He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge

Transcription

1 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge

2 Lutheran Indian Ministries proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ with Native American peoples, disciples Native leaders to share the Gospel with their brothers and sisters, and provides resources to assist in the healing of social sufferings while valuing Native cultures. We envision a day when all Nations walk together in Christian Fellowship. We anticipate gathering on the Last Day when we shall see a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb (Revelation 7:910).

3 Greetings! It gives me great pleasure to share the Lutheran Indian Ministries 2018 Lent Devotion booklet with you. Lent is a magnificent time to reflect on transformational change. Springtime is abundant with new beginnings and new growth. Change is everywhere we look! Too often, however, we want to sprint right to Easter without fully embracing the Lenten season that leads us there. Lent reflects on the forty days that Jesus wandered in the wilderness and was tempted by Satan preparing him for a ministry that is destined to end in his crucifixion and death. Few of us can relate to the level of sacrifice, surrender, and commitment Jesus displayed during his forty days in the desert. But, Lent provides us with an opportunity to deepen our own faith by engaging in regular spiritual discipline from Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday. There is a compelling image that helps us to embrace the wilderness of the Lenten season and prevents us from taking the shortcut right to Easter. It is the image of the seed. Jesus started his teaching ministry with the parable of the sower (Matthew 13) and He often referred to seeds and plants throughout his ministry. To see the metaphor of Christian growth and spiritual development contained in a seed is to learn valuable lessons about change and transformation. We are richly blessed by your support of Lutheran Indian Ministries. Because of you, we proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, disciple others, and facilitate healing in every one of God s seasons. Thank you. May God bless you always, Tim Young Eagle (Pawnee) Executive Director P.S. Please note, there are no devotions on Sundays. We have done this so you may use your devotion time to reflect on how God's Word has spoken to you, through these devotions and your Sunday sermon.

4 Wednesday, February 14 - Ash Wednesday Man Does Not Live By Bread Alone "Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting for forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, 'If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.' But he answered, 'It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:1-4 (ESV) I love this passage of Scripture! Everyone loves a story about overcoming great odds. Here, the implications are huge for us and for the world. In today s passage, Jesus overcomes the flesh, the world, and the devil in one fell swoop. He does, in 40 days in the wilderness, what the people of Israel could not do in 40 years. He truly is God s Son! This passage provides such a rich picture. As I meditate on it, I begin to see myself and others in its light. Too often my flesh draws me away from God. Too often I am seduced into the temptations of the world and the devil. As I walk through the wilderness with our Alaska Native brothers and sisters, I see they, too, are hungry and lost in the wilderness of their lives. Our appetites deceive us, and we try to find satisfaction, fulfillment, and salvation in things that can never save. Just like the nation of Israel, we cannot overcome or find the victory over our flesh, over the world, nor over Satan on our own. However, in Jesus in His Gospel we see Him overcome all these things in our place. Then, He walks the road of our brokenness and our wilderness and takes it all to the cross, dying for your sins and mine. In Him, and by faith in His life, death, and resurrection, we find life and overcome. Jesus, we are so thankful for your Word, your life and your great love for us. Thank you that, in our brokenness from sin, you became our victor. In your name, we pray, Amen. Rev. David Sternbeck (Nuu-chah-nulth) Fairbanks, Alaska

5 Thursdsay, February 15 the greatest gift "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23 (NIV) During the Christmas season, we love to talk about the great gift God gave us, the baby Jesus born in the manger. But, the baby was less a gift and more a step toward what was to come. One step, in a long series of steps that started in the Garden of Eden. Take away the angel hosts singing to the shepherds, and from the outside, Jesus looks like any other baby born that night, merely the son of a carpenter. We know, from God's Word, of the immaculate conception and the angel messengers, but without our faith in God's Word, He was just a baby. We have read of the miracles Jesus performed and His amazing aptitude for theology and parables, but those are just more embellishments to the big story. Other men even died claiming to be the Messiah. But it was Jesus Christ of Nazareth who died on the cross for our sins, conquered death and the devil, and rose again. It is in his final acts on earth that we receive our true gift: forgiveness and life eternal. And while it is His resurrection that gives us hope, without sin it wouldn't mean much. Adam and Eve's eviction from the Garden of Eden set in motion a series of events leading us to where we are today and to our ultimate goal: a day when we see a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb (Revelation 7:910). Heavenly Father, we realize that we are sinful, but we praise and thank you for your greatest gift, our forgiveness and the guarantee of an eternity in Heaven with you. We thank you for setting into motion the events that led to Jesus' death and resurrection for the redemption of all nations. Help us to share your whole story with those who are lost, just as we once were. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen. tim young eagle (pawnee) brookfield, wisconsin

6 Friday, February 16 teach us to pray "Satan demanded to have you... but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail." Luke 22:31-32 (ESV) These are Jesus' words to Peter. Even before Peter knew he would need those prayers of intercession, Jesus knew and stood in the gap. Satan is always after God's gift of faith to us. He tries to destroy our faith, and us in the process. "Satan demanded to have you that he might sift you like wheat." Satan had access to Peter's life. He was allowed to humble Peter and bring him to the brink of despair. "But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail." With Peter's denial of Jesus, his faith was shaken. But through Jesus' intercession and Peter's repentance, Peter was restored and commissioned by Jesus to strengthen those around him. We have had the privilege of getting to know a young Native man local to our community. Listening to his story, one can clearly see the hand of God in his life, but that was not always clear to him. He comes from a broken home, one of ten children. He says his father left him with a pastor friend and his wife so he could pursue work and adds, "this man taught me how to pray and walked with me in developing my faith life." God's gift of faith to him was strengthened through this man's love and example. Often, we are battered and bruised by the wiles of the enemy. We are sifted and shaken. We start to wonder if our faith is real. We feel dry, alone, empty, and dejected. That is when we most need to be reassured of God's love through His Word and encouragement and by the prayers of others. We need to be reminded Jesus is at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us. We need to be able to repent and hear our sins are forgiven. We need the constant fellowship of the Holy Spirit. We need the fellowship of the Body of Christ. As we wait for Jesus' return, we can be comforted by His words, "my sheep know my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand." (John 10:27) Father, thank you for your eternal love and care for us. Thank you for sending Jesus to make a way for our salvation. Help us to remember to pray for one another, exercising the gift of faith you have imparted to us. In Jesus' name, Amen. rosemary Sternbeck Fairbanks, Alaska

7 Saturday, February 17 beautifully broken "And then Lord God commanded the man, saying, 'You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day you eat of it you shall surely die.'" Genesis 2:16-17 (ESV) We see the ravages of a fallen world all around us. A broken sea of humanity. Grief, loss, dysfunction, and death. When sin entered the creation, all of life began to groan. I was having a debriefing session with a team earlier this year who had just returned from a mission trip to a remote, Alaskan village. I asked them, "what were some of your perceptions of the individuals in the village?" There was a reflective moment of silence before the team leader responded. She said they saw so much brokenness, poverty, unemployment, despair, inebriation, addiction, trauma, and family dysfunction. She told me, at first, the darkness had been overwhelming. But then they began to see a beauty in the place and in the people. I knew they had captured the heart of God at that point. Her response was, "they are beautifully broken." God, in His great love, would pursue a beautiful and broken humanity, covering the nakedness of our sin with his Son's broken flesh and blood. Our team was now caught up in the same pursuit. With God's own heart and with the seeds of the Gospel, they strive to show Alaska Natives the hope that comes from Jesus Christ. As David wrote in the psalms, "those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him." Lord, we thank you for pursuing us in all our brokenness, for giving us the forgiveness of our sins in Christ's all-availing sacrifice, and for sharing your heart with us as we share your Gospel with others. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen. Rev. David Sternbeck (Nuu-chah-nulth) Fairbanks, Alaska

8 Monday, February 19 the time has come "'The time has come,' he said. 'The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!'" Mark 1:9 (NIV) Lent is a penitential season, a time to remind ourselves of the unpleasant truth: without God, we would only be curved in on ourselves and would be seeking to crush others in pursuit of our own gratification. Although this may seem an abstraction, it is a spiritual reality for all of us. Knowing the depths of our need helps us then to see the heights that God has brought us to, the great mercy God has given to people who were dead in their sins and trespasses (Ephesians 2:1). I had the opportunity recently to preach the Good News of the forgiveness of sins to those in a jail. Although we use the word penitentiary to distinguish between security levels of prisons, it is easy to deduce the original intent of the place; a place to repent of sins committed against the neighbor and against God. Not every inmate who came to listen to the message had repented, but there was more than one who sincerely repented and asked for the assurance of forgiveness. It was my privilege to announce the words of pardon Christ has given to His Church (John 20:23). I look forward to the day those inmates are released to see how God will use that time of repentance in their lives, as they announce the Good News of the Kingdom of God to others. Although it is possible that some who read this are in prison, I imagine that the majority of our readers are not. What does it mean, then, to repent when society has not condemned your actions? Are we really in need of repentance? Unless your soul has left your body, the answer has to be "yes." As long as we are on earth, we need to repent of that curved-in-ourselves tendency, our continual effort to use others for our own ends, rather than to serve and love others. Take time this Lenten season to listen to God s Word, and God will change your mind from an inward to an outward focus. Lord, you called your followers to repent. Change our minds, change us from those who are dead to those alive with love. Change us from those who care only about one-myself- to those who are focused on You and others. Amen. Rev. Tim Norton Navajo, New Mexico

9 Tuesday, February 20 hope and faith "If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith" 1 Corinthians 15:13-14 (NIV) At a closing program at one of our conferences, a young woman announced she wanted to continue to work on her issues even when she was back in her home community. Whether it is in a conference setting, in an urban center, at a workshop in an isolated community, or in a counseling session, we are there to help people, like this young woman, to come to a new place of understanding about the issues in their lives. We help them see there is a way out of, or at least a way through, the situations that grip them. With this understanding, they often see change is possible and want to take part in that change. This is the hope we desire to bring to everyone we meet through our work in Native ministry. Many times, this insight is not in a physical sense but in a spiritual sense. Their circumstances may not change, but their heart and their perspective on life does. Insight happens when they come to understand Jesus makes the difference in how they can navigate through their difficult life situations. It is this new understanding that Jesus knows and will sustain them that allows them to want to change. Likewise, the understanding that it was not Jesus or God that hurt them, but rather it was a person, fallen in nature, that hurt them. This is the hope of change and healing in the brokenness of our lives that we bring to those who come to our workshops. The possibility of change is there because of Jesus and his resurrection. If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith (1 Corinthians 15:13-14). It is our faith and belief in the life, death, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ that makes this possible. As the young woman declared, let us also choose to believe that we can change because Jesus really is alive to help us. Our perspective on ourselves, others, and life itself changes forever because of this resurrection hope. Dear God, we are so grateful for the resurrection of Jesus Christ and for what that means to each one of us. Father, it is because of the resurrection there is hope for all of us. Not only is this hope in our physical life but also in eternity. Thank you for this amazing truth. In Jesus' name, Amen. linda martin (cree) Winnipeg, manitoba, canada

10 Wednesday, February 21 finding a safe place "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed." James 5:16 (KJB) Ed was a big, tall man but very quiet. He came into the circle with his head low and had the countenance of someone that was only there to listen and quietly check out this men s circle. There was also the reward of a free lunch being served so his motives may have been mixed. But he also seemed emotionally cold and gave the impression he wasn t very comfortable and may leave at any time. My wife and I have been asked to lead a men s group on a regular basis this past year. It was in the basement of a large church near the downtown area of Winnipeg. There is a large population of street people in the area, and they are invited to come, many of them being Native American. The emphasis is on providing a place where men can come to find support and hopefully healing from the hurt and pain of past experiences. We want it to be a safe and trusting place. We encourage the participants to share their stories, as it is in the telling of one's story and breaking the silence that healing can begin. We usually start with a teaching time and then open it up for people to share. On this particular day, Ed, who I had never seen before, was the last person I had expected would share. When I finally opened up the sharing time, there was a long silence. To my surprise, Ed began to speak. And then, he could hardly stop. He shared how he had had no intention of sharing but couldn t help himself, and the story of his life came flowing out. He had never shared parts of his incredible story before. His painful experiences had lead to hurting others and himself. He was, in fact, confessing to us and beginning to heal. My question for you this Lent season is this: are there parts of your story you have never been able to share or confess? Certainly, opening your heart to God is the key, but God also uses his people to listen to our stories of pain, hurt, and even sin. It is in these confessions that we see powerful healing. Jesus longs to meet you there. Dear Lord, thank you for being the safe place we can all come to no matter where we have been, what has been done to us, or what we may have done to others. You are our healer and the ultimate giver of life. Thank you, for your amazing grace and forgiveness! In Jesus' name, Amen. rick martin winnipeg, manitoba, canada

11 Thursday, February 22 a broken heart he will not despise "You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." Psalm 51:16-17 (NIV) I find the words from the above passage to be very comforting. I have often found myself going to God with a sense of brokenness and with nothing to offer to Him because I have messed up, again. Alan E. Nelson, in his book, Embracing Brokenness, talks about what leads to brokenness a significant brokenness that leads to a place where we look to God and see God. One of the points he makes is the threatening circumstances in our lives that promote brokenness, such as death, divorce, loss of a job, loss of financial security, etc, make us realize we are not in control and, therefore, seek the One who is. In my situation, it would be the demands, expectations (both perceived and legitimate), obligations (again, both perceived and legitimate), and tasks of our ministry that threaten to overwhelm me. I have been learning this is when I need to pull back and seek God. Many times, I find myself running with my own ideas and my own agenda, resulting in anxiety and exhaustion. And, I discover, once again, I have lost sight that what we are doing is from God. It is then that I seek God, empty-handed and realizing I have nothing of my own to bring to Him, just my broken and empty heart. Yet, it is the words at the end of these two passages that always speak to me. They assure me my God is looking for and will accept a heart that is broken and contrite. So, I will stay there until I get my bearings. Then, I will get up again and go on, knowing God embraces and accepts me. Dear Father in Heaven, once again, I come because of who you are and what you have done through Jesus. I say Meegwetch (thank you, in Cree) for embracing and accepting me, and for not giving up on me. In Jesus name, Amen. linda martin (cree) winnipeg, manitoba, canada

12 Friday, February 23 his path "Remember that I have commanded you to be determined and confident! Do not be afraid or discouraged, for I, the Lord your God, am with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 (GNTD) Walking down a path should be easy. One foot in front of the other. Right. Left. Right. Left. Don't stray from it. Try not to trip. Don't forget to breathe. Easy enough, right? Growing up, I had one path in mind. Graduate high school. Go to college. Get my degree. Get married. Have 3 kids. And a dog. And a white picket fence. Perfect plan, right? Well, God had other plans. So here I am. In Las Vegas, Nevada. Single. Degree-less. Working as a preschool teacher. Spending my summers with children and teens in remote Alaskan villages. And I couldn't be happier. The average amount of remotely conscious decisions an adult makes each day is 35,000. I like to think of each choice and decision as a fork in the path. But what I didn't expect is one choice I made four years ago would lead to this moment right now. A choice to go on a mission trip, with a team I barely knew, to a small village in the Alaskan Bush called Venetie. Which led to the choice to go back again that next year. And the year after that. Which led to a growing passion for Native peoples and a mission for life. Two-thousand years ago, our Savior died on a cross, and He, too, changed the paths for all people. That death and resurrection impact the decisions we make each and every day of our lives! But God's clever like that. His plan for us can be confusing. Frustrating. Exciting. But ultimately, beautiful! He leads you down paths you'd never expect. Paths that you never even knew existed. So when you're feeling lost, or you think you have your life perfectly planned out, know that the Lord is with you. Watching, teaching, guiding you down the path He created you for. And He promises to be with you wherever you go! Lord, sometimes You take me down paths I don't expect. Help me to find comfort in your Word during those times in my life. Amen. Carissa wittig, volunteer las vegas, nevada

13 Saturday, February 24 return to the garden "When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples where there was a garden for Jesus often met there with his disciples." John 18:1-2 (NIV) For me, there is something healing about digging in the dirt. My parents both came from a family of farmers. Perhaps, it is part of my DNA. Sometimes I wonder what it was in creation that spoke to the man, Jesus. Taught to work with wood by Joseph, His earthly father, did He sometimes run His hands over a well-finished piece of furniture and enjoy its smoothness or pleasant lines and craftsmanship? Scriptures do not tell us. We are told, however, that He spent time in the garden. It didn t look like the garden He created. This one had weeds, just like mine. I think most of us get a mental picture of Jesus kneeling with hands folded or sitting on a bench leaning against the trunk of a tree with eyes closed as He rested. Certainly, He communed with the Father there just like He did on the night of His betrayal while the rest of His flock slept. But what if, like many of us who garden, His rest came by digging in the dirt? In many of His parables describing the Kingdom of Heaven, He used the subject of farming. There was the parable of the wheat and the weeds in Matthew 13, and the mustard seed in Mark 4, and the story of the farmer scattering seed in Luke 8. Perhaps, Jesus recharged after a long day by digging in the dirt. And perhaps, while He was there in the garden, He prayed to his Father and wept over the stiff-necked people He loved and was sent to save. I honestly don t know why the Creator loves us so much that He sent His Son to die to bring us back to Himself. I know that my sin changed the garden. And, as I dig among my beloved perennials and the weeds that try to overtake them, I pray for the First Nations people we serve and weep for them and myself. In the garden, I unburden my heart and talk to the Lord about my frustrations, doubts, fears, anxieties, and physical weariness as we minister to the Native people His people. And I am drawn back to the foot of the cross, where my sins were washed away, where Jesus took all of my burdens upon Himself. He is preparing a place for me, for us, for all His people. He is coming soon to take us home. What blessed Easter news! Thank you, loving Father for sending your dear Son to die for us. May we rest in you as we continue to tend the garden you have planted us in. In Jesus' name, Amen. rosemary sternbeck fairbanks, alaska

14 Monday, February 26 Lord, increase our faith "Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God." 1 Peter 1:21 (NIV) Recently, I was asked if I would talk and pray with a lady who had experienced really horrible and extreme trauma. Upon meeting her, I noticed her whole demeanor was that of a badly abused and wounded person. She was totally filled with deep-rooted bitterness and anger, so much so that she was consumed by them and could not see past her current situation. I might add, she had good reason to feel this way. As I sat beside her, she started to share her story. Even though I had just met her, she felt she could open up to me. I found myself at a loss for words as she continued talking. Then she said, Even God wouldn t want to help me, which left a sting in my ears. My first instinct was to defend God, but the Holy Spirit held my tongue until she finished her story. Afterward, I asked if I could pray with her, and she agreed. During our prayer, tears began to fall from her eyes very gently at first and then the tears turned into sobs, followed by her asking forgiveness for having doubted God. How many times is our faith put to the test? Whether it s because we lack trust or are fearful and lose hope as we look for the worst in every situation, our lack of faith can cripple us until we are unable to move forward. We can even get to the point that we may think even God wouldn t (or couldn t) help us." In talking and praying with this woman, the Holy Spirit gave her a measure of faith to tell her story to a stranger and acknowledge that she needed Jesus to help her survive another day. Even though she still struggles with the things that happened to her, she is growing and getting stronger in the Lord each day. God is peeling off the layers of hatred, anger, and bitterness and replacing them with faith, hope, love, and joy. During this time of Lent, let us focus on the author and perfecter of our faith, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior! Father God, thank you for sending your only Son, Jesus, to take away our sin and shame so we may walk upright before you. In your holy name, Amen. deaconess cathy benzler (cherokee) olympic peninsula, washington

15 Tuesday, February 27 walking with god "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." John 28:19-20 (NIV) We often talk, as Christians, about our "faith walk," the path our lives take as we navigate life attempting to live in a Godly manner and walking righteously as Jesus did. This faith walk of ours has its hills and valleys, but we strive to "walk with God," trusting in Him, following His Word, and aiming toward Heaven. But what we sometimes forget is we aren't walking toward God and our eternal life, we are walking with God. That same Spirit, that raised Christ from the dead, lives in each and every one of us (Romans 8:11). We aren't alone in our walk through life; God walks alongside us. And when I remember this, it usually sparks one of two strong feelings. One: I get self-reflective. I think about times I've walked with friends and family down a street. If they begin to act inappropriately, I get embarrassed because I don't want the people around us to think I am like that, too. As a follower of Christ, do my actions always reflect the holiness and righteousness of Jesus, or am I embarrassing Him? Two: I feel relieved. Not because I'm a perfect follower of Christ and never need correction, but because of His promise, to be with us always, usually comes when I'm feeling overwhelmed. When I feel like my problems are too big and the weight of the world seems to rests on my shoulders, it is on those days God reminds me He is with me. I am not big enough or strong enough to do everything needed to help the Native peoples of our nation, Lutheran Indian Ministries isn't big enough, but God is. He reminds me that this isn't our mission, it is God's mission, and we are blessed enough to get to join Him on this amazing ride. Thank you, loving Father for walking alongside me. Help me to continually reflect your light to the world around me and to trust you have all things under control. Thank you for letting me join you in your mission. In Jesus' name, Amen. tim young eagle (pawnee) brookfield, wisconsin

16 Wednesday, February 28 what's weighing us down? "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV) I want to share a part of my story with you. I grew up in a home with domestic violence and sexual abuse. My father was absent from my life, and I was raised by two controlling and abusive step-fathers. My mom was the stable parent in my life, but she was controlling and abusive, as well. Nonetheless, I clung to her and would do anything for her. At the age of 12, I was baptized. I loved the Lord and brought that into my marriage. My wife and I brought our children to church. I sat in the pews and received the message from the pastor, lead bible study, and taught Sunday school. But, I never brought the Gospel out of the church. My mom died when I was 45, and I didn t shed a tear for a year and a half. During that time period, I became very angry and didn t know why. I screamed out to Jesus for help, but instead of fixing what was going on around me, He pointed me inward. He showed me I had bitterness and resentment in my heart that was weighing me down and holding me back from being the man, the husband, the father to my kids He wanted me to be. Once I took the focus off of myself and put it on Christ, He revealed in me my sin. It was through repentance that the weight was lifted off of me. And because of that freedom, I found myself taking Jesus outside of the church. I started sharing the healing that only the Gospel can bring with other hurting people. Jesus poured out his blood through beatings and torture and gave up his body at the humiliation of the Cross. He took every sin that would weigh us down and nailed them to the cross with Him. It is this life of freedom I am reminded of every morning and the life I want to help my Native brothers and sisters find. Almighty Jesus, thank you for taking the weight of my sins from me. Help me to stay focused on you so I can continue to share your healing with those who hurting in my world. In your holy name, Amen. vicar rick mccafferty (Inupiaq eskimo) anchorage, alaska

17 Thursday, March 1 hope of a child "And he said: 'I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.'" Matthew 8:3 (NIV) This year, our 4-year-old granddaughter was old enough to attend vacation Bible school (VBS). Cathy and I were able to take her while we helped out with the preschool children. Our group was one of three groups of children ages 3 to 5. I can tell you, they are a fun age to be with, but they kept us very busy. Some might tend to think VBS is not that important, but the children really do learn a lot. In the Kingdom of God, along with Holy Baptism, it is important for our children to grow up knowing the Word of God. The main focus at this year s VBS was Jesus loves us even when we are wrong, do something we shouldn t, or don t treat others as we should and that we are all made different. For children and youth, this is a good message for them to hear. They will all go through a period in their lives when they don t feel loved or accepted. In their teenage years, because of all of the changes taking place in their lives, they tend to feel even less secure. On Native American reservations, children and youth have even more obstacles to overcome than perhaps families elsewhere. On most reservations, the number of children living in a home with two parents is very low. Many children and youth are raised by their grandparents (usually a grandmother) or an aunt. Many are removed from their homes altogether because of bad living conditions. Many of the people live in poverty and unhealthy environments. As bad as this sounds, one of the advantages of living on the reservations is Native communities come together and reach out to help each other however they are able. Individuals in these communities often have someone to rely upon. And now, these children have an even bigger someone to rely upon: Jesus. Without Jesus in our lives, we wouldn t experience hope hope that does not disappoint. Jesus Christ redeemed us from sin and death through His sacrifice for us, and because of His love we now have the hope that so many Native people long for. All they need is the trusting heart of a child. Thank you, Lord, for loving us and receiving us as your children. In Jesus name, Amen. deacon tom benzler (ioway) olympic peninsula, washington

18 Friday, March 2 Flint "Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame." Isaiah 50:7 (NIV) People have used flint for thousands of years to make sharp arrowheads, spear points, knives, scrapers and other cutting implements, and we continue to use it today to start fires. Native Americans discovered a rare variety of this stone at Flint Ridge, in central Ohio. The ancient pits are known for producing a variety of high quality, bright, multi-colored flint with a glossy texture. The early inhabitants of Ohio also used the beautiful stone from Flint Ridge for decoration and jewelry. This particular type of flint was highly desirable in trade. So much so, that Ohio flint has been found over 1,000 miles away! When I visited this historic site, I was reminded of the many colors found on Native American regalia. I saw a rainbow in the stones which called to mind the rainbow over the throne of God and the different colors of stone mentioned in the book of Revelation (10:1, 21:19-20). Most of all, these stones reminded me of Jesus. Luke writes, When the days drew near for Jesus to be taken up, He set His face to go to Jerusalem. (Luke 9:51 ESV). Some Bible translations use the words, He made up His mind or He was determined," but they all convey the same thought used by Isaiah to set my face like flint. His love for us gave Jesus this flint-like mindset, this sharp cutting determination. His love was sparked by the fire in His heart to fulfill His purpose. He would not allow Himself to be distracted or dissuaded from receiving the death penalty we deserved. And Jesus knew there was no shame in dying for us because it was the right thing to do! Those who trust in the work of Jesus for eternal salvation will not be put to shame either. Jesus, our Determined One, is now waiting for us in heaven, the place of great color. However, these colors are not just of the rainbow and stones. They are in the people from every nation and tribe (Rev. 7:9). Determine today to set your heart and mind on following Jesus, your Determined One. Father, thank you for sending your only Son to die in my place. Jesus, thank you for not giving up. Holy Spirit, teach me how to be strong like Jesus with determination and strength. Amen. bill paris, volunteer lawrence, kansas

19 Saturday, March 3 he paid a debt "...know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified." Galatians 2:16 (NIV) Ten years ago, I entered the Nebraska State Penitentiary. I surrendered all of my rights. My worth to society became overwhelmingly clear. I was nothing more than a number, another Native American in the jail system, just another statistic. Upon arrival, I was assigned a number to identify myself. That number was my name, my identity. Everything that belonged to me was labeled with it. My clothing, cups, towels, and sandals, my minimal amount of belongings all labeled with my number. According to the prison system, I was my number and nothing else. But, I had a cellmate who saw me. His name was Aaron, and, for several months, I despised him. He was always speaking to me about this white man named Jesus. Just the name made me angry. He would tell me Jesus loved me and wanted to give me this free gift of Salvation. I told him over and over again that this heavenly father of his would never give me any free gift. Within a few months, much to my relief, Aaron was transferred out of my cell. My mind could finally rest. But, it didn t. I kept returning to his words. Soon, Aaron was transferred back into my room. In our time apart, my heart was softened toward him, and I welcomed his words, words I had hungered for. I began to read my Bible, but it was confusing. Then one day, while reading Galatians 2:16, God removed the scales from my eyes, and it all made sense. I finally understood what Aaron had been talking about. I jumped off my bunk, ran across the prison yard, found the chaplain, and was baptized that day. Now, every Easter I am reminded of that moment, sitting in my cell, unworthy of anything, when God showed me His free gift. He paid a debt he did not owe, And I owed a debt I could not pay I needed someone to wash my sins away, Now I'm singing a brand new song-of that happy day (from "He Paid a Debt") Thank you, loving Father, for paying this debt for me. For making me more than a number, but your precious child. In Jesus' name, Amen. deacon bob prue (Rosebud Sioux) lawrence, kansas

20 Monday, March 5 Our father "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name." Matthew 6:9 (ESV) Our Fellowship group was studying prayer this spring, we concluded with the Lord s Prayer and put it in today s context. Our Father, the first two words, which are so comforting for most of us, are hard to understand if you have never had a relationship with an earthly Father, as is the case with so many of our Native brothers and sisters. Even Jesus, who knew His Father completely, felt abandoned and hurt. As he hung dying for the sins of the world, he cried out to His Father asking why he had been forsaken. But today, the child, struggling to find their identity, can experience love from Jesus by picking up a child s book and reading the Easter Story. The young man, who has known nothing but rejection since birth and lives for the next drug high, can find he is loved by a God whose forgiveness and love is eternal in a pair of gloves to cover his frozen hands. The young, unwed, pregnant mother, who finds herself alone considering whether to keep her baby or not, finds peace and comfort that only Jesus can bring when someone takes the time to send her and her unborn baby a quilt with Jesus loves you stitched in the corner. The elder, who sits alone in his home, hungry and not knowing when he might eat again, sees Jesus' love when someone, prompted by the Holy Spirit, drops by with a box of groceries. Our Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for the sins of every single person. And before he left, promising his return, he taught us how to pray the perfect prayer that covers all our needs, whatever they may be. Understanding what Jesus did for us on the cross, helps us know the love of God, the Father. It helps us understand His nature, even if we never had that example from an earthly Father. Gracious Father, thank you for giving us your son, Tsisa (Jesus, in Cherokee), to die for our multitude of sins and restoring us unto you. Be with all those who have never experienced your love and draw them to you by the Holy Spirit. In Jesus name, Amen. deaconess cathy benzler (Cherokee) olympic peninsula, washington

21 Tuesday, March 6 god's grandeur "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV) It is difficult to express God's presence throughout history and, therefore, why we should be laying up treasure in heaven. So, I turn to a poet to do so: The world is charged with the grandeur of God. It will flame out, like shining from shook foil; It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod? Generations have trod, have trod, have trod; And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil; And wears man's smudge and shares man's smell: the soil Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod. And for all this, nature is never spent; There lives the dearest freshness deep down things; And though the last lights off the black West went Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs Because the Holy Ghost over the bent World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings. God's Grandeur by Gerard Manley Hopkins This poem was written in 1877 as a love song declaring the handiwork of God versus the negative influences of man. As we find ourselves further and further from the Garden of Eden, our world falls further from the perfection God made. But we have the assurance that Heaven is still perfect and constantly renewed, never having been sullied by the hands of sinful men. It is in this place where our treasure is safe and waiting for those who believe in Jesus as their Savior. Thank you, loving Father, for the promise of eternal life in your perfect creation through the faith we have in your Risen Son, Jesus Christ. Amen. galen gritts (Cherokee nation of oklahoma) st. louis, missouri

22 Wednesday, March 7 Fear of the lord "Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided." Proverbs 16:6 (NIV) It's common that, as we sort through the sins in our lives and journey toward righteousness and a life pleasing to God, we experience fear. The evil one doesn't want us to have a relationship with God and preys on our natural, sinful doubts and fears to prevent it. But, fear can conquer fear. Proverbs 14: 26 says, "Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress." But what does it mean to fear the Lord, and why should we fear a loving, merciful God who sent His Son for our salvation? The answer comes in looking at the Bible as one, all-inclusive story. If you were to only read the New Testament, there would be little to fear. The story of Jesus and His followers is one of redemption for our sins, grace, and love. But, if you were only given the Old Testament, you would read of a vengeful, jealous God who wipes out whole nations of non-believers. One blogger recently wrote: "Mankind likes to take God in halves... [But think of it this way,] Our God is a consuming fire (Heb. 12:29). You don t approach fire according to your whims, but according to its nature. Or in other words, you can t have fire on your own terms. You can enjoy its light and its warmth, but you should fear what would happen to you if you stuck your hand into the fire. It s not going to change its nature just because you feel like toying around with it. If you care about your hand, keep it out of the flame. If you value your life, do not sin against God." (steadfastlutherans.org) We must understand all of God's Word as one narrative. We can't have Easter Sunday without Good Friday. We can't have the promise of eternal life without the fear of judgment. But this fear is not one that causes anxiety, but instead brings awe and admiration as we think about the amazing events He put in motion to prevent us from having to spend all of eternity separated from Him. All this he did because of His love for us. Father God, thank you for sending your only Son, Jesus, to take away our sin so we might spend our eternal life with You. Help me to look upon You with the awe and admiration you deserve. In your holy name, Amen. tim young eagle brookfield, wisconsin

23 Thursday, March 8 the just shall walk by faith "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen " Hebrews 11:1 (ESV) A large part of our ministry, here in interior Alaska, with Lutheran Indian Ministries, is to help coordinate trips for teams traveling to a village to teach Vacation Bible School or complete a hammer-and-nails project. We never tire of hearing the stories of their experiences when they return. There are a couple of themes that seem to stand out with every team. The first is: "We found incredible beauty both in the majesty of the land and in the welcoming hearts of the people." The second: "In the midst of what is good, we saw so much raw suffering and pain." As one volunteer stated, "it is a conundrum. I can't wrap my head around it." Volunteers spend the better part of the year raising funds, gathering supplies, studying curriculum, and scheduling their summer around a weeklong trip to Alaska. The anticipation of seeing the Holy Spirit move in the lives of the children and adults in the village is palpable. Sometimes, team members get to witness God minister in wonderful ways with people responding immediately to His goodness. At other times, it seems every one of their efforts has produced nothing. And in relating their stories, they are humbled. It is then they are reminded that no matter how much effort they invest, it is only God who brings the increase. And at what time, and how that comes about, is not up to human endeavor but the work of the Holy Spirit. They are only assured that as they share His word it will not return void. In gathering around the table of fellowship, sharing stories of highs and lows, tears and prayers, there is sweet release. As stated in Hebrews 10:23-25: "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together... encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." Heavenly Father, as we reflect on your gift of Jesus, we thank you for your loving kindness. Thank you for the privilege of being able to participate in sharing the Good News of redemption with the world. Thank you for reminding us that your plan and timing is always perfect. In Jesus' name, Amen rosemary sternbeck fairbanks, alaska

24 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12 Lutheran Indian Ministries serves seven distinct locations in the United States and Canada. Each tribe we work with has a unique culture, language, and heritage, and with this comes a variety of opportunities and challenges. But just as the body is made of many pieces, each with its distinct role, so, too, does each Native group bring unique qualities and gifts to the Kingdom of God. We are not a complete and whole body of Christ without our Native brothers and sisters. In this season of reflection, we are so grateful for your passion for Native ministry and your commitment to this important work. We are thankful that you continue to walk with us on His mission to reach our Native brothers and sisters with the hope of Christ. We take you with us into every village and chapter, onto the campus of Haskell Indian Nations University, and to the tip of the Olympic Peninsula. We take you to the molten lava fields of Hawaii and together we proclaim the Good News to Native men, women, and children. alaska Dave & Rosemary Rick Staff: Rev. David Sternbeck (Nuu-chah-nulth) Rosemary Sternbeck Vicar Rick McCafferty (Inupiaq Eskimo) Challenges & Prayer Requests: The size and remoteness of Alaskan villages is too big for LIM s three staff members. Pray for people with a heart for Alaska Natives to continue this work and the funding to make it happen. olympic peninsula Cathy & Tom ben Staff: Deaconess Cathy Benzler (Cherokee) Decon Tom Benzler (Ioway) Vicar Ben Maxson Challenges & Prayer Requests: Pray that we can grow and replicate, throughout the Olympic Peninsula, the work being done at the Hope House in Port Angeles and Makah Lutheran Church in Neah Bay.

25 navajo Staff: Pastor Tim Norton Challenges & Prayer Requests: The Navajo Nation is very large and spread out. Just like Alaska, it s too big for just one person. Pray that we can help create disciples who can go out and proclaim the Good News of Christ to their own people. hawaii Staff: Vicar Clarence DeLude (Native Hawaiian) Challenges & Prayer Requests: Though we often think of Hawaii as paradise, it is also the worst state for poverty and homelessness per capita. Pray that we might meet the Native Hawaiians where they are, understanding them and providing assistance that aligns with their culture. Haskell LIGHT House Staff: Deacon Bob Prue (Rosebud Sioux) Challenges & Prayer Requests: The abuse and intergenerational trauma of Native peoples can often be an obstacle to hearing and accepting the love of Christ. Pray that we may make progress in providing resources for this healing. Pray that from this location of learning and growth, many Christian Native leaders will be prepared and sent forth to proclaim and disciple their own. Canada Staff: Linda (Cree) and Rick Martin Challenges & Prayer Requests: Pray that we can expand our mission work to encompass the great work already being done there.

26 Friday, March 9 moving toward you "He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers..." Malachi 4:6 (ESV) I am convinced one of the keys to ministry in any community, maybe especially the Native American community, is reaching the fathers with the Gospel and encouraging them to take responsibility for the spiritual lives of their families. The text from Malachi suggests one of the great purposes of God through His Son, Jesus, has been to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers. I think of Christ s sacrifice on the cross as God offering His best in order to turn our hearts to Him, our Father God. It was a sacrificial act of the greatest order in all of history; God offering His own Son in order to unite us with Him. What great love, what great sacrifice! Not long ago, a young man came to me. He was from the Kuyoqot Tribe of British Columbia. He had once attended a residential school in Canada. He had not been treated well there and had developed some deep resentment, particularly toward the church. But now, he was married with a child and concerned about his daughter s life. He wanted what was best for her but needed to confess his own bitterness and the lack of forgiveness he held for the church. He had blamed his terrible residential school experience on God. But now, the Holy Spirit had gotten hold of him and was convicting him of his need to repent and to trust God. He asked if he could share this with the congregation. I was happy to allow him to do so. As he was speaking, I noticed that everyone in the church was weeping. He finished and, with tears in his eyes, sang a Native song passed down to him by his own father. The song, sung in his Native tongue, proclaimed, I am moving toward you in a good way. After he sang his song, he asked me if I would baptize his child. It was a powerful demonstration of a repentant father moving toward his child in a good way. In a way, I see God s sacrificial offering of His Son as God moving toward us in a good way. It was costly of course, and it meant Jesus had to endure horrific suffering and rejection, but the result for us is that He turned our hearts to God the Father. He moved us to God through His sufferings, death, and resurrection. How great is God our Father! Heavenly Father, we are so thankful for the sacrifice that moves us to you through your Son, Jesus. We offer you our thanks and praise, in Jesus name, Amen. Rev. david sternbeck (Nuu-chah-nulth) fairbanks, alaska

27 Saturday, March 10 a lesson from eagles "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31 (NIV) One day, I was driving home from shopping when something caught my eye. I looked up at the sky and saw a mother and father eagle teaching their baby how to fly. I was so fascinated with the display above, I pulled my car over to the side of the road to watch. The pair of eagles had their little eaglet between them. They were flying so close together, it looked like the baby was sitting on its parents' wings. All of a sudden, the baby was tossed up into the air as if it had just been sprung from a trampoline, while the parents spread apart. The young eaglet would glide for a minute or so and then tumble in a downward spiral. In unison, the parents would swoop in together and boost the baby back into the air. This went on for a period of time. Each time, the eaglet stayed in the air a little longer and became a little more stable, until finally, it was gliding smoothly between its parents. The three of them were soon soaring together in circles, and I continued to watch until they were out of sight. This is such a beautiful picture of how our Creator takes care of us. He wants us to get out of our nests, out of our comfort zones to spread our wings. Sometimes, we re afraid to do so, because we fear failing or not getting it just right. It all comes down to trust. As the baby eaglet trusted its parents to keep him from hitting the ground, how much more should we trust in our Heavenly Father who loves us so much and is always there to scoop us up in His hands when we stumble or fall? Our Creator wants us to trust him. His word teaches us to trust him, and His word never returns void. Heavenly Father, forgive us for not putting our entire trust and faith in you. Thank you for always being loyal and loving to us, your children, and being our anchor of hope. In Jesus name, Amen. deaconess cathy benzler (Cherokee) olympic peninsula, washington

28 Monday, March 12 is it good to help? "Is not this the fast that I choose; to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?" Isaiah 58:6-7 (ESV) We see people all the time, everywhere, who are hurting and in need. A person standing on the side of the road with a sign asking for help. People sleeping on a park bench, homeless, broken, and trapped in the cycle of addictions. Have you ever wondered, should I help? If I were to help would it be good or would it hurt them more? As I was walking into a restaurant the other day, I saw him: a young Native man sitting on the sidewalk. He had a light pair of pants and a small coat on. His head was between his legs, cold, hungry, and inebriated. It was -20 degrees outside and a very cold shiver ran down my spine. My heart was broken for this young man and all the questions about helping ran through my mind. I helped him up and into the restaurant. I asked if I could get him something to eat? We sat together and had a bite. I prayed the whole time he sat in front of me. There were few words between us, and when he was finished, he thanked me and left. I said, may God bless you and keep you, and he was gone. I was left with the feeling I couldn t do enough to help this young man, and I wondered about my motives. Was I trying to please God? Was I acting out of some guilt about having something someone else didn t have? Was I trying to look like a good person? No, the reason I helped this young man was out of obedience, an obedience to God as a form of worship to Him who saved and loved me and desires to save all mankind. Lord, help us see others as you see them. Help us to see ourselves in the light of your Gospel. In Jesus' name, Amen. rev. david sternbeck (Nuu-chah-nulth) fairbanks, alaska

29 Tuesday, March 13 jesus, our sacrifice "He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself." Hebrews 7:27 (NIV) The season of Lent is my favorite time of the year. It reminds us of what Jesus has done on the cross for all of us. When he was sacrificed on the cross for us, he carried our sins with him that we may inherit eternal life through Jesus, because he loved us so much. People often believe they are making sacrifices in their lives when they do things for their family members. I hear people saying, how they work so hard for their children so they can have a nice home and attend a good school, or how they make sacrifices so that children can play sports or go on a nice vacation. Is that really a sacrifice? We should be happy God has allowed us to have a family with whom we can share our lives. I know when we go to the reservations to share the love that Jesus has for us with our brothers and sisters, it is not a sacrifice for us because we love them and want them to better understand the love Jesus has for them. The Native families who live on the reservations can never own their own home as long as they live there. All they can do is rent because of the rules that govern them on most of the reservation lands. For the young people, there are always the predators who come to the reservations to sell heroin and other dangerous drugs. Without a personal relationship with the Lord and knowing that someone really cares for them, life will always be hard. But we have the answer in Jesus Christ, and we have seen the Holy Spirit working in the hearts of our Native brothers and sisters! Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us first so we might believe in you and never lose our faith because you will always be there for us. Help us to work harder to share this love with others in need. Amen. deacon tom benzler (ioway) olympic peninsula, washington

30 Wednesday, March 14 A Know-It-all "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth." Job 19:25 (NIV) One of the biggest challenges, for an outsider who enters the reservation, is to not come across as a know-it-all. Even though I entered at the gracious invitation of the Winnebago Tribal Council, who asked the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod to provide a worker who would share his or her faith with their children, this did not make the task at hand any easier. What can a white man teach the Ho-Chunk [Winnebago] tribal members about faith in God, without sounding like a know-it-all? At times, the more I share the stories of Mauna [God] the more I catch myself being a know-it-all. I get excited when someone attends a church service or a Bible study and I get to tell them about Creator God and His beloved Son. Often times, I play right into their understanding that the white man Christian talks about God, as opposed to the Native talking to God, as they are often taught. It is my humble calling to help those I serve to understand God's Word and hear Creator God speaking to them so they can be blessed to know Creator God as their Redeemer. Now, let's talk about a man who did know a thing or two. His name was Job. Job knew something about human nature and would sacrifice burnt offerings for his children, thinking perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts. More importantly, he knew God was merciful. God allowed Satan to afflict Job, but he had to spare Job s life. Job was afflicted with painful sores from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet. In the midst of his suffering, he utters these words: I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. Job was blessed by God to know His redeemer, Jesus, who years later would rise victoriously from the grave. God s Spirit instills faith in the hearts and minds as a blessed gift, to people of all ages, tribes, and languages. By the grace of God, Job knew all there was to know about one s salvation by knowing Jesus as one s Lord and Savior! I know that my Redeemer lives! Dear Heavenly Father, send your Spirit into the hearts of those who hear and read your Sacred Word and instill faith in them so they would understand all there is to know, through knowing your Son as the Redeemer of the world. Amen. pastor ricky jacob winnebago, nebraska

31 Thursday, March 15 god made ugly "He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not." Isaiah 53:3 (ESV) Most illustrations of Jesus show a rugged looking but very attractive man. The hair, the beard, the robe, the sandals everything neatly in place and ready for public presentation. Contrast the popular image with Isaiah s less-thanflattering assessment of the Suffering Servant s appearance. Isaiah sums it up in two words: despised is the opposite of honorable; a profane mockery of the genuine article, describing the cripple lambs that Israel tried to pass off as pleasing to God. Rejected is unable to pass inspection and substandard. No one in their right minds would ever consider that this One would be the agent of God s saving work. If you scour the Gospel accounts, you will find next to nothing about Jesus physical appearance. When there is nothing said, the general rules of Literature tell us there must have been nothing exceptional about Jesus looks. You might even say he was quite ordinary and plain; no descriptive adjectives required. Isaiah invites us to consider that maybe Jesus was just plain ugly. And that is at the heart of the story: Christ on the Cross is God Made Ugly; ugly because Jesus allowed all of your sins and misdeeds to be laid upon him. So ugly that God could not even stand the sight of his own Son, but instead condemned him to eternal death. That s what was necessary to pay for your sins. That s what was necessary to accomplish your forgiveness. Jesus made ugly is what makes you beautiful in God s sight, when you turn to Jesus and put your faith in Him. So many Native men, women, and children feel ugly, not physically, but emotional. Generations of trauma and abuse have diminished their selfconfidence and ability to see themselves as the children of God. It is our job to, first, understand we are beautiful in God's sight, and then, to reflect that back to those around us. Thank you, Jesus, for being made ugly for me. Amen. Rev. Robert Gebel Milwaukee, Wisconsin

32 Friday, March 16 been there, done that "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water." 1 Peter 3:18-20 (ESV) A visit to any reservation in the United States can be a depressing experience for those who come from elsewhere. Extreme levels of poverty, unemployment, drug and alcohol abuse, and violent crime are all facts of life on the 326 reservations in our country. The Navajo reservation, where I serve, is no exception. Many Natives live in hell on earth. We Christians are left to wonder, How can I share the Good News with those who have suffered so much trauma? Although many false teachers have taken the tactic of promising a better future on earth without suffering (on the condition of a robust faith), God s Word confronts us with something different. We read that Christ went to the spirits in prison, what our church has believed, taught, and confessed as His descent into hell (Apostles Creed, second article). He went to the very worst place imaginable, worse than any reservation because there the suffering never ends, and He preached or announced His victory. So, where s the good news? The Good News is that we have a God who understands the worst humanity has to offer. We have a God who took on flesh and suffered the righteous for the unrighteous. We have a God who descended into hell. He has been there, done that, and now He is raising up those who have gone through difficult times to minister to their own. One of the members of our congregation, who once struggled with alcoholism (but has been delivered by God s grace), shared his testimony with another young man going through the same trials. He said, What Christ has done for me, He s also done for you, just don t be stubborn and refuse it! Yes, there is Good News! Through God's eyes, what may appear to be hopeless is a field ripe for the harvest! Heavenly Father, thank you for the Good News of the Gospel, that through Jesus life, death, and resurrection, we can rejoice in his victory. Prepare our hearts and lives to help in the harvest for the sake of His Kingdom, which has no end. In Jesus name, Amen. pastor tim norton navajo, new mexico

33 Saturday, March 17 teach god's way "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you." Psalm 51:12-13 (NIV) I had been visiting the jail for the past four Tuesdays. This day would be like none other. The jailer informed me that I would not be able to see the person I had been seeing. She asked me if I would see another resident. I agreed. She threw the switch, and the steel door opened automatically. I stepped inside not knowing who I would be meeting. The door moved back and locked. At the steel picnic table, in a drab battleship grey room, sat a young man about 25 years of age. I introduced myself and the man unloaded his regrets and his fears. He had gone out one night, gotten drunk, and did something awful. He told me he had four children at home between the ages of ten and one. He had been given a Bible and had been reading it. He told me he knew that Jesus had died for him, and he was forgiven. Yet, he needed to hear it from someone else. I assured him it was true. He went on to say he wanted to be with his family and friends in order to warn them not to follow in his ways. I had the young man read Psalm 51. It begins, Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. When he finished reading, I pointed out the words at the beginning of this article. This man s desire to teach transgressors God s ways was the same as King David. I asked if he had been baptized. He said no, but that he would like to be. We reviewed God s grace found in the water of Holy Baptism, and God s ways happened right then and there. No walls of steel, no weight of sin, and no burden of grief can stop God s means of grace! Dear Heavenly Father, Creator God, we praise and thank you for your unfailing love and mercy found through faith in Jesus who died so we might live in peace. Empower this young man to fulfill the desires of his heart and to teach transgressors Your ways. We pray this in Jesus name, Amen. pastor ricky jacob winnebago, nebraska

34 Monday, March 19 Are we any better than fish? "On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, 'Peace be with you.' When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.'" John 20:19-21 (ESV) Here in Hawaii, we still carry on many of our traditional fishing cultural practices. The Opelu, for example, is traditionally caught with a circular net that, when lowered into the deep ocean, opens into a cone shape. Canoes form a wide circle and lower this net into the deep, dark blue Pacific ocean, so deep you can no longer see the net from the surface. Then, Hawaiian fishermen will chum the water with bait to attract the schools of Opelu to the surface and over the net. The Hawaiians know that the Opelu fish frighten easily and, sensing any danger, will immediately dive to the bottom of the ocean to hide. The fishermen then raise their circular cone net and capture all those diving frightened Opelu. Traditional Hawaiian fishermen used their knowledge of the natural behavior of this fish to capture them and continue to do so today. Two thousand years ago, the resurrected Jesus miraculously appeared to his disciples, and what were they doing? They were hiding in the dark of night, full of fear of the dangers lurking outside. They were fearful they would be found and captured, and then be crucified and killed, like their leader and teacher. Their nature, like our nature, is to run away from danger and to hide somewhere dark and safe. Are we not just like the Opelu? It was very fortunate for the disciples that Christ found them (though not so fortunate for the Opelu because the fishermen ate them.) But it was all part of the plan, all of which rested on the resurrection of our King, Jesus Christ. Christ is raised from the dead, as He promised. Finally, it is interesting that the first thing Jesus says to the disciples was words of assurance, the words peace be with you, not have no fear or you are safe now. Why? Because the real fear of eternal death and the danger of eternal separation from God is now gone. In the words of our resurrected Lord, Peace be with you! Our Father and our God, we come to you in faith with the grace given us and thank you for the gifts of peace, hope, and joy. I look forward to the day when the King will return to receive me into heaven and the new creation to live forever in peace. Amen. vicar clarence delude (Native hawaiian) makaha, hawaii

35 Tuesday, March 20 our reason to sing "Death has been swallowed up in victory." 1 Corinthians 15:54 (NIV) Recently, I stood at the side of a grave and sang at the top of my lungs. A respected Cree elder had passed away. There was deep grief, but there was also the hope of the resurrection. We sang with all we had because we believe we will see him again. What makes you sing? For me, it is the great hope we have in Jesus. Life has true and ultimate meaning because God himself will not leave us in the grave. As the Psalmist declares. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. (Psalm 146:2) And, I will sing praise to my God with my dying breath. Paul writes this in regards to the resurrection: If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. (1 Corinthians 15:13) But because of the resurrection, Death has been swallowed up in victory. When we go through dark times in this life and all hope seems to be lost, it can be hard to sing. But when we know there is more to come, that we will be raised with Christ, everything changes. It inspires us to sing. This is a hope desperately needed in so many of the northern reservations. About seven years ago, Tim, a friend from Tennessee, came up to my wife s home reservation of Muskrat Dam, Ontario, to do a guitar clinic. We gathered seven teenagers together who were interested in playing guitar. We miraculously found enough guitars, some in pretty rough shape, for each of the participants. They loved it. Seven years later, one of them, in particular, has become quite a guitar player and singer of gospel songs. Plus, because of Tim's connections in Nashville, people have donated forty guitars to Muskrat Dam and the surrounding isolated Native communities. We look forward to doing more guitar clinics to inspire Native teenagers to learn to sing and play. With this platform, we have the opportunity to share the truth of the gospel and our resurrection hope. Through this, I believe more teenagers will find new faith, new hope, and a deeper reason to sing! Remember, you, too, can sing. It is especially during the dark times when this gift of music can lift our hearts towards hope. Dear Lord, thank you for conquering death and giving us a reason to sing. Help us lift our hearts in praise as we remember the hope we have because of what you have done for us on the cross. And, Lord, help us take this hope to the world in any way we can. Amen. rick martin winnipeg, manitoba, canada

36 Wednesday, March 21 Let us hear! "'Those who has ears, let him hear!" Matthew 11:15 (NIV) On Good Friday morning, a week after his triple by-pass surgery, my dad sat on a chair beside his hospital bed and started sharing the salvation story. He began by saying "the resurrection took place through and after a very difficult circumstance." The difficult circumstance being "the degree that Jesus had to suffer to make resurrection possible for everyone." He went on to say, the message that "Jesus suffered, died, and rose again," was for everyone, "but not many people hear and listen." I believe my dad, a respected Cree elder in our tribal area, was sharing from the perspective of his own suffering. That morning, just seven days after his open-heart surgery, I believe he was likening and accepting his own suffering in light of Jesus suffering. It was in understanding the depth of Jesus suffering that helped him to walk in faith, perseverance, and hope in his own suffering. My dad clearly lived in faith, perseverance, and hope to the very end of his struggle. He fought courageously but succumbed to the too many post-surgery complications seven weeks later. We, his family, are at peace with his passing. Yes, we miss him deeply, but we truly believe he has gone on to be with Jesus whom he believed in. I want to bring this to your attention especially during this season. The statement my dad made, that not many people hear and listen, I hope is not true of us. I want to challenge everyone to take the salvation message of Jesus life, death, and resurrection to heart. The world needs to hear this message. It is my sincere desire that my own indigenous people, Native North American people, and all people would understand this message, take it to heart, and let it change their lives forever. Dear Heavenly Father, I pray today that you help me to have the ears to hear and the heart to understand your message of life and hope for us. This we ask in Jesus name, Amen. Linda martin (cree) winnipeg, manitoba, canada

37 Thursday, March 22 god's story of forgiveness "And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him Then he said, 'Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.'" Genesis 32:24-25, 28 (ESV) Story is a very important tool for Indigenous peoples. Along with stories, we use rituals, traditions, songs, and names to ensure the next generation will thrive as a community. We all have a story. The people of our history have a story. Humanity has a story. All our stories connect making them a powerful tool. But there is no story as important as God s. In Jacob's story, we see a man struggling. He wrestles in the womb with his brother, Esau. He struggles with integrity when he steals his brother s birthright. He deceives his father when he steals the blessing of the firstborn. He tries to strike a deal with God. He deceives and is deceived by his father-inlaw, Laban. Jacob struggles with man and with God throughout his life. But one night, he finds himself alone with nowhere to run. Exiled from the land of his wives and forced to head straight into the land of a brother who promised to kill him, Jacob wrestles all night with God. I have seen God face to face and have been delivered, he will say. That day, the Lord would bless Jacob and give him a new name, and Jacob would trust in God for the rest of his life. God s intervening story informs our stories. So many of our Indigenous peoples are wrestling with God and man. The sins they have committed and those committed against them, the fallen-ness of humanity, addictions, the loss of culture and family values have all left our people struggling. The Good News is that, in the struggle, God shows up in the face of Christ Jesus and does not prevail against us! Instead, God would prevail against His own Son so we would be blessed with the forgiveness of our sins and given a place in God s family as His children and a new name in our baptism. Heavenly Father, thank you for showing up in the struggles of our lives, blessing us with the forgiveness of our sins and giving us life. In your Son s name, Amen. rev. david sternbeck (nuu-chah-nulth) fairbanks, Alaska

38 Frida, March 23 life from trees "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.'" Galatians 3:13 (ESV) Fevers, rheumatism, measles, coughs and colds, eyesores, burns, wounds, insect stings, nosebleeds, nausea, indigestion, heart troubles, and bladder pain. These and other health conditions were treated with the many parts of the sassafras tree by a number of Native American tribes. The tree was also a source of food, drink, soaps, scents and other daily needs. However, the original stewards of this land never over-used the sassafras or any other natural resource. They noticed that many animals, birds, and even the swallowtail butterfly depended upon the tree for survival. They realized this tree provided them and others with healing and life. I once made odd tasting sassafras tea from the leaves, but crafting my sassafras prayer walking stick was far more successful. What I find the most interesting about this tree is how it produces different types of leaves on the same branch. This is a rarity in the plant world. The leaves can be in 3 shapes: Long elliptic (like a cigar), mitten (either right or left handed) and three-fingered (dove shaped). These remind me of the three persons of the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Son is Jesus, true God and true man, the One who had mittens (hands) like you and me. There is another tree to which people go for healing and life. We do not know the species or genus of that tree, although there is a legend it was the dogwood. We do know that this tree was used as an instrument of death and not life. Yet, because of the One who died on that tree, it does bring healing and life. Healing from the curse of eternal death due to sin, healing from fear, guilt, and other conditions of the human heart. When the sinless Son of God, Jesus Christ, died on this tree, He represented the entire sinful human race. He redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us as His mittens (hands) were nailed to a tree! Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing Jesus to become a curse on the cross, the tree of death, so we can have healing and life. Empower us to use our right and left mittens (hands) to bring healing and life to those around us by giving them your written Word, hugs, food and drink, clothes and shelter. May we become the hands of Jesus to help others know that He is their Redeemer. Amen. bill paris, volunteer lawrence, kansas

39 Saturday, March 24 the sunrise of healing "But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings." Malachi 4:2 (ESV) The season of Lent begins in the darkness of winter. As it progresses, the day lengthens, which is the basis for the word from which the season derives its name. The season concludes with Holy Week, which always includes a full moon, and Easter, the day of the sunrise. The darkness on this day is completely overcome by the light. The Native peoples of the north long for daylight; a commodity in short supply since before the winter solstice. The lengthening of days gives a genuine reason to hope for the future. The Old Testament seems to close on such a dour note; destruction, burning, and ashes which await all the evildoers. But in the midst of his judgments, God declares a sunrise; a sunrise of healing. The healing comes from God overcoming all that is wrong and establishing His version of rightness where the people follow God s ways, trust in His provision, and receive His blessing of forgiveness and restored relationship. As it happens in nature, God wants to bring it about in your heart and life, and in the hearts and lives of all Native peoples; a sunrise of healing to replace all that the darkness of sin has brought about. Call upon the name of the Lord, and let the healing begin. Lord God, Creator of all, I call on your merciful name to bring forgiveness and healing to me and to our Native brothers and sisters, through the forgiveness won for us on the cross of Christ. I ask this for the sake of Jesus and in his holy name, Amen. rev. robert gebel milwaukee, wisconsin

40 Sunday, March 25 - Palm Sunday i have overcome the world "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 (NIV) Sometimes the evil one seems to be exploiting every human weakness. Evil seems to be manifest everywhere in our world. But there is Good News! The power of the world controlled by Satan was defeated when Jesus accepted His Father s will to go to the cross. He defeated sin and death, but He had to pay a horrible price. It was not an easy walk Jesus took from the gates of Jerusalem to the cross. We need to be reminded that Jesus overcame the world! We, at Lutheran Indian Ministries, reach out and bring the Good News to the Native people who deal with generational trauma. They are living the sins of their fathers and the founding fathers. Scientists are now saying that this trauma is actually encoded in their DNA. The only way to minister to this broken population is through the power of the Cross. Jesus defeated sin, death, and Satan, and He also defeated the generational trauma of sexual abuse, abandonment, alcoholism, and drug abuse. Praise God, for the sacrifice He made for each one of us! Praise Him for His mercy and grace! Thank you, Jesus, for Your promises, faithfulness, and triumph over Satan. Give us your peace to share with those in need as we reflect upon your ride into Jerusalem and what You did for us on the cross. In Jesus name, Amen. deon prue lawrence, kansas

41 Monday, March 26 proclaim boldly "As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them? But Jesus turned and rebuked them. Then he and his disciples went to another village." Luke 9:51-56 (NIV) We, as a Christian community, have done wrong over the years to many people. Like James and John, we may, at times, think those who oppose or rejects our Lord are less than human and deserve destruction. But those with ears open by the Holy Spirit will hear Jesus rebuke this thinking. Our membership in God's Kingdom is based upon our baptism and our personal confession of faith. That's it. Loving your neighbor as yourself is key to Jesus' teachings, and His death and resurrection allows us the grace to do this. As a member of the Kingdom of God, Jesus' resurrection rebukes any prejudices still maintained against anyone. This is the reason that the work that we do at Lutheran Indian Ministries is so important. Our mission to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, disciple Native people and train them to make disciples, and provide a bridge to healing the effects and impacts of 500 years of failed evangelism has never been more relevant or critical. Native people need to know that every day is a day of thanks and praise because they are uniquely made by a loving Creator who sent his Son to die for them because sin knows no race, color, creed, or culture. All are guilty. And they need to know that this same Creator has prepared a place for them in Heaven on the day of restoration when those who are His children will be called to Him. We must be bold and relentless in delivering this message. As His disciples, we have been called to sing praises to the Lord and make his name known to everyone. Including and especially Native American peoples. Loving Father, erase from me any prejudice. Help me to see all of your children as equal in the light of Christ. In Jesus' name, Amen. galen gritts st. louis, missouri

42 Tuesday, March 27 beware the sharks "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." Luke 13:2-5 (ESV) The nets used by Hawaiian fishermen to catch Opelu fish (see page 34) were very large. When the signal was given by the Kahu, or leader, to pull in the net, the fishermen surrounding it would haul the net up quickly and vigorously so as to not let any fish escape and be lost. The thrashing of the Opelu fish during this process would attract the tax collector of the ocean, the shark, or Mano, in Hawaiian. If the shark tore the net, the fish escaped and the hunt was over. The families would not be fed. Immediately, on reaching the shore, the Kahu would spread the broken and torn net into a circle on the shore and have everyone sit within it. The Kahu would lead everyone there in an Ho'oponopono, or a forgiveness session, in order to find out the cause of the misfortune. Everyone, without trepidation or fear, was allowed to share what was troubling them, especially if someone had dishonored or hurt them. Afterwards, all would ask for forgiveness for the hurt they had caused, whether intended or not, and they would receive that forgiveness with honihoni, kisses and hugs. The damaged net would be repaired and they would fish again, but in order for a fisherman to return to fishing, he had to have participated. Their response to suffering was to gather and examine the community for wrongdoing and ask for forgiveness. Dr. Luther contended with issues of suffering and wrote, the wounded and suffering Christ interceded for all sinners, averts God s wrath from us, and grants us His righteousness when the Lord looks upon the battered face of His Son, He hears Christ s pleas on our behalf (AE 31:64). When trials come, do not blame God. Repent. Confess your sins and ask for forgiveness. And our joy, in suffering or not, is God s grace through Jesus and the promise of an eternal joy. My Father and my God, keep me safe from the devil and my own temptation, so I may always faithful to you Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen. vicar clarence delude (Native Hawaiian) makaha, hawaii

43 Wednesday, March 28 songs out of the deep caves "When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who know my way You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living Listen to my cry for I am in desperate need." Psalm 142:3, 5-6 (NIV) This past year, I wrote a song. The soul of the song came to me one day when my heart was groaning deeply. I have been singing in worship bands most of my life but have written only a few songs. Why a song now? In thinking about this, I came to realize that this last year has been one of the most difficult and challenging years of my life, both in ministry and in my personal life. There have been many blessings but also much hardship. It has driven me to the Book of Psalms, seeking comfort in David's poems and songs. The psalms bring comfort because a real person with real issues in real life wrote them. What I often forget is that David wrote many of his powerful psalms and songs out of deep, dark caves that he lived in for years while the king was trying to take his life. David wrote on the run during hard and desperate times. I am certainly not comparing myself to David s challenges. but I do know that out of my hardship a song also came. Rather than letting the difficulty overtake me, which was possible, like David, by God s grace, I cried out to Him, and He gave me a song. It was only my part to write it down. It is now a song that our worship band recently recorded. God uses our hard experiences to teach us to trust, to learn more about His love through His Word, which by His grace prompts us to cry out to Him with a song, a poem, or some other expression that praises His name! Our difficult times are powerful healing and growing experiences in Christ. God may want to take the pain in your life and use it to inspire you to do something beautiful, to encourage yourself as well as others, just like David. Dear Lord, help me to see the beauty and hope of your resurrection even while going through hard times. Remind me, O Lord, that you are there even when life is hard and that deep healing can come when I sing and worship, even in these times. Lord, help me to sing a new song and to see that in dark times you are often doing your most important work in my life. In Jesus name, Amen. rick martin winnipeg, manitoba, canada

44 Thursday, March 29 - Maundy Thursday my soul is overwhelmed "'My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,' he said to them. 'Stay here and keep watch.'" Mark 14:34 (NIV) Not long ago, my wife, Heidi, and I were privileged to go to Anchorage, Alaska, for the Beauty For Ashes training which equips leaders and participants to respond to abuse, trauma, and neglect. The participants in the seminar are people from all over the U.S., and a few from Canada, and the majority of those who shared in our large group meetings were Alaska Natives. We also had small group time where we heard each other s stories and practiced responding. The stories we heard we promised not to share with others, but even if I cannot share the specific content, I can assure you they were absolutely horrific. Even though we believe, teach, and confess that humanity is sinful, and nothing good exists inside us, it is quite another thing to have the evidence staring at you point-blank in the face. During and after the seminar, I felt extremely sad and heavy-hearted. How much more sad and heavy, it must have been for Jesus on this night of his betrayal! Not only was he hearing the stories of shame, guilt, and sin of eight other people, but the sin of the whole world was staring him in the face. Soon, He would not just listen to the effects of that sin, but pay the price for it. Where my sorrow diminished shortly after the seminar, Jesus went beyond the point of death and actually entered into death. Even after his death, he still bore the scars sin laid on him (John 20:27). Knowing that Christ has gone through all of this for our salvation does not solve the problem of suffering, but it certainly gives us the assurance that no other religious system in the world does: God has suffered. God knows what it is like to be overwhelmed with sorrow. God knows what it is like to be terminally ill. God knows what it is like to be abused. Whatever suffering humanity has gone through, God knows. I thank you, Lord, that you suffered all that I might be forgiven and brought back from death. Comfort me in my own suffering to know you are with me, and you know what it is like to be sad and betrayed. Amen. pastor tim norton navajo, new mexico

45 Friday, March 30 - Good Friday he was crushed and wounded "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5 (NIV) I am tempted to stop reading the news story. I don t want to hear bad news. I don t want to look at someone who is suffering. I have enough troubles of my own. Even church going people often do not take time to meditate on the suffering of Jesus or attend church on Good Friday. We would rather simply jump to the celebration of Easter without reflecting on the price Jesus paid. If Good Friday did not happen, if the Son of God did not die, there would be no celebration of his resurrection. Without Good Friday, there would be no need to celebrate the birth of the Savior of the world, for there would be no Savior. Without Good Friday, we would still bear the consequences of our sins. We must look at the gruesome scene in order to value what it means for us. The savage flogging and whipping of the Romans often left a man bloody beyond recognition. Isaiah wrote: "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not." (Isaiah 53:3) Today, people continue to hide their faces or to look the other way. For the believer in Christ, Good Friday holds a truly necessary and good outcome. Jesus paid the price, but we are the guilty ones. Jesus took up our infirmities, due to our sin, and He carried our sorrows. Jesus was pierced, He was crushed, the punishment we deserve was upon Him, and by His wounds, we are healed spiritually. The Good News for us is: He brought us peace, reconciliation, forgiveness. By His wounds, we are healed. This healing turns our lives around; from certain judgment and condemnation to forgiveness and hope. The just wrath of Creator God fell harshly upon His beloved Son, so those who believe in Him would not be forsaken. Jesus horrible day was a great day for us! Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the peace that is mine through the sending of your Son and turning your back on Him so I can be healed spiritually and have my sin paid for in full. Amen. pastor ricky jacob winnebago, nebraska

46 Saturday, March 31 - Holy Saturday barabbas "Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified." Mark 15:15 (NIV) Every story needs a villain. In the story of the passion of Jesus Christ, we tend to focus on Judas the betrayer. We judge him and, rightfully, vilified him. But there s another player in the story, and it is interesting to note, the Bible talks more about him that it does about Judas. Enter: Barabbas. When the Scribes and Pharisees presented Jesus to Pilate as someone deserving of Rome s most violent and horrific punishment, Pilate knew that Jesus had done nothing to warrant such treatment. But, fearful of the stirredup crowd and wishing to remain popular, he looked for a scapegoat: Barabbas. Imagine the scene on that day as Pilate presented the stark contrast of the two men. One was a notorious criminal; a popular insurgent, a thief, a murderer. He deserved the cross. He had earned it by a lifetime of wrongful deeds. The other a sinless, blameless man, innocent of any wrongdoing. What had he done other than heal the sick, feed the hungry, and open blind eyes and deaf ears? There was no legal or logical reason for him to be there. This was Jesus, the Son of the Living God, versus Barabbas, the criminal. And the response: We want Barabbas! Give us Barabbas! So, the guards set Barabbas free. And in the midst of all this commotion, Jesus stood there silently. Jesus knew the Father would have to treat Him like Barabbas so he could treat Barabbas like Jesus. Jesus stood silently upon the platform with Pilate and in his silence said: Yes, take Barabbas. I will take his place. God sent his Son for Barabbas. This was not a gift from the people or from Pilate. It was a gift from a loving God, showing grace by condemning his son. Maybe Barabbas looked into the distance and saw the three crosses and thought to himself, That middle cross was meant for me but now it s all yours, Jesus. As I read this story of Jesus standing in silence and accepting a death sentence he didn t deserve to save a man who did, I realized who Barabbas really was. He is me. He is you. He is us. Jesus, my Savior, as we wait in anticipation to celebrate your glorious resurrection, I take this time to thank you. Like Barabbas, I deserved the punishment, but you took it for me. In your holy name, we pray, Amen. tim young eagle brookfield, wisconsin

47 Sunday, April 1 - Easter not alone "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." John 14:18 (NIV) When you travel north from Gallup, New Mexico, toward the Navajo Nation, you cannot help but notice just how empty the terrain is. It is broad and flat and arid. You also can t help but feel very much alone. There are many times in our crowded lives that we seek solitude. Solitude is a choice. Alone is often forced upon us. To be alone is to realize that the comforting structures of family and community are not there. Even God realized, at the very beginning, that being alone is not good for His human creatures (Genesis 2:18). The members of Native communities know all about being alone, having been uprooted, relocated, and resettled in remote places that are not natural for them. They struggle with an identity and an existence marked by aloneness, and the attempts to manage their loneliness are predictable: a tattered path of broken families, marriages, and communities where alone presses in like an unbearable weight. The story of Jesus is how the Son of God Himself submitted to the pain of being alone for us. While hanging on the cross, Jesus was not tormented by his pain as much as He was crying out against being so alone, with no one to be near Him. His Father left Him, leaving Him to cry into the darkness to the God who had only forsaken Him. This is the ultimate burden of aloneness that He bore for us. But Jesus is Risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia and Amen! On this, the Day of Resurrection, Jesus first sought out people to show them He was alive, of course, but also to show us that our aloneness was now defeated and gone forever. We now go to the lonely parts of the country to bring the Good News that God came to our earth and suffered the punishment of being alone so that, in Jesus and in His Church, we can find family and community that dispels all of our aloneness forever. Risen Savior, You took on the dark hours of being alone for me. As I celebrate your resurrection this Easter day, I trust Your Word that You will never leave me nor forsake me. In your holy name, Amen. rev. robert gebel milwaukee, wisconsin

48 Thank you for taking this lenten journey with us. Lutheran Indian Ministries is ripe with potential and opportunity. The chance to serve God and share the hope of eternal life with our Native brothers and sisters is a special one. Please continue to hold this ministry and those we strive to serve in your prayers. We look forward to seeing you again during Advent. If you have any questions before then, please don t hesitate to contact us: