Friday, March 20, 2009

Heart-shaped shingles

Today’s Reading: John 21:1 (NIV)

1 Afterward Jesus appeared again to His disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias.

Good morning!

During one of His many appearances after the resurrection, Jesus suggested a fishing trip along the Sea of Tiberius with the boys. Jeff and I visited Tiberius when we traveled to Israel. It is a beautiful place; from the hillside, one can see land in the far-off distance. Tiberius runs along a 32-mile shoreline by the Sea. It is a great place to go fishing, and, as we walked along the water’s edge, we watched many people doing just that.

This is the place where folks come to heal their hurts from the daily grind. It has become Israel’s premiere vacation spots, where one can relax and enjoy a slice of the Father’s amazing creation. You cannot help but be recreated in such a lush surrounding. Whenever I feel a little overwhelmed, I close my eyes and remember the beauty of Tiberius and how the sunlight sparkles across the water. Did you know this some say from a aerial point of view, that the sea is shaped like a harp?

The disciples must have been emotional wrecks. I can only imagine their fragile state of mind and how completely confused, elated, exhausted and exhilarated they felt. How do you explain the resurrection to a total stranger? How would people who never knew this amazing man in the flesh know Him now in His risen state? They had the privilege of walking with their Lord for three amazing years, only to see His flesh torn and broken as He hung suspended on a cruel cross of torture. Then, when they thought all had been lost, Jesus did what He said and He rose again! I imagine every nerve ending in their bodies had been frayed during the trauma of the moment. They needed some healing time away from the crowd; they needed a little one-on-one with the Lord.

I was stepping out of the shower preparing for my work day when I first noticed it. Tiny clusters of blisters raised and reddened, running along my right arm. I immediately recognized the virus; it lay dormant in my body for years after having chicken pox as a child. Shingles has a way of rearing its ugly head just when you least expect it. The virus attacks nerve endings, inflaming them and causing severe and unrelenting pain. It feels a lot like a hot poker jabbing at your flesh constantly. On a much smaller scale, I wondered if this physical agony is like that of the intense pain magnified one thousand times over as my Savior suffered at Calvary. I never thought I’d have a real appreciation for what it feels like to have someone step on your last nerve. This week, I’m learning just what that feels like in the flesh.

One of the patches on my wrist has taken the shape of a heart. Only God would allow me to experience the pain and joy of heart-shaped shingles. If, in one small way, I can be reminded of the suffering my Savior endured to save me from sin, then I can learn to rejoice even in this most unusual circumstance. I’ve never been tattooed, but I think I may end up with a heart shaped scar after all. It is a love mark, daily reminding me that my Savior has been there and done that.

I've decided to take a little fishing trip with my Lord. The order of business this weekend is to rest, read, and take my anti-viral medications. A nice long stroll by the sea with my Redeemer is where you will find me. And I know His Sonlight will heal my body and soul.

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, March 18, 2009

The gift of curiosity

Today’s Reading: John 20:30-31 (NIV)

30 Jesus did many other miraculous things in the presence of His disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.

Good morning!

In 1941, H. A. and Margret Rey published a series of children’s stories about a little monkey named Curious George. What child is not enamored with the antics of this happy chimpanzee? People of all ages and stages in life find an affinity to our hairy little friend, as he experiences life in a great big world. Curiosity continually keeps me seeking and growing; prompting me to learn something new each day. George’s inquisitive spirit and determination can be found in the hearts and lives of his creators. The Reys found themselves in imminent danger, living in Europe during Hitler’s reign of terror. Both were Jews, living under close scrutiny of the Nazis. They escaped Paris just before the city was seized, riding out of the country on two make-shift bicycles. At the French-Spanish border, they sold their cycles in exchange for train fare and traveled into Brazil and then on to New York City, where they began to market their first five manuscripts. Our world is a fascinating place to live. We can see the wonder when we look through the eyes of our curious little friend George.

I sense the same wonder and excitement when I look at Jesus through the eyes of the disciples. The disciple whom Jesus loved wrote these fascinating words: Jesus did many other miraculous things in the presence of His disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name. Don’t you wonder what else Jesus did? I find my soul screaming, “Tell me more! Don’t stop now! I want to hear every detail, and experience each miracle and every word through your written testimony.” I think the author is saying to this reader that it is not nearly as important to know every detail of Jesus’ life and ministry; as it is to simply believe. When we come into the knowledge that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, we receive new life in His name. And this is Good News for a day like today!

Curiosity is a wonderful thing. We can get lost in the details and miss the reason if we are not careful. Jesus longs for us to seek Him out as we experience life. More important than knowing everything He said and did is in knowing He is our Lord.

Just how curious are you about Jesus Christ? His Word never ends. You can live on forever in His holy presence IF you are willing to believe, repent, and receive Him as your personal Savior today.

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, March 15, 2009

Not seeing is believing


Today’s Reading: John 20:29 (NIV)

29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Good morning!

I was cooking breakfast yesterday morning when my telephone rang. It was my friend Jerry, who was feeling under the weather. The evangelism team was scheduled to meet in my home in about twenty minutes and Jerry wasn’t going to be there. He had prepared a fruit salad to share and wondered if I wouldn’t mind dropping by his home to pick it up. Jerry only lives five minutes from my house, so I left the frying of the bacon to the capable hands of my house guests and I grabbed by my car keys and left.

As I reached the apartment complex, I picked up my cell phone and called Jerry to tell him I was just outside. He told me that he did not feel enough to come to the front door but the door was unlocked and I could just come on in. Hurriedly, I walked into the building and knocked on the door. Turning the knob, the door opened and I said in a loud voice, “Jerry, I’m here. I’m coming inside.” The house was dark and quiet, except for the uncontrollable coughing coming from the bedroom. I became immediately concerned, wondering whether Jerry was okay. I said, “Jerry, are you all right? Do you need some help?” I hesitated for a second, wondering whether I should venture back toward the bedroom. Suddenly, a man whom I did not recognize came scrambling out of the bedroom, dressing as he came. All I can tell you is that I’m glad I didn’t faint. I suddenly realized that I was in the wrong apartment!

Now, I haven’t been able to find just the right words to adequately express my complete embarrassment in this particular situation. I wondered how in the world I could end up in the wrong place at the right time. Has this ever happened to you, or is it just me? This morning, I am glad to be alive. Here I was, an unintentional intruder in the home of a perfect stranger. I’ve determined that this is NOT the way to do personal evangelism, although I did find myself wishing I had a Bible tract or some other small gift to leave at the startled man’s feet. I apologized profusely, turned around and exited through the door that I walked through. I could hear the kind gentlemen laughing out loud hysterically as I left his apartment building. Somehow, this didn’t help me much. I can still him laughing this morning.

I ran back to my car and called Jerry. He said, “You must be lost.” Exasperated, I replied, “You have no earthly idea.”

Jesus understands our human dilemma. Even with the best of intentions, we often miss the Truth of the matter because we are too busy trying to see it for ourselves. We want tangible proof; we want to witness the miracle; we want to not have any doubts about our God. We want to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and know that this confession of faith will immediately make us healthy, wealthy and wise. When we don’t see immediate, tangible evidence, we wonder if He’s for real. We wonder if He’s really God. We wander off, lost in the maze of human thought and personal misinterpretation. We somehow lose sight of the Savior in our wondering and wandering.


Why do we insist on seeing Christ as a prerequisite to believing? There are times when NOT seeing is believing. Take my word for it. It may save you from opening the wrong door that you do not want to go through.

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.