Devotional 10-28-16

Please read Luke 19:1-10

This week's gospel text is the story of Zacchaeus, the rich tax collector who experienced a radical life-changing transformation when he met Jesus.

This was one of my father's favorite bible passages. It is compelling; who doesn't love a good conversion story. The ornerier the sinner/-cum-saint, the better the testimony. Although we don't know much about Zacchaeus, Luke gives enough details that the original audience would have made no mistake as to his deplorable nature. Zacchaeus, says Luke, was both a tax collector and rich.

I imagine first-century Palestinians didn't like to render unto Caesar any more than peoples of all times and places throughout history. Today we may have disdain for the IRS, but ancient Jews had a better reason for their hatred of tax collectors. These "publicans" were in collusion with the occupying nation to collect taxes from their own neighbors--they were seen as traitors. Moreover, tax collectors got rich by collecting more than the amount due and keeping the extra. No wonder the crowd grumbled when Jesus chose to eat with Zacchaeus.

What dad liked about the story of Zacchaeus is how, when we are looking for Jesus, He finds us. And life will never be the same.

I went to a United Methodist Men meeting with Dad at his church where he shared a devotional he had written based on Zacchaeus's conversion. For Dad, Zacchaeus experienced new life because he was willing to leave his place of comfort--the sycamore tree where he could view Jesus from a distance. How often we might be tempted to watch from afar without any personal commitment or participation. But Jesus says to Zacchaeus and, I think, to us, "hurry and come down!"

When Zacchaeus and when we respond obediently, our lives are changed.

Dad concluded, "Check your fingernails. Do you have sycamore bark from clinging on to keep your distance?"

May each of us seek Jesus and be found.

Jeff Taylor

Devotional 10-21-16

Devotion comes from Luke 18:1-8

This is a story of a persistent widow and a hard hearted judge. He feared neither God nor man. The widow had a problem which the judge refused to solve. She tenaciously bombarded the judge until he caved, not because of fear or regard, but he just got worn down.

This tells me that whatever pursuit which we have, we must continue to attack the problem and not give up.

Years ago when I was fighting the nickel wars at INCO, problems would come up which had to solved. Early on, I gave up after a brief struggle. Later, after being battle hardened by many problems, I found out that not giving up solves a lot of problems.

A Consultant told us that one of our biggest problems is the lack of tenacity, that is, giving up too easily.

As we face our daily struggles in daily living and prayer life, we have to keep trying.

Of course some things are truly unattainable. I’ll never be as tall as Marv Jones or as smart as Gil Ratcliff. It would be foolish and a waste of time. However, every day I can strive to be a better Christian, friend, husband, and church member. Every day I have failures, but thank the Lord, I can get up in the morning and try again.

 A little poem a friend shared with me is titled; "Don't Quit". It gives the same message as the scripture.

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,

when the road you're trudging seems all uphill,

when the funds are low and the debts are high,

when you want to smile but you have to sigh,

when care is pressing you down a bit,

rest if you must BUT DON'T YOU QUIT.

Success is failure turned inside out,

the silver tint of the clouds of doubt.

you can never tell how close you are;

it may be near when it seems so far,

so stick to the fight when you're hardest hit,

it's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

Devotional 10-14-16

Please read Jeremiah 29: 1-7

In this reading, Jeremiah is writing to the Jewish elders, priests, prophets and to all the people who have been deported to Babylon.

Jeremiah is writing from Jerusalem to all of these people who have been sent from their lands and family and friends. He tells them that this is a letter from the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel.

The letter tells these people that they are to build homes, plant vineyards and plan to stay. They are to marry and raise families and multiply.

 They are to pray for peace and the prosperity of Babylon for if Babylon has peace and prosperity, they will also.

 When I read this I had to think about our upcoming Presidential election. It's hard not to when everywhere you look it seems to be the topic. I'm not saying it shouldn't be, it's very important. I guess that what I'm trying to say is that no matter who wins, lots and lots of people are going to be unhappy. There will be many reasons for that and so many of those reasons will be viable but, there is one thing that we can all do. 

Before, during and after this election, especially after, pray for peace in our country and around the world. Pray for prosperity in this city, this state and this country. Pray for our leaders, especially if you don't like them. Sitting back and saying  "I knew this would be bad for us" only insures it will be bad for us. Praying to our Heavenly Father for wisdom and understanding may not make things change in the blink of an eye but it may change how we look at things or at other people and that can change things, even if it takes a few years, like four maybe.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, As your children we always need your guidance and right now we could use lots of that. Please help us as we try to make the best decisions that we can in this coming election but even more important, help us to remember that we are all your children and we need to pray that whom ever wins this election will need your help and our prayers to do the best job that they can. That will benefit all of us. In your name we pray. Amen

Debbie McGinnis

Devotional 10-8-16

Lost Faith

Lectionary Readings:  Lamentations 1:1-6; Psalm 137; 2 Timothy 1:1-14; Luke 17: 5-10

The apostles came up and said to the Master, “Give us more faith.”  But the Master said, “You don’t need MORE faith.  If you have a bare kernel of faith, say the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Go jump in a lake,’ and it would do it.  Luke 17: 5-6. (The Message)

During the spring of 2007, the children of JM were learning a song, “The Kingdom of God is like a Mustard Seed”.  The lyrics for this version were based on the Matthew, chapter 13 version of the mustard seed story.  They were happily learning the song, but didn’t really understand what they were singing about.  Most of them had some experience with planting seeds and watching them grow, but were not making the connection to their own faith.  I had taken pictures of several large mustard plants and I had a spice jar of mustard seeds, but they were not impressed. One of the kids then suggested that we plant some seeds and the adults agreed that it would be a great idea.  I searched the seed packet racks for mustard seeds, but had no luck, so as a last resort we planted 2-3 of the spice jar mustard seeds in small cups of dirt. The kids marveled during the planting that the seeds were so tiny and would be easy to get lost, especially if they were outside and planting in the ground. The kids watered the cups and placed them on the south facing window sills.  I watered them on the following Wednesday, but there was no change—it still looked like a cup of dirt.  I really thought that we had planted “processed” mustard seeds and they were not going to grow anything.  My faith in the whole process was sadly lacking.  I didn’t even have the faith of a tiny mustard seed.

Then, a week after the big planting, the kids showed up for practice and “WOW!!”, the little cups showed some definite green shoots emerging from the dirt.  We continued to water the plants twice a week for about a month.  The mustard plants grew to look exactly like the pictures I had googled on the internet and were outgrowing their cups.  The children talked easily about the tiny seeds they had seen go into the cups and the plants that were now growing.  They joyfully sang “The Mustard Seed” anthem in morning worship and talked about sharing the story of these seeds with their family and friends.  They “got” it….

I, however, still found it difficult to believe.  I didn’t tell any of the kids or the other adults, but I had serious doubts that the seeds would sprout.  During the planting process, I had such a negative expectation that I was planning what I could do to assist the kids with their disappointment when the seeds did not grow.  I fully expected the whole project to be a “bust”.  I had not expected a good outcome, let alone a great outcome.  Thankfully, I was so wrong!!!

In the Luke version, the disciples start the conversation by asking for more faith.  I can definitely understand the desire for an increase in my faith.  In this situation, I felt like I did not have any faith at all.  And yet, God continued to be at work in the situation. God was in charge of the universe and my job was to learn and let go of my doubts. There was no doubt that a plant was growing from a tiny seed. Every seed of faith, no matter how small, is still powerful enough to be used to share God’s love with others.

 Jesus used the description of this common and seemingly well-known seed as a way to explain what was needed to help the kingdom of God grow.  Without a doubt, God has already supplied all that we need to navigate this life.  From small steps, little ideas, initial attempts, etc., great things can develop when we allow God to guide our path.  Remember-- “This little light of mine”-- where a small amount of light can make large changes in the environment.    And then there is “It only takes a spark to get a fire going”…  We all have something to add to the picture.  We need to fully rely on God for direction and not be afraid of the outcome.  God will use every situation, discussion and attempt to advance the cause of LOVE.

Dear God, our guide and teacher,

       We thank you for all the lessons and teachings of your Holy Word.  We are sorry that we do not always have faith in your teachings.  You have said that all we need is the faith of a mustard seed, and yet, sometimes we feel that we do not even that much.  Help us to continue to study and learn from the example of your son, Jesus.  Lead us to the path that brings us closer to you. You are all that we need.  In His Holy Name, AMEN.

Chyrl Budd