February 28th - Let's Play!

Theme of the Day
Disappointment

Readings of the Day
Leviticus 22:17-23:44-When anyone offers a sacrifice of well-being to the LORD, in fulfillment of a vow or as a freewill offering, from the herd or from the flock, to be acceptable it must be perfect; there shall be no blemish in it.
Mark 9:30-10:12-Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.
Psalm 44:1-8-For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me.
Proverbs 10:19-...the prudent are restrained in speech.
Matthew 9:2-13-Stand up, take your bed and go to your home.

God's Word of the Day
Don't be so concerned about position. It's My position with you that counts.

Story of the Day
We were having a great time that day. We began a game of follow the leader. The leader began to walk around the neighborhood. He invited one then two then three to follow. On and on we went, with kids just leaving the games they were playing behind to play follow the leader. As we went even the kids that were following began to invite others to join in. At some point, some of the kids in the back had to focus real hard in order to see the leader in the front. Even though it was hard to see the leader in the front they could see the leader in the person that was in front of them. Then it began. Towards the rear of the line, which had now grown great in number, someone mumbled that he shouldn't be so far back. He declared that he should be up front with the leader. And that's when it happened. The leader began to walk in circles. And at some point in this circular walk the last became first. The leader knew that in a circle all would have view of him. But we were to keep the leader in our focus of vision, yet at the same time see the leader in the one in front of us. The leader had made the last first and the first last. The leader was in each of us. The leader was in front of us. The leader was behind us. The leader was all around us. We had a great time that day, leaving all we were doing behind, to follow the Leader and learn about life.

Prayer of the Day
Lord, as I leave it all behind, I follow You this day. Accept my sacrifice. I give You thanks and praise for Your perfect sacrifice. I give You thanks for coming to me and taking the place of the perfect sacrifice. As I follow You this day, help me to see You in those around me. Help me, as I love them and show compassion. Give me the words to speak. Show me the actions to take. Walk with me as I gladly stand up and take action in Your name this day. ---Amen

February 27th - Let's Play!

Theme of the Day
Facts

Readings of the Day
Leviticus 20:22-22:16-You shall be holy to me; for I the LORD am holy, and I have separated you from the other peoples to be mine.
Mark 9:1-29-I believe, help my unbelief!
Psalm 43:1-5-O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling.
Proverbs 10:18-...whoever utters slander is a fool.
2 Timothy 4:1-5-...carry out your ministry fully.

God's Word of the Day
You are all sinful. Repent and come near to your neighbor in love and share the story of My glory.

Story of the Day
I was angry and upset that day. Things were said to me that had embarrassed me in front of so many people present. I wasn't sure how to handle the situation. My feelings were drawing me into a depression, I could tell. I was rebuked in public and my ego was feeling the effects. Then I thought back about a few stories when Jesus would rebuke a believer in public. When the person would stop and listen and not take offense at the rebuke, they would always hear a clear message from Jesus. "I believe, help my unbelief!" He got it! He got the message.

So instead of retaliation in my present circumstance, I decided to take the time to listen to the rebuke. Listen and not reply in argumentative retaliation. Listen for the wisdom. If wisdom was present, I would heed it and learn from it. If wisdom or understanding could not be heard, or if only slander was heard, the speaker would condemn themselves in public.

I was angry and upset that day, but a little reflection, a little understanding, and a lot of wisdom began to calm me down.

Prayer of the Day
Lord, help me to stop and listen. Even when I want to shout back in retaliation, give me pause. Let me see Your light and hear Your voice in my daily life situations. Help me to pause and say; "I believe, help my unbelief!" ---Amen

February 26th - Let's Play!

Theme of the Day
Meet

Readings of the Day
Leviticus 19:1-20:21-Keep my statutes, and observe them; I am the LORD; I sanctify you.
Mark 8:11-38-For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.
Psalm 42:1-11-As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God?
Proverbs 10:17-Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life...
1 John 1:3-10-If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

God's Word of the Day
I know your love and desire for Me. I desire and love you too! Love beyond what you can understand.

Story of the Day
The pain was so intense that sweat was coming down my face. The emergency room staff couldn't get to me fast enough as far as I was concerned. The only thoughts running through my mind was for God to help me in this. God help me with this pain! But the pain continued. God helped me in the pain by being with me in the pain, not by taking the pain away. Then the doctor visited and knew the reoccurring problem. Some pain medication was brought in and put into my IV. This gave relief from the pain to the point that I could begin to relax. Sure, the pain was still there, but I could begin to relax and put up with it. Why me? Why me, I wondered?

Why not? Man, you are dust and to dust you shall return. Why not me? I have brought sin into this world and my life. I can't deny that! So why not me? But God didn't send the pain on me. God wants me to be happy and joyful and perfect in Him. Why do I do the things I do? Did sin cause this pain. I think maybe, or even maybe not. Sinful mankind brought destruction into the world. Through sin, we all try to take control of our lives and take control of God's creation and make it into what we selfishly desire. Through sin we turn from God's desire and make our own desire our idol. In God's desire to live in love with His creation, we pull away from Him and take to ourselves. So sin and pain and illness are not results of God's desire, but of our failed desire to render all creation our own for our own selfish reasons. So why does this pain and illness have to come to me? Why not someone else? I guess mankind really doesn't have as much control over it all as we think we do. I guess we all are subject to the results of our sin in total. So why not me?

Then, as I lay in the hospital bed, I begin to realize that even in my sin, even in my illness, even in my pain, Jesus came before me and lived the human life. Jesus came to suffer the sin for me. He came to redeem me from my sin with a love so deep and so wide that it overcame death. Jesus gave his life for me and walked through hell for me so that I could live forever with Him in heaven. Wow!

So why not me? I'm so happy to live this life with Jesus coming to my door day after day, inviting me out to play. Out to play to walk by His side. Out to play to follow His lead. Out to play to run and jump and love my neighbor. Out to play to learn and live daily in His Kingdom, in His way. I'm so happy to give my life away, even if I live in pain, even if illness abounds, I know of a joy, in a Savior, by my side, that will quench that longing thirst for fresh flowing water by the stream of life. Thanks be to God, he chose me!

Prayer of the Day
Lord forgive me. Forgive me for being selfish in my pain and suffering. Forgive me for being too proud to acknowledge Your presence in the pain of life. Forgive me for neglecting Your presence in the joys and blessings of life. I focus on You and gladly answer that door, because Billy knows it's way better to come out and play, day after day, with You in Your Kingdom. I give my life to You, today, tomorrow, forever. ---Amen

February 25th - Let's Play!

Theme of the Day
Indulge

Readings of the Day
Leviticus 16:29-18:30-For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you for making atonement for your lives on the altar; for, as life, it is the blood that makes atonement.
Mark 7:24-8:10-Then he ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground; and he took the seven loaves, and after giving thanks he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute; and they distributed them to the crowd.
Psalm 41:1-13-As for me, I said, "O LORD, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against you."
Proverbs 10:15-16-The wage of the righteous leads to life...
Psalm 51:1-17-The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

God's Word of the Day
You are broken because of what you have done. Turn to Me, for I am coming to you. See Me and feel Me, touch and smell. For I will show you the acceptable sacrifice. I love you.

Story of the Day
So there I was about to be sacrificed. I don't get it, I'm an animal after all. How can I cleanse these people? And drain my blood? My blood is what keeps me alive! Drain my blood, sling some of it around, wipe it here and there!? I don't get it! And they didn't get it either! This God of ours was showing life in blood- Life in sacrifice- Life in the broken- Life! Then years later, one of my kin told me a story.

There was a man...about to be sacrificed...a man!...yet God?...his blood all over the hands of the people...about to be sacrificed for the people...showing life in the blood...life in the sacrifice...life in the blood, eternally slung all around.

Prayer of the Day
Lord, I turn to You this day and repent of my sin. I turn to You and humbly seek Your forgiveness. You are Life. Life is in You. Take these ashes...take this dust...let it die to sin and selfish ambition, to live in You. Recreate me into Your hearts desire and will. ---Amen

February 24th - Let's Play!

Theme of the Day
Connection

Readings of the Day
Leviticus 15:1-16:28-The goat shall bear on itself all their iniquities to a barren region; and the goat shall be set free in the wilderness.
Mark 7:1-23-Listen to me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.
Psalm 40:11-17-But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in your; may those who love your salvation say continually, "Great is the LORD!"
Proverbs 10:13-14-The wise lay up knowledge...
1 Timothy 3:14-16-He was revealed in flesh, vindicated in spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory.

God's Word of the Day
I have made a connection with you. I come to you from the outside in and make you like Me from the inside out.

Story of the Day
She sprinkled the yeast into the dough from above with hands of care and love. Then the working with the hands. The kneading and rolling. The yeast was worked into the dough and the yeast began to change the dough from the inside out. The dough began to rise due to the yeast working from the inside out. The dough was bubbling with action now that the yeast was inside. Then into the oven. The heat of the oven changed the dough with the yeast inside and throughout the dough into something new and wonderful. Ahhh! The Bread of Life! Thanks be to God!

Prayer of the Day
Lord, I give You thanks for Jesus. I give You thanks that You have sent Him into this world and into my life and the very gut of my soul. Work in and through me and bubble up to the surface Your Spirit of love and grace and change me into what You desire. Especially in the heat and pain of life, may Your Spirit of Love rise out of me to those You send to me this day, that all may see the joy I have in You. ---Amen

February 23rd - Let's Play!

Theme of the Day
Spontaneous work

Readings of the Day
Leviticus 14:1-57-The priest shall make atonement on his behalf and he shall be clean.
Mark 6:30-56-As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
Psalm 40:1-10-He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.
Proverbs 10:11-12-The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life...
Hebrews 2:1-4-Therefore we must pay greater attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.

God's Word of the Day
Listen and pay attention for My Word is righteous and a fountain of life.

Story of the Day
I wondered why the Veterinarian would ever stop. As I was driving along the interstate, I saw a Veterinarian stopped by the side of the rode. He was nursing a coyote which had been struck and wounded by a car. These animals had been nothing but a nuisance in the area, yet this Vet stopped to heal the animal and place it back into nature. It just didn't make much sense to me.

Prayer of the Day
Lord, you take the leprous man, the lame, the blind, the diseased, the sinful, and so many other cast offs from society under Your arms and heal them, change them and call them to bear fruit. You call then to spread good seed. You change the rotten fruit of sin and cause me to bear the good fruit of love. Your Word is righteous and You bathe me in a fountain of life. Take me this day, healed and forgiven and call me in friendship to live and love the friends You place in my path, that they may see the Love of Christ. Hear my praise or Lord; hear my new song today! ---Amen

February 21st-22nd - Let's Play!

Theme
Rest

Readings
Leviticus 11:1-13:59-...you shall be holy, for I am holy.
Mark 5:21-6:29-The child is not dead but sleeping.
Psalm 38:1-39:13-But it is for you, O LORD, that I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.
Proverbs 10:8-10-Whoever walks in integrity walks securely...

God's Word
You can only become holy through me. I make you holy. You can never make yourself holy.

Story
I had fallen into a deep sleep. A sleep so deep that I thought I was dead. I couldn't move about. My body and mind must have requested some deep sleep. Then, as I slept, I began to dream. There was a knock at the door. As I approached the door to answer, I knew that I was about to come out of my sleep. I was about to come out of the sleep and be called to action. My sleep was a waiting period. My sleeping was a time of rest by green pastures. My sleep had restored my soul. My sleep had come on, not of my own doing, but of the doing of the one who was about to be standing at the door. My sleep was a preparation for the walk through the shadow of death. My sleep was the restoration I would need for the battle. Then I slowly opened the door. An invitation came from the one at the door. "Can Billy come out to play?"

How I needed that sleep. How I needed that wait, brief as it was. How I needed that restoration. For I was about to step out into a story. I was about to become part of a story I couldn't even fathom. The calling wasn't because of my worthiness. I was called in my sin. I was called in the midst of my filth and stench. I was called as what I really was. I was called and loved to come out to play. I was loved by this one at the door. I was loved by his companions. I was called to join in the discipleship of friends that day.

My response...my response this day and all days future..."Here, I am Lord. Take me!"

I left the house that day with my friend Jesus and his friend Moses and one other. One other of whom I would join beside. We would go that day, called as we were. We would go and make disciples of Jesus, door to door, one disciple at a time. Door to door, building one great cloud of witnesses. Walking through the valley of the shadow of death. Walking together in the Light of Christ.

I had fallen into a deep sleep. I had been called. I was called to action into a story that is still unfolding. A story beyond all imagination.

Prayer
Let's play! ---Amen

February 20th - Let's Play!

Theme of the Day
Call to action

Readings of the Day
Leviticus 9:7-10:20-Fire came out from the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar; and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.
Mark 4:26-5:20-...but he explained everything in private to his disciples.
Psalm 37:30-40-The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their refuge in the time of trouble.
Proverbs 10:6-7-The memory of the righteous is a blessing...
1 Kings 14:1-18-...because in him there is found something pleasing to the LORD...

God's Word of the Day
Listen my disciple; I will make all things clear to you, listen.

Story of the Day
That morning as I stepped outside to pick up my paper off of the drive, I was feeling very well rested for once. In some sort of joy or fit of happiness, I snapped my finger on my way up the drive. At that very same moment there was a clap of thunder. I looked up to the early morning sky and there wasn't a cloud in site. It was a clear sunny morning! Thinking how weird this coincidence was, I decided to try something else. I waved my hand into the air from left to right. A cloud swept in at that same moment. Thinking how funny some of this was getting to be, I raised my hands into the air and wiggled my fingers as I dropped my arms to my side. Then it rained, right then at that same moment. Where did this odd power come from? What does it mean? What am I to do with it? So, I raised my hands as if stopping a car at a stop light and the rain stopped. Then I took one arm and waved it in the form of an arch to the sky. A rainbow appeared. God had given me some power. Some power to do something with. He had given me powers that I could never ever have achieved through any acts of my own. Now all I wanted to know, was what was I to do with these powers? Now what!???

Prayer of the Day
Lord, as I gather at Your feet with powers only You could grant; I sit and listen. I listen to what You would have me do. Explain it all to me and make it clear. Call me into action today and work Your awesome powers through me, not to credit myself with glory, but to point all glory, honor and praise straight to You. ---Amen

February 19th - Let's Play!

Theme of the Day
Victory

Readings of the Day
Leviticus 7:28-9:6-Then Moses took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood that was on the altar and sprinkled them on Aaron and his vestments, and also on his sons and their vestments.
Mark 3:31-4:25-Other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.
Psalm 37:12-29-Our steps are made firm by the LORD, when he delights in our way; though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the LORD holds us by the hand.
Proverbs 10:9-A child who gathers in summer is prudent...
1 Kings 11:26-40-Yet to his son I will give one tribe, so that my servant David may always have a lamp before me in Jerusalem, the city where I have chosen to put my name.

God's Word of the Day
I anoint you, I walk with you, I sprinkle My blood on you; now go and be prudent and tell all of My deeds of love and grace and the Light that shines forever.

Story of the Day
We rode our bike to the trails that ran by the river. Up and down the hills of the trails, our bikes flying through the air, we had a blast that day. Stopping by the river to make a raft out of limbs and rope we floated down the river. That day was a fun summer day. I formed a bond with my best friend that day. So we made a pact that we would always be friends. We would be there through the hard times for the other. We would never part throughout all of life. We even sprinkled a little blood on the ground from each of our fingers uniting out blood as one with the ground of this place. We united in brotherly love for life.

Prayer of the Day
Lord, I become one with You in the blood You shed on the ground of Jerusalem. You became the sacrifice offered. You came and united with me in the very life of the blood of flesh. I give You all the glory and thanks. I praise You for the pact You graciously gave to me and the world. Make my faith and love sprout and grow with Your blood feeding my seed of faith in good soil, that I will proclaim Your glory all my days. ---Amen

February 18th - Let's Play!

Theme of the Day
What a mess!

Readings of the Day
Leviticus 6:1-7:27-Flesh that touches any unclean thing shall not be eaten; it shall be burned up.
Mark 3:7-30-Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of eternal sin.
Psalm 37:1-11-Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Proverbs 10:3-4-...the hand of the diligent makes rich.
Psalm 6-The LORD has heard my supplication; the LORD accepts my prayer.

God's Word of the Day
I choose you. I use you. I re-create the mess.

Story of the Day
An adulterer, a murderer, a thief, one who lies, one who doubts, one who denies, one who betrays, multiple wives, whores, even virgins. A team of people with all sorts of frailties. A bunch of people that you may not choose for anything. He chose them. He came to the unclean and touched them. He came and became part of their lives and transformed their lives. Transformed their very beings and purpose in life from the inside out. Transformed from the inside out and from the outside in and throughout. He came and called each one and became a part of them and made then all uniquely beautiful in his kind of way. They couldn't have made it on their own. The harder they tried to make it on their own the worse it all got. But once he came and touched their uncleanness, they started to become like him. They radically changed, and it's made all the difference for each one of them and for all the world. All because he came to them and reached out and touched the unclean and made it clean.

Prayer of the Day
Lord, reach out to the unclean of this world, me included, and touch us. I hunger for Your touch. I desire for You to penetrate my being and spirit and make me clean. Clean me, call me and use me to do your will. May my life be pleasing to You. May I do Your will always. ---Amen

February 17th - Let's Play!

Theme of the Day
Plan of action

Readings of the Day
Leviticus 4:1-5:19-Or when you touch human uncleanness-- any uncleanness by which one can become unclean-- and are unaware of it, when you come to know it, your shall be guilty.
Mark 2:1-3:6-And as he sat a dinner in Levi's house, many tax collectors and sinners were also sitting with Jesus and his disciples-- for there were many who followed him.
Psalm 36:1-12-For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
Proverbs 10:1-2-A wise child make a glad father...
1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1-Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

God's Word of the Day
I AM in you.

Story of the Day
The creator created the creature in his likeness. He created the creature to be like the creator. But the creature chose something different. The creature decided that he want to be his own creator. The creature went after a wisdom of his own and became something that the creator had not intended. So the creator looked upon the creature in compassion, knowing that the creature could never become as the creator; the creator decided that he needed to become like the creature. So the creator changed himself into the creature. Out of love and compassion; out of anger and action the creator became the creature. The creator now walked with the creature in the very likeness and form of the creature. As the creator walked with the creature, he called disciples to himself. And the creator lived and died for the creature. The creator gave his life, so that the creature could now be in the creator's likeness. And the creator once again lived in the creature. The creator was making the creature into his likeness once again. Sure the creature still had to live in the sinfulness of the world. But now, no longer was the creature trying to become like a creator, but now, the creator was living in the creature, making the creature like the creator. And this subtle difference...so subtle...makes all the difference. Now the creature joyfully gave his life away, bit by bit, to the creator living in him and making the creature into what the creator desired. Thanks be to God!

Prayer of the Day
Lord, I took the apple and thought I could make myself into You. Forgive my sin. You took on flesh and died for me. I give You thanks. You chose to reach out and touch me, unclean as I am. You chose to make Yourself unclean for me. You came down and ate at my table. You became unclean because of my presence. You took on my sin and died for it. You made me clean by coming to me and calling me and growing in me. As I die daily to sin, I see the life I have in You. You in me and I in You, but all because of what You chose to do. I choose You! I give my life to You! As I die daily to sin, may You grow in me, today, tomorrow and forever. Thanks be to God! ---Amen

February 16th - Let's Play!

Theme of the Day
Relationship

Readings of the Day
Leviticus 1:1-3:17-Then the priest shall turn the whole into smoke on the altar as a burnt offering, an offering by fire of pleasing odor to the LORD.
Mark 1:29-2:12-I do choose. Be made clean!
Psalm 35:17-28-Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness and of your praise all day long.
Proverbs 9:13-18-The foolish woman is loud; she is ignorant and knows nothing.
Acts 3:1-10-Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.

God's Word of the Day
I'm in a close relationship with you and choose to make you clean.

God's Word of the Day
I couldn't walk for a while. I couldn't even barely move about. I couldn't work. So I sit and beg for help. Then one day a man came into my life. He came into my life through the love and compassion of some disciples of the man. They told me of Jesus. I repent of my sin and fell at the feet of Jesus. And then I began to walk. I began to walk, then run, then leap. In joy, I ran to tell the world of Jesus. Jesus, who chose to come to me and make me clean and whole again. I was turned into something new, not because of what I did, but because of what Jesus chose to do. Thanks be to God!

Prayer of the Day
Jesus, I fall at Your feet and repent of my sin. I need You! Reach out and choose to make me clean. Make me Your own. Recreate me into what You want. I run to tell the world all You have done. ---Amen

February 15th - Let's Play!

Theme of the Day
Love

Readings of the Day
Exodus 39:1-40:38-Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
Mark 1:1-28-The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.
Psalm 35:1-16-O LORD, who is like you?
Proverbs 9:11-12-For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.
Mark 1:40-45-If you choose, you can make me clean...I do choose. Be made clean!

God's Word of the Day
I have chosen.

Story of the Day
We had finally finished construction of the new church. The work was long and hard, but we had done this all on our own. We had used skills that were present in our congregation. People stepped forward from all walks of life and did the best they could. And the results were fantastic. We did some things that we could never have done on our own. Surely the finger of God was with us all along the way. We built the building and all the furnishings and everything that we would need, inside and out. We worked with our hearts and hands and voices and spirits united as one. Then the morning of the dedication came and as we approached the new building, sunlight lit up the early morning fog at the church and made it glow. It was as if the presence of God was in this place and moving about. We waited until the fog lifted and knew for sure that God was sending us a welcome into His house. So we gathered together with Him lifted above, within and throughout. We shared in His Spirit and a community was formed. A community was chosen. Lord, who is like you? --- Great and awesome and wonderful!

Prayer of the Day
Lord, You gather us together and move among us. You move within us and around us. Permit me to feel Your touch this day. Permit me to be the vessel You speak a word through. Permit my hands to reach out in Your love to another, today, tomorrow and forever. ---Amen

February 14th - Let's Play!

Theme of the Day
Love in action

Readings of the Day
Exodus 37:1-38:31-He overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside.
Matthew 28:1-20-So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
Psalm 34:11-22-The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
Proverbs 9:9-10-The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom...
Matthew 26:6-13-Truly I tell you, wherever this good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.

God's Word of the Day
Look and see, hear and understand what I have done.

Story of the Day
His heart was pure as gold. He was good to all of us all of the time. But somehow we took advantage of his goodness. We didn't appreciate the personal sacrifice he had made. He dealt with problems we didn't even see. He dealt with those problems to keep us safe. These issues were never revealed. Only revealed in his heart with his Father. He would go in prayer for us and deal with compassion and love. Then the persecution---then the death---but on this morning as we approached the tomb a new message came to life. The biggest of our problems he dealt with on his own. He defeated death and was now alive. His heart was the pure gold of love, inside and out. We left the tomb, in fear of a God that was this awesome and loving. In fear that we could never be good enough. But our command wasn't to be good enough! Our command was to run and tell! This we could do! This we were glad and happy and overjoyed to do! This is what we were made to do! Run and tell! Go and tell of the one who loved us so much that he defeated death for us. Run! Go and proclaim the good news to all the world. This is life! We run in joy and thanksgiving!

Prayer of the Day
Lord, I'm overjoyed that You have called me to run and tell of You! Thanks be to God! ---Amen

February 13th - Let's Play!

Theme of the Day
Reunion

Readings of the Day
Exodus 35:10-36:38-He has filled them with skill to do every kind of work...
Matthew 27:32-66-Truly this man was God's Son!
Psalm 34:1-10-O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.
Proverbs 9:7-8-Give instruction to the wise, and they will become wiser still...
Leviticus 14:1-20-Thus the priest shall make atonement on his behalf and he shall be clean.

God's Word of the Day
Truly I AM Truth.

Story of the Day
I was covered. My skin was so awful, at times, I couldn't even stand to look at myself. The priest had treated me. The priest had made all the sacrifice on my behalf and now I stood clean. I stood clean and my spirits were high. I was ready to shout thanks to God for healing. I was filled with God's Spirit and on fire. God had gifted me with healing. God had gifted me with awesome skills to put to work now. My time had come to go before my Savior and walk with him. My time had come and I received the call to go by His side. I once was covered in sin, but now I'm clean, called, and created for action.

Prayer of the Day
Oh, the price You paid to clean me up! I give You thanks for the cleaning, for the calling and for Your awesome skills You have provided. I leap to walk with You this day and serve You boldly in Your Kingdom, today, tomorrow and forever. ---Amen

February 12th - Let's Play!

Theme of the Day
Assist

Readings of the Day
Exodus 34:1-35:9-Although this is a stiff-necked people, pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for your inheritance.
Matthew 27:15-31-His blood be on us and on our children!
Psalm 33:12-22-From where he sits enthroned he watches all the inhabitants of the earth-- he who fashions the hearts of them all, and observes all their deeds.
Proverbs 9:1-6-Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed.
Leviticus 13:1-17-The priest shall make an examination...

God's Word of the Day
I have examined your sin. Repent and turn to Me.

Story of the Day
I flew in that day and perched on this little sign towards the top of this cross. There was a man below me that was in pain and agony. He was dying. Yet there was something special about this man. I could feel his power. It was as if rays of light were penetrating my wings and going into my body. As I looked over the people present, I saw all sorts. Some with condemning faces. Some disgusted that this man could not save them and rule over the Romans like they thought he would do. Some who felt power and victory over this dying man. Then I saw the man look out over this crowd of people. He looked out with eyes of love and examined each one. He looked at each individual with love. He looked at the whole of the crowd in love. I could tell that what he was doing, was for the love of these people. He was giving his life for these people. He was dying in their stead. A man enthroned and sitting on a cross, examining in love the sin of the stubborn people below and loving them individually and as a whole. Love like I've never seen before. I flew in that day and perched. Perched into eternity as a dove, above the love of God, giving life to his creation through death.

Prayer of the Day
Send now the dove of Your Spirit and fill me with Your Love that I may go this day overflowing, to love and serve You, today, tomorrow and forever.---Amen

February 11th - Let's Play!

Theme of the Day
Renewal

Readings of the Day
Exodus 32:1-33:23-The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved upon the tablets.
Matthew 26:69-27:14-When Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders.
Psalm 33:1-11-For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.
Proverbs 8:33-36-For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD...
Psalm 102:12-28-But you, O LORD, are enthroned forever; your name endures to all generations.

God's Word of the Day
I AM Creator - I AM

Story of the Day
At first I was divided. I was used to adorn and make beautiful. I enhanced the beauty of the female. Then there came the command or the word. They threw all of my divided parts together and heated them up and reshaped me into an animal. Then they all came together and bowed down and worshipped me, as the creator of all things. I didn't create a thing! You created me! You created me and bound my into one confined space and shaped me as a living thing. I wasn't in the form of a living thing before!? And now you must think I live. Well I don't! And I don't like what you have done to me! I used to enhance the beauty of the female. Now I can do nothing. Yet you worship me? You bow down to me as your creator? You are a bunch of fools! Listen to me! You are a bunch of fools to worship what you have created!

Then it happened! Anger from above. Anger from a man that had met with the real Creator of it all. And I was ground up and thrown into the water. The people would drink the water and I would enter their body and flow out of it. How disgusting! This whole thing wasn't about me! It was about these fools who tried to take me and confine me and make me into a God they could control the shape of and worship in whatever way they chose. Fools!

Years later one of my cousins was used to betray the Creator. My cousin was used in trade for valuable things or services. The fools worshipped him also! Then he was taken back and thrown down at the feet of those who tried to confine the Creator once again. Fools! You can't make God into what you want. He makes you into what He wants! Don't you get it? Fools!

Prayer of the Day
Lord, I stop, I pause, I listen. Make me into what You would have me be. From Your Word I can stand firm. You are the one enthroned in my life forever. You alone are my God! ---Amen

February 10th - Let's Play!

Theme of the Day
Life

Readings of the Day
Exodus 30:11-31:18-...tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.
Matthew 26:47-68-They answered, "He deserves death."
Psalm 32:1-11-Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Proverbs 8:27-32-When he established the heavens I was there...
Acts 15:36-41-Come, let us return and visit the believers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.

God's Word of the Day
I part the waters and give life. I give life.

Story of the Day
If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would never have believed it! We were on such a long journey to this distant planet. As we approached the planet, you could tell that there was no life on it. It was bare and void of any signs of water. The sun scorched the surface and it was pitted with craters. But then it seemed to appear out of the midst of the surface. Water began to bubble up from the surface of the planet. Huge clouds formed and completely covered the planet only allowing the sun to peek through the breaks in the clouds. It was as if the water below was separated from the water above. Then life! Life began to form before my very eyes. As if I were watching time fly, I saw what appeared to be hundreds of years pass by with each second. Plant life and animal life formed between the water above and the water below. Then some separation of the water below and ground appeared. There was a separation in the clouds and the climate warmed. Still water above and water below. People began to walk the ground and multiply. People lived, and people also learned evil. People began to destroy. Then I saw death. But then it happened once again to my disbelief.

The very creator of the water above and the water below, the creator of this in-between the waters space of life, broke through and inhabited the space between the waters. The creator became like the creature. The creator rose out of the water below and the water above parted and a voice spoke; "This is my Son, listen to him!" So I listened in. This Son came to restore the life intended in this space of life between the waters below and the waters above. This Son came and gave His life to recreate the life that was destroyed in the wickedness of death brought forth by the creature. And the space between the water below and the water above began to be filled with a Spirit of life that spread and grew between the creatures. All because of the Creator's Son who gave life once again. Gave life once again to the creatures in the space between the water below and the water above. And I realized that I had just seen Earth. In a few seconds I had witnessed the love of God saving his creation on the planet Earth through his Son, Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

Prayer of the Day
Lord with Your awesome creative finger, You gave life. You brought life out of chaos. You brought life out of sin. You brought life out of death. You brought life to me. You brought life to the Church. You brought life as I came out of the waters beneath to face the waters above in my baptism, I see the Light and the Spirit of God, living in and through me day after day. Teach me to hear Your Voice and to follow Your Light and to do Your will, today, tomorrow and forever, in this space of life between the waters beneath and the waters above. ---Amen

February 7th - 9th - Let's Play!

Theme
Support

Readings
Exodus 26:1-30:10-...at the entrance of the tent of meeting before the LORD, where I will meet with you, to speak to you there.
Matthew 25:1-26:46-Take, eat; this is my body.
Psalm 31:1-24-The LORD preserves the faithful...
Proverbs 8:1-26-The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil.

God's Word
Meet me at the tent- take and eat- I preserve the faithful.

Story
You should have seen how dressed up all those priests were. The smoke and the smell from that place was all around. Something big must have been going on in that tent. Something really big! You should have seen it all. It was like one big cook out. Sacrifices left and right, all day long. You wouldn't have believed it!

You should have seen the parade they had for this guy. Then the commotion in the temple. The people were in such a panic. The emotions were running high. All the top religious people were involved along with the top government guys. You should have seen it all. Then it was like a sacrifice on the hill. All these people gathered around to watch the one they had the parade for die. You wouldn't have believed it!

Prayer
Lord, I meet You at the tent---I meet You at the cross---I find the sacrifice---I see it's You!---It should be me!---But it's You!---I run to You---You were already there for me---Thanks! ---Amen

February 6th - Let's Play!

Theme of the Day
Celebration of life


Readings of the Day
Exodus 23:14-25:40-Then you shall make a mercy seat of pure gold...There I will meet with you...
Matthew 24:29-51-And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Psalm 30:1-12-Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
Proverbs 7:24-27-And now, my children, listen to me, and be attentive to the words of my mouth.
Job 36:1-23-See, God is exalted in his power...


God's Word of the Day
Witness My mercy seat and listen.


Story of the Day

You know, it seems to me that I remember a story about a relative, oh, it must have been hundreds of years ago that made a thing called a mercy seat too. He covered the lid of the box of the ark of the covenant with pure gold. I mean, this was a very high honor and service in the temple of God! This was no small deal whatsoever. Then he hammered out two winged creatures of pure gold and fastened them to the lid of the chest. These creatures were to face each other and the wings would spread over the chest. It was said that this was the place that God would judge his people with mercy. God would meet his people at this place. This place of the wings was called the mercy seat. Inside the ark were the two stone tablets with the Ten Commandments on them. Over time my people messed it all up and the ark was lost. I wonder if my ancestor's work is located somewhere? Oh well, I need to get back to my work.

So here I am now preparing the wood for the sedile. The sedile is a little platform that a guy they are going to kill for claiming he is a king, to sit and take a break. I guess while he is dying on the cross, he can sit for a minute and look out over the crowd. Since he thinks he's a king or something, my sedile, just might be his only throne here on earth. You, know, some people call this sedile a mercy seat too. It gives the guy dying a little mercy in his pain and suffering. It could be where he meets with the people of his kingdom too.

Makes me wonder if my mercy seat has anything to do with the mercy seat of the ark. God is King after all. This guy claims to be a king. But why would he let himself die on a throne like mine? My ancestor's mercy seat was for a loving God. If this guy named Jesus really is God, I guess this may be a mercy seat too! If my ancestor's God had judged my life, I would deserve the cross, after all I've done. Maybe if this guy says he's God, he just might be taking my place and taking on the world's sin from a new kind of mercy seat? But that's pretty far beyond what I can think about. It still makes me wonder, if maybe this guy called Jesus really is God. I guess I'll see here soon...

Prayer of the Day

I give You thanks, Lord, for the mercy seat. I give You eternal thanks! I give You thanks...Amen

February 5th - Let's Play!

Theme of the Day
Move

Readings of the Day
Exodus 21:22-23:13-Be attentive to all that I have said to you.
Matthew 24:1-28-For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
Psalm 29:1-11-May the LORD give strength to his people!
Proverbs 7:6-23-He is like a bird rushing into a snare...
Proverbs 12:10-21-Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to advice.

God's Word of the Day
Stop, be attentive and listen to Me first, then move out in action.

Story of the Day
The catcher saw the manager give a signal for a change up. He knew this was a sign given to be followed. So the catcher signaled to the pitcher. The pitcher stood on the mound receiving the signal from the catcher, and shook the signal off. The catcher repeated the same signal again, hoping the pitcher would understand that this signal came from the manager and was to be followed. The pitcher had to stop and be attentive to the catcher. Once the pitcher was clear as to the importance of this pitch he took his wind up for the pitch...

Prayer of the Day
Lord, may I be attentive to Your signals. May I be attentive to Your call and listen. Then in Your grace may I move out in active love this day. ---Amen

February 4th - Let's Play!

Theme of the Day
Return

Readings of the Day
Exodus 19:16-21:21-I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me.
Matthew 23:13-39-How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!
Psalm 28:1-9-The LORD is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed.
Proverbs 7:1-5-My child, keep my words...
Psalm 35:1-10-O LORD, who is like you?

God's Word of the Day
Run to Me, I will feed you and make you strong.

Story of the Day
We were all outside playing and having a ball in the neighbor's yard. Then I heard a distant but familiar voice. "Billy, come home, it's time to eat!" So off I ran to go home to eat and be nourished and to talk over with family the happenings of the day.

Prayer of the Day
Lord, may I hear Your voice and come running as You gather us together to feed us and nourish us with Your body and blood, with bread and wine, that we would unite in the Word and share our walk with You, one with another. ---Amen

February 3rd - Let's Play!

Theme of the Day
Understanding

Readings of the Day
Exodus 17:8-19:15-For the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone.
Matthew 22:34-23:12-All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.
Psalm 27:7-14-Your face, LORD, do I seek. Do not hide your face from me.
Proverbs 6:27-35-He will get wounds and dishonor, and his disgrace will not be wiped away.
1 Corinthians 7:32-40-I want you to be free from anxieties.

God's Word of the Day
You can't do it all on your own. Ask for help and come to Me.

Story of the Day
So there we were, my partner and I, in the trees on a team building exercise. We were each in separate trees next to one another with a cable strung across to another tree. Two cables parallel to one another about five feet apart. We were to somehow cross the cables together to arrive to the other side. Neither one of us could cross one cable alone. So we stepped out and leaned into one another clasping our hands together above our heads. One person balanced the other. Step by step we slid across the cables together and reached the other side. First we had to admit we needed each other. Next we had to lean on each other for help when needed. Only then could we go on.

Prayer of the Day
Lord, I sin and get in trouble. I need Your help. I need the help of others. As I reach and call out for help, humble and needy, see me and love me and walk with me in Your will and way I pray. ---Amen

February 2nd - Let's Play!

Theme of the Day
Rest

Readings of the Day
Exodus 15:19-17:7-He cried out to the LORD; and the LORD showed him a piece of wood; he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet.
Matthew 22:1-33-For many are called, but few are chosen.
Psalm 27:1-6-I will sing and make melody to the LORD.
Proverbs 6:20-26-For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light...
Luke 2:22-40-The child brew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

God's Word of the Day
Stay a while. You will see how I have called and chosen you.

Story of the Day
I'd been in this place for years and years and no one had ever bothered me. Sometimes there would be more of me than other times, especially when it rained. When it rained, I grew, when it got hot I shrunk down in size. But I had always been here. All by myself here, I let myself go and would stink most of the time, but that's my business.

Then all of these people came tromping up to my edges poking their hands into me and taking a drink then spitting back into me. How rude can you get! Just go on by like all the others and leave me alone. But no! Some guy comes up to me and hears all the complaints these people have about my taste and he throws a piece of wood into me. And that's when it happened! That's when I realized my call and purpose in life! I was called to sustain these special people of God! All my life, I knew I was here for a reason, I knew I had a calling, but I never knew when I'd be chosen, and this was the day! So I nourished these people with the new sweetness of my water. Who would have known that some wood, could change my life and remove my stench and replace it with a sweet life of love and service to the people of the world!

Prayer of the Day
Lord, I give you thanks that you have used some wood to take the stench of my sin and change me into a sweet smelling vessel of Your grace and love. Live and work through me this day to nourish Your people. Choose me to do Your will, as I serve you today. ---Amen

February 1st - Let's Play!

Theme of the Day
See and understand

Readings of the Day
Exodus 13:17-15:18-The LORD went in front of them in a pillar of cloud by day, to lead them along the way, and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light, so that they might travel by day and by night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.
Matthew 21:23-46-Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom.
Psalm 26:1-12-For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in faithfulness to you.
Proverbs 6:16-19-There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him:...feet that hurry to run to evil...
Mark 1:21-28-What is this? A new teaching---with authority!

God's Word of the Day
I will teach you and show you new things. Come and follow Me!

Story of the Day
So here we were, the enemy approaching from behind, more enemy in front of us across the river, and the light incarnate in a humble, poor, servant of a man sitting on a donkey as our leader. The man began to speak to us, telling us to trust him, to leave all that we had to him, and to follow in his ways. This man had a way about him that we couldn't understand. He didn't look as one of authority and power, but his demeanor displayed power greater than all the powers of the universe. And here we were with a challenge to leave it all and trust him and follow him. Then to top it all off, we were told that the battle would be a different kind of battle. He told us that he would die. It really didn't make any sense at all. Some of the group decided to follow. They just simply left all they had and obeyed his command. Others turned and ran backwards toward the enemy. Our band had grown smaller in this.

Then just as we thought the battle with the approaching enemy from behind was about to occur; the man just let the enemy come upon us. There were only words spoken! - No fight-- no battle. He even went to the enemy and told them about a new life that was in store for all. He healed some of their wounds for them and walked by their side. We were wondering if our small band of followers had been betrayed by this man of the light incarnate. But as it turned out; some of the enemy came over to our side and followed him. So now our groups had intermingled and the make up had changed dramatically. Now we had two groups once again. One group of those who left our group and joined the enemy and another group of those who left the enemy and decided to join us to follow this man of the light incarnate. There were followers and there were those who decided to run the other way.

This man spoke of life in death, as our newly formed group approached the river towards the enemy on the other side. We approached the river following him and he walked straight into the river. He was going to drown and so were we. And he did drown! I saw it with my own eyes. He was dead! And yet we were to follow!? Just as we were walking in behind him the river began to glow a bright and beautiful green. It glowed a "new-life" green. An emerald green so wonderful! As I was under the water, surely about to drown, I saw the man open his eyes. I saw light emanate from him that was brighter than any star of the universe. I ran to him under the water and his light touched my life and instead of my own death, I began to glow with his life. And so did all of the others with me. He died, but we lived. He gave his life for us, so that we could pass through this river alive and well. Then as we all came up on the other side of the river, we were met, not by the enemy, but by a heavenly chorus of song singing praises to the man of the light as we all gathered around him in glory.

We were so happy to be with this man of the light, we joined in the singing and praising of all he had done for us. Just then, as we were looking straight at his swollen and drowned body of death, he took on a radiance that made us all humbly bow at his feet. He had given us new life! He had given us eternal life! He gave us a feast of life that all came to partake in. And then the celebration and work began. A new release to work in this kingdom of life forever and ever. Always following the source of the light. Always living in and with the source of the light. Always in union with the source of the life that brought us through the battles, through the woods, through the hard paths and through the river of death and life, to the light beyond the trees! ---Today---Tomorrow---Forever! Thanks be to God!

Prayer of the Day
Lord, I see, I listen, I hear, I trust, I follow You---Now and forever. ---Amen