A step of faith

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Ezra 7, 8; Psalm 91, 92

Psalm 91:1-2 (NIV)

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Good morning!

Are you good at following a hunch? I have a friend who celebrates the gift of “following a hunch” every time a new baby is born into her family. She had seven children, which led to a whole bunch of grandchildren! Now her grandchildren are having kids! Every single time a new baby is born into her family, this woman can accurately guess the gender long before the ultrasound results are tallied. This has to be a true gift. Not so with me. According to my dysfunctional sixth sense, I was sure my Rachel was going to be a boy, and Benjamin and David were supposed to be girls. Don’t ask me to tell you what I think may happen tomorrow, because my ability to see the nose in front of my own face is not very good.

There are holy moments in life when the Lord calls each of us to take a step out in faith. We may not be sure of what the future holds; yet, we know who holds the future, so we begin to step toward the One who calls us. Sometimes, our vision may be limited. We have lots of faith, and yet, we’re not sure of where we are going. Two years ago, I began to sense the Lord’s presence in my life in a new way. I was compelled by the Holy Spirit to return to college and study God’s Word at the collegiate level. My children thought I was absolutely crazy. They asked me why I would spend all this time and money after working so hard to help pay for their education. The only answer I could give them was, “God told me to go, and I need to do what He asks.” What is He asking me to do? The only thing I know for sure is that He is calling me to study His Word so that I can tell other people about Him. I have faith in the One who is able to see what I cannot see with my own eyes. Do I know what I will do when I receive my diploma? I will do whatever He asks, when He asks. Beyond that, your hunch is as good as mine.

I have a granddaughter and two great nieces who will soon be walking. When I call their name and reach my hands toward them, they begin to take steps toward me. They love Granny Deb! The very best part of seeing a child take their first steps is the hug you get at the end of the walk! We squeeze the stuffing out of them, clapping our hands together and laughing hysterically! We tell our babies just how proud we are! They did it! They let go and took a step. We catch them because we know what it feels like to be held after we take our first steps in faith.

Have you ever been held by the Lord after you’ve said “yes” to Him? This evening, we have a number of United Methodists who have promised to serve the Lord with their lives. They have gone to school, studied hard, passed class after class, and received ministry degrees from seminaries all over the country. Tonight, hey will stand before the Lord and the community of faith. Those pastors and teachers who have helped them take their first steps in ministry will hold them at the altar of commitment. Each one will make their covenant with the Lord, and receive the laying on of hands and passing of the mantle. We pray for every heart who has stepped forward in faith. We are not always sure of where we will go, but following Jesus Christ is the best decision we will ever make. He promises to catch us as we take our very first steps toward Him. He will pick us up and dust us off when we fall down. He dries our tears, calms our fears, and leads us into life everlasting. He is our sure refuge, our strength and fortress. Are you ready to take a step of faith today? Jesus is waiting for you to come to Him. In Christ, you can be sure of everything you hope for, and be certain, even when the future is hard to see.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: Courage to follow your gut and give your life to Jesus today! You know you want to. When will you follow that hunch and give it up for Him? You can be certain that following Christ is the best choice you will ever make!

________________________________________
© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Level Ground

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Ezra 4, 5, 6

Zechariah 4:6-7 (NIV)6 So he [the angel] said to me, “This is the Word of the Lord to Zerubabbel: ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord God Almighty. 7 “What are you, O mighty mountain? Before Zerubabbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’”

Hosea 1:7 (NIV)7 Yet I will show love to the house of Judah; and I will save them – not by bow, sword or battle, or by horses or horsemen, but by the Lord their God.

Good morning!

When I was a little girl, one of my favorite story books was "The Little Engine That Could". I would sit in the rocking chair with my mother, fascinated by the colorful art work of the choo choo train winding its way along the steep and rocky mountain pass, while Mother read the words, “I think I can, I think I can.” That little train had to make a choice right then and there. Would he choose to climb the mountain or slide backwards into the valley? Would he fail trying, or would he not try at all? The determination of that little steam engine made me want to clap my hands every time my hero got to the top! It is always good to clap our hands together when we reach a milestone moment in our life.

Level ground is something we all long for in life. Milestone moments become pure joy as we stand on dry ground, feeling the wind whip across our face. We made it through! We’ve reached the top! I will never ever forget the day we spent driving up a steep rocky mountain pass in our family’s station wagon. When we reached the top, we could see for miles and miles around us, as we gazed at the beautiful valleys below. Coming down that mountain was a break-burning adventure. We said our prayers and hoped the car would make it to the bottom safely. Thank goodness for full service filling stations. Our poor Spaulding mobile needed some fresh oil, a new set of tires, and break pads after that little trip. It was worth it all; the view from the top was spectacular.

The Israelites were doing everything within their power to erect the temple of God. It was definitely an uphill climb. They had received their freedom and the tools needed to rebuild a holy place of worship; yet, they were fighting fatigue and depression. The people needed someone to encourage them to continue moving forward. The power to complete the job would not come from their own strength or sheer determination. No, the success would come when the people placed total reliance upon the Spirit of the Lord. He alone would carve out level ground where the capstone would one day be placed.

It is good to catch a vision and purpose for your life’s work. It is awesome when we pursue our purpose with passion. We must never forget to hand our hopes and dreams to the Lord, who is the author and finisher of our faith. He can take the desires He has planted in our hearts and bring them to fruition, when we recognize that it is only by Him that we can reach others with the Gospel message.

This morning, my prayer is that we will all fall on our knees, asking the Lord of life to carve out level ground where He can place the capstone for the future ministries of our churches. If we will place our faith in Him, He will make a way for us to reach the world for Jesus Christ.
Like the little engine that could, I think I can, I think I can, I know I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: level ground! It is not by our own steam that we can reach the mountain top. We need the Holy Spirit power to create level ground for the capstone. Jesus is the foundation of our faith. Let us lift Him high in worship and praise today!

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© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding All rights reserved Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Temple reconstruction begins today

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Ezra 1, 2, 3

Ezra 1:1-4 (NIV)
1 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and put it in writing:

2 “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: the Lord, the God of Heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and He has appointed me to build a temple for Him at Jerusalem at Judah.

3 Anyone of His people among you – may His God be with Him, and let Him go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem.

4 And the people of any place where survivors may now be living are to provide Him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem.”

Good morning!

Temple reconstruction is hard, hard work. Whenever we try to tackle a job that seems impossible to the human eye, it is always good to have a leader at the helm with a vision that is larger than life. Thank God for King Cyrus of Persia. After seventy years in captivity, the Israelites from Judah were given their freedom to return home. The King had a vision and a plan to rebuild the temple of God in Jerusalem. This would be no easy feat. Cyrus knew that the power of God supersedes any human effort or plan of action. When the Lord of life moves your heart to step out in faith and tackle what seems to be an insurmountable task, there is absolutely nothing that will be impossible for you to achieve through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in your life.

King Cyrus was not a Jew and yet, God gave Him a vision and the resources to help make the temple reconstruction become a reality. He freed the remnant, gave them His personal protection, and returned their temple articles taken by Nebuchadnezzar. Sometimes, when we least expect it, God can choose to use anyone He wants to bring people into relationship with Him. He might even choose you! If the Lord of life called you today to step out in faith for Him, would you go?

The Israelites had become arrogant and complacent in their love for the Lord. God allowed them to endure a season of captivity; a time of reflection to experience what it is like to live life apart from His master plan and protective umbrella of grace. Have you ever been in a place of separation from God? We sometimes become so self-assured that we begin to pull the reigns back from our Lord. We choose to do things the way that we would want to do them, rather than taking time to listen and obey God’s plan and purpose for our life. We move out of alignment, and find ourselves in wandering around in a wilderness.

This morning, there will be many from our United Methodist Churches across Missouri who will come together in a place of community. We will join our hands and hearts to worship, praise and fellowship in the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is a place where we set our separate ministries aside and renew our covenant to walk together faithfully as the body of Christ. Our purpose is sure. We are here to fulfill the Great Commission of our Lord, to reach out to all the nations and make disciples for Jesus Christ. We are rebuilding the temple of the redeemed. It is our covenant, our joy and privilege to serve Him with our lives. We bring our unique gifting and offer them upon His altar today. When I think about what we are doing, there are moments when the task seems way out of our reach. The good news is that we have a Bishop with a vision! He tells us that if we hold hands and boost each other up, we can reach every person for the Lord. It won’t be easy, but it is possible when we humble our hearts and place our lives in the open arms of Jesus Christ.

If you believe that God has called you to step out in faith for Him, do not let your inability to see the big picture keep you from taking that first step. Are you ready to get out of the boat? Find a leader with a true vision and follow Him. There is no greater leader than my Jesus. He willingly came to earth to show us how much He loves us all. He set the bar on loving sinful people, while freeing us from the sin that separates us from Him. It is His blood that covers you and me, and with the power of the Holy Spirit, we can take the resurrection message to every nation. We can reach the world for Jesus!

It’s time to begin temple reconstruction. Today is the day. We have a leader with a vision. We have our Lord who saves, redeems and equips us each one of us to answer His call. We have each other to hold onto. What are we waiting for? It’s time to go!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: a willing heart to serve the Lord every day, in every way. He calls each of us to spread the Gospel, the Good News of salvation, so that every heart may hear and know the Lord who saves us all by grace. Won’t you take my hand today and walk with me? We have the best leader in the world to look to. He is right here with us today, and He will be with us always, even to the end of the age.
________________________________
© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

A Miracle in the Making

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 35, 36; Psalm 90

2 Chronicles 35:20-21 (NIV)
20 After all this, when Josiah had set the temple in order, Neco king of Egypt went up to fight at Carchemish on the Euphrates, and Josiah marched out to meet him in battle. 21 But Neco sent messengers to him saying, “What quarrel is there between you and me, O king of Judah? It is not you I am attacking at this time, but the house with which I am at war. God has told me to hurry; so stop opposing God, who is with me, or He will destroy you.”

Psalm 90:17 (NIV)
17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us – yes, establish the work of our hands.

Good morning!

Does the Lord ever surprise you when He fills someone you least expect with the power of His Holy Spirit? Sometimes we tend to forget that God can choose to use any one of us to help spread the Gospel message, even a pagan king! Pharaoh Neco was ruler of Egypt, a pagan nation. Neco had a bone to pick with the Babylonian people. He and his troops were on the way to join forces with the Assyrians in an attempt to overthrow this perverse nation. To get to the Assyrian troops, Neco had to march his army through Judah, where King Josiah tried to stop him. Josiah could not accept the notion that the Lord God Almighty would walk with a pagan nation, and refused to listen with His spirit to the words of Pharaoh Neco. Josiah, faithful servant and lover of the Lord, lost his life because he could not see what God was doing right in front of his nose. Sometimes, the message of the Lord is delivered through the voices of the ones we least expect. Have you ever missed a message from God Almighty because you were too focused on the messenger?

Amazing things happen when people meet the Lord through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. When we open our hearts to Him, we can see how the Lord can work amazing miracles through another person’s life. God never ceases to amaze me. I can see Him when I least expect it. It can be easy to misinterpret the sincerity or clarity of another person’s call from the Lord, when we close our minds to the endless possibility that God can use them for kingdom work. We must be careful to not become so closed minded that we miss His miracle in the making.

I’ve seen a lot of miracles in the last month of my life. Extraordinary milestone moments, all falling into place, a revealing of His plan for my future; why He has given me so many blessings, I cannot say for sure. Three weeks ago, I watched in awe as my youngest son said his marriage vows. He was just a baby yesterday, and now he is a married man. Three days after his wedding, my husband and I walked along the beaches of the Pacific Ocean, a sight I had never seen before. I marveled at the creative work of Almighty God. Seeing the Pacific Ocean for the very first time reminds me of the enormous capacity of God’s amazing love for all of His people, everywhere. On Memorial Day Monday, Jeff and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary. We sat together and watched the war movies on television, honoring the service and sacrifice of our men and women who fight for the freedoms we experience each day. We have had thirty really good years in the safety and shelter of our nation. What blessings we have received! And just when I think life cannot get any sweeter, last night, I experienced the miracle of childbirth, as I watched my daughter bring forth her new son, our fifth grandchild, into the world. As I held this amazing, incredible life in my arms, I wondered what God would do through him. Baby Andrew was wide awake, and as he looked at his Granny Deb for the very first time, and I could see the twinkle of the sweet Holy Spirit shining all over his face.

Yes, you and I are miracles in the making. Do not be surprised when the Lord God Almighty taps you on the shoulder and chooses to use you for kingdom work. Be open to the potential that God plants in each of us to spread the Gospel message around the world. We are uniquely created for life in Him. Through every season of change - marriage, birth, death and resurrection, God calls us, equips us, and uses us, if we will only let Him. Will you let Him use you today?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: a miracle in the making! You are His, and He is calling out your name. Just when you least expect it, God can take your life and transform it. Are you ready to step out in faith for Him? I’ll be watching for the miracle to spring forth in you.
________________________________
© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Childlike faith

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 33, 34; Psalm 89

2 Chronicles 34:1-3 (NIV)

1 Josiah was eight years old when he became king; and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. 2 He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left. 3 In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David. In his twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of high places, Asherah poles, carved idols and cast images.

Psalm 89:14-15 (NIV)

14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. 15 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.

Good morning!

The faith of a little child is a precious gift from the Lord. Jesus recognized the value of childlike faith when he said to his disciples, “Let the children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” [Matthew 19:14 NIV]. When the disciples were arguing about who would be greatest in God’s kingdom to come, Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” [Matthew 18:3 NIV].

Why, then, do we find it surprising to read about eight year old Josiah reigning as king of Judah? Could you have led a country in the ways of righteousness and justice when you were eight years old? Josiah’s faith in the Lord was larger than life. He chose to seek God’s face and was open to His instruction every day. It was his sole desire to live within the umbrella of God’s holy presence, and that childlike faith afforded young Josiah the strength to lead a nation back into alignment with God’s holy law. The secret to Josiah’s success was in his willingness to allow the Lord to reveal sin for what it truly is, then rise up to abolish the practice of idolatry by his people. He even took it one step further, by identifying and attacking the root cause for the sinful behavior of his people. Josiah was known for his uncanny ability to turn back to the Lord with all of his heart, mind, soul, and strength. He chose to obey all of the laws handed down through Moses, not just some of them. Josiah relied on God’s wisdom and leading and applied what He learned to every aspect of his life. He refused to compromise or re-write the law to fit his personal preferences. Josiah identified idolatry as anything that places self before God. I wonder what would happen if we could experience the childlike faith of Josiah - would we continue to water down God’s holy Word so that it neatly fits into the daily choices we make…

There is a way for each of us to experience the love, faithfulness, righteousness and justice of our Lord each day. If we are willing to submit our lives and obey His Word, the Lord will give each of us the childlike faith of Josiah. Are you willing to seek His holy presence this morning? Will you be open to what He says to your heart? Take a moment today to examine what it means to have childlike faith. When you seek Him, He finds you. Jesus can take your broken and humble heart and mend it with His amazing, healing touch. What will it take for you to trust Him completely today?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the childlike faith of young Josiah, King of Judah. If you ask Jesus to help you, He will give you the desire to love Him faithfully every day with all of your heart, mind, soul, and strength. You will experience true joy in His holy presence. There is no love greater or more fulfilling than the love Jesus Christ offers to you today.

________________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

A reflection of God's grace

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 29, 30, 31, 32

I Corinthians 13:12 (NIV)
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Good morning!

I shouldn’t have looked in the mirror this morning. Oh my gosh! Where has the time gone? Thirty years ago today I stood in front of a floor-length mirror, looking at my reflection and wondering what the future might hold. There I was, in my white wedding gown and veil, making a decision that would bless me for the rest of my days. I was getting married to the man of my dreams! I flipped through the pages of our wedding album this morning. That picture in the mirror snapped thirty years ago by our wedding photographer reminds me of a little girl playing dress up in her mother’s white wedding gown. I was just a baby! He looked like a little boy, with lots of hair! It is more than obvious to me that God has been gracious to us through the years. He has blessed our family in incredible ways. Marriage is a unique experience. It is one precious moment in time, encompassing an entire lifetime of all our hopes, dreams, and the days of our future spent together as one. It is the beginning of a new generation, the forming of a new family. I couldn’t see my babies’ faces in the mirror that day, but I knew in my heart there would be babies. We had three of them. Now our babies are having babies. I look at my grandchildren with wonder and amazement. They are extensions of our life; someday they too, will look at their reflection in the mirror and wonder where the time has gone.

Jeff and I recently took a trip to California. It was a wonderful week; one that I will never, ever forget. The hotel where we stayed was a suite, set up for business trips. It was awesome. I was able to plug my laptop in and work without disturbing Jeff early in the morning. Between the living area and the bedroom, there was a small hallway with a bathroom dividing the two rooms. Floor length mirrors ran along the hallway. Can I tell you how that mirror scared me every single morning? I would open the door to the bathroom and immediately see my reflection in the dark. I jumped every time I opened that door. Have you ever scared yourself silly when you suddenly see your full-length reflection in the mirror of life?

God knew who I would be when He fashioned me in the palm of His hand. Long before my parents saw my face, He sculpted my form out of nothing. He shaped my heart, hoping it would be a heart that He could use someday to love His people. He let me go and watched me as I grew and changed through the years. He has a plan for my life. How He hopes I will choose to follow Him home.

Isn’t it simply amazing that as I grow and mature, I realize there is only one thing I need in my life. I need the Lord Jesus Christ. Through every season of life, we prepare ourselves to return to the one who gave us life to begin with. I may not look like I did thirty years ago. I know I don’t look like I did forty-eight years ago, when I was small enough to be cradled in my mother’s arms. How I pray that my heart continues to grow daily into the mirrored reflection of my Jesus.

I wonder if one sweet day, I will become a true reflection of the Lord I love. When my husband looks at me this morning, will He see Jesus living in my heart? Will he know me as the bride of his youth, and be blessed by the woman I have become? God’s love holds us together, even in seasons of change. I may not look or act the way I did thirty years ago, and that is a true blessing! While I could stand a few less wrinkles and little less body fat; and possibly an attitude adjustment here or there, I’m grateful to be growing in faith and love with the husband of my youth, and the Lord of my life.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: His love to be your one and only source for daily living. As you look in the mirrored reflection of your life today, can you see the light of Jesus Christ shining through you?

________________________________
© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

God speaks, especially when we are tired!

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 27, 28; Psalms 88

Psalm 88:1-2, 9-10 (NIV)

1 O Lord, the God who saves me, day and night I cry out before you.

2May my prayer come before you; turn your ear to my cry.

9 I call to you, O Lord, every day; I spread my hands to you.

10 Do you show your wonders to the dead? Do those who are dead rise up and praise you?

Good morning!

Or at least I think it is. Three of our grandchildren had a “pajamas” party at Granny Deb and Pa’s house last night. We didn’t get much sleep. Yesterday, we spent part of the day at the park with our great niece Samantha, as she celebrated her first birthday. Being one is so much fun! Sam had her very own cake to eat. Have you ever given a little child a whole cake with rich, sugary icing to consume? I imagine Samantha and her parents did not sleep much last night either.

Whenever our grandchildren spend the night, they love to read stories before turning in. I read some of their favorite books last night. Jett is learning to read in school. He read to all of us, and then I read the books all three children had selected. Emily sat on my lap while Joshua and Jett leaned against my shoulders. They had a hard time winding down after the busy day in the park. Granny Deb was not the only one who was tired.

Sunday mornings are early rising days in our home. Jeff is up and at the church well before daybreak. He spends time in prayer and preparation before leading worship. I rise up to sit in His holy presence. A few quiet moments spent with the Lord give me the strength I need to meet whatever the day’s challenges may bring. Some mornings are easier to rise up than others. Today, our grandchildren decided they wanted to get up at 4am too, but their goal was to run and play, much to Granny Deb’s dismay. Today’s quiet moments disappeared in the pitter patter of tiny feet as I listened to the delighted squeals of three rambunctious children playing in the early morning light.

The Psalmist must have been exhausted when he cried out to the Lord early in the morning. He wondered if God was really listening. Day after day, he poured out his prayers of praise and petition. He cried out for help. Where are you? Can you hear me calling? When will you answer? When will your voice wake up the dead? Will you comfort your exhausted, tired servants, who need to feel you especially near today?

The Father heard the Psalmist’s plea that day; just like He hears each one of us. Some mornings are easier than others. When Jesus Christ came to us in the flesh, His message was clear – We hear you! We know you! We love you even though you’ve fallen away. Many of you are sick; some of you are dying in your sin. I have come to help you. Will you take my hand today?

Even when we are dead tired, God speaks. When life is hard and struggles are hard to overcome, He is here, and we do not walk alone. Take a few minutes this morning, open the scripture and allow the Lord of everlasting life to speak to your heart today. You may find it difficult to squeeze out a few quiet moments. Don’t give up! Come join me in the sanctuary. I’ll see you at Faith Church (with three grandchildren in tow.)

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the assurance to know that God is with you, even when you are tired and discouraged. When we stop to listen, God speaks. Can you hear Him calling your name?

________________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Are we fruitful or just plain fruit?

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 25, 26; Psalms 86, 87

Genesis 17:6; 28:3 (NIV)
17:6 I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come of you.
28:3 May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and increase your numbers until you become a community of peoples.

Leviticus 26:9 (NIV)
I will look on you with favor and make you fruitful and increase your numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you.

Hosea 14:8(b) (NIV)
I am like a green pine tree; your fruitfulness comes from me.

John 15:1-2 (NIV)
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

Good morning!

I remember the first time I had to brush my teeth with soap for calling something “fruit” in front of my mother. She despised that word when we used it with a slang connotation. Fruit is a sweet treat! It grows in trees, on bushes, and even running vines. We pick it, wash it, and eat it. Some of my favorite fruits are oranges, bananas, strawberries and raspberries. When I was a child, my favorite treat was mother’s blueberry dessert. Grandmother used to make a great gooseberry pie; I must warn you that one must have a taste for the bittersweet to enjoy this almost extinct delicacy.

What does it mean to be fruitful? Webster’s Dictionary teaches that the word fruitful is an adjective, meaning yielding or producing fruit, conducive to an abundant yield. From the beginning of Genesis and peppered throughout scripture, we see God instructing His children to “be fruitful and multiply.” Multiplication has never been my strong suit. I can do it if I write the problem out on paper and double check my work with a calculator. When we take two or more numbers and multiply them, the answer hopefully is larger than the numbers we started with. Now you know why I struggle so with math. How do we take these numbers and multiply them for kingdom work? I believe the answer does not lie in our capabilities. Fruitfulness is a gift extended from the hand of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Before we began trying to make covenant with the Lord, He covenanted with each of us. It was God who created you and me. He made us with purpose. Our life blood flows from Him and mustard seed faith was planted within our souls long before we became a verified heartbeat on the ultrasound monitor. Like the umbilical cord that feeds and nourishes us in the womb, the vine that we grow from is a direct link to our Lord, the giver of everlasting life.

Whenever I entertain, I love preparing fruit platters for people to enjoy. Mounds of grapes, chunked pineapple, whole strawberries, fresh orange slices, and as assortment of round berries make a nice presentation on the buffet table. Fruit is even better when served with sweet dip, or better yet, chocolate sauce. Thinking about it makes my mouth water. We know we are in for a sweet treat when we taste the many fruits our Father has created for our enjoyment. In this upside-down, crazy world, we’ve somehow forgotten that the sweet fruit of faith is not something we do, it is a gift that God offers to each of us.

How do we know when fruitfulness takes root and grows? I know some pretty wonderful people who have given their lives to Jesus Christ and promised to serve Him in pastoral ministry. They have worked hard for many years to plant seeds of faith everywhere they go. It is not always easy measuring fruitfulness. We think we can see it mass numbers. Many pastors consider large, overflowing church buildings a sign of fruitfulness and success. When faithfulness brings people into relationship with Jesus Christ, the evidence may not always show immediately, or in physical numbers. I can name numerous pastors and teachers that have planted seeds of faith in my life and some of those seeds are just now beginning to sprout up and grow. Does that mean that because I didn’t act on faith until now, that those pastors were considered ineffective? I hardly think so. Seeds of faith are gifts of God, and as we grow in Him, God uses the believers placed in our path to help us grow and mature into a strong and healthy vine.

We may never know who we may touch with our thoughts, words, and witness in the world. As we seek to serve the Lord Jesus Christ with our very lives, we must not look at just physical numbers to determine whether our ministries are fruitful. We must trust God – He is the master gardener and He sees what we cannot possibly vision with our physical eyes. He looks upon the heart of every person emerging through someone's faithful witness. New plants spring forth every day because of faith seeds that are planted, sometimes, years ago. They may lay dormant for a season, and then, the Lord of life nourishes that seedling with the help of you and me, and new life springs up!

How do we measure fruitfulness? We look to the Lord, the giver of all sweet fruit. While it may be tempting to tag a fruitful ministry by sheer numbers, we may never know the value of one little seed planted in faith and how it can grow into something extraordinarily sweet and beautiful for the Lord in the days and years ahead. Do not be discouraged when you plant your seeds of faith today and wonder if you'll ever see the results. Remember who the master gardener is, and trust Him to take your humble offering and use it for His kingdom.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the desire to grow faith fruit for the Lord’s work. We offer our prayers, presence, gifts and service to Jesus Christ, knowing His love is all we will ever need. He is the great vine, and we are tiny extensions of His strong root. If we focus our hearts and minds on Christ Jesus, He will multiply our faith, and that faith will speak to the seedlings He planted in the branches of our family, friends and neighbors. He is the true vine. We can fruitful when we intimately know the giver of abundant and everlasting life.

________________________________
© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Who are you anyway?

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 22, 23, 24

II Chronicles 23:16 (NIV)

16 Jehoiada then made a covenant that he and the people and the king would be the Lord’s people.

Good morning!

Throughout scripture, people are identified by their tribe, clan, father, grandfather, or great grandfather. They are linked by the names of their kin. We tend to identify and group families in scripture by gender, race, and belief system. One can learn a lot about a particular person in scripture simply by looking at their family tree.

Sometimes, when our grandchildren come to visit, in a hurried rush they may call us mommy or daddy. They know who we are. Have you ever called your child by another sibling’s name? I’ve done that more times than I can count. I’m thankful I only had three children. I cannot imagine how long it would take me to go down a laundry list of ten or more before I finally put the right name with the right face.

Where did I come from? Who am I? I’ve never tried to seek my genetic background, although someday I might. I am grateful that I was adopted as an infant. My mother used to tell me that they were very lucky parents to be able to pick out the babies they wanted to take home with them. Knowing that you are truly wanted is a gift of grace. God hand picks each and every one of us as His priceless treasure. We find our value and worth in knowing Jesus, the one who came to give us new life in Him. Because He loved us first, we can now love our Lord back.

And so it is with Jehoiada. He made a public profession of faith by claiming His roots in the Lord. He, along with the people and king were forevermore known as the Lord’s people. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we become His people. He is our heritage. He is our freedom. He is our family. Those who belong to Jesus belong to the body, and that makes all of us who have been saved, family. We no longer have to wonder about whether or not we will be accepted. Through the shed blood of Christ, He makes us one.

Are you part of His family? Do you know who you are and whose you are today? Take a step of faith. Choose to make a covenant this morning, just like Jehoiada. Do not be afraid to proclaim that you and your people belong to the Lord Jesus Christ. He hand-picked you; He loves you with a passion, and welcomes you with open arms, when you choose to confess that He is Lord of your life. Will you choose to live each and every day for Him? If so, then welcome to the family!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: discernment to know who you are and whose you are. May Jesus Christ be the Lord of your life, not only for this day, but through all eternity. We are all family in Him.

________________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Play ball!

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 19, 20, 21

II Chronicles 20:12 (NIV)

12 O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.

Good morning!

Some of the best lessons I’ve learned in life have come in times of complete inadequacy. Do you ever wonder why God might choose to use you for His kingdom work? He is the Lord God Almighty and He can do anything! He is so perfect in every way; powerful and awesome in majesty. His loving kindness is greater than anything we can even begin to comprehend. His judgments are sure, and our God is steadfast and faithful in all things. So why in the world would He ask someone like me to take a step up in faith for Him?

Pitiful does not even begin to describe my lack of coordination on the softball field. I’ve never discerned out how to use that crazy baseball mit. It feels like a giant blindfold – I cannot figure out how to squeeze the ball and hold onto it. Even if it were the size of a small satellite dish, that crazy baseball mit would not be a large enough target. A word to the wise – do not ever hand me a baseball bat. Even with the best of intentions, a baseball bat in my hand can be a very dangerous thing. When I swing, I give it everything I’ve got, and I generally end up hitting everything except the ball. I want to publicly apologize for the many catchers I have creamed over the last forty years. It was mostly unintentional, but I confess there were a few moments when their raucous laughter and cutting remarks made me want to lash out irrationally, and I did. Church softball teams pay me to sit on the sidelines and cheer; especially the teams that like to win occasionally. I am totally and utterly inadequate when it comes to playing ball.

Jehoshaphat had messed up again. It wasn’t the first time his disobedience had put the people he loved in extreme danger. There was no way he was going to win this war without help divine intervention from above. Even with the poor choices he had made, Jehoshaphat had a relationship with the only power source he needed to survive. He knew that the Lord would honor humble hearts, so he instructed his entire community to get serious about repentance. The nation came together for a fast. They devoted the time normally spent in food preparation and eating to penitent and sincere prayer. When I don’t eat for a period of time, I begin to feel physically weak. In that weakness, I am reminded of God’s enduring strength. It brings me to a place where I absolutely have to hand my inadequacies to the Lord, and trust Him to carry me.

When we stop focusing what we can or cannot do, and begin to look toward the Lord, trusting in His grace and mercy alone, life becomes an entirely new ball game. Do you feel totally inadequate to step up to the plate and take a swing for the Lord? I know in my heart that I do not deserve the opportunity to come to the plate. Imperfect, inadequate, totally undeserving of His grace and mercy; I have no natural talent or ability to offer Him. The only thing I have to give is the heart He created within me. And it is easier to return our lives to the Lord when we realize it was His gift to us in the first place.

Do not be afraid to get into the game, even if you suck at it. Like Jehoshaphat, we’ve all made some pretty serious mistakes. Jesus offers forgiveness when we sincerely repent and trust Him completely to do what He says He will do. His Word is sure. He is faithful in all things. Stop trying to be the great athlete you are not. Good works only go so far. Have a little faith! In your weakness, He is strong, and He will win the battle for you today, if you are willing to hand Him your heart.

Play ball!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the wisdom of Jehoshaphat. We will never be good enough, perfect enough, or smart enough to earn God’s favor. It is only in our inadequacy that we experience the grace and mercy of salvation through Jesus Christ. Won’t you give Him your life today, and allow Jesus to fill you with His courage to step up to the plate for Him.

________________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Consider the cost

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 16, 17, 18; Psalm 85 (NIV)

2 Chronicles 18:3-4 (NIV)
3 Ahab king of Israel asked Jehoshaphat king of Judah, “Will you go with me against Ramoth Gilead?” Jehoshaphat replied, “I am as you are, and my people as your people; we will join you in the war.” 4 But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “First seek the counsel of the Lord.”

Psalm 85:6-7 (NIV)
6 Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? 7 Show us your unfailing love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.

Good morning!

Have you ever signed up for something you were not certain about? I ask myself that question every single time I buy a new car. Have I made a good choice? Will this vehicle meet my family’s need for transportation? Is it a good value for the money? Do I really, really need it? Am I willing to pay the price?

There are many things in life that we sign up for without examining the cost. For instance, how many couples get married without seriously considering their mutual commitment to serve and love each other for the rest of their life? Becoming a parent is something that changes you forever. Do we really think about how this new little human will shape the course of our future? If we gave serious thought to the investment of time, attention and money it takes to feed, clothe, and educate a child today, it’s a wonder so many babies are being born! I imagine if we took a serious look at marriage and child-rearing, many of us may remain single and childless. It’s a scary thing – opening our hearts to the life of another human being, knowing we will never be the same again for taking a risk on love.

The commitments we make in life will affect us “for better or worse.” There was no doubt of Jehoshaphat’s love for the Lord. Yet, he chose an arranged marriage for his son with the daughter of Ahab. This yoked their people together in a military alliance that was sure to bring God’s wrath upon them. When Ahab asked Jehoshaphat to fight with him in battle, he prayed for guidance, then chose to ignore God’s answer. Have you ever sought the Lord for direction in your life and when the answer wasn’t what you wanted to hear, chose to ignore Him and do your own thing anyway?

Thank God for His mercy and grace. He knows our hearts and He sees the motivation behind everything we say and do. He loves us even when we make half-hearted commitments and jump with reckless abandon without considering the cost. When you asked Jesus to become Lord of your life, did you really mean it? Would you be willing to obey Him if He asked you to speak up on His behalf? Would you choose to care more about the people who do not yet know Him, than you care about your own personal comfort and security? Have you truly considered the cost of membership in the body of Christ?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: courage to make a thorough examination of your commitment to Jesus Christ today. He gave it all up for you. How much of your life are you really willing to give back to Him? Are you willing to risk your love and life for the Lord?
________________________________
© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Fighting a losing battle

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 13, 14, 15 (NIV)

2 Chronicles 14:11 (NIV)
11 Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, “Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. O Lord, you are our God; do not let man prevail against you.”

Good morning!

Do you ever feel like the life you are living is “under control?” It is a strange moment when all things come together and work the way you envision them. I don’t think I’ve ever had that happen in my forty-eight years on earth, even though I’ve certainly tried to make it that way. I learned a long time ago that things can change in a breath; a blink; and in a shed tear; life as we know it can disappear in one fleeting moment. People seem to swing from seasons of plenty into seasons of need. Life can be moving along just fine when suddenly, the bottom seems to drop out of your barrel. Someone you love becomes ill. Your child begins a season of rebelliousness and disobedience. One day you have a job and the next day, you are handed a pink slip. We try to plan for the inevitable – the things that shake our foundation. We work hard, save our money, and try to set a good example for our children to follow. When things fall apart, where do you go for an added measure of strength? Whom do you turn to when you see the battle raging in front of you and realize just how ill equipped you are to fight?

I heard a gentleman share his story of faith last weekend at church. George had been through a lot in his life. He grew up in a home where he was taught that hard work and effort would help him achieve the kind of life he desired. A brilliant student, George excelled in school. He graduated with honors, and began working his way up the corporate ladder of life. George fell in love and married Rose. She was one in a million, and they were very happy. George and Rose had a family together. He bought a fine home for his wife and children to enjoy, several really nice cars to drive, and it seemed as if everything George touched turned to gold. With all he had acquired, George was not happy inside; something was definitely missing. Have you wondered how someone who appears to have everything on the outside can be so empty on the inside? Have you ever felt like George?

He entered into a deep and dark depression, a battle George did not know how to win. His illness cost him everything. George lost his job; he lost the love and respect of his wife. His children hated him for what he had become. George woke up one morning in the back seat of the only car he had left. George was bankrupt. He had lost his family, his job, and the will to live.

George was contemplating suicide when someone reached out to help. A long-time friend invited George to meet his pastor and seek some help. Through counseling and prayer, George gave his life to Jesus Christ. He relinquished control, recognizing for the first time, that it wasn’t his to possess in the first place. Sometime, it takes the experience of fighting a losing battle for us to stop, take a breath and look up. When Asa found that he was fighting a losing battle against the great Ethiopian warrior, he cried out to God and said, “I am powerless without you. I need your help now!” When Asa recognized his lack of control and trusted God completely for help, the mountain moved. When George gave his life to Jesus, he found a peace that could not be purchased through the riches of this world. His depression slowly lifted. George and Rose were able to deal with the tough stuff in their marriage, and their family was reunited after a season of darkness and grief. George had learned how to let go of the controls, and let God take charge.

Are you ready to trust the Lord completely? Are you fighting a losing battle today? Jesus is waiting for you to look up. If you seek Him, the Lord will find you. Surrender your heart to Him and experience abundant living that only comes through Christ.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: recognition to stop fighting a losing battle. Your Heavenly Father created you with a plan and purpose. He loves you more than you will ever know. Won’t you reach out to Jesus today, and let Him fight the impossible for you. He will your bridge home. With Christ, all things are possible.
________________________________
© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Getting back on track

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 10, 11, 12 (NIV)
2 Chronicles 12:5-8; 12 (NIV)
5 Then the prophet Shemaiah came to Rehoboam and to the leaders of Judah who had assembled in Jerusalem for fear of Shishak, and he said to them, “This is what the Lord says, ‘You have abandoned me; therefore, I now abandon you to Shishak.’”
6 The leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, “The Lord is just.”
7 When the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, this word of the Lord came to Shemaiah: “Since they have humbled themselves, I will not destroy them but will soon give them deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak.
8 They will, however, become subject to him, so that they may learn the difference between serving me and serving the kings of other lands.”
12 Because Rehoboam humbled himself, the Lord’s anger turned from him, and he was not totally destroyed. Indeed, there was some good in Judah.

Good morning!

Whenever we return home from a vacation, I spend a little time looking at the many brochures and memorabilia while unpacking the suitcases. Most of these items will be scrapbooked along with a journal of memories to be enjoyed in the years ahead. I marvel at the Lord’s mercy. We travel to strange places, far away from home. It is easy to get turned around. I was trying to mentally count the number of times Jeff and I literally did a u-turn and headed back in the opposite direction. We did it so often, I think I lost count after the first ten or fifteen times. I believe it may be easier for a Christian to humble their heart and ask for directions, and be willing to turn around, especially since this is a discipline we practice every day while on our knees. After awhile, it becomes second nature, don’t you think?

It is always an adventure traveling with my husband. When we returned the rental car to the dealership, the gentleman inspecting the vehicle greeted Jeff with a resounding, “Good morning, Father.” It is impossible to adequately explain why a man wearing a clerical collar is holding hands with a pretty woman dressed in a windbreaker, short sleeved t-shirt and Capri pants. Can you imagine the look of surprise when they realize we share the same last name! I’ve grown accustomed to seeing the furrowed eyebrows of the people who pass us by as we walk hand-in-hand toward the airline boarding gate. “Forgive me Father, for I have sinned,” I whispered in Jeff’s ear. “It has been almost thirty seconds since my last confession.” He smiles at me and I squeeze his hand, as we continue our journey through life together.

King Rehoboam asked for counsel and basically got two differing opinions. He made a poor choice by not listening to his elders, and lost the Lord’s favor in the process. Fortunately, he was not so proud that when confronted with his sin, Rehoboam humbled his heart and sought forgiveness. He understood the need to stop and turn around. Because of the prophet Shemaiah, God was merciful to Jerusalem. The Lord stopped the destruction, but allowed His people to become subject to Shishak, so they might learn the difference between serving the Great I Am and serving kings of other lands. There are times when we must realize that all the good intentions we offer may not mean a thing, if we are not serving our Lord. Sometimes, we have to stop and ask the question, “Are we doing this for Him, or are we doing this for us?”

When our global positioning system works properly, we hear the gentle reminders of the computerized voice speaking in a frantic tone, “Turn around now!” Thank God that He allows for u-turns. As we head off into the world today, do not be afraid to stop and turn around, especially if you’ve somehow managed to lose your way. Jesus is there to help you get back on track. A humble and willing heart is what God looks for in each of us. Are you ready to make a u-turn this morning?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: a humble heart and willingness to turn it around. It is easy to get lost in this crazy, fast-paced world. Jesus is waiting for you to seek Him out, amid the many distractions you face each day. When your global positioning system begins to sound a warning alarm, listen carefully to the instruction, and pray for grace and mercy. He will forgive a humble heart and help guide you back on the track that leads to life everlasting.
________________________________
© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Finding Jesus in California

Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”


Good morning!

I am forever amazed at how the Lord can take a willing heart to move mountains for His kingdom work. Yesterday, Jeff and I did a little church-hopping. We started our day, wanting to sit in two different worship environments – we were actually able to experience three different settings. We drove about three hundred miles round trip, give or take one hundred miles of turning around and back tracking. Jeff is a great driver; yet both of us are directionally challenged. I think Satan was playing with Jeff’s Global Positioning System, because we couldn’t pick up a satellite signal to guide us. We saw a lot of California that we probably wouldn’t have seen had we not gotten turned around a few times. My vision will not allow me to read maps in the car. I make a lousy co-pilot. Jeff learned how to make a Californian u-turn and he is really good at it! We got honked at several times. I think we fit in well here!

Our first stop was the Trinity Broadcasting Network in Santa Ana. At the Santa Ana studio, we were dismayed to not find an open door. A staff employee watched us from her car, as she sipped an energy drink during her lunch break. When she saw us trying to get inside, she got out of her automobile and offered to lend us a hand. She explained that this facility was not open to the public. She provided us with a map to the Costa Mesa sight and encouraged us to go there. I am so glad we did. We were able to take a tour of their building, and sit in the studio where Praise the Lord is filmed every Thursday evening. We enjoyed a brief video explaining how a dream which began in 1973 had grown into a worldwide presence through satellite technology. I was especially interested in their prayer room, where thousands of requests lay on velvety cushions. Anyone can go and spend a few minutes or several hours, praying over these requests. When it comes to prayer rooms, this space is one of the largest and most beautifully appointed I have ever seen. We spent several hours at TBN, asking questions and touring the facility. The building structure reminded me of a Greek Orthodox Church, with hand-painted murals overhead and golden pillars on every level. The roof is a colorful rotunda, with angels and the risen Christ painted in the round. On the third level of the facility, there is a display of the many costumes used to film “One Night with the King.” The garden area was breathtaking. Statuary and running fountains were nestled between the ornamental topiary and rose bushes.

From there, we made our way to the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove. We snapped pictures from the outside of the building. We were surprised at the location of this church. It was not at all situated where we thought it might be. The grounds are meticulously kept. We watched in wonder as people parked their automobiles and hooked up to open air microphones, so they could worship from their comfort of their vehicles. I’ve always considered my automobile to be a worship center, but this takes it to the extreme. Drive-in worship and go! If I were going to drive all the way to the Crystal Cathedral to worship, I don’t think I would want to sit my car. I’d probably park it and walk inside - but that’s just me.

It took forever to find Saddleback Community Church. Thank goodness they offer two evening worship services. We were late for the 4:30 service, so we stayed through and caught the first part of the 6:30 service. We were determined to get there, even if we had to drive around the Southern California foothills all night. This was definitely a church worth finding. Saddleback sits on a hill overlooking Lake Forest. They own 120 acres and the site is undergoing construction. We could hear the preaching over an open-air microphone as we walked toward the worship center. There were hundreds of families sitting outside under umbrella tables holding young children, having a snack and listening to the sermon broadcast in the open air. Inside, there were thousands of people, marking their Bibles and taking copious notes on the sermon outline provided in their worship bulletin. The collection of tithes and offerings resembled of passing the loaves and fishes around. Everyone was getting fed there, and as the baskets returned full to the brim, I could only imagine that was what it was like when Jesus fed the masses on the foothills surrounding the Sea of Galilee. Worshiping at Saddleback was an awesome experience.

We saw three very unique ministries in a circumference of only thirty miles, helping grow disciples of Jesus Christ in unique and varied settings. It is a confirmation in my spirit to see what God can do with a willing heart - someone who loves the Lord and desires nothing more than to serve them with their life. We are all on a journey. No matter where we live, or what we do, every child is a child created by the hand of God and there is a purpose and plan for every human heart. I rejoice with the ongoing ministries of my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, and I praise God for their amazing communities of faith where change occurs, one heart at a time.

We are coming home today. As we prepare to fly across the desert, we leave here thanking God for the faithful Christians who touched our lives in Southern California this week. The journey home is always sweeter when we know who we are coming home to. May we enjoy the abundant life, as we celebrate the power and presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is everywhere. He walks with us each and every day, even to the end of the age.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: Jesus to open your eyes to the faithful witness of our Christian brothers and sisters. They are everywhere! Check it out for yourself. If you’re ever in St. Charles, Missouri, come see us at Faith Church. Our hearts, our minds, and our doors are always open, and we can’t wait to meet you!
________________________________________
© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.