Devotional 4-25-08

Lectionary Readings -- Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, Psalms 66:8-20

Several churches in the area have given out bracelets to persons of their congregations for them to be reminded not to complain. If this works and if it is contagious we will soon have the most positive community around. Would that be wonderful? Never mind that there are pot holes, or that the newspaper sub topics make no sense and the grammar is questionable. We are reminded that God wants us to think in a positive way. It is a proven fact that positive thoughts generate good vibrations that can be transmitted and received where they are needed.

Jesus gave his disciples the authority and power to deal with people’s demons and to cure diseases. He commissioned the disciples to preach the good news and to heal the sick. The disciples traveled from city to city preaching and healing, and spreading the word that Jesus is in charge. He suffered because of our sins, he went through it all, was put to death and then made alive –to bring us to God. He did this for us. In the Message we are told that we need to keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at us, none of it will stick. Then the people who have thrown the mud will realize that they are the ones who need a bath. We are told to be ready to speak up and tell others why we live the way we do if we are asked, remembering that he has promised to always be with us and he will not play hide and seek, (he does not leave us). It may not be an easy trip, however Peter tells us that by putting our worries and fears in God's hands we are better off.

After some family trials we have claimed a motto – perhaps it could even be considered a mantra that we repeat over and over. During some of those trying times it has helped to put our worries and fears in Gods hands and know that we are not in charge. We simply repeat these words and meditate on the meaning that they have in our lives. There are times when words of prayer will not come, but at such times these words are a strength and solace.

ALL IS WELL, GOD IS HERE.

In Psalms we are told that God has road tested us inside and out. He came when he heard our prayer, he brings us gifts. How can we complain when we have a Father who is with us and loves us this much.

Do you have a Gratitude book or list? Each day think of 5 things for which you are thankful, and write them down. It is important to write them, so that you can look back and see the things for which you have been grateful in the past. This is a good way to change to a positive attitude, and also show God your thanks for all of his many gifts.

Dear Father, Thank you for the many gifts that you give to us, thank you for being with us and watching over us. We ask that you will continue to watch over us and be with us in all that we do. Be with those who throw the mud, that they may learn to know you. Be with our church that we may continue to glorify you, and that others may see that we have something that they want. Continue to feed us, and fill us with your love. In Christ's name we pray. Amen

Marilyn Holleron

Devotional 4-18-08

Resting In Him
I have three close friends from high school that I meet every year for a week. We've been doing this for ten years. Every year we are each dealing with something-sometimes more than one something! We rush through life, putting out fires-work health, family, money, you name it. We all have problems. Life can be very stressful when you try to deal with it on your own. You make plans, work on solutions, think you've got it all figured out, but somehow things never work out the way we think they will. Our plan may not be Gods plan.

We all want to control our lives. But, there is something very restful and comforting about accepting our limitations, giving ourselves over to Gods time table, and turning our problems over to God. Knowing He cares for us allows us to rest in his love. Imagine yourself crawling up onto Gods lap, take a few deep breaths and settle in, rest your head on His chest, feel His arms wrap around you in a loving embrace. Relax and talk to God. Tell Him about your problems, your fears, your worries. Feel the warmth of His love surrounding you, sustaining you.

When you get up will your problems be miraculously gone? Of course not. But, you will feel more capable of facing what life is throwing at you because you won't be alone. And as Archbishop William Temple said, "When I pray, coincidences happen, when I don't, they don't."

"Into Thy hands I commit my Spirit", Jesus said it as He was dying on the cross, Stephen said it as he was being stoned, and David wrote it in Psalm 31. Follow their example. Commit your spirit into His hands. Rest in Him.

"Spirit Song"

Oh, let the Son of God enfold you
with His spirit and His love,
Let him fill your heart and satisfy your soul.
O' let him have the things that hold you, and
his spirit like a dove will descend upon your life
and make you whole.
O' come and sing this song of gladness as your hearts
are filled with joy.Lift your hands in sweet surrender to his name,
O' give Him all your tears and sadness;
Give Him all your years of pain,
and you'll enter into life in Jesus name.

Margaret Williams

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 4-4-08

I will remember my ancient covenant with their ancestors, whom I brought out of Egypt while all the nations watched. I, the Lord, am their God." --Leviticus 26:45

The Man at the Top of the Stairs

When my third son, Marty, was about 7, he showed me a picture he drew in Sunday School. The teacher had asked the students to draw something about their church. His drawing showed a stick figure with a series of horizontal lines under it. Not sure what I was looking at, I asked, "Is that Dr. Wood preaching?" "No," he said, "it's the man at the top of the stairs." I must admit, it took me a minute and a few more questions before I realized he was talking about Dan Handloser, who during those years, stood at the top of the steps at the 10th Street door (the door used by those coming to Sunday School) to greet people and assist any visitors looking for a Sunday School class. How sweet and uncomplicated that, for a child, the church was symbolized by a friendly face at the top of the stairs.

During my childhood, the man at the top of the stairs was Hansford Welch, one of the saints of Johnson Memorial, who passed away this January at the age of 97. Hansford served as Sunday School Superintendent for 20 years, and proudly took his place at the top of the stairs Sunday after Sunday. Several years ago, my Sunday School class sent him a collective birthday card. The next Sunday he came to our class and asked if he could say a few words. He shared with us his vision for our church and told us we were its future leaders. It was as though he was passing the mantle of leadership onto us. What a responsibility to live up to his example!

This Sunday is Native American Sunday in the United Methodist Church. Here is a Native American prayer:

Oh great Spirit of our Ancestors,
I raise my pipe to you,
to your messengers the four winds,
and to Mother Earth who provides for your children.
Give us the wisdom to teach our children to love,
to respect and to be kind to each other
so that they may grow with peace of mind.
Let us learn to share all the good things
that you provide for us on this Earth.

Anita Gardner Farrell

Devotional 3-28-08

Song of Praise

The chorus of praise began
With the angels
Their song a gentle melody
Whispered on the breeze
The notes pure tones
Of majestic glory.
Flawless in its simplicity
Nothing could compare
To its greatness.

And yet, the praise was not complete.

The sun, the moon, the sky, the stars,
Added to the symphony.
Darkness and light,
An antiphonal response.
The ocean rose against the sand
Clapping God’s honor.
Even the rocks contributed their stony silence
Created in perfection

And yet, the praise was not complete.

Trees, reaching toward heaven
Arms outstretched.
The flowers joined in the hymn
Heads nodding in assent.
All sang of his glory.
Bright colors, dancing rainbows
Seeds flew on the wind
Extolling God with their potential.

And yet, the praise was not complete.

Rhythm was added to the song
As the crickets chirped
And the bullfrogs joined in the percussion.
Glory had a voice
In the singing of the birds,
And the howling of the wolves.
The song finally had body and strength,
As elephants trumpeted,
And joy, as hyenas laughed.

And yet, the praise was not complete.

For one moment, one small break in time
He came to teach his children how to sing.
“This,” he said, “Is how you do it.”
And he stretched out his arms,
As a conductor, directing them into songs of love.
His dying breath a note of silence.
Creation brought to its knees
As the song of praise ended.
Angels shocked into pause.
And all waited to see if the song would begin again.

Haltingly, faltering, the children began
Their notes discordant,
Never perfect, far from complete.
But they did sing,
And creation picked up their tune.
Urging them along
Encouraging, helping,
Harmony at its finest.

And finally, the praise was music to God’s ears.

Poem inspired by a line from one of Rev. Suzanne's Ellis’ sermons -- On Holy Ground -- in which she said, "And the praise was not complete."

Kim Matthews

Lenten Devotionals

During Lent, we will be posting our Lenten devotionals at http://www.jmlent.blogspot.com. Please join us there for our Lenten journey.

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