Devotional 6-26-14

This was submitted as a possible extra to use during Lent, but I think it applies all year 'round.  
This was the devotional for Sunday in the Guidepost. I thought it fit right in with several things we've been talking about over the last few weeks. I think I'm going to try to do this for Lent. See what you think. 
 
If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
--James 1:26 (KJV)
 
When I was in my twenties, I started going to the opera. An enthusiastic novice, I'd walk joyfully to the lobby for intermission, only to hear the dismissive remarks of the jaded veterans. A fine performance by Pavarotti? "He has no squillo. You really should have heard Corelli in that part." An incredible high note from Joan Sutherland? "Too bad you couldn't have heard her twenty years ago" I'd go back to my seat for the second act, regretting that I wasn't twenty years older rather than enjoying the singing that night.

I've tried, with diminishing success as I've grown older, to be less of a curmudgeon. But the place I've failed utterly has been church. Walking home on Sunday mornings, I've related a litany of complaints, "The music here is terrible. Do you remember the choir at St. So-and- So's?"

"There was no meat in that sermon. Father X was so much more thoughtful."

"Did you see the sneakers the alter server was wearing?

We'd never have let that pass at St. Thingummy's"

Finally, my wife, Julia, had enough. "What are you doing for Lent?" she asked.

"Giving up peanut butter, like always," I answered.

"How about giving up all that negativity?"

So I tried. Sometimes I'd just keep quiet. Sometimes I'd catch myself mid-complaint. Sometimes I'd even say something positive ! And you know what? I found myself praying rather than looking for things I didn't like. After all, I was there for God's sake, not my own. You know what else? This Lent I'm going to find something good to say every Sunday.
 
Lord, keep my attention where it really belongs- on You.

Written by Andrew Attaway
Submitted by Debbie McGinnis

Devotional 6-20-14

Don’t Be Afraid !!

Lectionary Readings:  Genesis 21: 8-21; Psalm 17; Psalm 86: 1-10 & 16-17; Romans 6: 1-11; Matthew 10: 24-39.
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.  Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.  Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your father.  And even the hairs of your head are all numbered.  So don’t be afraid:  you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:28-30.

Lately, I have been struggling with change.  The end/beginning of various chapters of my life and the lives of several friends and family members.  Many of the events are joyfully anticipated and celebrated even though they mean big changes in future schedules and life focus—my grandson just graduated from high school and will be going to Marshall in the fall.  We have truly enjoyed all of the senior activities and team triumphs, but there is also an element of sadness as a part of life’s journey must be laid aside.  Other changes involve more sadness than celebration: saying “Happy Retirement” to trusted friends or “Best Wishes in your New Job or New Home” as friends move on to other activities or places.  Even the death of long-time friends has caused me to pause and reflect on the changes that are happening all around me.

But as I read and contemplated the scriptures for this week, I realized that the constant that I can and should be counting on is GOD.  I am blessed by a God who cares for me, wants the best for me, loves me beyond any speck of deserving and who sends me countless messages to “PAY ATTENTION:  I AM IN CHARGE:  DO NOT BE AFRAID!!!”  Change is inevitable.  I don’t need to be afraid of the future, because God is in control.  Those who know me, know that giving up control is not a natural or easy activity for me.  I struggle with letting go more than is reasonable or comfortable, but all of my future is in God’s hands.  I do not need to be afraid.

Why should I feel discouraged?  Why should the shadows come?

Why should my heart be lonely and long for heaven and home,

When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is he:

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,

When song gives place to sighing, when hope within me dies,

I draw the closer to him, from care he sets me free:

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,

For his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.

                                                                                    Words by Civilla Martin

Life is constantly shifting and moving like the sand dunes at the beach. When we are lucky enough to actually visit a beach, we observe the changing tides and the sights and smells surrounding us and are reminded that even the lands and the seas do not stay the same. There is a plan in the ebb and flow of all of life.  My problems may seem overwhelming at times, but God holds my hand, shelters my soul and hides me from the storm.  Change happens—hang on to God and enjoy the ride!

Dear Heavenly Protector we are so very grateful for your constant presence in our lives.  Help us to sing or say these words daily to remind us that we are yours. And although life changes fill us with fear, you are always the source of our protection and strength.
“Let the Son of God enfold you with his Spirit and his love. 
Let him fill your heart and satisfy your soul.
O let him have the things that hold you and his Spirit like a dove 
will descend upon your life and make you whole.
O come and sing this song with gladness as your hearts are filled with joy.  
Lift your hands in sweet surrender to his name.  
O give him all your tears and sadness; give him all your years of pain, 
and you’ll enter into life in Jesus’ name.
Jesus, Jesus, come and fill your lambs.  
Jesus, O,  Jesus, come and fill your lambs.” 
(words by John Wimber)     AMEN.

Chyrl Budd

Devotional 6-13-14

Read Genesis 1:1-2:4, Psalm 8, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20

Pleasing our God

Our God is a loving, creating, caring God.  One that is easily pleased not just by what he did when he created the earth, and all that is on it, but also the stars and sun.  Of course he created man and woman and was pleased.  He is pleased when we treat one another with acceptance, love and care.  He is happy when we help the least of our brothers and sisters without regard for where they are in life. We are all children of this great and awesome God.  His son, Jesus Christ is our example of how we are to treat each other - the poor, the rich, the prostitute, the addict, our neighbor, and on and on.  Love and respect for all. Let’s be the hands and feet for Jesus.  Let’s make our life a pleasing life for God.

Fred Herr

Devotional 6-6-14

A Sign

As I traveled down Norway Avenue, I read the church sign to my right. “He is God. We are not.”  I couldn’t help but smile as my thoughts traveled back to 1975.  My husband and I were with our twenty-something friends, tuning in to watch a new show called Saturday Night Live. SNL, as it came to be known, was never subtle, sometimes hysterical, and always irreverent.

Each week the show opened with a little-known actor named Chevy Chase doing some kind of pratfall and exclaiming, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!” Then he and others in the cast performed outrageous   skits.

One recurring skit was called Weekend Update. It made fun of pretentious anchormen and the news and newsmakers of the day. The cynic in me loved this anchorman’s catch phrase, “Good evening!  I’m Chevy Chase and you’re not.” Of course, what his character was really saying was that we would never be as attractive, intelligent, or famous as he. He simply stated the obvious.

Why did such a serious sign evoke such a strange memory? I guess it was because the church sign reminded me of a time when, like Chevy Chase, I thought I had it all together – a loving husband, two beautiful daughters, a supportive family, a good job, and entertaining friends. But as time went by, I realized that something was missing. It took a little longer to realize that Someone was missing – God.  To find Him, I decided to go back to the place where He and I had first been introduced, Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church. God and JM took me in as if I’d never left.

I am sure the pastor of the church on Norway would be happy to know that his sign got a reaction. But I would have changed the sign just a little. I would have written, “Good news! I’m God and you’re not.“ I would have stated the obvious.

Prayer – Psalm 104:31-34
                                                                                                                                         
May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
May the Lord rejoice in His works.
He looks on the earth, and it trembles;
He touches the hills, and they smoke.

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
May my meditation be sweet to Him;
I will be glad in the Lord.
Amen

Becky Warren