Saturday, October 04, 2008

I don't get it!

Today’s Reading: John 16:17-18 (NIV)

17 Some of His disciples said to one another, “What does He mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” 18 They kept asking, “What does He mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what He is saying.”

Good morning!

Jesus could have been speaking Greek that day, for all the disciples knew. In fact, some of the disciples may have understood and spoken Greek well, and maybe they would have understood Jesus better had He spoken these words in Greek. They just didn’t get it, and sometimes, I feel like that. I’ve been known to pray these exact words: Dear Lord, I just don’t get it! What is Your point?

Maybe I just don’t want to understand it. Sometimes I think I may know more than I want to admit. Or maybe I don’t want to face the knowledge that is buried deep inside my heart. Jesus wasn’t telling a Parable, a story to make a point; He was speaking plainly, as one friend would speak to another. Jesus said, “In a little while, you are not going to see me, but soon, you will see me again.” His words are not hard to understand, unless you really don’t want to. The disciples did not want not to see Jesus leave at all. They wanted Jesus to stay with them every minute of every day. Somehow, they knew as long as Jesus was there, everything would be okay. They loved watching Him walk and talk and break bread in the evenings, seeing miracles unfold in the people He touched along the way. Oh, not having Jesus there, even for a little while, was a thought they did not wish to entertain. So, it was much easier to say, “I just don’t get it,” than “I won’t accept it. Lord, you have to stay here. You cannot leave us alone.”

Jesus had a very important reason for going away. This was His entire purpose for His coming. You see, Jesus has been with humanity all along from beginning to the end; He is with the Father and the Spirit – the Three in One, a holy mystery, offering an amazing love unlike any other ever known. Jesus was there with Moses walking across the wilderness; He was on the ground with Isaiah, for long three years, as he prophesied God’s Word to all who would hear it. Jesus was the One Jacob wrestled with all night long; He was with the angels who visited Abram and Sarai outside their tent. Jesus made the perfect entrance into an imperfect world one night in a cold cave just outside of Bethlehem, beneath a cloud of angelic host and a bright North Star. The Shepherds saw Him there; did you? Jesus is with us today, even when we’re not certain we see Him clearly. But if you look closely, you will see that He is sitting with the starving child; He is resting under the bridge with the homeless; He tries to come into our churches on Sunday, but we have this nasty habit of locking the doors behind us, only letting in the folks we are most comfortable being around. It forces our Lord to wait outside the walls, as He peers through the window waiting for us to respond. Jesus looks at me every Sunday as I sit in the sanctuary and gaze at the stained glass window above the altar. Can you see Him there? He came to reveal the Father to a broken and lost world. We had lost touch with our Master Creator. Jesus came to redeem us from sin, to purchase back what was stolen from Him, and to give us new and everlasting life in His presence forever.

Jesus had to go away for a little while, but He came back, just like He said He would. Do you get it? What will it take for you to understand what Jesus meant? Oh Lord, help me see what You want me to see; Help me understand the Word you are speaking into my heart today. 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.

Friday, October 03, 2008

In a little while

Today’s Reading: John 16:16 (NIV)

16 [Jesus said,] “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.

Good morning!

“Where did Grandpa go?” I asked my mother over the telephone. In our hallway, on a small ledge just above the heater vent, sat a black, rotary dial telephone. The cord attaching the phone to the wall stretched all the way from the hallway into the living room. I sat on the sofa next to my Father, and he held the ear and mouth piece up to my face, while I talked to my mother several hundred miles away. We shared a party line with our neighbors, and occasionally, I could hear snippets of others’ conversations. I did not completely understand the words my mother was saying to me. I thought it was because of all the interference over the party line. She said that Grandpa had died and gone to heaven to be with Jesus, but she was certain that one day soon, we would see him again. My eight year old mind didn’t get it then, and I’m not sure I completely understand it even now, forty-one years later.

I remember that cold winter day when we took Mommy and Pammy to the train station. It was just after Christmas. My grandfather had been rushed to the hospital in Brookhaven, Mississippi, just a few miles away from his family farm. He had been diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor which caused him to suffer a massive stroke. Grandpa slipped into a coma and lingered there for weeks, before he passed away. My mother wanted to be there with her family during this sad time. I was in the middle of the winter term of my second grade year when Grandpa got sick, and my little sister was not yet in school. So she traveled with my Mother to Mississippi, and stayed at the farm with Grandma, while Mommy stayed with Grandpa at the hospital round the clock and took care of him. I remained behind in Missouri, alone with my Dad. It was a long winter at home without my mother and sister there. They were gone for two whole months, and there were moments when I wondered if they would ever come back home again. “Mommy, when are you coming back?” I asked her on the telephone, with a sad and heavy heart. “In a little while, honey,” she said, just before the operator cut into the conversation on our party line.

Jesus did his best to prepare the Disciples for the devastating loss they would experience when He died. He wanted them to know that death was not the end, but the beginning of a brand new life. Jesus assured them that even though He was going away for just a little while, they would see Him again one day soon. I imagine they were just as puzzled as I was, as I listened to the sounds of my mother crying on the other end of the rotary dial telephone.

Physical death is a hard thing to understand, but Jesus promised that His death was not the end. If you’ve accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, then you have His assurance that our earthly separation is only for a little while. We have His Word that when we die, we will share everlasting life with our Savior forever! For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him would not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV)

Are you missing Jesus today? Pick up the phone and call Him! Through God’s gift of prayer, we have 24/7 access to the Father’s ear. He understands our questions; and He truly knows our pain. Hold on to His promises today. We may not see Jesus for a little while, but He will return one day soon to take us home to be with Him forever. Death is not the end, it is a brand new beginning!

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, October 02, 2008

Staying power

Today’s Reading: John 16:14-15 (NIV)

14 [Jesus said,] “He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

Good morning!

I sat in class last night, holding that long-awaited syllabus in my hand. I was tired, having spent long hours reading and writing in preparation for this first class discussion. And I’ll confess I was little bit nervous. I wondered if I had the staying power to remain fully focused and committed to the work outlined on the printed pages before me.

I’ve been looking forward to this particular cluster with great anticipation. I recognize that this is the course curriculum that will frame the next steps of my education. It is thirteen weeks of intensive reading and writing. I’ve asked the Father for an extra measure of His wisdom and understanding; to discern and recognize Truth through the power of His Word. I know that if I glean even half of what I learn in this class room, I will graduate from Lindenwood University a much wiser person than I was when I enrolled three years ago as a full-time student. We will be studying the Old and New Testaments in their entirety, and read and discuss the published works of many great philosophers in history. The professor who teaches these classes in the day program recognizes the enormous amount of time and commitment it will take for evening students, who work full-time day jobs and have families and church work and other commitments, to complete this course curriculum in one short quarter. I think he wondered whether the students might take one look at his syllabus, stand up, and run out of the room in a sheer panic, yet everyone stayed!

I am convinced that this passage of Scripture that I’ve shared with you today was written especially for me. At Faith Church, we’ve been learning what extravagant generosity means, not just in theory, but in practice. There is a lot of disconcerting stuff happening right now. People are nervous about their financial futures, the world economy, and, of course, the upcoming US Presidential elections. Folks are struggling to find money to pay for necessities, like food, utilities, gasoline and mortgage payments. Especially in times of need, I realize all that I am and everything I have is a treasured gift from the Father. The resources I hold do not belong to me; they never have, nor will they ever be. If there is anything good in my life at all, it is because of the Lord. If I have anything to offer back by way of service to others, it is because God gave it first. His mercies are new each day, and I am completely and totally captivated by His never-ending love. Jesus said that all that belongs to the Father is His, and He willingly gives it to each of us through the power of the Holy Spirit. What an amazing gift, to experience His presence in such a powerful way each day! Jesus Christ has given you and me an awesome opportunity to exercise staying power, especially when times are tough. He allows us to press in and draw from His power and strength through His Holy Word; and it is His Word that will stand the test of time.

Come and experience true staying power in Jesus Christ today. He will give you just what you need when you need it the most. It is His free and unconditional gift to all who will choose to make Him Lord of their life. Feeling a little overwhelmed today? Christ will give you His staying power through the power of the Holy Spirit. All you have to do is ask.

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, September 30, 2008

Looking for truth?

Today’s Reading: John 16:13 (NIV)

13 [Jesus said,] “But when He, the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all Truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.

Good morning!

I had a dream last night. My father sent me to the train station to pick up a long, lost friend of his. Daddy had not seen her in years, and he wanted me to pick her out of the large crowd. She was to arrive on track number 8 at 11:57pm. I did not know what she looked like, how she would be dressed, or even her exact age. Daddy said I would recognize her when I saw her. It wasn’t much to go on; yet I went, out of pure obedience, trusting in his word.

I drove to the station alone, wondering how I might recognize a stranger I did not know. I scribbled her name on a large piece of cardboard with a black permanent ink marker I found in the bottom of my purse. When I walked into the station, I held the makeshift sign high above my head. I watched as the passengers disembarked from the three trains that had arrived simultaneously. I saw the crowd, and truthfully, their faces all looked alike. These were road weary travelers; the hour was late and folks just wanted to get to their final destination and rest. Mommies were carrying sleepy little ones in their arms who had fallen asleep on the train. Men were pulling brief cases behind them, with cell phones and blackberries glued to what could have been their free hand if they had been willing to let go of the control. People continued to pass me by; many glanced up and read my sign, but no one stopped. I stood there, gazing into each passing face, and wondering who thr mystery person would be.

I noticed the furrowed brows and puzzled looks of passengers as they passed by. “This is no joke,” I thought to myself. My Father said she would be here and I intend to find her, even if it takes all night. As the people began to disappear out the station door and into the dimly lit parking garage, I found myself standing there, all alone, with my cardboard sign raised high. It had felt like an exercise in futility. I was terribly disappointed, heart-broken and sad. A compassionate clerk from behind the ticket counter saw the look on my face and said, “Miss, who is it you are looking for?” “I don’t know,” I sighed. “She was a long lost friend of my Dad’s. Her name is Truth. Do you know her?”

How do we know the truth? Does your life board say, "I'm looking for truth! Do you know her?" I used to think that the truth was easily attained. As a parent, I could, at one time, look into the eyes of my young children and know instinctively whether or not they were telling me the truth. This is not as easy as it used to be. There seems to be a lot of gray matter sprinkled in between the large black letters imprinted on my pages of our lives. Are you struggling to know the truth today?

There was no doubt in the mind of Christ that each of us would need heavenly help to find and know the Truth. Jesus was there, in the flesh, standing right in front of them, and even His own disciples could not recognize the Truth for what it is. We needed some heavenly help from above, and that is why Jesus promised us His gift of the Holy Spirit. He would guide and direct us in all Truth, so that we could see, not just with our limited physical vision, but with Holy Spirit eyes. The Spirit will help us discern good from evil; right from wrong; the truth from a lie. With His help, we would know the Truth, and His Truth would one day set us free.

Don’t leave the station today without knowing the Truth. Jesus offers the free gift of His sweet Holy Spirit, so that you will not have to face this day alone. Are you seeking the Truth? You need not look any further than the Lord Jesus Christ. He is here, right in front of you, right now. Ask Him for the gift of His Holy Spirit 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, September 28, 2008

Promise Keeper

Today’s Reading: John 16:12 (NIV)

12 [Jesus said,] “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.

Good morning!

It has been said that God will never give you more than you can bear. Do you believe this? If you lost a loved one this week, that statement may not feel very real to you right now. If you lost your home in the Hurricanes Katrina and Ike, maybe you would beg to differ. Maybe you’ve lost your job, and now you are wondering whether you will have a home to live in, especially with the news of a Federal bailout of the banking industry. Is this too much for you to bear?

Most people are born with an insatiable curiosity. We want to know what’s coming, when it’s coming, and how it will impact our lives. When we’re young, we dream about what we will be when we grow up! We long to finish school, take our first job, and find true love. We think about getting married, settling down, and having children. As we get older, we begin to try to picture what life will be like when we retire; we worry about where we will live, and if our children will care enough to be there to help us. We wonder if we’ve saved enough money to live on for forty plus years; we pray that we’ll not have to suffer from cancer or another dreaded disease, but we will peacefully pass on in our sleep. We worry and wonder and fret about the things yet to be. If you could know for sure how your earthly life will unfold from beginning to end, would you really want to?

Jesus knew what was coming. He is the first and the last, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and end. He knew the exact moment in time when He would hang on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for an imperfect humanity. He knows the exact moment when He will return to claim His people once and for all. Jesus knew the future would be far too overwhelming for you and I to understand it completely, at this moment in time; and He said so.

Our daughter Rachel hung a plaque in her family room last summer, after she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. It says: God doesn’t give you more than you can handle; He helps you handle what you’ve been given. There is a lot about the future that we do not understand. We can choose to wonder and worry or we can choose to hope and pray, placing our faith and trust in the One who sees all, knows all, and loves us like no one else can. We can place our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus promised that He will never leave us or forsake us, no matter where we are or what we face. He is our Promise Keeper.

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.