Tuesday’s Musings: Tuck Me In Lord.

Psalm 4:8  In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.

My mother, bless her heart was not maternal or domestic.  She was not the bake cookies, tuck you in at night type of mother.  She had an artistic soul; an aspiring professional dancer whose career was ended with a badly broken leg.  I received other gifts from her yet sometimes I wish I had experienced the night time togetherness, a bedtime story and a goodnight kiss. Now when I go to bed at night I have Joe there.  And I like to get still before going to sleep and thank God for the day.  Sometimes I feel so close to him that it’s almost like he’s tucking me in. The Bible says nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.  Feel alone at night? Let God tuck you in.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your deep love for us.  Be with us when we are feeling lonely and needy. Continuously fill us with the joy of your presence.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Have a great day and sweet dreams!
Paige

Monday’s Musings: Looking for the Good News

Acts 20:24 But I do not count my life of any value to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the good news of God’s grace.
Proverbs 15:30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the body.

We had a great day at church yesterday. Yet by bedtime I was feeling rather down.  I think it was the depressing Barbara Stanwyck movie I watched capped off by the late newscast of fires and deaths and political squabbling and worry over my girl dog who has growing tumors.  In the afternoon Joe and I spent time with Tommy Carraway in the rehabilitation facility.  Tommy has had more than his share of bad things happen to him.  He is an inspiration in the way he chooses to be happy even when things aren’t going well. Even with all his health problems, Tommy is a lot better off than many whom we saw at Crestview.  A lot can go wrong in life yet we can triumph and find happiness with a positive attitude, our faith in the One who conquers all, and relationships with those who care about us.  Tommy is proof of that!  These aren’t things that we can earn or buy yet we can have them if we put forth the effort.  Jesus said in this world we would have trouble, but take heart for he has overcome the world.

Loving God, we ask for your joy this week, even in the middle of things we consider to be problems.  Help us to remain positive and to feel you love and grace.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have a great week!
Paige

Friday’s Musings: Remembering God’s Love USED

Modified and Used 10-12-21

Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

Isn’t that a beautiful verse? I know that we all have times when we get tired or discouraged.  We just want to run away to the beach but we know that things must get done and it’s up to us to do them.  God won’t come in and do all my laundry, but just thinking about how much God loves me does give me a lift. Talk to God, telling him your problems and ask for help in getting through each day.  Happy Friday! Have a great weekend.

Thank you God for  your constant presence with us.  Please help us today in all that we must do.  Help us to find joy and rest in you.  Amen.

Blessings,
Paige

Thursday’s Musings: God as a Crutch? Amen!

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

How many of you have ever heard non-believers accuse Christians of using religion as a crutch?  They are really clueless and I feel so sorry for them.  Not too long ago we received a phone call in the evening from our son, Robert.  He had hurt his foot badly while running in Stone Mtn. Park.  Because he had walked into the park from his nearby home a park ranger drove him home.  He crawled around his house and called us to bring him some crutches.  He was injured and couldn’t walk without them.  He’s much better now but there was no shame in him needing that extra help.  We are all injured in some way.  Whether we admit it or not, we all need some type of help negotiating life in this challenging world.  There is no shame in turning to the Creator of the universe for that help.  God helps us get on our feet and stay on our feet.  When we need extra help, God is there.  Crutch? Whatever!  I’m so glad to have God to call upon.

Holy God, I love you so much. Thank you for being my constant help. Life without you would be so very difficult. All glory and praise to you. Amen.

Blessings,
Paige

Wednesday’s Musings: Roadside Crosses

Updated and used 7-17-19

Luke 22:19 (NLT)  He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.”

I’ve seen them and I know you’ve all seen them, those small crosses by the side of the road; crosses that mark the sudden and tragic death of a loved one. They’re often adorned with flowers; some even have stuffed animals beside them. People place them there maybe, so that their mother or father or husband or wife or child won’t be forgotten. I find myself sometimes slowing down as I pass them. I may not have known the person but they remind me to drive safely. 

Jesus asked the disciples to remember him.  We do that in church in many ways including Holy Communion.  On Good Friday at the end of the service we had the opportunity to place flowers at the base of the cross.  My challenge to those worshippers was to remember Jesus whenever they saw those roadside crosses.  Maybe slow down a bit and say a prayer.  God gave his beloved Son to us.  His son died a sudden and tragic death, too.  Sunday we celebrated the fact that the grave could not hold the divine.  The flowers at the base of the cross had been woven together with Easter lilies, replacing the somber swag as we celebrated the Risen Christ.

Holy God, how you must have suffered to see your beloved Son die on the cross.  Help us to remember Him and all that Jesus did so that we might live in relationship with you. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Have a blessed day!
Paige

Tuesday’s Musings: Spring Tonic

Revelation 4:11“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”
James 4:8 Draw near to God, and God will draw near to you…

I remember my mother telling me that when she was growing, up once a year she would be given a spring tonic. Most likely it involved cod liver oil.  This was supposed to clean out her system – sort of like spring cleaning for the body. Thank goodness she didn’t carry on that tradition.  I’m in the generation that thinks a once a year blow out meal at the Varsity will accomplish the same thing in a much more tasty way. 

Easter Sunday once again brought people to church who do not worship regularly the rest of the year.  On one hand I was delighted to have them, for the sake of the church but also for their sake.  Worship is always more energetic when the sanctuary and chapel are filled.  And while I was sad that so many people miss out on the beauty of worship most of the year, I was hopeful that in some way they left touched and energized and knowing that they are loved by God and the Risen Christ.

Holy God, we pray for our church that you will bring people into our doors every Sunday who need to draw closer to you.  Help us as we invite people and share with them that all are welcome to worship with us. Break down the barriers that keep people from making weekly worship a part of their life.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

 

Monday’s Musings – Why are We Weeping?

John 20:11-15  Mary stood outside near the tomb, crying. As she cried, she bent down to look into the tomb.  She saw two angels dressed in white, seated where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head and one at the foot.  The angels asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” She replied, “They have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they’ve put him.”  As soon as she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she didn’t know it was Jesus.  Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?”

Usually when a phrase is repeated in scripture it means we should pay special attention to it.  Notice both the angels and Jesus ask Mary, “Why are you crying?”  She is crying because she doesn’t yet understand the truth about the resurrection of Christ. How her mood must have changed when Jesus called her by name and she recognized him.  My heart really breaks for all those in the world who don’t know about Jesus; how God sent his son to reconcile a sinful world to God; how death could not hold him and how he is the victor where we could not succeed on our own.  O how I love Jesus, the song goes.  O how I wish everyone knew about that love.  Can we share?

Holy God, thank you for Jesus.  Thank you that we know about the resurrection and our salvation.  Help us to share the Good News with others this week.  In His name we pray. Amen.

Have a Great Week!
Paige