"Out of the temple & into the lives of man"

Today's reading: Acts 7:44-50 (NIV) 44"Our forefathers had the tabernacle of the Testimony with them in the desert. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. 45Having received the tabernacle, our fathers under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It remained in the land until the time of David, 46who enjoyed God's favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. 47But it was Solomon who built the house for him.

48"However, the Most High does not live in houses made by men. As the prophet says: 49" 'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be? 50Has not my hand made all these things?
Worship is important to God. We see in the last half of verse 44 that God directed Moses how to make the tabernacle.

The tabernacle was important to the Israelites as the stone tablets given to Moses by God remained there and in their company; it had not been destroyed or forgotten over the years. Yet Stephen knows that there is more to worshipping God than protecting the stone tablets in a safe container in a temple. Stephen points out that God does not live in houses made by man, he resides in the heavens and his footprints touch the earth.

God’s footprints are part of creation and remain with us now as we live in the Kingdom of God. God is timeless and unlimited in His love. He desires to be known by us. God has no boundaries either. You and I can not keep him in a box or in our church buildings, nor should we attempt to keep him to ourselves.

Being a witness of the mighty acts of God is what our lives must become. As a witness, we are obligated to God to give testimony of our faith. That is what Stephen is doing here, sharing his testimony through the words of the Old Testament to his people, for it is what they would recognize. Stephen longed for his new faith in Christ to become the faith his people. He was offering them a gift and some rejected that gift and some accepted. God has designed worship to be what He needs it to be in order to bring people to experience his saving grace.

Man must not change what God desires, as we make feeble attempts to do that, we fail. The best is yet to come in this kingdom and we must be part of the people of God, standing with God, telling of God so that He will dwell in the hearts of many more people each and every day.

"Come, now is the time to worship

Come, now is the time to give your heart

Come, just as you are to worship

Come, just as you are before your God
One day every tongue will confess You are God

One day every knee will bow

Still the greatest treasure remains for those,Who gladly choose you now,

Come."

Dorothy Brucks
Aldersgate UMC
Nixa, MO.

Come, now is the time to worship lyrics by Brian Doerksen

"Obedience - result of a lesson learned"


Today's reading: Acts 7:37-40 (NIV)


37"This is that Moses who told the Israelites, 'God will send you a prophet like me from your own people.' 38He was in the assembly in the desert, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers; and he received living words to pass on to us.

39"But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. 40They told Aaron, 'Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who led us out of Egypt—we don't know what has happened to him!'

Just a brief reminder, the scripture passages I have been writing about are those Stephen was speaking to the Sanhedrin. The footnote in my bible states Stephen used the word ‘ekklesia’ translated as ‘assembly’ to describe the congregation or people of God in the dessert. Stephen’s point was that the giving of the law through Moses to the Jews was the sign of the covenant and to continue to be God’s covenant people, they would have to be obedient.

Being obedient is not a simple task. Some toddlers in their growing years are searching the world they live in as if they were the only ones there and obedience makes no sense to them. As the Israelites waited for Moses to return from Mt. Sinai, they quickly became impatient and their lack of obedience to God was demonstrated in their rush to ‘carve’ their own God.

We have two dogs in our house, both rescued; one is here in her forever home, but Emmitt is a ‘foster’ that came to us from a pound. This is our first attempt of fostering a rescue and we agreed to try it thinking it would be fun! He definitely captured our hearts right away and he plays well with others but that is about it. We have taken him into our home and find ourselves with a boxer who behaves like a toddler. He is in his own world, trying to figure out our world and his past has definitely affected his progress. Obedience training is not going well.

The Israelites have also lived very hard lives in the past and Moses is offering them a way to follow God and be freed from bondage. As they approached their new territory and grew impatient, they strayed from obedience to God into refusal to wait for the Lord.

Obedience is the result of a lesson learned and from this comparison we learn that our lives and surroundings can change as abruptly as they did for the Israelites and for our dear Emmitt. God’s covenant offers us a way to be His people and we must push every struggle away; every evil force of wickedness must be casted out by God and not followed by man. If we begin to accept our own struggled lives and can’t seem to let go of the past issues, we are taking it on as a new possession, and begin to worship that possession.

There is nothing tangible in this world that we can take hold of that will offer us eternal life with our Lord and Savior. We must reach our hands out to the master, let His touch change us to be obedient to Him and life will be blessed!

Lord, let us not become an Israelite or an Emmitt and reject what is being offered to us freely; your love and grace through Jesus Christ our savior. You have blessed us, Amen.



Dorothy Brucks
Aldersgate UMC
Nixa, MO.

"Where are you standing?"


Today's reading: Acts 7:30-36 (New International Version)


30"After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. 31When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to look more closely, he heard the Lord's voice: 32'I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.' Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look.


33"Then the Lord said to him, 'Take off your sandals; the place where you are standing is holy ground. 34I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.


35"This is the same Moses whom they had rejected with the words, 'Who made you ruler and judge?' He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God himself, through the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36He led them out of Egypt and did wonders and miraculous signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea and for forty years in the desert.


I am guessing at the time God spoke to Moses from the burning bush, Moses was about 55 – 60 years old, after all he was grown when fled Egypt and he had lived a lifetime in 40 years. We know from the book of Exodus that Moses married and had children during this forty years, but what I don’t know is if Moses had any regrets. I would hope not, I would hope that he recognized he was standing in God’s presence, living to fulfill God’s ultimate plan for his people.


I love the song “Standing on Holy Ground” especially sung by Barbra Streisand. I listened to it just a few nights ago which made this scripture especially meaningful. I want to imagine God’s voice speaking to Moses; I want to imagine the heat of the dessert sand on his feet. Something miraculous was happening at that moment - it was the presence of God speaking to Moses sending him forth to carry out His plan for Israel. The task Moses had ahead of him was to be the divine work of God.


When you and I respond to God we are in His divine plan, we are in His presence on holy ground. I can not say that I have heard the audible voice of God, but some people have. I recognize God’s voice speaking to me as the Holy Spirit’s nudge inside my heart and soul, and often time it is to become more involved in a specific ministry (His plan). His holy ground might also be a place where, or even when, something terrible has happened, which brings us to our knees and through which we humbly seek the presence of God, the redemptive power of God in the very midst of that terrible happening.


I don’t want to live my life out having regrets and I hope Moses didn’t. He had another forty years ahead of him in the wilderness, attempting to lead a group of people that often failed to believe in him and in God. We are told in the OT that Moses never entered the promise land. What I want to take from that is to always remember when I do what God calls me to do, what I do becomes a divine task. Where ever we recognize God's presence, that place becomes holy ground. Understanding this is to know I will have no regrets. Let us praise, praise God now, praise him anyhow, for we are standing in his sweet presence on holy ground.


Before I sign off, I want you to know Deb is at home recovering from her spinal surgery and says she is very tired but feeling much better. She sends her love and looks forward to getting back in communication with you.



Dorothy Brucks
Aldersgate UMC
Nixa, Mo.

"Two questions - how do you respond?"

Today's reading: Acts 7:27-29 (New International Version)

27"But the man who was mistreating the other pushed Moses aside and said, 'Who made you ruler and judge over us? 28Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?' 29When Moses heard this, he fled to Midian, where he settled as a foreigner and had two sons.

These three verses describe true human nature. Instead of sounding like adults, they sound like children. “Who made you in charge?” is a question I often asked growing up, in an indignant tone of voice, of my brothers. No doubt they ask it of me, but of course I don’t remember that.

The man who questioned Moses is rejecting him totally by asking such a question in front of everyone. The scripture does not describe the crowd(s) but there must have been some unrest because of the murder the day before and because of the current mistreatment taking place. Upon being questioned very straightforwardly, Moses did what most humans would do, fled the scene. I can imagine it now, Moses saying to himself “I gotta get out of here, I really messed up and they are gonna kill me if they get a hold of me.”

I work in a fast-paced environment, some days it seems as if we can’t slow down to breathe with phones ringing, people walking into the office and questions coming from both sides. So it is definitely important for me to stay focused on my tasks, but also focus on the greater good. I must admit, I don’t always. My intentional prayers asking the spirit to be present with me all day and for me to recognize He is there easily get lost. Often, it is 4:30 p.m. and I have fallen short.

Even though Moses fled the scene, he could not flee from God and neither can you or I. God is there with us even when we don’t take the time to recognize his presence. Can you feel His mighty power and His grace? Of course we can, when we open our hearts and mind and souls to allow Him to penetrate us!

If someone were to ask you the second question Moses was asked - do you want to do to me what you did to him/her yesterday? (Paraphrase mine) – how would you feel? I think I would feel empty and embarrassed. The question itself would remind me of my previous failings and I would suddenly want to crawl under the desk and hide.

What do we do if we know we are headed down the wrong path? It is important to recognize it, own up to it and face the facts. Then we must reach out to God for help. Pray, ask a trusted friend to keep encouraging you, read God’s word daily to plant the seed of righteousness within your heart, recall how others have witnessed to you and build upon their experiences to grow yours. Determine what is right and what is wrong and make absolutely certain what you do and say helps to further the kingdom and give all glory to God.


Dorothy Brucks
Aldersgate UMC
Nixa, MO.

"To assume or Not to assume?"
Acts 7:20-26 (New International Version)

20"At that time Moses was born, and he was no ordinary child. [A]For three months he was cared for in his father's house. 21When he was placed outside, Pharaoh's daughter took him and brought him up as her own son. 22Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.


23"When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his fellow Israelites. 24He saw one of them being mistreated by an Egyptian, so he went to his defense and avenged him by killing the Egyptian. 25Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not. 26The next day Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to reconcile them by saying, 'Men, you are brothers; why do you want to hurt each other?'"

I am not certain that we can truly understand this story if only read from the New Testament. At first read, there just seems to be something missing for me, perhaps it is the missing part about Moses floating in the basket amongst the reeds or the phrase he was powerful in speech. Since he decided to visit his fellow Israelites it seems he must know them quite well.


Moses was making an assumption of what his people would think, but he was wrong. Do we assume too much in our lives today? Making assumptions about other people is not a trait that I would want to pass on to my own children, but I know that I have. I am a strong willed individual and often share my opinions about situations and people when I probably should not. I need more education in the wisdom of God.


Arguments or disagreements with family, friends or co-workers are not good times unless we use them as a learning opportunity. The holiday season seems to be a time that families struggle with each other because of all the varying opinions we have about celebrating.


Oh come to my house, no – this year you have to travel or let’s have a small celebration without gifts this year. One of the best is – let’s go out to eat on Thanksgiving instead of preparing the entire meal. Don’t bring that last one up in our family, it won’t fly. We had to cook turkey and stuffing at home three days after my husbands double knee surgery, kids wouldn't have it any other way.


I believe I can safely say (or am I assuming) that most of us have had regrets about past assumptions. We should strive to learn from them by asking the important questions as Moses did – why do you want to hurt each other? They probably didn’t set out intending to hurt one another and neither do we, but it is a fact that despite all our good intentions, sometimes we do.


Our God of wonders is holy and just and He will teach us His ways. I have that faith and believe it - not merely assuming it of God. Go pick up the closest Bible to you and read any verse, in any chapter, in any book, in whatever version you choose and you will see that He WILL give you understanding and wisdom. When He knows you are ready, you be powerful in speech and action.


Dorothy Brucks
Aldersgate UMC
Nixa, MO.

"The Song of Deborah"


Today’s reading: Daniel 4:1-2


King Nebuchadnezzar, 1”To the peoples, nations and men of every language, who live in all the world: may you prosper greatly! 2 It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.”


I am straying from the book of Acts today (I don't think Deb will mind) for I have miraculous signs and wonders to share with you. I spoke with Deb’s husband Jeff this evening. When he answered the phone his voice seemed upbeat, now I have never spoken to him on the phone before, so I really had no idea what his voice would sound like. But I was intent in my listening for a sign.


And Jeff spoke “Deb is doing very well, the surgeon was pleased, he did some things he was not expecting to do, but also did not have to do other things he had planned. It was a successful surgery.” I can imagine it was the physician’s pleasure to tell Jeff and their family this good news.


The experience of a day in a surgery waiting room is different for everyone. Since I work in a hospital, I have had the opportunity to work the waiting room desk, updating the families about the progress of their loved ones. I have waited in the surgery waiting room in the dark of night for a friend’s friend that I didn’t even know – well worth the wait as our friend expressed his gratitude. Over the course of 35 years of marriage, I have sat in the waiting area 8 times for surgery on my husband’s knees and one long period of time during open heart surgery of 5 bypasses. I guess you could say I have a bit of experience.

No matter how often Jeff has been in a waiting room with his parishioners over the years of his ministry, nothing, absolutely nothing can prepare you for the span of time while waiting for that sign and wonder you so desperately desire to receive about your spouse.


Something that weighed heavy on Deb’s mind was waking up from the anesthesia; for 8 years ago she was in a coma like state for a couple of days and had many struggles. By this evening, she was sitting up in her bed, talking and relaxing – oh what a wonderful Most High God we have! Staff had even found a recliner for Jeff, so he also had been cared for.


Much like King Nebuchadnezzar’s eager desire to tell of his blessing, Deb shares her devotions for daily living with the world, as people in 7 countries subscribe to her blog posting. Tonight as you say a gentle, peaceful prayer for Deb’s great fortune today, take note of the miraculous signs and wonders all around you.


Deb would want you to take pleasure in them!



Dorothy Brucks
Aldersgate UMC
Nixa, Mo.

"Wisdom from God"

Today's reading: Acts 7:9-19 (NIV)

9"Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him 10and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh King of Egypt; so he made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace.

11"Then a famine struck all Egypt and Canaan, bringing great suffering, and our fathers could not find food. 12When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers on their first visit. 13On their second visit, Joseph told his brothers who he was, and Pharaoh learned about Joseph's family. 14After this, Joseph sent for his father Jacob and his whole family, seventy-five in all. 15Then Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and our fathers died. 16Their bodies were brought back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a certain sum of money.

17"As the time drew near for God to fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt greatly increased. 18Then another king, who knew nothing about Joseph, became ruler of Egypt. 19He dealt treacherously with our people and oppressed our forefathers by forcing them to throw out their newborn babies so that they would die.

Here we see that Stephen is continuing to remind the Sanhedrin the story of their ancestry, possibly to emphasize that the Lord God had been in control of His relationship with them from the beginning. He was taking a great risk doing this as they were teachers of the law and most certainly were aware of history and didn’t need Stephen to remind them.

I am a middle child, fitting between two boys; it was my older brother than I seemed to pick on when I was in first and second grade. We played outside a lot and for some reason, I had the ability to tie him to a tree and he couldn’t get loose. I’d go off with the rest of the neighborhood kids and the fun would continue. Inevitably my brother would get free and go tattle on me. Siblings sometimes do hang each other out to dry. Some things never seem to change.

What I see as important in this refresher course to the Sanhedrin is first, God gave Joseph wisdom and the goodwill of the king; secondly, Joseph eventually forgave his brothers for abandoning him and sent them for his father Jacob to bring the entire family out of the famine. This was a very rough society to live in, jealousy, even though not mentioned in the scriptures, had to be prevalent or why would the brothers have done such a thing, or why would the Pharaoh force the people to get rid of their newborn babies.

I have experienced jealousy in my own life in the past and I can say it is an emotion that can take everything good about a person and throw it to the wind. How we react to our jealous feelings certainly makes or breaks a relationship. God will give us wisdom if we only ask and He will also give us the ability to forgive our family members that become strangers to us. Take a little time this day and make a note of those family members you need to forgive or ask forgiveness from. Then begin the journey to release yourself from bondage and follow God’s direction knowing He will fulfill his promises to you.

Dorothy Brucks
Aldersgatechurch, Nixa, MO.

"It is Time to Worship"

Today's reading: Acts 7:6-8 (New International Version)

6God spoke to him in this way: 'Your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. 7But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves,' God said, 'and afterward they will come out of that country and worship me in this place.8Then he gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision. And Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him eight days after his birth. Later Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs.

Here it is again “God spoke”. When the first words of a verse start with that phrase it is pretty assured what comes next is going to be powerful and ears should listen. All of scripture is divine with every word containing power and direction however; it is our human mind that causes the reader to put emphasis on one phrase over another. This is a good reason to ask the spirit to lead us as we approach and read the holy words.

Here we see again the dialogue between God and Abraham where God reveals the future of Abraham’s descendants. I am not so sure I would want to begin my families lineage knowing in advance of their plight. Four hundred years is a long time, probably 5 generations! God promises more than the covenant though, He promises they will survive and come out of slavery into worship!

I love going to Sunday morning worship; it is a retrieve from a week of enslavement to the world culture. A time to turn everything over to the Lord, bow down before him and give him our hearts. The act of worship has so much potential. As Christians, we worship the one true God, Yahweh, creator of heaven and earth. I am so thankful that Jesus Christ made worship available to me now and not 400 years from now.

It was important for Abraham to be circumcised and continue to pass this act of circumcision to his sons and their sons. Like our worship today, it means so much more than the physical, it means the total belief in God and what He offers us in the beyond! Dedicating our lives to His purpose to glorify Him. It is not about us, it is all about Him.

Sunday at Aldersgate is our annual “Homecoming” (formerly Rally Day) and pastor Dennis is going to be preaching out of Zephaniah and sharing how God has been and still is God of this City (Nixa). We believe, there is so much more to be done. Two of the praise songs we will be singing are Step by Step and Mighty to Save. I know that Step by Step He leads me and Abraham knew it also. So let’s not wait 400 years to worship Christ our savior, for He is mighty to save!

Dorothy Brucks

Aldersgate UMC, Nixa, Mo.

"One word will do - Jesus"

Today's reading: Acts 7: 1 - 5

1Then the high priest asked him, "Are these charges true?"
2To this he replied: "Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran. 3'Leave your country and your people,' God said, 'and go to the land I will show you.'

4"So he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. After the death of his father, God sent him to this land where you are now living. 5He gave him no inheritance here, not even a foot of ground. But God promised him that he and his descendants after him would possess the land, even though at that time Abraham had no child.

Witnesses testified before the Sanhedrin of what Stephen had been preaching, he (Stephen) now finds himself with the opportunity to speak before the council. This was no time for stammering, beating around the bush, or pointing fingers, it was time to present the message in a manner which would raise council’s ears.

As one of the seven in charge of the local food bank, Stephen was in a leadership role for certain. His voice would need to carry over the crowds reaching and grasping for food for nourishment. The people had known hunger, so I can imagine a bit of anxiety waiting for the next meal. Watch where Stephen begins - “Brothers and fathers, listen to me!” – must have been spoken in a commanding voice for attention and authority. Next he declares how the God of Glory appeared to their father Abraham.

We have two dogs in our home, one more defiant than the other (the newest to the pack of course). When I need to get my point across to one of the dogs, my voice resonates deeper if needed, especially if I need to get my point across. First I position myself to gain eye contact and speak short commands (as I learned in dog obedience class) such as no, stop, sit, stay, off, down. Repeating the word over and over is no help with a dog because if you keep doing that, a dog knows instinctively how many you will say and not respond on command. (Another lesson)

Stephen, an intelligent man, seized the moment by reminding his audience how the God of Glory appeared to their father Abraham, gave him directions and sent him on his journey, the journey that forever changed the course of the Hebrew people and the possession of the land of Israel. God’s promise of descendants at the time seemed improbable and even reading it now, centuries later as we discover Abraham had no children of his own.

It seems improbable to me right now that our dog Emmitt will give up his quest for freedom or his yearning to destruct. However, those more experienced than I, keep assuring me that in time he too will begin to trust his master because he will know that his master does return to feed and love him. Stephen began his speech with the truth about God and as Abraham followed the master’s commands, God kept his promise of a child, and the journey continued. We must be the ones to experience God’s glory and be bold and share the word – one word will do – Jesus.

Dorothy Brucks
Aldersgate UMC, Nixa, Mo.

"I can feel His mighty power"

Today's Reading: Acts 6:7-10 (NIV)

7So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

8Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. 9Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, 10but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.

“Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place, I can fell His mighty power and his grace” are beautiful words from a worship song written in 1977 and now resides in the United Methodist Hymnal. If you are familiar with the melody, sing the sentence again and soak in the fact that the Lord is present with you right now where ever you are.

Lord, I thank you for your presence in my life this evening, it was evident your spirit was present with the praise team at practice. May we worship you always and share with others what you have done in our lives. Amen

I am in awe of how God weaves in and out of every aspect of life. His spirit is like fog in one sense. As you look out into a foggy river valley, notice how the moisture of the fog penetrates every space possible, it encompasses all of space. The Lord’s presence is that way too, He is everywhere before us, with us and behind us, just as He was with Stephen. The church in Jerusalem was growing daily, miracles were being performed and signs and wonders of God’s power displayed right before their eyes. Jerusalem was and still is a volatile place, but peace was there and will be there again.

Tonight at praise team practice, I saw and heard voices and instruments blending in the spirit of worship. As I move the screens to the songs lyrics, I watch and listen alone up in the balcony and a peace overcomes me. I know during that time frame each of us are where we should be, preparing our hearts for worship and to lead others in worship. It is humbling to know God allows me to assist in the worship experience in such a small way. I am humbled and grateful.

You see, nothing is small to God, because everything we are and everything we do is his work; eternal work for the kingdom! Just as God grew the church through Stephen and the apostles, God will continue to shows us miracles. We should be awaking everyday expecting miracles.

Monday, Deb will be awaking before daybreak - expecting a miracle, as her surgery is that morning at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis where she will undergo neurosurgery on her upper spine. Humans will be repairing discs, fusing her spine, inserting hardware and removing bone fragments, all with God’s power. As we each recognize from this scripture that all wisdom is from God, all works are of God – we hold within us the knowledge that nothing will stand against Deb as she faces this ordeal. Deb, Jeff and your children and grandchildren, stay obedient to your faith as you face these next several months.

Dorothy Brucks
Aldersgate UMC
Nixa, MO.

"Faced With Choosing"

Today's Reading: Acts 6:1-7 (NIV)

1In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."

5This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
7So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Last evening I had the opportunity to speak with Deb on the phone for about a half hour, she was at the Coffee House on the Campus of Lindenwood University. This ministry is one that she helped begin along with several others from two churches I believe. It is a ministry she loves. Deb talked about the important work of sharing the gospel message and we all know from reading her devotions over the years, that she has the power of the Holy Spirit within her to plant the gospel in the minds and hearts of others.

If any of the readers out there know me, you know that my passion has not been focused on sharing the gospel message in the same way as Deb and this is my first attempt at writing devotional readings. My passion lies with leading, administration, teaching and organizing. It is hard for me to say ‘no’ to a task when it means taking on a project from the beginning and working with other people to see the task come to fruition. Don’t misunderstand me that sharing the gospel is not my focus, it is the most important mission, I merely approach that mission in a different way.

Deb has been enjoying walking and praying out loud and is feeling much less stressed as she has taken time to focus on healing portions of herself. The apostles were being pulled in all directions as the group began to grow and not all needed tasks were being taken care of properly. Their main focus of sharing the gospel was now being pulled like a rubber band in all directions and nerves were on fire amongst the people. Deb was also pushing herself in all directions. Both were faced with a decision to make and so they stepped back, sought others to assist and prayed and laid hands on (vs. 5 & 6).

Have you ever shared the act of ‘laying on of hands” to someone? It is a powerful experience from both the giving and receiving ends. It is an act of passing on the authority to someone, trusting and relying upon them as willing, able and qualified by the spirit’s presence in their lives.

Let us continue to pray for God to reign over Deb’s health as her plan of care unfolds before her Thursday at her appointment. Let us continue to pray for the word of God to spread and the number of disciples increase (vs. 7 revisited).

Dorothy Brucks
Aldersgate UMC
Nixa, Mo.

"What a friend - what a privilege."

Today's reading: Acts 5:40-42 (NIV)

40His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

Tonight I thought it might be fun to ask my husband Phil what he thought about this passage of scripture. First I summarized the previous scriptures that I had written about and then read this passage out loud to him. Then he says to me ‘well, what’s your question?” in that voice of why do you need to ask. I really didn’t have a question, I just wanted to hear from him that possibly what I was thinking about was right. Validation is what I was looking for but I wasn’t going to tell him that.

He has a way of teaching someone by asking questions, making comments and having you discover the answers yourself, this causes you to think for yourself rather than settling for his answer, because he doesn’t often give the answers, he affirms them.

Gamaliel’s way of teaching may have been similar; remember, he shared examples in order to hopefully persuade the officers into a correct decision. By flogging the apostles before releasing them, they saved face amongst the crowds that may have rioted if a killing was attempted.

As we turn to the point of view of the apostles, we read that they left rejoicing! When was the last time you got beat up in a public place in front of everyone and went away rejoicing? In today’s society, most people would express themselves irrationally in front of television news cameras and reporters about how horrible the crime was against them - putting the focus on the criminal act. Instead, the apostles focused on the privilege of suffering the same inflictions that Jesus suffered and accepted for the sins of mankind. (Read that sentence again, slowly) They knew God had spared them for a greater purpose!

What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and grief’s to bear! What a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer. Whatever your style of teaching may be, remember it is the gospel message you are sharing, whether it be in public or private; in church’s; places of work or in a small group in your home; God has chosen you to share His message. May it be so, day after day – and that you never stop!

Dorothy Brucks
Aldersgate UMC
Nixa, MO.

"The voice of Gamaliel"

Today's reading: Acts 5:33-39 (NIV)

33When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35Then he addressed them: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."

First the apostles were incarcerated, then released by the voice of an angel, began teaching about new life again, confronted by the crowds, brought before the Sanhedrin for questioning and possible trial, defended themselves quite well I might say in yesterday’s lesson and now they are sent outside for recess! At first glance I am thinking man; by sending them out for recess someone is having second thoughts.

But as I read deeper into the purpose of this scripture it becomes clear that isn’t so. The clear message here is when their actions are of God, the end result will happen no matter what is done to them! Cautiously, Gamaliel presents his case …‘men of Israel, consider carefully ….” and begins to remind them of the results of previous acts!

I have been teaching myself how to make graphics and movie projects on the computer. There are times I just wish someone would come over and show me the steps as I have spent hours going back and forth to learn one little trick about a layer in a graphic (then promptly forgot how I did it, age is my excuse). Even when I remind myself of the things I have tried over and over again that don’t work , I sometimes justify another attempt, when in reality reading the tutorials would have benefited me much more.

Gamaliel knew the law, probably wrote the tutorials, so was he now a friend of the apostles? Probably not, but he knew from experience what happens when one keeps doing the wrong things over and over again.

When you and I are in ministry, truthfully witnessing for the Lord, sincerely helping someone in need, we must praise God from deep within our heart and give Him the glory. The final outcome will be blessed and be fruitful. If you hear a voice in your mind questioning if what you are doing is right, that just might be your Gamaliel challenging you to make certain you and God are in the activity together for His kingdom. If you are not in sync with God’s will, frustration, division and failure are certain. God has given you the incredible gift of the Holy Spirit; open your heart to his presence, his calling and direction. He is there!

Shalom to Deb and her friends,
Dorothy Brucks
Aldersgate UMC, Nixa, Mo.

"Exalted - a word of action"

Today's Reading: Acts 5:27-32 (NIV)

27Having brought the apostles; they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28"We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood."
29Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men! 30The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. 32We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."

The atmosphere in this scene must have been full of spiritual dimensions from both sides; good and evil. “We gave you strict orders…” sounds very authoritarian to me, something parents most likely say with teenage drivers in the house. “We must obey God rather than men!” had to be shared by every person captured before the court, all in unison because they believed it and lived it.

Then begins the storytelling of how God raised Jesus from the dead and YOU hung him from a tree. The intonation of voices could have been a grave attempt at manipulating the captors into taking responsibility for the death of Jesus Christ. The Jews had indeed crucified Christ, but they were not about to admit it, for evil was spinning around all of them.

The splendor of this story comes in the words “God exalted …” that phrase from this portion of the scripture simply jumps off of the page! When I say the word exalted out loud it reveals the power of God and I tremble at the sound of the word.

There are times in our daily routines when an extraordinary opportunity to be His vessel arrives right in front of us. When we live a life according to God’s will (His orders) so we are not in conflict with the evil forces of the world - He will exalt us to be one with him. He will ultimately give us every word that we need at any given moment. Ask and we will speak in unison with Him.

Dorothy Brucks, holding Deb in my prayers
Aldersgate UMC
Nixa, MO.

"Is the message contained?"

Today's reading Acts 5:22-26 (NIV)

When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, 23"We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside." 24On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were puzzled, wondering what would come of this.

25Then someone came and said, "Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people." 26At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.

My dad owned a family style restaurant in the late 1960’s in West Plains, Missouri and one way we were able to get free radio advertising was to provide broadcasters for 30 minutes one afternoon per week. Wow, was it my time to shine, I had a voice that wanted to speak. A friend and I read funny news happenings from around the country, plugged the breakfast & buffet menus and described the aroma of a 25 cent cup of coffee with all the refills you could hold.

Weaving the advertisements in and out of funny stories got the message across in a way we hoped that people would listen to. When great feedback started at the restaurant we knew the message was clearly received. They liked what they heard. Our following began.

The apostles had a message to share and they had people listening intently but they also had the opposition to contend with. Who contends you when you have something important to say? How do you react? How do your contenders react? When you speak the message God gives you is it like jumping into a boxing ring fighting off your contender or is it like the advertisements I shared on the radio that were well received and unopposed?

Daily, people began to believe in the risen Christ and were baptized – God’s message was not going to be stifled by a group of guards. When you and I face opposition, we must remember that the world is not directing the journey - God is! God’s guidance cannot be contained anymore that the apostles were contained in jail – for they were in God’s protection. So are you my friend.

Dorothy Brucks, honored to be Deb's friend

Aldersgate UMC

Nixa, Mo.

A daybreak calling to Deb
Today's reading Acts 5:18-21 (New International Version)
18They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20"Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people the full message of this new life."
21At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.

No, this is not Deb, this is Dorothy Brucks, of Nixa, MO. I am a friend of Deb’s just as many of you are. I met her about a year and ½ ago on-line (imagine that), and soon found out we have so many life experiences in common, one being we both love to write and we both love to tell the story.

After visiting with Deb on the phone Friday evening for over an hour I told her that I would attempt to share a message of devotion on her site until she was able to return. I am not as eloquent as she, but I’ll do my best and who knows, I might improve.

I have had the blessing to give birth to two boys and felt the pains of childbirth to watch new life come into this earthy heaven. This all happened for me 25 and 28 years ago before epidurals. It was strapped into the bed and felt fearful of what was ahead, I was behind closed doors just as the apostles were behind the jail cell walls.

I picture heavenly light as the angel appears and speaks to them – did he cry out like a newborn baby, did he use a thunderous voice from the heavens … I don’t know. What I do know is that the angel gave instruction and they followed, simple as that, stated very matter of fact. Sounds so similar to my cries and screams and being told to follow orders to bring my boys into new life.

New life is wondrous; a contrast of what the temple courts must have been like. The apostles were headed to trial, yet instructed to teach the people of new life. And so they began to teach, to speak of the life one has at the foot of the cross, the life one has by accepting the great "I Am" into their hearts, to believe without a moment’s hesitation that Christ was raised from the dead for YOU and for ME.

I have stood on the temple mount in Jerusalem; I can picture the scene, the echo of their voices on the stone walls and pathways, the sounds and smells of animals in the market, the morning sunlight peaking up over the hillside, shining on the city of Jerusalem. Our friend Deb is standing in a very different place in her life right now, contemplating surgery, not knowing the outcome but ever so desirous to share the gospel of new life in Christ, yet her devotional ministry is on hold.


God’s divine providence will show up at just the right moment in time for her just as it does for you and me. I believe she will be a wonderful witness to her physicians and care givers and she will be rewarded by the angels announcement once again to ‘go and tell them of the full message of new life” and it will be at daybreak some morning and she will sit at her computer once again rejoicing and sharing!


Shalom to my new friends! Dorothy Brucks, Aldersgate UMC, Nixa, Mo.

Medical leave

Today’s Reading: Philippians 4:8-13 (NIV)

⁸Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. ¹⁰I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹²I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.

Good morning!

I love reading the writing of the Apostle Paul. If he had only had Internet access and a laptop computer while sitting for years in prison! Can you imagine the messages that would have been sent? As it is, his letter writing is awesome, forever preserved in Holy Scripture, and we have the opportunity to read his personal testimony every single day. God spoke to Paul even in his most difficult hours, as he gave his life over to listening to the voice of the Lord through the Holy Spirit, and he was faithful to record everything He heard. He held nothing back, speaking the Truth in love. Whenever I sit down to write, I think about Christ’s transforming power over this man, and I realize, without a doubt, there is hope for someone like me.

I received a life verse in confirmation class. This precious piece of Scripture was selected for me by my Pastor, and I have carried it in my heart ever since. Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me. I held fast to this Bible verse, when, nine years ago, on the morning of December 26, 2000, I woke up unable to move my left hand. I had sharp, shooting pain up and down my left arm and in my jaw. I was certain I was having a heart attack. After a run to the emergency room and the determination made that my heart was fine, I was placed inside an MRI tube for forty-five minutes while magnetic imaging located the origin of the problem. The disc space between in my cervical spine had been compromised at C6-C7, one of the largest discs in my neck. An accelerated degeneration and years of poor posture, too much time at the computer, weight gain, and lack of exercise had contributed to its ultimate collapse. The disc had herniated onto the spinal cord and when I rolled over in bed, I nearly snapped the cord. I was placed on an immediate medical leave from work, was told not to turn or twist my head, and I wore a neck brace around my neck until the day I had surgery. Eight long hours later, the neurosurgeon had successfully removed every fragment of disc that had herniated onto the spinal cord, allowing it freedom to expand and heal. I could feel my hand again; I could move without debilitating pain. I was cautioned at my follow up visits not to do strenuous activities, like lifting grandchildren, or heavy groceries, or sitting at the computer for long periods of time. No pushing, pulling, lifting, typing, filing – anything that might cause this injury to reoccur. I’ve never done well at following directions. It didn’t seem right to me, after having been given a brand new lease on life, not to be able to live it to the fullest.

I gave up running and bouncing around with my children, but when our grandchildren came along, I just couldn’t abide by those limitations any more. I held my grand babies, and I bounced them, and ran with them all over life’s playground. I swung them in my arms, and we wrestled together on the floor. I can honestly say if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a single thing. Every ache and pain was worth it. The joy of these moments will last a lifetime. It is that same joy I experienced when I went back to school full-time to study God’s Word. It didn’t matter to me that I would work all day long and then come home at night to crack open a Bible and a few commentaries and read until the wee hours of the morning. I held tightly to Paul’s words that I could do all things through Christ, who is my strength. Even with brittle bones, I would succeed by Christ’s grace alone.

So when I began losing the feeling in my fingers this spring, I did my best to ignore it. I told myself that it was simply a pinched nerve that would heal with a little more stretching, extra rest, and an occasional deep tissue massage. I found that even with this new limitation, I was still able to do all the things I was doing, but not nearly as well as before. It was becoming harder for me to concentrate on school assignments; I kept dropping things constantly, like my car keys. I simply couldn’t hold on to them. Every time I bent over, I had more and more difficulty standing up. If I closed my eyes, I would lose my balance. I began to think that being fifty years old was not going to be as much fun as I had once hoped. I found myself so fatigued that if I sat down on our Lazy Boy® recliner for even a moment, I would fall asleep for hours in the evening. I knew what was happening to my body; I just did not want to admit it was true.

A couple of weeks ago, I slipped and fell in our garage. I completely missed the top two stairs and landed hard on my left side, hitting my head and neck on the front car tire of my automobile. If it had not been for the help of one of our college students visiting our home that morning, I would not have been able to get up. Medical tests revealed what I suspected to be true; nine years later, the disc space in three of my cervical vertebrae are all but gone; the spinal cord is compromised at several locations, as well as the rotator cuff space in my right shoulder. There is definitely a tear in the rotator cuff, but it could be from an accelerated degeneration. I can no longer ignore the consequences of my lifestyle choices.

Have you ever tried to ignore your preferred lifestyle? You think to yourself, “I can do this now and get away with it, and, it will all be okay. God isn’t going to really hold me accountable.” We push and we pull; we stretch ourselves so unbelievably thin that eventually our life’s rubber band can snap in a moment’s notice. Doing all things, as Paul puts it, may not mean, “doing all things all at once, and doing all things well.” Maybe in our doing, we need to be focused completely upon His doing, and in all things, we need it to be His thing, not ours. Take it from someone who is learning a very hard lesson this morning.

I hear God best as He whispers in my ear and I write what I hear Him say. Today, I am barely able to hold a pen in my hand to write. Now I must learn to hear and respond to God’s call in a new and different way. I’ll confess that after I received my test results, I was pretty angry. Mostly, I was angry at myself; yet, not trusting God enough to let go and let Him do His best work through my infirmity. It is human nature to have pity parties when we get the news we do not want to receive. Fortunately, I knew exactly who to call. I spoke with a couple of my pastors and their spouses, and received the strength I needed to face what I face today. In Christ, I’ve declared an end to my unhappy attitude. I rejoice in knowing that I can be content in all circumstances, in plenty and in want – because I can do all things through Christ, even this thing, as He strengthens me.

Three years ago, I began writing a daily devotional message online. Originally, it began as a simple way to encourage my Faith Sunday School friends to read and pray each morning before they started each day. What was birthed from simple email meanderings became such an incredible, joyful experience! I began to meet and pray online with folks from all over the world. I got to hear their stories and share with them in ministry. My most favorite thing to do early in the morning was to log in and intercede in prayer online with a pastor from half way around the world. We could pray for each other in real time, in tandem online. Only Jesus can make things like this happen. What a privilege it is to serve my Lord in an online devotional ministry. The blessings I have personally received have far outweighed the cost. I think the thing that would please me most would be to see all my friends writing and sharing their own faith stories online. No one can tell your story like you. When we share Christ and what He personally means to us with the people God has placed in our path, hearts are softened to His truth, and lives are forever changed. You can be a change maker for His kingdom, if you are willing to serve Him. Are you willing?

So now, it’s your turn and I’m passing the baton to you. I’ve taken a medical leave from work and I’ve withdrawn from college while I heal. The doctor’s orders include, no typing, no pushing, no pulling, no lifting, no weight bearing activities (even though I fully intend to continue with the spiritual weight bearing that comes through intercessory prayer). I need to rest and allow my body to heal as I prepare for surgery very soon. I’ve asked my husband Jeff, my daughter Rachel, my daughter-in-law, Kymberly, and my editor, Terry, to consider posting occasionally on the www.songofdeborah.com website while I am convalescing. If you are willing to share your faith story on my website, please call me and I will arrange for you to do that. I will not be online much in the upcoming weeks. It is too tempting to respond to emails and other posts. I hope that you will visit the devotional website to see whether there is an occasional new post. When I am well, I pray the Lord will allow me to share faith stories with all of you again. I thank you for your service to the Lord Jesus Christ, and I covet your prayers as I journey on into a brand new level of trusting Him.

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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.

Life's puzzle

Today’s Reading: Acts 5:16-17 (NIV)

16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed. 17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy.

Good morning!

Can you recall the most popular stocking stuffer in the winter of 1980? The Rubik’s Cube® became a worldwide puzzling sensation, and as of 2009, over 350 million cubes have been sold. The Rubik’s Cube® is considered to be the world’s best-selling toy puzzle ever! The cube has six faces, covered by nine colored stickers, in red, white, blue, orange, green and yellow. Each face turns independently. To correctly solve the puzzle, each face must become one solid color. If you have not yet experienced the frustration and joy in solving a Rubik’s Cube® puzzle, let me encourage you to pick up a cube at your nearest toy store and play today.

Speedcubing is a competition in trying to solve the Rubik’s Cube® puzzle in the shortest time possible. Did you know there are books published on solving the Rubik’s Cube® mystery and championship competitions are held worldwide in various formats for puzzle aficionados? Some of these competitions include: solving the cube with your feet; solving the cube using one hand, solving the cube blindfolded, and my personal favorite is solving the cube underwater in a single breath; I definitely need to practice my technique in the bath tub. Now when my husband wonders why I’m spending so much time in the bathroom, at least I’ll have a good excuse! “Honey, you know I’m practicing my famous Rubik’s Cube solution under water - glub, glub.”

It takes a mathematical mind to solve the cube quickly. While I do enjoy a good puzzle, I confess my mind was not built for memorizing the algorithms necessary to quickly solve the cube. I get caught up in the artistry of the color scheme, lost in the intrinsic beauty of each twist and turn. The human mind is an amazing gift. I stand in awe of the brilliant ones who make solving the Rubik’s Cube® look like child’s play.

It is a puzzle to me, how the High Priest and the Sadducees could get so worked up over the healing of its people. It wasn’t enough that Jesus had died and rose again. His healing love was power over sin and sickness, and yet, those placed in positions of authority could not stand to see it continue. It seems their personal desire to control the outcomes in any given situation was much more important than the health and wellbeing of the people whom they had been charged to nurture and care for. Some of life’s puzzles have never been solved; they continually perpetuate themselves from generation to generation.

There is one true solution to world’s sin sickness. His name is Jesus, and if you call on Him, He will save you. You do not need to a range of memorized transliterations to find the Savior of the world. He is right here, in front of you, right now, with arms outstretched, waiting to hear you call His name out loud. His Word is the best stocking stuffer you will ever receive! Won’t you call on the Lord Jesus Christ today? He will help you resolve your life’s puzzle once and for all.

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.

Hanging out in the shadow

Today’s Reading: Acts 5:14-15 (NIV)

14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.

Good morning!

I always looked forward to summer vacation, because I knew I was going to visit my favorite aunt in Baton Rouge. She is hard one to describe – Aunt Vee was a like an exotic, tropical drink – a true southern belle with a tom boy twist. My memories of her are colorful, to say the least. She was one crazy lady! But the thing I loved most about being with Aunt Vee was how she could make me feel so very special and loved with just a wink and a smile.

Aunt Vee’s health was never good. For as long as I can remember, she struggled with some serious health issues, including a couple of brain tumors that nearly took her life in her mid-forties. She was the runt of the litter, the smallest of her seven brothers and sisters. I was even taller than Aunt Vee, and since I’m only 5’1”, that is not saying much. She was full of energy, vim and vigor. She had a southern accent as thick as that jar of molasses sitting on her kitchen table. I loved being the recipient of her bear hugs and sweet smooches every time she would greet me with a hearty, “Hey darlin!” But most of all, I loved being around Aunt Vee because she brought so much life and light to everything she touched. She was a healing presence even in the midst of her own physical infirmities. Walking in her shadow was a sweet treat on a hot and muggy summer’s day.

Aunt Vee lived life large. She loved her husband and children, and was always there for them, whenever they needed a shoulder to cry on. She lovingly took care of my Uncle Frank in their home, as he suffered from and eventually passed away with cancer. She fell in love again and married a younger man later in life, and together, they opened a house church in their neighborhood. When Aunt Vee praised the Lord, the rafters literally rattled. She did absolutely nothing in a half-hearted way. I think I’ve inherited a little of my Aunt Vee’s holy rolling spunk. I suspect she will be one of the first ones to greet me when I walk through heaven’s gate, jumping up and down in her pearly white Keds® tennis shoes and choir gown, shouting, “Get in here, darlin’ and let me see just how much you’ve grown!”

People know when they are in the presence of someone special. Simon Peter had a presence about him, and when folks were near, they felt better. It was the Holy Spirit working within Peter to do the healing miracles that were happening all around him. That holy glow remains today. We see it evidenced on the faces of our Christian friends. I get goose bumps just reading about Peter’s miraculous transformation from a red-headed, quick tempered fisherman, to one of God’s chosen vessels. He never did anything half-way. We can hang out in the shadow of our mentors and teachers, learning much from whence they came, and whose they were. I think Simon Peter and my Aunt Vee had a lot in common.

When I grow up, I’d like to be a reflection of their lives: the Apostle who walked in the Spirit and my charismatic Aunt, who knew how to praise the Lord in a powerful, earth-shattering way. When I get to Heaven, I hope my Aunt will see just how much I’ve grown toward Christ-likeness. I may still be taller than her, but her faith in Jesus Christ will always be a huge inspiration to me.

Take a minute to thank the Lord today for the people who continually inspire you to move closer to Jesus Christ. Folks just like the Apostle Peter and your favorite Aunt.

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.

Pastoral call

Today’s Reading: Acts 5:12-13 (NIV)

12 The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people.

Good morning!

When my mother told me that our pastor would visit us in our home, it was a huge deal! My sister and I had to go wash up and put on our Sunday best. That meant, of course, we had to put on our freshly pressed dresses, panty hose without holes and our shiny black patent shoes. Fortunately, Mother didn’t make us put on our hats and gloves. I was personally relieved. The house had been cleaned from stem to stern. There was not a speck of dust anywhere - it was kind of like living in Mayberry. Mother baked a warm apple crisp to serve the pastor as he visited with our family about becoming members of the church. My mother did a good job of convincing him that we were membership material. Most pastors love to take in good cooks because they know a Sunday dinner invitation is just around the corner. There is something really special about a pastoral call that made you want to get out there and trim the hedges, sweep the sidewalks and wash the windows. Funny, now that I’ve lived in a parsonage married to a pastor for over thirty years, I find extreme motivation to deep clean when I know our trustees are coming for a house tour and visit. As a matter of fact, I’m baking the dessert I will serve to my special guests tonight!

Don’t you wonder what the Apostles talked about when they gathered at Solomon’s Colonnade? The people had seen their miraculous works throughout the city; they had heard about the fate of Ananias and Sapphira, knowing that the men saw right through their lie. The Apostles were hated by the Romans and the Jews. The people were awestruck and afraid – afraid to get too close for fear that the secrets of their hearts might be revealed; fear of being killed because they were associated with these men; fear of not knowing what it was that made them so very different in the way they chose to order their lives.

Last night, I listened intently to a conversation held in my living room, as my husband spoke to several of our college students about Christian disciplines and the living examples set by the Apostles. I was caught up in the conversation, and watched with great intrigue as they searched Scripture for a specific passage about Simon Peter. Every time I think about the lives of the men and women who walked with the Lord in the flesh, I feel I’m inching just a little bit closer to the steps of Solomon’s Colonnade; longing to glimpse the holy glow of the ones whose lives have been transformed by the hand of our Savior. It is that same holy glow I see on the faces of my pastors, teachers, and Christian friends, who are daily ordering their lives after the example of Jesus Christ.

The Apostles, great men and women of the faith, were human beings with human flaws, just like you and me. We tend to place our pastors on pedestals, expecting perfection 100% of the time. When they fail us, we wonder how that can possibly happen. Yet, it is through the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit that we see amazing transformation in the men and women who walk with Jesus daily. The most incredible miracles performed were not the healing of the ill, but what had actually happened in the disciples’ own hearts, from daily walking with the Lord. It is their stories that captivate us so, for we know that if Jesus could change them, there is hope for you and me at the foot of the cross.

May you experience the transforming power of Jesus Christ today, as He cleans out the cobwebs of your heart. When Jesus knocks, will you be ready to greet 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.