A story worth sharing

Daily Reading: 2 John; 3 John; Proverbs 26

2 John 1:1-6 (NIV)

1 To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in The Truth – and not I only, but also all who know The Truth – 2 because of The Truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in Truth and love. 4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in The Truth, just as the Father commanded us. 5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands. As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love.

Good morning!

I want to share with you an anonymous Christmas story I read on the Internet this morning. It was forwarded to me from a dear friend. I wish I knew who penned these words so I could give them credit. If you know who wrote this story, please send me the author’s name so I may send a personal thank you for this blessing. I pray these words will become our story this Christmas. May you be blessed as we hear and do the work Christ calls us to do each day.

About a week before Christmas, our family bought a new nativity scene. When we unpacked it, we found two figures of the Baby Jesus. "Someone must have packed this wrong," mother said, counting out the figures. "We have one Joseph, one Mary, three wise men, three shepherds, two lambs, a donkey, a cow, an angel and two babies. Oh, dear! I suppose some set down at the store is missing a Baby Jesus because we have two."

"You two run back down to the store and tell the manager that we have an extra Jesus. Tell him to put a sign on the remaining boxes saying that if a set is missing a Baby Jesus, call 7126. Put on your warm coats, it's freezing cold out there." The manager of the store copied down mother's message and the next time they were in the store they saw the cardboard sign that read, "If you're missing Baby Jesus,
call 7126." All week long we waited for someone to call. Surely, we thought, someone was missing that important figurine. Each time the phone rang, mother would say, "I'll bet that's about Jesus," but it never was.

Father tried to explain, there are thousands of these scattered over the country and the figurine could be
missing from a set in Florida or Texas or California. Those packing mistakes happen all the time. He
suggested we just put the extra Jesus back in the box and forget about it. "Put Baby Jesus back in the box! What a terrible thing to do" we children said. "Surely someone will call," mother said. "We'll just keep the two of them together in the manger until someone calls."

When no call had come by 5:00 on Christmas Eve, mother insisted that father just run down to the store to see if there were any sets left. "You can see them right through the window, over on the counter," she said. "If they are all gone, I'll know someone is bound to call tonight." "Run down to the store?" father thundered. "It's 15 below zero out there!" "Oh, Daddy, we'll go with you," Tommy and Mary began to put on their coats. Father gave a long sigh and headed for the front closet. "I can't believe I'm doing this," he muttered.

Tommy and Mary ran ahead as father reluctantly walked out in the cold. Mary got to the store first and pressed her nose up to the store window. "They're all gone, Daddy," she shouted. "Every set must be sold." "Hooray," Tommy said, "The mystery will now be solved tonight!" Father heard the news still a half block away and immediately turned on his heel and headed back home.

When we got back into the house we noticed that mother was gone and so was the extra Baby Jesus figurine. "Someone must have called and she went out to deliver the figurine," my father reasoned, pulling off his boots. "You kids get ready for bed while I wrap mother's present." Then the phone rang. Father yelled, "Answer the phone and tell 'em we found a home for Jesus." But it was mother calling with instructions for us to come to 205 Chestnut Street immediately, and bring three blankets, a box of cookies and some milk. "Now what has she gotten us into?" my father groaned as we bundled up again. "205 Chestnut. Why, that's across town. Wrap that milk up good in the blankets or it will turn to ice before we get there. Why can't we all just get on with Christmas? It's probably 20 below out there now. And the wind is picking up. Of all the crazy things to do on a night like this."

When we got to the house at 205 Chestnut Street it was the darkest one on the block. Only one tiny light burned in the living room, and the moment we set foot on the porch steps, my mother opened the door and shouted, "They're here, oh thank God you got here, Ray! You kids take those blankets into the living room and wrap up the little ones on the couch. I'll take the milk and cookies." "Would you mind telling me what is going on, Ethel?" my father asked. "We have just walked through below zero weather with the wind in our faces all the way."
"Never mind all that now," my mother interrupted. "There is no heat in this house and this young mother is so upset she doesn't know what to do. Her husband walked out on her and those poor little children will have a very bleak Christmas, so don't you complain. I told her you could fix that oil furnace in a jiffy."

My mother strode off to the kitchen to warm the milk while my brother and I wrapped up the five little children who were huddled together on the couch. The children's mother explained to my father that her husband had run off, taking bedding, clothing and almost every piece of furniture, but she had been doing all right until the furnace broke down. "I been doin' washin' and ironin' for people and cleanin' the five and dime," she said. "I saw your number every day there on those boxes on the counter. When the furnace went out, that number kept goin' through my mind -- 7162, 7162. Said on the box that if a person was missin' Jesus, they should call you. That's how I knew you were good Christian people, willin' to help folks. I figured that maybe you would help me, too. So I stopped at the grocery store tonight and I called your missus. I'm not missin' Jesus, mister, because I sure love the Lord. But I am missin' heat. I have no money to fix that furnace."

"Okay, Okay," said father. "You've come to the right place. Now let's see. You've got a little oil burner over there in the dining room. Shouldn't be too hard to fix. Probably just a clogged flue. I'll look it over, see what it needs." Mother came into the living room carrying a plate of cookies and warm milk. As she set the cups down on the coffee table, I noticed the figure of Baby Jesus lying in the center of the table. It was the only sign of Christmas in the house. The children stared wide-eyed with wonder at the plate of cookies my mother set before them. Father finally got the oil burner working but said, "You need more oil. I'll make a few calls tonight and get some oil. Yes ma'am, you came to the right place," father grinned.

On the way home father did not complain about the cold weather and had barely set foot inside the door when he was on the phone. "Ed, hey, how are ya, Ed? Yes, Merry Christmas to you, too. Say Ed, we have kind of an unusual situation here, I know you've got that pick-up truck. Do you still have some oil in that barrel on your truck? You do?" By this time the rest of the family were pulling clothes out of their closets and toys off of their shelves. It was long after our bedtime when we were wrapping gifts. The pickup came. On it were chairs, three lamps, blankets and gifts. Even though it was 30 below, father let us ride along in the back of the truck.

No one ever did call about the missing figure in the nativity set, but as I grow older, I realize that it wasn't a packing mistake at all.

Jesus saves, that's what He does.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the people who have extreme need. Help us Lord, to share the love of Christ by providing food, clothing, blankets, heat and shelter to all who are cold and hungry. Help us share the warmth of your love not only at Christmas, but each and every day. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Christmas greeting cards

Daily Reading: I John 3, 4, 5; Proverbs 25

I John 4:7-9 (NIV)

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.

Good morning!

I enjoy receiving Christmas greeting cards during Advent. The message of hope fills up our mail boxes and chatters across e-mail internet space. If we listen carefully, we can hear that message broadcast over the loud speakers at our local shopping malls.

For some, sending a greeting of hope is an annual constitution. People lead busy lives. We have a hard time catching up to family and friends; we get so busy living out our days that when Christmas time rolls around, we long to make contact again with the ones we love. When I send out Christmas greeting cards or e-mail greetings, I am reminded of the love I feel for the precious ones in my life. I want to tell them how much they mean to me.

The Lord sends His Christmas message of love to us today through the power of His Word. Whenever I open my Bible to read, it is as if God has written a love letter and sent it especially for me. He is writing to you today, through the words of John. I memorized the Scripture passage, I John 4:7-8 in youth group when we would sing Scripture songs together. I had to sing this one out loud just to write it down. Can you name this tune?

Beloved, let us love one another.

For love is of God, and everyone that loveth

Is born of God and knoweth God.

He that loveth not, loveth not God, for God is love.

Beloved, let us love one another…I John 4:7-8.

This is the holy greeting that God has sent for each and every one of us this Christmas: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 We have an opportunity to share the love of Christ with our family, friends, and even the strangers who cross our path today. This is the moment when we can share the gift of new life with the world. I would encourage you this morning, to take the message of salvation through Jesus Christ and spread it around, as we share the greatest gift ever given. Tell everyone you know, in any way possible, that Jesus Christ came into this world to redeem us from sin, and bring us into right relationship with our heavenly Father, who loves us so. KJV)

Merry Christmas! May you find the message of hope in His Word today.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the people you send Christmas greeting cards to. Pray for those who send you Christmas greetings! Jeff and I save our Christmas cards each year and keep them out in a prominent location. We draw a card from the stack and pray specifically for that family all year long. This is a wonderful way to share the Good News around the world.

___________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Fruitcake!

Daily Reading: 2 Peter 1, 2, 3; Proverbs 23

2 Peter 1:5-8 (NIV)

5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Good morning!

Many years ago, our church choir sang a little Christmas chorus, a recipe jingle entitled “Fruitcake.” I wish I could remember all of the words. Just like every well-worn recipe I’ve tried, our chorus had the makings of a glorious holiday fruitcake, and we knew how to put it all together! It was hard keeping a straight face while cooking up this little number with my friends.

Some of my very favorite recipes are not really recipes at all. When my grandmother baked, she didn’t have anything written down to double check. She baked from scratch, using her senses to determine the consistency of a perfect, gooey cake batter. She never messed it up, and I’ve yet to acquire that skill set. I need a measuring cup and a good set of measuring spoons, along with a recipe in large print sitting right in front of me. That is as close as I get to baking from scratch. My grandmother would have won the blue ribbon for her homemade biscuits or cinnamon rolls. She could have been famous like many of the television cooks who help us find new ways to prepare and serve food to our families today. Everything her hands touched turned to pure gold. Her hands were cracked and dry, swollen from arthritis and over use. She never sported a manicure or pretty nail polish on her nails. Her hands were well-worn from hours spent cooking the delicacies her children and grandchildren loved to eat. My grandmother’s hands were never too sore or tired to create yet another family feast. She baked from scratch every day of her life.

God has a recipe just waiting to be whipped up in each of us. It is a baked-from-scratch delicacy, formed by His holy hands. You are His blue-ribbon masterpiece, a delightful “fruitcake” of gifts and graces. If you are willing to let Him be your Master Chef, He can create a living fruitcake in your heart. God begins with the seed of faith, planted long before you were ever the twinkle in your parents’ eyes. To that, He adds a healthy measure of goodness, knowledge, self-control, and perseverance, the preservative of life. He completes the mix with godliness, brotherly kindness, and tops it all off in love. For this batter to rise, it must be seasoned with a little salt, baking powder, baking soda, and yeast. The Father gives His leavening agents in increasing measure, so that we will continue to grow daily in the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ. These ingredients are not meant to stand alone, for the cake would surely fall without each ingredient working in tandem to compliment each other.

The Apostle Peter reminds us that a “rich welcome” is awaiting every believer into the eternal kingdom of Jesus Christ. There is something really special about being baked up from scratch. The Master baker has a recipe for your life. You cannot buy it in the grocery store, and no one will ever be able to duplicate the beautiful work He has begun in you. Are you ready to give your heart fully over to the Master creator today? He can take your gifts and increase them in proportion to the faith He has planted inside your heart.

Lord, help me become your secret recipe – the unique creation you have designed me to be! Bake up your fruitcake inside my heart today. Help me share Your love with the world during this season of Advent waiting. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: God to create His special fruitcake inside of you this day! He has given you everything you need to answer the call He has placed in your life. Let the master baker become Lord of your life right now. Come Lord Jesus!

___________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Daily Reading: I Peter 3, 4, 5

Christmas Rush

I Peter 4:12-13 (NIV)

12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.

I Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

Good morning!

When asked what he wanted most for Christmas, I heard the pastor reply, “Wouldn’t it be nice if our people rushed to worship like they rush to the malls for a great holiday deal? Wouldn’t it be awesome if folks lined up on the church property on Saturday night with their sleeping bags and pup tents, and camped outside in the cold, just to get a front row seat on Sunday morning? Wouldn’t it be something if people couldn’t wait to enter the sanctuary in anticipation of experiencing the holy presence of Almighty God?” How much would you be willing to spend this Christmas on a little peace of mind? What would it be worth to you in knowing someone paid the price for your sin? Wouldn’t it be strange to find yourself thanking God for the suffering and pain you endure, knowing His glory is being continually revealed in you?

We can get caught up in the hustle bustle of the holiday rush. We try to squeeze in just one more holiday party, attend another Christmas concert, and steal a few extra minutes in the coffee shop exchanging gifts with our friends. Why the hurry? What is it that makes us rush around so?

Many of the new Christian converts did not know Jesus in the flesh, as He walked on earth. Like you and me, they were told the story of his birth, life, death and resurrection by the apostles, and believed, by the power of the Holy Spirit. They celebrated new life together in community every day, knowing their faith would lead to eventual persecution and quite possibly, death. The Apostle Peter wrote to the church just before Emperor Nero began his incessant crusade against Christians in Rome and throughout the region. Peter had been on “both sides” of the fence. Fearing he might die at the hand of Roman guards, he denied knowing His Lord that awful night in Jerusalem, just before Jesus was crucified. In that horrifying moment, Peter discovered that separation from the Lord was a worse punishment than any pain he may endure on earth. As a word of encouragement to the fellowship of believers, Peter reminded them to hold fast in faith, especially in daily suffering, choosing not to forget the gift of grace they have received. He admonished the people to live each day in complete and total submission to the One who came to save.

Are we rushing around for the right reason? Wouldn’t it be incredible to see people flock to the church this weekend, so they can rededicate their lives to the Lord? Hungry for His gift that transcends all time, the people kneel down, and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord of all. As you rush around this week, remember the gift of grace that has been given just for you. Maybe the Christmas rush is not such a bad thing after all, especially if we are rushing to share the message of salvation with the world.

How will you choose to share the gift of everlasting life with the people in your life? This is the week before Christmas. We have a message to share with the world. There is no greater gift than the gift of salvation. We cannot purchase it at the shopping mall, and there is no better holiday party than the one happening inside your local church. Grab your neighbors and family members and bring them out to worship the Lord. Share the gift that will never end.

There will be great joy one glad morning when His glory is fully revealed. Until then, we can expect to endure suffering. Do not be surprised or afraid to rush toward the Lord. Every Christian should be in a great big hurry right now. We should be much more concerned about sharing the Good News of the Gospel, to those who may be feeling a sense of separation and loneliness. Peter understood what it was like to be scared, to the point he would choose to deny the Lord. Listen to the words of the Apostle today, and renew your sense of urgency, not in the time-honored traditions of our culture, but in the everlasting promise of our Redeemer.

There is an immediate need to spread the Gospel around the world. We should feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and bring hope to the hopeless, especially in this season of light. This Christmas season, I pray that people will line up at the doors of the church to experience the best holiday party ever. This is the celebration of Emmanuel, God with us. It’s is Christ’s birth day. And it can be your new birth day, if you’ll simply ask Him to come and live in your heart today.

This, my friends, is my Christmas prayer for you.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the holidays to become true holy days in your life. Find a new way to share faith in Christ with the people you meet. Start a new tradition! Break with the old, and ring in the new, even if it brings you a little pain and suffering in the process. The best gift we can give is the salvation message of our infant King.

___________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Genuine faith

Daily Reading: I Peter 1, 2; Proverbs 22

I Peter 1:6-9 (NIV)

6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine and may result in Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Good morning!

I love this passage of Scripture. The Apostle Peter must have been praying just for me when he wrote it! Isn’t it amazing how God’s Word burns like fire in our hearts, 2,000 years later? That is evidence of the power and presence of the Holy Spirit working in our lives.

The older I grow, the more I long to have my faith refined in the fire. It sounds crazy, doesn’t it? Who willingly wants to suffer for God? Okay, lets not have everyone raise their hands all at once. If you are anything at all like me, you would probably try to avoid suffering at any cost. I’ve been known to walk way around the block, to keep from having to jump into the briar thicket and push my way through. Suffering is not fun. It hurts, a lot. Yet, I have a longing to know that my faith is not just some trivial word rolling off my tongue; that it is genuine and will stand up to the test of time. I want to know that the love I hold for Jesus Christ, which is greater than gold to me, will be the only assurance that completes my transformation as I move from my earthly life into His eternal presence.

There is no joy in meeting your goals if a little suffering is not included somewhere in the mix. I was reminded of this very thing today by a dear pastor who has been praying for me as I’ve been finishing the Bible class I began in August. This has been such a crazy time in my life. Our family members have walked through the fire on several occasions this year. We’ve been blessed with restoration of good health. We have a new grandson to celebrate! I’m learning new and exciting things at work each day; learning must always cost us something – our time, our talent, our determination to succeed. My house needs a good cleaning, and I’ve been so busy, I’m finding it hard to make time to scrub the floor. Oh, but does it ever need to be scrubbed! Since I’m having my entire family in for Christmas dinner, the floor will be a high priority this week. Faith is borne out of the adversities in life. We learn to trust the Lord even more in seasons of suffering. It is only when we know that we have absolutely no control that we can relinquish the tether and hand it over completely to the Lord. The blessings we receive far outweigh the challenges we face.

My troubles seem trivial compared with the persecution of the early church. People were dying in their passion to reach lost souls for Jesus Christ. Many of these converts were taken into custody. Considered lawbreakers, their entire families were tortured and martyred for their faith. Has my faith been refined by the fire, and is it genuine, pure gold, something of worth and value to the Lord who loves me?

Purification takes time. We learn to be patient, when we would much rather run up ahead. Trials and tribulations are not easy things to endure. For those who believe that Jesus Christ is Lord of all, we are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, and we are receiving the goal of our faith – the salvation of our souls.

In just one week, we will celebrate the holy mystery of new birth as we share the Christmas story together. I pray that your faith will be proved genuine through the trials of daily living. The birthing process can be painful, but the joy of a brand new life makes the pain worthwhile. May you find a genuine faith, refined by the trials in your life, as you journey toward Bethlehem this week.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: genuine faith! When we ask the Lord Jesus Christ to live in our hearts, He begins to refine who we are through trials and pain. There is an inexpressible joy that emerges from the ashes. It is a purified, holy faith, transformed in our hearts by the hand of God. Do not be afraid to face the struggles in your life, for through them, you are receiving the goal of your faith; the salvation of your soul.

___________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Persevering faith

Daily Reading: James 1, 2, 3

James 1:2-4 (NIV)

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Good evening!

I’ve been thinking a lot about my father this week. Had he lived, Ben would have been eighty four years old on December 14^th. He grew up on a farm in Central Missouri, and learned how to hunt and fish at a young age. Dad absolutely loved being outdoors in every kind of weather. The cold never bothered him, and extreme heat seemed to roll off his back like tiny beads of sweat forming across his brow. I think of him often, especially at this time of year, because he seemed happiest in the cold, snowy winters of life. It was nothing for him to put on a pair of thermal long johns, a hunting vest, and stand knee-deep in a foot of fresh snow, just to enjoy a deer hunt with his brothers. I’m not surprised the Lord came to take him to his heavenly home as he was standing outside in his back yard one cold, January night in a short-sleeved shirt, admiring the new fallen snow.

Ben was born very prematurely in the farm house where he and his siblings grew up together. Dad was so tiny that my grandmother made a cradle for him out of a large shoe box and warmed his tiny frame by the wood-burning stove in the kitchen. Grandmother’s midwife didn’t think that child would survive the night, but Ben was tough little guy and became quite the scrapper growing up.

Dad knew a lot about perseverance simply from learning how to survive. He fought hard to overcome adversity in his childhood, and worked even harder to find his place in the world. Dad received an eighth grade education. After serving in the Marines during World War II, he went to work for a local Union on construction teams, wiring buildings and running plumbing lines. His parents didn’t go to church. Their world revolved around survival during the deep Depression. Everything they had to live on, hinged upon the success of their family’s farm, and they invested seven days a week there. Dad to recognize the voice of God through time spent in the great outdoors. Whenever Ben struggled with a broken heart, he would take refuge in the woods. Dad felt much more comfortable with the Lord outside, than inside the church’s walls. He went to church with my mother, because she insisted upon it. One of his very first corporate worship experiences occurred at his own wedding in Brookhaven, Mississippi, on December 5, 1945. He learned to appreciate the benefit of corporate worship, but refused to go to Sunday school with our family. Ben found quiet ways to serve the Lord by providing free electrical service for the church and parsonage. The testing of my father’s faith revolved around his life experiences. He would have been the first one to admit that he did not understand the Bible. Yet, even in his confusion and fear, Ben found himself able to trust in the One who created such an incredible world.

I stood at the picture window this evening, looking out into the snowy hue, and I couldn’t help but remember how my father would stand at the front door of my childhood home, gazing out into the white winter’s night. There was a longing in his eyes for something more, a deep desire to experience God’s greatness at a deeper level. Perseverance through tough times can help us become mature and complete, not lacking for anything. Dad’s life example illustrates a deep soul’s desire to become mature and complete in faith. On the day Ben passed from his earthly journey into eternity, his longing was fulfilled. All of the questions he held inside were answered by the Father in the new-fallen snow that night.

Just like my dad, my soul longs to one day be mature and complete, not lacking anything in faith. Perseverance through the difficult moments of life is a true testimony of God’s grace in our lives. I may not understand why things happen the way they do, but one thing I know for certain is that we are loved by the Savior who understands perseverance through trials. He came into this world on a cold winter’s night, inside a dark and dirty stable, with only the starlight to illuminate his arrival. Mary placed the tiny baby on a bed of hay and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, just to keep him safe and warm.

We have an opportunity to become mature and complete, especially in the wintertime of our lives. God reveals Himself to each and every one of us in different and unique ways. May we learn from the testing of our faith, as we walk with Jesus Christ each day. Learning to persevere through the tough times is a very good thing. I think I’ll go outside and stand for a little while in the beautiful snow. I have no doubt I will find my Father there.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: pure joy! It comes through the testing of our faith, which brings perseverance, and perseverance must finish its work so that we may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. May we find His perfect, pure joy, as we learn how to persevere in the storm.

___________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Entertaining strangers

Daily Reading: Hebrews 12, 13; Proverbs 19, 20

Hebrews 13:2 (NIV)

2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

Good morning!

What is it like to entertain a stranger, helping someone out whom you do not know? Have you ever been the recipient of a extravagant gift of hospitality?

When I was a little girl, my father would arrange his vacation over Christmas break, so that we could visit my mother’s family in Mississippi. While Daddy was at work, we would help Mom pack the suitcases and fill picnic baskets with Christmas food to share, placing everything by the front door in anticipation of the trip. He loved driving at night. I personally find night driving to be terribly difficult, especially in bad weather, but it never seemed to deter my dad. Long before the days of seat belts and mini-vans, we packed our luggage into the trunk of our four-door Chevrolet, and set out for a Christmas Eve adventure. Daddy liked it when his children slept quietly in the back seat. Before our trip, Daddy cut a piece of sturdy plywood that fit perfectly across the floorboard of the back seat. Mom lined it with soft quilts and blankets, thereby creating an extra space for my sister and me to rest. I preferred sleeping on the floorboard. There, I would spent hours lying on my back, looking out the rear window while watching the great North Star up above. We would listen to favorite Christmas crooners, Bing Crosby and Elvis Presley, on the AM radio dial. My father couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket, but he enjoyed trying to imitate these men. The roadways were not always in the best shape. Back then, interstate highways were two-lane and narrow, and it was not uncommon for us to drive in a fair amount of snow and ice. What now takes about eight hours to drive on a four-lane divided interstate, would have taken a good fourteen hours. If we left our home around 6pm on Christmas Eve, we could anticipate arriving at my grandparents’ farm around 8am on Christmas morning.

There was one particular road trip that I will never forget. It was Christmas Eve and the weather was rotten. We had a lot of snow in St. Louis, and the further south we went, the more ice we encountered. Daddy didn’t believe in stopping at a motel. He was way too thrifty to pull over and spend money just to sleep. It was difficult enjoying the view from the back window that night. The snow and wind was coming down so hard and fast that even as I lay on the floorboard looking up, all I could see what a blanket of white fluff piling up on top of us. We did a lot of slipping and sliding that night. What a scary ride it was.

I had just fallen asleep when I remember Dad pulling the car over to the side of the road. I hopped up, wondering if we were having car trouble. A young woman, traveling alone, was stranded along side the road, her car had spun out in the ditch nearby. She stood at the edge of the roadway, shivering and crying, hoping someone might stop to help, yet fearing the worst. This poor girl needed immediate help. My mother had to get out of the car and coax her to come with us. She assured her that we would get her back home to her family. Finally, after some coaxing, she agreed to let my father load her luggage into our car, as she sat in the front passenger seat to warm up. Daddy turned the car around and drove her back to South St. Louis that night. It was way out of our way, but he was far more concerned about the woman’s safety. I will never forget her sweet face, as she sat sobbing in the front seat of our car. I don’t know how many times she said “thank you.” We never saw her again after that night. We were late arriving to my grandparents’ farm on Christmas day, and they were worried sick. Can you imagine making a long trip without having the benefit of a cell phone to call ahead? Had my father not stopped to help the stranger in need, I can only imagine what might have happened to her.

The best gift I received that Christmas was not found underneath my grandparents’ tree. This particular holiday held a much greater meaning, because I knew that someone who was lost and alone had managed to get back home, safe and sound. Are there strangers in your midst today, who are stuck along life’s highway? Maybe there is something we can do to help the lost find their way back home.

The best gift you will ever receive is the gift you willingly give away.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the strangers in your life. When we choose to reach out in extravagant generosity, we share the love of Christ with the lost. Don’t miss out on the opportunity today to be a blessing to the stranger in need.

___________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

What do you want for Christmas?

Daily Reading: Hebrews 7, 8, 9

Hebrews 9:28 (NIV)

28 So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.

Good evening!

This is the time of year when my husband asks me to make a “list” of the things I want most for Christmas. We’ve been married thirty years and I would say he knows me better than I know myself. So why in the world would he need a list from me? I wonder that every year, as I’m jotting notes on a piece of paper.

What do I really want for Christmas? I already have everything I need. Early this morning, I found myself sitting in a surgery holding area of a local hospital, waiting while Jeff underwent a minor surgical procedure. We had to be there at 5:30am, and I found myself enjoying a few brief moments of quiet time, while sipping on a cup of decaf coffee and praying. There were only a few people in the room with me and all of them were sleeping, except for one man, who was typing furiously on his laptop computer.

As I sat in the stillness of this moment, I realized just how important my husband is to me. When the doctor stopped by to give me some very good news, I knew I had just received a special Christmas present. The gift of good health is something we should never take for granted. Jeff’s surgeon corrected the problem, and reissued his extended warranty. It would be at least another thirty thousand miles before Jeff would need to revisit the body shop for “wear and tear” repair work. He’s a little feisty and cantankerous tonight, but I can live with it.

There is something really special about preparing our hearts to receive the greatest gift of all – the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ in our daily lives. We celebrate His birthday with grateful hearts. Without Christ’s atonement for our sin, we would all be lost forever. Believers everywhere are preparing to celebrate the coming of the newborn King. Christ’s love makes life worth living. We are promised many gifts through His Word. What would you choose from God’s gift list this year? He offers His very best through His Son. Jesus sends His personal comforter to guide and direct us all our days. We have the gift of His holy presence – Emmanuel – God with Us. We have the assurance of salvation, of abundant and eternal life. What more could we possibly want?

Because Jeff asked, I made up a wish list, though I suspect he will not be going shopping anytime soon. Of all the presents I’ve been received, the one I look forward to receiving is Christ's return. Jesus promised He would come back for those who are longing for more of Him. One day soon, I will receive the fullness of His grace as I stand before my Heavenly Father at the judgment throne. It is through the righteousness of Christ alone, that I will stand, washed white as snow before my King. The very best gift of all is salvation. This is one gift that cannot be purchased at the mall. It has no price, for Christ's sacrifice is simply priceless. Jesus paid the cost for humanity 2,000 years ago at Calvary. I know it’s hard to believe, but His gift of salvation is offered free to you, right now. All you have to do is ask Him to come into your heart today. Tell Him that you are sorry for the things you’ve done wrong. Ask Jesus to forgive you and give you a brand new life. Invite Him to become your Lord and Savior. The gift of eternal salvation is offered to you. Will you choose to accept the gift of God's grace?

What do you want for Christmas?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: God’s gift to become your present. You do not have to wait to know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord. You can meet Him right now, right where you are at. God's salvation through Jesus Christ is the best gift you will ever receive.

___________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Christmas feast

Daily Reading: Hebrews 4, 5, 6

Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)

16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Good evening!

This is the time of year when I begin to plan our family’s Christmas feast. I had an amazing role model when it came to planning holiday fare. My mother used to make our family’s Christmas dinner one of the most spectacular events of the year. She invested hours into preparing and serving the meal. Being the frugal woman she is, Mom would begin working at the “little touches” in the fall, by designing a special tablecloth for our dining room table. Mom would cut bells and holly leaves from red and green felt, stitching colorful sequins to each piece. She quilted the unique appliqués onto her handmade tablecloth as festive decorations. Every little detail was trimmed with love. Mom made matching placemats, adding brightly colored felt mittens to each mat. Our silverware fit perfectly inside each mitten. A menu was carefully planned, so that every member had a taste of their favorite Christmas dish. Mom loved to make sweet potato casserole, cranberry relish, and roast turkey with cornbread stuffing. We had homemade mashed potatoes, whipped with condensed sweet milk and butter. Banana pudding and pumpkin pies were prepared on Christmas Eve day. After the holiday baking was finished, we would gather together at the kitchen table and enjoy a hot cup of cocoa, garnished with a dollop of whipped cream and cinnamon.

There’s something to be said about sheer anticipation. We know that something really wonderful is about to happen; so we prepare for it. We string cranberry garland and make colorful popcorn balls. We construct candy cone ornaments out of red construction paper and white cigar cleaners. On the tree; we fill the ornamental cones with peppermint candy and chocolate Hershey Kisses®. We listen to the story of how the stable animals watched in wonder, as the greatest miracle on earth became a reality for the whole world. How do you prepare your heart during Advent to receive the greatest gift of all?

This year, I am adding a very special dish to my family’s Christmas feast. I’m serving up an extra helping of grace. It will be a rare treat indeed, prepared especially by the nail-scarred hands of my Savior. He is the One whose birthday we celebrate. Advent is the time we anticipate with joy the hope of the world that comes through new life. Christ’s grace knows no end. He offers it freely to all who will offer their hearts back to Him in love.

One day, we may find ourselves feasting at His banquet table, and I can guarantee you that our Lord has spared no expense for this feast. After all, He died to save you from your sin. I can see His Christmas table, covered with food fit for royalty. The invitation has been extended - we are His honored guests. There will be an endless supply of living water to drink; and we will never thirst again. The manna we share together will be a breaking of the Bread of everlasting life. Christ is seated at the head of the table. His amazing countenance will cause every morsel to melt our hearts in praise. We will experience the eternal banquet. This is one feast worth waiting for.

This is the time we prepare our hearts in anticipation of the great Christmas feast. One day, we will approach His throne of grace with confidence. The banquet will be served to all who place their hope in Christ alone. May you find yourself feasting in the presence of the Lord, receiving the extra portion of grace. He has prepared this meal especially for you.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: anticipation for the day to come! His feast is almost here – it is time to herald our Savior’s birth. How will you prepare your heart in anticipation of the great Christmas feast? Bon appétit!

___________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Visual aid

Daily Reading: Hebrews 1, 2, 3

Hebrews 3:1 (NIV)

1 Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.

Good evening!

Upon arriving at Faith Church Sunday morning for 11am worship, I was surprised to see an amazing portrait of Jesus’ face, captured across the big screen at the front of our sanctuary. We use PowerPoint in worship during our 9am celebration service. It helps to illustrate Pastor Kim’s sermons and features the words to the morning’s praise and worship songs. The screen is usually tucked neatly away long before the 11am service. I was drawn to the peaceful, kind look of my Lord on the big screen. This made a lasting impression in my mind. It has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. I have an eternal picture of my Savior that is absolutely priceless. Would you like to see it?

My mother often comments that she can’t hear without her glasses. Since she is a pro at lip-reading, it is no wonder she depends upon her ability to see, in order to hear. I look forward to holy moments, as I separate myself from the cares of the day and simply fix my eyes upon Jesus. Looking at Him helps me hear a whole lot better. I think that is why the portrait of Christ on the big screen really touched my heart. I spend time in worship listening. I focus my mind and heart upon God’s Word and how it speaks while it is read by the liturgist. I pay close attention to my Pastor who brings the morning message. I listen to the words sung by the chancel choir. Focusing on Christ’s face brings a whole new dimension to my hearing ability. In the stillness of corporate worship, it is seeing the face of my Lord face that helps me hear so much more. When you can see clearly, doesn’t it improve your hearing?

About a month ago, Faith Church rented a petting zoo, complete with a donkey, llama, goats and sheep, so that our children could have a “hands-on” experience with the story of Christ’s birth. The children and many of the adults in our congregation dressed up in costumes and posed for pictures in the stable, with the animals. The photographs that were taken of the live nativity put a face on our Lord’s birthday. I saw Jesus through the precious eyes of an infant child, in the twinkle of the angels’ message, and in the smile of the baby’s sweet mother. I could hear the story in a brand new way, simply because my hearing was greatly enhanced with a visual aid.

Every now and then, we need visual aids to help us focus on His truth. During Advent, we have lots of opportunities to experience the sights and sounds of hope. Leave the crazy hubbub of mall shopping behind, and look for a more something a little quieter. Light a candle and concentrate on His light that shines in the darkness. Ring a glass bell with your hands, and hear the angels’ voices announcing the birthday of the King. See the snow and ice falling outside your picture window and remember the cold night when Mary labored in a stable to give birth to our Lord. Touch the cheek of a newborn baby’s face and feel the gift of new life with your fingertips. Pet a fidgety donkey at the petting zoo and think about the ride a very pregnant woman endured just to register in her husband’s home town. Can you hear the sounds of Christmas rising up from the things you see?

Keep the portrait of Christ front and center during times spent in worship and prayer. His face is a perfect picture of the hope we have in Him. Thank you, Father, for helping us hear Your still, small voice through the images we see each day.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: visual aids to help you hear His Word in a fresh, new way. Won’t you open your eyes and ears to the sights and sounds of Advent?

___________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Pack up your tool box - it's time to go outside!

Daily Reading: Titus 1, 2, 3; Proverbs 15

Titus 3:14 (NIV)

14 Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.

Good morning!

Yesterday was a cold and nasty day to be outside installing water and electrical lines. I watched as fourteen willing volunteers waded through the mud and rain to continue the construction of the new Habitat home in Wentzville. I have no earthly idea how to install electrical or plumbing lines. My father was very talented with projects just like this. The cold never seemed to bother him. He would have loved helping build a Habitat home.

He was a hands-on kind of guy. Dad carried a tool box wherever he went, just in case there might be something that needed to be fixed. Dad was in charge of the St. Andrew United Methodist Church’s Christmas tree lot every year. He spent every evening and weekend at that tree lot, helping to sell Christmas trees and garland decorations for our church. Dad loved spending time outside. Lots of memories flooded my mind as I watched the building crew work. I’m no good with a hammer or wrench, but if you give me a pot and a spoon, I actually know how to use these tools to others’ benefit. I made a big pot of chili and brewed fresh coffee, and we took it to the workers. I knew they would be hungry. They were. The chili was pretty good, but I imagine anything hot would have tasted great to these volunteers. They were literally caked in mud, freezing from the rain and wind, and looked visibly tired. I pray they were all able to go home and take a nice hot shower, and make time for rest. I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of love prompts someone to go out in the freezing weather and volunteer their time to build a warm space where another family can live?

Paul wrote to Titus, instructing his beloved brother how to go about building up the body of believers in Crete. There was a lot of work to do there. Whenever we choose to give ourselves over for the sake of helping another human being, our efforts will not be in vain. One good way to reach people with the Gospel is simply by risking our own personal comfort to reach out in mission and service whenever we can. My Dad was smart to pack his tool box and carry it with him at all times. We too, should be packed and ready to go at a moment’s notice, even when the weather is nasty.

Our lives will never be unproductive when we choose to love your neighbors as ourselves. I would encourage you to look for ways during this season of Advent preparation to give a little of your time and energy away to benefit someone else. It’s a big job, spreading the Gospel message all over the world. If each of us commits to taking hold of one need and following through, we can build up the body of Christ together. Be sure to pack your tool box! It’s time to go outside.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: a productive life! We have so much to offer each other. Our gifts are different. It is our love for Jesus Christ that calls us to serve each other. We have the capacity to do good things, providing the necessities of life for someone today. What kind of love does it take to break a heart of stone and transform it into a heart of compassion?

___________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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