Friday, May 30, 2008

New do

Today’s Reading: Psalm 139:14(NIV)

14 I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Good morning!

Yesterday, our youngest grandson, Andrew, celebrated his first birthday with a “new do.” Mom finally broke down and got his hair cut. The smile on Andrew’s face pretty much says it all. You rarely see this boy in a foul mood. He is happy every day, quiet and content just to be watching the world around him. Andrew is an observer. He is strong and capable, and nothing gets past his watchful eyes.

That same look of contentment and pure joy was apparent on Andrew’s face from the moment he was born. Once he took his first breath of air and his little eyes adjusted to the bright lights outside the womb, Andrew began to grin and rest happily in his parents’ arms. His transition from womb to world was smooth, even though Mom had quite the road to recovery afterward. Parents sacrifice many things so their children can grow into adulthood. They give of themselves to meet the needs of their young. The love of family is a priceless gift.


Our Father’s love is clearly seen on the face of every child. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. His handiwork is wonderful, and we know that full well. Our Father gave His only Son so that we could one day be birthed from this world into eternity with Him. We are traveling toward our new do, knowing that the heavenly Father is waiting there to welcome us home. One day, we will experience His peace that passes all human understanding in the arms of our risen Lord and Savior. The gift of new life is a gift of immeasurable worth. Do you know Jesus? Are you ready to receive a new do?

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 29, 2008

Hidden treasure, fine pearls and crab legs

Today’s Reading: Matthew 13:44-45(NIV)

[Jesus said,] 44 “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

Good morning!

Jeff and I celebrated our thirty-first wedding anniversary together at one of our favorite local restaurants in St. Charles last night. I ordered one of my favorite dishes: crab legs. If you’ve ever eaten crab legs, you will understand the amount of work one goes to just to get at that priceless piece of meat on the inside of the hardened shell. I confessed to our waitress that I was not very good with cracking crab leg shells, and asked that she bring me a bib and some sort of armored protection for my husband, who was sitting within firing range.

Now, my sister is the best crab leg cracker I know. She can crack a crab leg, pull out the meat and consume the delicacy within seconds. Pam is a real pro at this. How I longed to have her sitting next to me last night, giving me a few pointers. It was not pretty and she would have laughed herself silly just watching me work. Jeff is not a seafood connoisseur and had long finished his steak dinner before I finished my meal. He had to suffer through watching me whack away at those crab legs. I took a break once so that I could wash my hands. One has to work hard to get to the good stuff underneath the hardened shell.

My friend Jesus joined us for dinner last night. He is always there just when I need Him the most. A trained fisherman, I’m sure He got a kick out of watching me struggle with those crab legs. I could hear Him whispering in my ear while I worked to get to the good stuff. Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven is the most valuable acquisition we will ever receive. It is more precious than gold, more valuable than all the riches of this world; a priceless treasure worth pursuing above all. Like the merchant who sold everything he had, simply to acquire that pearl of great price, the kingdom of heaven is worth pursuing with everything you’ve got. When the man found the hidden treasure in a field, he sold everything he had to buy the field. Tasting that crab meat was worth persevering for, just like experiencing God's best for my life today, and for the eternity He has planned for me in glory.

Do not hesitate to share your faith in Jesus with others, especially when seems hard to do. You may be fighting with some tough exteriors, trying to break through the hardened shells of complacency, selfishness, and disbelief. The treasure of heaven is a gift that has eternal value. Jesus does not want anyone to miss out on the feast He is preparing for all who will believe on Him. Do not give up when the walls seem insurmountable. Work hard to share the good news with everyone around you. The sweet taste of an eternity in Jesus’ holy presence will make your every effort worthwhile.

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 28, 2008

Sure foundation

Today’s Reading: John 12:25-26(NIV)

[Jesus said,] 25 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My father will honor the one who serves me.

Good morning!

Love and hate are strong words, evoking pure emotion from deep within the heart. What does it mean to truly love others? How did humanity learn to hate so well? Do we love our lives so much that we cannot seem to see the ones who are suffering? How much of yourself would you be willing to give away if you could help another human heart survive and thrive?

Love and hate are demonstrated within our homes. We understand what it is to love and hate by the way we choose to live out our days with grandparents, parents, siblings, spouses, children and grandchildren. Many homes are filled with angst and anger. Parents are mean-spirited with their children. Children show no respect for parents. Yet, there are other homes where love is its sure foundation. Siblings learn how to show kindness to each other because Moms and Dads care more about the other's needs than our own. How do your actions and words demonstrate love and/or hate to your family?

The created ones longed for a deep and abiding relationship with their Creator. He is holy and perfect, full of knowledge and wisdom and truth. Humanity was far from perfect. They let their self-perceptions and deep-seated emotions rule their hearts and minds. They learned to fear each other, becoming self-absorbed. In seeking personal happiness, they stopped caring about whom they may have to step on in order to take a step up. Their sins kept them from understanding a Holy Father, who gives life to all. It was the Son’s perfect love for the Father’s world that sent Him to earth in human flesh, to demonstrate the vast differences between perfect love and pervasive hate. He came to show the world a love like no other.

Jesus’ life emulates the perfect love of a perfect Father, who longs for His children to be made perfectly whole in Him. Christ offers healing to all who long to love completely. He promises a place where hate will one day be cast away into an eternal lake of fire; a perfect home where love will reign supreme over all. Jesus came to rescue the Father’s beloved world. He did this to honor His Father, the Lord and giver of life. The Father honors those who honor His Son. Because of Christ’s great sacrifice, we can begin to understand why perfect love must become our sure foundation for daily living.

If you’ve experienced Christ-like love, one cannot help but set aside the trappings and promises of this world and follow the life-giver toward perfected love in Him. Would you be willing to give up the comfort and security of this life as you know it, if it meant you would live in perfect love with Christ for all eternity?

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 27, 2008

Perfect love

Today’s Reading: John 12:23-25(NIV)

23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

Good morning!

After one sleepless night listening to the hail and high winds and torrential rain beating down on the parsonage roof, I awoke early and went outside to see if the plants I had just installed into the soil had survived the storm. To my delight, they were still there, even after the rains came. How do you survive the dark night of the soul, when the storms of life are raging?

I spent some time yesterday thinking about all of the families who lost their homes and businesses to tornadoes devastating many parts of the US Midwest region. I wondered about the 70,000 people lost in China’s earthquake, and those who are experiencing dire need for food and clean water in Myanmar. I prayed for the many men and women serving in our armed forces, defending our nation’s freedom and preserving the dignity of those who do not yet have the resources to defend themselves. Humanity’s need is great, no matter where we look today.

I remembered the millions who have gone on before us; those who paid the ultimate price for our country’s freedom. I couldn’t help but think about the war my father fought in. Two of my uncles were taken as prisoners of war during World War II and during the Korean conflict. One of them survived his personal terror and lived a long and happy life. My other uncle died young, suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome and mental illness after his return home from the war. I thought about his children; how they grew up without a father’s love to comfort and guide them.

The circle of life continues to perpetuate itself. I am experiencing the love of my third generation through the eyes of my own grandchildren. My father died twelve years ago. He never met his great grandchildren. Still, I can see him in the mirrored reflection of their young lives. He was just one man, with a wife and two daughters. Those daughters blessed him with four beautiful grandchildren to love, and now there are five great grandchildren to walk the path he forged for them.

Jesus understood humanity’s need for a perfect sacrifice through death and resurrection. He said that a kernel of wheat must die and fall to the ground before a new crop can arise from its ashes. If it lives on, it remains a single seed. In death, it produces a harvest crop of many. The disciples did not want to lose the Lord they loved – they were certainly not ready to let Jesus go. He knew it could only be through His ultimate sacrifice, that Christ would offer new life to the millions who would be have otherwise perished in their sin.

We celebrate our many memories, cherishing our loved ones who have gone on before us, and thanking them for the perpetuation of new life even in the midst of personal sacrifice. We thank the Lord Jesus Christ for His willingness to die for our sin, so that we may forever live in the light of His perfect love. It is this gift we cherish especially today, as we encounter the rolling storms clouds overhead.

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, May 26, 2008

Would you like to see Jesus?


Today’s Reading: John 12:20-22(NIV)

20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.

Good morning!

We have been blessed this weekend to spend time with family and friends, celebrating the birthdays of our great niece Samantha and youngest grandson, Andrew. How quickly this year has passed. I remember our last Memorial Day weekend, awaiting Andrew’s imminent arrival and swimming in a very chilly swimming pool on a warm spring day. A lot has happened in the last year. It is good to spend time together again.

Everyone looks forward to the Memorial holiday weekend for lots of reasons. Families gather together around a barbecue grill or at a park; some travel to visit friends who live far away. Many attend worship services and ceremonies commemorating the holiday with remembrance and gratitude for the sacrifices made to keep our country free. Families share the grief of loved ones lost in the war, or who have passed on to life eternal. Some people take this time to simply kick up their heels and rest.

The Greeks came to the Feast to worship. We may assume these folks were converts to the Jewish faith. They went to Philip first with a very special request. “Sir,” they said, “We would like to see Jesus.” The festivities drew folks from far and wide, and many came to see the man whom they believe was the long-awaited Messiah, the Son of God.

In the midst of your holiday celebration, are looking for Jesus? He is here today, holding the grieving military widow in His arms. He comforts those who have lost loved ones in the war. He rejoices with the wee ones as they celebrate the end of the school year and the beginning of summer. He grieves with those who have lost homes and livelihoods that have been destroyed this weekend in flooding, fires, and tornadoes. Are you looking for Jesus today? He is as close to you as a whispered prayer. Simply ask Him to reveal Himself to you. Just say, “Lord Jesus, I’d like to see you 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.