Saturday, May 03, 2008

The gift of our tears


Today’s Reading: John 11:32-33 (NIV)

32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw Him, she fell at His feet and said, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.

Good morning!

Jesus knew what it was like to be troubled in spirit. Have you ever been troubled in spirit? There are moments when the Holy Spirit speaks to my heart, and it is all I can do to hold the tears back. I’ve learned that my tears are a gracious gift from God. The tears we shed help us express inexpressible emotions we feel and cannot capture with words. Tears overwhelm us in times of extraordinary happiness or even in moments of deep sadness and regret. Tears fall as we cry out to God for help to feed, clothe, shelter, educate and provide medical care for our brothers and sisters around the world who are struggling for survival. Our tears are reflective of the prayers we pray each day, washing over us in waves of anguish and despair, mercy and grace. Like tidal waves running against the shoreline, washing away the footprints we left behind in the sand just moments before, our tears help us move beyond grief, so that we can see evermore clearly the path that is set before us.

We cannot be in the same room with someone who is grieving loss and not respond to that pain. One would have to have a heart of stone not to care about a brother or sister who is hurting. One of my pastors stopped to inquire about the health of my children during a ten-minute break at the 2008 United Methodist General Conference. As I spoke, I noticed the tears welling up in her eyes. The compassion she felt for my family was overwhelming to me. Without uttering a word, I knew she understood my heart. Tears are confirmation of shared empathy. Often times, our tears cry out the words we simply cannot.

Jesus knew when He arrived at Bethany that the Father would give Him the authority to raise Lazarus from the dead. Yet, the Lord was moved to tears by the shared grief of his friends. Jesus was troubled in spirit, even though He could see beyond the grief. He knew how this story would end, and yet, Jesus stopped to grieve with His people. Of all the passages of Scripture written about my Lord, this particular account brings me great personal comfort. It puts a real face on a real Savior. Our Lord understands what it means to be grieved and troubled in spirit. He cries with the brokenhearted and troubled ones. Only He can dry our tears and give us His direction for a future with hope. Offer yourself today to the One who personally understands what it means to grieve. Jesus cries with us as we cry out in love for one another, even as He knows how this story will end. We are so not alone.

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 30, 2008

When He asks you to come, will you?

Today’s Reading: John 11:28-29 (NIV)

28 And after she had said this, Martha went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 29 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to Him.

Good morning!

I witnessed a living miracle on Monday afternoon during the 2008 United Methodist General Conference in Fort Worth, Texas. Twenty-three children from Uganda’s Hope for Africa Children’s Choir walked onto center stage and began to sing, as the Holy Spirit enveloped the entire arena. Big smiles on little faces expressed thanksgiving to the Lord Jesus Christ through worship in song. They came specifically to share the Gospel message with all who gathered here. The people of the United Methodist Church rejoice with these precious children, who receive hope and help each day through the ministries of Humble School. The Humble United Methodist School in Mukono became a reality through the visioning spearheaded by Bishop Michael Watson and the people of the South Georgia Regional Conference. Partnering with the East Africa Conference and the Ugandan church, the South Georgia conference, along with United Methodists from Virginia, Kentucky and Pennsylvania and the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, purchased land for the building of Humble School in 2001. The school opened its doors in 2004 to serve the children of this war-ravaged country and for those who had lost parents to HIV/AIDS. Here, the Hope for Africa Children’s Choir and Academy was birthed. The children’s choir will remain in the United States through July of 2008, as they offer their gift of music ministry. To learn more about the Hope for Africa Children’s Choir, please send your e-mail inquiry to infor@hopeforafricachildrenschoir.org.

There is a future with hope for the children of the world, and it all begins when one person takes a God-given vision and pursues it with passion. The Lord calls each of us to help the children of the world. When we link our hearts and hands together the vine begins to grow, and it stretches to places like Mukuno, where children are fed, sheltered and loved. They receive an education with an opportunity of one day becoming future leaders in the communities where they live. At Humble School, the children experience the love of Christ each day. His love is the love than transforms us all.

Martha went to Mary and said, “The teacher is here, and is asking for you.” Mary got up quickly and went to the Lord. When Jesus calls you to act, are you quick to respond? Together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of these children. Come and find out how you can be part of this life-giving mission and ministry. We look forward to meeting you this weekend at Faith Church!

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, April 28, 2008

There is no space quite like Hope's place

Today’s Reading: John 11:27 (TNIV)

27 “Yes Lord,” [Martha told Jesus], “I believe that You are the Messiah, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”

Good morning!

When I arrived at the 2008 United Methodist Church General Conference in Fort Worth, Texas USA, I had no doubt where the Lord would have me invest my time and energy. I’ve been spending it in the prayer labyrinth located in the Exhibit Hall at the Fort Worth Convention Center. For months now, I have been preparing for this moment in time. My faith has been strengthened in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit as I walk the labyrinth each day. I find hope here.

This prayer labyrinth is constructed in the design of that found in the Chartres Cathedral near Paris, France. It is an eleven-circuit design divided into four quadrants. There are three parts in experiencing a prayer labyrinth: releasing (praise and confession), illumination (listening and receiving), and returning (home to Christ). There is only one way into the labyrinth and only one way out, which I find extremely meaningful in understanding the redemptive work of our Savior. The walk takes a pilgrim through many narrow paths, filled with many twists and turns, leading to the center. As we weave our way along the path, it is symbolic of one’s spiritual journey to the cross. I find great peace in praying the Scripture as I walk around each narrow turn. Because I am seeking His Word and will for my life and for the life of the church I love, my thoughts and words become insignificant; while His Word is all I long for. There is hope here; of this I am certain.

Around the perimeter of the prayer Labyrinth are eleven distinct stations, each display evoking a particular message of God’s grace and beauty. One of the prayer stations contains a tree, whose leaves bear the names of every annual conference around the world. It is a reminder of how we are united through Christ to be His body in the world today. Another display contains a beautiful depiction of the river of life, intertwined from many colorful fabrics. I can hear the river running as I sit on its bank to pray. There is no space quite like hope’s place.

When Jesus asked Martha what she believed, she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” As we journey together through life, it is my humble prayer that you find yourself on the path that leads to the cross. It is at the cross we find forgiveness for the sins we have committed, restoration of body, mind and spirit, and His peace that passes all human understanding. Place your hope today in the giver of new life. He is waiting for you to take your journey to the cross. Won’t you join me on a prayer walk today?

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.