Here, O My Lord, I See Thee Face to Face
Here, O my Lord, I see thee face to face;
here would I touch and handle things unseen;
here grasp with firmer hand eternal grace,
and all my weariness upon thee lean.
This is the hour of banquet and of song;
this is the heavenly table spread for me;
here let me feast, and feasting, still prolong
the hallowed hour of fellowship with thee.
Here would I feed upon the bread of God,
here drink with thee the royal wine of heaven;
here would I lay aside each earthly load,
here taste afresh the calm of sin forgiven.
Too soon we rise; the symbols disappear;
the feast, though not the love, is past and gone.
The bread and wine remove; but thou art here,
nearer than ever, still my shield and sun.
Feast after feast thus comes and passes by;
yet, passing, points to the glad feast above,
giving sweet foretaste of the festal joy,
the Lamb's great bridal feast of bliss and love.
Horatius Bonar
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
February 27, 2010
Non Campus Mentis
Read: UMH #156
The new History teacher had been teaching his seventh-graders about World War II, and a test question was, "What was the largest amphibious assault of all time?"
Expecting to see "the D-Day invasion" as the answer, he found instead on one paper, "Moses and the plague of frogs."
Read: UMH #156
The new History teacher had been teaching his seventh-graders about World War II, and a test question was, "What was the largest amphibious assault of all time?"
Expecting to see "the D-Day invasion" as the answer, he found instead on one paper, "Moses and the plague of frogs."
Well, those frogs really did give Pharaoh what for, so it's nice to know that someone was paying attention in Sunday School, even if he missed the regular school lesson.
It's never fun to get one wrong, but how often do you have Bible stories come to mind in “everyday” life? It's kind of nice to have those stories in our heads, isn't it?
February 26, 2010
Be Still
“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10
Learning to “be still” has been a journey. Being busy is more my nature than being still. I like to fill my time with activities that have a purpose and make me feel productive. Over the last few years we have moved with my husband’s work.
While we were in North Carolina, my new friend, June, shared her love of the Lord and how she spends time in relationship with Him. She would read the Bible, journal about it and write out a prayer. Journaling was something that I had not done before.
We then moved to Hawaii and a new friend, Vickia, shared a book titled Adoration. The book was about Mary and Martha. My friend would say to just “be still” like Mary at the feet of Jesus. Mary showed adoration and devotion to Jesus by choosing to spend time with Him. Our faith grows as we get to know Him more.
The church we attended in Hawaii encouraged doing daily devotions. They gave out bookmarks with a Bible reading plan for three months on it. Wow! A plan to go by; that was just what I needed to get me started on my new challenge to “be still”. It was time for me to grow in my knowledge of the Bible and my faith. The Bible verse that the church quoted a lot was Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plan to give you hope and a future.” This verse is so full of hope. I started the reading plan and discovered more promises and applications for life.
We then moved to Tennessee, where I attended the Rock Solid Bible study with three new friends that are inspiring teachers. We studied a book titled, Lord I Want to Know You. Then I met a sweet neighbor, Alice. She came out one day for our walk wearing a tee shirt that said BE STILL on the front with the rest of the verse was on the back. I wanted one immediately, but it was from a 2003 Spiritual Retreat she had been on. It was as if God was reminding me again to “be still” with Him to learn His directions for my life. I have had encouraging mentors all along the way, plus the Divine Mentor. God wants us to seek Him with all our hearts. “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13
Prayer: Thank you God for your Word. Help me to hear You today. I want to be still so that I may hear your marching orders for my day, my week, my life. Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening. IJNA
Doing daily devotions, a time to “be still” with God’s Word, gives us hope and a future as we learn to trust Him more and more.
Nancy Kent
“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10
Learning to “be still” has been a journey. Being busy is more my nature than being still. I like to fill my time with activities that have a purpose and make me feel productive. Over the last few years we have moved with my husband’s work.
While we were in North Carolina, my new friend, June, shared her love of the Lord and how she spends time in relationship with Him. She would read the Bible, journal about it and write out a prayer. Journaling was something that I had not done before.
We then moved to Hawaii and a new friend, Vickia, shared a book titled Adoration. The book was about Mary and Martha. My friend would say to just “be still” like Mary at the feet of Jesus. Mary showed adoration and devotion to Jesus by choosing to spend time with Him. Our faith grows as we get to know Him more.
The church we attended in Hawaii encouraged doing daily devotions. They gave out bookmarks with a Bible reading plan for three months on it. Wow! A plan to go by; that was just what I needed to get me started on my new challenge to “be still”. It was time for me to grow in my knowledge of the Bible and my faith. The Bible verse that the church quoted a lot was Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plan to give you hope and a future.” This verse is so full of hope. I started the reading plan and discovered more promises and applications for life.
We then moved to Tennessee, where I attended the Rock Solid Bible study with three new friends that are inspiring teachers. We studied a book titled, Lord I Want to Know You. Then I met a sweet neighbor, Alice. She came out one day for our walk wearing a tee shirt that said BE STILL on the front with the rest of the verse was on the back. I wanted one immediately, but it was from a 2003 Spiritual Retreat she had been on. It was as if God was reminding me again to “be still” with Him to learn His directions for my life. I have had encouraging mentors all along the way, plus the Divine Mentor. God wants us to seek Him with all our hearts. “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13
Prayer: Thank you God for your Word. Help me to hear You today. I want to be still so that I may hear your marching orders for my day, my week, my life. Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening. IJNA
Doing daily devotions, a time to “be still” with God’s Word, gives us hope and a future as we learn to trust Him more and more.
Nancy Kent
February 25, 2010
AN ALL-CLEAN LENT
" … Let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith; with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water." - Hebrews 10:22
My grandmother observed the annual ritual of spring house-cleaning. Up came the rugs to be beaten outdoors, curtains washed" and stretched, windows and furniture polished, floors scrubbed, and every drawer and cupboard cleaned and straightened. My parents for many years did a similar ritual: washing walls and ceilings and curtains, cleaning rugs and carpets and upholstery, waxing furniture. I can still remember the fresh, clean aroma of a special cleaner "they purchased at Hudson’s. Before clean-burning furnaces, washers and dryers, and vacuum cleaners, spring cleaning was a necessary chore after the need for wood and coal stoves was past and warmer weather permitted more washing and drying outside. I have a 90-year-old friend who still cleans her house from top to bottom every spring! And I must admit I rather miss the feeling of satisfaction in having - at least briefly - an all clean house. As a major in Home Economics/Field Service at Albion College, I put together a sample hand-out booklet titled "AN "ALL" -CLEAN SPRING" promoting the cleaning product "ALL" for a senior project.
The Eastern Orthodox Church begins Lent on the Monday before Ash Wednesday when traditionally the faithful cleanse their souls by penance and scrub their cooking utensils clean to remove all -traces of meat and fat, which are forbidden during Lent. Before Passover many Orthodox Jews clean out all their kitchen cupboards, throwing away any forbidden foods and making sure all the dishes are clean and kosher.
"Spring-cleaning can also be psycho1ogical, a time-out to confront the emotional clutter that has accumulated in your mental closet. It's a time for introspection, a mid-course "correction for ordinary people "in ordinary stressful lives" (-Abigail Trafford, quoted in "Simple Abundance" by Susan Breathnack). Perhaps Lent should be a spring-cleaning - not of our wood and brick houses, but of our flesh and blood houses - out hearts, minds, and souls.
The psalmist writes, "Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin" (Psalm 51:2). On our Lenten journey, let's make time to do some internal spring cleaning and then let God take over.
"If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." -1 John 1:9
Noelle Landin
" … Let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith; with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water." - Hebrews 10:22
My grandmother observed the annual ritual of spring house-cleaning. Up came the rugs to be beaten outdoors, curtains washed" and stretched, windows and furniture polished, floors scrubbed, and every drawer and cupboard cleaned and straightened. My parents for many years did a similar ritual: washing walls and ceilings and curtains, cleaning rugs and carpets and upholstery, waxing furniture. I can still remember the fresh, clean aroma of a special cleaner "they purchased at Hudson’s. Before clean-burning furnaces, washers and dryers, and vacuum cleaners, spring cleaning was a necessary chore after the need for wood and coal stoves was past and warmer weather permitted more washing and drying outside. I have a 90-year-old friend who still cleans her house from top to bottom every spring! And I must admit I rather miss the feeling of satisfaction in having - at least briefly - an all clean house. As a major in Home Economics/Field Service at Albion College, I put together a sample hand-out booklet titled "AN "ALL" -CLEAN SPRING" promoting the cleaning product "ALL" for a senior project.
The Eastern Orthodox Church begins Lent on the Monday before Ash Wednesday when traditionally the faithful cleanse their souls by penance and scrub their cooking utensils clean to remove all -traces of meat and fat, which are forbidden during Lent. Before Passover many Orthodox Jews clean out all their kitchen cupboards, throwing away any forbidden foods and making sure all the dishes are clean and kosher.
"Spring-cleaning can also be psycho1ogical, a time-out to confront the emotional clutter that has accumulated in your mental closet. It's a time for introspection, a mid-course "correction for ordinary people "in ordinary stressful lives" (-Abigail Trafford, quoted in "Simple Abundance" by Susan Breathnack). Perhaps Lent should be a spring-cleaning - not of our wood and brick houses, but of our flesh and blood houses - out hearts, minds, and souls.
The psalmist writes, "Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin" (Psalm 51:2). On our Lenten journey, let's make time to do some internal spring cleaning and then let God take over.
"If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." -1 John 1:9
Noelle Landin
February 24, 2010
Listen!!
The boy Samuel was serving God under Eli’s direction. This was at a time when the revelation of God was rarely heard or seen. One night Eli was sound asleep. It was well before dawn; the sanctuary lamp was still burning. Samuel was still in bed in the Temple of God where the Chest of God rested.
Then God called out, “Samuel, Samuel!” [I Samuel 3:1-4]. Samuel thought that Eli was calling him. God called four times before Samuel understood.
One day long ago, God’s Word came to Jonah, Amittai’s son: “Up on your feet and on your way to the big city of Nineveh! Preach to them. They’re in a bad way and I can’t ignore it any longer.”
But Jonah got up and went the other direction to Tarshish, running away from God. He went down to the port of Joppa and found a ship headed for Tarshish. He paid the fare and went on board, joining those going to Tarshish -- as far away from God as he could get. [Jonah 1:1-3]
The Bible teaches that God has a plan for each of us, a task that uses our particular, special talents. But what is that task? Samuel was chosen to clean up the Temple and lead Israel. Jonah was chosen to preach God’s judgment to the people of Nineveh. The Bible teaches us to listen for God’s call.
I listened, and heard nothing.
I prayed for years and heard nothing.
Finally I heard a quiet whisper that contained the germ of an idea. Slowly that whisper grew into a loud, clear assignment.
I thanked God for answering my prayers. Then I heard God laugh and say, “I answered every day from your first prayer. The hardest part was cleaning out your ears so you could hear me.”
Dear Lord, help me to hear you speak to me. Grant me the patience to listen for your words, the quiet to hear when you speak and the faith to follow your command.
Open my ears, that I may hear
Voices of truth thou sendest clear;
And while the wave-notes fall on my ear,
Everything false will disappear.
Silently now I wait for thee,
Ready my God they will to see;
Open my ears, Illumine me, Spirit divine!
Ched Fine
The boy Samuel was serving God under Eli’s direction. This was at a time when the revelation of God was rarely heard or seen. One night Eli was sound asleep. It was well before dawn; the sanctuary lamp was still burning. Samuel was still in bed in the Temple of God where the Chest of God rested.
Then God called out, “Samuel, Samuel!” [I Samuel 3:1-4]. Samuel thought that Eli was calling him. God called four times before Samuel understood.
One day long ago, God’s Word came to Jonah, Amittai’s son: “Up on your feet and on your way to the big city of Nineveh! Preach to them. They’re in a bad way and I can’t ignore it any longer.”
But Jonah got up and went the other direction to Tarshish, running away from God. He went down to the port of Joppa and found a ship headed for Tarshish. He paid the fare and went on board, joining those going to Tarshish -- as far away from God as he could get. [Jonah 1:1-3]
The Bible teaches that God has a plan for each of us, a task that uses our particular, special talents. But what is that task? Samuel was chosen to clean up the Temple and lead Israel. Jonah was chosen to preach God’s judgment to the people of Nineveh. The Bible teaches us to listen for God’s call.
I listened, and heard nothing.
I prayed for years and heard nothing.
Finally I heard a quiet whisper that contained the germ of an idea. Slowly that whisper grew into a loud, clear assignment.
I thanked God for answering my prayers. Then I heard God laugh and say, “I answered every day from your first prayer. The hardest part was cleaning out your ears so you could hear me.”
Dear Lord, help me to hear you speak to me. Grant me the patience to listen for your words, the quiet to hear when you speak and the faith to follow your command.
Open my ears, that I may hear
Voices of truth thou sendest clear;
And while the wave-notes fall on my ear,
Everything false will disappear.
Silently now I wait for thee,
Ready my God they will to see;
Open my ears, Illumine me, Spirit divine!
Ched Fine
February 23, 2010
"A little child shall lead them"
Read Isaiah 11:1-6
A few years back during the busy Advent season, I was running through the church picking up trash. In my mind I was yelling, "For goodness sake! Why is it so difficult for people to pick up after themselves? Styrofoam cups, napkins, pencils, mugs, etc were all over the building. People had left coats, and a mitten or two along with an umbrella and a hat. Someone's eyeglasses were on a table.
There is enough to do getting ready for Christmas Day besides picking up trash other than my own. I still had shopping, baking, wrapping, and cleaning to do. There was no luxury of getting it all done Christmas Eve as I was committed to sing in the choir for two services, and our children were in a third.
Upon entering the Great Hall I saw a gold envelope, the kind we use for special offerings, lying under the manager with baby Jesus on the piano. There it was again, trash! Picking up the envelope I noticed a child had colored a rainbow on one side, and on the other were two beautiful flowers planted in a garden complete with sun and clouds. By the flowers, the words "I love you Jesus" were printed in pen. Below in the grass were the words, "From: Faith, To: Jesus.” I had discovered a letter inside. There was a red heart that covered the whole page and inside the heart was a picture of baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes. I knew it was Jesus as it was labeled. There was another salutation that stated: "To: Jesus, From: Faith, I love you Jesus.”
What a wonderful gift had been left under the manger for the baby Jesus. This child named Faith had created a beautiful portrait of how she envisioned the baby Jesus and sent it to Him. By finding the envelope and reading the message Faith had reminded me of the greatest gift God had given us, His Son. The letter made me pause and reconsider all that I was doing for Advent and why. Faith had led me to renew my faith.
Lynn Van de Putte
Read Isaiah 11:1-6
A few years back during the busy Advent season, I was running through the church picking up trash. In my mind I was yelling, "For goodness sake! Why is it so difficult for people to pick up after themselves? Styrofoam cups, napkins, pencils, mugs, etc were all over the building. People had left coats, and a mitten or two along with an umbrella and a hat. Someone's eyeglasses were on a table.
There is enough to do getting ready for Christmas Day besides picking up trash other than my own. I still had shopping, baking, wrapping, and cleaning to do. There was no luxury of getting it all done Christmas Eve as I was committed to sing in the choir for two services, and our children were in a third.
Upon entering the Great Hall I saw a gold envelope, the kind we use for special offerings, lying under the manager with baby Jesus on the piano. There it was again, trash! Picking up the envelope I noticed a child had colored a rainbow on one side, and on the other were two beautiful flowers planted in a garden complete with sun and clouds. By the flowers, the words "I love you Jesus" were printed in pen. Below in the grass were the words, "From: Faith, To: Jesus.” I had discovered a letter inside. There was a red heart that covered the whole page and inside the heart was a picture of baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes. I knew it was Jesus as it was labeled. There was another salutation that stated: "To: Jesus, From: Faith, I love you Jesus.”
What a wonderful gift had been left under the manger for the baby Jesus. This child named Faith had created a beautiful portrait of how she envisioned the baby Jesus and sent it to Him. By finding the envelope and reading the message Faith had reminded me of the greatest gift God had given us, His Son. The letter made me pause and reconsider all that I was doing for Advent and why. Faith had led me to renew my faith.
Lynn Van de Putte
February 22, 2010
The Reason for the Season
Read: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, 15:1-11
Even with all the commercialism of Christmas – it starts right after Halloween, or maybe even before – still we see and hear sometimes, "Jesus is the Reason for the Season".
Now the Season is Lent, and Jesus is the reason for this season. He was born for us - lived for us - and died for us!
As we go through this holy season of Lent, we can't imagine such sacrifice. God sacrificed his Son for us. Jesus gave His life for us. We are blessed beyond belief.
Jesus is the reason for the season.
Shirley Van Becelaere
Read: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, 15:1-11
Even with all the commercialism of Christmas – it starts right after Halloween, or maybe even before – still we see and hear sometimes, "Jesus is the Reason for the Season".
Now the Season is Lent, and Jesus is the reason for this season. He was born for us - lived for us - and died for us!
As we go through this holy season of Lent, we can't imagine such sacrifice. God sacrificed his Son for us. Jesus gave His life for us. We are blessed beyond belief.
Jesus is the reason for the season.
Shirley Van Becelaere
February 21, 2010
Take Time to Be Holy
Take time to be holy,
speak oft with thy Lord;
abide in him always,
and feed on his word.
Make friends of God's children,
help those who are weak,
forgetting in nothing
his blessing to seek.
Take time to be holy,
the world rushes on;
spend much time in secret
with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus,
like him thou shalt be;
thy friends in thy conduct
his likeness shall see.
Take time to be holy,
let him be thy guide,
and run not before him,
whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow,
still follow the Lord,
and, looking to Jesus,
still trust in his word.
Take time to be holy,
be calm in thy soul,
each thought and each motive
beneath his control.
Thus led by his spirit
to fountains of love,
thou soon shalt be fitted
for service above.
William D. Longstaff
Take time to be holy,
speak oft with thy Lord;
abide in him always,
and feed on his word.
Make friends of God's children,
help those who are weak,
forgetting in nothing
his blessing to seek.
Take time to be holy,
the world rushes on;
spend much time in secret
with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus,
like him thou shalt be;
thy friends in thy conduct
his likeness shall see.
Take time to be holy,
let him be thy guide,
and run not before him,
whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow,
still follow the Lord,
and, looking to Jesus,
still trust in his word.
Take time to be holy,
be calm in thy soul,
each thought and each motive
beneath his control.
Thus led by his spirit
to fountains of love,
thou soon shalt be fitted
for service above.
William D. Longstaff
February 20, 2010
Rejecting Rejection
Read: Luke 18:1-8
Dear [Interviewer's Name]:
Thank you for your letter of the 13th.
After careful consideration, I regret to inform you that I am unable to accept your refusal to offer me employment with your firm. This year I have had been particularly fortunate in receiving an unusually large number of rejection letters. With such a varied and promising field of candidates, it is impossible for me to accept all refusals.
Despite your firm's outstanding qualifications and previous experience in rejecting applicants, I find that your rejection does not meet with my needs at this time. Therefore, I will initiate employment with your firm immediately following graduation. I look forward to seeing you then.
Best of luck in rejecting future candidates.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
.
Read: Luke 18:1-8
Dear [Interviewer's Name]:
Thank you for your letter of the 13th.
After careful consideration, I regret to inform you that I am unable to accept your refusal to offer me employment with your firm. This year I have had been particularly fortunate in receiving an unusually large number of rejection letters. With such a varied and promising field of candidates, it is impossible for me to accept all refusals.
Despite your firm's outstanding qualifications and previous experience in rejecting applicants, I find that your rejection does not meet with my needs at this time. Therefore, I will initiate employment with your firm immediately following graduation. I look forward to seeing you then.
Best of luck in rejecting future candidates.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
.
What might happen if we were really persistent in prayer? in study? in praise? in worship? in generosity? inconceivable? I hope not!
P.S. - if you try this method, please let me know how it works.
February 17-19, 2010 - Ash Wednesday - Friday
This story is a wonderful way to start our Lenten journey, and it’s well worth reading a few times, so let’s start with three times, shall we? btw - if anyone knows who wrote this, we'd love to know and to give credit here.
Daniel’s Gloves
I sat with two friends in the picture window of a quaint restaurant just off the corner of the town-square. The food and the company were both especially good that day.
As we talked, my attention was drawn outside, across the street. There, walking into town, was a man who appeared to be carrying all his worldly goods on his back. He was carrying, a well-worn sign that read, 'I will work for food.' My heart sank.
I brought him to the attention of my friends and noticed that others around us had stopped eating to focus on him. Heads moved in a mixture of sadness and disbelief.
We continued with our meal, but his image lingered in my mind. We finished our meal and went our separate ways. I had errands to do and quickly set out to accomplish them. I glanced toward the town square, looking somewhat halfheartedly for the strange visitor. I was fearful, knowing that seeing him again would call for some response. I drove through town and saw nothing of him. I made some purchases at a store and got back in my car.
Deep within me, the Spirit of God kept speaking to me: 'Don't go back to the office until you've at least driven once more around the square.'
Then with some hesitancy, I headed back into town. As I turned the square's third corner, I saw him. He was standing on the steps of the store front church, going through his sack.
I stopped and looked; feeling both compelled to speak to him, yet wanting to drive on. The empty parking space on the corner seemed to be a sign from God: an invitation to park. I pulled in, got out and approached the town's newest visitor.
'Looking for the pastor?' I asked.
'Not really,' he replied, 'just resting.'
'Have you eaten today?'
'Oh, I ate something early this morning.'
'Would you like to have lunch with me?'
'Do you have some work I could do for you?'
'No work,' I replied 'I commute here to work from the city, but I would like to take you to lunch.'
'Sure,' he replied with a smile.
As he began to gather his things, I asked some surface questions. Where you headed?'
' St. Louis '
'Where you from?'
'Oh, all over; mostly Florida ..'
'How long you been walking?'
'Fourteen years,' came the reply.
I knew I had met someone unusual. We sat across from each other in the same restaurant I had left earlier. His face was weathered slightly beyond his 38 years. His eyes were dark yet clear, and he spoke with an eloquence and articulation that was startling. He removed his jacket to reveal a bright red T-shirt that said, 'Jesus is The Never Ending Story.'
Then Daniel's story began to unfold. He had seen rough times early in life. He'd made some wrong choices and reaped the consequences.. Fourteen years earlier, while backpacking across the country, he had stopped on the beach in Daytona. He tried to hire on with some men who were putting up a large tent and some equipment.. A concert, he thought.
He was hired, but the tent would not house a concert but revival services, and in those services he saw life more clearly. He gave his life over to God
'Nothing's been the same since,' he said, 'I felt the Lord telling me to keep walking, and so I did, some 14 years now.'
'Ever think of stopping?' I asked.
'Oh, once in a while, when it seems to get the best of me But God has given me this calling. I give out Bibles That's what's in my sack. I work to buy food and Bibles, and I give them out when His Spirit leads.'
I sat amazed. My homeless friend was not homeless. He was on a mission and lived this way by choice. The question burned inside for a moment and then I asked: 'What's it like?'
'What?'
'To walk into a town carrying all your things on your back and to show your sign?'
'Oh, it was humiliating at first. People would stare and make comments. Once someone tossed a piece of half-eaten bread and made a gesture that certainly didn't make me feel welcome. But then it became humbling to realize that God was using me to touch lives and change people's concepts of other folks like me.'
My concept was changing, too. We finished our dessert and gathered his things. Just outside the door, he paused He turned to me and said, 'Come Ye blessed of my Father and inherit the kingdom I've prepared for you.. For when I was hungry you gave me food, when I was thirsty you gave me drink, a stranger and you took me in.'
I felt as if we were on holy ground. 'Could you use another Bible?' I asked.
He said he preferred a certain translation. It traveled well and was not too heavy. It was also his personal favorite.. 'I've read through it 14 times,' he said.
'I'm not sure we've got one of those, but let's stop by our church and see' I was able to find my new friend a Bible that would do well, and he seemed very grateful.
'Where are you headed from here?' I asked.
'Well, I found this little map on the back of this amusement park coupon.'
'Are you hoping to hire on there for awhile?'
'No, I just figure I should go there. I figure someone under that star right there needs a Bible, so that's where I'm going next.'
He smiled, and the warmth of his spirit radiated the sincerity of his mission. I drove him back to the town-square where we'd met two hours earlier, and as we drove, it started raining. We parked and unloaded his things.
'Would you sign my autograph book?' he asked.. 'I like to keep messages from folks I meet.'
I wrote in his little book that his commitment to his calling had touched my life. I encouraged him to stay strong. And I left him with a verse of scripture from Jeremiah, 'I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you; Plans to give you a future and a hope.'
'Thanks, man,' he said. 'I know we just met and we're really just strangers, but I love you.'
'I know,' I said, 'I love you, too.' 'The Lord is good!'
'Yes, He is. How long has it been since someone hugged you?' I asked.
A long time,' he replied
And so on the busy street corner in the drizzling rain, my new friend and I embraced, and I felt deep inside that I had been changed.. He put his things on his back, smiled his winning smile and said, 'See you in the New Jerusalem.'
'I'll be there!' was my reply.
He began his journey again. He headed away with his sign dangling from his bedroll and pack of Bibles. He stopped, turned and said, 'When you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?'
'You bet,' I shouted back, 'God bless.'
'God bless.' And that was the last I saw of him.
Late that evening as I left my office, the wind blew strong. The cold front had settled hard upon the town. I bundled up and hurried to my car. As I sat back and reached for the emergency brake, I saw them.... a pair of well-worn brown work gloves neatly laid over the length of the handle. I picked them up and thought of my friend and wondered if his hands would stay warm that night without them.
Then I remembered his words: 'If you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?'
Today his gloves lie on my desk in my office.. They help me to see the world and its people in a new way, and they help me remember those two hours with my unique friend and to pray for his ministry. 'See you in the New Jerusalem,' he said. Yes, Daniel, I know I will...
'I shall pass this way but once. Therefore, any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again.'
Author Unknown, submitted by Carolyn Franklin
Daniel’s Gloves
I sat with two friends in the picture window of a quaint restaurant just off the corner of the town-square. The food and the company were both especially good that day.
As we talked, my attention was drawn outside, across the street. There, walking into town, was a man who appeared to be carrying all his worldly goods on his back. He was carrying, a well-worn sign that read, 'I will work for food.' My heart sank.
I brought him to the attention of my friends and noticed that others around us had stopped eating to focus on him. Heads moved in a mixture of sadness and disbelief.
We continued with our meal, but his image lingered in my mind. We finished our meal and went our separate ways. I had errands to do and quickly set out to accomplish them. I glanced toward the town square, looking somewhat halfheartedly for the strange visitor. I was fearful, knowing that seeing him again would call for some response. I drove through town and saw nothing of him. I made some purchases at a store and got back in my car.
Deep within me, the Spirit of God kept speaking to me: 'Don't go back to the office until you've at least driven once more around the square.'
Then with some hesitancy, I headed back into town. As I turned the square's third corner, I saw him. He was standing on the steps of the store front church, going through his sack.
I stopped and looked; feeling both compelled to speak to him, yet wanting to drive on. The empty parking space on the corner seemed to be a sign from God: an invitation to park. I pulled in, got out and approached the town's newest visitor.
'Looking for the pastor?' I asked.
'Not really,' he replied, 'just resting.'
'Have you eaten today?'
'Oh, I ate something early this morning.'
'Would you like to have lunch with me?'
'Do you have some work I could do for you?'
'No work,' I replied 'I commute here to work from the city, but I would like to take you to lunch.'
'Sure,' he replied with a smile.
As he began to gather his things, I asked some surface questions. Where you headed?'
' St. Louis '
'Where you from?'
'Oh, all over; mostly Florida ..'
'How long you been walking?'
'Fourteen years,' came the reply.
I knew I had met someone unusual. We sat across from each other in the same restaurant I had left earlier. His face was weathered slightly beyond his 38 years. His eyes were dark yet clear, and he spoke with an eloquence and articulation that was startling. He removed his jacket to reveal a bright red T-shirt that said, 'Jesus is The Never Ending Story.'
Then Daniel's story began to unfold. He had seen rough times early in life. He'd made some wrong choices and reaped the consequences.. Fourteen years earlier, while backpacking across the country, he had stopped on the beach in Daytona. He tried to hire on with some men who were putting up a large tent and some equipment.. A concert, he thought.
He was hired, but the tent would not house a concert but revival services, and in those services he saw life more clearly. He gave his life over to God
'Nothing's been the same since,' he said, 'I felt the Lord telling me to keep walking, and so I did, some 14 years now.'
'Ever think of stopping?' I asked.
'Oh, once in a while, when it seems to get the best of me But God has given me this calling. I give out Bibles That's what's in my sack. I work to buy food and Bibles, and I give them out when His Spirit leads.'
I sat amazed. My homeless friend was not homeless. He was on a mission and lived this way by choice. The question burned inside for a moment and then I asked: 'What's it like?'
'What?'
'To walk into a town carrying all your things on your back and to show your sign?'
'Oh, it was humiliating at first. People would stare and make comments. Once someone tossed a piece of half-eaten bread and made a gesture that certainly didn't make me feel welcome. But then it became humbling to realize that God was using me to touch lives and change people's concepts of other folks like me.'
My concept was changing, too. We finished our dessert and gathered his things. Just outside the door, he paused He turned to me and said, 'Come Ye blessed of my Father and inherit the kingdom I've prepared for you.. For when I was hungry you gave me food, when I was thirsty you gave me drink, a stranger and you took me in.'
I felt as if we were on holy ground. 'Could you use another Bible?' I asked.
He said he preferred a certain translation. It traveled well and was not too heavy. It was also his personal favorite.. 'I've read through it 14 times,' he said.
'I'm not sure we've got one of those, but let's stop by our church and see' I was able to find my new friend a Bible that would do well, and he seemed very grateful.
'Where are you headed from here?' I asked.
'Well, I found this little map on the back of this amusement park coupon.'
'Are you hoping to hire on there for awhile?'
'No, I just figure I should go there. I figure someone under that star right there needs a Bible, so that's where I'm going next.'
He smiled, and the warmth of his spirit radiated the sincerity of his mission. I drove him back to the town-square where we'd met two hours earlier, and as we drove, it started raining. We parked and unloaded his things.
'Would you sign my autograph book?' he asked.. 'I like to keep messages from folks I meet.'
I wrote in his little book that his commitment to his calling had touched my life. I encouraged him to stay strong. And I left him with a verse of scripture from Jeremiah, 'I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you; Plans to give you a future and a hope.'
'Thanks, man,' he said. 'I know we just met and we're really just strangers, but I love you.'
'I know,' I said, 'I love you, too.' 'The Lord is good!'
'Yes, He is. How long has it been since someone hugged you?' I asked.
A long time,' he replied
And so on the busy street corner in the drizzling rain, my new friend and I embraced, and I felt deep inside that I had been changed.. He put his things on his back, smiled his winning smile and said, 'See you in the New Jerusalem.'
'I'll be there!' was my reply.
He began his journey again. He headed away with his sign dangling from his bedroll and pack of Bibles. He stopped, turned and said, 'When you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?'
'You bet,' I shouted back, 'God bless.'
'God bless.' And that was the last I saw of him.
Late that evening as I left my office, the wind blew strong. The cold front had settled hard upon the town. I bundled up and hurried to my car. As I sat back and reached for the emergency brake, I saw them.... a pair of well-worn brown work gloves neatly laid over the length of the handle. I picked them up and thought of my friend and wondered if his hands would stay warm that night without them.
Then I remembered his words: 'If you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?'
Today his gloves lie on my desk in my office.. They help me to see the world and its people in a new way, and they help me remember those two hours with my unique friend and to pray for his ministry. 'See you in the New Jerusalem,' he said. Yes, Daniel, I know I will...
'I shall pass this way but once. Therefore, any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again.'
Author Unknown, submitted by Carolyn Franklin
Introduction - 2010
At last, a Lent that doesn’t start early in the year, that doesn’t sneak up on us before we have a chance to finish, or at least to start writing those devotions we’ve been storing up since last Easter.
What’s that? I seem to be dreaming, don’t I? Well at least there were plenty of books available on that last Sunday before Ash Wednesday. Oh, wait ....
Sadly, the calendar simply didn’t cooperate with me this year, and there wasn’t quite the creative “outreach” [you may prefer to think of it as “begging” or “badgering”] of previous years. No endless harangues, no threats of “this page left blank courtesy of,” nor even purple Lenten Stockings hung in the hallway with care.
This translated into not very many submissions for this year’s book during the normal collection phase.
After eleven of these books, is it time to take a year off? Are we burned out from all this writing? Should we just do a book of classics?
Wait a minute. That’s what we did last year - a few new ones and a bunch of favourites from the past. How many times can people read about my coffee addiction, after all?
So, nothing was published - at least not on time - and yet, the devotions continued to trickle in, and we decided that we couldn’t miss out on some of these moments of sharing. So, a quick drag through the hymnal, a search through old emails, and - voila! - we have an all-new Lenten Devotion book.
I thank all of you who helped, cajoled, threatened, and wrote for this excellent effort.
Just as in the past eleven years, it seems only appropriate to repeat the introduction from our congregation's first book of devotions of more than thirty years ago:
Keeping a true Lent requires us to be vigilant in many ways: in prayer, study, worship, sacrifice, giving, meditation, and fellowship.
One or all may take precedence, depending upon our daily commitments. From these devotions, lovingly prepared, may you find a well spring of faith to renew and sustain you, so that the Glorious Triumph that is Easter will remain with you always.
The Lenten Committee
Again, we can but say, “Amen.”
Charlie van Becelaere, Editor
What’s that? I seem to be dreaming, don’t I? Well at least there were plenty of books available on that last Sunday before Ash Wednesday. Oh, wait ....
Sadly, the calendar simply didn’t cooperate with me this year, and there wasn’t quite the creative “outreach” [you may prefer to think of it as “begging” or “badgering”] of previous years. No endless harangues, no threats of “this page left blank courtesy of
This translated into not very many submissions for this year’s book during the normal collection phase.
After eleven of these books, is it time to take a year off? Are we burned out from all this writing? Should we just do a book of classics?
Wait a minute. That’s what we did last year - a few new ones and a bunch of favourites from the past. How many times can people read about my coffee addiction, after all?
So, nothing was published - at least not on time - and yet, the devotions continued to trickle in, and we decided that we couldn’t miss out on some of these moments of sharing. So, a quick drag through the hymnal, a search through old emails, and - voila! - we have an all-new Lenten Devotion book.
I thank all of you who helped, cajoled, threatened, and wrote for this excellent effort.
Just as in the past eleven years, it seems only appropriate to repeat the introduction from our congregation's first book of devotions of more than thirty years ago:
Keeping a true Lent requires us to be vigilant in many ways: in prayer, study, worship, sacrifice, giving, meditation, and fellowship.
One or all may take precedence, depending upon our daily commitments. From these devotions, lovingly prepared, may you find a well spring of faith to renew and sustain you, so that the Glorious Triumph that is Easter will remain with you always.
The Lenten Committee
Again, we can but say, “Amen.”
Charlie van Becelaere, Editor
Sunday, April 12, 2009
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)
Saturday, April 11, 2009
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!
Friday, April 10, 2009
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)
Thursday, April 09, 2009
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
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
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
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)
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
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)
Monday, April 06, 2009
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)
Sunday, April 05, 2009
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)
Saturday, April 04, 2009
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
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