Saturday, May 24, 2008

Spread the Word!

Today’s Reading: John 12:17-19(NIV)

17 Now the crowd that was with [Jesus] when He called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the Word. Many people, because they had heard that He had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet Him. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after Him!”

Good morning!

Every day, I take a tour of the world and national news online. In this day of advanced technology, we find instantaneous accessibility to breaking news virtually at our fingertips. We can flip on the television set and hear what is happening being broadcast all over the world. A few short keystrokes, and I am transported half to places I have never been. Spreading the Word has taken on a whole new meaning for humanity today.

I’m concerned for the people of Myanmar, who desperately need humanitarian assistance for survival. I grieve with the people of China. The death toll continues to rise following the devastating earthquake that claimed thousands; people continue to search for family members and friends. I cannot wrap my mind around the tragedies that continue to occur around the world today. Here in the United States, I’ve mourned the losses of singer/songwriter Dottie Rambo and five-year-old Maria Chapman. Their families have nourished my spiritual growth for years by their beautiful songs of prayer and praise. We hold a deep compassion for each other, understanding what it feels like to grieve the loss of the ones we love.

In my hometown of St. Louis, Missouri, firefighters successfully rescued a mother and her children from a burning home this week. We rejoice that this family was saved from the fire. It takes great courage to enter into a burning building to save the life of another. There are a lot of courageous people in our world who place themselves in harms way every day just to save the life of another human being. Isn’t it amazing how quickly the Word is spread?

The people had heard about the healer from Nazareth, and Lazarus, who had been raised from the dead. They wanted to see the one who received new life, and the Lord who gives new life to all who choose to receive and believe. Folks were coming from everywhere just to meet and greet the Master, to hear Him speak, and see His holy face. There were no computers, newspapers, or satellite dishes to carry the Good News of the Gospel; yet people were hearing the story, leaving their homes and seeking out the Savior. Good news travels fast! Today, we can spread the Word of a Savior who knows our pain, shares our griefs, and carries our sorrows. He took stripes for our healing, bruises for our sin, and by His perfect sacrifice of love, we can receive new life in Him. This is the message of hope that we need to share, especially in times of great turmoil and grief. Jesus Christ is alive and He longs to save you today! Spread the 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.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Life questions

Today’s Reading: John 12:16(NIV)

16 At first His disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about Him and that they had done these things to Him.

Good morning!

I’m taking a Bible prophecy class this month at Faith Church. I find it truly miraculous to see how God’s Word fits perfectly together throughout all the generations. It is kind of like piecing a quilt together, weaving the various textures, colors and hues into one large blanket. Every stitch links us together with our past, present and future. I cannot help but be impressed with the Alpha and Omega; He is the first and the last, the beginning and end. How do prophets know about the things that will happen hundreds to thousands of years after them? Only the Father has the power to reveal His plan and purpose for our lives in such a magnificent way. I wonder if we realize the full impact our words will have on the lives of others today?

Hindsight is sometimes clearer to me than foresight. Looking back, I can see more about what my parents tried to teach me when I was a child. It has taken years for me to begin to understand the bigger picture. I imagine I will continue to absorb even more, as I grow in years of wisdom and grace. Do I always understand what I say or think? Is there an even deeper meaning to the thoughts we convey each day? Will it mean something to someone else a thousand years from now? If we believe we are a vital part of the Father’s master quilt, will His holy Word be fulfilled in our own lives, at this specific time and place?

The disciples were really confused. They did not understand the life events happening around them. It took Christ’s death and resurrection for the disciples to truly see that the things written long ago had come to pass before their very eyes. He continues to reveal Himself to you and me. We may not always understand what is happening, but we can trust, without a doubt, that His plan is worth pursuing with passion. Faithfulness comes as we experience the faith maker up close and personal. He holds the answer to our soul’s deepest longing. The Father gives us His Word to cling to. It may only be after we’ve experienced total transformation into new and eternal life, that we will truly understand what we see happening around us today.

Got questions? Jesus Christ is the answer you’ve been searching for.

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, May 21, 2008

The parade of a lifetime

Today’s Reading: John 12:12-15(NIV)

12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the King of Israel!” 14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written, 15 “Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your King is coming, seating on a donkey’s colt.”

Good morning!

I enjoy attending community parades. The town of Salem, Missouri offers one of the best Fourth of July parades I’ve ever been to. Everyone grabs their lawn chairs and blankets, lining the downtown streets while listening for the sounds of the Salem Marching Band drums in the distance. One does not have to worry about missing the beginning or ending of the parade. The fire trucks and police car sirens can be heard for miles as they lead the procession down Main Street. Many churches and civic organizations work for months on their parade float entries. Some of the offerings are absolutely stunning. It is easy to see the time and effort that was invested in creating the perfect float for this parade. How the children love those clowns! They ride along the sidewalks on bicycles and in wagons, throwing candy into the crowd and making funny faces. You can hear the laughter and see the smiling faces of people everywhere. After the parade, one can hear music coming from the courthouse square, and smell the barbecued beef and chicken wafting through the air. Bright balloons of red, white and blue and American flags dance in the summer breeze. The historical society offers tours of its history museum. After the tour, you can sit a spell under the massive oak trees, enjoying a glass of fresh-squeezed lemonade. There is nothing that compares to the hometown parade. In the evening at the park, fireworks fill the night sky with amazing color. It is a reminder of our past, present and future. Families sit and lay on blankets under the stars, looking for the first firework to launch. Until then, we remain content, enjoying the company of family and friends. We revel at the sight of the lightning bugs with their built-in flashlights blinking at us from the air, spending time waiting the coming of the main event.

It was a hometown parade in Jerusalem that day, and all the people were abuzz with delight. The children were seated on their father’s shoulders, as they looked down the path for the Savior to walk by. You could hear the palm branches flapping in the breeze and the beginning of the chant, “Hosanna,” as Jesus appeared on the back of a colt. There were smiles and tears of joy everywhere. People were excited to see the man from Galilee. Some even said, “Blessed is the King of Israel!” It was a parade one could never forget. Jesus Christ is our main event and when He arrives, everyone looks up. Things change forever in the Master’s holy presence. There will be another parade, and it is coming soon, capturing human hearts all over the world. We await the Master’s imminent arrival. We strain our ears to listen for the sound of the trumpet and look up to see the white horse riding across the sky. It will be a parade we will never forget. Are you ready for the parade of a lifetime to begin?

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, May 20, 2008

Curious ones

Today’s Reading: John 12:9-11(NIV)

9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of Him but also to see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in Him.

Good morning!

I was eighteen years old the day Elvis died. Do you remember where you were when you heard the sad news? Jeff and I were driving in the car listening to the radio, when the news of Elvis’ death came across the radio waves. It was hard to accept that the man affectionately known by many as the king of rock and roll was gone. People from all over the country poured into the town of Memphis and lined the streets surrounding Elvis’ home at Graceland. Many came to pay tribute to this singer, songwriter and actor, who had changed the face of rock and roll music forever. Many came to grieve. Through the years, Elvis not only gave away his gift of song and his financial fortune. He regularly bought cars for people and gave money away to those in need. The sad tragedy surrounding Elvis’ death pricked America’s conscience, and people came from everywhere to share their stories and grief all together in one place. Jeff and I made the pilgrimage to Graceland that year. It had been almost three months since his death; yet, when we arrived, we stood in line with hundreds of others, waiting patiently to pay our respects. I’ll never forget the faces of the ones who came to see the home where Elvis lived and died.

Curious people were compelled to travel to the village of Bethany. They had heard Jesus was there, visiting Lazarus, the one whom He had raised from the dead. The Holy Spirit was at work behind the scenes, causing a stir among the Jews. Many had questions; they wondered if this Jesus was truly the promised Messiah. Some carried a deep conviction, believing that seeing these men would perfect their limited vision. The public’ interest placed a burr in the bonnets of the chief priests. Tossing aside their revered Jewish laws, they plotted to kill not just one but two men, for fear that the crowds would begin to believe in this Jesus and the Gospel message He preached.

If you had an opportunity to meet the One who raises the dead to new life, would you leave the creature comforts of home behind and go see for yourself? We have a Savior to share with the world. He is here, right now. How far would you travel to meet the Lord Jesus Christ 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.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Blinking hearts


Today’s Reading: John 12:7-8(NIV)

7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. It was intended, that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

Good afternoon!

Four year old Emily hopped up on my lap and emphatically stated, “Nanny!” “I have a heart here,” pointing to her chest, “and a heart here,” pointing to her throat, “and it is blinking at me!” I looked up at my daughter for a translation of what I just heard. Rachel said, “Emily has a heart that blinks and she is very aware of it when she feels the pulse in her throat.” I laughed out loud, but Emily didn’t see it as any laughing matter. She was quite serious, in fact. I asked Emily if everyone has a blinking heart, and she replied in an exasperated tone, “Of course do they do, Nanny!”

I imagine Emily’s tone of voice was much like that of Jesus, when Judas saw no good reason for Mary to waste a pint of pure nard on the Master’s feet. He saw it only from a financial perspective. They could have sold the cologne for a whole year’s wages and given it to the poor. How could she frivolously waste it? Jesus saw Mary’s blinking heart and understood her intent and motivation. This was the reason He came – to save the blinking hearts of the world.

I cannot imagine a world without the love of Jesus in it. My heart would have nothing to blink for if I did not know the master pacemaker. Sometimes we have a hard time seeing all the blinking going on around us. We get preoccupied with the things that we deem so important that we somehow miss out on the beauty of our own pulse. It is the heartbeat of the world. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

If you are reading these words right now, lift your hand to your neck and feel the pulse point. Is your heart blinking today? Do you know the master creator? He loves you. He gave you this pulse and a life and an opportunity to love and serve Him. As we move through this day, may we be mindful of all the blinking hearts in the world. Who will be Jesus to them?

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.