Friday, November 20, 2009

A gooey mess of sin

Today’s Reading: Matthew 8:24-25 NIV

24 Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

Good morning!

Reluctantly, my husband Jeff brought me a chocolate protein shake that I asked for while lying in bed and he handed it to me with a stern warning, “Now Deb, do not fall asleep before you drink it.” I heard him say the words, and I really meant to heed them, but just a few short minutes later, I found myself covered from head to toe in cold chocolate goo. Why do we listen yet refuse to obey? What keeps us from following the good instructions our Daddy gives us?

Jesus gave us great instructions for living. His words were clear and plain. I don’t know whether we’re simply tone deaf, too tired to pay attention, or just plain sin sick, but often, we ignore the rules and find ourselves soaked in a gooey mess of trouble. I was pretty embarrassed when my youngest son came to check in on me that morning and found me sound asleep in a pool of chocolate. He must have thought that was some crazy dream I was having. Who wouldn’t want to jump into a vat of yummy chocolate and swim around in it for awhile? The problem with chocolate is that it stains everything it touches. My sheets were ruined. My favorite pajamas had to be tossed. It took two shampoos to get it all out of my hair, and believe me, it is so hard to raise the arm I just had surgery on to wash my hair, that I was truly regretting my silly mistake before I was washed completely clean.

There are no silly sins in life, but we are often silly in perpetrating them. Jesus tells us to listen and we somehow forget to listen and follow His instruction. If we would just do what we were told, we wouldn’t find ourselves in such a sticky mess.

The next time your husband tells you not to drink a chocolate protein shake in bed, be sure to pay attention. And the next time Jesus tells you to hear His Word and put it into practice, do the right thing, and obey His Word.

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.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

The music of love

Today’s Reading: Psalm 107:1 NIV

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.

Good morning!

This has been a very sad and painful time in my family’s life. Last week, I had a second surgery, which I had hoped and had prayed to the Lord I might avoid. The surgeon was brilliant and the procedure was a success. Now the recovery begins, and with God’s strength, I will heal. The day after my surgery, my mother fell at home and broke a bone that will not mend easily. She is in a great deal of pain, and yet, the Lord is right beside her, every step of the way. Sometimes I don’t understand why things happen the way they do. Just at the time when she needs me most, I am unable to help her. Maybe there is a greater plan here which I do not yet understand. One thing I know for certain – God is good, especially in the tough times of our lives, and His love endures forever.

The medications I take to help with pain make me weepy. I seem to have a bottomless well of tears rising up from seemingly out of nowhere. My husband hates it when I cry. It makes him sad to see me sad. Even in our tears, we can laugh, knowing God is wiping every tear away and He will bring us great joy in the morning. Jeff did a really sweet thing for me last night and I just wanted you to know what his random act of kindness meant to me. I fell asleep in the Lazy Boy® recliner yesterday afternoon and didn’t wake up until 3:30 this morning. By then, I had missed two doses of medication and, as you might imagine, I was in excruciating pain. Hobbling back to the bedroom, moaning every step of the way, Jeff crawled out of bed to find my medicine. He tucked me into bed and put on my favorite Christmas CD. The first sounds I heard were the sound of church chimes ringing from a distance. Soon, my sobbing turned to tears of joy as I heard tenor Josh Groban sing of my Savior’s birth. Like a beautiful lullaby, I fell asleep listening to the Scripture sung in perfect harmony. What a wonderful reminder of the gift of new life that is given each and every day for all who believe.

Even though I cannot be physically present with my mother every minute of the day, I have His promise that He has not forsaken her. She hears the same beautiful melodies that I am listening to now. We are not alone, especially in times of suffering.

On this day, I am thankful for my Lord Jesus Christ. He is good and His love endures all things, forever and ever. Be thankful with me and rejoice, for we are not alone. We have a Savior and He loves us with a love that will not let us go.

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.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

“Top Three”

Today's reading - Acts 12:12-14 (NIV): 12When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. 13Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. 14When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, "Peter is at the door!"

This is really an exciting moment for the servant girl. Most likely she had been doing her chores and had not been praying with the others. But she knew who Peter was by his voice and was excited to announce his appearance! How wonderful for her.

I would certainly be a changed person if I recognized Jesus’ voice each time He sends a message to me through someone. There are ways that I can improve my hearing.


  • First - Awareness is vital. I must be aware of Christ’s presence in my surroundings, aware that the people I come in contact with are divine appointments to do something with.
  • Second – Praying for that awareness is essential. I can’t recognize the voice, if I don’t ask Him to help me.
  • Third – Acknowledge the message and ask the Lord if it is His will.

The list can go on and on, but these are the top three for me. I want to recognize the voice of God because He is calling me! Take a moment and decide your top three.

Dorothy Drago Brucks
Aldersgate UMC
Nixa, Mo.
www.aldersgatechurch.com

Monday, November 16, 2009

“He does and you can”

Today’s reading - Acts 12:10-11 (NIV): 10They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.

11Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating."

The Lord God Almighty rescues! There is no doubt in my mind that God rescues. Yes, as many others, I have had a conversion experience, it was in 1986, I remember the exact moment, location and experience. This recognition is my acceptance of God’s ultimate rescue of me. He took me out of a miry pit and rescued me!

That is not the only time the Almighty has rescued me. I am rescued daily and I hope that you believe you are also. Today I was rescued from being involved in an automobile accident. Like Peter, I was not myself for a few moments, driving down the road with my head and mind somewhere else, then my mind stirred to alertness and rescue was activated.

Peter knew without a doubt he says, that the Lord sent his angel. I love that! Not too many guys I know would come out and say that. It is true though, angels surround us at all times, we seldom see the bright light that Peter did, but nevertheless God chooses to rescue us.

Make a list each day of the times that you were rescued from a situation, action, inappropriate internal thoughts etc. pray, give thanks, recognize God has more in store for you. Stay in love with God and live a holy life. He will rescue you so that you can!

Dorothy Drago Brucks
Aldersgate UMC
Nixa, Mo
www.aldersgatechurch.com

Sunday, November 15, 2009

"Trust and Obey"

Today’s reading - Acts 12:7-9 (NIV): 7Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists.
8Then the angel said to him, "Put on your clothes and sandals." And Peter did so. "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me," the angel told him. 9Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision.

When I was a teenager, I hated it when my parents would come in and wake me up with some sort of loud noise or flashing overhead light or singing (that was the worse). It would startle me and my head would pound and heart would race and I would be out of sorts for quite a while. Guess what, I did it to my kids, although I never sang them out of bed, but a glass of cold water to the face, will get you out the door to go to High School. (now I wonder what I was thinking then.)

So the word ‘suddenly’ in this scripture means a lot to me and it must have Peter also after all a light appeared, a voice came and the chains fell off, all while sleeping between two guardsmen. Within a matter of seconds, the angel speaks to Peter giving instructions which he follows. I find it interesting to think that Peter had no idea what was going on and thought it was a vision.

As a teenager, to obey my parents was expected; they ran a pretty tight ship. But to obey out of a dead sleep, while in jail and from a light shinning in, had to take trust. The kind of trust that only God can provide. Peter was beginning to understand that God was guiding him and providing for him, so his trust in God was building.

You and I need those building block experiences with God in order for us to trust and obey. Our God, king of all kings, our great high priest, gives us that power within our flesh to trust that His son provided our salvation and the Holy Spirit continues to speak to us and guide us every moment. We must obey.

Dorothy Drago Brucks
Aldersgate UMC, Nixa, Mo
www.aldersgatgechurch.com