Devotional 6-19-15

Into the storm

The lectionary Gospel reading for this week is Mark 4:35-41.  It tells the story you may have heard many times about Jesus telling his disciples that they should cross the lake, late in the evening.  This is after a day on the lake already - a day that such large crowd had gathered to hear what Jesus had to say, he had to get in a boat and get away from the shore to be seen and heard.

During the day, Jesus shared with the disciples and all those gathered several parables - the parable of the soils, a parable about lamps, parables about what God’s kingdom is like.  We read that Jesus have the listeners “as much as they were able to hear.” (Mark 4:33).  Jesus spoke to the crowds that day only in parables, then explained everything to his disciples when he was alone with them.

After all this, Jesus suggests to his disciples that they should cross over to the other side of the lake.  This might sound like a reasonable request.  However, things quickly went wrong.  While they were underway, a storm quickly came up.  The disciples, most of whom were fishermen and familiar with sailing for most of their lives, panicked.  Jesus, however, slept through the event, until they woke him and accused him of not caring that they were “drowning.”

Jesus calmed the sea, and then asked the disciples why they were frightened.  Did they not have faith yet?

On the one hand, this is a story about faith - about trusting in Christ to be with us in the storm, and watching over us and caring for us.  But perhaps an equally important lesson is that Jesus will send us INTO storms.  It was not uncommon for storms to come quickly at night here.  Perhaps Jesus even knew that there would come a storm.  His mission of getting to the other side of the lake was what he asked the disciples to accomplish.  It was his plan, and his timing.  If the disciples knew this, they should not have been frightened or concerned about drowning.

It was uncomfortable for them.  And it was clearly frightening for them, as it would be for us.  Most of what we are called to do is like that.  Sometimes I think we expect our road of discipleship to be easy.  Perhaps though if we find ourselves too comfortable, we should begin to ask if we are where Jesus wants us to be.

In the end, the disciples learned a valuable lesson that evening - that though it felt scary and though it seemed as though Christ had forgotten about them and their predicament, he was in it with them, but had the peace and assurance of living into the Kingdom plan, as dangerous as that seemed.  When we are faced with that same storm, remember that Christ is there with us too.

“Gracious God, give us the peace and assurance of your comfort in the storms.  We know that we are called to a radical discipleship, out onto the stormy waters.  But we know that you are always with us.  Let us lean into that peace as we go and make disciples of all the world.  Amen.”

Rev. Alan Williams

Devotional 6-12-15

Psalm 121

A song of ascents.

¹ I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
² My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

³ He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber;
⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵ The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
⁶ the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

⁷ The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;
⁸ the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.

--Anita Gardner Farrell     Photo by Mary Marmett McDaniel

Devotional 6-5-15

Ever Learning

I remember learning to ride a bike. First training wheels on – then off. I shared a snippet about that on FaceBook a while back > complete with a picture of that very bike. I still have the bike and seeing it in the garage makes me smile. I rode a bike all through my elementary years and well into high school - mainly around the neighborhoods where we lived.  In 2010 an opportunity presented itself for me to ride my bike as part of a fund raiser. 100 miles one day and 50 miles the next. Well, I had ridden a bicycle practically all my life, how hard could it be – really? Did I mention that the first leg of the trip was ONE HUNDRED miles? I trained for a couple of weeks racking up far too few miles to be considered ‘training.’ I took off on that fateful June day and nearly d-i-e-d! It was awful. I was out of shape and parts of me hurt that I didn’t really know could hurt. The only thing on my mind as I neared the end was SELL THE BIKE!! When the same event rolled around the next year I said, ”Oh, no. NOT me.” The ride date drew closer and the thought crossed my mind that if I trained and practiced more than the year before perhaps the ride would be easier and more enjoyable. That’s what I did, and yes, it was. On the second day of that ride years later I had spent many miles riding and talking with a new friend. We approached a particularly steep climb near the end of our journey. As I prepared myself to gear down and grind it out, it became apparent that he was going to have to dismount from his bike and walk. I did likewise. (I had walked up hills on this ride before). We had come this many miles together, why ride on up the hill without him? As a result of our ‘walk’ I got to see and hear the most wonderful little waterfall hidden behind the brush beyond the guardrail. Had I ridden on ahead – alone – I would have missed it.

I have attended Sunday school and church for as long as I can remember. To say that the Bible on my shelf dated 1971 was my first Bible would probably not be entirely accurate, neither would saying that the 08/27/1972 date on a certificate of baptism was my first acceptance of Christ in my life.  I sometimes find myself in a situation where I need to refute a statement made – I believe – in error. “It says so in the Bible.”  I remind myself that I have gone to church all my life. How hard can this be – really? Well, then comes the humble realization that I have not trained or practiced my theology and/or my Christianity nearly enough to engage in such an exercise.   It’s time to dismount and walk. I am ever grateful for those strong Christians and leaders in my life who could have blown right by me…but didn’t. They saw my struggle, got off their bikes and walked. They taught me where to look, what to ask and to know that I’m allowed to believe what I believe and not what I’m supposed to believe because someone tells me “It’s in the Bible.”

I’ve ridden some 10,000 miles since that “awful” June 2010 day. I hope to tell you in a later devotional that I’ve read and studied some 10,000 Bible verses.

The joy is in the journey.

Steve Matthews

Devotional 5-29-15

Thinking out of the Box

Read Romans 8:12-17

We have been given the Spirit, and we are to give that spirit to others.  So who are the others? Are they the ones sitting next to us in the pews, in Sunday school, the person that missed the service because they were out of town?  No, they are the ones not in any of those places.  They are the ones that don't know God, that have not found the love of Christ and are not filled with the Spirit.  But how do we show them God, the love of Christ or the Spirit?  Our church and most churches are seeking that answer.  Well, I don't have the answer, but the answer is out there, and it may be by thinking out of the box.

Recently I met the Pastor of several small churches in the Portsmouth area.  During our conversation we discussed the growth of the church or the lack thereof.  And to that he made a comment about one of the churches he pastors.  He mentioned that it was growing but not because of anything he necessarily said or did.  He said it was the younger aged members of the church that "he couldn't keep up with," and that he had learned he needed to keep out of their way and let the Spirit lead them. Then I thought of the bible studies that we have recently had at JM -- one by Rev. Mike Slaughter, and others by Rev. Adam Hamilton.  In those studies one of the messages was that we need to be thinking box of the box to reach those not inside the walls of our churches.  That to full fill the great commission to "love our neighbor as we love ourselves" and to be the disciples we are called to be, we have to take the message to those outside our walls.  We have to think-out-side-the-box; we have to get out of the way of anyone that may have an idea to do just that. We may just have to change tradition.

Prayer:
Come Holy Spirit come, fill me, feed me, show me, lead me.  Come Holy Spirit, show me how to spread the Love of our God and that of Christ Jesus to those that do not know.  Help me get out of the way.  Amen.

Devotional 5-15-15

From Adam Hamilton's book, Revival:

We have forgotten how to listen, as individuals, as churches, and as a nation. Liberals and conservatives, Republicans and Democrats, progressives and fundamentalists find it easy to demonize others.  The mark of those early Methodists, and a key elements of personal and corporate revival in the twenty-first century, is a willingness to see the good in others, hold our positions with humility, and treat others with respect.

I enjoy Facebook.  I like catching up on what is going on in friends' lives, I like to see their pictures of their families, I enjoy articles people post, and I like the funny shared stories. For the most part, it is a nice addition to my day. What I don't like are the judgmental posts or the political posts that strive to manipulate.  I don't like the unsubstantiated posts.  For me it seems to be a more widely spread form of gossip at the least, and slander at the most. I don't like the comments people make when they don't have – and don’t want - all the information. And I dislike the status updates written with the voice of arrogance. For the most part, I don’t read any of these posts.
Many years ago, an author of one of the blogs I read, whose name is Stephanie, asked her readers to consider her blog to be her living room.  She asked her readers to ask themselves if they would say what they post in comments to her while sitting in her living room.  Would they say it if their mothers were sitting there, too? The problem with online conversation is that we perceive a distance between us and the reader, but it's a distance that really isn't there. I think we should extend Stephanie's test to a much wider venue (ie, all of social media, and beyond).

I posted the above quote on Facebook a few days ago, and wrote that it should be the personal rules we use when posting and commenting. Our Christianity - how we love people - doesn't stop when our fingers meet the keyboard. Are we demonstrating the love of Christ to others with what we write?

Kim Matthews

Devotional 5-8-15

A Letter to My Daughter

This is a letter that was written to my daughter when she was having some difficulty with relationships. It has been changed somewhat so that it could be addressed to many others with similar problems. 

To my dearest daughter,

Please read this entire letter and take what I say as my love and concern for your happiness and well being. I hope what I say will give you some comfort and support in your times of loneliness and despair.  It is not meant as any criticism of what you have said or done in the past.

I have prayed for you, your mother has prayed for you, and hopefully you have prayed for yourself. Does God answer all prayers? It may often seem to us that He does not answer our prayer requests, but just remember that He loves you and always knows what is best for you in the long run. That is why prayers often end with the words “but not my will but your will be done.”  Prayers are in fact answered, but not always when or in the way we may want or expect. Just like a mother or father may answer a request from his or her son or daughter or a teacher from his or her student, so the answer from God may be in the form of a “yes,” a “no,” or simply a “not now” or “wait.”  The time for His answer has not yet come.

So how does this all fit in with your own feelings of loneliness and heartache, brought on to a great extent by difficulties you have had with several of your guy friends? When you opened up your heart to us and confessed your loneliness and despair, I thought of some of my own past experiences to better understand and  empathize with what you are going through right now. Unfortunately, we are separated by time and distance so little can be said over the phone or by short text messages. Accordingly, I am resorting to this old fashioned letter so I can carefully consider the best words and advice to give you.

Everyone of us has experienced periods of loneliness, depression, and despair. When I am troubled about hurtful things in my life, I have tried to steer away from thoughts about people or things that have caused the pain and move in a direction that is more positive, happy, and fulfilling. To do otherwise, to continue to pursue the old relationships and the old hurts of the past, can only bring greater pain and heartaches in the future. Of course, the times when you are most focused on these memories and most depressed about them is when you are in the house by yourself at night.  This is when you are in most need of a friend, a companion, or change in your entire outlook or perspective on life. But, I ask you dear daughter, are you really alone?  Even Jesus’ own disciples felt such loss and despair after seeing him die on the cross. They scattered in all directions, believing that all they had loved and hoped for was gone. Yet, three days later, they experienced a joy and celebration they had never experienced before. They saw Jesus in person, alive. He had risen from the dead.  Weeks later, before the physical body of Jesus left this world and ascended into heaven, he told his followers to make disciples of all men by teaching people everywhere to love one another as he had loved us.  But, they asked themselves, how could they do this without their leader by their side?  Jesus assured them that he would not leave them as orphans. They would not be left alone in this world with no one to care for them. Rather, he would empower them with a great comforter, a companion, an advocate; one who would tell them what to say and what to do whenever they needed him. This comforter or companion is still with us today. He is with you my daughter. We call him the Holy Spirit. That spirit is what empowered a few frightened followers of Jesus in Jerusalem and thousands of Christian followers through the ages to spread the Christian gospel to persons throughout the world.

Whether you call this the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, or the Spirit of Jesus, he may not be one you can see with your eyes or hear with your ears, but when the Spirit comes upon you, you will know that you are not alone. Pray and follow that Spirit whenever you profess the need to do so. Listen with your heart. When you are depressed, pray for guidance on how you can conquer these negative feelings. That guidance may be as simple a thing as being told to pick up a “feel good” book and begin reading. Many of Mark Twain’s books are great for this, such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, or books written by those who have had similar relationship issues in their own lives and what they did to overcome these problems. The Spirit has told me in the past to stay away from books (or movies) that are tragic or otherwise depressing. You may be told by the Spirit to play peaceful, stimulating, or happy music that makes you want to dance or sing or simply sit there, to enjoy, and listen. If the mood strikes you, get out of your chair and sing and dance by yourself. By doing so, you can cast out some of those negative feelings in your life. During daylight hours, you may be told by the Spirit to take long walks or visit parks or places where there are beautiful views of mountains, rivers, flowers, and trees. Breathe in the fresh air and look around you. The message by the Spirit is clear: with such beauty and splendor, how could anyone not believe that there is a God who created all of this for us; a God who loves and accepts each of us despite the many times we have been weak or shown lack of faith. Look around you and be thankful for everything you have been given in life. Try going to different churches until you find one that makes you feel comfortable. The church is a place where you can learn about our God, thank him for all that he has done for you, ask him for love, guidance, and help in any area of concern in your life, and develop friendships with those in the church who can pray with you and for you. This is a love that will support and strengthen you and other persons in the church who are facing other difficulties in their lives. When you pray, the Spirit will tell you when to read, when to take walks, when to play music, and when and where to meet new friends. The Spirit of God will give you guidance on what to say or do in every situation you may face.  The point I have learned from these experiences with the Spirit is to wait patiently for an answer to my prayers. Then, when the answer comes, take whatever action is appropriate.  I find that I cannot  isolate myself from all professional and social activities because of my own sadness and loneliness. To do so, only aggravates or increases those negative feelings. Instead, I have learned to become more active so as to shut out or block the darkness of such feelings so that more positive light may come through. When one door is closed another will be opened sooner or later. This has guided me through school, in my different relationships through the years, in my work history, in my marriage, in raising you and your brother, and in growing old.

With these thoughts in mind, know that we love you, we support you, and will never abandon you. Know also that Our Lord and Savior and His Holy Spirit will do likewise throughout your life.

Love,
Dad

Dan Kemper

Devotional 5-1-15

I’m Covered

My husband and I were married on May 2, 1975. We shared a Plymouth Duster, so our first apartment in Spring Valley was too far from work to be convenient. Next we moved into the second floor of a house on 8th Avenue in Huntington. Unfortunately it was already occupied by a family of mice, so in 1977 an upstairs flat on Lincoln Place became our home.

Life was good, but like all married couples, we had disagreements. When we had an argument, I found that I could have the last word if I went to another room and closed the door firmly. Very firmly.

One day we had a heated difference of opinion.  I yelled “something ugly” as my mother used to say, ran into the bathroom, and slammed the door firmly. Very firmly.  Immediately I was covered in white powder, and pieces of the ceiling were on the floor and hanging from the rafters above.  When the reality of the situation set in, I did the reasonable thing. I opened the door and squeaked, “Don, can you help me?”

As he turned the corner, ready to continue the argument, he looked at my ashen face and wrapped his arms around me. My door slamming days were over. My hero had saved me.

On May 2, 2015, Don and I will celebrate forty years of marriage. I started to write “marital bliss”, but anyone who knows us knows that it would not be blissful to live with either of us. 1Peter 4:8 says, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” I love this scripture. It is so timeless.  Don and I have deepened our love with every high and low we’ve shared. The birth of our children, the death of parents, the welcoming of in-laws, and the births of grandchildren make up for any angry word or inconsiderate act. It was true in Peter’s time. It is true today.
 
Please pray this prayer for all couples who are striving to live a life blessed by God.

O Perfect Love by Dorothy Gurney, 1883

O perfect Love, all human thought transcending,
lowly we kneel in prayer before thy throne,
that theirs may be the love which knows no ending,
whom thou forevermore dost join in one.

O perfect Life, be thou their full assurance,
of tender charity and steadfast faith,
of patient hope and quiet, brave endurance,
with childlike trust that fears no pain nor death.

 Grant them the joy which brightens earthly sorrow:
grant them the peace which calms all earthly strife,
and to life’s day the glorious unknown morrow
that dawns upon eternal love and life.

Amen

Becky Warren