February 26th, 2021
by Denee Bowers
by Denee Bowers

Thursday, February 25
Exodus 9:1-11:10
In today’s reading of Exodus 9:1-11:10, Moses comes to Pharaoh with more warnings as we see the plagues continue.
When my son was 6, we watched “The Prince of Egypt”. He was so fascinated by Pharaoh. He asked questions I couldn’t keep up with. “Pharaoh was a smart nice dad who loved Moses at the beginning of the movie. Why would he fight God? Why did he have slaves? Mom, he had everything he wanted. His house was so cool. Maybe he was powerful and didn’t think he needed God anymore.” Oof! Good job, kid!
Not only does Pharaoh personify a dynasty built on the backs of slaves; but when you look deeper into today’s reading, you’ll see he embodies human rebellion against God. He would not accept God’s authority.
Do you notice at this point of the plagues, Pharaoh’s heart shifts from being “unyielding”? He hardened his heart and would not humble himself before God. Yet we see he asked Moses for forgiveness. He verbalizes permission for God’s people to be set free…only to go back on his word again. Hearts are fickle; but after many interactions with Moses, Pharaoh seemed to pass the point of no return. It is interesting that at this point, God also hardens Pharaoh’s heart and allows the last few plagues, ‘bringing God’s full glory into view’.
Have you wrestled with this? Was this stubbornness orchestrated by Pharaoh or God hardening his heart?
Tim Mackie sums it up well by gently writing, “The fact that God can steer evil towards his purposes does not mean he engineered it. Even the most heinous and absurd forms of human evil are not a true threat to God’s purposes.”
These stories may seem antiquated and hard to relate to. Let’s explore with some questions:
-What does this quote look like for our generation?
-Do we choose to harden our hearts to certain truths or to God?
-What kind of spiritual path could hardening our hearts take us down?
-What could happen if we continue to reject God over and over?
Prayer: “Lord, may we not harden our hearts as we hear Your voice. May we keep our hearts tender for Your word, Your truths, and the hope we find in You. God, keep us close, deliver us from what our minds are enslaved to, and do not leave us to our own desires; even though we struggle stubbornly for them. Guide us today and let us contemplate these questions and the nature of our own hearts. It’s in your Son’s name we pray, Amen.”
Reflection by Dallis Meyer
Exodus 9:1-11:10
In today’s reading of Exodus 9:1-11:10, Moses comes to Pharaoh with more warnings as we see the plagues continue.
When my son was 6, we watched “The Prince of Egypt”. He was so fascinated by Pharaoh. He asked questions I couldn’t keep up with. “Pharaoh was a smart nice dad who loved Moses at the beginning of the movie. Why would he fight God? Why did he have slaves? Mom, he had everything he wanted. His house was so cool. Maybe he was powerful and didn’t think he needed God anymore.” Oof! Good job, kid!
Not only does Pharaoh personify a dynasty built on the backs of slaves; but when you look deeper into today’s reading, you’ll see he embodies human rebellion against God. He would not accept God’s authority.
Do you notice at this point of the plagues, Pharaoh’s heart shifts from being “unyielding”? He hardened his heart and would not humble himself before God. Yet we see he asked Moses for forgiveness. He verbalizes permission for God’s people to be set free…only to go back on his word again. Hearts are fickle; but after many interactions with Moses, Pharaoh seemed to pass the point of no return. It is interesting that at this point, God also hardens Pharaoh’s heart and allows the last few plagues, ‘bringing God’s full glory into view’.
Have you wrestled with this? Was this stubbornness orchestrated by Pharaoh or God hardening his heart?
Tim Mackie sums it up well by gently writing, “The fact that God can steer evil towards his purposes does not mean he engineered it. Even the most heinous and absurd forms of human evil are not a true threat to God’s purposes.”
These stories may seem antiquated and hard to relate to. Let’s explore with some questions:
-What does this quote look like for our generation?
-Do we choose to harden our hearts to certain truths or to God?
-What kind of spiritual path could hardening our hearts take us down?
-What could happen if we continue to reject God over and over?
Prayer: “Lord, may we not harden our hearts as we hear Your voice. May we keep our hearts tender for Your word, Your truths, and the hope we find in You. God, keep us close, deliver us from what our minds are enslaved to, and do not leave us to our own desires; even though we struggle stubbornly for them. Guide us today and let us contemplate these questions and the nature of our own hearts. It’s in your Son’s name we pray, Amen.”
Reflection by Dallis Meyer
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Archive
2025
January
Happy New Year // M-Note 1.4.2025Cancel the Noise // M-Note 1.11.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 1The Beloved Community // M-Note 01.18.2025Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 2What A Coincidence // M-Note 1.25.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 3Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 4The Original Influencer // M-Note 2.1.25
February
The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 1Exploring New Sites…And You’re Invited // M-Note 2.8.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 2Uncovering Implicit Bias // M-Note 2.15.2025A "Flurry" of Activity // M-Note 2.22.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 3The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 4
March
Beloved Community Action Steps // M-Note 3.1.25Vulnerability & Wilderness | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 1Trusting the Spirit's Lead | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 2Courageous Connection | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 3What's Your Emotional IQ? // M-Note 3.8.25The Spaces Between Us | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 4Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 1Jesus Weeps With You | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 5When Sadness Lingers | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 6Lurking in the Shadows | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 7Cycles of Life and Death | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 8Inked in Memory | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 9The Void of Grief | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 10
2024
January
Clean Slate: Week 1 Discussion GuideStarting & Sustaining Change // M-Note 1.6.24Clean Slate: Week 2 Discussion GuideStarting Small, Dreaming Big // M-Note 1.13.24Clean Slate: Week 3 Discussion GuideTogether Towards Change...and Healthy Habits // M-Note 1.20.24Clean Slate: Week 4 Discussion GuideSlowing Down for God to Show Up // M-Note 1.27.24
February
More Isn't Always Better // M-Note 2.3.24Money Talks: Week 1 Discussion GuideAshes for Valentine's Day? // M-Note 2.10.24Money Talks: Week 2 Discussion GuideLenten Devotional 2024Money Talks: Week 3 Discussion GuideWhat's your legacy? // M-Note 2.17.24Strength in Numbers: Community in Ministry // M-Note 2.24.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week One
March
Entourage Discussion Guide - Week TwoUpdates from Clayton and Easter Invitation // M-Note 3.2.24Twenty Students Confirmed Last Sunday // M-Note 3.9.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 3How serving at Easter can really make a difference // M-Note 3.16.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 4Can You Know Joy Without Pain? // M-Note 3.23.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 5It's time for EasterSTL at The Factory // M-Note 3.28.24
April
Easter Discussion GuideScreen Time: Troubleshooting our Relationship with Technology // M-Note 4.6.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 1Springtime Reminders: Joy Comes with the Morning // M-Note 4.13.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 2Shaping the Future at the UMC General Conference // M-Note 4.20.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 3 General Conference Halftime Report// M-Note 4.27.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 4
May
Very Good News at the End of General Conference//M-Note 5.4.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2Announcing The Gathering’s Church Planters Lab//M-Note 5.11.24My (Hypothetical) Commencement Address // M-Note 5.18.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 4
June
July
September
Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 1Transitioning...to 47 // M-Note 9.7.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 2Invitations Work in Mysterious Ways // M-Note 9.14.24Students Stepping Up: Getting Involved in Ministry // M-Note 9.21.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 3A Stressful Season // M-Note 9.28.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 4
October
It Doesn't Have to Be This Way // M-Note 10.5.24Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1Love Thy Political Neighbor // M-Note 10.11.2024Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2Fear is a Powerful Motivator // M-Note 10.19.24Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3Why Do Bad Things Happen? // M-Note 10.26.24Why? Discussion Guide - Week 1
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