Thursday, January 15, 2009

Word Games

Today’s Reading: John 19:9 (NIV)

9 Pilate went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer.

Good morning!

Early in the morning, I would go to the kitchen to start breakfast, and my children would hear me rattling pots and plates and come join me, carrying a toy or two in their tiny hands. I’d ask them to take a seat at the table and wait patiently while Mommy prepared their oatmeal. Often, they would drop right at my feet, making it difficult for me to walk, and begin running their Matchbox® cars up the side of my flannel pajamas. Little Rachel would hold the doll in her arms just like a little Mommy, giving the baby a morning drink from her bottle. The beautiful silence of three peacefully sleeping children had been suddenly broken by an onslought of Word games. How many questions could they me ask in ten minutes? The contest was on! One of their most asked inquiries was, “Mommy, where did I come from?” Often, I would answer their question by asking another: “Rachel, who gave you those beautiful blue eyes? “God did,” she would say. “Benjamin, who gave you that sugary sweet smile?” “God did, Mommy,” he replied, grinning from ear to ear. “And Davey baby, who gave you an incredible life to live?” David would say with perfectly pronounced words, “God gives life, today, tomorrow and forever!” Turning, I would stop what I was doing and look squarely into the faces of my children. “Then where did you come from?” I would ask, with eyebrows raised. “From God!” they would shout, laughing and giggling as I reached down to tickle their bellies. They knew the answer before asking the question. Sometimes, I think we all just need a little positive affirmation.

I believe Jesus was just like any other inquisitive child, playing near the feet of His mother Mary, as she prepared flour to bake the unleavened bread each morning. Jesus always knew the answer before He asked a question because He is the answer! As a young boy, fully human and fully divine, I believe Christ’s intuitiveness was far and above the others. I can hear him asking His mother one simple, yet very complex question, “Where did I come from?”

How many times had Jesus answered this very question during His ministry? How could the people not know? Jesus knew that Pilate knew the answer before He asked. This was not an early morning breakfast conversation that Jesus wanted to have, and He was not in the mood to play Word games. Christ came to fulfill His Father’s will and this was the long-awaited moment of Truth. When Pilate asked the question, Jesus did not respond.

Do you know the answer? Do you know Jesus?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, 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, January 14, 2009

A Change of Temperature

Today’s Reading: John 19:7-8 (NIV)

7 The Jews insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law He must die, because [Jesus] claimed to be the Son of God.” 8 When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid.

Good morning!

This is the time of year when I realize just how differently people experience life. I guess the weather can bring out the very best or worst in us, depending upon how we choose to react to it. I work with a group of incredibly gifted and talented people and we experience the physical work environment in vastly different ways. One of my co-workers never seems to get cold. In the summer time, she is always too warm. Yesterday when I arrived at work, she had propped the foyer door open because, to her, the work area was hot, and she was clearly uncomfortable. Everyone else in the department were wrapping up in sweaters, coats and shawls reacting to the freezing temperatures and cold blast of air. Isn’t it fascinating how two people can experience a temperature change so differently? As individuals, our internal thermostats are definitely unique.

Last night, I crawled into bed, burying myself under three heavy blankets and one quilt folded double. My husband sat on the other side of the bed on top of the sheets in his summer pajamas, trying to read, while fanning himself. He thought the bedroom was rather warm last night. Our internal thermostats are as different as daylight and dark. We live in the same house, in the same city, in the same state. How can he be too hot when I am freezing cold? How can I be so cold when he is literally burning up inside and out? The only warmth on my person this winter is the feverish foot I’m nursing. Since I’ve had foot surgery, my left foot remains swollen and hot, while my right foot is as cold as a block of ice. When my doctor told me that I should use ice packs on my sore and swollen left foot, I quickly realized that I didn’t need to employ a bag from the freezer. Now, I simply place one foot on top of the other, and the cold from my right foot penetrates the warmth in my left foot. I have learned how to multitask, especially this winter!

The folks in the courtyard were hot! Yet, hearts were frozen solid and yet they didn’t even realize it. How could the people not see the Truth when He was standing there right in front of them? Folks were far more interested in obeying the letter of the law than looking for its fulfillment. Pilate was scared, and he had every good reason to fear. He knew the decision to spare Jesus’ life rested squarely upon his shoulders. He was praying for a change of temperature; a sudden drop in the barometric pressure would have been most welcome on that particular morning. Humanity continued to grow more and more inconsolable as the Son rose up over the city that day.

This morning, I’m praying for a change of holy temperature in our hearts. We need to allow the Spirit of God to melt the frozen places in our lives, where we cannot see and experience the Savior’s love completely. Jesus has the power to take our hearts of stone and make them be hearts of flesh once again. Are you willing to let the Son of God bring a change of temperature to your heart? If you will just let Jesus in, He can and will change your life forever.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, 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, January 13, 2009

The den of vipers

Today’s Reading: John 19:6 (NIV)

6 As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” But Pilate answered, “You take Him and crucify Him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against Him.”

Good morning!

Young Benny grew up on a farm several miles from town. He loved playing outside in the woods each day. Like most little boys, Benny was fascinated with bugs and worms, buzzing bees, and baby snakes. Anything that crawled on its belly or flew in the air was a fair target for one curious boy in a great big world. His Father repeatedly warned Benny of the dangers in playing too near the bee hive, or chasing the snakes slithering on the ground. He told Benny that a snake bite or bee sting could kill him. But did Benny care to listen and obey His Father? When he thought Daddy wasn’t looking, Benny tried to pick up a slithering snake, hoping to play with a new found friend and prove His Father wrong.

Have you ever made a decision simply to prove that you are right and Your Father is wrong?

Pilate was in a position to judge right from wrong. He found himself stuck in a viper’s pit, and He knew the choice He made about Jesus that day would have everlasting consequences. Pilate could have protected the Nazarene. He found no basis for a charge that warranted his death. It would have been far easier on Pilate’s guilty conscience had Jesus died during the flogging. Many people could not have withstood such a beating. But the crowd seemed totally unsatisfied with just a near death beating. They wanted to see Jesus suffer and die, completely blinded to the slithering lies of Satan lurking near their feet. When Pilate failed to convince the accusers, he simply turned and walked away, giving the crowd a license to kill. It seemed as if Satan had won after all.

Ignoring His Father’s instruction, Benny reached down and grabbed the snake by its tail. No one was more surprised than young Benny as the snake recoiled and bit Benny in the arm. The pain that comes from disobedience has far reaching consequences. As Benny screamed in agony, the Father heard the Son crying out for help. He came running into the woods, looking for His Son.

Our Father sent His only begotten Son into the viper’s den to reclaim the children He loves. When Jesus grabbed the devil by its tail, Satan struck back with the full force of hell behind him. His venom was not enough to hold the Lord in a tomb of death. What Satan counted as a mere victory that morning, became his utter defeat just three days later.

Benny woke up in a hospital bed, with His Daddy there, right by his side. The young boy had been saved because His Father knew where to find the anecdote to the poisonous venom. Benny received a second chance at new life, not because he deserved it, but because His Father cared enough to rescue Benny from himself.

This is just how much our Heavenly Father loves you and me. Who could imagine that God would send His Only Son into a den of vipers, just to save us from ourselves?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, 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, January 12, 2009

The gift of forgiveness

Today’s Reading: John 19:4-5 (NIV)

4 Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against Him.” When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!”

Good morning!

I started taking piano lessons in the second grade. Every day after school, I couldn’t wait to come home and sit down to practice. I would play from the moment I walked in the door until supper time. Unlike the other children in my neighborhood, piano practice was something I looked forward to with a passion. Each week at my lesson, I would accomplish something new, conquering a new scale, a song in a new key, a rhythm pattern I had not played before. I learned several new songs each week and raced through the Thompson piano course in record time.

Vocal and instrumental music were my favorite classes in school and I took them quite seriously. Most of my friends thought music class was a time to play practical jokes and misbehave. Our instructor, Miss Walker, used to get quite irritated with the disrespectful attitude. She had a hard time keeping the children focused on the task at hand. That spring, the fifth and sixth grade music students were in charge of preparing and presenting a program at an afternoon assembly. Two vocal selections featuring student accompanists were placed on the program and those aspiring to accompany the choir were allowed to try out. I made the cut, along with my best friend.

She was also a fine pianist, and loved to practice as much as I did. We were given our assigned music and began to learn the selections. I set aside my regular lesson material to learn the piece of music I had been assigned. I wanted it to be perfect for the assembly. At the dress rehearsal, I sat down to play the music I had been assigned. My best friend began to scream as I started the introduction, “Miss Walker, she’s playing my song! That’s my song!” In a flurry of confusion, we realized that both of us had somehow practiced and learned the same song and that the other accompaniment had not been prepared. My friend confessed in private that the other song was far too difficult for her to play and so she decided to learn the easier piece, but did not tell me. She was so upset that Miss Walker, not knowing what to do, relented and agreed to let my friend play the piece she had learned. I was stunned. Out of some sense of fairness, Miss Walker told me that if I could learn and play the other accompaniment the next day, she would be glad to allow me to accompany the choir as planned. I lost my best friend that afternoon.

I went home and practiced until bedtime. The accompaniment was a Mexican hat dance with complicated and intricate rhythms and fingering patterns. I was determined to play it the following day for the assembly. I knew it would be a stretch, but I wasn’t about to give up on the opportunity to accompany the choir. When the time came for me to play, I took my seat on the piano bench with confidence. I whispered a prayer for heavenly help and I began the introduction. We got about half way through the song before lost my place in the music. Not only was I unable to keep up with the choir, I stopped playing altogether. Basically, I started with the choir, and I finished the song with the choir, but the middle of the piece was virtually sung a cappella. It was more than obvious to the assembly that a portion of this piece was not intended to be sung without an accompaniment. The giggling turned to raucous laughter. There was no mercy for the one sitting at the piano bench, trying to finish what she had begun. This became the first of many life lessons I would experience in the school of public humiliation.

Jesus understands public humiliation and scrutiny. He was pushed into the courtyard, half dead from a beating that shredded every muscle in his body. It wasn’t enough that the sinless Son of God stood beaten, bruised and bloody before the people; He had to listen to their laughter, their insults and mocking. He had made no mistakes, was innocent of any crime, and yet, the people made fun of Him, showing no mercy.

As I long back on my poor lack of judgment, I realized that I could have saved myself public embarrassment had I simply chosen not to accompany the choir that day. I tried to play a piece of music that was far and above over my skill level at that time with not enough practice time to make it work. But the truth is, I did make the mistake in front of all my peers, and that mistake became my responsibility. Jesus didn’t make mistakes in life. Every thing that He said and did, He did with an eternal purpose in mind. Jesus did not deserve the kind of cruel treatment He endured in the courtyard square. We faulted Him for telling the Truth, for being the Way, the Truth and the Life. We returned God’s unconditional love with hatred and violence, prejudice and pain. We publicly humiliated the Savior of the World. How could He ever forgive us?

My former best friend caught up with me after the assembly. She found me sitting in the music room by myself, wiping tears from my eyes. Softly, she said, “I’m so sorry you were laughed at today. You let me play the music that was easier, because I didn’t want to be embarrassed like that. Will you forgive me for not being as brave as you were?” It is amazing to see what a sincere apology will do to mend the pain caused between two broken hearts. I had found my best friend once again.

If you had been the only sinner on the face of the earth, Jesus would have died just to save you. He stands with open, outstretched arms, waiting for you to call to Him in sincere repentance. He loves you enough to carry your sins to the cross. Won’t you ask Him to come into your life today? He is your very best friend and Jesus is reaching out in love to you right now.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, 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, January 11, 2009

Lashing out irrationally

Today’s Reading: John 19:2-3 (NIV)

2 The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head. They clothed him in a purple robe 3 and went up to Him again and again, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck Him in the face.

Good morning!

Have you ever struck Jesus in the face?

It is hard to accept the brutality that our Savior endured to save us. Yet, we can be pretty cruel ourselves. I imagine every time we take the Lord’s name in vain, it hurts Him just as much as the beating He endured. We make fun of who He is and why He came. When we refuse to give Jesus the first fruits of our days, our income, our hearts, our lives, it’s as if we are the ones placing that crown of thorns on His forehead and pushing it down into His flesh. Have you ever had a migraine headache – a sharp, searing pain that can bring you to your knees and cause you to vomit violently? I imagine the crown of thorns that Jesus wore hurt far worse than any migraine I’ve ever experienced. The next time you have headache, think about what Jesus might have felt that day in the town square.

The soldiers who tortured Jesus were covered in His blood. They were lashing out irrationally, and God’s blood was splattering all over them. They had no idea how this one act would change their lives forever. When they realized that they had executed the Savior of the world, how do you think they could live with themselves? I don’t know. I confess I have lashed out irrationally at God a few times myself. I’ve hurt Jesus more times than I care to remember, especially when I refuse to trust Him completely, love Him wholeheartedly, and willfully disobey His commands. I have more in common with the Roman guards than I care to admit.

The soldiers exercised total control over Jesus’ body, or at least that’s what they thought. They had Him right where they wanted Him. It’s a funny thing, Jesus was in complete control then, just as He is now. He willingly allows our rebellion, believing that one day we will see Him for who He truly is, repent, receive and believe. How many more beatings will the Son of God have to endure at the hands of humanity before every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord?

This is a brand new year. And with every brand new year, we get to begin again. This is our fresh start to a better life. We hope for a stronger economy, a stable market, a world that is filled with peace instead of ongoing violence and war. We look to renew friendships and freedoms that we have neglected or lost in the past. We long for healthy bodies and sound minds. It is time to set aside the sins of our past and look to Jesus Christ for a fresh new start. He is our only rationale for abundant life.

Come with me today. Let us worship our Lord together.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, 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.