Finding The Way home

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Ecclesiastes 4, 5, 6

Ecclesiastes 6:1-6 (NIV)

1 I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on men: 2 God gives a man wealth, possessions and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires, but God does not enable him to enjoy them, and a stranger enjoys them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil. 3 A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. 4 It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded. 5 Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man – 6 even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?

John 14:5-6 (NIV)

5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Good morning!

“I’m running away!” I heard my five-year old son announce one morning from the breakfast table, after he decided he did not want to obey me. I chuckled under my breath as I grabbed the cloth suitcase from the top of the closet shelf, so that Benjie could pack his things. He was angry with me because I told him no, and he didn’t like it, not one little bit. Benjie began to grab some favorite toys to put in the suitcase, as I stood by shaking my head. “No, son, you can’t take those things with you. They need to stay here.” “Why not?” Ben looked at me with tear-filled eyes. “They are not yours to take. They belong to all of us.” The look of surprise and dismay on his face is one I will never, ever forget. That look reminded me of a similar glance I’ve given to the Lord from time to time. Benjie grabbed his pajamas, his favorite blankie and the Donald Duck pillow my mother made him. He slept with his arms wrapped around his precious pillow every night. Then he zipped the suitcase shut. “Goodbye Mommy,” Ben said, as he struggled to carry the luggage down the hallway and out the front door. “I love you Benjamin, and I miss you already. Come home soon, “I replied, as I stood at the door and waved. I watched my son trudge down the driveway to the sidewalk in front of our house.

“What’s up?” Jeff had joined me at the doorway. “Benjie has decided to run away from home.” We stood at the door and watched, hoping and praying he would choose to turn around and come back before one of us would have to go after him. Free will can be a beautiful thing; it can also be one of the most difficult gifts God has ever given us.

Have you ever wanted to run away from God? He gives us life – then lets us choose how we will live it. He blesses us with prosperity, yet we must decide whether to embrace it, bless others with it, or squander it away. He shows us The Way home through the awesome love of His only Son, Jesus Christ; yet allows us the freedom to choose whether or not we will ask Him to come into our hearts. The disciples wanted to know where Jesus was headed. They did not seem to know the way home, even when He was standing right in front of them. Jesus said, “I am The Way, The Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

Jesus is crying out to you and me today. Can’t you hear Him say: “I am the One you’ve been looking for your entire life. Follow me home! I can get you back on track. I can help heal the hurt in your heart. I can give you everything you’ve ever longed for, all that you need is through me. Come to me now! I’m waiting right here for you! I’m standing at your door and knocking – why won’t you let me in? Will you choose me, even when you don’t like my instructions? Will you follow me, even when the road is not easy? I’ve given you everything you need to be happy and free. You lack nothing through me – I have given it all up for you. Won’t you choose to come home?”

Benjie walked down the sidewalk slowly. After a slight hesitation and with tears streaming down his little face, he turned around and headed back toward the open front door. “Mommy, I’m coming home,” he cried. Running out onto the driveway in my pajamas, I scooped up that sweet little boy, hugged the stuffing out of him, and said, “I’m so glad you came home! I’ve missed you so much!” Hand-in-hand, we walked through the front door, where his father was standing, grinning at both of us. Benjie got a pat on the head and a hug from his dad. Sometimes, a hug is all we need to know what we’ve been missing out on all our life.

Are you ready to come home to Jesus Christ today?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: courage to turn around and come home to the Lord of life. He can take even the most stubborn soul and soften it for kingdom work, if you will just invite Him to come in. He is standing at the door knocking. The rest is up to you.

________________________________

© Copyright 2007, 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.

Filling up the hole in your heart

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Ecclesiates 1, 2, 3

Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 (NIV)

24 A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, 25 for without Him, who can eat or find enjoyment? 26 To the man who pleases Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner He gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)

11 He has made everything beautiful in His time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

Good morning!

When our children were young, Jeff and I looked for ways to make the holidays truly special, something just a little bit out of the ordinary. The celebratory meal included some of our family’s favorite recipes, like Grandma’s mashed potatoes and gravy (something only Grandma could make), banana pudding with whipped cream topping and vanilla wafer crumbles, homemade pizza with mushroom and melting mozzarella, and fancy doughnuts purchased from our favorite breakfast vendor. Our children were early risers on those days, when Jeff and I would have preferred to sleep in. Flipping on the television set, we would sit curled up in our pajamas on the sofa and watch the parades on television. An assortment of doughnuts would be passed around the room. We had our sugar fix early and it made for an interesting day with three little munchkins all wound up and shaking with excitement. We could have offered them a jolt of caffeine from the coffee brewing in the pot by the stove and it would have had the same result – just pick your poison.

Everyone had their favorite doughnuts to choose from. I personally like custard filled doughnuts. Our children liked the jelly and whipped cream kind. Jeff ate his way in Long Johns, a cake-like doughnut with a rich chocolate frosting that would stick to the roof of your mouth and leave a smeary, dark line all over your lips. Our youngest loved the powdered sugar doughnut. This is a delicacy one cannot consume without getting white powder all over your clothing, face and hands. There is no doubt what they have eaten hours later when Mama sends the children back to the bathroom for the third time to wash that sugar off their faces and from behind their ears.

Doughnut batter tends to cook quickly in a boiling pot of oil. The dough leaves hollow holes inside just waiting to be filled with something rich and creamy. A doughy doughnut does not taste nearly as good as something light and fluffy, with a sweet surprise inside. I can no longer eat doughnuts like I used to, since I struggle to keep my blood sugar balanced. Yet, I remember those glorious, magical mornings with my children sitting next to me on the sofa, sharing sugary sweet hugs and holiday kisses.

King Solomon poured out his soul in the book of Ecclesiastes. He asks the questions we often wonder ourselves – what is the meaning of life? On the surface, this book begins with a depressing thought; that everything is meaningless – our work and play, pleasure and toil, birth, life, and eventual death. He says there is nothing to fill the hollow of our heart song, except for God’s love! Without the Lord in our life, we are empty shells walking around the face of this earth, just waiting to be filled up with something sweet and meaningful. Solomon ran from the Lord for years. He tried just a little bit of everything to fill the hole in his heart. In his deepest despair, Solomon realized that nothing could satisfy Him like the love and forgiveness of God.

Take a closer look at your life. Do you have a hole in your heart just waiting to be filled up? Do you feel like your life is meaningless and lacking the one thing that could make you whole? When you invite Jesus Christ into your heart, He brings a sweetness that cannot be purchased. His gift of everlasting life, complete forgiveness, and intimate relationship is free to you today! We cannot earn it, pay for it, or work it off. No amount of knowledge, study, training, or toil can bring it to fruition. Jesus Christ came to fill us up with the light and love of God, our heavenly Father. He gives each of us meaning and purpose, as we seek to share His Word with the world. Without Jesus, we are like empty doughnut shells, just waiting to be filled up with a substance that will complete our life’s work and make us whole.

Would you like to taste the sweetness of new life today? Ask Jesus Christ to come inside and fill you up with His grace, mercy and forgiveness. You will have much to celebrate when you taste and see that the Lord is good. He is all you need to change your meaningless daily exercise into a life that truly matters.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: newness of life! Ask Jesus to come inside and fill up the hole in your heart. When you do, you will experience the sweet love of God that only He can give you. Jesus Christ will change you from the inside out. Your life matters to Him. Won’t you give Him your heart today?

________________________________

© Copyright 2007, 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.

Catching a glimpse of God

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Job 42; Psalms 100, 101

Job 42:10 (NIV)
10 After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before.

Malachi 3:6-7 (NIV)
6 “I, the Lord, do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7 Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty.

Matthew 5:43-45 (NIV)
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”

Good morning!

Have you ever struggled to focus on the task at hand? When our son Benjamin started kindergarten, he was ready academically. Benjamin could recite and write the alphabet. He loved to count and write numbers from 1-20, and he could spell and read simple words from our homemade flash cards. Ben was an active boy, and was hard to corral. At our very first parent-teacher conference, I was not surprised when the teacher explained how she was working with Ben. He had trouble sitting still; yet, seemed to know the answers. If she let him test orally, during recess, Ben could answer all of her questions correctly, but only while jumping and down on one foot, or skipping around her desk. He was full of constant motion, and it was a challenge to keep him focused on the task at hand. I think Ben may have inherited that trait from me.

I confess that I get distracted pretty easily. I was participating in a staff meeting last week, when I noticed two of my co-workers arriving with their newborn babies. The gift of new life is such a miracle, and of course, I was much more interested in getting a look at their new children than I was in the discussion around the table. The General Counsel noticed my wayward look, and graciously allowed the team a five minute break so that we could venture out and see the babies. Meeting in a glass-walled conference room can be very distracting to those of us who are trying to focus and stay on point, especially when there is so much happening on the outside.

There are times when we lose our way because we are distracted by some of our friends who may not know what they are talking about. Job’s friends thought they had God all figured out. They believed that Job was suffering because of some hidden sin in his life. It must have been a true surprise when they realized that Job had been faithful to the Lord all along. God was not able to restore Job completely until he offered a sincere prayer of forgiveness for his friends. The Lord expects us to forgive the people who hurt us. It is easy to love someone who loves me; yet, when my family and friends set out to hurt and deceive me, I’ve always found it much easier to turn away, write them off, or mutter about them under my breath. When I ask the Lord to help me truly forgive them, I must be willing to let go of the pain they’ve caused in my life. Without His intervention, my feeble attempts at forgiveness will fail every time.

I have found it is easier to open my heart to forgiveness and grace, when I focus my entire attention upon the Lord and keep it there. I know there are lots of things outside that can distract me from what is most important. There is only one thing worth having, and that is the forgiveness and mercy of my Savior, Jesus Christ. It is His love that I long for; His mercy that I need. Anything else is simply a bonus. Knowing what it feels like to be truly forgiven leaves me with a grateful heart and a desire to emulate His love with the people I encounter in my life. It gives me an opportunity to imitate the kind of love my Jesus has for the whole world.

God told Job to pray for his friends. Job needed to forgive them for their harsh, judgmental words. There are times when I would rather hold a grudge than forgive. Yet, I know I need to obey the Lord in all things, and that includes forgiving those who hurt me. When Job prayed, not only were his friends restored before the Lord; Job’s heart was renewed. His body was healed, and he received the double blessing – his life was restored to more than he could ever imagine! When we learn how to focus completely upon the Lord, desiring nothing more than to emulate Him in our life, we can live within the blessing of His mercy and grace, and find His peace, that is richer than the greatest wealth the earth may offer. Are you ready to focus your eyes completely upon God? Would you like to catch a glimpse of His glory today? It all begins and ends with forgiveness.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: forgiveness! Ask the Lord to forgive you for the times you focused your attention on everything but Him. God does not change - we need the Lord to change our hearts. Have you asked Jesus Christ to be the Lord of your life today?
________________________________
© Copyright 2007, 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.

Taming the Leviathan's tongue

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Job 38, 39, 40, 41

Job 41:1; 10-11 (NIV)

1 Can you pull in the leviathan with a fishhook or tie down his tongue with a rope?

10 Who then is able to stand against me? 11 Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me.

Job 40:3-5 (NIV)

3 Then Job answered the Lord: 4 “I am unworthy – how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. 5 I spoke once, but I have no answer – twice, but I will say no more.”

Matthew 4:18-20 (NIV)

18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fisherman. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed Him.

Good morning!

Some mornings I wake up feeling a little like a seven-headed sea monster. Have you ever been so angry over something someone said to you that you found yourself tossing and turning all night long? Maybe you chewed on the perfectly timed verbal response. Oh, how the tongue gets in the way of my quest toward Christian perfection. I do not know how to control it sometimes. I admit there are moments when I really don’t want to.

When the Lord God Almighty decided to open up to Job, He didn’t hold anything back. He let Job have it! I don’t know about you, but I think I would have wanted to crawl underneath a rock and never come out after hearing the voice of God question my not-so-happy attitude. Job was a holy man, devout in faith and bent on pleasing God. When life dealt him a series of unexplainable, unimaginable tragedies, all at once, Job began to believe that the Lord was unjustly punishing him. It seems like we humans inherently believe that all of the workings of the universe revolve around us. God emphatically makes his case before Job. It is at that humiliating moment when Job begins to realize that his grief and pain are so very insignificant compared to the greatness and glory of God. His life is but a speck of sand – God’s wisdom and power and creative work is so much larger than he could even begin to comprehend. No, for the first time, the fog of Job’s depression was beginning to lift. He realized that this was not about him. This was so much bigger than anything he could even begin to understand. The universe and all that is within it belongs to God.

I have more in common with Job than I realize. It is easy to fall into a mindset of believing that we are indispensable. As we become adults, the decisions that were once made for us by our parents begin to dissipate as we begin to choose how we will live out our lives. Job had made many wise decisions, putting God first and teaching His family to love and honor the Lord. It is easy to honor God when life is good; not so much when your world is falling apart. We forget that it this world is not ours for the keeping. Everything we are and all that we have belongs to Him. We tend to like being in control of our destiny. It is only when we tie our tongues down and hand over the reigns to the Lord that we begin to see beyond what is right in front of us. Our difficulties may not make sense, yet, we do not need to have all the answers. He is the only answer we need. We are not in control here, and we need to let go and let God. When Job realized that it was his inappropriate attitude that grieved God’s heart, he unclenched his fist, let the tears fall down his face, knelt down and humbled himself before the Lord.

Canaanite mythology teaches that a leviathan is a seven-headed sea monster. Jesus came and walked among us, seeking to save the seven-headed sea monster in you and me. There are times when I need to tie my tongue down with a rope. Fortunately for Job, God cared enough to confront him – to speak to his heart and help him understand the bigger picture. In the same way, our Lord and Savior cared enough to die on a cross to save the sea creature in each of us. Is God confronting you today? When will you stop trying to control your destiny and the lives of everyone around you? When will you give God free reign and let Him be the Lord of your life?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the realization that this life is not about you. It is about Him. We are here to honor and serve the Lord, no matter what our circumstances may be. The next time you are feeling like God is kicking you around, stop grumbling and start praising the creator of the universe. He will meet you where you are at, and give you His peace as you journey back to Him. Unclench your fists, silence your tongue, and gaze upon the splendor and majesty of the Lord God Almighty today.

________________________________

© Copyright 2007, 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.

Praying through pain to praise!

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Job 35, 36, 37; Psalm 99

Job 36:15 (NIV)

15 But those who suffer He delivers in their suffering; He speaks to them in their affliction.

Job: 36:24-26a (NIV)

24 Remember to extol His work, which men have praised in song. 25 All mankind has seen it; men gaze on it from afar. 26 How great is God – beyond our understanding!

James 5:13-16 (NIV)

13 Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Good morning!

It is hard to be happy when you are hurting. I’ve found that to be so very true in my life. Last month, I stood near the bedside of my daughter Rachel as she and her husband Dave gave birth to their third child, a son named Andrew Joseph. I’m always amazed at Rachel’s determination to get through as much of her labor as possible without medication. I’m afraid I wasn’t so brave when I was birthing my babies.

I remember the day I arrived at the hospital to deliver our daughter Rachel. It was one of the hottest days of the year. We were living in Dallas, Texas, and in the summer of 1979, we began breaking heat records with weeks of unending all-time high temperatures of over 100°F. I waddled into labor and delivery that morning in a pool of sweat. The thermometer outside the hospital was registering 110°. I was miserable, being three weeks overdue (almost ten months pregnant), and my unhappy attitude was a reflection of this unfortunate circumstance. It’s a funny thing when you go to seminary – all of a sudden, every clergy student realizes they can get into the hospitals to visit at any time of the day or night to pray over the sick and infirm without being stopped by security. On this sizzling summer day, while I labored to deliver our daughter, there was au unending stream of seminarians outside in the hospital corridor just waiting for a chance to come inside our room to pray for me. God love ‘em! They would show up in between my three minute contractions while I was panting and puking, and I would try to smile and be sweet, but you know, it just wasn’t meant to be. After several long-winded visits by Jeff’s friends, I motioned for my husband to draw near to me and hold my hand. As he leaned over the bed, I grabbed his dress tie and pulled his sweet little face down toward my sweaty forehead. With eyes affixed on his and with as much love as I could possibly muster, I told my loving spouse through gritted teeth that if he let one more minister into my room, I was going to kill them both. For the safety of all clergy everywhere, Jeff promptly posted a no visitor sign on my door. And later that evening as the clergy stood and prayed outside in the waiting room, Jeff and I gave birth to our 8 pound 7 ounce baby daughter, Rachel Maria.

Any woman who has ever given birth knows the true meaning of being delivered in their suffering. God speaks to us smack dab in the middle of our affliction. We see Him clearly in the midst of adversity and pain. Elihu reminds Job to pray and praise the Lord, especially when the pain is unbearable. God’s greatness is beyond human comprehension – we cannot understand it. He glories in our praises, and honors us when we choose to praise Him, especially when we suffer through times of physical weakness and pain.

One thing I’ve learned about the power of prayer is that it works! There were a lot of righteous men outside my hospital room that day, praying for the new life to come. We had a beautiful, healthy baby girl that night. Last month, after a difficult and stressful pregnancy, our daughter Rachel delivered a healthy baby boy. How I praise God for His mercy and grace, in the midst of suffering and pain.

Last night, Jeff and I sat in the movie theatre, enjoying the new film, Evan Almighty. This is a great show – be sure to take your entire family to the theatre to see it! I found it interesting that the prayer of one willing civil servant to help change the world was the turning point that made all the difference for his entire community. Lives were saved and lessons learned because one person asked God to help them change the world. When we pray and praise, especially in times of suffering and pain, we become human conduits, unleashing the amazing power of God all over the world.

Take a lesson from our friend Job today, and remember to pray and praise the Lord, always, in every circumstance, every day of your life. Miracles do happen, and they begin at the foot of the cross, where our Lord’s horrific suffering became the reality for humanity’s delivery from sin and death forever.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: someone to pray hard! Maybe that someone should be you. Have you dropped to your knees this morning and offered your humble prayer to the Lord?

________________________________

© Copyright 2007, 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 mediator

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Job 32, 33, 34

Job 33:23-28 (NIV)

23 Yet if there is an angel on his side as a mediator, one out of a thousand, to tell a man what is right for him,

24 to be gracious to him and say, Spare him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom for him –

25 then his flesh is renewed like a child’s; it is restored as in the days of his youth.

26 He prays to God and finds favor with him, he sees God’s face and shouts for joy; he is restored by God to his righteous state.

27 Then he comes to men and says, I sinned and perverted what was right, but I did not get what I deserved.

28 He redeemed my soul from going down to the pit, and I will live to enjoy the light.

Good morning!

I got a splinter yesterday in my ring finger. Even though I was able to remove it, every time I move this appendage over the keyboard today, I am made acutely aware that it was once there! Have you ever felt the sharp sting of a splinter long after it has been removed?

Job was revisiting his splintered life. Once a whole and healthy man, privileged to live in a household full of love and hope, Job had experienced the blessings of God in a mighty way. As the life he once knew began to splinter away, Job found himself sinking in utter despair. He grieved the deaths of his children and continued to suffer an illness that would not let him go. Job is caught up in the sting of a thorn that has pierced his heart to the core and pinned him to the ground.

Young Elihu had listened intently to Job’s pleas for help and the ineffectual offerings spoken by his three so-called friends. He was smart enough to wait until his elders had finished speaking, and young enough to know how to speak the truth without fear. Elihu reminded Job that God speaks, even in utter silence. He can reach us through dreams, visions in the night, and even in the pain and suffering of a long, unending illness. Have you ever heard the Lord speak to you late at night, while you are lying in bed resting? Does He succeed in getting your attention through sickness and pain? What do you think the Lord was trying to convey to Job’s heart?

A young prophet spoke eloquently of a coming mediator, a human and divine splinter remover. He would be one out of a thousand who could demonstrate to the world the great love God has for His creation. He would be the difference between life everlasting and death. He would heal the broken and splintered hearts of humanity by shedding his blood for all of us. He would bear the splinters of our sin in His body, as He carried our cross to Golgotha and willingly became our sacrificial lamb. Through His suffering, death and resurrection, we can live in relationship with Him today. Can you imagine having such a mediator taking on your splinters willingly, lovingly, and without holding a grudge?

This mediator is our splinter remover. Because of Him, we no longer have to stay in the pit of despair. We can live in the light of His love, the One who came to set us free. Elihu knew the mediator. Do you know Him? He is the one who can permanently remove the splinters in your life today.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the mediator to remove the painful splinters that separate you from the Father above. Ask Him to take the sins that have pierced your life and remove them from you, once and for all. Jesus Christ, the great mediator, is waiting to heal your heart today. Will you ask Him?

________________________________

© Copyright 2007, 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 little heart-to-heart with the Lord

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Job 29, 30, 31

Job 31:35-37 (NIV)

35 Oh, that I had someone to hear me! I sign now my defense – let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser put His indictment in writing. 36 Surely I would wear it on my shoulder; I would put it on like a crown. 37 I would give Him an account of my every step; like a prince I would approach Him.

Good morning!

Do you ever spend time having a little heart-to-heart conversation with the Lord? My heart-to-heart talks with God do not mirror Job’s. He must have been a holy man, someone near and dear to God’s heart. I wish I could pray the prayers of Job. When I begin to take a serious look at my mistakes, they overwhelm me. Job never tried to secretly hide his sins away from the public’s eye. He was ready and willing to confess any infraction that would have offended God. Job continued to search his heart, and found himself begging the Lord for just one recollection of one failed moment that he could tag as the result of his early pain and suffering. I should have taken Job’s suffering. He certainly didn’t deserve it.

Was Job being punished? And if he was being punished, what was his crime? As I look back through my 30 years of marriage to Jeff, the time we spent at seminary and in the various churches we have served in Texas and Missouri, there were moments when we truly felt like we were being punished. I remember the time when Jeff contracted hepatitis in seminary. Rachel was only four months old when Jeff became a patient in a Dallas, Texas hospital, 50 miles from our home. He was sicker than I’ve ever seen him. That year felt like a never-ending punishment to me – we were 750 miles away from our family and friends. He was 22 years old. I didn’t understand why this was happening, and I don’t presume to understand it now. I can tell you, after having lived through it, our compassions for the sick and suffering was magnified by our own personal experience. We understand how it feels because we have experienced it in our life.

I remember a conversation I had with a well-intentioned church member not long after our son David was born. He and I had ongoing health issues that would require surgical intervention to fix, short of an instantaneous healing by the Lord. We were struggling to figure out how to deal with these new difficulties. Our parishioner basically told me that if I had more faith, I wouldn’t be having these problems. Don’t you wonder how Job felt when his friends told him basically the same thing?

There is no rhyme or reason to the tragedies we experience along life’s walk. Good people get hurt every single day; some of them are walking saints, and they struggle, just like you and I, with adversity and pain. Does this mean that God is punishing them for some sin they may have committed and not confessed? I hardly think so. I have friends who are bitter because they blame God for their life’s pain. There was a time long ago when I shook a holy fist at the Lord. The amazing thing about God’s love and grace is that He allows us to express our anger and pain – He listens to us as we cry out to Him for help. Whenever I feel totally abandoned and overwhelmed in grief, that is when God holds me in His arms and He refuses to let go. The Father could have let me walk away from Him in disillusionment and bitterness, but His plan for my life included a season to struggle and wrestle with the things of faith. He calls each of us to look beyond our past and present circumstances and choose whether or not we will love Him in spite of those trying moments.

Sometimes when I become angry with my children, I might say, “I still love you, but I don’t like you very much right now.” The Lord of life allows me to say the same thing to Him, and He forgives me when I deserve it the least. I can shake a holy fist at God, until I find myself standing at the foot of the cross and recognize just how much He suffered to save my life. Every drop of His blood was spilt so that we could finally be free from the pain and despair that comes from separation and sin. Can you imagine the kind of love the Lord God Almighty has for you? Isn’t it amazing that He would die just for your salvation? It places the struggles we endure here on earth in a proper perspective. We are only here for a short time, and it is through the adversities of life that we truly begin to see the Lord’s face. When we choose to say “I love you” no matter what may come and trust Him to lead us, we begin to scrape the surface of what agape love truly means.

Do you need to have a heart-to-heart talk with the Lord today? Jesus is waiting for you to come home to Him. Don’t hold back. Give Him everything you’ve got. Let Him have your pain, your tears, your hurt, your anger, your bitterness, your messed up life. Give it all to Him. He can give you a newness of life that will totally transform the way you walk and talk and live and love. There is life abundant in Christ Jesus, my Savior and Lord. He will not leave you or forsake you, even when you find yourself suffering like His servant Job.

Have a heart-to-heart with the Lord today. You will be glad you did.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: courage to give the Lord your life. He will take our every wound and cover it with His blood, once and for all. There is an indescribable peace that comes from knowing the Lord is with you, especially in the tough stuff. He offers you a new life today. Won’t you ask Him to be your Savior?

________________________________

© Copyright 2007, 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.

Wise Guys

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Job 25, 26, 27, 28

Job 28:28 (NIV)
And he said to man, “The fear of the Lord – that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.”

Proverbs 1:7 (NIV)
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

James 1:5 (NIV)
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Good morning!

Every time I enroll for a new Bible class at Lindenwood University, I look forward to receiving the course syllabus and ordering the text books online. As I review the materials prior to the first class, I find myself asking the questions: What will I learn from this course of study? When will I complete the assigned tasks? Who will I meet while taking this course? Where will this newly gleaned knowledge take me? So why am I doing this? The answer is always the same. I am seeking a greater wisdom and understanding in my daily walk with the Lord. With a grateful heart, I am gladly pursuing His call with a passion! I expect to hear the still, small voice of God as I read the assigned readings, and through the words of my instructors and fellow students. I pray that the end result will be the blessings of increased wisdom and understanding of His will for my life.

Job keeps asking the question, “Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell?” (Job 28:20 NIV) These are the kinds of questions that keep me awake at night. Solomon prayed for it, Job suffered through it, Isaiah preached it, and Jesus lived it. The beginning of wisdom begins with a healthy fear of God.

Humans have been trying to figure out the way of the Almighty ever since Adam and Eve walked in the garden long ago. Job’s friends, also affectionately known as the wise guys, thought they had the Great I Am figured out. Eliphaz believed he had achieved ultimate wisdom, through his personal observations of how God deals with the world. Bildad relied upon the life examples of his ancestors. He believed if he applied lessons already learned in past generations, that he would also walk in true wisdom and understanding, Zophar claimed that only the wise guys, like himself, could truly know what God is like. Had Job’s three friends found true wisdom and understanding? Did they have the Lord God Almighty's number?

Job’s response to his self-righteous friends begins and ends with complete trust. Wisdom is borne from knowing that God is far greater and more knowledgeable than he could ever hope to be. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is the same God who gives life and takes the living back into his eternal arms. Rather than try to barter with God, Job recognizes his need to simply trust Him. This is especially important when Job’s limited human insights might keep him from seeing the bigger picture. Job believed that the evidence of understanding is displayed through a disciplined life, committed to seeking truth and turning away from the evils of this world.

There are times in life when we all fall into the trap of being wise guys. The older I get, the more I realize that I do not understand the ways of the Lord. I may never understand Him completely in this life, no matter how hard I study. The least I can do is to relinquish my will and limited vision and choose to trust Him completely with my life. The evidence of understanding will follow as I turn away from the sins that separate me from Him. Thank God for Jesus Christ! He is my mentor, teacher and kinsman redeemer. I look to Him daily for greater wisdom and understanding.

My prayer for you today is that you will find yourselves caught up in the gift of greater wisdom and understanding, as you seek to grow daily in the grace and love of God. Being a wise guy can be hazardous to your spiritual health. Relinquish your control today to the Lord. Won’t you give Him your heart? All wisdom, glory, honor and power be unto you, O Lord, my rock, my fortress and my redeemer. Amen!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: greater wisdom and understanding. It can only come from the Lord, the giver of abundant life. Open your Bibles this morning, and ask the Lord of all to give you greater wisdom, as you study His Word today.
________________________________
© Copyright 2007, 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.

Exercising your faith muscle

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Job 22, 23, 24

Job 23:8-10 (NIV)

8 “But if I go to the east, He is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find Him. 9 When He is at work in the north, I do not see Him; when He turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of Him. 10 But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Good morning!

I had forgotten how long a city block can be, especially when I’m walking and not riding in an air-conditioned automobile. When I worked in downtown St. Louis many years ago, I used to walk for exercise during my lunch hours. I wore a pedometer on my skirt band and would log the miles as I took a lunch time sprint. I could do 2.5 miles in about 40 minutes, and that was pushing it in a skirt and jacket. I learned if I was going to take a hike at lunch, I needed a change of clothes for the afternoon. One of my favorite places to walk was the arch grounds near the river. The sidewalks were level and wide, and much of the area was tree-lined, so it seemed to be a bit cooler than on the hard concrete of those long city blocks.

Last Saturday morning, I was up early as I walked the city sidewalks with thousands of my brothers and sisters (approximately 66,000 of them) who had come downtown to walk and run in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. I love seeing the faces of the survivors at this race. Their holy glow speaks louder than the constant chatter I am surrounded by. I smiled at one radiant survivor, being pushed along in her wheelchair by her cute little granddaughter. She had very little hair left from the treatments she was receiving. She looked weak, yet resilient. As the tune “I Will Survive” played over the intercom at the starting gate, this woman of faith was celebrating her very existence. She had made it to the starting gate, and was happy to be there. The look on this survivor’s face reminds me once again, that every human heart can experience amazing freedom, especially when we are pushing ourselves to live!

The survivors were exercising their faith muscles on Saturday. One little eight-year-old girl walked with a prosthetic leg in the race. I wondered if she knew just how much faith she was sharing by choosing to take a stroll that day. When we purposefully elect to exercise our faith and put a little muscle behind it, life happens in the most miraculous way! We can be a source of encouragement to the ones who cannot see the top of their mountain because the valley is so low. Through our actions and reactions, we can be a source of encouragement to each other, extending our hands to a brother or sister who needs a lift up and out of the trench they seem to be stuck in. Is your faith muscle in good working condition today, or is it weakened by lack of hope?

Job was looking for the Lord to the east and west, the north and south. He couldn’t find Him anywhere. Yet, through faith, Job knew God was there. He wasn’t sure exactly how his life would end, but he knew that God knew and that was enough to keep him out there, seeking the Lord’s face. Job had the assurance that can only come through a deep and abiding relationship with his Savior. No matter what the test, he would shine like gold before the Lord at the finish line.

Jesus Christ stands at the finish line of our life with His arms outstretched, waiting to receive us. For all who believe He is the only Son of the Great I Am, and call upon His name for forgiveness of sin and grace, we can begin a new race with Him at our side! Our finish line becomes the starting gate to an eternal life shared in the light of His amazing mercy, grace and love.

As the survivors crossed the finish line on Saturday, they were greeted by the loud and boisterous cheers of the crowd. They received roses and hugs from those awaiting their arrival. Job knew that at the end of his race, he would be greeted by the God he had come to love, and he would hear the applause and the shouts of his children who had gone on before him.

This morning, I am choosing to exercise my faith muscle. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt there is more to this life than what I can see with my physical eyes. I know the Lord Jesus Christ is standing at the finish line, reaching out to me in love. When life gets especially difficult, I pray that I may have the confidence of Job, knowing God has not abandoned me to be shattered and scattered in the wind and rain. He is here! He is alive! And that is more than enough to help me get out bed and stretch my faith muscle today.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the faith of Job! When we are struggling to survive, remember that faith is the certainty of all things hoped for, evidence of things yet to be seen. Cry out to Jesus today, and live!

________________________________

© Copyright 2007, 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.

My Redeemer Lives!

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Job 19, 20, 21

Job 19:25-27 (NIV)

25 I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth.

26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God;

27 I myself will see Him with my own eyes – I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!

Good morning!

What an amazing faith Job had! Still trusting God despite his numerous losses, Job continues to bless the Lord, even in the pit of his despair. He believed that God was punishing him, and even though he could not understand why, Job trusted God enough to be his Redeemer. No matter what happens, Job knows that his Redeemer will rescue him and he is not afraid to say it. How much faith does it take to move a mountain? The amazing faith of Job could have shattered the earth to its core. His Redeemer, the Lord God Almighty, will stand upon the earth, and Job knows he will see Him, even when his own flesh fails. How do you find that kind of faith? Scripture teaches us that extreme faith is borne from extreme adversity, and Job knew adversity full well.

Throughout the Old Testament, we learn that a Redeemer is a family member who pays the price for a slave’s freedom, or chooses to care of a widow in her great need, also known as a kinsman Redeemer. Job trusted God to be his kinsman Redeemer, even after losing everything precious and meaningful to him. Could you trust God that much, when your life is absolutely falling apart? What if you lost your child or a spouse – could you trust God to be your kinsman Redeemer even in the midst of your grief? Could you trust Him to redeem you as you experience an illness that leaves you permanently scarred and disabled? Are you willing to cry out in faith, knowing in spite of it all, that your Redeemer lives?

Friday evening, I watched in awe as Dove and Grammy Award winner Nicole C. Mullen took the main stage at the Women of Faith Conference in Saint Louis, Missouri. I’ve listened to her music for years; yet, never had the opportunity until Friday night to see her perform live. In 2001, Nicole received two Dove awards, for Song of the Year, entitled Redeemer, and Songwriter of the Year. If you have not heard Nicole sing “Redeemer,” you are missing out on something very special. I would encourage you to listen to the song online, or you may order a copy of Redeemer: The Best of Nicole C. Mullen (Word, 2006) from your local Christian bookstore.

In this amazing testimony of mercy and grace, Nicole sings praise and thanksgiving to her kinsman Redeemer, Jesus Christ. “He lives to take away my shame, and He lives forever! I’ll proclaim that the payment for my sin was the precious life He gave. But now He is alive and there is an empty grave! I know my Redeemer lives!” Do these words speak of the Savior you know and love this morning?

Great faith is borne from great adversity. Job displayed great faith throughout his life. He honored the Lord when life was good. When life became a painful, lonely existence, Job continued to trust in the promises of his Redeemer. It is the same faith we carry in our hearts today, knowing no matter what happens, our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, lives! He lives! He has washed our sin away through the spilling of His blood at Calvary. He hung and died there, for you. If you had been the only one on earth who needed redemption, Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, would have come back just for you. Even when our flesh fails us, we can know without a doubt, that we will see our Redeemer and He will not leave or forsake us, even to the death. Through Jesus Christ, we have the promise of everlasting life in His holy presence.

So how strong is your faith this morning? Will you stand up today and sing, I know my Redeemer lives!”

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: assurance to know without a doubt that your Redeemer lives! He lives to set you free from the sin that separates you from God. Cry out to Jesus this morning. Not only will He hear you; He will save you and redeem you through the power of His blood. It’s a guarantee you can count on. We have His Word on it!

________________________________

© Copyright 2007, 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.

Walking with a heart limp

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Job 16, 17, 18

Job 17:11 (NIV)
[Job said] 11 “My days have passed, my plans are shattered, and so are the desires of my heart.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)
[Paul said] 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

John 16:33 (NIV)
[Jesus said] 33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

Good morning!

Every year, I look forward to hearing from published author and renowned speaker Patsy Clairmont at the Women of Faith Conference. I like Patsy because she is short and sassy; someone I’d like to emulate when I grow up. She has a wit and charm about her that is a true gift of grace from God. If you’ve ever read any of Patsy’s books, you will know that she is a living, breathing, walking, talking miracle! Patsy was healed from an illness known as severe agoraphobia [the fear of open spaces.] This humble woman, who spent many years locked in seclusion within the confines of her home, now travels the globe with the Women of Faith team, spreading the Gospel message of Jesus Christ by speaking to thousands of people each week. Patsy’s message spoke to my heart this weekend, as she eloquently explained how the joy and healing she experiences through faith in Jesus Christ helps her navigate the valleys of life.

Job was walking with a heart limp through his valley of grief and despair. His bones were brittle and frail as the boils and sores caused from his physical infirmity continued to eat away at his flesh. Overwhelmed by immense physical and emotional pain, Job was more than ready to give up the fight. His three best friends were growing tired of listening to Job's unending rant. In a moment of sheer exasperation, Bildad exclaims: “When will you end these speeches? Be sensible, and then we can talk.” (Job 18:2 NIV). Do the people in your life ever get tired of listening to you complain?

In her book Dancing Bones: Living Lively in the Valley, Clairmont describes walking in the valleys of life with a heart limp. The faith that comes from knowing and loving Jesus Christ gives me hope and strength to walk in the valleys of my life. I’m not getting any younger, and I can promise you that my physical body is definitely on the downhill slide. Because I know a greater tomorrow is on its way, my heart is filled with a joyful exuberance that can only come through experiencing new life in Jesus Christ. Whenever I find myself stuck in a valley rut, I reposition myself so I can look up! There are some things in this world that we may never see clearly or understand. Knowing this suffering is a temporary situation, I hold onto the hope of Christ, weaving my way along the uneven path. My Lord is there, right beside me, every step of the way. Sometimes, I can feel Him holding my hand. Do you know what it is like to hold the nail-scarred hand of your Savior?

Jesus said we could expect trouble in this world – the good news is that He has already overcome it! Christ offers hope for all who are walking with a heart limp in the valleys of life.

Won’t you ask Jesus to take your hand and walk with you today? He has the power to heal your pain and calm your fears once and for all. Come join me in worship at Faith Church. Together, we can lift up our hands and hearts to the Lord. When Jesus sets you free, you are free indeed! It’s time to lose the limp!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the peace of Christ to rest upon your heart today. There is great joy, knowing you don’t have to walk through the valleys of your life all alone. Ask Jesus to set you free! He will do it, if you will let Him. Will you let Him?
________________________________
© Copyright 2007, 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.

Finding Jesus on the streets of downtown Saint Louis

2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 (Holman NT)

Pray for us

1 Finally, pray for us, brothers, that the Lord's message may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you, 2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen and guard you from the evil one. 4 We have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do what we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts to God's love and Christ's endurance.

Good morning!

If you have never been to a Women of Faith Conference, you need to find a location near you, buy a couple of tickets and take your girl friend! We are being blessed by the amazing freedom we have in Jesus Christ, and celebrating it this weekend with our sisters all over the globe. If you are male, do not let the words "Women of Faith" scare you. Yes, they let the guys in too, and while you may be in the minority, men are always treated as royalty around here. This is a weekend I look forward to every year.

Last night as Nancy and I were leaving the conference, we happened upon a homeless couple, a man and woman, who were hoping someone might stop and help them. I used to walk the streets of downtown for many, many years. I was always in a hurry - not looking up very often. As I've grown older and my heart has been softened by the Lord, I find myself slowing down and taking a longer look at the people I pass on the street. This was no ordinary couple.
They had shared a trailer home in Cahokia, and a fire destroyed everything they had. They came across the river seeking assistance and hoping they might find work. Scott had everything he owned rolled up neatly in an over-the-shoulder duffle bag. Sherry carried an oversized purse, and a sign that said, "Homeless - please help." As I listened and asked questions, I noticed how the presence and power of the Holy Spirit seemed to be hovering all around. It was late and very dark, but on the street corner where we stood, I felt as if I was standing underneath a spotlight, and that light belonged to the Lord of life.

I asked Scott and Sherry if they would let me pray for them. With willing hearts, we huddled together, arms wrapped around each other's shoulders, and I began to cry out to God for His help and guidance. There was a peace there on that sidewalk; it was as if we were experiencing intimate fellowship with the Savior of the world right there underneath the stars.

Out of my peripheral vision, I notice another man hovering close behind. I caught a look in his eye. He was twitching and watching us with great distain. I knew we were in danger. Funny thing, the Holy Spirit seems to awake our spiritual intuition at just the right moment. Scott noticed him too. We began to pray for that man. Suddenly, he ran across the street, leaving our group behind. As we finished praying, Scott asked us if they could walk us to our cars. I cannot tell you how very grateful I was to have an escort by a Godly couple that night.

Extreme faith is borne from extreme situations. Sherry and Scott not only possess a hope for tomorrow; they know who holds them up, even as they sleep in a homeless shelter, or under the Eads Bridge at night. A few nights before, Scott had been pistol whipped by another street person, who was looking for a little cash. He wondered why they didn't kill him then and there. Have you ever wondered why you survived some horrific ordeal? Scott and Sherry were teaching us by experience. They could have been bitter, but the joy of the Lord was definitely their strength and comforter.

As you say your prayers this morning, please pray for my newfound friends, Sherry and Scott. Before we left the parking lot last night, Sherry spoke a word of faith over my life. Throwing her arms about my neck, she offered a prayer I will never, ever forget. Have you ever noticed how the most amazing prayers are borne from great pain? I came downtown this evening to share a blessing, and found myself being blessed in ways I cannot even begin to describe. I saw Jesus Christ up close and personal last night, and I am glad to know there are two incredible people out there on the streets of St. Louis this morning, changing the world where we live, one heart at a time.

Before I fell asleep, I wondered whether I would ever see them again - we gave them tickets for the Saturday conference and lunch and how I hope they come inside. There is a lot of ministering going on downtown today, but the greatest gifts are outside the walls of the sanctuary.

Take time to stop along the sidewalk of your life today, and take a closer look at the people who pass you by. Will you be Jesus to them? Maybe they will be Jesus to you.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding