RG: "Repent and Believe"

Summary: Teanna Sunberg delves into Romans 10, describing Paul's change in thought. Instead of fulfilling Mosaic law to be saved (which no one can do), we are to trust in Jesus that He has saved us, asking for His grace, rest, and protection. 

Response: First, did we really need the "cancel culture har har" filler paragraph? Again, I feel like I'm a bit younger than the target audience here. 

Anyway, I'll admit that Romans can get a bit dense for me. Very back and forth and lots of specific and intermingling concepts. So I appreciate the distillation to a point. In another case of "again," I wonder if this makes newer believers and those exploring the faith using guides like these just feel dumb that they can't decipher an almost purposely-vague thousands-year-old translated text. Lord, help me to continue seeking You, and may You use me to draw others to You in new and exciting ways. 

RG: "Remedy for Sin"

Summary: Launching off Acts 4, Teanna Sunberg describes a "grace that goes before us," the idea that God is preparing hearts even before we witness to them. 

Response: I'm not sure I've heard grace explained in this way, at least not just in passing. It's still in line with lines like "you catch 'em, I'll clean 'em," but the big thrust to witnessing is evident here. 

I'll be honest, I'm not very active in witnessing, at least not outside my home. I try to be a good example for my students, but I can't (and would feel guilty) really speaking on the topic there. But my kids? Happy to share with them how God blesses us and provides for us. 

RG: "Blood on Our Hands"

Summary: Comparing yesterday's Genesis passage to the center of Matthew 27, Teanna Sunberg finds a connection between Abel's spilt blood and Pilate's cleansing of hands. She reminds the reader that we always have a choice regarding grace. 

Response: If that choice were a toggle switch, I'd worry about having worn it out by now. Grace, sin, grace, sin, back and forth... Lord, help me to choose You daily. Help me to remember Your sacrifice and the blessings You have provided. They are more than enough in comparison to the pitiful gain my sin gets me, and the break from You isn't worth it either. 

RG: "Sin Destroys Everything"

Summary: Continuing in Genesis 4, Teanna Sunberg calls out sin as easily recognized. She sees that sin ruins identities and relationships. She implores the reader to seek forgiveness and restoration. 

Response: I appreciate this lesson. I often don't think about the consequences of my sin to other people. Cain's sin made him less of a brother and less of a farmer. My sin damages my reputation as a worship leader and a father. Lord, forgive me and restore me daily if not more; I need Your presence in my life. 

RG: "A Generation of Murder"

Summary: Teanna Sunberg ponders Genesis 4, where the hatred that drove Cain to kill Abel was fermenting long before they gave their offerings. She wonders aloud at all that is missing from the story, and finishes by resting in a bit of hope at the end of the chapter, that people turn to God again. 

Response: I feel like Teanna's essay is more like my reflections than the others in the devotional book: there is less of a central point and more of a desire to show authentic reaction and try to "eat the whole hog," as it were. 

Stepping back a bit, this feels a bit like a true crime show. My wife loves them, and I can't stand how much she watches them. I don't want to be surrounded by that level of death and morbidity all day long. But in this instance, I think I can see this story (and her shows) as a bit of a morality play: how close am I to snapping like Cain did? Remember, self, that you are capable of that, and guard your heart in the Lord, that you never turn out that way. 

RG: "Why Did Christ Die?"

Summary: Through Romans 5, Joseph Heath answers the question fairly quickly: Jesus died to give us hope and a future. Even though the world is upset and despairing, we can choose to get peace and hope from God. 

Response: I've become aware recently of just how jargon-y the faith is sometimes. This passage (just the Bible verse, not even the devotional) uses the following concepts in tandem in about a paragraph's worth: righteousness, faith, peace, grace, glory, hope, love of God, Holy Spirit, sin. That's a lot for someone outside the faith to take in! People have written multiple books on those single words! I don't want to throw those around lightly, y'know?

That part aside, it can be pretty easy to despair. I tend to get in an anxious knot not because of news but because of just how much I have to do. School is crazy busy and so is a home life with multiple kids in activities (and a new dog) (and social events are starting back up) (and the kids are getting old enough to be invited to birthday parties) (and my yard needs taken care of) (and I need to spray my house for spiders) (and I have so much stuff to organize that Marie Kondo would barf). Okay, you get the idea. Lord, help me keep my head above water. Keep me coming back to You for Your peace and hope. 

RG: "New Beginnings"

Summary: Looking through the beginning of the gospel of John, Joseph Heath sees beauty but only in the new but in the reclaimed. God can take something old and worn out and refinish it so it can work again. 

Response: I'm definitely feeling this way, even though this message might be meant for those twice my age. Kids' schedules and backlogs at work and home is stressing me out, getting me anxious, and wishing I had two of me and several more hours in each day. Lord, help me to take care of myself and refresh myself in You that I might do Your will. 

RG: "Boundaries: For Your Protection"

Summary: Summing up the end of Genesis 3, Joseph Heath sees God's barriers as opportunities to find and do His will. 

Response: I've got little to argue about here. I'm a parent! With littles, it is constantly "no" because they constantly make decisions that are rude, messy, and/or dangerous to themselves or someone/thing else. And yes, there's the "let them fail" element and the "let them be kids" element, but when my one year old nears the top of a flight of stairs, we either close the door leading to it or get ready to catch. Because my son completely trusts me and just takes that next step into oblivion. Lord, may I have the faith of a little child, that You will guide me and catch me (and block me when necessary). 

RG: "Remember Whose We Are"

Summary: Recapping John 15, Paul Dazet digs a bit at the contrast between Israel and Jesus. Israel, meant to be the representation of God to the world, is portrayed as a bad vine, which produces sour grapes. Jesus, on the other hand, is shown as a true vine, producing much fruit. Dazet concludes that remaining in Jesus is the way to be part of this good fruit production. 

Response: I know this study is aimed at the already-saved, but goodness. It feels like a pat on the back and not a call to put it the work (again with the wordplay? Ugh) of bearing fruit. Being fruitful is hard! Lots can go wrong, and sometimes it just feels like it's down to circumstance. Which I know is not an attitude of someone trusting the will of an almighty God, but still. There are so many "good" things to do in the world, Lord. Help me to follow Your will, and to figure out what that will is.

RG: "No Shame"

Summary: Through the lens of Genesis 2, Paul Dazet contrasts man's original created and shameless form with the serpent's shaming words. He encourages the reader to live with God and without shame. 

Response: Satan, the First Slut-Shamer? But seriously. Is it a commonly-held belief that literally all the bad thoughts were from the serpent? I've read it that he planted the seed in their heads, and they found creative and interesting ways to destroy their own integrity.

But the main point–about living with God, free of shame–Mr Dazet didn't get into that too much other than "don't feel that way." And some of shame's definition is true! I am flawed, deeply so. I am incredibly unworthy of God's love and acceptance. I guess the main thing would be to embrace that grace instead of just wallowing in the pain of shame (this sounds like a bad 90s preacher, and I'm so sorry, the words just came out that way).

Lord, I recognize I'm far from perfect. Still, You call me Your child. I don't understand it, but thank You. Help me to accept Your grace and find my identity in You and not in my flaws.