Give us, O Lord, a steadfast heart, which no unworthy affection may drag downwards; give us an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear out; give us an upright heart, which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside. Bestow upon us also, O Lord our God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
- Thomas Aquinas, The Westminster Collection of Christian Prayers

And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
- Acts 16:13-15 (ESV)

Lydia was a member of the guild of sellers of purple dye in Philippi, succesful and a person of means. Very likely, she was looked up to in her community, but her actions and faith show that work and wealth were not her highest priority.

Described as a worshiper of God, Paul proclaimed to her the gospel of Jesus Christ, and from that moment on she dedicated herself to assisting Paul in his ministry and to the establisment of a church in Philippi. This was a dangerous proposition, and a sacrifice, but she prevailed. She opened her home to Paul and his companions and also became a witness to many, starting with her own household. In faith she responded to the gospel, and did what she could to see that this good news was spread to many others.

O Lord, create a steadfast heart within us today. Grant us understanding, diligence, wisdom, and faithfulness that we may embrace you, through Jesus Christ. And show us how we might take action, today, for the sake of the gospel, serving others through hospitality, words of encouragement, and a God-given vision for changing lives in your name. Amen.

~Pastor Mike Middaugh

In the Protestant Liturgical Calendar, the principal festival of Mary is “Mary, Mother of Our Lord” on Aug. 15. This festival of the church, which sometimes goes overlooked, is meant as an opportunity to celebrate Mary’s role as the mother of Jesus in the Gospel narrative. For “Mary conceived and bore not only a plain, ordinary, mere man but the veritable Son of God,” and “for this reason she is rightly called, and truly is, the Mother of God” (Formula of Concord, Epitome VIII.12).

And, the Council of Ephesus, in 431 A.D., proclaimed Mary as the theotokos, the God-bearer - quite a title indeed.

The Magnificat, Mary's song found in the gospel of Luke, was significant to Martin Luther as well. In 1521, Luther completed his commentary on the Magnificat, which served as the main canticle of the Evening Prayer. For Luther, Mary’s song served as a fitting model for Christian prayer and praise, as a response to God's grace, and not dependent on merit. Luther saw that God, by grace, had chosen Mary to serve the important role of bearing the Christ-child. Mary's response, as found in the Magnificat, was one of willing-obedience and humble service and it is good for us to honor Mary, and attemp to live her example in our lives as well.

As Luther examined the Magnificat, he identified six works of God: mercy, breaking spiritual pride, putting down the mighty, exalting the lowly, authoring trust, and giving good gifts (often desribed by Luther as “life, forgiveness, and salvation”). All six of these works find their origin in and point to the Incarnation - God taking on flesh - in Jesus. The incarnation then is God's greatest work, and the source of salvation, grace, and mercy for each of us as God's people.

As we consider and remember tomorrow’s feast day of Mary, and whenever we sing or read the words of the Magnificat, we can celebrate Mary’s faithfulness and all the mystery and magnificence of the Incarnation. At the same time, we pray that God would use us also, to continue bringing grace and mercy into the world, and that we too would be willing servants to Jesus, Our Lord.

~Pastor Mike Middaugh

You may remember from confirmation, working through each of the petitions of the Lord’s Prayer. One petition I find myself considering again and again is the Fourth. Here we are taught to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread.”

It is simple, practical, and profound.

And here is a good starting place: Have you ever had to pray this petition literally and with great urgency?

Many people, in many places, have.

But how does this petition change when we are not all that worried about our daily bread?

Maybe we can think of this petition as teaching daily dependence. In our plenty we need the reminder of where these good things come from. Not just the work of our hands, but from a God who provides for his people. Daily dependence also leads to humility, to know that God is God and we are not, and to be reminded that while we may have enough this day, there are many others who go hungry.

“May I never take my daily bread for granted.” Perhaps that’s another way to say these words.

Richard J. Foster writes in his prayer below, that especially when we seem to have all that we need, our true need is to learn daily dependence on the One who gives us all. And may we never grow tired of praying with sincerity and with thanksgiving, "give us our daily bread."

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Give us this Day

"Give us this day our daily bread." How do I pray those words, Lord? I live in the context of abundance. I simply do not worry about where my next meal will come from.
Perhaps I should pray on behalf of those who really and truly live from one meal to the next. And I do pray for them. Yet, action on their behalf is the real prayer for the poor - prayer-in-action.

I do need faith daily, Jesus, and strength and patience and wisdom and love and so much more. And real material needs too. "Give us this day our daily gasoline, or clean laundry, or plumber when things go wrong." Is that how I prayer for daily bread?

Teach me, Father, a life of daily dependence upon you for all things--even for the bread that is already in the pantry. Amen.

-Richard J. Foster, "Prayers from the Heart."
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~Pastor Mike Middaugh

Today's Devotion is an excerpt from one ofmy favorite devotional book, Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost for His Highest." I began reading this devotional when in seminary, and the simple, timeless reflections have stuck with me since.
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"He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side…" —Mark 6:45

We tend to think that if Jesus Christ compels us to do something and we are obedient to Him, He will lead us to great success. We should never have the thought that our dreams of success are God’s purpose for us. In fact, His purpose may be exactly the opposite. We have the idea that God is leading us toward a particular end or a desired goal, but He is not. The question of whether or not we arrive at a particular goal is of little importance, and reaching it becomes merely an episode along the way. What we see as only the process of reaching a particular end, God sees as the goal itself.

What is my vision of God’s purpose for me? Whatever it may be, His purpose is for me to depend on Him and on His power now. If I can stay calm, faithful, and unconfused while in the middle of the turmoil of life, the goal of the purpose of God is being accomplished in me. God is not working toward a particular finish— His purpose is the process itself. What He desires for me is that I see “Him walking on the sea” with no shore, no success, nor goal in sight, but simply having the absolute certainty that everything is all right because I see “Him walking on the sea” (Mark 6:49). It is the process, not the outcome, that is glorifying to God.

God’s training is for now, not later. His purpose is for this very minute, not for sometime in the future. We have nothing to do with what will follow our obedience, and we are wrong to concern ourselves with it. What people call preparation, God sees as the goal itself.

God’s purpose is to enable me to see that He can walk on the storms of my life right now. If we have a further goal in mind, we are not paying enough attention to the present time. However, if we realize that moment-by-moment obedience is the goal, then each moment as it comes is precious.
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~Pastor Mike Middaugh

A little girl was asked what her favorite story was in the Bible. She said, "I like the one where everyone loafs and fishes."

Alright, bad pastor jokes aside, the feeding of the 5000 is one of the great stories of the New Testament. At this time, Jesus' ministry and miracles had raised the interest of many, so that crowds began to follow him wherever he went. We are told that on this day, thousands gathered to hear him preach, but there was no way to provide food for such a great number of people on the mountainside.

But Jesus told his disciples they should feed the people. "With what?" they asked.

Just then, there came a young boy with five loaves of barley and two fish.
We don't know much about this boy. Only that he was willing to serve. He offered the little that he had in to his Lord, and others. As a result, that which seemed insufficient turned to plenty.

In the same way, we are invited to bring what we have to the table. This ordinary boy gave his lunch, insufficient as it was, to Jesus to meet a need.

A small lunch, and an ordinary boy, but that which is insufficient in the hands of the ordinary became sufficient and significant when placed in the hands of Jesus. This, the same Jesus, who seemed ordinary and insuffient in many ways himself, would give his own body to be the plenty for many.

So then, it is not what you bring, it is who you are bringing it to. God can do a lot with a little, and sometimes those who have the least are willing to give more, because they know all they have is dependent on God's grace.

Bring what you have. God can take it, bless it, and use it. What makes a gift great in God's service? It is not the magnitude of the gift. It is into whose hands the gift is given.

~Pastor Mike Middaugh

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

There is a freedom in being wholly honest with God. It is liberating to open up completely about the weights that we carry. Sometimes the burdens are our own. We don't live up to our own expectations. Sometimes we speak in ways we shouldn't. God is waiting and ready to listen, his forgiveness close at hand.

Sometimes the burdens we carry are inflicted. Our world is not whole, it lashes out and causes suffering. Wars. Rumors of wars. Storms. Fire. Quakes. Famine. These take place around us. Financil burdens, family burdens, health burdens, the weight comes in many forms.

Our God says: Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly. This is the invitation. Turn to God, he will join you where you struggle - counseling, comforting, lifting.

And maybe God moves us, to join the struggle of others as well. This is the very meaning of incarnation, that the Son of God came down to us, to help us in our weakness. We too, as the Body of Christ at work in the world are invited to join this burden-lifting work. Rest comes in many forms, and sometimes it is we who can provide a place of rest for others.

~Pastor Mike Middaugh

This prayer, originally penned by George Washington, is read aloud each day at Mount Vernon's public wreath laying ceremony.

I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have the United States in his holy protection, that he would incline the hearts of the Citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to Government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the Field, and finally, that he would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all, to do Justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility and pacific temper of mind, which were the Characteristicks of the Devine Author of our blessed Religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy Nation.  Amen

(Prayer adapted from Washington’s Circular Letter to the States, dated June 8, 1783)

What a challenge it is, to live as residents of this world, but to know our true citizenship is heaven. A good challenge, for what a hope we have, that someday the difficulties, burdens, and worries of this life will pass away as we are gathered into holy perfection under the throne of the true and great King.

But it is a challenge in the here and now. What type of people would we be, if we did not have concern for the world we live in? Where would be love, if we didn’t want the best for our friends, family, and the future of the country where we live.

Understandably, we carry with us a deeply rooted desire to see our country pursue paths of peace, justice, unity, and to reflect the moral truths of the God who has created us and blessed us to live together in this land.

So, as we come to another national holiday, this 4th of July, like George Washington many years ago, we pray for our country. Especially, we pray that we would find common purpose, and common ground as people living together in these United States. We pray that charity, humility, and temper of mind would lead us to live together well and to appoint wise, just, and worthy leaders to hold our governing offices. And that all of those who serve in elected positions would bend themselves to the moral laws of the God who has given us life.

And finally, when we become discouraged, because we see in our nation decisions  and actions that run contrary to the truth we hold, we pray that God would lead each of us to nontheless live our lives according to his will and desires, and may we be bold to live for a greater purpose and with a higher calling. Let us pray together for our nation, and may we show forth the love of God and be witnesses to him through our lives.

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

~Pastor Mike Middaugh

“I discovered later, and I’m still discovering right up to this moment, that is it only by living completely in this world that one learns to have faith. By this-worldliness I mean living unreservedly in life’s duties, problems, successes and failures. In so doing we throw ourselves completely into the arms of God, taking seriously, not our own sufferings, but those of God in the world. That, I think, is faith.”
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer

An interesting reflection here, in the writings of Deitrich Bonhoeffer.

Bonhoeffer was a German pastor and theologian who lost his life in a concentration camp at the hands of the Nazi regime. Before his death, he actively engaged the moral dilemmas faced by German citizens in the 1930's in his writings and through various forms of activism.

Bonhoeffer knew too well, both physical suffering, and the challenges that come with unjust governments and leaders. Yet, as his words above indicate, he describes true faith as living fully in this world and engaging with it, rather than trying to escape it.

Today, as we look around our country and world we can certainly identify many things we would wish to change, and suffering is plenty in this world, but the quote above is a good reminder.

Our human desires might be to look away, to distract ourselves from the pain in the world, or to cope by various mechanisms that may not be healthy. But as Bonhoeffer says, by unreservedly engaging with the world and its problems, we may find a great gift awaiting us - a deepened faith and understanding of what it means that God's Son too, endured great suffering, and willingly went through it, out of love for his people.

~Pastor Mike Middaugh

Mark 6 is a study in scarcity.

First, the apostles are sent out to do the impossible, commanding demons to be cast out. Their instructions were few but detailed:  Take a staff, a shirt, and one pair of sandals.  Bring no bread, no bag, and no money.

They obey and go and do. The results are miraculous. Surprisingly, no griping or complaining is recorded.  How would you respond?

The disciples return from this remarkable journey to find that John the Baptist had been beheaded. This faithful, honored worker, stripped from their ranks. More scarcity - and reasons to be doubtful.

So Jesus suggests they get some rest. The hills and solitude are calling. Jesus needs to pray.

But the crowds are needy and keep coming. Jesus, being himself, is filled with loving kindness. He teaches them, and blesses them, and pours himself out for the sake of the many. But a problem emerges, a very human need. The 5000 men gathered on the hillside (with many women and children also) become hungry, and even needier.

Scarcity again.

The Apostles hatch a plan. “Send them away to buy their own food.”  

But Jesus, compassionate, and always challenging, relieves them not of responsibility: “You give them something to eat.”

“Way too expensive,” the disciples respond.  “One-half of a year’s wages.  Too much to ask!”

Scarcity mindset sets in.

“But what do you have?  Go and see” says Jesus.  And they bring back five loaves and two fish, hardly enough for the masses.  Yet Jesus breaks and blesses and asks the men to distribute.

Scarcity becomes plenty. More than plenty. Enough for each of the apostles to take home a basketful themselves. Surely there is a lesson in this abundance.

How easy it is to let scarcity lead us to frustration and inaction. How soon we forget that scarcity is Jesus’ method of bringing forth his kingdom.  (See: Good Friday.)  We are taught character, and faith, by becoming dependent.  He is the one who must provide.

When faced with a scarce reality, remember the presence of Jesus.  Wherever Jesus is, we have more than enough.   He is the One able to do so much more than we could ask or imagine.  His Word provides.  Out of the ordinary His kingdom routinely comes.
What an honor to be one of His ordinary people called to miraculous work!

-Pastor Mike Middaugh