One Step Closer

Today’s Reading: John 19:11 (NIV)

11 Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”

Good morning!

I tasted a little bit of heaven last night as I sat in the sanctuary of the St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. Our community gathers each year to remember and celebrate the life and vision of The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. This is one of my very favorite worship services; I look forward to it every year. And what a night it was! Folks from the St. Charles community came together to listen, pray and recommit themselves to the work of justice for all people everywhere. It is a time when we celebrate the sanctity of human life, recognizing that we are all God’s children, and that makes you and me King’s kids! How we worshipped the King last night, praising and lifting Him higher. We thanked God for His gift of freedom in Christ Jesus, and the vision He gave to the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. This dream has captured our hearts ever since we first heard him speak the words in Washington, D.C. on August 28, 1963. We sang songs telling of the trials borne by our black brothers and sisters, and for all who have been caught in the iron grip of discrimination and slavery. Christ’s love continues to melt even the hardest of hearts, and we are moving toward unity, toward His kingdom. It is nearer than ever before. Can you sense the sweet breeze of freedom swirling around you today?

I sang songs of praise with the mass community choir. Every voice is a unique gift of God. None of our voices are exactly the same. As we lift our hearts in song to the heavens, many tones become One in Him. One day soon, I will sing in that heavenly mass choir surrounded by all the generations; those who have gone on before me, and the ones whom I will leave behind. We will sing together, hand-in-hand, with one voice. His melody will be beautiful. It will be awesome! It will be the abundant life we long for. I could have stayed there and worshipped in that beautiful sanctuary with my brothers and sisters forevermore! I’m already anticipating next year’s service, when we join hands and celebrate the precious gift of community, of our diversity and in unity, all together, once again.

Jesus knew first hand what prejudice and indifference can do. He bore the physical marks of humanity’s discrimination upon His own body. He carries the hatred of the world upon His shoulders; all of us are guilty and responsible for this sin. Jesus loosed the iron grip of prejudice forever and replaced it with God’s amazing grace. We remain in His grip today.

Today, we celebrate a new day in our world. May freedom ring as we take one step closer together toward the kingdom of God.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Hearing Impaired

Today’s Reading: John 19:10 (NIV)

10 “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?”

Good morning!

My mother has a very difficult time hearing over the phone. Several years ago, she received a telephone designed for the hearing impaired. Even with the volume set at the highest setting, she often cannot understand the person speaking to her at the other end of the line. When the telephone rings, it beeps and flashes at the same time, attempting to catch her attention in the room. We’ve discovered her ears work much better when her eyes can actually see the lips of the person speaking to her. My mother has become an expert lip reader!

It is tough trying to carry a conversation with Mom while driving the car. She wants me to look at her while I speak but it is often difficult, if not impossible, for me to turn to her while I am watching the roadway. Hearing aids and car noise do not seem to work well together. I think of how difficult it must be for her every day, and I am not looking forward to the day when I will struggle with the same hearing impairment. As it is now, I’m already frustrated with hearing clearly in noisy restaurants or conference rooms filled with lots of background noise. I have to work a little harder to listen to someone speaking, purposely blocking the noise in restaurants or during business meetings. One day, I may become completely dependent upon the help of a hearing device, and, as I’ve observed, it may or may not work. Because my vision is not even close to perfect, I wonder if I’ll be able to see well enough to read lips.

Obviously, Pilate was no lip reader. He wanted Jesus to say something in defense of the charges being leveled against Him. Yet, Jesus’ silence spoke louder than any verbal utterance. Pilate knew this man did not deserve crucifixion. Yet, he was too cowardly to cross the crowd and not give in to their persistent, relentless demands. Pilate was terrified he might lose face with the people, and, for him, favor in the political arena was far more important than listening to God’s Word.

We need a spiritual hearing aid today; ears that are willing to hear and understand the Word God speaks through His still, small voice. There is a lot of background static that tends to distract us from His Truth. In this culture, where we run and jump on the bandwagon of what seems to be most the most popular public opinion for the moment, we have seemingly grown spiritually deaf, unable to differentiate between right from wrong. Pilate needed a whole lot more than the power and authority he thought he held over the Master’s head; He desperately needed to hear the Master.

Father, give us spiritual ears today to fully hear and understand Your Word. Give us courageous hearts to listen and comprehend as we stand for Truth; knowing that Your Way is certainly not the way of the world. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Word Games

Today’s Reading: John 19:9 (NIV)

9 Pilate went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer.

Good morning!

Early in the morning, I would go to the kitchen to start breakfast, and my children would hear me rattling pots and plates and come join me, carrying a toy or two in their tiny hands. I’d ask them to take a seat at the table and wait patiently while Mommy prepared their oatmeal. Often, they would drop right at my feet, making it difficult for me to walk, and begin running their Matchbox® cars up the side of my flannel pajamas. Little Rachel would hold the doll in her arms just like a little Mommy, giving the baby a morning drink from her bottle. The beautiful silence of three peacefully sleeping children had been suddenly broken by an onslought of Word games. How many questions could they me ask in ten minutes? The contest was on! One of their most asked inquiries was, “Mommy, where did I come from?” Often, I would answer their question by asking another: “Rachel, who gave you those beautiful blue eyes? “God did,” she would say. “Benjamin, who gave you that sugary sweet smile?” “God did, Mommy,” he replied, grinning from ear to ear. “And Davey baby, who gave you an incredible life to live?” David would say with perfectly pronounced words, “God gives life, today, tomorrow and forever!” Turning, I would stop what I was doing and look squarely into the faces of my children. “Then where did you come from?” I would ask, with eyebrows raised. “From God!” they would shout, laughing and giggling as I reached down to tickle their bellies. They knew the answer before asking the question. Sometimes, I think we all just need a little positive affirmation.

I believe Jesus was just like any other inquisitive child, playing near the feet of His mother Mary, as she prepared flour to bake the unleavened bread each morning. Jesus always knew the answer before He asked a question because He is the answer! As a young boy, fully human and fully divine, I believe Christ’s intuitiveness was far and above the others. I can hear him asking His mother one simple, yet very complex question, “Where did I come from?”

How many times had Jesus answered this very question during His ministry? How could the people not know? Jesus knew that Pilate knew the answer before He asked. This was not an early morning breakfast conversation that Jesus wanted to have, and He was not in the mood to play Word games. Christ came to fulfill His Father’s will and this was the long-awaited moment of Truth. When Pilate asked the question, Jesus did not respond.

Do you know the answer? Do you know Jesus?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

A Change of Temperature

Today’s Reading: John 19:7-8 (NIV)

7 The Jews insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law He must die, because [Jesus] claimed to be the Son of God.” 8 When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid.

Good morning!

This is the time of year when I realize just how differently people experience life. I guess the weather can bring out the very best or worst in us, depending upon how we choose to react to it. I work with a group of incredibly gifted and talented people and we experience the physical work environment in vastly different ways. One of my co-workers never seems to get cold. In the summer time, she is always too warm. Yesterday when I arrived at work, she had propped the foyer door open because, to her, the work area was hot, and she was clearly uncomfortable. Everyone else in the department were wrapping up in sweaters, coats and shawls reacting to the freezing temperatures and cold blast of air. Isn’t it fascinating how two people can experience a temperature change so differently? As individuals, our internal thermostats are definitely unique.

Last night, I crawled into bed, burying myself under three heavy blankets and one quilt folded double. My husband sat on the other side of the bed on top of the sheets in his summer pajamas, trying to read, while fanning himself. He thought the bedroom was rather warm last night. Our internal thermostats are as different as daylight and dark. We live in the same house, in the same city, in the same state. How can he be too hot when I am freezing cold? How can I be so cold when he is literally burning up inside and out? The only warmth on my person this winter is the feverish foot I’m nursing. Since I’ve had foot surgery, my left foot remains swollen and hot, while my right foot is as cold as a block of ice. When my doctor told me that I should use ice packs on my sore and swollen left foot, I quickly realized that I didn’t need to employ a bag from the freezer. Now, I simply place one foot on top of the other, and the cold from my right foot penetrates the warmth in my left foot. I have learned how to multitask, especially this winter!

The folks in the courtyard were hot! Yet, hearts were frozen solid and yet they didn’t even realize it. How could the people not see the Truth when He was standing there right in front of them? Folks were far more interested in obeying the letter of the law than looking for its fulfillment. Pilate was scared, and he had every good reason to fear. He knew the decision to spare Jesus’ life rested squarely upon his shoulders. He was praying for a change of temperature; a sudden drop in the barometric pressure would have been most welcome on that particular morning. Humanity continued to grow more and more inconsolable as the Son rose up over the city that day.

This morning, I’m praying for a change of holy temperature in our hearts. We need to allow the Spirit of God to melt the frozen places in our lives, where we cannot see and experience the Savior’s love completely. Jesus has the power to take our hearts of stone and make them be hearts of flesh once again. Are you willing to let the Son of God bring a change of temperature to your heart? If you will just let Jesus in, He can and will change your life forever.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

The den of vipers

Today’s Reading: John 19:6 (NIV)

6 As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” But Pilate answered, “You take Him and crucify Him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against Him.”

Good morning!

Young Benny grew up on a farm several miles from town. He loved playing outside in the woods each day. Like most little boys, Benny was fascinated with bugs and worms, buzzing bees, and baby snakes. Anything that crawled on its belly or flew in the air was a fair target for one curious boy in a great big world. His Father repeatedly warned Benny of the dangers in playing too near the bee hive, or chasing the snakes slithering on the ground. He told Benny that a snake bite or bee sting could kill him. But did Benny care to listen and obey His Father? When he thought Daddy wasn’t looking, Benny tried to pick up a slithering snake, hoping to play with a new found friend and prove His Father wrong.

Have you ever made a decision simply to prove that you are right and Your Father is wrong?

Pilate was in a position to judge right from wrong. He found himself stuck in a viper’s pit, and He knew the choice He made about Jesus that day would have everlasting consequences. Pilate could have protected the Nazarene. He found no basis for a charge that warranted his death. It would have been far easier on Pilate’s guilty conscience had Jesus died during the flogging. Many people could not have withstood such a beating. But the crowd seemed totally unsatisfied with just a near death beating. They wanted to see Jesus suffer and die, completely blinded to the slithering lies of Satan lurking near their feet. When Pilate failed to convince the accusers, he simply turned and walked away, giving the crowd a license to kill. It seemed as if Satan had won after all.

Ignoring His Father’s instruction, Benny reached down and grabbed the snake by its tail. No one was more surprised than young Benny as the snake recoiled and bit Benny in the arm. The pain that comes from disobedience has far reaching consequences. As Benny screamed in agony, the Father heard the Son crying out for help. He came running into the woods, looking for His Son.

Our Father sent His only begotten Son into the viper’s den to reclaim the children He loves. When Jesus grabbed the devil by its tail, Satan struck back with the full force of hell behind him. His venom was not enough to hold the Lord in a tomb of death. What Satan counted as a mere victory that morning, became his utter defeat just three days later.

Benny woke up in a hospital bed, with His Daddy there, right by his side. The young boy had been saved because His Father knew where to find the anecdote to the poisonous venom. Benny received a second chance at new life, not because he deserved it, but because His Father cared enough to rescue Benny from himself.

This is just how much our Heavenly Father loves you and me. Who could imagine that God would send His Only Son into a den of vipers, just to save us from ourselves?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

The gift of forgiveness

Today’s Reading: John 19:4-5 (NIV)

4 Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against Him.” When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!”

Good morning!

I started taking piano lessons in the second grade. Every day after school, I couldn’t wait to come home and sit down to practice. I would play from the moment I walked in the door until supper time. Unlike the other children in my neighborhood, piano practice was something I looked forward to with a passion. Each week at my lesson, I would accomplish something new, conquering a new scale, a song in a new key, a rhythm pattern I had not played before. I learned several new songs each week and raced through the Thompson piano course in record time.

Vocal and instrumental music were my favorite classes in school and I took them quite seriously. Most of my friends thought music class was a time to play practical jokes and misbehave. Our instructor, Miss Walker, used to get quite irritated with the disrespectful attitude. She had a hard time keeping the children focused on the task at hand. That spring, the fifth and sixth grade music students were in charge of preparing and presenting a program at an afternoon assembly. Two vocal selections featuring student accompanists were placed on the program and those aspiring to accompany the choir were allowed to try out. I made the cut, along with my best friend.

She was also a fine pianist, and loved to practice as much as I did. We were given our assigned music and began to learn the selections. I set aside my regular lesson material to learn the piece of music I had been assigned. I wanted it to be perfect for the assembly. At the dress rehearsal, I sat down to play the music I had been assigned. My best friend began to scream as I started the introduction, “Miss Walker, she’s playing my song! That’s my song!” In a flurry of confusion, we realized that both of us had somehow practiced and learned the same song and that the other accompaniment had not been prepared. My friend confessed in private that the other song was far too difficult for her to play and so she decided to learn the easier piece, but did not tell me. She was so upset that Miss Walker, not knowing what to do, relented and agreed to let my friend play the piece she had learned. I was stunned. Out of some sense of fairness, Miss Walker told me that if I could learn and play the other accompaniment the next day, she would be glad to allow me to accompany the choir as planned. I lost my best friend that afternoon.

I went home and practiced until bedtime. The accompaniment was a Mexican hat dance with complicated and intricate rhythms and fingering patterns. I was determined to play it the following day for the assembly. I knew it would be a stretch, but I wasn’t about to give up on the opportunity to accompany the choir. When the time came for me to play, I took my seat on the piano bench with confidence. I whispered a prayer for heavenly help and I began the introduction. We got about half way through the song before lost my place in the music. Not only was I unable to keep up with the choir, I stopped playing altogether. Basically, I started with the choir, and I finished the song with the choir, but the middle of the piece was virtually sung a cappella. It was more than obvious to the assembly that a portion of this piece was not intended to be sung without an accompaniment. The giggling turned to raucous laughter. There was no mercy for the one sitting at the piano bench, trying to finish what she had begun. This became the first of many life lessons I would experience in the school of public humiliation.

Jesus understands public humiliation and scrutiny. He was pushed into the courtyard, half dead from a beating that shredded every muscle in his body. It wasn’t enough that the sinless Son of God stood beaten, bruised and bloody before the people; He had to listen to their laughter, their insults and mocking. He had made no mistakes, was innocent of any crime, and yet, the people made fun of Him, showing no mercy.

As I long back on my poor lack of judgment, I realized that I could have saved myself public embarrassment had I simply chosen not to accompany the choir that day. I tried to play a piece of music that was far and above over my skill level at that time with not enough practice time to make it work. But the truth is, I did make the mistake in front of all my peers, and that mistake became my responsibility. Jesus didn’t make mistakes in life. Every thing that He said and did, He did with an eternal purpose in mind. Jesus did not deserve the kind of cruel treatment He endured in the courtyard square. We faulted Him for telling the Truth, for being the Way, the Truth and the Life. We returned God’s unconditional love with hatred and violence, prejudice and pain. We publicly humiliated the Savior of the World. How could He ever forgive us?

My former best friend caught up with me after the assembly. She found me sitting in the music room by myself, wiping tears from my eyes. Softly, she said, “I’m so sorry you were laughed at today. You let me play the music that was easier, because I didn’t want to be embarrassed like that. Will you forgive me for not being as brave as you were?” It is amazing to see what a sincere apology will do to mend the pain caused between two broken hearts. I had found my best friend once again.

If you had been the only sinner on the face of the earth, Jesus would have died just to save you. He stands with open, outstretched arms, waiting for you to call to Him in sincere repentance. He loves you enough to carry your sins to the cross. Won’t you ask Him to come into your life today? He is your very best friend and Jesus is reaching out in love to you right now.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Lashing out irrationally

Today’s Reading: John 19:2-3 (NIV)

2 The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head. They clothed him in a purple robe 3 and went up to Him again and again, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck Him in the face.

Good morning!

Have you ever struck Jesus in the face?

It is hard to accept the brutality that our Savior endured to save us. Yet, we can be pretty cruel ourselves. I imagine every time we take the Lord’s name in vain, it hurts Him just as much as the beating He endured. We make fun of who He is and why He came. When we refuse to give Jesus the first fruits of our days, our income, our hearts, our lives, it’s as if we are the ones placing that crown of thorns on His forehead and pushing it down into His flesh. Have you ever had a migraine headache – a sharp, searing pain that can bring you to your knees and cause you to vomit violently? I imagine the crown of thorns that Jesus wore hurt far worse than any migraine I’ve ever experienced. The next time you have headache, think about what Jesus might have felt that day in the town square.

The soldiers who tortured Jesus were covered in His blood. They were lashing out irrationally, and God’s blood was splattering all over them. They had no idea how this one act would change their lives forever. When they realized that they had executed the Savior of the world, how do you think they could live with themselves? I don’t know. I confess I have lashed out irrationally at God a few times myself. I’ve hurt Jesus more times than I care to remember, especially when I refuse to trust Him completely, love Him wholeheartedly, and willfully disobey His commands. I have more in common with the Roman guards than I care to admit.

The soldiers exercised total control over Jesus’ body, or at least that’s what they thought. They had Him right where they wanted Him. It’s a funny thing, Jesus was in complete control then, just as He is now. He willingly allows our rebellion, believing that one day we will see Him for who He truly is, repent, receive and believe. How many more beatings will the Son of God have to endure at the hands of humanity before every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord?

This is a brand new year. And with every brand new year, we get to begin again. This is our fresh start to a better life. We hope for a stronger economy, a stable market, a world that is filled with peace instead of ongoing violence and war. We look to renew friendships and freedoms that we have neglected or lost in the past. We long for healthy bodies and sound minds. It is time to set aside the sins of our past and look to Jesus Christ for a fresh new start. He is our only rationale for abundant life.

Come with me today. Let us worship our Lord together.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

The Unexpected Christmas Gift

Today’s Reading: John 18:40-19:1 (NIV)

40 “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in a rebellion. 1 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged.

Good morning!

I received an unexpected Christmas present yesterday. Meredith’s parents found a wrapped Christmas package in her closet with my name on it. My friend passed away last July. The gift was delivered to my daughter’s home, and last night, as I sat scrapbooking with my family and friends, I began to unwrap the package.

The paper had been torn in a couple of places where her kitty cats had been playing underneath the tree last year. The design on the red and gold wrapping was that of Christmas teddies dancing around a beautifully lit tree. A tag on the package was addressed to me from Meredith. How do you thank someone for a gift they have given you when they are no longer physically here?

I carefully cut the paper with scissors, hoping to preserve the wrapping for a background in my scrapbook. Meredith loved to scrapbook as much as I do, and she had volumes of pictures carefully mounted in her books, pictures of home and kitty cats, Minx and Patches. She took pictures of her two precious nieces as they grew from tiny babies into beautiful young adults. She chronicled all her trips, work related and fun vacations. One of the last trips she made for fun was a trip to London. When she returned, Meredith told me that this was a trip I must make someday. I hope to see the sights just as she captured them on paper and film. Inside my package, she gave me a carrying case designed to hold scrapbooking décor: brads, buttons, flowers and beads. It is something she knew I would and could use with all my scrapbooking tools. What caught me by surprise was the inscription on the face of the plastic case. It says, “Close to my heart.” She couldn’t have known what that simple phrase would mean to me on a day like today, several months after her passing. Her gift of friendship and love is something I will cherish the rest of my life.

The unexpected gift was slowly and meticulously being opened by the Roman soldiers as they shredded the flesh of our Savior. A common criminal was let loose into the streets and the sinless Son of God was filleted in the courtyard for all to see. As He spilled His blood, new life was poured out for all. It is a gift that none of us had wanted to receive in this manner; but it was the One gift we would cherish every day of this life and in the life to come.

The unexpected Christmas gift is yours. Jesus died because you are closer to His heart than anything else in the world. He cares more about saving you than saving Himself. He died to give you a brand new life in Him. I know that one day I will greet Meredith with a holy hug and thank her for her gift to me, as we stand together in the heavenly realm, praising the One who gave us new life in Him. She is home, and I am headed that way. One day, we will share the unexpected Christmas gift together in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Under control

Today’s Reading: John 18:38b-39 (NIV)

38b With this, [Pilate] went out again to the Jews and said, “I find no basis for a charge against [Jesus]. 39 But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?”

Good morning!

Pilate thought he had everything under control. He could simply go to the people, give them a choice, and let them decide what to do with the Nazarene. In his mind, he figured he would relinquish personal responsibility over the one known as “the King of the Jews.” How much control do you think Pilate really had over Jesus’ life? How much control did the people really have in determining Christ’s fate?

Jesus was being charged with loving unconditionally. He healed the sick, raised the dead to life again, and demonstrated the Father’s love for all people. He taught us how to pray. Jesus saw through the schemes of religious hypocrites, calling out sin for what it is, and offered a whole new life to all those were willing to let go of the past and begin again. Do you think Pilate had as much control over the life and death of Christ as he thought he did? Do you think the people had ultimate control that day?

It is easy to believe we have more control over the direction of our lives than we actually do. And sometimes, we allow our circumstances to imprison our hearts. In captivity, we feel a false sense of security. Have you ever allowed yourself to be held captive by something? Maybe you are imprisoned by a painful memory that keeps you from living life to its fullest measure. Have you lost someone you love? Do you find it hard to go on living without them? Do you suffer with a physical infirmity? Do you feel like you are stuck at the bottom of a deep pit, afraid to climb out because the light at the end of the tunnel is scarier than the darkness that surrounds you now?

We can look at the circumstance surrounding Jesus’ trial and try to place blame upon those who seemed to have authority over His life at that time. If we’re not careful, we may miss out on a tidbit of truth. Jesus came to free human hearts from the captivity of sin. We had fallen far and away from the One who loves us more than life itself. Christ came to restore a right relationship between God and man forever. He knew how the people would react, how some would try to control the course of His life, and how He would free them from their own self-controlled imprisonment. There comes a time when each of us must let go of the things we think we control and trust the Lord to lead us forward by faith. He has the power to heal, forgive and redeem us. He can pull us out of the pit, if we’ll let Him.

Will you surrender control and let Jesus heal your heart today?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Judgment call

Today’s Reading: John 18:38a (NIV)

38a “What is truth?” Pilate asked.

Good morning!

In the Christmas movie, The Preacher’s Wife, Pastor Biggs visits a young man in jail who has been arrested and is being charged with robbery and attempted murder. Billy tells his pastor that he was just an innocent bystander, having returned a video to the store across the street when the robbery occurred. He ducked behind a car to protect himself from the gunfire, and after the shooter drove away, the shop owner mistakenly identified Billy as the gunman. Pastor had to make a judgment call whether to believe Billy’s story. He asked Billy if he was telling the truth, and looked him straight in the eye. Pastor knew where to look to see the truth – it is revealed in the eyes.

“What is truth?” Pilate asks. The truth was standing right in front of him; yet, Pilate, blinded by the culture and his own human philosophies, could not see Jesus for who He is. The truth would have set him free that day, free from his life of sin and shame. The truth could have healed Pilate completely, if he had only been willing to open his heart to the Lord. There they were, the two of them, staring at each other. Pilate missed seeing the Truth that day. He was so busy making a judgment call that he missed out on seeing and knowing the Savior of the world.

Do we somehow miss seeing the Truth today while debating who Jesus Christ is?

The truth cannot be defined by the popular vote. If one believes that all truth is relative, then there is no standard with which to judge right from wrong. Pilate wanted to bring this matter to a resolution. He was forced to make a judgment call, knowing his opinion would impact the public’s opinion on his leadership skills. The choice he made that day about Jesus would affect his life, his family's life, and his future.

What will you do with the Truth today? Would you choose to look beyond what the culture says; would you be willing to step above the popular opinion and take a stand for the Truth? If Pilate had simply looked in Christ’s eyes with an open heart, he would have known the Truth, and the Truth would have set him free forever.

Please don’t miss out on seeing the Truth while making your judgment call.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Purple hair days

Today’s Reading: John 18:37(NIV)

37 “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

Good morning!

Sometimes the truth rears its ugly head in the morning. I try really hard not to spend too much time in front of the mirror because it reveals things about myself I’d rather avoid. The mirror does not lie about my weight or my age or the fact that I am definitely sporting purple hair. How did that happen? I was trying to save a little money at the hairdressers, which should be a good thing in this New Year. Okay, so the gray turned pink and then it turned purple, but I thought last night, if I just went to bed and slept on it, that it might actually fade overnight. NOT! And now it is time to go to work and face the professional world with purple hair.

Well, I’m really not all that concerned about it. After all, I did help my boys color their hair every color of the rainbow when they played soccer in school. And our Rachel had a healthy green streak running the length of her beautiful blonde hair for several months when she was a teenager. It was a fashion statement. Here I am, at 50 years old, with purple hair. This just shouldn’t be happening.

Purple was my favorite color growing up. I loved wearing deep purple velvet dresses at Christmas, and I had a pretty lavender bedspread on my bed. Our parsonage bedroom is lavender, it’s such a soothing color. I now blend in well with the parsonage walls. Purple is the color of advent, the season of waiting. Purple is the color of lent, of repentance. I have a feeling I’m going to be doing a lot of waiting and repenting today. So, I guess purple hair is not such a bad deal for someone like me!

Sometimes the truth is hard to see. Pilate was doing his best to trip Jesus up in His testimony. Jesus made an unexpected verbal twist and placed the onus right back on the rich Roman ruler. Jesus came into the world to testify to the Truth. The people who longed for Truth above all else, chose to listen and obey. As a matter of fact, Jesus is the Truth, and even Pilate knew that, deep down inside.

It’s hard to hide purple hair from the world. I can see it plainly in the mirror and I’m certain it will be noticed by others. Maybe I should wear my red hat to work, just to accentuate my actual age. Some may believe it is not normal to have purple hair at age 50, but God continues to recreate a new normal in my heart each day. The truth is, without Him, I would be lost forever. He gave His life so that I could live free in Him, with or without purple hair. I have a feeling Jesus might actually like my purple hair, especially if I allow Him to use it as a living witness of His love for me. After all, He has never given up on me through the years. And even though I seem to be His problem child, Christ continually loves me still. The Father not only knows the number of hairs on my head, He also knows their natural color, which is something I’m not completely sure of these days. If He can love me with purple hair, He can love you too! And He does! God looks beyond the hair and sees the heart. I wonder if my heart is purple today.

I guess it could be worse – I could be bald! Thank you Lord, for purple hair days.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Heaven's tea party

Today’s Reading: John 18:36(NIV)

36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

Good morning!

On New Year’s Day, I sat on a pillow on the floor in my granddaughter’s bedroom. Her room is upstairs, and the view from her window overlooks the street where she lives. On a clear day, one can see the circle drive at the end of her street, and, if you look in the opposite direction, you can see where her street merges with the main thoroughfare that runs the length of the subdivision. Emily sat next to me, on her very own pillow, with legs crossed Indian style. She wore a shiny tiara upon her head. We sipped hot tea in our pajamas and enjoyed a slice of warm, delicious strawberry cake, while admiring the new tea set that she had received as a Christmas present.

A beautiful transformation occurs every time I enjoy a cup of hot tea. I think of all the many tea parties I have had in my life, and the places where I’ve been while enjoying this delicious taste treat. Tea was a big deal where I grew up. We enjoyed a glass of iced tea almost every night for supper after we drank our milk. In the winter time, hot tea was a welcomed treat after playing outside in the snow. We enjoyed watching the cubed sugars melt away in our teacups. The tea party is a timeless tradition, and one I have never quite grown out of. I have several tea sets in my home today, and enjoy sipping hot tea from a special cup while sitting in front of the fire place every weekend. If you come to visit me, I will be sure to brew a pot of hot tea just for you.

Emily went on and on about a young man in her preschool class. “Nanny,” she said, “Benjie Barlow is my best boyfriend and he will be my best boyfriend forever.” With furrowed eyebrows, I looked at my four year old granddaughter and asked, “So, you plan to marry this Benjie?” “Oh no, Nanny!” Emily was emphatic. “And why not?” I asked, taking another sip of the hot tea. “No babies, Nanny. I do not want to have any babies.” Somehow, I found that hard to believe as Emily clutched her brand new baby doll underneath her arm. “But, Emily,” I said, “I’m hoping one day to be a great grandmother.” “Silly, Nanny, you are a GREAT grandmother.” Emily’s words didn’t skip a beat. I find it amazing how a little child can melt the heart of a grandmother with one simple sentence. For one brief, fleeting moment, my mind was suspended in time, seeing what could possibly be in twenty-five years or so. I was dreaming of the life my Emily might have in a world where I would either be much older or have passed on to my eternal home. Emily reminded me that true greatness does not necessarily come through the passing of generations, but it exists in the here and now. For a four year old, my granddaughter borders brilliance, don’t you think?

Pilate asked Jesus a question, and Jesus answered him directly. His kingdom is not of this world, but of the world to come. What we see in Him now, is only a mirrored reflection of the magnificence He will be in our eternal home. What a tea party we have to look forward to, when Jesus takes His place at the right hand of the Father forevermore. Come and dream with me as we imagine how great our forever will be in the awesome presence of our Savior and King.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Choose wisely

Today’s Reading: John 18:34-35(NIV)

34 “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?” “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”

Good morning!

Accepting responsibility for the choices we make is a mark of maturity. Recognizing that the greatest human thought is merely human comes from something outside oneself. Pilate asks a question and Jesus answers it with another question. I had an evangelism professor who once told me that the greatest teaching method is to answer one question with another. Great philosophers throughout history must have believed it to be true, as they made their human attempts to address the holy mysteries of life and death and life after death. How unfortunate that some believe human thought is far superior to the Word of God. Were their thoughts novel or divinely inspired?

A good question deserves a solid, well-thought out answer. Sometimes we think more highly of ourselves than we ought. Take Pilate, for instance. He had been given the power to judge right from wrong and exercise Roman law based upon his findings of fact. This allowed him to wield a lot of power over the people placed under his authority and care. Have you ever felt in a brief, fleeting moment, that you had complete control over your own life and just maybe, the lives of the ones in your family? Some folks have learned to walk life’s road rather comfortably in the rut they’ve dug around their feet. We’ve become creatures of habit and complacency, unwilling to venture outside the walls of our safe shells for fear that we may have to change direction, lifestyle, or our behaviors and attitudes. We can easily become self-righteous in our own little world, judging others as if we have been given a God-given right to do so. Did Pilate know who Jesus really was? Did he even care?

Suppose Jesus is standing before you today. He is on trial in your heart, and you must make a decision whether to believe that He is the Son of God and Savior of the world, or a very intelligent, well-studied rabbi, who seems to have been given a great spiritual gift mix. The choice you make today will bear consequences not only for the one standing before you on trial; it will affect you and your family for the rest of your lives.

What will you choose to do with Jesus of Nazareth?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Rhetorical question

Today’s Reading: John 18:33(NIV)

33 Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked Him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

Good morning!

While walking through the Climatron® at the Missouri Botanical Gardens yesterday, I stopped to admire the Marantaceae plants. Its beautiful ground cover and foliage originates from the arrowroot family of flowering plants. Colorful, variegated leaves in shades of green, white and pink grow along the jungle floor. As the sunlight peeked through the dense brush, Marantaceae leaves stretch toward the light, looking somewhat like two hands folded in prayer. This is why this species is more commonly known as “prayer plants.” I watched in amazement as streams of sunlight fell across the jungle floor, and how the prayer plant foliage seemed to reach up toward the heavens in honor of the master creator. If a simple plant can acknowledge and honor the Lord Almighty, then why can’t we?

The Gardens are beautiful in every season, and I could not think of a more appropriate place to begin the New Year. It was very cold outside, and our stroll through the Japanese Gardens became a brisk, fast-paced walk. We especially enjoyed playing “I Spy” inside the Gardenland Express, the holiday Flower and Train Show. Joshua and Emily took turns finding the various puzzle pieces that matched the train displays. Just watching all the trains circle the perimeter of the complex made me long to go home and pull out our old train set in the basement and put it up again. It has been years since Jeff and I put the trains together at Christmastime. A lot of work and ingenuity went into the creation of this magical mountain holiday. It is an impressive piece of art, to say the least.

Sometimes it is hard to understand how we can see such beauty all around us and not recognize and acknowledge the creator of it all. I think Pilate must have known who Jesus was, but he was unwilling to admit it. Thinking he could simply trap Jesus with his words, Pilate asked one simple question, “Are you the king of the Jews?” God’s Word has a way capturing us right where we are. God's Word has the power beyond all human thought, to pierce even the hardest of hearts. It is like a beautiful prayer plant that rises up to the light of the Son, paying homage to the Lord, the giver of life. It cannot be quenched or denied its rightful place within the universe.

We often speak rhetorical questions, knowing the answer before we ask. Take some time soon to visit the garden of prayer in 2009. The year is young and the foliage is beautiful in every season. May you know and recognize God for who He is and whose you are in Him. Have a happy New Year in the Lord.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.