A blessing from above

Today’s Reading: John 14:20 (NIV)

[Jesus said], “On that day, you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.”

Good morning!

When I left home at the age of eighteen years, took a husband and moved to Texas, there were several significant people in my life whom I missed more than I can say. One of them was my piano teacher. I know that may sound a little strange to all of you, yet, I had spent years studying with Mrs. McClain each week. I trusted her direction and instruction, and she became a very important person in my life. Even when her voice was no longer physically present, I remembered her words of advice, encouragement and love. I knew no matter where I went, that I was carrying a very special part of her with me. Mrs. McClain was an awesome piano teacher, and I know that when I play the piano at church, I indirectly share a piece of who she is with every listener there. This became a double blessing, being young and seven hundred miles away from my family and friends. I knew I would not study with her again. Yet, to this day, I think of Mrs. McClain with a grateful heart every time I sit down and play the piano.

A dear friend made an uncanny observation this week, as we spoke on the telephone. He said, “When I read your writing, I notice that you often talk about the Holy Spirit being present everywhere you go. Do you think that maybe the reason the Holy Spirit is present everywhere you go is because He lives in your heart?” I laughed out loud! Of course, the Holy Spirit lives in me! The love of Christ surrounds me each day, in grace and mercy. The Spirit prompts me to share Jesus with others. Still, I had not realized the depth of how the Spirit reveals Himself. No matter where I find myself, there He is, right in middle of life. This is a true blessing from above to all who believe. Isn’t that awesome!

Close your eyes for a moment and imagine what it must have been like to have walked with the Lord Jesus Christ along the dirt roads in Galilee. You are His beloved disciple and He is coaching you in matters of faith. Think about His Word to you today, “One day [insert your name here], you will finally understand that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.”

I look toward that glorious day when I fully understand the power of Christ’s Word in this Scripture verse. One day, I will realize that Jesus in the Father and the Father is in Him, and He lives in me. What a great way to begin a whole new day, an awesome weekend, and a wonderful new life. Be especially blessed by these words flowing out from the heart of God just to you.

Today, I’m expecting a very special delivery: a piano to play at the parsonage! Thanks be to God!

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.

The total picture

Today’s Reading: John 14:19 (NIV)

[Jesus said], “Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.”

Good morning!

What a great morning this is! August 8, 2008 (8.8.08) – this is the dawn of a brand new beginning! The month of August is filled with grand expectation. In the United States, children, youth and many adults leave summer vacation behind and prepare to return to school. I remember lying in bed the night before the first day of school with butterflies in my stomach, unable to sleep, so nervous about where I would go and if I could find my home room before the tardy bell rang. I wondered who I might meet, and whether I would like my teacher. Earlier this week, I took a walk across the campus of Lindenwood University with some my friends, four of whom I’ve known for quite awhile, and with others whom I had just met. Nestled right in the heart of St. Charles, Missouri, Lindenwood University is such a beautiful campus. There are lots of changes going on here. Between the new road way, expanded parking, new dorms and a new fine arts building which will all be open this semester, I realized with some sadness that this would be my last full year at the University as a student. I’ve grown to love this school, and I couldn’t help but wonder what this brand new year will hold. All of us are turning an important corner, not only in world history but in our own lives. Will your footsteps mark the places where you’ve walked? Where will this new beginning take you?

Jesus Christ is the most forward-thinking brother I know! The prophets of old were given glimpses of the future; the judges begged folks to obey the law, trusting it would carry them into the future with hope, and generations waited with anticipation for the coming of that hope – the promised One of God. My Jesus understands the past, present and future completely. He understands it because He is there from beginning to end. Christ didn’t just see mere glimpses - He is our total picture! Jesus came in human flesh at the request of His Father, so that all people would come to know and fall deeply in love with our eternal life-giver. Jesus came to put a face with a name, Jehovah-Jireh, Yahweh, Elohim, Emmanuel. He is the One we look forward to seeing with great anticipation.

How exciting and bewildering it must have been that night, as the disciples listened to their Master say, “Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.” This is a brand new day. The sun is coming up just over the tree line in my subdivision and I can hear the birds singing songs of praise in my back yard. Who are you looking forward to meeting this morning? Are you excited about the days just ahead? Come and join me this morning, as we celebrate this new beginning together. We do not have to understand every aspect of the future - we only need to know the One who is our future. Have faith! His Word is true, you can count on it! We will see Him again. Are you ready?

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.

There are no orphans in God's house

Today’s Reading: John 14:18 (NIV)

[Jesus said], “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”

Good morning!

I have a difficult time choosing my favorite Scripture passage because there are so many verses that continually speak to my heart. Yet, I would have to say that this one verse, John 14:18, is one of my all-time favorites. I didn’t live in the state orphanage all that long. I don’t really have a memory of what it was like there. I have a few black and white pictures, but they don’t reveal much about what it would have been like to have grown up in an orphanage. I have met some folks along the way who were reared in state facilities, whose parents couldn’t keep them for numerous reasons. Some folks were taken into state custody when their mothers and fathers broke the law and went to jail. Others simply couldn’t afford to feed them. Having raised three children, I have some understanding of the costs involved. In 2008, it is an astronomical expense to raise even one child from infancy to adulthood. If you feed, clothe and educate one child, sending him/her through college, parents should expect to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars according to recent cost of living statistics. I want you to know that my three children have made me a millionaire! They are priceless to me and were worth every penny I spent. What a gift it is to have a family to love.

My mother used to tell me that I was special, because she hand-picked me from all the other babies in the orphanage. Yes, I was adopted, and so was my little sister. We were both blessed to be adopted as infants. If I could, I would say thank you to my birth mother, wherever you are, for choosing not to abort me, and giving me the chance to live. Forty-nine years ago, you made an extraordinary sacrifice of love, by giving me up so that I might have a better life. I will always love you for thinking more about me than of yourself. I pray that you are well and happy and I know we will meet one day in heaven. We will know each other instinctively. What an unselfish gift to willingly give up a child to prospective parents who cannot have children of their own. I cannot imagine what that would be like.

The word family takes on a whole new meaning in 2008. We have biological children, adopted children, blended families and financial sponsorship of children worldwide. Jeff and I are very proud of a young man whom we have not yet met face to face. Melvin lives in El Salvador with his mother and sisters. We hear from him often. He likes to draw pictures of his family and school friends. His artistic abilities continue to grow as he grows. We sponsor Melvin for just pennies a day, and it is a joy to know that he can go to school and learn, receive healthy, nutritious food and adequate clothing and have his medical needs met. One day, we hope to meet him, and say thank you for allowing us the privilege to share life with him. His love continues to nurture us here in the US. Melvin’s picture is on our refrigerator, right next to our grandson Jett. They are the same age, and we love him instinctively. Our families are yoked through Christ’s love.

In God’s house, there are no orphans. We are all brothers and sisters, adopted through Christ into the kingdom of God. In this close-knit community of faith, we learn to nurture and care for each other, just as Christ loves each and every one of us. We help those who cannot help themselves. We choose to love because we are all King’s kids.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for not leaving us as orphans. We look forward to your return.

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.

Today’s Reading: John 14:16-17 (NIV)

[Jesus said], “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you.”

Good morning!

Nestled in a tiny clearing off an old gravel road, stood the most beautiful country church I have ever seen. It did not compare to the great cathedrals in Europe, or the large arena-turned worship centers in many of our large cities. We came upon the small, white framed building, as we drove underneath a canopy of large oak trees, whose branches had grown together through the years. The trees provided a cool reprieve on a hot summer’s day. The church yard was meticulously landscaped. A stunning oak gazebo with stone steps sat near the back of the sanctuary. Two large red doors opened into the sanctuary’s pristine foyer and bell tower. I was immediately drawn to my life verse stenciled across its freshly painted walls – I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me (Phil 4:13). Inside the sanctuary, I noticed the sweet smell of cedar in the air. I looked up and saw the beautiful, open beamed, vaulted ceiling. Sunlight was streaming through the windows, and the wonder of God’s creation was visible all around the sanctuary. I could see the fellowship hall just a few short feet away, in an adjacent detached building. Behind both structures was the community’s cemetery, sitting on a shaded hillside. Every tombstone stood in silent attention, awaiting the trumpet sound peeling from heaven’s gate. It was as if I had stepped out of my car and into a beautiful Thomas Kinkade oil painting. The Bethel United Methodist Church, with its beautiful cross raised high in the sky, was for me the Church of the Wildwood, that incredible country sanctuary I had sung about my entire life.

I met the master builder in worship. He had created with his hands what his heart has always longed for. This place was the outward expression of his soul’s deepest desire. As a renovator and restorer of fine things, he understood the significance of the sanctuary. Beam by beam, the builder erected a sacred and holy space where folks from his tiny community would gather each week to praise the Lord. The master artist poured rivers of life into the vision of this humble human heart, who then poured a labor of love into the space where I sat in worship. The Holy Spirit of God is an indescribable, amazing gift.

It’s presence in this place was simply overwhelming. Jesus promised His disciples that He would send the Spirit of truth to live inside our hearts, creating a sacred space for the Lord to live and reign in us forever. While in worship, I began to take a silent stroll through the sanctuary of my heart. Jesus Christ lives there and He is working to renovate that sacred space inside of me. I am His lifelong work in progress. The beauty of who I am has nothing to do with the exterior shell, the earthly form that will one day return to the dust from which I was created. No, true beauty has everything to do with who Christ is and what He has done in the remodeling of my life.

Thank you Lord Jesus, for your gift of sanctuary.

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.