Devotional 7-30-10

Our Grateful Praise

“For the Beauty of the Earth” has always been one of my favorite hymns. I thought about what a beautiful devotion could be made by playing this hymn with a slide show of pictures. Oh, the pictures, which ones to use? Nature shots of the beauty of the earth would be no problem. We are nature lovers. The question was how to narrow down the selection. “For the love which from our birth” -- That was easy, my daughter in her hospital bed holding her new born son with her older children curled up beside her, a love radiating that you could almost touch... or maybe a picture of our newborn twin granddaughters sleeping peacefully side by side--hand in hand. “Brother, sister, parent, child”--our teenage grandson standing hand in hand with his little sister as he coaxed her into the ocean, or maybe her gazing up at him with adoration as he posed in his cap and gown after graduation. But, I missed that one--it was a ‘mind’ picture (a memory). Reality started to set in...I am not very ‘tech savvy’. This project was way beyond my computing skills. Then it occurred to me that although my pictures have special meaning for me, everyone has pictures that they could use to illustrate this hymn. I think that when we take pictures we are often trying to capture our blessings from God. We all have many blessings, and we often forget to thank Him for them. So here is the hymn, you supply the pictures (blessings). Read through it and think about all the pictures stored away in boxes and albums, the pictures stored on your computer, and all those ‘mind pictures’ that you missed capturing, but will never forget. Then go back and sing (you know the tune) and let your mind supply your own personal slide show. And when you get to the end, sing with joy and thankfulness, “Lord of all to thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise."

For The Beauty Of The Earth Hymn

For the beauty of the earth,
For the beauty of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

For the beauty of each hour
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower,
Sun and moon and stars of light,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above,
Pleasures pure and undefiled,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

For each perfect gift of thine,
To our race so freely given,
Graces human and divine,
Flowers of earth and buds of heaven,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

For thy Church which evermore
Lifteth holy hands above,
Offering up on every shore
Her pure sacrifice of love,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

(words by Folliot Pierpoint 1864: music by Conrad Kocher 1838)

Margaret Williams

Devotional 7-23-10

As strange as it may seem it was in a Church History class while I was in Seminary that I first understood the true significance of the words “I am baptized!” It was while Dr. Goen, our professor, was lecturing on the Reformation era that he let the words fall on our ears, briefly paused, and proceeded to tell us this was the phrase Martin Luther repeated to himself time and time again when he was tempted in some way. It was by speaking these words; Luther later recorded that he would remind himself that he belonged to Christ. This reminder helped to move him to respond, as he believed Jesus would respond.

At first the phrase seemed almost childish to me. But the more I thought about them then and in the years since, the greater their impact has been on me. These three words reminded Luther and can remind us that Christ Jesus has claimed us. We are not possessions. We belong. We are family, included in the family of God. And because we are family we need with God’s help to live in ways that help us to become more Christ like on our journey through life.

Growing up, I recall hearing Dad say to my brothers and sisters before they could go out for the evening, “remember who you are” and “don’t do anything that will bring disgrace on the family name.” To me that is similar to Luther reminding himself of his baptism. In baptism he became and we become a new creation in Christ and part of the family we refer to as the church universal.

In the second chapter of Colossians verses 6-7 Paul reminds them and through them shares with us that: “as you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”

We are called as Christians to uphold the family name. It is not a matter of works. It is rather a matter of being true to who we are by God’s grace. As family we come together to sing praise to God. As family we gather to hear God’s word proclaimed. As family we gather to receive the sacraments and as family we go forth to live as Christ’s witnesses sharing his love with others.

We have heard Pastor Jack tell us. Remember your baptism. We have also heard him remind us as new individuals are received into our church family at Johnson Memorial and into the church universal of the vows we also took to uphold the church with our tithes, our talents, our gifts, our service and the mission to which Christ Jesus calls us one and all. Our journey continues.

Prayer: O Holy Spirit, kindle anew within each of us the desire to share God’s love with all we meet this day and in the days to come. Fill us to overflowing with the love Christ Jesus has for one and all and send us forth in word and deed to share Christ’s love. Amen.

Rev. Thomas Malcolm

Devotional 7-16-10

Luke 10:38-42

Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her."

I had just finished unpacking my office, which had been a major chore. I couldn’t believe how much stuff that I had accumulated in so short of a time. Sally came to my office and looked around and said, “wow! This place is busy.” Busy, I thought, what did she mean? She told me that, “when it comes to decorating, less is more.” “Too much stuff is just clutter… it overwhelms the eye,” she said. “Think of it like your taking a picture. You can’t fit the whole world in it. Decide what is important and focus on it.”

I understand Martha. There always seems to be so much to do and so little time. Step into her shoes for a moment. She has a guest. She is trying to be hospitable. She is trying to get everything ready. She is probably even remembering all the stuff in the Scripture about hospitality and welcoming the stranger. She is trying to do what is right.

And then there is Mary… sitting there doing nothing (are you thinking of the word lazy?). So much to do and Mary won’t even help. Surely Jesus believes in helping others. Surely he will tell Mary to lend a hand. Surely Jesus knows how important servant ministry is.

Jesus, however, does no such thing. Instead he says to Martha, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted about many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” Mary chose the better part? Doing nothing is better? But Mary wasn’t doing nothing was she? She wasn’t passive; Mary was active. She was spending time with Jesus.

But back to Martha… before you think Jesus was harsh, think about his words: worried and distracted. Jesus is concerned about Martha (and all of us Marthas).

I can hear Sally saying, “this place is busy… focus.” If you could only fit one thing into the picture what would it be? Cooking, cleaning, or relationship? We have grocery lists and to do lists and Christmas wish lists. But where is our relationship list? Our lives can become so cluttered and so busy (like my office) that we lose our focus… our sense of what is important.

“Martha, Martha,” Jesus says to all of us Marthas, “you are worried and distracted about many things; there is need of only one thing.” But Jesus, I have so much that has to be done. My list is still full. But somewhere in my heart, I know that my words are correct, but not in the way that I meant them. I do have much to do. Should I start with a visit to my parents, a romantic dinner with my spouse, a bicycle ride with my kids, or an invitation to the neighbor to dinner at our house? Who knows, I might even find time to spend with God?

Rev. David Stackpole

Devotional 7-9-10

Take a moment and read the “The Good Samaritan” parable in Luke 10:25-37. It is probably familiar to many of us, but read it today and ask yourself the question, “Whose sandals fit my feet?” Which character speaks to you – to your life, to your call from God, to your present-day experience? What is God saying to you and your situation through this parable?

Are you the Priest, on his way to Jericho, who passed by an injured man? Don’t judge him too harshly. If he had stopped and touched what was in all likelihood a dead body, he would have been unclean, and unable to perform his duties as a priest. Are you a Levite, headed to Jericho to undoubtedly do the Lord’s work, unable to take the time to help? Are you someone who knows his or her call from God, who is already doing ministry for the Lord, and who can’t afford to be interrupted? Do you ever feel as if you are trying to balance the demands of family, work and church, and don’t feel that you can answer even one more call from God? What is God saying to you in this parable?

Are you the Samaritan, who most likely feels like an outsider? Do you wonder if you even have a role in the work of the church? When someone tells you that God gives everyone gifts, do you imagine that He must have missed you? Do you doubt that you have talents? Or do you walk into the church building and feel as if you do not belong? What is God saying to you in this parable?

Are you the innkeeper? Do you feel as if ministry has been dropped, unexpected and unwanted, on your doorstep? Do you feel surprised by what God is calling you to do? Are you wondering if you even had a choice in the matter? What is God saying to you in this parable?

Are you the lawyer, questioning God? Do you like to know the rules of the game before you start? Are you more comfortable if you know what is expected of you ahead of time, and perhaps would be happiest if you knew God wouldn’t demand everything of you? Are you looking for the loopholes? What is God saying to you in this parable?

Are you the injured person on the side of the road? Do you feel helpless and lost in your pain, wondering if God cares about you? Do you hear the footsteps of those who walk by, ignoring you? What is God saying to you in this parable?

What is God saying to you?

Kim Matthews

Devotional 7-2-10

July 2, 2010

Galatians 6:1-6 (7-16)

Today’s scripture has always felt like it was written specifically for me. There is so much said in so few pen strokes, and I’d rather not muddle things by adding much. I think of the following verses as “Paul’s Three Rules for Life”.

Verse 4: “Each one should judge his own conduct. If it is good, then he can be proud of what he himself has done, without having to compare it with what someone else has done.” No two people have walked the same path, so no two can be compared as such.

Verse 8: “If [a person] plants in the field of his natural desires, from it he will gather the harvest of death; if he plants in the field of the Spirit, from the Spirit he will gather the harvest of eternal life. ” Whether or not we get the “fruit” we expected, putting the time and work into any noble and Christian purpose will always leave us fulfilled.

Verse 10: “So then, as often as we have the chance, we should do good to everyone, and especially to those who belong to our family in the faith.” In the midst of so many peoples’ efforts to be divided, it is crucial for us to be caring toward one another.

If I were leading a Bible study on this scripture, I would have wallet-sized cards to give everyone. Each would be a small reminder, saying the following:

Rule 1: Judge only yourself, and take simple joy in your good works.
Rule 2: Sow in the field of the Spirit, because you reap what you sow.
Rule 3: Do good to everyone, especially brothers and sisters in Christ.

“SEE WITH WHAT BIG LETTERS I WRITE”, IN HOPES THAT THIS SCRIPTURE SPEAKS TO YOU! Maybe you want to make a card for yourself with Paul’s recommendations on it. His words are almost more potent today than they were when originally written. In a world with so many demons, we must try always to think and act with God’s love.

Natalie Wray