Wednesday, April 15 – via Zoom
Opening – Dustin Martin
The background is Mt. Pisgah, Pennsylvania. Dustin gave a description of the altar and area, saying the view is amazing. On a clear day you can see eight counties.
I was only able to jot down a few details. I found the following on the internet – which helped me reconstruct his information.
The altar was built in 1979 on top of Shade Mountain in Snyder County, PA. Robert Cryan purchased this property and wanted to build an altar to express his faith in God. He enlisted Forrest B Gordon to oversee the construction. Gordon had served 20 years as a pastor – some of that at Free Spring Church of the Brethren. Cryan wanted it built in Old Testament form, as described in Deuteronomy 27:4-7. That meant no iron tools were to be used and that it was to be built of stones. Gordon enlisted Wilmer Shank, a man he knew to be good at working with concrete. Shank had no former experience working with mountain stone, but took on the challenge.]
If I remember correctly, Dustin said his family visited here on Good Friday.
Dustin: One thing I remember about the journey of Moses is that God was always with him.
God is always with you.
Scripture reading for the evening’s devotional: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 KJV
Rejoice evermore.
Pray without ceasing.
In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Devotional – Jon Cassel – How Full Am I?
Skit by Jon and Keri’s daughters – Emma (wearing glasses) and Aubrey – “New Glasses for Aubrey”
Their skit was a challenge to be thankful in all things. Aubrey complained about everything while Emma found something for which to be thankful in each situation. Emma suggested that Aubrey may need new glasses. 🙂
Rejoice Evermore
How do we get that attitude into our hearts and process joy?
Joy is a choice. There are real people who are dying from coronavirus. There are many sad and painful situations right now. Neither we nor our friends can even attend funerals for our loved ones.
Yet we read in Scripture we can be joyful even when our hearts are filled with sorrow. 2 Corinthians 6:10: As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.
Pray Without Ceasing
Jon opened this part of his devotional by inviting Aubrey and Emma to do another skit.
This time they discussed prayer. Aubrey always tried to keep a pencil in her pocket and even poked herself with it when she sat down – in an effort to keep record of all prayer needs – when she had her next prayer time. Emma reminded her that she can pray anytime, anywhere.
Pray without ceasing is equal to breathing.
We don’t think about breathing, it is automatic. That is how we should pray. It should be automatic.
Prayer is our most offensive weapon.
Pray for each other.
We can choose to be thankful.
Helen Keller – who was blind – is known for her gratefulness.
Do not get caught up in the current challenges – instead focus on God.
This William Barclay quote is a good reminder to focus on God.
God is the same yesterday, today and always.
He is God.
He is on the throne.
He has everything under control.
