Devotionals

Got Milk?

“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” – 1 Peter 2:1-3 (NIV)

I love food. Especially comfort food. I can relate that to my need for spiritual food, too. As a baby needs milk to survive and grow (and as I need comfort food in the winter!), I need spiritual nourishment to survive and grow spiritually. How do I do that? Well, that’s easy!

I’ll just get rid of all the malice, deceit, and bad thoughts. Okay. Done. Simple. Now that I have good thoughts, what next?...Uh-oh, a little envy just crept in. Oh no, I’m hungry again. I guess I need some Spiritual Nourishment to help me stay spiritually strong and to grow spiritually. It seems I need some help.

Lord I Am An Instrument Through Which Your Blessings Flow

“What good is it...if you say you have faith but do not have works?” James 2:14-16

Traditionally, people give up something for Lent. I’ve never quite understood that concept. Are we, in some way, commemorating that sacred time by trying to mimic Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice? If so, our attempt falls woefully short!

Christ gave up his life, and we give up...chocolate?

In February of 1987 I spent part of the Lenten season in Advocate Good Samaritan hospital in Downers Grove, recovering from a massive heart attack and emergency surgery. After several days in the Surgical Heart Unit, unconscious initially, I was moved to a hospital room where I was monitored continuously. On Ash Wednesday it occurred to me to visit the Good Sam Chapel to meditate and give thanks. So with the doctor’s approval I was “unplugged” and enjoyed the freedom of walking and riding the elevator by myself on the way to the Chapel. It was quiet there as sunlight and shadow mixed in the small space.

I sat relaxing, thinking of nothing in particular – just being. Then words began to form. I had so much to be thankful for, and to so many, starting with my wife, Ruth, the skilled doctors and nurses, and people who prayed for me. Had God given me a lesson in mortality, and a chance to redirect my life following this crisis and recovery? How could I be more deserving of the gift of life? I recognized that I was sometimes judgmental and quick to anger, and with this self assessment came the opportunity to change.