New life coach

Today’s Reading: Acts 3:13-15 (NIV)

¹³The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. ¹⁴You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. ¹⁵You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.

Good morning!

We stood in line for hours with our daughter Rachel, David and the children to meet and greet to meet the world famous author and television star, Nanny Deb, from Nanny 911®. My son-in-law is a great guy. He surprised Rachel on her birthday one year with tickets to attend a book signing with Nanny Deb at the Barnes and Noble® bookstore. Nanny Deb is Rachel’s hero. Like the infamous writing of Dr. Spock for my mother’s generation, Nanny Deb is the expert extraordinaire on matters of child rearing today. Rachel is a dedicated follower of Nanny 911®, never missing her television show. So enamored with this woman, Rachel started coaching my grandchildren to call me “Nanny Deb” at a very early age. It is a term of endearment that has stuck. Three of my grandchildren know me as “Nanny.” As a matter of fact, when we finally reached the book table and shook author Nanny Deb’s hand, my grandson Joshua proudly introduced me as his very own “Nanny Deb.”

You see, Nanny Deb is a life coach. She encourages healthy behaviors and good moral values for children. She teaches little ones how to listen and show respect for their parents and siblings, admonishing them to obey instructions and choose to do the right thing. She teaches parenting classes, coaching mothers and fathers through the tough and confusing issues that come with training up a child in the way they should go. Many of the families that Nanny Deb has worked with have been eternally grateful for the life skill lessons they have acquired. Their children were dangerously out of control, unable to discern right from wrong. Confused and frustrated parents, not really knowing what to do next, turned to Nanny Deb as a last resort. It helps to have an outsider’s unbiased opinion to identify the deeper issues, allowing for healing, restoration, and a new sense of direction to emerge. Nanny Deb’s advice and guidance through her books and reality television continues to positively impact families around the world today.

The Apostle Peter, through the power of the Holy Spirit, found himself speaking to the people of Jerusalem on behalf of Jesus Christ as a new life coach. He reiterated how Jesus Christ, the holy and righteous Son of God, was killed, just as the people demanded it. Because of their persistence, they convinced Pilate to reverse his decision to have Jesus flogged and let go. They demanded the immediate release of Barabbas, a convicted murderer, instead. Peter was able to see the deeper issues, identifying the origin of the spiritual problem at hand. His longing was for all people to fully understand and own their sin, so they could recognize and see Jesus for who He is – the Savior of the world. Peter knew if they would simply repent and completely trust Jesus Christ, their lives would be forever changed.

We killed the author of life, yet God raised His Son Jesus from the dead! Christ’s resurrection from the grave changed the course of humanity forever. We no longer have to live in separation from the Father’s love. Won’t you ask the new life coach to come in and clean up your mess? He will teach you how to trust and obey. Ask Jesus to help you! He is only a 911 prayer away.

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.

Surprised?

Today’s Reading: Acts 3:12 (NIV)

12 When Peter saw this, he said to them, “Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?”

Good morning!

I remember my very first surprise party. I was a Brownie, and my mother was one of the Brownie co-leaders. We wore brown skirts and white blouses with the Girl Scout® emblem appliquéd on the front pocket. I wore a brown beanie with a little, tiny tassel on top. I liked my uniform and was proud every time I got to wear it to school.

Brownies always wore their uniforms to meetings. It is a time-honored tradition, and I liked that a lot. Imagine my dismay, one Saturday morning, when Mom woke my little sister and me at 6am and told us to get in the car in our pajamas and hair curlers. We had no earthly idea why we were going anywhere in our pajamas, even though my mother was fully dressed. When we pulled up into the driveway of our Brownie troop leaders’ home, I was mortified. What in the world were we doing here so early in the morning in our pajamas? Mother ushered us into the house, where we found ourselves in the presence of all our Brownie friends, in their pajamas and robes too! It was meant to be a surprise pajama party with breakfast and party favors and silly games; yet, with cameras flashing and mothers laughing, I simply wanted to get back in the car and go home. I was so embarrassed and felt exposed and humiliated. My uniform was waiting for me, hanging in my closet. And I wasn’t wearing it! Could I actually be a brownie without the uniform?

I imagine, to some degree, the men of Israel must have felt the same way. They were witnesses to an amazing healing miracle, but just didn’t quite know how to process it! They had worshipped and studied the law and the prophets their entire lives. They grew up with this one, the invalid who had never been to walk before, and found he was suddenly running and jumping and shouting praises to God! His feet had been perfectly restored to wholeness. There was no sign of infirmity in this man’s body. When Jesus Christ reached out and healed the crippled man as Peter spoke, everything changed. How could this possibly happen? What had they missed?

Peter knew why the men were stunned. They did not yet know the Savior the way Peter knew Him. Peter realized the depth of Christ’s love when he experienced His forgiveness as he denied him three times during Christ’s trial. Peter understood that when Christ heals, he heals completely. By the spilling of His blood, Jesus was able to remove the façade, letting the truth of who we truly are become revealed in the Father’s sight. Peter knew that once human robes of self-righteousness were dropped, Christ can do above and beyond because He is Lord of all. He has ultimate authority over sin and death! And with a mustard feed faith and an open mind, He will heal you too.

In matters of faith, it is imperative that we learn to leave our comfortable religious uniforms hanging in the closet, and come to Christ just as we are. If that means you are coming to Him today in rollers and pajamas, so be it. He loves you and wants you to know Him all the more. There is no shame when we openly share our deepest hurts, anger and grief with the Master healer. He can take our broken hearts, imperfect bodies, and even our confused and shallow minds, and recreate them for kingdom work.

Come to Jesus just as you are. He is there with arms wide open, waiting to welcome you into the Father’s house.

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.

The porch

Today’s Reading: Acts 3:11 (NIV)

11 While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade.

Good morning!

The porch has long been the gathering place for family and friends. My grandparents enjoyed sitting outside underneath their covered porch almost every afternoon in Brookhaven, Mississippi. During the summer, the interior of their farm house was extraordinarily hot, with no central air conditioning or ceiling fans to promote air circulation. The porch was a much cooler place to sit, as it was shaded by the large pine trees and kudzu in the front yard. Occasionally, a breeze would blow through, providing much needed refreshment during the humidity and heat. On the porch, we sipped exotic concoctions of homemade lemonade and iced tea in plastic cups, while playing board games, Jacks and Dominoes. I loved listening to the incessant chatter of my extended family as we gathered together on the porch.

My favorite time of day to swing in the glider on the porch was when it was storming. The Mississippi rains would beat hard on the dry, cracked ground, where the grass had burned to a crisp in the heat of a July drought. Sometimes, the rain would fall so forcefully that I wondered if we might suddenly find ourselves caught up in a flash flood as the creek bed began to rise. Sitting on the porch in the pouring rain, we would remain completely dry, enjoying the wafting fragrance of a cool rain while watching steam rise up from the ground. My grandmother would throw an old quilt over me when she saw the goose bumps rise up on my arms and legs, chilled by the sudden drop of temperature. Sneaking a cat nap in the rain on Grandmother’s porch is one of my most cherished childhood memories.

Solomon’s colonnade was the favored gathering place for the teachers and their students. Located on the east side of the outer court of Herod’s temple, it became a hall of judgment where verdicts were rendered. Many of our older judicial buildings were designed with a large front porch and concrete colonnade beams, to resemble that of Solomon’s Colonnade in Jerusalem. The porch was a gathering place for the Levites and students of the law, to discuss questions and receive religious training. This was a very special place for Jesus. He sat on the porch at age twelve, answering questions and amazing the priests with his uncanny wisdom. It was here where Jesus taught the crowds as an adult. When Herod passed final judgment on Jesus, he was led from the porch into the streets of Jerusalem, where he carried the cross to Golgotha. His disciples chose to return to the porch quite often, for many of their precious memories of Jesus remained there, underneath the beautiful colonnades.

When we gather as a family each week to worship the Lord, we sit in the shade of Solomon’s porch. It is a place of learning and refreshment, filled with sound teaching, joyful music and incessant chatter. As the Spirit rains down God’s amazing love, we feel His refreshing breath of air flowing through the porch, touching every person present. It is an experience you do not want to miss. Won’t you join us in worship this weekend at Faith Church? Come and sit underneath the beautiful colonnades and experience the love of Jesus Christ. Just like the beggar, the Lord will heal your heart today, if you’ll simply come into His presence with joy!

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.

Miraculous Joy!

Today’s Reading: Acts 3:9-10 (NIV)

9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Good morning!

What is a miracle to you? Webster’s online dictionary defines miracle as an effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural source; such an effect or event manifesting or considered as a work of God; a wonder; a marvel! Based upon Webster’s definition, I would say that the invalid who was healed at the Beautiful Gate that day was the recipient of an amazing miracle. What do you think?

Miracles come in all kinds of packaging. We sometimes overlook the little miracles of life, because we’re simply too busy to see them. The birds begin to sing long before the sun rises each day. Their melodies proclaim that wonder of new life. Is this not a miracle in the making? We wake up hearing the birds chirping, as we breathe in and out. Is this not a major miracle? Whose breath is it anyway? God breathed His breath of life into the nostrils of the first Adam, and Jesus Christ, the second Adam, breathes His breath of life into each of us through the power of the Holy Spirit. How often do you consciously think about breathing? How many times a day do you breathe in and out and remember to thank God for His holy breath in your life?

We miss seeing the miracles, until one miracle captures our undivided attention. The people couldn’t help but notice the man in the temple courtyards, walking and jumping and praising the Lord! They recognized him. Wasn’t he the crippled one sitting at the gate begging each day? Look at his feet – how they support him now! Look at his hands high in the air! We can sense his excitement and we are caught up in his amazing miracle. Who has the power to heal our every infirmity? Is it not the One who breathes His breath into our nostrils every day?

Sometimes, we receive a miracle and forget to say thank you. We don’t know whether the invalid healed was a Jew or Gentile. We do not know whether he knew the risen Christ before Christ healed him through the words of Peter. What we do know is this man did not hesitate to thank and praise the Lord for the miracles in his life. No monetary gift could have compared to the gift of healing and wholeness this man received. Do we forget to tell God thank you for the miracles in our lives? Do you have a grateful heart for the life you have been given?

Come and worship the Lord with me today. Let us praise Him together for the miracles of breath and life and love. He gives us so very much to be thankful for. Help us, Lord, to recognize the miracles You give and to praise You with exuberant joy each morning! Your miraculous love is truly contagious as we share our joys together through Jesus Christ, our Lord. 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.

Free admission

Today’s Reading: Acts 3:7-8 (NIV)

7 Taking him by the right hand, [Peter] helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong! 8 He jumped up to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.

Good morning!

When our children were young, they looked forward each summer to our annual family excursion to Six Flags®. This theme park was cost prohibitive, and we felt blessed to be able to go one time a year. In the early spring, we would begin saving our change in a large container on the bedroom dresser, just to purchase tickets for admission into the park. We would pick a summer Saturday and mark our family calendar, keeping it clear of other commitments. Every summer, the theme park would offer some new attraction, like a roller coaster, guest celebrity, or a new water ride. We would plan to go early in the morning and stay until dark. We didn’t want to waste one single minute of our designated day.

Often, we would stand in a long line at the entrance to the park, waiting patiently to get in. The children were anxious, jumping and down and squirming next to us. Jeff and I would pray we had saved enough change to pay the added costs from last year’s admission fee. One year in particular, our budget had been too tight and we did not schedule our annual trip. The children were disappointed when we told them we would not be going. We felt like we had let them down. Our friends Georgia and Don invited us to join them for day’s trip to the park, knowing that we went faithfully every summer. We politely declined their kind invitation, explaining that we just didn’t have the extra cash to take our family of five, but maybe we could plan a joint trip together next year. Georgia reached inside her purse and handed me five free tickets. I was so surprised! She smiled and said, “We received some free tickets at work and we really want to share them with you. Won’t you please go with us this summer?”

The most enjoyable trip we ever made to the theme park was the summer we gained free admission. We walked through those gates, delighted thankful, watching our children as they ran and jumped and skipped along the sidewalk to their favorite rides. It was one of the best gifts our family had ever received.

When Jesus Christ shed His blood to cover our sin, He purchased our free ticket into heaven. The man who was crippled from birth received Christ’s healing gift that day, and he leapt up with great joy and thanksgiving, walking and jumping for the very first time as he made his way through the Beautiful Gate and entered into the temple courts. He was instantly healed! God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ is free to all who will receive it today by faith. The price paid was greater than anything we could possibly comprehend, and yet, His present is for all generations, all people, everywhere.

Jesus Christ is standing at the entrance to the temple gate with your free ticket in His nail-scarred hand. Won’t you accept it today? Come and experience the full joy of the Father’s love through Jesus Christ, as we walk through heaven’s gate 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.

Daily walk

Today’s Reading: Acts 3:6 (NIV)

6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”

Good morning!

My mother joined Weight Watchers® while I was at elementary school. She would go to her weekly meetings and weigh in while I had class. Mom was determined to drop a few pounds, and forty of them fell off her frame after a year of disciplined eating and daily exercise. Mom learned the secret to losing and maintaining a healthy weight had a lot to do with daily commitment not to eat more than the number of calories she was allotted each day, and to persevere in daily activity. She had issues with her lower back that kept her from doing some of the aerobic exercises that most women liked to do, so she looked for something that was less stressful and worked well for her. She could walk faster than any other mother in our subdivision! Whoosh! There she goes again down the street and off on the hilly service road! I could hardly keep up with her. She would wait until we got home from school, and then we would lace up our tennis shoes and off we’d go. She walked and I sprinted just to stay beside her. For someone with such short legs, I don’t know how she picked up that kind of momentum. Up and down the service road hills we would walk, taking every side street to the end and back. It is no wonder she had great success in losing those unwanted extra pounds.

Walking is such a gift. We watch our babies move from crawling to pulling up, learning how to let go and taking their very first step solo. Do you remember the joy of seeing your child walk? Little wobbly ankles trying to hold up an unbalanced frame, while tossing aside all fear, picking up their feet and moving forward. We cheer them on, praising them with each new step. Not too long after they walk, running becomes a toddler’s theme, and many mothers often regret encouraging their wee ones to walk. It can be exhausting trying to keep up with a miniature marathon runner!

The crippled man had never walked. Scripture says he had been born with an infirmity that kept him begging daily for his needs. We don’t know whether he had seen Jesus riding through the streets of Jerusalem on a donkey, or if he saw the Lord leaving the city with the cross beam tied to his bleeding shoulders. What we do know is that Peter, through the power of the Holy Spirit, gave this man an incredible, amazing gift that day – it was a gift that would literally change his life. He offered him healing in Jesus’ name, and, for the very first time, the invalid stood up and took his very first step by faith.

How long has it been since you’ve taken a step of faith? The weight of the world may be holding you back, with feelings of insecurity as you try to stand up on wobbly, weak ankles. When the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth is spoken, miracles happen! People who hear His name for the very first time are instantly strengthened and changed. What happened that day at the Beautiful Gate happens every day at the gates of our lives. When Jesus commands us to stand, His strength becomes our strength and we can walk toward Him, step by step.

It is a miraculous and holy thing when we fully commit our lives to taking a daily walk with Jesus, just as He commands. It all begins with a simple act of faith. Jesus Christ of Nazareth is calling you by name, to rise up and walk with Him today.

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.

A gift worth keeping

Today’s Reading: Acts 3:4 (NIV)

4 Peter looked straight at [the beggar], as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

Good morning!

Have you ever received a gift from someone that you didn’t expect to get? Or maybe you expected something that you didn’t get. It used to be a time honored tradition for my parents, in-laws and spouse to give me new clothes on my birthday. This just never seemed to go very well. While my husband can still wear some of the clothes he wore in high school, I have hard time getting my big toe into something I wore thirty something years ago. Unfortunately, my body tends to fluctuate from year to year. I hate to return gifts, but find myself in the uncomfortable situation of having to exchange that sweater for a different size. The best gift I have ever unwrapped is when the tag on the garment says, “One size fits all.”

Every Sunday morning when I attend worship, I leave with a personalized gift. I go there specifically to give my praise and thanksgiving to the Lord who saves me day by day, and yet, He offers me so much more than what I can give back! As I listen to the message, it is as if He has prepared a special present just for me; and it is my job to pay attention and listen for what it is God is saying through the preaching and teaching of His Holy Word.

There are moments when I know the Father is speaking to my heart directly. It is important that I give Him my full and undivided attention as He begins to correct my thought patterns, words, and behaviors. Sometimes I’d like to exchange some of what He’s saying for something less convicting and more socially appealing. It is so very important for me to own my sin and confess it, so that I may receive His free gift of forgiveness and the opportunity to begin again. He waits for me to choose whether I will receive His gift and accept it unconditionally. Every time I listen to the teaching and preaching that is birthed from the Holy Spirit and spoken through my pastors and Sunday school teachers, I grow in faith.

Often, we try to exchange His Truth for a lie. The gift of His truth is as sharp as a double-edged sword. It is not the gift we most often want to receive, and yet, it is His gift that we need! We sometimes think His gift will not fit us perfectly as a body of believers, that one size can’t possibly fit all. Yet, God’s love for His children is so big that death and hell could not hold it. He loves us so much that He would give us His only Son as the supreme sacrificial offering for our continued sin and willful rebellion. Christ carried our sins to the cross just so we can receive the Father’s gift of everlasting life through Him! Even when His truth hurts, it causes us to take a deeper look into who we are and whose we are, recognizing His gift is waiting to be opened. We need to open our hearts to His gifts of forgiveness and grace.

The birthday presents we hope to unwrap today may not be exactly what we expect to receive. For the crippled beggar sitting at the entrance to the Beautiful Gate, his new birth day gift was more than he could have ever imagined possible. When God gives you a gift, please pay attention to what He is saying. Do not be afraid to accept the Truth of His Word. If you will ask Him, He will save you today! His gift of salvation is for all, and no matter where you’ve been or what you’ve done, you are not so far away that He cannot reach you with His nail-scarred hands. Won’t you receive the gift of new life today, in Jesus’ name.

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.

Giving it all away

Today’s Reading: Acts 3:3 (NIV)

3 When [the man crippled from birth] saw Peter and John about to enter [the temple courts], he asked them for money.

Good morning!

Every time my telephone rings, I wonder if the voice on the other end of the line represents yet another charitable organization seeking my donation for a worthy cause. It is not uncommon for our family to receive several phone calls each day. And in this strapped economy, more and more people have had to seek financial assistance just to feed their families, pay their utility bills and monthly rent. How do you choose who to help?

Sometimes people take advantage of others who are struggling to survive in a desperate situation. It was difficult to watch the looters who come to take what does not belong to them in the aftermath of a hurricane. We saw a lot of this happening live in news commentary videos made in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. We cannot fully understand the plight of a displaced, hungry person until we have experienced that hunger for ourselves.

My uncle owned a small family-style restaurant near Monticello, Mississippi for many years. After Katrina, there was no electricity for weeks in the area. Traveling anywhere was especially dangerous, with downed power lines and flash flooding. He knew the food in his freezer would become spoiled in a matter of days. So my uncle choose to cook everything he had outside on a camp grill and give it away to whoever needed it. People who were used to taking care of their own needs suddenly found themselves without the resources needed to do just that. Families within walking distance of the diner showed up to eat. A community’s great need was met for several days because someone was willing to give everything they had away to help a neighbor in need.

The crippled man sat at the Beautiful Gate, the entrance to the temple courtyard, hoping worshippers would have pity on him and give him money to purchase a day’s worth of food and pay his rent. He had no other means of support, and had learned how to beg for his very survival. He was looking to receive something that would meet an immediate need. He had no clue that what he was about to receive would literally change the direction of his entire life.

What would you be willing to give away to meet a neighbor's need? Would you give them everything you have?

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.

Miracle in the making

Today’s Reading: Acts 3:2 (NIV)

2 Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.

Good morning!

Yesterday was a miracle in the making. It all started when my computer crashed at work. What a misfortune to have happen so early on a beautiful summer Friday. I was told it would take the better part of the day to rebuild the hard drive. I knew exactly where I wanted to be and I only hesitated about three seconds before I requested and received permission to take a day of vacation!

I ran to my car and set out toward Cape Girardeau, where my cousin David is a patient in the hospital. I had received the wonderful news that he was finally awake after eight long days of waiting. He was talking, laughing and recognizing family and friends. This is a miracle in the making! I couldn’t wait to see him again! I called my niece, made lunch plans, and had several nice telephone visits with my mother, sister and aunt on the way to the hospital. Nothing intrigues me more than the miracles of technology. We may live miles apart, and yet, I can reach members of my family just by pressing the speed dial on my cell phone or sending a quick text message. This is truly an amazing gift!

David was wide awaking and smiling when I arrived. His team of neurologists, surgeons and medical staff are working around the clock to help him recover from what seems to be a mystery illness. He was exhausted from the many questions and medical tests. I’m sure he needed a nap. I stayed for just a short time, knowing David was tired. We talked, he smiled – I could see signs of life again. He seemed a bit confused about the day and time, but I knew he was not at all confused about the healing power of Christ over his life. As I prepared to leave, I leaned over to whisper a Scripture verse in David’s ear. He reached for my face, cupping my chin in his bandaged hand. The smile that came across his face and the tears in his eyes was all I needed to see to know that he knew that I knew from whence his healing had come. In that brief moment, I spoke God’s Word and David spoke it back. His wife noticed our quiet exchange, came over to the bed and said, “What are you two whispering about?” David looked at her, smiled and said, “It’s a secret!” It was as if I were standing at the entrance to the Beautiful Gate, watching an amazing transformation happen right in front of my eyes.

I was praying and singing on the drive home, when I noticed a white Jeep Cherokee leave the roadway about 1/8^th of a mile in front of me. I only had time for a breath prayer, and I watched in awe as I saw the power of prayer at work when the Holy Spirit came and grabbed that automobile, pulling it back onto the roadway. Had there not been divine intervention, I am convinced this car would have flipped and ended up on the other side of the highway.

How many miracles did you witness yesterday? Can you name them? Every day, miracles occur all around us; simple gifts that we brush aside as trivial, because we are far too busy to notice. The man crippled from birth sat at the Beautiful Gate every day, just waiting and hoping for his miracle. We never know when the miracles will come and yet, he waited for it. Could this be the day you will receive your miracle in the making? Open your eyes and look around. God is trying to speak to you. Will you see His face at the Beautiful Gate?

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.

Three in the afternoon

Today’s Reading: Acts 3:1 (NIV)

1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer – at three in the afternoon.

Good morning!

Mid afternoon is not the easiest time of my day. By three in the afternoon, I’m usually experiencing a blood sugar low. Sometimes, after sitting at my desk for hours on end, I begin to feel really sleepy. This is usually the time of day I will get up and move around, find a healthy snack to munch on, and do some filing. I generally don’t fall asleep when I’m standing up and often, I just need to stand up to keep from falling asleep! Are there certain times of the day that are harder for you to stay fully focused and awake?

It is ironic that God tends to whisper into my heart when it is not personally convenient. He likes to wake me up around 4am each morning. I hear Him speaking in the stillness of the night, and often, I get up to listen and write whenever He calls my name. His perfect timing over my life may not always seem perfect to me. Yet, I choose to honor and worship Him whenever He calls my name. Can you hear the Lord calling your name right now?

Devout Jews observe three times of prayer each day, at 9am, 3pm and at sunset. Often, they will stop whatever they are doing and find a place to pray, and, if possible, they will return to their sanctuaries to do so. Do you pray to the Lord regularly at certain times each day? Have you felt drawn to prayer in moments of extreme fatigue? What is God trying to teach us about our relationship with Him? Are you willing to serve and wait on the Lord even if He is not penciled in on your calendar?

For me, faith in Christ is not some spiritual mantra to be pulled off the dusty shelf and used in moments of deep trouble or despair. Jesus is not someone I can suddenly summon when I have an urgent need. Relationships are born in the most inconvenient of times. Real love requires a daily commitment. His love is readily accessible at all hours of the day or night. And if I truly love Jesus, then I will be ready to listen and respond to Him no matter where I am or what I am doing. It is not just a simple sign of respect or some moral obligation; Serving Christ is not about perpetuating a habit or a some time honored tradition handed through the generations. Drawing near to the Father in prayer through Christ is a holy privilege, totally undeserved yet freely given to all who believe. When Jesus whispers your name at 3pm, will you hear His voice? Will you recognize God’s living breath filling your lungs with brand new life every time you inhale?

It is no coincidence that Luke, the writer of Acts, includes the specific time of day in his recording of the disciples’ prayer. Every day is a precious gift from God. Every hour, each moment can be a God moment that He can and will use to reveal His plan and purpose for your life. Are you willing to listen and obey? When you start to feel that sugar low kicking in this afternoon, let it become an internal reminder to pray. Be prepared to hear and receive what the Lord would say to you today at three in the afternoon.

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.

The virtual power of prayer

Today’s Reading: Acts 2:46-47 (NIV)

46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Good morning!

I’ve been rereading portions of Billy Graham’s autobiography, “Just as I Am.” It impresses me to know that Graham knew there was nothing he could achieve apart from the presence and power of the Holy Spirit through daily prayer. While many hold him in great esteem as one of the finest preachers of our day, I personally believe Billy Graham is one of the greatest prayer warriors of the 20^th century. He takes praying without ceasing to a level that we have a hard time wrapping our minds around. Graham prayed without ceasing in all things, and it is interwoven throughout his life’s story.

I wonder what would happen to our churches if we became wholly devoted to daily prayer like the early church did, every day, when they met at the temple courts. New Christians came together to share the bread and wine, eating and enjoying each other’s company in the presence of Christ every day. Their hearts were genuinely glad and sincere. There was no animosity between them, only His joy, which made their joy complete. Praying was not just something you did just before a meal; it is the virtual life breath of every believer. You can’t help but feel the power of the Holy Spirit moving in and through every conversation, each thought and word focused completely upon the Lord, while looking for His imminent return. Wouldn’t it be awesome if every time we gathered in our churches that we might feel and know the same holy fire that the early church experienced? The excitement and enthusiasm would be so great that we would not be able to hold all that joy inside our walls. There would be such an outpouring of Christ’s joy that folks would be standing in the streets, feeling the outpouring of His love, from the inside out.

There is great joy kneeling before the presence of Almighty God in prayer. This is His gift of holy communication given and taught to us by Jesus himself. Through His blood covering, we can come before the Lord, moving past the bonds of sin and breaking free into His perfect and holy presence; where we see His face and hear Him breathing His breath into our hearts. This is the place where God plants in us His hope for the people of the world, it is a joy indescribable, and gives us our heart’s desire to serve and love Him forever. Power to move comes in His holy presence. His strength helps us see what seems impossible in the human realm. When Billy and Ruth Graham prayed together before a meeting, they would envision the whole world praying for people to be saved. This helped them tremendously as they stepped into the tent meeting where God would have him speak. It is no wonder that new Christians were being added to the flock every day. Just like the early church did so long ago. It can happen again, right now.

Are you ready to see Christ lifted up in your community? Do you long for the breath of His Holy Spirit lighting a fire in your local church, with your friends at school, and with your coworkers? Is it possible to know the joy of your salvation? Yes, He makes it all possible, and it begins with a simple prayer offered up in faith.

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.

David's gift

Today’s Reading: Acts 2:45 (NIV)

45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.

Good morning!

My cousin David reminds me of my dad. They shared many of the same physical attributes. He was my uncle’s oldest son and the spitting image of my father. It was as if God had taken a mold and fashioned a mini-me from the clay dirt. Every summer, David would come to visit my parents in the city. He loved to fish and hunt almost as much as my father did, so he couldn’t wait for the weekends. David knew the fishing pond where Uncle Ben planned to take him outside to play. He watched the master craftsman intently, and learned how to use his own prized pocket knife to create beautiful works of art. My father had a thing about never throwing anything away. No matter what it was, everything has some significant worth and could be used to help someone else. David picked up that holy torch, and, to this day, never ever throws anything away that might be reused by another. While some may view this behavior as somewhat strange, I believe recycling is a holy and high calling.

David can’t stand to see good wood go to waste. At the lumber yard in town, he pulls his pickup truck around back where the defective pieces of wood are stacked for dumping. With the owner’s permission, he takes the defective wood slats back home, where he fashions handmade bird houses and gives them away to neighbors and friends. Because of David’s caring heart, the birds find a place of refuge from the heat of the day.

Sharing our resources should be simple; yet, we take so very much for granted. What things do you have in your home stashed in boxes in the basement that someone else could use? An extra pair of shoes, a suit that no longer fits, or an unused set of bed sheets sitting on the linen shelf could be just the thing your neighbor needs. Has God given you a special gift? Can you cook, sew, or make things with your hands? Do you have my cousin’s uncanny ability to make something out of absolutely nothing and give it away, even for a tiny feathered friend?

David never hesitates to offer Christ while lending a helping hand. He shares his faith in the simple things he says and does. It really doesn’t matter whether he knows the family or not. My cousin finds a way to share whatever he has with others. You can see his caring heart etched in the rejected, defective pieces of wood.

The new body of believers found great joy in sharing everything they had with each other. They found that together, they had the provisions and abilities to reach out and meet the needs of the people in their community. Today, we have the ability to do the exact same thing, and God calls us to engage in a helping ministries for the poor and suffering. It is a high privilege to offer Christ as we reach out in love to our neighbors. This is a simple matter of offering our prayers, presence gifts, service and living witness with each other.

This morning, my cousin David is critically ill and in the hospital, suffering from a mystery illness that is sucking the life right out of him. Won’t you take a moment and offer up a prayer of healing for David? Christ’s gift of intercessory prayer is something all of us can share with each other, every day. It is the one gift we can give that makes an eternal impact in the lives of those around us. A simple prayer prayed in faith through Christ, can move life’s biggest mountains aside. I’ve seen it happen time and again. And my David desperately needs to have this mountain moved.

We are better together in Christ Jesus, our Lord. May we willingly open our hearts and hands as we meet each other’s needs, sharing our possessions and goods with the people God calls us daily to serve.

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.

Everything in common

Today’s Reading: Acts 2:44 (NIV)

44 All of the believers were together and had everything in common.

Good morning!

God gave me three incredibly talented, strong opinionated, uniquely different children to love. They share some of our unique characteristics, like their father’s heart, my crazy sense of adventure, and their grandparents’ inherent spunk! It is with great joy that I give God thanks for all three of my children, especially when we disagree with each other. Our unique personalities and critical thinking skills make for an interesting mix whenever we get together as a family.

What is it like in your home? Do you share all things in common with your kin?

It is tempting to get ramped up about our unique differences. We put them on display for the world to see, losing sight of the many things we do share in common. We may not look or think alike – yet, we share a common bond of flesh and blood. We are the heartbeat of humanity. We know what it feels like to go hungry, and what happens to our bodies, minds and souls, when basic human needs are not met. We understand what it feels like to be hurt, and the profound pain that comes from broken relationships. We relish the wonder of inexplicable joy. We experience great love as we hold a newborn baby, say a marriage vow, or celebrate happy moments with good friends. We find camaraderie in laughter. We understand the daily temptations that lead us to make mistakes, to choose the wrong path, and find ourselves falling into sinful, deceitful behaviors. We walk the path of destruction every day, moving far too close to the edge of the pit. Have you ever seen someone slip and fall? Do you know what it feels like to slide down a slippery slope with no branch to grab and hold on to for dear life?

The day the Holy Spirit came, thousands of uniquely distinct and different individuals were instantly filled with Christ’s love. They found the one thing they had longed for – they had found Christ’s amazing love. He is the branch that reaches out and grabs you in the middle of human diversity, freeing you from the sins that are literally sucking all hope out of your life. What once was a gathering of diverse peoples with little to share suddenly became a bunch of believers with everything in common! Jesus had become their absolute everything. And nothing else was more important than Him.

I think we spend way too much time dissecting our differences and far too little time focusing on our everything! My prayer for today is that Jesus Christ becomes absolutely everything to you. He is all that truly matters in this world and in the world to come. He is new life, fresh breath, and offers freedom forever from all that keeps us from the Father’s heart. He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. He is the only cure to humanity’s hurt; He brings new life to all who will call upon His name by faith. We have everything in common when we share Christ 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.

Awesome love

Today’s Reading: Acts 2:43 (NIV)

43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.

Good morning!

It is an awesome thing to see a miracle in motion, happening right before your eyes. Something incredible occurs when a heart is touched by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Lives are transformed into Christ-likeness. Hurting hearts are healed, broken families are mended, and people learn how to love each other for real. What does this amazing, unconditional love look like? What did it look like on the day the Holy Spirit saved 3,000 men in Jerusalem?

Take a closer look at the Scripture. Can you imagine what it must have been like for the people who came to know the Lord in that moment when the Spirit fell? Folks from different nations, beliefs, races, cultures and creeds, were all hearing the Gospel message and receiving Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. These people were not all Jews. Many did not live in the area, nor had they had any real knowledge or contact with Christ as he walked in flesh on the earth. Still, in one amazing fell swoop, the Spirit set their hearts on fire, and lives were instantly changed. A new way of living emerged. The people who did not agree on much of anything culturally or religiously, suddenly found themselves worshipping and trusting Christ for salvation all together. Can you imagine what a miraculous wonder this must have been?

It takes the power and presence of the Holy Spirit working in and through our lives today, to experience what unconditional love really is. So much more than simply agreeing to disagree with each other, we must learn to really love each other the way that Jesus loves us. With the Holy Spirit’s help, we can look beyond all the hidden agendas, our differences of opinion, and even our own precious preconceived notions, and find His love resting on all people, everywhere. We can only be fully united in Christ’s love alone, and it is His love that is birthed in and through us when the power of Holy Spirit comes.

I am daily filled with awe, every time I experience Christ’s love through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Won’t you open your hearts to the Lord Jesus Christ today? He can teach us how to better love each other, if we are willing to let Him be the Lord of our lives. Are you willing to love others the way Jesus Christ loves you?

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.