A gooey mess of sin

Today’s Reading: Matthew 8:24-25 NIV

24 Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

Good morning!

Reluctantly, my husband Jeff brought me a chocolate protein shake that I asked for while lying in bed and he handed it to me with a stern warning, “Now Deb, do not fall asleep before you drink it.” I heard him say the words, and I really meant to heed them, but just a few short minutes later, I found myself covered from head to toe in cold chocolate goo. Why do we listen yet refuse to obey? What keeps us from following the good instructions our Daddy gives us?

Jesus gave us great instructions for living. His words were clear and plain. I don’t know whether we’re simply tone deaf, too tired to pay attention, or just plain sin sick, but often, we ignore the rules and find ourselves soaked in a gooey mess of trouble. I was pretty embarrassed when my youngest son came to check in on me that morning and found me sound asleep in a pool of chocolate. He must have thought that was some crazy dream I was having. Who wouldn’t want to jump into a vat of yummy chocolate and swim around in it for awhile? The problem with chocolate is that it stains everything it touches. My sheets were ruined. My favorite pajamas had to be tossed. It took two shampoos to get it all out of my hair, and believe me, it is so hard to raise the arm I just had surgery on to wash my hair, that I was truly regretting my silly mistake before I was washed completely clean.

There are no silly sins in life, but we are often silly in perpetrating them. Jesus tells us to listen and we somehow forget to listen and follow His instruction. If we would just do what we were told, we wouldn’t find ourselves in such a sticky mess.

The next time your husband tells you not to drink a chocolate protein shake in bed, be sure to pay attention. And the next time Jesus tells you to hear His Word and put it into practice, do the right thing, and obey His Word.

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 music of love

Today’s Reading: Psalm 107:1 NIV

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.

Good morning!

This has been a very sad and painful time in my family’s life. Last week, I had a second surgery, which I had hoped and had prayed to the Lord I might avoid. The surgeon was brilliant and the procedure was a success. Now the recovery begins, and with God’s strength, I will heal. The day after my surgery, my mother fell at home and broke a bone that will not mend easily. She is in a great deal of pain, and yet, the Lord is right beside her, every step of the way. Sometimes I don’t understand why things happen the way they do. Just at the time when she needs me most, I am unable to help her. Maybe there is a greater plan here which I do not yet understand. One thing I know for certain – God is good, especially in the tough times of our lives, and His love endures forever.

The medications I take to help with pain make me weepy. I seem to have a bottomless well of tears rising up from seemingly out of nowhere. My husband hates it when I cry. It makes him sad to see me sad. Even in our tears, we can laugh, knowing God is wiping every tear away and He will bring us great joy in the morning. Jeff did a really sweet thing for me last night and I just wanted you to know what his random act of kindness meant to me. I fell asleep in the Lazy Boy® recliner yesterday afternoon and didn’t wake up until 3:30 this morning. By then, I had missed two doses of medication and, as you might imagine, I was in excruciating pain. Hobbling back to the bedroom, moaning every step of the way, Jeff crawled out of bed to find my medicine. He tucked me into bed and put on my favorite Christmas CD. The first sounds I heard were the sound of church chimes ringing from a distance. Soon, my sobbing turned to tears of joy as I heard tenor Josh Groban sing of my Savior’s birth. Like a beautiful lullaby, I fell asleep listening to the Scripture sung in perfect harmony. What a wonderful reminder of the gift of new life that is given each and every day for all who believe.

Even though I cannot be physically present with my mother every minute of the day, I have His promise that He has not forsaken her. She hears the same beautiful melodies that I am listening to now. We are not alone, especially in times of suffering.

On this day, I am thankful for my Lord Jesus Christ. He is good and His love endures all things, forever and ever. Be thankful with me and rejoice, for we are not alone. We have a Savior and He loves us with a love that will not let us go.

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.

“Top Three”

Today's reading - Acts 12:12-14 (NIV): 12When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. 13Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. 14When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, "Peter is at the door!"

This is really an exciting moment for the servant girl. Most likely she had been doing her chores and had not been praying with the others. But she knew who Peter was by his voice and was excited to announce his appearance! How wonderful for her.

I would certainly be a changed person if I recognized Jesus’ voice each time He sends a message to me through someone. There are ways that I can improve my hearing.

• First - Awareness is vital. I must be aware of Christ’s presence in my surroundings, aware that the people I come in contact with are divine appointments to do something with.
• Second – Praying for that awareness is essential. I can’t recognize the voice, if I don’t ask Him to help me.
• Third – Acknowledge the message and ask the Lord if it is His will.
  

The list can go on and on, but these are the top three for me. I want to recognize the voice of God because He is calling me! Take a moment and decide your top three.

Dorothy Drago Brucks
Aldersgate UMC
Nixa, Mo.
www.aldersgatechurch.com

“He does and you can”

Today’s reading - Acts 12:10-11 (NIV): 10They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.

11Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating."

The Lord God Almighty rescues! There is no doubt in my mind that God rescues. Yes, as many others, I have had a conversion experience, it was in 1986, I remember the exact moment, location and experience. This recognition is my acceptance of God’s ultimate rescue of me. He took me out of a miry pit and rescued me!

That is not the only time the Almighty has rescued me. I am rescued daily and I hope that you believe you are also. Today I was rescued from being involved in an automobile accident. Like Peter, I was not myself for a few moments, driving down the road with my head and mind somewhere else, then my mind stirred to alertness and rescue was activated.

Peter knew without a doubt he says, that the Lord sent his angel. I love that! Not too many guys I know would come out and say that. It is true though, angels surround us at all times, we seldom see the bright light that Peter did, but nevertheless God chooses to rescue us.

Make a list each day of the times that you were rescued from a situation, action, inappropriate internal thoughts etc. pray, give thanks, recognize God has more in store for you. Stay in love with God and live a holy life. He will rescue you so that you can!

Dorothy Drago Brucks
Aldersgate UMC
Nixa, Mo
www.aldersgatechurch.com

"Trust and Obey"

Today’s reading - Acts 12:7-9 (NIV): 7Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists.
8Then the angel said to him, "Put on your clothes and sandals." And Peter did so. "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me," the angel told him. 9Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision.

When I was a teenager, I hated it when my parents would come in and wake me up with some sort of loud noise or flashing overhead light or singing (that was the worse). It would startle me and my head would pound and heart would race and I would be out of sorts for quite a while. Guess what, I did it to my kids, although I never sang them out of bed, but a glass of cold water to the face, will get you out the door to go to High School. (now I wonder what I was thinking then.)

So the word ‘suddenly’ in this scripture means a lot to me and it must have Peter also after all a light appeared, a voice came and the chains fell off, all while sleeping between two guardsmen. Within a matter of seconds, the angel speaks to Peter giving instructions which he follows. I find it interesting to think that Peter had no idea what was going on and thought it was a vision.

As a teenager, to obey my parents was expected; they ran a pretty tight ship. But to obey out of a dead sleep, while in jail and from a light shinning in, had to take trust. The kind of trust that only God can provide. Peter was beginning to understand that God was guiding him and providing for him, so his trust in God was building.

You and I need those building block experiences with God in order for us to trust and obey. Our God, king of all kings, our great high priest, gives us that power within our flesh to trust that His son provided our salvation and the Holy Spirit continues to speak to us and guide us every moment. We must obey.

Dorothy Drago Brucks
Aldersgate UMC, Nixa, Mo
www.aldersgatgechurch.com

"When Christians Pray"

Today’s reading - Acts 12:1-6 (NIV): 1It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3When he saw that this pleased the Jews; he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. 4After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.

5So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

6The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance.

In Chapter 11 we looked at the growth of the early Christians, their leaders, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in people’s lives and the message of Jesus the Messiah was penetrating hearts. Let’s take a look at what is next by starting chapter 12. The King Herod of this era is not the same King Herod the Great who reigned during the birth of Jesus, it is his grandson. Like it or not, traits from our ancestors do get passed on, some traits we like and others we, well, shall I say nicely, dislike.

In order to win the favor of the Roman government, persecuting Christians again seems to be the thing to do to please the government and the Jewish people. If this was happening in our neighborhood (and for some of you it may be) it would not be pleasing, it would be illegal and absolutely wrong.

Peter was to be the next Big target, for he was becoming more and more respected and more people were becoming Christians, as you recall both Gentiles and Jews were converting. This fact was enough to threaten the empire and the Jewish family tree.

When I feel threaten in any way, I tend to want to take the defense at that very moment. I don’t take enough time to stop to see what else is happening, what lead up to this, why it might be happening or what is the best strategy to eliminate the threat. There is the word, eliminate, ugh, I thought it and I typed it. I know I don’t want to eliminate anyone; I just merely want to not feel threatened. I take feeling threatened as a personal attack on my character.

For me to set that aside, I need guidance and direction, which only can come from the Lord. Every time we pray for someone we are petitioning the Lord God Almighty for them. Experiencing and learning of the fruits of my commitment to pray for others is reward that only God can ordain. The church was earnestly praying to God for Peter while he was sleeping between two soldiers bound in chains. What is your prayer for your pastor who sometimes is caught between light and darkness, feeling threatened by the chains of darkness, unable to speak the word of God?

It is time we get busy and pray for our pastoral leaders, to free them to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Dorothy Drago Brucks
Aldersgate UMC
Nixa, Mo
www.aldersgatechurch.com

"Laity in Ministry"

Today’s reading - Isaiah 52:7 (NIV): 7 How beautiful on the mountains

• are the feet of those who bring good news,
• who proclaim peace,
• who bring good tidings,
• who proclaim salvation,
• who say to Zion,
• "Your God reigns!"

Before we start Chapter 12 of Acts, I wanted to share with you about serving in ministry from a laity perspective based on this scripture. You may have heard the term ‘just in time training’ well that is how I feel sometimes about how I accomplish things. I take on project work, it is my specialty. I thrive on challenging projects and learn as I go, ‘just in time’ to complete the work.

Last Friday, I felt down in the dumps, but that all changed after having a wonderful conversation with a friend. Now I am feeling joyful. I have spent the past few weeks reading and preparing to lead my Sunday School class through a 4 week session about ‘Who We are as United Methodist’. So of course I had to start with John Wesley. Sunday just past, was my first lesson plan. It was awesome to share with the class, (most all new to Methodism) how the Lord powerfully blesses laity in ministry. God has blessed lay preachers for centuries.

Since the beginning of September I have been moderating an on-line lay speaker course titled “Go Preach” and I am so proud of the six students that persevered through the course and will be coming together this Saturday to meet each other, to further their training and to present their prepared sermons. These folks feel called and I admire each of them for being willing to serve.

Lastly, tonight I finished my first ever knitting project – now don’t laugh, because I was inspired to knit a prayer shawl for our prayer shawl ministry. I was overcome with emotion tonight as our group prayed over the shawl. It has many flaws, but holds many prayers which have been prayed in advance for the person that God already knows will be the recipient. (Isnt' that kool He already knows who?)

The scripture today describes laity in ministry; the lay speakers will bring the good news in their messages, the prayer shawls will bring peace, John Wesley’s lay preachers proclaimed salvation.

And you and I say “God Reigns!”


Dorothy Drago Brucks
Aldersgate UMC
Nixa, Mo.
www.aldersgatechurch.com

“The Message”

Today’s reading - Acts 11:25-30 (NIV): 25Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

27During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) 29The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. 30This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.

These two paragraphs of scripture reveal two very important characteristics of Jesus. Jesus spent time with the people that needed Him. He helped people to know who He was, he stayed with them night and day and he taught them all they needed to know. Now Barnabas and Saul are doing the same thing; helping the people in Antioch to know more about Christ and to live a Christ-like life.

History teaches us that Antioch was the first group of people that were called Christians and they were as diverse a population as there could be. It was important for Barnabas and Saul to continue their work there. The characteristic of spending time with others to help them learn.
When this group of disciples heard of the famine that was to spread throughout the area, they came together and decided it was right to help those that would soon be in need. They gave what they could to help those in Judea. The characteristic of serving is revealed in vs. 29 – providing for others.

With the holiday season upon us very soon, we will be given multiple opportunities to spend time with our families, friends and some of us may have to choose between families. We will also be offered many opportunities to serve others less fortunate and are in need of food, finances, clothing, gifts and some of us may have to choose how much we can send to assist.

If you are a budget shopper or a spend thrift at this time of year, don’t forget to invite Christ into your life to keep you focused on His ever presence. Spend time with others teaching them about the real reason we celebrate Christmas. The message is needed and you and I are charged to share the Joy to the World. That is what Barnabas and Saul were doing.

Dorothy Drago Brucks
Aldersgate UMC
Nixa, Mo
www.aldersgatechurch.com

Hearing Impaired

Today’s Reading: Mark 4:9 NIV

9 Then Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Good morning!

For years, I simply thought my husband wasn’t listening. I would say something to him, and, an hour later, he would have absolutely no idea what I was talking about. This became a huge issue, especially when we were trying to plan and coordinate our days. In the morning, if I talked about the after school schedule and we encountered some glitch in transportation or scheduling later in the day, it would set me on edge. I felt like I was talking to a brick wall and I wondered if he was choosing to ignore me. It wasn’t until we found ourselves at the doctor’s office reviewing hearing test results when we both realized that Jeff had suffered a profound hearing loss that had gone undetected for some time. I was very embarrassed for all my emotional outbursts and sorry I had not recognized the origin of the problem many years before.

My eighty-six year old mother has a great pair of hearing aids and she hates to wear them. She says that the sound is completely distorted, and that frustrates her to no end. She has been struggling to hear clearly for many years. Sometimes, I think it is easier for her not to have to listen than to try and hear the sounds around her. Quite often when I visit Mom on the weekends, she has her hearing aids off and the television volume up on blast. It is a good thing her neighbors are all deaf too. I can generally pick out the television program she is watching down the hall, before I even knock on her apartment door. Sometimes, she doesn’t even hear me knocking.

I wonder if the Father becomes frustrated when His children, who have been given ears to hear, choose not to listen. Our spiritual hearing loss is impacted when we hear but refuse to accept and follow God’s Word. People will listen to the Word for many different reasons. Some folks want to hear the Word preached in a way that makes them feel better about themselves – maybe even a little self-righteous. Others are looking for reasons to discredit the messenger. Yet, there are many who yearn to go deeper in their relationship with the Lord. Jesus spoke in words that could only be understood by those who were truly seeking Him. And there are some, who will not hear the author of life knocking at their door, even as He stands there, patiently waiting.

We do not always hear and understand God’s truth because we may not be fully ready for it. There have been many moments in my own life when I was either unwilling and/or unaware to hear and act on the message being given. I am especially thankful for my husband and mother, and for all the pastors, mentors and teachers in my life, who have never given up on me, especially when I was suffering from a profound spiritual hearing loss. None of us are exempt from the frustrations that come with a spiritual hearing deficit. We must learn to be patient with each another, knowing that the Father can and will reach us right where we are, at just the right moment in time. He will open our ears and melt our hearts so that we can obey His Word.

I will be sitting this morning in the hearing impaired section of the sanctuary. Come join me in worship 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.

"The Wrong Guy?"

Today’s reading - Acts 11:23-24 (NIV): 22News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

The good news is being preached to the Gentiles (non-Jews that did not worship God) and many are becoming believers. This was threatening to those that remained in Jerusalem. They were fearful of what they could not see or imagine or even try to listen or understand. The Jews were not happy and sent Barnabas to see just what the heck is going on.

Ah Ha, they sent the wrong guy – Barnabas. The scripture is telling us that Barnabas saw the evidence of the grace of God and was glad and encouraged them to remain true. So was he the wrong guy? Maybe for those in Jerusalem, but not for me and not for you.

The journey Barnabas made to Antioch was for God. The one God Yahweh, the same God the Jews worshipped. I can’t help but wonder why & how their hearts were so hard; so hard they could not let Love inside of them. Without love, it would be impossible to accept the Holy Spirit and to believe in Grace.

Barnabas is the man! He had the heart of an encourager! We need more encouragers in life. Is that a gift that you practice? It certainly can be!

Dorothy Drago Brucks
Aldersgate UMC
Nixa, Mo.
www.aldersgatechurch.com

Up a tree

Today’s Reading: Genesis 3:1-3 NIV

1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden; and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”

Good morning!

We have a new kitten in our home. We named her Faith, and what a name it is! I have been blessed to watch my Faith grow every single day. She is rambunctious and playful, quick and alert. We are doing our best to teach her not to bite or scratch; yet, our pretty kitty does not always choose to do the right thing.

Last weekend, I insisted that Jeff bring up a small Christmas tree from the basement, so that we could practice having Faith around it before we tried to decorate the parsonage for the upcoming holidays. This has been quite a test of faith. She is so attracted to the tree that we have a hard time keeping her from it. Every day, she shakes its branches until all of the plastic ornaments roll all over the floor. She has ripped off the silver ribbon and made it her personal play toy. We have raised our voices at Faith, correcting her and sending her to kitty time out. We have sprayed the tree with a cat stink potion purchased from a local pet supply store. Nothing seems to work. Faith is determined to take that Christmas tree out, and has made it her personal mission in life.

Watching Faith climb the tree reminds me of what we are like, as sinners, unwilling to let go of the things that separate us from God. He loves us so much, He sent His Son to teach and train us in the way that leads to life eternal. But just like our baby kitten, we find ourselves up the proverbial tree with no where to go but down. When we sin, we not only harden our own hearts, we bring havoc upon our whole house. When kitty chooses to destroy the tree, she makes a colossal mess that I end up having to clean up. Over and over again, she is relentless in her pursuit, refusing to leave her fatal attraction alone. That same sin nature lives within each of us. We must learn to set aside all the worldly distractions that corrupt our hearts and minds and eventually destroy our souls. When will we listen and obey God’s Word?

This morning, I find great comfort in praying the words of the Beatitudes. This Scripture is some of Jesus’ teaching in His Sermon on the Mount, found in the fifth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew. I pray the words like this, “Lord, teach me to be poor in spirit; Lord, teach me to mourn; Lord, teach me… Every instruction from Jesus gives life to the lifeless, hope for the hopeless. It goes against our human nature and yet, we are to strive for Christ-likeness. Jesus calls us to leave the temptations behind that distract us from Him. He wants us to come out of our trees and live purpose-filled lives, focused on His will and His way. Just like the smell of the cat stink spray we use on our Christmas tree to deter young Faith, our sins are a stench before the Lord. If we want to live like Jesus, we must pray His Words over our lives every day.

Won’t you take a minute to read the entire fifth chapter of Matthew with me today. Jesus is the only one who can bring you down from the tree that you have climbed up, chasing your sinful follies instead of focusing completely on Him. Jesus carried all of our sins and chose to hang on a cruel tree in obedience to the Father’s will and simply out of love for you and me, so that we might be finally free. Won’t you come down from the sin tree and run to Jesus Christ today? Let Him lead you in the way that leads to life eternal. Exercise your faith 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.

"What's your Foundation?"

Today's reading - Acts 11:19-21 (NIV): 19Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. 20Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

I love it when someone takes a risk, especially one that they don’t believe they can do, myself included. As a lay speaker I am asked to speak occasionally, sometimes to preach, sometimes to teach and other times to leader. There have been times I know that I have just run off at the mouth and not said anything. I pray there have been some times that what I said was helpful.

My walk with the Lord began over twenty years ago and wow have I taken a lot of risks. I’ll never forget the first time I sat down at Disciple I bible study led by Bill Koch, our pastor at the time and now a DS somewhere in Mo. I was ashamed and frightened. But somehow I made it through and went on to complete all four Disciple studies, the two next generation Disciple studies and have led Disciple studies several times.

It takes this type of foundation to be able to take the risk to do something out of the ordinary. Talking to the Jews and the Greeks about Jesus was risky business. Their foundation was the Lords hand! They accepted the hand of the Lord and their confidence was shattered no more. The scripture tells us the result of their willingness to risk – a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

Remember for a moment what your foundation was. Mine was bible study, maybe yours was a spiritual weekend retreat, a series of sermon’s that changed your life, a friend or mentor that walked with you in the early part of your walk. Now praise God for providing that foundation and go out and share the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Many thanks to Bill Koch for believing in me and telling me there are no dumb questions.

Dorothy Drago Brucks
Aldersgate UMC
Nixa, Mo.

Leap of faith

Today’s Reading: Jonah 2:1-3 NIV

1 From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord His God. 2 He said, “In my distress I called to the Lord, and He answered me. 3 From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry.”

Good morning!

My mother asked me to do something that I really did not want to do. Being a very mature eight year old girl, I decided the only solution to this dilemma was to pack a bag and leave home. Quietly, I pulled my small overnight back from the closet shelf and began to pack my things. Funny, I don’t remember packing any food, only some play clothes and a doll baby that I slept with at night. I thought I’d be able to simply sneak out of the house unnoticed, but I wasn’t so lucky. Mother opened the front door for me as I began my independent adventure. She simply said, “Goodbye, Deborah. We will miss you.”

I think I managed to get about half down the street before I realized I had no place to go. Some of our neighbors had come outside and were sitting on their porches. The mothers were waving and asking me where I was going. I think my mom must have picked up the telephone and called every neighbor on the block, asking them to watch for me. Mrs. Ann offered me a couple of her homemade chocolate chip cookies and some ice cold lemonade. I sat on her front porch and talked with her for awhile. She asked me why I was leaving home. I confessed that I couldn’t do what my mother had asked me to, and I was afraid to tell her no. She placed her arm on my shoulder and softly said, “Dear, your mother is missing you so very much right now. Go home and talk to her. Tell her how you really feel. She will listen to you, because she loves you. And remember, if your mother asks you to do something, she probably has a very good reason for making the request.” I was winded and out of breath, running up to my house as fast as I could with the suitcase in hand, shouting, “Mommy, I’m home!” She was genuinely glad to see me. I know this, because she was snapping a photograph of my return entrance with her Polaroid® camera.

We can learn a lot from our child’s play; yet, we often we forget the meaning behind the message in our adult lives. Take Jonah, for instance. By refusing to do what the Father has asked, Jonah decided to run away from God. Didn’t he know that the Father would never let him out of His sight, even for a minute? He was in a world of trouble, and even the unbelieving pagan sailors recognized his cries for help. The storm that nearly shipwrecked the crew headed for Tarshish that night was caused by one man’s unwillingness to obey God’s call. Sin has a way of catching up to us. Have you ever been through a storm that jeopardized the safety of others, knowing it was your own fault?

When Jonah realized he had no place to go except to the deep, he chose to jump ship to save the others on the ship. At first, the crew tried to get back to shore. When they realized they could not, they prayed for forgiveness before throwing Jonah overboard. Sometimes, we just have to take that plunge of faith before we can experience His saving mercy and grace.

God sent a big fish to swallow Jonah to keep him alive. Sometimes, when we’re stuck in the dark and slimy pit of sin, we have no place to return except back home. Jonah prayed a sincere prayer of repentance, knowing that his willful disobedience had completely separated him from the One he loved. When we choose to disobey God, we find ourselves in a world of trouble with no one to guide us. We separate ourselves from the only One who can save us. Yet, we find that even in the belly of a big fish, there is eternal hope for you and me. As long as there is breath in our bodies, we still time to confess our sin, ask for God’s forgiveness, and turn around.

Jonah needed to face his Nineveh, but he didn’t have to go it alone. Are you ready to take that leap of faith, and come back home?

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.

“Who, What & When”

Today's reading - Acts 11:11-18 (NIV): 11"Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. 12The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man's house.

13He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, 'Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. 14He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.'

15"As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning.

16Then I remembered what the Lord had said: 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' 17So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?"

18When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, "So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life."

Spirit, angel, message, saved, came on them – these are the words that stick out to me today as I read this passage. I am wondering what I am meant to learn by having specific words stick out rather than a single message. Maybe I need to understand how each of them relate to each other.

What do the words have in common? I think it is the what, why and how’s that tie them together. What = spirit came upon them; Why = because God was sending a message; and How = the angel appeared in the home of a gentile.

The only thing that remains then is Who, When & Where. Since no particular words stuck out to me about who, when & where, I’m going to apply them to church today. Who should be in church, when and where? Good question.

I think the unchurched will be the who, at least one unchurched person every Sunday and the Where is in every United Methodist Church in the world. When this happens, and I believe it will, there will definitely be a baptism of the Holy Spirit as on the day of Pentecost. With this happening weekly in our congregations the Lord will be rejoicing as He witnesses the fulfillment of the great commission.

What part do you play in this baptism?

Dorothy Drago Brucks
Aldersgate UMC
Nixa, Mo.
www.aldersgatechurch.com

Hangin' out with Hezekiah

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 38:4-5 NIV

4 Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah: 5 “Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father, David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life.’”

Good morning!

One of my favorite stories in the Old Testament is the healing of King Hezekiah. In my opinion, Hezekiah was one of the greatest Judean kings ever, following in the footsteps of his great-grandfather, Uzziah. King Hezekiah reinstated religious reform and traditions, and single-handedly dismantled the brazen serpent, signifying his intolerance to idolatry. A great reformation was birthed in Judea, credited to King Hezekiah for his faithfulness to the Lord. We need the Lord to lift up servant leaders like Hezekiah today, who will faithfully lead the people in obedience to God’s Holy Word.

During Hezekiah’s reign, the prophet Isaiah was instructed by the Lord to visit the king and deliver a message that the physical illness he had contracted would take his life, and that he should begin to put his house in order and prepare to die. Upon receiving this untimely news, Hezekiah begins to grieve and cry out to the Lord, begging that he be physically healed and his life restored to wholeness. In his petition, Hezekiah states that he has walked faithfully before the Lord and with “wholehearted devotion, and has done good in His eyes.” Why do bad things, like terminal illnesses, have to happen to good people, we wonder? Maybe you’ve prayed your own healing petitions to the Lord, when someone you love has been seriously injured or has taken ill, suffering with a terminal illness. Hezekiah was in the prime of his life, only thirty-nine years old, when he received the Lord’s message from the prophet. Did you notice how Hezekiah didn’t hesitate to immediately express his deepest feelings to the Lord? He didn’t God ask why this had to happen to him; rather, Hezekiah asked the Lord to remember his plight and, through his tears, to heal and restore his health.

The Lord heard Hezekiah and added fifteen years to his life, promising to deliver his city from Assyrian rule. God promises Hezekiah that he will defend this city, and that he would see the living proof of His Word as the sun set that evening on the stairway of Ahaz. What kind of living proof do you need to know for certain that the Lord hears and answers your prayer for help today?

After his illness and recovery, Hezekiah writes a devotional praise to the Lord, describing his illness and miraculous healing. He gives complete credit to God for His mercy and grace in a time of desperate need. His words, found in Isaiah 38:10-20, are worth reading and re-reading every morning.

When I was a little girl, I learned how to play the violin. That instrument brought me great joy as I played with the orchestra in later years. God gives healing through the melody of our life’s song, as we offer it up to Him in faithful obedience. May you find great joy in the Lord, as He heals your heart today. Come with me, and let’s hang out with Hezekiah. Can you hear the beautiful music of the stringed instruments wafting in the breeze?

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.

“There’s Nothing Perhaps About It”

Today’s reading - Acts 11:1-10 (NIV): 1The apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him 3and said, "You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them."
4Peter began and explained everything to them precisely as it had happened: 5"I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. 6I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds of the air. 7Then I heard a voice telling me, 'Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.'
8"I replied, 'Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.'
9"The voice spoke from heaven a second time, 'Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.' 10This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again.

Three times, hum, seems like several things in the bible relate to three’s. God has definitely revealed that the gospel message is for all! That no one is to be left behind, not having an opportunity to hear the preaching. Peter was visiting in homes of those formerly unacceptable to mingle with according to religious law, and now God is expecting him and the others to do just that.

When Peter questioned God so he could be absolutely clear that he food was good to eat, the voice from heaven spoke. I wonder what everyone was thinking about Peter when he was relaying this to them. Something like, ‘oh my, he has really lost his mind now, we can’t eat those animals, we’ve never been able to, what is he thinking?’

If the church goers of today would not call anything impure that God had made perhaps our culture would be different. Perhaps if hearts pointed directly to God our characters and values would be different. If people would listen to those sharing the true message, perhaps wars and famine would not prevail. I could go on and on.

Perhaps – there is nothing perhaps about God – it will be!

Dorothy Drago Brucks
Aldersgate UMC
Nixa, Mo.
www.aldersgatechurch.com

Perfect Peace

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 26:3 KJV

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Good morning!

This was not exactly the way I wanted to begin this day. My appointment was located in the city at 7:30am. The doctor’s office suggested I be there fifteen minutes early. So, Jeff and I left home an hour before the scheduled procedures to avoid the Monday morning rush. After two back-to-back tests, somewhat lengthy and painful, I emerged from the scanner two hours later, thankful it was over. If you’ve ever had to lie completely still in a magnetic resonance imaging machine for a long period of time, then you have some idea of how this morning unfolded for me.

It is not easy for me to hold perfectly still, even on a good day. My flesh fights me every step of the way. Take a minute and try this little experiment and see how well you do. Sit down on your sofa, or, lie down across your bed and try not to move for one whole minute. This means, no flinching or twitching – do not move a muscle. Are you able to immediately relax so totally, completely still, that your breathing becomes shallow and steady right away? Could you fall asleep without so much as a whisper? How difficult is it for you to completely unwind and relax?

It was imperative that I lie completely still for both procedures. I became instantly aware of my breathing. There is really only one thing that completely calms my heart when I find myself in need of immediate rest. I recite Scripture in my mind. God’s Word, cradled inside my heart, becomes a life line in moments just like these. I remembered Christ’s ability to sleep through a horrific storm in a boat being ripped apart by the large waves and jagged rocks on the Galilean Lake. His peace level was baffling to His disciples, who were fighting for their lives that night. When Jesus stood, he raised His hand to the waters and said, “Peace, be still.” Suddenly, the waves and clouds disappeared as the lake water returned to a serene, calm state. When Jesus spoke, the wind and waves immediately and obediently responded to His call. Jesus Christ is the only thing I know that can calm our every fear. One thought of Jesus’ mercy and love for the sin sick and lost can stop the raging storms inside and bring a peace that is simply indescribable in human words.

The prophet Isaiah knew all about raging storms. Yet, he found perfect peace in the Lord, because He trusts Him completely. Sometimes I wonder if I’m trusting God completely for His peace in the storms of life. Lying in that tiny tube today, I knew His peace would be my source of strength. I could withstand the muscle cramps because I trust Jesus enough to give Him my pain. I knew that my mind, completely focused on the Lord, would be all I would need to get through the procedures without flinching.

The MRI tech congratulated me on being so still during each of the procedures. They got their pictures and I got to go home, full of Christ’s peace, knowing, no matter what my circumstance, He will see me through. I know that Jesus Christ will see you through whatever you are facing today. Relax! Take a minute and give Him all your cares. He will keep your heart in perfect peace as you focus your mind upon Him, because you can trust the Lord with your life.

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.

Losing track of time?

Today’s Reading: Psalm 62:8 NIV

Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.

Good morning!

When my telephone rang early this morning, its shrill sound resonated throughout the house! I hurried to the kitchen to grab the nearest portable phone from its stand, hoping it would not wake our guests. When I answered, my husband was on the other end of the receiver, calling from the church. “Do you know what time it really is?” he said, in a rather frantic voice. At first, I thought we may have set our clocks wrong the night before. With the change from daylight savings time to standard time, we rolled our clocks back one hour before we went to bed. Apparently, some of our clocks were supposed to automatically change at 2am, but for some reason, they did not. When Jeff arrived at church, he was relying on a clock that had not yet changed from daylight savings to standard time, and was alarmed when he realized it was not the correct time, as he first thought. Have you ever lost track of time?

Our culture teaches us to observe the time. We track it with our birthdays and blackberry calendars, and we wear the time on our wrists. We watch the seconds tick away on our computer screens, and on the dash boards of our automobiles, scurrying to our next scheduled appointment, praying to arrive on time. We see the time change in the brilliance of nature with every season; it is as if we are afraid, somehow, that time will slip away from us and we will miss out on something of great value. We are often reminded that our biological clocks are ticking, especially at our annual physicals; and we wonder if there will be enough time left to do the things we really want to do when our bodies have worn down. Will there be time to do the things we really want to do when we are no longer obligated to full-time work and/or study? No one wants to waste a single minute of each day. How do you spend the time you’ve been given?

It is so easy to lose track of the time. Where has it gone? Will we waste time chasing after the minutes that have already passed us by, somehow wishing we could go back and change that one foolish word said in a fit of anger, or one poor choice that leads to a lifetime of remorse. What will we do with the time we have left? How many minutes are ticking away on your time clock today? Do you really know what time it is?

Every minute is precious. All time is held in the palm of the Master’s hand. We spend our days the way we choose and it is His priceless gift to you and me. Will we waste the time we’ve been given or gratefully return it to the time giver? The Psalmist reminds us that we must learn to trust the Lord at all times. When we know Him, His gift of time becomes extraordinary and priceless. We stop taking the time we have been given for granted and begin using it to honor and glorify the One who holds all time in the palm of His hand. We begin to let go of our incessant need to hold fast to our time trackers, and simply live it out in a manner that is pleasing to Him. When we invest our time in loving each other the way Jesus loves us, our days are filled with great joy; our names forever recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

This morning, the sun was up over our parsonage at 6am Central Standard Time. There is still time for an early morning walk before worship begins and I intend to take it. Do not miss a minute with your maker. Trust Him today with the time of your life. He will give you exactly what you need to make the most of each new day. Hand Him your whole heart today, for the Lord God Almighty is your only refuge.

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.

"Astonished"

Today's reading - Acts 10:44-48 (NIV): 44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
Then Peter said, 47"Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." 48So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

When friends at church say they haven’t seen me lately, I tell them to look up, that I am normally perched upstairs at the media desk. I lead the media worship team and enjoy developing graphics & visual worship elements to enhance the theme of worship and message that our pastor has chosen.

What I like most is watching the Holy Spirit at work through our pastors, or the singers or the worshippers. This scripture tells us that the believers with Peters were astonished the Holy Spirit poured out even on these gentiles. Some Sunday’s I am in awe and astonished seeing the Lord at work! The spirit is working in hearts, for prayer and tears and smiles and nods of heads all occur each week.

From my view upstairs, I see the newness of life in every age group. When the young man about 12 years of age in the ‘traditional’ service goes to pray at the altar and then brings his offering to the table I am witnessing powerful work.

When the Holy Spirit is poured out upon people, they are changed, and can’t be kept hidden. Holy Spirit people are the light of the world, the messenger of the great ‘I Am’ and the ones entrusted with speaking in whatever tongue that is needed to exclaim salvation is ours because Jesus Saves.

Step away from the worship service sometime, or climb up into the balcony and just watch how God works through all elements of worship. Know every aspect of the service is anointed, don’t rely on the sermon alone to please you, or the hymn or song that is sung, or the scripture passage that was chosen. Ask for and rely upon the work and power of the Holy Spirit to anoint your pastor and your congregation so that all that come will be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

Dorothy D. Brucks
Aldersgate UMC, Nixa, MO.
www.aldersgatechurch.com

That one missing piece

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 29:11-14a NIV

11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.”

Good morning!

When our youngest son David was living at home, we used to spend hours together putting puzzles together on our kitchen table. Whenever I work a puzzle, I think about all the time we hovered at the table, searching for that one missing piece. Have you ever felt that way about your life? Have you ever wondered why some things happen the way they do? Is there one missing piece you are struggling to find to complete your life’s puzzle?

Sometimes, God’s plan for our lives and our own life plans do not seem to match up. Our David had a lot of health issues to overcome in the first few hours of his young life. This was not a part of my pregnancy plan. I wanted David to be born healthy and strong. Yet, he became very strong amid the physical adversities he endured. We do not always realize that our struggles will give us the spiritual muscle we need to survive and thrive in a world that doesn’t always listen. I admire our son’s tenacity in the midst of adversity today. I hate it when he struggles with his health, but I love his inner strength and endurance. This can only come through the resilience that is borne from pain.

The prophet Jeremiah spent forty years in the wilderness of Judah, beating his head up against a brick wall, trying to get the people to listen and repent. He was obedient to God’s call, even in the midst of his own personal suffering. Trapped within the captivity of human complacency, tormented and rejected by his neighbors, friends and family, Jeremiah never gave up on God’s plan for his life. His future and hope was planted in God’s Word alone. From a human perspective, I’m sure it must have been hard for Jeremiah to see. Yet, he knew if he continued to call on the Lord and pray with a sincere heart, that God would hear and answer his cries for help. Only God can bring you out of the personal captivity you find yourself in today, and into His eternal provision.

Lately, I’ve been feeling a little like a captive under house arrest, waiting rather impatiently for my body to mend after surgery. When I look at my life’s puzzle, I realize that God’s plan for my life and my own personal plans do not seem to match. I realize the Lord will give me the strength I need for each new day, and this puzzle will fit together beautifully when I am able to fully let go and trust Him completely for my future and hope. He is strengthening my faith muscle today. This finished work of art may not look the way I had imagined it, but in the Master Artist’s eyes, it will be perfect.

This is my prayer for today – to let go completely and trust God to complete His work in me in whatever shape and form He wishes. Will you join me in praying for God's will to be done?

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.