Lent 2014
March 18, 2014

 Read Scripture: Romans 4:6-13 

Is this blessedness, then, pronounced only on the circumcised, or also on the uncircumcised? We say, ‘Faith was reckoned to Abraham as righteousness.’ How then was it reckoned to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the ancestor of all who believe without being circumcised and who thus have righteousness reckoned to them, and likewise the ancestor of the circumcised who are not only circumcised but who also follow the example of the faith that our ancestor Abraham had before he was circumcised. –Romans 4:9-13 

Twenty-first century Christians probably do not care who has been circumcised and who has not. Actually, we probably think it is an invasion of privacy. To first century followers of Christ, it was important because most first century followers of Christ were Jewish and circumcision had been required by law for them since the days of Abraham. Following Jesus’ command these followers began to take the message of Jesus to “the ends of the earth” and that meant to the uncircumcised. Great controversy arose and Paul’s letter to the Romans is his diplomatic way of addressing this issue. Paul’s solution was to go back to the beginning and see that Abraham received his blessing before he was circumcised. Paul did not discount the ritual of circumcision; he simply says that it is important for those for whom it was commanded but among those for whom no command had been made it was not necessary. 

While circumcision may not matter greatly to us today there are other words that could be substituted that would divide us as much as the first century Christian had been divided—minority/white, rich/poor, gay/straight, male/female, athlete/scholar, bully/victim, children with parents that can help/those with parents who cannot, English/another language.  It could be a very long list. Our school systems are not immune from these polar biases and the results of these biases can dramatically impact students’ learning. Much of our educational time and resources must be targeted at overcoming the byproducts of attitudes as well as the byproducts of the reality of life. More and more children are living in single parent homes, homes where all parents work, or with their grandparents, aunts and uncles, or foster parents. We actually live in a world where speaking two languages is a plus on one’s resume. Is there some way we could turn Multilanguage instruction into a plus for all students? By learning to respect differences can we shape a future workforce that is more productive incorporating multifaceted talents? How can the church contribute to making our society one as we strive for the whole world becoming one in Christ? 

Prayer: Lord, make us one. Amen.

The identities of students, families, or staff in stories that are shared in the devotions have been altered to protect their privacy. Any similarities between these stories and the experience of others are coincidental. No stories about students, families of students, or staff from Putnam Heights Elementary School are included in any of these devotions.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Lent 2014
March 17, 2014

 Read Scripture: Psalm 128 

Happy is everyone who fears the Lord,
   who walks in his ways.
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;
   you shall be happy, and it shall go well with you.—Psalm 128:1-2 

While Mike and Matt were a year apart in school, they shared the same PE Class. School for Mike had always been a challenge. He was intelligent but he just didn’t seem to get the lessons right. Spending the summer before with a tutor had helped and when he began the year, he actually scored several months ahead of the starting point for his grade on the standardized test. As time went by, his grades went south. He was failing, again. Matt, on the other hand, had never had a problem with school and actually excelled in most classes. They were tight as brothers. When Mike’s classroom teacher came storming into the gym in front of the other kids plus the coach, grabbed Mike’s arm and yelled at him about failing an important test, Matt wanted with all his heart to come to his brother’s aid. He shared with his father a deep sense of shame for not defending Mike. Mike too felt shame and embarrassment, neither of which helped him succeed in school. 

Our scripture today seems a little out of place in preparation for Lent. Lent is a dark and soul searching time, right? The story above also seems inappropriate for the scripture. The scripture presupposes that the labor had resulted in fruit. Standing in awe of God and walking in God’s way does result in fruit and knowing that gives us hope as we move ever closer to the crucifixion during Lent.  

Among humans who are not perfect, producing fruit may not always be the result of our labors. Certainly, for some it is not. How do we make it possible for teachers and students both to realize the “fruits of their labors?”  Was this teacher on the verge of losing her job if too many of her students did not meet the standardized test requirements? Had all been done to assess Mike’s learning process to determine why he could not make the connection between what he was taking in and what he was able to express on paper? Had anyone determined what it was that the tutor had done that worked and incorporated it into Mike’s learning plan?  

Tests are merely measures helpful in identifying next steps. They are never the ultimate outcome. God’s love demands that we all do what we can to help every child, teachers too, to be happy about the fruits of their labors. 

Prayer:  Loving God help us find ways to craft educational systems that meet the needs of students both individually and collectively. Amen.

The identities of students, families, or staff in stories that are shared in the devotions have been altered to protect their privacy. Any similarities between these stories and the experience of others are coincidental. No stories about students, families of students, or staff from Putnam Heights Elementary School are included in any of these devotions.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Lent 2014
March 16, 2014

 Read Scripture: John 3:1-17 

Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.—Luke 7:6b-10 

Our scripture today, I fear, has been lost in the limitations of its application to a point-in-time salvation experience. Nicodemus asked Jesus a very telling question: How can we as adults or even youth get rid of the life experiences and training that have shaped us from that innocent creature we were in our mother’s wombs to the people we are today and the people we will be tomorrow? I think Jesus is talking about an ongoing process that is constantly occurring between us and the spirit. Our baptism by water was certainly a pivotal point at which we entered into a new commitment to be one in God, but it was only a starting place. Each day we grow in spirit and in truth as we commune with God and with one another.  Such development involves all aspects of our lives and certainly changes us over time. 

If you had asked me last year, if this year I would be writing Lenten devotions related to improving education at the Putnam Heights Elementary school, I probably would have looked at you funny and said something to the effect that I rather doubted it. You see I keep claiming as my justice issue a “living wage.” I believe that everyone who works has the right to earn enough money to support themselves and their families. As I dig into that issue, however, I keep finding cause and effect connections that take me far afield from where I thought I was going. Education, or lack thereof, is intrinsically linked to failure of people to earn a living wage. So here I am writing Lenten devotions on education. 

Do you remember the fictional Story of The Other Wise Man? He got side tracked on the original road to Bethlehem to see the newborn king because he stopped to help someone. His quest to see Jesus continued but was interrupted many times by helping others until he finally arrives in time for the crucifixion at which point he is injured and can go no further. Near death he hears a voice say to him “Verily I say unto thee, Inasmuch as thou hast done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, thou hast done it unto me.” He had indeed found the newborn king.  

Prayer: Lord, help us be strong as we follow new paths of service and help us keep in close connection with You with each step we take. Amen.

The identities of students, families, or staff in stories that are shared in the devotions have been altered to protect their privacy. Any similarities between these stories and the experience of others are coincidental. No stories about students, families of students, or staff from Putnam Heights Elementary School are included in any of these devotions.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Lent 2014
March 15, 2014

 Read Scripture: Luke 7:1-10 

‘Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, “Go”, and he goes, and to another, “Come”, and he comes, and to my slave, “Do this”, and the slave does it.’ When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, ‘I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.’ When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.—Luke 7:6b-10 

Yesterday’s scripture encouraged us to step out in faith; today’s describes how one non-Jew, a Centurion in the Roman army, did just that. He had a servant who was ill and the Centurion had recognized Jesus’ healing power. This story is included in Luke, I believe, to give us a concrete example of living ones faith wherever we are on our life’s journey. 

A little over 20 years ago a group of business people, politicians, public employees, and early childhood experts came together in Oklahoma to prepare a better learning blueprint for our children. This was accompanied by the federal government considering the whole arena of improving the quality of all child care and child development programs. One of the results was a major push toward providing quality preschool education for all children in Oklahoma. Oklahoma has been acknowledged as one of the bright stars in the area of early childhood education throughout this period. We, however, are now losing ground. While we continue to meet nine of the ten benchmarks for quality preschool, we reduced state funding for the program in both 2011 and 2012.[1] 

I do not know what happened to the Centurion in our scripture today. Did he become a Christian or was this a one-time event in his life? Did he become a follower of the Way taking his faith to the ends of the earth? Was Oklahoma’s dedication to quality preschool a one-time commitment or are we still persevering toward a brighter future for all children?  

Prayer: Holy One, help us to persevere in our faith journey so that we do not lose ground. Amen.

Lent 2014
March 14, 2014 

I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.  

The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and for evermore. –Psalm 121 

Life is a journey taken one step at a time. Sometimes we may run, sometimes we may stumble, and sometimes we may plod but we progress as long as we live. This Psalm is classified as one of the pilgrim Psalms. Most likely it was recited as the people made their way to Jerusalem, perhaps many times, perhaps only once in a lifetime, perhaps only in their dreams. 

Jerusalem sits on a hill and that hill is the ultimate goal of the seeker who moves ever forward toward God. The plural “hills” indicates that we may have to climb a few other inclines on our way to the City of God. Hills are more challenging to climb than clear flat pathways. They require an investment of energy and determination. But the Psalmist assures us that we never, ever take the journey alone. God is always awake and watchful. The Psalmist describes God as our keeper. 

As we contemplate expanding our service to improve our educational system we need to be very mindful of this Psalm and the comfort it provides even in the first week of Lent.  

Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the full staircase.—Martin Luther King, Jr 

Prayer: Thank you Lord for never leaving our side as we travel through the journey of life. Thank you for pointing out the opportunities for service along the way just as you help us to see the flowers and the stickers. Amen.

The identities of students, families, or staff in stories that are shared in the devotions have been altered to protect their privacy. Any similarities between these stories and the experience of others are coincidental. No stories about students, families of students, or staff from Putnam Heights Elementary School are included in any of these devotions.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Lent 2014
March 13, 2014

 I am grateful to God—whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did—when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you. For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.–2 Timothy 1:3-7 

Could these verses have been written about you? It may not have been a mother or grandmother who modeled faith for you. It could have been a father or grandfather or pastor or Sunday school teacher or friend, but someone introduced you to God in word or in deed. I do not know what the tears are about but I have a hunch it was at a separation when Timothy was sent out on his own and Paul went in another direction. Does it comfort you to know that someone is praying for you? Does it give you strength and encouragement when someone points out how they have seen your spirit in action? 

Have you inventoried your gifts lately? Are you using them or are some stuck back on the shelf? Do you have some gifts that life just hasn’t seemed to need yet? Could this be the time to pull them out, turn them on, and see where the adventure leads? Your public school could use them. Your church could use them in offering programs for parents. 

Could these verses be written by you? Could you, like Paul, be writing to students or parents who crossed your path telling them how you miss being with them, telling them how you are praying for them, and how very proud you are of them?  

Prayer: Source of all gifts shine a light on what you think I can do to help educate our children, help me to see where and how I can serve. Amen.

The identities of students, families, or staff in stories that are shared in the devotions have been altered to protect their privacy. Any similarities between these stories and the experience of others are coincidental. No stories about students, families of students, or staff from Putnam Heights Elementary School are included in any of these devotions.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Lent 2014
March 12, 2014 

‘Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven. What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost. – Matthew 18:10-14  

School budgets are being cut by increasing the number of children in each classroom thus reducing the need for as many teachers in our intercity schools. It is a perfect example of being penny wise and pound foolish. Usually, in this instance the children lost in the gaps are the ones who neither excel nor make waves. Quiet kids who do as they are told and do the best they can on their own get little quality time with teachers or staff. They deserve time just as much as the others. How is a teacher going to know a child’s potential if they do not know the child? How many small learning issues will not be addressed early that may grow into something bigger? What does it say to their self-esteem that they are not worth much, if any, of the teacher’s time? Actually, what message are they getting about behavior; if they see that those misbehaving get all the attention? 

Schools need to be adequately staffed with not only teachers but also teacher’s aides. Some schools fill this gap with volunteers who can be trained to either work with the high maintenance or the average children while the teacher works with the others. God may be calling you to be such a volunteer. Prayerfully consider making a difference in a child’s life at school, and then pursue what might be available at your local school. At Crown Heights Christian, you can talk to Joan Corbin or Dru Graves to get involved. 

We often assume when we read the scripture above that the “lost sheep” is a sinner. It doesn’t say that. It indicates that the “lost sheep” has wandered away from the shepherd. In the case of Jesus, he did not let that happen. Teachers sometimes do not have that choice when they have too many “little sheep.” 

Prayer: God grant each teacher the patience and ingenuity to deal with the challenge of all their “little sheep” and grant each of us the willingness to answer your call to aide them in any way we can. Amen.

The identities of students, families, or staff in stories that are shared in the devotions have been altered to protect their privacy. Any similarities between these stories and the experience of others are coincidental. No stories about students, families of students, or staff from Putnam Heights Elementary School are included in any of these devotions.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Lent 2014
March 11, 2014

 Read: Genesis 4:1-16

 The Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is lurking at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it.’  

Cain said to his brother Abel, ‘Let us go out to the field.’ And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is your brother Abel?’ He said, ‘I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?’ – Genesis 4:6-9 

Here is an instance in the Bible when we the readers enter into the story in progress. We have little or no preparation for what led God to approve of Abel’s offering more than Cain’s. Isn’t that what life often throws at us? We may not know why things that seem to be great injustices happen to us but they do. From very early ages our response to such random acts of injustice, whether real or not, begin to shape and mold the people we become as adults. Cain’s response was to get so angry that he killed his brother Abel. 

Child development experts indicate that much of a child’s resilience and self-esteem has already developed by the time they are three years old. Parents and other family members are usually the ones who provide feedback to the child’s initial reactions that shape the child’s maturing into a self-reliant adult with a healthy self-concept, or not. Sunday school teachers, child caretakers, and pre-school teachers can make a difference also. Sometimes, even with the best of parenting, some children need professional help. Other children who may have been abused or neglected may also need such help. Early identification and referral are extremely important. Quality counselling, play therapy, and other resources must be readily available, accessible, and affordable.   

While we mourn the school shootings, teenage suicide rates, and other acts of violence occurring throughout our land, we need to work even more diligently to prevent such events from happening, starting early and never stopping. 

Prayer: God of Grace, show us how our grace can foster grace among children who do not yet know how to deal with the world about them. Amen.

The identities of students, families, or staff in stories that are shared in the devotions have been altered to protect their privacy. Any similarities between these stories and the experience of others are coincidental. No stories about students, families of students, or staff from Putnam Heights Elementary School are included in any of these devotions.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Lent 2014
March 10, 2014

 Read: Psalm 32 

Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you;
  at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them.
You are a hiding-place for me; you preserve me from trouble;
   you surround me with glad cries of deliverance. 

I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go;
   I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
   whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not stay near you. – Psalm 32:6-9 

Gloomy statistics and stories of children living in abject poverty can be overwhelming. If we truly want to make a difference in the lives of children failing in school, our scriptures today tell us that we must turn to our source of power, God, for guidance and strength. 

Besides Psalm 32, one of the other lectionary readings for today is Kings 19:1-8 that tells of Jezebel’s outrage at Elijah for killing all of the prophets loyal to her. Elijah realized that he was in real danger and fled from her to the wilderness. In the depths of despair he prepared to die but an angel came and ministered to him nourishing him with bread and water.  

With God’s call to make a positive difference in the education of children, also comes the commitment of God’s being an active participant in the process. When we pray, God promises to instruct us and counsel us and to always keep an eye on us. It does, however, mean that we might need to give up some of our favorite ideas. Learn new ways of being and doing.  

The third scripture for today is from Hebrews 2 that concludes with verse 18 talking about Jesus Christ: Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested. We can take great solace in that commitment. 

Prayer: Holy One, guide us as we pray, teach us your way, and nurture us in your service. Amen

The identities of students, families, or staff in stories that are shared in the devotions have been altered to protect their privacy. Any similarities between these stories and the experience of others are coincidental. No stories about students, families of students, or staff from Putnam Heights Elementary School are included in any of these devotions.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Lent 2014
March 9, 2014

 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.  

‘If any of you put a stumbling-block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of stumbling-blocks! Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to the one by whom the stumbling-block comes!  – Matthew 18:1-7 

The little girl was three, maybe four, years old. She was small for her age—very thin. Her dress was so stained and dirty I could not guess what color it might have been. It was then shades of brownish grey—so were her skin and her uncombed stringy, dull and lifeless hair. She stood about five feet from me as I sat across from her mother in conversation. Although the mother’s hair was combed, she looked like her daughter in every other way. Actually the room itself was in tones of brownish grey. The mother talked to my feet with her hand over her mouth. I suppose she was trying to cover up the missing teeth. I never noticed when the little girl moved but I suddenly realized that she was placing her tiny hand on my knee and was looking at and feeling my green skirt. I wondered, if that was the first green she had ever seen inside a house. I was there to tell the mother about a new program that was coming to a building just down the street from her. The program was called Headstart. 

 The cycle of poverty can be changed for the good when people are willing to enter into relationship with those in poverty. We ask a lot of people when we invite them to move from poverty to self-support. We are asking them to change almost every aspect of their lives. Think how hard that would be for us to do. Education is one of the major keys to breaking the cycle of poverty for children but for parents as well. Parents are our first teachers and the lessons we learn from them stick with us for a very long time. We need to help parents with the tools to assure that they can be good teachers for their children. 

Prayer: Parent of all children of all ages, help us to see past the brownish grey that consumes some lives and open windows for them into the world of rainbows. Amen.

The identities of students, families, or staff in stories that are shared in the devotions have been altered to protect their privacy. Any similarities between these stories and the experience of others are coincidental. No stories about students, families of students, or staff from Putnam Heights Elementary School are included in any of these devotions.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.