Coming home

Today’s Reading: Acts 1:13-14 (NIV)

13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.

Good morning!

One of the most difficult transitions a family makes is when grown children leave home for the very first time. Our daughter Rachel lived at home and commuted back and forth to college, but we rarely saw her, as her clinical training required she stay overnight at hospitals for 24 hour shifts in various parts of the state. Every now and then, she would come home to sleep, do a little laundry and maybe eat breakfast with us leaving us again. Rachel bought a house and moved out as soon as she landed her first full-time job, two and half hours away from home. That spring, we were preparing to relocate to a new church, and we were moving another two hours away from her. I remember that awful sense that I had somehow left of piece of myself behind in that house. She knew where she could find us if she needed anything at all; yet, Rachel was making a new life for herself. Letting go is not an easy thing in this mother's heart.

The boys ended up moving in and out a couple of times before they eventually took wing and flew the coop for good. Their transitions into independence were not smooth. When our youngest son David moved out, the house became almost too quiet. It was quite an adjustment from a few short years ago, when the stability of the parsonage roof was tested with Saturday band practices in the basement, soccer games in the back yard, and the ritual pizza deliveries to the front door. I’ve embraced the quiet of our empty nest, and enjoy visiting my children and their families in their homes. It is good to know they have made their way and have found happiness in the fullness of their lives.

It is an important thing for families to come home and gather together often to celebrate holy days and remember their youth. We tend to lose touch with each other in the rigors of daily living. It is a real challenge to have all of our children, grandchildren and extended family together even at Christmas. Quite often, we all get together, but we’re so exhausted that even though we’re physically present, it is hard to reconnect because we’re emotionally drained. Holiday preparations brings us to the place where we need to be, only to find ourselves falling asleep on the comfy sofa after consuming Christmas dinner, or retiring to a spare bedroom for a late afternoon nap. It isn’t enough to be physically present if our minds are somewhere else.

It was crucial for the family of Christ to arrive together, in one place. So important, in fact, that the author took time to identify every person present by name. This is why the family of Christ gathers together each week to worship, learn and enjoy fellowship. Everyone is important to the body as a whole. We share in the joy of knowing that one day, we will all go home together to live forever in the everlasting light of Jesus.

Learn to make family time a priority. Be present, physically, emotionally and spiritually. There is nothing more important than engaging in weekly worship with the body of Christ. We need you here, and when you are not with us, our faith family is simply not the same. Come home this weekend. You have a place waiting especially for you at Faith Church.

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.

A Sabbath Day's Walk

Today’s Reading: Acts 1:12 (NIV)

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city.

Good morning!

How far is a Sabbath’s day walk? Bible Scholars speculate this walk could be no longer than ¾ of a mile. If you wear a pedometer to track your daily steps, you may be surprised to know just how far you walk in a day, even without purposefully exercising. Keeping your walking to a minimum of ¾ mile is very hard to do.

How far is too far to go to worship the Lord? We live approximately ½ mile from the front door of our home to the front door of Faith Church, and I do enjoy walking the subdivision to church. I will confess that I don’t walk very often, because it is difficult to provide shuttle service for friends who need a last minute lift when you are traveling on foot! Many from our Faith family drive long distances to come and worship each week. We have folks who travel from Cahokia, Illinois, the greater St. Louis area, and as far west as Wentzville and Warrenton to worship at Faith each week. I recently read a bumper sticker on the back of a car while sitting at an intersection in town. It said, “A church that is alive is worth the drive!”

In this fast-paced culture, it is not uncommon for folks to hop in their automobiles and travel here and there, especially on the Sabbath. There are sporting events, shopping sprees, family get-togethers, and even work to attend to. How many people do you know who are required to work every weekend? It seems as if our culture has all but forgotten the Father’s command to “Remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but He rested on the seventh day. Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” Exodus 20:8-11 NIV

In the busyness and business of life, I have a deep desire to make each Sabbath day’s walk a holy walk. I’ve found that my Sabbath does not necessary fall every seventh day – I can enter into Sabbath rest every morning as I enter into the presence of the Lord through worship and prayer. I believe that keeping the Sabbath holy has a whole lot more to do with our mindset and heart song than with the physical mileage we burn in travel time to and from the places we go.

Won’t you join me today in a Holy Sabbath Walk with the Lord?

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.

Is the sky falling?

Today’s Reading: Acts 1:10-11 (NIV)

10 They were looking intently up into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.”

Good morning!

I became enamored with the skies at an early age, sitting on the rich, velvety bluegrass in my back yard, counting the clouds above. There is something absolutely captivating in the sky; we sense it every time we look up. My mother used to sit outside in the back yard, and we would share a picnic lunch together while enjoying the beautiful skies above. She would read the fairy tale, Chicken Licken, and it was by far one of my favorite picnic stories. Do you remember the rhyming names of the cast of characters? Let's see - there was: Chicken Licken (or Chicken Little), Henny Penny, Lucky Ducky, Loosey Goosey (or Gander Pander), Turkey Lurkey and Foxy Loxy. I could relate best to Loosey Goosey. In fact, my mother used to call me that every now and then. Which character best describes you?

In the story, Chicken Licken fears that the sky is falling when an acorn falls from a nearby tree and bops her on the head. She frantically spreads the scary news to all the animals as she goes to tell the King. What is most interesting about this story is that it has a garden variety of endings and morals, depending upon your point of view. In one ending, the storybook animals are saved by the King’s hunting dogs. In another version, the sky actually falls and takes out Foxy Loxy. My takeaway is that I am not to be a Chicken Licken but to face my fears with faith and step out in courage each new day.

I imagine the disciples were caught up in the rapture of the moment as they watched their resurrected Savior rise up into the heavenly skies. With eyes fixed upon the clouds above, their mouths gaping wide open; it took two men dressed in brilliant white to bring them back down to earth. “Why are you standing here looking up?” they questioned the believers. “This Jesus who was taken up will return in the exact same way.” I can’t blame the men and women from not wanting to divert their eyes from the sky, knowing that He will one day soon return in the clouds.

The truth is simple. Because of Jesus Christ, we have His resurrection hope pulsing in our veins. We know He is coming back! We could stand around staring at the skies and waiting for Christ’s imminent return. He didn’t say to His disciples, “Now stand here and wait for me. I’ll be back!” No, Jesus commanded His disciples to go and make disciples of all the nations – there is much work to be done before He returns.

We can now face our every fear with faith. In a world where the sky seems to be literally falling down around us, we have Christ’s Word to assure us of full salvation in Him. He will not forsake us. We will see Him coming again on the clouds one day soon, and that’s a bonafide lifetime guarantee! Until then, we need to stop gawking at the skies above and get busy spreading the news! Jesus Christ is alive! He heals the sick, frees us from sin, and brings everlasting hope to the hopeless. Spread the Good News today, in Jesus’ name!

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.

The pedestrian bridge

Today’s Reading: Acts 1:9 (NIV)

After [Jesus] said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight.

Good morning!

I couldn’t help but notice a most captivating sunset Saturday evening as I walked across the pedestrian bridge that linked the parking garage to St. Louis University Hospital. The sunlight streaming through a few colorful clouds beamed across the sky and literally fell along the path where I was walking. I stopped to look up. The light was so bright that I could not keep my eyes on it for more than a second; yet, it was the most beautiful thing I think I’ve ever seen.

I wonder if this is similar to the disciples’ experience when Jesus was taken up into heaven. One minute, He is standing there, speaking to them, and the next, He is high and lifted up, moving across the sky. The disciples strained their eyes to see Him pass through the clouds but the light was so intensely bright they could not watch Him go. Eventually, a cloud hid Him from their physical sight.

Just because we cannot see Him in the flesh, does not mean that Jesus isn’t here with us right now.

When I make hospital visits, it is my practice to pray silently for the people in every room that I walk by. On one floor, babies are being born every minute and new life is birthed into every heart who peers into the nursery window for the very first time. On another floor, people are waiting for any word of hope for their loved ones who remain patients in intensive care units. Pastors and physicians gather with family members who are holding vigil as their friend is fighting for life. Here the battle is often won in a brand new life. We wait as they breathe their last earthly breath and take their first, fresh new breath of everlasting life in heaven.

I couldn’t help but wonder if that beautiful sunset wasn’t the grand welcome for a precious child of God, who was crossing over at that very moment from death into new life. They are here one minute and gone the next; we strain our eyes to see them go. Yet, this precious one lives on in our hearts and minds forever. As I moved across the pedestrian bridge, I was reminded that all of us will one day walk across the bridge that leads from this life into the next. Who will be there to greet you on that day? When I make my crosswalk journey, there is only one face I long to see, and His light will be the light that guides my every step home.

If you have lost a loved one in the past week, my prayer is that you will remember Christ’s everlasting promise; Jesus is with us always, even to the end of the age. He has gone to prepare a place for you and me; where we will be live in His light forever. This is not the end, but a brand new beginning. Learn to embrace the sunsets of life, for it is a gift of all that is to come.

Jesus is with us always: yesterday, today and forever. Choose to walk in the light of His love 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.

Living Witness

Today’s Reading: Acts 1:8 (NIV)

8 [Jesus said,] “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Good morning!

Lord, you really want me to be your living witness where?

This is a question that comes up daily in my personal devotion time with the Lord. Christ commands us to go make disciples of all the nations. That is one tall order for this short order cook! Being a person who finds herself directionally challenged, I struggle to unpack the specifics of this direct command.

I begin the process by trying to define where Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria are in my life. Jerusalem is the place where the disciples gathered, as they waited for the Holy Spirit power to come upon them. It was there they first saw the Lord, alive and well, after His crucifixion and burial. The disciples found the Upper Room in Jerusalem to be a holy place of refuge in a volatile social and political climate. This room had become their home away from home. My Jerusalem is definitely home; home with my family; home with my Faith family. It is the one place I can go and know that I will be loved unconditionally and without reservation. It is a safe oasis in a difficult social and economic climate. I can express my love for Christ freely, knowing that the people who surround me understand what I feel because they feel it too. I am called to be a living witness in my home, with my family, and at church, in the presence of my Faith family.

Judea takes the disciples out of their comfort zone and moves them out into the communities surrounding their home base. Moving into unknown territory can be frightening, especially when folks who do not share your enthusiasm or love for the Lord begin to judge you. How did the disciples convince people who did not yet know Jesus to believe in Him? They put themselves in harm’s way just to share Christ’s saving message outside the walls. The Holy Spirit equipped the disciples to go into Judea, standing on Christ’s Word alone. My Judea is the place where I work and study and live each day. It is the neighborhood where I reside. Jesus holds me personally responsible to share the Good News with the folks I meet, everywhere I go. This is where I need to improve my spiritual serve, knowing that I will surely face rejection, judgment and hostility from many. Am I willing to take Christ's message to the streets?

Samaritans were considered despicable by the Jews. They were the outcasts of all good society. Jesus had no problem hanging out with Samaritans. His love broke every social class, boundary, and cultural standard. Jesus was judged harshly for eating with tax collectors, healing lepers, and befriending Samaritans. Where is my Samaria? Is Christ calling me to go to the place I would rather not go to serve Him? Maybe I need to make a visit to the local bars in St. Charles. This is a very hard place for me to go, given my childhood upbringing. Nothing scares me more than an out-of-control drunk than a convicted felon. Maybe Christ wants me to take His Word into the prisons. Am I willing to walk through my Samaria and love as Christ loves me?

I realize that the Holy Spirit power is not manufactured in America. I cannot purchase it in any other country, for that matter. The Holy Spirit power is an amazing gift from the Father, given freely to all who believe and receive Jesus as Lord. When we believe with our hearts and confess with our lips that Jesus Christ is Lord of all, we ask by faith to receive the Holy Spirit power, and He pours it out over our lives. This power is the exact same power that the disciples carried with them throughout Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria. He equips us to leave the creature comforts of our homes, our churches, and go outside the walls in ministry and service for His kingdom.

Where is Jesus Christ calling you to be His living witness 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.