Lashing out irrationally

Today’s Reading: John 19:2-3 (NIV)

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

Good morning!

Have you ever struck Jesus in the face?

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

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

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

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

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

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

The Unexpected Christmas Gift

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

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

Good morning!

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

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

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

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

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

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Under control

Today’s Reading: John 18:38b-39 (NIV)

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

Good morning!

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

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

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

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

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

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Judgment call

Today’s Reading: John 18:38a (NIV)

38a “What is truth?” Pilate asked.

Good morning!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Purple hair days

Today’s Reading: John 18:37(NIV)

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

Good morning!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Heaven's tea party

Today’s Reading: John 18:36(NIV)

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

Good morning!

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

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

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

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

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Choose wisely

Today’s Reading: John 18:34-35(NIV)

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

Good morning!

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

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

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

What will you choose to do with Jesus of Nazareth?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Rhetorical question

Today’s Reading: John 18:33(NIV)

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

Good morning!

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

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

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

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

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Surprised!

Today’s Reading: John 18:32(NIV)

32 This happened so that the words of Jesus had spoken indicating the kind of death he was going to die would be fulfilled.

Matthew 20:17-19(NIV)

17 Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, 18 “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn Him to death 19 and will turn Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day He will be raised to life!”

Good morning!

By now, the disciples should not have been surprised by the events of this day. After all, Jesus had told them what would happen long before they reached the city’s gates. We human types have a tendency to try to ignore the things that we do not wish to hear or accept. We pretend it isn’t true, and in our pretending somehow believe we have control to alter the course of mankind. Yet, deep down inside, we know that God’s Word will one day be fulfilled. Why is it hard to accept?

Isn’t it ironic how the people who lauded Jesus in a ticker-tape parade into the city gates of Jerusalem just five days ago are now posturing for his conviction and execution? People tend to listen to the most popular thoughts of the moment, and jump on that bandwagon, without fully seeing the bigger picture. There is no better example of this than in a political campaign. Popular and favored candidates, hopefully with lots of financial resources and backing, place their names on a party ticket and public ballot. Depending upon their political platform and charisma, the people determine who will rise to the top of the popular vote. This candidate may or may not be the best choice for election or re-election; yet, public opinion can and will swing the pendulum based upon the moment. One can only hope and pray that the elected will live up to the many hopes and aspirations of those who voted them into office. If they don’t succeed according to the public opinion, they can expect to be crucified in the next election year. And the unbridled truth is this: when one election ends, another campaign begins.

The people were campaigning for the Savior’s death. It had been foretold 585 years earlier, just after the walls of the temple had been rebuilt in Jerusalem. It was predicted even before crucifixion had been invented or implemented as a means of execution. The Messiah would come to die to save the world from itself. He would become the perfect sacrificial lamb, a sin offering for the whole of humanity. Why were the people so surprised when they saw the prophecy fulfilled before their very eyes? Why does this fulfillment of prophecy surprise us today?

May the Lord Jesus Christ be surprisingly real to you today as we celebrate the dawning of a brand new year.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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.

Risky business

Today’s Reading: John 18:31(NIV)

31 Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” “But we have no right to execute anyone,” the Jews objected.

Good morning!

Pilate was in a sticky situation, and he knew it. Deep down inside, Pilate did not believe that Jesus was guilty of any crime that would certainly warrant his death. He may have even wondered whether it was possible that this man was truly the Son of God. He wanted nothing to do his sentencing and he tried to find several ways out.

One day, each and every one of us will have to deal with Jesus. We’re going to have to decide for ourselves who He is and what we will do with him. Place yourself in Pilate’s shoes for just a moment, and try to think like a Roman politician.

Jesus was obviously a pawn held captive within a political power play. Pilate had listened to the constant ridicule of Christ from the religious leaders in Jerusalem. He knew they wanted this man executed. And it was common to execute non-Roman citizens by crucifixion. Still, Pilate wanted some sort of concrete evidence before he sentenced a man to death. He tried to find some wiggle room to get out of making this final decision. Pilate tried to place judgment back in the hands of the Jews. He said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” No wonder the Jews pushed Pilate for a judgment. The law would not allow the Jews to execute Christ.

What would you do if you were Pilate? How could you have kept Christ alive while keeping peace with the crowd? Could you have rendered a verdict contrary to the thoughts and opinions of your political peers, knowing they would probably turn on you if you crossed them? Would you choose to risk your own life, your family’s safety, and even your political future, to save an innocent man from being murdered? Jesus was no ordinary man, and Pilate knew it. This one decision would impact the rest of his life.

When we decide who Jesus is, and whether to accept or reject Him as Lord of all, that choice will affect every aspect of our lives; today, tomorrow and forever more. What will you choose to do with Jesus? Who is He to you?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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.

Impromptu wedding

Today’s Reading: I Corinthians 13:4-5(NIV)

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Good morning!

They stood on the parsonage steps together, knocking on the front door. It was mid-afternoon on Thursday, November 30, 1944. Clayton and Doris stood with their marriage license in hand, hoping the pastor was home. In a simple ceremony conducted at the parson’s house, they exchanged wedding vows and made a lifelong commitment to each other. Doris told me that during the wedding ceremony, the children arrived home from school and she remembered how they came running through the house, totally unaware of what was happening in their own living room. Meeting only a few months ago, this was their impromptu wedding, a tender moment shared by two people totally in love and committed to one another.

I’ve often wondered about the wedding story as told by my mother and father-in-law. For them, this ceremony was personal, and they wanted to keep it between themselves. Of course, there was a war going on at the time, and planning for and holding a wedding ceremony on an appointed date and time was risky business, at best. Their simple ceremony has stood the test of time, as they recently celebrated their sixty-fourth anniversary.

I’ve lived in a church parsonage now for thirty-one years. I had not personally experienced an impromptu wedding until this past weekend. Of all the ceremonies I’ve attended, this wedding will stay in my heart forever. Their wedding date had been selected; and the bride and groom were trying to move into a home they’ve rented, while finishing last minute details for the celebration. The party, the people, and the planning became some sort of untamable beast for them, and the bride suddenly realized this was much more than what she and her fiancé had ever wanted. Overwhelmed by it all, she felt they had somehow lost sight of the reason why they were getting married in the first place. The parsonage phone rang during a nasty afternoon thunderstorm. We met the couple at church that evening. The bride and groom’s parents were there to witness this simple ceremony. They said their vows at the foot of the cross, in the twinkling lights on the Christmas tree. The wind whipped around the eaves of the sanctuary as the thunderstorm continued to pound the roof. Two hearts made their lifelong commitment to one another. Most mothers would never dream of allowing their children to marry without having some sort of celebratory party; yet, I will cherish this precious memory in my heart for the rest of my life.

I think that sometimes we lose sight of what love really is. In our revelry, we tend to forget the meaning behind the moment. Take Christmas, for instance. It is the celebration of Christ’s birth; yet, we have commercialized it so with our own holiday traditions, parties, and presents. We’ve placed lots of hopes and expectations of what the day should actually be, and often, we miss the reason for the season.

Love came to earth, born in a stable bare, on a cold and windy night, to a world unaware. Christ came for one purpose and one purpose alone: to save us from our sin; to free us from living our days in total separation from the One who formed us with His own hand. Where is love? You will find Him waiting for you at the foot of the cross.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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 Pardon

Today’s Reading: John 18:29-30(NIV)

29 So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?” 30 “If He were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed Him over to you.”

Isaiah 53:5(NIV)

5 But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.

Good morning!

Every year at Christmas, the President of the United States issues a Presidential Pardon to one or more people who are incarcerated for the crimes they committed. I imagine this is a difficult decision, given the numbers he must work with. The US has the highest documented incarceration rate around the world. In December of 2007, a record 7.2 million people were either spending time behind bars, or were on probation and parole. Of that total, 2.3 million were actually spending time in prison at Christmas.

While our society has evolved scientifically, economically and socially in the last twenty plus generations, our bent to sinning has continued to increase. What seems to be a time-honored tradition, we willingly choose to break the law rather than to obey it. Take five minutes and think about the last twenty-four hours of your life. Did you commit any notable crimes for which you should have been punished? Did you drive over the speed limit on the highway as you traveled to visit family for the holidays? Did you lie to a neighbor? Did you make time to come and worship the Lord or were you too busy with your holiday schedule? Are you harboring unforgiveness in your heart toward someone who has hurt you?

Pilate was trying his best to weigh the evidence in the charges railed against Jesus Christ. He did not believe this man had committed any crime. When asking his accusers for specifics, the people said if He was not a criminal, they would not have brought him for judgment. What crimes did Jesus actually commit?

A baby is born in a town with no room for Him. The mother gives birth in a dirty, stinky cave, where the only warmth is that of the animals surrounding her. Joseph delivers the boy in the dark, with only the light of a bright star to guide him. How was this child welcomed into the world? His parents had to take him and flee the country just to protect him from losing his life by an edict of Herod. What laws had this boy child broken to deserve an untimely death?

Jesus came to pardon us from selfish sin. He became the Christmas pardon for you and me. Are you imprisoned today by the sins that continually eat away your life? Are you struggling to find freedom from the chains that keep you bound? Jesus has pardoned you; He has given this gift, free to anyone who will receive Him today as their Lord and Savior. Christ bore your sins on the cross; He bled and died to set you free forever!

I pray that you will accept Christ’s Christmas pardon today. His gift of grace is the best present you will ever receive. Merry Christmas!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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 Lord of the Impossible

Today’s Reading: John 18:28(NIV)

28 Then the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness the Jews did not enter the palace; they wanted to be able to eat the Passover.

Matthew 1:21 (NIV)

21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because He will save his people from their sins.

Good morning!

Have you ever chosen to do the wrong thing for all the right reasons? Sometimes, what makes perfect sense in the moment is something we come to regret as time goes by. Take Joseph, for instance. He was betrothed to Mary, a virgin from Nazareth, who was found to be with child prior to the consummation of their marriage. He loved her and did not want to see Mary lose her life as a result of her pregnancy. She said she had conceived by the Holy Spirit of God. How he wanted to believe the impossible; nevertheless, Joseph chose to divorce her quietly, to avoid her public disgrace and untimely death. He made the wrong choice for all the right reasons; thank God for intervening angels!

On the morning of Jesus’ trial in Jerusalem, the Jews in attendance were more concerned about observing the law, refusing to enter the temple for fear of defiling themselves before the celebration of the Passover Lamb. Could they not see that the Lamb of God was being sacrificed right before their very eyes? A new Passover is coming today, and this One sacrifice will change the heart of humanity for all time. What seems to be a total impossibility is happening because the Great I Am is the Lord of the impossible. Jesus Christ is our Emmanuel; God with us.

The angel told Joseph that Mary would give birth to a son, and that He is to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins. That morning, Jesus is fulfilling the angels’ promise. He is our Lord of the impossible.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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.

Broken glass

Today’s Reading: John 18:26-27(NIV)

26 One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the olive grove?” 27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.

Good morning!

It is hard to see the Savior through shards of broken glass.

When my parents married in 1945, the war was finally coming to an end. Its devastation had cut the world to the quick. People in the United States were longing for peace, even in the midst of great chaos. Rations were still in effect, and it was a challenge to set up housekeeping with virtually no household goods available for purchase. My folks shared living quarters with some family friends in South Saint Louis, while my father looked for work and a place to live. They learned of a small flat coming available, to a couple whose marriage had shattered during the war. They sold everything they owned to my folks. Daddy and mother were fortunate enough to inherit their apartment along with all its contents. Items that were not yet available for purchase became theirs. They inherited a warm bed to sleep on with clean sheets and blankets, a fully-furnished kitchen with pots, pans, dishes and eating utensils, a small sofa, and even a box of tiny glass Christmas ornaments tucked away in a small hope chest. My mother said the ornaments were beautiful antiques, remnants of days gone by. Daddy chopped a small fir tree down at the family farm, and hauled it into the city. In the apartment, Mother hung the delicate glass ornaments on the tree. She wrapped its branches in freshly popped strings of popcorn and brightly colored cranberries, placing a shiny metal star on top. She held fast to hope, even in a hopeless situation.

Holding onto hope is hard when people are starving in the streets. It was a cold, dark winter, and joy was in short supply. People were struggling to survive, to hold onto the things that mattered most in life. Mother wept uncontrollably when she heard a glass ornament hit the floor. Tiny fragments of glass shattered everywhere, leaving its mark on the hard wood. She thought about the family whose marriage had failed, and for all families who were separated during the war. She knew just how fortunate she was, yet worried about the ones suffering around her. She longed for the light of the world to light up the dark spaces on Saint Louis city streets, to restore great joy to the joyless, and find the One eternal hope even in the midst of great poverty. As she swept up the tiny fragments of glass, Mother saw the reflection of her Savior’s love emerging from the shards of broken glass.

Peter stood, fearful and trembling, in the garden. The Savior of the world was being beaten and abused; he heard the cries of the soldiers and knew His friend was suffering. Peter was terrified, wondering whether he might be taken captive too. When asked if he knew the Lord, Peter’s reply hit the ground like tiny shards of broken glass. As the rooster began to crow, Peter remembered Jesus’ words, and was ashamed that he had denied knowing His Lord not once, but three times.

We can find Christ’s grace and forgiveness in the midst of broken glass. This Christmas, there are many who suffer; they do not have adequate shelter, food to eat, or a warm place to stay. How can we convey hope to a hopeless world? Can you see the Savior’s love shining through a broken heart?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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.

Family photographs

Today’s Reading: John 18:25(NIV)

25 As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, “You are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it, saying, “I am not.”

Good morning!

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is the giving and receiving of greeting cards. I enjoy reading family newsletters, and catching up with the people I know and love each year. I especially enjoy seeing family photographs. Jeff and I will sit on the sofa together near the fireplace, and look at the cards together. I’ll say, “Jeff! Look at this picture! Oh my, how the children have grown - it hasn’t been that long since we’ve seen them, has it? Do you remember baptizing this little boy? How he looks just like his Father! There’s no denying who this child belongs to!

We had the privilege of reconnecting with a child that Jeff had baptized nineteen years ago at the Lindenwood coffeehouse this fall. When Lindsey was three years old, her parents moved from Missouri to New York and it was there that she grew up. We were surprised when we realized that Lindsey, now a sophomore in college, was the baby girl Jeff held in his arms on her baptism day. She has changed a lot in the last nineteen years! Lindsey is an intelligent, talented young woman, and she reminds us a lot of her mother, in physical characteristics and in her sweet disposition. Lindsey is an avid photographer. We asked her to take a photograph of us for our Christmas greeting cards, and she happily obliged. I dare say it is one of the best Christmas photos we’ve ever had made. She didn’t have a lot to work with, but dear Lindsey found a way to make us both look pretty good! That is truly a Christmas miracle!

Isn’t it funny, how we human types try to deny who we are, yet, our life’s snapshots somehow seem to give us away. We cannot cover the mark of the Savior upon our hearts. We are the spitting image of our heavenly Father, recognizable by the love of the Son living within us. Simon Peter was doing his level best not to be recognized that night as a follower of Jesus, but there was no denying it! The crowd couldn’t help but recognize and see the Lord He loves living in him.

There’s just no denying it! You are a child of the King! You bear His resemblance, and everything that makes you special is a direct reflection of the One who gave you these unique attributes! You cannot deny who you are: a child saved by grace, forgiven, and redeemed. Your family photograph is a direct reflection of the One who loves us all.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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.