Garden stroll

Today’s Reading: John 19:41-42 (NIV)

41 At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. 42 Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

Good morning!

I’m looking forward to my first of many springtime strolls. It won’t be long before the azaleas are in full bloom in Missouri. Yellow forsythia bushes and pink red bud trees will open in flowering splendor. The peach blossoms on the tree in my front yard will decorate my kitchen table in just a few short weeks. Clematis vines will shoot up from the ground, while tender daffodils and tulips will bloom in garden beds. It’s time to clean out the water garden and prepare the fountain for the returning birds. We see new birth surround us in the spring - it is just around the corner. Can you sense the anticipation of a beautiful spring day?

Historians tell us that on the day Jesus died, the skies turned dark. It may have been storming as Joseph and Nicodemus carried the body of the Lord to the garden tomb. In my mind’s eye, I can hear the rain falling; the wind was whipping around the garden, as tree branches bent low in reverence to the Lord’s passing. Flowers had closed up and were drooping toward the ground. Even the rocks were crying. Puddles were forming along the path. It was not a day to take a stroll through the garden. Yet, the disciples could not help but be drawn to this humble place. The body of our Lord was there, and no one wanted to leave.

We can get lost in the wintertime of our lives. It seems that the cold air is simply a mirrored reflection of the grief we hold in our hearts. The pain of separation, of losing someone we love, can leave us feeling numb and hopeless. We wonder if springtime will ever return.

It is cloudy and cold where I live today. Knowing that spring is just around the corner makes this day worthwhile. I plan to take a stroll in the garden, because I know what is coming. New life will be here before we know it, and when new life returns, everything changes. Take a walk with me today. Come to the garden where Jesus was buried, and wait with me as we watch for signs of new life.

Resurrection is coming.

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.

Celebration of Life

Today’s Reading: John 19:39b-40 (NIV)

39b Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. 40 Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.

Good morning!

Joseph and Nicodemus could not bear to leave Christ’s body unattended. Jewish tradition celebrates life in the burial act; it is the recognition of gifts that were ours as a result of the one who has gone on before us. They took on the role of the Chevra Kadisha – the ones who prepare the body for burial. In accordance with Scripture and tradition, Joseph and Nicodemus prepared Christ’s body, not as an act of death, but of new life. As they bathed and wrapped his torn flesh with strips of linen and liquid spice, they performed their act of kindness, with no regard for remuneration. On a day like today, as the people prepared to celebrate the Passover feast, Joseph and Nicodemus took upon themselves an even greater responsibility: they prepared the body of the Father’s sacrificial Lamb for new life.

Jewish tradition compares a dead body to that of a damaged Torah, no longer useful for its intended use; yet, deserving of respect for the purpose which it once served. Remembrance is an important part of the burial process. Prayers are offered up, expressing deep gratitude for the life of the deceased and all the good that has been brought forth as a result of their living. I would have loved to have heard the prayers offered up by Joseph and Nicodemus as they prepared His body for burial.

If it had not been for the kindness of Joseph, there would have been no sacred place to have laid his body. Jesus lived the life of an itinerant; owning only the clothing on his back. The Romans confiscated his outer robe at the cross, which left Christ with no burial garment for his body. What shame this must have brought to the Master’s heart as he clung there upon the cross. The gift of purification, the wrapping of his flesh, is one of the greatest acts of kindness ever offered.

When death comes, we grieve what is lost and hold onto hope for what will be. If you are grieving the death of a loved one today, hold on to the assurance of new life. Celebrate what is coming! Christ died and rose again so that we may experience new life, everlasting life, in His presence. This is our celebration of life.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Landing right side up

Today’s Reading: John 19:38-39a (NIV)

38 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. 39 He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night.

Good morning!

There is something to be said for landing right side up. My sister said these words to me last night, and I’ve been thinking about them ever since. Our grandson Jett took gymnastics every Saturday morning for two years. Occasionally, he would fall off the balance beam or not quite get high enough while swinging on the pommel horse. Every now and then, Jett would miss clearing the vault and fall onto the mats underneath. When he fell, Jett found a way to land right side up. There are times in life when we fall. The key to getting back up is in how we land.

Joseph and Nicodemus landed right side up. It took the Savior’s death to bring them both out of hiding. They were members of the Jewish council and followed the Master secretly. Fearful that others might find out, Nicodemus snuck around to see the Lord at night, asking questions in the dark. Joseph had earned the respect of his brothers in the Jewish community. Joseph’s family had a tomb in the garden near Golgotha. He was compelled give His Lord a proper burial. Joseph waited until the crowd had disbursed, asking Pilate for permission to take Christ’s body and personally bury him.

Fear can grip us when we lease expect it. You may be struggling today with fear of what the future holds. We watch as fires, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, disease, and starvation take its toll all over the world. Wars continue, stock prices fall, and instability in the job market has caused families to lose jobs, homes, and their life savings. It is easy to become discouraged when fear sets in. For Joseph and Nicodemus, their fear of sharing faith in Christ kept them silent even as He died upon the cross. Death has a way of forever changing people’s hearts. We realize just how much we miss the one we’ve lost. We set ourselves to a higher standard, purposing not to comprise who we are and what we believe simply out of fear of what may come.

Joseph and Nicodemus allowed their fears to catapult them into a faith freefall. Yet, they both managed to land right side up. Christ’s death was more than they could bear. It was time to stand up and tell the truth; expressing love for the One who gave His life in exchange for theirs.

If you have fallen from faith, it is not too late to land right side up. Reach out to Jesus today. Tell Him you are ready to take that first step in Him. When people place their hopes in earthly things, even our best laid plans are bound to crumble and fall. There is only one secure hope that will stand the test of all time, and He is the One who died and lives so that we might have eternal life with Him. Reach out to Jesus; confess Him as your personal Savior today. It is time to land right side up.

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.

Look up!

Today’s Reading: John 19:36-37 (NIV)

36 These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,” 37 and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”

Zecharaiah 12:10-11a (NIV)

10 And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. 11 On that day the weeping in Jerusalem will be great.

Good morning!

I have always been fascinated by the beautiful crosses in many of the churches I’ve visited through the years. At Faith Church, we have a large wooden cross in the front of the sanctuary. At the center of the cross beams is a gold stripping that catches the light and shines brightly, especially when the sun streams through the large plate-glass windows on Sunday morning. When I’m kneeling at the altar, I look up and see Jesus there. The symbol of an unthinkable human act of vicious savagery has become a precious reminder of our perfect Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.

Crosses come in many sizes, shapes and varieties, and each one is beautiful to me. Jewelers manufacture crosses in fine gold, sterling silver, encrusted with tiny diamond chips and fine gems. Some crosses are made of pewter, wood, or steel. I’ve been known to wear a cross fashioned from nails. Occasionally, if I lean a certain way, I feel the tip of nail push against my skin and it is a sharp reminder of the pain Christ endured for my sin.

When the prophet Zechariah wrote these words some 480 years before Christ’s birth in Bethlehem, he had no way of knowing just how important the cross would be to all generations. It is there at the cross, that we find healing and forgiveness for the pain we have caused by our words and actions. It is there we see Christ’s blood flowing down, covering you and me. When the Roman soldier pierced Christ’s body with his sword, he knew Jesus was already dead. Yet, he thrust the sword deep into his side, perforating the sac around Christ’s heart. A mixture of blood and water poured out all at once, drenching the executioner and covering the whole of humanity. I can only imagine what it must have been like to see Christ’s blood flowing down from the cross that day. Can you see what I see?

There are a lot of people weeping and grieving around me. I have a friend who is burying his mother-in-law today, another friend who is frantically looking for work in a job market that is flooded with applicants and no available positions. Children are crying because they are hungry and their mothers and caregivers are weeping because they have no food to feed them. Families are grieving the losses of sons and daughters in wars that seem to go on and on. It’s as if the city of Jerusalem has never stopped weeping, since the day Jesus died on the cross.

Take time today to gaze at the One who was pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities. We have His hope in the crosses we bear. Jesus died and rose again to give us a brand new life, everlasting life in Him. The things that grieve us so now will fade one day when we meet our Lord face-to-face. Look up at the cross, for our salvation is here.

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.

True Testimonial

Today’s Reading: John 19:34-35 (NIV)

34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. 35 The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe.

Good morning!

How important is your testimony?

I see a lot of testimonials on television. Public service advertisements offer one testimonial after another. Buy our product and you are guaranteed to lose weight, acquire six pack abs and lower your blood sugar and blood pressure by 20 points. A certain brand of blue jean will make you more popular with friends at school. You can be athlete of the year if you wear a certain name brand apparel, shoe, or have the “right” gear. I especially enjoy the “no obligation” and “money-back” guarantees that are placed alongside these promotions. The fine print flies by so quickly on the screen that it takes speed reading and a magnifier to see and understand the disclaimers that come with these ads.

Should our written and verbal testimony need a disclaimer?

We often think of the courtroom witness when we think about giving testimony. Speaking the truth is something we should do every day, not only when we take an courtroom oath to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Sometimes the truth is hard to hear, even harder to speak. I am fascinated by the candor and transparency of online chatter. On social networking sites, we read the thoughts and views of the people we know. Our perspectives are so varied and unique. How do we choose to share the truth with others? This morning, as you launch into your day, be especially aware of God’s truth living within you. Focus on the things you think, say and do. Would your life’s testimony stand up in a court of law?

The beloved disciple was an eyewitness to the Truth. He walked alongside His Lord, and stayed with Him even at the cross. Was He the only disciple brave enough to follow Jesus to Golgotha? I’ve often wondered if this is why John did not die a martyr’s death like all the other disciples. He was exiled to the island of Patmos where He spent the remainder of his days seeing visions of rapture and writing an account of Christ’s coming return. His eyewitness account of Christ’s death at Calvary is important for all believers everywhere.

John’s personal testimony to Christ’s physical death on the cross is the key in sharing Christ’s resurrection with the world. How will you personally testify to the saving power of 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.

Broken bones

Today’s Reading: John 19:32-33 (NIV)

32 The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. 33 But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.

Good morning!

If you’ve ever suffered a broken bone, then you will understand just how limiting and useless that limb can quickly become. I broke a toe last summer. I had no idea how important toes are to balance and walking. It has been months and I still find myself nursing it along. Up until a couple of weeks ago, I couldn’t wear regular shoes, and I may never be able to wear a shoe with a heel again. I find it amazing that something so small could hurt so much.

My husband is nursing a broken elbow. He is in a cast from his fingertips to his shoulder. Simple things we think so little about have become quite the challenge, like putting on a pair of socks. We know his cast is short-lived, and we wait with eager anticipation for the day when he will no longer need it. Until then, Jeff can choose to color coordinate his arm with the liturgical season of Lent. It is a good thing that we really like purple at the parsonage!

When my father-in-law broke his leg a few years ago, I watched as he worked hard to regain mobility. After the cast came off, he went through months of physical therapy, just so he could walk without the assistance of a cane, sit down and stand up. We do not fully realize the support our bones give to flesh and how our entire bodies can be adversely affected when one bone is broken.

In the grizzly act of crucifixion, the condemned hangs in a suspended fashion from the cross, fighting for every breath. It is only by pushing up with the legs that another breath can be taken. If the legs do not function, then the prisoner cannot breathe, and he will suffocate in his own bodily fluids.

Jesus willingly gave up His Spirit. The Romans discovered there was no need to break his legs. The breath of life left the Master’s frame and entered into human hearts. His broken body became our salvation. His blood was shed so that we might inhale the fresh breath of everlasting life. Jesus died to heal our brokenness, whether it is a broken bone, a broken heart, or a broken life.

Ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior today. He has the power to heal the broken things in your life, and make you completely whole in Him.

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.

Our Plans for the Day

Today’s Reading: John 19:31 (NIV)

31 Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down.

Deuteronomy 21:22-23 (NIV)

If a man guilty of a capital offense is put to death and his body is hung on a tree, 23 you must not leave his body on the tree overnight. Be sure to bury him that same day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse. You must not desecrate the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance.

Good morning!

“Hurry up and die! We’ve got more important things to do.” I can hear their words rip through the winds of time. Jewish law strictly prohibits leaving the body of the condemned exposed overnight or doing any work after sundown on the Sabbath. Religious leaders were anxious for Jesus to die so they could take care of business before they ate the Passover meal with their families and friends. It seems the people were far more concerned about following the letter of the law than living with the guilt of murdering an innocent man.

Have you ever placed your personal plans ahead of God?

The Christmas holidays were exhausting when we lived seven hundred fifty miles from home. We had two families to visit in just a few short days. We would drive twelve hours straight just to get back home in time for Christmas Eve services, and then try to split our time equally between Jeff’s parents and my parents. Everyone wanted to see the children. But I think they would have preferred seeing happy kids as opposed to cranky ones. Our children were tired when we arrived and they just wanted to run and play and squeal a lot, after having been belted in a car seat for hours on end. If the weather was bad and we had to slow down on the highway, it might take even longer to reach our final destination. I found it very hard to focus on worship at Christmas Eve services after arm wrestling two wee ones in the car, not to mention my own fatigue and stress level. To stop my mind from spinning in a thousand different directions, thinking of all that had to be done and the people we needed to see and things we needed to do before we turned around and drove back home to Texas, was like living a nightmare that would not end. Are we having fun yet? Often, we would spent a good portion of our Christmas day drying tiny tears and trying to take cat naps in between visits to grandparents, aunts and uncles. Time spent in sweet communion with the Lord was lost in the utter chaos of trying to complete our time-honored family tradition. Whatever was I thinking?

It’s little comfort, but obviously, I was not alone in this. Having the Martha mentality is not a great way to grow in grace. I found it hard to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to His Word when there was so much time spent in time-consuming preparation. I missed seeing the Master because I was too caught up in the moment. Can you imagine the irony on the day of Preparation, as Christ hung, dying on the cross, and the people were so busy trying to meet their obligations that they missed seeing their Savior?

Father, forgive us for being so busy that we forget what is most important in life. Help us stop what we doing and make you our first priority. This is the day that the Lord has made. It is not your day or my day – it is His Day. How will you choose to spend it?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Final Resignation

Today’s Reading: John 19:29-30 (NIV)

29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, He bowed His head and gave up His Spirit.

Good morning!

Humans tend to be born fighters. If you’ve ever been to a NICU on a maternity ward of a hospital, you can see that fighting spirit live in the tiniest of frames. If a tiny baby just hours old, with no real understanding of its environment, can fight with every fiber of its being to breathe on its own and reach out toward life, it is no wonder that the Father has placed a fight for life in every human heart.

Jesus was fighting for human life on the cross – not so that He could live but that we would live in His presence with Him forever. What a fight He fought!

Have you ever experienced a deep sense of resignation? People come together in community, whether it is at work, school, or charitable and civic organizations. We unite around a common purpose and goal. Giving up is not something we choose not to do. That fighting spirit lives and works within us. We share our strengths, looking for new ways to learn and grow together, moving toward a common goal. When resignation occurs, we look back on the path we’ve walked, knowing we’ve given our very best. There are times when we must resign in order to move forward. Resignation is one of the hardest things we do in life.

Jesus resigned himself to one final task. Knowing all had been accomplished, He was ready to finish the mission. When He said the words, “It is finished,” He knew He had accomplished the Father’s will. With one final confirmation, Christ gave up His spirit and relinquished His will into the Father’s hand. It was the bravest resignation ever offered in human history.

Help us Lord, to fight the good fight with every breath we take. Teach us to share the Gospel of your saving grace and mercy around the world in whatever opportunities you give us. Let us not grow weary in this work for there is much to do and only a little time in which to do it. Give us the courage to willingly relinquish our lives into the palm of your hand when it is finished. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Thirsting for more

Today’s Reading: John 19:28 (NIV)

28 Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”

Psalm 69:20-21 (NIV)

20 Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none. 21 They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.

Good morning!

The Lord has given His all for all of us. There, on the cross, in excruciating pain, Jesus knew He had completed His mission. Looking at the people, Jesus found no one to comfort His broken heart. There was no sympathy that could ease His pain. I can only imagine that the physical suffering Christ endured was mild compared to that of His Spirit, writhing in agony as He took upon Himself the sins of the world.

It is easy to be tempted to turn away from the Father, especially when we feel completely beaten up by the things of this world. Many have lost their jobs, health insurance, benefits and financial resources that provide the necessities of life for their family in this difficult economy. Retirement incomes are disappearing; our elderly are wondering who will help them pay their utility bills or buy groceries for their table. Families are losing their homes to foreclosure, and finding themselves living in their cars or out on the streets. Half way around the world, little children are starving to death, through no fault of their own. Food is scarce; supplies are nearly non-existent. In times of great suffering and pain, trusting in God may seem rather pointless.

Even in His worst agony, Christ’s thirst for more compelled Him to speak the Word. He said, “I am thirsty.” Was He thirsting for water, or was Jesus thirsting for more of His Father? Even when He could have given in to the pain and called upon His angels to bring Him down from the cross, Christ remained steadfast and resolute. He continued to pray even when He felt no one was listening.

Jesus knows your deepest need. Rejection, humiliation and outright fear can blind us to the Truth. Cast your cares upon the Lord today; He is here, right now, and He will not abandon you in your time of need. Jesus can quench your deepest thirst if you will simply ask Him for a drink. Are you thirsty today? Look beyond your circumstances; look to the Lord Jesus Christ and be thirsty no more.

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.

Going home

Today’s Reading: John 19:25-27 (NIV)

25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary, the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” 27 and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

Good morning!

I cannot imagine the grief Mary must have felt watching her Son die such a cruel death. She and Joseph had been given a holy glimpse into this child’s purpose when the angel appeared to each of them in Nazareth nearly thirty-four years ago. Unlike the others who feared for their lives, Mary chose not to abandon her Son at the cross alone. She stood at the foot of the cross with her sister and dear friend. Only one of the disciples, the disciple whom Jesus loved, waited nearby, praying and grieving for His master.

Any mother would rather suffer themselves than see their child hurt. The unthinkable had happened and Mary would have gladly traded her life for the cross if she could have spared Jesus this agony. She remembered with vivid clarity taking the back roads to Egypt with Joseph when Jesus was just a baby. They fled to escape the death sentence of Herod as first-born sons were being slaughtered all across Bethlehem. Every time the angel spoke, they found a way to obey, and they stayed together in Egypt until the angel told them it was safe to go home. I imagine Mary wondered how she would ever find her way home after losing her son and the Lord of life. Without Him, there would be no safe place to live.

Jesus looked down from the cross and saw His mother weeping. Their eyes met and silent words were spoken between the two of them. Jesus raised His voice and said, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” Jesus made a provision for his mother. He knew she would need someone to be there for her, to care for and comfort her as she continued to live out the days of her life. Jesus knew that his friend would need the loving support of His mother. They would find comfort together in their memories, and hope for His imminent return.

It has been my personal experience that God seems to provide the right people in times of need. He gives us the precious gift of family and friends to help each other endure seasons of grief and pain. Jesus provides a home for all who draw near to Him in faith. We are not alone; we have each other, and we can watch and wait together for our Lord’s imminent return.

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 game of life

Today’s Reading: John 19:24 (NIV)

24 “Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.” This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, “They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.” So this is what the soldiers did.

Good morning!

Humans have a strange way of thinking. It seems totally ironic and out of character that those brutal, greedy Roman soldiers cared about Jesus’ garment not to want to tear its fabric. It was okay to shred the Master’s flesh but not to rip his robe into pieces! One lucky guy would get the whole cloak to himself, simply by casting lots. Obviously, winning the lottery was a popular game to play even then.

Why do we care so little for people and so much for things? I wonder why we would choose to invest the bulk of our money in nice cars, furniture, big homes, and fine wardrobes, and give our leftover nickels and dimes to help others. Shouldn’t we care more about the people who are struggling to survive than collecting a lot of earthly toys that does no one any good at all?

We seem so casual and careless with our cutting words. One harsh word can rip another heart to shreds and the pain we cause somehow seems trivial in our minds. We devour each other, caring more about own selfish ways than we do for each other. When will we realize that the game of life is not a game at all? We need to stop gambling with human souls and see the urgency rising around us.

The soldiers were having a great time underneath the cross. They were paying no attention to the agony of the One hanging above their heads. As they played their little game, Christ’s blood was dripping down on them. They were covered in His blood but were oblivious to the significance of what this meant.

Jesus, forgive me for not fully understanding the sacrifice you made to save me. Help me think before I speak. Open my eyes; let me see and compare the truth of your heart to my selfish lifestyle. Teach me how to care more for those around me than I care for myself. Forgive me for crucifying you every single time I speak a hateful word, when I show complacency toward my brother and choose greed and gain over giving, caring and sharing. Thank you, Jesus, for dying for me while I was yet a sinner. Amen.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Hand-me-down

Today’s Reading: John 19:23 (NIV)

23 When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took His clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.

Good morning!

How does it make you feel when you put on something new to wear? I remember taking my children to the store to shop for school clothes and tennis shoes. They enjoyed getting new things. Yet, many of their favorite clothing items were hand-me-downs, from family and friends. Sometimes that gift meant more than anything we could purchase at the store.

Hand-me-downs are precious treasures in our family. My sister and I shared a small closet and many of our clothes came from cousins and neighbors on the block. We didn’t have a lot of extra money to shop. It was always such a treat to receive a gift of a gently used piece of clothing. I admired many of the older girls on the street where we grew up. I looked up to them, and when they gave me their hand-me-downs, I felt really special and blessed. It remains a precious treasure to me.

A few weeks ago, my mother gave me a sweater vest. Whenever I put it on, I think of her and the love that she for me. I think of the kind of person she is, and how I would like to be more like her each day. Her simple gift reminds me that she is praying for me, and thinks about me and my family often. I wouldn’t trade that sweater vest for anything.

The Romans had crucified the Savior. As He suffered there on the cross, they divided his clothing between them. Did they realize the amazing gift He was giving to them? I wonder what it felt like when they put His garment on for the very first time. The Romans thought they were taking something from Him; they did not realize that the gift had been freely given. Could they somehow sense Christ’s mercy and grace in the fabric of His garment?

The Lord clothes each of us in His righteousness alone, and it is this love that we wear into the world each day. What a gift of grace! May you wear the Father’s hand-me down with great joy! We serve an awesome God.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Holy Fool

Today’s Reading: John 19:21-22 (NIV)

21 The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, “Do not write ‘THE KING OF THE JEWS’ but that this man claimed to be the king of the Jews.” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

Good morning!

Last night during my Russian cross-cultural class, we talked about what it means to be a Holy Fool. The most famous of Russia’s holy fools was St. Basil the Blessed, after whom the cathedral in Red Square takes its name. Etched on an ancient icon in the sanctuary of this church, St. Basil is clothed only in his beard and a loin cloth! Basil was willing to confront Ivan the Terrible, knowing he would face a certain death. At the great feast, Basil offered the Tsar a slab of beef, telling him there was no reason for him not to eat it. Why would Ivan abstain from eating red meat when he drinks the blood of Christians every day in his murderous rampage?

What is a holy fool? They are described as Christian believers teetering off the edge of conventional, acceptable social behavior. Their devotion to following Christ is something many of us do not understand. They choose to follow the hard teachings of Jesus, taking His Word literally to the streets. What lengths would you be willing to go to convey the Gospel of Christ? Are you brave enough to step out of what is considered the socially acceptable norm if it meant your words and actions might lead another human heart to the foot of the cross?

Pilate didn’t realize the implication His words would have on all humanity as He prepared the signage to hang above Jesus’ head. Or did he?

Can you name someone who has thrown caution to the wind, simply to step out and share the Gospel with people they do not know? Maybe you are thinking of a particular pastor, priest, missionary, or even a family member. The life of evangelist Arthur Blessitt comes to my mind, especially when I think about the impact he has made in his forty year trek around the world carrying the cross of Christ upon his shoulder. Be sure to go to the theaters and see the movie, The Cross. It is slated for release in late March, 2009.

Fill us up to the brim with your Word, Lord Jesus. Help our lives overflow with your love, as we share your story around the world. Be present in our words, actions and most importantly, in our love. May we become Holy Fools for you today. Amen.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Universal language

Today’s Reading: John 19:19-20 (NIV)

19 Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20 Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek.

Good morning!

Wouldn’t it be great if we could all speak the same language! I’ve noticed that we often struggle to understand and comprehend the words and thoughts of others, even when we are speaking in our own native tongue. How do we learn to truly hear and understand our neighbor? Why do we struggle to read the printed words and not comprehend its true meaning?

Last fall, I took a philosophy of religion class and I struggled to read and understand the deep thoughts of our world’s prolific thinkers. Brilliant minds, amazing perceptions, strong convictions – some of these people were labeled as heretics; others completely adopted their point of view and promoted it in the communities where they live. Are you a deep thinker?

I get frustrated and amused at some of my conversations with family, especially with my spouse. We speak the same language and we live under the same roof, but we don’t always understand each other. Whoever said that opposites attract was really not kidding! God has wired each of us so completely different. We think and act in unique ways. We perceive life in its kaleidoscope of colors, shapes and hues. We have flesh and bone, hearts and souls; yet we are as varied as the tiny snowflakes falling to the ground this morning. How can we ever fully understand God’s universal language of love?

Pilate posted a prophetic sign above Jesus’ head that day. God was raised high above the city, on a hill for all to see. The people who gathered to gawk and mourn were able to read the words, JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Do you think they understood the real meaning behind the words?

Lord, open our minds and melt our hearts of stone so that we can hear and understand Your Word today, in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Love ingrained forever

Today’s Reading: John 19:17-18 (NIV)

17 Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). 18 Here they crucified him, and with him two others – one on each side and Jesus in the middle.

Good morning!

A long time ago, out in the middle of the woods, I took a sharp knife and carved a heart and arrow in the center of a large tree trunk. There is something significant about an ingrained, permanent mark on a tree that has withstood time and the generations. I’m certainly not the greatest artist, but I will confess to being a hopeless romantic. When I carved my initials with Jeff’s initials on the tree trunk that day, I prayed our love would last forever. Thirty-one years later, Jeff still loves me! It is truly possible for two people to give their hearts away to each other forever.

The remarkable thing about everlasting love is the wonder that someone would choose to love another for life. When we got married thirty-one years ago, I was a whole lot younger and a lot less wrinkled than I am today. It is easy to fall in love in the days of youthful splendor, when life and love are new. It becomes more difficult as the challenges of daily living interrupt and sometimes thwart hopes and dreams. We find ourselves struggling with health issues, finances, and careers; the needs of extended family and children begin to tug and pull on our time and energy.

Jeff has seen me at my best and worst. He chooses to love me every day, no matter the weather conditions outside or inside our home. It could be stormy or sunny, hot or cold; yet his love for me remains sure. Jeff doesn’t base his love solely upon my good looks or lack thereof; and for me, this is a precious and treasured gift. He sees me for who I am, and he believes in all I can be. His investment of time and tender nurture has helped me grow day by day. Jeff’s love has impacted my life like no other. What a miracle it is to know love for a lifetime.

Jesus’ heart was carved on the cross of Calvary that day at Golgotha. Flesh and blood became ingrained on the splintering wood with spikes and rope and a crown of thorns. God’s heart was carved upon the tree of life. Christ remains fully committed to saving the Ones who hung Him there. His love has stood the test of time and it remains solid and sure for all eternity. His miracle of love has ingrained itself upon the hearts of humanity. Do you know what it feels like to be loved by Almighty God? Take a closer look at the blood-stained cross today. Ask Jesus Christ to come into your heart. You will see that He has carved your initials with His for all eternity.

Christ’s love stands the test time. His love for you is ingrained forever upon the tree.

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.