Devotions
While there’s a world full of incredible, biblically sound devotionals, there’s something special about a shared experience with those you attend church with. At DCC we want to provide a resource for anyone interested in investing in time with the Lord that they can discuss with others who attend DCC or frequent our website. Devotions are provided during Advent each year, and during the year as special needs arise.
Advent 2024: Saturday, December 7
December 7, 2024
I’ve often wondered what it would be like to have grandchildren and how it would be fun to live the grandparent mantra of “spoil the kids and then let their parents deal with the aftermath.” Now that I am a grandparent, something inside me just says that would be wrong. Speaking in a somewhat modified version of the old SNL church lady “Could it be the Holy Spirit, maybe?” While the church lady parody may have been offensive to some, maybe the original statement (referring to Satan) was correct. <br><br> In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis notes with regard to personal fondness that “For example, the doting mother (or grandparent) may be tempted by natural affection to ‘spoil’ her child; that is, to gratify her (their) own affectionate impulses at the expense of the child’s real happiness later on.” Sure, we love to love our grandkids, but we don’t “spoil” them indiscriminately. Real happiness for our grandkids will not come from gifts like toys and TV, but from knowing there is a God who loves them and will always love them.<br><br> Grandparents provide a sense of past and can help (with their parents) guide their grandchildren to a future that includes Jesus and a love for God and others. Just like our own children, we can work to provide our grandchildren with an inheritance in faith, and a love for Christ. In this Christmas season, let us remember that the greatest gift we can give our children and grandchildren, and our greatest responsibility, is to introduce them to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.<br><br> Enjoy Christmas with your family!<br><br> Rob Strode, elder
READ MOREAdvent 2024: Friday, December 6
December 6, 2024
During this season of Advent, we are reminded of the many stories of Jesus being born and as a baby in the early days and months of his life. In Luke 2:25, we see Simeon who was a righteous and devout man eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come. The Holy Spirit came upon him and revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. <br><br> Can you imagine what Simeon must have felt at that moment. The people of Israel had been waiting for the Messiah for a very long time. Little did he know that the Messiah had already been born. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. Mary and Joseph were there to present the baby Jesus to the Lord, as the law required. Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,<br><br> “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel.” <br><br> During this Christmas season let’s focus on Christ… he is our salvation, and he is the Light to reveal God to all the nations.<br><br> Michele Thompson, elder
READ MOREAdvent 2024: Thursday, December 5
December 5, 2024
Weeks ago, my Granddaughters came for a visit. A sweet, and busy reunion with little ones both under the age of 4. With Operation Christmas Child on the horizon, I decided to start a new Christmas tradition with my oldest granddaughter taking her on a shopping trip to fill the traditional shoebox. At almost 4, she delighted in the “gifting experience” choosing to give to a girl around her same age, selecting items that she herself would enjoy if she were the recipient. Once we completed our shopping, we continued by wrapping our shoebox in festive paper, and then the really fun part…placing the gifts inside!<br><br> The questions started flowing. Who is this little girl? What does she like to play? Where does she live? When we give her the gifts, can I meet her? Why do we need to tell her about having Jesus in her heart? All good questions coming from a young child, trying to understand a BIG concept—giving out of LOVE for one another. Her Mom said, “let’s draw her a picture and write a letter,” offering more connection to this mystery child she wants to be friends with.<br><br> What age do children really begin to understand giving out of LOVE to others because we love Jesus, and not being the recipient of a gift in return? (Acts 25:35…’It is better to give than receive’). You never know until you plant the seed, and this was a good activity to begin together.<br><br> It all ended well, and her shoebox was one of hundreds sent by DCC to children all over the world! Thanks to all of you who participated in DCC’s Operation Christmas Child ministry. You are planting the seeds of generosity and giving out of LOVE as Jesus taught us to do, giving from the joy of our hearts to help those in need.<br><br> Merry Christmas,<br><br> Cindi McDonald, Elder
READ MOREAdvent 2024: Wednesday, December 4
December 5, 2024
When I was growing up, Advent wasn’t something we celebrated in church. Christmas mainly revolved around Santa Claus, presents, and holiday cheer. There were no Christmas Eve services, no candles lit in anticipation, and no reflection on Christ’s coming.<br><br> That changed after I got married. My wife introduced me to Advent through a cherished family tradition. Each morning in December, we turned over one of the hand-sewn felt figures on an Advent calendar her mother had made for her when she was little. The thoughtful act of revealing scenes from the story of Christ’s birth captivated our children and marked a new kind of anticipation for Christmas. As our kids grew, the felt calendar remained a staple, but we started adding candy-filled Advent calendars to the mix. One year, our dog Lucy celebrated Advent by devouring an entire chocolate calendar! (She was fine, she’s a lab).<br><br> It wasn’t until we began attending DCC that the full beauty of Advent unfolded for me. The weekly services, with families reading scripture and lighting candles, brought a stillness and reverence to the season. Each moment invited reflection, patience, and the quiet joy of counting down to Christ’s birth. We embrace Psalm 46:10 lifestyle for a few weeks each year: “Be still and know I am God.” <br><br> Christmas Eve at DCC has become the highlight that we look forward to each year, a celebration of togetherness, a time of light, song, and awe. Through Advent, I’ve come to treasure the spiritual joy of this season—a joy that transforms waiting into something holy and deeply fulfilling.<br><br> Merry Christmas as you enjoy Advent this year.<br><br> Steve Miller, elder
READ MOREAdvent 2024: Tuesday, December 3
December 5, 2024
Not too long ago, I was asked the question: “How do you forgive? The question came from my son who had just been fighting with his brother and as he asked the question, tears were running down his face. In his beautiful, child’s heart—as I can only imagine—was a swirling torrent of emotions. Feelings of love for his brother and a desire to be close with him and loved by him, and feelings of the joy of the friendship and laughter that come with that closeness were all jumbled up with feelings of annoyance, anger, vengeance and hatred and this turbulent storm drove his little heart to the point of breaking and the tears began to flow. Haven’t we all been there? <br><br> At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, he returned to Galilee “in the power of the Spirit” and went to a synagogue in Nazareth on the Sabbath. When the scroll of Isaiah was brought to him, he unrolled it and read, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor...” Then, stopping in mid-sentence, he rolled up the scroll and sat down. (Lk 4:14-20) It is interesting to note what Jesus did not read. Jesus, Emmanuel, God-With-Us chose not to read “…and the day of vengeance of our God.” I think he was giving us a clue. Let’s face it, unforgiveness makes us poor in more ways than one. It steals our health, our joy, our freedom. It shackles us to a world of conflict, anxiety and bitterness. It blinds us to the beauty and laughter all around us. And it places upon us an oppressive burden under which we sweat and toil.<br><br> So how do we forgive? Perhaps by following the example of Jesus. Perhaps the answer is found in literally doing good to those who hate you, blessing those who curse you, praying for those who mistreat you, turning the other cheek, doing to others as you would have them do to you. (Lk 6:27-31) And in the end, and most importantly, perhaps it is by seeing these people, our enemies, as Jesus saw them… humans made in God’s image; very good and yet fallen. Poor, imprisoned, blind, oppressed and in need of a savior. With his dying breath, Jesus gave us an example to follow when he prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Lk 23:34).<br><br> Remember to forgive this Advent season.<br><br> Rob Schmidt, worship and arts pastor
READ MOREAdvent 2024: Monday, December 2
December 5, 2024
“Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth’” (Gen 1:26).<br><br> This passage makes me think about how fish in the sea, and birds of the sky and many creeping things have much in common with us ‘humans.’ Fish, Birds and many creeping things actually have two births. First birth when the egg is laid from their mother and second when they hatch from their egg.<br><br> Christians too also have two births, one from our mother and again when we accept Jesus in our heart and become ‘Born again’. During this season of Advent let’s remember, honor, and anticipate the birth of Jesus while taking a few moments to cherish your own rebirth and pray for those still in-waiting to be re-born and turn to Christ. What a special connection God granted us with these creatures.<br><br> Sarah Munoz, children’s ministry director
READ MOREAdvent 2024: Sunday, December 1
December 5, 2024
Imagine waiting for thousands of years to see the promised hope… but never seeing it happen before you die. That is faith! And that was exactly what the faithful in the Old Testament experienced. But imagine further the desolation and loneliness that the remnant faithful felt. For example, as Jeremiah watches his beloved Jerusalem destroyed, he cries out, “How deserted lies the city, once so full of people!” This leads him to exclaim “He made me desolate, faint all day long” (Lamentations 1:1, 13)<br><br> Now contrast this with Mary’s song, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant” (Luke 2:27-28). This is the heartfelt impact of receiving the love of our Savior! We have waited 2,000 years for the Messiah to return and bring this kind of heartfelt love to our broken and tired world. Do not lose heart. Let’s celebrate this love today and look forward to his return so we can embrace him personally!<br><br>Are you ready to celebrate Advent 2024 together? We will continue to wait faithfully for his return and laugh and sing while waiting… and asking… what child is this?<br><br>Grace and peace!<br><br>Jim Howard, pastor
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