Larry Devich
Sunday, February 25, 2007
On taking care of Serenity
I'm doing all right so far in taking care of Serenity. She is a joy to have around, very cooperative and desirous to please in all things. Still, a 5 year old is quite a lot of work, especially since it has been some time since I had to take anyone else's needs into account on a daily basis.
Today I'm at work and Mike is taking care of her, that was very nice of him!
I had an offer from one of our residents here at the condos, Sheridan, to watch her in her home if I need to bring her in to work with me for any reason! People are so nice. :-)
It is very difficult maintaining my sense of curmudgeonly skepticism and bitterness that I have cultivated for so many years, especially now when people insist on being kind, helpful and just plain nice. Really it isn't fair at all!
Sheridan was also willing to try and get Serenity into a private school here, Hamlin, with a scholarship no less. I turned that down because it would involve me bringing her to San Francisco every day, including my days off :-) I think the Dublin schools are pretty good anyway, and I've got the day care thing lined up now too so I think things are going to work out quite well.
So far all is well, the Lord is giving me strength and patience and helpful people all around. Thanks be to God! ¶ 2/25/2007 02:37:00 PM 0 Comments
Today I'm at work and Mike is taking care of her, that was very nice of him!
I had an offer from one of our residents here at the condos, Sheridan, to watch her in her home if I need to bring her in to work with me for any reason! People are so nice. :-)
It is very difficult maintaining my sense of curmudgeonly skepticism and bitterness that I have cultivated for so many years, especially now when people insist on being kind, helpful and just plain nice. Really it isn't fair at all!
Sheridan was also willing to try and get Serenity into a private school here, Hamlin, with a scholarship no less. I turned that down because it would involve me bringing her to San Francisco every day, including my days off :-) I think the Dublin schools are pretty good anyway, and I've got the day care thing lined up now too so I think things are going to work out quite well.
So far all is well, the Lord is giving me strength and patience and helpful people all around. Thanks be to God! ¶ 2/25/2007 02:37:00 PM 0 Comments
The Temptation The 1st Sunday in Lent
Read: Luke 4:1-13 (If you have time, read Lev. 16:4-22)
Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was
led by the Spirit into the wilderness. (Lk. 4:1)
The Sundays between Ash Wednesday and Easter are not part of the forty
days; they are Sundays in Lent, but not of Lent. Even as we observe a somber
penitential season, we take a break each Sunday morning to rejoice in our
crucified and risen Lord. So in this devotional, we'll take a break from the
sequence of devotions and look at the [series C] Gospel lesson for the day.
Whenever I prepare a sermon on the Gospel lesson, a common joy in each is
this: there He is. Whatever Jesus is doing in the Gospel lesson, He is present,
become flesh, and dwelling among us. And whatever He is doing, He is doing
for us.
In today's Gospel lesson, Jesus undergoes temptation in the wilderness.
Between Egypt and the Promised Land, the children of Israel were in the
wilderness. The Lord was with them in the cloud, providing for them: He sent
manna, provided water as needed, and ensured that their sandals and garments
didn't wear out—for forty years! Still, the people consistently gave into
temptation and murmured against Him. During that time, the Lord instituted the
annual Day of Atonement. On that day, two goats were chosen: one was
sacrificed, its blood presented to God. After the sacrifice, the high priest would
lay his hands on the other and confess the sins of the people on it; then this
scapegoat was led into the wilderness, never to be seen again. Thus the people
were assured that their sins were taken far from them.
All of this pointed to Jesus. The first goat is obvious, for its blood was shed
for the sins of the people, even as Jesus was sacrificed at the cross for the sins of
the world. But the scapegoat also points to Jesus. At the start of His public
ministry, He was baptized in the Jordan; there, He took on the burden of man's
sin. Next, He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness; and there, He resisted
every last one of Satan's temptations.
As you read of His temptation in the wilderness, remember: there He is, for
you. Israel went into the wilderness and succumbed to temptation again and
again. So do you. Not a day goes by where you and I do not sin in this
wilderness, as we await the promised land of heaven. Therefore, Jesus went into
the wilderness and did what Israel—and we—couldn't do. On the way to the
cross, bearing the sin of the world, He obeyed His Father perfectly and refused
all temptation. Why? For you, to give you credit for His perfect obedience
even as He died for your disobedience.
As we approach our Lord Jesus in private prayer or Divine Service, we do so
with this glad comfort: For we do not have a High Priest who cannot
sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet
without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may
obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb. 4:15-16) What joy!
Because Jesus resisted temptation for you, you can be certain He hears your
prayers and works all things for your good. ¶ 2/25/2007 06:13:00 AM 0 Comments
Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was
led by the Spirit into the wilderness. (Lk. 4:1)
The Sundays between Ash Wednesday and Easter are not part of the forty
days; they are Sundays in Lent, but not of Lent. Even as we observe a somber
penitential season, we take a break each Sunday morning to rejoice in our
crucified and risen Lord. So in this devotional, we'll take a break from the
sequence of devotions and look at the [series C] Gospel lesson for the day.
Whenever I prepare a sermon on the Gospel lesson, a common joy in each is
this: there He is. Whatever Jesus is doing in the Gospel lesson, He is present,
become flesh, and dwelling among us. And whatever He is doing, He is doing
for us.
In today's Gospel lesson, Jesus undergoes temptation in the wilderness.
Between Egypt and the Promised Land, the children of Israel were in the
wilderness. The Lord was with them in the cloud, providing for them: He sent
manna, provided water as needed, and ensured that their sandals and garments
didn't wear out—for forty years! Still, the people consistently gave into
temptation and murmured against Him. During that time, the Lord instituted the
annual Day of Atonement. On that day, two goats were chosen: one was
sacrificed, its blood presented to God. After the sacrifice, the high priest would
lay his hands on the other and confess the sins of the people on it; then this
scapegoat was led into the wilderness, never to be seen again. Thus the people
were assured that their sins were taken far from them.
All of this pointed to Jesus. The first goat is obvious, for its blood was shed
for the sins of the people, even as Jesus was sacrificed at the cross for the sins of
the world. But the scapegoat also points to Jesus. At the start of His public
ministry, He was baptized in the Jordan; there, He took on the burden of man's
sin. Next, He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness; and there, He resisted
every last one of Satan's temptations.
As you read of His temptation in the wilderness, remember: there He is, for
you. Israel went into the wilderness and succumbed to temptation again and
again. So do you. Not a day goes by where you and I do not sin in this
wilderness, as we await the promised land of heaven. Therefore, Jesus went into
the wilderness and did what Israel—and we—couldn't do. On the way to the
cross, bearing the sin of the world, He obeyed His Father perfectly and refused
all temptation. Why? For you, to give you credit for His perfect obedience
even as He died for your disobedience.
As we approach our Lord Jesus in private prayer or Divine Service, we do so
with this glad comfort: For we do not have a High Priest who cannot
sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet
without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may
obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb. 4:15-16) What joy!
Because Jesus resisted temptation for you, you can be certain He hears your
prayers and works all things for your good. ¶ 2/25/2007 06:13:00 AM 0 Comments
