C & E Christians
Read: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Luke 5:1-11
Many of us have heard of C & E Christians – people who only attend worship services at Christmas and Easter.
I'm the kind who seems to be at church pretty much any time there's a worship service going on, and I've never really understood the C & E variety. “After all,” my thinking went, “if Christmas and Easter are important enough to bring you to church, wouldn’t you want to get more of that stuff on all the other days too?”
The other day, Bob was preaching on today's scriptures, and mentioned Christmas, Easter, and C & E types. I suddenly felt I had gained an insight on the topic. Maybe the reason they show up on those days is because we really talk about Jesus on those days. It's as though we use those special days as bait, but the “fish” have caught on that it's not going to be as good on a “Regular Old Sunday” as it is on Christmas or Easter. And often they’re right.
Maybe if we made every Sunday another Easter (or an extra Christmas), we would find them filling the pews, eager for more. It's like the song by Avery and Marsh (caution: it's in one of those song books from the 70's), “Every Morning is Easter Morning, From Now On.” If we lived and worshiped with that in mind – as if that were really true – imagine how exciting our lives could be.
Maybe that's the key – it's great to have special days and times to celebrate in special ways, but our whole lives should be made of worship and praise and celebration of the God who came to us that first Christmas, who lived with us, and then died for us that first Good Friday (nobody's favourite), but who then rose on that first Easter.
Ebenezer Scrooge may well have had it right - at the end of the story, that is. Sure, I may take down some of the Christmas decorations; I may put away the Easter stuff, but I'm going to try to keep Christmas - and Easter - in my heart and my life every day.
I think I won’t mind being a C & E Christian.
Father, thank you for sending your son, Jesus, to us at Christmas so He could live with us. Thank you even more that He was willing to die for us on Good Friday. Thank you most that He rose again on Easter to give us eternal life with you in Heaven.
The Lord is Risen Indeed!
Amen
Charlie van Becelaere
Saturday, February 24, 2007
April 7, 2007
Getting Saved And Celebrating
Read Colossians 1:15-23
When it gets right down to it, if everyone looks straight inside -
Into that place you'd call deep down ...
Yeah – Getting Saved & Celebrating ...
Good idea no matter what / no matter how you slice it
We'd be happier and so would God, right ...
Living in our society you might look out your car window
pondering the seemingly omnipotent question –
Do you have a Beaumont Doctor?
Or on television, that celebratory bliss and
predestined matrimonial perfection could be
summed up as friends and relatives, and finally, fiancée sigh ,,,
He went to Jared ...
Our savior, Jesus Christ, actually gave us two much more simple answers.
During Lent, he'd love us to remember a statement we've
All read in red letters ...
Hopefully, we all remember how he responded to the question
What is the greatest commandment?
Hey – still there?
If you are, then look down -
About three more spaces to go ...
(and smile seeing big black billboards or shiny engagement ring faces on TV)
thinking;
Love the lord your God with all your hearts and minds.
Love your neighbor as yourself.
GOT CHRIST?
George Sperry
Read Colossians 1:15-23
When it gets right down to it, if everyone looks straight inside -
Into that place you'd call deep down ...
Yeah – Getting Saved & Celebrating ...
Good idea no matter what / no matter how you slice it
We'd be happier and so would God, right ...
Living in our society you might look out your car window
pondering the seemingly omnipotent question –
Do you have a Beaumont Doctor?
Or on television, that celebratory bliss and
predestined matrimonial perfection could be
summed up as friends and relatives, and finally, fiancée sigh ,,,
He went to Jared ...
Our savior, Jesus Christ, actually gave us two much more simple answers.
During Lent, he'd love us to remember a statement we've
All read in red letters ...
Hopefully, we all remember how he responded to the question
What is the greatest commandment?
Hey – still there?
If you are, then look down -
About three more spaces to go ...
(and smile seeing big black billboards or shiny engagement ring faces on TV)
thinking;
Love the lord your God with all your hearts and minds.
Love your neighbor as yourself.
GOT CHRIST?
George Sperry
April 6, 2007 – Good Friday
Open-air Preaching
Read: 1 Kings 8:27-30, 56-60
Where the grass was once green
with potluck picnics and potato-sack races,
there now stands the bare bones
of a sanctuary-to-be. Steel arches rise
from the dust, like the ribs of a prehistoric giant.
Standing in the empty belly of this beast,
my brother and I were trespassers, stumbling
across something best left to the experts.
But we were the experts. Dusk and dust
settled behind us, small footsteps kicking up
fragments: limestone, cedar, steel.
Our eyes are drawn skyward, breathing in
the warm summer air. We exhale exaltations,
pretending to preach from pulpits.
Piles of bricks and bags of cement steady our hands.
With all the verve of John Wesley
we proclaim great and glorious words,
with nothing to echo against: Do all the good you can,
in all the ways you can, to all the souls you can,
in every place you can, at all the times you can,
with all the zeal you can, as long as ever you can.
We will see pews full of people,
we will hear songs of praise from the choir loft,
we will feel warm sun through stained glass.
But for now, we are just two small humans,
with two small hands each.
Dear Lord, we thank you that, even when we seem too small, we can still see the great things you would have us do. Keep us ever mindful of them, ever hopeful for them, and ever diligent in them, that we may be used in bringing others to your kingdom, and in bringing your kingdom on the Earth. Amen.
Katy Van de Putte
Read: 1 Kings 8:27-30, 56-60
Where the grass was once green
with potluck picnics and potato-sack races,
there now stands the bare bones
of a sanctuary-to-be. Steel arches rise
from the dust, like the ribs of a prehistoric giant.
Standing in the empty belly of this beast,
my brother and I were trespassers, stumbling
across something best left to the experts.
But we were the experts. Dusk and dust
settled behind us, small footsteps kicking up
fragments: limestone, cedar, steel.
Our eyes are drawn skyward, breathing in
the warm summer air. We exhale exaltations,
pretending to preach from pulpits.
Piles of bricks and bags of cement steady our hands.
With all the verve of John Wesley
we proclaim great and glorious words,
with nothing to echo against: Do all the good you can,
in all the ways you can, to all the souls you can,
in every place you can, at all the times you can,
with all the zeal you can, as long as ever you can.
We will see pews full of people,
we will hear songs of praise from the choir loft,
we will feel warm sun through stained glass.
But for now, we are just two small humans,
with two small hands each.
Dear Lord, we thank you that, even when we seem too small, we can still see the great things you would have us do. Keep us ever mindful of them, ever hopeful for them, and ever diligent in them, that we may be used in bringing others to your kingdom, and in bringing your kingdom on the Earth. Amen.
Katy Van de Putte
April 5, 2007 – Maundy Thursday
Stay Awake!
Read: Matthew 26:36-46
The Garden of Gethsemane is a lovely place with ancient olive trees and a feeling of peacefulness about it, but standing in the Garden on a bright blue-sky sunny day brought to my mind a very different setting when, on a dark night, Jesus came to the Garden and brought his disciples with him. He asked them to wait and watch while he went off to pray. However, when he returned, he found them sleeping. He asked Peter, “could you not stay awake with me one hour?” Two more times he asked them to stay awake while he prayed, and two more times they fell asleep. Jesus had been praying to the Father that if it was possible, that what he was about to bear would not come to pass, but nevertheless he said “not what I want, but what you want.”
Standing there in the garden, I pictured all this in my mind, and later in the days as I thought more about it, I wondered if I would, or could, have said that. Every time we pray the Lord's prayer, we say “thy will be done.” I asked myself if I really try to live my life as God will, or as I will. I wondered if, like the disciples in the garden, would I too have fallen asleep? I wondered is my faith sleeping when I should be wide awake and alert to the teachings of Jesus.
Jesus told the disciples to get up and be going, as the hour was at hand. All I could think was maybe it's time for me to be up and going, but, above all, I thought, “Stay awake! Stay awake!”
Marian Walker
Read: Matthew 26:36-46
The Garden of Gethsemane is a lovely place with ancient olive trees and a feeling of peacefulness about it, but standing in the Garden on a bright blue-sky sunny day brought to my mind a very different setting when, on a dark night, Jesus came to the Garden and brought his disciples with him. He asked them to wait and watch while he went off to pray. However, when he returned, he found them sleeping. He asked Peter, “could you not stay awake with me one hour?” Two more times he asked them to stay awake while he prayed, and two more times they fell asleep. Jesus had been praying to the Father that if it was possible, that what he was about to bear would not come to pass, but nevertheless he said “not what I want, but what you want.”
Standing there in the garden, I pictured all this in my mind, and later in the days as I thought more about it, I wondered if I would, or could, have said that. Every time we pray the Lord's prayer, we say “thy will be done.” I asked myself if I really try to live my life as God will, or as I will. I wondered if, like the disciples in the garden, would I too have fallen asleep? I wondered is my faith sleeping when I should be wide awake and alert to the teachings of Jesus.
Jesus told the disciples to get up and be going, as the hour was at hand. All I could think was maybe it's time for me to be up and going, but, above all, I thought, “Stay awake! Stay awake!”
Marian Walker
April 4, 2007
The Slipper Dance
Read: Luke 11:11-13
Mardi Gras beads ... a new box of crayons ... Happy New Year noisemakers in the middle of July ... such are some of my first and favorite memories of spending the night at Grandma’s house.
My sister and I were scared of staying anywhere – well, everywhere! – overnight. We were reluctant even at Grandpa and Grandma’s but my grandmother created a wonderful diversion for us, enticement in the form of an old cardboard box behind the couch. The magic of our “stay-all-night” box comes back to me even now some 30 years later: wooden spools for rolling, stacking, and decorating; metal cookie cutters for tracing; sewing kits, story books, paper dolls. All for fun. All for us. But only at Grandma’s house and only when we spent the night.
We ran to the contact-paper-covered box as soon as Mom was out the door, and Grandma never disappointed us with something new or something shared from inside the house. We learned to make paper chains and Christmas cards; we learned to make dolls; we learned to read books and to dance in Grandma-sized slippers; we learned to spend the night without being scared; we learned to share.
She made the box, she said when I asked as an adult, because she wanted us to be happy about visiting and wanted us to anticipate spending the night. If the process of getting us interested in the world outside our door had to start with an old box full of leftover entertainment she was fine with that. And so it is with all of us that living well and with purpose means nurturing and entertaining and loving our families and friends. It means we take care of the people smaller than us – smaller in stature, smaller in bravery, smaller in strength – by passing along some part of us that makes the world a better place. We pick up shiny things or useful things or comforting things and we offer them, in the form of gifts or words or hope, to the people we love so that they might venture out with new (or newly renewed) excitement and purpose.
There is no better gift to receive than this gift of love: that we are encouraged to learn new ways of living and enjoying life by following in other people’s footsteps . . . or by dancing in their slippers.
Jenneth Wright
Read: Luke 11:11-13
Mardi Gras beads ... a new box of crayons ... Happy New Year noisemakers in the middle of July ... such are some of my first and favorite memories of spending the night at Grandma’s house.
My sister and I were scared of staying anywhere – well, everywhere! – overnight. We were reluctant even at Grandpa and Grandma’s but my grandmother created a wonderful diversion for us, enticement in the form of an old cardboard box behind the couch. The magic of our “stay-all-night” box comes back to me even now some 30 years later: wooden spools for rolling, stacking, and decorating; metal cookie cutters for tracing; sewing kits, story books, paper dolls. All for fun. All for us. But only at Grandma’s house and only when we spent the night.
We ran to the contact-paper-covered box as soon as Mom was out the door, and Grandma never disappointed us with something new or something shared from inside the house. We learned to make paper chains and Christmas cards; we learned to make dolls; we learned to read books and to dance in Grandma-sized slippers; we learned to spend the night without being scared; we learned to share.
She made the box, she said when I asked as an adult, because she wanted us to be happy about visiting and wanted us to anticipate spending the night. If the process of getting us interested in the world outside our door had to start with an old box full of leftover entertainment she was fine with that. And so it is with all of us that living well and with purpose means nurturing and entertaining and loving our families and friends. It means we take care of the people smaller than us – smaller in stature, smaller in bravery, smaller in strength – by passing along some part of us that makes the world a better place. We pick up shiny things or useful things or comforting things and we offer them, in the form of gifts or words or hope, to the people we love so that they might venture out with new (or newly renewed) excitement and purpose.
There is no better gift to receive than this gift of love: that we are encouraged to learn new ways of living and enjoying life by following in other people’s footsteps . . . or by dancing in their slippers.
Jenneth Wright
April 3, 2007
Reflection
Read: Colossians 3:12-17
It happened no particular Sunday morning, not too long ago, that I was sitting in the infant nursery and I started to think about where I was and how I had gotten there, in that nursery. I realized that this church has cultivated so much of my personality and virtues.
For starters, if it wasn’t for this church and the people in it, to be more specific, I probably wouldn’t have gotten into babysitting, at least not to the extent that I have. And babysitting has not only made up a good portion of my income throughout these last 6 years of my life, but has also driven me to develop a range of skills and qualities which have helped me find my footing in this world.
There’s also the work camps and, now, VIM which have given me an outlet for my need to feel like I’ve contributed to the world and my fellow people. These trips have also given me experiences that not a whole lot of people my age have had.
A whole plethora of other things have happened to me here, have shaped who I am. This congregation has left so many marks on me, making me so unique; kind of like the moon, I’m a natural satellite. I’m showing the world what I have become; bouncing the light you give to me, to them.
Thank you for your light.
Emily Stowell
Read: Colossians 3:12-17
It happened no particular Sunday morning, not too long ago, that I was sitting in the infant nursery and I started to think about where I was and how I had gotten there, in that nursery. I realized that this church has cultivated so much of my personality and virtues.
For starters, if it wasn’t for this church and the people in it, to be more specific, I probably wouldn’t have gotten into babysitting, at least not to the extent that I have. And babysitting has not only made up a good portion of my income throughout these last 6 years of my life, but has also driven me to develop a range of skills and qualities which have helped me find my footing in this world.
There’s also the work camps and, now, VIM which have given me an outlet for my need to feel like I’ve contributed to the world and my fellow people. These trips have also given me experiences that not a whole lot of people my age have had.
A whole plethora of other things have happened to me here, have shaped who I am. This congregation has left so many marks on me, making me so unique; kind of like the moon, I’m a natural satellite. I’m showing the world what I have become; bouncing the light you give to me, to them.
Thank you for your light.
Emily Stowell
April 2, 2007
Gone Fishin’
Read: Luke 5:1-11
Whenever I hear the story of Jesus in the boats, fishing with the disciples so that their nets were breaking, I am reminded on going fishing with my father. Dad loved to fish, and our family vacations often involved camping near a beautiful lake to allow my father to fish. He taught us to fish with a cane pole and minnows, but I remember one summer when he taught me to fly fish. We were in northern Alabama on a beautiful lake. There were willows hanging over the water that were covered with May flies. The water under the branches was churning with fish eating their fill of flies. We gently paddled the boat and lightly laid our line on the water where it was snatched up by hungry fish. At one point we tied two flies to the line and pulled in the fish two at a time. We soon had a huge catch of fish for a huge fish fry that night. It was amazing and awesome for a 13 year old girl learning to fly fish.
Fishing with my Dad offered many rewards. First of all, I had him all to myself. In a family with four kids that was a real treat. We always packed a special lunch and spent hours on the water. I look back now and realize that he probably took me along to row the boat gently while he fished, but it also allowed some great conversation time. It was quiet and peaceful. Dad also taught me that if you catch the fish, you have to clean them. Not a great job, but somebody has to do it.
The lures are designed to attract the fish, but what kind of lures do we use here at our church? Our lures could be as simple as a kind word, a handshake, a smile. It could move up to a hug, or an “I’ve missed you.” What about a phone call or a card or letter? All of these show a concern, a caring for those in our congregation. Our lures can also be our programs and our worship. In supporting our church activities and participating, we develop a strong bond with others. I’ll never forget the first activities that we attended. It was like cool water to a parched soul. We promise to support our church with our presence, our gifts and our prayers.
“I am the church, you are the church, we are the church together.” We are the lures to attract new members and encourage others to participate. We shouldn’t just sit in the boat quietly, but row along and drop our line in the water. Jesus said he would make us fishers of men. Let’s start pulling them in.
Libby Van de Putte
Read: Luke 5:1-11
Whenever I hear the story of Jesus in the boats, fishing with the disciples so that their nets were breaking, I am reminded on going fishing with my father. Dad loved to fish, and our family vacations often involved camping near a beautiful lake to allow my father to fish. He taught us to fish with a cane pole and minnows, but I remember one summer when he taught me to fly fish. We were in northern Alabama on a beautiful lake. There were willows hanging over the water that were covered with May flies. The water under the branches was churning with fish eating their fill of flies. We gently paddled the boat and lightly laid our line on the water where it was snatched up by hungry fish. At one point we tied two flies to the line and pulled in the fish two at a time. We soon had a huge catch of fish for a huge fish fry that night. It was amazing and awesome for a 13 year old girl learning to fly fish.
Fishing with my Dad offered many rewards. First of all, I had him all to myself. In a family with four kids that was a real treat. We always packed a special lunch and spent hours on the water. I look back now and realize that he probably took me along to row the boat gently while he fished, but it also allowed some great conversation time. It was quiet and peaceful. Dad also taught me that if you catch the fish, you have to clean them. Not a great job, but somebody has to do it.
The lures are designed to attract the fish, but what kind of lures do we use here at our church? Our lures could be as simple as a kind word, a handshake, a smile. It could move up to a hug, or an “I’ve missed you.” What about a phone call or a card or letter? All of these show a concern, a caring for those in our congregation. Our lures can also be our programs and our worship. In supporting our church activities and participating, we develop a strong bond with others. I’ll never forget the first activities that we attended. It was like cool water to a parched soul. We promise to support our church with our presence, our gifts and our prayers.
“I am the church, you are the church, we are the church together.” We are the lures to attract new members and encourage others to participate. We shouldn’t just sit in the boat quietly, but row along and drop our line in the water. Jesus said he would make us fishers of men. Let’s start pulling them in.
Libby Van de Putte
April 1, 2007 – Palm Sunday
A Family Member
Read: Ephesians 3:14-19
My daughter is going through Confirmation this year. When she had to write a sermon she felt like she had nothing to say. From her point of view all the other kids had something happen – special or difficult – that they could write about. Nothing stood out in her life. I suggested maybe it was just because God was a part of her regular life, she just hadn’t noticed. Maybe He was more like a family member. I don’t know if she bought into that or not, but I did.
Life has certainly had its ups and downs for us. The question is, has she not noticed the downs because we have done such a good job of insulating her from them, or has she not noticed them as much because God lives with our family and shelters us all. Maybe a little of both. I do think that God is very much like a family member around here. We always like to have Him at the dinner table with us. We probably all get frustrated with Him sometimes when we think He’s ignoring us. If God were playing in a soccer game, I know we would all go as a family to watch Him play (and cheer Him on). Unfortunately I’m sure there are times when we take Him for granted just like other family members. We’re pretty comfortable with His presence though. We like having Him around. I’m sure there are times we’d like to complain, “Make Him stop, He’s staring at me.”
Does thinking of God as a family member not give Him an important enough place in our lives? Are we too familiar with Him? I don’t think so. We’re a pretty tight group and I think we would all put family at the top of our priorities list. I like having a close, friendly relationship with God. I like having Him hanging out in my house, or wherever I go. I like knowing He’s hanging out with my kids – even when they don’t want Him around (or maybe especially then). I guess now we’ll have to figure out where He should stand next time we get a family portrait.
Thought for the day: Does God have a place in your family?
Prayer: Dear God, Thanks for hanging out with us and keeping your eye on us. We are glad You are a part of our family. Amen.
Jacki Rumpp
Read: Ephesians 3:14-19
My daughter is going through Confirmation this year. When she had to write a sermon she felt like she had nothing to say. From her point of view all the other kids had something happen – special or difficult – that they could write about. Nothing stood out in her life. I suggested maybe it was just because God was a part of her regular life, she just hadn’t noticed. Maybe He was more like a family member. I don’t know if she bought into that or not, but I did.
Life has certainly had its ups and downs for us. The question is, has she not noticed the downs because we have done such a good job of insulating her from them, or has she not noticed them as much because God lives with our family and shelters us all. Maybe a little of both. I do think that God is very much like a family member around here. We always like to have Him at the dinner table with us. We probably all get frustrated with Him sometimes when we think He’s ignoring us. If God were playing in a soccer game, I know we would all go as a family to watch Him play (and cheer Him on). Unfortunately I’m sure there are times when we take Him for granted just like other family members. We’re pretty comfortable with His presence though. We like having Him around. I’m sure there are times we’d like to complain, “Make Him stop, He’s staring at me.”
Does thinking of God as a family member not give Him an important enough place in our lives? Are we too familiar with Him? I don’t think so. We’re a pretty tight group and I think we would all put family at the top of our priorities list. I like having a close, friendly relationship with God. I like having Him hanging out in my house, or wherever I go. I like knowing He’s hanging out with my kids – even when they don’t want Him around (or maybe especially then). I guess now we’ll have to figure out where He should stand next time we get a family portrait.
Thought for the day: Does God have a place in your family?
Prayer: Dear God, Thanks for hanging out with us and keeping your eye on us. We are glad You are a part of our family. Amen.
Jacki Rumpp
March 31, 2007
Best Laid Plans and Happy Crows
Read: Luke 14:15-24
“Blessed is he who eats bread in the house of the Lord”
So it says on the box these pies arrive in. This was made in a secret pie bakery known only to the members of a centuries old secret pie society. Berries are picked fresh and pies baked daily in wood-fired ovens by certified Little Old Ladies who live in hollowed-out trees in the woods. These are the same little old ladies who taught the Keebler Elves how to make cookies.
This Michigan Made 4 Berry pie is an example of one of their most sought after pies and was obtained only after bribing a Leprechaun, and was donated by an anonymous member of the centuries old secret pie society. Whosoever wins this pie at auction will surely find their pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Surely a story like this would help fetch a good price for a pie at Gumbopalooza. That is until the pie was left on the roof of the car as we took off down St Clair Highway an hour and a half before the event was to begin. Sometimes, the best laid plans….???
Now, most of the pie lady story is true and the ladies have a religious observation each Saturday and so we couldn’t get another until Sunday morning. Fortunately we know a lady who usually has a few of these very same pies kept in a secure location next to the saloon in Adair, MI. Off to Adair we went, she had only one pie but it hadn’t been baked yet. It was 5:00 and we had an unbaked pie, 40 miles from church. No time for the aforementioned saloon.
A lucky break, number 2 son was home, and he lives between Adair and the Church. His oven was hot when we arrived, the pie baked, we left his entire home smelling like fresh pie and left, with the pie.
We arrived at the church only fashionably late, fresh hot pie in hand, and the winner of the pie told me the pie was worth all the effort and it’ll help provide someone some much needed shelter.
Sometimes we find even the simplest things can go awry leading us in unexpected directions.
The Lord won’t give us anything we can’t handle if we keep trying.
Everything works out if you let it.
And if you’re a crow without much food and near freezing to death in Casco Twp., you never know when 7 lbs of fresh berries are going to fly off the top of a car and land right in the middle of the road at your feet.
Ron Draper
Read: Luke 14:15-24
“Blessed is he who eats bread in the house of the Lord”
So it says on the box these pies arrive in. This was made in a secret pie bakery known only to the members of a centuries old secret pie society. Berries are picked fresh and pies baked daily in wood-fired ovens by certified Little Old Ladies who live in hollowed-out trees in the woods. These are the same little old ladies who taught the Keebler Elves how to make cookies.
This Michigan Made 4 Berry pie is an example of one of their most sought after pies and was obtained only after bribing a Leprechaun, and was donated by an anonymous member of the centuries old secret pie society. Whosoever wins this pie at auction will surely find their pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Surely a story like this would help fetch a good price for a pie at Gumbopalooza. That is until the pie was left on the roof of the car as we took off down St Clair Highway an hour and a half before the event was to begin. Sometimes, the best laid plans….???
Now, most of the pie lady story is true and the ladies have a religious observation each Saturday and so we couldn’t get another until Sunday morning. Fortunately we know a lady who usually has a few of these very same pies kept in a secure location next to the saloon in Adair, MI. Off to Adair we went, she had only one pie but it hadn’t been baked yet. It was 5:00 and we had an unbaked pie, 40 miles from church. No time for the aforementioned saloon.
A lucky break, number 2 son was home, and he lives between Adair and the Church. His oven was hot when we arrived, the pie baked, we left his entire home smelling like fresh pie and left, with the pie.
We arrived at the church only fashionably late, fresh hot pie in hand, and the winner of the pie told me the pie was worth all the effort and it’ll help provide someone some much needed shelter.
Sometimes we find even the simplest things can go awry leading us in unexpected directions.
The Lord won’t give us anything we can’t handle if we keep trying.
Everything works out if you let it.
And if you’re a crow without much food and near freezing to death in Casco Twp., you never know when 7 lbs of fresh berries are going to fly off the top of a car and land right in the middle of the road at your feet.
Ron Draper
March 30, 2007
Love Ye One Another
Read: John 17:20-26
I recently saw an article in the newspaper that was quite thought-provoking. The heading stated: “Snob within grows to include middle class.” The first paragraph read in part: “Once upon a time, snobbery was a bad thing, a character flaw indulged in by effete elites and condemned by everyone else. But is snobbery going mainstream? Are snob appeal and mass appeal converging? The country is on a status binge that has made the quest for luxury goods the new national pastime. And the rules of the game evidently are: No guilt, no limits.” Alongside the paragraph was a color photo of First Lady Laura Bush stunningly attired for a recent White House reception in an $8,500 Oscar de la Renta gown. As it turns out, three other women arrived at the event wearing the same red dress, causing Mrs. Bush to change clothes mid-party.
Status and prestige have probably always been part of human life, reflecting the ego's need for specialness – an elevated standing relative to others. The seemingly innocent and universal desire for luxury goods, with high profit potential, is a driving force in the economy. I believe, however, that all things are inherently neutral, neither good nor bad. It is their purpose that gives them meaning. When feeling the desire for something, we might well ask ourselves in a moment of thoughtful honesty: “What is this for?” A given object might be a blessing, a useful and comfortable tool for daily living – or a wedge that further separates us one from another.
Separation always leads to fear, the opposite of love. And where love is lacking, can intolerance and even hatred be far behind? Religious, racial, ethnic and ideological strife – to name but a few examples – rob much of humanity of joy and peace in daily living, and can lead to conflict of global proportions. The “Great War” was the “war to end all wars,” yet in a little more than two decades, there arose a second world-wide conflict of horrific and unprecedented destruction. The ongoing strife in the Middle East, to name but one example, should spark within all thoughtful persons the exclamation: “Enough! There must be a better way!”
Into this intractable situation, God sends His greatest gift to humankind – a Savior and Way-shower in the form of Jesus Christ. In the 17th chapter of John's gospel, Jesus prays for the spiritual unity of us all: “And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one.” If this be the divine plan, only folly would divide into separate and unequal parts what God would have as one. If we could lay hold of the idea that we are all brothers and sisters of one heavenly Parent, and equally loved and blessed by God, there may at last be a chance for a durable peace on this planet.
During this reflective period of Lent, let us take the time and put forth the effort to seriously reassess our view of each other with the goal of strengthening our relationships to each other and to our God. In this way do we honor our Creator: by loving and honoring what He created. “And God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31a)
In the 12th chapter of Mark's gospel we read of the scholar of the scriptures who asked Jesus the question, “What commandment is foremost of all?” To summarize all the law and the prophets, Jesus replied, “The foremost is, 'Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.” When the scribe who asked Jesus the question agreed with his answer, Jesus told him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”
Dear God, in the unsettled and unsettling world in which we live, we often feel the fear of being unloved and unloving. We forget that You made us in Your image and that Your love for us knows no bounds of time or space. Forgive us for not realizing that You have given us each other as help-mates on the journey back to You. Forgive us also for making the meager and temporal offerings of this earthly plane into substitutes for Your love. Help us to quiet our minds, our bodies, and our activities so that Your Voice can be heard above the noise and activity of this world. And help us to follow the two great commandments of love so that we, too, can be close to Your kingdom. We ask this with humble and grateful hearts. Amen.
Doug Dykstra
Read: John 17:20-26
I recently saw an article in the newspaper that was quite thought-provoking. The heading stated: “Snob within grows to include middle class.” The first paragraph read in part: “Once upon a time, snobbery was a bad thing, a character flaw indulged in by effete elites and condemned by everyone else. But is snobbery going mainstream? Are snob appeal and mass appeal converging? The country is on a status binge that has made the quest for luxury goods the new national pastime. And the rules of the game evidently are: No guilt, no limits.” Alongside the paragraph was a color photo of First Lady Laura Bush stunningly attired for a recent White House reception in an $8,500 Oscar de la Renta gown. As it turns out, three other women arrived at the event wearing the same red dress, causing Mrs. Bush to change clothes mid-party.
Status and prestige have probably always been part of human life, reflecting the ego's need for specialness – an elevated standing relative to others. The seemingly innocent and universal desire for luxury goods, with high profit potential, is a driving force in the economy. I believe, however, that all things are inherently neutral, neither good nor bad. It is their purpose that gives them meaning. When feeling the desire for something, we might well ask ourselves in a moment of thoughtful honesty: “What is this for?” A given object might be a blessing, a useful and comfortable tool for daily living – or a wedge that further separates us one from another.
Separation always leads to fear, the opposite of love. And where love is lacking, can intolerance and even hatred be far behind? Religious, racial, ethnic and ideological strife – to name but a few examples – rob much of humanity of joy and peace in daily living, and can lead to conflict of global proportions. The “Great War” was the “war to end all wars,” yet in a little more than two decades, there arose a second world-wide conflict of horrific and unprecedented destruction. The ongoing strife in the Middle East, to name but one example, should spark within all thoughtful persons the exclamation: “Enough! There must be a better way!”
Into this intractable situation, God sends His greatest gift to humankind – a Savior and Way-shower in the form of Jesus Christ. In the 17th chapter of John's gospel, Jesus prays for the spiritual unity of us all: “And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one.” If this be the divine plan, only folly would divide into separate and unequal parts what God would have as one. If we could lay hold of the idea that we are all brothers and sisters of one heavenly Parent, and equally loved and blessed by God, there may at last be a chance for a durable peace on this planet.
During this reflective period of Lent, let us take the time and put forth the effort to seriously reassess our view of each other with the goal of strengthening our relationships to each other and to our God. In this way do we honor our Creator: by loving and honoring what He created. “And God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31a)
In the 12th chapter of Mark's gospel we read of the scholar of the scriptures who asked Jesus the question, “What commandment is foremost of all?” To summarize all the law and the prophets, Jesus replied, “The foremost is, 'Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.” When the scribe who asked Jesus the question agreed with his answer, Jesus told him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”
Dear God, in the unsettled and unsettling world in which we live, we often feel the fear of being unloved and unloving. We forget that You made us in Your image and that Your love for us knows no bounds of time or space. Forgive us for not realizing that You have given us each other as help-mates on the journey back to You. Forgive us also for making the meager and temporal offerings of this earthly plane into substitutes for Your love. Help us to quiet our minds, our bodies, and our activities so that Your Voice can be heard above the noise and activity of this world. And help us to follow the two great commandments of love so that we, too, can be close to Your kingdom. We ask this with humble and grateful hearts. Amen.
Doug Dykstra
March 29, 2007
God's Timetable
Three days later, there was a wedding in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there. Jesus and his disciples were guests also. When they had started running low on wine at the wedding banquet, Jesus' mother told him, “They're just about out of wine.” Jesus said, “Is that any of our business, Mother – yours or mine? This isn't my time. Don't push me.” She went ahead anyway, telling the servants, “Whatever he tells you, do it.” Six stone-ware pots were there; use by the Jews for ritual washings. Each held twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus ordered the servants, “Fill the pots with water,” and they filled them to the brim. “Now fill your pitchers and take them to the host,” Jesus said, and they did. When the host tasted the water that had become wine, he called out to the bridegroom, “Everybody I know begins with their finest wines, and after the guests have had their fill brings in the cheap stuff. But you've saved the best till now!” This act in Cana of Galilee was the first sign Jesus gave, the first glimpse of glory. And his disciples believed in him. (John 2:1-10)
Cana of Galilee – a name as familiar as Detroit, Michigan – I have heard this story so many times. The first miracle – water to wine. And here we were, climbing the hill on a narrow street ... and suddenly, on our second day in the Holy Land, I thought, “I'm walking where Jesus walked!” Two things were especially meaningful to me in Cana.
First, Jack and I, along with several other couples in our group, did a reaffirmation of our wedding vows at the site of that wedding 2,000 years ago. It was a very special moment, made more so by the presiding of Bishop Keeton, and the presence of friends, old and new.
The second thing was an insight I gained about the nature of Jesus. The couple getting married in Cana must be special friends for Jesus, his mother, and the disciples to be invited, and to walk the ten miles from Nazareth. To run out of food or wine at such an occasion was the worst possible social blunder of that day – the couple would never live it down in tiny Cana. Jesus at first refused his mother's request for him to DO SOMETHING!! It was not time – the hour of Jesus' self-disclosure was determined by God, not by Mary. But then a remarkable thing happens – Jesus does deal with the crisis by turning the water to wine – his first miracle. His love and concern for these good friends overcame even God's timetable. And I had the reverse experience of the disciples. They saw Jesus, whom they knew to be human, as divine; and I saw Jesus, whom I know to be divine, as human.
Noelle Landin
Three days later, there was a wedding in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there. Jesus and his disciples were guests also. When they had started running low on wine at the wedding banquet, Jesus' mother told him, “They're just about out of wine.” Jesus said, “Is that any of our business, Mother – yours or mine? This isn't my time. Don't push me.” She went ahead anyway, telling the servants, “Whatever he tells you, do it.” Six stone-ware pots were there; use by the Jews for ritual washings. Each held twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus ordered the servants, “Fill the pots with water,” and they filled them to the brim. “Now fill your pitchers and take them to the host,” Jesus said, and they did. When the host tasted the water that had become wine, he called out to the bridegroom, “Everybody I know begins with their finest wines, and after the guests have had their fill brings in the cheap stuff. But you've saved the best till now!” This act in Cana of Galilee was the first sign Jesus gave, the first glimpse of glory. And his disciples believed in him. (John 2:1-10)
Cana of Galilee – a name as familiar as Detroit, Michigan – I have heard this story so many times. The first miracle – water to wine. And here we were, climbing the hill on a narrow street ... and suddenly, on our second day in the Holy Land, I thought, “I'm walking where Jesus walked!” Two things were especially meaningful to me in Cana.
First, Jack and I, along with several other couples in our group, did a reaffirmation of our wedding vows at the site of that wedding 2,000 years ago. It was a very special moment, made more so by the presiding of Bishop Keeton, and the presence of friends, old and new.
The second thing was an insight I gained about the nature of Jesus. The couple getting married in Cana must be special friends for Jesus, his mother, and the disciples to be invited, and to walk the ten miles from Nazareth. To run out of food or wine at such an occasion was the worst possible social blunder of that day – the couple would never live it down in tiny Cana. Jesus at first refused his mother's request for him to DO SOMETHING!! It was not time – the hour of Jesus' self-disclosure was determined by God, not by Mary. But then a remarkable thing happens – Jesus does deal with the crisis by turning the water to wine – his first miracle. His love and concern for these good friends overcame even God's timetable. And I had the reverse experience of the disciples. They saw Jesus, whom they knew to be human, as divine; and I saw Jesus, whom I know to be divine, as human.
Noelle Landin
March 28, 2007
Awakening Faith
Read: UM Hymnal #277, “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus”
When I was a girl, my widowed Grandmother lived with us. My mother worked outside the home, so many child-care duties fell to my grandmother. Every summer my brother and I had a glorious few months in northern Michigan at her cottage on Lake Charlevoix. I have early memories of exploring the woods, swimming, boating, observing wildlife. There was no TV; we read books for entertainment.
Swaying on the old swing on the front porch is where I learned the Lord’s Prayer, the Creeds, the 23rd Psalm, “Jesus Loves Me” and countless Bible stories. My Grandmother, Katrina, was a gifted instructor. She taught us the faith that sustained her through many crises – the Great Depression, two World Wars, the death of her son while a pilot during WW II, followed shortly by her husband’s passing.
Every evening she would read from her Bible (and often during the day as well). When she died, it was the one thing I especially wanted to have. It is the King James Version, covered in a tattered zippered cloth case, pages quite worn from handling, filled with mementos and her notations in the margins. I use it every morning during my devotion – it reminds me of the person who awakened my Christian faith, and I am thankful God blessed me with her presence in my life.
Sue DeWitt
Read: UM Hymnal #277, “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus”
When I was a girl, my widowed Grandmother lived with us. My mother worked outside the home, so many child-care duties fell to my grandmother. Every summer my brother and I had a glorious few months in northern Michigan at her cottage on Lake Charlevoix. I have early memories of exploring the woods, swimming, boating, observing wildlife. There was no TV; we read books for entertainment.
Swaying on the old swing on the front porch is where I learned the Lord’s Prayer, the Creeds, the 23rd Psalm, “Jesus Loves Me” and countless Bible stories. My Grandmother, Katrina, was a gifted instructor. She taught us the faith that sustained her through many crises – the Great Depression, two World Wars, the death of her son while a pilot during WW II, followed shortly by her husband’s passing.
Every evening she would read from her Bible (and often during the day as well). When she died, it was the one thing I especially wanted to have. It is the King James Version, covered in a tattered zippered cloth case, pages quite worn from handling, filled with mementos and her notations in the margins. I use it every morning during my devotion – it reminds me of the person who awakened my Christian faith, and I am thankful God blessed me with her presence in my life.
Sue DeWitt
March 27, 2007
Holey Ones
Read: Luke 11:37-42
I didn’t have much time I remember. It was the beginning of summer and I thought I had missed out on a great opportunity. But no sooner I found a new one with friends. And no later I realized that I hadn’t missed out at all. I talked to Russell and George about what I could bring to the clinic and they both agreed.
And then I asked you you remember. You were there. I still have it written down in my journal that Pastor Shipley gave to me. I asked my congregation - my family my friends -for socks and hopefully not holey ones right? You came through with about three hundred.
On the way there he remembers. Interstate ninety four and Beaubien, I saw a man in a wheelchair with a sign and one foot. What did it say - it didn’t matter - it wasn’t written down. We gave him two pairs of socks and he said, “God bless you”, I said the same.
I cried so hard - I remember. Harder than I ever have in a long time. Thank you for giving, thank you for supporting, thank you for being. In my life.
For food, for raiment
For life, for opportunity
For friendship and fellowship
We thank thee, O Lord.
Paul Thomas
Read: Luke 11:37-42
I didn’t have much time I remember. It was the beginning of summer and I thought I had missed out on a great opportunity. But no sooner I found a new one with friends. And no later I realized that I hadn’t missed out at all. I talked to Russell and George about what I could bring to the clinic and they both agreed.
And then I asked you you remember. You were there. I still have it written down in my journal that Pastor Shipley gave to me. I asked my congregation - my family my friends -for socks and hopefully not holey ones right? You came through with about three hundred.
On the way there he remembers. Interstate ninety four and Beaubien, I saw a man in a wheelchair with a sign and one foot. What did it say - it didn’t matter - it wasn’t written down. We gave him two pairs of socks and he said, “God bless you”, I said the same.
I cried so hard - I remember. Harder than I ever have in a long time. Thank you for giving, thank you for supporting, thank you for being. In my life.
For food, for raiment
For life, for opportunity
For friendship and fellowship
We thank thee, O Lord.
Paul Thomas
March 26, 2007
WHAT IS FAITH?
Read Hebrews Chapter 11
“To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1
What a gift to be sure of things we hope for and certain of things we cannot see. How do we as Christians manifest that surety and certainty? How do we experience our faith? The following is a partial list. I encourage you to think of other signs of our faith.
Faith enables us to live life without being consumed by fears.
Faith gives us confidence to live each day and to face an unknown future.
Faith is trusting God in his providence to take care of us.
Faith is being unafraid to die.
Faith is hope for tomorrow.
Faith gives us a reason for living and joy in living because we are in God’s hands.
Faith frees us to accept our limitations and expect God’s miracles.
Faith gives us a path of purpose and destiny.
Faith enables us to take control our lives by allowing God to direct our path.
Faith is a beacon of light in a dark world.
Faith is relying on God’s promises.
Faith is strength to face life’s challenges with God as our partner.
Faith is living a life that is pleasing to God.
Faith is experiencing God’s grace and forgiveness and extending it to others.
Faith enables us to put life into perspective when we are overwhelmed by things.
Faith helps us discern the will of God so we know what he requires of us.
Prayer:
Father you have given us the gift of faith. Grant that we live a life that gives evidence of that faith. Help us in life’s pilgrimage to trust in you and to grow in that faith.
Pat Deck
Read Hebrews Chapter 11
“To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1
What a gift to be sure of things we hope for and certain of things we cannot see. How do we as Christians manifest that surety and certainty? How do we experience our faith? The following is a partial list. I encourage you to think of other signs of our faith.
Faith enables us to live life without being consumed by fears.
Faith gives us confidence to live each day and to face an unknown future.
Faith is trusting God in his providence to take care of us.
Faith is being unafraid to die.
Faith is hope for tomorrow.
Faith gives us a reason for living and joy in living because we are in God’s hands.
Faith frees us to accept our limitations and expect God’s miracles.
Faith gives us a path of purpose and destiny.
Faith enables us to take control our lives by allowing God to direct our path.
Faith is a beacon of light in a dark world.
Faith is relying on God’s promises.
Faith is strength to face life’s challenges with God as our partner.
Faith is living a life that is pleasing to God.
Faith is experiencing God’s grace and forgiveness and extending it to others.
Faith enables us to put life into perspective when we are overwhelmed by things.
Faith helps us discern the will of God so we know what he requires of us.
Prayer:
Father you have given us the gift of faith. Grant that we live a life that gives evidence of that faith. Help us in life’s pilgrimage to trust in you and to grow in that faith.
Pat Deck
March 25, 2007
Things we take for granted
Read: Genesis 1:26-31
ODE TO THE EARTH
It's the mountains and valleys, the forests and flowers;
Its the sky overhead, and summertime showers.
Its the storehouse of waters, the source of our food;
Its the fish and the sheep and the giant redwood.
Its the place of four seasons, its day after night;
Its an empire of beauty, it is here there is life!
Who but the Lord could give sunshine and soil?
Who but He, gave us oceans and oil?
Think of the atom, the wind and the rain,
think of His gifts of colors and grain.
What price would you pay for the coo of a dove?
And how would you value a young mother's love?
Where but on earth are there children and air?
Where but around us a planet to share?
The earth is the Lord's, with riches unmeasured;
The home where we live, a world to be treasured.
We can spoil it, or keep it, as a land full fair,
for we are His stewards, His earth is our care.
CONSIDER THE EARTH, CONSIDER IT WELL !
Glenn DeLodder
Read: Genesis 1:26-31
ODE TO THE EARTH
It's the mountains and valleys, the forests and flowers;
Its the sky overhead, and summertime showers.
Its the storehouse of waters, the source of our food;
Its the fish and the sheep and the giant redwood.
Its the place of four seasons, its day after night;
Its an empire of beauty, it is here there is life!
Who but the Lord could give sunshine and soil?
Who but He, gave us oceans and oil?
Think of the atom, the wind and the rain,
think of His gifts of colors and grain.
What price would you pay for the coo of a dove?
And how would you value a young mother's love?
Where but on earth are there children and air?
Where but around us a planet to share?
The earth is the Lord's, with riches unmeasured;
The home where we live, a world to be treasured.
We can spoil it, or keep it, as a land full fair,
for we are His stewards, His earth is our care.
CONSIDER THE EARTH, CONSIDER IT WELL !
Glenn DeLodder
March 24, 2007
WISER THAN YOU KNOW!
Proverbs 3:13 - Blessed is the one who finds wisdom and the one who obtains understanding.
In many areas you are knowledgeable. But do you know that you are wise, too? Perhaps far wiser than you realize.
Wisdom is more than knowledge. Wisdom is the product of lessons learned in the school of life. Wisdom can be hard won; for it is often birthed in the ashes of failure.
Theodore Levitt, of the Harvard Business School, said, "Experience comes from what we have done. Wisdom comes from what we have done badly." If that is true, I am wiser than I ever imagined!
One man tells of sitting next to a "wise" woman on a flight to Florida. He was preparing his notes for one of the parent-education seminars he conducted as an educational psychologist. Bessie, an older woman sitting next to him, explained that she was returning to Miami after having spent two weeks visiting her six children, eighteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren in Boston.
Then she inquired what he did for a living. The man explained that he was a doctor psychologist specializing in children. He dreaded telling her this, as he fully expected her to question him for free professional advice during the three-hour flight. Instead, she sat back, picked up a magazine and said, "So doctor, if there's anything you want to know, just ask me."
Bessie's years of parenting and grand-parenting gave her what no professional degrees could -- wisdom. And though her comment may have been made in jest, she probably could have added much to the seminar.
Don't dismiss those mistakes and tough times you have suffered. Don't discount your many life experiences. You paid a high price for them. And if you learned well, they brought you something priceless -- wisdom! For everything you have done -- EVERYTHING -- has given you experience. And if it did not all go as well as you'd hoped, then you also gained some wisdom. This wisdom, the progeny of your setbacks and difficulties may be your most valuable asset!
Who will benefit from your wisdom today?
Heavenly Father, we pray for wisdom from above, please help us spread your peace and love and may we live each moment of the day guided by wisdom. Amen
Cindy Rolka
Proverbs 3:13 - Blessed is the one who finds wisdom and the one who obtains understanding.
In many areas you are knowledgeable. But do you know that you are wise, too? Perhaps far wiser than you realize.
Wisdom is more than knowledge. Wisdom is the product of lessons learned in the school of life. Wisdom can be hard won; for it is often birthed in the ashes of failure.
Theodore Levitt, of the Harvard Business School, said, "Experience comes from what we have done. Wisdom comes from what we have done badly." If that is true, I am wiser than I ever imagined!
One man tells of sitting next to a "wise" woman on a flight to Florida. He was preparing his notes for one of the parent-education seminars he conducted as an educational psychologist. Bessie, an older woman sitting next to him, explained that she was returning to Miami after having spent two weeks visiting her six children, eighteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren in Boston.
Then she inquired what he did for a living. The man explained that he was a doctor psychologist specializing in children. He dreaded telling her this, as he fully expected her to question him for free professional advice during the three-hour flight. Instead, she sat back, picked up a magazine and said, "So doctor, if there's anything you want to know, just ask me."
Bessie's years of parenting and grand-parenting gave her what no professional degrees could -- wisdom. And though her comment may have been made in jest, she probably could have added much to the seminar.
Don't dismiss those mistakes and tough times you have suffered. Don't discount your many life experiences. You paid a high price for them. And if you learned well, they brought you something priceless -- wisdom! For everything you have done -- EVERYTHING -- has given you experience. And if it did not all go as well as you'd hoped, then you also gained some wisdom. This wisdom, the progeny of your setbacks and difficulties may be your most valuable asset!
Who will benefit from your wisdom today?
Heavenly Father, we pray for wisdom from above, please help us spread your peace and love and may we live each moment of the day guided by wisdom. Amen
Cindy Rolka
March 23, 2007
Reflections of God's Grace
Read: Acts 2:42-47
There’s a businessman
There’s a widowed wife
There’s a smiling face with a shattered life
There’s a teenage girl with a choice to make
It’s crowded here in church today
And the preacher says as the sermon ends
Please close your eyes and bow your heads
Is there anyone in need of prayer
Jesus wants to meet you here
‘cause we all fall short
We all have sinned
But when you let
God’s Grace break in…
It’s beautiful
Beautiful
Come as you are
Surrender your heart
Broken and beautiful
Well he’d never been to church before
But he came today as a last resort
His world was crashing in
And he was suffocating in his sin
But tears ran down
As hope rushed in
He closed his eyes
Raised his hands
Worshiping the God who can
Bring him back to life again
Cause there’s nothing more beautiful to God
Than when his sons and daughters come
Broken
Alleluia, Alleluia
Come as you are
Alleluia, Alleluia
Come as you are
Alleluia, Alleluia
Come as you are
(Come as you are)
Surrender your heart
Broken and beautiful
Alleluia, Alleluia
Come as you are
(Come as you are)
Surrender your heart
Broken and beautiful
- Mark Schultz, "Broken and Beautiful"
Leave it to a 20 something kid to make a devotional out of a contemporary Christian music song. This song is one of my current favourites. Mark Schultz’s “Broken and Beautiful” is a great song about the love of God and how that love permeates the church. I have often felt like there is nothing that can go right; in middle school it was “I’ve never messed up this badly before”. In high school it was “how many people can God take from me so close together” and “If I get to college, not where”. College presented changes in life among other typical college difficulties like “What am I going to do for the rest of my life?”
That’s pretty much where this church tirelessly stepped in, giving advice, guidance and opinions. I know that the love of the church will find me another “home away from home” as I begin my life in Dallas. Much like Schultz’s song, it doesn’t matter what circumstances brought you to church; the warmth of the congregation instantly lifts your burdens and puts a smile on your face. I always looked forward to long weekends and vacations from school to come home and be able to go to church because it has been such a big part of my life. I love being able to come and just be myself with my extended family and talk about problems, and listen to the positive messages we receive from our ministers.
This Lenten season let us remember what makes us a church family. It is the unending love we share for each other and the constant reflection of Gods’ grace. The same love Jesus shared with us when he died on the cross. It doesn’t matter what circumstances brought you in, what matters is that you are there. You have seen yourself in need of some aspect the church can provide. Love, help, hope, togetherness or the opportunity to serve, whatever it was, you were able to feel it here. It is the grace of God which brings us together.
Dear God,
Let us know your grace in every event life brings us. Give us the strength to know you are never out of reach. Give us continued grace to share your love with all who need it. Amen.
Mark Brammer
Read: Acts 2:42-47
There’s a businessman
There’s a widowed wife
There’s a smiling face with a shattered life
There’s a teenage girl with a choice to make
It’s crowded here in church today
And the preacher says as the sermon ends
Please close your eyes and bow your heads
Is there anyone in need of prayer
Jesus wants to meet you here
‘cause we all fall short
We all have sinned
But when you let
God’s Grace break in…
It’s beautiful
Beautiful
Come as you are
Surrender your heart
Broken and beautiful
Well he’d never been to church before
But he came today as a last resort
His world was crashing in
And he was suffocating in his sin
But tears ran down
As hope rushed in
He closed his eyes
Raised his hands
Worshiping the God who can
Bring him back to life again
Cause there’s nothing more beautiful to God
Than when his sons and daughters come
Broken
Alleluia, Alleluia
Come as you are
Alleluia, Alleluia
Come as you are
Alleluia, Alleluia
Come as you are
(Come as you are)
Surrender your heart
Broken and beautiful
Alleluia, Alleluia
Come as you are
(Come as you are)
Surrender your heart
Broken and beautiful
- Mark Schultz, "Broken and Beautiful"
Leave it to a 20 something kid to make a devotional out of a contemporary Christian music song. This song is one of my current favourites. Mark Schultz’s “Broken and Beautiful” is a great song about the love of God and how that love permeates the church. I have often felt like there is nothing that can go right; in middle school it was “I’ve never messed up this badly before”. In high school it was “how many people can God take from me so close together” and “If I get to college, not where”. College presented changes in life among other typical college difficulties like “What am I going to do for the rest of my life?”
That’s pretty much where this church tirelessly stepped in, giving advice, guidance and opinions. I know that the love of the church will find me another “home away from home” as I begin my life in Dallas. Much like Schultz’s song, it doesn’t matter what circumstances brought you to church; the warmth of the congregation instantly lifts your burdens and puts a smile on your face. I always looked forward to long weekends and vacations from school to come home and be able to go to church because it has been such a big part of my life. I love being able to come and just be myself with my extended family and talk about problems, and listen to the positive messages we receive from our ministers.
This Lenten season let us remember what makes us a church family. It is the unending love we share for each other and the constant reflection of Gods’ grace. The same love Jesus shared with us when he died on the cross. It doesn’t matter what circumstances brought you in, what matters is that you are there. You have seen yourself in need of some aspect the church can provide. Love, help, hope, togetherness or the opportunity to serve, whatever it was, you were able to feel it here. It is the grace of God which brings us together.
Dear God,
Let us know your grace in every event life brings us. Give us the strength to know you are never out of reach. Give us continued grace to share your love with all who need it. Amen.
Mark Brammer
March 22, 2007
Jerusalem Awaits
Jesus’ final words to his disciples come from Acts 1:7-8:
“It is not for you to know the times or periods that the father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you: and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.”
Old Jerusalem is where Christ was crucified, and tradition says Solomon built his great temple, its remnants today being the Western Wall- Judaism’s holiest site. During our Western wall experience (or wailing wall as it’s sometimes called), many blue starred flags emphasized the 6 rows of Israeli youth in military green awaiting induction. Muslims believe devoutly that Prophet Mohamed swooned thru Jerusalem on his notorious Night Journey, so just around the bend the Muslim temple – the gold gilded dome of the rock serves as a Moslem’s 2nd holiest site, Mecca number one.
If a guide was pressed for time (let’s say a Methodist tour guide was needing to be early for a church potluck that evening) you could be led in a short time through 1 of 7 gates through the ancient walled city of Jerusalem- Entering Dung gate could start everyone at the Jewish quarter’s Wailing Wall, where Christians, Jews and Muslims pray or place written prayers between the huge blocks. Leaving the wall, distant glimpses of that gold Dome of the Rock in the Muslim quarter soon appear.
Then you’d trek through the spirited shoppers in the Christian quarter (which between the fresh odors and beckoning merchants has the first 9 of 14 stations of the cross- on Jesus’ excruciating journey to his crucifixion). Christ’s final 5 stations adjoin the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, first built in 300 AD. Here Christ was crucified, at least one Christian tradition says.
All this after initially donning a paper Jewish yarmulke on your head at the Western Wall, then, like thunder - Mosques cry to Allah’s faithful via loudspeaker. A Muslim Call to prayer, randomly seconds apart, (chant-like and foreboding) from at least 3 different Mosques 5 times daily.
Perhaps finally you ponder and pray amidst incense tranquilly wafting amidst Christ’s Holy place of suffering and death. Candles adorn the dark tomb in super nova lines of brightness. You’re unmistakably in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher among other dazzled Christians with the hierarchs - Armenian, Greek Orthodox and Catholic who are the keepers- thronging at Christ’s site of crucifixion and burial…
Old Jerusalem’s narrow and humanistic shopping corridors dramatize old school food presentation; fresh fruit and veggies, meat, fish and poultry, still oven warm pita and sesame breads, all enrapturing the senses, creating dynamic shopping opportunities- comparably, most shopping malls seem passé and plastic.
The Most Biblical Colorful Political tiny town within a city ever imagined melds with cultural Divisions and splendor. Thousands of years, multiple attacks and wars necessitated 9 re-buildings (with a San Francisco style earthquake in the middle). With so many unresolved fears, stark misunderstandings, and various world viewpoints floating about, our minds searched for truths.
WWJ DO? WWJ Think? WWJ say?
One remarkable area a tour could overlook is the crammed dwellings and hodge-podge everyday life in the 4 religious quarters. They cohabitate, each with just a few square blocks, centered in the biblical world - Muslims, Jews, Christians and Armenians.
Suddenly, reveling in such unparalleled diversity, strife and beauty, you know why this land - the land of our Lord’s Passion.. The land of the first believers - eyewitnesses of Jesus Christ – The first and last, OUR lord and savior.
“…. You will be my witness in Jerusalem, …….And to the ends of the earth,” There is but one God, no matter his name, one Christ we worship and praise. My friends, Jerusalem awaits your witness.
George Sperry
Jesus’ final words to his disciples come from Acts 1:7-8:
“It is not for you to know the times or periods that the father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you: and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.”
Old Jerusalem is where Christ was crucified, and tradition says Solomon built his great temple, its remnants today being the Western Wall- Judaism’s holiest site. During our Western wall experience (or wailing wall as it’s sometimes called), many blue starred flags emphasized the 6 rows of Israeli youth in military green awaiting induction. Muslims believe devoutly that Prophet Mohamed swooned thru Jerusalem on his notorious Night Journey, so just around the bend the Muslim temple – the gold gilded dome of the rock serves as a Moslem’s 2nd holiest site, Mecca number one.
If a guide was pressed for time (let’s say a Methodist tour guide was needing to be early for a church potluck that evening) you could be led in a short time through 1 of 7 gates through the ancient walled city of Jerusalem- Entering Dung gate could start everyone at the Jewish quarter’s Wailing Wall, where Christians, Jews and Muslims pray or place written prayers between the huge blocks. Leaving the wall, distant glimpses of that gold Dome of the Rock in the Muslim quarter soon appear.
Then you’d trek through the spirited shoppers in the Christian quarter (which between the fresh odors and beckoning merchants has the first 9 of 14 stations of the cross- on Jesus’ excruciating journey to his crucifixion). Christ’s final 5 stations adjoin the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, first built in 300 AD. Here Christ was crucified, at least one Christian tradition says.
All this after initially donning a paper Jewish yarmulke on your head at the Western Wall, then, like thunder - Mosques cry to Allah’s faithful via loudspeaker. A Muslim Call to prayer, randomly seconds apart, (chant-like and foreboding) from at least 3 different Mosques 5 times daily.
Perhaps finally you ponder and pray amidst incense tranquilly wafting amidst Christ’s Holy place of suffering and death. Candles adorn the dark tomb in super nova lines of brightness. You’re unmistakably in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher among other dazzled Christians with the hierarchs - Armenian, Greek Orthodox and Catholic who are the keepers- thronging at Christ’s site of crucifixion and burial…
Old Jerusalem’s narrow and humanistic shopping corridors dramatize old school food presentation; fresh fruit and veggies, meat, fish and poultry, still oven warm pita and sesame breads, all enrapturing the senses, creating dynamic shopping opportunities- comparably, most shopping malls seem passé and plastic.
The Most Biblical Colorful Political tiny town within a city ever imagined melds with cultural Divisions and splendor. Thousands of years, multiple attacks and wars necessitated 9 re-buildings (with a San Francisco style earthquake in the middle). With so many unresolved fears, stark misunderstandings, and various world viewpoints floating about, our minds searched for truths.
WWJ DO? WWJ Think? WWJ say?
One remarkable area a tour could overlook is the crammed dwellings and hodge-podge everyday life in the 4 religious quarters. They cohabitate, each with just a few square blocks, centered in the biblical world - Muslims, Jews, Christians and Armenians.
Suddenly, reveling in such unparalleled diversity, strife and beauty, you know why this land - the land of our Lord’s Passion.. The land of the first believers - eyewitnesses of Jesus Christ – The first and last, OUR lord and savior.
“…. You will be my witness in Jerusalem, …….And to the ends of the earth,” There is but one God, no matter his name, one Christ we worship and praise. My friends, Jerusalem awaits your witness.
George Sperry
March 21, 2007
What a Year!
Read: Matthew 6:31-34
It was bad when our good friend was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She has undergone chemo- and radiation, but she has the most wonderful positive attitude. She even baked and decorated her house beautifully for Christmas. We pray for her every day.
August 11 was very good. We celebrated our 50th anniversary by going out to dinner with our children and grandchildren. We were all together which made it so special. It was exactly what we wanted. Two days later, they had a surprise party (which we didn’t want), but it was great – kids, adults, relatives, friends and even college friends.
Thanksgiving at Heidi and Charlie’s is always a very special day for all of us. After dinner things weren’t so good. We were still at the table when Gary told us they were losing their business (which they had both worked so hard for). It was a blow.
But things turned better again when he said, “We’ll be okay. All that matters is the people sitting around this table. We have our health and we have each other”.
We have hope and we have faith.
What more can we ask?
Shirley Van Becelaere
Read: Matthew 6:31-34
It was bad when our good friend was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She has undergone chemo- and radiation, but she has the most wonderful positive attitude. She even baked and decorated her house beautifully for Christmas. We pray for her every day.
August 11 was very good. We celebrated our 50th anniversary by going out to dinner with our children and grandchildren. We were all together which made it so special. It was exactly what we wanted. Two days later, they had a surprise party (which we didn’t want), but it was great – kids, adults, relatives, friends and even college friends.
Thanksgiving at Heidi and Charlie’s is always a very special day for all of us. After dinner things weren’t so good. We were still at the table when Gary told us they were losing their business (which they had both worked so hard for). It was a blow.
But things turned better again when he said, “We’ll be okay. All that matters is the people sitting around this table. We have our health and we have each other”.
We have hope and we have faith.
What more can we ask?
Shirley Van Becelaere
March 20, 2007
Make A Difference
Read: 1 Corinthians 10:23-24
This past summer I traveled to Kentucky with 36 other people. The morning we were leaving my dad came in my room at 5:30 to wake me up and said, “Abby get up we are going to Work Camp today!” I moaned and turned over. He came back into my room at 6:00 and literally had to drag me out of bed.
The first day was extremely awkward and all I wanted was to go home, and to make things worse I would have to get up early, go to a church service, and then go work in the heat all day. I was having a terrible time. The week went on and I started to form relationships with the other youth and adults. The trip began to be fun and after our day off we were all having the time of our lives.
On Friday we finished our projects. I, myself, was one on the last four people at my site. I will never forget the look on the elderly woman’s face as Mr. Lorenz handed her the keys to the new doors we had installed. The joy and thankfulness in her eyes has forever changed me.
On the drive back to the settlement we sat in silence. I was thinking back on the past year with these 36 people; fundraising, working, laughing, and growing in faith together. At that moment I understood why the adults had taken their vacation time away from their families to travel with us; they did it to guide us and mold us into better Christians.
The trip opened my eyes to the poverty in America and drew me closer to God. It showed me that I, with the help of God, can make a difference.
Abigail Martin
Read: 1 Corinthians 10:23-24
This past summer I traveled to Kentucky with 36 other people. The morning we were leaving my dad came in my room at 5:30 to wake me up and said, “Abby get up we are going to Work Camp today!” I moaned and turned over. He came back into my room at 6:00 and literally had to drag me out of bed.
The first day was extremely awkward and all I wanted was to go home, and to make things worse I would have to get up early, go to a church service, and then go work in the heat all day. I was having a terrible time. The week went on and I started to form relationships with the other youth and adults. The trip began to be fun and after our day off we were all having the time of our lives.
On Friday we finished our projects. I, myself, was one on the last four people at my site. I will never forget the look on the elderly woman’s face as Mr. Lorenz handed her the keys to the new doors we had installed. The joy and thankfulness in her eyes has forever changed me.
On the drive back to the settlement we sat in silence. I was thinking back on the past year with these 36 people; fundraising, working, laughing, and growing in faith together. At that moment I understood why the adults had taken their vacation time away from their families to travel with us; they did it to guide us and mold us into better Christians.
The trip opened my eyes to the poverty in America and drew me closer to God. It showed me that I, with the help of God, can make a difference.
Abigail Martin
March 19, 2007
Boots, Gloves, and the Body of Christ
Read: Galatians 6:2-10
“Now you are the body do Christ.” 1 Corinthians 12:27
What better says “work” than a sturdy set of leather gloves and a pair of roughed-up boots? Not much. But what good can a glove do without a hand inside it? How far can boots go without the feet that wear them?
Here are some names of hands and feet: Luis Versical, Emily Stowell, Bruce Kafarski, Tamara Baubie, Lynn Van de Putte, Dave DeWitt – and there are more. These people are the hands and feet of Christ. They will be wearing boots and gloves and helping Christ rebuild homes and lives that were shattered eighteen months ago by two hurricanes.
And just as gloves and boots don't go far without hands and feet – hands and feet can't work without arms and legs and a body of Christ to guide the work, and pump life's blood to sustain the effort.
So who is that body of Christ? You know, of course. It's all of us. It's you and whoever else is reading this devotion.
Maybe you went to Gumbopalooza to have some fun and do some good. Or maybe you will join us on the trip to New Orleans, where we are going to have a lot of fun and do a lot of good.
But if you didn't contribute a dessert, and you didn't make it to Gumbopalooza, and you can't spare a little something to help those still suffering, it's OK.
Just keep us in your prayers, and especially pray for the people we are going to serve.
You are the body of Christ, and your presence, your prayers, and your service sustain the hands and feet of Christ wherever they work.
The Volunteers in Mission headed for New Orleans are a special group of people, but they aren't the only special group. People in this congregation serve in dozens of missions within our family of faith, and throughout the community and world at large.
I describe all of us as the Body of Christ, but everyone of us is also called in some way to be His hands and feet. If you haven't found your calling, just take a moment now to listen to the quiet voice deep inside you. What is it saying right now? If the noise of the world is drowning it out, then stop for a moment right here, right now.
Can you hear Him now?
Adapted from a Gumbopalooza and Volunteers in Mission announcement 2/4/07.
Bob Rossbach
Read: Galatians 6:2-10
“Now you are the body do Christ.” 1 Corinthians 12:27
What better says “work” than a sturdy set of leather gloves and a pair of roughed-up boots? Not much. But what good can a glove do without a hand inside it? How far can boots go without the feet that wear them?
Here are some names of hands and feet: Luis Versical, Emily Stowell, Bruce Kafarski, Tamara Baubie, Lynn Van de Putte, Dave DeWitt – and there are more. These people are the hands and feet of Christ. They will be wearing boots and gloves and helping Christ rebuild homes and lives that were shattered eighteen months ago by two hurricanes.
And just as gloves and boots don't go far without hands and feet – hands and feet can't work without arms and legs and a body of Christ to guide the work, and pump life's blood to sustain the effort.
So who is that body of Christ? You know, of course. It's all of us. It's you and whoever else is reading this devotion.
Maybe you went to Gumbopalooza to have some fun and do some good. Or maybe you will join us on the trip to New Orleans, where we are going to have a lot of fun and do a lot of good.
But if you didn't contribute a dessert, and you didn't make it to Gumbopalooza, and you can't spare a little something to help those still suffering, it's OK.
Just keep us in your prayers, and especially pray for the people we are going to serve.
You are the body of Christ, and your presence, your prayers, and your service sustain the hands and feet of Christ wherever they work.
The Volunteers in Mission headed for New Orleans are a special group of people, but they aren't the only special group. People in this congregation serve in dozens of missions within our family of faith, and throughout the community and world at large.
I describe all of us as the Body of Christ, but everyone of us is also called in some way to be His hands and feet. If you haven't found your calling, just take a moment now to listen to the quiet voice deep inside you. What is it saying right now? If the noise of the world is drowning it out, then stop for a moment right here, right now.
Can you hear Him now?
Adapted from a Gumbopalooza and Volunteers in Mission announcement 2/4/07.
Bob Rossbach
March 18, 2007
You Don't Have To Do It Alone
A few years ago, the Wednesday Evening Discussion Group (now known as the Spiritual Adventurers) read and discussed the book by M. Scott Peck, M.D. The opening sentence is “Live is difficult.” I took issue with that statement, a generalization. As we read further and discussed the ideas presented by Dr. Peck, I acknowledged that there have been many difficult time in my life. There are people for whom life is always difficult, but still I resisted the idea of the generalization.
I do believe that we make life more difficult than necessary. First, by some choices we make, secondly by resisting the help that is always available to us.
One biblical passage that often comes to my mind is 1 Peter 5:7. “Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.” (TEV) Since I tend to be a worrier, I have a few back-up verses. One found in Philippians 4:6-7, “Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart. And God's peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.” (TEV)
There are biblical helps for all of life's situations and emotions: anger, belief, comfort, envy, guilt, guidance, love, peace, poverty, sickness, worship, and so many more. One other thought, God has not promised that we will have not troubles, but he has promised to be with us through them. We only have to acknowledge him, and let him come into our everyday lives.
Carol Ann Maleitzke
A few years ago, the Wednesday Evening Discussion Group (now known as the Spiritual Adventurers) read and discussed the book by M. Scott Peck, M.D. The opening sentence is “Live is difficult.” I took issue with that statement, a generalization. As we read further and discussed the ideas presented by Dr. Peck, I acknowledged that there have been many difficult time in my life. There are people for whom life is always difficult, but still I resisted the idea of the generalization.
I do believe that we make life more difficult than necessary. First, by some choices we make, secondly by resisting the help that is always available to us.
One biblical passage that often comes to my mind is 1 Peter 5:7. “Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.” (TEV) Since I tend to be a worrier, I have a few back-up verses. One found in Philippians 4:6-7, “Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart. And God's peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.” (TEV)
There are biblical helps for all of life's situations and emotions: anger, belief, comfort, envy, guilt, guidance, love, peace, poverty, sickness, worship, and so many more. One other thought, God has not promised that we will have not troubles, but he has promised to be with us through them. We only have to acknowledge him, and let him come into our everyday lives.
Carol Ann Maleitzke
March 17, 2007
God's Coffee
Read: Psalm 23:5-6
A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.
Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee.
When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each other's cups.
"Now consider this: Life is the coffee; the jobs, money, and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of Life we live. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us."
God brews the coffee, not the cups ........ Enjoy your coffee!
The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God !!!
Mary Ellen Lewandoski
Just as at the wedding at Cana in Galilee the plain stone jars, which were normally used to hold water for cleansing rituals, were used by Jesus to bring forth wine - to bring Joy to the celebration - so in this story, God is showing us that if He is allowed to fill our vessels, they will always be filled with the best - no matter what kind of cup or pot we may have.
(Thanks, Mary Ellen - you knew I couldn’t resist a devotion about coffee, didn’t you? - Charlie)
Read: Psalm 23:5-6
A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.
Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee.
When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each other's cups.
"Now consider this: Life is the coffee; the jobs, money, and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of Life we live. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us."
God brews the coffee, not the cups ........ Enjoy your coffee!
The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God !!!
Mary Ellen Lewandoski
Just as at the wedding at Cana in Galilee the plain stone jars, which were normally used to hold water for cleansing rituals, were used by Jesus to bring forth wine - to bring Joy to the celebration - so in this story, God is showing us that if He is allowed to fill our vessels, they will always be filled with the best - no matter what kind of cup or pot we may have.
(Thanks, Mary Ellen - you knew I couldn’t resist a devotion about coffee, didn’t you? - Charlie)
March 16, 2007
Scrambled Eggs and Hank Wounk
Read: 2 Timothy 1:3-5
On a summer day in the early 60's my brothers and I were playing with some of our buddies in the back yard. Crawling in under some shrubs and pine trees we created what most kids would call a fort. The trees and shrubs were so thick, no one could see in but we could see out. (Mom saw us the whole time). At the time, our dad was opening a new furniture store, so our fort became a store and we named it “the Hank Wounk Store”. We played in there all summer. None of us remembers who Hank Wounk was.
One day after a whole morning of hard work in the store, Mom came out with lunch, as she always did. This time it was a plate stacked with scrambled egg sandwiches, cut on the diagonal, they taste better that way. My brothers, our buddies, and I didn’t eat them - we inhaled them. That day I thought I could live the rest of my life eating nothing but scrambled egg sandwiches. Then it was back to work on some very important construction projects in the sandbox. We had the biggest sandbox in the neighborhood.
One may not think of the significance of scrambled egg sandwiches at first. Emeril himself couldn’t hold a candle to my Mom's cooking. When you factor in the hope and dreams of a young mother and the love and attention she puts into everything she does for her children, the sandwiches become something more. They become a cherished memory for a lifetime, and a life lesson that can’t be taught in any other school.
As time goes on and I become older I find more often than not, it’s the little, seemingly insignificant things we do for people, for no particular reason at all, that added up make the world a better place.
Happy Birthday, Mom
Ron Draper
PS: My Dad Wears a Cape and Flies in through the Window! Always Has, Always Will!
This may look weird at 1st glance, but if you consider the context and inner meaning of who wrote it and who it's about, I think it applies to all of us at some level.
Read: 2 Timothy 1:3-5
On a summer day in the early 60's my brothers and I were playing with some of our buddies in the back yard. Crawling in under some shrubs and pine trees we created what most kids would call a fort. The trees and shrubs were so thick, no one could see in but we could see out. (Mom saw us the whole time). At the time, our dad was opening a new furniture store, so our fort became a store and we named it “the Hank Wounk Store”. We played in there all summer. None of us remembers who Hank Wounk was.
One day after a whole morning of hard work in the store, Mom came out with lunch, as she always did. This time it was a plate stacked with scrambled egg sandwiches, cut on the diagonal, they taste better that way. My brothers, our buddies, and I didn’t eat them - we inhaled them. That day I thought I could live the rest of my life eating nothing but scrambled egg sandwiches. Then it was back to work on some very important construction projects in the sandbox. We had the biggest sandbox in the neighborhood.
One may not think of the significance of scrambled egg sandwiches at first. Emeril himself couldn’t hold a candle to my Mom's cooking. When you factor in the hope and dreams of a young mother and the love and attention she puts into everything she does for her children, the sandwiches become something more. They become a cherished memory for a lifetime, and a life lesson that can’t be taught in any other school.
As time goes on and I become older I find more often than not, it’s the little, seemingly insignificant things we do for people, for no particular reason at all, that added up make the world a better place.
Happy Birthday, Mom
Ron Draper
PS: My Dad Wears a Cape and Flies in through the Window! Always Has, Always Will!
This may look weird at 1st glance, but if you consider the context and inner meaning of who wrote it and who it's about, I think it applies to all of us at some level.
March 15, 2007
THE WALL
Read: Luke 19:41-43
I have pictures of many places we visited where Jesus walked. As I look at them I relive the emotions I felt as I was there and viewed them in person. One memory does not need pictures to help me remember – it is etched permanently in my mind.
As we drove into Bethlehem we were stopped at a tall cement wall with a check point. Later as we left Bethlehem we waited about 45 minutes at this same place while guards roughly turned back several men who apparently did not have the right papers.
With its wall and towers and barbed wire and armed guards Bethlehem looks like a prison. And to many of its residents it is!
This wall separates many Palestinian families from their land or shops; children from their schools; nursing homes from hospitals; the bereaved from the cemeteries.
And what is the reason for this wall? According to our news media it is to prevent terrorism. People who spoke to us said it is simply for land.
In 1973 Ariel Sharon said “We’ll make a pastrami sandwich of them. We’ll insert a strip of Jewish settlement, in between the Palestinians, and then another strip of Jewish settlement, right across the West Bank, so that in 25 years time, neither the United Nations, nor the United States, nobody, will be able to tear it apart.”
And in 1998, 25 years later, he said “Everybody has to move, run and grab as many hilltops as they can … Everything we don’t grab will go to them.”
Several people who spoke to us told stories of coming home from work to find their property had been confiscated and they now had to live in “temporary” relocation camps. Today there are fences around Bethlehem, Hebron, Jericho, Ramalah, Nablus and dozens of other villages, separated by illegal Israeli settlements.
Later we visited the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem. I saw a quotation along with a picture from a Polish ghetto which said “I spent the next three years in camps.” And another quote said “Remember only that I was innocent and, just like you, mortal on that day. I, too, had had a face marked by rage, by pity, by joy, quite simply a human face.
My scripture is from Luke 19:41-43.
As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. Indeed the days will come upon you when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you and hem you in on every side.”
As we drove by this wall around Bethlehem I wept. I wanted to bring back a story of peace and hope. There is no peace. Strangely I saw many examples of hope, but these walls must come down.
Ched Fine
Read: Luke 19:41-43
I have pictures of many places we visited where Jesus walked. As I look at them I relive the emotions I felt as I was there and viewed them in person. One memory does not need pictures to help me remember – it is etched permanently in my mind.
As we drove into Bethlehem we were stopped at a tall cement wall with a check point. Later as we left Bethlehem we waited about 45 minutes at this same place while guards roughly turned back several men who apparently did not have the right papers.
With its wall and towers and barbed wire and armed guards Bethlehem looks like a prison. And to many of its residents it is!
This wall separates many Palestinian families from their land or shops; children from their schools; nursing homes from hospitals; the bereaved from the cemeteries.
And what is the reason for this wall? According to our news media it is to prevent terrorism. People who spoke to us said it is simply for land.
In 1973 Ariel Sharon said “We’ll make a pastrami sandwich of them. We’ll insert a strip of Jewish settlement, in between the Palestinians, and then another strip of Jewish settlement, right across the West Bank, so that in 25 years time, neither the United Nations, nor the United States, nobody, will be able to tear it apart.”
And in 1998, 25 years later, he said “Everybody has to move, run and grab as many hilltops as they can … Everything we don’t grab will go to them.”
Several people who spoke to us told stories of coming home from work to find their property had been confiscated and they now had to live in “temporary” relocation camps. Today there are fences around Bethlehem, Hebron, Jericho, Ramalah, Nablus and dozens of other villages, separated by illegal Israeli settlements.
Later we visited the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem. I saw a quotation along with a picture from a Polish ghetto which said “I spent the next three years in camps.” And another quote said “Remember only that I was innocent and, just like you, mortal on that day. I, too, had had a face marked by rage, by pity, by joy, quite simply a human face.
My scripture is from Luke 19:41-43.
As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. Indeed the days will come upon you when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you and hem you in on every side.”
As we drove by this wall around Bethlehem I wept. I wanted to bring back a story of peace and hope. There is no peace. Strangely I saw many examples of hope, but these walls must come down.
Ched Fine
March 14, 2007
Gifts of Time
Read: James 1:22-27
I am the fourth son of four boys. When growing up in upper NY State, my mother, a good Presbyterian woman, regularly visited a nursing home where she spent time with the residents that had no connection to our family or friends. Being the youngest, and at home while the older brothers were at school, I had to tag along with my mother for these visits. Little did I know the impact that that fact had on me.
Today, perhaps in part due to this ingrained activity from my youth, visiting the homebound, or continuing care facility residents, is one of the things that I do. Now, I do not doing it weekly or even every-other-week, but I do try to make time for this activity.
One of the people that I visit is Bob (Charles R.) Wilson. Bob and his wife are still members of our church and he has provided numerous pro-bono services over the recent history of GPUMC, particularly where a legal presence was required, and sometimes vital. He also is missed as a member of the choir's bass section.
Bob, when he was actively pursuing the legal profession, provided Sue and I wonderful and generous assistance to our small company. He personified the word "counselor" when applied to the legal profession. He, and his staff, not only supplied the detailed legal approach, but also gave some needed direction that naive young business owners desperately required.
We owe this man at many levels, and it is a pleasure to be able to provide a small token of our appreciation at a time when he is held to the personal physical confines that sometimes confront our lives.
I thank both my mother and Bob, for the gifts they bestowed on the world.
Dave DeWitt
Read: James 1:22-27
I am the fourth son of four boys. When growing up in upper NY State, my mother, a good Presbyterian woman, regularly visited a nursing home where she spent time with the residents that had no connection to our family or friends. Being the youngest, and at home while the older brothers were at school, I had to tag along with my mother for these visits. Little did I know the impact that that fact had on me.
Today, perhaps in part due to this ingrained activity from my youth, visiting the homebound, or continuing care facility residents, is one of the things that I do. Now, I do not doing it weekly or even every-other-week, but I do try to make time for this activity.
One of the people that I visit is Bob (Charles R.) Wilson. Bob and his wife are still members of our church and he has provided numerous pro-bono services over the recent history of GPUMC, particularly where a legal presence was required, and sometimes vital. He also is missed as a member of the choir's bass section.
Bob, when he was actively pursuing the legal profession, provided Sue and I wonderful and generous assistance to our small company. He personified the word "counselor" when applied to the legal profession. He, and his staff, not only supplied the detailed legal approach, but also gave some needed direction that naive young business owners desperately required.
We owe this man at many levels, and it is a pleasure to be able to provide a small token of our appreciation at a time when he is held to the personal physical confines that sometimes confront our lives.
I thank both my mother and Bob, for the gifts they bestowed on the world.
Dave DeWitt
March 13, 2007
Do I Have To?
Read: Matthew 21:28-32
The first thing that came to my mind when I woke up on Sunday mornings was what do I have to do to get out of church and would my plan work; that was before I realized that church wasn’t so bad after all.
Maybe I would have realized this before, if I had actually tried listening to the sermon. The thing that I thought was the most boring was the sermon. They seemed so long and pointless, but had I actually listened to one? I mean sure, I showed up and sat there during the sermon, but most of the time I was doodling on the bulletin.
Once Confirmation started and I had to go to church I made it a goal to look at church in a fun way, not the kind of fun like I would get up early and start jumping around because I was going to church, but more like I don’t try to get out of going to church and don’t dread listening to the sermon.
Once I actually started listening to the sermon and trying to understand what was being read, I figured out that the sermons weren’t so boring and church isn’t so bad.
McKenzie Pearce
Read: Matthew 21:28-32
The first thing that came to my mind when I woke up on Sunday mornings was what do I have to do to get out of church and would my plan work; that was before I realized that church wasn’t so bad after all.
Maybe I would have realized this before, if I had actually tried listening to the sermon. The thing that I thought was the most boring was the sermon. They seemed so long and pointless, but had I actually listened to one? I mean sure, I showed up and sat there during the sermon, but most of the time I was doodling on the bulletin.
Once Confirmation started and I had to go to church I made it a goal to look at church in a fun way, not the kind of fun like I would get up early and start jumping around because I was going to church, but more like I don’t try to get out of going to church and don’t dread listening to the sermon.
Once I actually started listening to the sermon and trying to understand what was being read, I figured out that the sermons weren’t so boring and church isn’t so bad.
McKenzie Pearce
March 12, 2007
Wisdom
Read: Proverbs 1:1-7
I used to be smart - but that was before my children passed me up in the “smart department”. Now I see my granddaughters catching up and can foresee the day when they will also pass me. This is not just speculation since my grandson has already done that!
I am also concerned about the “social graces department”. I seem to be trailing in this department too. Starting with my wife, through my children and grand children - “They all feel the rain – I just get wet”.
However, I still have the advantage in Wisdom! Wisdom comes through age and experience. Wisdom comes from learning from one’s mistakes. I know I’m ahead because I have already made most of the mistakes they have yet to make. What concerns me is whether the gap between us is getting wider or narrower.
Wisdom does have drawbacks. I am constantly pondering why; When accidents happen, no “Guilty” bystanders are ever injured. And why only persons who are “wonderful, caring, devoted to family, etc” are the ones to die. Does this mean since we are still here, we are not of that character? And if God had meant for us to be on the metric system, would there have been only ten apostles?
It’s tough to ponder the things that are ponderable. Imagine pondering the rest.
Jack Van Becelaere
Read: Proverbs 1:1-7
I used to be smart - but that was before my children passed me up in the “smart department”. Now I see my granddaughters catching up and can foresee the day when they will also pass me. This is not just speculation since my grandson has already done that!
I am also concerned about the “social graces department”. I seem to be trailing in this department too. Starting with my wife, through my children and grand children - “They all feel the rain – I just get wet”.
However, I still have the advantage in Wisdom! Wisdom comes through age and experience. Wisdom comes from learning from one’s mistakes. I know I’m ahead because I have already made most of the mistakes they have yet to make. What concerns me is whether the gap between us is getting wider or narrower.
Wisdom does have drawbacks. I am constantly pondering why; When accidents happen, no “Guilty” bystanders are ever injured. And why only persons who are “wonderful, caring, devoted to family, etc” are the ones to die. Does this mean since we are still here, we are not of that character? And if God had meant for us to be on the metric system, would there have been only ten apostles?
It’s tough to ponder the things that are ponderable. Imagine pondering the rest.
Jack Van Becelaere
March 11, 2007
See You Sundays!
Read: Luke 10:38-42
This devotion was actually written as my devotion for the 2005 UMW Christmas dinner, but when I ran across it when cleaning a couple of weeks ago, I realized that Christmas time does not always have the monopoly on stress and chaos. So when Charlie started asking for devotions, I thought I might share it with those who are feeling a little crazy AFTER Christmas too. Here it is ... and hope to see you Sundays!
Laurie Stowell
As schedules started getting busy, even before Thanksgiving, I kept telling myself, take it easy, don’t get stressed and think about saying “no” or let those less important things go - unmade, or unattended....
But here we are, in the middle of it all, wondering if we will make it through and we keep hearing “Remember, Jesus is the reason for the season”... but that doesn’t seem to calm my worries ... this is when I know I need Sunday mornings. I need Music Sunday; I need to watch the kids anxious to light the next Advent candle. I need the weekly reinforcement, the fellowship with church family. I need Sunday morning to refresh for the week so that I can happily meet each task with a renewed spirit of the season.
I found a poem by Helen Steiner Rice that helped me focus on the reason ... it is called “So Swift the Way! So Short the Day!”
In this fast-moving world of turmoil and tension,
With problems and troubles, too many to mention,
Our days are so crowded and our hours are so few,
There’s so little time and so much to do....
We are pressured and pushed until we are “dizzy,”
There’s never a minute we’re not “crazily busy,”
And sometimes we wonder as we rush through the day –
Does God really want us to hurry this way?
Why are we impatient and continually vexed,
And often bewildered, disturbed and perplexed?
Perhaps we’re too busy with our own selfish seeking
To hear the dear Lord when He’s tenderly speaking...
We are working so tensely in our self-centered way,
We’ve no time for listening to what God has to say,
And hard as we work, at the end of the day
We know in our hearts we did not “pay our way” ...
But God in His mercy looks down on us all,
And though what we’ve done is so pitifully small,
He makes us feel welcome to kneel down and pray
For the chance to do better as we start a new day,
And life would be better if we learned to rely
On our Father in heaven without asking “why”...
And if we’d remember as we rush through the day,
“The Lord is our Shepherd and He’ll lead the way” ...
So don’t rush ahead in reckless endeavor,
Remember “He leadeth” and “Time is forever”!
Read: Luke 10:38-42
This devotion was actually written as my devotion for the 2005 UMW Christmas dinner, but when I ran across it when cleaning a couple of weeks ago, I realized that Christmas time does not always have the monopoly on stress and chaos. So when Charlie started asking for devotions, I thought I might share it with those who are feeling a little crazy AFTER Christmas too. Here it is ... and hope to see you Sundays!
Laurie Stowell
As schedules started getting busy, even before Thanksgiving, I kept telling myself, take it easy, don’t get stressed and think about saying “no” or let those less important things go - unmade, or unattended....
But here we are, in the middle of it all, wondering if we will make it through and we keep hearing “Remember, Jesus is the reason for the season”... but that doesn’t seem to calm my worries ... this is when I know I need Sunday mornings. I need Music Sunday; I need to watch the kids anxious to light the next Advent candle. I need the weekly reinforcement, the fellowship with church family. I need Sunday morning to refresh for the week so that I can happily meet each task with a renewed spirit of the season.
I found a poem by Helen Steiner Rice that helped me focus on the reason ... it is called “So Swift the Way! So Short the Day!”
In this fast-moving world of turmoil and tension,
With problems and troubles, too many to mention,
Our days are so crowded and our hours are so few,
There’s so little time and so much to do....
We are pressured and pushed until we are “dizzy,”
There’s never a minute we’re not “crazily busy,”
And sometimes we wonder as we rush through the day –
Does God really want us to hurry this way?
Why are we impatient and continually vexed,
And often bewildered, disturbed and perplexed?
Perhaps we’re too busy with our own selfish seeking
To hear the dear Lord when He’s tenderly speaking...
We are working so tensely in our self-centered way,
We’ve no time for listening to what God has to say,
And hard as we work, at the end of the day
We know in our hearts we did not “pay our way” ...
But God in His mercy looks down on us all,
And though what we’ve done is so pitifully small,
He makes us feel welcome to kneel down and pray
For the chance to do better as we start a new day,
And life would be better if we learned to rely
On our Father in heaven without asking “why”...
And if we’d remember as we rush through the day,
“The Lord is our Shepherd and He’ll lead the way” ...
So don’t rush ahead in reckless endeavor,
Remember “He leadeth” and “Time is forever”!
March 10, 2007
The Rest of the Story
Matthew 6: 34 “Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
I like to read the Upper Room. (Actually I prefer the GPUMC Lenten Devotion Book, but it doesn’t last long enough.) I realized after reading one of the devotions that I felt like I needed a sequel – or next week’s episode… In fact I realized that every once in awhile there is a devotional cliffhanger. Somebody forgave a friend in hopes that someday…. Somebody chose to rely on God to heal a family member… Somebody rejoiced in small triumphs and the beauty of each day as they battled cancer… What happened? Did the friend come back? Did the family member survive? Is the cancer in remission?
As we go through the rough patches in life sometimes we realize that it’s not what happens in the end that really matters. I may not know the specifics of what happened to the writers from the Upper Room, but I do know that God was with them, and maybe more importantly they knew He was with them. I don’t know the specifics of what will happen next for me either, but I know God is with me too.
Jesus said that if God will feed the birds and clothe the lilies, how much more will he care for you. He knows what you need. He’ll take care of you. So – while I may not know exactly how each story ends, I know that for all of us who love God and include him in our lives the stories will end happily ever after. How could they not when God is there?
Thought for the day: Just like any parent would want to take care of his/her children, God wants to care for you.
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for watching out for us, and taking care of our needs.
Jacki Rumpp
Matthew 6: 34 “Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
I like to read the Upper Room. (Actually I prefer the GPUMC Lenten Devotion Book, but it doesn’t last long enough.) I realized after reading one of the devotions that I felt like I needed a sequel – or next week’s episode… In fact I realized that every once in awhile there is a devotional cliffhanger. Somebody forgave a friend in hopes that someday…. Somebody chose to rely on God to heal a family member… Somebody rejoiced in small triumphs and the beauty of each day as they battled cancer… What happened? Did the friend come back? Did the family member survive? Is the cancer in remission?
As we go through the rough patches in life sometimes we realize that it’s not what happens in the end that really matters. I may not know the specifics of what happened to the writers from the Upper Room, but I do know that God was with them, and maybe more importantly they knew He was with them. I don’t know the specifics of what will happen next for me either, but I know God is with me too.
Jesus said that if God will feed the birds and clothe the lilies, how much more will he care for you. He knows what you need. He’ll take care of you. So – while I may not know exactly how each story ends, I know that for all of us who love God and include him in our lives the stories will end happily ever after. How could they not when God is there?
Thought for the day: Just like any parent would want to take care of his/her children, God wants to care for you.
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for watching out for us, and taking care of our needs.
Jacki Rumpp
March 9, 2007
Leaving Egypt
Read: Exodus 15:22-27, 16:1-8
My mom reminded me of a story about myself recently. During my senior year of high school I planned to attend Michigan State University after graduation. I was absolutely determined; I visited, applied, lined up financial aid and was done. I was so excited. I put the date on the calendar and packed and planned as the day of departure approached. On that Sunday we loaded the van, I said goodbye to my boyfriend and then I absolutely fell apart. We have a photo of me in the backyard with tears streaming down my face, completely forlorn. I did go to East Lansing that day and I had a great time and received a wonderful education. The point of departure was just rough.
Sometimes your life follows a path and leads you to a new place that you don’t expect. I am at a place in my life like that now. There are many changes and new experiences that I have faced and it hasn’t been very comfortable. In fact, at times I have felt sheer panic.
My wise brother Andy reminded me about Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt. They were so happy to leave their enslavement, but life out in the desert was hard. They were scared and hungry and they didn’t know what to expect. Moses didn’t know, either.
I didn’t know what to expect when I left my home for college and I don’t know exactly what to expect now. It is a human condition to be unsure and it can be scary. It is at this time, however, that I remember about faith and trust in God. I trust that I am in the place on my path where I am meant to be. I have faith that not my will, but God’s will, is being done. With a breath and a prayer, the panic will pass and life will go on. It might not be the same as life before, but it is still life and it is a wonderful gift to be living.
Dear God, thank you for my life and my path. Help me to trust you to walk with me and lead me. Amen
Anne Sullivan
Read: Exodus 15:22-27, 16:1-8
My mom reminded me of a story about myself recently. During my senior year of high school I planned to attend Michigan State University after graduation. I was absolutely determined; I visited, applied, lined up financial aid and was done. I was so excited. I put the date on the calendar and packed and planned as the day of departure approached. On that Sunday we loaded the van, I said goodbye to my boyfriend and then I absolutely fell apart. We have a photo of me in the backyard with tears streaming down my face, completely forlorn. I did go to East Lansing that day and I had a great time and received a wonderful education. The point of departure was just rough.
Sometimes your life follows a path and leads you to a new place that you don’t expect. I am at a place in my life like that now. There are many changes and new experiences that I have faced and it hasn’t been very comfortable. In fact, at times I have felt sheer panic.
My wise brother Andy reminded me about Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt. They were so happy to leave their enslavement, but life out in the desert was hard. They were scared and hungry and they didn’t know what to expect. Moses didn’t know, either.
I didn’t know what to expect when I left my home for college and I don’t know exactly what to expect now. It is a human condition to be unsure and it can be scary. It is at this time, however, that I remember about faith and trust in God. I trust that I am in the place on my path where I am meant to be. I have faith that not my will, but God’s will, is being done. With a breath and a prayer, the panic will pass and life will go on. It might not be the same as life before, but it is still life and it is a wonderful gift to be living.
Dear God, thank you for my life and my path. Help me to trust you to walk with me and lead me. Amen
Anne Sullivan
March 8, 2007
Temples and Living Water
Read: Acts 10:1-8
As we were traveling around Israel, I was impressed with the Roman ruins, and their engineering: in particular, the city of Ceasarea, built by Herod the Great between 22 and 10 B.C. The Roman Governors of Judea lived here to administer to the people.
It was an important sea port on the Mediterranean Sea, with excellent connection to all parts of the Mediterranean world. At that time, the city had about 100,000 inhabitants (now it has about 8,000-10,000) and a large city needs a good water supply. That was provided by a double aqueduct which brought water from two sources, one about 10 km away, and the second about 7km. That was no small feat at the time. Remember, they had no electric pumps. It was all gravity fed, so the slopes had to be precise to accommodate the flow. Herod also built a huge theater with wonderful acoustics, a palace, and a hippodrome in Ceasarea. The hippodrome was about 300 meters long by 50 meters wide, providing seating for about 8,000 people. I could practically see Ben Hur racing his chariot in it.
Also, the city had a small harbor which Herod enlarged by about three times. He considered this his second greatest engineering feat. The greatest was the reconstruction of the temple in Jerusalem.
Peter was summoned here to preach to Cornelius and his family and friends who had gathered to hear him (Acts 10). Paul was imprisoned here for about two years, before going on to Rome, and began his missionary journeys from here – the first being to Cyprus.
Jack Landin
Isn’t it amazing? How could Herod be so proud of building a Temple for the Lord, but then didn’t even recognize Him when he saw Him?
The Romans were so good at bringing water into cities, but when the Living Water was offered, they saw only Threat -not Promise.
Dear Lord, open our eyes to recognize You when You cross our paths. Help us to see Your Life in our living. Amen.
Read: Acts 10:1-8
As we were traveling around Israel, I was impressed with the Roman ruins, and their engineering: in particular, the city of Ceasarea, built by Herod the Great between 22 and 10 B.C. The Roman Governors of Judea lived here to administer to the people.
It was an important sea port on the Mediterranean Sea, with excellent connection to all parts of the Mediterranean world. At that time, the city had about 100,000 inhabitants (now it has about 8,000-10,000) and a large city needs a good water supply. That was provided by a double aqueduct which brought water from two sources, one about 10 km away, and the second about 7km. That was no small feat at the time. Remember, they had no electric pumps. It was all gravity fed, so the slopes had to be precise to accommodate the flow. Herod also built a huge theater with wonderful acoustics, a palace, and a hippodrome in Ceasarea. The hippodrome was about 300 meters long by 50 meters wide, providing seating for about 8,000 people. I could practically see Ben Hur racing his chariot in it.
Also, the city had a small harbor which Herod enlarged by about three times. He considered this his second greatest engineering feat. The greatest was the reconstruction of the temple in Jerusalem.
Peter was summoned here to preach to Cornelius and his family and friends who had gathered to hear him (Acts 10). Paul was imprisoned here for about two years, before going on to Rome, and began his missionary journeys from here – the first being to Cyprus.
Jack Landin
Isn’t it amazing? How could Herod be so proud of building a Temple for the Lord, but then didn’t even recognize Him when he saw Him?
The Romans were so good at bringing water into cities, but when the Living Water was offered, they saw only Threat -not Promise.
Dear Lord, open our eyes to recognize You when You cross our paths. Help us to see Your Life in our living. Amen.
March 7, 2007
SALLY’S FIELD
Read: Mark 1:16-18
My Aunt Sally’s house was a house of distractions and entertainment . . . distractions in the form of a bubbling fish tank near the front door (plastic scuba diver in distress!), a ginger-bread house candle over which I learned after the first time not to singe my eyebrows, a kitchen where chocolate cake mix was a staple. Her house was entertainment in the form of a pool table in the back room, toy boxes in the rec room closet, wide-set windows opening to the backyard. Her house was another home.
Aunt Sally was energy. She was the first person to pull out the toys, order a pizza for dinner, suggest a game. She was the first person to send an invitation for a party, to ask about my school life, to put my picture on the family picture board. She was the first person to teach me we all have people we can lean on in the dark.
Aunt Sally was one of Dad’s sisters. She was just across the field in the red-stained house. She would feed me dinner some evenings, visit with me, ask about life. She would see me safely zipped up, mittened, and ready to go. Looking just across the field – a hop, skip, and two jumps to Dad’s, I would tell her I could do it, no problem, but she would always call to Dad’s house, “Here she comes,” and then I would run through the dark, tripping on rocks, jumping over holes, leaning back to see the stars. Even after I became an adult and would visit Aunt Sally she would send me on my way with a hug or a good, long look and tell me to be safe. She stopped calling my dad but still, after I ran through the field I would look back to the house and there was Aunt Sally, waving from the doorway, light behind her.
She is gone now, swept away by cancer but she left so much good behind her. One sunny afternoon at a family party she went walking with a line of kids. She took them over the lawn and around the frog pond with a fishing net and her enthusiasm. “Here we go,” she said and the picture in my head remains. It was another great day of watching her lead by example. Sometimes it’s a matter of standing in the doorway at night and watching someone make it home; sometimes it’s a matter of taking that first step and leading people out for a daytime adventure. Sometimes, truly, it’s just a matter of sharing who you are by calling out in the darkness, “Here she comes.” You become a beacon of brightness, even in the daylight, no matter how bright the sunshine gets.
Prayer focus: Those who lead
Jenneth Wright
Read: Mark 1:16-18
My Aunt Sally’s house was a house of distractions and entertainment . . . distractions in the form of a bubbling fish tank near the front door (plastic scuba diver in distress!), a ginger-bread house candle over which I learned after the first time not to singe my eyebrows, a kitchen where chocolate cake mix was a staple. Her house was entertainment in the form of a pool table in the back room, toy boxes in the rec room closet, wide-set windows opening to the backyard. Her house was another home.
Aunt Sally was energy. She was the first person to pull out the toys, order a pizza for dinner, suggest a game. She was the first person to send an invitation for a party, to ask about my school life, to put my picture on the family picture board. She was the first person to teach me we all have people we can lean on in the dark.
Aunt Sally was one of Dad’s sisters. She was just across the field in the red-stained house. She would feed me dinner some evenings, visit with me, ask about life. She would see me safely zipped up, mittened, and ready to go. Looking just across the field – a hop, skip, and two jumps to Dad’s, I would tell her I could do it, no problem, but she would always call to Dad’s house, “Here she comes,” and then I would run through the dark, tripping on rocks, jumping over holes, leaning back to see the stars. Even after I became an adult and would visit Aunt Sally she would send me on my way with a hug or a good, long look and tell me to be safe. She stopped calling my dad but still, after I ran through the field I would look back to the house and there was Aunt Sally, waving from the doorway, light behind her.
She is gone now, swept away by cancer but she left so much good behind her. One sunny afternoon at a family party she went walking with a line of kids. She took them over the lawn and around the frog pond with a fishing net and her enthusiasm. “Here we go,” she said and the picture in my head remains. It was another great day of watching her lead by example. Sometimes it’s a matter of standing in the doorway at night and watching someone make it home; sometimes it’s a matter of taking that first step and leading people out for a daytime adventure. Sometimes, truly, it’s just a matter of sharing who you are by calling out in the darkness, “Here she comes.” You become a beacon of brightness, even in the daylight, no matter how bright the sunshine gets.
Prayer focus: Those who lead
Jenneth Wright
March 6, 2007
SUPPORT
Back in November, I went to Bair Lake Bible Camp for a fall retreat and had a really good time. Two of the topics discussed were “From whom are you getting your support? Who are you giving yours to?”
As Pastor Andy Stanley put it, “Your friends will determine the quality and direction of your life.” I learned: Don’t make it harder for yourself by being with people you know won’t support you in your beliefs.
Are you frequently around people who do unchristian things that you don’t approve of, yet find yourself joining in? This is not what God wants from us. I’ve learned that the church is a great way to get the right Christian support you need.
For example, as part of confirmation, I had to talk to church members to ask them what the church meant to them. All of them said something about how the church community was always supportive. I myself have experienced it many times, like after the Christmas pageant when I was flooded with compliments, or when I returned from up north after my grandma died…everyone I talked to was caring enough to say something encouraging.
When I was at camp, I was also in a friendly, comfortable environment with other Christians. I told myself that I would be pure and holy when I went back to school, which, compared to camp, is a judgmental and sometimes hostile environment. Doing this was and is much harder than I expected. It really hit me hard that I didn’t have that many Christian friends supporting me. This made me, once again, turn back to God for help.
But it also reminded me of the second lesson from the retreat: Who are you giving your support to, or how much support are you giving? Do you keep your faith a secret, only doing what you know is right once a week at church? Purity is about treating everyone with respect. Maybe I wasn’t making it clear enough what I needed from my friends. Maybe it works both ways.
Here are some short verses that define good ways to be a true friend.
Craig Campbell
Back in November, I went to Bair Lake Bible Camp for a fall retreat and had a really good time. Two of the topics discussed were “From whom are you getting your support? Who are you giving yours to?”
As Pastor Andy Stanley put it, “Your friends will determine the quality and direction of your life.” I learned: Don’t make it harder for yourself by being with people you know won’t support you in your beliefs.
Are you frequently around people who do unchristian things that you don’t approve of, yet find yourself joining in? This is not what God wants from us. I’ve learned that the church is a great way to get the right Christian support you need.
For example, as part of confirmation, I had to talk to church members to ask them what the church meant to them. All of them said something about how the church community was always supportive. I myself have experienced it many times, like after the Christmas pageant when I was flooded with compliments, or when I returned from up north after my grandma died…everyone I talked to was caring enough to say something encouraging.
When I was at camp, I was also in a friendly, comfortable environment with other Christians. I told myself that I would be pure and holy when I went back to school, which, compared to camp, is a judgmental and sometimes hostile environment. Doing this was and is much harder than I expected. It really hit me hard that I didn’t have that many Christian friends supporting me. This made me, once again, turn back to God for help.
But it also reminded me of the second lesson from the retreat: Who are you giving your support to, or how much support are you giving? Do you keep your faith a secret, only doing what you know is right once a week at church? Purity is about treating everyone with respect. Maybe I wasn’t making it clear enough what I needed from my friends. Maybe it works both ways.
Here are some short verses that define good ways to be a true friend.
- “Just as iron sharpens iron, friends sharpen the minds of each other.” – Proverbs 27: 17
- “The right word at the right time is like precious gold set in silver.” – Proverbs 25: 11
- “Some friends don’t help, but true friends are closer than your own family.” – Proverbs 18: 24
- “True friends are consistent; the same in public and private.” – Hebrews 13:7,8
- “True friends promote doing the right things.” – 2 Timothy 2:22
- “True friends lead, and follow, to the right places.” – Joshua 24:15
Craig Campbell
March 5, 2007
Shared Consolation
Read: 2 Corinthians 1:1-4
God consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God.
- 2 Corinthians 1:4
There is a little story about a Little Grass Hut which a shipwrecked man built to survive on an isolated island. He went hunting for food and came back to a burning hut. This was the worst thing that could have happened. He asked God how he could have done this to him. He lost everything! Early the next day he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island. He asked the crew when it landed, “How did you know I was here?” “We saw your smoke signal.”
God understands our anguish. As we experience our shipwrecks in life, God sends us help—sometimes in people who themselves have experienced anguish and trauma. Thank goodness for these messengers of God who save us from total devastation and pain. When we seek God’s comfort, however, it presents itself to us, through friends, family, music, flowers, our church, peace surrounds us. With time, we may even see that our struggles assist us in our daily life to mature as believers and to help others.
Dear God of compassion we thank you for those messengers of your love and peace. Grant us comfort and peace as we surround others with your loving presence. Amen
Carolyn Barth (with the aid of the Upper Room and another message)
Read: 2 Corinthians 1:1-4
God consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God.
- 2 Corinthians 1:4
There is a little story about a Little Grass Hut which a shipwrecked man built to survive on an isolated island. He went hunting for food and came back to a burning hut. This was the worst thing that could have happened. He asked God how he could have done this to him. He lost everything! Early the next day he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island. He asked the crew when it landed, “How did you know I was here?” “We saw your smoke signal.”
God understands our anguish. As we experience our shipwrecks in life, God sends us help—sometimes in people who themselves have experienced anguish and trauma. Thank goodness for these messengers of God who save us from total devastation and pain. When we seek God’s comfort, however, it presents itself to us, through friends, family, music, flowers, our church, peace surrounds us. With time, we may even see that our struggles assist us in our daily life to mature as believers and to help others.
Dear God of compassion we thank you for those messengers of your love and peace. Grant us comfort and peace as we surround others with your loving presence. Amen
Carolyn Barth (with the aid of the Upper Room and another message)
March 4, 2007
Advice from 1761
Read: p. vii in the United Methodist Hymnal “Directions for Singing”
When I first discovered and read the Directions for Singing in my new hymnal, my eyes kind of popped open. It almost seemed like a joke. The first one got a smirk. The second, an eye-pop. The third got the one-eyebrow lift. The fourth got a giggle. The fifth actually made me think about my singing. The sixth brought a full-toothed smile. The seventh a small nod of agreement. The directions are now my favorite part. How fun to get some advice from 1761. At first glance they seem outdated and stodgy, but in fact I think John Wesley’s instructions encourage us to grow and change and support each other.
The second of the seven rules seems very commanding and strict, but it is my favorite. It makes me smile first of all, but I also have decided it’s actually not restrictive. Instead I think it is telling us to keep up with the times – what is going on right now. Some hymns are very familiar to many of us and some of those familiar ones have had some words changed. We can moan about changed words. We can be obstinate and refuse to sing the new words. Why change a good thing after all, right? Or – we can listen to John Wesley’s words from long ago that tell us to “sing them exactly as they are printed” and “if you have learned to sing them otherwise, unlearn it as soon as you can.” I think he’s telling us to stop clinging to the past just because that’s the way it’s always been.
He is also encouraging us to come together as one congregation. The bulk of the rules remind us that we are one body – even in song. We are told to join in (with gusto no less), and to blend together in a united voice, both in volume and tempo. We are all individuals but we have a great common bond – our love for and faith in God. That should be celebrated with song.
Ignoring my first impression of the directions, I let them bounce around in my head as I sang songs from the hymnal. It actually made me realize that in fact John Wesley is giving us great advice for our lives today. Our past and present can work together. We can honor our past by bringing it into the present. We can honor each other by coming together as one family in Christ, a family that appreciates individuality but sticks together as a cohesive group. I think words that are nearly two and a half centuries old are directing us to embrace the present and each other.
Thought for the day: Sometimes change is a good thing.
Prayer: Dear God, Help us to remember that we are one congregation bound together by our love for You. Blessed be the ties that bind. Amen.
Jacki Rumpp
Read: p. vii in the United Methodist Hymnal “Directions for Singing”
When I first discovered and read the Directions for Singing in my new hymnal, my eyes kind of popped open. It almost seemed like a joke. The first one got a smirk. The second, an eye-pop. The third got the one-eyebrow lift. The fourth got a giggle. The fifth actually made me think about my singing. The sixth brought a full-toothed smile. The seventh a small nod of agreement. The directions are now my favorite part. How fun to get some advice from 1761. At first glance they seem outdated and stodgy, but in fact I think John Wesley’s instructions encourage us to grow and change and support each other.
The second of the seven rules seems very commanding and strict, but it is my favorite. It makes me smile first of all, but I also have decided it’s actually not restrictive. Instead I think it is telling us to keep up with the times – what is going on right now. Some hymns are very familiar to many of us and some of those familiar ones have had some words changed. We can moan about changed words. We can be obstinate and refuse to sing the new words. Why change a good thing after all, right? Or – we can listen to John Wesley’s words from long ago that tell us to “sing them exactly as they are printed” and “if you have learned to sing them otherwise, unlearn it as soon as you can.” I think he’s telling us to stop clinging to the past just because that’s the way it’s always been.
He is also encouraging us to come together as one congregation. The bulk of the rules remind us that we are one body – even in song. We are told to join in (with gusto no less), and to blend together in a united voice, both in volume and tempo. We are all individuals but we have a great common bond – our love for and faith in God. That should be celebrated with song.
Ignoring my first impression of the directions, I let them bounce around in my head as I sang songs from the hymnal. It actually made me realize that in fact John Wesley is giving us great advice for our lives today. Our past and present can work together. We can honor our past by bringing it into the present. We can honor each other by coming together as one family in Christ, a family that appreciates individuality but sticks together as a cohesive group. I think words that are nearly two and a half centuries old are directing us to embrace the present and each other.
Thought for the day: Sometimes change is a good thing.
Prayer: Dear God, Help us to remember that we are one congregation bound together by our love for You. Blessed be the ties that bind. Amen.
Jacki Rumpp
March 3, 2007
HOT
Read: Psalm 118:21-25
Helen is the “hot chick” who has worked in the Jewelry and Women’s departments for our church rummage sales. She brings smiles to those around her and brightens their days by her presence and her outlook. Lately she has said - on some days she is “not so hot”.
Helen has been having some bad days, some not so good days and some good days. The bad days she tosses in the trash and looks forward to the good days. Her outlook is the opposite of how my mother saw things. My mother always believed every silver lining had a dark cloud. One day she was mad at my dad because “you only remember the good stuff”. Helen looks forward to the “good stuff” each day and like always, lifts the spirits of those around her.
What a role model!
Thought for every day: Thank God for the gift of people like Helen.
A. Pundit
Read: Psalm 118:21-25
Helen is the “hot chick” who has worked in the Jewelry and Women’s departments for our church rummage sales. She brings smiles to those around her and brightens their days by her presence and her outlook. Lately she has said - on some days she is “not so hot”.
Helen has been having some bad days, some not so good days and some good days. The bad days she tosses in the trash and looks forward to the good days. Her outlook is the opposite of how my mother saw things. My mother always believed every silver lining had a dark cloud. One day she was mad at my dad because “you only remember the good stuff”. Helen looks forward to the “good stuff” each day and like always, lifts the spirits of those around her.
What a role model!
Thought for every day: Thank God for the gift of people like Helen.
A. Pundit
March 2, 2007
An Oasis of Love
Read: UM Hymnal #445 - Happy the Home when God is There
In the winter of 1995, I was on assignment in Haiti covering Operation Restore Democracy. I was embedded with a military unit outside Port Au Prince and I quickly came to understand that my life of tents, cots, mosquito nets and c-rations was better than the life being lived by most of the Haitian population. Haiti is one of the poorest nations on earth and about 80 percent of the people live in abject poverty. I walked the streets of Port Au Prince and watched children (children the age of my children at home) playing in raw sewage in the streets. Riding the highways, I was always amazed at the number of people standing in the middle of empty fields, nothing to do, no place to go. And I had hard time figuring out what compelling interest the United States had in sending its military forces into a place of such despair and wretchedness.
Toward the end of my assignment, I was told the unit was going to visit an orphanage. A Haitian orphanage? After all I had already seen, I wasn't sure I could take that. And I was filled with dread as our small convoy wound up a hillside toward a high black iron gate.
I was astonished (and relieved) to find that it was the happiest place I saw during my entire stay. We were greeted by a round of cheerful songs, clapping hands and beautiful, happy young faces. And as they sang to us, it dawned on me that this was a happy place because these children had someone taking care of them, someone who loved them. That was saying something in Haiti. And there were actually kids standing on the outside of that black iron gate wishing they were inside.
That orphanage has become a metaphor in my life.
Lord, help me to be like that orphanage. Help me to be a refuge for those in need, a shelter for those needing protection, and a bounty for those who are hungry. Make me an oasis of love in an arid world of indifference. Amen.
Devin Scillian
Read: UM Hymnal #445 - Happy the Home when God is There
In the winter of 1995, I was on assignment in Haiti covering Operation Restore Democracy. I was embedded with a military unit outside Port Au Prince and I quickly came to understand that my life of tents, cots, mosquito nets and c-rations was better than the life being lived by most of the Haitian population. Haiti is one of the poorest nations on earth and about 80 percent of the people live in abject poverty. I walked the streets of Port Au Prince and watched children (children the age of my children at home) playing in raw sewage in the streets. Riding the highways, I was always amazed at the number of people standing in the middle of empty fields, nothing to do, no place to go. And I had hard time figuring out what compelling interest the United States had in sending its military forces into a place of such despair and wretchedness.
Toward the end of my assignment, I was told the unit was going to visit an orphanage. A Haitian orphanage? After all I had already seen, I wasn't sure I could take that. And I was filled with dread as our small convoy wound up a hillside toward a high black iron gate.
I was astonished (and relieved) to find that it was the happiest place I saw during my entire stay. We were greeted by a round of cheerful songs, clapping hands and beautiful, happy young faces. And as they sang to us, it dawned on me that this was a happy place because these children had someone taking care of them, someone who loved them. That was saying something in Haiti. And there were actually kids standing on the outside of that black iron gate wishing they were inside.
That orphanage has become a metaphor in my life.
Lord, help me to be like that orphanage. Help me to be a refuge for those in need, a shelter for those needing protection, and a bounty for those who are hungry. Make me an oasis of love in an arid world of indifference. Amen.
Devin Scillian
March 1, 2007
Accept the Invitation
Read: Romans 12:8-21
As United Methodists, we know that the grace of salvation is given freely through Christ
Simply by the asking. But what then? How do we as Christians truly fill our hearts with the Holy Spirit? Paul tells us the answer in Romans Chapter 12, verses 11-13. “ Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in Hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer and most importantly contribute to the needs of others, extend hospitality to strangers.” In other words, faith comes from work. We are filled with the Holy Spirit through our works. Our works are not measured in numbers, but by the spirit in our heart when we offer them.
During our visit to the Holy Land, I was struck by the relentless works of faith by those involved in missionary projects such as Sabeel which is supported by our Global Methodist Ministry, often times the face of opposition, and even persecution.
One such woman was Tina Whitehead. I meant Tina at Bethlehem Bible College. Also sup-ported by our Global Ministry, Bethlehem Bible College serves those who have heard the calling to teach, preach or counsel the Word of God Some of us may not be aware, but Bethlehem Bible College is in the West Bank and 10% of those living in the West Bank are Christians. I visited the West Bank four times during my visit to the Holy Land, twice on my own. Each time, I was greeted with open arms, with the voices of strangers saying, “welcome” or “you are our first guest in two weeks, I am so glad you are here.” The pain, the hurt, the misunderstanding that sounded in their voices, that was seen on their faces, and that was felt from their hearts was real. This pain, this hurt from families being divided, one from another, their homes from their land, their children from their schools is what Tina was trying to express to us during one of our evening hotel lectures.
What was so special about her faith, her works? She had visited Sabeel and Bethlehem Bible College the year before, a housewife from PA, she saw people like you and I trying to hold on to hope against all odds, she saw businesses closing, services being withheld and fellow Christians responding with Exodus from the very town of our Saviors Birth. She, in the face of adversity, decided to stay, to be that voice, that heart, that soul, that body who represented the hope and faith that so many are holding dear. Even more special was, on this night, for the very first time, standing nervously before us, she had come to witness to a crowd of her own believers about the turmoil and misunderstanding surrounding the West Bank. She wasn’t sure how we would react, she wasn’t sure how we would respond, but nonetheless she persevered, patience abounding, answering each question in detail, mak-ing sure we understood, making sure we believed.
I have heard many of my fellow Christians say, I have been a Christian all my life, but I have never felt the Holy Spirit. My question to you today, is what have you done to fill your heart with Christ’s Holy Spirit? Tomorrow when you see a piece of paper on the ground, pick it up and throw it away, the next day when you see a child or an elderly person who needs your time, spend it with them, and next weekend when you see a homeless man standing in front of Wendy’s, offer him the food in your hand, and in Jan. 2009, accept this invitation to make your very own pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Thus, you too can truly be filled with the Holy Spirit and spread the Good News of Christ.
Donna Sperry
Read: Romans 12:8-21
As United Methodists, we know that the grace of salvation is given freely through Christ
Simply by the asking. But what then? How do we as Christians truly fill our hearts with the Holy Spirit? Paul tells us the answer in Romans Chapter 12, verses 11-13. “ Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in Hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer and most importantly contribute to the needs of others, extend hospitality to strangers.” In other words, faith comes from work. We are filled with the Holy Spirit through our works. Our works are not measured in numbers, but by the spirit in our heart when we offer them.
During our visit to the Holy Land, I was struck by the relentless works of faith by those involved in missionary projects such as Sabeel which is supported by our Global Methodist Ministry, often times the face of opposition, and even persecution.
One such woman was Tina Whitehead. I meant Tina at Bethlehem Bible College. Also sup-ported by our Global Ministry, Bethlehem Bible College serves those who have heard the calling to teach, preach or counsel the Word of God Some of us may not be aware, but Bethlehem Bible College is in the West Bank and 10% of those living in the West Bank are Christians. I visited the West Bank four times during my visit to the Holy Land, twice on my own. Each time, I was greeted with open arms, with the voices of strangers saying, “welcome” or “you are our first guest in two weeks, I am so glad you are here.” The pain, the hurt, the misunderstanding that sounded in their voices, that was seen on their faces, and that was felt from their hearts was real. This pain, this hurt from families being divided, one from another, their homes from their land, their children from their schools is what Tina was trying to express to us during one of our evening hotel lectures.
What was so special about her faith, her works? She had visited Sabeel and Bethlehem Bible College the year before, a housewife from PA, she saw people like you and I trying to hold on to hope against all odds, she saw businesses closing, services being withheld and fellow Christians responding with Exodus from the very town of our Saviors Birth. She, in the face of adversity, decided to stay, to be that voice, that heart, that soul, that body who represented the hope and faith that so many are holding dear. Even more special was, on this night, for the very first time, standing nervously before us, she had come to witness to a crowd of her own believers about the turmoil and misunderstanding surrounding the West Bank. She wasn’t sure how we would react, she wasn’t sure how we would respond, but nonetheless she persevered, patience abounding, answering each question in detail, mak-ing sure we understood, making sure we believed.
I have heard many of my fellow Christians say, I have been a Christian all my life, but I have never felt the Holy Spirit. My question to you today, is what have you done to fill your heart with Christ’s Holy Spirit? Tomorrow when you see a piece of paper on the ground, pick it up and throw it away, the next day when you see a child or an elderly person who needs your time, spend it with them, and next weekend when you see a homeless man standing in front of Wendy’s, offer him the food in your hand, and in Jan. 2009, accept this invitation to make your very own pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Thus, you too can truly be filled with the Holy Spirit and spread the Good News of Christ.
Donna Sperry
February 28, 2007
Quiet Time
Read: Matthew 14:22-23
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead to the other side while he dismissed the crowds. And after he dismissed the crowds, he went up to the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.
The other day I realized that most young people do not know how to be alone, or have quiet time. They do not know how to be silent. For them, silence is something that must be filled. Their ears are constantly bombarded with sound. At home, each room has a TV or CD blaring. The first thing most adults do upon entering the house it turn on the TV. They ride in cars that vibrate with the boom of the radio. Malls and homes are filled with talking, yelling, and laughing.
After this revelation, I practiced keeping silent and learned that, in the silence, the mind can have a chance to think. I made lists of things to think about.
The scripture passage tells us that Jesus went off by himself, away from the multitudes. He went into the silence to pray. We too, must have time to allow our minds to commune with God.
Betty J. Reas
Read: Matthew 14:22-23
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead to the other side while he dismissed the crowds. And after he dismissed the crowds, he went up to the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.
The other day I realized that most young people do not know how to be alone, or have quiet time. They do not know how to be silent. For them, silence is something that must be filled. Their ears are constantly bombarded with sound. At home, each room has a TV or CD blaring. The first thing most adults do upon entering the house it turn on the TV. They ride in cars that vibrate with the boom of the radio. Malls and homes are filled with talking, yelling, and laughing.
After this revelation, I practiced keeping silent and learned that, in the silence, the mind can have a chance to think. I made lists of things to think about.
The scripture passage tells us that Jesus went off by himself, away from the multitudes. He went into the silence to pray. We too, must have time to allow our minds to commune with God.
Betty J. Reas
February 27, 2007
Pay Attention
Read: Luke 19:47-48
The day we were assigned this sermon, I think everyone’s first reaction was, Oh no, I can’t believe we have to write a sermon. The first words that come to mind when I think of sermons are boring, dull, long and tedious. I know we’re supposed to listen and learn. I also know that sometimes sermons are interesting and even funny when they include jokes. Usually though it seems that during the sermon people are doing one of three things: staring off in the distance, drawing on the bulletin, or sleeping. (Well that’s what I guess I do, and I’m pretty sure I’m not alone.) But maybe looks are deceiving.
It occurred to me that staring off into space doesn’t necessarily mean that someone is not listening. In fact I need to defend that because I do it to my mom all the time. I claim that I’m listening – and of course I am!- even though I’m not looking at her. She doesn’t believe me though. It’s probably true for other people too. Some people might be enjoying the stained glass windows. Some people may be thinking about what they are hearing. Some may be just staring off, but I bet they hear a lot more than they realize. I know I do. One time my mom had to go home because my sister forgot her 3rd grade Bible at home. She came back and asked what she had missed in the sermon and surprisingly I was able to fill her in pretty well.
My sister, Faith, draws during the sermon - on the children’s bulletin, on the envelopes, on the stack of plain paper we sometimes bring. I’m always certain she isn’t listening when all of a sudden something is said about faith in the sermon and she sits up straight and starts poking me. I turn to her and say, “What?” And she says, “Did you hear, did you hear, she just said FAITH!” I bet my cousin Christian did the same thing when he was little. I’ve seen other people writing, but they could be jotting down notes, they could be drawing something that goes along with the sermon. I remember drawing fruit when I heard about the fruit of the spirit. I guess even if you’re drawing, you can get something out of the sermon too.
Can you get anything out of the sermon if you’re sleeping? Probably not if that’s what you are really doing. I have seen my aunt many times though up in the choir loft looking like she is asleep. I heard her talking about the sermons one time and how she makes it a habit to listen to them with her eyes closed. She says she can’t pay attention to them otherwise. Either it’s a great cover, or maybe we jump to conclusions about the people around us with closed eyes. It would be kind of hard for me to fall asleep with someone talking into a micro-phone. (Not to mention a fidgeting little 8-year old sitting next to me).
I was imagining a conversation with Linus from Charlie Brown. He always seems to know quotes from the Bible. How is it possible for a little kid who drags around a blanket to know all that anyway? If I told him how it is sometimes hard to pay attention in church, he would say, “You have to it’s in the Bible”. He actually would be right. It says in Hebrews 2:1, “For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” Maybe we all drift a little while we listen. Even when our eyes, hands, and some-times even thoughts drift a little, maybe we are paying more attention than we give ourselves credit for. God gives us credit for coming to church. Next time I’m sitting in a service I’ll try to think of this scripture and hopefully I wont drift out too far. It might be easier if I had a name like Faith or Christian because then occasionally someone would call my name and get me to pay attention. I’m not sure I would want that to happen though. I’m sure there are better ways.
Kayla Rumpp
Read: Luke 19:47-48
The day we were assigned this sermon, I think everyone’s first reaction was, Oh no, I can’t believe we have to write a sermon. The first words that come to mind when I think of sermons are boring, dull, long and tedious. I know we’re supposed to listen and learn. I also know that sometimes sermons are interesting and even funny when they include jokes. Usually though it seems that during the sermon people are doing one of three things: staring off in the distance, drawing on the bulletin, or sleeping. (Well that’s what I guess I do, and I’m pretty sure I’m not alone.) But maybe looks are deceiving.
It occurred to me that staring off into space doesn’t necessarily mean that someone is not listening. In fact I need to defend that because I do it to my mom all the time. I claim that I’m listening – and of course I am!- even though I’m not looking at her. She doesn’t believe me though. It’s probably true for other people too. Some people might be enjoying the stained glass windows. Some people may be thinking about what they are hearing. Some may be just staring off, but I bet they hear a lot more than they realize. I know I do. One time my mom had to go home because my sister forgot her 3rd grade Bible at home. She came back and asked what she had missed in the sermon and surprisingly I was able to fill her in pretty well.
My sister, Faith, draws during the sermon - on the children’s bulletin, on the envelopes, on the stack of plain paper we sometimes bring. I’m always certain she isn’t listening when all of a sudden something is said about faith in the sermon and she sits up straight and starts poking me. I turn to her and say, “What?” And she says, “Did you hear, did you hear, she just said FAITH!” I bet my cousin Christian did the same thing when he was little. I’ve seen other people writing, but they could be jotting down notes, they could be drawing something that goes along with the sermon. I remember drawing fruit when I heard about the fruit of the spirit. I guess even if you’re drawing, you can get something out of the sermon too.
Can you get anything out of the sermon if you’re sleeping? Probably not if that’s what you are really doing. I have seen my aunt many times though up in the choir loft looking like she is asleep. I heard her talking about the sermons one time and how she makes it a habit to listen to them with her eyes closed. She says she can’t pay attention to them otherwise. Either it’s a great cover, or maybe we jump to conclusions about the people around us with closed eyes. It would be kind of hard for me to fall asleep with someone talking into a micro-phone. (Not to mention a fidgeting little 8-year old sitting next to me).
I was imagining a conversation with Linus from Charlie Brown. He always seems to know quotes from the Bible. How is it possible for a little kid who drags around a blanket to know all that anyway? If I told him how it is sometimes hard to pay attention in church, he would say, “You have to it’s in the Bible”. He actually would be right. It says in Hebrews 2:1, “For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” Maybe we all drift a little while we listen. Even when our eyes, hands, and some-times even thoughts drift a little, maybe we are paying more attention than we give ourselves credit for. God gives us credit for coming to church. Next time I’m sitting in a service I’ll try to think of this scripture and hopefully I wont drift out too far. It might be easier if I had a name like Faith or Christian because then occasionally someone would call my name and get me to pay attention. I’m not sure I would want that to happen though. I’m sure there are better ways.
Kayla Rumpp
February 26, 2007
How Are Ye Able?
Read: John 13:1-17
Christians are called in many ways to love and serve. Last year’s Volunteers in Mission trip to hurricane-ravaged New Orleans had a profound effect on me.
Sharing stories of that trip, I have often said, “Every morning I got out of bed, having slept on the floor of an unfinished Sunday school room, being tired, often sore, and asking myself just what on earth was I doing there. And every evening, following the gutting of a house, the cleanup of a yard or some similar work, when the homeowner expressed gratitude and, more importantly, hope, I had my answer.”
I just returned from a similar trip to New Orleans and Gulfport, MS, having accompanied my brother and joined my niece Katy’s group of Albion College students doing hurricane relief work in that region. This time we slept in a church attic (in Mississippi) and in a now-finished Sunday school room at our host church in New Orleans.
Know what? I had the same feelings every morning on the recent trip. Know what else? Despite some organizational snafus that affected our work efforts in Mississippi, every evening I had my answer, just as I had last year.
John 13:1-17 contains the account of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. When asked why he was performing this menial task, Jesus said, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.”
In whatever ways we are able, can we do any less than follow Christ’s example of service to others?
Fred Van de Putte
Read: John 13:1-17
Christians are called in many ways to love and serve. Last year’s Volunteers in Mission trip to hurricane-ravaged New Orleans had a profound effect on me.
Sharing stories of that trip, I have often said, “Every morning I got out of bed, having slept on the floor of an unfinished Sunday school room, being tired, often sore, and asking myself just what on earth was I doing there. And every evening, following the gutting of a house, the cleanup of a yard or some similar work, when the homeowner expressed gratitude and, more importantly, hope, I had my answer.”
I just returned from a similar trip to New Orleans and Gulfport, MS, having accompanied my brother and joined my niece Katy’s group of Albion College students doing hurricane relief work in that region. This time we slept in a church attic (in Mississippi) and in a now-finished Sunday school room at our host church in New Orleans.
Know what? I had the same feelings every morning on the recent trip. Know what else? Despite some organizational snafus that affected our work efforts in Mississippi, every evening I had my answer, just as I had last year.
John 13:1-17 contains the account of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. When asked why he was performing this menial task, Jesus said, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.”
In whatever ways we are able, can we do any less than follow Christ’s example of service to others?
Fred Van de Putte
February 25, 2007
Sanctuary
Read: Ezekiel 37:26-28
We usually sit at the back of the church. That way we don’t disturb others when we leave early to set up for coffee hour.
Sitting at the back gives me the opportunity to really see the Sanctuary. The stained glass windows on each side are special as are the large wooden trusses which support the roof and other parts of the building. The trusses are all the same, but from the back those in front look smaller, closer together and seem to lead to the large window at the front.
As I look at the clear portion at the top of the window, it frames the cross suspended above us. Although nothing in the sanctuary is ornate, the cross is special in its stark simplicity and it reminds us by its emptiness that ours is a risen God.
In our sanctuary I see not just the building, but people who have become a second family, people who care about each other and who offer comfort in time of need.
The dictionary defines sanctuary as a holy place or a place that provides refuge, and synonyms for sanctuary include haven, oasis and shelter.
No wonder it’s called a Sanctuary!
Jack Van Becelaere
Read: Ezekiel 37:26-28
We usually sit at the back of the church. That way we don’t disturb others when we leave early to set up for coffee hour.
Sitting at the back gives me the opportunity to really see the Sanctuary. The stained glass windows on each side are special as are the large wooden trusses which support the roof and other parts of the building. The trusses are all the same, but from the back those in front look smaller, closer together and seem to lead to the large window at the front.
As I look at the clear portion at the top of the window, it frames the cross suspended above us. Although nothing in the sanctuary is ornate, the cross is special in its stark simplicity and it reminds us by its emptiness that ours is a risen God.
In our sanctuary I see not just the building, but people who have become a second family, people who care about each other and who offer comfort in time of need.
The dictionary defines sanctuary as a holy place or a place that provides refuge, and synonyms for sanctuary include haven, oasis and shelter.
No wonder it’s called a Sanctuary!
Jack Van Becelaere
February 24, 2007
Reaching Out
Read: Luke 18:1-8
I work at a Social Security hearings office, where people who have been denied disability benefits can come before a judge to appeal. You might say that I have seen it all -- the man who had not cut his fingernails for years and came in for his hearing with his yellowed nails dragging on the floor, the woman who was so heavy that she could barely fit through our doors, and people who practically skip through the parking lot and then limp into the hearing room with a cane. It would be easy to become cynical, after 25 years of watching claimants come and go. We certainly have employees in our office who refer to such people using very derogatory terms and are less than accommodating. I have also noticed that when I tell people where I work the response is usually, “Oh, you must see a lot of phonies -- people trying to bilk the system.”
The truth is that the vast majority of those individuals coming in for hearings are decent, hard-working people who are merely down on their luck. They may be seriously ill and unable to work, or they may be unable to perform their heavy-labor job and are unskilled for other positions. Many times those trying to “cheat” the system also have a sad history of hardship and despair.
I try to remember that each individual that comes into our office is entitled to be treated with respect and compassion. I try to remember that Jesus showed us how we, as Christians, must reach out to our fellow man. After all, Jesus came to the aid of those who were outcasts -- a prostitute, leper, and blind man.
I recently ran across a quote by George Bernard Shaw, which I have placed on my refrigerator as a constant reminder:
“THE GREAT SECRET ... IS NOT HAVING BAD MANNERS OR GOOD MANNERS … BUT HAVING THE SAME MANNER FOR ALL HUMAN SOULS: IN SHORT, BEHAVING AS IF YOU WERE IN HEAVEN, WHERE THERE ARE NO THIRD-CLASS CARRIAGES, AND ONE SOUL IS AS GOOD AS ANOTHER.”
Jan Versical
Read: Luke 18:1-8
I work at a Social Security hearings office, where people who have been denied disability benefits can come before a judge to appeal. You might say that I have seen it all -- the man who had not cut his fingernails for years and came in for his hearing with his yellowed nails dragging on the floor, the woman who was so heavy that she could barely fit through our doors, and people who practically skip through the parking lot and then limp into the hearing room with a cane. It would be easy to become cynical, after 25 years of watching claimants come and go. We certainly have employees in our office who refer to such people using very derogatory terms and are less than accommodating. I have also noticed that when I tell people where I work the response is usually, “Oh, you must see a lot of phonies -- people trying to bilk the system.”
The truth is that the vast majority of those individuals coming in for hearings are decent, hard-working people who are merely down on their luck. They may be seriously ill and unable to work, or they may be unable to perform their heavy-labor job and are unskilled for other positions. Many times those trying to “cheat” the system also have a sad history of hardship and despair.
I try to remember that each individual that comes into our office is entitled to be treated with respect and compassion. I try to remember that Jesus showed us how we, as Christians, must reach out to our fellow man. After all, Jesus came to the aid of those who were outcasts -- a prostitute, leper, and blind man.
I recently ran across a quote by George Bernard Shaw, which I have placed on my refrigerator as a constant reminder:
“THE GREAT SECRET ... IS NOT HAVING BAD MANNERS OR GOOD MANNERS … BUT HAVING THE SAME MANNER FOR ALL HUMAN SOULS: IN SHORT, BEHAVING AS IF YOU WERE IN HEAVEN, WHERE THERE ARE NO THIRD-CLASS CARRIAGES, AND ONE SOUL IS AS GOOD AS ANOTHER.”
Jan Versical
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