Monday’s Musings: Coming out of the Corner

 Matthew 5:14-16  You are the light of the world. A city on top of a hill can’t be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they put it on top of a lampstand, and it shines on all who are in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven.

Yesterday as Joe and I drove home from NC, the song “(I’ve had) The Time of My Life” came on The Blend on Sirius. I immediately experienced vivid images from the movie Dirty Dancing.  I saw Patrick Swayze enter the big room at Kellerman’s Resort, walk over to the table where Jennifer Gray (Baby) sat with her parents and take her hand saying, “Nobody puts Baby in a corner.”  He then leads her to the stage where she shines as they both dazzle the audience with their dance routine. 

We may not be able to dance like this couple did, however in each of us is the ability to shine in some special way.  God gives us many gifts to use as we go through life for our own benefit and for the benefit of others.  I like to think of Jesus coming to take our hands, leading us out of the corner to a place where we, too can shine.  Will you take His hand?

Holy God, help us to have the wisdom to see you and your gifts to us and the courage to come out of the corner and use them. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

God Bless,
Paige

Friday’s Musings: I Will Give You Rest

Modified and used 9-24-20

 Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

I’m not great at memorizing scripture but I have this one down.  We live in a fast paced world with more things than ever to demand our attention. All of the bells and whistles of modern life can be helpful and entertaining, but also tiring.  Jesus recognized the need for rest.  He described himself in a quiet way. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

There are times when we each need to withdraw from the busyness of life and be quiet. Not only will it give us rest, it will also create space for us to hear our Lord speaking. Sunday afternoon Joe and I are heading to North Carolina for a week of quiet and rest. We always find refreshment in the mountains.  We’ll take books, food, our favorite weekend clothes and our hiking boots.  Look for Musings to return when we do on September 30^th.   I’m thankful once again to “Aunt Noreen” for house-sitting and spoiling the dogs and to Alan Hallman who will be preaching for me next Sunday.  Have a blessed weekend and week!

Loving God, thank you for the times when we are able to rest awhile from our labors. Help us each to make time each day to become quiet and listen for your voice.  We praise you and pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

In Christ,
Paige

Thursday’s Musings – Heart in Hand

Updated and used 3-10-20
Thursday’s Musings – Heart in Hand

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I’ve been studying 1 Timothy 2:1-7 for this Sunday’s sermon. The focus of the scripture is on praying for others especially the king and those in power.  As I expanded upon the message I thought about all the prayers I’ve lifted this week both publically as the pastor and in my private prayer life.  It came to me that to pray earnestly for one’s self or others can be described as putting one’s heart in God’s hands.  In my mind's eye I saw strong cupped hands gently holding a heart.  We can pray this way because we have trust that our God desires us to pray and hears our prayers.  1 John 5:14 says, “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.”

Lord, today we place our hearts in your hands. We pray that you hear our deepest concerns and strongest desires and answer our prayers and supplications according to your great love and wisdom.  We lift this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Blessings,
Paige

Wednesday’s Musings: Living on a Higher Plain

Modified and used 9-16-20

John 8:31-32 (CEB) Jesus said to the Jews who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teaching.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

In this context, Jesus is talking to the Jews about being slaves to sin.  It is through the teaching of Jesus that we realize that we are sinners and gain the inspiration and desire to overcome and break the bonds of sin. To a newcomer to the faith those words are simply some religious jargon that they probably don’t understand.  Let’s just say from personal experience that in my much younger days I had very different attitudes about what were the right and wrong ways to act.  It wasn’t that I was always doing the wrong things, but I didn’t see that what others were doing was wrong.  There were lots of ways to justify behaviors that were pleasing but perhaps not something God would approve of.  After I grew close to Jesus and began to understand his teachings, I saw things differently and I wanted others along with me to live on a higher moral plain.  I saw the value in it.  God’s commandments are for our own good and the good of the world. 

Holy God, thank you for lifting me to a higher plain of living.  May we all continue to learn and grow from learning the Truth in your holy Word.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

 

Tuesday’s Musings: Life in the HOV Lane

Philippians 2:4 (ESV) Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Sunday was a very busy day. It started with two services. After lunch I returned for two meetings while Joe went grocery shopping. It was then off to the hospital to visit a member, making it home just in time to regroup for Sunday Connect.  That type of day is tiring but it is also rewarding because it involves being with others and either serving them or working together in the name of Christ. 

I did not have a Musings yesterday as I left the house early to drive to Emory Orthopedics at N. Druid Hills Rd. for an MRI on a hurting shoulder. Traffic was bumper to bumper as usual.  I noticed with a twinge of envy that cars in the HOV lane were speeding by.  How nice it is, I thought to have someone to share a ride and reap the benefits of that.  God’s desire is that we live in relationship with other, loving one another, helping one another and sharing what we have with those who have less. It’s important to remember that the arrow goes both ways.  We love and help and share but also are loved and are helped and are recipients of others’ sharing with us. 

Dear God, help us today to strengthen our relationship with others, to make new friends and expand our circle of acquaintances. Please help us to be patient with others and help others to be patient with us. We ask in Jesus’ name, amen.

 Have a blessed day,
Paige

Friday’s Musings: Just Saying……

Matthew 11:15 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!

While washing my hands at home I noticed that the wording on the Method bottle was in English and in French.  This lead to a chain of musings like the fact that when I see things printed in English, French and Spanish that it seems that those speaking English can say things using fewer words.  I like that.  I also wondered how English sounds to the ear of non-English speakers.  Even without speaking the languages we can often determine the language someone is speaking or at least the region they are from just from the sound of the words.  French sounds different from Spanish and German and Italian or one of the Scandinavian languages.  I can’t tell Korean or Japanese or Chinese or Vietnamese languages apart.  Who knows what they’re saying!  One day all our smart phones may be able to “hear” any foreign language and immediately speak the translation into our earpiece.  In the meantime, to communicate with others we need either to learn some of their language or have an interpreter aid us.  I’ve concluded that even speaking among ourselves, we often misinterpret what someone says.  It’s important to listen carefully and thoughtfully. If we all did that I think we would treat one another a little kinder.  Just saying….

Dear Lord, please help us to hear and understand what others are saying to us. Please break down barriers to open and honest conversations in our immediate circles, in our churches, in our governments and in the world.  Most of all Lord, help us to understand Your Holy Word.  In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Happy Friday!
Paige

Thursday’s Musings: Putting Color into Bible Study

I need color in my life.  Not just because it makes things more interesting to look at, though.  Color has always been a necessary work and study tool.  When I worked as an accountant or even work with the church financial reports now, I used different colored pencils to check things off.  When I read my Bible or nonfiction books I use colored highlighters to mark important passages.  I can’t remember being without a box of colored pencils and an array of colored pens and markers in my desks.  One might wonder if they saw my sermons.  I used both colored text and colored highlighting to help me with emphasis and to help me keep my place.  A certain color signifies a main point while another strong emphasis, while another biblical text.  Do you know that there is even a Rainbow Bible?  Each text is color coded.  Prophesy may be one color while history will be another color.  How do you read your Bible?  If it is all black and white to you or if you have a Red-Letter version black, red and white, you may not be getting all you can receive from God’s Word.  Go ahead buy some colored pencils and make your own rainbow bible.  (Pencils don’t bleed through the pages).  You will be surprised how much easier your bible study and devotion time will become.

 Father God, how often we skim through verses as we study your Word.  Help us to slow down and read carefully that we might discovered the treasurers of Biblical knowledge. Amen.

Have a lovely day,
Paige

 

Wednesday’s Musings: The Invisible Labels We Wear

Ephesians 4:2   Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.

I watched a video yesterday produced by Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock.  It follows a man through part of his morning and all the frustrations he encounters.  As he backs out of his driveway a young boy on a skateboard goes behind his car.  The man complains that the boy is always doing that.  He gets stuck in traffic – grumble; a woman gets the parking place at Starbuck’s he was waiting for – grumble; after making his way through the long line inside until he’s next, the man in front wants to add a cookie to his order –really??  Suddenly another man appears and hands him a glasses case with “Get Service” on the outside.  A strange thing happens. Our grumbler, curious about the glasses inside puts them on.  Suddenly every person he sees has a label across them. They say things like “Just lost his job. Fighting with her husband. Avoids relationships for fear of pain. Discontent with life. Ran away from home three days ago.”  And for the boy on the skateboard, “Just needs someone to care.”  

How often do we get aggravated with others during the day?  What if we had glasses like that?  I stopped to eat lunch at Wendy’s on my way back to church after a meeting. I remembered the video as I observed people sitting alone all around me.  What are their labels, I wondered. It made me want to give two particularly lonely looking people a hug.  Instead I swallowed hard and vowed to try to be more patient with others.

Help us Lord, to be patient with others, to be slow to judge and quick to smile. Unite us all through your great and patient love. Amen.

Have a blessed day!
Paige

Tuesday’s Musings: Why We Shouldn’t Rush Christmas

Ecclesiastes 3:1There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens…

At least one of my friends is already posting cutesy Christmas pictures on Facebook.  It is way too early to be doing that!  First it makes me panic -- like maybe I’m behind in all my pastoral and private planning for the season.  Second it makes me feel like we’re not giving Jesus’ life its full due.  It’s so much fun to celebrate the birth of the baby.  We’ve commercialized it to death.  It’s also fun to celebrate the resurrection – after all we get to hide eggs for the children and get new clothes and people we’ve not seen in a year show up at church. 

But what about the in-between time?  Our church calendar calls it “ordinary time.”  Not because it is “plain and not outstanding” but because we mark it with numbers.  Here’s what the “daily-word-of-life.com site tells us: “Ordinary Time, meaning ordered or numbered time, is celebrated in two segments. 1) From the Monday following the Baptism of Our Lord to Ash Wednesday. 2) From Pentecost Monday to the First Sunday of Advent. This makes it the longest season of the Liturgical Year. The Church counts thirty-three or thirty-four Sundays of Ordinary Time (60% of the Church's calendar), inviting us to meditate upon the whole mystery of Christ – his life, miracles and teachings – in the light of his Resurrection. The vestments for Ordinary Time are usually green, the color of hope and growth. The season of Ordinary Time helps us to meditate on the mighty works of God through Jesus Christ. It is a time to grow in our faith in response to God's invitation to follow Jesus to the cross. We have a challenge to make our ordinary days extraordinary!”

Therefore dear friends, let us not rush Christmas but instead spend the appropriate time allotted to grow in Christ and in the knowledge of his teaching.

Holy God, let us read the stories of Jesus over and over as you give us new insight into them and how we should live in accordance with what we learn.  Thank you for giving us your Son, Jesus. Thank you for his birth and for his saving work on the cross, for his resurrection to show we will also conquer death and most of all thank you for his life and teachings.  It’s in his name we pray. Amen.

Happy Ordinary Time!
Paige

Monday’s Musings: A Good Laugh is Great Medicine

Modified and used 7-21-20

Proverbs 17:22  A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

We had a little adventure last night.  Our dogs like to look out the living room windows and bark at anything that goes by.  Right when the dialogue in the TV show I was watching became interesting they started barking at the top of their lungs. When calling for them to hush didn’t work I got up to see what the ruckus was about.  Our neighbor’s dog Cash was on the front porch looking in the window.  Cash is part pit bull and part something else and very playful and friendly.  She also chews through her collars and leads and escapes from time to time.  I went outside and she had a grand time running around our yard and then up to the fence where my dogs had gathered and then around Odare’s yard.  Odare’s son and a friend who’s been staying there came out and said something to me.  I thought they said, “Rap to her.”  “You want me to rap to Cash?” I replied.  “I don’t know how to rap.”  “No, wrap your hands around her neck and hold her.  She’ll stay still for you then” they replied.  Eventually her excitement wore off enough for her to come to me when I called her and I “wrapped” my hands around her while they brought her collar and leash.  All ended well; I was able to do a good deed and then got a laugh at the idea of rapping commands to a dog on the run. 

Thank you God that you bring laughter and joy into our lives.  Bless us this week with laughter and some fun to help us get through all the serious and challenging moments.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

Have a joy-filled week.
Paige

Friday’s Musings: Just for Today

Romans 8:32 Indeed, he who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, freely give us all things?

Psalm 25:5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Every day I ask the Lord to help me in all I do. My specific requests may vary from day to day but I’m confident that God is listening.  Sometimes I think that God doesn’t need to intervene and do anything; that just my knowledge that I am loved by God gives me strength and confidence.  Sometimes at night I reach over in bed and pat Joe while he’s sleeping.  I just like to  have that assurance that he’s there and breathing and is near if I need him.  So it is with God.  Here’s a sweet poem I wanted to share for our prayer today.

 Just for Today, Lord

            By Kimberly Lyn

Just for today Lord, Just for today
I ask for your peace to flow through me,
Like cool water cleansing, renewing, refreshing my soul

Just for today Lord, Just for today
I ask for your love to fill me
To flow through me to those who need me this day

Just for today Lord, Just for today
Cleanse me, forgive me for going astray
Bring me back to the path of your will I pray

Just for today Lord, Just for today
Help me to release all my bonds, all that is tying me down
That I may soar like the eagle in the skies above

Just for today Lord, Just for today
Meet my every need
Just for today

Have a blessed day and weekend!
Paige

Thursday’s Musings: Living a Life of Thoughtful Care

Galatians 6:9 (CEB) Let’s not get tired of doing good, because in time we’ll have a harvest if we don’t give up.

Some time ago I wrote this phrase in my notes: Live lives of thoughtful care.  I think this must be a part of our response as Christians to God’s love and care of us.  On a scale of caring there are two extremes – those who live only for their own pleasure and those who ignore their own true needs as they serve others.  While some like Mother Theresa might be called to a life totally devoted to service, most of us are healthiest when we are in the middle ground.  A pastor once told me and his other church leaders to take time for ourselves because one can’t minister from an empty cup.  Living a life of thoughtful care means to actively seek ways to help others using one’s God-given gifts and graces.  It also means balancing self-care and care of others.  Many are willing to help another if asked or if the opportunity presents itself, but don’t go out of their way to look for a place where there is need for help. Churches with this attitude eventually die.  The other Sunday one of our sermon scriptures told of Jesus instructing his dinner host to invite the poor, the maimed and the lame to his dinner parties instead of just friends and family who could repay him for his hospitality. That should also hold true for helping others.  Let’s move beyond just helping friends and family to helping those who cannot repay our kindness.  God remembers those acts and will take that into account at the resurrection of the righteous.

Loving God, thank you for your blessings.  You give us many abilities and then call us to use them to love others and to help them as we would want to be loved and helped. We ask you to open our hearts to ways in which we may help others.  In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Have a lovely day,
Paige

Wednesday’s Musings: The Sidewalks of Life

Psalm 25:4-5  Show me the path where I should walk, O LORD; point out the right road for me to follow.  Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.

Yesterday while on my morning outing I came to the thought that the sidewalks in Hapeville can be looked upon as a metaphor for our Christian life. The sidewalks keep me safe from traffic.  In most places they are smooth and provide a stable place upon which to walk or run.  But in other places they are rough, broken, and uneven.  Sometimes our lives can be that way even as Christians seeking God.  In a few places the sidewalks have been pushed up by underlying tree roots.  I see those as deep-rooted resentments, sins or destructive habits that interfere with our Godly walk. 

 I have always liked Psalm 25 and other scriptures that speak of God’s preferred life for us as a path which we follow. Deuteronomy 5:33 sums up the idea that if we live according to God’s will that life will go well for us: “You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess.”  Psalm 119:105 says that God’s Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.  Like the sidewalks, a Christ led life is a safer place to be, but it does not guarantee that life will always be smooth. Still we trust God not knowing what misfortune might have come upon us otherwise.  When I run and come to a rough spot, I know to slow down to a walk.  When we hit a rough place in life, we, too must slow down and look objectively and thoughtfully at what is causing problems and how with God’s help we might triumph over adversity.  Perhaps we must deal with outside adversity or perhaps we have strayed onto the wrong path. In all things we acknowledge the Holy Spirit as guide and helper. 

Lord, keep me on the right path; help my feet not to stray and hold my hand as I come to the rough places.  Help me know when to run and when to walk.  In Christ’s name,  amen.

Have a blessed day,
Paige

Tuesday’s Musings: Try and Try Again!

1 Chronicles 16:11 Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.

Yesterday’s Musings about experience the challenges and successes in life with God at our side resonated in a number of people.  The news headlines this morning about Diana Nyad leads me to continue with that theme.  On her 5^th try and at the age of 64 she swam the 110 miles from Cuba to Florida.  She was the first person to ever do that without a shark tank.  Completing the difficult task she arrived with a swollen face and fatigue but she made it.  In an interview she said, “Never ever give up” and that this time she had a mantra, “Find a way.”  She discussed the fact that a lot of the ability to succeed is mental, not just physical. 

Diana’s story inspired me to push myself while running this morning. I had gone back to just walking after tripping on an uneven piece of sidewalk a couple of weeks ago. The bumps and bruises weren’t quite healed and I was a little fearful but I ran anyway and actually ran several times across the place where I tripped.  I loved that my music playlist included the song, “There’s Always One More Time,” sung by Harry Conic Jr.

If your whole life somehow
Wasn't much 'til now
 And you've almost lost
 Your will to live
 No matter what you've been through
 Long as there's breath in you
There is always one more time

If your dreams go bad
 Every one that you've had
 don't you think that your dreams
 Can't come true
 Because it's funny about dreams
 Just strange as it seems
 Because there is always one more time

Oh, turning corners is only a state of mind
Keepin' your eyes closed is worse than being blind…..

Holy Lord, please be with us and help us to not give up when we become discouraged.  We know that if we seek you that you will give us strength to keep trying and will guide us on the path to success.  Help us Lord to know when to give up and when to persevere.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Monday’s Musings: Is Life Really a Fight?

2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NLT)  As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

I will admit this is a beautiful scripture and description of someone who worked to advance a new type of religion against much opposition and hardship.  I can understand where he’s coming from and we use this scripture often at funerals.  Yet personally I don’t know if at the end I want my life described as “fighting the good fight.”  I live with God by my side.  Life certainly has some struggles, some challenges, and some disappointments.  I haven’t gotten things that I wanted; I’ve attempted some things and not claimed the prize. There’s nothing like competitive horse showing to give one the experience of winning and losing. And yet right along and intertwined with the challenges and disappointments I’ve experienced joy and love and friendships and personal achievements.  In all these things I know God is with me.  So don’t say I have fought a fight.  Say I have met life’s sorrows and struggles with the joy of the Lord sustaining me and with many, many wonderful blessings.

Thank you God for this day on which I and others can rest from their labor.  Help us to view life not as a fight, but one with blessings and challenges. Help us to always feel your sustaining presence with us through the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Happy Labor Day,
Paige