Thursday’s Musings: Us in God’s Eyes

Ephesians 2:10  For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Dove Soap executives put together an interesting experiment that they documented on an internet commercial.  They hired a forensic artist – the type police departments use to draw people using the verbal descriptions given them by someone.  In this case they had several women describe themselves to the artist as he drew. The subject and the artist were unable to see one another during and after this time.  Then the women were told to get to know one another.  Once again the artist drew, but this time each woman described another of the women to him.  Then the women were brought in to look at the two pictures he had drawn of each one.  In every case the women had emphasized what they felt to be their worst features, high forehead, round face etc.  The self-described pictures showed unattractive women.  However the pictures drawn from being described from someone else showed an attractive person.  The women were in tears as they discovered that their own self image was less attractive than the way others saw them. The point was to help women begin to feel better about themselves. Ephesians 2:10 says we are God’s workmanship. Psalm 139:14 says we are fearfully and wonderfully made.  Let’s try to think of ourselves as our Maker sees us.

Loving Creator, we know that you love us and value our companionship.  Whenever we begin to feel bad about ourselves, remind us that we are your creation.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Have a beautiful day,

Paige

Wednesday’s Musings: In Praise of the Holy One USED

Modified and used  10-25-21

Psalm 103:1-5  Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits— who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Having a busy week?  I know I am.  At times like these I know that I have to prioritize. Some things (laundry!) may get put off so that I can devote time to more pressing issues.  Unfortunately, sometimes it’s really easy to put aside spending time with God. I’m fortunate that if I do, soon I really miss that time in prayer and bible study. While I pray several times a day for others and thank God for the day before I sleep, I want to be more generous with my praise of God who deserves our highest praise. If I want to be a better person, praising the one who created me will help me understand just who I am and who I can become. Maybe we should go back and read that beautiful praise by David one more time.

Holy God, slow us down so that we might spend more time seeking your presence. Guide us as we make decisions today and protect us from unnecessary busyness. In all things let us remember to give you the glory and honor and praise.  Amen.

Have a peace filled day.
Paige

Tuesday’s Musings: I Will Fear No Evil

Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

What a terrible tragedy in Boston yesterday.  The marathon runners might have been worried about shin splints or exhaustion or dehydration but they didn’t start the race thinking about being bomb victims. Evil is alive and well on planet Earth.  Yet so is Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit and the Church which is his body. Joe and I and some other church leaders were at a World Methodist Evangelism Institute dinner last night.  The Rev. Eddie Fox gave people a brief history of the formation of the institute.  There were some at the World Methodist Council who for whatever reason opposed the formation of this evangelism body which would be a joint venture between the World Methodist Council and Emory University.  A delegate from Tonga stood up to address the body.  Eddie reminded us that cannibalism was still evident in that country up into the 1800’s.  The representative looked at those opposed to the formation of The WMEI and said, “If those who came to evangelize our grandfathers had your mindset, we would be eating you now instead of discussing this.”  Bringing Jesus Christ to people changes lives.  We never know what we might prevent because we brought some potentially troubled soul into the fold of the Shepherd.  

Holy God, we pray your comfort and healing on all those in Boston who were harmed and for their loved ones.  May those responsible be brought to justice. Please bless our evangelism efforts as we try to bring the love and light of Christ into the darkness of the world.  In His name we pray. Amen.

Peace,
Paige

PS. Please be in prayer for our brothers and sisters in Christ from Oconee Street UMC in Athens and their pastor Rev. Lisa Caine. The church was destroyed by fire last night.

Monday’s Musings: The Master’s Care

Psalm 119:76 May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.

I watched as much as I could of the Masters Tournament over the weekend and mentioned in the services how beautiful the course is.  I think, especially at this time of the year it must be the most beautiful course in this country.  While waiting for players to make their shots, the commentators often filled the time with small talk about the course.  One, commenting on the green said that the grass was like velvet; that it was a feat of horticulture.  I know that the course does use many advanced techniques for both the plantings and drainage. Great care is taken by those who manage it.  I’m reminded of the great care of our Master.  As the soloist sang in yesterday’s service, “His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.”  God doesn’t make life carefree. The Masters course has sand traps, the rough, water hazards and those ever present trees. Our prayer is for God to help us avoid them and when we miss the fairway, to help us get back on course.

Loving God, thank you for the beauty of nature and your care of us.  We ask that you guide us through his week. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Have a great week!
Paige

Friday’s Musings: Players and Watchers

Expanded and used 2/12/20 for Newspaper and Mailchimp/FB

1 Corinthians 12:4-7  There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.  A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.

An actor in an interview this morning was asked if he played football as a child.  He said he tried it briefly but quickly gave it up.  He explained, “Some people are born to play the game and some people are born to watch.”  I thought about a ball game. All the action is not on the field.  Players and coaches and trainers make the game happen, but the organization also needs spectators and food vendors and ushers and security and cleaning staff. Each has his or her on part in the overall experience.  In God’s service we need preachers and congregation members.  We need those able to go out and serve the community and we need those able to serve through their prayers and financial support. Sometimes we have numerous roles, but each one is important.  When we each use our gifts and we put the variety of gifts, together all are benefitted.

Heavenly God, thank you for the different gifts and talents we have.  Help us to each use our gifts to your glory and for the good of others.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Have a blessed weekend,
Paige

Thursday’s Devotion: Taken Hostage!

Romans 5:7 (NLT)  Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good.

Yesterday five Gwinnett firefighters responded to a call for a medical emergency only to be taken hostage by the heavily armed man who called them.  The hostage situation was a long, dramatic affair.  Thankfully all the first responders will be ok although the hostage taker died when the SWAT team took action.  Someone said that it’s sad that the first responders who usually are there to rescue people should have this happen to them. While there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (John 15:13) we must really admire our first responders who put their lives on the line not only for friends, or especially good persons but for complete strangers.  Let’s pray for God’s protection upon them and remember to express our appreciation and support whenever we can.

Father God, we pray that you will watch over those who serve us bravely without regard to our qualifications to receive their help. Please bless all first responders and keep them safe.  We ask in Jesus’ name, amen.

Thankfully,
Paige

 

Wednesday’s Musings: Faith, Hope and Charity

Acts 20:35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Yesterday I spent some time reviewing the church financial statements checking to see if all income and expenses were in proper categories. During that process I also compared income for various missions and charities with the checks we have written out. When we have special collections like the Homeless Offering, we like to pass that along in a timely way.  I was so happy to see the generosity of our members. 

I discovered something as I looked for scriptures on charity. 1 Corinthians 13:13 reads in many translations, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”  However in the King James and other older translations, instead of love the word used is charity – “And now there remain faith, hope, and charity, these three: but the greatest of these is charity.”  Charity arises from our love of God’s people.  To use charity instead of “love” in what we often call The Love Chapter gives it a different feel.  This type of love isn’t the eros fall in love mushy kind leading to the weddings where this scripture is often read.  It is an unselfish, giving to others agape love. Now you know, too. It gives us something to ponder whenever we read that scripture.

Holy Lord, thank you for all kinds of love.  Thank you for those who have extended charity to us and bless those to whom we extend charity.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

As an added bonus – here are the lyrics of a favorite song by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans.

"The Bible Tells Me So"
                          Words and Music by Dale Evans Rogers

Have faith, hope and charity,
That's the way to live successfully.
How do I know, the Bible tells me so.

Do good to your enemies,
And the Blessed Lord you'll surely please,
How do I know, the Bible tells me so.

Don't worry 'bout tomorrow,
Just be real good today.
The Lord is right beside you,
He'll guide you all the way

Have faith, hope and charity,
That's the way to live successfully.
How do I know, the Bible tells me so!