Devotional 7-28-18

“DO  NOT BE AFRAID TO PROFESS FORGIVENESS”

This month I read another book in the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith, Precious and Grace.  The setting is in Botswana, Africa.  Mma Ramotswe, our chief lady detective, is attending church.  She looks up at the ceiling high above her in the new cathedral where the electric fans stir the air so ineffectively.  Her attention is drawn down immediately when she hears the bishop say the word “forgiveness”.

The bishop speaks:  (abbreviated) “Somebody asked me the other day when we should start teaching our children about forgiveness.  I was surprised by the question because I think that forgiveness is one on the first things.  Forgiveness is at the heart of the way we live our lives—or should be.  So when we teach our children about the things they need to know about the world--about how not to touch fire, about how to wash their hands or put on their shoes, about where Africa is or Botswana---all these things, we should also remember to teach them about forgiveness.  When another person wrongs us, be ready to forgive. If we do not forgive them, we run the risk of being eaten up alive with hatred inside, hatred is like acid……..

The bishop continues.  “Yet who talks about forgiveness these days other than the people who come to this place, or to places like this? What politician, what public person, do we hear standing up and saying that we must forgive?  The message is more likely to be one of blame, holding this person or that person to account.  It is a message of retribution, sometimes dressed up in concern about victims and public  safety.  But if you do not forgive, what are you achieving?  When we punish somebody, we are often just punishing ourselves.  Locking people away is simply increasing the amount of suffering in the world. Sometimes you have to do it to protect people from harm, but you should remember there are other ways of changing a man’s ways.

“My brothers and sisters, do not be afraid to profess forgiveness.   Do not be embarrassed to say that you believe in love, and that you believe that water can wash away the sins of the world, and that you are prepared to put this message right at the heart of your world. Love and forgiveness are more powerful than those cynical, mocking words and will always be so.  Always.”

Thinking about forgiveness has reminded me of Jesus’ last words on the cross, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”  This statement is given as the first of the seven reported last words on the cross.  I pray that we may all love more and therefore forgive.

John Greenleaf Whittier wrote, “Dear Lord and Father of mankind, forgive our foolish ways, reclothe us in our rightful minds, in purer lives thy service find, in deeper reverence, praise.“

Amen

Martha Casey

Devotional 7-20-18

Fishing on the Fourth of July

 Matthew 4:19 NIV
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

This past July 4, Jon Parlier and I visited an old friend who lived in North Myrtle Beach. We found ourselves in the company of thousands of others who had flocked to the sun, fun, and fireworks.

We found a spot on the shoreline where we planted our chairs. Presently we heard – and then saw - an airplane towing an advertising banner for a nearby restaurant. A few minutes later Jon asked me what I thought of the televangelist who wanted people to send him money for a private jet. I can only guess that the banner–towing airplane brought about the question. I said I didn’t think much of it. He agreed and said that 5.4 million could be put to better use.

Pleased that we had settled the matter, we enjoyed the sun, the waves lapping our feet, and the sounds of seagulls overhead.  But then we detected three shadows blocking our sun. The shadows were actually three high school girls armed with beautiful but nervous smiles.

They giggled as they explained that they were from Minnesota and on a retreat with high school students from all over the United States. They wanted to know if they could talk to us about our spiritual lives.

I have to laugh when I think back on that moment. They thought it would be difficult to get us to talk, but once we started, they could hardly get a word in. Jon told of his nomadic childhood which made it difficult to put down roots in any church. He then told them that I had been at Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church in Huntington, WV, my entire life and that was the church we both now attended.

Haley and Chloe talked to Jon about the retreat, but Emily and I went a bit deeper into our upbringing. To be honest, I didn’t give her a chance to say much because I wanted her to know how Jesus had come into my life at an early age and how God’s love had sustained me in times of trouble. As it turned out, I answered the very questions that she had been sent out to ask.

Did God send them to us - or us to them?   And how awesome was it that it took place by the seashore? All I know is that Jon and I were there to be “caught” by these young fishermen. I hope that as time passes, they will remember the old couple by the sea who were eager to talk about God’s love. Maybe they will be “caught” by some young fishermen, too.

Heavenly Father, thank You for all of those, young and old, who follow Your teachings and become fishers of people. Help us to overcome our inhibitions and follow their lead. In Your name we pray.

Amen
Becky Warren

Devotional 7-13-18

It’s A Miracle!

The amazing story of the Thai soccer team’s rescue came to a climax today as we learned of their amazing rescue being successfully completed. I’m sure our sense of relief was nothing compared to that of the parents of the twelve boys and their coach who were lost, then found, then rescued.  There’s no doubt in my mind that this was a miracle—the inclusion of God’s hands at work in an unbelievable event.

The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines miracle as “an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs; the healing miracles described in the Gospels.” We are all familiar with the stories of the miracles performed by Jesus. All those witnessing them were amazed to see Jesus heal the infirmed. When the family of Lazarus witnessed Jesus raising him from the dead, there’s no doubt they could hardly believe their eyes! But then, seeing is believing.

So, what is it that makes us believe in miracles? And why is it some people don’t believe in miracles? A good friend of mine would respond, “It’s a God thing.” And, indeed, I believe it is our faith in God that we can call certain events such as this rescue, a miracle—a miracle that this group of young boys and their coach survived for so long before they were found; a miracle that the world pulled together for them, providing experienced seal rescuers, first responders and caregivers to help; and a miracle that they seemed to have fared well through their very traumatic experience.

When God enters the picture, things change. And we call it a miracle. So why does it seem so hard to believe that things can change when we let God enter the picture in our own lives? The power of prayer is an amazing thing, when we open our hearts to commune with God, allow silence in prayer so that we may hear God, and determine what it is He wishes us to do for Him. In many ways, this, too, can be called a miracle, can’t it?

It’s all part of having a deep faith in God that we understand and “see” in our hearts the miracles God brings to this earthly world every day.

May we rejoice—every day—in the power, the glory and the everlasting love of God, our Father!
Diane Feaganes

Devotional 7-7-18

He held the offering in his hand.

Wheat, first fruits from his field.

Looking at it, he remembered

the seed.

The promise of it.

The fear in it.

The possibility of famine or feast

that had rested in it.

He remembered throwing it into the field.

Praying for rain.

Praying for not too much rain.

Praying for sunshine.

Praying for not too much baking sun.

He remembered watching the tiny plants sprout,

hoping for growth.

He thought of plucking the wheat from the field,

the first to become fruit.

So far, it was the only to become usable wheat.

He had pulled it,

made a sheaf,

and brought it to the Lord.

He offered it to God,

hoping that his first fruit

would not be his last.

Praying that there would be enough.

Enough to feed his family

Enough for seed for the next year.

His offering of first fruit

was an act of faith.

An act of obedience.

It was worship that beat back fear.

It was ritual that spoke of his faith in God.