Friday’s Devotion: Lights out for the Turtles???

Matthew 18:6-7  If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone was fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of stumbling blocks! Occasions for stumbling are bound to come; but woe to the one by whom the stumbling block comes.

When we checked into the leasing office for our condo on Tybee Island yesterday the agent gave us some strange check-in information.  She said that it’s breeding season for the sea turtles.  If we walk on the beach at night we should put a red cover over our flashlight.  I though “I’ve got an iPhone app for that!”  Then she said that we must turn our porch lights off by 9:00 and draw the blinds. We must have looked at her funny because she patiently explained that the turtles use the light of the moon to guide them back into the ocean and that other light can confuse them and lead them in the wrong direction.  Heaven forbid that I lead a turtle in the wrong direction!  Jesus said we should not lead others astray, especially the young and vulnerable.  Paul said we should not be a stumbling block for others.  We never know who is noticing us; who is looking to us and being influenced by our behavior. It’s a pretty big responsibility to be a positive role model for others, but with Christ’s help we can do it.

Holy God,  Thank you for the creatures of the sea. Help us to be drawn to your love and light as they are drawn to the light of the moon. Be our guide for this day. We ask in the name of the one known as the Light of the World. Amen.

Thursday’s Devotion: Thoughts from a Country Churchyard

Genesis 3:19  “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”

 Joe and I took a drive to Christ Church today.  Founded in 1736 it was served by both Charles and John Wesley although not in that exact building.  Today it is an active Episcopal Church. As we walked through the old cemetery and the sometimes crumbling graves, lines from a Thomas Gray poem came to mind.
 
Here rests his head upon the lap of Earth
A youth to Fortune and to Fame unknown.
Fair Science frown'd not on his humble birth,
And Melancholy mark'd him for her own.
Large was his bounty, and his soul sincere,
Heav'n did a recompense as largely send. .
                       From  Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard

The subject of this poem was one of humble birth but with a soul sincere.  I thought that death is the great equalizer.  Once we die and shed our skin for a heavenly home, we have no more time left to save the world, further the kingdom, mend a broken relationship or make provisions for loved ones.  Rich and poor, powerful and weak are all the same in this.  Whatever we might achieve after death can only come through others with provisions we have made while alive.  I think that death is the great equalizer in another way. In heaven we will all be rich in the grace of God who will wipe our tears.  “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4   Right now we are alive and our task is to live a life that leads into this kingdom life and to grasp opportunities while we have them.

Gracious God, Help us to live life to its fullest, to know that while we walk this earth there is much to do, many to love and blessings to receive.  Give us strength for today and hope for tomorrow.  In our Savior’s name we humbly pray. Amen.

 

Wednesday’s Devotion: Questions Rule

Ecclesiastes 7:10   Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions.
 

I was excited to see that Dr. Alice Rogers of Candler School of Theology was one of the key lecturers this year at Pastor’s School.  The theme this year centers on effective leadership in a changing world.  Dr. Sweet pointed out in his sermon Monday night that T.G.I. F.  now stands for Twitter, Google, iPhone and Facebook. Technology is changing so quickly that things a student learns in his freshman year of college will be obsolete by the times he graduates. Yesterday Alice talked about asking the right questions.  She said churches get hung up trying to answer questions that have an either / or answer when instead they should be reframing the basic question.  For instance, instead of asking should we hold our annual revival in July or August, one could ask, “is revival the most effective way to bring new people to the church this year?”  Each day we answer questions by giving ourselves choices.  Should we take a walk or go exercise at the gym?  Maybe we should ask, where can God use me today?  What should be my real priority today?  It’s the right questions that move us forward in life just as much as the right answers.  Questions rule!

God of Heaven and Earth, We ask that you open our eyes to times when we need to ask different questions.  We need your wisdom and insight in life.  Lead us in ways that we might have productive, abundant lives centered on your will and way.  Amen.

Tuesday’s Devotion: Blinded by the Light

John 8:12  When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Joe and I are at Pastor’s School at beautiful Epworth by the Sea. Last night after worship we took our nighttime walk down Arthur J. Moore drive through a beautiful residential section.  It was dark but the road was straight and flat and there were occasional lights.  We stopped in front of one home to admire a pair of gaslight sconces flanking one driveway entrance.  They were unusual because the flames were three pronged with the center flame higher than the outside ones.  After a minute we resumed our walk but when we did I noticed that I really couldn’t see the road ahead.  I had been blinded by the light.  I thought, “Surely there’s a devotion in this” and right away I reflected back on the Clergy Sexual Ethics workshop I had been in earlier.  We heard how sadly people and clergy aren’t immune, become blinded by the sexual attractiveness of another person and make terrible choices.  What God created as life giving becomes something that causes death of the spirit and subsequently death of a ministry. There are many things that can glow so brightly in our lives that they blind us to the Way of Christ. Then I thought of Paul who was on a pathway of death and destruction until he was blinded by the light of Christ. Maybe we could posit this:  Blinded by sin, blinded to Christ; blinded by Christ; blinded to sin.  Upon what shall you set your sights today?

Precious Lord, Take my hand; lead me on the path of light and life today. We ask this in the name of the true Light of the World. Amen.

Monday’s Devotion: Traveling in Circles

Philippians 3:14  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

It threatened to rain in Hapeville one night last week so Joe and I drove to Jess Lucas Park to walk around the track.  The idea was that if it did start to rain the car would be nearby. It didn’t take me too long to figure out that I didn’t like walking in circles.  After what seemed to be an eternity, I looked at my stopwatch to see that we’d only been walking for 17 minutes.  I was ready to give up and go home.  That’s what we do sometimes when we get hung up and can’t seem to reach our destination.  We get discouraged and weary.  Know that God wants us to succeed and will help if we ask in accordance with God’s will.  That means that we aren’t asking God to help us do something that is bad for us.  God won’t always hand us what we want, but God will help us strive towards the prize.

Abba Father, Today we give you praise for all of creation.  Strengthen us this week as we make our plans, set priorities and set forth towards our goals.  May we finish this week a better person than when we began it.  We ask in the name of the one who pleads our case before you. Amen.

Friday's Devotion: Pennies and Nails

Mark 12:42 Finally, a poor widow came up and put in two coins that were worth only a few pennies.

I learned while working for building supply companies that nails are measured in units known as a penny. A 10-penny (10d) nail is 3 inches long. This however has nothing to do with my devotion.  The title comes from the fact that when I go on my daily walks I often find both of them in the street.  Whenever I find a nail, or screw I toss it to a place where no car is in danger of getting it in a tire.  It’s just a little random act of kindness I can do.  Some people only count coins found with heads up as lucky.  I believe any time you find money you are lucky even though in the scheme of things a few pennies won’t buy much. Thousands of years ago a widow, put two meager coins into a Temple collection box.  Those coins wouldn’t have taken her from poverty to prosperity or purchased much for the Temple.  The blessing was that the woman had the satisfaction of contributing to God’s kingdom.  The jewels of life are often found in the small things. We sometimes just have to remember to look for them.

God of Heaven and Earth, Thank you for our many blessings, great and small.  May we find both as we go throughout this day.  Amen.

Thursday's Devotion: Swept Away

Psalm 124:5ff (NIV) The raging water would have swept us away.  Praise be to the LORD…… We have escaped……Our help is in the name of the LORD,  the Maker of heaven and earth.

 A terrible story has been in the news about three Yosemite hikers who were caught up in a current and swept over a high waterfall to their death. I am sorrowful that what should have been a happy vacation in a place that Joe and I have enjoyed so much suddenly became tragic for these three and their family and friends.  I haven’t heard what they were doing to be caught in a current in the first place.  But I thought about the currents we get caught in sometimes that, if we are not on guard and strong in our faith can sweep us away. I’ve seen people swept away by alcoholism and addictions, materialism, sexual lust, career aspirations and even depression and despair. As I was beginning to write this an announcer on TV claimed that we will be “swept away” by the new Winnie the Pooh movie.  The Psalmist rejoiced because God rescued his people from peril. The rescue came because the people were reaching out to God, their one true lifeline.  What may be sweeping you away from God and a Godly life? Reach out, before it’s too late.

God of Creation, Keep us in your care today.  Help us to see dangerous currents in our lives before we are caught up in them.  Please be with us today in our thoughts and conversations.  We pray in your Son’s glorious name.  Amen.

Wednesday's Devotion: How to Mend a Broken Heart

Jeremiah 3:22 (NLT)  “My wayward children,” says the Lord, “come back to me, and I will heal your wayward hearts.”“Yes, we’re coming,” the people reply, “for you are the Lord our God.

Someone I know is getting a pacemaker today. His wife said the electrical impulses in his heart are irregular and the top and bottom areas of his heart are out of sync.  The pacemaker will make everything work properly again. I thought about the times my heart has gotten out of sync with God; when something in my life became so important that I neglected my time with God and didn’t listen for God’s voice for fear of what God might say about the state of my life.  Ignorance is bliss, but only for a while when you’re out of step with God.  What will be our pacemaker?  The answer is in our scripture. 

God of life, you search and know our hearts. We pray that you will heal them and draw us close to you when we get out of sync with your will. Please keep us and those whom we love in your care today.  Amen.

Tuesday's Devotion: Mud Baths

1 Cor. 6:19-20  "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own; you were bought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your body,"

A Funny coincidence yesterday made me think. The Today show aired a story about a Florida woman who had blacked out while on a walk by a lake and somehow ended up trapped in mud up to her neck and entangled by mangroves roots. She remained there for four days before she was finally found and rescued. Later in the evenings the two characters on Rizolli and Isles were shown taking mud baths at a spa.  They were enjoying being up to their necks in mud.  While all of these ladies were engulfed with mud, the circumstances were very different.  What was terrifying and life threatening to one was pleasant and healing to the others.  There are other things in life like that.  Alcohol in moderation can be healthy, but to others it is an addictive life damaging drink.  Some people dearly love their pet cats while others are so allergic to cats that they can’t be near them. I’d personally rather be allergic to cats than to peanuts.  Relationships can be wonderful or they can be toxic.  We each are given the great gift of life by our Creator.  And as the scripture says, we are not just our own. Let’s each consider what will bring life and health and what can bring damage and destruction in our lives and choose life.

Eternal God, We pray that you will give us wisdom and discernment so that we may see what in our lives brings health and happiness and what in our lives could be dangerous to that health and happiness.  We ask that you keep us healthy in mind, body and spirit as we seek your will.  In the name of the One who died so that we might have eternal life. Amen.

Monday's Devotion: Listen Carefully

Luke 8:17-19  (NLT)

17 For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.  18 “So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them.”

Joe and I and our son, Robert walked up Stone Mountain yesterday.  During our walk Robert and I had a conversation about the importance of good communication in relationships and in life. Some people are fortunate enough to learn the skill of truly getting in touch with one’s feelings and being able to communicate those thoughts and feelings in an open and trusting way with others.  Often we don’t really want to share deeply with others for fear of being judged.  One has to be careful about how much one reveals but developing mutual trusting relationships can be a great thing.  We need to do that with others and especially with God.  Can we trust God to love us no matter what we share?  Are we trustworthy in following God’s desires for humankind?  How well, how closely and how often do we listen to God? Think on these things.

Dear God, Help us to develop better relationships with you and with others.  Help us to find people with whom we can share our feelings openly.  Bless us this day that we may more fully listen to you. Amen.

Friday's Devotion: Yard Art

Ecclesiastes 5:18-19  (NLT)

 18 Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life. 19 And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God.

I admire interior decorators for their ability to pull together great looks in homes.  I believe there is a need for some exterior decorators, too.  It’s amazing the variety of ways people decorate their porches and yards.  The other day I saw metal animals made in part from old painted rakes, cement cats and planters, wind chimes, hanging baskets, statues of a cowboy, cowgirl and horse and a hose holder that looks like Big Foot.  I used to make fun of some of the yard art people displayed.  Then at some point I came to the humbling realization that they were trying in their own way to make their own humble abode something that was pleasing to them.  I am especially touched when I see the smallest and most run-down homes adorned in some colorful way.  I think about a line from a favorite hymn:  Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well, with my soul.  People with their yard art are in a way expressing that; whatever their lot; it is well with their soul.

Dear God, Help us to be sensitive to others; to appreciate them for who they are, children of yours and joint heirs with Christ.  Guide us this day.  Amen.

Thursday’s Devotion: Walking on Trash Day

Nehemiah 4:10 (CEV)  Meanwhile, the people of Judah were singing a sorrowful song:  " So much rubble for us to haul!  Worn out and weary, will we ever finish this wall?"

Wednesday is my least favorite day to walk around the neighborhoods of Hapeville.  You see, Wednesday is trash day.  Everyone has their rolling cans with the city logo out by the road.  If they are closed things are o.k. but some people overstuff them allowing an odor to escape that is most unpleasant to put it mildly. Using that as a metaphor for our lives I’d say that the stench of sin has the potential to dwell within each of us.  Sometimes we can hide it from others, but other times it seeps out and repels others.  Sometimes our sins get in the way of us accomplishing things we need to accomplish in life.  Our goal as followers of Christ is to take out the trash once and for all.

God of heaven and earth, Forgive us our sins and help us to lead lives that are precious as perfume to you and our brothers and sisters in this world.  Guide and strengthen us for the day.  We ask in the name of the One who was sinless.  Amen.

   

Wednesday's Devotion: A Dog's Tale

Matthew 25:35  For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.

Our little black dog Dandy is afraid of thunderstorms.  His heart races and he pants. The vet prescribed a tranquilizer but it doesn’t help.  When a storm or even a hard, noisy rain comes, he wants to be held by one of us.  Yesterday afternoon we had a spell of loud thunder and some lightening in Hapeville.  I was at the church and wondered how Dandy was doing.  I soon found out.  Joe called to say some neighbors down the street had him.  Dandy sometimes climbs the fence and wanders around the neighborhood.  If he sees the dogcatcher he runs home and jumps down into the back yard from the deck. Thankfully, all three of our dogs have their name and one of our cell numbers embroidered on their collars.

Apparently when the storm began yesterday and his momma wasn’t home, he went seeking comfort.  He went all the way down North Avenue to the end by I-75 until he saw someone.  He went up their steps and asked to be let in.  The couple let him in and offered him some water then called Joe whose number was on that collar.  I retrieved him, thanking them profusely and took him back to the office with me since it was still thundering and he was still panting.  It is natural for us to seek comfort when we are afraid. Dandy was looking for help from someone he felt was greater than himself. God’s Word and the promises of God’s care give many comfort and assurance during those times.  I’m glad someone offered to take a scared little dog in.  He couldn’t read God’s Word but he didn’t have to.  Someone embodied that Word for him.

Gracious God, Thank you for keeping us safe and protecting the helpless.  Help us to embody your Word for those who do not or cannot read it for themselves.  In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Tuesday's Devotion: Piece of the Puzzle

Matthew 16:25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

Yesterday morning when I was about halfway through my morning 2 mile walk I saw a solitary piece from a jigsaw puzzle at the edge of the street.  Just two days before I’d had a conversation with a friend about jigsaw puzzles and missing pieces.  We want all the pieces of the puzzle to be there.  It is that way with our life also.  We want to know what is going to happen and what the best action is for us to take in any situation.  This past week our sermon was on God’s Word and us being sensitive to God’s voice.  I can’t promise a booming clear voice from heaven, but I can say that if you sincerely seek Jesus Christ, putting aside you old life, and develop a regular habit of prayer and Bible reading, you will come to hear God’s direction in your life.  God does not turn his back on those who seek him.  As we read in Matthew 7 “Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks, receives. Whoever seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door is opened.

Dear God,  There are many puzzles in our lives.  We struggle with uncertainty over our future, over relationships and over daily life choices.  Speak to us Lord as you will and guide us in your paths.  We pray you will be with us this day.  Amen.

Monday's Devotion: Saving Face

Jonah 4:1  The change of plans upset Jonah, and he became very angry. (NLT)

The reluctant prophet Jonah preached that Nineveh would be destroyed.  But when the people repented and changed their evil ways, God had mercy on them and didn’t carry out the destruction.   Jonah lamented, “Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive because nothing I predicted is going to happen.”  Do you think Jonah really wanted all the people to die, or perhaps could it have been that he was going to lose face because his prediction wasn’t going to be carried out?  We often talk about emotions like love, hate, anger, resentment, or jealousy.  Yet embarrassment can be the source of acting out. When embarrassed, people can get defensive, blame others, lash out, or worse.  The thing is, embarrassment is often the result of our own misstep. The antidote for embarrassment is humility. Humility allows us to apologize; humility puts the importance of the opinions of others into greater perspective.  Let us remember Christ’s great love for us even while we were still sinners. That type of acceptance is much more important than others’ opinions of us.

Heavenly God, As we begin this week, let us keep our eyes and heart fixed upon you.  Give us strength of character and the humility to withstand the embarrassing moments in life.  We ask in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Friday's Devotion: Press On

1 Timothy 6:11  Pursue a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.

 I walked five miles yesterday.  I didn’t set out to do that; four miles has been my goal. I walked 2 ½ miles before breakfast so I was in good shape toward my goal.  Joe however had only 700 steps on his pedometer when we started our evening walk so he wanted to go further.  I wanted to accommodate him, although towards the end of our walk I was getting a little tired. Sometimes, one just has to persevere.  Life constantly brings us challenges and adversities.  With God’s help we can turn these into opportunities for growth.  I’m walking to help me shrink but then I will grow into a more healthy and fit person in the process of doing that.  I spoke with a congregation member today with challenging health issues.  She admitted that sometimes she gets discouraged, but she is determined to persevere.  God bless her and God help all of us to keep on keeping on.

Holy God, We ask that you give us strength to meet today’s challenges.  Help us to persevere whenever we become discouraged.  We ask that you inspire us to be encouragers of others.  We pray in the name of the One who persevered even to the cross.  Amen.

Thursday's Devotion: Waking up with Jesus

Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.

I watched some of the program America Sings last night after Joe and I returned from our evening walk. One of the groups was the John’s Creek (GA) High School Chorus. Another group, The Wallace Family sang the Southern gospel song, Jesus on Your Mind. It begins “I woke up this morning with Jesus on my mind.” What a great way to wake up! That is infinitely better than waking up with the challenges of the day or the replay of something unpleasant from the day before on our mind. Another line in the song goes, “The problems of the day they disappear all the time when you wake up with Jesus on your mind.” What if we each woke up and said, “Good Morning, Lord! I give you this day?”

Gracious Lord, Help me to think of you first as I begin each new day. You have given me the gift of life; now let me give this day back to you. Amen.

Wednesday's Devotion: Called to Worship

Psalm 84:1,2,4 (NLT) How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty. I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God. How happy are those who can live in your house, always singing your praises.

At another church I served we sang a praise song based upon this scripture. It is clear that the Psalmist loves to worship God in God’s temple. I am amazed and find it difficult to understand how people can do things like “take the summer off” from worship. I doubt we could arrive at only one difference between those casual worshippers and the many for whom weekly worship is an integral part of their life but I wonder if it doesn’t have something to do with how much one credits God for the blessings in one’s life. Some churches try to compensate for the lack of members being drawn to worship God through the touch of the Holy Spirit on their hearts by trying to make worship entertaining and non-confrontational. Light worship makes for light Christians. Casual members need two things. They need others to model regular attendance and support of church ministry by example and they need to feel valued and cared about. How are we each doing with that?

Almighty God, You brought the church into being and have called us to worship together. Help us Lord to find ways to impart to others the importance of this worship for themselves and for the church. We ask in your holy Son’s name. Amen.

Tuesday's Devotion: Centered on Godliness

1 Timothy 4:8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

I love fireworks. I especially like the way the producers can coordinate them to music. Something about the two being in sync adds to the experience. I like for things in my life to be in sync, too. Yet often in our lives something is slightly off-kilter. We can get our bodies into shape but struggle with an emotional issue. Things go well at work, but our home life needs attention. Yesterday a friend shared the basics of a Christian recovery program with me. He said that we all have something in our life that we could use some recovery from. I chose this scripture because our best hope to bring our life into balance is to make godliness a priority. It won’t magically make all our problems go away, but it can reveal to us the things of life that should be our real priorities and help us let go of things that are keeping us off balance. Seek ye first the kingdom of God as the scripture goes.

Gracious God, We ask your blessings for this day. Help us to find balance in our lives; help us to stay in sync with you. We ask in the name of the One whose example we follow. Amen.

Monday's Devotion: God of the Nations

Psalm 46:10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalm 67:4 May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth.

Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance

Today is a day we focus on patriotism for our own great nation. I am happy and blessed to be an American. I may not like everything about our country but I can’t think of another nation on earth that I would ever love better than this one. Our country is what we make it. If we tolarate injustice and political dishonesty our nation will suffer. If we hold to our moral values and insist that our leaders do the same, our country will prosper. I am of the camp that believes we were founded as a Christian nation but one that recognized the need for religious tolerance. While we are now a nation of Christians and non-Christians, I believe we as individuals should pursue witnessing to the Word to others. After all one of the great freedoms of our country, a freedom many fought and died for among others is the freedom of religious expression. Let us continue to take advantage of this.

Creator of all nations, we pray your blessings upon our country. May our country serve as an example of justice and freedom from oppression to all the nations of the world. Bless us individually as Americans and as Christians so that we, too may do the same. In Jesus’ name we humbly ask this. Amen.