April 12, 2009 - Easter Sunday!

Christ, The Lord, Is Risen Today!

"CHRIST, the Lord, is risen to-day," Sons of men and angels say!
Raise your joys and triumphs high: Sing, ye heavens; thou earth, reply.

Love's redeeming work is done; Fought the fight, the battle won:
Lo! the sun's eclipse is o'er, Lo! he sets in blood no more!

Vain the stone, the watch, the seal, Christ hath burst the gates of hell:
Death in vain forbids his rise, Christ hath opened Paradise.

Lives again our glorious King! Where, O death, is now thy sting?
Once he died our souls to save; Where's thy victory, boasting grave

Soar we now where Christ hath led, Following our exalted Head:
Made like him, like him we rise, Ours the cross, the grave, the skies.

King of glory! Soul of bliss! Everlasting life is this,
Thee to know, thy power to prove, Thus to sing, and thus to love.


Charles Wesley (from 1739)

April 11, 2009

Resurrection Cookies

Even if you don't like or eat these cookies, making them will be a meaningful devotion.
Even if you don't make these cookies, reading this recipe will be a meaningful devotion.
Read the whole recipe before beginning, and try to do this with family and friends tonight: the night before Easter Sunday.

Ingredients:
1 C whole pecans
1 C sugar
3 egg whites
1 t vinegar
pinch salt
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

Place pecans in zipper baggie and have someone beat them with a wooden spoon to break into small pieces. This represents how Jesus was beaten by the soldiers after His arrest. Read John 19:1-3

Smell the vinegar. Put 1 t into mixing bowl. This represents the vinegar Jesus was given to drink when He was thirsty on the cross. Read John 19:28-30

Add egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life. This represents Jesus giving His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11

Sprinkle a little salt into each person's hand. Everyone should taste it, then put a pinch into the bowl. This represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers. Read Luke 23:27

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 C sugar to the bowl. This is because the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know Him, and to belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 11-15 minutes, until stiff peaks are formed. Now, the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon-full onto waxed paper-covered cookie sheet. Each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:65-66

Put cookie sheet into the oven. Close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each person a piece of tape, and seal the oven door, just as Jesus' tomb was sealed.

GO TO BED!

Although it seems sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight, this represents the despair Jesus' followers felt when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie! Notice the cracked surface, and take a bite: the cookies are hollow! On the first Resurrection Day, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb opened and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9

He Has Risen! Hallelujah!

April 10, 2009 - Good Friday

What’s so Good about Good Friday?

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8 NIV

Since starting my job over three years ago, I have made it a habit to take Good Friday off. I find it helpful to remember the sacrifice Christ made for each of us and how his death and resurrection bridged the gap between God and Man. One year my coworker, when confronted with my upcoming absence, asked " What is so good about Good Friday?"

After being taken aback by his simple question, I explained to him who I believed Christ was and what his death and resurrection meant to us as Christians. It was a challenge and a blessing to explain how the day of Christ's crucifixion was a "good" day.

However, that day proved to be a good because God had given me a wonderful opportunity to share my faith. I hope that I will looking anxiously for more ways to share the goodness of God in my life with others.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, Help us to see your leading and to have the boldness to share your message of love and salvation with those around us. Amen.

Jennifer Jambekar (from March 29, 2002)

April 9, 2009 - Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday

Read John 13: 1-17, 31b-35

In our United Methodist Hymnal we have a wonderful hymn that illustrates this passage from the fourth gospel, Jesu, Jesu (432). The text from John and the hymn speak to the task of a household servant and of the example of Jesus as one of humble service…an experience of humility. It is on this day that we remember the upper room gathering that gave us the mandatum nova, the new commandment to love one another as Jesus has shown love…the way of humble service.

“Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples---when they see the love you have for each other.” (The Message)

On this holy night there is an air of care and hospitality, a showing forth of unconditional love in an act so simple yet so profound. As we move ever closer to Jerusalem, ever closer to the cross, let us be reminded of our responsibility as followers of Christ, to be the example of servant ministry , not just for our friends, not just for our fellow congregants, not just for those who are like us or who like us.

And in the remembrance, let us commit to go to “neighbors near and far, rich and poor”, neighbors of any persuasion, serving from the position of a kneeling heart, with our time and talents, our gifts and prayers and our humble service. It is our Wesleyan heritage to be about social holiness…let us name it and claim it as we prepare to receive anew the gift of salvation offered on the cross. With a humble spirit, let us pray for the courage to love as Jesus loved.

Judy May

April 8, 2009

How Great Thou Art

Read Psalm 8

Since I joined the Boy Scouts in 1960, I've enjoyed the great outdoors. I grew to love hiking (don't do much of that any more) and camping (still do it and have lots of fun). I always appreciate the beauty of nature, although I don't usually take time to reflect on the vastness of our universe and our part in it. Who am I kidding? Do I ever really think that way when I'm out in the woods? Well...not often.

In the early 90's I was privileged to take two week-long backpacking trips to beautiful Isle Royale national park. I have a very vivid memory of being awakened in the middle of one night by the excited and somewhat awestruck voices of my fellow hikers urging me and others to come out and look at the sky. If you know me, you know I value my "sack time," and I was thinking, "These guys woke me up. This had better be good."

It was not merely good. I had been awakened so that I could enjoy the most dazzling display of northern lights I had ever seen. Patterns would appear low in the sky near one horizon and then sparkle with blue and green and yellow as they raced across the sky toward the opposite horizon. I lay on my back on the dock at the "Daisy Farm" campsite, watching as shimmering curtains of multicolored lights undulated across the sky.

As I gazed, yes, in wonder, at the amazing display of celestial pyrotechnics, words and a familiar melody eased softly into my conscious thought: "O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds Thy hands have made; I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed. Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art. Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art!"

If I could've remembered more of the words I'd have started singing right there on the dock, but I couldn't, so that first verse just kept playing in my head as I hummed it softly.

As we approach the season of Lent, I am now reminded of the words to the second verse of that song, "And when I think that God, His Son not sparing; sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in; that on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin."

Since that night at Daisy Farm, I've had ample additional opportunities to gaze "in awesome wonder" at the world around me. On a sailboat in Lake Huron, or on the beach at the tip of Michigan's thumb, I've looked skyward to see the greatness of our tiny corner of creation. Each time I do, four words gently remind me of our creator, as I invariably think, "How great thou art!"

Fred Van de Putte (from March 15, 2002)

April 7, 2009

A Balanced Diet

Read Matthew 6: 25, 31-33

I've been thinking about my diet lately. It's that New Year's thing. Anyway - as I try to pay more attention to nutrition, I find myself bombarded with those little food pyramids. You've seen them. The greatest portion of our daily food intake should be from grains and the next biggest is fruits and vegetables, etc. It occurred to me one day that I could apply the same pyramid to my spiritual nutrition.

The base of the pyramid - the foundation - is breads and grains. Well that's an easy one. There are all sorts of references to bread in the Bible, but the most obvious bread for our spiritual well-being is from Communion. Each taste of Communion bread serves as a reminder of Jesus and all he did for us. That's a pretty good foundation.

The next biggest portions are supposed to come from fruits and vegetables. At our house we love our "Veggies" (in the form of Veggie tales). We might sit and watch two or three in a row - half the time at my prompting. For those of you who haven't seen them, Veggie tales are cartoons where the characters are vegetables and fruits. They act out stories from the Bible, or just stories which teach a value such as thankfulness, loving your neighbor, etc. Often they are the only "veggies" I can be certain will be met with enthusiasm.

Hebrews 5: 12-14 talks about the need for milk versus meat. (The next level in the food pyramid.) Milk represents the elementary principles of God's word. The meat represents the more complex principles. A well-balanced spiritual diet should have a little of each. You have to remember the basics if you want to understand the more challenging aspects.

As for the top of the pyramid - the goodies, the fats - we are supposed to eat these sparingly. Proverbs 15: 30 tells us that "Good news puts fat on the bones." What a great way to top off the spiritual food pyramid - with the "Good News"!

Thought for the day: Am I remembering to nourish my spirit?

Prayer:
Father we thank you for our blessings and the food we enjoy. Pardon our sins, guide us through life, and at last save us. Amen.

Jacki Rumpp (February 28, 2001)

April 6, 2009

Finding Devotional Moments Everywhere

These are some examples of the things I write in the Caring Community Letters each week. Perhaps you'll find some of them will remind you to notice when those “special moments” come, as they seem to do each day.

Watch a film:
As they said in the classic running story, Chariots of Fire, “Life is a grand race, and what are we but runners?” Scripture: Isaiah 40:31

Read a scripture:
In Psalm 139, David expressed conviction that his entire being was fashioned by God, and therefore it is worth acceptance. When you let God's love fill your heart, it will show on your face.

Read your devotional
There was a devotional about aging gracefully: “Wonder if God's favorite color is gray?”

Sharing
I heard the other day if your eyes are open when you need some rest .... Take care of yourself.

Newspaper Quips
Someone complimented me on my driving today. I found a note on my windshield that read, “PARKING FINE!” Was it you?
“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”- Picasso


Radio Personalities
Mort Crim (WWJ) said, “If you fly a plane, you'll need the left wing and right wing to maintain a balance. Flying a plane is like being in politics.

Newspaper
Feb 16, 2004 Detroit Free Press Mort Crim column: How many American Presidents are NOT buried in the United States?

The answer was: Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, George Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush

Bible - Isaiah 40:31
Remember ... Life's race isn't always won by those who are out in front. Victory is reserved for those who wait upon the Lord. They are not weary who walk and do not faint.

Losers Never Win! Winners Never Quit!

“Can't” is a 4 letter word. What are you going to do about it? How about Isaiah 40:31?

Bob Kiess (from February 19, 2005)

April 5, 2009 - Palm Sunday

What About Me?

Read: 2 Corinthians 11:3

Lately I have been feeling sorry for myself because of the trials and sorrows that I must deal with in my daily walk... It just isn't fair! This is not what life is supposed to be all about... This is not what being a Christian is all about! "God, why do I have to deal with all of this by myself? I thought you were there to help me and make my life easier?"

Many times, as I have experienced the peaks and valleys of my Christian walk, I tend to blame God for all of my trials and faults. This seems to be my human nature ... place the blame on another. As a Christian, I tend to place the blame on God! I am a Christian ... it must be God's fault now.

When I first accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior, I could not find enough ways or time to be in His presence. I remember when I participated with two churches, which would include attending three services on Sunday and an evening service on Wednesday. Oh, how I longed to be in His presence. Things couldn't have been worse in my life at that time (if you were looking from the outside in)! This is a time in my life that my eyes were focused on God. I did not take the time to worry about my life... I was focused on the life of Jesus Christ. I could not get enough...

I gave my life to Christ. I accepted the Camping Ministry as my life of service to Him and His children. Now, it was time for me to do my work! 22 years of camping and so much more work to do... Whoops, I seem to have lost focus! How did life make the turn so that everything was about me? Why do I suddenly feel like God should provide everything to suit me? Why do I feel like I should have everything ... and have it now?

Through my Devotions and Bible Study, God provided the answer... I had turned my eyes and focus away from Christ and onto me! Friends, I will never be perfect. I will always have faults, trials, and sorrow attached to my life. But, if my eyes are on Jesus Christ... I see God. I see the only perfect One.

It is not about me! It is not about now, the immediate gratification! It is all about God. It is all about His Glory. That is why I committed to serve Christ in the first place.

I would like to share with you a text from Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost For His Highest." His devotional helped me to get back on track... "Does everything in my life fill His heart with gladness, or do I constantly complain because things don't seem to be going my way? A person who has forgotten what God treasures will not be filled with joy."

Not too long ago, some of us shared a weekend together at Lake Louise. I can honestly say that my life was filled with joy. When I looked at you... I looked for God in you. When I served you, it was as unto the Lord. God treasures each and every one of you. As I do my work here at the camp, I will not forget you or our time together each and every year at Lake Louise.

Lord, each time I lose focus and start to question my life circumstances and expect that things should suit me... please help me to remember that "What About Me?" is the warning sign that I should be thinking "What About You!" Lord, help me to keep my focus upon you. Amen.

Dean Ozment (from March 14, 2003)

April 4, 2009

Gratitude

Read: Psalm 100

As you all can’t help but know, my husband and I are now, finally, grandparents. If you’ve never been there, I may loose you in this, but stay with me! Those of you who are already grandparents will concur that there is nothing like the bond you feel for a grandchild. This is especially true for us as grandparents after all the difficulty that our daughter and her husband had in producing this child.

So it is with extremely grateful hearts that we continue to enjoy this precious child. But at the same time, I am reminded of why I came to this church as a young mother after not having attended church for several years. I remember being overjoyed at the birth of both my children but especially at the birth my second child since I was getting older by then and could not believe my good fortune in having a second child.

I did not return to church with a sense of obligation or out of fear but out of an overwhelming sense of gratitude. And I continue to thank God everyday for my continuing blessings.

Vivian Anderson

April 3, 2009

Groundwork

“so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” - Romans 12:5-8 ESV

I like to sing. I have an OK voice, not great but not bad. I can’t read music, which can be a problem, so I sing soprano, even though I can’t always hit the high notes. But I like to sing and I can hear the melody (especially with Heidi standing behind me) so I sing soprano in our church choir.

When my family first joined GPUMC I really enjoyed listening to the choir. I often thought about joining but I was intimidated by the quality of the group, and my weak gifts held me back. So for several years I just listened and sang along from the pew. Then finally one Thursday night I decided to go to a rehearsal, I figured I could sit in the back and see how it went. The reception was so warm and everyone was so helpful that I came the next week. Within a few weeks I felt like I fit right in, and now I am blessed to sing my heart out to the Lord.

Being involved in choir had brought me closer to our church family too. As a matter of fact every committee I’ve been on and every job I’ve been recruited for (no matter how reluctantly) has blessed my life. GPUMC is a wonderful church full of wonderful people with a strong faith to share – many of whom I wouldn’t know if I hadn’t stepped outside of my comfort zone.

Lent is traditionally thought of as a time of preparation. The thesaurus lists “groundwork” as a synonym for “preparation”. This Lent, lay the groundwork for making a closer connection to our church; take on a challenge, join a committee, or sign up for a Bible study class. The experience of being with your Christian brothers and sisters will bring you closer to God.

Prayer: Lord let my heart be touched by someone today and let me touch someone.

Cathy Lorenz (from March 1, 2006)

April 2, 2009

Delivering Soup

Read James 2:15-17

It seemed like a simple enough thing to do. "Let's take the left-over soup from the Soup Supper and deliver it to some folks who are shut-in, or just couldn't make it to church," and really, it was a simple enough thing to do.

Heidi and I gathered up the containers of soup, made a quick list of people we'd try, and off we went. Yes, it's a simple thing, delivering soup - until you actually do it.

When you actually make the deliveries; when you see the faces and hear the voices and touch the hands; when you get back in the car and realize that you haven't had so many people ask God's Blessings on you in a long time; that's when you realize.

You realize that when you get out of the car and walk up to the door with those containers, you're not just delivering soup - you're delivering Love.

Thank you, Father, for allowing us to be your hands, carrying soup and love to our brothers and sisters in your name.
Amen.

Charlie van Becelaere (from February 18, 2008)

April 1, 2009

Where Is Your Faith?

Read Luke 8:22-25

"They went to him and woke him up, shouting, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, "Where is your faith?" --Luke 8:24-25

It is hard for me to believe that my tenth wedding anniversary will be this year! I remember, as though yesterday, our beautiful little wedding (right outside in the church garden with only a handful of friends and family), and the celebration we had a few months later in Pennsylvania for my large extended family and friends. I was the only one in my immediate family born in Michigan; the rest were from the Allegheny mountain region of Pennsylvania. It was always my dream to have my wedding celebration in the tiny country church next to my Grand-mother's old farmhouse, in Fallen Timber, Pennsylvania, which is part way up the side of a mountain. The area is gorgeous, and I used to spend summers there as a child. The day of the family celebration was wonderful, and the wedding ceremony, conducted by a country preacher, Rev. Warful, very moving. He asked my husband, Kelly and I, if we had a particular piece of scripture that we wanted to use in the service. We decided on the story of Jesus calming the sea, as sailing has been a big part of both of our lives, and we absolutely love the water. In his sermon, Rev. Warful pointed out that the only answer that we can give to Jesus' question in the gospel passage we had chosen is, "Our faith is in you, Master!".

As many of my church friends know, our marriage has been eventful, to say the least, from practically the first day. Major surgery for both of us, a triple by-pass for Kelly, multiple hospitalizations, lost jobs, Kelly's heart attack and three strokes, many, many EMS runs to save Kelly's life, a major car accident and other problems of a more personal nature have been a major part of our life together over the past decade. Yet today, our marriage, and our faith, is stronger than ever. We have come to learn that the only security and constant in our somewhat tumultuous lives is the Lord, and we have learned to place our problems in his hands. With Jesus' help, our marriage has survived and our love for each other grown immensely. I've often thought about what Rev. Warful told us when we stood before him as
newlyweds, ten years ago. He was so right!

Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for the gift of faith, and teach us to place our daily concerns in your merciful and protective hands. Amen.

Thought for the Day: The Lord is always with us, including in times of great trouble.

Prayer Focus: Those struggling with marital problems.

Joyce Reynolds (from March 18, 2006)