Saturday, February 14, 2009

Garden stroll

Today’s Reading: John 19:41-42 (NIV)

41 At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. 42 Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

Good morning!

I’m looking forward to my first of many springtime strolls. It won’t be long before the azaleas are in full bloom in Missouri. Yellow forsythia bushes and pink red bud trees will open in flowering splendor. The peach blossoms on the tree in my front yard will decorate my kitchen table in just a few short weeks. Clematis vines will shoot up from the ground, while tender daffodils and tulips will bloom in garden beds. It’s time to clean out the water garden and prepare the fountain for the returning birds. We see new birth surround us in the spring - it is just around the corner. Can you sense the anticipation of a beautiful spring day?

Historians tell us that on the day Jesus died, the skies turned dark. It may have been storming as Joseph and Nicodemus carried the body of the Lord to the garden tomb. In my mind’s eye, I can hear the rain falling; the wind was whipping around the garden, as tree branches bent low in reverence to the Lord’s passing. Flowers had closed up and were drooping toward the ground. Even the rocks were crying. Puddles were forming along the path. It was not a day to take a stroll through the garden. Yet, the disciples could not help but be drawn to this humble place. The body of our Lord was there, and no one wanted to leave.

We can get lost in the wintertime of our lives. It seems that the cold air is simply a mirrored reflection of the grief we hold in our hearts. The pain of separation, of losing someone we love, can leave us feeling numb and hopeless. We wonder if springtime will ever return.

It is cloudy and cold where I live today. Knowing that spring is just around the corner makes this day worthwhile. I plan to take a stroll in the garden, because I know what is coming. New life will be here before we know it, and when new life returns, everything changes. Take a walk with me today. Come to the garden where Jesus was buried, and wait with me as we watch for signs of new life.

Resurrection is coming.

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.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Celebration of Life

Today’s Reading: John 19:39b-40 (NIV)

39b Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. 40 Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.

Good morning!

Joseph and Nicodemus could not bear to leave Christ’s body unattended. Jewish tradition celebrates life in the burial act; it is the recognition of gifts that were ours as a result of the one who has gone on before us. They took on the role of the Chevra Kadisha – the ones who prepare the body for burial. In accordance with Scripture and tradition, Joseph and Nicodemus prepared Christ’s body, not as an act of death, but of new life. As they bathed and wrapped his torn flesh with strips of linen and liquid spice, they performed their act of kindness, with no regard for remuneration. On a day like today, as the people prepared to celebrate the Passover feast, Joseph and Nicodemus took upon themselves an even greater responsibility: they prepared the body of the Father’s sacrificial Lamb for new life.

Jewish tradition compares a dead body to that of a damaged Torah, no longer useful for its intended use; yet, deserving of respect for the purpose which it once served. Remembrance is an important part of the burial process. Prayers are offered up, expressing deep gratitude for the life of the deceased and all the good that has been brought forth as a result of their living. I would have loved to have heard the prayers offered up by Joseph and Nicodemus as they prepared His body for burial.

If it had not been for the kindness of Joseph, there would have been no sacred place to have laid his body. Jesus lived the life of an itinerant; owning only the clothing on his back. The Romans confiscated his outer robe at the cross, which left Christ with no burial garment for his body. What shame this must have brought to the Master’s heart as he clung there upon the cross. The gift of purification, the wrapping of his flesh, is one of the greatest acts of kindness ever offered.

When death comes, we grieve what is lost and hold onto hope for what will be. If you are grieving the death of a loved one today, hold on to the assurance of new life. Celebrate what is coming! Christ died and rose again so that we may experience new life, everlasting life, in His presence. This is our celebration of life.

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.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Landing right side up

Today’s Reading: John 19:38-39a (NIV)

38 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. 39 He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night.

Good morning!

There is something to be said for landing right side up. My sister said these words to me last night, and I’ve been thinking about them ever since. Our grandson Jett took gymnastics every Saturday morning for two years. Occasionally, he would fall off the balance beam or not quite get high enough while swinging on the pommel horse. Every now and then, Jett would miss clearing the vault and fall onto the mats underneath. When he fell, Jett found a way to land right side up. There are times in life when we fall. The key to getting back up is in how we land.

Joseph and Nicodemus landed right side up. It took the Savior’s death to bring them both out of hiding. They were members of the Jewish council and followed the Master secretly. Fearful that others might find out, Nicodemus snuck around to see the Lord at night, asking questions in the dark. Joseph had earned the respect of his brothers in the Jewish community. Joseph’s family had a tomb in the garden near Golgotha. He was compelled give His Lord a proper burial. Joseph waited until the crowd had disbursed, asking Pilate for permission to take Christ’s body and personally bury him.

Fear can grip us when we lease expect it. You may be struggling today with fear of what the future holds. We watch as fires, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, disease, and starvation take its toll all over the world. Wars continue, stock prices fall, and instability in the job market has caused families to lose jobs, homes, and their life savings. It is easy to become discouraged when fear sets in. For Joseph and Nicodemus, their fear of sharing faith in Christ kept them silent even as He died upon the cross. Death has a way of forever changing people’s hearts. We realize just how much we miss the one we’ve lost. We set ourselves to a higher standard, purposing not to comprise who we are and what we believe simply out of fear of what may come.

Joseph and Nicodemus allowed their fears to catapult them into a faith freefall. Yet, they both managed to land right side up. Christ’s death was more than they could bear. It was time to stand up and tell the truth; expressing love for the One who gave His life in exchange for theirs.

If you have fallen from faith, it is not too late to land right side up. Reach out to Jesus today. Tell Him you are ready to take that first step in Him. When people place their hopes in earthly things, even our best laid plans are bound to crumble and fall. There is only one secure hope that will stand the test of all time, and He is the One who died and lives so that we might have eternal life with Him. Reach out to Jesus; confess Him as your personal Savior today. It is time to land right side up.

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, February 11, 2009

Look up!

Today’s Reading: John 19:36-37 (NIV)

36 These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,” 37 and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”

Zecharaiah 12:10-11a (NIV)

10 And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. 11 On that day the weeping in Jerusalem will be great.

Good morning!

I have always been fascinated by the beautiful crosses in many of the churches I’ve visited through the years. At Faith Church, we have a large wooden cross in the front of the sanctuary. At the center of the cross beams is a gold stripping that catches the light and shines brightly, especially when the sun streams through the large plate-glass windows on Sunday morning. When I’m kneeling at the altar, I look up and see Jesus there. The symbol of an unthinkable human act of vicious savagery has become a precious reminder of our perfect Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.

Crosses come in many sizes, shapes and varieties, and each one is beautiful to me. Jewelers manufacture crosses in fine gold, sterling silver, encrusted with tiny diamond chips and fine gems. Some crosses are made of pewter, wood, or steel. I’ve been known to wear a cross fashioned from nails. Occasionally, if I lean a certain way, I feel the tip of nail push against my skin and it is a sharp reminder of the pain Christ endured for my sin.

When the prophet Zechariah wrote these words some 480 years before Christ’s birth in Bethlehem, he had no way of knowing just how important the cross would be to all generations. It is there at the cross, that we find healing and forgiveness for the pain we have caused by our words and actions. It is there we see Christ’s blood flowing down, covering you and me. When the Roman soldier pierced Christ’s body with his sword, he knew Jesus was already dead. Yet, he thrust the sword deep into his side, perforating the sac around Christ’s heart. A mixture of blood and water poured out all at once, drenching the executioner and covering the whole of humanity. I can only imagine what it must have been like to see Christ’s blood flowing down from the cross that day. Can you see what I see?

There are a lot of people weeping and grieving around me. I have a friend who is burying his mother-in-law today, another friend who is frantically looking for work in a job market that is flooded with applicants and no available positions. Children are crying because they are hungry and their mothers and caregivers are weeping because they have no food to feed them. Families are grieving the losses of sons and daughters in wars that seem to go on and on. It’s as if the city of Jerusalem has never stopped weeping, since the day Jesus died on the cross.

Take time today to gaze at the One who was pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities. We have His hope in the crosses we bear. Jesus died and rose again to give us a brand new life, everlasting life in Him. The things that grieve us so now will fade one day when we meet our Lord face-to-face. Look up at the cross, for our salvation is here.

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, February 10, 2009

True Testimonial


Today’s Reading: John 19:34-35 (NIV)

34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. 35 The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe.

Good morning!

How important is your testimony?

I see a lot of testimonials on television. Public service advertisements offer one testimonial after another. Buy our product and you are guaranteed to lose weight, acquire six pack abs and lower your blood sugar and blood pressure by 20 points. A certain brand of blue jean will make you more popular with friends at school. You can be athlete of the year if you wear a certain name brand apparel, shoe, or have the “right” gear. I especially enjoy the “no obligation” and “money-back” guarantees that are placed alongside these promotions. The fine print flies by so quickly on the screen that it takes speed reading and a magnifier to see and understand the disclaimers that come with these ads.

Should our written and verbal testimony need a disclaimer?

We often think of the courtroom witness when we think about giving testimony. Speaking the truth is something we should do every day, not only when we take an courtroom oath to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Sometimes the truth is hard to hear, even harder to speak. I am fascinated by the candor and transparency of online chatter. On social networking sites, we read the thoughts and views of the people we know. Our perspectives are so varied and unique. How do we choose to share the truth with others? This morning, as you launch into your day, be especially aware of God’s truth living within you. Focus on the things you think, say and do. Would your life’s testimony stand up in a court of law?

The beloved disciple was an eyewitness to the Truth. He walked alongside His Lord, and stayed with Him even at the cross. Was He the only disciple brave enough to follow Jesus to Golgotha? I’ve often wondered if this is why John did not die a martyr’s death like all the other disciples. He was exiled to the island of Patmos where He spent the remainder of his days seeing visions of rapture and writing an account of Christ’s coming return. His eyewitness account of Christ’s death at Calvary is important for all believers everywhere.

John’s personal testimony to Christ’s physical death on the cross is the key in sharing Christ’s resurrection with the world. How will you personally testify to the saving power of Jesus Christ?

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, February 09, 2009

Broken bones

Today’s Reading: John 19:32-33 (NIV)

32 The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. 33 But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.

Good morning!

If you’ve ever suffered a broken bone, then you will understand just how limiting and useless that limb can quickly become. I broke a toe last summer. I had no idea how important toes are to balance and walking. It has been months and I still find myself nursing it along. Up until a couple of weeks ago, I couldn’t wear regular shoes, and I may never be able to wear a shoe with a heel again. I find it amazing that something so small could hurt so much.

My husband is nursing a broken elbow. He is in a cast from his fingertips to his shoulder. Simple things we think so little about have become quite the challenge, like putting on a pair of socks. We know his cast is short-lived, and we wait with eager anticipation for the day when he will no longer need it. Until then, Jeff can choose to color coordinate his arm with the liturgical season of Lent. It is a good thing that we really like purple at the parsonage!

When my father-in-law broke his leg a few years ago, I watched as he worked hard to regain mobility. After the cast came off, he went through months of physical therapy, just so he could walk without the assistance of a cane, sit down and stand up. We do not fully realize the support our bones give to flesh and how our entire bodies can be adversely affected when one bone is broken.

In the grizzly act of crucifixion, the condemned hangs in a suspended fashion from the cross, fighting for every breath. It is only by pushing up with the legs that another breath can be taken. If the legs do not function, then the prisoner cannot breathe, and he will suffocate in his own bodily fluids.

Jesus willingly gave up His Spirit. The Romans discovered there was no need to break his legs. The breath of life left the Master’s frame and entered into human hearts. His broken body became our salvation. His blood was shed so that we might inhale the fresh breath of everlasting life. Jesus died to heal our brokenness, whether it is a broken bone, a broken heart, or a broken life.

Ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior today. He has the power to heal the broken things in your life, and make you completely whole in Him.

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, February 08, 2009

Our Plans for the Day


Today’s Reading: John 19:31 (NIV)

31 Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down.

Deuteronomy 21:22-23 (NIV)

If a man guilty of a capital offense is put to death and his body is hung on a tree, 23 you must not leave his body on the tree overnight. Be sure to bury him that same day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse. You must not desecrate the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance.

Good morning!

“Hurry up and die! We’ve got more important things to do.” I can hear their words rip through the winds of time. Jewish law strictly prohibits leaving the body of the condemned exposed overnight or doing any work after sundown on the Sabbath. Religious leaders were anxious for Jesus to die so they could take care of business before they ate the Passover meal with their families and friends. It seems the people were far more concerned about following the letter of the law than living with the guilt of murdering an innocent man.

Have you ever placed your personal plans ahead of God?

The Christmas holidays were exhausting when we lived seven hundred fifty miles from home. We had two families to visit in just a few short days. We would drive twelve hours straight just to get back home in time for Christmas Eve services, and then try to split our time equally between Jeff’s parents and my parents. Everyone wanted to see the children. But I think they would have preferred seeing happy kids as opposed to cranky ones. Our children were tired when we arrived and they just wanted to run and play and squeal a lot, after having been belted in a car seat for hours on end. If the weather was bad and we had to slow down on the highway, it might take even longer to reach our final destination. I found it very hard to focus on worship at Christmas Eve services after arm wrestling two wee ones in the car, not to mention my own fatigue and stress level. To stop my mind from spinning in a thousand different directions, thinking of all that had to be done and the people we needed to see and things we needed to do before we turned around and drove back home to Texas, was like living a nightmare that would not end. Are we having fun yet? Often, we would spent a good portion of our Christmas day drying tiny tears and trying to take cat naps in between visits to grandparents, aunts and uncles. Time spent in sweet communion with the Lord was lost in the utter chaos of trying to complete our time-honored family tradition. Whatever was I thinking?

It’s little comfort, but obviously, I was not alone in this. Having the Martha mentality is not a great way to grow in grace. I found it hard to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to His Word when there was so much time spent in time-consuming preparation. I missed seeing the Master because I was too caught up in the moment. Can you imagine the irony on the day of Preparation, as Christ hung, dying on the cross, and the people were so busy trying to meet their obligations that they missed seeing their Savior?

Father, forgive us for being so busy that we forget what is most important in life. Help us stop what we doing and make you our first priority. This is the day that the Lord has made. It is not your day or my day – it is His Day. How will you choose to spend it?

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.