Living in the eternal present

Today’s Reading: John 20:28 (NIV)

28 Thomas said to [Jesus], “My Lord and my God!”

Good morning!

It is often hard to recognize the gift of the present. We need to learn to see it each day. For what we have right now in this moment, is more precious than we can possibly comprehend. Breathe in. Feel the air passing through your nostrils, filling your lungs with fresh, new life. Breathe out. Exhale the carbons and let go of the unnecessary. Every breath is God’s precious gift – a constant and vital reminder of His eternal presence living inside of you.

Sometimes we forget to breathe, and often, we forget we are breathing at all. Have you ever tried to count the number of times you take a breath each day? Unless the wind is knocked out of me, or I cannot catch my breath after exercising, I am often unaware of the life-giving air flowing in and out of my body. I need to stop and appreciate the gifts I’ve been given.

What is it like to live in the eternal present? For Thomas, this was the moment he had longed for. Seeing His Lord for the very first time as Savior of the world drew him immediately into the eternal present and into the presence of Christ. The fresh breath of fresh life filled Thomas with a new hope; he knew everything had changed at this moment as He knelt before the presence of His Lord. In wonder and awe, Thomas spoke these words, “My Lord and my God!”

Living in the eternal present is a gift from above. It is the moment we look toward, when all things come together and this life lunges toward perfection in Him. From the very first breath we take as we make our debut from the womb into the world, until we breathe our very last, taking a fresh breath of the eternal in the arms of Jesus, we are living in God’s eternal present. Don’t miss a minute of Him! Stop wasting your life, oblivious to the presence of the Lord and what He is doing. Emmanuel, God with us, is here, right now, breathing new life into your soul.

He is our eternal present – Jesus Christ, the breath of new life. My Lord and my God!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Holding Out for Hope

Today’s Reading: John 20:27 (NIV)

27 Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe!” 28 Thomas said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

Good morning!

It is easy to become doubtful in today’s world. People are losing their life’s savings on the stock market; homes are being foreclosed on by banks, and people are forced to live with relatives, in their automobiles, and out on the streets. The stress level in families today has surged beyond the breaking point. Tens of thousands of Americans are unemployed and the job market is so inundated with capable, qualified applicants that few are finding work. Employers are cutting staff just to find ways to stay afloat in the depressed marketplace. Many small business owners are closing their doors because consumers have no money with which to purchase their goods. Are you doubtful that a turnaround will happen anytime soon in the global market?

We hear the dismal reports of financial experts and economists from around the world. We listen intently and watch with baited breath as our new American President makes decisions on the changes he believes America needs to survive and thrive. Are you encouraged by the results of his first one hundred days in office? Doubt and fear can paralyze us IF we let it. Are you willing to take that risk?

I come from a long line of pessimists - not that I’m proud of it, but I might as well confess my human weakness for what it is. I’ve learned from the best on how to become cynical and doubtful; discouraged and even a little scared in today’s world. The greater question is whether I will choose to see and know the Truth beyond the circumstance of this moment. Do I hold a greater vision for what has been promised, despite what I see happening all around me? Will I hold out for hope even in this time of deep despair? Hope is a choice, and our hope is based upon the Truth. I believe we need a lot more Truth telling and a little less cover up in our world today.

Here’s the truth of the matter: Jesus Christ said that He had come to die and rise again, conquering human sin and death forever. He promised His disciples that He would be back. It didn’t look very hopeful that day as Jesus suffered on the cross. After He was buried, the disciples doubted that anything that had happened in the last three years had been real. No one thought that Jesus Christ would return like He said. Can you imagine the amazement that Thomas experienced when he personally touched Jesus’ nail-scarred hands? While his circumstances seemed bleak, when the Truth surfaced, He made all the difference.

Looking for a little hope today amid the things you see? Having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ changes everything. His Word is Truth and His Word lasts forever. Stop trying to put your nest egg in the hands of the world’s economy. Place your life in the hands of Jesus and find out what it means to experience security and freedom even when you are surrounded by a sea of doubt. Jesus is only a prayer away, and if you will just cry out to Him, you will receive new life, the one change that our world desperately needs!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

The locked door

Today’s Reading: John 20:26 (NIV)

26 A week later His disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”

Good morning!

A locked door can be a very frustrating thing. Have you ever locked your car keys inside the car? Before the inception of keyless entry, I managed to lock my keys in the car a few times and, if I couldn’t reach Jeff, I’d have to pay $100 to have a locksmith meet me in the parking lot to help unlock that car door. The last time I locked my keys in the car, I was on the grocery store parking lot and I accidentally dropped my keys in the trunk just as I had finished loading groceries. I shut the trunk lid before I realized they had fallen out of my hand. My cell phone was locked in the front seat along with my wallet, and the keys were in the trunk. The store manager, feeling very sorry for me, allowed me to call my husband on his store phone. Jeff was not available, but he called our car dealership and the salesman who sold us the car came to the parking lot with a master key and unlocked my trunk for me. I am forever grateful to the people God has placed in my life who have helped to unlock my locked doors.

As long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to finish college. The timing to go back to school just never seemed quite right – I married young, and before I knew it, God had blessed us with children. I thought I might try to go back to school after the children were in elementary school, but the after-school activities and weekend sporting events kept my dream locked behind a closed door. I finally made the decision to try and return to college when my children were in upper elementary and junior high school. My very first college class was a 3-hour English class taken at a local community college. The professor was so supportive and seemed to genuinely care about my desire to further my education. His encouragement helped me unlock the door to continued learning and moved me closer toward the completion of that college degree. I confess I was the longest living freshman alive! I would take one 3-hour class in the spring and one 3-hour class in the fall. I did this for almost eight years, while my children finished their educations, moved out, and eventually got married. I promised myself that when our son David finished his education, I would go back to school full-time. The same day David left community college and enlisted in the military, I applied for a student loan and made application to enroll full-time at Lindenwood University.

All of us struggle with locked doors in life: not just physical doors, like car doors, or the door to higher education, or the door to promotion at work. We struggle to unlock the doors that free us from wrong thoughts and decisions. We want to rid ourselves of the things that keep us from living life to its fullest, like addictions, compulsions, sickness, fatigue, and bad attitudes. Sometimes sin feels like it is a revolving door with no exit – one way in and no way out. This is exactly why Jesus arose! He holds the master key to freedom with a capital F. When we are free in Christ, we are free indeed – free from the things that have separated us from a perfect and holy Father. He unlocks the door between our sin and God’s salvation once and for all.

The disciples were surprised that day when Jesus walked right through the locked door stood next to them. Jesus holds the master key; He can unlock the locked doors of your life. Are you willing and ready to walk through? Believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ; trust in Him today. The doors that you thought would never open will be unlocked through the power of His amazing grace and mercy.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Eyewitness account

Today’s Reading: John 20:24-25 (NIV)

24 Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”

Good morning!

I really like Thomas. His statement gained him the nickname “Doubting Thomas.” I don’t really think Thomas was a doubter at heart. I think Thomas was a realist. He reminds me a little of Lee Strobel, a man who refused to settle for anything less than the Truth. Would you want to believe something that is less than true? I wouldn’t. If I’m going to believe it, I need to know in my heart that this is as real as it gets - not just some human interest story with a great ending. No, there has to be more to this story. Thomas knew it; Lee Strobel knows it, and I believe it too.

The other disciples didn’t want to believe Mary at first, when she came running back frantically from the tomb. They thought she was seriously grieving and very confused over finding the empty grave. When Jesus appeared to them later that evening in the upper room, it was almost too much to comprehend! To see their Lord again, risen and whole, alive and well, was more than they could have hoped for. Yes, Jesus told them so, but the reality of seeing it first hand must have been completely and totally awesome!

Don’t you wonder where Thomas was that night? I think Thomas was a man of great courage. Everyone else was held up in that room, fearful to go out into the city. But not Thomas – he was somewhere else, probably taking a walk and grieving alone. Maybe he was doing his own little fact-finding mission. Thomas wasn’t afraid to break away from the group, to check things out for himself. He needed time away to sort through the events of the last week. No wonder Thomas responded the way he did, when the disciples caught up to him later.

If you have ever been an eyewitness to an automobile accident, then you know just how important your testimony can be to people who were involved. Eyewitness testimony is critical to the outcome of a jury trial, to better understanding the truth of the situation, and in resolving unanswered questions. We have a unique opportunity to see and understand the events of our Savior’s crucifixion and resurrection through the eyes of the tenacious twelve – the disciples of Jesus Christ. They walked with Him for three years, and were first-hand witnesses to every miracle Jesus performed. They watched Him die and saw Him fully resurrected. An eyewitness account will better help us understand the Truth.

When I get to heaven, I’m going to meet Thomas Didymus in person and shake his hand.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

A breath of fresh air

Today’s Reading: John 20:22-23 (NIV)

22 And with that, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV)

[Jesus said,] 14 “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Good morning!

Grudge bearing seems to be a popular human pastime. Have you ever held something against someone? Maybe it was something they did or said that hurt you, and you were never able to let go of it completely. While we may not think of it as a lifelong hobby, it is interesting to count the cost of unforgiveness. I challenge you to a test: for the next twenty-four hours, I want you to be keenly aware of passing thoughts and comments that you think and make about others. Make a mental note of the times you recognize that you are still holding a grudge. Count it up and send me an email with a number in the header - no explanation is necessary. I will tally the results and post them in my blog. You see, trust issues run deep in every human heart, and with a good reason. It is hard to rebuild trust with someone who has let you down.

Do you think this is what Jesus means - that when we hold on to the things of our past, we are living with unforgiveness in our hearts? He was clear when He told his disciples, “If you do not forgive men their sins, they are not forgiven.” He also said, “If you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” OUCH! Grudge bearing is obviously not good for our physical, emotional and spiritual health. When we get angry and hold on to that internal resentment, we will let it eat away at the lining of our stomachs, causing us to suffer from ulcers and indigestion. We can suffer with stress or migraine headaches. We become so tired from carrying that grudge that maybe we choose to stay home and sleep, and not re-engage with the world around us. Grudge bearing makes us cynical, pessimistic, and can eventually lead to feelings of hopelessness and fear. Sounds like fun, huh? When we weigh the cost of holding on to things that should have been forgiven long ago, our hurts can literally eat us alive.

It is difficult to understand why Jesus would go to the lengths He did to suffer so and die on a cross of shame to save you and me from our sin, when we still have the freedom to choose whether or not we will forgive each other. When I hold back forgiveness from a family member, friend, or neighbor, it is as if I am personally re-attaching Christ to the cross with my nails of unforgiveness. I imagine His heart breaks every time I become uppity and stubborn, unwilling to forgive. Maybe my neighbor’s sin won’t be forgiven; but neither will I. If we are to learn how to love like Jesus loves us, then we must be willing to forgive each other, and let the great pastime of grudge bearing go once and for all.

No wonder we need His holy breath to help us. I know that I am incapable of forgiveness all by myself. It takes something greater than anything I’ve got to offer, to help me let go of the hurts and the pain that I’ve endured along the way. I need the living breath of God flowing in and through me each day, so that when I pray and ask the Lord for His forgiveness, He will not only forgive me but will help me completely forgive others.

A new breath of fresh air is just a prayer away. Are you willing to set aside your pastime and choose to really forgive? I’ll see you this weekend at the altar of Faith Church. We can pray for each other and begin to fully experience the miracle of forgiveness through our Lord.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

One holy breath

Today’s Reading: John 20:21-22a (NIV)

21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that, He breathed on them.

Good morning!

It was a surreal moment, almost like reliving a crazy dream. I stood at the window of the NICU at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center, looking through the plate glass at my newborn grandson, Joshua David. He was in such a hurry to be born. Our daughter Rachel went into premature labor in her twenty-eighth week of pregnancy, then spent one month in-patient trying to postpone an early childbirth. Her physicians had done everything within their power to keep Rachel’s labor at bay. But on the morning of July 20^th in week thirty-two, Rachel gave birth to her son. Joshua David tipped the scales at five pounds, a good size for a child born in the seventh month. His lungs were underdeveloped, but functioning. He needed help breathing, so his physicians placed him on a ventilator. I watched the air push in and out, forcing his tiny chest to rise and fall. I remember thanking the Lord for His sweet breath of life over that child. One week later, Joshua was off the ventilator and breathing on his own.

The first time I held that precious baby boy in my arms, I could feel the air push from his tiny nostrils onto my skin. I couldn’t help but remember the month I spent in that NICU with my own baby boy. David had been born three weeks premature; suffering with a serious lung infection and a birth defect that was adversely affecting his body to function properly. In 1985, baby heart monitors for premature infants had not yet been approved for home use. When we took David home from the hospital, I laid him in the bassinet next to my bed, and I would sleep on my belly, with one hand on his chest, so that I could feel him breathing all night long. I don’t think I slept much the first six months of David’s life.

Joshua went home with a baby monitor, and what a blessing that was! We could put him in his crib and hear his every move, even from the other room. If his heart rate dropped or if he forgot to breathe, an alarm would sound and we would know to go pick him up, reminding Joshua to take a breath. Sometimes babies do forget to breathe. And we know that the breath of life is an essential and necessary element in order to live.

Jesus knew His disciples were scared. There they were, held up together in the upper room, the last place they had spent significant time with their Lord. They were afraid to go outside the walls for fear of retaliation, failure, and death. Breathing had become a labor of love, as they tried to hide from their adersaries. Jesus came with a greeting of peace. And as He spoke the Word, a holy hush fell across the room just like a warm, woolen blanket keeps you warm on a cold winter’s day. Softly, He said, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that, Jesus breathed on them the breath of new life. His breath became their lifeline, just as the ventilator was the lifeline for my son and grandson in the NICU. Apart from Christ’s holy life breath, we cannot breathe adequately on our own. We need to be hooked up with His breath of life for it is only His breath that sustains and gives us courage to move forward. One holy breath was enough to give the Disciples the strength they needed to step beyond the secure walls of the upper room and go out into the world, just as Jesus commanded them.

Do you need Jesus Christ to breathe a holy breath over your life today? Will it make an everlasting difference between your staying behind in the security of your church’s walls or stepping out into the world to go share the Good News? Lord Jesus, we need Your holy breath right now. Come and breathe on us, sweet breath of God. This is our heart’s desire. Amen.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Overjoyed

Today’s Reading: John 20:20 (NIV)

20 After He said this, [Jesus] showed them His hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

Good morning!

What is it like to be overjoyed? I’ve felt that way a few times in my life, and I think you probably have too. I remember the joy I felt when I completed my senior piano recital and prepared for high school graduation. That sense of accomplishment brought great joy to my life. I was definitely joyful the day I walked down the aisle with Jeff after we said “I do.” The delight we shared at the birth of our three children were milestone moments of great joy. I didn’t think having babies could possibly get any better until we experienced the births of our five grandchildren. Overjoyed and overwhelmed are very good words to describe God’s great gift of new life.

The disciples were overjoyed when they saw their Master and friend standing before them. He who had died was now alive and the proof was there, right in front of them! Their hopelessness became true hope. Fear and failure, the guilt of the “what ifs” were obsolete in the proof of Christ’s rising. Everything He had said was true! Sin and death had been conquered on the cross once and for all and the gates of hell would never be the same again.

Do you remember how you felt the first time you realized that Jesus had died just to save you? I have a distinct recollection of a prayer I prayed one day all by myself in the sanctuary of my church. I was thirteen years old; mother was at a meeting and I was spending time waiting for her to finish. As long as I can remember, I’ve always been drawn into the sanctuary; it is such a great place to spend quiet time, thinking and praying. Of course, the sanctuary had a piano and organ that I had permission to play, and sometimes, I would go there just to sing and play love songs for my Lord.

From the time I was a little girl, I knew that Jesus loved me. Yet, on that incredibly wonderful day, I realized that Jesus loved me enough to die for me, and if I had been the only person in the world needing salvation, He would have come back just to save me. It is hard to understand the depth of the Father’s love; how He would give His Only begotten Son to die on a cross of sin and shame to save us from ourselves. Overwhelmed might be a better word to describe what I felt in the sanctuary that day. I remember laughing and crying; grieving and rejoicing all at the same time. There were waves of sheer delight, followed with moments of deep sorrow. It was as if I reached out and touched the scars on Jesus’ hands. I could see the life giving blood of the Lamb pouring down from the cross, covering my sin and cleansing me from all unrighteousness. In that holy moment, I was overjoyed and overwhelmed with God’s gift of love.

I have discovered that the mercies of the Lord are new every day. I remember that first time; yet, I experience His resurrection over my life every morning. I still become overjoyed and overwhelmed with Christ’s love. I do not deserve His mercy and yet, I’m just so thankful for it! When I come into the Lord’s presence in prayer and praise, Jesus meets me there with open arms. Christ will meet you too, wherever you are. He knows you by name. Jesus carried every single sin you’ve ever committed to the cross so that you would not have to live today, tomorrow, or forever in total separation from Him. Jesus knows you and He loves you, and He waits for you to open your heart and experience the overwhelming joy that comes with an intimate relationship with your Savior.

Feeling a little overjoyed this morning? It is a great way to start the day. Come, and let us worship the Lord together.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Peace

Today’s Reading: John 20:19 (NIV)

19 On the evening of the first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”

Good morning!

It was anything but peaceful on the week that Jesus rose from the grave. Roman soldiers assigned to guard the tomb were punished for allowing the “dead” prisoner to escape. Rumors were flying all around the city as the Sanhedrin made inquiries and sought out potential grave robbers. All of Jesus’ closest friends and family were in imminent physical danger. They found themselves hiding away out of the public purview, confused by all that had occurred. The disciples wanted to believe Mary, and hoped that they would get to see their beloved Jesus alive! Still, they wondered how all this could have possibly happened.

Deep down inside, they knew it was true. Jesus told them what would happen, that the Son of Man would be handed over to evil men who would kill him, and on the third day He would rise again. Yet, it was their fear that kept them locked behind closed doors, unwilling to share what they knew to be true. Fear has a way of keeping the truth bottled up. Have you ever remained silent to protect your heart from the harsh judgment of others?

It is often easier to keep matters of faith tucked away where others cannot get to it, to pick it apart, like vultures looking for fresh meat. If any of you have ever shared your faith on a social networking site or group email, then I am certain you understand the vulnerability that comes with taking a stand, whether it be on a particular theological view or a social justice issue. We fear that our words will come back to bite us, that others might develop some preconceived notion of who we are and, as a result, accept us into their circle of friends. We are labeled by religious tags, which tend to build walls rather than break them down. If we cannot find the courage to share our faith with others, how will others ever learn about the amazing love of God the Father through His Son, Jesus Christ?

When Jesus came and stood among the disciples, He said, “Peace be with you.” Their every fear simply melted away in the presence of Jesus. It is in Christ’s presence daily, that we find strength and courage to go into the world, and share His message with others. Do not let fear keep you locked behind closed doors. Free your heart for service today. Choose to walk in Christ’s peace. It is His peace that passes all human understanding.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

New birth day party!

Today’s Reading: John 20:18 (NIV)

18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that He had said these things to her.

Good morning!

My mother and I attended a birthday party on Saturday for our granddaughter and great-granddaughter Emily Maria, who is celebrating her fifth year milestone. Do you remember what it was like to turn five years old? We partied at Monkey’s Joe’s, which I would simply categorize as bounce heaven for children of all ages! Some of the bouncing bubbles made me so dizzy watching that I had to look away. Emily and Rory came down a slide together and the velocity had them going so fast that when they reached the end of the slide, they collided and left bright pink goose-eggs on each other’s foreheads. Daddy got it all on film. Why do children love to bounce and go fast? Of course, as the excitement level rose, so did the noise level on the play ground. Personally, I was especially grateful for the soundproof party room. It made for a nice retreat from the chaos occurring just beyond the window.

Princess Emily sat perched in the large party chair, as her friends and family gathered round the picnic tables below. She got to meet Monkey Joe in person, who gave her a high-five and a new yellow Monkey Joe’s t-shirt! We ate birthday cake and drank apple juice, while enjoying our party bag full of trinkets. Emily enjoyed her presents – everything from clothes to My Little Pony, to an oversized Easter bunny for her room! The delight and pure joy captured on Emily’s face pretty much said it all. She was ecstatic in this moment!

Mary was celebrating a brand new birth day too. She had seen the Lord and His physical presence in her life had simply overwhelmed her! What Mary could have only hoped for in her wildest dreams had just come true. And just like the perfect birthday present, Mary saw her Lord in the garden, alive and well! He is alive! She ran, bouncing down the sidewalk into the city. Breathless and shaking, she found the disciples and shouted, “I have seen the Lord!” And she began to tell them what she knew to be true.

Now this is one party I do not intend to miss. Can you imagine how perfectly wonderful it will be when we hear the trumpets sound and look up to see Jesus returning on the clouds for you and me? What an amazing new birth day party this will be! He is coming back soon, and this is one eternal celebration we will never ever forget.

And I thought turning five was fun!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Homecoming Wave

Today’s Reading: John 20:17 (NIV)

17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

Good morning!

My mother looks forward to homecoming every summer in Mississippi. It is a time when she gets to visit with her extended family and friends in the town where she grew up. She can't wait to wave at and hug the stuffing out of all of her cousins, nieces and nephews. If you’ve ever attended a family reunion, or a homecoming football game at school, you can easily get caught up in the sheer excitement of the moment. Have you ever done a homecoming wave? It involves everyone in the stadium. You can see it coming from afar, and all of a sudden, you are up and cheering, waving your hands high above your head in tandem with everyone around you. Homecoming brings us back to the place where we began, to the ones we know and love. There is nothing quite like the experience of a homecoming wave.

In Jewish tradition and law, harvest time is a joyful time, when the first fruits are gathered in from the field. Moses instructed the people to celebrate the beginning of harvest by offering up a sheath of its first fruits, also known as the wavesheath offering to the Lord (Leviticus 23:9-14). This offering is given only once a year, following the Passover observance. It is offered in thankful praise to God as the one true giver of the harvest. The waving of the sheath (which was performed by the high priest) marks the beginning of the work that leads to an early harvest.

When Mary saw Jesus that morning in the garden, He told her not to cling to Him physically because He had not yet risen to His Father. He was preparing for His homecoming wave; Christ had become the physical wavesheath offering, marking the beginning of the great harvest of souls.

Can you imagine what the praises must have sounded like coming from heaven, as Jesus ascended that very first time before the Father’s throne? It must have been the most amazing homecoming wave ever! In my mind’s eye, I can clearly see the heavenly host bowing down and praising the Lamb all in one voice. Sin and death has been conquered forever! Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing (Revelation 5:12).

The wavesheath offering has been offered and harvest time has begun. Soon, we will all experience the eternal wave of the sheath, when we see Jesus for the very first time, high and lifted up, sitting at the right of the Father. Friends, He is waving us home. It is a spectacular homecoming celebration that you do not want to miss. Ask Jesus Christ to become Lord of your life today. Do it now! Christ will forgive your sins, cleanse you from all unrighteousness, and raise you up on the day of the great homecoming. Harvest time is just around the corner, and it will be here before we know it. Are you ready to rise?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

A Case of Mistaken Identity

Today’s Reading: John 20:15-16 (NIV)

15 “Woman,” he said, “Why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, [Mary] said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).

Good morning!

Have you ever been approached by someone who thought you was someone else? Recently, I’ve been the example of a mistaken identity on a number of occasions, most recently at a Perspectives Bible Study class. A woman who was attending the program at Faith Church from Illinois seemed to recognize me from clear across the sanctuary. When she realized I was not the person she thought I was, she said that I definitely have a twin sister living on the other side of the river. Ironically, I guess it could be true! Since I was adopted at birth, I could have a sister out there somewhere. I would love to meet her one day, along with my biological parents. If nothing else, my heavenly family reunion will certainly be a wonderful surprise party for me!

Class reunions and church homecomings are places where we are surprised to see the people we have not seen in literally years. Last summer, Jeff and I made a trip to Texas and arranged to have dinner with several church members from a former student pastorate. When we were in seminary, Jeff and I were very young, ages 20 and 22 respectively. The biggest difference in Jeff’s appearance is his lack of hair. The folks at College Mound were surprised to see their totally bald pastor! I looked nothing like I did before, when I was thirty years younger. Of course, the folks we met with had changed considerably too. It is funny how the lines of time may change our physical appearance, but the things that make us who we are, our character and conviction, remain steadfast. Even though some of my College Mound friends did not look the way I remembered them, I could hear that sweet familiarity in their voice, and I knew them instinctively by their love for each other. Christians can be easily identified by their love.

Mary didn’t recognize Jesus, and if I had been standing there, I probably would not have known Him either. The last time she saw the Lord, He was a bleeding, dying man hanging upon the cross. His flesh had been ripped to shreds. His face was swollen and bruised from the beating He took. His eyes were blood shot and almost swollen shut. Mary saw Jesus die. It is no wonder that she would not have immediately recognized the risen Christ. His physical body had been restored to wholeness. It must have been His voice that she recognized first, when He called out her name. Even when our physical vision fails, our ability to hear and recognize the voice of our Savior remains.

The behaviors that alienate human beings today from a holy and perfect God can keep us from clearly hearing His voice and cause us to misunderstand His message of Truth. Today, I am praying for the ability to hear above the roar of our cultural world view. I want to know Jesus for who He really is, for it is only in Him that I can live forever free. I do not want to experience a sad case of mistaken identity when Christ calls out my name. Father, forgive me for the sins I’ve committed against you and others. I plead the blood of your son, Jesus Christ to cover me, to cleanse and make me whole. Only He can help me hear your still, small voice. I ask this, in Jesus’ holy name, Amen.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Skewed vision

Today’s Reading: John 20:13-14 (NIV)

13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put Him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

Good morning!

I wish I had 20/20 vision. I’ve worn glasses and contact lenses from the age of eight, and I’ve thought of undergoing lasik eye surgery as a way to surgically correct my nearsightedness and astigmatism. If it works, it may be a great blessing, especially in the night, when my vision is compromised by the surrounding darkness.

Have you ever seen something in the dark that compels you to take a second, harder look? Sometimes, if I awake abruptly in the middle of the night, I may see a shadow that forces me to blink several times, trying to focus on what it is I am actually seeing. Quite often, it is only a piece of furniture in the room, the ceiling fan moving slowly, or a book left on the floor by my side of the bed.

Mary was there at the tomb and the sun was just beginning to rise. It is not always easy to see things just before the first light of dawn, when the world around you is hazy and dark shadows fill the sky. Mary didn’t recognize the two angels, nor did she recognize her Lord even as He was standing right in front of her. Mary needed supernatural help with her limited visual acuity.

Shortsightedness tends to skew our ability to see the bigger picture clearly. We are far too focused on the shadows right in front of our noses. It’s kind of like trying to see clearly in the dark without your glasses. We strain our eyes to see beyond the present, the particular, the concrete – only to run full force into that concrete wall. What walls are skewing your vision from seeing the Lord Jesus Christ for who He really is?

I believe it was no mistake that Mary was confronted by Jesus and two angels that day: Father, Son and Holy Spirit - three in one; one being; together forever. What will it take for our eyes to be opened so that we can see the bigger picture? The season of Lent is fast approaching. What would you be willing to give up if it meant that you could see the Lord for who He really is with perfect sight?

Father, help us look beyond the shadows and walls that limit our sight and see you clearly today in every human heart. Amen.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Broken-hearted

Today’s Reading: John 20:10-13 (NIV)

10 Then the disciples went back to their homes, 11 but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. 13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

Good morning!

Last night, I was on the phone with my daughter Rachel, and I could hear my young granddaughter Emily burst into tears. Rachel put the telephone down and went to comfort her daughter. “Emily, what’s wrong?” I heard Rachel say. What followed next was a combination of slurred speech and sobs from a broken-hearted little girl. Sometimes we have trouble communicating when we are overcome with emotion. I imagine Mary was feeling overwhelmed when the angels asked her why she was crying at the tomb.

Have you ever been overcome with emotion?

I remember standing alone at my father’s casket about an hour before his scheduled funeral. Daddy had passed quite suddenly and unexpectedly. There were some things left to say, and even though I knew he was physically no longer there, I felt the need to express myself. I knew that God would hear and understand the words I spoke, even if no one else did. I think I sounded a lot like little Emily, sobbing and sputtering words that probably only made sense to me and the Lord. When we say goodbye to the people who have impacted our lives in a profound way, it is a painful thing to do. As I reflect on that day many years ago, I realize that God gave me His special gift of tears to help me in expressing what simple words cannot. My swollen red nose and teary, weepy eyes were a priceless gift from the Father above, and I can be grateful even in times of sadness and despair.

The disciples had left Mary alone to her grief. Men seem to have a hard time with tears, especially when the one who is grieving means so very much to them. Mary stood there – but she was not alone. The Lord sent two angels to comfort her broken heart; a priceless gift she cherished for the rest of her life. Although I did not physically see or speak with angels on the day my father died, I have no doubt they were there, surrounding our family with Christ’s peace that passes all human understanding.

The next time grief grips your heart, and you find yourself blubbering between sobs, remember that you are not alone. Jesus Christ is standing right beside you. He will send His angels to guard and protect you especially in your most vulnerable moments, offering comfort in ways you cannot begin to imagine or understand. You can run today into the Father’s open arms where He will hold you as you have your heavenly cry out. May you experience Christ’s priceless peace when you have a broken heart..

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Faith issue

Today’s Reading: John 20:9 (NIV)

9 They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.

Good morning!

Have you ever taught Sunday school? I remember the first time I was asked to teach a Sunday school class. Jeff and I were young newlyweds; he had received his M.Div. (Masters of Divinity) and I had received my Ph.T. (Put Hubby Through). Since I was working on campus during the week to help pay Jeff’s tuition, I did not have the opportunity to attend the classes he took, and quite honestly, I felt totally inadequate to teach a Sunday school class. He had learned so much more in his studies. I was a high school graduate with virtually no formal college-level Biblical studies to my name. At first, I allowed overwhelming feelings of inadequacy to set in, and taught only when I absolutely had no other choice. It was not a joyful experience, at first. It amazes me that people can accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, yet, feel inadequate when called upon to explain why they believe.

While at our student appointment in seminary, there was a need for a teacher in the toddler Sunday school classroom. Our daughter Rachel was a toddler then, and my confidence in sharing the Gospel with babies had grown since I had become a mother myself. I gladly accepted the position, and began working with several wee ones. We would sing the songs I learned as a child, and play with various art mediums. The children especially liked finger painting, and I could see Jesus in every one of their paintings. It’s seems rather peculiar to me that with every church, there was a need for a Sunday school teacher at just my children’s ages. Teaching became easier for me, because my comfort level grew as my children grew. I actually think it was a God-thing. I began teaching upper elementary classes, and then working with junior and senior high classes. About the time my children grew up, I finally found some comfort level in teaching adults. I recognized my deep need to learn and grow even deeper in the Word. I believe this is something every Christian should do. Understanding why we believe what we believe is imperative if we long to draw deeper in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

I have the utmost respect for Sunday school teachers. They are willing to set aside their personal fear of inadequacy to share the love of Christ with others. Their testimony and powerful witness impacts folks for the rest of their lives. I can still remember the faces and the lessons I learned as a child in Sunday school class. Do you remember your teachers and how their words and actions have stayed with you through the years?

The disciples were there, standing at the empty tomb. They viewed the remnants of where Christ’s body had been laid; they saw the folded napkin and the empty shroud. They believed, yet they did not fully understand that Jesus had to rise from the dead to finish the redemptive work of salvation. They were there and still had faith issues. Why then, should we be surprised when we struggle to understand?

I have a friend who attends Sunday school at Faith United Methodist Church in House Springs, Missouri. His instructor, Janet Holdcraft, asked this question a couple of weeks ago: "The question isn't 'What would Jesus do?' as if he wasn't here or as if he wasn't doing anything. The question is 'What IS Jesus doing, and how can I join in?" How would answer her question? What was Jesus doing in the garden on that resurrection morning? What is He doing in your life right now?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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