Dead wood

Today’s Reading: John 15:6 (NIV)

6 [Jesus said,] “If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.”

Good morning!

Fall is my favorite season of the year. I enjoy the cooler temperatures, when leaves begin to turn on the trees and the overgrowth of flowering chrysanthemums flourish in garden beds. In the fall, trees begin to move toward sleepy hibernation, and the dead branches begin to break, falling to the ground. When you walk through the woods in the fall, you can feel the crackling of dry leaves and loose branches breaking underneath the weight of your feet. Only the branches that remain firmly rooted in the trunk of the tree survive the coldest blast of winter. And in the springtime, when all things are made new again, the branches begin to burst forth in buds, with flowers and colorful new foliage - it is a sign of new life.

One of my favorite fall activities is to visit the pumpkin patch, enjoy a hayride on the back of a tractor trailer, and roast marshmallows and hot dogs around a campfire. The dead wood crackles and burns brightly in the cool evening air, giving off the unmistakable scent that fall has truly arrived. It seems the only good thing about a piece of dead wood is its ability to burn to mere ash when thrown into the flame. It will never grow again, or bear the flowering beauty given by the Master Creator.

Is your heart splintering away like dead branches falling from the tree? Are you struggling to stay connected to the life-vine? Jesus said that when we choose not to stay connected to Him, we begin wither and eventually dry up, becoming good for nothing except to light up the sky in a holy fire. Fortunately, we have a Savior who hears our cries for help. If you ask Him, Jesus will reinvigorate your dry and brittle bones with His love. Come home; root yourself today in the Word of God. He will save you and keep you to everlasting life, in the place where you will never die.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Having dessert first?

Today’s Reading: John 15:5 (NIV)

5 [Jesus said,] “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Good morning!

Whenever I go to market, I prefer to shop the perimeter of the store first. I enjoy spending time in the produce aisle, checking out the fresh variety of fruits and vegetables. There are so many sweet and healthy treats to choose from! The blackberries have been outstanding this summer. Have you tried them? I like to eat blackberries with a little Splenda® and milk. They make a great topping over bran flakes and sugar-free ice cream. Of course, blackberry cobbler is my all-time favorite baked dessert; it is a rich and yummy treat, especially served on a chilly fall day. Fall is coming, and blackberries are definitely on my grocery list.

Every fruit has its own unique flavor. During the summer, I make fruit salad at least once a week, and every time I use my grandmother’s glass bowl, I think of all the berry picking we did together. We would take a stroll down the gravel road, past the chicken coop and large brown barn, walking down a small dirt path into the berry patch. There, we would pick strawberries, gooseberries, blackberries and blueberries, trying our best to avoid sharp briars and chigger bites. My grandmother always wore a large apron with pockets, and we would fill it to the brim with berries. What a sight we were, as we strolled back to the farm together with fruit-stained hands and faces, carrying our newly picked treasures in the lining of her soft, cotton apron. I vowed then I would never skip dessert, even when I’m watching my daily calorie intake. This is a sweet memory of time well spent with my grandmother. I am convinced that fresh fruit is the very best part of any meal. Please don’t tell my mother I said this, but you have my permission to go ahead and eat your dessert first!

What kinds of spiritual fruit would you select from the vine of life? Of the sweet treats borne from the Master’s heart, would you choose to taste a bowl full of love, complimented with sweet joy, abiding peace, and fresh patience? Would you add a dollop of tasty kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness to the mix, and top it off with a large slice of self-control? When we are attached to the life-giving vine of Christ, we become His fruitful branches, and the produce we yield is the best dessert in town! People long to taste real love, to know true joy, and have His sweet peace that passes all human understanding. Who would pass up an extra portion of patience, or the gift of goodness? We can feast from the sweet fruits of the Holy Spirit each day, if we are willing to stay firmly connected to the gift giver.

Jesus said that He is the true vine and we are the branches, and if we will stay firmly rooted in Him, we will yield a bumper crop of sweet fruit.

Let’s have dessert first today! Father, I thank you for your fruit that saves us day by day. Help us remain completely connected to your life-giving vine, so that we may bear Holy Spirit fruit that will draw others to you. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Waiting for the go-ahead

Today’s Reading: John 15:3-4 (NIV)

3 [Jesus said,] “You are already clean because of the Word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

Good morning!

If you’ve ever flown on an airplane, you may know what it feels like to be waiting at the edge of the runway, with motors running, while the pilot listens for the go-ahead from the tower. There is a reason why we must wait. Even experienced pilots, with their unobstructed view of the airstrip, cannot always see what is happening up above. They wait for the all-clear sign from an air traffic controller high in the tower, who has a view of the skies, the flight plans, and knows when it is safe to begin takeoff. The minutes spent waiting on that runway can seem like an eternity to antsy passengers who are anxious to get to their next destination on time. Waiting for the go-ahead signal is never easy, whether it is on a plane, or anywhere else as you may travel along life’s highway.

I am continually amazed at how the Holy Spirit works within human hearts. Several folks have been gathering together for several months, through a prompting of the Holy Spirit, to offer ourselves in service to the college community in our neighborhood. We hope to extend a little radical hospitality on campus, make some new friends, and be there to listen and assist however we can. Plans have been made to open a free coffeehouse for the entire college campus one night each week during the school year. We hope to provide a creative space where students can come and enjoy a free cup of java, a place to study; to network and relax together. We’ve made plans, purchased supplies, sought the help of volunteers, and we are now ready to launch into this new outreach opportunity. Right this minute, we are sitting at the edge of the runway, waiting for the go-ahead signal from above.

When we find ourselves in a holding pattern, we need to remember that we must never try to go it alone. While it may be tempting to run full-steam ahead, without the go-ahead signal from above, our feeble human attempts will falter and fail. This is the time to turn to the Lord in prayer, seeking His guidance and blessing. Holding patterns are uncomfortable for all of us, but these precious moments have eternal consequences. When God prompts you to go, He will equip you with everything you need at just the right moment in time. He will give the go-ahead signal and we will hear and know when it is time to launch. Jesus said we need to remain in Him, and He will remain in us. Good fruit cannot grow apart from the vine.

Are you in a holding pattern today? There is a reason why we wait. Use this time to prayerfully remain focused on the Lord Jesus Christ. He will let you know when it is time to go!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Saturday night special

Today’s Reading: John 15:2 (NIV)

2 [Jesus said,] “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!

When our daughter Rachel was a little girl, she had the most beautiful head of long, silky blonde hair. I believe it was one of her most striking physical features. She would sleep on foam rollers every Saturday night so that her hair would lay in ringlets down her back on Sunday morning. I would spend time every morning braiding and putting her hair up in pigtails, buns and French knots. Every six months, we would trim two inches off the length, to remove any split ends from her hair and open the door for new growth. It’s amazing what a quick trim will do to ignite a growth spurt.

Our boys did not enjoy having their toenails trimmed. Benjie was extremely ticklish, and every time I would try to trim his toenails after a Saturday night bath, he would cackle and flinch and moan. As he wiggled uncontrollably, I would sometimes clip a little too close to the cuticle and Ben would end up nursing a sore toe for a couple of days. Telling him to be still didn’t work, because he just couldn’t control himself. To this day, I don’t think that boy would willingly let anyone touch his feet. David wasn’t nearly as ticklish as Ben, but he really did not enjoy those Saturday night pedicures. Have you ever noticed how quickly a child’s toe nail grows after being trimmed?

Generally speaking, trimming hair and toenails should not be painful, but sometimes, when the Father prunes our hearts, it can hurt a little, maybe a lot. It seems that, in order to continue growing in grace, we all need to experience a Saturday night special. The Father longs for each of us to mature in Christ, to bear fruit that will lead others into a meaningful, everlasting relationship with Him. Every now and then, God trims off some of the outgrowth and our tell-tale split ends that prohibits new growth. He focuses on the cuticle of our hearts, removing those tiny hang-nails that hinder us from reaching our fullest faith potential. Sometimes, God has to remove the debris of self-service, exclusivity, and prideful thinking before He can use us to bring people to Him. Are you in need of a Saturday night special before you come to worship the Lord this Sunday?

Father, today I’m asking you for a Saturday night special in my life. Remove the damaged split ends from my heart. Cut back the overgrowth and remove the lifeless branches that fail to bear fruit for your kingdom. The only growth I long for is to be firmly rooted in your Son, Jesus Christ, the one true vine. Amen.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Master Gardener

Today’s Reading: John 15:1 (NIV)

1 [Jesus said,] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.”

Good morning!

Do you have runaway weeds in your garden? I’ve been nursing a jammed toe since mid-July, and, have not spent any significant time outside working in my garden beds. This is truly unfortunate, because I do enjoy growing and cutting summer flowers. I confess that my flower beds are not very pretty this year; I have managed to grow a mega crop of weeds. The weather has been near perfect this August; not too hot with lots of rain. Runaway weeds are happily growing and they are doing their best to choke out the plants in my garden bed.

Whenever I work outside, I think about the time my father spent in his garden. He would have a cow if he saw my garden beds right now. This man would come home after working all day in the summer sun, to shower and change and go back outside and work until dark. Gardening was something he truly enjoyed. The neighbor children all liked to play in our front yard, because our grass was the softest, greenest, most fertile grass on the block. It was kind of like walking on a thick, billowy green carpet. You could tumble on it and not get hurt. Daddy weeded and edged the yard routinely. There was never a dandelion in sight.

When our babies were young, we used to spend time outside weeding the garden beds together. It took awhile for the children to figure out what to pull and what to leave. Some vines are rather pretty and can seem ornamental at first. After a closer inspection, we begin to tell the difference between a pesky weed and a healthy plant. This is one summer when I wish my children were little again, so I could have them help me outside. The laughter we shared in the garden will remain in my heart forever.

Jesus said that He is the true vine and that His father is the master gardener. There is no mistaking the risen Christ. His vine is healthy and strong; it produces real fruit that offers life giving food to all who will consume it. The master gardener carefully prunes away the runaway weeds, allowing the true vine to flourish and grow. He cares for the vine, and all its new growth, as only a loving Father can.

Can you tell the difference between the true spiritual vine and a runaway weed? If you are seeking the Truth, ask the Master Gardener to lead you to the one true vine: Jesus Christ.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Holy Bakeoff!

Today’s Reading: John 14:31 (NIV)

30 [Jesus said,] “But the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.”

Good morning!

Do you do follow the directions exactly as they are written? This morning, I am preparing my all-time favorite potato crock pot recipe to enter into the potato bakeoff at Faith Church. We are raising money to help OASIS, St. Charles County’s local food pantry, so they can relocate its growing ministry to a larger facility. Feeding the hungry is important to the people of Faith Church. Won’t you stop by today for worship, and participate in the potato luncheon and bakeoff contest? I’ll see you there!

My grandmother was one of the best cooks I knew. She never used a cookbook, and never ran out to the store for a missing ingredient. She had everything she needed to make the perfect meal right at her fingertips. Her mother coached her on how to prepare the perfect meal, and my grandmother learned to follow her instructions exactly. Most every dish she prepared was either home-grown, raised, or canned from the farm that she and my grandfather maintained. Fresh vegetables and fruits were plentiful all summer long, and from them, she made some of the best homemade pies! Even the sour pies, like gooseberry, would melt in your mouth with a thick, rich coating of sugar. I think of my grandmother often, especially when I try out a new recipe. I wonder today how a pinch of this and a pinch of that might make a winning difference in the quality and texture of the perfect potato!

Grandmother cooked over a wood-burning stove. She had no heat control – the fire got hot and then she cooked it! Her cakes were perfect and I still, to this day, do no know how that happened. She had no boxed cake mixes, no recipe card file – just a little flour, oil, water, sugar and all of sudden, there it is – perfection in a pan! I wish she was here today to teach me everything she learned about cooking with her mother, and how she became an expert by following oral instruction exactly as it was given to her.

This is what Jesus was referring to when He spoke of following His Father’s commands. He didn’t do them partially; Jesus didn’t try to fudge on the details or hit the highlights. He did His Father’s will exactly as He was told and the end result was perfect salvation for an imperfect humanity. What might happen today if we all learned how to follow the Father’s Word exactly as it is written? Would our lives be miraculously transformed into Christ-likeness? Would we taste heaven on earth with the Father’s perfected recipe for daily living?

Now this is a holy bakeoff I would like to be part of. Lord Jesus, teach us how to follow the Father’s instruction, exactly as He gave it. Amen.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Bonus: Here’s a copy of the recipe I am submitting today:

Slow Cooker Cheese Potatoes

2-lb. package Western Style cubed hash brown potatoes, thawed

10-3/4 oz. cans cream of potato and cream of mushroom soup

8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese

8 oz. grated grated Parmesan cheese

1 pint sour cream

Mix together in slow cooker. Cover, cook on low 7 hours or high 4 hours.

Submitted by Deb Spaulding, Faith UMC St. Charles, MO

Recipe came from Clarice Williams, Fairbank, IA

All holds barred!

Today’s Reading: John 14:30 (NIV)

30 [Jesus said,] “I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me.”

Good morning!

Does the grace of God ever catch you by surprise? I delight in the promises of God. We can count on His Word, not just for today, but for each and every tomorrow. Christ is present in me twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and just when I need Him the most, He is! How indescribable is the love of Jesus!

Earlier this week, I was standing at the copy machine at work, frantically trying to scan a document that needed to be filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office. We were pushing to meet a filing deadline, and I needed to get document on file. I had an important dinner meeting scheduled – it was starting in thirty minutes and I was getting a little nervous about making it on time. The copier refused to cooperate. Even mechanical equipment can short-circuit from time to time. This was not a good time for a computer malfunction. When I pressed the scan button, the document would automatically be queued to fax instead. I turned the machine off and on. I tried repeatedly to get the document to scan, to no avail. By this time, my attorney was standing over my shoulder with tiny beads of sweat beginning to form on her brow. We both knew the importance of meeting the filing deadline and this machine simply was not going to work.

In sheer desperation, I closed my eyes, and placed my hands on the copier and I began to pray out loud, calling on the name of Jesus for a copy machine miracle. I imagine the Lord was laughing out loud at the sight of my praying over a copier. I knew that if He could save a soul like mine, heal my heart and make me forever free, He has the power to fix this broken machine! You should have seen the look on my attorney’s face when the document scanned perfectly after a little prayer and the laying on of hands. We met the filing deadline and I arrived for my dinner meeting two minutes early. God is good ALL THE TIME!

Jesus said the prince of the world is coming. We experience Satan’s subtle, sneaky deceit everyday. He tries to steal our joy, cause confusion, and make us doubt in the Word of our Lord. Just a little prayer can change a frantic situation into a magnificent miracle! Jesus has the power to change the direction of our day, if we will simply stop and call upon Him for heavenly help. Jesus said that the prince of the world has no hold on Him. And when Christ moves in, you have His power within you to fight back! All holds are barred, in Jesus’ name.

Call on Jesus! He is just a prayer away.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Be glad!

Today’s Reading: John 14:28-29 (NIV)

28 [Jesus said,] “You have heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.”

Good morning!

When our children were younger, they would sit on the edge of the bed and watch as Daddy packed his suitcase. “Do you have to go away?” they would whine, with pursed lips and sleepy little eyes. “I am going away for a little while, but I promise I will be back in three days!” He would pat their little heads, smiling. We can sense their sadness and the insecurity this unwanted change brings. Their daddy is leaving and their world will be different while he is gone. The voice they have grown accustomed to, who reads their bedtime stories and listens to their prayers at night will not be here. They will miss the man who holds their tiny hands as they walk along the sidewalk to school tomorrow morning. Going away leaves a deep void in a child’s life; and yet, there is Daddy’s promise of his return. It’s only three days away, but it seems like a lifetime! This is not what they want; yet, they accept their Father’s teary goodbye, counting on their Daddy to keep his word and come back soon.

It’s hard to be glad when the people we love go away.

Jesus tried, in as loving a manner as possible, to encourage his disciples to see beyond this day. He was going home to the Father who is greater than He. Jesus promised he would come back to them. Couldn’t they be glad, knowing their Master would return?

Hope is the assurance of a promise to be kept. What the disciples could not possibly understand in this moment, was revealed to them just three days later! Jesus died, was buried, and rose again! He made the journey of a lifetime in just three days, tearing down the walls of sin and death forever. Christ opened up the flood gates of forgiveness, salvation’s grace, and an everlasting, never ending relationship between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to all who would choose to believe. It was the trip no one wanted their Lord to make, and yet, He kept His Word and returned, just as He promised.

We can live each day with glad hearts filled with hope! Jesus promised that He would one day return for His bride. We can be glad, knowing Christ has sent the comforter to journey with us while we wait. He is coming back soon. Are you ready to see His face, hear His amazing voice, and take His hand for all eternity? Be glad!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

A piece of peace

Today’s Reading: John 14:27 (NIV)

25 [Jesus said,] “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Good morning!

How much would you give for a little peace today? Peace is something we humans long for. We sing about it during the Holy Days; hoping for a new world peace in the year to come; we long for sweet peace to invade our family life, hoping we can learn how to love and get along with each other, especially at the upcoming family reunion. We pray for the bitterness and strife to stop and brotherly love become the benchmark of our churches, schools, and places of employment. We hope for miraculous peace to overcome the many differences that emerge between our countries and cultures all around the world. Everyone wants a piece of peace. Tell me, what is peace to you, and how far would you go to get it?

Some folks find peace at the bank of life. They pour their money into checking and savings accounts, stocks, bonds and certificates of deposit. The bigger the balance, the better they feel. For some, financial peace is a security blanket, knowing there will be funds available to help care for their needs on a rainy day. And everyone knows the rain is just a cloud away. Is this kind of peace an everlasting gift or simply a temporary fix to a terminal issue?

Others find great peace in going with the flow, following the crowd, and blending in. Their motto may be to make no waves and do no harm. Let’s just all agree to get along, no matter what the issue. If we’re feeling convicted, be sure not to mention it because it may disrupt the peace train. The most important thing is to maintain peace at all costs. Would you sell your soul for a slice of peace pie?

Peace, for a young parent, may be an uninterrupted afternoon nap. Folks search for peaceful vacations, where they can get away from the buzz of cell phones and pagers, voice mail, email, and blackberries. Some look for a secluded space outdoors, away from the daily grind inside. I enjoy a peaceful evening curled up with a good book in my Lazy Boy® chair, all by myself, in a quiet house. Uninterrupted peace, for even a few fleeting minutes, can become a breath of fresh air.

Christ’s peace is so much more than all of this combined. We see peace in worldly ways. His peace is not of this world. We look at the wars going on around us, distracting us from addressing the wars within. When Christ’s peace comes, the fears, uncertainties, doubts and the sins that are eating us alive begin to disappear in the light of His love. His peace is so much bigger than any peace the world offers. Seek Jesus today. Peace is His free gift to you, and you need not travel any further than your knees to find it.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

The gift of a lifetime

Today’s Reading: John 14:25-26 (NIV)

25 [Jesus said,] “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

Good morning!

Have you been praying for divine intervention for our brothers and sisters in the state of Florida? I was encouraged to see the news wire updates on tropical storm Fay this morning. Apparently, she never reached her predicted hurricane strength even after coming ashore. I am grateful for the Father’s provision, especially in the eye of the storm. We bear living testimony to the fires, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes that have ravaged our homeland in the last fifty years. Americans truly have a heart for people who suffer. We understand the grief in losing our own loved ones to the storms of life; being confronted with having to begin again. We rebuild our homes, businesses and entire communities together. This morning, I find myself extraordinarily grateful to the Lord that Fay never reached its predicted potential. We are seeing His miracle revealed and we have a lot to celebrate today!

Divine intervention is Christ’s promise to believers and we can count on it! Jesus told His disciples that His words would be remembered by the help of a counselor, the Holy Spirit, sent by the Father to teach us all things and remind us of His words. Have you ever experienced the sudden recollection of a story or experience that happened when you were a child? Every now and then, I remember something that happened, as if it were just yesterday, and it brings me great delight! The older I get, the more I struggle with memory retention, so when I am able to recall a piece of the past with clarity, I rejoice! This is a gift from above. It is the present of the Holy Spirit of God working within me, reminding me of Christ’s love and His Word spoken over my life. The Holy Spirit is our counselor, comforter, and an everlasting presence. He walks through life with us, teaching, convicting, and assuring the human heart of Christ’s love for the world. Wherever we are, He is. We are not alone.

I would have loved to have walked with the Lord when He walked the earth in flesh. The Holy Spirit gives me His assurance that even while I walk this road today, Jesus is right beside me. His presence is there to guide, heal, cleanse, forgive and redeem. I have His Word in front of me on printed page and protected deep within the recesses of my heart. At the right moment, Jesus reveals Himself in a story, a verse of Scripture, or a memory from long ago. Divine intervention is the gift of a lifetime!

The Holy Spirit is available to all who love Jesus Christ and profess Him as their Savior. If you have not yet experienced the Holy Spirit working in your life, ask Jesus to give you the power of the Spirit today. He will do it! It is His gift of a lifetime, given for you and for me. Be blessed!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

The rear view mirror

Today’s Reading: John 14:24 (NIV)

24 “He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they are from the Father who sent me.”

Good morning!

I’ve been told I have a stubborn streak. Doesn’t everyone? After all, it is that strong sense of direction within that prompts us to inch forward; to push just a little harder and not give up. Of course, I’ve been known to push the ticket to the extreme and run headlong in the opposite direction. My childlike stubbornness has often taken me to places I really did not want to go. Has this ever happened to you?

I remember one summer Saturday morning: my father was on his way to the hardware store and I wanted to ride along. My dad was not the most patient person when it came to shopping at the hardware store. He seemed to have all the bad luck. Dad never purchased a “do-it-yourself” project home kit that didn’t have a key piece missing from the package, and this seemed to infuriate him to no end. He was planning to have an engaging and spirited conversation with the store manager, and there was no way he wanted his little girl to be there and witness the fallout. Sometimes, a loving parent will tell us no because they can see the bigger picture. Fathers expect their children to listen and obey.

Well, Daddy’s answer was not the answer I wanted to hear, and he made me really mad! So I added my own little self-expression to the fray. As Daddy pulled the car out of the driveway, I ran outside and stuck my tongue out at him. Let me tell you something: with my Father, this is a huge mistake! He wasn’t about to tolerate a little lip from his child. Did you know that our Father has this rearview mirror, and He can see what we are up to without even turning around? My dad threw his 1966 Chevrolet into reverse and pulled back into the driveway. What happened next wasn’t very pleasant and I don’t think I ever stuck my tongue out at him again. This is just one example when stubbornness did not work to my advantage. As I look back on that morning long ago, I am thankful I wasn’t behind the counter at the hardware store when my dad arrived that day.

Did my Father love me when he said no? When I disrespect my Father's Word and disobey Him, was I demonstrating love?

Jesus teaches that love and obedience are inseparable. Doing what our Father instructs is the only way to demonstrate our love for Him. It is so much more than mere lip service; obedience is an act of pure faith.

Father, forgive us when our selfish sense of direction gets in the way of Your will. Help us to be completely satisfied with Your Word, especially when you say no. Teach us not to add or subtract from your Word or try to change it to suit our own personal preferences. Help us realize Father, that when we choose to obey you, we express true love. May thy will be done, Lord; not my will, but thy will. Oh, how we love you, Father! Help us demonstrate that love by choosing to obey, even when we really don’t understand why you said no. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Clean up on aisle sin

Today’s Reading: John 14:23 (NIV)

23 Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”

Good morning!

Do you ever cry over spilled milk? This morning, I found a great suit in the back of my closet that I’ve not worn in awhile. With the cooler temperatures, I thought this would be the perfect choice on a day like today. I dressed and then went to the kitchen to fix breakfast. Every morning, I carry a bowl of cereal to the study, where I sit with Bible in hand and give my full attention over to the Lord. It took a lot of effort to prepare today. I’m not normally a late-night gal, but the Beijing Olympics have captured my heart. I watched in awe as two of our US gymnastics won the gold and silver medals in last night’s competition. It was a very late night.

In the study, I lost my focus and turned away from the computer desktop for just a second. It was only a second, but suddenly, I found myself dripping in bran flakes and milk. The bowl had overturned and my breakfast was everywhere! It soaked my suit, shoes, the computer workspace, the floor, and the chair I was sitting in. This was no small clean up. Spilled milk will leave a stain if not mopped up quickly, and the milk will begin to sour and smell. It forced me absolutely stop what I was doing, clean up the mess, and begin again.

When we disobey God, we have to stop what we are doing and shout out, “Clean up on aisle sin!” Disobedience gets in the way of who we are in Christ, and who He has created us to be. It is easy to say the words, “I love you, Lord.” It is much more difficult to prove we mean it. Jesus said that if we truly love him, we will obey His teaching. And when we obey Him, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit takes up permanent residence in our lives. Spilled milk, like the sin we carry around in our hearts, is messy. Yet, it is not impossible to clean up. If sin is getting in the way of your witness, stop what you’re doing and ask the Lord of life to clean you up. Only Jesus Christ has the power to wash your sins away, creating in a sacred space inside your heart where He can live and reign and work within your life.

Father, you reminded me today of the importance you place on obedience in love. I praise you for cleaning up the mess I’ve made this morning, and for all the messes I’ve made along life’s way. You mopped up my spilled milk and removed those nasty set-in stains once and for all. I love you. Help me obey your Word today. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

The great reveal

Today’s Reading: John 14:22 (NIV)

Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”

Good morning!

Have you been watching the Olympics on television? I’ve been fascinated by the variety of competitive events and the superb talent of each of its participants. Every athlete has trained for years to prepare their bodies and minds for a test of this magnitude. Many of these folks began their Olympic dream as a young child, training in a swimming pool or gymnasium. Some of these athletes are very young. I watched in awe as a fourteen year old dove off a three-story high dive in a synchronized diving competition. His form was near perfect and when this young man hit the water, he barely made a splash. It’s amazing to see the quest for perfection played out in the lives of so many from around the world. In the opening ceremonies, thousands of athletes gathered together to share their lifelong commitment and purpose. They came to play, to compete and to win.

I cannot imagine the time US Olympic athlete Michael Phelps has spent at the swimming pool training for the swim of his life. We are seeing the culmination of years of hard work. Long before Michael was recognized in the Olympic community, he and his family sacrificed training time and financial resources so that he could work toward winning the race. The tears we see streaming down Michael’s mother’s face tell a story that most of us have no true point of reference. We are watching a piece of history unfold; a lifelong dream fulfilled - and we are only beginning to see the end result. Day by day, with every new competition, Michael is breaking world records in Olympic swimming. How long would it take you to prepare for the swim of your life? Would you be ready to jump into Olympic waters and break world class records without first spending years to prepare?

Judas (not Iscariot), one of Jesus’ disciples posed an interesting question to the Lord. He wondered why Jesus intended to reveal Himself to only a few and not to the whole world. What Judas couldn’t see with physical eyes, Christ understood in the Spirit. A firm foundation had been poured from the beginning of time. A time of preparation for His coming and a plan that superseded anything a human heart could possibly imagine is culminating for the whole of humanity. The coming of Messiah had been foretold by prophets, told to children by parents and grandparents, and was eagerly anticipated by many people. Judas was hoping Jesus would not only lead the twelve, but become a world class leader. He longed for heathen Roman rule to submit to the authority of Almighty God.

God’s timing is not our timing. His ways are greater and higher than anything we can fully understand now. Jesus knew that His time had not yet come, but was coming soon. He was preparing to lay down his flesh as the perfect and final sacrifice for all. Jesus understood that the Father’s perfect timing would one day capture the hearts of humanity. He was willing to do the leg work needed to prepare a lost world for the greatest gift of all.

We long for the day when Jesus will return to redeem His bride. Jesus said he was going to prepare a place for us and that He would come back to take us there. Are you ready for Christ to reveal Himself to the world? Will you recognize the Lord when He returns? What preparations do you need to make to be ready for God’s great reveal?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

In love

Today’s Reading: John 14:21 (NIV)

[Jesus said], “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”

Good morning!

I’ve been thinking about what it means to be in love. Do you remember the first time you knew you were in love? Relationships draw people into abiding friendship, and their friendship becomes a solid, unbreakable bond. We begin to trust and rely completely upon the people whom we love. We care about their moods, their general health and wellbeing. We want to know what they are thinking and feeling, and we care enough to ask. We keep on asking, especially when there is a perceived unresolved hurt or pain. When our loved one is in pain, we suffer alongside them. Loving another is not simply some physical attraction, sparked by roller coaster hormones. Loving is a lifelong journey, a deep commitment worth investing one’s life in. Loving another soul requires a devotion of time and attention and a willingness to place the needs of the one you love ahead of your own. What does “being in love” mean to you?

When my childhood neighbor passed away many years ago, I remember standing at the side of his funeral casket, talking to his wife. With tears streaming down her face, she looked at me, pointing to the remains of her dearly departed husband, and said, “He is my life. I’ve spent sixty years with this man – we live in the house we first purchased after the war. I do not remember what it was like not to have him by my side.” I have watched my neighbor move forward, even in deep sadness. She continues to share glimpses of her beloved husband with others, by sharing her memories of their life together. I know she is looking forward to the day when she will be reunited with her husband in eternity. I believe my neighbor truly understands what it means to be in love.

Jesus told His disciples when we hold fast to His Word and choose to obey His commands, that we are the ones who truly love Him. Being in love with the Lord requires a conscious decision and a lifelong commitment. When you say you will follow Christ, you choose to enter into an everlasting relationship bonded by His perfect blood. Being in love with the Lord is a daily commitment, not just something we do one hour each week in worship. Obedience takes discipline, and discipline takes courage, and courage stands in fully trusting the One who loved us first.

Are you ready to fall in love with the Savior? Come and worship Him today. Together, we can honor and glorify the One who came to seek and save the lost. I thank God that my Jesus was willing to serve a dying church. I don't know where we would all be if Christ had not come to serve the sick, the dying, and the lost. He willing obeyed His Father's command, choosing to suffer and lay down His own earthly flesh so that all of us might live forever in the Father's care. He loves you and me this much! What would you give for a love like that? Each new morning is a brand new opportunity to grow deeper in love with our Lord. I’ll see you today at Faith.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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