April 7

Psalm 78:32-55
Vs. 38-39 “Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time he restrains his anger and did not stir up his full wrath. He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return.”
I am with my in-laws who are both in a nursing home in Decatur, Il. It is a very nice nursing home. Clean, well-tended. But still a home full of people at the end of their lives. And it is not a glorious end. It is hard to see God’s mercy here. Many of these folks, my father-in-law included, served in World War II and were true heroes. Now, they are burdens. Most of them know it. The ones that don’t are just as pitiful with their memories gone or nearly there.
Last night, we brought my carnivorous f-i-l steak and a baked potato. Don insisted on green beans as well but they were barely touched. But there were no sharp knives in this place. When I wandered back and found the kitchen, the cook took pity on me and washed and dried her own paring knife. When I tried to press some money on her, she stood tall and said she was just doin’ her job and that anyone who took money for doing a mercy to her folks should be ashamed. And that if someone DID take money for doin’ their job, well, they needed to be reported.
And that is where I saw God’s mercy yesterday. What about you?


OT – Deuteronomy 31:1-32:27
It isn’t often that leaders willingly hand over power. And to hand over power in such a gracious way. “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their forefathers to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance.” Twice Joshua gets told this. Once by Moses and once by God.
George Washington also gave a similar address to the nation when he declared his intention not to run for a third term. His was not a speech since his 4,000,000 were scattered over a continent but published in a newspaper.
Here is paragraph one:
“The period for a new election of a citizen, to administer the executive government of the United States, being not far distant, and the time actually arrived, when your thoughts must be employed designating the person, who is to be clothed with that important trust, it appears to me proper, especially as it may conduce to a more distinct expression of the public voice, that I should now apprize you of the resolution I have formed, to decline being considered among the number of those out of whom a choice is to be made.”
It is a fascinating address and holds many, many truths for us now. Much like Moses, George Washington was a wise and perceptive leader.
Read the complete address here.

But back to Joshua. I am not sure that it is fair for Moses to heap all the infidelities of the Israelites on Joshua since he himself had his fair share. But he does and continues with his woes on them as they ‘cheat’ on the Lord. Clearly, Moses really wanted to go on being the leader but God had chosen and Moses stepped aside. We are very fortunate that our leaders do the same. Most of the planet does not have that luxury.


NT—Luke 12:8
Tomorrow is Easter. Almost every year, I try to have a new dress or outfit for church. I definitely want my boys looking fine. I realize that Jesus' admonition against being 'lilyified' applies to me, but really, I just can't help it. This year, since we are not at home and travel really light so we can avoid checking bags, our Easter finery will be in our hearts.
We are taking Don’s dad to his home church for Easter service.
It is a resurrection of sorts. Don’s parents have been mainstays of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Decatur, Il for 53 years. Don’s dad Joe has been an elder several times and most of those times he was Clerk of Session. His mother, Mickey, was deacon for years and years and did a tour of duty as head deacon when they were in the midst of a building campaign and construction. Trying days for a mother of six, full time school teacher – math. Now they are both elderly and Mickey hasn’t been to church in 2 years. Joe went without her, first while she slept away the morning at home then after she went to the nursing home when he could no longer care for her dementia at home. Joe hasn’t been there in 6 weeks. He asked me to find a ‘good tie’ and his nice jacket. I offered to press a shirt but he said he had one to wear that would look good with his sweat pants. My Easter finery is a man trying his best to recover from a stroke being wheeled by his son with his two fine grandsons by his side.
I wish you a blessed Easter and a glorious Resurrection Day.