This year, I find my thoughts focused on what I do and do not have. Most people at some time or another feel a bit deprived. We all know people who just seem to have more than we do. They live in bigger homes, wear better quality clothes, drive newer cars, and take longer vacations to more inviting places. Meanwhile, we sacrifice, pray, and volunteer all kinds of time at church and perhaps community organizations, too, but seem to go without the things we want—sometimes without things we feel we really, really need.

These thoughts bring Jonah to mind. God gave him three days of time-out, so to speak, in the whale. There, during the quiet minutes and hours, he could meditate on what God wanted for him and from him. Or consider that Jesus himself spent 40 days in the desert, praying and reflecting and sacrificing even while Satan worked to dissuade him from God’s eternal plan that Jesus suffer and die to win our salvation.

As I reflect during Lent this year, my goal is to focus more on what God in his perfect love wants for me, letting that inform what I might think I need or want for myself.

God forced Jonah to contemplate. Jesus did it willingly. How about you? What might your Savior want to tell you? How might he want to change you? The weeks ahead are a perfect time to open your heart to his Word and find out.

Editor’s note: CTA’s new devotion book, “Power of the Cross,” would make the perfect guide and companion as you and others in your church meditate on the meaning of Jesus’ death during Lent this year. It’s not too late to order copies for your group or your whole congregation!

It’s also why more and more churches have begun to look for ways to “theme” major celebrations—like the weeks leading up to Easter (Lent, in liturgical churches). And it’s why CTA wants to work with you as you think about doing it, too. 

Whether yours is a house-church, a mega-church, or something in-between, this year’s theme, The Power of the Cross, will resonate with worshipers. Materials—many free—include:

• Day-by-day devotional materials based on the Power of the Cross theme.
• Free sermons tied to the Power of the Cross devotions
•  Discussion guides tied to the Power of the Cross devotions and sermons, written for small groups or Bible study. (You will find the appropriate study on the pages following the free sermon for each week.) 
• Materials for kids and youth, helping them to focus on thePower of the Cross theme, too!
• Free invitations and follow-up materials, all based on the Power of the Cross theme and art.

Ash Wednesday is February 17, 2010, so it’s not too late to order! But don’t put it off. Just think of what God might want to do in the lives of everyone in your church this spring!

Actually, the “shadows” are not shadows. Nor are they reflections. Instead, they are projections. Stained glass does not reflect light. Rather, it permits light to pass through it.

As I sit in the worship area early in the morning, the image projected on the wall is far from clear. As the sun comes up and moves across the sky, the image formed by the light coming through the stained glass also moves. It slowly makes its way to the front of the church where, at one point, it frames a large cross. The closer the image gets to the window, the clearer the projection becomes.

This reminds me of how clear my own life becomes when I stay close to Christ and the forgiveness he freely gives through his cross. As I invest time in prayer and Bible study, a quiet peace settles in my heart, despite the changes and disturbing events swirling around me. As I take time to give of myself, I find clarity about life’s real priorities. But when I let life grow too busy, the peace and clarity fade. And I project a more distorted image of God’s glory. How thankful I am that he forgives our failures—every one of them!

And how exciting it is to think about what could happen if all of God’s people were growing daily in the kind of Son-shining-through lives he wants for us.

How will you stay close to him this week?

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV

While it’s on my mind, I wanted to alert you to the fact that Tim Wesemann wrote the cover article for the February issue, focusing on the topic of clinical depression. If you are a pastor or serve in some other care ministry, I encourage you to read Tim’s insightful comments. He shares his own personal story from the heart. It includes priceless insights for those who minister. (Since pastors and other church professionals are not exempt from this malady, it may help you on a personal level, too.)

Oh, and don’t miss this month’s Smiles as You Serve. Also written by Tim, these are among the best we’ve published in recent months.

Not yet a Grab & Go subscriber? Find CTA’s home page and scroll down until you see the E-mail Sign Up field in the far left-hand margin.

Many blessings on your continued service for Jesus and his people!

Past issues of our ministry newsletter articles are available here.

The year was 1620, the ship was the Mayflower, and the people were called Pilgrims. Their faithful God sustained them as they prayed and sang praises, despite their dire circumstances. 

They reached the New World three months later, but their challenges continued. It was November and winter was quickly approaching. They needed to build homes and clear land so they could plant crops the next spring. 

God did meet their needs. By the next fall the cribs the pilgrims had built held more than enough corn to see them through the second winter. Filled with gratitude, the Pilgrims wanted to honor God for his goodness. 

Governor Bradford declared a public day of Thanksgiving. Ninety Native Americans joined in the festivities, bringing dressed deer and wild turkeys. Together, the group celebrated with joy!

 Perhaps you’ve heard the story of the Pilgrims and that first Thanksgiving Day since childhood. Though fully historical, the events can seem like a “once-upon-a-time” fairy tale. So as you observe Thanksgiving Day this year, take a little time to think back on your own life. Consider the promise made by our Lord: 

God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 

When have you see this promise come true for you? 

• As you sat at the bedside of a sick child or dying parent?
• As you safely navigated the deadly blizzard or hurricane?
• As you heard the doctor’s welcome words, “The surgery was successful.”
• As your loved one said, “I forgive you,” and in those words heard your Savior’s pardon, too?

Having surveyed the past and seen God’s fingerprints on a life of blessing, we can then look forward to the future with hope. Perhaps you know these words of encouragement:

I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future. 

We know our Lord’s limitless love for us because we have seen his only Son hang, bleed, and die on Calvary’s cross for us. Blessed by him, we can in turn bless others, without reservation, knowing that in Christ Jesus, God will supply all our needs.

May you have a blessed and holy Thanksgiving celebration! And may Jesus continue to work in you joyful, thankful, generous hearts!

This devotion is adapted from one of the free resources CTA offers to encourage churches and support church staffs in their ministries. You’re welcom to browse for more resources on our website.

As you walk or run today, think about the Scripture below. Ask yourself the questions. Talk with Jesus about your answers. Enjoy your time with your Savior! 

[Jesus] went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone. (Matthew 14:23 NIV)

Runners (and often walkers, too) pay particular attention to their knees. Knee injuries can ruin an athletic career or an exercise program. 

† As I serve today in Jesus’ steps, how diligent am I in my “knee work”? 

† When have I seen my Savior respond to my prayers? What do I want to say to him about that today?

 Lord Jesus, you graciously choose to hear my prayers. You promise that my prayers touch your heart. Lord, teach me to pray, just as you taught your first disciples to pray. Amen.

Recently I cruised the CTA website and decided to check out some pages I hadn’t looked at in some time. Remembering that during October many churches set aside special time to honor their pastors in special ways, I headed to the CTA Pastor Appreciation link. As I pulled up the pages I discovered something I had no idea was on the site – a free, downloadable PDF file titled, CTA’s Favorite Ways to Show Pastor and Staff Appreciation. I love stumbling across new and creative ideas, especially if they’ve been used successfully in other churches. This list of twenty ideas came from the CTA staff, who likely have observed them used in their congregations. What a great resource. And it’s free!

I then found four other free downloads to help churches recognize and honor pastors … customizable postcard templates, name badges, a power point presentation, and a brochure by Sonscape Retreats titled, 50 Ways to Love Your Pastor. What great discoveries – even better than three dollars in a coat pocket!

Just recently, as I was reading Acts 4, a phrase jumped out at me. I had never really taken time to consider it before. 

To get the full picture, remember that in Acts 3, Peter and John were walking into the temple when a lame man asked for money. Instead of silver or gold, Peter and John were used by God to heal the man of his lame condition. 

In Acts 4, then, the apostles stand before a group of accusers, officials who are not happy with them for their constant practice of preaching the gospel. Yet, the officials have no answer for this “notable miracle”! 

The Bible teaches us that God never changes. Therefore, the same God who performed the “notable miracle” of Acts 3 wants to do the same kind of thing for you and me. The miracle described in this chapter was an impossible occurrence done by improbable men, yet it happened. 

What impossible thing does God want to do through you and me today? Ask him to do the impossible through you.

As our culture drifts further and further from its Judeo-Christian moorings, respect for human life recedes further from most people’s consciousness. Other values threaten to replace it. For example, a concern for the “quality” of life (but who gets to define that?!). Or a focus on the “hardships” life itself may impose (again, by whose definition?!). And, perhaps even economic considerations. (“How much should we spend on grandma in the last six months of her life?”)

Those who champion these competing values have loud voices and big pulpits. Their arguments sound reasonable, reasonable, that is, apart from a foundation in the truth and love our Lord describes for us in the Holy Scriptures.

That’s why I’m glad the US Council of Catholic Bishops established “Respect Life Sunday” in 1972 and ever since then have set aside October as “Respect Life Month.” I’m not a Roman Catholic, but I treasure the clear language and the courageous Pro-Life call the USCCB continues to extend.  

Surely, their call applies to the issue of abortion, but increasingly their pro-life stance applies to other key issues, too–the limitations placed on scientific research, for example, or end-of-life decision-making.

If you serve in a Catholic parish, I hope you call attention to Respect Life Sunday and celebrate it fully. But even if you’re not Catholic, I hope you consider October 4 an opportunity to re-establish in the minds of members one of Christianity’s absolute and unchangeable values–the value of human life.

Visit Bill Federer’s website: AmericanMinute.com.

CTA offers an impressive selection of patriotic gifts that help congregations celebrate God and Country.