Saturday, December 23, 2006

A Mother's Heart

Luke 2:19 (NIV)
19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.


Good morning!

The experience of becoming a mother is a holy moment. Making a lifelong commitment to loving and nurturing a tiny human being is a tremendous responsibility most women are not completely prepared for. We could use a “how to” manual from time to time. My mom relied on Doctor Spock when I was a child. If Doctor Spock didn’t address it in his book, then it just wasn’t that important. Where do mothers go to find the answers to their most burning questions? Who will this child be when he grows up? Which is the best way to teach this child everything he needs to know so that he will be a self-sufficient and well-balanced adult? What can I possibly offer to this new little life, when I’m still trying to grow up myself? Will I have what it takes for the long haul? Will my son still love me when I’m old and gray? What if I mess up? Will this child ever forgive me?

Hormonally challenged women discover a whole new realm of emotion during pregnancy. Pregnant women worry about everything! Some of us are giddy and cheerful, happy to be having a baby, and feeling really good about it. Others of us cry at the drop of a hat. If you look at us the wrong way, we may burst into tears for no apparent reason. It is true that one does not have to be pregnant to experience this roller coaster of emotion; however, these traits seem to be much more noticeable as a woman eagerly awaits the birth of her child.

My parents waited a long time to have children. I was adopted. My mother was unable to carry a baby to term. She went through several heart-breaking miscarriages before they finally made a decision to adopt. She tells me that the day she got the phone call from the adoption agency announcing my arrival was the happiest day of her life. Immediately, she jumped into “mommy mode.” Cloth diapers were washed and hung outside to dry. The hope chest was opened, and handmade blankets she had saved for this special occasion were placed in the empty nursery, in anticipation of the child to be born. Bottles were boiled, sheets were bleached, and pink curtains were hung. It’s a girl! We are going to have a baby girl! I can still hear the quiver in my mother’s voice when she tells me about the first time she saw me. It reminds me of how I felt the first time I saw my baby girl’s sweet face. Motherhood moments are awesome!

Mary was given an overwhelming task. She willingly agreed to give birth and raise the Son of the Most High. Mary knew this child would not be like any other. She pondered all of the things that new mothers wonder and worry about. Yet, Mary felt an even deeper sense of responsibility, to help this baby boy grow up in God’s grace and wisdom. She treasured all of these things and pondered them in her heart. Mary did not know what the future held; yet she knew who held the future, and was content to give her anxiety to the Father. Mary’s faith and trust in God was enough to see her through each and every motherhood moment.

As we celebrate the birthday of our Savior, may we look through the eyes of a young teenage girl, who lived out a life of incredible faith. Young Mary, the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, put her total trust in God, and He equipped her with everything she needed to raise an amazing young man. A mother’s heart is a priceless treasure. Are you willing to give it up for the Lord? Are you willing to trust Him completely today?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: God to give you the faith you need to do the work He has called you to do. We may not know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future, and that is enough.


____________________________
© Copyright 2006, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Friday, December 22, 2006

Transparent Glass

Revelation 21:22 (NIV)
22 The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.

Good morning!

Last summer, I enjoyed a stroll through the Missouri Botanical Gardens in Saint Louis with my son, daughter-in-law and grandson. We were there to see the Chihuly glass exhibit by renowned sculptor and artist, Dale Chihuly. This exhibit is impressive. He captures light and motion with his unique glass creations. In the daylight, the sun adds shimmers of rainbow, effervescent light bouncing across the glass medium. At night, many of the glass sculptures are silhouetted with spotlights, liberating its mysterious glow. There is nothing more fascinating than a piece of hand-blown glass, sparkling in the dark.

Our family likes to hang glass ornament angels on our tree at Christmas. We strategically place them in front of a tiny lit Christmas bulb, and marvel at how the sparkling reflection forms rainbow patterns across the wall, ceiling and hard-wood floor. Every Christmas Eve, Jeff and I enjoy a midnight ride from church to our home. We admire the many Christmas lights adorning the rooftops of our neighbor’s homes. Our subdivision places luminary candles outside along our driveways and sidewalks every Christmas Eve, lighting the way for the arrival of baby Jesus. We prepare to receive our newborn King.

The Apostle John was given a glimpse of the Kingdom of God while exiled on the island of Patmos. He described the great street of the city as pure gold, transparent like glass. Close your eyes and imagine what John may have seen in his vision. A great road, built upon the firm foundation of Christ, leading children to the arms of their Heavenly Father. A golden, transparent glass, shimmering in the light of His love – something so beautiful there are no words to adequately describe it.

When we worship, we invite Jesus Christ to take our ugly and sinful hearts and change them into transparent glass, personally sculpted by the Master’s hand. He has the power to illuminate your life with His love. There is no sin too big, and no person too far away that Jesus cannot reach. This Christmas as you gaze upon the lights shimmering on your tree, ask Jesus to give you a transparent heart. Ask Him to take your sin away and give you new life. He will do it because He loves you that much. And when others look at you, they will see the light of Christ shining, as transparent glass, illuminating the dark. Will you let the celebration of His birth change your heart this Christmas? Are you ready to give Jesus your life?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: Jesus to give you a transparent heart, filled with His light and love. You can be reborn today. All you have to do is ask.
____________________________
© Copyright 2006, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Christmas Picture

Luke 2:6-7 (NIV)
6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.


Good morning!

Sharing family photo albums and snapping Christmas pictures is a time-honored tradition in the family Spaulding. When our children were little, they would cringe each time I grabbed the camera and said, “Look at me and smile!” “Oh mom, not another picture,” they would moan. “Don’t you have enough already?” Four rolls of film may not be quite enough to adequately document the special day. I keep an extra roll or two handy, just in case. It is a well-known fact that an avid scrapbooker will never have enough Christmas pictures to crop. Now that my children are grown and are having children of their own, it’s fun to watch how they whip out cameras and snap photographs of their children each year. My daughter, daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law to be, all have the scrapbooking bug, much to my delight. Some of our best times are spent cropping family photographs and sharing our memories together.

A photograph captures the special moments of life. As our family continues to grow, we have a visual aid reminding us of how we once looked, what we may have been up to, and even how we might be feeling at that particular moment. Some of my favorite photographs are those which were taken many years before I was born. I can enjoy pictures of my great-grandparents with their parents in some of the older photos my family passed down through the years. It gives me a point of reference to a time that I know little of. Their vision for a future and hope are captured on film. I can see it in their eyes.

If it had been possible, could you imagine what photographs might have revealed about the birth of our Lord Jesus on the night he was born? Luke paints an eloquent picture with words in his Gospel account of Christ’s birth. He said, “While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” I can see a young mother who had just given birth. She wrapped her newborn baby boy in cloths and tucked him safely into a manger bed, to keep him warm and protected in the first hours of his earthly life. There were no vacancies at the inn; no private place to give birth. Mary rested in the company of the animals in the stable that night. She was probably cold, exhausted, and scared. Who wouldn’t be in that situation? Luke’s narrative captures the moment perfectly. His picture of the infant King is mounted on the hearts of all who believe. It is a scrapbook moment, worth sharing again and again.

When you gather with your family and friends this Christmas, be sure to pull out God’s Word and take a closer look at the picture of our infant King. This is a story worth telling again and again. Take a look at that beautiful baby’s face. Can you see your salvation in His eyes?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: God to paint a wondrous picture in your mind and heart, as you recall the birth of Jesus Christ. He came to save you. He came to love. Can you see it?

____________________________
© Copyright 2006, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Good news travels fast!

Luke 2:10-13 (NIV)
10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
12 This will be a sign to you: You will find the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Good morning!

It has been said that good news travels fast! When I was a child growing up in the early sixties, our family paid for party-line phone service. A party-line was inexpensive, enabling several families to share the same telephone line. It didn’t happen often, but occasionally, we would pick up the phone and hear someone else’s conversation. If we chose to eavesdrop, we could hear about the lives of our friends and neighbors down the block. Our parents told us to hang up the phone out of respect for others’ privacy, but it was tempting to listen in, and sometimes, we did just that.

With the emergence of single phone lines, elimination of the rotary dial, and the dawn of cellular and wireless service, my parents chose to continue with their rotary dial, party-line telephone. The phone company could not force folks to upgrade their service, even though most people choose the newer model telephones and increased service capabilities. My parents were very frugal. They liked paying $9 a month for their phone service. We used a rotary dial phone until my mother sold her home and moved to a retirement community. Mom was appalled that she was unable to get the same monthly phone rate in her new apartment. She thought $30 a month was way too much for phone service, and she complains periodically about the cost, even today!

Our children and grandchildren may never fully understand the delight of receiving a long-awaited letter from a loved one that arrives through the US Postal Service. Today, we communicate instantaneously through wireless internet and phone service. We have overnight delivery, same-day delivery, cab service, hand-delivery, e-mail and voice mail. When the cable goes down or we lose our satellite, we feel lost and suddenly alone! How will we ever survive?

Long ago, lowly shepherds lived in the fields with their flocks. It must have been a really quiet existence, sitting underneath a star-lit sky, with no cell phone or blackberry. The shepherds had no one to speak to except God and their sheep. It is no wonder they were terrified when angels appeared in the night sky with the greatest news ever told. The heavenly host proclaimed the good news - an infant Savior had been born for ALL the people. The angels gave detailed, step-by-step directions to find the Christ child. “Follow the star to the city of Bethlehem. Look for a baby wrapped in cloths, lying in a manger. Go and see your salvation!”

The shepherds went to Bethlehem that night and found their newborn King. Ecstatic, the shepherds spread the news to everyone who would listen to them. Today, we continue to tell of His birth, using every possible communication tool at our disposal. Good news traveled fast then, as it does today. Who will you share the Good News of Jesus Christ with today?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: courage to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with everyone you know. Go ahead - send that Christmas card, forward an e-mail message, leave a voice mail message, and smile! An infant Savior has been born for ALL of us. Good news travels fast!

____________________________
© Copyright 2006, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Children of God

John 1:9-13 (NIV)
9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him.
11 He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him.
12 Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God -
13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

Good morning!

I love to see the faces of little children as they sing the songs of Christmas. It was pure joy to sit with my grandchildren on the stage at their Sunday school Christmas program this past weekend. Our Emily is two and half years old. She wore a velvety red Christmas dress and white ribbed leggings with “big girl” dress shoes. A halo of silver garland was pinned on top of her long curly hair. Joshua, our four year old grandson, stood behind her, looking mighty grown up in his new red Christmas sweater. He made a fine Joseph, leaving his head piece on for the entire program. Emily, like many of her young classmates, was a tad frightened of the big stage. She went up and sat on my lap for about two minutes. One of the teenage helpers caught Emily’s attention and she jumped up to sit on her lap for awhile. A sweet little angel named Cheyenne sat with me and we sang Christmas songs together.

Sixty precious children stood and sang Silent Night, Holy Night in their loudest, most unholy voices. They shouted the words with great joy! I loved how they told about the night of Christ’s birth. Their song was full of passion as they shared the story of their sweet baby Jesus. Their rendition of Away in the Manager had a strikingly similar tone. The tiny chorus finished all three verses long before the music stopped. These children couldn’t wait to tell the Good News. Their excitement and enthusiasm was contagious. How these children love the Lord!

Children and Christmas seem to go together like cookies and milk. There is nothing more invigorating than seeing the birth of Christ through the eyes of a child. Precious little ones recognize Jesus for who He truly is. To possess a childlike faith is a gift from the Father above.

Scripture teaches that if we receive Him and believe in His holy name, God gives us the right to become His children. We are born again into the family of God, given new life through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Come peek inside the manger stall and see what the children see. Sing along with the wee ones, and experience what it means to be a child of the living God today.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: Jesus to come into your heart today. You can experience the joy of becoming a child of God when you receive and believe.

____________________________
© Copyright 2006, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Monday, December 18, 2006

The light of life

John 1:1-5 (NIV)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.
4 In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.
5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.


Good morning!

I am blessed every week day to be in the company of some wonderful people. I am surrounded by Jewish tradition and culture at work. Many of my co-workers are either practicing Orthodox and/or Reformed Jews. We have a kosher kitchen in our building. Special foods are prepared for meals each day to accommodate the needs of my Jewish friends. For years I have read about the many beliefs and traditions that my Jewish brothers and sisters share; yet, for the first time, I am actually experiencing the meaning of their beliefs through their teaching and daily example.

One of my co-workers took some time last week to help me understand the importance of Hanukkah, their traditional festival of lights. With every sacred holiday, the light becomes the focal point in its worship experience. The Hanukkah lights are lit for the sole purpose of noticing the light. It is not meant to be a light to read by. The sole purpose of the light is to reflect on what it means to bring light into our world and how every person contributes to that process.

The celebration of Hanukkah occurs in the shortest daylight hours of the year. Sunlight evaporates quickly into a long and dark night. For eight consecutive evenings, the celebration of Hanukkah and the lighting of the Menorah candles illuminate the darkness with the light of God. Long ago, their forefathers showed great courage and faith as they rededicated the Temple using a small flask of oil to light the Menorah candles, kindling the sparks of faith with its own generation and to all future generations. It is an amazing thing to be able to pour out faith and hope into such a small vessel, which ultimately will shine as the light of life into the world.

Christians around the world are lighting Advent candles in worship, reminding us of the light of life, who was born long ago in a Bethlehem stable. Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all prophecy. He was here in the beginning and He will be here in the end. We join hands together in worship and praise, celebrating His glorious and unending light.

I leave you with a burning question. If the light of life shines in the darkness, illuminating our way every moment of the day and night, why is it that the darkness cannot understand it? The light of God overcomes the dark night and faith in Him dispels fear. Spend some time today reflecting on the light of your life. If you are struggling to understand, ask the Holy Spirit to enable you to see the light for what is truly is. Ask Him to open your eyes to the wonder of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: God to reveal Himself to you through the light of life. Ask God for faith to see through the darkness of night. If you seek Him, He will find you.

____________________________
© Copyright 2006, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Morning Star

Matthew 2:10 (NIV)
10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

2 Peter 1:19 (NIV)
19 And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the Morning Star rises in your hearts.

Revelation 22:16 (NIV)
16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”


Good morning!

Are you a stargazer? There is nothing more beautiful than sitting outside on a clear night and looking up into the sky. In parts of Texas, where you can see for miles around you, the night sky is filled with brilliant constellations, planets and stars. Through the years, Astronomers have studied the formation and position of stars and planets, seeking a greater understanding of their longevity and existence within our solar system.

Science teaches that stars form from high concentrations in interstellar gas clouds. The pull of gravity has a great effect on the size and position of a star. The biggest difference between a star and a planet is that stars emit a light from its interior caused by nuclear burning, where the planet shines only by a reflected light.

When our children were little, we bought packages of “glow-in-the-dark” star and planet stickers, strategically placing them on the ceiling above their beds. It was an awesome thing to see our children lie down on their beds at night and gaze at the brilliant stars blanketing their ceiling. Their soft hue brought great comfort to our children as they fell asleep at night.

The wise men, having traveled thousands of miles, were overcome with joy as they followed the star that led them to the Christ child and his family in Bethlehem. When they saw the baby Jesus, the wise men bowed down to worship their Savior and King. They recognized Jesus for who He is, and wanted nothing more than to witness His light in a dark and lonely world.

A morning star is a star that rises after midnight, welcoming the bright morning sun. Our Lord Jesus is the bright morning star of our faith. Christ’s light dispels the darkness of sin and death, overcoming evil and transforming our lives as we move toward the light. He will lead us back to the Father, if we are willing to seek Him.

Have you seen the light of Christ? Are you overjoyed with His amazing love? Will you choose to be wise and seek to follow the Morning Star today? Come see the Christ child with me. Let us worship the bright Morning Star together. I’ll see you at church!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: The bright Morning Star to fill your life with His light, giving you a clear sense of direction, and hope for an even brighter tomorrow. May you find His light rising up in your heart today.

____________________________
© Copyright 2006, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.