A Sabbath Day's Walk

Today’s Reading: Acts 1:12 (NIV)

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city.

Good morning!

How far is a Sabbath’s day walk? Bible Scholars speculate this walk could be no longer than ¾ of a mile. If you wear a pedometer to track your daily steps, you may be surprised to know just how far you walk in a day, even without purposefully exercising. Keeping your walking to a minimum of ¾ mile is very hard to do.

How far is too far to go to worship the Lord? We live approximately ½ mile from the front door of our home to the front door of Faith Church, and I do enjoy walking the subdivision to church. I will confess that I don’t walk very often, because it is difficult to provide shuttle service for friends who need a last minute lift when you are traveling on foot! Many from our Faith family drive long distances to come and worship each week. We have folks who travel from Cahokia, Illinois, the greater St. Louis area, and as far west as Wentzville and Warrenton to worship at Faith each week. I recently read a bumper sticker on the back of a car while sitting at an intersection in town. It said, “A church that is alive is worth the drive!”

In this fast-paced culture, it is not uncommon for folks to hop in their automobiles and travel here and there, especially on the Sabbath. There are sporting events, shopping sprees, family get-togethers, and even work to attend to. How many people do you know who are required to work every weekend? It seems as if our culture has all but forgotten the Father’s command to “Remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but He rested on the seventh day. Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” Exodus 20:8-11 NIV

In the busyness and business of life, I have a deep desire to make each Sabbath day’s walk a holy walk. I’ve found that my Sabbath does not necessary fall every seventh day – I can enter into Sabbath rest every morning as I enter into the presence of the Lord through worship and prayer. I believe that keeping the Sabbath holy has a whole lot more to do with our mindset and heart song than with the physical mileage we burn in travel time to and from the places we go.

Won’t you join me today in a Holy Sabbath Walk with 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.

Is the sky falling?

Today’s Reading: Acts 1:10-11 (NIV)

10 They were looking intently up into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.”

Good morning!

I became enamored with the skies at an early age, sitting on the rich, velvety bluegrass in my back yard, counting the clouds above. There is something absolutely captivating in the sky; we sense it every time we look up. My mother used to sit outside in the back yard, and we would share a picnic lunch together while enjoying the beautiful skies above. She would read the fairy tale, Chicken Licken, and it was by far one of my favorite picnic stories. Do you remember the rhyming names of the cast of characters? Let's see - there was: Chicken Licken (or Chicken Little), Henny Penny, Lucky Ducky, Loosey Goosey (or Gander Pander), Turkey Lurkey and Foxy Loxy. I could relate best to Loosey Goosey. In fact, my mother used to call me that every now and then. Which character best describes you?

In the story, Chicken Licken fears that the sky is falling when an acorn falls from a nearby tree and bops her on the head. She frantically spreads the scary news to all the animals as she goes to tell the King. What is most interesting about this story is that it has a garden variety of endings and morals, depending upon your point of view. In one ending, the storybook animals are saved by the King’s hunting dogs. In another version, the sky actually falls and takes out Foxy Loxy. My takeaway is that I am not to be a Chicken Licken but to face my fears with faith and step out in courage each new day.

I imagine the disciples were caught up in the rapture of the moment as they watched their resurrected Savior rise up into the heavenly skies. With eyes fixed upon the clouds above, their mouths gaping wide open; it took two men dressed in brilliant white to bring them back down to earth. “Why are you standing here looking up?” they questioned the believers. “This Jesus who was taken up will return in the exact same way.” I can’t blame the men and women from not wanting to divert their eyes from the sky, knowing that He will one day soon return in the clouds.

The truth is simple. Because of Jesus Christ, we have His resurrection hope pulsing in our veins. We know He is coming back! We could stand around staring at the skies and waiting for Christ’s imminent return. He didn’t say to His disciples, “Now stand here and wait for me. I’ll be back!” No, Jesus commanded His disciples to go and make disciples of all the nations – there is much work to be done before He returns.

We can now face our every fear with faith. In a world where the sky seems to be literally falling down around us, we have Christ’s Word to assure us of full salvation in Him. He will not forsake us. We will see Him coming again on the clouds one day soon, and that’s a bonafide lifetime guarantee! Until then, we need to stop gawking at the skies above and get busy spreading the news! Jesus Christ is alive! He heals the sick, frees us from sin, and brings everlasting hope to the hopeless. Spread the Good News today, in Jesus’ name!

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 pedestrian bridge

Today’s Reading: Acts 1:9 (NIV)

After [Jesus] said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight.

Good morning!

I couldn’t help but notice a most captivating sunset Saturday evening as I walked across the pedestrian bridge that linked the parking garage to St. Louis University Hospital. The sunlight streaming through a few colorful clouds beamed across the sky and literally fell along the path where I was walking. I stopped to look up. The light was so bright that I could not keep my eyes on it for more than a second; yet, it was the most beautiful thing I think I’ve ever seen.

I wonder if this is similar to the disciples’ experience when Jesus was taken up into heaven. One minute, He is standing there, speaking to them, and the next, He is high and lifted up, moving across the sky. The disciples strained their eyes to see Him pass through the clouds but the light was so intensely bright they could not watch Him go. Eventually, a cloud hid Him from their physical sight.

Just because we cannot see Him in the flesh, does not mean that Jesus isn’t here with us right now.

When I make hospital visits, it is my practice to pray silently for the people in every room that I walk by. On one floor, babies are being born every minute and new life is birthed into every heart who peers into the nursery window for the very first time. On another floor, people are waiting for any word of hope for their loved ones who remain patients in intensive care units. Pastors and physicians gather with family members who are holding vigil as their friend is fighting for life. Here the battle is often won in a brand new life. We wait as they breathe their last earthly breath and take their first, fresh new breath of everlasting life in heaven.

I couldn’t help but wonder if that beautiful sunset wasn’t the grand welcome for a precious child of God, who was crossing over at that very moment from death into new life. They are here one minute and gone the next; we strain our eyes to see them go. Yet, this precious one lives on in our hearts and minds forever. As I moved across the pedestrian bridge, I was reminded that all of us will one day walk across the bridge that leads from this life into the next. Who will be there to greet you on that day? When I make my crosswalk journey, there is only one face I long to see, and His light will be the light that guides my every step home.

If you have lost a loved one in the past week, my prayer is that you will remember Christ’s everlasting promise; Jesus is with us always, even to the end of the age. He has gone to prepare a place for you and me; where we will be live in His light forever. This is not the end, but a brand new beginning. Learn to embrace the sunsets of life, for it is a gift of all that is to come.

Jesus is with us always: yesterday, today and forever. Choose to walk in the light of His love 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.

Living Witness

Today’s Reading: Acts 1:8 (NIV)

8 [Jesus said,] “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Good morning!

Lord, you really want me to be your living witness where?

This is a question that comes up daily in my personal devotion time with the Lord. Christ commands us to go make disciples of all the nations. That is one tall order for this short order cook! Being a person who finds herself directionally challenged, I struggle to unpack the specifics of this direct command.

I begin the process by trying to define where Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria are in my life. Jerusalem is the place where the disciples gathered, as they waited for the Holy Spirit power to come upon them. It was there they first saw the Lord, alive and well, after His crucifixion and burial. The disciples found the Upper Room in Jerusalem to be a holy place of refuge in a volatile social and political climate. This room had become their home away from home. My Jerusalem is definitely home; home with my family; home with my Faith family. It is the one place I can go and know that I will be loved unconditionally and without reservation. It is a safe oasis in a difficult social and economic climate. I can express my love for Christ freely, knowing that the people who surround me understand what I feel because they feel it too. I am called to be a living witness in my home, with my family, and at church, in the presence of my Faith family.

Judea takes the disciples out of their comfort zone and moves them out into the communities surrounding their home base. Moving into unknown territory can be frightening, especially when folks who do not share your enthusiasm or love for the Lord begin to judge you. How did the disciples convince people who did not yet know Jesus to believe in Him? They put themselves in harm’s way just to share Christ’s saving message outside the walls. The Holy Spirit equipped the disciples to go into Judea, standing on Christ’s Word alone. My Judea is the place where I work and study and live each day. It is the neighborhood where I reside. Jesus holds me personally responsible to share the Good News with the folks I meet, everywhere I go. This is where I need to improve my spiritual serve, knowing that I will surely face rejection, judgment and hostility from many. Am I willing to take Christ's message to the streets?

Samaritans were considered despicable by the Jews. They were the outcasts of all good society. Jesus had no problem hanging out with Samaritans. His love broke every social class, boundary, and cultural standard. Jesus was judged harshly for eating with tax collectors, healing lepers, and befriending Samaritans. Where is my Samaria? Is Christ calling me to go to the place I would rather not go to serve Him? Maybe I need to make a visit to the local bars in St. Charles. This is a very hard place for me to go, given my childhood upbringing. Nothing scares me more than an out-of-control drunk than a convicted felon. Maybe Christ wants me to take His Word into the prisons. Am I willing to walk through my Samaria and love as Christ loves me?

I realize that the Holy Spirit power is not manufactured in America. I cannot purchase it in any other country, for that matter. The Holy Spirit power is an amazing gift from the Father, given freely to all who believe and receive Jesus as Lord. When we believe with our hearts and confess with our lips that Jesus Christ is Lord of all, we ask by faith to receive the Holy Spirit power, and He pours it out over our lives. This power is the exact same power that the disciples carried with them throughout Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria. He equips us to leave the creature comforts of our homes, our churches, and go outside the walls in ministry and service for His kingdom.

Where is Jesus Christ calling you to be His living witness 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.

The Father's timing

Today’s Reading: Acts 1:6-7 (NIV)

6 So when they met together, they asked Him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 [Jesus] said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority.”

Good morning!

It is hard to understand the Father’s timing.

During World War II, my grandparents experienced great emotional anguish as all four of their boys left the country to fight overseas. They had lived a simple and peaceful existence as cotton pickers in the Mississippi back woods. There was a great celebration when two of their sons returned home safely. My mother remembers the day officers arrived at the front porch of their farm, bearing the grim news that her oldest brother was held as a prisoner of war. The news was almost more than her family could bear; and then, just a few weeks later, they learned their youngest son had also been taken captive. Grandmother walked away from the uninvited guests on her front porch and headed toward the clearing at the end of their property line. She sat down, and stared into thin air. When Grandpa finally found her, it was nearly dark, and she was in a state of physical and emotional shock. He had to fetch the wagon and have help lifting her, just to bring her home. She didn’t speak or move for weeks. Grandpa thought he had lost her too. The first words she said were uttered to her Methodist preacher, who came and sat with her every day and read the Scriptures out loud. Grandmother looked him squarely in the eye and said, “Preacher, when will God bring my boys back home?”

My Uncles survived a nightmare most of us cannot begin to imagine. They suffered cruel and inhumane punishment. They watched helplessly as many of their friends died in prison. Both men were freed after the war ended and they returned home, forever changed by the experience. Rhe lives of all who knew and loved them were effected. We knew first hand what war can do to families, countries and the world. My grandmother knew that two of her baby boys were in harms way and there was nothing she could do to save them from it. She was able to lay this burden down at the foot of the cross where Jesus picked it up carried it for her.

The Disciples had seen witnessed the atrocities of life under Roman rule. They could not stand to see their people suffering the same torment they had endured for thousands of years. Jews believed in the prophecies of old; there would be one who would rise up – He had the Father’s power to change everything and would restore the kingdom once and for all. It was their promise just waiting to be fulfilled. They asked the Lord, “When will God save us? When will we live in peace and harmony again? How much longer do we have to wait to see His promises fulfilled?”

In our greatest adversities, we cannot begin to know or understand the Father’s timing. Like the Disciples, we stand in line and ask the age old question, “How much longer, Lord?” Jesus said, “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority.”

We wait for the day when all suffering will cease; when humanity will live in peace with each other. Christ will return to redeem His people and restore His kingdom on earth. It is this promise that we rely upon. This is our time to wait in faith, trusting the Father’s timing even when we do not understand it.

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.

Wait for it!

Today’s Reading: Acts 1:4-5 (NIV)

4 On one occasion, while [Jesus] was eating with them, He gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Good morning!

Here’s a personal question to ponder today: When traffic lights change from green to yellow, does your driving foot generally react by (a) putting on the brakes; or (b) stepping on the gas pedal?

I ran a yellow light yesterday. Sometimes, if I’m in the intersection and the light suddenly changes, there is no choice but to add a little acceleration and move on through the exchange; but this was not the case. The light was yellow and I had time to stop, but I chose to go instead. The light turned red while I was making the turn, and as soon as I did it, the Holy Spirit jabbed me in the gut. I knew I should have waited. However, I also knew that if I had applied the brake at that particular moment, the person driving in the car behind me, who was obviously in a bigger hurry than I was, would have probably rear-ended me right then and there. Is this a good excuse to run a yellow light? How would this defense hold up before a judge in traffic court? “Your honor, if it pleases the court, I offer this evidence as my "soul" defense: the brother behind me made me do it! Please check your video camera recording and you will see that my decision to run the yellow light was solely based upon the automobile that was riding my tail and pushing me through the intersection. Your honor, with all due respect, he is the one that deserves the punishment - not me.”

How many times do we run the cautionary yellow lights of life, forgetting that the slow down plan is often best? Our youngest grandson Andrew is almost two years old and every bit of it. He is one busy boy! Of our five grandchildren, I think Andrew shows the least amount of fear. This is a scary age, when wee ones love to climb and jump and explore the unknown, without any cognitive recognition of imminent danger. I’ve seen that child climb up furniture quicker than I can say “No, Andrew” and take a running leap, laughing hysterically as gravity quickly pulls him back down to earth. Saturday night, I could see that Andrew was wearing down. When Grandmothers get tired, they lie down and rest. When two year old boys get tired, they begin to go a whole lot faster, for fear of having to actually lie down and rest. Three times this child decided to take a running leap off the living room sofa; and three times I told him to stop. The third time was the kicker. I immediately put Andrew in time out and you would have thought the world stopped spinning. Andrew cried and wailed as big old crocodile tears rolled down his flushed face. After he expressed his sincere dislike of Granny Deb’s slow down plan, he calmed himself, and was well behaved the rest of the evening. It’s amazing what a little time out can do to right an upside down world.

Jesus wasn’t kidding when he told His disciples to wait for it. He gave them a monumental task; to go and share His message of salvation with the entire world! The adversity they would face and the judgments and punishments of others would follow them wherever they went. Many would believe and just as many would not. His beloved would face serious consequences for their actions, and it would cost them their lives. Jesus knew without the help and power of the Holy Spirit to lead and guide them, they would become like a tired two year old, tired and rambunctious, running from here to there with no real sense of purpose or call. They would not heed the cautions that come with ever-present danger, and would surely fall along the way. Jesus wanted them to have the tools they needed to effectively take the message around the world.

About an hour later, I drove back through that intersection, much slower than before. I saw two ambulances and a fire truck flashing lights in the roadway. I saw the crumpled vehicles in the street. It appeared that someone tried to run a yellow light and collided with an oncoming car who was also in a hurry to go. Are we willing to risk the lives of others because we’re too busy to stop and wait?

Just like a yellow light cautions us to slow down, Jesus tells us not to launch out into the deep without His powerful Holy Spirit directing our lives. We must not try to go it alone. Ask Jesus to pour out His Holy Spirit upon your life today. Then wait for it! You will know when to go in Jesus’ name! 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.

The next forty days

Today’s Reading: Acts 1:3 (NIV)

3 After [Jesus] suffering, He showed Himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the Kingdom of God.

Good morning!

A lot can happen in forty days. Our five-year old granddaughter Emily participated in her very first Gymnastics program this past weekend. She began classes just a few months ago, and within a matter of two months, moved up from the beginning class into the intermediate program. Even I was surprised at the new skill sets she acquired in the last six weeks. Emily has always been quite the tumble bee, preferring to hang upside down while watching television or playing on the swing set in their back yard. She has a great sense of balance and a strong upper body, which is why I’m sure she did well on the uneven parallel bars and was able to complete her balance beam routine with only a minor wobble. My favorite moment was watching Emily run as fast as she could toward the pommel horse. She jumped high and stuck her landing, throwing her arms up in the air while waving to the cheering crowd. It was an amazing thing to see. Baby brother Andrew had passed out in my arms, completely oblivious to the activities happening around him. Older brother Joshua sat by my side and cheered his little sister on. At the end of the program, Emily got to carry the team banner, leading her group to the awards ceremony. The smiles on the faces of her team mates pretty much told the rest of the story. This is the time to celebrate!

Parents know that for every success, there will be just as many failures. Our Emily will wear the bumps and bruises of her ongoing gymnastics training, as she continues to learn. We can anticipate future sprained ankles, broken bones, and many other physical injuries that she will fight to recover from. Sometimes, the worst sporting injuries scar our emotions, if we fail to accomplish what we’ve trained to do. If you’ve ever seen an Olympian fall at the world games, then you have some sense of the devastation athletes feel. Human compassion surfaces when we sense the pain of others. Awards should be given to each and every person who tries and fails, as opposed to the ones who are so afraid of failing they do not try at all.

Jesus completed yet another forty days of spiritual training with His beloved. After His death and resurrection, Jesus continued to appear and teach the disciples about the Kingdom of God. There was no doubt that Christ had succeeded in the life’s mission; taking upon Himself the sins of humanity in exchange for new and everlasting life in Him. For those who did not yet know Him, Jesus' life work may have seemed to be a dismal failure. Many wondered why the man who could heal so many and raise people from the dead could not save Himself from the cruel cross. They could not see that He had conquered death once and for all. Yet, the disciples who saw Him high and lifted up, who placed their fingers in his wounds and held their hands in His side, knew the whole Truth. Jesus Christ is the real deal! And the smiles on their faces pretty much told the rest of the story. This is the time to celebrate new life!

A lot can happen in forty days. Disbelief melts at the foot of the cross. Ordinary human hearts are transformed into Christ followers. Belief gives rise to courage as fearless ones share His message of salvation around the world. Facing guaranteed physical punishment and cruel emotional suffering, Jesus' physical presence in the world was more than enough hope to sustain the faithful as they began taking His Word out into the streets. The only reward they long to receive is the crown of life from the One who died to set them free - the same crown they will lay down at His feet in heaven.

Where will your heart be in forty short days? Will you place your faith in Jesus Christ? Will He take the mustard-seed faith that has been planted in you and grow it exponentially for Kingdom work? Will the fear of following Him melt into strength and courage that you cannot explain away? Are you willing to run full force into the arms of your Savior, knowing He will be there to catch you, even if you fall?

The next forty days could entirely change the direction of your life.

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.

Dear Theophilus:

Today’s Reading: Acts 1:1-2 (NIV)

1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day He was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles He had chosen.

Good morning!

It is hard to imagine a world without accessible internet access, email and instant messaging. It wasn’t all that long ago when none of this technology even existed; the realities of today were simple dreams and theories developing in the heart of humanity. For thousands of years, people found ways to communicate life stories and truth to each other. Pictures carved on stone walls told stories of kings and Pharaohs and rulers of kingdoms. Folks began recording written narratives about the lives of important people and sharing them with extended family and friends through letters. Letter writing became a most popular way to share news and, I would imagine receiving a letter then was almost as exciting as receiving an instant message with an attached picture today.

There is great value in an eyewitness account. Luke, the writer of Acts, was a physician by trade and a close, personal friend of the Apostle Paul. He was the only Gentile author in the New Testament, whose writing sheds a fresh perspective on the birth of the Christian Church. He met and heard many of the stories told by the disciples about Jesus. Hearing the truth and seeing the many healing miracles prompted Luke to share this great, good news in a letter written to a friend named Theophilus, whose very name means lover of God. Luke was writing his account to all of us who love the Lord.

This letter picks up where the Luke’s Gospel leaves off, some thirty years after Christ’s resurrection. The church was growing exponentially through the powerful move of the Holy Spirit, who is very much alive and well in the hearts of believers. Jesus told His disciples that He had to go so that the Spirit would come, and oh, how the Spirit poured itself out on the early church! People of different cultures, beliefs and languages heard and accepted the good news of our risen Savior. Even through intense and horrifying persecution, Christian home churches were springing up faster than the Romans could literally burn them out. The flames of faith continue to spark and ignite around the world today.

Luke’s ability to convey truth through in written medium helped many who did not know the Lord Jesus Christ or see His crucifixion, burial and resurrection, to believe and trust in His saving grace. We can be thankful for all who dare to share the truth today, with whatever communication tools they have at their disposal.

It is obvious that Christ continues to speak through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit evidenced in our lives. No longer is the Lord understood only by his disciples who walked and talked with Him in Galilee and Jerusalem. People were meeting the risen Savior face-to-face, in the most unusual ways. Christ continues to choose His Apostles today to spread the message. They are simple men and women, just like you and me. When Jesus Christ sets our hearts on fire and we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we carry His message of hope to the world.

This is a love letter that will literally change your life. Come and read it with me, my dear Theophilus.

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.

Life without end

Today’s Reading: John 21:25 (NIV)

25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

Good morning!

I have friends who will only read a book in its entirety if they like what they read in the last chapter first. Are you someone who wants to know how the story will end before you experience the beginning?

Each of the Gospel writers chose to end their narratives of Jesus’ life in unique ways. Was this Gospel writer exhausted when he closed his book with the last sentence? There was so much more to be told, so many things that Jesus said and did. How many volumes would it have taken if every word and act of Jesus had been recorded, shared, and revealed? Wouldn’t you like to know the rest of the story?

I believe there is a reason why this Gospel message has no conclusive ending. Jesus’ work didn’t stop at the cross; and there is no logical way to wrap up His life's story after rising from the dead and ascending into heaven. Jesus is alive and at work in the world today! When we give our hearts to Him and He draws us into a personal relationship, we find ourselves compelled to share His story with the world around us. This is a book of new beginnings. Even the ending is a brand new beginning, for God’s holy Word has no end.

It is human nature to want to know how every story will end, and there are many who have speculated about Christ’s promised return and what the end times will be like. Prophecies written thousands of years before Christ’s birth are being fulfilled today! Some scholars have devoted their entire lives to the understanding the meaning of the Truths contained in Holy Scripture. This Gospel writer doesn’t stop with this final chapter. The Father uses John to record a vision that the generations continue to interpret some 2000 years later. The mysteries presented in the book of Revelation, leave us to speculation and conjecture, compelling us to better understand the Father’s plan for the world.

Jesus chooses to reveal Himself to me verse by verse! Unlike many other books that I have read, there is something new to learn in every single sentence. We have spent the last sixteen months working through the Gospel of John, verse by verse. I know without a doubt that His Word speaks!

Even though Christ's story does not end here, it is time for you and me to draw some conclusions about what we’ve learned. We must make a choice based upon the eyewitness account that has been presented. Will we believe that Jesus is the only Son of God, who lived, died and rose again to save us from eternal separation and sin? If you have given your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ while studying His Word, then your salvation ticket has been purchased. You have a guaranteed place with Christ forever more. Your life's story will be His story for every generation; and you will live on forever in the everlasting light of Christ's love.

It is not too late to give your heart to the Lord. You have the opportunity right now to receive a brand new life in Christ. Pray these words with me: Father, I believe that Jesus lived, died and rose again just to save me. I am convinced that He is your only Son and the Savior of the world. Forgive me for the sins I have committed in my thoughts, words and actions. I give you my life right now; I make you the Lord of my life today. Thank you for salvation; I receive it today in Jesus’ name. I believe I have been washed in Christ's blood and now I can stand firm in His righteousness alone. I know your promises are true - I will live forever with you. Give me the courage to share your salvation story with the world! I pray this prayer, in the power and in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

If you have received the Lord Jesus Christ into your life today, please write to me today. I invite you join me tomorrow as we begin a brand new story, studying the Acts of the Apostles, verse by verse.

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.

Handwritten testimony

Today’s Reading: John 21:24 (NIV)

24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

Good morning!

How important is your written testimony? In a court of law, handwritten notes, letters, computer hard drive contents and email are all considered admissible evidence in seeking out the truth of a matter. We are known by our living testimony, and that testimony is reflected by the things we say, do, and write. If the sum of your writing was compiled into a book, what would it reveal about who you are?

When I was dating Jeff (before we got married), I looked forward to receiving his love letters in the mail. I’ve preserved many of these notes in a scrapbook, where it sits on the bookshelf in the living room of our home. Last night, while talking on the telephone with my daughter-in-law Kymberly, she commented on some of the notes that she had read one day while perusing the pictures and stories. I kept these notes for a reason. Every time I read them, I am reminded of his love for me. A few weeks ago, Jeff and I attended a series of one act plays on the campus of Lindenwood University. One of the skits was entitled Post-It Notes, and the entire theme revolved around the notes a husband and wife wrote to each other throughout their marriage. It was such a poignant reminder of the importance of note writing, that Jeff and I began using post-it notes on our bathroom mirror each day. I guess I need to scrapbook them too!

You see, no one else can tell your story like you can. The experiences you have in life are important to the people around you. They are important to the ones who will follow your footsteps in future generations. Through your words, you can convey a truth that someone else will understand, if you are willing to open up and share a piece of who you are with others. What would it have been like if John, the presumed author of this Gospel passage, had not followed the leading of the Holy Spirit to write his eyewitness account of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ? Would we, 2000 years later, have known, understood, and received Jesus into our hearts had it not been for the handwritten testimonies of the ones who walked with Him during His earthly life?

One day, my grandchildren will tell their grandchildren about their great great grandmother, and the stories she told about her experiences with the risen Savior. They will know without a doubt that the Lord Jesus Christ reached down and saved their Granny Deb in His mercy and By grace alone. They will know without a doubt that when they get to heaven, I will be waiting to hug the stuffing out of them there. While I may never see their beautiful faces on earth, I know that my life will impact and intersect with their lives, that they may come to know and love Jesus just as much as I do today.

My prayer for you is that you will follow in the footsteps of the disciples, and share your faith by all that you say, do and write. If you stood trial tomorrow for the Christian faith you profess today, would there be enough evidence to convict you?

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 danger in passing judgment

Today’s Reading: John 21:23 (NIV)

23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

Good morning!

Rumors have a way of spreading quickly, like a wildfire out of control! Have you ever said something that was taken out of context or misconstrued? Do you sometimes misunderstand the words of another?

I’ve been thinking specifically about one of John and Charles Wesley’s Holy Club questions and how I might answer: Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold resentment toward or disregard? If so, what am I doing about it? Every time I make a predetermination about someone without fully trying to understand their behavior, words or intent, I am guilty of passing judgment. Christ teaches us that if we judge one another, we will be judged by the same measure.

If you are anything at all like me, then you probably hold some pretty strong opinions – maybe you believe in a certain social issue or principle that resonates throughout your life. You may hold others to a higher standard (like a spouse or child) because of your strong beliefs. When someone doesn’t live up to your personal expectations, or if they choose to walk down a different path, it is easy to become judgmental and even fearful. Rumors spark where judgment begins. If you ask yourself the hard question today, look behind the reasons why you are uncomfortable with someone else, and see if you can uncover and define the judgment you have placed on them. Would you want to be judged by the same standard?

In the movie, Home Alone, young Kevin McAllister is frightened by his next-door neighbor, Marley, an older gentleman who is somewhat reclusive appears callous and cold. Older brother Buzz perpetuates an untrue rumor about Marley, and as a result, Kevin begins to fear his neighbor. It is only after Kevin makes time to get to know Marley that he makes a true friend and proves the rumors false.

Early church history reports that John, the disciple who would not die according to the rumor mill, spent several years exiled for his belief in Christ on the island of Patmos. It is thought that at some point, John returned to the city of Ephesus, where he died an old man. Can you imagine the pain this preconceived notion brought upon John, as a result of others misconstruing Christ’s words?

I invite you today to let go of the judgments and presumptions you hold against others. Take your predispositions and lay them down at the foot of the cross. Ask Jesus to reveal His Truth to you. He can help you love someone who, for whatever reason, has become unlovable in your eyes. Jesus will help you separate the heart from the human, so that you can begin to love others as He loves you.

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 faith scale

Today’s Reading: John 21:22 (NIV)

22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”

Good morning!

How do you live faith? Have you ever wondered how you might measure up on the faith scale?

It is human nature to compare ourselves with each other. Personally, I believe we spend way too much time trying to imitate and adapt to social and cultural standards set and measured by imperfect humans. When we pass judgment on our next-door neighbors, we may try to fool ourselves into thinking that we are somehow better off than they are. Are we really? This is such a dangerous and costly attitude to embrace. Gawking and fence sitting can be hazardous to our spiritual health. We’ll find gaping holes left in our sagging britches, caused from the rusty nails extruding through life’s fence posts, ripping our preconceived notions and grandiose thinking to mere shreds.

Jesus repeatedly points out the sins of the self-righteous. We tend to flaunt our faith in public, praying and fasting so that others might see and be awed by our superficial holiness. We begin to fool ourselves into thinking that if we try to imitate our brothers, we have somehow earned the right to be redeemed. Does Christ’s offer of salvation hinge upon anything we could possibly say or do?

When we fall in love with Jesus Christ, our standard of comparison is no longer based on human terms. We begin to look at Christ’s life example as a spiritual measurement for our daily living. It is far more important to focus on the nature and character of Jesus, recognizing that He is the only One who has the power to completely change our hearts from the inside out. We are less concerned about our neighbor’s business, and we begin to focus our attention upon our own personal relationship with Jesus. That is not to say that we stop caring about the needs of others. Christians find great joy in helping and loving each other, just as Christ loves each and every one of us. Yet, the only accurate measurement on the faith scale is weighted in the life example of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Two hundred years ago, John Wesley asked a pointed question to his Holy Club members, and I ask the same question of myself today: Am I more like a self-righteous Pharisee or a penitent sinner?

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.

Sibling rivalry

Today’s Reading: John 21:20-21 (NIV)

20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one, who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

Good morning!

I distinctly remember trying to focus the center of attention on my little sister whenever we would get caught in a squabble at home. Our Pammy, the feisty one, instigated many of our spats. She liked to pick on me and I passed the blame to her just as fast as I could. I could be pretty sneaky, and occasionally would play a practical joke or two and not be suspected; at least not at first. Sibling rivalry tends to reveal itself when children are caught in something they shouldn’t have said or done.

My mother used to tell this true story on her younger brothers. They grew up in the country, on a small cotton farm nestled between some very tall pine trees, lots of dense kudzu, and a fishing pond that you could see just a few yards from the back porch. In the hot and sticky summertime, the boys would catch colorful lizards hopping around in the cool shade of that porch. If you squeeze a lizard just right, their mouths will open up and they will latch on to your flesh. The boys would sneak up behind their little sisters and attach a traumatized lizard to an unsuspecting ear lobe, laughing and teasing the girls’ about their pretty new earrings, while watching them squeal and jump around in utter fright.

We can see the evolution of culture throughout the generations, and yet, this one thing has never changed. Jesus predicts how Simon Peter will die because of his rock solid faith in the Lord. Peter is surprised at this new revelation, and reacts like every brother I know. He becomes indignant at Christ’s announcement. Looking around, he focuses his attention on the disciple whom Jesus loved (scholars believe this is most likely John). Simon Peter asks a pointed question, “What about him, Lord?” Jesus’ replies, “What business is it of yours?”

We must be careful not to pin personal faith to the shirt tails of our parents, friends, and the Christian men and women whom we most admire. Jesus was clear when He said, “You must follow me.” There is no underlying competition going on here, no sibling rivalry at play. This is the one time that we must focus on who we are in Christ, regardless of the soul condition of our brothers and sisters. No amount of teasing, joking or blaming each other will make any difference when we are called to answer Christ. Faith is a gift. Jesus offers it freely to all who seek Him. It is up to each of us whether we will ask and receive the gift and then choose to live it out in our daily lives. No amount of prodding, chiding, or blaming each other will help us when we lay our life account at the foot of the cross.

Only you can make this choice. Not your brother, not your sister: only you will decide whom you will serve, even if it means laying your life down. Jesus Christ is alive! He carried your just punishment to the cross, so that you could live with Him forever. Ask Him for His gift of faith 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.