Monday’s Musings: Those Were the Days USED

Modified and used 10-1-20

Psalm 143:5 I remember the days long past; I meditate on all your deeds; I contemplate your handiwork.

Once and a while I’ll see an e-mail or Facebook post that prompts us to “remember when” by showing pictures of things we were familiar with when growing up. --Transistor radios, Sky King, clamp on roller skates – a recent one probably had twenty five or thirty things I hadn’t thought about in years.  It was quite a trip down memory lane.  I hear a lot about the good old days.  On the other hand some people look back at the past with bitterness, regret and resentments.  There are hurts that they won’t let go of.  King David could look back to God’s good actions in behalf of God’s people when times got rough.  Maybe we should consider the past in the same way.  Consider all God has done for us and then let go, remembering that God is in the present too.  Each day we are making a “good old day” for our future. 

Loving God, thank you for your faithfulness and steadfast love.  Help us, today to remember your blessings in the past and look for them in the present and future.  In Christ’s name we pray, amen.

Grace and Peace,
Paige

Friday’s Musings: The Day the Music Died

Ephesians 3:20 "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think..."

Even though I know that life situations can turn on a dime, I am constantly surprised when that happens. Yesterday organ technicians came to check out the sanctuary organ which was not in tune.  They received a surprise.  The company’s  e-mail to me detailing their findings and suggestions said in part, “While expecting to tune, they found electrical wires that were rotten both in the console and running to the organ chambers.  These wires are an extreme fire danger due to the disintegration of the casing.   They placed a tag on the end of the electric cable advising not to plug in. In addition they found an amplifier with a good bit of noise that is due for replacement.  One of the amplifiers capacitors are leaking which is very normal for this age.”  The organ is 47 years old and has served up well but the cost of repairs would be higher than purchasing another used Allen organ.

The music will go on as we have pianos in the sanctuary, but  our church leaders will need to  make decisions about which direction to go and if to have a special campaign to raise funds. Of one thing is certain, God can do more than we think or ask.  God is an always present help in time of trouble. Are you having an unexpected hardship in your life?  Turn your troubles over to God and trust Him.

Holy God, we ask your continued blessing and direction in all aspects of our lives. We praise you for your great love and mercy.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Blessings,

Paige

Thursday’s Musings: The Mystery of Prayer USED

Modified and used 5-13-20

James 5:16b The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Joe and  I have been in negotiations for the sale of our home.  We’ve had to decide what a fair  price for the home  would be and what we could actually accept.  I’ve been praying for God to help this transaction and to give me a sign to show what we should do.  Each day I see prayer requests on Facebook.  Yesterday there was one for a fellow pastor’s infant grandchild who has a brain tumor and for a friend’s dog to recover from surgery among several others.  Prayer is such a mystery.  Will increasing the amount of time we pray or the number of people praying for something increase the odds that God will respond?  We are told to pray boldly; to ask and we shall receive and yet we must remember that God is just and God’s wisdom is perfect and his answers are always best.   Sometimes it’s kind of hard to balance all this when we pray.  The best advice I can give is to keep on asking and trust that God always wants the best for us even as the forces of the world often bring challenges.

Lord, we know that we need your help in our lives. Please reveal your will to us and teach us to pray powerfully and effectively.  In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Blessings,
Paige

Wednesday’s Musings: Don’t Mess with My Friends

John 16:33 (NIV)  “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

I do not like to see friends or family members hurt. I want to jump to their defense, even when it is none of my business.  I want to protect them and hope they would do the same for one another and for me.  Scripture talks about the value of friendship. Two are better than one because if one stumbles the other can reach out and help.  We will certainly have trouble in this world. Jesus is specifically addressing the persecution his disciples would face after he was gone. We do need to support one another in the face of opposition and certainly look to Jesus because in Him we may find peace.  If someone comes against you, remember you have a friend. Don’t hesitate to reach out for encouragement.

In times of trials, Lord we pray that you will surround us with loving friends and that we will feel the presence of your Son.  It is in His name we pray. Amen.

Blessings,
Paige

Tuesday’s Musings: Surprise Turns

Hebrews 13:8  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Viewers of The Good Wife this week were shocked that one of the central characters Will Gardner was killed off.  The creators explained to fans that the actor wanted to move on to other projects.  Instead of choosing to let the character “ride off into the sunset,” they decided a sudden death would create a clean and forever break and give the other characters impetus to grow and change. I had not enjoyed the story line as much this season so this will definitely do away with some of the staleness. 

In an unrelated incident, Saturday a friend ruptured his Achilles tendon on the first day of flag football. He loves athletics so this will seriously affect the plans he had for the summer and maybe beyond. Both of these events remind us of how suddenly life can change. They remind us to appreciate what we have while we have it. We can also take comfort that the one who loves us doesn’t change – the promises are always there for us.

We praise you Lord the no matter what surprising changes may happen in our life that you are unchanging.  We ask for your continued blessings through all of our life experiences.  We ask in Jesus’ name, amen.

Blessings,
Paige

Monday’s Musings: Glimpses of Goodness USED

Modified and used 8-21-20

John 15:13  Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.

Friday night we saw a superb movie at Christ Church in the park as part of the Independent Filmmakers series.  It was a documentary which followed a woman who decided to become a living kidney donor.  She had no family member or friend who needed a kidney; this was a totally altruistic venture.   While she was not laying down her life, there were certainly risks associated with the surgery and afterward. Even so, she saw that she had something that could mean life for another person and felt that she should do something about it.  With so much bad stuff going on in the world it was refreshing to see such a lovely story. 

Thank you God for the times when we get glimpses of goodness when so much that seems very wrong comes to us in the news each day. Bless those who bless others with the gift of life.  In Christ’s name, amen.

Have a great Monday,
Paige

Friday’s Musings: Steadfast Love

Romans 8:35-39 (NLT)  Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”)  No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.  And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.  No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Do you ever get down and wonder why you are having such a hard time? Using a phrase from our scripture I am convinced  that a lot of stuff just happens.  The Chaos Theory tells us that events in the world are more closely related than we think.  Life is a chain reaction. Sometimes the most we can do is to try to remain positive and pray for inner peace.  That’s where our relationship with God really helps us.  God may not prevent all life’s irritations and challenges but God will help us get through them because God loves us and always will.  No one can take that away. No one!

Father in heaven, thank you for your constant and abiding love for us. Help us to remember that when things aren’t going the way we would choose.  We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Have a great weekend!  Hope to see you in worship Sunday.

Paige

 

Thursday’s Musings: Accidental Prayers

Modified and Used 5-13-20

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.

The other day I heard someone say that in response to a concern that had come up he started accidently praying.  Then he said he started praying on purpose about the situation.  I had never thought about accidental prayers.  Perhaps he actually meant automatic prayers. This happens with those who have come to love God.  Prayer can become an automatic response when we need help.  Maybe some people do pray accidentally, like when a narrow miss in traffic prompts that cry of “God!” Hopefully though we will move from accidental prayers to automatic prayers.  God is listening.

Holy Lord, thank you for hearing our prayers.  We praise you for your loving care of us. Amen.

Happy Spring!
Paige

Wednesday’s Musings: Flowers in Winter

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

Hooray! Today is the last day of a cold, wet winter. Although the weather may not be dramatically different tomorrow on the first day of spring, just knowing the seasons have changed will be a comfort.  Already over the past weeks the earth has been giving up its barrenness and putting forth blooms to cheer us.  Pansies and violas bloom all winter long.  When you see blooms in winter let them remind you that even in the winter of your life, those hard times seemingly barren of hope there are blooming places if one but looks for them.  Even though it is sometimes difficult to sense, God is surely present in every season of our life.

Thank you God for your constant presence with us.  Thank you for the beautiful blooms of spring. Help them to remind us of the renewal you offer us through our faith. In Christ’s name we pray, amen.

Blessings,
Paige

Tuesday’s Musings: A Story about The Rest of the Story

Tuesday’s Musings: A Story about The Rest of the Story

John 7:50-51 Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?”

Last week’s sermon was about Nicodemus and his visit to Jesus under cover of night.  I told the congregation that I wanted to go beyond that morning’s scripture and tell the rest of the story about Nicodemus who was both a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin, Israel’s Supreme Court.  Between the time I wrote my sermon and Sunday I went to a yard sale. I always look for good used books at them.  I smiled when I saw right on top of one of the crates of books, Paul Harvey’s book, “The Rest of the Story.”  Of course I purchased it.  Nicodemus was wise. He stepped in when the Pharisees wanted to arrest Jesus and said, “Let’s hear his story.”  I think it is so important for us to remember when we are judging others that there is usually a “rest of the story” out there that we may not know and may never know.

Thank you Lord for examples like Nicodemus who teache us to ask about the rest of the story before drawing conclusions about someone else.  Please help us to be more loving and accepting of others.  In Christ’s name, Amen

Have a great day!
Paige

Monday’s Musings: Angels Among Us USED

Modified and used 12-18-20

Monday’s Musings: Angels Among Us

Hebrews 13:2 (NIV)  Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

Yesterday I was blessed to participate in the funeral services of Brenda Harris.  She was a special part of our church family.  A quiet unassuming retired nurse we knew that she had worked as an Air Force flight nurse with the rank of major and had been a nursing supervisor for the Fulton County Health Department for 33 years.  She loved to talk about things that interested to her especially in Sunday school but said little about her personal life. She never married and was a person who enjoyed her privacy.  We estimate that well over one hundred people showed up for her funeral; high school classmates, the Grady Hospital nurses association, Fulton County co-workers, our church family and so many more.  Following my homily, five different speakers stood up and shared of her good works, her selflessness, her generosity, her sincere interest in others, her leadership, the ways she blazed trails as an African American woman.  After everyone left and I had some quiet time to reflect, I became overwhelmed with the thought that perhaps unknowingly we had experienced an angel walking in our midst.  I’m so glad we showed her hospitality.   

Father in heaven, I know that you have welcomed Brenda into your arms. Thank you for the time she spent among us.  We pray that you send us others like her and help us always to remember to show hospitality to strangers.  In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Have a blessed week!
Paige

Friday's Musings: Why Pennies are Precious

Modified and used 10-21-20

Mark 12:41-43  Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts.  But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.  Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.

Yesterday while sweeping the carport I found a penny among the leaves.  I pick up found coins and put them in a little box. That brought me up to 18 pennies, 2 nickels, two dimes and two quarters.  By far I find more pennies abandoned in the streets.  It’s as if they just aren’t important enough to bend over and pick up. But pennies are precious because they add up and they remind us of the importance of little things. We know that little things can add up to be big things and that if we don’t pay attention to the small details we often are negligent of the large ones, too.  God wants us to pray for the small things and the big things; to do small acts of kindness and big ones and like for the widow, God appreciates everything we give and do for the work of his Kingdom.

Happy Friday!
Paige

Thursday’s Musings: The “er’s” of Life.

Thursday’s Musings: The “er’s” of Life.  Modified and used 2-19-20

2 Corinthians 12:9  But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

2 Peter 1:3   By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.

A few weeks ago I shared in my sermon the fact that our desire to have social status or possessions can lead us into temptation to sin.  Our current culture propels us to want more – to want the “er’s.”  Greek yogurt is thicker, our TV’s are getting larger, cars are faster. We buy products promising to make us smarter, thinner or younger. The “er” signifies that what is being offered is better than what we are or what we have.  We need to approach everything with moderation and discernment.  Meantime we can truly trust that the best “er” we can obtain in life is the powER of the Holy Spirit.

Thank you Father for bestowing your power upon us through the Spirit.  May we use it wisely to live godly lives. Amen.

Have a beautiful day!
Paige

Wednesday's Musings: How Quickly We Forget

Deuteronomy 8:18  But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.

I resumed writing my Musings as part of my Lenten observance. I never intended to stop in the first place but an injury sidelined me then winter happened and it wasn’t kind to those who wanted to be outside early in the morning.  My ideas for Musings came to me largely during my walks.  I was alarmed to remember an hour or so ago that I had forgotten to write and post anything this morning.  I know I thought about it briefly but then I got caught up in trying to find the slacks I wanted to wear and washing my hair and straightening up for the cleaning person’s bi-weekly visit.  The point I observed is that we can so easily become distracted even if our life of faith.  We struggle with problems but forget to pray and we don’t spend enough time saying “thank-you” to God.  At a meeting I attended last night the one who offered a prayer to bless our food simply ended the prayer with “thank-you.”  I hope that you will join me in trying to remember each day to commune with God, to say thank you and to participate in whatever spiritual discipline(s) that helps you grow in your relationship with our Creator.

Loving God, forgive us for letting the business of our days push you out of our minds.  Help us to remember that everything comes from you including our life itself and to give thanks for that.  Thank you.

 

In Christ,

Paige

Tuesday’s Musings: Alarmed!

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

I received a call last night at 10 PM from someone who lives across the street from the church.  She said she had just arrived home and could hear loud alarms going off in the building.  I called a member who was familiar with the alarm system and he went up there.  Sometimes alarms just go off and need to be reset.  In this case though, carbon monoxide alarms on all levels of the atrium were going off.  They are battery operated and independent of one another. I arrived shortly after the Hapeville fire department units arrived.  Then a man from Atlanta Gas Light came.  All during this we were in phone contact with someone from the charter middle school which we house. 
In the end school was cancelled for today to make sure all students would be safe until repairs could be made.  All of this involved numerous people working in the middle of the night for the safety and wellbeing of the property itself, the school children and employees and church employees.  When I left the church at 12:30 AM I left thankful that it wasn’t a fire and especially thankful for all who worked to resolve the problem.
I would like to use today’s scripture to remind us to give thanks to God always but also to remember to give thanks to others.  So thank you to Eileen Randman for your call, to Alan Hallman for being there to check things, to the two HFD units and the Atlanta Gas Light unit that responded and to Carla Olson, Gary Martin, Judi Grubbs and probably several others who did just what needed to be done.  God Bless.

Thank you Lord that a potentially dangerous problem was resolved.  Thank you that this happened when no students were in the school.  I ask your special blessings on all who helped last night. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Have a great day,
Paige

Monday’s Musings: Pedal! USED TFP

Modified and used 10-14-20 TFP

Isaiah 41:10 CEB  Don't fear, because I am with you; don't be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will surely help you; I will hold you with my righteous strong hand.

Saturday morning I had a long walk which eventually took me to the ball fields. There a father was teaching his two small children to ride a bicycle.  They had size appropriate bikes and had on their helmets.  The dad would take hold of the back of his daughter’s bike seat and push her along, then call “pedal” as he let go.  She, however was fearful and after a few feet would just put her feet on the ground.  He took her to the top of the hill to give her some more momentum once again calling “pedal!” as he let go.  She did a little better but wasn’t there yet.  I needed to move on but I did so with the feeling that she would get it before the day was over.  As I walked home, I related that father to our heavenly Father.  Our Father God holds on to us sometimes to help us but sometimes he will let go and give us a little push.  God wants us to use the gifts that he has provided us to take care of ourselves.  This earthly father was always there watching his daughter after he let go and so it is with God.  He will never leave or forsake us, even though we may sometimes not sense his presence.  When that happens just remember to pedal!

Loving God, thank you for a new week.  Help us to be at our best and remember to pedal forward.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Have a great week!
Paige

 

Friday’s Musings: The Trials of Temptation

James 1:12 12 Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

While at Camp Glisson recently I took some time to quietly watch the stream that meanders through the property.  The water doesn’t travel in a straight line.  Instead because it follows the path of least resistance it has many twists and turns. We can relate that to our life.  Following the paths of least resistance, giving in to the temptation to do things the most expedient if not the right way will delay us from achieving the goal that God has in store for us.  Life is about give and take but it is also about recognizing when we are being tempted to make poor choices.  Jesus prayed for God to deliver people from times of temptation and from evil. Let us sincerely pray that prayer for ourselves each day.

Our Father, please lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil. Open our eyes to the best decisions for our lives.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

God bless,
Paige

 

Thursday’s Musings – Wax on, wax off

2 Corinthians 6:6-8 People can see our purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives, our sincere love, truthfulness, and the presence of God’s power. We demonstrate that we are God’s servants as we are praised and dishonored, as we are slandered and honored, and as we use what is right to attack what is wrong and to defend the truth.

In the Karate Kid, a young bullied boy Daniel is taken under the wing of a wise older janitor Mr. Kesuke Miyagi.  In a memorable scene Mr. Miyagi has Daniel waxing a car.  “Wax on, wax off”  he says.  Daniel protests because he doesn’t see how this will help him learn to defend himself.  But the process is actually developing the muscles needed for karate moves.  We may not want to learn karate but in our life it’s the little daily acts of prayer, kindness and love that help us develop the spiritual muscle we need to be strong against the trials of this world.  Wax on wax off, wax on wax off, wax on wax off.

Dear Lord, help us each day to practice small and large acts that will help us grow strong in our faith and as disciples of your Son.  We pray this in his holy name. Amen.

Blessings,
Paige

Tuesday's Musings - Thoughts for Ash Wednesday

Romans 3:23  For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Proverbs 28:13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

It has been shown by the experts that counting calories is very effective for those wanting to lose or maintain their weight. Without that, people are blissfully unaware of how many calories they consume.  They tend to forget how the calories from those in between meal snacks add up.  They say, “But I don’t eat that much. It must be my metabolism.”  But if challenged to do the count they find they are consuming more calories than they body will burn in a day. 

No matter what we might weigh, we are all weighed down by sin of some kind.  Only Jesus was sinless.  We can, however with God’s help move towards a sinless existence.  Ash Wednesday and all of the season of Lent challenges us to count those sins, to admit them to ourselves.  Then we must confess them to our God. If we want to lose work we must be willing to admit that we overeat and do the work.  If we want to live the life God demands of us, we must be willing to admit our sins and do the work.
What is sin?  We’ll explore some of them during this season of Lent. Stay tuned.

Dear God, today we confess that we have ignored our sinful state. Open our minds to our own sinfulness.  We pray this with the assurance of your grace and forgiveness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.