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Advent Devotion: In the Cry of a Tiny Babe

Written by Fred and Ginny Karnas Narrated by Jonathan Barton

In the Cry of a Tiny Babe

Scripture:  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has chosen me to bring good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed and announce that the time has come when the Lord will save his people.  (Luke 4:18-19)

Meditation:  One of my favorite Christmas songs is by Canadian singer-songwriter Bruce Cockburn.  It is far from a traditional Christmas song, but, as you can see in the verses below, it reminds us of the incredible gift of Jesus’ birth and life on earth.

Like a stone on the surface of a still river

 driving the ripples on forever,

Redemption rips through the surface of time

 in the cry of a tiny babe.

There are others who know about this miracle birth.

The humblest of people catch a glimpse of their worth.

For it isn’t to the palace that the Christ child comes,

 but to shepherds and street people, hookers, and bums.

And the message is clear if you’ve got ears to hear,

 that forgiveness is given for your guilt and fear.

It’s a Christmas gift you don’t have to buy.

There’s a future shining in a baby’s eyes.

Sadly, today on our city streets there are scores of people who have not caught that glimpse of their worth.  They struggle each day to find any meaning in life, often making it hard for us to reach out to them.  Ma Curtis was like that.  She was a homeless woman for whom you had to work very hard to find sympathy.  She was dirty, crude and almost always drunk.  She had been through every social service program in the city of Portland and was now mostly “persona non grata” at every one of them. 

After 30 years of drinking and riding the trains, no one could see a future for Ma, except a sad and miserable death on the streets…no one, that is, but Michael and the staff at Baloney Joe’s shelter.  Somewhere in this coarse and disheveled alcoholic they saw the image of God.  For years Michael invited Ma into his shelter, kicked her out when she broke the rules, and invited her back, saying, “Ma, you are always welcome here when you want to work on your problems.  We care about you.”   

Not even Ma knows why one day, when she was nearly 60 years old, she woke up and made an incredible change in her life.  She says she remembers only that in her early morning daze she said to herself, “What am I doing?  There are people who care about me and I am acting like this.  What is wrong with me?  I’ve got to change.” Then she literally crawled to a place where she could detox from decades of alcohol abuse, and she never drank another drop.

For the next six years until her death, if you met Ma Curtis, you never forgot her.  She was, as they say, “a piece of work.”   She had an infectious but crusty laugh, the product of those decades of drinking and smoking. And she could regale you for hours with stories about riding the rails and her colorful past. But more importantly she traveled across this land telling everyone she saw never to give up hope on anyone. She would say, “No one deserves to be homeless.”  She became one of this nation’s most eloquent speakers on homelessness. She challenged everyone she saw not to forget that every sleeping form on our city streets is made in the image of God.  To meet Ma was to know that, and to know she had “caught a glimpse of her worth” and found hope in a hopeless life. 

Prayer:    Lord, help us to see Your image in our lives and grant us the patience and wisdom to see Your image in all who journey with us.  Amen.

tbc Devotional, Devotionals, Media, Testimonies

Advent Devotion: The Gift of the Stranger

written by Ginny & Fred Karnas Narrated by Donna Soyars in 2019

The Gift of the Stranger

Scripture Reading:  She gave birth to her first Son, wrapped him in cloths and laid him in a manger – there was no room for them to stay in the inn. (Luke 2:7)

Meditation:   It was my first night as a volunteer at the new Salvation Army shelter, opened to address the growing needs of homeless men in downtown Phoenix.  I had never worked with homeless people before, so I sat nervously at the registration table asking each man a few questions as he signed in.  As I got more and more into the flow of the job, I became more mechanical in my duties, soon failing to look up before asking the next man in line his name. As I crouched over my clipboard, I called out for the name of the next person in line.  A voice quietly said, “My name is Joseph.”   Continuing to stare at my clipboard, I asked, “And your occupation?”  Joseph quietly answered, “I am a carpenter,” and then he disappeared into the crowd heading through the shelter door.    

At that moment, just a few days before Christmas, I was jolted out of the complacency of my “official” role.  I realized I could not ignore these men. I could not fail to give them the simple dignity of looking them in the eye. If Joseph were there, could Jesus be there also?   And what if I missed the opportunity to grasp God’s outstretched hand and His invitation to journey with Him in service to the world?  

The Bible does not tell us why the innkeeper felt compelled to find a place for Joseph and Mary to sleep that night.  Perhaps it was the fact that it was clear that Mary was close to giving birth that moved him to compassion, but why had none of the other innkeepers felt so moved?  Maybe it was because the innkeeper had access to the cave where Jesus was born and no one else did, or perhaps it was simply a chance to make a little more money from the travelers visiting Bethlehem to pay their taxes. Or, just maybe, it was because by looking into the eyes of Mary and Joseph the innkeeper caught a glimpse of God’s love and chose to be a part of His plan for revealing that love to mankind. 

We will have to wait until we get to heaven to get the answer to that question, but what we do know is that the birthplace of Jesus is an important part of the revelation of God’s story.  Through His humble birth, Jesus was connected to the world of the broken, and through that was able to teach us about compassion and grace and hope.  As Thomas Merton reminds us:

Into this world, this demented inn, in which there is absolutely no room for Him at all, Christ has come uninvited.  But because He cannot be at home in it, because He is out of place in it, His place is with those others for whom there is no room.  His place is with those who do not belong, who are rejected by power because they are regarded as weak, those who are discredited, who are denied the status of person, who are tortured, bombed, and exterminated.  With those for whom there is no room, Christ is present in the world. He is mysteriously present in those for whom there seems to be nothing but the world at its worst… It is in these that He hides Himself, for whom there is no room.

Prayer:   Lord, thank You for the innkeeper who chose to be a part of God’s plan for the world.  Help us to be aware of those around us who need to find room in the inn – be it a place of physical rest or spiritual hope.  Amen.

Introduction to Ginny and Fred’s Devotion Series

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Advent Devotion Introduction

The Christmas story is about journeys.  It is the story of a young expectant mother traveling to Bethlehem with her husband to pay taxes.  It is the story of the Magi following the stars in search of a King, and of humble shepherds taking leave of their sheep to find a Savior wrapped in cloth in a manger.

And so it is for all of us.  The birth of Christ marks the beginning of the journey to Easter and our personal journey from brokenness to wholeness.  For those who choose to listen, the Christmas story transforms each of us into a traveler on the road to reconciliation, redemption and hope.

Our personal journey has taken us to many places only God could have imagined, from the windswept plains of a North Dakota reservation to the sugar cane fields of south Florida; from a barrio in the desert Southwest to the hollows of Appalachia, and the streets of inner-city Washington, D.C.  Along the way we were blessed with a decade at Fredericksburg Baptist Church where we were nurtured, supported, challenged and uplifted.

In 2002, we were humbled to have been asked to share some stories of our journey with our fellow parishioners during Advent season.  And, this year, we are equally humbled to share these stories with our friends at Tabernacle Baptist Church. In the pages of this devotional you will hear the stories of those we have come to know as we have traveled…stories from our work with Native Americans, migrant farm workers, elderly persons and the homeless men, women and children.

Many of the people we will introduce to you in the pages ahead have led very difficult lives.  Most have overcome incredible odds and openly share their stories.  Others are more reticent, desiring to put the past behind them and grasp their new futures of hope.  In order to ensure that we did not compromise anyone’s privacy we have changed some of the details.

Additionally, to make it easier for readers (and the writers), we have chosen to refer to God as He, even though it our belief that God encompasses both masculinity and femininity.  All scripture references, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Bible in Today’s English Version, commonly know as the “Good News Bible.” 

A number of the readings make reference to Christ House, a medical recovery facility with 24–hour nursing coverage for homeless and formerly homeless men and women.  Christ House is an all-encompassing ministry with a social work department, a substance abuse recovery program, a worshipping congregation, and a staff who live in community on site.  Kairos House is a companion ministry nearby where former Christ House patients committed to recovery live in community. Christ House is located in the Adams-Morgan neighborhood of Washington, DC, and was part of the Church of the Saviour’s family of ministries. The Church of the Saviour is now a scattered community of independent churches.

As we journey toward the destination of Christmas, we must recognize that this journey is only preparation for a longer one.  Christ invites you on a longer journey into the life of your community to tell the story of Jesus and reach out to a hurting world.

It is our prayer that through our stories you will hear the Christmas story in a different way this year, and the people we introduce to you will challenge you to invest yourselves even more in ministry at Tabernacle Baptist Church and in the community.   As we begin our journey remember these words of Jean Vanier:

We are called to drink deeply from the heart of Christ, so that we, the church, can become a home for the lonely and the crushed of this earth. Christ puts into the arms of His church the suffering and the hungry of this world so that they may heal us, call us down from our pedestals of power and wealth and lead us into the wisdom of the beatitudes.

Please come with us as we travel to Christmas.

Fred and Ginny Karnas

tbc Lenten Devotion

Community Lenten Devotional: Week 5

As we journey through this Lenten season, particularly this season in the time of pandemic, examining what it means to be a people of God in this time and in our various places, we ask you to consider participating in the Community Ministry of Tabernacle Baptist Church.  Use this Lenten prayer calendar to guide you. Your gifts are appreciated by them and by the Community Ministry Team and our neighbors. Your prayers mean the world to us. 

March 17
Today is St. Patrick’s Day. In the United States we celebrate this day with corned beef and cabbage. Add some canned meat, or a box of potatoes, or something green to commemorate the day. Pray for those for whom holidays are just like every other day. Give thanks for the celebrations in you life.

March 18
Pray for all of our neighbors, the ones who partner with us in ministry by giving and receiving. Add some cans of vegetables to your bag. Think of it as sharing from your garden. Give thanks that you have more that you need from your labors.

March 19
Today is someone’s birthday. Put a cake mix or brownie mix or flour or sugar in your bag so that they can have a treat to share with their family as they celebrate. Give thanks for all your birthdays.

March 20
Today is Saturday, our food pantry and clothes closet are open.  Add some spices (anything you use regularly, even if it is just salt and pepper, or hot sauce), to your bag. Pray that these will add to the pleasure to someone. Give thanks for all the people who add spice to your life.

March 21 
Sunday is a feast day during Lent. Add canned fruit or fruit cups to your bag. Pray for someone for whom fresh fruit is a real treat. Give thanks that apples and oranges are often in a bowl on your table.

March 22        
Pray for someone who spends time on the weather. Put some lotion in your bag to soothe their skin. Give thanks for all of the things that soothe you body and soul April 23        Pray for someone who is sad. Add something to your bag that could bring a smile to someone’s face. A soft tissue, a bag of candy, a good tea bag, a bag of beef jerky, a nice bar of soap.  Give thanks for the little things that make you smile.

More about Community Ministry here.

tbc Lenten Devotion

Community Lenten Devotional: Week 4

As we journey through this Lenten season, particularly this season in the time of pandemic, examining what it means to be a people of God in this time and in our various places, we ask you to consider participating in the Community Ministry of Tabernacle Baptist Church.  Use this Lenten prayer calendar to guide you. Your gifts are appreciated by them and by the Community Ministry Team and our neighbors. Your prayers mean the world to us. 

March 10
Think about the meals you shared with your family when you were growing up. Add the ingredients for a meal that reminds you of eating with your parents or grandparents. Thank God for the ways our family ministers to us.

March 11
Some nights, meal planning is exhausting. Put your favorite quick meal ingredients into the bag: mac and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, instant noodles. Pray for those who feel like there are just not enough hours in the day.

March 12     
On Fridays before the pandemic, we used to plan our weekends, filling them with eating out, going to parks, or visiting friends. Pray for those who have lost employment and opportunities because of everything being closed. Put something in your bag that reminds you of having fun with your friends.

March 13       
Pray for those for whom weekend doesn’t mean rest. Add to your bag some protein-rich food to nourish bodies that have been hard at work all day, like tuna, vienna sausages, or beef jerky.

March 14     
Sunday is a feast day in the Lenten season. What does a feast look like to you? Sometimes it can mean taking the ordinary and adding something special. Add to your bag a staple like pasta or rice, and put in some special condiments like bacon bits, sauce, dried fruit, or french fried onions so someone can take a normal meal and make it a feast.

March 15         
Some days in the winter the wind whips down the alleyway where Community Ministry hands out food. It reminds us that we need special care when exposed to the elements. Add lotion and lip balm. Thank God that you are sheltered from the wind and cold.    

March 16           
Spring is coming and with it, new growth and new life. Thank God for the springtime vegetables and fruits that will grow. Thank God for seasons of spiritual growth in our own lives. Add fruits or vegetables to your bag (pop-top cans or jars if possible).

More about Community Ministry here.

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Community Lenten Devotional: Week 3

As we journey through this Lenten season, particularly this season in the time of pandemic, examining what it means to be a people of God in this time and in our various places, we ask you to consider participating in the Community Ministry of Tabernacle Baptist Church.  Use this Lenten prayer calendar to guide you. Your gifts are appreciated by them and by the Community Ministry Team and our neighbors. Your prayers mean the world to us. 

March 3        
It is Wednesday again. As you sit down to eat dinner, remember a meal and fellowship that you have shared around tables in our church house.  Add food to your bag that makes you happy. Pray for the happiness of our neighborhood. Give thanks for the meals that you have shared, and will share in the future in the Tabernacle fellowship hall.

March 4       
Thank God for your body and the ways you can keep it healthy. Include cans of your favorite vegetable and pray for those who don’t have access to food that is healthy. Add your favorite seasoning to put on that vegetable to remind yourself that eating healthy can be a delicious privilege.

March 5        
Pray for someone who doesn’t get to shower every day or maybe even every week.  Add some deodorant to your bag. Give thanks for the running water in your house.

March 6        
Pray for people who wake up in the morning and do not have a hot cup of something to help get their day started. Add some of your favorite coffee (ground or instant), tea or hot chocolate to your bag. (Maybe add some sugar, sweetener, creamer-whatever you put in your beverage.) Give thanks for yourself, and those around you, that you do not have to go anywhere without your morning beverage.

March 7        
Sunday is a feast day in the season of Lent. Pray for our neighbors who live our of doors. For someone who has nowhere to cook, meat in a can is appreciated.  Add some Vienna Sausage, Spam, tuna or chicken to your bag (pop top cans please).  Give thanks for the feasts that you share with your family.

March 8        
Pray for the mother who asks her mother every night at bedtime: Did you brush your teeth? Put toothbrushes in your bag so there is one less thing she will have to worry about. (Single packs, please.) Give thanks that you have a toothbrush in a cup by your sink.

March 9        
Pray for the kid who needed a toothbrush yesterday. Add some toothpaste to your bag so they can take care of the baby teeth that are coming in or the new teeth that came to replace them. Give thanks for the toothpaste next to the cup by your sink.

Go back and see the Week 1 Devotional or the Week 2 Devotional if you missed it.

tbc Community Ministry, Lenten Devotion

Community Lenten Devotional: Week 2

As we journey through this Lenten season, particularly this season in the time of pandemic, examining what it means to be a people of God in this time and in our various places, we ask you to consider participating in the Community Ministry of Tabernacle Baptist Church.  Use this Lenten prayer calendar to guide you. Your gifts are appreciated by them and by the Community Ministry Team and our neighbors. Your prayers mean the world to us. 

February 24  
Pray for families that gather for dinner tonight. In previous and future years, Wednesday is the day we gather as a church family for dinner. As we gather physically in our homes, and spiritually in our hearts, imagine there is someone else at your table.  Add to the bag the ingredients of a meal for them.  (Use your imagination and go wild, or put in a can of beef stew.) Give thanks for all of the meals that we share at Tabernacle.

February 25        
Pray for people who walk everywhere that they go. Add some nice heavy warm socks to your bag so that they can have warm, dry, clean feet. Give thanks that your feet are warm and dry.

February 26    
Pray for a family that is gathered on a Friday night to watch a movie, or play games. Add a box of your favorite cookies or microwave popcorn for them to share.  Give thanks for your own family as you imagine them laughing together, 

February 27      
Pray for a parent giving their kids a bath, washing off the dust of a Saturday playing. Put some soap or body wash, and maybe a washcloth in your bag. Give thanks that you get to give your kid a bath, or that you do not.

February 28    
Sunday is a feast day in the Lenten season. Pray for a family that will share a meal today.  Add some spaghetti (1lb box) and pasta sauce to your bag so that their may be a feast. Pray for the feasts that you appreciate with your family.

March 1        
It is March, so who knows what the weather will be like. If it is cold, there is certainly someone who would appreciate a bowl of soup to help them feel warm.  Add a couple of cans of soup, and maybe some crackers to go with it, to your bag. Pray for those who may not have a hot meal today.  Give thanks for food that warms you body and soul.      

March 2          
Pray for people who spend a lot of time outside. Add a pair of gloves and/ or a warm hat for them to your bag. Give thanks that you have somewhere to warm your hands.

tbc Devotional, Lenten Devotion

Community Lenten Devotional: Week 1

As we journey through this Lenten season, particularly this season in the time of pandemic, examining what it means to be a people of God in this time and in our various places, we ask you to consider participating in the Community Ministry of Tabernacle Baptist Church.  Use this Lenten prayer calendar to guide you. Your gifts are appreciated by them and by the Community Ministry Team and our neighbors. Your prayers mean the world to us. 

February 17 – Ash Wednesday
Prepare for this Lenten journey by opening a paper bag or a reusable bag that you can donate. Pray for the family that will receive this bag.  Give thanks for all that you have today.  (Put a few empty bags in the bag, because we never have too many and you may fill this one.)

February 18 
Pray for the mother who is happy to see a roll of toilet paper in the bag that we give out each week.  Give thanks that you have toilet paper in your house.

February 19
Pray for the person who wants to look and feel clean as they face whatever their day brings. As you add some razors to your bag, and give thanks that you face your day clean shaven.

February 20
Pray for kids who will be getting up this morning to head to the park, or the back yard to play. They need a good breakfast to get them going.  Add some grits or oatmeal or cream of wheat to your bag. Give thanks that you are starting this day with a filling meal.

February 21
Sunday is a feast day in the season of Lent. Celebrate this Sunday by adding something that you eat to celebrate.  (Some of us want cake, or cookies, or brownies. So a mix for any of these and maybe some oil, will help someone else celebrate)

February 22
Pray for the family that has a baby that seemingly cries all of the time. Put diapers or wipes in your bag and remember that your mother probably thought that you would never stop crying. Give thanks that you will, most likely, sleep soundly tonight.

February 23
Pray for the woman who may miss a meal this month so that she will be clean and comfortable. Put some tampons or pads, and maybe some Advil in your bag for her.  Give thanks that such a small thing will make someone’s month.