Saturday, November 22, 2008

Industrial Strength Prayer

Today’s Reading: John 18:1 (NIV)

1 When He had finished praying, Jesus left with His disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, and He and His disciples went into it.

Good morning!

At 6:30 yesterday morning, I found myself trying to find a comfortable position to lay on the gurney at the outpatient surgery center, where I was waiting as patiently as any patient can to have surgery on my foot. This gurney was more comfortable than most – it seemed to have some padding underneath the fitted sheet, but the angle in which it was raised was giving me a terrible backache. At one point, I looked at my husband and said, “This is simply not working out. I’m ready to go home now.” I really didn’t feel all that nervous about the procedure itself. I was more concerned about the recovery period that would follow. This is a very busy time of year. Thanksgiving is next week and I’m in the final four weeks of my 9-hour cluster at Lindenwood University. My work is also extremely busy right now; I’m so grateful to have a job in the midst of an economic crisis. Yet, I found myself second-guessing whether I had made a wise decision about having this procedure right now. Of course, had I waited, I may not have been able to walk at all. I needed to hear a strengthening prayer from my pastor and spouse, so I asked him to pray. I have been reading a collection of personal testimonies on the power of prayer, and in the book, I stumbled across the phrase, “Industrial strength prayer,” in a piece written by Nancy Chapman Monroe. Her sentiment made perfect sense to me for a moment like this.

Just before Jesus took His disciples through the Kidron Valley, He finished praying what I would coin an “industrial strength” prayer. He had prayed that the Father would be glorified through the Son, and that His disciples and all future believers would believe because of the sacrifice He was about to make for the sins of the world. His Word is timeless. It is one of my favorite prayers printed in Holy Scripture and knowing that Jesus Christ prays for all believers, gives me great hope for the future.

I looked around in the OR as two very kind attendants wheeled my gurney in Suite 3. In a very bright and sterile environment, I paused for a breath prayer just before I was given anesthesia. I could almost see my frozen breath in the air as I whispered these words to my Savior: “Lord Jesus, I want all of you in my life. Come and live in and through me today. May I be fully healed by Your holy presence and miraculous life-giving miracle power. Amen."

This morning, the pain block that I received yesterday in the OR and the anesthesia I had been given has definitely worn off. I know without a doubt that the One who healed me yesterday, who heals me today, and who continually heal me in every tomorrow, is the One whose heart I long to please. This is a holy reassurance that can only come from praying industrial strength prayers.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Time-out!

Today’s Reading: John 17:25-26 (NIV)

25 [Jesus said,] “Righteous Father, though the world does not know yet, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

Good morning!

Throughout the Gospel, we see Jesus taking a break from the crowds and His disciples, just to spend some much needed time away with the Father in holy conversation. The Father’s love for His Son and the Son’s love and obedience to the Father is uncanny. One can see this strong chord of life flowing between the two of them. Have you ever wondered what Jesus and the Father spoke about during their time-away?

Time away is something all of us look forward to. We need to take a break from the busyness and business of our lives for rest, reflection, and recreation. Vacations are never long enough; the time seems to fly quickly by over the holidays. We look forward to the weekend, and anticipate moments spent away from our daily routine. Sometimes, a time-out is best experienced soaking in a candlelight bubble bath, with a good book and some soft music, or maybe out in the middle of woods, where all you hear is the crackling of the leaves crumbling beneath your feet.

Time-outs are often taken on the football field, before fourth down and goal. Children are sent to time-out when they can no longer sit still and listen. Sometimes, we all need to take a little time-out just to refocus our energies and priorities on what is most important in life. Time-out can be a rich blessing; a sweet surprise!

Knowing that Christ spent his time away praying for someone like me is a sweet term of endearment. Jesus prays for me! He knows me by name, and He loves me in spite of the times I chose to live life my way instead of His Way. Jesus cares so much for me that He asked the Father to continually make me aware of His holy presence each day. Jesus does not want me to face time-out all alone. He loves you and me this much, that He would set precious time aside to pray for each of us by name.

Do you need to take a time-out today with the Lord? Jesus is waiting to hear from you. The Father’s arms are opened wide, waiting to receive your praise, thanksgiving, and every care you hold deep within your heart. Take a holy time-out with the Lord. You’ll be glad you did.

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, November 19, 2008

The Way Home

Today’s Reading: John 17:24 (NIV)

24 [Jesus said,] “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.”

Good morning!

Because I am rapidly approaching a milestone birthday, I find myself reminiscing a lot about the road I’ve traveled. I’ve learned a lot, missed a few turns, gotten sidetracked, and I confess I've broken the rules of the road. I continue to learn valuable life lessons from the mistakes I’ve made along the way; realizing that the second half of my earthly journey is truly a gift of God's grace, I must take what I’ve learned thus far and apply it as I continue my journey home. Jesus Christ has given me a future with great hope! I have an opportunity each new day to share Christ’s love with the world around me. One day, life as I know it will fade away, when I am physically, emotionally and spiritually regenerated from this world into life everlasting. With every journey, there is an ultimate destination. When we take a vacation or a day's excursion, we look forward to going home, because, there is no place like home. Jesus Christ is my only refuge; I know that He is my home.

Last night during New Testament class, we were listening to a reading from the Gospel, when Jesus replied to a point of privilege made by James and John. They asked Jesus if He would place them at His left and right in glory. Every time I read this Scripture, I am surprised, not only by the attitude and thought processes of these two disciples, but the response that Jesus gives. I whispered to another student that I had personally asked the Lord to reserve a bleacher seat for me on the back row of heaven. I know if I can just see His face and experience His holy presence, this is all I would ever need or long for in heaven. In the first fifty years of my life, I have failed the Lord more times than I can count. The cup He chose to bear for my sin is a cup I’ve often tossed aside out of selfishness and pride. There is nothing glorious within me; except the glory of Christ alone. He covers my sin with His blood. Simply being with Him and reveling in His glory alone is the greatest miracle I will ever experience, for I know it is not the reward I have earned or deserve. This is my understanding of what amazing grace means.

Jesus prayed that His people would be where He is, so that we could experience His glory together, forever! And it is in Christ’s glory that we will know and experience the Father’s perfect love. Jesus came to bring us home. This makes our journey worthwhile.

Do you know The Way 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.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

The One who makes us One

Today’s Reading: John 17:22-23 (NIV)

22 [Jesus said,] “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one. 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

Good morning!

One of my favorite passages of Scripture is when Jesus prays these words: “I in them and you in me.” There is something extraordinary captured at the heart of this profound statement.

Last Saturday, I stood, peering out the large plate glass window in the dining hall of St. Paul’s School of Theology in Kansas City. I couldn’t help but admire the picturesque view of the downtown Kansas City landscape in the distance. Jeff and I enjoyed having lunch with a pastor and friend who serves on staff at the seminary. He was giving us a tour, and as we stood there, Jeff recalled that his aunt had attended college there many years ago. I had forgotten that before St. Paul School of Theology opened the seminary in 1958, this educational institution was a Women’s Bible College. They purposed to prepare women to teach and share the Gospel message around the world. I love looking at old photographs, and the historical pictures displayed in the private dining room adjacent to the dining hall were fascinating to see. I wondered if I was looking into the face of my husband’s aunt captured in these timeless, archived photographs.

Jesus longed for Christians to be united in One body through Him. No matter how much we want it to be so, being united is something we cannot on our own. No amount of wishful thinking could make it so. The greater mystery is how Jesus Christ unites us in His body, even in spite of ourselves! As the Father is in Him, He is in us and it is this gift of grace we celebrate by faith today.

I felt a special link to my husband’s aunt last Saturday. Just knowing that she had been here before me, gave me a renewed sense of belonging. She and I are not only linked through family ties; we are linked through our shared faith in Jesus Christ. We have a common unity, an unbroken chord that transcends all time. She is part of the school’s rich past, and I may become part of its future. I was born in the year this school became a seminary. Now I’ll have to ponder whether that is mere coincidence or holy providence in the pursuit of my vocational call.

Faith is an unbroken bond; a holy mystery, and a gift so totally undeserved. Because the Father lives in Christ, and Christ lives in you and me, we are united as one body, together by faith. We often focus on our differences and the things that separate us. Today, I would challenge you to take a closer look at the One who makes us One in Him.

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.