I Have Been Baptized!



Morning: Hebrews 2:11-18; Evening: Romans 6:12-18



For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under Law but under grace. (Romans 6:14)



Rejoice over your baptism! That is how we could entitle Chapter Six of the Letter to the Romans from which our evening reading selection comes. In your baptism, God has fundamentally changed your standing – you are no longer under the power of the Law. You are under Grace. You have died and have risen with Jesus Christ, therefore you are connected ever so closely to your Savior and His work of redemption.



The one who is under the Law is, as it were, in the quagmire or swamp of sin. The Law calls out to the sinner, “Obey God's commandments in order to be saved from your hopeless situation.” But as every child knows, whoever moves in a swamp, will all the faster be pulled down deeper. Whoever stands under the Law, is held fast in the vicious circle of sin and death. He is lost eternally.



The one who is under Grace, has had Jesus Christ pull him out of the swamp of sin and death. Grace does not say, “Do this or that and you will live.” Here, under Grace, Jesus Christ speaks very warmly to you, “Be comforted; I have done everything for you, I continue to do everything for you, and I will do everything for you – so that you may receive eternal life.”



To the one who is baptized, Jesus has given all the blessings which He purchased through His suffering and death, through His Resurrection and Ascension. Jesus Christ lives in you. And this Lord has broken the power of sin and death. No longer is sin your master, but rather Jesus Christ.



Because you have already been given salvation through Jesus Christ, you no longer need to try to do good works to please God. You belong to Your Savior. He has purchased you at a great price. Remain closely connected to Him. Listen to His Word and believe in Him! In spite of all temptation, challenges and doubts, you can gladly say, “Jesus Christ lives in me and I am secure in Him, in life and death – Why? Because I am baptized!



I renounce the devil and all his works and all his ways, and devote myself to You, O Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in faith and obedience, to be true to You until my end. Therefore, help me, heavenly Father, through Your Son, Jesus Christ, to Whom I belong. Amen. .



Provost Johannes Rehr (Bad Essen, Germany)

Feste Burg / Mighty Fortress, Freimund 2008 February 15, Friday

Superstition or Living Faith?



Morning: Revelation 20:1-6; Evening: I Samuel 4:1-11





“Let us bring the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD here from Shiloh, that it may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies.” (I Samuel 4:3b)

(Deuteronomy 24:18)

After a partial defeat, Israel hoped, with the help of the Ark (the symbol of God's presence) to still achieve a victory. However, instead of an expected success, there came an overwhelming defeat. The loud rejoicing [by the Israelites] of having the ark in their camp led not only to the enemy's fear, but also their strong defiance.



Painfully, Israel has to learn that God cannot be told what to do. The superstitious Israelites led the Ark into the battlefield like it was a token of good luck. However, they no longer expressed a deep trust in God which accepts the good as well as the bad. Misguided faith wants to manipulate God for its own purposes. When in need, it looks for God; otherwise it asks little of Him.



I ask myself, “How seriously do I take God in the conduct of my life? Do I decorate rooms with crosses or hang them around my neck, without seeking a closer relationship with the Crucified One?” Certainly, I know of course that it's not the crosses themselves that help, but rather faith in the crucified and risen Lord.



In Jesus Christ, God has placed Himself on the side of mankind. In His love, He has proven that His desire is the salvation of all mankind. He gives salvation and eternal life to every person who believes in Him. His love, which for me did not even shrink from death, even lets me accept defeat from the hand of God Whose presence is not always felt. If I am knocked flat to the ground and cannot understand what God is doing through my suffering, then [by the power of the Holy Spirit] I, fully trusting in His outstretched arms of love, can flee to Jesus Christ. Trusting in Him lifts me up again with irrepressible hope. Such a faith prospers in a relationship with God that is intact – which shows itself in constant prayer, celebration of God in worship, and seeking Him in the Words of Holy Scripture.



Heavenly Father! In all things, You are standing by my side. Hold me close to You so that my trust in You grows. Give me a faith which permeates my whole life. Bless my decisions in life that they may be according to Your Will. Amen.



Pastor Ralf Jung (Heiden, Germany)

Feste Burg / A Mighty Fortress, Freimund 2008 February 16, Saturday

THE FOUNDATIONS



Epistle: Romans 5:1-11; Gospel: Mark 12:1-12; Text: Hebrews 11:8-10



For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. (Hebrews 11:10)

Porque esperaba la ciudad que tiene cimientos, el artífice y hacedor de la cual es Dios.

Am I spurred on to get up, get started and accomplish what lies before me because of the expectation of a final goal? What moves faith in our lives?



Faith follows the voice of God because it comes across as absolutely trustworthy. Lovingly encouraged by God, we dare take steps in the direction in which He points us. We do not follow our God as a result of blind obedience, but rather we do so with confidence, based upon the fact that God always wants what is right for us. The more and more deeply we penetrate His Word, the more such faith will find room in our lives. Encouraged through good experiences of how God leads us, we increase in our confidence. We can confidently bet our future on God's Word. He stands by His Word. Just as He never disappointed Abraham, He also will not abandon us.



God is worth our entrusting our whole lives to. Faith will not only give us confidence to dare to trust in God, but it will also give us the will and the strength to act. In God's Word, we can set out confidently and full of life into the unknown future. More than anything, His promises shine forth to us that we will reach the goal of our lives. In doing so, having faith and being therefore righteous in God's sight, we will arrive in “the city that has foundations.” The fact that this eternal city is not just a human pipe dream, we can thank God's Work in Jesus Christ. In His death and resurrection, He has laid the firm foundation. Each person who [by the power of the Holy Spirit] has accepted God's offer of faith, already has a home with God. This magnificent outlook provides the energy, the drive and the courage which we need to persevere in the momentary troubles of this world.



My Lord and my God – You encourage me to lead a good, wholesome life. Strengthen my faith so that I do not get bogged down in harmful habits, but rather with You, dare to live my life to the heavenly goal. Amen.



Pastor Ralf Jung (Heiden, Germany)

Feste Burg / A Mighty Fortress Freimund, 2008 February 17 2nd Sunday in Lent (Reminiscere)

Give to God the Things that are God’s



Morning: Jeremiah 26:1-24; Evening: Luke 20:20-26



“Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.“ (Luke 20:25)



When I fill out my tax form, I eagerly want to get back as much as possible from what I paid to the State. If I were allowed to decide how much tax I should pay, I would have no idea how much money I would voluntarily fork out. However, the State, in regard to tax figures, leaves us no liberty; rather it forces us to hand over to it, a determined percentage of what we own. The government cannot and will not tolerate a tax boycott. What goes on now in this world is no different than what went on already 2000 years ago. “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's...” says Jesus.



However, He continues - “and [give] to God the things that are God's.” Yes, but just what exactly is “God's” ? How many hours in the week do I set aside for Him? How much of the money and the possessions that He has entrusted to me, do I give back to Him? And what areas of my life do I not let God approach? I've indeed noticed that in the long run, all that I have given God in my life is ridiculous compared to the legitimate demand He could make upon me – a demand of my entire life. Now, of course, God is not dependent upon the giving of my life. He even tolerates my “Life-Boycott.” Only One has really given God what belongs to God – He, Jesus Himself, Who has given even for me – nothing less than His life over to death. At the same time, He has paid the punishment for my “Life-Boycott” against God. And in doing so, He has made me free to give to God what is God's, not giving out of compulsion, but rather to give generously to Him and my neighbors of my time, possessions, and of the love which He has given me.



Yea, all I am and love most dearly I offer now, O Lord, to Thee. Oh, let me make my vows sincerely And help me Thine own child to be! Let naught within me, naught I own, Serve any will but Thine alone. (TLH 298 v. 5) Amen.



Pastor Gottfried Martens (Berlin, Germany)

Feste Burg / Mighty Fortress, Freimund, 2008 February 18, Monday

Today's devotion is of particular interest given that it addresses the tax as giving unto Caesar. Inasmuch as this devotion comes from Germany consider for a moment what tax revenues pay for in Germany.

"The government, to this day, forces all German citizens to pay for the costs, payroll, construction fees and other expenses of churches selected for preferential treatment—the Catholic and Lutheran churches."

This would say to me that those giving unto God don't have much choice either. The Pastors who are providing these devotions are supported by tax dollars just like the people working for 'Caesar'.

YOUR WILL BE DONE



Morning: Job 2:1-10; Evening: Mark 14:32-42



And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Remove this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will.” (Mark 14:36)



It's best if even today we should learn this prayer of Jesus by heart, because for us, also, it is an extremely helpful guide for praying – a type of “First-Aid-Kit” - particularly for situations in which the words of a prayer otherwise threaten to get caught in our throats.



1. “Abba, Father” We direct our prayer, not to some “Great Unknown.” Even if in our life [our words and actions] everything just seems to speak against it – it is correct nevertheless: we are and remain baptized. And therefore, He – the One of Whom we speak in the prayer – is indeed our Father and we may appeal to Him as His beloved children [because of the life, death and the resurrection of Jesus].



2. “All things are possible for You.” The content of our prayer may be limitless because the possibilities with God are endless. Therefore, no prayer request is too small, nor is none too large. Each prayer is a confident confession to God that His possibilities are just beginning where we, on our own, have come to the end of our rope.



3 “Remove this cup from Me.” Before God, there is no “stupid prayer.” We may ask of Him everything that weighs on our hearts. In our text Jesus, in His fear, asks for something that goes against God's plan. God did not grant Him this request. The fact that Jesus merely expressed this request was not wrong and certainly not a sin. So may we, too, voice our prayers before God, telling Him everything that lies upon our hearts, even if it appears not to make sense.



4. “Yet not what I will, but what You will.” It is good when we ask God in each prayer to grant us, not what we want, but rather what is good for us and others – in other words, that His Will be done.” In exactly this way, God indeed hears all our prayers.



My Father, all things are possible for You. Answer my prayer, yet not what I will, but what You will. Amen.



Rev. Dr. Gottfried Martens (Berlin)

Feste Burg / Mighty Fortress, Freimund, 2008 February 29, Tuesday

PLC1988
No disrespect, but, what is with all the devotions from Germany, what about the rest of the world.

Texan,

No disrespect taken. These just happen to be devotions that are sent to me each day and I think they are very good ones. There are any number of websites where I could post devotions and Bible verses. I just happen to choose this one because I think it has very good content and teaches well. It also is very much in line with what I believe. Thank you for your interest. It is much appreciated and I will take the suggestion to heart to check out other places. Maybe a little variety would be in order. A choice of two or three maybe. Thanks again for the suggestion.

God Bless,

PCL

He Has Overcome The World



Morning: Exodus 17:1-7; Evening: John 16:29-33



“...In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33b)



In a routine examination, cancer is detected in a young mother and it's in an advanced stage. In the blink of an eye, all plans for the future are put on hold. A father in a family had just built a house, but now has lost his job. What is going to happen? Every school day for a student is torture, because he can barely stand the academic pressure to succeed.



In many lands of this earth, people are being persecuted because they have confessed allegiance to Jesus Christ and His Church. “In the world you will have tribulation...” How true this statement of our Lord Jesus Christ is! No doubt, each person could add his own example from his personal experiences of troubles and fears. They range from little ordinary troubles to all-consuming and paralyzing fear.



But we don't have to face this fact helplessly. The Lord Jesus Christ, in respect to all those things that cause fear in our lives says – “But take heart; I have overcome the world.” This goes for all the little frightening situations we find ourselves in in everyday life, but especially it applies for the final great fear – for the fear of death. But this fear does not hover over our human lives as the ultimate power, rather the ultimate power is in the resurrection victory of Jesus Christ, Who brings us life and salvation. Because He has overcome the world, this means that nothing more stands between God and us.



We may receive this gift of comfort again and again in our worship services. It is here where we find encouragement and strengthening in comprehensive ways. HE speaks to us in the proclamation of God's Word, and in the reception of Holy Communion, we taste and see Him – indeed, we take Him in us.



Dear Lord and God, we thank You that You have overcome the world and given us salvation and peace through Your crucifixion and resurrection. In all times of fear and trouble, let us always find our strength and confidence in You. To You alone be the glory and the honor for eternity. Amen.



Pastor Harald W. Losch (Balzheim, Germany)



Feste Burg / A Mighty Fortress, Freimund 2008 February 20, Wednesday

Keep Us In The Truth



Morning: I John 1:8-2:6; Evening: Galatians 4:13-20



I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you. (Galatians 4:20)



The Apostle Paul is speaking quite clearly and boldly here. The Christians in Galatia are confused and letting themselves get even more confused. Right at the beginning of his letter to them, Paul writes, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different Gospel.” (Galatians 1:6) It is apparent here that there is not only a mere difference of opinion between him and the other preachers. Here we see that there is a distinction between the true Gospel and false teaching. It has to do with being saved or not being saved and the apostolic message is clear – We can be saved from sin and guilt only through Jesus Christ and attain eternal life.



The Gospel cannot arbitrarily be fashioned according to one's own discretion. In comparison to this is the view of King Friedrich II of Prussia who said, “In my State, each person can follow his own style and still be saved.” Even if many of the evangelical churches in the area teach and follow this motto, the way to salvation is not so arbitrary. The Lord Jesus Christ says of Himself, “I Am the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except by Me.” (John 14:6)



Both fear and hope can be heard in the words of the Apostle Paul. He is afraid that the Christians in Galatia will be totally led astray by false teaching. He is worried that they could lose their salvation. At the same time, however, there is a sense of hope that they will turn back and once again listen to his proclamation of the Gospel. This hope is grounded in the fact that the Apostle's word is endued with authority and power. The Lord Himself leads His Church through the storms of the time and will not let her go under. And when we reach the point where we don't even dare to hope – He always has a way. And even for us, the admonition and promise applies - “Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10)



Keep us in the truth and give us eternal freedom to praise Your Name; through Jesus Christ. Amen.



Pastor Harald W. Losch (Balzheim, Germany)

Feste Burg / A Mighty Fortress, Freimund 2008 February 21, Thursday

What’s Important In The Church



Morning: Luke 9:43b-48; Evening: 2 Corinthians 13:3-9





...Do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? (2 Corinthians 13:5b)



It is the “cross” that is [important in] the Church. How incomprehensible, writes Paul – it almost appears as if it were a play on words. One must read the verses of our evening reading many times, as well as in other translations, to recognize what Paul actually means.



It is the “cross” [that is important] for the Church. [The Corinthians don’t understand this, and for this reason] Paul is being misjudged. He is blaming that on their weakness and incompetence. There is a dispute about who is strong and competent and who is weak and incompetent. Paul allows this argument to take place. He wants the Corinthians to decide – Do things depend upon your strength and marvelous religious experiences and adventures? Don't they much rather depend upon Jesus Christ? Jesus is your life. He died on the cross but He lives by the power of God. It is His life in you that is the main point. Please make a distinction between your own power and that of Christ in you!



The cross remains [as the important thing] in the Church. The doubting ones and the weak ones are also there. Jesus Himself talks about this - how He is misjudged and delivered over to the people – it was in last Sunday's Gospel Lesson – The Parable of the Evil Vinedressers. (Mark 12:1-12) And on this Friday, we are reminded that the death of Jesus is the reason for our salvation. The new life and the power of the Resurrection are still concealed, however, and can only be grasped through faith. Outwardly, one can still see signs of weakness [in Christians and the Church], but inwardly, God's power and the new life in Christ is at work. Yes, there are visible misunderstandings and controversies, stubbornness, lovelessness and disagreements – unfortunately these often occur in one's own congregation. But these need to be distinguished from what Jesus has done and what He went through for us. Such a distinction helped the Christians in Corinth, as well as us today – to remain faithful to the cause of our salvation. It is the crucified and risen Christ alone who is our hope above and beyond all weakness and ambiguity [that we may display.]



Lord Jesus Christ, You Yourself remain my hope and my salvation. Amen.



Pastor Michael Pietrusky (Sangerhausen, Germany)

Feste Burg / Mighty Fortress, Freimund 2008 February 22, Friday

What value do I place on the liberty that Christ won for me?



Morning: Galatians 2:16-21; Evening: Numbers 20:1-13



And the people quarreled with Moses and said....”And why have you made us come up out of Egypt to bring us to this evil place? It is no place for grain or figs or vines or pomegranates, and there is no water to drink.” (Numbers 20:3a, 5)

(Deuteronomy 24:18)

How much is freedom worth? Just what sort of hard times is it worth putting up with in order to gain freedom?



The people of Israel had escaped from slavery in Egypt and were journeying around Sinai. They were nomads. For years now, they had gone without sowing and harvesting. And now there was no more drinking water. They were suffering. “Oh, if only we had died!” they said. They began to rebel against Moses and Aaron. God had vowed to give them the Promised Land, the Land Flowing with Milk and Honey, but would they ever reach it? Their journey through the wilderness lasted 40 years long because they had not trusted God (compare Numbers 13 and 14). God's people back then went through a painful learning process. God expected a lot from them.



[It has happened many times in history that people have moved to a “promising” place where they thought they would find a “promised land” of some kind. But, after arriving there at great cost, and after seeing that success would require a tremendous effort, they moved to another place, or stayed there disillusioned and bitter because of what they had sacrificed.]



What sacrifices does our Lord demand of His followers? Is sacrifice even a topic when discussing faith? Tomorrow is Oculi Sunday and the Gospel has to do with the type of commitment Jesus expects of those who want to follow Him. (Luke 9:57-62) The theme tomorrow, as well as all of Lent, asks us the questions, “What is it worth to you to be in fellowship with God?” “What does my love for Christ and the freedom I have as a child of God mean to me?” “Am I willing and ready to make sacrifices for that?” “And how will I respond to those things which tempt me to wander away from Christ?” [“What value do I place on the liberty that Christ won for me?”]



My Savior Jesus Christ, You have given everything for me. [In place of my sin you have put your life, your death and your resurrection.] Stir up faith and love in me and let me walk in the way of Your followers. Amen.



Pastor Michael Pietrusky (Sangerhausen, Germany)

Feste Burg / A Mighty Fortress, Freimund 2008 February 23, Saturday

Flee the Cave!



Epistle: Ephesians 5:1-8a; Gospel: Luke 9:57-62; Text: I Kings 19:1-13a



And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him...” (I Kings 19:12-13b)



Elijah hid himself in the cave – at the Mountain of God. A cave offers protection and concealment. Here one can wait until the threat passes on by and one has time to deal with his own grief. Elijah could even camp out with God! But, having taken himself out of circulation, he could no longer be a prophet!



Whoever enters the cave, falls in the darkness. Soon the environment of his hiding place starts to weigh down upon him. The hiding place becomes a trap. [Hymn writer] Paul Gerhardt, called this the “Cave of Gloom.” The caveman turns inward on himself, being absorbed by his own problems and worries. He drills himself deeper and deeper into the rock of his depression.



Shouldn't God pull His frustrated, burnt-out servant out of this cave? God accomplishes this by using a mighty display of His power, a still, soft sigh, and direct speech. Fly away to your God, O afflicted soul Why do you lie there mocking God, in your cave of gloom? (Paul Gerhard)



God appears and this gives wings to the downcast one. He pulls himself up to go out of the cave. God draws him to Himself, so that He can speak again with him. Only now, that he is outside, away from the cave, Elijah is able to hear the voice of God, Who leads him [out of his self-pity and worry], back into the life [He designed for him.]



This is just like God drawing us to Jesus! He draws us by Himself to Himself. We perceive only one voice; we notice – He is speaking to us! Weak, quiet and inconspicuous is this voice, and yet it is God's calling and power alone which draw us to Jesus. Responding to God's call means experiencing a recovery [from our depression and self-absorption]. The cave leads to nothing.] [The law of God beats us down and condemns us. But, on the other hand, the Gospel frees us by the forgiveness of sins and gives us a new life of liberty.] God lends us wings. Therefore: Fly away to God!



Pardon our spinning around, dear Lord and God. Unwrap us from our spiraled, self-absorbed ways. You speak and we will straightway be uplifted to take part in Your mission in this world. Amen.



Pastor Alberto Kaas (Bispingen, Germany)

Feste Burg / A Mighty Fortress Freimund, 2008 February 24, Sunday 3rd Sunday in Lent (Oculi)

Thanks for the Congregation



Morning: Luke 14:25-35; Evening: I Thessalonians 2:13-20





For you are our glory and joy. (I Thessalonians 2:20)



A tremendous compliment for the congregation in Thessalonica – from the Apostle Paul personally. He thanks God “constantly” (v. 13) for this congregation of Jesus that is there. What is the reason for this?



After a long journey, Paul and those who accompanied him from Philippi, reached Thessalonica. At that time the city was a well-known commercial and harbor town. It was situated on a byway which connected the cities of Rome and Byzantium.



Paul explains that his preaching there had been accepted differently than in other cities. In those places, Paul's word was maybe discussed, but also at times ridiculed; or Paul had to risk being beaten or hunted down by [enemies] in the town when his words hit too close to home. But it was different here in Thessalonica! “...that when you received the Word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as what it really is, the Word of God, which is at work in you believers.” (v. 13) How wonderful! When this miracle of God's Spirit took place, a devout, active hearing was created out of which grew a living faith! And that is how the congregation began and how it grew – just like in Judea and Asia Minor – and now – in Europe! The beginnings were small and quite personal. The apostle was a minister to each individual and he admonished and comforted him and exhorted him “to walk in a manner worthy of God...” (v.12)



A Christian congregation that is alive is always a gift of contrast by God to the community surrounding it. This often results in conflict and slander. Even in Thessalonica, there was hostility against the message of the cross and the Resurrection of Christ, against redemption and God's new world. “...you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit...” is what Paul wrote to the congregation in Thessalonica. (1:6)



Such congregations are talked about. They can encourage. They can be examples. Praise God!



Lord, thank You for Your congregation in which I may live. Thank You for Your worldwide Church upon all the continents. Preserve Your true Word in Your congregations and by the power of the Holy Spirit, create faith. Amen.



Pastor Albrecht Immanuel Herzog (Neuendettelsau, Germany)

Feste Burg / Mighty Fortress, Freimund, 2008 February 25, Monday

We Show Forth God’s Mercy



Morning: Job 7:11-21; Evening: Mark 14:43-52







“...But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.” (Mark 14:49b)



What we see in the text from Mark – the flight of the disciples – is something that probably all believers have experienced. Perhaps something happened and we wandered from the right path. We were left confused, we panicked and we reacted in a mistaken and foolish way. Our world got out of kilter. We couldn’t stand it any longer. Trying to cover it up in the way we thought most convenient, we did what we thought we had to do. Maybe we resorted to violence or betrayal as Peter did; maybe we fled from something as the disciples did.



Bible believers know many stories like this. They themselves have experienced them. The most important of these stories has to do with Jesus’ arrest, trial and crucifixion. The people involved in those events really did not understood what was happening. Some didn’t understand what they were doing; others fled.



But, why did the disciples flee? Right in the middle of the movement and tumult, Jesus gives the key to understanding what has happened. He told his crazed enemies: This has happened “so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled.” That is to say, in spite of all opposition and in spite of what happens, God carries out his plan of salvation. And that will become clear on Easter!



Don’t forget this. This is of extreme important to us who live in the middle of today’s tragedies. The disciples had to flee from where Jesus was so that Jesus alone would accomplish win salvation through his obedience and his death. The Scriptures has said that this would happen. But, after the Resurrection, one of those who had fled was received anew by the Resurrected One. In turn, he was to restore the others. Now, today, we who have passed through problems can think about that old prayer that deals with sickness and death: “Lord, let this suffering through which we pass serve your purposes so that the mercy that you have shown to us be shown to others through us.” That’s the way it is! And all this brings it about that the problems through which we pass have some sense and at the same time set before us a path for the future.



Easter is the work of God. Christ lives and has had mercy not only on those who tormented him, but also on those who abandoned him, including us. For this reason, in middle of calamity and sin, we can flee for refuge to his mercy and at the same time share with others gracious will and mercy that we have received.



Our Father, who art in heaven: Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Because thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.



2008 February 26, Tuesday