Devotional 8-27-10

I was listening to two versions of the song Hallelujah this morning -- one by Jason Castro and the other by Lincoln Brewster. They are basically the same tune with some of the same words, but others changed. I think Brewster may have re-written it, although Castro's version is not the original, either.

Anyway, I was thinking about the songs, and decided to play around with the tune and words, myself. This is the result -- it's about Moses and Ezekiel and a little about me.

What is your call to ministry? When you answer it, can you feel you life singing "Hallelujah"?

Your life had changed, from Nile to sand
You cared for sheep and walked the land
Until God sang through holy fire and drew ya
You fought his will, explained your faults,
Convinced his song was all for naught
Until your staff sent forth an Hallelujah

Hallelujah Hallelujah
Hallelujah Hallelujah

You dreamed of God and found the word
To tell his song when it wasn’t heard
The chords of desolation strummed right through ya.
He led you to a place of death
Of hopelessness and dust, no breath
Until you spoke the words of Hallelujah

Hallelujah Hallelujah
Hallelujah Hallelujah

The night is long when God steps in
When the waiting’s done and the trust begins
He calls you to a plan that overwhelms ya
You won’t say yes, you can’t say no
When morning comes and doubts must go
Your life itself becomes an Hallelujah

Hallelujah Hallelujah
Hallelujah Hallelujah

Hallelujah Hallelujah
Hallelujah Hallelujah

Hallelujah Hallelujah
Hallelujah Hallelujah

Kim Matthews

Devotional 8-20-10

Blind Guides!
Please read Matthew 23.

In Matthew 23, Jesus confronts religious leaders for not practicing what they preach. They talked the big talk about Moses and law, but when it came to their own actions, they didn’t walk the walk. Their words were empty. Jesus denounces them as “blind guides” who put on a show of religiosity while neglecting the weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faith.

For the past five years or so, I have relied on a GPS to help me find my way around the hills and hollows of West Virginia. It is a useful tool, but not foolproof. For example, my first GPS unit suggested that the quickest route home from I-64 is a right turn through a fence at the end of a dead-end. Fortunately, I did not rely solely on my GPS to get me home, but also on my own vision, memory, and common sense. In an episode of The Office, my favorite television show, Michael Scott, in spite of Dwight Shrute’s protestations, drives off the road and into a pond in deference to the voice of his GPS to “turn left.” Funny as it is on a sitcom, it turns out this is a real problem. Several accidents have been reported because people blindly follow their GPS directions and miss the obvious.

In their book, The Invisible Gorilla, psychologists Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simons discuss inattentional blindness. The term inattentional blindness describes how we fail to perceive the obvious, not because we’re not paying attention, but because we’re focusing our attention on something other than the obvious. Inattentional blindness causes us to obey the GPS even when the obvious road signs point to something else. Inattentional blindness is why we shouldn’t text and drive. So you think you’re immune to inattentional blindness? Think you’re pretty perceptive? Before you read any further, take a simple test of watching a short video and counting the number of times a basketball is passed.

Take the test at this link: http://www.theinvisiblegorilla.com/gorilla_experiment.html

Did you take the test? Are you still confident that you’re observant? Perhaps you’re surprised that you’re not as perceptive as you thought. The theme of Chabris’ and Simons’ book is not so much that we fail to perceive the obvious as much as it is that we are surprised by our lack of perception. That is to say, we think we are more observant than we are. We think our memories are better than they are. We think we can multi-task, but can we really? We are overly confident when it comes to matters of perception. In a sense, we’re like the Pharisees and scribes who were the subject of Jesus’ criticism. Blind guides!

Blind guide! Am I so focused on my own agenda that I fail to see the opportunity for ministry right in front of me?
Blind fool! Am I so focused on low prices that I fail to consider the working conditions in the factories where products are manufactured?
Blind man! Am I so focused on my current need for energy that I fail to see the long-term effects of mining and off-shore drilling on the environment?
Blind guide! Am I so focused on the bottom line investment return that I fail to consider the social impact of my investments?
Blind fool! Am I so focused on church that I fail to see God?
Blind man! Am I so focused on “me” that I fail to see others?

Dear God, open my eyes that I may see clearly your truth revealed; let me hear clearly your voice of truth; and open my heart to share your love with others. Amen.

Jeff Taylor

Devotional 8-13-10

Faithful Pilgrims

Hebrew 11:29-12:1

A person of faith is always, always, always a person in motion. These actions figures are not on the List of Faithful Saints because they were models of perfection. They were not always perfectly obedient to God. They screwed up at times like the humans they were. They obeyed God much of the time, but when they disobeyed, it was ugly. Noah got drunk after the flood and passed out naked in a tent, only to have his son, Ham, walk in on him in his rather ignoble condition. Abraham lied about his wife, saving own skin but putting Sarah at risk—twice. Jacob cheated Esau. Moses killed an Egyptian. Rahab supported herself through prostitution. Jephthah was the son of another prostitute and then was run out of town by his father’s real wife. Barak refused to fight without Deborah holding his hand. Samson had a weakness for beautiful, persistent women. David’s misconduct in the bedroom and the battlefield are well-documented. In other words, these people are closer in temperament to Jerry Springer than Jesus Christ; they ought to be in the Hall of Shame, not the Hall of Fame. They’re not on the list because they were so special. In fact, many of them were profoundly ordinary. Abel didn’t seem to do much of anything remarkable except watch sheep superbly. They’re not on the list because they won all the battles. Many were notorious failures. The writer says that some were stoned, some endured colorful episodes involving raging fires, hungry lions, flogging and sword fighting. What makes a person of faith influential today? What common thread runs through the lives of all these people on the Hebrew list? What do a good-hearted prostitute, a good man with a drinking problem who built a boat and a blinded, strong man have in common? They were people who were willing to act on vision even though the fruit of their faith was not readily apparent. The text tells us that they all died before receiving everything God had promised them. But they never fully enjoyed those promises. Those who live by faith may never understand why a sheep offering trumps a fruit offering in God’s eyes, as it did in the lives of Abel and Cain. Those who live by faith may never understand that curious tugging which makes us long to leave home and move into unfamiliar territory, as in the lives of Abraham and Sarah. Faith does not guarantee power or beauty or riches or even influence. “Faith is merely and miraculously—the assurance “of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. This is what that odd assortment people of Hebrew 11, had in common; THEY ACTIONIZED THEIR FAITH, INFLUENTFLUAL BECAUSE OF GOD’S ON THEM. WE SHOULD ALL BE SO INFLUENCED. My hope and prayer for myself and for the church is that we might be faithful farsighted pilgrims; that we not be so anxious for immediate results that we miss the blessing of a glorious adventure, following the call of God in our lives.

Jeremiah A. Jasper

Devotional 8-6-10

"I know the plans I have for you," announces the Lord.
"I want you to enjoy success. I do not plan to harm you.
I will give you hope for the years to come." Jeremiah 29:11 NIRV

When I was a teenager I had my life planned out. I wanted to be an elementary school teacher, wife, and a mother. When I got to college and about to flunk out it, I realized that I was not going to get my Mrs. before I got my BA. God had other plans for me. So, I buckled down and received my BA in Education. Later, I did become a Mrs. and a mother to Michael.

As a divorced single parent, I am very grateful to God for blessing me with His plans. I had and have a wonderful support system, with God in the front. My plans are not always His plans and that is sometimes hard to take. I try to pray every day, "Thy will be done."

To paraphrase from the book, Mountain Prayers, A Vacation for Your Soul, p.76,"Your plans may have been quite good and notably responsible ones, and certainly you should make plans for your future based on the knowledge and experience you possess today. But when God sends a delay, routes you to another road, or changes the climate completely, give thanks for what He puts in front of you. Maybe even laugh. When God hands you his plans, you're getting the great ones." AMEN

Kay Lewis

Devotional 7-30-10

Our Grateful Praise

“For the Beauty of the Earth” has always been one of my favorite hymns. I thought about what a beautiful devotion could be made by playing this hymn with a slide show of pictures. Oh, the pictures, which ones to use? Nature shots of the beauty of the earth would be no problem. We are nature lovers. The question was how to narrow down the selection. “For the love which from our birth” -- That was easy, my daughter in her hospital bed holding her new born son with her older children curled up beside her, a love radiating that you could almost touch... or maybe a picture of our newborn twin granddaughters sleeping peacefully side by side--hand in hand. “Brother, sister, parent, child”--our teenage grandson standing hand in hand with his little sister as he coaxed her into the ocean, or maybe her gazing up at him with adoration as he posed in his cap and gown after graduation. But, I missed that one--it was a ‘mind’ picture (a memory). Reality started to set in...I am not very ‘tech savvy’. This project was way beyond my computing skills. Then it occurred to me that although my pictures have special meaning for me, everyone has pictures that they could use to illustrate this hymn. I think that when we take pictures we are often trying to capture our blessings from God. We all have many blessings, and we often forget to thank Him for them. So here is the hymn, you supply the pictures (blessings). Read through it and think about all the pictures stored away in boxes and albums, the pictures stored on your computer, and all those ‘mind pictures’ that you missed capturing, but will never forget. Then go back and sing (you know the tune) and let your mind supply your own personal slide show. And when you get to the end, sing with joy and thankfulness, “Lord of all to thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise."

For The Beauty Of The Earth Hymn

For the beauty of the earth,
For the beauty of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

For the beauty of each hour
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower,
Sun and moon and stars of light,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above,
Pleasures pure and undefiled,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

For each perfect gift of thine,
To our race so freely given,
Graces human and divine,
Flowers of earth and buds of heaven,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

For thy Church which evermore
Lifteth holy hands above,
Offering up on every shore
Her pure sacrifice of love,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

(words by Folliot Pierpoint 1864: music by Conrad Kocher 1838)

Margaret Williams

Devotional 7-23-10

As strange as it may seem it was in a Church History class while I was in Seminary that I first understood the true significance of the words “I am baptized!” It was while Dr. Goen, our professor, was lecturing on the Reformation era that he let the words fall on our ears, briefly paused, and proceeded to tell us this was the phrase Martin Luther repeated to himself time and time again when he was tempted in some way. It was by speaking these words; Luther later recorded that he would remind himself that he belonged to Christ. This reminder helped to move him to respond, as he believed Jesus would respond.

At first the phrase seemed almost childish to me. But the more I thought about them then and in the years since, the greater their impact has been on me. These three words reminded Luther and can remind us that Christ Jesus has claimed us. We are not possessions. We belong. We are family, included in the family of God. And because we are family we need with God’s help to live in ways that help us to become more Christ like on our journey through life.

Growing up, I recall hearing Dad say to my brothers and sisters before they could go out for the evening, “remember who you are” and “don’t do anything that will bring disgrace on the family name.” To me that is similar to Luther reminding himself of his baptism. In baptism he became and we become a new creation in Christ and part of the family we refer to as the church universal.

In the second chapter of Colossians verses 6-7 Paul reminds them and through them shares with us that: “as you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”

We are called as Christians to uphold the family name. It is not a matter of works. It is rather a matter of being true to who we are by God’s grace. As family we come together to sing praise to God. As family we gather to hear God’s word proclaimed. As family we gather to receive the sacraments and as family we go forth to live as Christ’s witnesses sharing his love with others.

We have heard Pastor Jack tell us. Remember your baptism. We have also heard him remind us as new individuals are received into our church family at Johnson Memorial and into the church universal of the vows we also took to uphold the church with our tithes, our talents, our gifts, our service and the mission to which Christ Jesus calls us one and all. Our journey continues.

Prayer: O Holy Spirit, kindle anew within each of us the desire to share God’s love with all we meet this day and in the days to come. Fill us to overflowing with the love Christ Jesus has for one and all and send us forth in word and deed to share Christ’s love. Amen.

Rev. Thomas Malcolm

Devotional 7-16-10

Luke 10:38-42

Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her."

I had just finished unpacking my office, which had been a major chore. I couldn’t believe how much stuff that I had accumulated in so short of a time. Sally came to my office and looked around and said, “wow! This place is busy.” Busy, I thought, what did she mean? She told me that, “when it comes to decorating, less is more.” “Too much stuff is just clutter… it overwhelms the eye,” she said. “Think of it like your taking a picture. You can’t fit the whole world in it. Decide what is important and focus on it.”

I understand Martha. There always seems to be so much to do and so little time. Step into her shoes for a moment. She has a guest. She is trying to be hospitable. She is trying to get everything ready. She is probably even remembering all the stuff in the Scripture about hospitality and welcoming the stranger. She is trying to do what is right.

And then there is Mary… sitting there doing nothing (are you thinking of the word lazy?). So much to do and Mary won’t even help. Surely Jesus believes in helping others. Surely he will tell Mary to lend a hand. Surely Jesus knows how important servant ministry is.

Jesus, however, does no such thing. Instead he says to Martha, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted about many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” Mary chose the better part? Doing nothing is better? But Mary wasn’t doing nothing was she? She wasn’t passive; Mary was active. She was spending time with Jesus.

But back to Martha… before you think Jesus was harsh, think about his words: worried and distracted. Jesus is concerned about Martha (and all of us Marthas).

I can hear Sally saying, “this place is busy… focus.” If you could only fit one thing into the picture what would it be? Cooking, cleaning, or relationship? We have grocery lists and to do lists and Christmas wish lists. But where is our relationship list? Our lives can become so cluttered and so busy (like my office) that we lose our focus… our sense of what is important.

“Martha, Martha,” Jesus says to all of us Marthas, “you are worried and distracted about many things; there is need of only one thing.” But Jesus, I have so much that has to be done. My list is still full. But somewhere in my heart, I know that my words are correct, but not in the way that I meant them. I do have much to do. Should I start with a visit to my parents, a romantic dinner with my spouse, a bicycle ride with my kids, or an invitation to the neighbor to dinner at our house? Who knows, I might even find time to spend with God?

Rev. David Stackpole