March 6, 2016

Be Present at Our Table, Lord

United Methodist Hymnal #621 (UM Book of Hymns #518)

Be present at our table, Lord;

be here and everywhere adored;

Thy creatures bless, and grant that we

May feast in paradise with thee.

We thank thee, Lord, for this our food,

For life and health and every good;

By thine own hand may we be fed;

Give us each day our daily bread.

We thank thee, Lord, for this our food,

But more because of Jesus' blood;

Let manna to our souls be given,

The bread of life sent down from Heaven.

John Cennick

March 5, 2016

Miracles Do Happen

Read: Psalm 138

It was late in the day and I stopped by my friend Verna’s office on my way to the elevator to head home. Verna had not been feeling well for some months, and at times needed a ride home. Something made me check in on her. She looked down and said she thought she might have to go to the hospital. I told her I would pull my car around to the side of our building, and take her to the hospital. When I reported to the lobby the security guards had called an ambulance for Verna, as she was really struggling. I remember thinking as they whisked her away, that I might not see my friend again.

I was wrong. Verna spent over 80 days in the ICU, intubated, on dialysis and oxygen. When I visited her in the hospital, she was not really conscious. Three times her family was called in as death was imminent. But each time she rallied. I was preparing for Thanksgiving dinner, and thinking I should call Verna’s sister ,Val, but I was afraid to hear bad news. I called and was told that things were not going well. The Monday after Thanksgiving my phone rang at my desk, the LDC showed it was Verna’s sister, Val; my heart sank as I picked up the phone. But Val called to tell me that Verna had awakened! Verna remained in ICU until after the New Year. She had to have a tracheotomy, so the breathing tube could be removed. But this allowed her to talk and eat. When I visited her last week, she was so grateful for all the prayers that were said on her behalf.

Verna is the kind of person that can talk to anyone about anything. It wasn’t long after I met her, that we shared stories about our church and faith journeys together. She and her sister came to our Gospel Fest last year. I was so touched that she would take the time to come, and so happy that she could meet my church family in person. When I visited her last week, we talked and talked. She said that God must have a special purpose in mind for her, and that she has rededicated her life to fulfilling that purpose. She still has a long road ahead of her, but she is an inspiration to me. Verna is a person who has limited material resources, but an abundance of the resources that cannot be purchased with money. She is generous beyond measure with those gifts. I am grateful to know her.

Nancy Grose

March 4, 2016

I Believe

“Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” - Romans 4:3 ESV

Everyone is familiar with the word “Amen.” But have you ever taken the time to consider what it really means? We normally say amen when we end our prayers and it is frequently understood to mean “so be it” or “it is so.”

Abraham declared that he believed God and he was righteous before God.  Abraham declared his belief in God with the Hebrew word “Aman.”  In Hebrew aman means to trust or to stand firm in a belief.  At the heart of the meaning is the idea of certainty, firmness, dependability, trustworthiness and to have a steadfastness of faith in God.

Our word “Amen” has its roots in the Hebrew word “Aman” which is not only that I believe but that I firmly believe. With just one word, our prayer is conveyed into righteousness which is to firmly believe.

I Believe - “Aman”

Denver Higley

March 3, 2016

The Word of God in the 21st Century.

Read: Deuteronomy 6:4-9

I hesitated writing this devotion because it really isn’t a devotion as such. And furthermore it is for folks who have a smart phone so that eliminates a few folks. But let me continue anyway. I was in the Holy Land a couple of years ago in February. When we would get to a holy site, our guide would open his Bible and read verses that pertained to the site. Many of those passages we all knew by heart anyway but a couple of folks pulled out their cell phones and were following along with our guide. How handy! So I asked what apps they were using and then I loaded a couple of them on my phone.

Frankly for me the very best app is Laudate. There are a whole lot of others but this one is sooo easy to use and gets you to the place you want to read without any dead ends and it is free. It is put out by the Roman Catholic church so has a lot of other things on it besides the Bible so we Protestants could learn a thing or two from our Roman Catholic friends and neighbors by using it.

With this app in place you can access the Bible anywhere – sitting in the doctor’s office, airport, before church starts, even standing in the grocery store line. Certainly my all-time go-to Bible book is Psalms for an affirmation of God’s goodness and care. No wonder Catholics for centuries used the Psalms as the basis for their 5-times-a-day prayers. But certainly we all have favorites in addition to Psalms like Romans 8:38 and 39 - “... nor height, nor depth, or any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God.” and First Corinthians 13:1, “though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have no love, I become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.”

Wow, this is beginning to sound more and more like a devotion after all!!! Blessings to all of you.

Vivian Anderson

March 2, 2016

My Best Moment in Haiti

Read: Luke 10:36-37

My best moment in Haiti was on the evening of Wednesday, January 20th. We had completed a day of our mission work and were waiting for dinner. We were sitting on the front porch of the Reverend’s house. There were two young girls sitting on the porch with us. We didn’t know who they were and they didn’t know who we were. We were certainly an unusual sight in Petite Goave Haiti. A team of 10 missionaries from Michigan was surprising to these two girls who seemed to be about 4 and 5 years old.

We introduced ourselves, using our weak understanding of Creole. We found out the five year old’s name was Shawnasa and the four year old’s name was Ruth.

We had some time to kill before dinner. We took a soccer ball out to the drive way and started kicking it around. Dan Hart quickly joined us. We soon had another child join us and we kicked the ball for about ½ hour. We were running around, laughing, and having fun.

The sun went down and a beautiful Haitian moon came out. We continued to play soccer under the light of the driveway light and the moon. It was obvious that Ruth, the younger child was the better soccer player. The other, older girl Shawnasa, was not as quick of foot or as interested in soccer.

But Shawnasa was chatting with us as our team of Haitians and missionaries kicked the ball around and laughed. Suddenly, Shawnasa started singing.

Her singing voice was wonderful. We had spent time and discovered her talent. She was sharing her special gift from God with us. We all encouraged her. We cheered as she sang a few more lines of a Haitian song in Creole. I walked over to her and danced with her for a moment as the team laughed and cheered at her dancing and singing.

Suddenly Shawnasa looked up and me and hugged me. She looked up in my eyes and said “Amis!” I don’t know creole, but I know Amis means friends in French. Creole is based on French and everyone knew that this meant that we were friends. Everyone knew that we were all friends. This was my happiest moment in Haiti.

It may seem silly to travel thousands of miles and spent lots of money to go to Haiti to make friends with a 5 year old girl. It is not.

I learned later that Shawnasa doesn’t attend the school where we were working. She is a neighbor of the Dorceleys' who stops by the Reverend’s house because her family can’t afford clean water. The Dorceleys provide her with clean drinking water.

Shawnasa is very poor. She will likely grow up without electricity or an education. But she will always be my friend.

Tom Cobau

March 1, 2016

The Day Faith Told Me About; Part 3 Jeri and her ducks

The two most important days in a person’s life are the day you’re born and the day you find out why. (Mark Twain)

Read: 2 Corinthians 1:8-11

When Jeri’s cold or not feeling well she’ll ask for her “ducks."

It’s not the biggest or warmest in normal measurement of insulating value or marketing specifications for a blanket, in fact it’s a rather small quilt, but it has the warming power of all the prayers in its stitches. I’m speaking of the beloved prayer quilt you made for Jeri; the fabric has little “ducks” all over it. When she feels drained, or sometimes just plain sick, or rundown, she’ll ask for her “ducks." What she’s really asking for is the rejuvenating nourishment that accompanies being wrapped in the love of all of you. Without fail, she’ll feel better after a rest wrapped in her “ducks."

The prayer quilt arrived when she was still in a coma in an ICU. It has followed her through a combined year in 9 different hospital stays with more than 2 dozen surgeries, and has served well in all of them and still to this day, 3 years later; it’s her go-to blanket when she’s down. During our time in hospitals, there were several times when nurses or aids commented that there was “something” they felt in Jeri’s room that they couldn’t describe and hadn’t felt before. Most often this happened during the wee hours of the night shift when all was dark and quiet and Jeri was alone, virtually paralyzed, nearly blind, scared to death and could do nothing but pray, with her “ducks” wrapped on her for comfort. We’ve spoken of it many times, she always reports that there’s something more in this particular blanket. This is no ordinary textile product.

We were alone on Christmas day this year, and as well we were after 4 days of celebrations with all our out of town kids and grandkids here with us for the week. We really needed a quiet day and what a warm Christmas it was for us reliving the wonder of the last few days. Picking away at leftovers, eating whenever and whatever we wished. I read aloud to Jeri the story of Christmas in Luke chapter 2. Then I read Chapter 3, then Chapter 1. As I did so, it occurred to both of us that several times Jeri had a visitor much like Gabriel, the Angel of the Lord who visited Zechariah and then Mary to foreshadow their coming good fortune. No Jeri’s not pregnant or bringing the next Messiah or anything like that. She was however dead not once but twice and the Lord sent her back both times. Many, many people all around the world were praying for her, starting with all of you who made her “ducks." The second time she passed and was revived, they told me that even though her life was saved, while she was “gone” the blood loss to her brain left very little of it intact. No one could tell me at

breakfast if I’d still have a wife at lunch. She would spend the next 4-1/2 months on a ventilator; much of it in an induced coma. The hideous predictions were haunting, she may not be able to breathe on her own, she may not ever wake up, if she does she may not be able to speak, or know who I am, or even who she is, paralysis of any or all bodily parts could be permanent, and on and on. This went on for days. And yet, last night, Christmas Eve 2015 nearly 3 years later, those of you in attendance watched as Jeri walked right down the center aisle of our church and sat in the 5th pew. She recognized all of you and couldn’t have been happier to share this blessed evening with those who made her “ducks."

While the best of modern medicine was working its wonders, many of you came to pray over her; those who couldn’t come prayed from home, many of you helped make her “ducks." As soon as we got them, they were laid upon her and haven’t left since. She’s curled up under them with dreams of sugarplums (actually laughing grandchildren who just went home) in her head as I write this.

I’m not rightly sure how to end this one; other than to thank all of you for your continued support and prayer. In time we wish to do same for others in need.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for all the wonders of our modern medicine and those magnificent people who practice it. Through them you’ve made miracles happen for countless sons and daughters of your Kingdom. May you continue to bless all who work in medicine, and all those who tie the knots and make the “ducks."

Ron Draper; Merry Christmas to All; December 25, 2015

February 29, 2016

Strength

Read: 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

Smiling strengthens your facial muscles.

Laughing strengthens your stomach muscles.

Thinking strengthens your brain.

Helping strengthens your heart muscle.

Prayer strengthens your faith.

Get fit.

Shirley Van Becelaere

February 28, 2016

O Love Divine, What Hast Thou Done

United Methodist Hymnal #287

O Love divine, what has thou done!

The immortal God hath died for me!

The Father's coeternal Son

Bore all my sins upon the tree.

Th' immortal God for me hath died:

My Lord, my Love, is crucified!

Is crucified for me and you,

To bring us rebels back to God.

Believe, believe the record true,

Ye all are bought with Jesus' blood.

Pardon for all flows from his side:

My Lord, my Love, is crucified!

Behold him, all ye that pass by,

The bleeding Prince of life and peace!

Come, sinners, see your Savior die,

And say, "Was ever grief like his?"

Come, feel with me his blood applied:

My Lord, my Love, is crucified!

Charles Wesley

February 27, 2016

Winter Trees

Read: 1 Samuel 16:7

“... for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Coming out of church after worship one wintry Sunday, I headed for my car at the back of the parking lot. As I approached my car, I looked up at several large trees at the back of the lot, devoid of any leaves. All I could see was the structure of the trees, the trunks, the limbs, the smaller branches. I thought how stark the trees looked without the cover of Spring and Summer. How drab they looked without all of the colors that so many of us Michiganders flock up North to see in the Fall. Then, it hit me. Here was a perfect example of what 1 Samuel 16:7 says. As Samuel reviewed the sons of Jesse to see who would be selected to be king, the words of the Lord came to him, “… for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” Let looking on these winter trees be a daily reminder to look on the hearts of people we meet every day of the year.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for all the wonders of nature, especially trees, that daily remind us of your presence and instruct our paths.

Mike Bernhardt

Enjoy this devotional extra:

TREES by Joyce Kilmer

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in Summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.

February 26, 2016

It’s What We Do

Read: Jeremiah 29:11-14

A Spotlight Church is one who responds to the invitation to engage in mission that is local, national and global in focus. In this the fourth year of filling out the Spotlight Church report for GPUMC I found myself moved by the ongoing generosity of our church family. This single piece of paper reflects much more than monetary figures. It reminds of the thought and time spent in planning each mission project. It also encompasses the efforts to gather items such as backpacks, hats and gloves or even laundry detergent. It reflects the many hands and feet that pack lunches, walk for hunger, clean up a neighborhood, build a porch or work on Rummage Sale. It represents our support of missionaries whether local or those we sent to Haiti. It stands for monies gathered for those in need whether through apportionments, UMCOR or Imagine No Malaria. In addition, this report does not even reflect the many other outreach missions GPUMC supports such as the Gift of Reading, the ongoing Food Barrel or other missions supported by UMW funds (given by our entire church family).

Yes, there is ALWAYS an ongoing asking of time, money or a collection of something. This is because we are continually called to support those in need and those needs may change in face or location, but they NEVER go away. These are all opportunities to do as Jesus did. We praise the ability to help others in many ways. We praise the giving with open hearts. Every soul at GPUMC is an Outreach member each in a unique way. We are on that same mission to “make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”

Beth Blunden

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

February 25, 2016

Fear Not!

Read: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 and Jeremiah 29:11

David and I are dog people. We both grew up with dogs, and during the course of our marriage, we have been blest with several. What’s amazing to me is all that we’ve learned from each experience and how the right dog was there for us just at the right time.

Our first family dog was Casey – a goofy Soft-coated Wheaten terrier. He could jump up in the air with all four feet off the ground; he was wonderful with our young children – always gentle and loving. He was tragically killed by a car on the night of the Parcells fireworks. Our friends were there to go to the show since we lived close, and he ran into the street while a young man was speeding down it. It was almost like he sacrificed himself, because it could have been a child that ran out there. We learned from him that tragedy can strike unexpectedly. We mourned him deeply (I think the kids all slept in our bed that night).

Our next dog was Tucker, a Springer Spaniel. He was gentle and very mellow (in defiance of his breed) and everybody’s friend. He lived to a ripe old age of 14 and many people came to say goodbye to him when he died; he was well loved. He showed us that aging is a process we must embrace, and it’s a blessing to care for those we love when they need it – towards the end of his life we had to use a sling to help him get outside, but he never complained and always looked at us with love.

Then there was Toby…a Vizsla (pointer, bird dog). He was the funniest, quirkiest dog we’ve had. His antics made us laugh every day. The most important thing about him was that after my head injury, he was constantly by my side. He helped get me through some of the worst of the pain, dizziness and headaches just by being there. When he suddenly contracted cancer at age 8 and was gone within 2 weeks, David and I were devastated. We mourned his passing deeply – we learned that life is uncertain, but we must make the most of our situation as it is and persevere.

Then our dear friend Heidi found us Jax, our first rescue dog. I knew because of my injury I couldn’t handle raising another puppy. So Jax came into our lives – full of energy and fun. He is the perfect dog for us now because we have 2 grandbabies, and we have no worries about him with the children (Toby worried me before they were born because of his dominant personality and skittishness).

So, is it coincidence that these great dogs all came to us when they were most needed? I think not. God is with us always, in good times and bad. As the Angel of the Lord declares, “Fear not!”

Sue DeWitt

February 24, 2016

What do you say when you can’t say anything?

Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

It seems that so many of our group reflection conversations focus on our joy in connecting with others. Many times these encounters are sweet, but brief. They leave you glad for the moment and then hoping that the next will bring more. More info about a workers family, more joy from hearing cute kids practice their basic English, and more understanding of the instructions from our experts.

A day in the clinic brings a new challenge. When you are a receptionist in a Haitian health clinic with no knowledge of Creole, it makes organizing the masses more difficult. When all you can ask is for their name, it makes it hard to find moments of connection. You linger on the words you know, and hope for a knowing glance. You read body language and the din of crowd, measuring their contentment. It becomes easy to be bogged down in the doubt of the moment...wondering if there will be a moment...to bring any peace or support to the people pushing their way in the door to escape the heat of the mid-day sun.

Yet in the moment when their name is finally called and they go into the tunnel of light, bringing illumination to their ailment and relief from some of their pain, you see the universal sign. Gratitude has no single language. Love is shared through actions of care. At the end of the day the words I can't express don't matter, because the purpose remains the same. I can't say it, but I am so glad we can be here to help. I can't understand you, but I know you are thankful. Though I remain disappointed that I can't say more, when I can't say anything to you, I can do good in all the ways I can, and in all the places I can, with all the people I can.

Action is my voice today.

Rev. Dan Hart

February 23, 2016

The Day Faith Told Me About; Part 2 Levi

The two most important days in a person’s life are the day you’re born and the day you find out why. (Mark Twain)

Read: James 1:26-27

October 2014, we overhear Bob taking a call in his shop. “What?!? How long ago did they cast him? He’s how old? Three and a half? And they cast him six months ago!?!? Well you gotta know that casting is Worthless today! You know how much a 3-1/2 year old boy grows in six months? There’s NO Way that casting is gonna be any good to him now. WHAT?? They Never even Gave him a Leg??? In Six Months??? How the …….. do they expect that kid to learn to walk?? Him walking on nothing but a stump will cause his spine to grow crooked, his remaining leg to grow wrong, pelvis growth alignment problems, etc., etc. We can’t afford to Wait!!! Listen!!, I don’t care what they’re telling you!!!, Just have him here in my shop Wednesday for a casting. Then come back on Friday for fitting. You and he aren’t leaving here Friday until he Walks out of here on his new leg!!! I don’t care what they told you!!! Be here with him on Wednesday, Ok, Ok, Ok, I know, I know, just be here Wednesday, your kid will Walk on Friday. By the way, what’s his name? Levi? Ok, Ok, see you and Levi then. Bye.”

“Bob, what was that all about?” I asked. “I just go nuts when I get these calls, this so-called local big box medical supplier, (whose name you would know) has been screwing around with this woman’s little boy for over 2 years. He was born with one normal leg, and the other leg ends just above the ankle, he has no foot. Not as uncommon as you would think. You’ve met at least one other in my shop, you just never noticed. All he needs is a simple BKA leg prosthetic for a kid, no reason for this!!”

Back sometime around 1980 or so there was another 15 year old hell-on-wheels boy who loved living life for the moment and dove into all of its adventures, and he lived in the farm countryside of Michigan’s thumb area. The freight train ran several times a day right through the farm fields and towns of the thumb. One day the games got too close, that day the train won. The lower leg was lost, but the boy and the knee were saved. All the expected reactions, fear, anger, regret, and pain, a lot of pain, the never-ending wish to go back one minute and change direction. As with all things in this life, the past is cast in stone, it’s only the future that can be molded. The prosthetics back then were much the same as they were in the civil war, better for joking around with than walking on.

This boy was smart though, and by luck, hard work, and circumstance, he grew and was accepted to the prestigious prosthetics program at University of Michigan. At first he just wanted to make a better leg for himself so he could still do the things he did before the limb

loss. In the 30 or so years since, he became the prosthetist of choice when the U of M team can’t get a leg of their own to work for someone. He’s built a business like no other in his industry. When we needed a prosthetist, we interviewed several and we were confused. Our head Orthopedic Surgeon recommended we try this shop in Mt. Clemens. We went for a short interview, and left an hour later with a preliminary casting and a promise to have a leg in 2 days. Everyone else wanted 4-6 weeks after the insurance money came in, which could take months. Bob was good to his word, he not only gave us a “starter” leg for Jeri to practice wearing, he also gave us a “waterproof leg” so I could teach her to walk in the therapy pool I built for her in our barn. She learned to walk again in our barn walking in chest deep water at 92DegF, so there was little weight on her legs and she was comfortable.

Most recently November 2015, Bob made for Jeri, the world’s first flexible prosthetic socket with a vacuum pump built into the prosthetic foot to help hold the leg on her. Until now, all prosthetic sockets are rigid, and they only fit perfectly when the leg is just slightly bent. During walking, it’s loose, then tight during each step. The flexible socket actually changes shape to follow the shape changes in her knee as it bends. The automatic vacuum pump helps with a common problem for amputees; it increases blood flow in her residual limb. The U.S. Army put out $50M to fund the research. When it became available, the Army didn’t have anyone who was badly damaged enough and survived. Bob suggested Jeri as a candidate. They looked at her history and said, “Go For It." It worked so well, her leg is the case study for dozens of others in and out of the Army with very complicated amputations to benefit from the same technology.

That Friday back in October 2014, we were asked to be there with a half dozen other leg amputees so Levi would see that it’s not that big of a deal. When a recent amputee gets a new leg for the first time, it can take weeks or months of training to actually stand, and walk on it, let alone run on one. If however, you’re a 3 ½ year old boy who knows nothing else, it can be one of life’s Never Forget moments.

As promised that Friday, Bob put the leg on Levi to test the fit, then asked the boy to try to stand up on it while his mother and Bob held him for support. Before anyone could blink an eye, the boy squirmed out of the assembled arms and took off running across the gym. Up the stair set, down the ramp, through the parallel bars, down the straight away, and around and around again. Everyone in the place was laughing, crying, and chasing Levi, who wasn’t about to be caught, it was quite a sight, a half dozen amputees running around after a boy with a new leg, and no-one could stop laughing!! Yes you could say God Showed Up.

Prayer: God, when the trains of life seem to cut us apart, when the unexpected turns us away from our dreams, when we can see no reason or hope, please help us to remember, You didn’t just show up, help us to remember You’ve always been there; it’s up to us to find our own Why.

Ron Draper; Dec. 1, 2015

February 22, 2016

Believe and Hold On

Read: Proverbs 17:17, 18:24

I have been looking over the cards that have been sent to me these past months, and find there are several that bear a second or even third look.

I share a couple of them with you in this devotional thought.

First a word of explanation. The first card is from a friend who has left us to go to that Other World – Mary Hicks Good served on the General Board of Global Ministries at the same time as I did. There were others from the Detroit Annual Conference who also were in New York at that time, Tom Robinson, Jim Craig, Tony Shipley - to name a few. Then we all seemed to go our own ways.

Mary and I reconnected about three years ago, at a New Year’s Eve service at St. Timothy’s Church in Rosedale Park, and we kept in touch over these past years.

These are the words from her last card to me.

“BELIEVE in the promise of each new day, and the HEALING, HOPE, AND BEAUTY a single moment can hold.” (No author’s name given) and is a great thought for every day.

The second card comes from friends who, thankfully, are still with us. They borrowed these words from James Baldwin, “The moment we cease to hold each other, the moment we break faith with one another, the sea engulfs us, and the light goes out.”

They also added these personal words, which are appropriate for these days.

“We are thankful that you have touched our lives. We continue to hold fast to that which binds us together, and we will live with the assurance of Emmanuel.”

Certainly each of us have words that have come to us in the form of cards, or notes, or a personal touch. And during these times, when there is more trouble in the world than we want to look at each day, we need to think of the cards that tell us to Believe, and to hold on to each other.

Lois Leineke

February 21, 2016

Be Thou My Vision

United Methodist Hymnal #451

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;

naught be all else to me, save that thou art -

thou my best thought, by day or by night;

waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word;

I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord.

Thou my great Father; thine own may I be,

thou in me dwelling and I one with thee.

Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise;

thou mine inheritance, now and always;

thou and thou only first in my heart,

high King of heaven, my treasure thou art.

High King of heaven, my victory won,

may I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s sun!

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,

still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

Ancient Irish, trans by Mary E. Byrne, versed by Eleanor H. Hull

February 20, 2016

Blessings

Read: Psalm 119:33-40

At the start of last year I began praying and reading first thing in the morning: the Bible, Living Water from a Deep Well and Tony Dungy's book – Uncommon Life. All three were daily readings.

I started praying for understanding of what I was reading and then a few specifics – two were miracles (former Associate Pastor Jack Mannschreck often said it's OK to pray for a miracle) so I have been. When I do I am reminded of a line from a country song (I like the version by Don Williams) "It might be hard for the devil to do, but it would be easy for You"

At the end of last year as I prepared to pray and read I looked at the Christmas tree and knew how good we have it. The tree and the wrapped gifts under it told me so. The family is well and doing fine and I realized I could not count my blessings – I don't know numbers that high. It shouldn't take writing a devotion to bring those thoughts to mind – and I am sure it won't from now on.

Jack Van Becelaere

February 19, 2016

Renewed

Read: Luke 10:29-37

Everything certainly happens for a reason. I finally got to Walmart about 15 minutes ago and was stoked at the awesome parking spot I got! I realized upon nearly walking into a glass entry door, that they had shut down that entrance for the night, and I was in fact completely on the other side of the lot from the door.

I decided to move my car closer for safety, and as I sat down and was about to close my door, I heard "Excuse me! Excuse me, miss." I looked behind me to see a little old lady standing by her car with a full cart, looking somewhat panicked. "I'm so sorry to bother you, it's just, this thing won't work, it's broken, I can't get into my car. Even the panic button. I can't get in."

She pointed to her fob. I got out and walked to her car across the lane. She was nearly in tears. "I just don't know what's going on and I can't get in, and my cell phone battery is dead..." I talked to her and tried the fob to no avail, so I offered for her to use my phone. She called her son worriedly, who explained that there was a hidden internal key. She didn't think there was even a keyhole since it was protected and she had always used the fob, so I helped her manipulate the key and find the keyhole.

You would have thought I had given her a million dollars by how much appreciation she expressed. She said I was her guardian angel. We got her car door opened up and I helped her load her groceries into the back seat. As we did, she reflected on how nervous she was, and how grateful. "You know, maybe I shouldn't be out this late, my husband is in the hospital, well he's doing better now, but I just went in for a garbage can and I must have spent two hours and $120 in there." I laughed because I can totally relate.

After she was all loaded up, I made sure she was all squared away and told her to drive safely. She said she'd drive slowly, and that I was her guardian angel again, and "if there were blessings to be had I would be receiving them."

It's funny because yes, I did help her, I think most people would have – but I promise that as grateful as she was, I honestly feel like I received the largest blessing through that interaction. Something about her just left a mark on me. Can't really explain it, but it left me feeling renewed.

Jill Stelma

February 18, 2016

Listen and Love

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. – James 1:19, NIV

In my work with Stephen Ministry, I have become fascinated with listening. Sounds simple to listen, but it is not. Listening, hearing, understanding – is anything more rare in our daily lives? To truly listen requires patience, attention, discipline, open-mindedness. When I am with someone who listens to me, I feel affirmed and energized. I feel I have an ally. I feel ready to face my next challenge.

Stephen Ministers are trained to listen. I think that I liked that part of our training best; quietly listening for clues to how a person was feeling. Almost like solving a puzzle. But what shocked me most, was that when someone was listening to me, even in a training role-play, I felt so nourished. I felt cherished and important. It occurred to me that true listening does not happen often enough.

Of course, I think about prayer time – time where God listens. God is unlimited and infinite. God is the best listener of all! It takes some discipline for me to remember that God will listen to all my large and small cares, at any time!

On any Sunday morning at GPUMC, or any meeting, rehearsal or event, for that matter, observe the patient listening that goes on. I have witnessed beautiful displays of listening, affirmation and care between church members, visitors and family members. Big struggles and problems are shared and prayed about. Hugs, squeezes and comfort is given. Loving, attentive listening is displayed all around. It is such a pleasure to see and take part in.

The lovely verse from James above does not JUST focus on listening, but he does instruct us FIRST to listen. I am so grateful to be a part of a church that listens and loves. Amen.

Anne Sullivan

February 17, 2016

Why Do We Go To Haiti?

Read: James 1:19-27

The question I’ve been asked frequently is “Why do we go to Haiti? Why not just send money?” This question was addressed by Rev. John Dorceley as we left his house at the end of our mission. When we send money to Haiti, it is appreciated. They do good things with it. They provide meals at the school. They offer scholarships. But that is not as significant as caring. It is not as significant as loving.

When we go to Haiti we offer ourselves as the hands and feet of God. We are dedicated to showing unconditional love, without preconditions or judgment. The act of being there, being in the presence of those who are being helped is the most important thing. Donating money is great. Donating our time, our emotions, our engagement, is the best way to show the love of Jesus Christ.

When we are in Haiti, we pray together. We sing songs of worship to God every day. We attend a Methodist church service. We provide money for the poor. But we don’t try to change the people. We only try to help and love. That is our mission.

We first went to Haiti in 2014. During this trip we started working to build new classrooms in the back of the school. We did not know how many classrooms we were building. A previous missionary team from another congregation in Michigan had laid a large foundation. We gave them money and worked with workers we hired locally to create a floor and start raising the walls for new classrooms. When we left the walls were about 3 feet high on two classrooms.

We were unsure what would happen when we left. Haiti has a weak banking system, and there are many incomplete buildings throughout the country. We felt we had left a job unfinished.

When we returned in 2016, the walls and roofs of four new classrooms were complete. The people in the Methodist Church in Haiti had been good stewards of our donations. Other teams from Michigan had contributed time and money. They were teaching students in our classrooms.

I was not the only member of our team who was speechless with joy. The happiness of seeing our good works continued choked me up with tears. Praise God.

The enrollment at the school has increased from 600 to 700 in two years. I don’t know if this is entirely because of our efforts, but it certainly didn’t hurt to have 2 new classrooms.

When we work in Haiti we are helpers. We are not the skilled trades. We carry the rocks for the workers. We sift the rocks for the workers. We carry the cement and mortar for the workers. We serve them. We pay them. We pray for them. We laugh and joke with them. They love the dignity of the jobs we provide them. We pay them $20 per day. The minimum wage in Haiti is $5 per day. The workers consider these jobs the best jobs available. We provide them food and water while they work. All the workers love the dignity provided by these jobs. They love the feeling of accomplishment we give them by letting them exercise the gifts given to them by God. One worker, David, said he liked working with us so much he would bring us a goat as a gift the next time we visited.

We paid our interpreter, Valandia de Fontus, the salary of $50 a day. This will help her as she plans to go to study at a Community College in New York later this year. But the dignity of having a job was the best blessing. At the time of our visit, there was another mission team in Petit Goave. They were employing 14 interpreters at the eye clinic. There were simply no interpreters left. Valandia is a recent graduate of The College de Harry Brakeman, the school where we were working. I don’t know if she had any previous experience interpreting, but we certainly gave her another line for her resume. We gave her the dignity of a highly paid professional job, even if it was only for one week.

The Reverend Dorceley said we create 35 jobs when we are in the country on a mission. We hire drivers. We drink water. We eat food. They hire people to complete our laundry. We purchase souvenirs to support local artists. We support the economy. We provide the dignity of a fair wage for a fair service.

That’s why we go to Haiti. That’s why we went to Haiti. That’s why, with God’s assistance, if he is willing, we will go again.

Tom Cobau

February 16, 2016

The Day Faith Told Me About; Part 1

The two most important days in a person’s life are the day you’re born and the day you find out why. (Mark Twain)

Recently a rather faithful little lady whose name is Faith made me aware of the quote from Mark Twain that subtitles this Devotion. Mark was describing the two most important days in anyone’s life; the Day You’re Born and the Day You Find Out Why. It’s been haunting me since I first heard her reference it. I’m not sure about the second part in my case, but I’ve found what I believe is the reason for several people who’ve helped me get to where I am today. For many years I’ve wanted to write a series of these short devotions in an effort to tell a really big story by telling a bunch of little ones, one story at a time, and somehow tie them together. Sometimes I may tell a story that starts with one topic, then segues into some back story about the original topic, and then finishes with the end of the first part of the story. For the longest time I thought I’d name this series, “God Showed Up” parts 1 thru ??? Aside from being more than a bit presumptuous, that name is taken by about a gazillion web sites already. I was lost for a new title.

When I dropped off a truckload of food to Faith at her shelter the other day, we talked about the “day you find out why” and I knew I’d found my theme. In Charlie’s 2016 Devotional I hope to have some entries (I hope they make the cut), and in the process I hope to someday find my own “Why." All of the stories I’ll contribute are true to the extent that I can substantiate. The last 3 years of my life are a foggy blur; things I’m sure I’ll remember to write down are often the first things I lose before I get to write them; so goes the recovery from a closed head injury. I do, however, have over 4,500 photos, hundreds of video clips, dozens of audio recordings, a few thousand e-mails, and many thousands of text messages that provide me a good record to reference when composing these stories. While I may be off somewhat on exact ages of people, or complete names, etc., I assure you, these things actually happened. The first one is about a little boy named Levi and the man who survived a terrible trauma that led him to a life of helping people through similar circumstance. I hope you enjoy reading them.

Prayer: Lord may we all find our “Why” while we’re still strong enough to do something with it.

Ron Draper; Dec. 2, 2015