Thursday’s Musings: Do it Well!

Romans 12:6-8 (NLT) 6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

My elementary school class reunion last month brought back many memories. I remember that my parents were strict about studying and grades.  They didn’t expect me to make straight A’s as a matter of course but did expect me to do my best. That attitude has carried me well through life. I enjoy things that I do much more if I can do them well whether it’s bowling, cooking or preaching. Yet doing things well takes a willingness to make the effort.  Jamie Foxx recently shared his experience of making the movie in which he portrayed Ray Charles.  He was excited when during that time he got to play the piano with Ray.  When Jamie hit a wrong note Ray Charles stopped and said, “why did you do that?”  Can you imagine how intimating that would be?  Ray Charles said to Jamie, “You have to take time now to hit the right notes.”  He said that was a good metaphor for life.  We need to take time to do things well and that includes growing in our faith and understanding of the Divine.  Take the time.

Dear God, life can be so hurried. We want to do so many things.  Help us to slow down so that we may do things to the best of our abilities.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Have a great day!
Paige

Monday’s Musings: Reflections on the Holy Ghost Wiener Roast

1 John 4:15-16   If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

Last night at Hapeville FUMC we celebrated our third annual Holy Ghost Wiener roast. About 40 adults from the church and community gathered together to enjoy hot dogs and the costume contest.  We had at least twice as many in costume this year than we had last year.  I love that our over 70 gals really get into dressing up.  We had witches and cats, guys dressed in ladies’ evening wear, clowns, and all sorts of other inventive costumes.  Joe was Father Time and I dressed as Mother Nature.  We of course had the hotdog costume --this year worn by Russ Lennox.  It was really fun dressing up and getting a little crazy.  I think some of our Baptist friends who came needed some time to digest everything.  But as I said, we believe in the Holy Spirit and we believe that God wants us to have joyous times along with the serious times.  Those in costumes last night know that no matter who or what they might look like on the outside, Christ dwells on the inside and that our true identity is in him. It is easy to see from the love in our congregation that Jesus truly is the way and the truth and the life. 

Thank you Lord for the joy that we can have in our lives even when we are facing concerns about ourselves, or our friends or loved ones.  We ask that you continue to bless us with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  It’s in Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Have a great week!
Paige

 

Friday’s Musings: The Joy of the Lord is My Strength USED TFP

Modified and used 3-3-21

Proverbs 17:22 (CEB) A joyful heart helps healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

I’ve learned to pay careful attention when the same phrase or conversation comes up numerous times in a short period of time.  Yesterday it was all about keeping a good humor in the face of challenges.  It surfaced in five different conversations.  It was with people who had dealt with serious health issues and/or who had experienced personal loss or difficult situations but instead of retreating into their beds of self-pity they decided to find places in life that would offer laughter.  I related that I used to be easily irritated. If I would drop something on the bathroom floor in my sleepy trying to get dressed state I would react with an expletive. My body would respond accordingly.  Over the years as I became closer to God and became open to the peace of the Holy Spirit, my attitude changed completely.  Now if I face the same circumstance I just laugh and say, “you clumsy thing” pick up the item and move on.  My super assistant and friend Randy also has learned to laugh when there seems to be so much to do in so little time.  He reminded me of the health benefits of smiling.  It relieves stress, it boosts our immune system and it also releases endorphins, natural pain killers and serotonin. Together these make us feel good.  The Psalmist knew this, too. Without belittling life’s tragedies for which tears and grief are certainly in order, I can say that for the most part many find it easier to be irritated and irritable and self-pitying than is necessary.  Their attitude is self-fulfilling. Think unhappy, be unhappy.  We can pay a lot of attention to exercise and diet and our faith, and yet fail to work on the mental health aspects of fighting the temptation to be down and irritated when we could be claiming the peace and joy of the Lord. 

God of all creation, we come to you with many concerns and you in return help us to move through life with unexplained peace and an inner joy that isn’t suppressed by life’s challenges and irritations.  Thanks for all your care and support in our daily lives.  Please help us feel your presence today. Amen.

Happy Friday!!

Paige

Tuesday’s Musings: Thankfulness Across the Years II

1 Peter 4:10 “Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.”

Yesterday I wrote about how happy I was to see my 4^th grade teacher at a gathering last Thursday of classmates from Gentian Elementary School in Columbus, GA.  I was able to thank her for her influence on me.  Another classmate then shared a marvelous “thank-you” story.  Here’s how I remember it.  He was serving as a young naval doctor in Okinawa when he treated an even younger sailor for a broken toe. They connected because the sailor was from Minnesota and so was my friend’s father.  After some time, he saw this same young guy for more serious problems.  He had undergone a Navy physical and nothing was detected but my classmate was able to discover that the young man was suffering from advanced prostate cancer.  Over the years he occasionally wondered what happened to that young sailor – if he made it or not.  Several weeks ago-- 42 years later my classmate received a phone call.  It was the sailor calling from Minnesota! The man said, “I need to thank you for saving my life.” My classmate said it wasn’t really necessary but the man insisted.  He said it had to be done in person. “But I live in Georgia,” my friend said. “It doesn’t matter” was the reply. The man and his wife came to Georgia and spent a week here.  As a matter of fact they left for home last Wednesday.  The man has some heart problems now but he has already lived 42 years longer than he might have. He is blessed to live with an attitude of gratitude and that he, too was able to say thanks across the miles.

Loving God, we give you thanks for the many blessings in our lives, yet help us to remember to thanks others, too.  We ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thank someone today!
Paige

Monday’s Musings: Thankfulness Across the Years

1 Peter 4:10 “Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.”
Romans 12:7 “If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well.”
2 Corinthians 9:13-14 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.

I had the most wonderful reunion with grammar school classmates last week. One of the best parts was the fact that my 4^th grade teacher, Mrs. Mobley was there.  Not two weeks before I had given her credit for my writing skills.  She taught us to outline which is a great system of organizing thoughts in an orderly fashion.  We would outline sections from our geography book for homework.  Good writing takes both inspiration and organization.  I told her I credit God for the inspiration and her for the organization. As we shared together as a group Mrs. Mobley told us how much it meant to her to know that she had made a difference through her teaching.  She said she often wondered if she had.  I was so happy to have the opportunity to reconnect with and to thank her.  Tomorrow I’ll tell you another amazing story coming out of that reunion about reconnecting and thanking.  Stay tuned.

Loving God, we give you thanks for the many blessings in our lives, yet help us to remember to thanks others, too.  We ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Blessings,
Paige

 

Friday’s Musings: Setting Our Speed Limits

Modified and used 9-19-19

3 John 1:11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.

Yesterday I drove to Columbus to have a lunch reunion with friends from grammar school.  I’ll share more about the reunion at a later date. According to my GPS it was 99 miles to my classmate’s home.  It was an easy drive with light traffic.  The speed limit was 70 most of the way and I felt comfortable driving at or a few miles above that. Once and a while a car would come over into my lane and after a bit when I’d check my speedometer I’d discover that I was driving 80 or 85 MPH. How quickly and without even noticing it I had adjusted my speed to theirs.  It made me consider that it’s also easy for people to do that off the road.  We tend to imitate those with whom we associate.  If I was behind a speeder I had to work harder to stay at what I felt was an acceptable speed, especially because my Volvo will go very fast with little sign of effort.  Sometimes we must be around folk who don’t share our values.  We may work with them or they may be friends of friends who appear on the social scene.  We must make conscious decisions to stay true to our values and not to go speeding down the wrong path, one that could lead to destruction.   

Open our eyes, Lord that we may see when we are going at a pace that is dangerous for us.  We ask your blessing upon us this day.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I hope to see everyone at Homecoming Sunday!

Paige

Thursday’s Musings: A Funny Story about Peter

Acts 12:10-16  They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself. After leaving the prison, they proceeded the length of one street, when abruptly the angel was gone. ….. he made his way to Mary’s house.  Many believers had gathered there and were praying.  When Peter knocked at the outer gate, a female servant named Rhoda went to answer.  She was so overcome with joy when she recognized Peter’s voice that she didn’t open the gate. Instead, she ran back in and announced that Peter was standing at the gate.  “You’ve lost your mind!” they responded. She stuck by her story with such determination that they began to say, “It must be his guardian angel.”  Meanwhile, Peter remained outside, knocking at the gate. They finally opened the gate and saw him there, and they were astounded.

We studied this scripture last night during our WWNS program.  I used it to illustrate the fact that we can pray and have our prayer answered but may not actually believe God did answer the prayer. This story is really very humorous when you imagine Peter standing there knocking at the gate while his friends don’t believe it could really be him even though they had been praying for his release from prison.  When you pray for something do you expect an answer?  Sometimes God’s response might be slightly different than what you have prayed for.  God can do much more than we are able to imagine and God sees what’s best for us when we cannot.  Out task is to pray, listen, pray some more and then watch for the answer. 

We thank you Lord for answered prayer.  Many of us are seeking direction in connection with important and serious things going on in our lives.  We ask that you reveal your answers to us and give us assurance that we are responding according to your will.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Have a great day,
Paige

Wednesday’s Musings: Distracted by Livin’ and Missing Out on Life

Luke 10:38-42  Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home.  She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying.  But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.”  But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things;  there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Monday we took a day of vacation and drove up along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  We made our way on the curvy mountain roads enjoying music on the bluegrass station.
I especially liked the song titled, “I Must Get Back to the Mountains.”  A line in a recording by the Osborne Brothers’ “Up This Hill and Down” caught my ear.  They sang, “I work so hard at livin’ that I ain’t got no life.”  I think there’s truth in that for many people.  It’s easy to be caught up in work and play and all kinds of activities, even those that help others, and lose sight of the more important things; health, relationships, a greater purpose, one’s higher power. We make small and large decisions on the fly without giving proper contemplation to them because we’re so busy. Jesus recognized that in Martha and gently reminded her that there was something more important than her busyness.

Lord, thank you for each day of life that you give us. Help us to slow down, take some deep breaths and be wiser about setting priorities and making decisions.  In all things may our lives be pleasing to you. Amen.

Have a great day,
Paige

Tuesday’s Musings – A Spiritual Diet

2 Timothy 3:16 Every scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for showing mistakes, for correcting, and for training character,

Sunday I preached on the faith legacy as transmitted through sermons. These sermons can be delivered through preaching, through writing and through living the example.  Christ preached the Sermon on the Mount yet his whole life was a sermon from which we can learn. I’ve also been using the letters that are from Paul to Timothy giving his young protégé advice. We can learn from these wise letters call the Epistles too as they are instructing the earliest Christians and Church on how to live as Christians.  I’ve also preached from the Old Testament so there’s much to be learned from those writings.  What I’m getting out is that each and every one of us should be reading from the entire Bible. It’s funny how people can spend hours and hours watching TV or reading fiction but think they don’t have time to read the Bible.  Their priorities are off.  After all which is more useful for life?   I’ve been using my wonderful new Vitamix blender to make green smoothies for breakfast.  I couldn’t imagine sitting down and eating a whole tomato with cucumber, avocado, kale, celery, lime and other fruit for breakfast.  But blended and broken down into liquid form they make a very easy to consume breakfast. Likewise we can take scripture in bits – choosing from different sections and reading small sections each day.  Let’s keep reading the Bible as part of our daily spiritual diet.

Holy God, we thank you for your Word.  Help us to learn from its wisdom and instruction.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

In Christ,

Paige

Monday's Musings: What the Postman Knew

Modified and used 5/22/20

Romans 12:2  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Last Friday evening while I was at the film showing at the park a member introduced me to my mail carrier.  Before she could give my name he recited my name and address.  I quipped that I was glad I didn't order any “bad” magazines.  He replied, “Yes you do, the orange one.”  That's Joe's Clemson magazine. He said that I like horses. Guess the Appaloosa Journal gave that away.  I never considered what an attentive mail carrier could learn about the people on their route.  It reminded me that even though we might not always be conscious of it people are watching. Yesterday I said we preach sermons with our lives. What might your sermon be saying?  Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Please help us Lord to live each day knowing that others are learning by our example, good or bad.  Teach us your ways so that we may live blessed and happy lives and show Christ to others through our words and deeds.  It’s in His name we pray, Amen.

Have a great week!
Paige

Thursday’s Musings: Thankful for Dual Citizenship!

Revised and used 3/3/20
Philippians 3:18-20 (CEB)  As I have told you many times and now say with deep sadness, many people live as enemies of the cross. Their lives end with destruction. Their god is their stomach, and they take pride in their disgrace because their thoughts focus on earthly things.  Our citizenship is in heaven. We look forward to a savior that comes from there—the Lord Jesus Christ.

Who is not frustrated with the current political situation in our country? A relative posted his desire to see fewer political posts on Facebook.  In a recent sermon I shared that I dislike getting politically themed e-mails – especially those that degrade specific leaders.  I feel even if we don’t respect the office-holder we should respect the office. Still in studying for that sermon I read that people need to be able to vent their frustrations, especially when they feel powerless to change a situation. How do I deal with my frustrations about political power plays?  I pray that God will intervene and provide wisdom to our leaders.  I hold onto the hope that those prayers lifted by me and many others will be answered and I keep in mind that ultimately my citizenship is in a much larger and greater kingdom – the Kingdom of God which dissolves all political and geographic boundaries.  Best of all the leaders of this kingdom of ours are all powerful, all knowing, incorrupt, and totally devoted to the good of its subjects.  

Holy God, through Jesus we were told to seek first your kingdom and your righteousness and trust you to provide for our needs according to your greater wisdom.  We ask now that you bless us and our leaders with wisdom and a desire to work for the good and not for personal gain.  We ask this in the name of your Son who reigns as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Amen.

Have a blessed day!
Paige

Wednesday’s Musings: Squirrels and the Easy Way

Matthew 7:13-14  “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

The annual bombardment has begun.  The large oak tree at the top of our driveway will drop thousands of acorns on the driveway and deck.  I’ve yet to dig out all the acorns from between the deck planks that fell last year. They crunch under our feet when we walk outside. You’d think the squirrels would be busy gathering them for the winter.  Instead I watch them bypass this bounty and head straight for the bird feeder to gouge on the easy to eat food.  In life it’s so tempting to choose the easy way, trying to get by without putting forth much effort.  People want to lose weight but don’t want to diet or exercise.  They want a better relationship but continue to criticize and pick at their spouse. They want to be healthy but continue to smoke, drink too much and eat unhealthy foods.  They want a promotion or raise at work but do only what is required of them in their job.  Most sadly, they want all the benefits of God’s Kingdom but don’t want to change their sinful ways, read their Bible or pray and worship regularly.  Our scripture comes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.  We like to worship a Jesus who is all light and love, yet Jesus is more than that, calling us to a holy life.

Help us, Lord to reject the easy way and to walk the narrow path you chose for us.  Help us to develop healthy habits in all areas of our life.  We praise your holy name. Amen.

Blessings,
Paige

Tuesday’s Musings: Spell Check and Sharp Tongues

Also used 5/7/19
Proverbs 12:18 (NIV) The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Many years ago people would call people on the phone to exchange information.  Now we text, post, or e-mail others.  It is quicker and more convenient.  However it opens the door for all kinds of misunderstanding.  For one thing just one incorrect letter can change the whole meaning of the message.  People often send me church bulletin bloopers.  Here are a couple of them: "The senior choir invites any member of the congregation who enjoys sinning to join the choir."  Another: “Pastor is on vacation. Massages can be given to church secretary.”   Sometimes the spell-check feature will make helpful corrections or sometimes they make things worse. The moral – proofread before hitting “send” or “print”!  We need to do that when we speak, too.  How often a careless word causes hurt feelings.  As a relative used to say, “It’s best to put our mind into gear before we put our tongue into motion.”

Holy God, help us to communicate with others in ways that are helpful, not hurtful.  In all our communications may kindness and clarity prevail.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Have a good day,
Paige

Monday’s Musings: Strength from God

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in time of need.

I’ve been challenged with pain near my right knee off and on for a month or so.  The orthopedist said it was bursitis.  He told me I could continue my running and workouts without causing damage but it would take longer to heal.  I had discovered that it improved with rest and had stopped running.  But our vacation was already planned and our favorite activity is hiking the mountain trails.  Not wanting to deny Joe or myself of that pleasure I pressed on.  After one challenging hike with lots of high steps both up and down over rocks the pain returned worse than ever.  We went to a pharmacy where I acquired a knee brace.  The brace has helped although I know that I can’t wear it all the time because I need also to use those muscles.  There are times in our lives when we call fervently upon God.  We feel we can’t get through our situation without God’s help and support.  Other times we face problems and work to solve them using our strengths.  Yet like with that brace We know it is always available should we need God’s help.

We thank you God for being always available when we need your help.  Thanks for the strength and wisdom you give us to help us face the challenges of life. We ask for your presence with us this week. In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

Blessings,
Paige

Thursday’s Musings: God and Gravity

Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)  So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,  rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

One of my favorite actresses Sandra Bullock is starring in a new movie titled Gravity.  It is a space movie and from looking at the trailers, it seems that she becomes untethered from the space vehicle and is floating loose in space.  I can only imagine what a terrifying experience that would be.  Space is huge and without life sustaining oxygen and is very cold. While people may not live in mortal danger, those without Christ are without a spiritual tether.  Those of us who are rooted in Christ know that we have the strengthening and sustaining power of God through the Holy Spirit.  God’s prevenient grace, draws us towards him is like gravity.  Maybe we can use this movie to open the door to witnessing to someone about attaching themselves to Christ.

Holy God, we are overflowing with thankfulness that we are rooted in your Son. Help us to stay firm in our faith and to share it with others.  We ask in His holy name. Amen.

Have a blessed day,
Paige

Wednesday’s Musings: Love and Imperfection

Modified and used June 3, 2020 The Franklin Press

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (CEB)  Love is patient, love is kind, it isn’t jealous, it doesn’t brag, it isn’t arrogant,  it isn’t rude, it doesn’t seek its own advantage, it isn’t irritable, it doesn’t keep a record of complaints,  it isn’t happy with injustice, but it is happy with the truth.  Love puts up with all things, trusts in all things, hopes for all things, endures all things.  Love never fails.

Joe and I have been happily married for almost 38 years.  Seems impossible since I only admit to being 42!  Early on in our marriage we were fortunate enough to attend some marriage retreats with our Sunday school class and through the Marriage Encounter program. We learned a lot about communication, contracting, compromise and creative fighting. The skills we learned helped us have the solid marriage we have enjoyed.  1 Corinthians 13 gives us some really good advice on how to interact with our loved one.  Another piece of advice is to not expect perfection.  A member of the singing group Emblem 3 also said this during an interview: “to seek true love one should not look for the perfect person.  Instead one should seek to see the imperfect person perfectly.”  I think that means we understand that we’re all flawed in some way and therefore we need to look upon the other with love and understanding.  Isn’t that what Jesus did for us?

We thank you Lord, for loving us perfectly even with our imperfections. Help us in our relationships to be more patient with and kind to one another.  We ask as we seek to love as Jesus loved. Amen.

Love in Christ,
Paige

Tuesday’s Musings: Let Us Hear.

Modified and used 1-15-20 Franklin Press & Regular Musings
Mark 4:9 Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

Joe and I had a very good week in the mountains last week. Hiking mountain trails is one of our favorite pastimes.  We especially like to hike where we can see waterfalls.  It’s not uncommon to hear a waterfall long before it becomes visible. We encountered three different falls along the gentle Deep Creek trails.  There are two falls at the Graveyard Fields area off the Blue Ridge Parkway.  The lower falls were fairly close to the trailhead.  As we went on to the upper falls the trail became more and more difficult.  We encountered people coming from the other direction and asked if the falls were worth the hike.  A number of them said they never made it to the falls.  They had given up before reaching the trail’s end.  Joe and I persevered crossing streams on rocks and stepping up over roots and boulders.  The trail is rated “moderate” in difficulty. I told Joe that one person’s “moderate” is another’s “what was I thinking?” But then we heard the falls.  We knew we were nearing our goal and it gave us encouragement.  I started thinking about the fact that we can hear Jesus through scripture and the revelations of the Holy Spirit even though we can’t see him.  Yet if we persevere and follow his voice, one day we will see him face to face.  There are things in life that can discourage us; big steps to take, unexpected obstacles, yet if we keep our faith in the One who saves, the One who conquered even death, we can overcome and succeed in our journey.

Holy God, help us to continue to hear the voice of your one true Son through whom we find our purpose and strength. We ask in his name. Amen.

Have a blessed day,
Paige