ASLC Devotions - Monday

Philippians 1:3-5 I thank my God every time I remember you, 4constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, 5because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. How often do you tell someone, "I'll keep you in prayer" or "You've been in my prayers"? I love this beginning to Paul's letter: I thank my God every time I remember you, praying with joy. It's true that we probably have a 'prayer list' that changes as there are needs -- difficult situations, tender relationships, terminal diagnosis -- names that we remember before God. But there are also those people who simply come to mind during the day -- friends, acquaintances, colleagues. I'm never sure why someone crosses my mind on a given day. Sure, sometimes I can trace it to a memory I have with that person, a restaurant we both enjoy, a song on the radio. But more often than not, it feels completely random. In the vein of Paul, I've taken to saying a prayer of thanksgiving for the person in that moment -- thanking God with joy. I invite you to try it this week. Peace, Pastor Jenn   Join us for worship this Sunday - Holy Communion at 8:30 and 11. Education Hour at 9:45. Visit us at http://www.allsaintspalatine.org

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ASLC Devotions - Tuesday

Philippians 1:15-21 15 Some proclaim Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. 16These proclaim Christ out of love, knowing that I have been put here for the defence of the gospel; 17the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but intending to increase my suffering in my imprisonment. 18What does it matter? Just this, that Christ is proclaimed in every way, whether out of false motives or true; and in that I rejoice. I was all ready to write a neat little devotion about how bad envy and rivalry are. I mean, can't we all just get along? Why do we have to compare when we could instead one another up for the good of God's kingdom? That would have been a good topic, right? And then I got to verse 18: That Christ is proclaimed... and in that I rejoice. Ok, Paul. Fine. Yes -- it's all for the purpose of proclaiming Christ. However, I'll stick to my assertion that it would be nice if we could all just get along. Maybe we can work on both today. Peace, Pastor Jenn   Join us for worship this Sunday - Holy Communion at 8:30 and 11. Education Hour at 9:45. Visit us at http://www.allsaintspalatine.org

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ASLC Devotions - Friday

Acts 13:38-39 Let it be known to you therefore, my brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you; by this Jesus everyone who believes is set free from all those sins from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. The law cannot set you free. The law can sometimes keep you from breaking it. Knowing that it's against the law to text while driving, I avoid texting while driving. But really the purpose of the law is to punish me if I break it or to inspire me to not do bad things (which works sometimes). That's not freedom. The law doesn't give freedom. That's not forgiveness (which is what really leads to freedom). The law is not in the business of forgiving me for texting while driving. That's not its purpose. For that, we need Jesus. We need forgiveness in order to really be free.  In Christ, Pastor Seth   Join us for worship this Sunday - Holy Communion at 8:30 and 11. Education Hour at 9:45. Our Adult Forum will begin a series entitled "Worship Matters." Visit us at http://www.allsaintspalatine.org

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ASLC Devotions - Thursday

James 4:11 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers and sisters. Whoever speaks evil against another or judges another, speaks evil against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.   Listen - I'll be honest. I don't have much brilliant to say about this verse. I don't have much at all to say about this verse. I think James covered it. You don't need any explanation or historical context to understand it. Sadly, the historical context is the same as today. I guess I'll just say this - this is one of those things that challenges me. I know what's right, and every day I mess it up. So today I'll try. Today I'll give it some particular focus. Today I'll pray for God's help. In Christ, Pastor Seth   Join us for worship this Sunday - Holy Communion at 8:30 and 11. Education Hour at 9:45. Our Adult Forum will begin a series entitled "Worship Matters." Visit us at http://www.allsaintspalatine.org

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ASLC Devotions - Thursday

1 John 3:16 We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. I've written a few things this week about Christian ethics - remember that question? What are you going to do now that you don't HAVE to do anything? Now that you know you're forgiven and loved and redeemed, how are you going to live your days? This verse sums it up pretty nicely. We ought to lay down our lives for one another. That's what we ought to do. For most of us, the need to lay down your life for someone else will never come up. But that's what we ought to do. So, failing the need for that - what about feeding or clothing someone who needs it? It's probably the least we can do. In Christ, Pastor Seth   Join us for worship this Sunday - Holy Communion at 8:30 and 11. Education Hour at 9:45. Adult Forum will be an update on our Organ Fundraising Campaign. Visit us at http://www.allsaintspalatine.org

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ASLC Devotions - Wednesday

Matthew 21:22 Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.   OK Jesus. That sounds great. Whatever I ask for in prayer with faith, I'll receive. This Christianity thing is awesome. It's just like Santa Claus at Christmas but without the waiting. I just put it on my list and I get it. Cool! Except.... Except when there's no cure. Except when the doctor says cancer. Except when the boss says "We have to let you go." What then? Does that mean I didn't have enough faith? I don't think so.  I don't know what then. But I know I'll wake up and pray again tomorrow. In Christ, Pastor Seth   Join us for worship this Sunday - Holy Communion at 8:30 and 11. Education Hour at 9:45. Adult Forum will be an update on our Organ Fundraising Campaign. Visit us at http://www.allsaintspalatine.org

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ASLC Devotions - Tuesday

Romans 13:1  Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God.   This teaching from Paul is meant to show that Christianity is not some radical fringe group bent on overthrowing the empire. He was writing to Christians in Rome. He wanted them to understand the bounds of faith. But it's hard. It's hard when you start to think about terrible and unjust authorities doing absolutely ungodly things. Should we just be subject to them and not resist? Are all authorities there because God wants them to be? I'm not so sure. As always, I think the answers are much more complicated than we wish they were. I wish there were a roadmap that showed me exactly who God would want me to vote for and who I should resist. It would make my job a lot easier. But that's not the way it works. All we know is that God is in ultimate control. That's the faith statement Paul is making. Beyond that, we have to figure it out together. In Christ, Pastor Seth   Join us for worship this Sunday - Holy Communion at 8:30 and 11. Education Hour at 9:45. Adult Forum will be an update on our Organ Fundraising Campaign. Visit us at http://www.allsaintspalatine.org

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ASLC Devotions - Monday

1 Peter 2:16  As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil. This is a statement on Christian ethics. Christian ethics is difficult to figure out sometimes - and not just during an 8 am class in seminary, speaking from personal experience. How do you design ethics around a faith that says "You're forgiven and loved. Unconditionally"? That's really the question. It comes down to this, as Peter says - live in freedom. You can do whatever you want. You're free. But think about how you use your freedom. One way I've heard this central question put in the past is this: "What are you going to do now that you don't HAVE to do anything?" In Christ, Pastor Seth   Join us for worship this Sunday - Holy Communion at 8:30 and 11. Education Hour at 9:45. Adult Forum will be an update on our Organ Fundraising Campaign. Visit us at http://www.allsaintspalatine.org

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