Saturday, April 05, 2008

Solomon's Colonnade

Today’s Reading: John 10:22-23 (NIV)

22 Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade.

Good morning!

When Jeff and I visit our family and friends, we are often moved by the many memories that are shared during the house tour. It all begins when we arrive on their front porch. This is the place of warm greeting. During the holidays, we find shelter from the cold and a warm welcome there. Many decorate their front porches with twinkling lights and trees, ribbons and wreaths. Our porches become gathering places for family and friends, where relationships flourish. As we move through the front door and down the hallway into the living room, we cannot help but notice the many precious memories of loved ones and friends displayed on the walls. Walls do speak volumes about who we are and from whence we came.

Solomon’s Colonnade was a walkway found along the east side of the temple area in Jerusalem. A gathering place for many, the people would walk just outside the sacred temple area, sharing stories and listening to the teachers who came to speak. It was a long, open-aired porch with double columns that were approximately thirty-eight feet in height. If only those pillars could talk! I can only imagine the stories they’ve heard throughout the years.

Jesus stepped outside the temple and strolled along Solomon’s Colonnade during the Feast of Dedication. It was winter time, and there were lots of cold and hungry people waiting to be fed. Jesus spoke to the ones who had gathered there to experience the warmth of community. The columns provided a shelter from the storms of life raging around them. As the crowd gathered, it was Christ’s warmth that overshadowed humanity’s loneliness and offered a warm welcome to all who would listen and believe.

What photographs do we display outside the walls of our churches, homes and coffee shops? Where can we go to experience a warm embrace, the gift of community, well-rooted relationships and a deep sense of belonging? Come and take a walk with the Savior today in the shelter of Solomon’s Colonnade. I will see you there.

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.

Friday, April 04, 2008

The blessing of a flat tire and fresh air

Today’s Reading: John 10:19-20 (NIV)

19 At these words the Jews were again divided. 20 Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to Him?”

Good morning!

Have you ever felt totally thankful and terribly frustrated all at the same time?


I was thinking about what I need to accomplish today and I’m wondering how it is all going to get done. The first thing I must address is the repair of my right front tire on the Spaulding-mobile. Flat tires are a pain in the neck. Apparently, I picked up a large screw and it has deflated the wind in my wheel. I heard the humming yesterday as I cruised down I-70 from work. I’m so fortunate that I didn’t have a blow out on the roadway. If it had to go flat, what better place than in my warm and dry garage at home. But now, this forces me to get the car in for a much-needed repair and I don’t have the time to spare! I’ll be driving approximately 300 miles this weekend, so I have to do address this now, whether I want to or not. You think I’m feeling a little frustrated this morning? I have a thankful heart and a cranky disposition. How can these emotions compliment each other in a servant’s heart?

I cannot begin to imagine our Lord’s frustration with the ongoing debate over His Word. He was speaking the Truth and some people were connecting with Him. Yet, there were many who simply didn’t get it, didn’t want to get it, and continued to make lots of negative commentary. They were determined to spin the Gospel message in a way that appealed to their personal preferences. Sometimes we read God’s Word and we begin to flatten it with our own preconceived notions. I imagine the Lord must have felt thankful and frustrated all at the same time, having to deal with humanity on an intimately personal level, in human flesh.

Today, I’m especially thankful for my Lord. He understands my mixed emotions of thankfulness and frustration. He endures harsh criticism and sheer frustration because of His love for all people. We’ve done our level best to flatten Him in theological debates and differences of belief; yet, Jesus Christ continues to reach out and save souls throughout the generations. He is the only One who bore the nails and lives to tell about it. When Jesus gave up His breath, we thought he would never rise again. But oh, can you imagine the surprise and wonder of His miraculous resurrection! Not only did Jesus Christ defeat physical death, He breathes new life, fresh air, even into worn and deflated hearts today.

Maybe a flat tire isn’t so bad after all. I can have His joy even in the midst of frustration. My tire will soon be patched, and it will carry me down the road as I meet the challenges of the day. Thank you Lord, for the gift of fresh air and new life!

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, April 02, 2008

Full authority

Today’s Reading: John 10:17-18 (NIV)

[Jesus said,] 17 “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life – only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

Good morning!

Authority is a powerful word. My dictionary defines the word authority as the power to enforce laws, exact obedience, command, determine, or judge; the power or right to make decisions. Whose authority do you rely upon for daily living?

When I was a little girl, I quickly learned that it was my dad who had full authority over our household. He was the one I would answer to if I misbehaved at school. My measuring stick for life was rooted in the things my father said. Daddy took his authority over our family quite seriously, and we were not allowed to question him about much of anything. It was an eye-opening moment when I first realized that my father’s beliefs might be a tad bit biased. What happens when the authority we’ve relied upon turns out not to be completely reliable? How does this revelation affect what we believe, and how we choose to live out our days?

Our school teachers had a lot more authority forty years ago, than they do today. Our educators risk their lives each day in the classrooms where they teach. It is their deep desire to open the minds and hearts of young men and women who will one day carry the future of our world, which compels them to remain faithful in their chosen vocation year after year.

The authority of Christ came from the highest authority ever. His heavenly Father, the creator and author of life, gave Jesus full authority to willingly lay down His life and pick it back up again, through death and resurrection. Although His disciples didn’t understand what Jesus meant, they knew His authority came from above. There was no question in their minds that this man was not sent but for a greater mission and purpose. Jesus is willing and able to become a perfect and holy sacrifice for humanity’s sin.

We desperately need the wisdom of a higher authority to guide our lives. Jesus looked to His heavenly Father for full authority to do the work He came to do. I pray we will choose to follow the example of Christ and seek out the Father’s wisdom each day. Won’t you open your Bible and take a closer look at the living Word?

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, April 01, 2008

Outside the pen?

Today’s Reading: John 10:16 (NIV)

[Jesus said,] 16 “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one Shepherd.”

Good morning!

Are you ever overwhelmed by God’s great mercy? There are days when I simply cannot contain the joy in knowing Christ as my personal Savior and Shepherd.

I was an outsider. Every morning, I am reminded of the lengths Jesus went to rescue me. I was easily recognizable as one who didn’t belong: my coat was spotted and matted from the sins I carried in life. I was unruly, self-centered, and preferred doing things my own way. I was lost and I didn’t even realize it. Treading along a rocky and dangerous path, I was in extreme danger of falling to my eternal death. I had moved far and away from the fold of my Lord. Have you ever been so far off the beaten path that you didn’t know where you were?

Jesus took His staff, reached out and grabbed me by the neck. He led me, whimpering and kicking, back inside the pen. He had to arm-wrestle me more than once to bring me inside. I don’t know why we human types tend to fight the Lord at every turn. Obedience does not come easily for me. Learning to lay aside my will and longing for His will have become an important part of my daily journey.

When we arrived at the fold, He carried me in His arms, and set me next to some of the cleanest, brightest sheep I’ve ever seen. I didn’t look like them; I didn’t act like them, and I really didn’t feel like I fit into His pen very well. I was ashamed of my mangy gray coat. It was at that moment when the Good Shepherd began to shear away the sins that had stained my life. As I began to understand and confess the depths of my wandering, Christ began to heal my heart from the inside out. His love covered and cleansed the spots I feared would never go away. Jesus knew that I would be forever lost without His willing sacrifice. He laid His own life down to save a spotted sheep like me.

I am overwhelmed by God’s great mercy. If Christ would go to the extreme for someone like me, He will go the distance for you too. Won’t you let Him capture your heart? You may be standing outside the pen right now; but I am here to tell you there is room at the foot of the cross for you. Jesus came not only for the sheep in the pen, but for all who stand outside the gate. Won’t you cry out to the Lord right now?

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.

Monday, March 31, 2008

Caring for others

Today’s Reading: John 10:12-13 (NIV)

[Jesus said,] 12 “The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.”

Good morning!

How do you know when someone truly cares for you? Day-to-day living can be hectic. Most of us meet ourselves coming and going from school, work, civic and charitable activities. We run our children to softball practice, dance lessons, and marching band. We drop baked goods off at the church for the upcoming bazaar and then volunteer our time at the concession stand for soccer league. We hurry from one appointment to the next. There are days when we leave our beds unmade in the morning, only to fall back into them late at night. How do we express care and concern for the ones God has placed in our lives, when we are so very busy taking care of “business?”

The older I get, the more I realize the importance of making time to build one-on-one relationships with people. A personal touch, like a card or telephone call can mean the world to someone who needs a little extra encouragement. Yet, there are days when we need to break away from the things we do and spend quality time just sitting and listening to someone else. It may require tossing your to-do list aside. How often do you put the needs of someone else ahead of your own?

There is an old cliché that comes to mind when I read Jesus’ thoughts on hired hands. It is hard to find good help. Why do you think the hired hand runs away and leaves the sheep defenseless when the wolf comes to kill and destroy? Jesus said, “The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.” We begin to care for each other as we make time to know each other. Relationship building is a disciplined daily function. It is intentional. It is our personal investment of a our most precious commodity - our time. I have received some extraordinary gifts in my life, when someone went out of their way just to be there for me. That personal touch, especially in a time of crisis, is a treasure we never forget.

We need to carve out some time each day just to listen to the ones God has placed in our path. Some things are just more important than others. How will you choose to care for the people God has entrusted you to love?

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.

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Connecting the dots of our lives

Today’s Reading: John 10:11 (NIV)

[Jesus said,] “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”

Good morning!

I couldn’t help but feel the presence of our Good Shepherd this weekend, as clergy spouses from all over the State of Missouri gathered together for our annual weekend retreat. We set apart a time each year to laugh, to cry, to renew old friendships and meet brand new faces. We are the hands and feet standing beside those who serve in pastoral ministry in the Missouri Area Conference. This year’s theme was “Connecting the Dots of Our Lives.” I left there feeling very connected to my brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ.

One of my friends painted a poignant visual image of how clergy spouses serve as Moses’ Aaron, holding up the arms of the one who is called to serve, especially in times of great fatigue and distress. Everyone brought their family pictures to share. We told funny stories of our children and grandchildren and spent a lot of time simply laughing together. We talked about some of the challenges we face in serving local congregations. We told how the many precious blessings of serving the Lord in the local church has enriched our lives. We are a diverse group, ranging in stages from newly married clergy spouses to retired and widowed servants of the Lord. The dots of our lives are intricately connected in the love of Christ.

At the close of our retreat, my friend Esther, our Bishop’s wife, made a profound statement of faith that was truly a take-away moment for me. She said, “God can make a work of art out of your life, even when the dots do not make sense.” So often, we look at where we’ve been, wonder where we are headed, and wonder whether our picture will reveal God’s plan and purpose for us today. We examine the points of our lives like one may look at a painting prominently displayed in a local art gallery. Created in the rich technique and colors of Pointalism, we rely upon our eye and brain coordination to blend the dots into something meaningful that we can truly relate to.

Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” The Good Shepherd is our master artist. It is His love that draws the dots of our lives together and brings rich meaning to daily living. When we keep our eyes focused on Jesus, the dots begin to blend into a picture we can understand. They intersect with each other, as we find a strong connection while serving the people God has called us to love.

This is a great day to begin connecting the dots of your life with those around you. Won’t you come and worship the Lord with me this morning at Faith Church? My life’s picture is incomplete without you in it. Jesus Christ connects the dots of our lives together in faith. We are His perfect portrait in progress.

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.