Thursday, August 21, 2014

Thursday's Musings: A Good Noticer is a Good Listener USED

Modified and used 12-11-20

1 Corinthians 15:51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed

It seems to be impossible to watch the local channels now without seeing the political ads of Michele Nunn and David Perdue.  Because I was raised to believe that truthfulness was to be highly valued, I really dislike political campaign ads.  They are so very often filled with half-truths that insinuate things that are not true at all.  We need more news casts that analyze these claims line by line and either affirm or refute them.
The sad part is that too many people just take these political ads at face value, believing them to be true because after all, they are on TV.  To be a good noticer, one must be a good listener, too.  Jesus says, “Listen.”  He says other things like, “My sheep hear my voice” and “He who has ears, let him hear.”  Jesus wants us to hear with understanding. Everyone we encounter has a story. We may never hear all of it.  Sometimes it’s difficult for folk to be trusting enough of others to open up and share.  Good listeners learn to read between the lines.  It is a key to understanding and to better relationships with one another and with our Heavenly Father.

Creator God, who has given us the power to hear and to understand, please help us to truly listen to all presented to us; to discern the truth so that we may be confident in the opinions we form.  Help us to notice those who need to tell their stories to someone.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Blessings,
Paige

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Wednesday’s Musings: My Week as a Noticer Part Two


Philippians 2:3-4 (CEB)  Don’t do anything for selfish purposes, but with humility think of others as better than yourselves. Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others.

Yesterday I related the incident of noticing a neighbor during my Monday morning walk crying as they put another neighbor into an ambulance.  I shared how we held hands and prayed.  This was the first time I had met Blanca but we immediately connected in prayer.  What I didn’t share was that yesterday morning during my walk I found a nice hardcover devotional book in the road.  There were several black bags near it on the curb. When I checked they were filled with sodden books including The Baptist Hymnal and other faith-centered books.  I bet that homeowner’s basement had flooded in these terrible rains.  This book however must have escaped the bag and although obviously not brand new was unharmed.  I was familiar with the book and liked it very much.  I carried it with me and left it on Blanca’s doorstep.  Today as I walked past her house I noticed the book was gone.  She came running out of the house and asked if I had left the book. I said that I had and she said, “I knew it was you.  Thank you so much!  I had to go to a meeting and I was anxious.  I didn’t bring my Bible with me when I moved and wanted it.  I asked God for direction and He seemed to lead me to read the devotion for February 28th instead of August 19th.  It was perfect for my day.” 
She told me that Trish was home from the hospital and would be having hip surgery soon and I told her my concern had been positively resolved.  God is good; especially when we take time to notice others.

Thank you, God for all your love and care.  Help us to share that in word and deed with others.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have a great day,
Paige

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Tuesday’s Musings: Becoming Noticers

Modified and used 9-28-20 
Matthew 15:1-2 Rules from the elders -  Then Pharisees and legal experts came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said,  “Why are your disciples breaking the elders’ rules handed down to us? They don’t ritually purify their hands by washing before they eat.”

This past Sunday my message was on the conflict between Jesus and some of the religious leaders.  They were hung up on the observation of man-made traditions while they themselves ignored the commandment of God to honor their parents by refusing to help them.  Instead they said they consecrated their funds to God.  We pointed out that while they were noticing people breaking the rules, Jesus was noticing those who were around him who needed love and healing and caring.  I challenged those in the congregation to become noticers.  Noreen Conort noticed one of my plants was dying and repotted it.  Yesterday morning I noticed an ambulance & fire truck on a neighborhood street.  EMT’s carried someone out of the house on a stretcher and put them in the back of the ambulance.  I noticed a young woman standing in her own driveway wiping away tears.  I immediately walked up to her and said, “Does anyone need prayers? I’m a pastor.”   She explained that our neighbor Trish who has a bad hip had been putting off needed surgery.  However she had been unable to get out of bed even with help for the past few days and needed professional transport to get her to the hospital.  I had prayed with and for Trish in the past.  My new friend Blanca and I held hands in the driveway and I felt the power of the Holy Spirit working through me as we prayed a powerful prayer together for Trish with praise for our EMT’s and good neighbors.  She said, “Sometimes when you need prayer the most God sends someone along to pray for you.”  I revealed that I had been praying for myself that morning and really needed someone to pray with me.  God helped me achieve the peace I needed as I was helping someone else. Whom can you notice today?

Loving God, I pray you continue to be with Trish and place your healing hand upon her hip.  I pray for Blanca and her little girl Madison as they settle into Hapeville.  I praise you for answering prayer for myself. And we pray you will help us notice others who need our care.  We offer this in Jesus’ name. Amen. 
Have a blessed day,
Paige

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Tuesday’s Musings: When Life Takes Unexpected Turns USED


Modified 4-28-20
James 4:13-14 (CEB)  Pay attention, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such-and-such a town. We will stay there a year, buying and selling, and making a profit.”  You don’t really know about tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for only a short while before it vanishes.

Yesterday I woke to the message that someone close to me had sustained an unexpected and serious injury.  I dressed in record time, threw the coffee Joe had made for me in two travel mugs and then spent the entire day in the ER and then a doctor’s office where he received outpatient sutures.  When I finally left him resting at home I returned to my home to the news that beloved comedian and actor Robin Williams had passed away, apparently taking his own life.  Times like these remind us that life is fragile, that we never know completely what the day might bring and that we should love one another dearly while we have them with us.  It also reminds us that we must think of the legacy we will one day leave behind and if we have the faith and relationship with God that will assure our continuance of life even after these jars of clay that house our souls are no longer.

Loving God, I pray you will continue to heal my friend, comfort his family and the family of Robin Williams and all who have lost loved ones suddenly in the past.  May we look to you for the example of love and grace.  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Have a Blessed Day,
Paige

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Wednesday’s Musings: An Ever Present Help



Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

Just as I left the parsonage this morning for a walk, the Hapeville garbage truck came down our street. An odious smell always follows along with it.  I thought I would just alter my route, cut through the Christian Church parking lot and walk down Old Jonesboro road.  Of the three directions it could have gone, the truck came down the street after me.  I ran down Old Jonesboro to stay ahead of it.  I mean it is a really BAD smell, one that can turn your stomach. What do people put in their trash cans?  At the foot of the hill I turned right and sought refuge in the park.  There are no trash receptacles lining the road around the ball fields or in Master Park. I am glad that there are parks so near our home in Hapeville. They are shady and quiet and a good place to walk and commune with nature and God.  We each need people and places of refuge in our life.  It may be a quiet place in nature, a good friend, an altar railing or even a good book.  Above all scripture tells us that God is our refuge and strength; always near when we are troubled.

Holy God, thank you for being our refuge and strength.  Today we turn our many cares over to you.  Help us to feel the presence of the Holy Spirit.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Blessings,

Paige