"Then Jesus told them, 'You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put your trust in the light while you have it...'" -- John 12:35-36

Later in the chapter, Jesus says, "When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me.  When he looks at me, he see the one who sent me.  I have come into the world as a light, so that no one  who believes in me should stay in darkness." (12:44-45)

Light is a curious thing.  It can be warm, reassuring, and safe.  It can make our path clear before us so that our steps are sure.  It is a wonderful thing.  But as comforting and as reassuring as it is, it can also be harsh and revealing.  There's nowhere to hide in the light.  Many prefer the shadows so as not to be seen.  But to live in the light is to live in Christ.   We have a choice as to where and how we live.  Darkness will overtake all of us at the time of death, so why would we want to walk in the shadows of death all of our lives?  While you still have it, choose the path of light today, not the road of death.

Readings:  2 Samuel 1:1-2:11; John 12:20-50; Psalm 118:19-29; Proverbs 15:27-28

"I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." -- Psalm 118:13-14

When our lives are aligned with the will of God, there is a sense of peace, of "rightness"... of being where we belong.  It's that "fish-in-water" feeling you get when you know you're in your element.  You sense that your life is fueled by God and there is a personal relationship in play.  You sense God's presence and protection.  But it doesn't happen automatically.  As a child, there is an instinctive connection, but as an adult, you must be "born again"... you must go to the water once you've been touched by the fire.  And when we do begin life in the Christian faith, we do so in a way that's not always easy.  It's like marriage, in that it can be a big adjustment.  But once you find that place of familiarity and understanding of the scriptures, of worship, and ease in prayer, you will understand the Psalmist's attributions to God.  Give it time as you would learning to swim. 

Readings:  1 Samuel 29:1-31:13; John 11:54-12:19; Psalm 118:1-18; Proverbs 15:24-26

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" -- John 11:25-26

Martha is in distress.  Her brother Lazarus has died, and she regrets Jesus was not there earlier, certain that  he would have been able to prevent him from dying.  Jesus comforts her by saying that Lazarus will rise again.  Martha thinks she understands, assuming that Jesus is talking about that day when all will rise from the dead... but Jesus is speaking in more immediate terms.  Lazarus will rise much sooner than that.

When you're feeling like all hope is lost, when you sense nothing new around the corner... when you think that your current reality is all there is... don't be surprised if your wrong.  Living a resurrection life is not living for one day far away.  Today can be the new day of hope you are looking for.   Don't wait.  Life can be yours right now.  Live in the reality of life, not in fear or despair of death.

Readings:  1 Samuel 26:1-28:25; John 11:1-53; Psalm 117:1-2; Proverbs 15:22-23 

"Folly delights a man who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding keeps a straight course." -- Proverbs 15:21

"Folly" is the lack of good sense.  We all have moments that are frivolous, fun, and nonsensical.  We might engage in an "act of folly" from time to time because life would be utterly dull without sometimes having a little fun.  However, to live a life of folly is altogether different.  This is when our existence is spent seeking out only fun and pleasure.  It leads to repeated quests for heightened sensory experiences looking for, at first, a new thrill-- but then after that-- a new fix.  It leads us away from laying any sort of foundation or having long-term, stable relationships.  It is not the way to prosperity.  It is a road to ruin.  Have fun, joke, play, and have some folly in your life, but do so against the backdrop of reason, self-control, and sobriety.  Keep a straight course.

Readings:  1 Samuel 24:1-25:44; John 10:22-42; Psalm 116:1-19; Proverbs 15:20-21

"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-- just as the Father knows me and I know the Father-- and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd." -- John 10:14-16

The good shepherd is the one that doesn't abandon his sheep when the wolves come.  The good shepherd is the one who the sheep can count on to be there to the end.  Jesus did just that.  He laid down his life for his sheep.  The sheep metaphor is a tough one for me.  I don't want to be a sheep... grazing and following... following and grazing... I'd rather be less dependent on my shepherd.  But I can't be.  I know him and I am known by him.  As much as I'd like to think that I'm independent and a lone wolf, I cannot escape the fact that I have the capacity to love.  I have exercised that capacity.  And in so doing, I have experienced Christ.  I know him.  He knows me.  If you have loved, then you too know his voice.  And so many others know him, but don't realize it.  It leads me to think that these are who he is referring to when he says he has "other sheep that are not of this sheep pen"... those who love as he did, but don't realize they do so by the power of God.  Who do you think the other "sheep" are?

Readings:  1 Samuel 22:1-23:29; John 10:1-21; Psalm 115:1-18; Proverbs 15:18-19

"Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil. Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred." -- Proverbs 15:15-17

In an age where there seems to be a pervasive sense of unhappiness and dissatisfaction, we are bombarded with images, sounds, and messages informing us of all the things we need in order to find that elusive thing called "happiness".  We look for it in relationships, sex, chemical substances, and money.  We get what we think will do the trick, and it feels good for a while until we find it doesn't last.  If you feel dissatisfied with your current state, ask yourself what you would like in your life to be different.  Then consider the energy you're pouring into the efforts to make it so.  What are you sacrificing?  Whenever we choose one path, we reject another.  Make sure that the end you are pursuing justifies the means.  Are you sacrificing time with loved ones?  Are you including God in your plans and your efforts?   Can you find contentment and joy in your present even in the midst of dissatisfaction?  Be clear and focused.  You get one shot at life.  Don't squander it.

Readings:  1 Samuel 20:1-21:15; John 9:1-41; Psalms 113:1-114:8; Proverbs 15:15-17 

"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." -- John 8:32

The teaching of Jesus was very clean and elegant.  It spoke not against the teachings of his Jewish heritage, but in completion of them.  To Jesus, his faith community had missed the mark, and had lost their way in terms of what they were making as the object of their devotion.  He was sent to show the way, the truth, and life that God would have us know.  And that way, truth, and life was Jesus himself.  Jesus was God manifest in a human body.  He loved purely and deeply.  He modeled what it was to love God and to love each other, and that was the essence of his teaching.  This was (and is) truth.  Even today, we can find freedom in the simple message of Jesus.  And by following him and his teaching, we will be free.

Readings:  1 Samuel 18:5-19:24; John 8:31-59; Psalm 112:1-10; Proverbs 15:12-14