Devotional 8-2-19

Hope from the Shoot

Being a parent is difficult no matter what the child’s age.  Hosea 11: 1-11 reminds us of God’s love for Israel.  The more He tried, the more they disobeyed.  His love is strong but they do not appreciate that love. He tries many different approaches such as “Tough Love,” but they even begin to worship false idols.  God searches for the delicate balance in order to nurture, teach, instill discipline, and love for one another.

This balance is the greatest goal that any parent must face.  In today’s society, this challenge of being a parent is especially difficult. It can be a heart breaking experience and totally devastating because of the current drug crisis that has attacked our population. Some parents are blessed with that wonderful balance and never have to deal with the worship of the “drug idol.”  I am one of the blessed in raising my daughter, but I have seen close parents “wail” at the total agony in seeing their child being literally swallowed by the addiction of drugs. They struggle to help but to no avail. Any child can succumb, there is no “type.” The worship of this idol means more than family or parent. I saw some parents totally give up.

As a high school counselor, I remember that for quite a while the popular approach of the philosophy of so called “tough love” was recommended.  God tried this with his children but eventually decided that was not the answer.  The answer was not to abandon but to love.  The approach changed in society so that help was love, understanding, and support.

In Colossians 3: 1-11 God wants us to be aware of the following: the power of prayer, the cross, power of forgiveness, the depth of his love, and need for patience.  All of these are characteristics of a Christian. Only through the acceptance of a higher power can we keep that parent’s love strong. I have seen this acceptance eventually give a parent peace in dealing with the devastation.  The child eventually accepting Grace from God in his life. It can sometimes take years but the patience and love of a parent can help it happen.

In Isaiah 11: we learn that the royal line of David will be chopped down like a tree but from the stump will grow a shoot.  This shoot will be Hope of the coming of the Jesus.  He will bring hope and love to the people   What greater love can parent give than the Hope of God’s Grace as God gave the people of Israel?

 

Carol L. Brown

Devotional 8-3-18

“Got no Rhythm” 

I cannot dance, I cannot sing, and I “Got no rhythm!” At Johnson Memorial, I love when we as a congregation sing the song “Shine, Jesus, Shine” because we clap in unison as we say these words.  It is very inspirational to me but very difficult.  No matter how hard I try, my hand clapping is never in unison.  In other words, my hands are out of tune! I have no rhythm. Therefore, I NEVER actually let my hands touch. I call it the “silent” clap.  I enjoy the music, it makes me happy but I cannot join in the clapping at the appropriate moment in the song.

I said one morning to my daughter, “I am embarrassed because I have no rhythm.”  She acknowledged this by saying, “But you have many other gifts.” She was kind in her comment because the whole family knew that I had no rhythm. That got me to thinking. Many times we feel that we cannot do something because we feel inadequate and do not try.  Surely there is something related to it that we can do. In Romans 12: 3-8 we learn about GIFTS.  We all have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. “If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance to your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”

I have lived a long life and never really thought about talents or gifts.  But, we all have gifts that can be secular or spiritual.  Many of us do not take time to see the relationship, especially me.  I have been a teacher and counselor as a profession because I liked and enjoyed what I did. But over the years I have learned that the desire to help can be spiritual.  Being a friend to someone who seems lost can be a gift from God. I have a dear friend of many years who is dying from Leukemia.  I am called the “fixer” but this I cannot do.  I call her often and we talk about her plight, meeting with Hospice, and similar conversations.  She says it means so much to hear from me and that it helps. She has been able to talk with a minister.  She has one daughter as I do. Maybe this is my gift from God.  Being a Christian has always been a process for me.  I see the gift of teaching in my daughter as she grows in her faith to teach. Her spiritual growth is an inspiration to me.

We all have talents or gifts that we can use and use well.  God gave them to us but we must learn to recognize them.   We may choose poorly at first, but sweet spiritual success can make the difference. It does not matter if we “Have no rhythm,” we have other gifts!

Lord, hear our prayer,
Give us the desire to keep seeking to learn our spiritual gifts from you so that we can share the sweet spiritual success in working with others.
Amen                           
Carol L. Brown

Devotional 5-11-18

Holy Hurricane

Pentecost is a Christian holiday that is celebrated on the seventh Sunday after Easter.  It occurs about ten days after the ascension of Jesus Christ.  It is signifies the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and the followers of Jesus while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks as described in the in the Acts of the Apostles.

There are some stories of how Jesus talked with the disciples before He ascended. He told them that they should not leave Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit arrived.  In Acts 2, the scene of the disciples in a room at Pentecost links the commitment of the Holy Spirit’s work in the church with the conclusion of Christ’s earthly ministry in the Upper Room before the crucifixion.

Descriptions of fire and wind in the Pentecost account resounds throughout the Old and New Testament. The sound of rushing wind and its might is always understood as under God’s control.  Another aspect of the account is the miraculous speaking of foreign tongues that enabled people from various language groups to understand the Apostles.  Many thought the Apostles were drunk but Peter convinced them otherwise.

The question is why did the Holy Spirit come with such force? Some research stated that God wanted to change the people and changing people is never easy.  The wind came like a “Holy Hurricane.” So many times when our country suffers from a hurricane, we learn that it brings the people closer together.  I remember when Houston, Texas was flooded.  We saw the people change.  They helped each other.  Physical possessions no longer mattered.  People’s lives became first concern for all. Everyone came closer, caring for the needy. It definitely worked in Jerusalem!  The words moved them, and they asked Peter what should they do? He told them to be baptized in the name of Christ for the forgiveness of their sins and the Gift of the Holy Spirit.  Peter preached a long sermon and over 3000 were baptized. They joined the others in attendance of the Holy Communion service.  A deep sense of awe was n all of them, and the Apostles did many miracles.

Hear Our Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Give us the sense of awe that your disciples felt as they began to preach your message among the people. Give us a sense of belonging to our church community.

Amen

Carol L. Brown

Devotional 8-25-17

Jesus Wept

God promised that a Messiah would come to help the people. This covenant is a change in his approach. This savior would have human characteristics. He would have human emotions and understandings.  We have been studying God’s human characteristics in Sunday school.  When Jesus told how he was to die, Peter told him that he was thinking of the human point of view and not God’s point of view.  But, by knowing he had human emotions, we can understand his fear and yet his willingness to be a human sacrifice. His sacrifice would be for Mankind’s Sins.  We learn this in Matthew 16: 13-20.

Becoming a Christian has been a process for me.  Each time I face a human problem, I have to reason it to myself.  What do I believe?  I do not believe that God is a punishing God.  He did not cause misfortune to happen.  He gave me strength to face that misfortune.  Since God has human emotions, he feels my pain.  One of the most difficult things for all of us is to give up control.  When we do this, there is a peaceful feeling that does help.  Some people find that this comes easily, but not for me.  When I finally do, I wonder why I waited so long.

At the time of this writing, a member of my family has been in SICU on life support for over a month. We do not know the future.  I have learned to be patient, to take each tiny step for the positive as a blessing. I do know that Jesus is weeping along with us. He understands our pain and will be with us. Many people are praying for our family and it gives us courage to take each day.

I have always been a “fixer” and I know that it is not within my power to “fix” this, and I pray for God’s blessed shoulder for all of us to lean upon. He truly understands our pain. Lord, Hear our prayer.

Carolee Brown

Devotional 8-5-16

SISTERLY ADVICE 

“This is the world today.”  Mass attacks, Terror Attacks, Killing policemen, Killing the innocent, Black Lives Matter, White lives matter, All lives matter, foul language in politics…….Enough!   Enough!  I hurt!  Stop it! And it continues….I cannot accept it, I will not accept it!  And it continues….I hurt!  I hurt!  What can I do?  What can I do?  I expressed this in my Sunday school last week. Every day and every night when turning on the news, there it is again! Some say turn off the news. That did not help.

I have a sister who is younger than me. If you have one of them, you know sisters. Sometimes when talking with your sister, one is thinking ahead of what to say next and not really concentrating on listening. So I was expressing my pain with the world and how I was hurting, when all of a sudden, I found myself really listening. She said, “Take yourself out of the picture, quit letting it be about you.” Think of the victims and their pain.  Pray to God to help them deal with their pain and sorrow.  Prayer can be a most powerful resource for them and the world.  Ask God to help THEM and not YOU. My little sister had definitely judged me and hit the nail on the head. I do not take sister criticism well but I finally saw what I was doing to myself.  So now I pledge to what a good Christian should do----Pray for God’s healing power for the victims of all the chaos that is happening in this country and world.

Today’s sermon by Rev. Deane was about Mary and Martha.  Martha was so concerned about food preparation and was upset with Mary’s not helping her that she complained to Jesus about it. Jesus told her that Mary had chosen best to listen to Him.  I think my sister told me that to quit complaining and Let God handle it. Sisterly advice that struck home.

Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, Help us to keep in mind that prayer can be most powerful, especially when we consider others more than ourselves.     Amen  

Carolee Brown

Devotional 3-25-16

Peace Be With You
 

Before I became a school counselor, I taught literature and composition for several years.  I taught my students how to write themes about literature.  Part of the teaching method was to give them a general statement and have them to apply a universal concept to that statement and develop it in a five paragraph theme.  For example, “Macbeth was ambitious.” The student might develop the paper using the thesis statement, “Ambition can lead to a tragic downfall,” applying it to today’s characters. “A 33 year old man in the small town of Jerusalem was hanged on a cross and buried in a tomb.” This is a general statement but what if we say, “The son of God gave his life for all of mankind and was raised from the dead three days later.” Yes, even though it happened over 2000 years ago, it still applies to us then and now.

Jesus had told of his death several times.  One example is in Mark when says he will be arrested and taken before the chief priests and then be given to the Romans to be killed. He also mentioned his being raised from the dead at other times. His followers loved him but did they really listen to him? Mary Magdalena took spices to the tomb for the body.  Were they really needed?  She thought his body had been stolen. Peter and John arrive, John hesitates, but Peter rushes in to see the empty tomb.  They seem confused.  Even the angels who appear before Mary seem upset at her thinking his body had been taken.

Even on the walk to Emmaus, Jesus’ followers seem confused and are thinking all is lost since their Messiah is dead.  Jesus appears with them and calls them foolish because they did not remember what the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. They finally recognized him and asked him to stay even though at first thought he was a ghost. They finally understood their role in spreading the word. There was a peace in the understanding as they saw him rise into the sky. The prophets’ prediction was complete. This completion was for all of mankind. The son of God had completed his mission for us, and we can say, “Peace Be With You,” because the Christ the Lord has Risen Today!

Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, please let us remember how your son gave his life for us over 2000 years ago so that is seems as though it were yesterday.  It should be part of our present thinking as well as yesterday. His sacrifice for us is our gift from you.

Carol Brown

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 5-15-14

Wearing of the Cross

My Sister and I were talking about my daughter’s birthday.  I told her that I gave Kimberly a sterling silver cross.  My sister, who is a Christian, told me that she could no longer wear a cross after hearing her minister’s sermon on the wearing of the cross. I found that very disturbing since I have always worn crosses.  So I got on line to do some research.  I found that there are definitely different schools of thought on the subject.  To some it is the same as wearing an electric chair around the neck.  The cross is considered an instrument of death.  I read where some people have been fired for wearing a cross to work. I read that some people had to sue their employers for the right to wear their crosses. I learned that some felt that wearing of the cross represented a dead Christ while others felt it represented a   Risen Christ.

I have always worn my crosses because my Savior died on the cross for me.  He rose from the dead to show that there is life after death and that I will someday meet my mother and father again.  I cannot imagine anyone telling me that I cannot wear it. I guess it is a personal choice of all.  I told my sister that perhaps she could wear a Fish pendant instead of a cross.  By the way, I have one of those, too.

Luke 9:23  And he said to them all, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Carol Brown

Devotional 10-12-12

WHEN WE CANNOT FIND GOD

Read Job 23 1-9

Job feels that if he could personally talk with God, He would understand and acquit him but he cannot find God to personally speak with him. Job feels his punishment outweighs his fault. Almost all of the chapters contain Job's complaints about the unfairness of God. Elihu tells Job how ignorant he is acting toward God. Finally, God does speak to Job and eventually, He blessed Job at the end of his life. But, are there times in our lives when we cannot seem to find God? Does it seem that God is hiding from us?

In my research about this Book of the Bible, I read a sermon by Rev. Amy Butler. It reminded me of the time in my life when I felt utter desolation and devastation. I prayed so hard for help but felt totally abandoned. I was angry with God. I felt God did not care. I am sure that some of you have felt that way at one time or another. Then another event not related to the first reason for pain and desolation happened.

I had to think of someone else and not myself. I got down on my knees and started talking to God, asking for help for someone else, not me. I begged God to place my loving mother in His arms and keep her as she went through open heart surgery. It was in 1968 when that kind of surgery was not to as safe as now. I learned to place my burden in His hands. I finally felt peace. I made it through the first situation, also. I like to think God had better plans for me.

I have learned in the years since then that we can find God in others when we feel alone. There is always someone whom we feel is close to God. The touch of a hand on your arm or shoulder by that particular person can mean so much. Our church family is part of that safe nest when we cannot seem to find God. But, I have learned that He walks beside us. He will be there when we turn it all over to Him.

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father,
When we feel all alone, help us to remember that you are always there when we need you. Help us to trust in the God in your children. This way we will be surrounded by your love and understanding even more. Help us to be a Blessing to others. Amen

Carolee Brown

Devotional 6-22-12

Thank You, Jesus

 On April first, 2009, I was involved in an automobile accident. It was on Fifth Street hill and three cars were involved. I was very frightened. I could not breathe and I thought the car was on fire. I thought that I saw smoke, not knowing that air bags are filled with powder. I hyperventilated, drawing the powder into my lungs. I heard myself screaming, "Get me out of here!" A nurse, who was on her way home, stopped, opened my door and released my safety belt. She calmed me down as she called 911. The ambulance put me in a neck brace, placed me on the gurney, and off we went to the hospital. My knee had soft tissue damage, and I was bruised. But, it was not over yet. I fell a few days later, knocked myself unconscious, and had a brain bleed. In addition to that, I had a reaction to the pain medicine and ended back in the ER.

All of this caused me to be very apprehensive about driving, especially getting on the interstate at Fifth Street where the accident happened. For over six weeks, I would take the long way, not the interstate. Finally, I made the attempt. When I made it, I started saying out loud, "Thank You, Jesus." I used to tell my students, “If you do something a least 12 times, it will become a habit and you will not have to think about it, it will just happen." On this statement, I have proved myself wrong. It has been three years and I still say, "Thank you, Jesus" and I think about it each and every time. It has become part of me, not a habit.

God has been so good to me. I have had several health problems but somehow, I always come through it. Do we take time in our lives to see that God is always there to get us through it? It might be as simple as successfully getting on the interstate or it could be opening your eyes after a major heart attack. We worry about what will happen instead of being appreciative of what has happened. He will see us through whatever happens. This reminds me of a poem that I read:

God
didn't promise
days without pain,
laughter without
sorrow or sun
without rain.
But God did
promise strength
for the day,
comfort for the
tears and a light
for the way.
And for all who believe in His
kingdom of love,
He answers their faith
With peace from above.

Thank You, Jesus

Carolee Brown

Devotional 5-28-10

The Realization

My relationship with God has been quite a process over the years. As a teenager, I attended a small Presbyterian Church in my hometown. We had a strong youth group in those days that I enjoyed very much. As a young adult in college, I did not attend church very often. God and I did not talk very often. Then my dear mother became ill. I used to lay my hand on her heart and pray to Him. It seemed that He did not answer my prayers. As she became worse, I became angry with God. Events happened in my life that were sad and hurtful in addition to my mother’s illness. So I became angrier with God. It was not until the night before my mother’s heart surgery that someone said to me that God was tough and could handle my anger. I got down on my knees and prayed for my mother with the understanding that I must put my mother in His hands. I felt peace for the first time in years. My mother lived 12 more years and I thanked God for everyday.

When I went to Israel in 2005, I still felt that I needed to be emotionally touched sometime during that trip. I was always searching. I was at the Olive Grove where Jesus prayed before He was to die, when I heard my mother singing , “I come to the garden alone while the due is still on the roses..” My mother was ok!

A friend of mine recently died. An acquaintance of hers told me that my friend was very anti-religious and was an atheist or at least an agnostic. Then it really hit me—the realization of how sad it would be to not believe in God and a life after death. It would seem that life would have no meaning. Life, Death, and then nothing! How sad to believe that. Sometimes it takes quite a process to get to be where I am. How simple it is…the realization of what it is all about!

Carolee Brown