Devotional 10-31-08

GOD's Gift's

Read Deuteronomy 34:1-12, Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17, I Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-45

God gave the gift of the promised land to the descendants of Moses, as he promised. God's gave us the gift of this Earth. He knew us even before we were born. He has given us his gift of un-conditional Love. Our God has protected us from opposition. We were prepared for his grace at birth, all that we need to do is accept his "justifying grace" as it is "free for all" as John Wesley said. And once we accept his grace we maintain that grace through "means of grace". By praying, studying the word and through the sacrament of Holy Communion.

We are not to keep all this for ourselves, as Jesus was asked, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all 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.' (Matthew 22:36-39)

Remember this, that we are a witness, a gift, to all we encounter daily, showing the love of God in all we do, for those that know you and that do not know you. Know matter how little or how small you are a God given Gift.

Fred Herr

Devotional 10-24-08

Trees Planted by Streams of Water

Please read Psalm 1 and Matthew 22: 34-39

I can appreciate the image used to distinguish the righteous from the wicked, whose path leads to death. The righteous are like trees planted by streams of water. They are healthy, prosperous, and fruitful. Obviously, the streams of water represent God. Notice that the trees didn’t just end up by the stream; no, they were purposefully planted there, just as we are created intentionally to be in relationship with God.

If I could look at a graph of my spirituality, I would see peaks and valleys. Using the image of the tree, I can imagine that there are times when my roots are soaking in the water. I can look back at the most fruitful, healthiest, happiest times in my life and see clearly that those were times of intimacy with God—streams of living water. However, there have been times when I have experienced spiritual drought and feel like I could wither away. I can imagine that the roots are moving in the wrong direction, seeking nourishment from something else. On the surface, everything is fine; the tree is standing, and the stream certainly hasn’t moved. Underneath, something’s not right. Eventually, the tree will dry up and die.

The good news is that when we are planted near the stream, our roots go deep and become entwined with other trees whose strength and nourishment come from the same stream. We hold each other up, just as the community of the righteous—the body of Christ—support each other in times of trial.

Through nothing of my own doing, and I suppose you would call it God’s prevenient grace, I am a descendent of the righteous. My ancestors were planted by streams of water—Gnat’s Run in Ritchie County and Laurel Lick in Lewis County. They lived out the two great commandments, loving God and loving neighbor as self. A friend recently told me that his family didn’t suffer during the depression because they were already poor; they didn’t lose anything and they already had their support systems for taking care of each other. It echoed something my Grandpa Mitchell told me 35 years ago about raising his family of nine children including my mother in the thirties and forties: “We didn’t have much, but we sure had a helluva time.”

The example set for me by the psalmist and my grandparents is to stay connected to God and community. Jesus said it another way: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Dear God, thank you for streams of living water that never run dry and for the community of the righteousness. Fill us with water from the well that never runs dry so that we can bear fruit in our love for You and for our neighbors. Amen.

Jeff Taylor

Devotional 9-26-08

Matthew 20: 1-16
The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
I am always struck by the difference between “man’s way” and “GOD’S WAY” when I read the Bible.

By man’s thinking, the Christ would come in power and glory! God’s way was by a virgin and carpenter from the countryside. Human vision assumes a King with a Palace and courtiers. God’s vision was a lowly stable with farm animals.

So it is, as we read this parable, that we are drawn to cries of “fairness” for the workers who labored long and hard in the fields all day. From a worker’s point of view it is not right for those who labored the least to receive the same as those who spent the entire day in the fields.

Here again Jesus reminds us of the difference between life on earth and the Kingdom of Heaven as he advises, “the last will be first and the first will be last.”

Man can be vengeful, stubborn, proud and unforgiving. God patiently waits for us to ask for forgiveness of our sins and is always ready to grant it time and time again!

Pastor Jack mentioned in a recent sermon about being a “crib Christian” (one who was born into church), and I am thankful to be one. However, this scripture reminds me not to be concerned with how long or how hard I labor in his “field” but to be always thankful for “that House not made with hands- Eternal to the Heavens.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father- we thank you for your son-Jesus Christ and the gift of salvation! Despite our many days in your field we are unworthy and yet you forgive and welcome us. Open our eyes to your possibilities! Amen

Marv Jones

Devotional 9-18-08

The following devotional was written for the Ashland Area Emmaus Community. Jeff graciously agreed to let me reprint it here for our devotional community.

Are you salty?

We're just back from the beach, relaxed, renewed and re-created, and ready get back to work. Well…three out of four ain't bad.

I love the beach. I love the ocean and the sights and sounds and smells. I love walking on the beach early in the morning. I stand in the water and look east at the early morning sun (this year, unlike most years, I slept in and missed the sunrises. I was really relaxed). I’m on the very edge of the earth; I think about how many other people have stood on a shore somewhere in the world and looked out at the vast horizon and marveled at God's creation.

I love the pounding waves that promote a rhythm of gratitude. When I am at the beach, I take the time to think about how grateful I am for God's goodness, for God's grace, and for the fact that God uses me, even me, to do ministry. Too often, I let the busyness of everyday life and work crowd out my gratitude. Too often, I let my routine and the interruptions to my routine cloud God's gift of clear vision.

I love the saltwater -- the stinging in the nicks and cuts, the burning in my throat and eyes -- all those things I hear others complain about. The first thing I do is plunge in and open my eyes. I feel cleansed by the saltwater and the abrasive sand. If you question whether you're in saltwater or fresh, open your eyes.

When I leave the beach, I am salty.

Jesus said that we are "to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness?" Matthew 5:13.

When people are around me, do they know I am salty? Can they open their eyes and sense it?

Are you salty?

Jeff Taylor

Devotional 8-15-08

Matthew 15:1-28

I always enjoy reading about the interactions that Jesus had with the women of his day. Jesus ministered to a wide variety of people. I truly believe that his approach to people was revolutionary. He talked not only to women, but foreigners, people who were sick, social outcasts of all kinds, wealthy people who were important socially, lepers, you name it. He treated everyone with respect and dignity because his understanding of what constituted righteous behavior was not how well they followed a ritual. The Law in the book of Leviticus talked about who and what was unclean and how the Hebrew people were to conduct themselves on every occasion. But those laws had little to say about why they should practice good behavior, in other words, what motivated people to please God. Jesus wanted people to "behave;” to make choices that were pleasing to God because they wanted to, not because they felt they had to. He wanted them to understand that following God meant much more than eating the right foods, or staying away from this person or that situation. He looked at the reasons why people behaved the way that they did. He wanted people to be pure of heart

So, with that concept of Jesus' openness and acceptance in mind, I have to admit that I become a little angry with him in this Scripture from this week's lectionary. Here was a pagan woman, certainly someone considered ritually unclean, but who, in my opinion, was at the end of her rope as she sought healing for her daughter. Jesus ignored her request. His disciples told him to send her away. I am not absolutely positive about this, but I think this is the only place in Scripture where Jesus refused, at least at first, to help someone. This woman was persistent. She kept asking until finally Jesus healed her daughter and commended her for her faith. Perhaps her tenaciousness and love for her daughter made him respect her. Perhaps he was impressed with the fact that she did have faith that He could heal her, when apparently no one else had been able to. She did not give up.

We're all tempted to give up on something that is important to us. Sometimes we wonder if God hears our prayers or why they seem to go unanswered. Probably all of us have had times when we prayed for loved ones to be cured from illnesses such as cancer, and the person died, in spite of our fervent, faith filled prayers. Many of us have had incidents take place in our family that were so difficult to deal with, that we wondered where God could possibly be. I have no easy answer to that question, other than to share that I have asked it a few times myself. However, I have learned over the years that God works in ways that we don't see, that God has the bigger picture in mind, and sees every situation in ways we cannot.

As a pastor, I tell people that from the worst situation God can and will and does bring something good, although we often have to discipline ourselves spiritually to see it.

This challenging scripture reminds me that maybe the answer to our prayers is "No" or "Not now". Prayer is not a way for us to somehow gain control of God and thus control of our lives. It is not a way of piling up things that we simply would like to have, of having our every whim catered to and every desire fulfilled. It can be a remarkable resource for sustenance and support. I have to trust that God acts in God's own time, not mine.

This story of a remarkable, feisty woman reminds me of that. She never gave up. The cynical part of me thinks that maybe she just nagged and wore Jesus down. (Obviously, that's not something I recommend for the best inter-personal relationships!) But we can use her as an example of prayer. She exhibited clarity about what she wanted, the ability to go to the Source that she was sure could help her and a determination to make herself understood and heard. Maybe that's what a healthy prayer really is, seeking with determination while trusting that some sort of answer will be forthcoming, and an awareness that sometimes God does indeed say "No" or "Not yet."

Rev. Dorcas Conrad
Dillon Chapel UMC

Devotional 8-1-08

You Give Them Something to Eat
Please read Matthew 14:13-21

The story of the miraculous feeding of the 5000 has always been one of my favorite bible stories. I learned about it in Bible School . In the version I first learned, a boy about my age was the hero. I could imagine myself handing over my lunch to Jesus' disciples and watching as Jesus used it to feed the multitudes. It wasn't until I was much older that I discovered the little boy is only in one of the four gospel accounts of the miracle. Matthew, Mark, and Luke do not mention a little boy.

This is the only miracle that occurs in each of the four gospels, so it must be pretty important. What does it mean for us today?

Today's passage starts out in verse 13 with "[w]hen Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself..." This was the murder of John the Baptist. Imagine that you are one of the twelve, and you have given up everything to follow Jesus. I imagine the disciples were afraid; if John the Baptist had been killed, maybe Jesus (and they) would be next.

Even though Jesus wanted to get away to be by himself, he put himself in the place of the crowds. Verse 14 tells us he had compassion for the crowds that followed. He felt for them, and put their needs first before his own need to be by himself. The disciples wanted to get rid of the crowds, to send them home; they wanted to be left alone. They wanted to eat, and they only had enough for themselves.

It doesn't seem that unreasonable to me that the disciples would want to get rid of the crowds. They needed time to regroup, to relax, to refresh. They didn't have food enough for the large crowd.

Jesus gave a harsh command. "You give them something to eat."

The disciples offered their defenses, but Jesus wouldn't hear them. They protested that they only had a few loaves of bread and a couple fish. "Bring them to me."

The disciples obeyed, and the results were miraculous. Jesus took what was offered, gave thanks, and then distributed it. Not only was everyone fed, but also there were plenty of leftovers.

We view the world through eyes of scarcity in the midst of abundance. There's not enough time; not enough money; not enough resources; not enough help; not enough people. When we offer what we have to Jesus, miracles happen. There is more than enough, if we are willing to obey Jesus' command.

"You give them something..."

Jeff Taylor

Devotional 7-25-08

Reflection
My business is light. Not lite beer, lite bread, lite bagels or lite blueberry pie -- nothing really advantageous to the waist line but just light. The kind of light you use to see to read a book, build a shelf, cook a meal, change the oil from underneath your car, and the kind of light you block with your Foster Grants while on the beach or by a saluting hand when you step from a dark place (like a movie matinee) into the sun. I have spent many hours over the past 17 years learning about light. We can all probably remember meeting Roy G. Biv when we were kids in science class. Red -- Orange -- Yellow -- Green -- Blue -- Indigo -- Violet. Roy' s namesake lines up perfectly when sunlight is passed through a prism onto a surface such as the sidewalk or a wall. Red to violet represents what is called the visible spectrum. This radiant energy is measured in nanometers and this particular, visible range is from 380nm to 780nm. On one end of the spectrum is infrared and on the other, ultraviolet. I know what you're thinking, "Get to the point, man, I didn't like this stuff then, and I don't especially like it now." Stay with me. Who hasn't smiled at little Trixie of Hi and Lois fame as she sat near the window and talked to her sunbeam? As a child I used to like seeing the particles floating in the wedge of light as the beam pierced its way into the living room. As an adult (and probably with the same chagrin my parents felt then) I know what all that floatie stuff is -- it's "not often enough vacuuming." Ok, ok, here is the point. You can not SEE light. The evidence of light is seen by our eyes only when it is reflected off of something else. Reflected off the road, the neighbor's car, the puddle of rain on the front stoop, the kitchen counter, a magazine page, a friend's face and yes, the dust floating in the sunbeam that visits through your window.

As recorded in John chapter 8 verse 12, Jesus said, "I am the light of the world." In order for many in this world, in this town, in this church to see Jesus He is going to have to be reflected off of something -- US. As we are kept out of the darkness by the light of Christ, we must reflect that warmth and love to all around us. Could there be a better job than to have a brother or sister see and know God because He was reflected through your life?

Steve Matthews

Devotional 6-13-08

If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him. --John 14:7

Happy Fathers' Day

When I was a kid, we had a puny magnolia tree which continually dropped its leaves, much to the chagrin of my father. He would pick them up, almost as soon as they hit the ground, and I would make fun of him and his compulsion. Fast forward several decades and now I have two large magnolia trees and every spring as I rake up bag after bag of those big, annoying leaves, I mutter to myself, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father." (John 14:9).

In the past couple of years, I've reconnected with a high school classmate I hadn't seen in almost 40 years via the Internet. In our catching-up notes to each other she wrote: I've been meaning to let you know something about your dad. . I remember once when we were all going out, me, you and a couple of others (in my dad's 1967 silver and black GTO) I went to your door to get you and saw the most wonderful sight. .. your dad sitting in a chair in a darkened room and feeding your baby brother.. the one who was born during our senior year. I've never forgotten that beautiful sight.. . it has just stayed with me all this time.

I guess that scene stayed with her because my Dad was a hands-on dad in an era when many men bragged that they'd never changed a diaper. He always helped out with us kids and I could volunteer him to drive me and my girlfriends to away football games and he never complained, at least not so I could hear. Today, my younger brothers are wonderful, hands-on fathers, who are totally involved with their children. If you have seen them, you have seen their father.

One of my prized possessions is a letter my Dad sent shortly after I was married which contains these words, "Never forget that houses are just houses, but homes are filled with love." At the Last Supper, Jesus told his followers, "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you with me that you may also be where I am." (John 14: 2-3).

How fortunate are we to have a hands-on savior? One who not only lived with us but goes on ahead to prepare a place for us, and even sent a Counselor, the Holy Spirit, to help us out in the meantime. Jesus told his disciples, "If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." (John 14:23).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us so much you want us to come home and live with you forever. In the name of your Son who showed us the way, amen.

Anita Gardner Farrell

Devotional 5-30-08

A “New” Spiritual Principle
Matthew 7: 21 – 29

I am on somewhat of a rant lately. I see it even in this devotional. Jesus is telling us to build our house on a rock and not the sand. The story of "Three Pigs" tells us to build our house out of bricks and not sticks or straw. We seem to not be following the advice of either lately. We invest in the short term and not the long term. We go for the short gain and not the long gain. We look for the easy way out of difficulty and not the complete way out. We live in an indulgent society and we participate in it. We want church growth, missional opportunities, and vibrant worship services to meet everyone’s needs. We do not want to volunteer our time and energy to make it happen. We want a clean city, paved streets, and a new infrastructure, without paying for it. We want our federal government to take care of the poor, the homele ss, those without healthcare but without increasing taxes. We want to make more money but we want the prices of all goods and services to decrease. We want our Hummers, Ford Excursion, Toyota Sequoia to get 50 miles to the gallon and believe the car manufactures could/should deliver that mileage. We want a safety net of social security but we do not want our social security taxes to increase nor to do we want to extend the level of income which is assessed over $100,000.00. Like a child we want what we want when we want it. We are a society of instant gratification. Delayed gratification is not only a powerful psychological tool we need to learn but it is a spiritual principle as well.

It is more difficult to build a house upon the rock. It takes time to drive in the stakes that will hold the walls up. It is hard to smooth out and flatten the ground. It is much easier to build a house on the sand. The stakes go in easily and the ground is smoothed with nothing more than a stroke of a brush or broom. If you build your house on the sand you will have more time to play but it will fail you in the storm. If you build your house on the rocks you will have less time for play but when the storms come you will survive.

We need to delay our need for instant gratification and build our spiritual house upon the rock of our Lord and Savior. Jesus knew and understood what it meant to go the distance. He also understood that when we practice the art and spiritual principle of delayed gratification, we would find ourselves at odds with our world. We are so co-opted by our culture that we find it difficult to build upon the rock. That is the rock of prayer, meditation, reflection, and inspiration. They will last a long time and wear well.

Rev. David Johnson

Devotional 5-23-08

Matthew 6: 24-34

My wife buys my clothes for me! She does this in self-defense! For you see, if it were up to me, I would still be wearing wide ties, bell-bottoms and madras! Once, when jogging in Ritter Park, a friend saw me coming and laughing asked “Who dresses you?”

Yet- I worry. I worry about my job, my finances, old age, etc., knowing there is only so much I can do about these things that are outside of my control!

Therefore, this scripture speaks to me. It serves to remind me once again that God cares for ME! Why is it we sometimes find this hard to accept? I think in part, it is because we lose sight of what is truly important. A new car, nice home or great job may appeal to us for many reasons. But- after acquiring “things” it can not change how we feel on the inside. The power of God-thru Jesus Christ- can CHANGE us! Christ points out in this scripture that each day will bring troubles of its own. But- should we elect to “Seek his kingdom and his Righteousness” then we can be satisfied and unworried by the daily trials and tribulations in life.

During this time of spring, may we be reminded of this promise when we see flowers in bloom or hear birds singing outside our window!

This is God speaking to us thru true beauty!

Prayer: Heavenly father, thank you for the beauty each day brings and help us to turn our life over to you and put you in control. Amen

Marv Jones

Devotional 4-11-08

Read Psalm 23 and John 10: 1-10

The Gatekeepers

In the gospel passage, Jesus uses a pastoral image to describe his leadership style. His audience was not unfamiliar with this imagery because they knew from Psalm 23 that “the Lord is my shepherd.”

Think about what it means to lead like a shepherd.

I imagine that a shepherd cares for the flock; tends them, feeds them, makes sure that all their needs are cared for. He uses his rod and staff to keep them together. If one of the sheep veers away, he can bring them back. The shepherd saves the sheep from danger. It was comforting to the psalmist and it is comforting to me to know that in the darkest of times, God cares for us. God cares.

But it is not all up to the shepherd; we have a responsibility, too. Jesus also talks about the gate. The shepherd enters by the gate, and the sheep know who he is by the sound of his voice. How does he get in the gate? The gatekeeper opens the door for him.

Who are the gatekeepers in your church? Who opens the door for Jesus, so that Jesus can come in by the gate and care for the flock? Do people hear Jesus in your church, and recognize him?

What are the ways you can be the gatekeeper, to open the door for Jesus?

Being the gatekeeper is an awesome responsibility. You can be the one who opens the door for Jesus. On the other hand, you can be the one who keeps him out.

Dear God: Help us to be graceful gatekeepers, who always open the door for Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen.

Jeff Taylor

Devotional 2-1-08

Mountaintop Experience
Please read Matthew 17: 1-9

The Gospel passage is Matthew’s account of the Transfiguration. The context in which this passage takes place sheds new light on it. In Matthew 16, Jesus asks his disciples who people say that he is. Peter confesses Jesus as Christ, and is told that he is the rock upon which the Church will be built. But then, just moments later, Peter is strongly rebuked to “get behind me Satan” when he protests Jesus’ telling of what lies ahead in Jerusalem.

Six days later, Jesus takes with him Peter and the brothers, James and John—the inner circle—and they go up a high mountain. While they were there, Jesus changed from the inside out; his clothes became a dazzling white and his face glowed. Right there with him were Moses and Elijah. Can you imagine such a powerful sight?

Peter wanted to stay on the mountain.

I can understand Peter’s desire to stay there and worship, especially since he knew now where Jesus’ ministry would be headed. But there was a crowd of people waiting for them at the bottom of the mountain, and they needed healing.

I am involved in the Walk to Emmaus®[1], a three-day weekend experience that is intentionally designed and structured to strengthen and reinvigorate the faith of Christians. For many people, it is a mountaintop experience. As the weekend is concluding, it is tempting to want to stay there—the food, the friendships, the service of other Christians who want to make sure you have a great experience of God’s grace—why go back to the real world and the problems we left behind?

But I think there is a “so that” to mountaintop experiences like the Transfiguration and the Emmaus Walk. An incident of God’s nearer presence—whether you call it a Mountaintop experience, a moving worship service, a glory sighting, or a Hallelujah moment—is “so that” we can be renewed and reinvigorated to then use the gifts God has given us to do our ministry.

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for mountaintop experiences where we feel so close to you that our lives our transformed. Thank you for equipping us for ministry and giving us opportunities to bring others to experience your transforming grace. Amen.

[1] The Walk to Emmaus® is grounded theologically and institutionally in The Upper Room ministry unit of the General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church. For more information, please see http://upperroom.org/emmaus/ or http://www.ashlandemmaus.com/


Jeff Taylor

Devotional 1-11-08

Reuben’s Story

Matthew 3:13-17 ; Mark 1:9-11
Reuben -- Hebrew -- means "behold, a son"

Reuben had stood at the edge of the river
Witness to what had begun as something ordinary
One man, approaching another
Greeting each other as friends.
He hadn’t been able to hear what was being said,
But finally, the one named John,
The one who had at first seemed resistant,
Smiled ruefully,
And had baptized the one named Jesus.

Suddenly, the ordinary had become miraculous.
After the baptism
Jesus lifted his head
And looked toward the sky.
The heavens parted,
The voice of God reverberated
Across the water.
It echoed with a fullness
That shook Reuben
Down to his soul.

God had said,
“You are my son.
I love you;
With you I am well pleased.”
A glow of happiness lit Jesus’ face
A light that was so extraordinary,
So full of pleasure,
That it could light the world.
Water and tears slid off his face together
And his smile was astonishing.
Laughter sprang from his lips
And filled the air with his joy.

Reuben carried all of this home with him.
He felt transformed.
Changed.
Remade.
Life would never be the same again.
He had always – all his life – believed in God,
But now he had heard His voice
And seen His son.
And nothing would ever be the same.

He walked onto his farm
And stood at the edge of a field.
He saw his son working.
Since his son had become a man
They had not been close.
Some days they barely spoke.
Reuben was bursting with this news.
How could he explain it to his child?
How could he describe the voice of God?
The look on the face of the son?
Reuben realized that he had never seen
His own son with such joy on his face.

He walked across the field,
Laid a hand on his son’s shoulder,
And said,
“You are my son.
I love you;
With you I am well pleased.”

Surprise, and then disbelief,
Crossed his son’s face.
Finally, all was replaced with wonder.

A glow of happiness lit his face
A light that was so extraordinary,
So full of pleasure,
That it could light the world.
Tears slid off their faces,
And their smiles were astonishing.
Laughter sprang from their lips
And filled the air with their joy.

Kim Matthews

Devotional 10-12-07

Sunday, October 14, our church family will have the joy and privilege of celebrating Children’s Sabbath. This is one of only two Sundays each year we are invited – and given permission – to abandon the solemn “stuff” of adulthood and embrace the wonder-full worship experience of a service planned, prepared and offered by our precious children and youth.

How long has it been since we allowed ourselves to look at Jesus through the eyes of a child, to express our love for God with the tender heart of a trusting little one, to imagine what it would be like to meet our Lord face to face and talk with Him?

The students in our Sunday School Classes, from Kindergarten through High School responded to just such an imaginary meeting. As you read their varied – some serious, some humorous – questions and comments, imagine the incredible freedom of being able to sit with Him and discuss the longings of your heart as well.

• Do you love Scooby Doo?
• What is your favorite food?
• How do you tell time?
• When we received our Bibles, we were happy and excited!
• My favorite Bible stories are Noah’s Ark, Ruth and Naomi, and Samuel
• How does it feel to be living forever? Can I live forever?
• Why do people sin?
• Are there animals in Heaven?
• Are you happy when we sing?
• What color are your eyes?
• What did you do at church?
• Since you’re Spirit, can you give me strong muscles?
• Did you ever throw rocks when you were a kid?
• Where’s Waldo?
• Did you have a pet? What was its name?
• What do you do for fun?
• Thank you for – Everything!
• What’s your favorite color and why?
• What’s it like there? Is it different for each person?
• Do you like day or night better?
• Will you karaoke with me?
• Should we worry about what separates us from each other?
• Did you ever have a fist fight?
• Why is faith so hard?
• Sometimes I say things that aren’t very nice.
• Sometimes I don’t want to do the things I know I’m supposed to do.

At first glance, some of these questions and comments may appear a bit absurd, but if we’ll look deeper we can see that they are all offered as a means of establishing or reinforcing a relationship. How do we get to know someone unless we have some interaction? How can we build trust without personal experience? How can we open our hearts to another without the assurance of acceptance? Their authenticity is simple, honest and heartfelt.

“When the religious leaders saw the outrageous things [Jesus] was doing, and heard all the children running and shouting through the Temple, “Hosanna to David’s Son!” they were up in arms and took him to task. “Do you hear what these children are saying?”
Jesus said, “Yes, I hear them. And haven’t you read in God’s Word, ‘From the mouths of children and babies I’ll furnish a place of praise’?” (Matthew 21:15-16) The Message

If you had the opportunity to go back to your childhood, would you? The choice is yours – the possibility to do just that belongs to you Sunday morning – all you need to do is enter the Sanctuary with joy in your heart and a longing to be renewed as we celebrate and worship together as children of God.

Dear Father,
We are so grateful for the privilege of being a part of this wonderful family at Johnson Memorial – Your family. Thank You for the gifts of worship our children and youth are offering. Keep us mindful of how precious they are to You, and to us. And let us experience the love, peace and acceptance found if we would allow ourselves to become as authentic as our children, asking only to spend time with You. Amen.

Youth Sunday School class
Led by Linda Summers

Devotional 10-5-07

And as they were eating, he took bread, and blessed and broke it and gave it to them, and said, "Take; this is my body.
And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.
--Mark 14:22-24

This is an invitation across the nation the chance for folks to meetThere'll be swinging, swaying, music playing and dancing in the street
--Dancin' In The Streets, words and music by Marvin Gaye, Wm. "Mickey" Stevenson, Ivy Jo Hunter

This Sunday is World Communion Sunday. Every-other-year, members of Johnson Memorial UMC join our neighbors from other downtown Huntington churches and have a joint Communion service in the middle of 5th Avenue. The choirs combine, pastors from all the churches participate, and the congregations mingle. There is almost a party atmosphere, and I think that's a good thing. We Christians come together to celebrate our sameness and forget our differences. I often see old friends at this service. There's a lot of greeting and hugging.

Kevin Witt of the UMC General Board of Discipleship wrote: "When we share in this meal, we proclaim that we are followers of Jesus. We declare our willingness to join him in spreading love throughout the world, even if it means that we may suffer for it sometimes. We are one with Jesus and his mission. If, then, Jesus unites us, then naturally we must be one with one another. We are all fed from the same loaf and drink from the same cup of God’s love. This love unites us with God and with each other."

I'll see you Sunday, dancin' in the streets.

Anita Gardner Farrell

Devotional 8-24-07

The following two devotions are quoted from the book Disciplines 2007. They have submitted to the Devotional Ministry by Jim Ray, a member of our church. The "Prayer to be Reminded" at the end was an anonymous contribution.

Scipture Reading: Luke 13:10-17

Coming to Worship

It is amazing how many of Jesus' healings and confrontations take place in a synagogue -- and on the Sabbath to boot. The sanctuary of a special time and place, a God place, a God time, is as important to us today as it was to Jesus' first-century contemporaries. Things should simply be different in church. We may dispute how things are to differ, but we all understand that things should be different in this sacred place.

In Luke 13 a woman appears before Jesus with a crippling spirit. Why has she come? How might her pain be understood against the backdrop of the sacred? Nothing dictates that the woman comes for healing. She has simply come to worship. Jesus, however, considers her infirmity and the truth of Sabbath to be at odds. So he calls her to him, and the joy of sacred rest and renewal becomes her physical and spiritual reality.

Unfortunately the story ends in conflict. Jesus' view of sacred time and space clashes with that of the elders. Have the rules changed? No. It wil not do for us to make new rules about the sacred. This time, this day, this sacntuary is still God's. It continues to be a place of mystery, hope, and wholeness. New rules are no better than the old if they seek to circumscribe what is beyond our comprehension.

Prayer: Lord God, when I gather with the faithful for worship and praise, let my heart be open to the freeing power of your spirit. Amen.

Coming to Freedom

I find this story's language intereseting: "A spirit that had crippled her....Set free from her ailment....Set free from this bondage." We would say the woman was healed. Jesus says she has escaped a prison.

Do you ever feel like the walls are closing in around you? I do. It may be a growing awareness of my own personal limitations or a deadline looming on the horizon. Friends share with me a sense of being trapped in marriages without love. Some are confined to wheelchairs with legs that refuse to support their weight. The language of bondage or spiritual and physical imprisonment gives me a different take on life. "I am still here behind thes bars. Who will set me free?"

For eighteen years this "daughter of Abraham" (slave to no one) has been bound by a crippling spirit. The evil is not part of who she is to be. A spiritual pariah fights to define her identity. For eighteen years she keeps coming to synagogue because there is a counter claim being made in the sacredness of sabbath joy.

The battle has gone on long enough. The daughter of Abraham that she has always been needs to be set free. "Stand up straight, sister. Embrace your true self. Slough off the evil accretion of your past. God sees the real you behind those bars, and it is that sparkling spirit called to life this day."

Suggestion for Meditation:
Behind the bars of broken hearts,
of banishment and pain
lives a spirit crying out for freedom from the shame.
"Long enough!" is Jesus' cry,
"Stand up straight with spirit spry.
This is the day the Lord hath made;
let love be known and bondage fade."

Submitted by Jim Ray

Prayer to be Reminded

Oh, Heavenly Father, we forget. Remind us. Remind us, as we stand in your sacred sanctuary, that you love us. We look around the huge space, set apart, and we see light passing through beautiful stained glass, we see a magnificent organ, whose music can fill the air, we smell the melted candle wax from the altar, and we wonder why you even notice that we exist. We forget, Father. Remind us. Remind us that you sent you son to show us how to live, to show us how to love, and most of all, to show us how much we ARE loved. We forget, Father. Remind us. Remind us that we are a Holy People, set apart, made sacred, made acceptable to you, through your own action, as you once and for all removed the weight of sin from our lives, freeing us from its crippling grasp. We forget, Father. Remind us. Remind us that you given us freedom, and that because of your love, we are able to go out into the world, as reminders to others of your freeing grace. We forget, Father. Remind us. Remind us that the man on the street corner, the child playing in the mud, the unwed mother, the angry boss, the careless neighbor, and the mourning widow are Holy People, set apart, made sacred by your love of them. We forget, God. We forget, Father, and we need to be reminded. Amen.

Anonymous

Devotional 7-27-07

Our family loves the ocean, and so every year we make our annual trek to the beach - for rest, renewal and fellowship. We always look forward to beach week, and one of the main reasons is the motion of the waves and its consistency. I think all of us in this family agree, that the constant movement of the waves is so soothing and so relaxing. It just renews our spirits.

In Luke 11:9-10, Jesus says, "Ask and it will be given to you; search and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." When we take stock of our life, the one constant throughout our entire life is God. Friends, family and loved ones move in and out of our lives, due to circumstances beyond our control, but God is always there. We may ignore, forget, take for granted or refuse to see or feel God's presence and love, but God is consistently still there. Jesus reminds us in this scripture passage that all we have to do is ask - search - knock - just open our eyes, ears, mind or heart, and there God is - always - consistently - no matter what.

God, God's love, God's presence, God's care. Consistently there. We just have to reach out. Seek God, feel God, praise God and pray to God for when we do, we are like a sweet aroma, so pleasing to God. As Fanny Crosby so aptly reminds us in her beloved hymn:

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord
let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son,
and give Him the glory, great things He hath done!

Thank you God for being the one constant in our lives. You are always there - just waiting for us to ask - search - knock. You alone fill us and bless us. We are your children and we love you the best that we can. Amen.

Rev. Suzanne Ellis

June 1, 2007 Devotional

Quoted below are portions of this week’s lectionary readings:
*Psalm 8
**John 16:12-15
***Romans 5:1-5

When I look a your heavens,
The work of your fingers
The moon and the stars
That you have established
What are human beings
That you are mindful of them?
Mortals that you care for them?*

So many times in life
We feel small.
Inconsequential.
We carry the burden of our sins
Of our problems
And feel like an ant
Heavy laden
Sometimes lost
Other times alone
Why would God care about children --
Children such as we are?

Yet you have made us
A little lower than God
And crowned us with glory and honor.*

Sometimes, dear Father
Our problems are like lead
Tied around our necks
Weighing us down.
Our grief and our sorrow
Seem unrelieved
Our worries insurmountable
Our questions unanswerable.

And the son said
Words which still comfort us,
“When the Spirit of truth comes,
He will guide you into all truth;
For he will not speak on his own,
But will speak whatever he hears,
And he will declare to you the things
That are to come."**

We find grace, for you offer us hope
You offer us wisdom
You have given us your presence,
Your spirit has been breathed upon us,
Into us,
And we are borne on wings
Until we can see only your love
Feel only your support
And our flesh tingles
As the air from your sigh
Rushes by us.

Therefore, since we are justified by faith,
We have peace with God
Through our Lord Jesus Christ
Through whom we have obtained access
To this grace in which we stand
And we boast in our hope of sharing
The glory of God.***

Our prayers, our dreams,
Our groaning and our pains
Are relieved
Because we know that you hear them.
You lift them on the wind
As you carry us into your arms,
And we find peace.
Peace beyond understanding
But never beyond reach.

And hope does not disappoint us,
Because God’s love have been poured
Into our hearts
Through the Holy Spirit
That has been given to us.***

O Lord,
Our Lord,
How majestic in your name
In all the earth!*

Kim Matthews