The Lion King

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Song of Solomon 7, 8; Psalm 103

Psalm 103:17-18 (NIV)

17 But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children’s children; 18 with those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts.

Deuteronomy 6:5-9 (NIV)

5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.

Good morning!

“Princess, your chariot awaits!” I announced as I arrived yesterday afternoon for a play date with my granddaughter. Three-year-old Emily looked like a little porcelain doll, ready to experience a magical moment. Mommy had dressed Emily up in the yellow Easter dress she wore this spring, adorned with satin ribbons and bows. She wore her gold princess crown. It kept her long, curly locks of hair from falling in her sweet face. Big brother Joshua was snapping photographs of Emily with Mom. She looked at me through those great big blue saucer eyes, and while batting her eyelashes, said, “Nanny, you are taking me to the Box.” “The Fox, Emily,” I said, giggling under my breath. “We are going to the Fox Theatre to see The Lion King!” Emily jumped up and down with excitement! It was time.

We walked hand-in-hand along the sidewalk of Grand Avenue and Washington Street We were slipping inside the theatre just before the last curtain call, and it was important we reach our seats before the processional of animals began. Even in our rush, I couldn’t help but notice the look of amazement on Emily’s face as we moved toward the big stage of the Fox Theatre. I remember the very first time I saw it myself. I was just a little girl myself, and it was Christmastime in the city. We were there to see the Nutcracker Suite. If you’ve never been to the Fox Theatre in Saint Louis, Missouri, make plans to visit. The architecture and décor of this theatre will take your breath away. yesterday.

I had never seen the Broadway version of The Lion King, and was looking forward to experiencing the “circle of life” as a play. I found myself drawn to watching the look on young Emily’s face as she experienced her Broadway moment for the very first time. The music was loud, and some of it was rather scary. She sat still for the first half of the program. After intermission, Emily got real fidgety, but we were able to hang on to the very last curtain call. The costuming, set changes, lighting, and music were absolutely phenomenal. The actors were awesome. Emily took a shine to young Simba, a little lion cub with a great big voice and a personality to match. She was too young to understand the theme of the play; yet, I would imagine Emily will never forget those magical moments, sitting on grandmother’s lap, while taking in all the sights and sounds of the production. Besides the elephants and giraffes, we especially liked the dancers who flew around the stage in mid-air during the love songs.

The Lion King story reminds me of our rich inheritance as precious children of the King of Kings. We are all born into this world with a greater plan and purpose to fulfill. We learn how to live out our days through the examples set by our family and friends. As we grow and mature, we experience fear, death, pain, and confusion. Sometimes it is easier to run away than face the truth. Like young Simba, he thought his life had ended the day his father died. As he grew into adulthood, Simba learned from adversity that he was called to be a leader. By overcoming fear with faith, a little lion cub became the Lion King.

We live in a circle of life and love; a precious gift designed by the hand of the Master Architect. Do not be afraid to share your faith with the wee ones in your life. They will learn about the Lord through your stories and life example. We can emulate God’s love by the love we share with others. Simba went home to protect his kingdom and lead by love. Are you ready to return to the Lord, pick up your mantle and run? It is time.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: courage to live out God’s plan for your life. He is counting on you to share your faith in Christ with the ones who have lost their way. Do not be afraid to turn around, especially if you have been running away! It is not too late to climb the mountain of faith. Simba would tell you that the view from the top is worth the effort.

___________________________________________

© 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.

I'm A Believer!

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Song of Solomon 4, 5, 6

Song of Solomon 4:7 (ESV)

7 You are altogether beautiful my love; there is no flaw in you.

I John 4:12(b)-13 (ESV)

12b If we love one another, God abides in us and His love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.

Good morning!

In 1966, I had a crush on a boy band. The group that stole my heart was a pop-rock quartet from Los Angeles, who had their roots in England. Their television sitcom only ran for three years but I can tell you I did not miss an episode. The first time I heard the song I’m a Believer on the radio, I was hooked, and so was the rest of America. In 1966, I’m A Believer hit the #1 spot on the Pop Music Charts in the United States and Great Britain. Like many other wide-eyed eight year old girls, I believed that one day I would grow up and marry Davy Jones.

My grandfather had become gravely ill in Mississippi and my mother had taken my four-year-old sister and went back home to help care for her father in the last days of his life. I was in the second grade and because this happened during the school year, I ended up staying at home alone in St. Louis with my dad. He was not the cook my mother was, and quite often after he got home from work, we would go and have supper at the Steak N Shake on Lindbergh Boulevard in Hazelwood. I liked twirling on the big bar stool next to the juke box. My dad did not care for the Monkeys. He thought their hair was way too long and he really didn’t like the loud music and all those hysterical girls fainting at their feet. Still, he could see the twinkle in my eye every time I heard the Monkees’ music on the transistor radio. We would order my favorite food – a cheeseburger (plain) with French fries, and a large strawberry milk shake. When the food would arrive, Daddy would lean over and add some change to the jukebox, pressing the button next to the Monkees’ number one hit. I remember spinning around and around on that tall bar stool, laughing and singing, I’m A Believer with my Dad.

This was not a happy time in my life. My grandfather was dying and I knew I would never see him alive again. My mother and sister were far, far away, and I didn’t know when they were coming home to us. Oh, but how I treasured those wonderful dinners with my father at Steak N Shake. Every time I visit that restaurant today, it takes me back to those cheeseburger suppers in 1966, while rocking out to the amazing music of Davy Jones and the Monkees.

Last night I found myself literally transported back in time. While sitting in worship with my dear friend and prayer partner, the praise band began to play and sing the song I’m A Believer. They had changed the words up from the ones I remembered singing as a child, yet, I really liked their version much better! I knew I was showing my age as I sat there laughing and clapping, but I just didn’t care! Proclaiming that I’m a believer is one of the most joyful things I do in life! That song helped me through some really rough spots as a young girl, and now, in my forty-eighth year, it ministers to me today. Life may not be as sweet as we would like it to be. There are seasons when we find ourselves grieving losses, like the loss of a family member, the loss of our innocence, or the loss of time itself. Standing up and shouting, Well, I saw His face and now I’m a Believer! can take the edge off the most difficult circumstances of our life. We have faith! We have seen Him! We are believers!

In a time when things were less than perfect for me, God revealed His love through the melody of one simple childhood song. His love is perfected in our hearts. When are lives are not so perfect, God always is.

I hope you stand up and sing I’m A Believer in worship today. We are perfected through the love of Christ, where all things are made beautiful in Him.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: His joy! Do you know the perfect, holy Son of the living God? Jesus Christ can take your imperfections and transform them by the power of His love. Sing it with me - I’m a believer! Yeah, yeah, yeah!

________________________________

© 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 love song of the redeemed

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Song of Solomon 1, 2, 3; Psalm 102

Psalm 102:18 (NIV)

18 Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord.

Song of Solomon 3:1-2a (NIV)

1 All night long on my bed I looked for the one my heart loves; I looked for him but did not find him. 2 I will get up now and go about the city, through its streets and squares; I will search for the one my heart loves.

Good morning!

Have you ever sung a love song? Some of the most popular, celebrated songs are odes to love. Composers write lyrics to capture the heart strings of its listening audience through rhyme and words. Their melodies and words stay with us throughout our life.

We learn how to give and receive love from the moment of our birth. It is emulated by our parents, for better or worse. The infant’s need for love and care are first met by its mother, as she tenderly nurtures and feeds her child. The warmth of a parental hug becomes a comfort that young children desire most. There is a shoulder to cry on when life is hard, and a hand to hold when life is scary. A child receives and emulates the love they experience through example. When acts of love are distorted, meant to harm or deceive, it carries a profound effect upon the life of a young, innocent soul. True love is a sacred gift of God, and much of how we see Him as we grow and mature is fashioned from the life examples of those in our circle of family and friends.

Have you ever been in love?

There is nothing more passionate than the first love of your life. My mother used to tell me stories about how she met my father. She was living in Memphis, Tennessee in an apartment with four of her best friends from high school. They were working downtown in a factory building aircraft for the service men fighting in World War II. She was affectionately labeled “Rosie the Riveter” because she could fit into the tight nose of the aircraft and finish its construction in a tight space. Her very first blind date was with a group of servicemen on leave. She and her girlfriends were waiting together for at the bus stop. As the young men stepped off the bus, Mom noticed a handsome young man, who was much shorter than the rest. She knew almost immediately that she would be paired with him, because she was also very short. She married him and spent the next fifty years of her life with this man before he passed on. Sometimes, we just know how the story will end before the beginning begins.

Have you ever sung a love song to the Lord?

Jesus Christ was the very first love of my heart. As a child, I remember singing the words “Jesus Loves Me! This I know! For the Bible tells me so!” Those words have stuck in my mind throughout the years. The love I have for my Lord is real. As I began to grow and mature, I started to re-examine why I believed in Christ. As any love relationship grows, we find ourselves sometimes in conflict. I’ve always loved my husband but I don’t always like him, especially when he refuses to agree with me. After all, the woman is always right, right? The same holds true with my Savior. As I’ve continued to seek the Lord out in my life, there are times when His Word is hard and what He would ask me to do and what I really want to do are two separate things. Yet, I know that my Jesus knows me better than I know myself. He loves me with a passion and purpose that I simply cannot abandon. His Word continues to grow inside my heart, and the relationship I seek with Him is more important than any other I will ever know in my life.

Every morning, I crawl out of bed in the darkness and find my Bible waiting for me in the study where I pray and write. His Word is a lamp to my sore and sleepy eyes. He lights my path and gives me direction for a new day. I cannot imagine living without Him. I am a better wife, mother and grandmother, because of His love for me. I look for ways to emulate Him in all I say and do. Very often, I miss the mark, but it is not for lack of trying. I wait for Him, because I know my Jesus will be coming back to take me home someday. And I look forward to living in the light of His love forever. It is all I can do to wait patiently for the time when I will see His face and He will take me up in His arms and hold me throughout eternity. He is my heart song, and I live to love Him just a little more each day.

As the generations come and go, we are created to praise the Lord. The love of Christ is like no other love you will ever experience. No matter where you’ve been or how love may have been demonstrated to you, there is an amazing Savior reaching out to you today. He knows your heart, and He sees your pain, your confusion, and your need. He can complete you, if you will trust Him enough to give Him your whole heart. There is no greater love song than the song of the redeemed. Won’t you sing it with me today?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the greatest love song ever written to become a reality in your life! Cry out to Jesus today and He will give you a reason to sing! Our Lord and Savior invites you to experience the greatest love you will ever know, and His love will carry you throughout all eternity. Cry out to Jesus 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.

Running in faith circles

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Ecclesiates 10, 11, 12

Ecclesiastes 11:1; 9-10 (NIV)

1 Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again.

9 Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment. 10 So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (NIV)

13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

Good morning!

Do you ever feel like you are running in circles? Some of my days are absolute blurs and yesterday was one of them. I wonder where those hazy, lazy days of summer have gone. When I was a young girl, I loved swinging on the jungle gym in our back yard, nestled underneath the apple trees. Even on a really hot day, those enormous, leafy branches made the backyard a cool and shady refuge from the heat of the summer sun. From my perch on top of the swing set, I would spend hours just watching the clouds float by on a blue backdrop of unending sky. I saw the shapes and faces of the angels, glorifying God in the clouds. They were always there, floating around on those billowy pillows, and I could see them clearly then. Every time I hop on an airplane, I make sure to check out the cloud formations in the sky and I look for the angels. Even when I can’t see them clearly, I know they are there. How I love watching rainbows appear after a hard summer’s downpour. The smell of rain in the air reminds me of those incredible summer moments I enjoyed as a young child. It seems like it was just yesterday, but I know it’s been years since I’ve spent an afternoon swinging underneath the shade trees, watching my angels play in the sky above.

Where does time go?

King Solomon understood the sheer joy of being young. Like the King, matters of faith came easier to me when I was a child. Everything was simpler to understand and accept. Faith can be marred in the adversities we face in life. When difficulties came along and the questions I asked were not being answered, I began to wonder whether what I had believed in was true. Have you ever questioned your faith? Why is it so important to know and love the Lord? Sometimes we run in faith circles, chasing ourselves up and down the hills of life. Busyness and business get in the way of seeking the answers to our deepest longings. Sometimes, we must return to the days of our youth, and remember what it was like to see the angels playing above us in the sky.

If you are feeling anxious today, running in circles and wondering when the merry-go-round will stop, take a moment and sit in the awesome presence of the Lord. Let Him speak to your heart. King Solomon reminds us that our entire duty in life is to fear the Lord with a healthy respect; to discover for yourself who He is and whose we are in Him, and to obey His commandments. If we don’t make time to study, pray and worship, how will we ever get to know the Lord? If we want to please God, we need to set aside the things that distract us from Him. Take some time today to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love your neighbor the way you love and care for yourself. Go outside, find a swing set to sit on, and look up. You may see an angel or two, floating around in the clouds, smiling back at you.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: your spirit to be refreshed today, in the amazing grace of God. Won’t you love Him with everything you’ve got? If you find yourself running in circles today, stop, breathe, and enjoy a time of faith, set apart, with your Savior, Jesus Christ.

________________________________

© 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.

Good grief!

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Ecclesiastes 7, 8, 9

Ecclesiastes 7:3-6 (NIV)

3 Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure. 5 It is better to heed a wise man’s rebuke than to listen to the song of fools. 6 Like the crackling of thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of fools. This too is meaningless.

Matthew 3:1-2 (NIV)

1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

Luke 15:8-10 (NIV)

8 [Jesus said] “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Good morning!

Hanging out in the House of pleasure is Hazardous to your Health! Oh, good grief! This is how the Lord speaks to me at 4am. Do you know what I’m talking about? Can you relate? Would somebody please shout Amen!

Some thought Solomon was having a pity party. Take a closer look at the words of a wonderful wise man. The King had discovered a truth that seems to elude most of us. He sees value in taking time to mourn the sins in our life. Now why would anyone want to do that?

We seem to enjoy talking about the God of love and forgiveness and grace and mercy. And He is all of those things. But God is also a holy, perfect God; He is righteous and He expects us to obey Him. If we are really serious about being in relationship with God, we have to get serious about the sins that separate us from Him. What things do you do that separate you from the Lord? For myself, I’ve learned through many, many mistakes, that whenever I put my own desires in front of the Lord, I’m committing sin. It can be like choosing to lie, steal, covet, hate, gossip, lust, and even ignore His still, small voice. I separate myself from Him when I choose not to make time for Him to read and pray first thing in the morning or late at night before I fall asleep. When I fail to help my neighbor, I’m ignoring the Lord’s call on my life. If I spend $30 on one nice meal for myself instead of offering it up to a food bank that could feed a family of five, am I listening to my belly rumbling, or the spirit of the Lord? If we take a closer look at how we spend each day, on a scale of one to ten, are we separating ourselves more than we are bonding with the Lord of our heart song?

Solomon says that it is better to heed a wise man’s rebuke than to sing the song of fools. I confess I’ve been known to sing a few bars of that deadly melody, and learned from experience that this King was right. It is far easier to glory in a God of love than be willing to see the coming judgment for what it truly is. We would rather live in harmony than ruffle another person’s feathers. Just live and let live. Let’s all get along and sweep the things that separate us from the Lord underneath the carpet. But what if that person was headed straight to hell in a hand basket and the Lord was depending upon you to say something that could change the direction of their life forever? Would you be brave enough to speak up? What if that person is in your family? What if they are your co-workers, or friends from school? What if Jesus was counting on you today to make an eternal difference in the life of someone else? How far are you willing to reach the world with the saving Gospel message of Christ?

I can tell you, had it not been for some really wonderful people who chose to put their faith on the line for me, I would not be saved today. Sometimes, we need to talk about the things that get in the way of our relationship with God. We need to own our sin – see it for what it truly is. We need to confess, admit our mistakes, and give it all up to the One who can cover it with His blood, once and for all. I think Solomon knew there was a better day coming, but at this particular moment in his life, all he could do was cry out, “This too is meaningless.”

Living a life separated from God is meaningless. Knowing Jesus Christ as your personal Savior restores meaning to a lifeless form. If you find yourself basking in the house of pleasure, yet find yourself dissatisfied and unhappy, step out of your box and be courageous enough to take a closer look at who you are and how you are choosing to live. It is when we no longer like what we see that amazing miracles occur. Won’t you confess, repent, and believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ today? Good grief can come from the tears you cry today. Give it all up to Jesus. Hand Him your heart.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the ability to see your life for what it is truly is. Without Jesus, we are all lost in a meaningless existence. Cry out to Him today! He can save you. Confess your sin, tell Him you are sorry, and ask Him to come into your heart and change your life. He will do it, and that’s a promise you can count on!

________________________________

© 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 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.