The
Christian season of Lent has traditionally been set aside by the church as a
time for reflection, repentance and renewal. It lasts forty days, plus Sundays,
and is meant to mirror the forty days of Jesus in the desert. We are called to
take on new disciplines, new ways of thinking, and partner with the Holy Spirit
to more clearly see who we can be in Christ as we embrace what our Savior has
done for us. This devotional guide can help you in this journey.
How
to use this devotional guide: You
may choose to use this for individual use, for small groups, or for use during
family time. Each day there are readings from scripture – several psalms,
another Old Testament reading, a reading from the Gospels, and from the New
Testament epistles. We encourage you to read one or more of the passages and
meditate on them. Some of the scripture passages are obviously connected to the
season, while for others the connection may not be so obvious. The devotional
writing for each day is in response to one or more of the scripture passages.
We have left room for your personal notes and reflections.
If you find the devotional
writing to be a blessing or help, please let the author know. After all, you
will see them in worship – and how often do we get to thank an author in
person?
In addition to the printed
version available each Sunday for the next week, they are also on the church
website, www.avongrovenazarene.org. Click “Connect,” then click “Pastor’s
Blog.”
Writers:
Kris Guertler is the wife of Jim and mother of Jamie. She
serves as director of our women’s ministry, on the Academy board and music
ministry. She is a school nurse in the Octorara Public Schools. She lives in
Parkesburg.
Heather Hyde is the wife of Jackson and the mother of
Hadley. She serves as our Associate Pastor. She lives in Chatham.
Becky McGehean is the wife of Jay and mother of Maddy and
Mackenzie. She is an administrator at Avon Grove Nazarene Academy and a member
of the church board and youth staff. She lives in West Grove.
Jay McGehean is the husband to Becky and father of Maddy and
Mackenzie. He serves as our youth pastor, and is a health and physical
education teacher at the Avon Grove Charter School. He lives in West Grove.
Justin Reed is a senior at Avon Grove Charter High School, a
leader in our youth group and involved in music ministry. He lives in
Cochranville.
Clara Saxton serves as director of Kingdom Kids, our Wednesday
evening program for children, and is a real estate agent with Berkshire
Hathaway, Fox and Roach Realtors. She
lives in Kennett Square.
Esther Schutz is the wife of Mike. She serves as our Minister
of Worship Arts and Administrative Assistant and teaches music lessons. She
lives in Penn Township.
Mike Schutz is the husband of Esther. He serves as our senior
pastor. He lives in Penn Township.
Beckey Williams is a recent graduate of West Chester University
and serves as director of the after school program and a teacher at Avon Grove
Nazarene Academy, and is a member of our music ministry. She lives in Oxford.
Monday, March 21
Scripture Readings: Psalm 36:5-11, 51,
69:1-23; Isaiah 42:1-9; Lamentations 1:1-12; Mark 11:12-25; John 12:1-11; 2
Corinthians 1:1-7
Blessed
be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of sympathy (pity
and mercy) and the God, Who is the Source, of every comfort (consolation and
encouragement). Who comforts (consoles and encourages) us in every trouble
(calamity and affliction), so that we may also be able to comfort (console and
encourage) those who are in any kind of trouble or distress, with the comfort
(consolation and encouragement) with which we ourselves are comforted (consoled
and encouraged) by God. For just as Christ’s own sufferings fall to our lot (as
they overflow upon His disciples, and we share and experience them abundantly,
so through Christ comfort (consolation and encouragement) is also (shared and
experienced) abundantly by us. - II Corinthians 1:3-5 (Amplified Bible)
For several years now, the Amplified Bible has been my
Book of choice; especially for when I read passages of Scripture that I have
read many times before. In this particular translation of the Bible, certain
words are expanded on to demonstrate other possible translations. For me, it is
a fresh wind.
In this passage
from II Corinthians 1: 3-5, the word comfort/comforts
is mentioned six times. For me to read the same word six times, from a familiar
passage, sometimes puts my brain on autopilot. Now the last thing I want to be
during our journey thru Holy Week is on autopilot. We have all lived thru many
years of observing Holy Week. What would make this year any different? It might
just come down to one word. When I read this passage, one word leaped out at me
over and over again. The word comfort;
which could also mean console, encourage.
The Holy Spirit worked thru all the familiarity of the English language and the
oft read Scripture passage to say “encourage.” “Esther, I am encouraging you
now. Christ suffered, and in this world, you will suffer; but I will comfort,
console, and encourage you. I encourage you so you can encourage others. I will
allow this time of testing, hardship, illness; but only so you will know my
Presence as I comfort you, console you, and encourage you.”
Dear friends, I
can testify to the comforting, consoling, encouraging Presence of the Holy
Spirit in my life. As you travel the suffering road to Gethsemane this week,
may you know that Christ did the same for you. And may you know that “Christ’s
comfort, consolation, and encouragement can also be shared and experienced
abundantly by us.” – Esther Schutz
Tuesday,
March 22
Scripture Readings: Psalm 6, 12, 71, 94;
Isaiah 49:1-7; Lamentations 1:17-22; Mark 11:27-33; John 12:20-36; 2
Corinthians 1:8-22
27 They arrived again in
Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests,
the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. 28 “By
what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you
authority to do this?”
29 Jesus replied, “I
will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I
am doing these things. 30 John’s baptism—was it from
heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!”
31 They discussed it
among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why
didn’t you believe him?’ 32 But if we say, ‘Of human
origin’ …” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a
prophet.)
33 So they answered
Jesus, “We don’t know.”
Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing
these things.” - Mark 11:27-33
God isn't playing games with us.
You strive to be Holy, or you don't.
You believe in who He says He is, or you don't.
You believe that prayer works, or you don't.
You choose to love all, or you don’t.
You choose to pursue His will for your life, or you don’t.
You take His commandments seriously, or you don't.
You love Him or you don't.
You believe in His sacrifice for our sins, or you don’t.
We want to live in
a grey world. We want to mix sin with Holiness. We want to have
everything that makes us happy, good or bad. Please understand these
words are as much for me as they are you. The spiritual leaders that Mark
writes about here, they never got it. They lived in fear of both the
truth and the people. They had lost their effectiveness because they were
comfortable in the grey. God doesn't have time to play games with
us. There is true genuine love on His part, He just needs you to pick a
side, and He desperately wants it to be His side. This week we get to
celebrate the amazingness of His promise. His sacrifice is an eternal act
of love and devotion to you. He is “all in” on you, will you finally
decide to be “all in” on Christ? -
Jay McGehean
Wednesday, March 23
Scripture Readings: Psalm 55, 70, 74; Isaiah
50:4-9a; Lamentations 2:1-9; Mark 12:1-11; John 13:21-32; 2 Corinthians
1:23-2:11
Hasten, O God, to save me; come
quickly, Lord, to help me.
2 May those who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may
all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. 3 May those who say to me, “Aha!
Aha!” turn back because of their shame.
4 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!”
4 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!”
5 But as for me, I am poor and needy;
come quickly to me, O God.
You are my help and my deliverer; Lord, do not delay. – Psalm 70
You are my help and my deliverer; Lord, do not delay. – Psalm 70
Why is it so hard to wait sometimes?! Growing up, on Christmas
morning, my sisters and I were not allowed to open any of our “Santa” presents
until my dad had returned home from milking the cows. He would get up earlier
than us to start his day but, it always felt like an eternity until he came
home! I remember begging my mom to let us open just one box or rushing my dad
through breakfast because waiting for him to finish was so difficult.
When we seek God’s help, often times we question his timing.
This passage of scripture reads, “Hasten, O God, to save me; come quickly, Lord, to help me.” It’s a plea for help,
as the author finishes by saying, “Lord, do not delay.” We get so caught up in
wondering when we will get answers that we forget the way He is working in our
lives as we wait and pray. Although we don’t always understand, God’s timing
is always on time. He is always working in our lives. This week, challenge
yourself to open your eyes to the wonderful blessings God sends each day,
regardless of what has you waiting. I continually tell the children in my
class, “Be patient” or “You’ll have to wait.” We all know waiting can be
difficult; trust in the Lord, for He is our “hope and deliverer.” – Beckey Williams
Thursday, March 24
Scripture
Readings: Psalm
102, 142, 143; Lamentations 2:10-18; Mark 14:12-25; John 18:1-19:42; 1
Corinthians 10:14-17, 11:27-32
10 Daughter Zion’s elders sit on the
ground and mourn. They throw dust on their heads; they put on mourning clothes.
Jerusalem’s young women bow their heads all the way to the ground. 11 My eyes are worn out from weeping; my
stomach is churning. My insides are poured on the ground because the daughter
of my people is shattered,
because children and babies are fainting in the city streets. 12 They say to their mothers, “Where are grain and wine?”
while fainting like the wounded in the city streets, while their lives are draining away at their own mothers’ breasts. 13 What can I testify about you, Daughter Jerusalem? To what could I compare you? With what could I equate you? How can I comfort you, young woman Daughter Zion? Your hurt is as vast as the sea. Who can heal you? 14 Your prophets gave you worthless and empty visions. They didn’t reveal your sin so as to prevent your captivity. Instead, they showed you worthless and incorrect prophecies. 15 All who pass by on the road clap their hands about you; they whistle, shaking their heads at Daughter Jerusalem: “Could this be the city called Perfect Beauty, the Joy of All the Earth?” 16 All your enemies open wide their mouths against you; they whistle, grinding their teeth. They say, “We have devoured! This is definitely the day we’ve been waiting for. We’ve seen it come to pass.” 17 The Lord did what he said. He accomplished the word that he had commanded long ago. He tore down everything and humbled the nation, made the enemy rejoice over you; he raised up your adversaries’ horn. 18 Cry out to my Lord from the heart, you wall of Daughter Zion; make your tears run down like a flood all day and night. Don’t relax at all; don’t rest your eyes a moment. - Lamentations 2:10-18
because children and babies are fainting in the city streets. 12 They say to their mothers, “Where are grain and wine?”
while fainting like the wounded in the city streets, while their lives are draining away at their own mothers’ breasts. 13 What can I testify about you, Daughter Jerusalem? To what could I compare you? With what could I equate you? How can I comfort you, young woman Daughter Zion? Your hurt is as vast as the sea. Who can heal you? 14 Your prophets gave you worthless and empty visions. They didn’t reveal your sin so as to prevent your captivity. Instead, they showed you worthless and incorrect prophecies. 15 All who pass by on the road clap their hands about you; they whistle, shaking their heads at Daughter Jerusalem: “Could this be the city called Perfect Beauty, the Joy of All the Earth?” 16 All your enemies open wide their mouths against you; they whistle, grinding their teeth. They say, “We have devoured! This is definitely the day we’ve been waiting for. We’ve seen it come to pass.” 17 The Lord did what he said. He accomplished the word that he had commanded long ago. He tore down everything and humbled the nation, made the enemy rejoice over you; he raised up your adversaries’ horn. 18 Cry out to my Lord from the heart, you wall of Daughter Zion; make your tears run down like a flood all day and night. Don’t relax at all; don’t rest your eyes a moment. - Lamentations 2:10-18
John Wesley, in his commentary on this passage,
reminds us that all of this destruction could have been avoided, if only the
people had been “sensible of your sins.”
Today is Maundy Thursday. It is the day we
remember Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, and the Last Supper. In liturgical
churches, the day is often commemorated by a Tenebrae service, which is Latin
for “shadows.” It is a somber service, meant to remember the betrayal,
abandonment and agony of the events leading to the cross. The service is in candlelight.
After each reading, a candle is extinguished, until only the Christ candle
remains. Finally, the Christ candle is extinguished, and the service ends in
silence and darkness. For me, it is one of the most meaningful services of the
year.
I do not believe our Christian faith can be all
it can be until we truly grasp the power of sin and the depth of suffering.
Lament is the appropriate response, as we recognize that our lives, our
community, nation, world, and all of creation groan under the pain and
alienation caused by sin. The Thursday, Friday and Saturday of Holy Week are
set aside as the time to grapple with this reality.
It is a shallow experience to rush too quickly
from the parade of Palm Sunday to the joyful celebration of the resurrection on
Easter. Until we experience the truth in the middle, we cannot know what we are
truly celebrating. Ken Collins gives a helpful analogy. If you see only the
happy ending of a movie, everyone who saw it from the start is elated, but you
go away saying, “So they were all hugging each other? So what?” But if you see
the beginning and the middle part, with all the suspense and grief, you
understand what the characters overcame, and the happy ending is all the
happier. So to me, attending the Easter service without attending the Holy Week
services is like watching the happy ending of the movie without seeing the
middle—you only rob yourself of joy.
Take time to think about the events of Holy Week. Place
yourself not only in the roles of the disciples and the crowd, but take time to
think on your own life. How much pain have you suffered because of sin? - Mike
Schutz
Friday,
March 25
Scripture
Readings: Psalm
22, 40, 54, 95; Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-33; John 13:36-38,
18:1-19:42; 1 Peter 1:10-20
My God, my God, why have you
forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of
anguish?
2 My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. 3 Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises. 4 In you our ancestors put their trust, they trusted and you delivered them.
5 To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. 6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people. 7 All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads.
8 “He trusts in the Lord,” they say, “let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him. 9 Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast. 10 From birth I was cast on you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God. 11 Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. 12 Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. 13 Roaring lions that tear their prey open their mouths wide against me. 14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me. 15 My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. 16 Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. 17 All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. 18 They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment. 19 But you, Lord, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me. 20 Deliver me from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs. 21 Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen. 22 I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you. 23 You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!
24 For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help. 25 From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you I will fulfill my vows. 26 The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the Lord will praise him— may your hearts live forever. 27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, 28 for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations. 29 All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him— those who cannot keep themselves alive. 30 Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. 31 They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it! – Psalm 22
2 My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. 3 Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises. 4 In you our ancestors put their trust, they trusted and you delivered them.
5 To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. 6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people. 7 All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads.
8 “He trusts in the Lord,” they say, “let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him. 9 Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast. 10 From birth I was cast on you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God. 11 Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. 12 Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. 13 Roaring lions that tear their prey open their mouths wide against me. 14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me. 15 My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. 16 Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. 17 All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. 18 They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment. 19 But you, Lord, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me. 20 Deliver me from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs. 21 Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen. 22 I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you. 23 You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!
24 For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help. 25 From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you I will fulfill my vows. 26 The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the Lord will praise him— may your hearts live forever. 27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, 28 for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations. 29 All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him— those who cannot keep themselves alive. 30 Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. 31 They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it! – Psalm 22
Today
is Good Friday. A bittersweet day for believers as we remember Christ's
suffering for us on the cross.
Psalm 22 are words from David, but are also the words of Jesus quoted,
calling out to his Father when he was suffering on the cross. In those moments
of agony Jesus did not feel heard. We all face times when it feels as
though God does not hear us, care for us, or will never respond to us. This can
cause us to have conflicted emotions; feelings of guilt questioning God's
presence and action in our situation. When we remember times in our past
when he has been faithful it's hard to understand why he won't act similarly in
the present. We want to be faithful followers to others coming to Christ but
that distance makes us feel less than faithful.
What is important to remember on days when God feels far away is
that Jesus himself faced these feelings. He felt abandoned by his Father and he
was God's son! It is not wrong or sinful to feel far from God, but never
give up crying out to him. Just because he feels far, doesn't mean he is
not working out something for good.
Jesus' feelings of abandonment are not the end of the
story. Remember what is to come in a few shorts days.
Psalm 22:19 "But you, Lord, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me."
- Heather
Hyde
Saturday,
March 26
Scripture
Readings: Psalm
31; Lamentations 3; John 19:38-42; 1 Peter 4:1-8
I am the man who has seen
affliction by the rod of the Lord’s
wrath. 2 He has driven me away and made me
walk in darkness rather than light; 3 indeed, he has
turned his hand against me again and again, all day long. 4 He has made my skin and my flesh
grow old and has broken my bones. 5 He has besieged
me and surrounded me with bitterness and hardship. 6 He has made me dwell in darkness
like those long dead. 7 He has walled me in so I cannot
escape; he has weighed me down with chains.
8 Even when I call out or cry for
help, he shuts out my prayer. 9 He has barred my way with
blocks of stone; he has made my paths crooked. 10 Like a bear lying in wait, like a
lion in hiding, 11 he dragged me from the path and
mangled me and left me without help. 12 He drew his bow
and made me the target for his arrows. 13 He pierced my
heart with arrows from his quiver. 14 I became the
laughingstock of all my people; they mock me in song all day long. 15 He has filled me with bitter herbs and
given me gall to drink. 16 He has broken my teeth with gravel;
he has trampled me in the dust. 17 I have been
deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is. 18 So I say, “My splendor is gone and
all that I had hoped from the Lord.”
19 I remember my affliction and my
wandering, the bitterness and the gall. 20 I well remember
them, and my soul is downcast within me.
21 Yet this I call to mind and
therefore I have hope: 22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not
consumed,
for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” - Lamentations 3:1-24
for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” - Lamentations 3:1-24
This is Holy
Saturday. The day of darkness. The day when nothing happens. The day of
waiting, and grieving, and simply living in the midst of suffering, doubt,
fear. We can forgive the disciples for asking “What will happen next? What will
become of us, of me?”
Lamentations 3 is painful to read. It is almost too
personal, like we are reading someone’s diary. They are in real pain, a pain
that cuts to the heart of their being. They have seen the destruction of the
city, and the destruction of lives. All who have felt such pain can understand
his suffering. Heartbreak has become his life.
We are most familiar
with verses 22 and 23. Because of the Lord’s great love we are not
consumed,
for his compassions never fail. They
are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. There
is great truth in those words, but like so many other places in Scripture, we
miss the point if we take them out of context.
They are being spoken by someone in the midst of great pain. They are
not casual words. They are words of real hope spoken in the midst of the tragedies
of life.
Contrary to what the superficial false
prophets of our day proclaim, suffering comes to all of us, whether we have
faith or not. When we seek to cover it up under a false veneer of happiness, we
not only deny our condition, but we subtly communicate to others that they must
hide their pain as well. This is how church becomes less relevant, less real,
and more pretend. Lament, crying out in our suffering, is not a sign of less
faith. It is a sign of real participation in the real world. And it is then
that our words of hope ring true. “Because
of the Lord’s great
love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every
morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Mike Schutz
Sunday, March 27
Scripture
Readings: Psalm
114; Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; Romans 6:3-11
When
Death Becomes Life
1-3 So what do we do? Keep on sinning so
God can keep on forgiving? I should hope not! If we’ve left the country where
sin is sovereign, how can we still live in our old house there? Or didn’t you
realize we packed up and left there for good? That is what happened in baptism.
When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind; when we
came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace—a new life
in a new land! 3-5 That’s what baptism into the life of Jesus
means. When we are lowered into the water, it is like the burial of Jesus; when
we are raised up out of the water, it is like the resurrection of Jesus. Each
of us is raised into a light-filled world by our Father so that we can see
where we’re going in our new grace-sovereign country. 6-11 Could
it be any clearer? Our old way of life was nailed to the cross with Christ, a
decisive end to that sin-miserable life—no longer at sin’s every beck and call!
What we believe is this: If we get included in Christ’s sin-conquering death,
we also get included in his life-saving resurrection. We know that when Jesus
was raised from the dead it was a signal of the end of death-as-the-end. Never
again will death have the last word. When Jesus died, he took sin down with
him, but alive he brings God down to us. From now on, think of it this way: Sin
speaks a dead language that means nothing to you; God speaks your mother
tongue, and you hang on every word. You are dead to sin and alive to God.
That’s what Jesus did. Romans 6:3-11
I was baptized in high school, in a pool in someone’s back
yard. This morning, we will see people
baptized in the baptismal of our church.
I know people that were baptized in a lake, or even the ocean. Being baptized is a truly important spiritual
experience. But, the experience has
very little to do with how or where it happens.
Rather, it has everything to do with the why. This scripture passage
in The Message paints a beautiful
mental picture of baptism. Baptism is
the beginning of something new in each one of us. And, it is only possible because of Jesus’
love for us through his death and resurrection.
I know I needed to read this – to be reminded of the why of
my baptism. Maybe you need the reminder,
too. Or, maybe you need to consider taking
this important step in your relationship with God. “We get included in his life-saving
resurrection (v. 8).” Today is the day
we get to celebrate that truth. We are
part of this story; He did this for us.
Don’t miss the chance to embrace your inclusion in the resurrection
story today. This story – this
celebration – is about ALL of us. It is
not just Jesus’ story…it is our story too.
– Becky McGehean