"Running in Faith" is an electronic devotional guide written by members of Abiding Presence Lutheran Church. Each week, writers use their personal interpretation of scripture to write an inspirational message they hope will help readers take their Sunday faith into weekday lives. Your comments are appreciated and, when related to a particular devotion, passed to the writer. We hope you will share these devotions with friends and coworkers. We are always happy to add new names to our e-mail list. Please contact us if you wish your name to be added.

Devotion for the week of November 5, 2001
Submitted by Amy M.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid."
     John 14:27

This passage was the Scripture passage that my pastor and congregation in Ridgewood New Jersey dedicated to me on my confirmation quite some time ago. Echoes of this passage have come back to comfort me during these past days of "Anthrax in Hamilton Township", and "possible terrorists in Trenton." It is so easy to get very nervous in these times, when we constantly hear that we are "at war." Even before these national developments, studies have shown that Americans suffer from depression and anxiety -- more so than peoples of other nations. The words of "Peace" are words that I personally am longing to hear. My faith is very much affirmed when I discover and rediscover them in Scripture. There is no better place for us to look if we want to experience how much value each human being, and each living creature, has in God's sight. Jesus' words, "I do not give as the world gives" is a bold reminder that God works in ways that are often hidden, or even contrary, to human ways. God sees what we do not see. God gives in ways that we do not always recognize. When I focus my thoughts on the promise of peace that Jesus gives, all of a sudden I am more easily able to shed my suspicions of other people. I am more capable of reaching out even to those I do not know. With the promise of God's peace, I no longer need to put my hopes in vaccines or victories. Whatever private or public anxiety we might have, whatever grief regret that we house and experience in these troubling times, Jesus can indeed take into himself and transform through his words of peace.

Lord, thank you for offering us something that nothing in this world can bring -- your peace, your Life, your promises. Thank you for accepting us with all our anxieties, regrets and doubts. Help us to reach out in confidence to others who are, indeed, loved by you. Amen.

Devotion for the week of November 12, 2001
Submitted by Melanie H.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers,
whenever you face trials of many kinds."
James 1:2

The words joy and rejoice are used 14 times in Paul's letter to the Philippians, more than in any other of Paul's writings. When Paul talked about joy, he was describing a settled state of mind characterized by peace. Joy is an attitude that views the world with all its ups and downs and insecurities in the confidence which is rooted in faith.

Joy is more than a mood or an emotion. For Paul, it was an understanding of existence which encompasses both elation and depression. Joy is an attitude that can accept events which bring either delight or dismay. How? By allowing us to look beyond any upset or crisis to see our Lord. Then we realize that He is with us in every situation. Joy is a matter of learning to take our problems and the crisis of life in stride and to use even painful circumstances to bring glory to God.

When James instructed us to consider trials a joy, he was challenging us to adopt the attitude which would allow the negative circumstances of life to affect us positively. In other words, you have a choice. He is saying, "Make up your mind to regard adversity as something to welcome or be glad about." Joy is a decisive action, not a passive surrender to circumstances.

By walking in the Spirit and allowing the Spirit to have His way in your life, joy can be the result. This doesn't mean that you deny or ignore hurt and grief. But eventually this sense of joy takes root in your life, and you are able to say, "Yes, there is pain and hurt, but the sense of gladness called joy is there as well."

Thank you Heavenly Father for opening our eyes to all the joy you have brought us. Amen

Devotion for the week of November 19, 2001
Submitted by Debbie B.

"Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation."
     Psalm 111:1

I have always loved Thanksgiving, a holiday established for the sole purpose of thanking God for our many blessings. When I was a youngster I remember that it started with tracing our little hands on a piece of paper to create a simple turkey, and then listing the things we were thankful for on each finger feather. When I was older the list became a required essay of gratitude. As an adult as I prepared for Thanksgiving I have always taken time to list my many blessing and give thanks to God for each of them.

This year, as in the past, I have many things to be thankful for, but this year I do not want to write them on finger feathers, extol them in an essay, or list them to God as I peel onions, or scrub carrots. This year I must honestly say that I want to hide my blessings, keep them in my own heart. I am confused, when the very blessings that give me joy also fill me with guilt. How can I boldly proclaim all the wonderful things that God has provided to me, when so many others are suffering? I do not know the answer, but I seek it. This Thanksgiving I will follow the psalmist, I will stand in the company of God's children, I will enter the house of the Lord, and I will give thanks to Almighty God with my whole heart. I will pray to the Lord to help and guide me, and I will be thankful for each of you that stand beside me.

Dear Lord,
Thank you!
Amen

Devotion for the week of November 26, 2001
Submitted by Lynn W.

"And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil or spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you-you of little faith?"
     Matthew 6: 27-30

These past few months were definitely not worry free from terrorist activity especially when anthrax was found too close to home. Employees did not want to distribute mail at the workplace without plastic gloves and masks. Some people were worried about when they last went to the post office. Were they exposed to the anthrax? As we hear of more sporadic cases in different areas, more concerns arise. Jesus says,"Do not worry about your life..."

My father has been in the hospital since last week, first for minor surgery followed by a heart attack. Fifteen years ago, he survived a triple by pass. He also survived liver cancer that was discovered from x-rays after a car accident. At this time we anticipate the worst, and yet we cherish the time we have with my Dad because God has added years to his life span. I tell you it was not worry that added a single hour to his life but rather prayer. Jesus said, "Consider the lilies of the field..."

Finally, the last time I saw the lilies of the valley was at Longwood Gardens with the APLC women's group. We embraced the sunshine as we passed all the beautiful unique wild flowers and the lilies of God's design. I will never forget the aroma of the flowers during our devotion time we had with God. Jesus said "But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown in the oven, will he not much more clothe you -- you of little faith?"

These times may challenge our faith through the valleys of despair, fear, and worry in our lives but consider the lilies which God so designed for us. The aroma will grab you to the spiritual reality that God will clothe us fully through His Righteousness. What joy to recognize Christ the King Sunday is today and everyday! Our worship and prayer experiences show our devotion to God, reading scripture builds our faith and communion nourishes our souls to serve others. "Do not worry" is the best medicine in our Christian walk and if you can recognize the extra hour God has given to you, love not only life but each other.