Devotion for Maundy Thursday

John 13:1
Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

He loved his disciples to the end
to the bitter end we might say.
He loved them so deeply
when he went to the garden to pray.

He knew his hour had come to depart
and leave all those he had trained.
Not leaving them with a great loss
but finding how much they had gained.

He didn’t run when the going was rough
he stayed the course to its end.
He knew he couldn’t turn his back
on those who called him “friend.”

Devotion for Wednesday of Holy Week

John 13:31-35
When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

A new commandment he gave to them
and thus he gives to us today.
He didn’t throw away the “law”
just steered it in a different way.

We’re not disciples by a pedigree
or all the things that we achieve
but rather with the love we show
and help other people to believe.

He calls us not to a simple love
but to love as he has loved us.
It is a love we demonstrate
and not love we just discuss.

A commandment not to dominate
but one which will set us free.
It’s not a form of coercion
or placed in a legal decree.

You can’t make others believe you
are following by the words you say
but you can bring them along with you
by letting love guide you on your way.

Can Larry Come Outside and Play?

Can Larry Come Outside and Play?
By Larry R Linville

“Mrs. Linville,” the neighbor kids asked,
“Can Larry come outside and play?”
Grandma said, “I’ll ask his parents,
how long they are going to stay.”

“Mrs. Linville,” the neighbor kids asked,
“Can Larry come outside to play?”
His mother slowly shook her head,
“He has chores, ask again some other day.”

“Mrs. Linville,” the classmates asked,
“Can Larry come outside to play?”
“He’s away at college,” his mother said,
“He left for classes yesterday.”

“Mrs. Linville,” some children asked,
“Can Larry come outside to play?”
His wife said, “He’s a preacher now
and he has to take this time to pray.”

Mrs. Linville, Larry sadly asked,
“Can I go outside to play?”
His wife said, “You’re retired now
but the kids have all gone away.”

Devotion for Tuesday of Holy Week

John 12:20-26
Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.

They came to Philip with a request
perhaps seeking to be blessed.
“We wish to see Jesus” they said
not knowing what was ahead.

Philip went to brother Andrew
to ask him what they should do
and they went to give Jesus the word
of this request they had just heard.

People ask the same of us today
but we often look the other way
and miss this opportunity
to lead them where they want to be.

“We would see Jesus” may not be
the words they say to you and me
yet if we listen when they speak
we can help find what they seek.

devotion for Monday of Holy Week

John 12:1-5
Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?”

She anointed Jesus’ feet
with perfume that was expensive
but old hard-hearted Judas
found the act to be offensive.

He thought she was so wasteful
throwing her money away
and he couldn’t understand
tt was one way she could pray.

He just saw material things
while she acted from hear heart
he thought she was so crazy
but he thought that he was smart.

He didn’t care about the poor
it was only an excuse
because the love of money
his soul fell to its abuse.

Her great generosity
calls from us our very best
and leads us to commitment
when we’re in a time of test.

Ready for Holy Week

As you recall, I don't write a poem for the Sunday's of Lent.
I pause today ready to go into the last week.
I am amazed that we have had 730 visits to this blog since Ash Wednesday. Amazing!

Tonight I will post the devotional poem for Monday and Holy week and my project will conclude with my posting of the Holy Saturday poem.

I cannot express how helpful this has been for me as a discipline. I couldn't allow myself to fail. By promising to post the poems here, I made myself vulnerable and I'm glad I did.

I don't know who has read the poems, but I hope you were blessed and it helped you during your Lenten disciplines.

Lenten Devotion for March 27 - Blind Man

Mark 10:46-52

They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

He was blind when he called out to Christ
with a faith that believed he would see
and Jesus said to the sighted
tell him to come here beside me.

He didn’t slowly stumble to Jesus
but jumped up and came on a run
believing that Jesus could heal him
because he thought he was God’s Son.

When his eyes began being restored
and he saw everything on the way
he followed Jesus the rest of his life
and never would his faith let him stray.

Lenten Devotion for March 26 - Are You Able?

Mark 10: 35-40

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They replied, “We are able.” Then Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

James and John were seeking glory
at the head table they wished to sit.
Jesus quickly informed they both
it was not his choice to permit.

“Are you able” he asked if they could
suffer the things they would have to face.
They said so strongly that they could
but did know what they would embrace.

It’s easy for us in the church today
to try to get what we desire
without giving serious thought
to the sacrifice it would require.

The question for us if we will serve
is what we can do that is good
rather than what is in it for us
which helps when that’s understood

Lenten Devotion for March 25 - rich young man

Mark 10:17-22
As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.’” He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

He was seeking eternal life
an escape from his daily strife.
He’d been good as good can be
but he didn’t feel very free.

Jesus looked at him with great love.
The kind that comes from God above
and gave to him a suggestion
but we walked away with a question.

Possessions had control of him
filling his heart up to the brim.
He couldn’t let go and wouldn’t try
to give God the proper reply.

We may not have a lot of things
like money and fancy rings
but we may have other treasures
that give us worthless pleasures.

Lenten Devotion for March 24 - out of the depths

Psalm 130

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!
If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning.
O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem.
It is he who will redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

Have you ever been this low in your life?
David grieves the loss of his son
with guilt adding to his grief
in a life that is coming undone.

His iniquities seemed like a big pile
stacked as high as anyone could see.
He reached out to a forgiving God
waiting and asking to be set free.

In his grief he felt in his heart
that God has the power to redeem
and forgiveness from the God of love
had become his desperate dream.

No matter how life may knock us down
and smother us in deep despair
David would tell us to “wait on God”
who loves us and is always there.

Lenten Devotion for March 23 - I lift up my eyes

Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the hills— from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.

We look all around for the help we need.
There’s so much help that seems to mislead.
Where are the hills for our eyes to explore?
Perhaps not a hill but a quiet shore.

The psalmist has such a deep belief
which was a comfort in time of grief.
Experience proved the words to be true
during the ages for me and for you.

May you stay close to the God he found then
so you can stand an add your amen.
May God keep your going out and in
helping you live a life free of sin.

Lenten Devotion for March 22 - We're Number One

Mark 9: 33-37

Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”


We’re number one! We’re number one!
We are the favorite of God’s Son!
He likes us so much more than you
you’ll see it before we are through.

Seems silly when we look back at them
build up selves while other condemned.
Yet it’s a big temptation today
bragging when we should humbly pray.

If we would be great we must serve
others without an ounce of reserve
welcoming them like we would a child
with treatment that is very mild.

When we share love with one another
we show love to Jesus, our brother.
For the God who gave Jesus to us
wants us to follow with the fuss.

Resurrection break

Well, I said I would not write a poem for the Sunday's of Lent because Sundays are "little easters." It's good for me to reflect on this. I am so thankful the Spirit has enabled me to keep my commitment. I cannot explain how helpful this has been for my spiritual growth. I'm also thrilled that the blog has had over 600 "hits" since Lent began. That encourages me.

I write this early in the morning with many inches of snow on the ground at the beginning of spring. I do not preach today, but I will be attending worship. I look forward to the music and scripture and the words of my pastor this morning.

Later tonight, I'll post the poem for tomorrow.

Bird Flying In Snow

Bird Flying in Snow
By Larry Linville

What is it like
Oh little bird
To fly when it snows?
I’ve never heard.

Do you dodge the flakes
Falling in the sky
Or fly straight ahead
And pass them by?

Do you see others
There by your side
Or lose sight of them
And finally collide?

It looks so fun
Wish I could go
To fly with you
In a big snow.

Lenten Devotion for March 20 - Healing of a boy

Mark 9:20-27

And they brought the boy to him. When the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. It has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us.” Jesus said to him, “If you are able! —All things can be done for the one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” When Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You spirit that keeps this boy from speaking and hearing, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!” After crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he was able to stand.

If you are able! Jesus proclaimed,
all things can be done if you believe.
The father believed but he confessed
it was hard for him to perceive.

“Help my unbelief!” we cry with him
even when we want to believe.
It seems that we have a faith
which is extremely naïve.

Jesus used this limited faith
and brought healing to the son
just as he works with our small faith
and finishes what we’ve begun.

Lenten Devotion for March 19 - Transfiguration

Mark 9:2-8

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.

What a sight this must have been
Jesus and Elijah and Moses
with dazzling white clothing aglow
right there under their noses.

Peter tried to freeze time right there
with monuments built for each one.
Then God voice broke up the vain plan
saying, “This is my beloved son.”

Now here’s the point you must not miss
when they looked up they saw no one
except Jesus whom they should hear
and follow only God’s Son.

In our lives of following many
self-proclaimed leaders today
we should see only Jesus
and hear what he has to say.

Lenten Devotion for March 18 - Who Do You Say I Am?

Mark 8: 27-30
Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.

“Who do people say that I am?” he asked,
then he narrowed the question down.
It mattered what the disciples thought
rather than rumors going around.

“Who do you say that I am?” he asks
to the disciples living today.
You must give this answer for yourself
no matter what other people say.

Is it too much for us to believe
that our actions and words should agree
so others would hear the words we say
and in our actions they could also see?

Lenten Devotion for March 17 - Joseph and brothers

Genesis 50:15-21
Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, “What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?” So they approached Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this instruction before he died, ‘Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.’ Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, “We are here as your slaves.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.” In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them.

Joseph could have tried to get even
with his brothers who did him wrong
because they who were once strong were weak
and he who was once weak was now strong.

They quoted their dead father to him
as they tried to plead their weak case
while he wept with every one of them
and extended God’s undeserved grace.

Joseph acted as he thought God wished
as he pictured God’s greater vision
to bring about great unity
when he could have increased division.

God takes those acts intended for harm
and turns them into action for good.
That lesson is present for us today
and we hope it gets understood.

Lenten Devotion for March 16 - Joyful Noise

Psalm 100
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing. Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name. For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

Define for me a joyful noise.
Is it singing off tune but with gumption?
A tin ear can be just as joyful.
I think that’s a fair assumption.

We don’t have to be at a church
to sing in the presence of God.
When sung from the heart the soul
even off key doesn’t sound odd.

Thanksgiving’s important in singing
loudly from the depth of our heart.
It makes our spirit much stronger
when through the gates we depart

Let’s sing so we can to show our thanks
with a noise that expresses delight.
Our worship is what we give to God
that lifts our spirits up to new height.

Phydoux's latest comment

I haven't shared one of Phydoux's stories for a while. Some of you may not know about him. Phydoux is the first dog to communicate with humans and he discovered how to type on a computer. We have shared many stories but it's been a long time. Here is his latest contribution. I hope you enjoy!

Phydoux Talks About Dog’s Emotional Problems
By Larry R Linville

It’s been a while since I wrote anything. My owner’s computer was not working right and I’ve not been able to get my thoughts recorded. I have continually observed my fellow dogs and I have especially noticed how humans seem to mess our lives up. Oh, they mean well, but they never put themselves in our places. They need to walk a mile on our paws. They need to try to give up fire hydrants for Lent. They should try the dangerous game of chancing Toyotas. That one can really be difficult. Just about the time you think you’ve caught it, it takes off like a fire truck.

But let me talk about one of the emotional problems given to us by our owners. We have a deep identity crisis.
Why….why….why to they have to act like we are their children?
“How’s my good little boy today?” Ugh!
“Come here and sit on Mommy’s lap.”
If she had a lap I might try.
And they stretch this on out to our children.
“Oh, isn’t it a cute little baby! Come to Grandma.”
They are ruining the next generation.

But it’s more than their words. They think we should want to go to the bathroom on their schedule. Do they think our life is based on their feelings? They want us to go outside when we don’t feel like it and they don’t want to open the door when we REALLY HAVE TO GO. We should never think about wanting out during the last few minutes of the TV show. Never, never ask to go out if a basketball game is going into overtime!

They add insult to injury by dressing us in crazy clothes. At first it was supposed to keep us warm during winter. Then they celebrated spring by dressing us like Easter Bunnies. Bunnies……what an insult! We’re supposed to chase rabbit, but be rabbits. And what about Halloween? I’ve been Batman, Spiderman, Superman and Matt Dillon. The greatest insult was being dressed like the President --- any president!

Last Halloween I was dressed as Goldilocks and my brother was dressed as Little Boy Blue. We went door to door and collected a lot of chocolate candy. What’s wrong with this picture? Dogs can’t eat chocolate! It will kill us! Try that one on a weak identity and see what happens.

I wish I could change places with them. I’d block the bathroom door and only let them in when it suited me. I’d call them stupid baby names in a baby language – “Is ooh having fun my itty bitty baby?” Then I would dress them in uniforms like Rin Tin Tin and the Taco Bell Chihuahua.

When all that was over, I’d make them take a bath in the sink and I’d dust them with flea powder. I’d also wrap their medicine in pieces of stale bread. Finally, I’d get them the most terrible tasting dry food from a bag and tell them to eat it, or else!

I guess I don’t do this to my owner for several reasons:
1) he lets me use his computer.
2) I don’t have thumbs.
3) I can’t speak English – even baby talk.
4) He embarrasses himself more than I could embarrass him anyway.

The next time you see a dog that seems to be acting out, he is probably confused about his identity and doesn’t know how he is expected to act. Please be patient. Take a look at his owner and you’ll probably have sympathy with the poor dog.

Lenten Devotion for March 15 - "Be Opened."

Mark 7:31-34

Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure, saying, “He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”

“Ephphatha” that is, “Be opened.”
And the deaf man could speak and hear.
All this was made possible
because of friends so sincere.

How much we need Ephphatha today.
We can’t always hear what is said
so we cannot understand
and communication is dead.

We need to open our ears and minds
to other people and to God
Otherwise our attempts to show love
is nothing more than a big façade.

Open me up, Lord, as I pray.
Help me to hear the truth you say.
I know that your work in my life
will watch over me lest I stray

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Reminder -- I don't write a poem for the Sundays of Lent. I use this day to celebrate the resurection.

Thanks for checking in on me to hold me responsible for doing a poem each day of Lent. So far, I'm still making this. This has been such a meaningful discipline for me. I hope you have set up some discipline that is helpful to you.

The blog has had 500 visitors since I started this back on Feb. 17th. That is unbelievable!

Later tonight I will be posting the poem for tomorrow. We're moving closer to Easter.

Lenten Devotion for March 13 - silly rituals

Mark 7: 1-8
Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him, they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.) So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” He said to them, “Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.’ You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.”


They had such crazy rituals
which distracted them from human need.
They washed their hands in a special way
before the hungriest they could feed.

There have always been traditions
collected during the years
with little affect on the spirit
but rather on how it appears.

“We’ve always done it this way,”
speaks out our modern day scribes.
They want us to do the same things
which seem to give them good vibes.

Jesus knew people were important
much more than what humans decide.
When the human will get in the way
the vain and the holy collide.

Lenten Devotion for March 12

Mark 6: 53-56

When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.

The word of his healings was spreading
to persons wherever he went.
When he stepped from the boat to shore
the people recognized an event.

The people brought the sick on mats
to the areas where Jesus was.
No matter what town he moved to next
the crowds stirred in a loud buzz.

The success was more than the healings
but in those who brought others to him
and he was able to touch of be touched
by those who went out on a limb.

Our task today is like those back then
who excitedly invited friends
to participate in the fellowship
where God’s graceful love transcends.

counter is back

Just like it disappeared, the counter for this blog came back again.
I thought it might have started over, but apparently kept current.
It's so gratifying to see that I've had over 450 "hits" since I started the Lenten project.
This pushes me to keep my discipline.
I hope the readers have found it helpful in your lenten practices.

Larry

Lenten Devotion for March 11 - feeding the crowd

Mark 6: 35-44

When it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now very late; 6send them away so that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy something for themselves to eat.” 7But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “Are we to go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give it to them to eat?” And he said to them, “How many loaves have you? Go and see.” When they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” Then he ordered them to get all the people to sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all. And all ate and were filled; and they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men.

Five thousand men all ate and were filled
and twelve baskets full remained.
There were puzzled looks on every face
and nobody could have explained

When we let Jesus feed our spirits
the basket runs over today
helping us when we face troubled times
to have great faith as we pray.

Jesus takes things we already have.
He need not go order more.
He multiplies our small resources
much greater than we had before.

When you think you are not important
and so small in the world’s scheme
remember how God takes our small gifts
helping us reach our big dreams.

Lenten Devotion for March 10

Genesis 45: 25-28

So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. And they told him, “Joseph is still alive! He is even ruler over all the land of Egypt.” He was stunned; he could not believe them. But when they told him all the words of Joseph that he had said to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. Israel said, “Enough! My son Joseph is still alive. I must go and see him before I die.”

Many year had passed since his son was gone
an he was told that he was dead.
He had spent much time in his grieving
and now a new message has been said.

Not only does he learn he is alive
but a strong ruler of a land.
He can hardly believe the report
but to believe it would be grand.

When they said that Joseph bade them to come
Jacob’s spirit rose in his chest.
This son he thought he’d never see
had sent him a special request.

What surprises wait ahead of us
from dreams which have long ago died.
Rising from the ashes of dashed hopes
to fill our empty void insides

“Enough! My son Joseph is still alive.”
His voice must have been a quiver.
Did he ever really give up on God’s
ability to deliver?

Lenten Devotion for March 9 - Traveling Light

Mark 6:1-13
Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

Possessions can be a handicap
as we try to work for the Lord.
They can take over our attention
from trying to apply God’s Word.

So Jesus sent them packing light
when he sent them out two by two
so they could give all their energy
to the mission he sent them to do.

Lent is a time for us to take stock
of how heavy our lives we pack
and determine how this weakens us
in achieving those things we lack.

Our faith may be in a deficit
crowded out by the things we own
which have overloaded our life
so the depth of our faith has not grown.

Traveling light, they succeeded
in completing the mission at hand
and the message was extended
to all the ends of the land.

Lenten Devotion for March 8 - She Touched His Garment

Mark 5:24-34
So he went with him. And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.” Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?”1And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, ‘Who touched me?’”2He looked all around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”


She could hardly reach his garment
in her desperation and pain
she felt she had nothing to lose
and everything to gain.

She knew nobody would notice
as she was completely healed.
But when he asked, “Who touched me?”
she wondered who had squealed.

A second time he queried
so she knew she must confess
She never dreamed she’be given
the time her faith to express.

For twelve years she could have given up
and settle for her limited life.
But her faith had made her well
as she overcame her strife.

Poor Answering Machine

Poor Answering Machine
By Larry R Linville

My phone doesn’t ring much when we’re not there.
The answering machine is in deep despair.
It has always thought I was its hero
now it’s ashamed its light is on zero.

Once many messages were recorded.
When I hit “play” it felt rewarded.
We answer the calls when we are in
as it sits on there feeling so chagrin.

Sitting alone, its mind seems to dwell
on my new possession that’s called a cell.
Most calls are on this phone without wire
and the machine thinks it soon will retire.

I feel kind of sorry for this old friend
whose life it seems has come to an end.
I just don’t feel like pulling the plug
and I don’t know how to give it a hug.

Non-Lenten poem -- Overalls and Jeans

I don't write a devotional poem for Sundays in Lent.
I'm enclosing a more lighted one instead.

Overalls and Jeans
By Larry R. Linville

When I was in grade school
I suffered from ridicule
from overalls faded but clean
while others wore new blue jeans.

“farmer boy” some called me
with loud voices of endless glee.
I told my folks the kids were mean
and I needed some new blue jeans.

In a batch of hand me downs
smiles replaced my old frowns
at the sight of blue jeans galore
in that box that sat by the door.

Later, overalls were thrown away.
In style now I could stay.
I said “I would never wear
overalls – ever – I’ll swear.”

So what do I see today?
Those overalls are back to stay.
Because I made that old vow
I just cannot wear them now.

My counter don't work!!!!

I was trying to keep track of the "hits" I had on this blog during this Lenten project and now the counter isn't working. How disappointing!

It did this once before but came back and few days later with much different numbers.

Oh, well. I'll be OK.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog.

Lenten Devotion for March 6 - David Waits on the Lord.

Psalm 27:14

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!


David’s life had been filled with pain.
He “Cried aloud to the LORD.
His life was filled with brokenness
and he wished it to be restored.

He wondered if God was mad at him
and he turned his face away.
The only thing he knew to do
was to reach out to God and pray.

The assuring message he received
was “be strong and wait for the LORD”.
God was aware of his presence,
he wasn’t being ignored.

Wait didn’t mean to do nothing
but to take courage with his heart
so he could see God’s answer
and feel his good life restart.

Lenten Devotion for March 5 - Jesus Stills the Storm

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Storms are used in the scriptures
as symbol for troubles we face.
Troubles we cannot solve alone
but only with God’s great grace.

When it seems like we will sink
with winds that blow us around,
Jesus speaks his words of peace
so we will not have to drown.

Yes, Jesus cares what we’re hurting
and the words he speaks to the storm
save us from the present fear
and makes our heart a new warm.

“Who is this?” we ask with them
that the winds and sea obey.
We give many thanks to God
He is with us every day.

Devotion for March 4 - Jesus, the Communicator

Mark 4:33-34
With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.


Jesus was the great communicator.
The truth was given as they were able
to understand and apply to their lives
through the technique of the parable.

The parable is so very complex.
It opens truth little bit at a time.
And when we continue our deep study
it leads to lessons that are sublime.

I’ve studied them for over fifty years
and preached them on many occasion
to many different congregations
in an attempt at real persuasion.

When I try to bring one out to preach
and study it from every perspective
I find that God gives guidance to me
to find an exciting new reflection.

Why not read one of these stories yourself
and look at it for something brand new?
You don’t have to be a theologian
to find truth that is helpful for you.

Teasing the Un-retired

Teasing the Un-retired
By Larry R. Linville

“You have to go back to work,” I said,
“and I’ll go home for a nap instead.”
“It will just be a little while”
he said, to my smirking little smile.

When I got home there were things to do.
Too late for a nap when I was through.
After supper there was much more
and I missed out on my evening snore.

Another meeting I had next day
which kept me from finding time to play.
We took a lunch break and met again
it was time to eat when I came in.

Was this a penalty for my joke
and for the great fund I tried to poke
at that guy who was not yet retired?
Had all my teasing on me conspired?

Lenten Devotion for March 3 - Jesus Teaches

Mark 4:1-9 Again he began to teach beside the sea. Such a very large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat on the sea and sat there, while the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. He began to teach them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and it sprang up quickly, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched; and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. Other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.” And he said, “Let anyone with ears to hear, let him hear!”

His classroom was the great outdoors.
His podium was a boat.
The images were so graphic
we have it now as a quote.

Seeds and sowers were commonplace
and soils were recognized.
These things had happened for years
before the listeners eyes.

Some heard but didn’t understand
the great truth was very near
so Jesus said if you have ears
you must try very hard to hear.

There’s more than just hearing words
if the lesson we are to learn.
When we read it many times
one day we’ll finally discern.

Devotion for March 2 - Jesus' family

Mark 3:31-35
Then his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him. A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you.” And he replied, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers!5Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”



All those who follow Jesus
no matter whom they may be
and who follow the will of God
are family for you and me.

They may be a different color
and a culture we may think odd
but they are Jesus’ family
and children of our good God.

Jesus loves all those people
we’ve chosen not to OK
but God can help us accept them
if we’re serious when we pray.