Devotional 8-29-14

Recognition

My granddaughter, Ruby, and I were reading the book Matching by Istar Schwager. Of course, the object was to find items on a page that were identical or related.  As we flew through the pages, we reached one with the following rhyme: Remember this rule while you play this game: Things that match are not always the same. Now, what goes together?  What are their names?

Ruby looked at me and quickly pointed to the foot and sock, key and keyhole, and mitten and hand. The last set of pictures showed a round magnifying glass, silverware, and a bowl of macaroni and cheese. Without batting an eye, she pointed to all three pictures.  She had never done that before, and I guess the look on my face told her she was mistaken. She then pointed to the silverware and bowl, and I smiled.

I started to move to the next page, but my curiosity got the best of me.  I asked, “Ruby, why did you also point to the first picture when you were matching the silverware and bowl?”

She answered without a moment’s hesitation, “You cook macaroni and cheese in a pan and eat it with the fork and spoon.”

As I studied the page, I could see that her answer made sense. The magnifying glass did look like a pan! I grabbed my magnifying glass from beside my laptop, and for the next half hour we played with her new found toy.

In Philippians 3: 4-14, Paul describes his life before Jesus Christ claimed him.  From a Jewish perspective, he was perfect. He was circumcised, he belonged to the tribe of Benjamin, he was a Pharisee, he persecuted Christians and worked to destroy the church, and he kept the Jewish law without fail. He was flying through life like Ruby flying though her book.  Suddenly he was thrown by something he’d never encountered.  Sacrifice.  Not hard work. Not constant study.  Not tradition. It was the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for all of us – even a Christian persecutor – that made life worth living.

Ruby didn’t recognize the magnifying glass because she had never seen one, but learning to use it brought her joy. For much of his life, Paul didn’t recognize his life for the garbage it was – his words, not mine – but he left it behind because it didn’t bring him joy.  What about you? Are you caught up in hard work, constant study, and tradition, or do you get up each morning joyful and grateful for the sacrifice Jesus made for you simply because you belong to Him? Recognize the joy! You shouldn’t need Ruby’s magnifying glass to find it!

Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank you for helping me to recognize the sacrifice you made for me, the never ending love you give to me, and the simple joy you bring to my life each day. In your name I pray. Amen
 
Becky Warren

Devotional 8-22-14

ace and Peace to all

Please read the 12th Chapter of Paul's Letter to Roman.  Use this reading as a guide to living our everyday life. We are a living offering to our Father God. (vs.1).  As children of God we are always growing in maturity. Let God be our guide and not our humankind. (vs. 2).  Remember that each one of us has been given a gift, that is a part of the body of Christ, and that we need to loving accept each other and their gift.  For without the whole, the body cannot function as God intends. (vs. 3-8).  Most of all, LOVE everyone and care for them; your friends, co-workers, those you don't even know, make them a friend and if they don't know Christ bring them to him.  Don't judge for God will do that.  Feed those in need and be generous, even be generous to your enemy, for this will stop evil. (vs. 9-21)

With love to all,

Fred Herr

Devotional 8-15-14

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11

A dear neighbor of mine sent me an e-mail that began with this verse from Jeremiah. The e-mail describes life as a train ride that begins at birth when we board the train to meet our parents, and we believe that they travel at our side until they step down from the train, leaving us on this journey alone. As time goes by, other people will board the train; some will be significant such as siblings, friends, children, and even the love of our life. Many will leave a permanent vacuum when they step down.  Others will go unnoticed so that we do not realize they have vacated their seats! This train ride will be full of joy, sorrow, fantasy, expectations, hellos, and farewells.

Success consists of having a good relationship with all passengers….requiring that we give the best of ourselves. The mystery is we do not know at which station we ourselves will step down. So we must live in the best way—love, forgive, and offer the best of who we are.  It is important to do this because when the time comes for us to step down and leave our seat empty we should leave behind beautiful memories for those who will continue to travel on the train of life.

The remainder of the e-mail consisted of my sweet neighbor wishing me well on my journey and thanking me for being one of the passengers on her train. If only all of us could be the kind of passenger that she is.  She is always there.  She even planted my flowers this year!

I have had some major health problems this year.  To be honest, I have thought that I might have to get off the train at times.  I wondered about the memories I would leave behind.  As Jeremiah said, God has a plan for me and I feel that He has “Touched Me” and I hope to live life in the best way as I continue my train ride. Come join my neighbor and me to make the best memories on our ride!

Carol Brown

Devotional 8-8-14

Please read the scripture for today’s devotion:  Genesis 37: 1-28

Genesis can be such a challenging book, full of lots of information. But what I like to call the “short stories” of the Old Testament can indeed be full of intrigue, holding my attention.

In Chapter 37, I find this to be true in the story of Joseph, Jacob’s eleventh son. In the beginning of the story, we learn that Jacob has presented a beautiful coat of many colors to Joseph –something none of his brothers have ever received. We learn that, of all his sons, Jacob favors Joseph the most.  His brothers are well aware of this favoritism, and have grown quite jealous of Joseph. They become so angry about it that they begin plotting to get rid of him. They are even more convinced this is a good idea after Joseph shares two of his dreams with them—dreams of his greatness and power over them. This is just the beginning of Joseph’s story and, like a good novel, we want to read on to find out what happens to him.

Reading this story for the first time in a very long time, details become more significant. Joseph’s dreaming reminds me of times in my life in which I’ve dreamed, or hoped, or wished  for something specific to happen. How often have I said, “I wish…” or “I hope…”?  Was Joseph’s power and superiority going to happen because he had dreamed of it happening, maybe even wished hard for it to happen? Or was it already God’s plan for Joseph?

I have come to believe that God has always had a plan for me.  I believe He knows me better than I know myself.  And I’m quite sure God expects my active participation in His plan!  With this realization, I’ve tried to quit wishing and dreaming  (not always so easy!) and begin instead to hear what God has to say.  Simple steps, really—just  listen ,understand, and follow through. Seems to make a lot of sense, don’t you think?

Prayer:
Dear God, help me to take time each day to talk with You, and to listen. Then, I ask that You be with me as I follow through.  Thanks, Heavenly Father.  Amen

Devotional 7-31-14

Why Go to Church?

Twenty years ago our churches were full. It was the socially accepted thing to do. Fast forward and many of our churches are half empty. Church attendance is no longer a social necessity. Churches are all too often seen as being full of judgmental hypocrites. There are many people who consider themselves Christians who feel no need to attend church. They feel they can worship God anywhere - which , of course is true, and something we all should be doing.

So, why attend church? I’ve thought a lot about this. Weekly church attendance is very important to me. It feeds my soul. During some of the most difficult times in my life my faith has gotten me through. I might have been physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted, but spiritually I was doing well. I can’t remember ever attending a service that I wasn’t touched in some way - the music, a prayer, the sermon, a reading, a hug. Attending church helps me to grow - as a Christian and as a person. It keeps me in tune, not with what I want, but with what God wants. The sharing of faith and fellowship with caring friends adds depth and joy to worship. Church gives me a way to worship God that would be impossible to do on my own.

Why do you go to church? Who do you need to tell?

Margaret Williams