Friday, February 15, 2008

Widespread Whispering


Today’s Reading: John 7:12-13 (NIV)

12 Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about Him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others replied, “No, He deceives the people.” 13 But no one would say anything publicly about Him for fear of the Jews.

Good day!

Speaking publicly about faith matters is not always an easy thing to do. When I attended public grade school, I was not allowed to sing songs about Jesus, or pray together with my classmates during class. I was, however, allowed to pray on my own, and that became an important part of each day, especially at test-taking time. No one around me probably even noticed the closed eyes, folded hands and hushed whispers of my petition before I began taking each written examination. School prayer meetings, for a time, was something we read about in our history books. Then, some of us found ways to meet together outside, before classes began, to circle up and pray together each morning.

In the early sixties, when I was just a young girl, my dad had a firm house rule and it was adhered to explicitly by the members of my family. He was the only one allowed to express verbal opinions regarding politics or religion in our home. Our job was to keep quiet, pay close attention, and agree with him. As I grew older (and not necessarily wiser, I might add), this became a hard rule for me to adhere to. Every now and then, I would challenge Dad to a spirited conversation. Most of these discussions ended rather abruptly, with no real resolution or dialogue. Sometimes, we couldn’t even agree to disagree. Rejection is tough stuff, no matter how we try to dress it up, and most of us would rather walk a mile out of our way than cause unwanted strife within our family, in friendships and even in the communities where we live.

Jesus’ time had not yet come. Some wanted the Master to get out there and perform amazing miracles that would change hearts and lives forever. Others wanted Christ not to say a word, because His teachings were believed to contradict their religious traditions and culture. The people whispered together in secret, sharing initial observations of a man they didn’t really know. In public, they kept their mouths shut, for fear of retaliation by the Jewish religious leaders in their community.

Has fear of rejection ever kept you from sharing your faith with others? When we invite Jesus to become Lord of our lives, we cannot help but share His love with those around us. Fear subsides as our relationship deepens. I would encourage you today to share your heart. The only rejection you need to fear is the words of our Master as you stand before Him on the day of reckoning. Christ promises to acknowledge us before the Father, if we are willing to acknowledge Him before others.

Choose to be courageous today. Do not be afraid to tell others about Jesus.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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, February 14, 2008

Heart condition


Today’s Reading: John 7:67-69 (NIV)

67 You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. 68 Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We believe and know that You are the Holy One of God.”


Good day!

I have a heart condition. You have it too. For generations now, this insidious disease has run rampant among human hearts around the world. It is no respecter of age, race, gender, or social class. It steals our very lives away, cutting our time here on earth short and leaving us wondering about the world to come. Advances in modern medicine have not found a cure for this dreaded disease. There is only One anecdote, and it is not packaged in pill form. In fact, you cannot purchase it anywhere. The cure was paid in full when Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price for every broken heart on Calvary’s tree. Are you looking for the cure that will heal your heart completely?

The disciples had given up their lives to follow the teacher from Nazareth. The crowds grew initially, but as Jesus taught about living bread, weak flesh, and life in the Spirit, many began to turn away. They wanted to believe Him, but they just didn’t like what they were hearing. Some were offended. Others couldn’t begin to understand or accept it. Suddenly, and without warning, the crowd split into two distinct groups of people: those who yearned to learn more and those who rejected Christ’s message. Many left the healer day, in total disbelief. Others stayed on, longing to experience healing, and the words of the healer. When Christ looked up and saw the crowds fading away, He asked the twelve, “You do not want to leave too, do you?”

If you are struggling with a heart condition today, this is the perfect time to give your heart to the great healer. Jesus stands at the door of your life and knocks. Will you choose to answer the door? He can make you whole again, if you will simply let Him into your life. On this special day, when we celebrate the gift of love, Christ invites you to experience amazing love that heals human heart conditions forever.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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, February 13, 2008

The narrow gate

Today’s Reading: Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)

13 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it.”

John 10:9a (NIV)

9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.

Good day!

I had a dream last night. I think it lasted maybe thirty seconds, but I can see it just as clearly today as I did when the images first crossed my mind. In this dream, there was nothing but darkness, with the exception of one bright light shining through the slats of a tiny gate. It resembled the size of a small mouse hole, and I got down on my hands and knees to see if I could tell what was on the other side. Immediately, I was reminded of a family film that our children enjoyed watching at home, entitled “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids!” Do you remember how Dad’s crazy human dehydrating machine managed to shrink his children down to bite size morsels for the family’s pet hamster?

As I knelt there, wondering how I would ever get through such a small space, I heard the voice of my Savior say, “Come.” My first inclination was to cry out, “I can’t Lord! It is way too small a space for me to squeeze through.” Yet, I know the Lord has the power to melt my heart down to size, shrinking me to fit, so that I might walk narrow paths and enter through that gate. Nothing is impossible with my God.

Last night, one of my precious pastors left this world for the Promised Land. He was, by far, the happiest guy I’ve ever met. His smile could instantly light up a room, and oh, how he loved to tell his jokes! I can only imagine the delight His soul must have felt as he took his last steps on the narrow path that leads from this world into life eternal. I could see him there, sitting with Jesus, telling jokes together and modeling the colorful socks he wore every Sunday morning to church. This man’s heart was filled with love for his family, friends, and the Lord whom he served faithfully every day of his life. The gate is narrow, but Moe got through, because he knew the gatekeeper well.

Knowing the gatekeeper makes all the difference if you’re longing to pass through to the other side. I look forward to that glorious day when Christ will shrink-wrap my heart down to perfect size, so that I might fit through the narrow gate and run full-speed into the arms of my Savior forever.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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, February 12, 2008

The rumblings of a grumbling

Today’s Reading: John 6:43 (NIV)

“Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus answered.

Good day!

I have a nasty little habit and I may as well confess it right now: I’m a grumbler. Sometimes I grumble a lot. I find myself grumbling about the most insignificant things, especially when I don’t feel good. Our whole family was quarantined this weekend because of some crazy little stomach virus that kept all of us locked inside the bathroom with the plague. It’s a good thing I had a big bottle of Lysol® just waiting in the laundry room closet for a moment such as this. I needed all the disinfecting help I could get. Have you ever been so sick yourself, and found that you were also taking care of others who were sick too? I grumbled a LOT this weekend. It’s really hard to stay healthy when you find yourself swimming upstream in a sea of sickness.

You see, I come from a long line of grumblers. I know it’s a nasty little habit. I could sit here and make excuses for my potty mouth by passing the proverbial buck, because, in all honesty, I’ve learned to grumble well by example. I might even go as far as to blame my genetic makeup for this unsavory little character trait. Actually, since it does seem to be in my genes, traced all the way from back to Adam and Eve in the garden, then maybe then I should applaud it, contending there’s nothing wrong with this grumbling fettish of mine. Who said it’s not okay to grumble? In fact, everybody should accept it as a societal norm. It is who I am and therefore, I should be proud of it! Anyone who disagrees with my grumbling tyrades must obviously hate me. I guess that makes anyone who refuses to accept my grumbling rumblings, a "grumblephobe."

I know deep down inside that I’m a hard egg to crack. It's going to take a miracle to change the condition of my heart. You see, there are moments when I’m grumbling, and I can get on a real roll! I've learned to grumble with the best of them and hold my ground. But even then, I admit I’m just miserable on the inside. It’s like that nasty churning inside my stomach that I suffered with all weekend long. I wondered if it would ever end, wanting it to stop. Enough is enough.

Jesus knew a good grumble when He heard it. His very own community of faith was grumbling about Him AGAIN. They just couldn’t move past the notion that Jesus could actually be divine. They only saw him in the physical realm. Their faith lenses were clouded by their comfortable religious traditions. They knew Messiah would one day come, but this guy didn’t fit their Godlike mold and they weren’t about to accept anything He had to say.

Jesus responded, “Stop grumbling among yourselves.” He didn’t elaborate or give a good reason why. He simply said, “Stop it.” Let me tell you - I really needed this passage of Scripture today. It not only helped settle my queasy, upset stomach, but it helped calm my churning soul.

Thank you, dear Father, for loving me enough to correct me when I’m wrong. Stop me before I even start. Disinfect me with Your Word, I pray. Please give me Your grace and strength to overcome the rumblings of a grumbling that begins with a single thought, simmers inside my heart, and spews out the mouth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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.