Saturday, June 14, 2008

Guiding light

Today’s Reading: John 12:44-46(NIV)

44 The Jesus cried out, “When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the One who sent me. 45 When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

Good morning!

Last night, one solitary flame of hope and hundreds of brightly shining luminary candles lit the way for the 2008 American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. I walked alongside my mother, a breast cancer survivor, and my daughter, a cervical cancer survivor, around the track at Fox High School in Arnold, Missouri. People lined the perimeter of the race track and applauded for the cancer survivors. We couldn’t help but remember the ones who died and now walk silently with us in our hearts and minds. I thought about Pastor Jim and how his faith walk made an impact on so many people in Missouri. Every luminary represents a human heart struggling with a disease that is no respecter of age. There were children walking the track, riding in wheelchairs, and some who were carried in the arms of their parents. It is no secret they are fighting for their lives. One family waited by the edge of the track with teddy bears, and as the children walked by, they were given a new furry friend to love. Tears of sadness and joy dripped from faces in the crowd. I did not know their names, but I recognized them by their love. This experience was a rare and holy moment, and a precious memory I will cherish for the rest of my days.

Can you imagine seeing holy hearts on fire as they heard the words of Jesus that day in Jerusalem? They must have burned like tiny luminary candles, when they realized they were seeing God Almighty in the flesh. Jesus is the light of the world, and when we see the light for what it is, we see the Father of light. It is His light that makes our pathway clear. It is His light that draws us together in love. We can make the journey together without fear, knowing the light of life is leading the way. As I walked around the high school track last night, I wondered if I was getting a tiny taste of the agape love I will one day experience as I walk with my Savior along the golden streets of heaven.

Cancer is one of the dirtiest words I know. I hate what this disease does to people’s lives. I long to see it cured once and for all, and I will continue to walk the path for a cure and I will work to raise much needed research dollars for the day when this insidious disease will be a thing of the past. Isn’t it good to know that we have a Savior who does not leave us alone in the dark? Jesus walks with us, instilling hope for healing, purpose for each new day, and His promise of new life in His holy presence forever. If you are facing cancer today, you do not have to do this alone. Ask Jesus Christ to be your guiding light.

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, June 13, 2008

Loving you more

Today’s Reading: John 12:42-43(NIV)

42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in Him. But because of the Pharisees, they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

Good morning!

One of my mother’s favorite sayings is, “If you can’t say anything nice about someone, just don’t say anything at all.” Her words motivated me to look for something good in every person I know. A genuine and heartfelt compliment is far-reaching and can turn an unhappy attitude into a joy-filled moment. People appreciate recognition for their work and sacrifice. It’s nice to know you are loved.

Yet, there are times when we take human praise to the extreme. With each passing day, I become acutely aware that there is only One worth pleasing. It will not matter what my family or friends think of me when I stand before the Lord on judgment day. God sees my heart; He hears the words I speak, and the motivation behind them. He not only observes what I do each day – He knows what I don’t do. He has a handle on whether I am acting selflessly or out of pure selfishness. He knows whether my motivation is sincere or fake. God knows whether I’m seeking to praise and glorify Him, or whether I am seeking to receive praise from others, thereby glorifying myself. Have you ever asked God in prayer to reveal what He sees in you to your heart?

I have learned when I cannot sleep, there is a spiritual reason why. Most often, God calls me out of slumber to pray for someone whom I may or may not know. I’m learning to how to pray the prayers He would have me pray when I feel that Holy Spirit nudge. Last night was one of those long nights of the soul. I have been grieving over the floods and tornadoes in the Midwest; for the Boy Scouts and their families who lost their lives while attending camp this week. Downtown Cedar Rapids is under water today and more rain is expected. Peoples’ livelihoods are literally being washed away as homes and businesses are destroyed. The agony experienced in the Midwest is just a minute part of the terrors reaching around our world today. The earth is shifting gears; the seasons are changing rapidly. Can you see the changes occurring where you live?

There were a lot of people who believed in Christ’s salvation message. They heard Him, saw His work, and were convinced. But because they were afraid to speak the truth in love, they chose to keep silent so to retain the respect of their community of faith. Have you ever stopped short of sharing your faith for fear of judgment by others?

Father, help us live what we believe. Teach us how to love you more than we love ourselves. Help us forego our desire for human praise. The only heart we long to please is yours. Help us find ways to care for those who have lost so much in the storms of life, especially those who have lost all hope. If we are willing to endure the scrutiny of human judgment, we can truly become your hands and feet in a world that desperately longs for Your mercy today. In Jesus’ name I pray, 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.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Healing hearts

Today’s Reading: John 12:39-40(NIV)

39 For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere: 40 “He has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes nor understand with their hearts, nor turn – and I would heal them.”

Isaiah 6:9-10(NIV)

9 He said, “Go and tell the people: “’Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing but never perceiving. 10 Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.’”

Good morning!

What goes together like peanut butter and jelly on a slice of fresh-baked bread? Children and scrapes on the hard playground asphalt. Children, concrete and scrapes seem to go hand-in-hand. Our home was situated on a circle drive. We were at the end of a dead-end street, and this became a perfect place to play outside with my friends. It was a quiet neighborhood, secluded from the rest of the busy world. Every afternoon, the circle would erupt with activity as we played hopscotch, kickball and tag outside. A large weeping willow tree grew tall in the center of that turnabout, providing a shady respite on a warm summer’s day. We had our very own secret playhouse underneath those long, dangling branches. Inevitably, one of us would slip and fall while running across the pavement. My mother kept the Bactine®, a bag of cotton balls and Band-Aids® handy. She was always outside, tending to someone’s scraped knee or elbow.

I’ve had a few scrapes in life. In fact, I wear many of these scars today. I don’t think a day went by when I didn’t pick up a new bruise or cut playing outside. The scabs on my knees and elbows never really got a chance to fully heal. I would invariably fall and scrape up my arms and legs in the exact same place I did the day before. Some of those scars have become calloused over the years, where the skin is leathery and taut from over exposure, wear and tear. Do your scars bring back memories of days gone by?

God whispered in Isaiah’s ear approximately seven hundred years before Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem. He said to Isaiah, Go and tell the people that their calloused and hard hearts are getting in the way of seeing and hearing my message of salvation. They bear the deep scars of sin and shame, of disobedience and rebellion. Yet, even when they see me, they do not understand; they hear me, but cannot perceive my Word. If they would just stop and turn around, I would heal their scarred and calloused hearts once and for all. Isaiah knew the Savior was coming. He had the Father’s Word on it.

Is your broken heart so calloused today that you cannot hear the voice of God whispering in your ear, “I love you, dear child. If you let me, I will heal your scars once and for all. Turn around; come home.”

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, June 11, 2008

The arm of God

Today’s Reading: John 12:37-38(NIV)

37 Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in Him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: “Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

Good morning!

Do you ever wonder what God’s arm might look like?

I’m learning a great deal in the World Religions cluster I am taking this quarter. There are many fascinating religious traditions to explore; yet, it is the non-religious traditions that totally have me puzzled. One such belief system teaches that every facet of life can and should be proven with tangible, physical evidence. Therefore, if the existence of a holy God cannot be proven with pure fact, then it raises enough doubt in the minds of some human beings to question whether God exists at all. “I don’t know; therefore, it is not possible” is a philosophy embraced by many highly intelligent, well-educated people. There seems to be a clear disconnect between faith and reason. This is not a new way of thinking. According to Isaiah, this mindset has existed for thousands of years.

On the other hand, I cannot imagine my life without the love of God in it, especially given the world I live in today. I see walking, talking miracles all around me. Every morning when I awake, I realize I’ve been given a brand new day to enjoy. I see His beauty in nature and I know the arm of God alive and well in the world. I experience God’s love through my children and grandchildren. They are proof positive of His amazing grace.

Isaiah said, “Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” Jesus, Almighty God in human flesh, reveals the arm of God in every aspect of His earthly life. People witnessed unimaginable physical and emotional healing; they saw dead people raised to life again. They heard His teaching, and observed the impact He made upon the lives of family members and friends; yet, many walked away unconvinced, refusing to believe.

It is His holy connection that draws us together in love. We extend the arm of God when we choose to make a lasting difference in the life of another human heart. We build homes for the homeless, feed hungry children and provide medical care for the sick and infirm. Can you imagine what the arms of Jesus Christ must have looked like as He stretched them out on a crossbeam of splintered wood? Jesus surrendered His earthly life to offer new life for a sin-sick humanity. When Jesus conquered sin and death, His earthly body was “high, and lifted up,” nailed to a Roman cross of shame. It was at that moment when the arm of God literally embraced the world.

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, June 10, 2008

There's no place like home

Today’s Reading: John 12:35-36(NIV)

35 Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. 36 Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light. When He had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

Good morning!

In the movie, The Wizard of Oz, young Dorothy is longing for home. Clicking the heels of her ruby red slippers, with fingers crossed and eyes closed, every heart string understood her need as she cried, “There’s no place like home; there’s no place like home.” Last night, Jeff and I returned home from the Missouri Area Conference of the United Methodist Church, an annual meeting that I look forward to every year. It is great catching up to friends in ministry across the state, hearing the wonderful testimonies of new life extending within Missouri United Methodism, and taking some time away from our churches to learn and grow, and encourage one another as we step forward in faith. I had a wonderful time, and yet, this morning, as I write, I share the sentiment of my young friend Dorothy – There is no place like home.

If you’ve ever stayed away from home for a conference or vacation, you know what it is like to try to get a good night’s rest in a strange place. We stayed in a hotel that had all the amenities of home - a full kitchen, sitting room, and a great big bed to sleep in. It was very similar to being at home, but it wasn’t home. There were unfamiliar noises in the dark – I found it difficult to move from one room to the other without a flashlight to guide my steps. And when the thunderstorms came late at night, it became very hard to sleep.

Jesus knew He was heading home soon. The light of life would soon be extinguished and the darkness would fall upon the people He loves. Jesus knew they would soon be longing for some sense of familiarity, yet they would find themselves feeling their way in the darkness. It would not always be a comfortable existence, in the places where they lived. There would be times when Christ’s followers would yearn for His light, but it would be hard to see, Jesus knew what was coming and He did His best to prepare them for the dark, when they would yearn for His light to return and the promise of a new day fulfilled. He knew how they would long to go home.

Jesus said, “Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light. It is His light that illuminates our hearts! When we have His light to guide us, we can rest assured that even when we move into not so familiar surroundings, the light of Christ is with us, guarding and guiding the way. Your surroundings may not be very comfortable right now. You may be feeling a little bit homesick today. I have good news for you! The light of Christ is with us, and if we choose to trust Him completely, His light will become our light and it will illuminate The Way home.

There is no place like home, when your home is with 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.