Wednesday’s Devotion: Speak and Listen

Psalm 54:2 Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth.

Luke 11:27-28  As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.”  He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

It used to be when you heard someone talking and no one else was around you thought they might be ready for the loony bin.  Now it’s not uncommon to hear people carrying on one sided conversations.  l like to greet people who are in their yards or on their porches while I’m on my walks.  If I get a chance I invite them to church.  This morning every one of them was talking to someone on their phone. Of course, I only heard bits of one side of the conversations.  I thought about a book on prayer that I have that says that prayer should be as much about listening to God as speaking to God.  I wonder how much that happens.  Most of the time when we pray, we offer thanks and give our requests and then say “Amen.”  After that we go about our business.  Our conversations with God are one sided. We need to cultivate a practice of listening for God’s voice. I had someone confess that she didn’t listen for God to speak to her because she was afraid of what God might say. I truly hope that we will each listen for and hear God’s voice. It may be a feeling of peace, a sense of inspiration or a quiet thought but God will speak – if we would but listen.

Lead me, LORD, in your righteousness ……make your way straight before me. Help us to hear your voice and not just our own.  Amen

Tuesday’s Devotion: The Half-Red Flower

Matthew 26:28  This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

I have not been very good with my flower beds this summer.  It’s been hot and I’ve been busy.  Yet I enjoy looking at my neighbors’ flowers when I walk around town.  One night I had to stop and look at a large plant with yellow flowers.  One single flower on the plant was exactly one half yellow and one half red.  I’ve never seen anything exactly like it. I don’t know why but I immediately thought of the blood of Jesus.  We sing in church, “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” Intellectually we know that the blood Jesus shed on the cross is part of his death for our sins. As a result, in spite of the fact that we continue to sin in small and large ways, we can live a life in relationship with a God who demands justice.  We don’t usually go around thinking about that, but it’s there in our life.  Times come when we mess up and then feel sorry.  We claim the grace God offers through the blood of Jesus and vow to do better.  It’s good to be reminded of that blood sometimes.  We need to remember the sacrifice made by one for the good of many including ourselves.  After a little research, I found that the flower was a four ‘o clock and that it is not unusual to have flowers of different colors and variegated flowers on the same plant.  I still like to think it was a sign from God, to remind me of the sacrifice he made for me.

Dear God, there are not adequate words to thank you for providing salvation for us knowing that living a sinless life is so hard for us to achieve.  Protect us from temptation and empower us to full living in your grace.  We ask this in the name of the one who shed his blood and died so that we might have eternal life. Amen.

Monday’s Devotion: Goodnight Irene

Luke 8:24

The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.

I followed the progress of hurricane Irene a good bit on CNN Friday.  The newscasters said the storm was as big as Europe.  We were concerned about everyone in it’s path and in particular Joe’s brother Bob who lives in Morehead City. Bob did go inland for safety and thankfully the damage to his house amounted to the loss of a few shingles.  I prayed for life and property as the storm moved up the coast and I know my prayers were joined by thousands of others.  After all, the storm was being described as “epic” and who could forget Katrina.  Now in retrospect people in New York are saying the potential danger was over-rated.  Yet I wonder, what caused an epic storm to diminish as this one did?  Could it have been answered prayer?  Or was it just chance, another fluke of nature?  I can’t answer that, but I have thanked God in my prayers that the storm was not as terrible as it could have been.  I know that there have been times in my life when God has calmed the storms of difficulties.  Whether or not God did calm this hurricane, we know that our God can do it.  Our God is a powerful and mighty God, our everlasting strength and protection.  Praise be to God.

Loving God, I praise you for all that you do to protect us and to carry us through life’s storms.  Please be with us this week. Especially be with those who are recovering from the storm.  We ask in the name of the one who rebuked the wind and raging waters. Amen.

Friday’s Devotion: Side Effects

Galatians 5:22-23  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

How many of you watch advertisements on TV for prescription medicines?  At first you think how great this would be for those suffering from whatever the condition in question.  Allergies disappear, pain from fibromyalgia – gone, need to be ready for that special moment – no problem.  But then the announcer, speaking as fast as a speeding bullet starts rattling off the side effects.  Maybe they hope you won’t notice!  As a pastor, I can’t offer a magic pill for healing but I can offer Christ.  And Christ, the great physician can heal in many ways.  The side effects of becoming a follower of Christ are however numerous.  They are listed in Galatians 5. So buyer beware – if you accept the work of Christ in your life though the Holy Spirit, you will be changed.  The Bible speaks of us becoming new creations.  I think I want a double dose today!

Creator God, we ask your healing touch on our lives.  We each suffer from the malady of sin and harbor hurts and resentments that do us harm.  May we soon bear the fruits of the Spirit in our lives.  Amen.

Thursday’s Devotion: I Feel the Earth Move Under my Feet

Psalm 75:3 When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm.

The news stations are abuzz with stories about the Virginia earthquake.  I’ve only felt one small tremor which we had in Georgia a few years ago.  I can only imagine how scary it would be to experience a real serious quake.  For the most part they come suddenly and without warning.  Sometimes we experience other kinds of quakes in our life. Somewhere in the middle of a normal and mundane day we hear the news.  It could be the tragic death of a loved one, the word cancer or layoffs. The bottom of your stomach seems to drop out like the floors of a quake-shaken building.  Everything changes.  In times like that we are blessed that we have a personal relationship with the God who remains steady when our world shakes. 

Gracious and holy God, we rejoice that you are there for us to lean on when our world is suddenly stricken with bad news.  In all times, good and bad you remain constant.  We pray your blessings now on those in the path of the approaching hurricane.  Amen.

Wednesday’s Devotion: God and the Alphabet

2 Samuel 22:50 Therefore I will praise you, LORD, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name.
Psalm 33:1 Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.

There are countless scriptures that call for God’s people to praise God. I believe strongly in praising God even before we ask God to help us with our needs or pray for others.  On Friday night during our Barnabas gathering, Rev. Jim Burt shared his practice of praising God through the alphabet.  I had heard him say that before and have done that.  Yesterday morning during my walk I went to Cofield Park where there’s a small play area with a short oval track.  I could walk around and around and pray without worrying about traffic, avoiding other walkers or tripping on uneven sidewalks.  I praised God through the alphabet and had fun trying to come up with a characteristic of God for each letter.  You can use ex for the letter X.  I recommend that if you don’t want to take time to go through the entire alphabet that you choose a word or short phrase like the word Faith.  God is Faithful even when we ignore him.  God is Awesome.  God is Invincible. God is Trustworthy.  God is our Help and our strength.  Just work those into a prayer of praise.  Oh God thank you for being faithful, you are awesome beyond our comprehension, you are invincible – nothing can conquer you, etc.  Prayer is one of the great blessings of our lives.  I hope you will be intentional about expanding your prayer life.

Gracious God, you are our hope and our strength.  You are immortal and an ever present help in time of trouble.  We lift our praises and prayer requests with confidence that you love us and hear our prayers. Help us to feel you presence in our lives.  We ask in the name of the One who sits on your right hand and intercedes for us. Amen.

Tuesday’s Devotion: Catch a Falling Star

Yesterday on the way back from Carmel Church Cemetery in Mansfield, GA we passed Porterdale Road.  I told the others in the car about the night that Joe and I drove out that road to observe a meteor shower.  There was too much light pollution around our house.  The neat thing is that a number of cars stopped on the same country road also.  As I remember it wasn’t a spectacular shower but it was still fun to watch these “falling stars.”   In 1957 Perry Como, one of my favorite singers of his era recorded the very popular song, “Catch a Falling Star.”  It says to “Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket; never let it fade away.  Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket; save it for a rainy day.”  The second verse goes, “For when your troubles start to multiplyin’, and they just might! It’s easy to forget them without tryin’, with just a pocketful of starlight!”

This Sunday we sang “Lily of the Valley” which describes Jesus as the Bright and Morning Star.  Revlation 22:16  says, "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star."  Let’s combine the thoughts of these two songs.  Jesus the Morning Star, came to earth as our Savior. We can keep him in our heart (pocket).  For most of us, a little rain falls into every day – a sad memory, small irritations and troubles.  Sometimes we experience a deluge.  Yet we can always have Jesus near.  He is the star of our life; he is the light for our path. 

Dear God, when we look into the night sky and see the work of your fingers, the moon and stars suspended in space, help us to know that you are both in the heavens and in our hearts.  Bless our days and our nights.  Help us to stay secure in your light.  We ask in the name of your Son, the bright Morning Star.  Amen.

Monday’s Devotion: Old is a State of Mind

Ruth 4:15 He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age.

I have just finished writing the funeral homily for a wonderful lady who would have celebrated her 105^th birthday on September 20^th.  The thing that impressed me over and over was that although Frances grew up, she refused to grow old.  She bowled in a ladies league until she was 90.  She learned to play dominoes when she was over 100!

I, too live with the precept that age is a state of mind and condition of health. I don’t like to talk about my age, not because I’m ashamed of it but because it puts a false label on my greater state of being. I read a book once that said you can fool your body into staying younger by thinking of yourself as young.  It doesn’t hurt to try. I’m not afraid of death, because I’m confident of what’s waiting for me beyond that.  I’m afraid of not living life fully until the very end.  Frances had a favorite writing that she liked to share with others.  I think it sums things up pretty well. It’s called On Youth

Youth is not entirely a time of life – it is a state of mind. It is not wholly a matter of ripe cheeks, red lips or supple knees.  It is a temper of will, a quality of the imagination, and vigor of the motions.

Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years.  People grow old only by deserting their ideals. You are as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fears; as young as your hope, as old as your despair.

In the central place of every heart, there is a recording chamber.  So long as it receives messages of beauty, hope, cheer and courage, you are young.
When the wires are all down and your heart is covered with the snows of pessimism and the ice of cynicism, then, and only then, have you grown old.

Loving God, may we live fully the life that you have so graciously bestowed upon us.  Help us to honor that gift by caring for ourselves and others.  Renew our lives and sustain us at each stage of our life.  May we serve you while we’ve breath.  Amen.

Friday’s Devotion: A No More Tears World

Revelation 21:3-5   And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘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.”  He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

I normally post devotions earlier in the day. Today, however has been one of unusual schedule partly due to the fact that our beloved member Frances Thompson passed away yesterday evening.  I visited with her on Tuesday with the family.  Frances was 104 years old.  Thankfully when her health failed it was a fairly rapid decline.  Only a month or so ago I visited with her and had a good chat.  Her hearing and eyesight were failing but she was alert and aware of everything.  There are tears for those of us who have been left behind.  Grieving is a natural part of life.  To grieve means we had the blessing of loving someone.  God comforts us in our grief.  We can live in confidence that we have a God who cares about us.  Right now we live in a world where His reign is not fully present.  We experienced an in-breaking of the kingdom with the coming of Christ. Revelation 21 describes God’s preferred environment for us.  We don’t understand His timing but are confident that one day we will see him face to face and God will wipe away every tear. 

Gracious God,  Thank you for being with us in times of sorrow.  May we feel the loving and healing presence of the Holy Spirit.  We ask that you work through us to help bring comfort to others in time of need.  Amen.

Thursday’s Devotion: Interior Improvements

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

I passed by a home yesterday morning that had a brand new mailbox post.  Plywood and construction materials were stacked by the house.  The home has been recently vacated so it is being renovated for lease or sale. Another home on one of my walking routes recently received a new roof and interior.  I’m always glad to see home improvement projects in the neighborhood.  I thought about 2 Corinthians 5:17.  We have the opportunity to rebuild our lives.  No matter what we may have experienced in the past, God will help us start fresh if we put our trust in Christ. Yes, we may have to endure residual effects from our past decisions.  Our actions do bring consequences.  Yet God will also help us endure those and get beyond them to a better place. For the many who have lived a good life, Christ the master carpenter can take them to a higher level.  While we are improving our lives, we can also help others. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”  How is your construction project coming?

Lord of All, We who trust in Jesus Christ for our salvation know that we are a new creation; that we are a work in progress and that through your Holy Spirit we may continue to grow in knowledge and faith.  We ask your continued care upon us and your guidance as we bring others to trust in your Son for salvation.  We ask this in his name. Amen.

Wednesday’s Devotion: Live Long and Prosper

1 Samuel 25:6   Say to him: ‘Long life to you! Good health to you and your household! And good health to all that is yours!

This was a greeting David sent to Nabal as he asked for provisions for his men. It’s a good blessing – something we hope for ourselves and our loved ones.  Today I stood at the bedside of Frances Thompson with members of her family.  Frances is 104 years young. Up until April she has enjoyed good health.  At the moment she is suffering from fluid in her lungs. At any age it is difficult to let our loved ones go.   There is one thing for certain, barring the second coming in our lifetime; we are all going to die. I read recently that we should live our life today in the manner that we would like someone to speak about us at our funeral.  We have a finite amount of time here on earth.  When we pass over to our new heavenly life, may people talk about the good that we were able to do during our life.  Send some prayers up for Frances; she is a great sister in Christ.

Dear God,  We praise you for the long life you have bestowed upon Frances and many other precious seniors.  May all their moments be inhabited by your love.  We pray for good health and longevity for ourselves and those we love.  Amen.

Tuesday’s Devotion: Spiderman Discarded

1 Corinthians 13:11  When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.

Last week someone in the neighborhood put a Spiderman sleeping bag out for trash pickup.  I thought, one more childhood hero set aside. When I was growing up I wanted to fly like Superman and ride and sharp shoot like Annie Oakley. Ok, I really haven’t gotten over that!  Still as we grow up we do put aside some things of childhood for more serious pursuits. We accumulate responsibility and related stresses. We take up adult habits not all of them good. The good news is that God gives us permission to retain some childlike qualities. That’s good news medically also.  Attitude has a lot to do with ageing.  Thinking young can help us stay young.  According to the Gospels of Luke and Mark, Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Children love simply and are reliant on others for their wellbeing.  For us to enter the Kingdom of God we must simply love Jesus and trust in God daily for all that we have.

Father God, In the midst of all our adult cares and responsibilities, help us to find the simple joy and love of a child. Amen.

Monday’s Devotion: The Trail Less Travelled

Luke 14:28  “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?"

Yesterday after church I asked Joe if he would like to go to a state park and hike.  I felt the need to be in nature and to work off some of the emotion left over from my sermon.  Besides we’ve walked all the roads in Hapeville many times and needed a change in scenery.  We settled on Sweetwater Creek State Park. It was only a half-hour away and we’d never been there.  We picked up a trail map at the visitors’ center and saw there were four trails: Red, Yellow, Blue and White.  The longest combination Red to White and back to the center was a four mile loop.  We chose that and set out.  The first half mile of the 1 mile Red trail was nice.  There were lots of people going to see the old factory that was destroyed in the Civil War.  Past that the crowd disappeared. Over the next 3 ½ miles we saw only 4 or 5 couples.  The walk turned into a climb up and over roots and rocks and log steps.  The scenery was beautiful even if the going was rough in a number of places. It wasn’t until we finished the trail that we turned the map over and saw that the Red trail was classified Easy to Difficult and the White trail Moderate to Difficult. The combined estimated completion time for the two was 2 ½ to 4 ½ hours.  We made it in 2 hours and 20 minutes, stopping to take pictures and catch our breath. In all, because we took some side trips we covered about 5 miles.  Had I read the descriptions ahead of time, I might have chosen an easier trail.  People often jump impulsively into things without counting the cost.  Many times they pay a dear price for their actions.  Jesus wanted his followers to know the true cost of following Him.  He didn’t want them to rush blindly into that commitment.  Hopefully we will all consider the consequences of our actions before we act.  Sometimes being bold brings great rewards like yesterday’s hike, but we must be willing to consider the cost.

Gracious God, We ask that you be with us this week. Please give us the opportunities for new challenges and the wisdom to know what we should do.  Guide and strengthen us each day for the tasks at hand. We ask in your Son’s holy name. Amen.

Friday’s Devotion: What We Can't Do for Ourselves USED

Modified and used 11-22-21

2 Timothy 1:9  He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.

Our dogs never turn down food.  Whenever either Joe or I go into the kitchen Daisy is right there hoping we’ll drop something on the floor. When I turn the laptop off or close my Nook at night Dino starts barking because he knows it’s time for them to get a treat before bedtime.  Dandy’s ears perk up at any food related sound.  I told Joe how sad it is that our dogs are totally dependent upon us for their life-giving food.  I would hate to be in that position.  I’m fortunate to be able to do for myself.  When it comes to our salvation though, there is nothing we can do to earn it. We are saved not by our good works but by our faith in Jesus Christ.  That doesn’t mean God won’t expect us to do good works but those works come as our response to God’s grace not as a way to earn it. Scripture also says faith without works is dead.  Just remember it’s very difficult to coast up hill.

Almighty God, We’ve received a great gift from you.  Lead us to more ways to live out our faith in response to your love and grace.  Give us faith that is living and active.  We ask in the name of the only one who makes salvation possible. Amen.

8-11-11 Thursday’s Devotion: The Fix-It People

2 Timothy 9:10  He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

I had a chance to chat with my friend Jeff Colquitt last night at the funeral visitation for one of our members.  I teased Jeff saying I was so glad that I hadn’t seen him in a long time.  I followed that by saying that the living he made as a funeral director came as a result of the misfortune of others.  We began to name others like him:  Tow truck drivers, auto body shop operators, ambulance drivers and medical trauma personnel, gravediggers, firemen and I’m sure there are more.  Jeff, like many of the others takes someone from a point of distress to a better place.  He might make a deceased person who had been ravaged by disease look better for their last public appearance.  He certainly brings comfort to loved ones. Firemen do their best to save property and lives. Whether it’s setting a broken leg or replacing a dented fender there are those who fix what’s broken.  Jesus came to mend a broken relationship between humankind and God. He was the master healer bringing wholeness of body and spirit.  Occasionally we might need a plumber to repair a leaky pipe.  I believe we need Christ every day to help us develop the character we need to be strong when all the other things break and to comfort us when things and people we care about can’t be restored.

Abba God,  Thank you for those who help repair the broken things in our lives.  We especially thank you for your son who came to a broken and sinful world to restore life. Help us to live lives worthy of the gift you have bestowed upon us. Amen.

Wednesday’s Devotion: Asking the right questions

Malachi 2:17   You have wearied the LORD with your words. “How have we wearied him?” you ask. By saying, “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the LORD, and he is pleased with them” or “Where is the God of justice?”

At a district meeting last night as an icebreaker we were supposed to introduce ourselves and share a question, any question we have been asking or would like to ask. One asked, “How do you define the word ‘ambiance’ to a three year old?” One had actually asked her the question!  Children are full of questions.  That is one of the primary ways that they learn. Adults ask a lot of questions also. I wonder why we drive on parkways and park on driveways. In a pastoral counseling class at Emory our textbooks were arranged by the various cognitive therapies and the type questions to ask a counselee to obtain the information needed for that therapy.  Our professor told us he preferred that we get that information without asking questions!  We practiced making leading statements but that was more difficult than just asking.  At our meeting one woman wanted to ask God, “Why do good people die and bad people prosper.” If you could ask God anything what would you ask?  Consider that.  Perhaps study of that subject is direction you should take for spiritual growth.  Jesus said, ““Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

Dear God, There is so much about your nature that we cannot understand.  We ask for wisdom and discernment.  Teach us how to ask the right questions. Amen.

Tuesday's Devotion: Seeing the Signs

Matthew 16:1-3

The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tried to test him by asking for a sign from heaven. He told them:   If the sky is red in the evening, you say the weather will be good. But if the sky is red and gloomy in the morning, you say it is going to rain. You can tell what the weather will be like by looking at the sky. But you don't understand what is happening now.

I’m glad I got a long walk in yesterday morning. As soon as Joe and I left home after dinner headed toward Master Park I began to notice the darkening sky and heavy air. I told Joe we should stay closer to home because it was going to rain. In 18 minutes we made a circle from our home to the ball fields and back. It was about .9 of a mile. Within 2 minutes of walking back into the house it began pouring rain.  Like the Pharisees and Sadducees I can sometimes predict rain and like these leaders, sometimes I fail to see other things to which I should be sensitive.  Jesus told these leaders that the only sign they would be given was the sign of Jonah which had earlier been explained as symbolic of his death and resurrection.  God can speak to us in many ways. The leaders couldn’t hear because of their hard hearts. How is your heart?  Is it open to hearing the whisper of God?

Gracious God,  We want to hear your voice but sometimes our earthly concerns overwhelm us so that we can only hear ourselves. Give us hearts that are sensitive to you.  We ask in your Son’s holy name.  Amen.

Monday's Devotion: Walking with Blisters

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
      do not depend on your own understanding.
 ⁶ Seek his will in all you do,
      and he will show you which path to take.

I had a great time preaching at the Homecoming services at Bethlehem First yesterday.  Two people I was happy to see were Lu and Coach Connerley.  Coach has hiked large segments of the Appalachian Trail.  Joe and I have taken short day hikes. I’ve heard stories from these long distance hikers of blisters and bloody toes. I try to walk three to six miles a day and know now that even with expensive walking shoes blisters go with the territory just like I learned when I started jumping lessons with my horses that falling off went with the territory.  Blisters are small but they make every step painful.  I thought about all the small irritations in life.  Sometimes we let them take control of our attitude.  A hangnail makes us grumpy, a remark made by a loved one eats at us, we fuss at other drivers on the freeway and arrive at our destination n a frazzle. As I pondered this Proverbs 3 came to me.  We need to turn our own understanding of things over to God.  Our own understanding blows the small things up into big things.  When we look at the really big picture of God’s kingdom, it helps us put them back into perspective, brush them off and live a happier, more pleasing life.

Dear God, Be with us today.  Help us to overcome small irritations and focus on the great blessings that you provide for us. Amen.

Friday’s Devotion: Love beyond Lip Service

Philippians 2:3-5  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another have the same mindset as Jesus Christ.

Our church bulletin instructs the congregation to “Greet one another in Christian love” during fellowship time. But what is true Christian love?  We use the term “love” without thought.  We love the Braves, ice cream and taking long walks on the beach. We tell friends we love them when what we may love is what they do for us or how they entertain us. The old saying goes, “A friend in need is a friend indeed.” On the other end of the spectrum is the definition of Christian love (charity) by my ethics professor Dr. Timothy Jackson as: unconditional commitment to the good of others, equal regard for others' well-being, and passionate service open to self-sacrifice for the sake of others. It goes beyond just listening to a friend’s problems and offering sage advice. The love described in our scripture means being willing to make personal sacrifice to help the friend resolve the problem. “Love is acting intentionally in sympathetic response to others and God to promote overall well-being.”  We spent days in class on the concept of unconditional agape. The Bible gives us the Good Samaritan and “love your enemies.” God challenges us to love others not because of who they are, or what they do, but just because they are.

Loving God, We know we can only love others because you first loved us. Help us to be more loving and less judgmental, more giving and less self-serving, and more open to those beyond our immediate circle of friends.  Help us see the lonely with the eyes of Christ.  We pray this in His name. Amen.

Thursday’s Devotion: Losing my Thin Place

Luke 2:7   And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

I discovered a bit of very disappointing news yesterday.  Apparently the Millstone Inn in Cashiers, NC is no more. The website is gone and their phone is no longer in service. There is no room for us in this inn.  The Millstone Inn was the go to place for Joe and me for special occasions and for rest and renewal.  We spent our 25^th wedding anniversary weekend there and Joe had planned to take me there for my birthday this year. It was beautiful and expensive which is the reason we didn’t go more often. There was something else about that particular place for me though.  In the Celtic tradition there is a belief that there are places where heaven and earth converge, where the presence of God is more readily felt.  They call them “thin places.”  The Millstone property is a thin place for me.  When I’m there it’s as though my soul has found an anchor point.  Some people find thin places in worship or in special prayers or in nature.  It’s good to have a thin place to go to.  I hope you seek and find one.  It looks like I’ll have to find another.

God of Comfort, We seek your presence in many places and ways and rejoice in those special moments when we feel you near us.  I pray that you will guide each of us to those places and experiences that we may more fully experience your presence with us.  Amen.

Wednesday's Devotion: The Hero Within

Romans 5:7- 8  (GW)  Finding someone who would die for a godly person is rare. Maybe someone would have the courage to die for a good person. Christ died for us while we were still sinners. This demonstrates God’s love for us.

Last night at the Hapeville City Council meeting a fire crew was recognized for saving the life of a citizen who had suffered cardiac arrest. Another fire fighter was recognized for bravery and saving a life.  While on one call his unit received word that smoke was pouring out of a Hapeville home with the resident inside. This fire fighter took the unit car to the scene. By the time he had arrived the smoke was turning black and had banked off the ceiling and was about four feet off the floor. He opened the door and saw an elderly woman slumped over in her wheelchair just inside the door.  He spoke to the woman and entered the home in spite of the fact all his protective equipment was elsewhere on the fire truck. He brought her out of the house then wheeled her chair to the curb telling her that an ambulance was on the way.  He then reentered the house, found the stove was the source of the fire, wrestled it away from the wall and unplugged it.  He did all this in under two minutes.  He not only saved a life, he saved a home, too. We never know when we see a first responder how many times he or she has risked his or her life to save someone else’s life or property.  I believe that there is a hero in each of us. May God help us be a hero for someone in need.

Gracious Lord,  We thank you for those called to serve as first responders.  We ask your protection upon them.  Please give us the courage to step out of our comfort zones and come to the aid of others, also.  We ask in the name of the one with the courage to die for us that we might live. Amen.

Tuesday's Devotion: All Wet but All Right

Proverbs 4:12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.

Isaiah 40:31 But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

There’s nothing like getting caught in a rainstorm to inspire one to move faster!  Sunday morning before leaving the beach we walked four miles barefoot through the sand and water giving no thought to getting wet. Last night while we were walking in Hapeville it started raining while we were still about a half-mile from home. Somehow this kind of wet wasn’t as appealing.  We jogged down Louise Street and then stood under a friend’s carport on Northside Drive with him for a few minutes.  We declined an offer for a ride home and just went for it. Although I hardly notice hills now that I used to grumble about, running up the steep hill of Northside was not in the cards.  To paraphrase scripture, the legs were willing but the lungs were weak. Whether we’re challenging ourselves physically or trying to strengthen our prayer life, it takes time to develop the ability to do things with ease. That means setting a goal and making achievement of that goal a priority. There is no nobler goal than to make deepening our relationship with God a priority. Here’s a secret: If you pray while walking, you won’t fall asleep! With an iPod you can download and listen to sermons or inspirational books and exercise at the same time.  Set some priorities for spiritual and physical improvement and ask God to help you.  Maybe soon your spirit and your legs will soar!

God of Creation, Thank you for all you have blessed us with today.  We ask that you will strengthen us for the tasks of the day that we will not grow weary. Amen.

Monday's Devotion: Touching the Bottom

Ephesians 4:14-16 (NLT)  Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.  Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.  He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

I was reading poolside the other day when I heard this conversation between a little girl and her mom in the pool, “Mommy, when you are 58 I bet you can touch bottom.”  Her mom laughed and replied, “Honey no one is nine feet tall.”  The little girl had some concept that people grew physically with age but didn’t quite have a complete grasp of the subject.  At some point as young adults we stop growing taller.  Broader, now that unfortunately continues on if we don’t watch it!  While we may cease to grow in height, we can still continue to grow spiritually and that is what scripture encourages us to do. Just as we need good nutrition for our bodies we also need good nutrition for our souls.  Prayer, study, meditation, sharing with others will help nourish us spiritually. I hope that we will set aside some time this week to work on our spiritual diet. While we might not “touch bottom” we can grow deeper in our faith.

Gracious God, help us to grow in wisdom and in the likeness of Christ. Bring us people who will share in this endeavor with us and encourage us. We ask this in the name of the One after whose example we follow.  Amen.