Listen up!

Today’s Reading: Acts 13:16 NIV

16 Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand, and said: “Men of Israel and you Gentiles, who worship God, listen to me!”

Good morning!

“Listen up!” Miss Walker would shout as loud as she could to gain some semblance of control over the students participating in elementary choir. I have always loved music, vocal and instrumental, and I looked forward with anticipation to every class. It was more than obvious that the boys my age would much rather have had their teeth pulled than sing. They preferred gymnastics to music class, any day of the week. Miss Walker’s frustration seemed to mount as the school year wore on. It did not seem fair to me that this gifted teacher had to work doubly hard in the classroom, to offer us the required curriculum outlined in her weekly learning plans.

For those of us who longed to learn, we were privileged to receive the benefit of Miss Walker’s tutoring. She invited me to turn pages for her in worship on weekends, when she would play as a substitute organist for local United Methodist churches in our community. Occasionally, Miss Walker would offer free concerts on Sunday afternoons, open to the public, and I would go and listen to the glorious sounds that filled the air. Her extraordinary gift was available to anyone who would make time to listen.

Listening is a choice. The flurry of noise around us can diminish our capacity to hear the things of utmost importance. Pride can be a huge deterrent when it comes to hearing and understanding the message. The people who had gathered at the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch, were proud of their heritage through God’s everlasting covenant with Israel. It was difficult for many to hear and accept the fulfillment of the promised One, who had come in their lifetime, to lead them back into the Father’s arms. Somehow, they were missing the point. Just like those unruly boys in Miss Walker’s fifth grade music class, we choose to close their hearts, and do all in our power to distract others from hearing the beautiful music of everlasting life which comes through Christ alone. The Apostle Paul knew it would be hard for many to hear, and so, he raised his voice with great conviction, and said, “Listen to me!”

I was saddened at first, when Miss Walker decided to leave her teaching position at the school and travel abroad, offering her talents as a professional musician. I am certain this new career path gave her a great sense of personal satisfaction. I will always be grateful to the instruction of Miss Walker, for she taught me how to truly listen, especially when the decibel level in the classroom of life is almost deafening.

Are there pastors and teachers in your life, who have taught you how to truly listen to the still, small voice of God? Has the deafening noise of the cultural worldview somehow kept you from hearing God speak to your heart? It is often a scary thing to set aside our pride to listen and hear the message offered. It is my humble prayer that you will choose to open the Scripture with a contrite and softened heart, and be able to truly hear the voice of our Lord as He whispers, “Listen to me!”

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2010, 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.

Getting your toes stepped on

Today’s Reading: Acts 13:15 NIV

15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue rulers sent word to them [Paul and Barnabas], saying, “Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak.”

Good morning!

“Pastor, you stepped on my toes this morning!” I can still hear his words ringing as clear as the bell that called the community to worship every Sunday morning at College Mound. My husband Jeff was a young seminarian, eager to spread Christ's Gospel in the pastoral appointment he was assigned during seminary. One of our seasoned parishioners, a retired farmer, always came to church sporting blue jean coveralls and light brown cowboy boots, even before “come as you are” was considered a socially acceptable practice! Praise the Lord, because He does not base our worth upon the clothes we choose to wear into worship; God cares far more about the clothing of our eternal souls. Our friend invariably would say the same exact thing to Jeff as he left worship each week. We knew what his response would be before he reached the front door. Jeff would shake his hand, as our friend stood, grinning from ear to ear. He would look down at the ground and pick up his right foot, displaying a worn hole in the soul of his boot. After his weekly proclamation, he would gather with the rest of the congregation underneath the large shade trees by the gravel parking lot, kicking acorns and continuing a holy conversation. Have you ever heard a message delivered in church that seemed to tromp all over your toes? Did it feel like your feet were literally on fire when His Word shook you to your knees?

People are looking for a word of encouragement more than ever, today. One has to look no further than the morning news to get a taste of the suffering happening everywhere. Hope is a human necessity and without it, people wither and die. Where do you go to find a dose of daily hope? Are you willing to open your heart and receive Christ's word of encouragement today?

I confess that God has to regularly step on my toes and set my feet ablaze before I am moved to respond. It takes a pointed message that grabs me by the heart, before I feel a holy call to arms. It is not the pat on the back I had expected to receive when I entered into the sanctuary, but His message is the only message I desperately need to hear. We will miss the point entirely if we’re too busy kicking acorns under the tree, pointing forked fingers at the messenger, while wasting precious time not responding to Christ’s call.

When the Apostle Paul stood to up to speak in the synagogue that day, he knew that the Word he came to share would ruffle feathers, cause dissent, and make folks angry. There was no doubt that someone was going to get their toes stepped on. Paul’s fervent prayer was that God’s Word would not be compromised because of fear of hurting the feelings of those sitting around him. He was willing to risk human rejection and accept the verbal and physical retribution from a hostile crowd, if it meant that someone’s feet would catch the fire of the spirit and carry the Gospel message into their community. Are you willing to risk stepping on someone’s toes, to tell others about Jesus?

Open your heart to the Word of the Lord this morning, and be grateful for all of His messengers, who must sometimes step on our toes, so that we might hear and respond to Christ’s call.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2010, 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.

Sharing life in the Word

Today’s Reading: Acts 13:14 NIV

14 From Perga they [Paul and Barnabas] went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down.

Good morning!

Whenever Jeff and I travel, on vacation or for business, we seek out the local United Methodist congregation in the community where we are staying and make note of their worship service days and times. We sense a special connection with the world wide body of the United Methodist movement, and are welcomed here with open hearts, open minds and open doors. Do you purposely look for specific places to worship when you are traveling far from home?

I enjoy meeting new people. I like to hear their faith stories; often, it is through sharing personal faith that I find myself growing deeper in the love of Jesus Christ. We experience a deep human connection, intricately weaved in and through the work of the Holy Spirit. We can learn so much from each other. Our customs, cultures and faith traditions may be different; yet, we are drawn together by Christ’s love, which makes us one.

Paul and Barnabas knew they would find a commonality with the people worshipping at the synagogue. They would be exposed to the different culture and traditions of this community; yet, chose to speak with these men of great faith. They instinctively knew that their personal beliefs and differences might very well separate them; yet, this was an opportunity to share the salvation message of Jesus Christ; and open a door for the Holy Spirit to warm the hearts of all who hear.

One does not have to look far to find a faith community. We are no longer bound to physical buildings in the middle of our town square. People of faith are everywhere! You can find them at work, at school, living in your neighborhoods, and all over the worldwide web. Today, we have a small window of opportunity to share our faith in Jesus Christ with the world. Are you willing to tell your story? Come and worship with me today, as we share life together in the Word.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2010, 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.

The mission of hope

Today’s Reading: Acts 13:13 NIV

From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where [John Mark] left them to return to Jerusalem.

Good morning!

It is difficult to fully grasp the devastation that occurred after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the country of Haiti last week. We hear eyewitness accounts from reporters filming the disaster; we see indescribable pictures printed on the front pages of our newspapers. The only thing we may not fully comprehend is the stench of death that permeates the air. The death toll continues to rise exponentially. Thousands died instantly, while just as many, if not more, endured the terror of being buried alive. Family members are digging with their bare hands, trying to save and free their children, parents, and friends. Many have lost family members who they may never be identified in the rubble. Several United Methodist missionaries and mission teams were working in Haiti when the earthquake struck. Some have already passed away from injuries sustained when the buildings collapsed. They were an integral part of our family of faith, and we grieve their loss and pray for the ones who are missing them dearly today.

The humanitarian need in this country is greater than ever before. I was caught up in an online news article, which was filmed as survivors gathered together to pray, seeking God’s help for the monumental task of rebuilding. We know there is so much more here than the rebuilding of homes, re-establishing a clean water source, food for all, and providing medical necessities for those in need. Who will bring hope to the hopeless? Would you be willing to hold a hurting child in your arms, offer comfort to a grieving widow, or take the hand of an elderly man whose only family has seemingly disappeared?

There is no doubt in my mind that this missionary journey will be hard. From Scripture, we are not completely clear as to why John Mark left Paul and Barnabas, returning home to Jerusalem. Some scholars speculate that he may have become homesick or simply frustrated with his traveling companions. It is certainly possible that John Mark became physically ill, and, in an attempt to protect the others from catching his disease, he willingly went home. Spreading the Gospel message in places where no one had heard of Jesus prior to their arrival had to be an overwhelming adventure for three new missionaries. Will seeds of faith planted along the way spring up from the dry, cracked soil, taking root and flourishing in the everlasting light of His love?

In the upcoming months, many volunteers from around the world will leave the comfort of their own homes to travel to Haiti, hoping to make a lasting difference for another human heart. Many will support mission teams with charitable donations of money and supplies for all the laborers who are working in the field. All of us can pray for the power and presence of the Holy Spirit to fill Haiti, for the everlasting light of Christ is the hope of the world.

Jesus called his followers to go and make disciples of all nations. May our own lives reflect the love we profess, as we reach around the world, offering His hope and help to our sister country in great need.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2010, 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.