March 31, 2014

An Embarrassment of Blessings

Read Matthew 20:1-16

Over the years, I’ve had several people say to me that they would love to write for our Lenten Devotions book, but “it would just sound like I’m bragging.”

It’s typically that God has blessed them so much that they want to share their Joy and to say “thank you” to God and their church family. Then they think about someone they know who has been fighting an illness, or has just suffered the loss of a loved one, or any number of other calamities, and it seems it would almost be mean to talk about their own blessings. Basically, they’re embarrassed to be so blessed.

I completely understand that reluctance, but I’ve been rereading some of the Callahan stories by Spider Robinson recently, and Callahan’s Law struck me as exactly the antidote to that thinking: "Shared pain is lessened; shared Joy, increased.”

Not only that, but then I remembered that my blessings come from God, I’m not bragging about me when I share my blessings, I’m bragging about God. When it seems totally unfair that I get as much (or as little) as I do, I think about that parable where the workers are all paid the same amount by the landowner, even though some worked much longer than others did.

It’s not up to me to decide what’s fair – it’s up to God. When it doesn’t make sense to me, when it looks like He’s playing favorites, I have to remember who He is, and that I know that I don’t know everything – frankly, I hardly know anything – but that I trust Him, love Him, and can always count on His goodness.

So, we can’t be embarrassed by the ways God has blessed us. What is it to you if He gives you more than you deserve? It’s not a contest, it’s a gift.

Charlie van Becelaere

March 30, 2014

Where He Leads Me (E.W. Blandy)

I can hear my Savior calling,

I can hear my Savior calling,

I can hear my Savior calling,

"Take thy cross and follow, follow me."

Refrain:

Where he leads me I will follow,

where he leads me I will follow,

where he leads me I will follow;

I'll go with him, with him all the way.

I'll go with him through the garden,

I'll go with him through the garden,

I'll go with him through the garden,

I'll go with him, with him all the way.

Refrain

I'll go with him through the judgment,

I'll go with him through the judgment,

I'll go with him through the judgment,

I'll go with him, with him all the way.

Refrain

He will give me grace and glory,

He will give me grace and glory,

He will give me grace and glory,

and go with me, with me all the way.

March 29, 2014

Psalm 98

Oh sing to the Lord a new song,

for he has done marvelous things!

His right hand and his holy arm

have worked salvation for him.

The Lord has made known his salvation;

he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.

He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness

to the house of Israel.

All the ends of the earth have seen

the salvation of our God.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;

break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,

with the lyre and the sound of melody!

With trumpets and the sound of the horn

make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!

Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;

the world and those who dwell in it!

Let the rivers clap their hands;

let the hills sing for joy together

before the Lord, for he comes

to judge the earth.

He will judge the world with righteousness,

and the peoples with equity.

March 28, 2014

Keeping Together

(Devotion From Daily Guideposts by Melody Bonnette Swang)

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17

We’d rushed my son Christopher to the emergency room with a serious back injury. They took him in quickly for X-rays. I was directed to a crowded area where other families anxiously sat, waiting for news from the doctors. There was not an empty seat in the room.

An elderly lady with the word Volunteer embroidered on her white lab coat motioned me over. “Honey, there’s a place in the back that I can offer you to sit if you like.”

“Yes, thanks,” I said. I followed her to a tiny room and sat down in a chair. I leaned my head back against the wall and closed my eyes.

I reached for the tiny silver cross hanging on a thin chain around my neck. “Please take care of Christopher,” I prayed, “and, Lord, could You take care of me too? Because right now I feel like I’m falling apart.”

Just then the volunteer came back into the room. “Doing okay?” she asked.

“Better now,” I said, still touching my cross. I looked down at it. “This is what is holding me together right now.”

She smiled and sat down next to me. “Have you ever heard of laminin?” she asked. I shook my head.

“My husband is a retired doctor,” she explained, “and it’s something he still marvels at. Laminin is a molecule that helps our cells stick together. Without these molecules, we would literally fall apart.”

She pointed at my cross and continued: “Interesting, isn’t it? When looked at under a microscope, the laminin molecule is shaped just like a cross.”

Lord, Your immense and elaborate design holds me together physically and spiritually.

This is so meaningful to me, I needed to share it.

Karen Bromley

March 27, 2014

“Moving” closer to God

Last year I started a Zumba class at our church. Zumba is an exercise program based on various dance styles, from samba to salsa. The idea is to have fun while getting a good workout.

You may wonder what Zumba has to do with church. However, I think it’s a perfect fit. It is a known fact that our spiritual health and physical health are related. There is indeed a “mind/body” connection. The research is clear that exercise can relieve depression, calm anxiety, help to prevent many diseases, improve mobility, and ease pain and stiffness.

My daughter recently gave me the book “The Blue Zones.” The book looks at societies with the highest concentrations of the longest-lived and healthiest people in the world. As I was reading about these healthy societies, I realized that they had a common thread. The people had a great spiritual faith and EXERCISED DAILY. In fact, I was amazed at the activity level of these people!

The author of the book describes his day with Marge Jelton, a Seventh Day Adventist from California. He writes:

“After prayers and reflection, it was power-walking time. Marge’s corner of the apartment was in the independent-living facility. If she made her customary beeline down the hallway to the other end of the building and back six times, it worked out to a mile…Then she did her exercises… She hopped on the lone exercise bicycle, quickly adjusted the resistance with a spin of the thumb and forefinger, and started churning. ‘I ride between six and eight miles a day, except for the Sabbath,’ she said over the whirring bike… ‘Well then, let’s get you going,’ she announced, hopping off the bike and moving toward a series of hand weights in the corner… She demonstrated an eight-part, dual-hand, lift-and-stretch exercise as she counted it off, and barked for me to follow along. Then we started with twisting trunk contortions, followed by side-to side stretches with the weights held over our heads.”

Marge Jelton is 100 years young.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 states “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? … Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

Jan Versical

March 26, 2014

Time – Talents – Treasure

Read: Psalm90:9-17

Time is a limited commodity. We all have a finite amount and none of us know where our time-clock is.

We use our talents to create a living. The world weighs in as to which talents are most important. Should your talents be in the entertainment arena, they will be highly regarded by the world. Those talents will build significant treasure. I would submit however, that talents used to help those in need and “the least of these” will build treasure in Heaven.

Using your talents to create treasure takes time. Do you spend your time where your treasure resides?

Recently at a funeral of a well-known surgeon, his granddaughter, a professional in her own right, said it best. “When I was growing up, my grandfather took me to a family funeral to allow me to understand the life cycle. While walking hand-in-hand, from viewing the relative, I said, ‘Someday, Grandpa, I’m going to be at your funeral.’ His response was, ‘Yes you will.’”

The time had now come.

In giving her eulogy – and through her tears – she said her grandfather always spent time with her. He read her wonderful stories and every time she was at his home he gave her a Vernors.

She remembered the small things: “time” and “Vernors.”

In our lives, it’s the time we spend with others that counts. A call or a visit to a sick friend takes time. Time is really all we have. In our church we may spend time in committee meetings, choir, welcoming newcomers to our church, or making a trip to Haiti, Kentucky, or Detroit’s inner city. We give of ourselves and our most precious commodity - “Time.”

There is a finite amount of time and our clocks are running.

How are you spending yours?

Doug Ross Sr.

March 25, 2014

Lenten Resolutions?

Read Psalm46

How are you doing on your New Year’s Resolutions? By the beginning of February, most of us have forgotten what we resolved to improve or change. At the turn of this year, I became aware of MYONEWORD – a book and concept by Mike Ashcraft and Rachel Olsen. I love the simplicity of this! Instead of a whole list of resolutions, you choose one word on which to concentrate for the year. It should sum up your good intentions and be easy to remember. Here are some examples: LEARN; JOY; PRAY; CHANGE; HOPE. You get the idea. Since one word sums up the kind of person we want to become, we can more easily keep it in sight and mind. We can even paint the word on our wall, embroider it into our wallet, or make it our screen-saver.

We can select a word to take us through the whole year, or through the season of Lent. I wonder what Jesus’s word would be? LOVE or FAITH or GIVE or ENDURE or LIFE or JOURNEY? I would guess His word would be LOVE, because He so wanted us to understand that God loves us and that we must love each other. I truly believe it is why we are here on Earth” to feel love, show love and receive love, even when we do not deserve it. That sounds so simple, but it is so hard to do. We often do not feel lovable, even when we want to love God and others.

So back to my one word, which came to me immediately: BE. To me, this means to develop and flesh out the gifts God has placed within me. Be loving, be brave, be the best me that I can be. Also, be still and listen to God. Watch what happens, look for God’s direction. Be faithful and vigilant to that which is important. Be musical! Be smart! Be a blessing to others. Be positive. Be quiet. Look around. Our lives are such incredible gifts. Each one of you is so unique and special. Let us BE during Lent and this year, exactly what God wants us to be.

If you have a word for your year, I would love for you to share it with me. Maybe we can remind each other as time goes by.

Dear God, thank you for our lives and for our church, where we have daily reminders of the persons you would like to be. Help us to be our best selves and to always appreciate the wonderful present moment. Amen

Anne Sullivan

March 24, 2014

One Rock At A Time

Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20-21(NIV)

When I went to college my mother gave me a printed list of Bible verses to read when/if I faced certain problems. The above verse was first. I always thought of it as a huge leap of faith, but when I read the Feb 19, 2014 Upper Room, I saw another way to look at it.

It is about faith. But it also means you can be involved. You can help make that happen. The contributor said he saw it as "pushing a wheelbarrow and carrying a shovel – moving my mountain one rock at a time". We need strong faith, but we can also pick up a wheelbarrow and shovel.

Shirley Van Becelaere

March 23, 2014

I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light (Kathleen Thomerson)

I want to walk as a child of the light;

I want to follow Jesus.

God set the stars to give light to the world;

The star of my life is Jesus.

In Him there is no darkness at all;

The night and the day are both alike.

The Lamb is the light of the city of God.

Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.

I want to see the brightness of God;

I want to look at Jesus.

Clear Sun of Righteousness, shine on my path

And show me the way to the Father.

In Him there is no darkness at all;

The night and the day are both alike.

The Lamb is the light of the city of God.

Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.

I’m looking for the coming of Christ;

I want to be with Jesus.

When we have run with patience the race,

We shall know the joy of Jesus.

In Him there is no darkness at all;

The night and the day are both alike.

The Lamb is the light of the city of God.

Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.

March 22, 2014

Psalm 34:1-8

I will bless the Lord at all times;

his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

My soul makes its boast in the Lord;

let the humble hear and be glad.

Oh, magnify the Lord with me,

and let us exalt his name together!

I sought the Lord, and he answered me

and delivered me from all my fears.

Those who look to him are radiant,

and their faces shall never be ashamed.

This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him

and saved him out of all his troubles.

The angel of the Lord encamps

around those who fear him, and delivers them.

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!

Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

March 21, 2014

Stillness

Read: Ecclesiastes 5:18

"Stillness" by Paul C Thomas

If time stood still for just one day

Then we’d have enough space to say

What it is to those we love so much

Seeking those we promised to keep in touch

Dining with those that we’ve admired

And pursuing those that we’ve desired

Stepping outside our four walls

And hanging our hats in our neighbors halls

Time to grow gardens and plant our trees

So our cities will burst with lushness and greens

We’ll wait for days end and the towns that hush

For the setting sun and the colors that flush

Into the sky while it drops off the map

As grandpas tell tales to those in their laps

And brothers ‘goodnight’ and lovers hold tight

To the moments that are amplified from the first light

Of the moon as it rises and stars from the sky

That blesses those born and guides those who die

But would we take advantage of this extra day?

Or into history would we let it fade?

The truth is that this cannot be done

More time? Get real, you have one life, just one.

Ecclesiastes is about the author sharing his thoughts on the meaning of life. He uses sayings, proverbs, and poems to illustrate his point.

Prayer for today: Dear God, Help us to be still, and connect with you, listening, carefully, for your whisper, your guidance.

March 20, 2014

Joy and Faith in Action

“For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them.” Matthew 18:20

“A little child shall lead them.” Isaiah 11:6

Twenty-six plus two day visitors gathered for the 25th time for a winter retreat at Lake Louise Retreat Center, part of Lake Louise United Methodist Camp. Over 200 families have attended this event with highest attendance being eighty-nine people. Ages from 5 months to 85 years of age have experienced the magic of Lake Louise.

Large or small, the group gathers each year for the same purpose, to come together in faith for fellowship, friendship, fun, and food. New friends are made and old friends are cherished. Prayer and worship experienced in a relaxed but spiritual way. The camp provides acres of outdoor fun, freedom to play hard or rest, and a gathering place for families and friends to be together without the pressures of daily life. Conversation is constant, texting is not.

Six youth, ages 5-13, led the retreaters through a weekend of joy and faith. When asked to serve in this capacity they readily agreed. Two girls announced the activities prior to each meal, gathered volunteers for grace, and communicated with the camp staff the needs of the retreaters. Two boys volunteered to keep the wood box full for the fireplace. They never failed us, hauling wood by sled from the woodpile and carrying many arm loads of wood up the steps to the wood box. The remaining two girls joined with the others to lead the worship service as member of the “Lake Louise Choir,” under the direction of Miss Tamara. All participated in the talent show with innovative skits, offered to lead grace before meals, were Olympic champions on the sledding hill, and were willing to play a game, work the community jigsaw puzzle, or weave a bracelet with anyone who was interested.

Three senior “Senior High” girls were in attendance. All are recent college grads. What a joy to have their company.

The camp staff asked me if a “Leadership-In-Training” program was part of our weekend. He was amazed by the examples of good leadership and communicating skills that were displayed.

How grateful I am to have witnessed the kindness, joy, and volunteerism these children displayed. What a display of faith in action.

Hope you can plan on being a part of this wonderful weekend next year!

Lynn Van de Putte

March 19, 2014

A Tree Whose Roots Go Deep In Love

Read Luke8:4-15

Greetings to our friends at Grosse Pointe from your friends at the Avenue Church in Newton Abbot, Devon, England.

Have you heard this story?
It was told to our Junior Church by Martin, our Family Worker.

First of all he held up a drawing of a tree and talked to the children about it. 

Then the story began:

“There was once a man who had a beautiful garden of which he was very proud. Unfortunately on one side of his fence was a rubbish tip, but on the other side of the garden, through a little gate, was a sparkling stream with grassy banks on either side.

“One day the man thought to himself, ‘I will plant two trees, one to hide the rubbish tip and the other to provide shade by the stream.’ This he did and the trees grew and flourished until they produced fruit. The fruit on the tree near the rubbish tip ripened first so the man picked on to taste it – and it was horrible – bitter, sour, dry; and disappointed he threw it away.

“Soon the fruit on the tree near the stream was ripe and with some hesitation he picked one to try – it was delicious – juicy, sweet, and crunchy.”

Martin stopped here and asked the children why this was so. Many varied answers came, then Martin gave his drawing a flick and then this happened. 

Yes roots appeared!

You do not need me to tell you what his explanation was to the children, only to remind ourselves that lives which are rooted firmly in God’s love and redeeming Grace, through prayer, meditating on Scripture, and serving others can only produce good fruit.

Dorothy Williams

March 18, 2014

Sing Your Song in Your Own Way

Read Isaiah42:10-12

In 1997, the Pope paid a visit to the United States. A memorable part of that occasion happened when a young man with no hands played a guitar and sang a song he had composed. These thoughts came to me as I watched the event on television.

He sang his song, in his own way.

No hands could hold his music

Nor flip a page with ease,

Nor wipe the tears that flowed on his cheeks

While he lifted up his praise.

His feet would hold the instrument that waited to be played,

Because someone said, “Something can be done,

“Let's use the gift God gave.”

So someone taught,

And someone cared, and

Someone led the way.

Then someone said, “Will you sing a song to celebrate this day?”

So he sang his song, in his own way

With a voice that thrilled those who heard.

And his gift was brought and sanctified, and

A blessing went round the world.

So, sing your songs in your own way.

Use voice, or hands, or feet.

Use the gift you have in your journey,

So the journey can be sweet.

“Unto whom much is given, much is also required.”

Lois Bailey Leineke

March 17, 2014

“Please, I’d Rather Do It Myself!”

Read: 2Kings 5:1-14

It can be hard to ask for help. I want to do it myself – I don’t want to admit that I can’t.

Naaman needed help to be cured of his leprosy, but when he was told it was something as simple as washing in the Jordan, he went away angry. He expected something special from Elisha and his God; after all, he was the commander of the army! His servants reminded him that “if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it?” He relented and washed and was clean, but I think the interesting point is that he would have jumped at the chance to do something difficult.

I think I understand Naaman. Like many of us, he went to God prepared to say, “OK, God, what do you want me to do to be healed?” We often go to God saying, “OK, God, what do you want me to do so I can be with You?” When God says, “I’ve already done it; accept My gift and come be with Me,” we hesitate. There’s got to be something for us to do, it can’t be all His doing. We’re offended by “done” when we want to “do.”

It all comes down to pride, I think, and that’s one hard thing to get past.

As the hymn says:

Jesus paid it all,

all to Him I owe.

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow.

There’s nothing I can add to what Jesus already did on the Cross; I just have to accept the gift of salvation, and let Him make me into who I am meant to be. It’s a hard thing to do, to admit that I can’t do anything.

Charlie van Becelaere

March 16, 2014

Just a Closer Walk with Thee (Anonymous)

I am weak, but Thou art strong;

Jesus, keep me from all wrong;

I’ll be satisfied as long

As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Just a closer walk with Thee,

Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,

Daily walking close to Thee,

Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

Through this world of toil and snares,

If I falter, Lord, who cares?

Who with me my burden shares?

None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.

Just a closer walk with Thee,

Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,

Daily walking close to Thee,

Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

When my feeble life is o’er,

Time for me will be no more;

Guide me gently, safely o’er

To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.

Just a closer walk with Thee,

Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,

Daily walking close to Thee,

Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.