Rev. 2:1 “To the church in Ephesus write:…2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance…. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.

It is possible to be faithful as a church (and as Christians) yet have lost the passion that was so powerful in the beginning. How do we return to that love? First, we need to take the praise Jesus gives those who persevere. He knows and appreciates the efforts we make as only he can! Second, we can remember that in the midst of all that hard work, he was always with us and always will be. He ends this letter with a great promise, “To all who overcome, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life!”

Pastor Andy

It is funny what God puts in our paths.  I first was attracted to a particular musical setting of this Psalm, then I lost my Dad and this was the piece that popped out of my heart when I chose the music for his funeral.  A few years later, I lost a job and really felt alone and beaten.  This prayer called to me again.  Then there was COVID and the lockdowns: no Palm Sunday, no Holy Week, and no Easter celebrations, a spiritual desert, and there was my old friend Psalm 63 to comfort me. 

I love the Book of Psalms.  It is such a blessing to know that when I don’t have the words to pray, the Psalms are there; a rich source of prayer for every human emotion and experience.  

Thank you for working through Psalm 63 with me this week.  This meditation helped me to do a mini reset and reflect on where I am today in my journey towards a deeper relationship with the Lord.  I hope in some small way, for those who might be their own desert you are encouraged to seek The Way, The Truth, The Power and The Glory that comes from God alone.

Soli Deo Gloria

In a dry and waterless place, David looks inward and upward.  He finally realizes that when he ties his life to God he prospers.  He recognizes all the blessings God bestowed upon him and living within the Lord’s covenant is better than life itself.  David is moving towards reconciliation with God.  This is when the poet and the musician in David takes over.  He can’t help but lift his hands and rejoice.  

I too rejoiced because I was able to reconnect with my ministry, and by working through Psalm 63, I was able to start to reconnect in a deeply personal way with our Lord.

The Psalms have survived thousands of years as one of the vehicles by which the faithful can connect to the divine.   Psalms 63 in particular calls us to continually seek the Lord; to not become complacent in our prayer life; to recognize that if God is our priority and we consciously seek to place him in our lives, we will have satisfying and full lives despite the challenges, hardships, hurts and disappointments that this life can sometimes bring.

Be a seeker!

Cecilia Carroll
Advent Square Director Humble Servant and Handmaid of the Lord

We Americans are programed to continually seek the success and wealth of the world.  We even call it “The American Dream.”  It is hard to recognize that we need help and even harder to ask for it.  I suppose I should not be so bold to speak for all “Americans” or even all of you reading this devotion.  I find it hard to ask for help.  I find it hard to give up control.  I’m still not sure what that expression “Give it up to God” really means much less how to do it.  

David was driven into the desert by his behavior.  I was driven into the desert by my complacency.  What drives you into the desert?  No matter what got us there, God is always at work.  Sometimes he is waiting for us to cooperate with Him so we can leave our exile and return to Him.

To God be All Glory and Praise!   

Cecilia Carroll
Advent Square Director
Humble Servant and Handmaid of the Lord

I’ve told you that I am a music minister, so I regularly lead sung prayer, but it became such a regular thing for me, that I was on auto-pilot.  This was a slow realization that crept up on me and shortly after this realization, Ps. 63 came up scriptures for Sunday.

As I first read the Psalm to re familiarize myself with the text and the melody, I recognized what I had been feeling.  I understood that I was in a sort of spiritual desert, going through the motions of prayer.  I felt empty, lifeless and without the nourishment that comes only from God.

It is a great comfort to know that even in a time of spiritual dryness, the Lord is there.  He will not turn from us, and all we have to do is turn back and “knock” for the door to open and we will then be able to once again rejoice in the shadow of his wings.

More on that journey to a state of rejoicing to follow.

Cecilia Carroll
Advent Square Director
Humble Servant and Handmaid of the Lord

For many when we grieve Ps. 23 “The Lord is my Shepherd” is a source of comfort.  When we feel alone, we might say: “My God, My God, why have you abandoned me.” Psalm 22.  In times of uncertainty, Ps. 16 “Lord show me the path for my life.”  In times of joy and thanksgiving we might proclaim “Let all praise the name of the Lord,” Ps. 148. One of my favorites is Ps. 63 “My Soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.”   It is a long story of how this became my favorite Psalm, and this week I hope to share some of that story with you, but for now a little background and a question: 

It is believed that David wrote Psalm 63 during a time of exile.  He had lost the throne of Israel and was feeling spiritually separated from God, wandering in the Judean wilderness.  David recognizes that in order to have fulfillment he must reconcile with God.  In Ps. 63, he expresses his, and by extension our, desire to seek after God; to have a deep and personal relationship with our creator.  There is no greater, thirst, hunger, or longing that we can experience then when we are feeling separated from God.  

When you are experiencing a thirst that a simple glass of water will not satisfy, where do you go?  

Cecilia Carroll Advent Square Director Humble Servant and Handmaid of the Lord

In a world full of challenges and uncertainties, we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus, extending help and love to those in need. Galatians 6:2 encourages us, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” This verse reminds us that our mission is to support and uplift one another, reflecting God’s compassion and mercy through our actions. By reaching out to help those around us, we embody the love of Christ and make His presence known in tangible ways.

Sometimes, offering help requires us to be understanding and flexible, recognizing that only God truly knows the depths of each person’s heart and circumstances. It’s easy to make quick judgments, but God calls us to a higher standard of empathy and grace. When we open our hearts to listen and serve without judgment, we create a space for God’s love to work powerfully through us. Remember, every act of kindness, no matter how small, can have a profound impact on someone’s life, planting seeds of hope and faith.

Today, let’s commit to being a source of help and encouragement to those around us. Look for opportunities to lend a hand, share a kind word, or simply be present with someone who needs support. Trust that God will guide your efforts and use your willingness to serve in remarkable ways. By being flexible and understanding, we allow God to work through us, bringing His love and light to a world in need. Embrace this calling with joy and enthusiasm, knowing that every act of service brings glory to God and reflects His heart for humanity.

Partnering Together,
Shahna Clark
EMS Principal

Partnering Together,
Shahna Clark
EMS Principal