We are going to try a more “organic” approach to the discussion forum. Instead of having a daily prompt or question, we are leaving the forum open for anyone to post whatever is on his/her heart in response to the devotional verses or entries. Our hope is that this approach will encourage more participation and connections. The 2023 Lenten Discussion Forum will be open through Easter Sunday, to go along with the devotional. We are looking forward to a variety of comments!

Here is a link to a video of a pianist in her bombed Ukrainian home, possibly the one mentioned in the devotional today. I remember seeing the video when it first appeared last year, and I was so moved. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDUdK5SYa7w God is in our midst. I sometimes find it hard not to question, “Then why is this allowed to happen?” What about today’s entry touched your heart?

I appreciate the effects of the sensory details mentioned today–the touch of the hand, skin to skin; the weight of the laying on of hands; the lingering scent and feel of the anointing oil or lotion. All of these serve as tangible reminders of the spiritual power of prayer and anointing. Isn’t it awesome that we can connect directly with each other and the power of God’s healing, comfort, and peace? I think so! What about today’s entry touched your heart?

This line from today’s entry really stood out to me: “This love was his [David’s] greatest strength.” I often think of love as gentle and tender, and it is easy to underestimate its power. I am reminded of a quotation about the power of love from Martin Luther King, Jr.: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” What about today’s entry touched your heart?

I like the question the author presents to us:” . . . how do our beliefs lead us to see what we might otherwise ignore or miss?”

Today’s entry has me considering the full human-ness of Christ. I tend to think of Jesus as God’s representative, visiting us from Heaven during His lifetime on Earth, but He was fully human, too. That is a difficult concept. I like that He knows what it feels like to be one of us. How does Jesus’s human side allow us to think differently about Him than if He were entirely spiritual?

I am often inspired and humbled by the fact that the God of the entire universe is interested in someone rather insignificant in the big scheme of our world’s view, someone like me. In today’s entry the personalization of the psalm really speaks to my heart. Having a personal relationship with the God of all things makes me feel as if I am significant to God. Thank you, God! What speaks to your heart from this familiar 23rd Psalm?

As I read today’s devotional entry, I underlined three sentence parts. I believe they sum up what I am taking from this lesson: “. . . separation was eliminated . . . “ “. . . the gospel is for everyone.” “. . . the Spirit moves in unexpected ways.” May my heart be open to all. What touched your heart from today’s verses and devotional entry?

I am still feeling the sting from my recent words that inadvertently hurt someone because they revealed my own judgmental views of those who are “other.” I was involved in a group discussion in which someone mentioned that divorce is an event which people want to inform others about, but it is not a celebration-worthy occasion. My well-intentioned but inconsiderate response was, “Well, unless the spouse is a *. Then, you’d be happy for the person to be escaping that relationship!” Much later in the meeting, another member of the group emotionally confessed that she is a *. I wanted to dig a hole and crawl into it! I apologized immediately for my earlier words. Fortunately, the * person was much more gracious to me than I had been to her and other *s. She insisted there was no need for an apology, but I still feel awful about what I said and the feelings my words revealed. Because a close friend of mine has been struggling with a * spouse, I was willing to lump all *s into one bad group. Not everyone who is a * behaves the way my friend’s spouse does. It is the choice of actions, not the condition of being a * that causes problems. I need some Jesus time so that I can let go of being judgmental of “others,” even viewing some people as “others.” There really are no “others.” All of us are “we.” *I did not include the actual label for the group of people I refer to as * in my reflection because I did not want to trigger anything for readers. I thought, perhaps, I should explain here in a footnote. On further reflection, though, I think I should just leave it unstated. The lesson is the same, regardless of which group of people I felt superior enough to condemn. I hope the forum readers will be as forgiving of my transgression as the * in the discussion group was.

Today’s devotional entry reminds us that “. . . the ministry Jesus brought always affirmed God’s goodness, love, and invitation to embrace joy.” Is joy the first thing that people think of when Jesus is mentioned? How about church–is joy the idea that comes to mind? In our lives, what can we do to be representatives of the joy of which God is the source?

I like the emphasis that today’s entry puts on our faith community. God gives to us all. His love pours into us and never runs out. What shall we do with this abundant gift?

As I read the verses for today and the devotional entry, I was getting pretty fired up about the importance of clean drinking water. There are places around the world, and even in the U.S., in which it is arduous to obtain safe drinking water. I feel outraged when I hear about policies that prohibit offering someone a drink of water while they are waiting in line to vote. My righteous indignation was in full bloom! And then I read the last part of today’s entry about the Israelistes missing out on God’s invitation to be filled with life and gratitude. Oops. I was so busy getting fired up that I missed the invitation, too! Enders then asks us how we respond to invitations to REST and be filled on our spiritual journey. I think I need a change of focus–more on gratitude. Where is your focus today?

I can think of many differences among believers in Christ. Protestants hold different views from Roman Catholics on some issues. Presbyterians, Baptists, and Mennonites take different stances on some topics. Even within one denomination, such as the Church of the Brethren, different members hold opposing views on some church policies. Despite all of those differences, isn’t it wonderful that “ . . . in Christ, all things in heaven and earth are held together”! In what ways can our differences help make the body of Christ stronger and more effective?

I think we can serve as different parts of the body of Christ in different circumstances. In some groups, one can be called to lead and be the head. In other settings, the same one may be needed as the hands and feet to bring the ideas to fruition. Sometimes one does best to receive information and process it, like the stomach. And every now and then, one finds oneself in the role of the digestive tract, helping the whole group by filtering out what needs to stay and what needs to go. In what ways have you witnessed one being called to serve the church body?

In today’s entry, Enders makes a point of our whole selves being comprised of two parts–the flesh and the spirit. Our fleshly birth was something that happened TO US, while our spiritual birth is something WE CHOSE. I notice a big difference between being a passive and active participant in those two experiences. Most of us take purposeful actions to care for our fleshly selves–we eat and sleep, get vaccinated, wear seat belts, etc. Are we taking purposeful actions to care for our spiritual selves–praying, meditating, learning, reading the Word, spending time with God? What other practices can we think of that feed our spiritual selves?

What strikes me about this entry is the connection between the Old Testament prophecy and actions people are taking in current times to make those visions a reality. Did anyone else think of Jimmy Carter when Enders mentioned “. . . people working together in building or refurbishing homes for those who have been homeless . . . “? What actions can we take today to help bring God’s “vision of harmony” into reality?

I am so intrigued by the Tri-Faith Initiative and Tri-Faith Commons, all connected by Abraham’s Bridge. The disconnect, even animosity, that many US Christians felt toward Muslims after 9/11, was palpable. It’s helpful to have a reminder that three religions–Judaism, Christianity, and Islam–trace their roots to Abraham. Perhaps our connection through Abraham can serve as a bit of a “reset button” to bring our commonalities to the forefront. How can we be a bridge to carry God’s love to those who don’t know Him, especially those who are different from us?

I love the concept of being able to sense what is “enough.” How does one discern what–and how much–is enough?

I am very tactile, so this entry resonates very much for me. I try to be sensitive to others, though, realizing that not everyone welcomes a hug, a handhold, or a shoulder pat. Those touches always make me feel more connected to the other person in a tender way. About a week after my mother had passed away, I had a regular check-up with a doctor. As she placed the stethoscope on my heart, she also placed her other hand on my back. That simple tender gesture was so comforting that it brought all of my tears to the surface. I think we were both very surprised. I appreciated her kindness and compassion in response. In what ways can we create feelings of warmth and safety for others?

I am ever grateful for the God of life and love. His promise to be with us is both humbling and reassuring. I’m not sure what to think of the mention of the devil in Hebrews 2:14, “. . . the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil.” Your thoughts on that entity?