Thursday’s Devotion: That Sneaky Sin

Matthew 26:41  “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

We have a new game in our house. I wrap presents and Daisy unwraps them.  So far I was lucky that she only took one present from under the tree and untied the ribbon.  Daisy is one sneaky dog.  She’s very affectionate and smart but when we’re away from home or not looking she takes tissues out of the waste cans and shreds them.  Or she pulls a placemat off the kitchen table (she’s tall for a Jack Russell).  Although she’s eight years old now she only started this in the past year.  She looks so innocent when we’re around and she holds our heart just like out other two dogs.  I think sin is a lot like Daisy.  It sneaks up and does things to get us in trouble when we’re not really paying attention and guarding against it.  It disguises itself in things that are attractive to us and that make us feel good like overspending or drinking or drugs or binge eating. All the presents are up on the counter or table now.  We’re on guard.  Hopefully we are all on guard against sin’s temptations.  Now to get rid of the fruitcake so I won’t eat two pieces at one sitting again……

Precious Lord, we admit we aren’t always on guard against sin.  Guide us please in paths of right living and protect us from the temptations of this world that aren’t good for us.  Instead draw us into your light and love.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Wednesday’s Devotion: How to Cure a Pity Party

Luke 14:12-14. "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return, and repayment come to you. But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

I went home from the office last night and threw myself a small pity party.  It seems to happen every Christmas.  There’s just too much stuff to do.  I don’t seem to be able to really enjoy the season until all the tasks are out of the way – meaning shopping done, gifts wrapped and Christmas Cards mailed.  I have a unique cure for my pity parties.  I rarely have them but when I feel one coming on I pull a photo album out of my cabinet that I prepared to remind me of my many blessings.  It’s an album of photos taken on Appalachia Project mission trips.  It contains photos of really run down homes in need of repair; of children and their parents living in poverty.  Many of these homes in the coal mining districts of Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia lacked indoor plumbing or electricity or both.  It’s hard to think about people still living in those conditions. But it is heartwarming to be able to meet these warm-hearted, family-oriented folk and to be able to make a real difference in their lives just for the reason of doing so and not for anything we could receive from them in return except smiles, hugs and gratitude.  Being in a position that enables one to help others sometimes can lead to one wondering if people are being nice only because they need what you can offer. I never sensed that on these mission trips.  My favorite photo was taken on the ASP center porch one night after a tiring day of home repairs.  We’re sitting on rockers after having showered off the roofing tar, sheetrock mud and paint. Painted on a beam overhead are these words, “Be still and know.”  Maybe that’s what we need to do now in place of worrying about all the to-do lists.  “Be still and know that I am God,” scripture says.  Be still.

Dear Lord, help us to remember that Christ came not in the bustle of holiday shopping, parties and special church services.  Christ came in the still of the night under a sky filled with the stars of your creation.  Quiet our hearts and soul.  Help us to be still and receive the gift of your Son, the gift of your unfailing love and unearned grace. Amen.

Tuesday’s Devotion: Ignoring the Signs

Matthew 16:2-3  He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.

Yesterday I attended the graveside memorial service for member Jeannette Huggins.  It was a small gathering of twenty or so family and friends.  The Rev. Charles Swaney who officiated was once in Mr. Huggins’ Boy Scout troop. It was the first service of this type that I’ve attended where a bagpiper (in kilts) piped before and after the service.
A couple standing behind me had two cute small children with them.  The little boy and girl were pretty quiet and well-behaved.  At the close they were sitting on the ground engrossed in some imaginary game. They paid no attention to the piper at all.  As I drove away I thought the children were representative of many people who ignore the signs around them.  Of course the signs of Christmas are pretty difficult to ignore, but the meaning behind Christmas is.  There are many people who are unaware of that meaning just like those children were unaware of the bagpiper.  Too bad that people get so engrossed in their own selves that they miss something so special. 

Gracious God, help us to reach out to those who don’t understand the importance of your Son. Help us to be witnesses to the light we have received.  We ask in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Monday’s Devotion: Letters to Santa

Matthew 11:25  At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.

When we lived in Loganville I loved to read the children’s letters to Santa in the Walton Tribune.  Every year school teachers would have their class write letters and send them in to be published.  Some were funny, some were touching and some downright sad.  As the saying goes “Out of the mouths of babes….”  I typed some up one year to save and thought I’d share a couple with you this morning and in my Christmas sermons. 

Dear Santa,
How are you doing? I bet it’s a realy hard making toys cause it so cold. Are the elves working hard? If they’re not fire them! Is Mrs. Claus doing good? How about Rudolph? I hope his nose is still glowing. Ill right, here’s what I want for Christmas….From, Zack

Dear Santa,
I bet it will be cold when you are passing out presents. But when you get to Hawaii, you might need to take some clothes off! I would want some Hellies, a Playstation 2. You gave my favorite present on my first Christmas a great family. Have a great Christmas. Love, your friend Austin.

Dear Santa
I know I haven’t been doing good in school but can you give me one more chance to be good? If I’m going to be good can I at least get an e-box 360 and games for it?  Love Eli

Dear Santa,
I have been very good ask my teacher and not my mom.

Dear Santa,
I am ready for you at my house. And I got a song for you. Jingle bells batman smells and I want football stuff. Love, Matthew

Dear Santa,
I want a remot control car for Christmas. Mama had srgre. Please bring her a present to. Love Raekwon

Let’s continue to pray for babies as I mentioned recently and this week would you say special prayers for children?  I am especially concerned about the many children who find themselves homeless at Christmas.  While we gather with family around our groaning tables and trees surrounded by gifts, let’s remember those who won’t be doing that.

Friday’s Devotion: The light shines!

Isaiah 9:2  The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
John 1:5  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Last night Joe took a picture of some poinsettias and candles on the hearth to post on Facebook.  We lit the candles but the light of the flames overshadowed the flowers and the picture did not turn out well.  We had to extinguish the candles to get a good picture.  Maybe it was just because we were using an iPhone camera instead of one of our better cameras.  It did make me think thought that the light of Christ can overshadow so much in our lives if we allow it to. When I came to accept Christ as Lord and Savior, certain elements of my lifestyle became less important.  Church, right living and love of others became more important.  My need for a relationship with Christ became more important than some of my previous priorities.  I didn’t suddenly begin to have a dull life either.  God changed my priorities but brought me new interests and joys and much excitement.  If nothing else, living life in God’s will is exciting. I hope the light of Christ will shine in your hearts and overshadow all your concerns and heartaches this season.

Lord of light and life, we bow to your wonder and will.  Shine your life on our lives and lead us to follow the greatest light of all, your Son in whose name we pray. Amen.

2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

Thursday’s Devotion: Praying for Babies

Thursday’s Devotion: Praying for Babies

Luke 2:12  And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

The manger under the Chrisman tree at Hapeville First is empty.  I must remember to ask about a baby to put into it for Christmas day!  We do want to see the baby, after all.  I’ve been thinking about babies a lot recently.  Infants are cute and innocent.  What could be more beautiful than a sleeping baby?  My pondering though has been about what happens to the babies.  Every day I see some criminal or suspected criminal on the news and of late, I’ve reflected that this person was once, too an innocent, beautiful baby.  I wonder what happened between cradle and crime.  I wonder what could have happened differently that would have prevented this baby from growing up to do horrendous things to other people.  And so I’ve started to pray for babies, not just ones I know but all babies.  I pray that they will grow up in a loving environment and that they will get the care and nurture they need.  Maybe if enough people do that, those prayers will be answered more and more. The baby born at Bethlehem changed the world. Today’s babies hold the future of the world in their hands. Will you pray for babies with me?

O Lord, scripture tells us that you knew us before we were even formed; that you knew us in our Mother’s wombs.  We pray for babies everywhere that you will continue to work in their lives and that they will all come to know you through your Son in whose name we pray. Amen.

Wednesday’s Devotion: Where Service is the Norm

James 2:26  As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

Joe and I attended the Hapeville Exchange Club Christmas banquet last evening.  I looked around the room and saw so many good people who willingly give of their time to better their community and to help people.  They have given years of unselfish service. I am not involved in the Exchange Club as I thought it would be good for Joe to have something he did without me.  Instead I joined the Hapeville Service League. Yet I noticed that I knew many people at the banquet not from their Exchange Club work but from other town involvement – from seeing them at City Council or organizing and attending functions and events or at Service League meetings.  They serve not only through the Exchange Club but in so many different ways.  I was most grateful that I knew many of them because they attend HFUMC.  Our church was represented by the Man of the Year, the Golden Deeds award winner and the Lifetime Achievement award winner.  These people truly do combine faith with good deeds. I am privileged to know each and every one of them.

Gracious God, we pray that you will encourage us to think more about serving than being served.  Guide us in ways in which we might help others. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Tuesday’s Devotion: Scrambled Words and Selective Hearing

John 8:43  Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say.

At our Jingle Jangle Community Carol Sing on Sunday Efrain Diaz led everyone in Feliz Navidad.  We did pretty good with the Spanish part.  On the other hand here is the version our five-year-old great niece Claudia sang to her mom.  “Feliz naughty dodd, from the bottom, Bon voyage!”  Claudia didn’t quite understand the real words.  She’s still developing her language skills.

Sometimes adults fail to communicate.  They don’t take time to listen to one another but  instead jump into the conversation interrupting each other.  While one talks, the other is formulating a response.  Sometimes we are unable to hear what the other is saying because we have preconceived ideas of their intent.  A genuine compliment is taken for an insult.  We let our expectations influence our interpretations of the words of others and sometimes the Word in scripture itself.  It’s probably impossible to be completely free of prejudices but to the extent we can, we need to try to listen intently to others.  We need to develop our love language skills.  Then maybe we can better live up to the admonitions in these scriptures:

Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 

Romans 12:18  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

 2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

Holy God, we ask that you open our ears, eyes and hearts so that we may truly discern the meanings of other’s words.  Help us to understand their words and your Word.  Grant us wisdom and kindness of heart and speech.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Monday’s Devotion: Someone You Don’t Know

John 1:24-27 Some of those who had been sent were Pharisees. They asked John, “Why do you baptize if you’re not the Messiah or Elijah or the prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water. Someone you don’t know is standing among you. He’s the one who comes after me. I am not worthy to untie his sandal strap.”

The NIV translation of verse 26 says “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know.  The John 1 text that I used for my sermon was rich with many ideas.  I preached on John being the one who both pointed to Christ and reflected the light of Christ.  Yet one sentence by John stood out.  Among you stands one you do not know.  I thought of the truth of that today. I thought of the presence of the Holy Spirit moving among us – still the 3-in-one Godhead.  I thought about the difference this makes daily in my life and how poor my life would be if I didn’t know the one standing among us.  I want everyone to come to know this One.  Just telling them about Christ often isn’t enough, especially if they are going through one of life’s storms.
All I can do is to offer acceptance and encouragement and a listening ear.  In doing so I hope I am reflecting the light of Christ into the darkness they are struggling with.  God is love and we are loved.  No matter what the world may tell me or say of me, I hold to this one truth. 

Thank you, Lord for the gift of your presence among us.  Thank you for being the light in the darkness of our lives.  Help us to lean on you and our brothers and sisters in Christ and to help and love others as you help and love us.  Amen.

Friday’s Devotion: Sleep May Not Come in the Night but Coffee Comes in the Morning

Psalm 30:5 (NLT) For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime!    Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.

My schedule varies from day to day.  In a way I like that variety better than having a regular 8 to 5 desk job. There is one thing that hasn’t changed, though. My day starts with coffee—lots of coffee. Joe makes a pot of fresh ground coffee before I get up.  I rarely sleep well, and never all through then night.  I take the burdens of the day with me and wake up during the night thinking of all the things I need to do.  Somehow though when I wake up in the morning, those cares have diminished.  Instead I wake up thankful for a new day.  The routine of coffee drinking is soothing and the caffeine gives me a boost to get going.  In a way this is a metaphor for my relationship with God.  No matter what my cares and struggles are, I return to the Lord for comfort, sustenance and power to carry on.  As the praise song says, “You are the strength when I am weak, you are the treasure that I keep. You are my all in all.”

Gracious God, we praise you for your continuing and steadfast grace in our lives.  When we wake in the morning, you are there.  We pray for your strength for this day.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Thursday’s Devotion: Secrets of a Happy Marriage

John 13:34 (GW) “I’m giving you a new commandment: Love each other in the same way that I have loved you.

Joe and I celebrated our 36^th wedding anniversary Tuesday.  We are still very much in love after all this time.  Not all marriages work out, but I believe more could if the partners were willing to take the time and effort needed to nurture their relationship.  Here are some things Joe and I have learned.  Be committed to the relationship.  When you say divorce is not an option, it makes you want to work harder on the marriage.  Learn to respect each other’s right to have unique opinions.  You don’t have to agree on everything although you may have to work out a system of compromise.  Disagree in love; don’t call names or say things you’ll regret later.  Pray for your marriage and worship together.  There is something to the saying, “The family that prays together stays together.” Have fun together.  Date nights should still be important at all stages of the relationship.  Don’t try to control the other person; it will just make both of you miserable in the long run.  Never go a day without saying, “I love you.”  Be true and trustworthy.  May all your relationships be blessed.

Gracious God, bless our relationships and help us to love unconditionally as you love us.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen

Wednesday's Devotion: We Need the Stable

Luke 2:12  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Last night I reposted a picture I found on Facebook.  It said “The world needs a Stable influence!”  I think of how much the world has changed just in the last century and then how much it has changed since that babe was found lying in a manger.  Change is part of life, but we can better cope with change knowing that there is still stability, too.  We can always count on God’s love and God’s saving grace shown to us through the life, death and resurrection of his Son.  Society may change but the teachings of Jesus remain true for every generation.  Love God, love neighbor, care for the least, the last and the lost, and spread the Good News.  Psalm 119:89 says, “Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.”  To me that is good tidings of comfort and joy!

In the midst of all the change in the world and in our lives, Lord we pray that you will comfort us with the constancy of your love.  Keep us healthy this busy season in mind, body and spirit as we seek to remain in your perfect will.  We ask in the name of the one found in the manger. Amen.

Tuesday's Devotion: Precious Memories

Deuteronomy 7:19  You will remember the hard trials you saw, the powerful works, and the strong hand and powerful arm the Lord your God used to bring you out.

I did a search on the word “remember” in Bible Gateway and found 367 Bible verses that contained the word in some form. In Scripture the memories seemed to fall into two categories; people remembering the might acts of God and God not remembering the people’s sins.  I think they go together.  Memory is central to our life.  Last night Joe and I attended the Fellowship class Christmas party.  Our music minister, Thomas Sheets prepared a good program for the evening.  He asked the folks to share growing-up Christmas memories.  Several talked about growing up during the Depression.  They remembered where they lived in Hapeville.  One grew up in Brooklyn.  We enjoyed hearing the stories.  Riches and health and loved ones may come and go in our life, but as long as we keep our mental faculties, we have memories to cheer us.  When Joe and I were in a Young Couples Sunday school class I remember one classmate who would organize grand parades for his children through their house on Saturday mornings.  He said, “We are making memories.”  I hope we’re all intentional about creating good memories for our future.

Father in heaven, thank you for the good memories we have in our lives, including memories of the times you have worked in our life to our benefit.  May we continue to make memories for the future.  Be with us as we continue to go through our week.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Monday's Devotion: Christmas Preparations

Prepare the way of the Lord (Isaiah 40: 1-11, Mark: 1:1-8)

Yesterday I preached on these two scriptures. The same prophesy was delivered almost 600 years apart and yet still spoke truth and a needed message to the recipients. Joe and I are in the process of decorating the parsonage for Christmas.  Ugh!  I love my house once everything is out but the process of getting it there is not my idea of fun.  I spent a lot of time removing our “normal” decorative items and packing them away in order to prepare room for our Christmas decorations.  I guess this is reflective of what we need to happen on a spiritual level.  In order to make room for Jesus in our heart and our lives we need to remove some things that are distractions. The challenge is that I like my everyday decorative items.  I really didn’t want to pack them up.  I want my guests to see them when they visit and yet also want to surround myself with all the decorations we’ve collected over the years.  It’s difficult to let go of personal priorities in order to spend time with Christ.  Yet sometimes it boils down to the fact that there is not room for both.  We each have to make that important decision of what will be best for our life.

Holy God, we are constantly challenged by all the tasks, stresses, desires and priorities in our lives that can crowd you out.  During this Advent season, teach us to simplify and to make room for your son, our savior to rule in our lives.  We ask in his name. Amen.

Friday's Devotion: The Risk May be Worth It.

Luke 1:38 (CEB)  Then Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me just as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

In Sunday’s sermon I contemplated the fact that Mary found herself unexpectedly expecting. Yet she was obedient to God’s will for her life.  It’s amazing how quickly life can change for us.  The 14 year old son of my sister’s boyfriend was killed in a Jet Ski accident this past weekend.  The day before that happened they were probably all contemplating Christmas.  All the schoolwork, all the preparation to become an adult led to this dead end literally.  My husband and I had a discussion about taking chances while we took our walk last evening. I was concerned about a friend going to a large un-crowded park by himself.  I could imagine myself running through the wooded trails and tripping over a root or rock and suffering an immobilizing injury.  Joe said that you have to live and have to balance concern for safety with living a good life. Having taken up horseback riding, including jumping and barrel racing at mid-life, I guess I have done that.  Certainly running through the woods or racing around obstacles is healthier than other things we can do like drugs, or overeating or sitting on the couch and never exercising.  I don’t have my horses anymore. That was a past chapter in my life.  I do run through the woods of that park with my husband sometime.  The angel brought Mary a new chapter for her life.  A friend recently said that our life is like a book that consists of chapter after chapter.  For Christians, he said, it will always have a happy ending.  That’s something to ponder.

Heavenly Creator, we ask your protection for our lives.  Help us to sense true danger and yet be unafraid to take risks, especially those that involve staying healthy or answering your call to a certain task.  Help us to live life to the fullest and when the last chapter ends here on earth to know we will begin a new chapter in heaven with you.  In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Thursday's Devotion: A Different Kind of Strength Training

Philippians 4:13 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV) Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do.

I think this is a new translation on Bible Gateway, or at least I’ve never used.  I like the way it translates this passage.  The more common one is “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”  I certainly use this scripture a lot in my life.  I constantly surprise myself at the things I can accomplish.  I was still going strong last night at church at 8:30 in spite of little sleep the night before and no food since lunchtime. Much of what I do that is connected to ministry does not come from any power I have on my own.  I pray daily for God’s guidance and provision and strength.  I find those prayers answered, not just because I pray them but because I am serving God with that strength.  Many pastors emphasize “being saved” (not going to hell) as a reason to get someone to come to Christ.  I emphasize the power and positive changes available to our life here on earth when we develop a personal relationship with Christ as Lord and Savior.  The other will follow naturally.  Today a good friend is celebrating 2 years of sobriety.  I am so proud of him, especially because he, like me acknowledges that his power to succeed comes from Jesus Christ.  Congratulations to him! You can also have what we have if you will accept Christ and ask in sincere prayer.

Gracious Lord, we want and need your power, provision and guidance in life.  We humbly ask for this as we seek to have a relationship with you. Forgive our sins, save our souls and keep us in your care.  We pray in the name of the one who gave everything for our sake.  Amen.