So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:7-10
My mornings used to begin with sitting quietly, wondering what in the world I could say about a passage from the Bible that morning that might be valuable in someone’s life that day. I look back now at that time in my life with amazement. Years of early mornings.
And then it stopped. Caught up in the rush of life. Accommodating myself to changes in calls and changes to routines and the sudden awareness that time was slipping away. It just stopped.
Over the course of Lent this year I have enjoyed reading the little snippets of the faith lives of people I love in the congregation that I now serve. I’ve read their words and each day remembered when I used to begin my days writing. And I have realized that I forgot the original purpose for writing devotions and the blessings they became.
I forgot that I started writing them to hold myself accountable to listening to the Word every morning. Instead, now I read the news – which always feels like the same bad news over and over and over again.
I forgot that, every once in awhile, God used my willingness to write to bless someone out there in a profound way that I will never know. Knowing it was possible was enough.
So I got up early Monday morning with hopes of writing something worthwhile. My mind was a blank. I did the same yesterday. Same result.
Now I realize that I had forgotten something else. I was hoping that I would come up with something to say. I had forgotten that, at least for me, writing is something that comes to me in a flash of God-given inspiration. It isn’t something that I carefully craft. Something comes and I type as feverishly fast as I can until it is on paper.
So, this morning, instead of pressuring myself to write, I read a book written by a colleague of mine. It was a mid-Holy Week blessing. The only way I can express my gratitude for having read her words is to write some of my own.
Welcome to Holy Week. May God bless you with time in the company of strangers all gathered to worship the One who knows us by name, Whose voice we recognize when it calls. May your journey through the days to come rekindle in you that blessed love that continues to hold you close.
Let us pray: Gracious Lord, lead us now through these days of peace, pain, and promise. Come to us as we come to you in worship. Resurrect what is best in us and invite us to leave the rest at the cross. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Daily Devotions 
March 27, 2013 at 9:29 pm |
Right on target! Your experience in the busy business of life – the rush, rush, hurry-upidness you describe – quite possibly mirrors that of the majority of Americans. Oh, for the quietness of a mountain top! But we have to make our own quietness – no radio, no TV, no music, no noise. Try it . It is hard but necessary. How else can we hear God speaking to us in this noisy world?
March 28, 2013 at 7:17 am |
Dear Pastor Kerry, It was good to hear from you today. Also good to know that even our Pastors struggle to keep Jesus first. Hope to hear from you when you can. we have been following you for a long time. You have helped us in our journey. One of my friends from Kalispell plans to attend your Easter service with her son and granddaughter. Have a blessed Easter.
March 28, 2013 at 6:38 pm |
From “Jesus Calling” daily devotional by Sarah Young…
“Be still in My Presence, even though countless tasks clamor for your attention. Nothing is more important as spending time with Me. While you wait in My Presence, I do My best work within you: transforming you by the renewing of your mind.”
May it always be so with thee & me Pastor Kerry!
From your friend @ Salem Lutheran Church in Port Lavaca
March 28, 2013 at 6:45 pm |
So good to hear from you. Thank You!
March 28, 2013 at 7:09 pm |
I sure hope this means you will start your daily devotional writing again! I was one of the people who looked forward to it every day!
March 30, 2013 at 1:46 am |
Thank you for your devotions today. You have such a special gift for writing. Like other readers, I hope to hear from you whenever the spirit gives you inspiration. Wishing you a peaceful & blessed Easter.
May 24, 2013 at 4:24 pm |
I leave a comment when I especially enjoy a post on
a site or I have something to valuable to contribute to the discussion.
Usually it’s a result of the fire communicated in the article I read. And after this post John 10:7-10 | Daily Devotions. I was moved enough to drop a comment 😉 I do have some questions for you if it’s allright.
Is it just me or do some of these responses come across like they are left by brain dead visitors?
😛 And, if you are posting on other places, I’d like to keep up with everything new you have to post. Could you list all of all your shared pages like your linkedin profile, Facebook page or twitter feed?
June 4, 2013 at 9:02 am |
Hello, i believe that i saw you visited my weblog thus i got here to
go back the want?.I am trying to find issues to improve my website!
I guess its ok to make use of some of your ideas!
!
June 13, 2013 at 4:57 pm |
Awesome blog! Do you have any recommendations for aspiring writers?
I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
Would you advise starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option?
There are so many choices out there that I’m completely overwhelmed .. Any tips? Thanks a lot!
June 15, 2013 at 9:21 pm |
When someone writes an post he/she keeps the image of a
user in his/her mind that how a user can understand it.
So that’s why this article is amazing. Thanks!
July 2, 2013 at 3:03 pm |
I’ve read a few excellent stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how much attempt you place to make this type of magnificent informative web site.
August 7, 2013 at 10:27 am |
First of all I would like to say excellent blog! I had a quick question which
I’d like to ask if you don’t mind. I was curious to find out how you center yourself and clear your head prior to writing.
I’ve had a hard time clearing my thoughts in getting my ideas out. I truly do enjoy writing but it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are generally lost just trying to figure out how to begin. Any suggestions or tips? Thank you!
November 12, 2013 at 7:37 pm |
Hey! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone!
Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts!
Carry on the outstanding work!
April 18, 2014 at 8:36 am |
whoah this blog is magnificent i love studying your posts.
Keep up the great work! You understand, lots of people are hunting
around for this info, you could aid them greatly.
April 21, 2014 at 1:27 pm |
Hi to every , because I am actually eager of reading this weblog’s post
to be updated daily. It carries fastidious information.