage, “How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news” (Isaiah 52:7, Romans 10:15).

What activity of God are you LOOKING FORWARD to today? This week?

Prayer: Lord, may your past activity in my life cause me to look forward expectantly to your activity in my life today.

Stan Harstine Professor of Religion

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Monday, April 8, 2019 Psalm 20 | Exodus 40: 1-15 | Hebrews 10: 19-25 This morning, go out of your way to play. The Lenten season can often bog people down. It’s hard to fast!

However, it does not have to make you miserable. One good way to experience the glory of the Lord and connect with Him in a new way as you dive deeper into Lent, is to play. Worship through fun. Experience Jesus through joy. Know that the celebration of sacrifice we are leading up to is a good thing. Jesus’ sacrifice was, is and forevermore will be a good thing. Partake in joy because the waves of Jesus’ sacrificial love and kindness are shocking into this world thousands of years later. Grace has come. We have been redeemed. Play! Worship in joy! Get to know God by having fun with his people and creation.

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Tuesday, April 9, 2019 Ephesians 1:5 | Romans 8:34 | Judges 9:7-15 | 1 John 2 | Psalm 20 As we prepare for the observance that Good Friday and Easter bring, do we truly know what we are observing?

Psalm 20 is a prayer for the Kings of Israel. Psalm 20:6 states “Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer Him from his holy heaven with the saving might of His right hand.” We are all anointed, adopted as sons into God’s family (Ephesians 1:5). God has saved us and he has done this through His son, Jesus, who is at his right hand (Romans 8:34).

We will look for God in different people, places or possessions. In Judges 9:7-15 Jotham is speaking to the people questioning their faith in their leader. They had no reason to appoint a king, yet they did. He talks of trees looking for a king. They went to many trees that bore good fruit but were turned down. They settled on a bramble which is defined as “a prickly scrambling vine or shrub.” The most common fruit of a bramble is the blackberry. Once established it is hard to get rid of. Once we turn people, places, or possessions into God, our roots take place and grab hold.

The people of the parable were persuaded to appoint a king. Attempts to persuade us, not with people we don’t know but with people we do know, will be made. We must be firm in His word because “no lie is truth” (1 John 2:19). The enemy knows that we are anointed and that starting with the truth will pull us in. Once we are pulled in we are stuck in the “prickly scrambling vine.” Once there, trying to make the one true God our only God becomes very difficult. Abide in God so that when we hear Him we know it is Him (1 John 2:28).

Going back to Psalms 20, the first 5 verses have some repetition “May the Lord,” “May he send,” “May he remember,” “May he grant,” and “May the Lord.” These verses line up with verses 7 and 8. These verses don’t say “May the pastor” or “May my career,” they say “May the Lord” or “May HE.” Anything other than God will “collapse and fall” (Psalm 20:8).

As we observe Good Friday and Easter we must realize that it is God who has anointed us and not anything or anyone else.

Chris Breshears Senior Desktop Support Technician

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Wednesday, April 10, 2019 Psalm 20 | Habakkuk 3: 2-15 | Luke 18: 31-34 Scripture Focus: “May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble!

May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!

May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion!

May he remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans!

May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners!

May the LORD fulfill all your petitions!

Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving might of His right hand.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.

O LORD, save the king!

May he answer us when we call.”

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Thursday, April 11, 2019 Psalm 31: 9-16 | Isaiah 53: 10-12 | Hebrews 2: 1-9 “My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction and my bones grow weak” (Psalm 31:10).

“But I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.” Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love” (Psalm 31: 14, 16).

The term anguish means severe mental or physical pain or suffering. I can say confidently that everybody suffers. We have all experienced some type of suffering in our lives, some suffering more extreme than others. I am sure there has been a time when most of us, if not all of us, have felt as though they have hit rock bottom.

When we trust in something, we know that it will bring success in the future. In order to stop feeling the effects of suffering, we must TRUST in the Lord our God. There is no doubt that this time of Lent is deep, it is dark and it is full of suffering. However, you must choose to TRUST that God will save you and protect you with His unfailing love. Take a moment and think about those two powerful words: “unfailing love.”

There is nothing stronger than God’s love for us. This means that no matter what you are going through, no matter how awful your situation may be, if you put your TRUST in God and hand over all of your grief, your sorrow and your anguish, He will save you with His never ending and never-failing love.

David describes, in Psalm 31: 9-10, the feelings of utter and complete hopelessness. His life is consumed by anguish and his soul and body filled with sorrow and grief. His walls are caving in and he feels as if there is no way of getting out of the darkness he now dwells in. Many of you can read this Psalm and think back to a time in your life when you can mentally and physically relate to what David is describing.

The question is what do you when you go through extreme suffering? How can you pick yourself back up?

The answer is that you can’t, at least not on your own. When you are living so far in the depths of darkness that most suffering brings, there is nothing you can do. No matter how hard you try to disguise your pain and hide the suffering, you will never be strong enough to truly pull yourself up out of the pit of hopelessness. Luckily, I do know a loving God that is graciously offering His salvation to all of us that are constantly being swallowed by this darkness. All it takes is for us to put our trust in Him.

I encourage you to dwell in this time of suffering, and I pray that you may have hope for the future by trusting in our loving Savior. God bless.

“After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied” (Isaiah 53:11).

Abby Dundee Freshman, Elementary Education, Christian Spiritual Formation

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Friday, April 12, 2019 Psalm 31: 9-16 | Isaiah 54:10 | Hebrews 2:10-18 “I forgive you.”

When we utter these words to a friend or loved one after an argument, do we really mean it? For me personally, I know I may tell people I forgive them, but a part of me holds a grudge. There are people I had disagreements with years ago that I still don’t know if I have completely forgiven. In my heart, I know it’s unhealthy and wrong, but that fear of being deceived or hurt again is one that I can’t easily shake. When someone then tells me that they forgive me for something I have done, I take it with a grain of salt. Are we okay or are they just brushing me off? I tread lightly with that person for a while out of fear of bringing up past grievances.

So, when God tells us that He forgives us for our sins and He is always here for us, do we wholeheartedly believe Him or is there some doubt? I think quite often we believe that God has the power to help us through our struggles, but we question why He would choose to help based on our past sins. Is God still holding a grudge or have we truly been forgiven? But it was God who said, “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed” (Isaiah 54:10).

During this Lenten season, I encourage you to deepen your relationship with God; don’t tread lightly. After every sin, God truly wipes the slate clean. Continue to strive to do this with your own relationships as well, for this is what true love and forgiveness is about.

Ashley Borniger Director of New Student Transitions

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Saturday, April 13, 2019 Psalm 21:9-16 | Leviticus 23:1-8 | Luke 22:1-13 When first reading through this psalm, it is easy to identify with the speaker who feels like “broken pottery.” The feeling of being tattered and incomplete can follow anyone during their times of deep isolation. This speaker continues to name off their misfortunes and their lost relationships as they observe their friendships fall apart around them. This psalm is all too familiar because everyone has friendships or relationships that simply break due to misunderstandings, different perspectives and different goals in the day-to-day moments in life. What makes this psalm have a happy ending is the fact that God continues to stay beside the speaker. No matter what, the light of God continues to spread through the speaker and it is because of the speaker’s faith that they do not completely fall victim to their enemies and their loneliness.

Due to God’s unfailing love, we know that no matter what we cross He will go above and beyond for us. Even in times where we have failed God over and over again, He will still continue to choose you and pick up the pieces even if the pieces are sharp and hard to put together again much like broken pottery. Somehow, God still manages to hold the super glue in His hands and says gently, “Come here and I will put you back together again,” and that is what makes God’s love so unbelievable. When God sent his only son to die on the cross for our sins, it was a sign of unconditional and everlasting love that can save the most broken of people. His love has given us grace, love and most of all, acceptance for the brokenness that we all have.

Sierra Ardanche Senior, English, Singing Quakers

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WEEK SIX Week six verses

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Sunday, April 14, 2019 Psalm 118:1-2 & 19-29 | Luke 19:28-40 Jesus’ face must have shone with glory. Imagine how each person must have inspired His great compassion!

Try to picture His eyes as He looked upon the crowd – first a crowd of people crying out for help, then a joyful throng celebrating the coming of their deliverer, then a seething mass, thirsty for some way to direct their confused, angry minds.

I read a book called “The Way of the Heart” by Henri Nouwen last semester, and his words have been in my heart ever since. In the book, he examines three contemplative practices: solitude, silence and prayer. The three are, of course, heavily interconnected and ultimately inseparable. One cannot be effective without the others.

Jesus demonstrates regular practice of these disciplines throughout the gospels. Nouwen points out that, based on the life of Jesus as well as his own experience, solitude, silence and prayer lead the heart into compassion, and compassion leads the heart into ministry and sacrifice.

Jesus’ sacrifice was and is so great! How great then, is the compassion that moves Him to such action! How peaceful and certain the heart that so selflessly fills itself with love every time it gazes upon your face! Where does peace like that come from? Where can we find the confidence to nurture that same heart within ourselves?

The ancient Jews may have been confused. Maybe they didn’t know what they were asking for when they welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. After all, they were expecting a different kind of Messiah. Still, they cried out for help, and they welcomed the coming of the man they thought was their Savior – “Hosanna!

Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” (Psalm 118:25-26) The people in that crowd, even if only for a brief moment, got it right, and we can follow their example. There is something so right about comprehending our need. The only appropriate response to this is to seek God out regularly, just as Jesus did. If we want to let our hearts be transformed by God into Christlikeness, then we must create space for conversation with Him. Then our eyes will see what He sees, and our lives will be a sacrifice to His kingdom. In the end, giving over our lives is the only salvation from death.

Nathaniel Filer Junior, Mathematics, Christian Spiritual Formation, Singing Quakers

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Monday, April 15, 2019 Isaiah 42: 1-9 | Psalm 36: 5-11 | Hebrews 9: 11-15 | John 12: 1-11 Welcome to Holy Week! As we draw closer to the end of Lent, we must also grow closer to Jesus. In a few days, we will remember the solemn day upon which Jesus gave up His human life on earth—upon which He died a gruesome, grotesque, gory death. In a few days, we will mourn in quietness, darkness and solidarity for those who lost this crucial member to their community all those years ago. In a few days, we will remember what it feels like to see hope restored, to allow love to renew, to feel life be revived. How does it make you feel—to remember? How have you grown in the past several weeks as you’ve focused on Jesus more clearly? What can you do to further draw closer to Jesus after resurrection Sunday? Write out a plan of how to continue trying to connect with God in similar (or even deeper ways) after this week ends. And rejoice!

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Tuesday, April 16, 2019 Isaiah 49:1-7 | Psalm 71:1-14 | 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 | John 12:20-36 Trials are extremely common in life, whether they be trivial or a near-calamity. Some of these trials will pass within minutes. Others will follow us our entire life, continually seeming to inhibit us and prevent us from living a “perfect” or, depending on how badly we are struggling with said trial, even “good” life. We feel extremely alone and persecuted by these trials because we forget that we are not alone in this struggle.

All of the most important figures in our faith have had struggles. Even Christ, the perfect Son of God, experienced pain, anger, sadness and temptation. He dealt with the human experience just as we do, in a first-person, up-close and personal way. Our struggle is not one we must suffer alone or on our own. Christ has come, not as a salve to struggle and trial, but as a friend and brother to walk alongside us and help us through said struggle and trial.

This means that Christ does not immediately fix our lives and solve our problems, but instead allows us to rely on Him as we grow beyond them. God has given us His Son so we may have a relationship, active and growing, with Him. Christ has come and, even though we are symbolically waiting for Him in this Lenten season, He is here with us, by our side, guiding us and supporting us. It is difficult and often feels foolish to smile during these trials. It’s hard to do the right things (be thankful, be forgiving, be loving, etc.) in these difficult times because it feels like folly, but God has called us to trust Him even when it feels like He is so far removed we could never experience His love again.

Though we may struggle with the trials of day-to-day life, we can have faith that God will be there to support us even when we don’t see it. Our hope is in Him, not in the trials of the world. We can rely on Him even when the world tells us we cannot.

Jonathan Pettyjohn Junior, English, CSF, Singing Quakers, Track and Cross Country

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Wednesday, April 17, 2019 Psalm 70 | Isaiah 50 4-9 | Hebrews 12:1-3 In preparing this devotional, I was to reflect on how today’s scripture readings comment on the meaning of the Lenten season. But what does Lenten mean? A quick word search gave me a variety of answers. Lent, the shortened form of the Old English lencten, means “spring season,” a time of rebirth and renewal. In some languages, the term used signifies the 40 days before Easter, representing Christ’s 40 days of fasting, prayer and temptation in the wilderness. In others, it means “fasting,” commonly associated with the Lenten season. Why fasting?

The practice of fasting should be a time of preparing our hearts and mind but all too often we choose to give up sweets, junk food, social media, drive-through lattes, etc. While valuable fasts, do these sacrifices actually cause change in us spiritually in a deep and lasting way?

In Hebrews, we are reminded we are on a race of faith but, if we are not careful, intentional and on guard, Satan will do his best to get us off track. How? Some favorite tactics are fear and discouragement causing us to shrink back, have doubts. Another tactic is sensuality which desires and seeks immediate gratification, taking us down paths we later regret.

There is greed, deception, overindulgence…. the list is endless, but Satan has them all in his bag of tricks ready to use at our most vulnerable moments.

Let me challenge you to prayerfully consider where you struggle most, fast from the struggle, and then make it a fast for life. Commit and persist! Christ didn’t do a little 40 day obligatory fast for our salvation, He gave his life for all eternity.

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Sound too hard? So says Satan, but find encouragement in Psalm 70, a prayer for relief from our adversaries. Be empowered by reading Isaiah 50:4-9 and in Hebrews 12:1-3. God has your game plan laid out: “Therefore, . . . let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Amen!

Rolaine Hetherington Assistant Professor of Music/Applied Voice

Thursday, April 18, 2019 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 | John 13:34-35 “Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood.

Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it’” (Corinthians 11:23b-25).

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:34-35).

If you knew you were going to die tomorrow, how would you spend your last hours with those closest to you?

What would your last words to them be? It’s safe to assume that whatever you chose would be important. This hypothetical scenario was Jesus’ reality the night He was betrayed by Judas and handed over to the Sanhedrin.

Jesus, who was fully man and fully God (therefore omniscient), knew He had limited time left with His disciples and knew exactly what needed to be shared with them.

Derived from the Latin word mandatum, meaning “commandment,” Maundy refers to the commands Jesus charged to His disciples during the Last Supper: REMEMBER: •

His sacrifice on the cross and the new covenant it formed between God and His people.

•

LOVE (Agape) with humility by serving one another.

Jesus demonstrated how to love by washing His disciples’ feet. This act of humility was so out of the ordinary (a reversal of normal roles) that it stunned the disciples. By performing this lowly foot-washing service, Jesus showed the disciples “the full extent of His love.” He demonstrated how believers are to love one another through sacrificial, humble service; Agape love — not an emotion – but an attitude of heart that results in action. In the same way, through communion, Jesus demonstrated how we are to remember His sacrifice on the cross and the new covenant that it formed between God and His people.

Therefore, REMEMBER and LOVE (Agape). Not just today, but every day. After all, if it’s what Jesus chose to share with those closest to Him on His last day with them, it’s safe to assume that it’s of the utmost importance.

Grant Brintnall Traditional Undergraduate Admissions Counselor

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Friday, April 19, 2019 Isaiah 52: 13-53: 12 | Psalm 22 | Hebrews 10: 16-25 | John 18: 1-19: 42 “I am He.” Every year, this Friday, my entire being aches. I used to approach this entire weekend with ache. I’d prepare my heart in solemnness for forty days, and allow it to hurt and break all the while. It was not until last year the words “I am He,” truly hit me. Jesus, in the garden, asks Judas and the officers of the chief priests and Pharisees, “Whom do you seek?” He knows that their answer will be His name, He knows that they are looking with fervent delight, He knows that they assume they are motivated by justice, He knows that they are looking for Jesus of Nazareth. He asks, and he says, “I am He.” He knows they are looking for Him, and He doesn’t run away, He does not slink back into the depths of the garden in fear, He does not, even for a second, regret His decision to dwell among us even though He knows that this is the moment at which we, the people whom he came to save, say, “No thanks. We do not want you, Jesus.” And he says, “I am He,” anyway.

“Shall I not drink the cup the father has given me?”

Every year, I am baffled by this. How can He go so willingly? How could He be so unafraid? Every year, I read these words with bitter tears, ashamed that it is my sins for which Jesus died, angry that there was no better way. Every year, I (very selfishly) want the story to change. I want Him to stop. I want Him to go back into the garden. I want Him to live. I want to save myself. I do not want to be responsible for His death. And every year, I experience the humbling grace that is God’s. I feel Him call on me through this story and say, “Aubrey, this was love. I could have let you pay for your own sins, but I know you. You wouldn’t have been able to do it. I love you, so I did. I couldn’t let myself be free of pain, not if it meant that you’d endure eternal pain. I love you too much.” It baffles me that God did this out of divine affection, not out of divine obligation. What a precious gift this is. How much more joy I am allowed because of Him. “It is finished.”

Every year, I come to the most humbling realization that this was what God chose, we are what God chose, I am what God chose. How arrogant it would be to not accept His grace, His love, and His sacrifice. How human it would be to still, after all this time say, “No, I don’t want your death to be on my hands. I do not want your love if it means I have to feel responsible for your sacrifice.” Jesus did this (and continues to do this) (and does not regret this) (and will never regret this) because He loves. He loves. He loves. He loves. He loves. He loves. And, perhaps the best part of the story, is that He lives.

Aubrey VandenHoek Junior, English, CSF, Campus Ministries

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Saturday, April 20, 2019 Job 14: 1-14 | Lamentations 3: 1-9, 19-24 | Psalm 31: 1-4, 15-16 1 Peter 4: 1-8 | John 19: 38-42 “So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.”

I had a friend, once, who told me that she often feels like she is living in Holy Saturday, waiting for Jesus to raise again, mourning in the silence as night begins to fall on the second day. I feel this way as well. It is hard to imagine the world being so desolate and lonely. We have never lived in a world in which Jesus did not first walk, however, the story that we read about Holy Saturday happened. People lived in a world without Jesus, then with Jesus, then without again. I do not think any one of us could truly comprehend how that might feel.

These people watched as their savior, their son, their brother, their teacher, their healer, their King was brutally crucified. They watched Him die. They helped preserve His body as they laid Him in the tomb—their friend.

Imagine what this would have been like. Imagine what it would feel like to lose the God you love, or even your best friend. Imagine what it would feel like to know that nobody comes back from the grave and to see your Jesus be carried away to it. Imagine living in this world at this time in this place. It is devastating, is it not?

“Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid.”

It is hard to live in the Saturdays, to feel like all is lost and to (still) unconvincingly grapple for hope, even for a small piece of it. I’m going to be honest with you, it stinks! It hurts! It is not and never will be fun! Saturdays are some of the darkest and lowliest days on earth. And on this Saturday, on the real Holy Saturday, people did not know for sure whether or not tomorrow would come. People did not have the inside scoop that we have. People did not know that the Kingdom would reign, or that the message could be saved. It is okay if you feel hopeless today. It is okay if you feel hopeless tomorrow, too. It is okay if you live into the Saturdays, just know that this is not what we were called to, and that is why the story refuses to end right now. Praise be that this is not the end of it. Praise be that the story continues until Sunday. Bless the Lord for tomorrow.

Aubrey VandenHoek; Junior, English, CSF, Campus Ministries

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WEEK SEVEN Week seven verses

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Sunday, April 21, 2019 Isaiah 65: 17-25 | Psalm 118: 1-2, 14-24 | Acts 10: 34-43 | Luke 24: 1-12 “They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus… and the men said to them, ‘Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.”

Today is the day, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Jesus is risen. He is risen, I tell you! The sadness of yesterday can pass away for we know that this great act of love was not in vain. The story did not end. Death cannot win.

Jesus is risen. It has been proven to us that He is good, for the stone has been rolled away. Praise the Lord that we can proclaim this in belief. Now, what will you do? With the knowledge you have, what will you do? What will you do?

Jesus has said that “Repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations.” What will you do?

Knowing that God is good, knowing that God is faithful, knowing that the scriptures have been fulfilled in Jesus this day, and all the days since, what will you do? How will you love the world in the same way? In what ways do you think God is asking you to proclaim His message? If God’s message is one of repentance and forgiveness, how will you take it into a world that is so unwilling to forgive and be forgiven? I’m reading a book about vocation in Christ, right now, and it pleads that one thing God absolutely, positively, calls us to is to know the world and still love it. So, how will you do that with this message of redemption? How can you proclaim that He is good with this knowledge of grace? What will you do to get this point of sacrificial love across? How far will you allow your love for the world to go? How much of your love is inspired by the love, the divine affection, the passionate forevermore choosing type of liking that God has for you? How much of your love should be?

Jesus died because He loves you, and He has been raised again. What majesty could be more kind? Which kingdom could be more stunning? Whose god could be more good? Amen?

Aubrey VandenHoek Junior, English, CSF, Campus Ministries

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Campus Ministries at Friends University Chapel

Mission Trips

Join the Friends University community as we gather for worship, prayer and to explore what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. | Alumni Auditorium

Work with a team over Christmas break, Summer break or both to explore important issues in our world and serve alongside churches and organizations that are making a difference.

Vespers

Retreats

What’s the best way to end your weekend and start your week? Join other members of the Friends community for an intimate time of worship through song, prayer, scripture, silence and space. All are welcome!

Recharge away from campus with a fun time of learning and resting while growing in your faith.

Be on the lookout for opportunities over the Fall and Spring breaks.

First and third Sundays of the month at 9 p.m. | Location: TBD

Prayer

Small Group Communities There will be numerous ways for you to connect with others through intentional small group communities on campus. If you’re looking for a place to get plugged in, please visit with one of our campus pastors and they’ll help you get connected.

Local Service Projects Love where you live! Impact the community by volunteering! Have an idea? Come tell us about it. Looking for a place to serve? We can help you find a great place to get plugged in!

Have a prayer request? Our Campus Ministries staff is committed to praying for the needs of the campus, and invite you to share your requests with us by emailing prayerrequest@friends.edu.

Individual Pastoral Care and Spiritual Direction Our full-time Campus Ministries staff members provide a safe and supportive environment to help you navigate life’s challenges. Regardless of where you are on your faith journey, our doors are open to meet with you to explore and expand your understanding of who God is, who you are, and what you and God are doing together in the world.

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