Devotional 11-2-17

IT'S CATCHING

Watch out or you will catch it too. What am I talking about? A bad cold or the 'flu? No, I'm talking about GLOOM AND DOOM, a sneaky destructive state of mind that you can either succumb to or fight it with everything you have.

Yes, I know the news, whether national or international or even local  can bring anyone down with a case of GLOOM AND DOOM.   A sick friend, a personal problem, a feeling of malaise  not easy to identify.  We have all experienced this type of thing from time to time especially at the holiday season. Do we expect too much and then feel let down?

So what is the answer? It's not found in a prescription bottle nor in an OTC package. It's not in a glass or even a hot cuppa, though these can help in moderation. The best solution to Gloom and Doom is found between the covers, the covers of your bible. Its sixty-six  books will help you to find the answer to your personal Gloom and Doom attack.  Try the Book of Psalms or Proverbs next time you feel Gloom and Doom coming on.You will be surprised!

As the old hymn chorus says,

Count your blessings, count them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Jean Dean

Devotional 10-27-17

Please read Luke 24:13-35

THE WALK TO EMMAUS

This past weekend, I participated in the Ashland Area Emmaus Women’s Walk #46. My own Walk #35 was in the spring of 2012, and since that time, I have occasionally participated in subsequent walks as a member of the Emmaus Team—those community members asked to help direct attendees through their 72-hour retreat. I shall never forget my own Walk, because it changed my life from someone who just automatically attended church, to one who acknowledges Christ as my Lord and Savior, and who has been filled with God’s grace. I have never felt such joy in my life, nor have I ever felt such a close relationship with God.

The purpose of The Walk to Emmaus is to “… raise up Christian leaders to renew their own church as the Body of Christ in action”—all people of God who, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, seek to continue Christ’s life and ministry wherever they are. There are two walks for men, and two walks for women, held in the spring and in the fall every year at South Ashland United Methodist Church.

Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions of this wonderful retreat which make people somewhat hesitant to give it a try. I’ve heard some joke that the Walk is a cult, or a club, or a secret organization to be avoided. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth! The Walk can be a time of spiritual renewal; it can be a time to learn more about being a good Christian; it is a time of making new Christian friends—some of whom remain friends long after their Walk has been completed. It’s a time of learning, worshipping, singing, sharing, joy, laughter, and yes—sometimes tears. But always, it is a time of nurturing and support.

Each Walk to Emmaus becomes a Christian Community all its own, similar to that of the early churches formed after Christ’s resurrection—made up of men and women, young and “old,” of every denomination, every race, every class and background. By the end of their Walk, they have become part of the church’s witness at its best—that in Christ, all natural differences that normally separate us from others, are overcome. When people who might otherwise be divided become united in Christian love, working for the common good, the church is truly an expression of the Body of Christ. One’s commitment doesn’t end when their Walk ends. It continues in the work of his/her own church, supported by others who have completed their Walk, as well as all members in the Ashland Area Emmaus Community who gather monthly for supper, worship and participation.

Between now and March, or later in the fall of October, please think about taking your own Walk to Emmaus. If you have questions, seek out other church members who have already taken their own Walk to Emmaus. I guarantee you will never regret it. And the experience may change your life, just as it has changed mine! 

Diane Feaganes    

Devotional 10-21-17

Exodus 33:12-23
Psalm 99
Matthew 22:15-22

Okay, so I told Kim I would write a devotion.  Hmmmm, that was 2 months ago and now the time is here. What to write about in this devotion.  Let me start with reading the scripture. What speaks to me?

Matthew 22:21---“Give Caesar what is Caesar’s, and God what is God’s.”

In Sunday church service, that ‘bad’ word ‘stewardship’ is being mentioned.  Let’s see, what does the dictionary say stewardship is.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary states, 1. The office, duties, and obligations of a steward. 2. The conducting, supervising, or managing of something; especially: the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care, stewardship of natural resources.

Oh, I get it; we are to give to God what is God’s.  We are the stewards of what is God’s.  So, by not littering, by recycling, by giving an offering to the church, I am being a good steward. I am taking care of God’s kingdom. I am keeping the physical workings of Johnson Memorial UMC going, permitting the staff to do their tasks, keeping the ministries/programs going, being a good steward. So, even though I am retired and on a fixed income, I give to the church what money I can. Not what I can spare, but what will be pleasing to me to give to God. I LIKE BEING A GOOD STEWARD!

Prayer:  Our gracious and loving Father, I thank you for all you have blessed me with in my life.  Bless me to give back to You.    Amen

Kay Lewis

Devotional 10-13-17

Tribute

Lectionary Readings:  Exodus 33:12-23; Psalm 99; Matthew 22: 15-22; 1 Thessalonians 1:  1-10.
Every time we think of you, we thank God for you.  Day and night, you’re in our prayers as we call to mind your work of faith; your labor of love, and your patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus Christ, before God our Father.  1 Thessalonians 1: 2-3 (The Message)

This devotion is not a typical one for me, but I hope you will indulge me and read it anyway. In the passage highlighted above, Paul, Silas and Timothy were writing to the church in Thessalonica and were praising their faithfulness and their acts of love and patience in following Christ. The whole passage speaks to the faithful servants living in this city, just like my friend, Al. I have been preoccupied with my memories of JMUMC’s past Minister of Music, Albert J. Zabel, III, since learning of his death last week.  He was a talented organist and a prolific composer/arranger of sacred music for the organ, hand-bells, other instruments and choral works for adults, teens and children.  I didn’t know that he had even written a book on how to move from employing piano skills to playing the organ (Practically Perfect Pedaling).

 As talented and gifted as he was, the qualities I most admired were his perseverance in serving God by using those talents and his steadfast faith in God.  He was a very humble person who did not seek the limelight.  He never called attention to the works that we performed that were his creations or arrangements.  Someone in the choir (Handbell or Sanctuary) would notice his name, sometimes only after we had practiced the work several times, but he never made that announcement.  His individual performances on the organ were primarily preludes/postludes and the occasional concert which was usually in coordination with other performers.  He willingly accompanied a host of choirs and singers throughout his life, always focusing on the performer and the music, and not himself.  He was dedicated to the rich tapestry of music that honored and glorified God.

I got to know Al “up close and personal” on the Summer Players Youth Tours between 1984 and 1991.  The first musical drama that I toured with was the newly written “Uniquely Yours”, a collaboration between Al and Trilby Jordan.  It was full of humor and real life about how teens can remain close to God and still express their unique qualities and gifts.  His musical score included a violin, flute, clarinet, French horn and hand bells, as well as some “special effects”.  The musical drama was so appropriate for the youth in our group, but Al’s talent seemed so effortless, we didn’t realize the depth of his gifts.

The message from this drama to all of us, was that God uses us as we are.  We don’t need to be anything other than who we already are. We are enough! God calls each of us and asks us to be faithful in following His guidance and to put His plan into action.  We all have a history of struggles and heartache; joys and mountain-top experiences also. But, we are never alone.  God is With Us throughout every struggle and rejoices with us in every joy.   God blessed our congregation and community with the talents of Al Zabel and we are all better for it.  He created, taught, served and cared for all those around him.  He inspired us through his music and through his entire life. He was faithful to God’s plan for him and did not seek adulation for his efforts.  May we all go and do likewise with the gifts God gives us. God asks us to spread the gospel, to sow the seeds…and He will take care of the rest.  Al was faithful to God’s direction in willingly sharing his God-given gifts with students, choirs, congregations and even those who have purchased his music who do not even know him.

Dear Almighty and Wonderful God: We thank you for the life and service of Al Zabel.  We know that his gifts came from you and he was faithful to use them to glorify your name.  Thank you for all that you have taught us through our association with him.  You bless us every day with angels and saints who appear in our lives as ordinary people, but have been sent by you to show us more clearly how we should live and care for one another.  We thank you for this glimpse of the eternal through the extraordinary life and music of Al Zabel.  AMEN                                                                                                                                                                  

Chyrl Budd

Devotional 10-7-17

What Do They Call You?

My brother and I were born in an Army hospital. Our names were chosen before our mom went back through the big double doors – alone – to delivery whatever we would be. 50+ years ago, ultrasound was an unknown baby-sex-determining technology. She had to write down a boy’s name and a girl’s name BEFORE delivery (As a total aside, I would have been Ann Elizabeth had I been a girl.). So as a result of that notation on the page > I have been Steve for 55 years. More recently, as I move through the West Virginia Annual Conference and the National United Methodist Foundation circles, I get to be Kim’s husband…I like that. Makes my stock price HIGH. The last 20 plus years have garnered me the title of Grant and Josh’s dad. I like that one too > I’m uber proud of my fellas and will NEVER miss a chance to be identified with them.

For the bulk of my electrical career I have had the  (nick) name "The Lightbulb Guy" – with some customers even introducing me using the company name as my last name > catching their mistake and grinning.

At work now some call me the bicycle guy and ask a myriad of chain, tire, gear, and riding questions. What I don’t think anyone has ever called me is the church guy or God’s guy or the religious guy, or…

The internet (namely Facebook) is riddled with memes! Memes about just about EVERY subject imaginable. Some are so silly. One shows our 16^th President’s famous silhouette with the words, “Don’t believe everything you read on the internet.” And it’s signed – A. Lincoln. A meme/story that did catch my eye was from a Fred Rogers quote: "When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'”

Physical helpers can certainly be spotted. Although the news would rather show the looters, occasionally a story surfaces of someone or several someones helping. I was moved by the video clip of trucks pulling boats on trailers lined along the interstate, queued up ready to help after Harvey hit Texas. We also see pictures of our WV United Methodists packing flood buckets and repairing homes and churches.

Society seems to be on an unfiltered rampage of being offended, complaining and name calling. I have to stop myself and ask if I’m helping to NOT spread gossip, if I’m helping to NOT discredit ideas that aren’t my own, if I’m helping to NOT  blame when things don’t go my way, if I’m helping to NOT dismiss someone because I don’t like their stance, if I’m helping – if I’m helping! There’s an old saying (not from Facebook – Ha): No word is ever wasted. It either helps or it hurts. I MUST be sure that I HELP.

Psalm 19 v14: Let the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

Steve Matthews

Devotional 9-28-17

I have never turned away a stranger
but have opened my doors to everyone. --Job 31:31

Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth—
a stranger, not your own lips. --Proverbs 27: 2

With her permission, I am sharing a Facebook post from my niece Kerry who is a social worker in Columbus, Ohio:

Friends. I have just had what might be the single most delightful conversation of my life with Ms. Ann Smith, an 80 year old woman dining next to me at Lavash. She struck up a conversation about an Uber Eats sign and we spent at least the next half hour (maybe longer) talking. She told me all about the 26 day trip she took for her 80th birthday which included a week-long cruise on the Columbia River even though she couldn't get anyone to go on the cruise with her. Next month she's going on a cruise around Portugal and Spain with a woman she just met. We talked about politics, and my job, and bad drivers, and so many other things. Several times I had to stop myself from weeping with joy at connecting with this woman. She reminded me of my grandmother. My 36th birthday is in about six weeks and when I told her she was inspiring me to consider a solo trip of my own, she told me I was "just a child" and that I should practice self-care and do things to find joy. And I feel so wonderful about it all that I just had to share with the internet. One million heart emojis could not convey how this chat with a stranger warmed my heart.

Afterwards, Ms. Smith came back and stuffed a note, about a restaurant in the area that has yummy desserts and a happy upcoming birthday message, also $7--so Kerry could treat herself on her birthday. This from a total stranger!

I told my niece that I have rarely been disappointed when striking up a conversation with a stranger.

Several years ago, I heard a story about Egypt on NPR. The reporter told about an average Egyptian coffee shop. Rather than single tables, there were long tables where strangers were forced to sit together. Patrons actually talked to each other rather than burying their noses in their phones or laptops.

Can you make someone's day by simply engaging in conversation? Think of what you might be missing by not.

For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. --Matthew 25:35

Anita Gardner Farrell

Devotional 9-22-17

In January, Jeff Taylor told us that as cradle Christians ours is more of a faith story of our growth as a christian. Looking back at my life, a lot of that growth was in micro-mini steps that are hard to quantify.

What I can tell you is that I eventually learned to ask God to guide me when I wasn’t sure what was the right thing to do.  A warm feeling in my heart would tell me I was on the right track. If I did not get a warm feeling I took that to mean I needed to rethink what I was doing.

I wish I could tell you that I always stop and ask for guidance, but of course that doesn’t happen!  It did teach me to listen for God’s voice.

The next time God spoke to me was many years later before our convocation about becoming  a Reconciling Ministry congregation.  I hate conflict and had been to enough meetings to know that the convocation would be painful for  me.  I didn’t want to go, but was feeling guilty, feeling like it was my responsibility to be there.  So I was  praying.  God told me that not only was I going, but I was going to speak!  Another thing I don’t like is speaking in front of groups.  I said “Ok, but what am going to say?  I get tongue tied on all those alphabet letters and besides I don’t like the labels!”  God reminded me of Mathew 22:35-40 when Jesus is asked what the greatest commandment was and “Jesus replied, ‘Love the Lord, your God with all of your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. (Mathew 22: 37-40 NIV) I’m thinking, “Ok.  I can do this.  Everyone is my neighbor.  I don’t need to use those alphabet labels.”  I wrote out what I was going to say starting with the bible quote from Mathew.  I added that this makes it very easy for  me, I want all of our neighbors to know that they are welcome in our church before they come through our doors.  Sunday morning before church I was studying what I was going to say and  praying to God to help me not to stumble over my words.  At this point, God had one more surprise for me.  He told me I needed to add that what Jesus says trumps anything else in the Bible!  I added it, then took it out.  I’m thinking, this is really going to upset some people.God put it back in two more times!

God takes us out of our comfort zones.  Every time I have taken that step of faith I have been truly blessed!

Margaret Williams