Monday’s Musings – Easter Aftermath

Also used 4-29-19
Matthew 11:28-30  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

I know that this Easter Monday I am not the only pastor who is in need of some downtime.  Four services and an Egg Hunt in four days have been emotionally and physically exhausting.  The preparation for all these events began long before Thursday. The fatigue came on two fronts.  First my concern as the pastor that everything be very special for the parishioners whom I love so much.  But second was the fact that all this attention to the Easter story drove home once again the great suffering and sacrifice Jesus made for all of us.  Someone remarked that one of the talking points in “marketing” our faith is an invitation to suffer.  “Come be a Christian and suffer with us.”  Christ said that to be true disciples we must pick up our cross daily and follow him. While I would just like to bask in the joy of the Resurrection – the defeat of evil and death – I know that I am now called to live for Jesus.  The Good News beyond the resurrection is that Jesus will give us rest whether we are weary from our worldly concerns or from the task of bearing our cross in sacrificial service.  His great love is still at work in the world.  Alleluia!

Lord Jesus, we celebrate you as the risen Messiah but help us to never forget your sacrifice and suffering.  We pray for you to give us strength and rest from our burdens as we serve as true disciples.  Amen.

Have a blessed week!
Paige

04-18-14 Friday’s Musings: On Suffering

Modified and used 10-9-20

John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

A reporter interviewing Jack Nicklaus said, “Jack, you are spectacular! You really know your way around the course.  What is your secret?”  Jack replied, “The holes are numbered.” If only the rest of life were this easy!  Life isn’t always easy.  We can get some comfort knowing that even our Lord and Savior suffered, too.   My comfort comes in knowing that because Jesus suffered more than I could ever imagine that he surely understands my suffering.  On this Good Friday let’s spend some time thanking Jesus for all he endured for our sakes.

We are sorry, Lord that your Son suffered on the cross.  While we did not order his crucifixion we know that his blood covers our sins as much as it did the ones who were responsible for his death.  When things get us down help us to remember his sacrifice and ask for his help.  In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

God Bless,

Paige

Wednesday’s Musings: Taxes and Tithes

Matthew 22:20-21 “Whose image and inscription is this?” he asked. “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”

Yesterday was tax day.  I hope everyone got their returns or extensions filed. Jesus gives some good advice here that we can apply to our times.  We should pay the taxes that we owe to our country. Not only that, if we don’t we can be penalized. But what about giving unto God what is God’s?  Scripture directs everyone to tithe ten percent of our income. Just as our country maintains infrastructure, defenses and many other things with the taxes we pay, so the church needs our tithes to survive and carry out its ministry. You have rendered unto Caesar.  Have you rendered unto God? 

There are so many demands Lord on our finances.  They are often limited. Help us to be obedient to your will that we should assume our responsibility to support your church which is the body of Christ.  In His name we pray. Amen.

Have a blessed day,
Paige

Tuesday’s Musings: A Thorn in our Flesh

2 Corinthians 12:7-8 I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.  Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Much has been speculated about Paul’s “thorn in the flesh.”  While he writes honestly about it no one knows for sure what it was.  Apparently he believes the thorn was given to him to keep him humble and not prideful because of the special revelations he had been given by God. 

Our poor little Dino once again has some kind of thorn in the flesh – some unspecified source of pain. He yelps occasionally from pain and is clingier.  Yesterday he stood under my desk as I wrote my sermon. I finally put a dog bed beside me and convinced him to get into it. I’ve loved on him and massaged him all over but find no tender places.  A trip to the vet last month when he had the same problem ended with no diagnosis – just muscle relaxants and pain pills and a $300 bill.  I’m confident this is something minor and temporary but don’t like him to hurt.

Haven’t we all at some time or another felt unwell without being able to identify the exact cause?  We don’t like that either.  Joe and I are giving Dino extra attention.  Scripture says that in our weakness, God’s power is made stronger. During those times, let’s look to our Lord for help and healing.

Heavenly Father, thank you for being with us in sickness and in health. Teach us to be more reliant upon your care.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Blessings,
Paige

 

 

Monday’s Musings: Leaning into the Wind used

Modified and used 4/29/20

Acts 2:1-4 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven.

While like many people I fear tornados, I still love to stand out in a strong wind.  Recently while walking on a blustery morning I found myself leaning into the wind as I went around the exposed ball fields.  I thought about the word “nooma”  which is the  Anglicized version of the Greek word pneuma, which means spirit, breath, or wind.
We need to lean into the wind sometimes to keep our balance. Likewise leaning into or upon the Holy Spirit will help us keep balance in life.  Have a blessed and Spirit-filled week!  I hope to see you at all our Holy Week events!

Blessings,
Paige

Friday’s Musings: In the Shadow of Angels USED

Modified and used 12-10-20

Friday’s Musings: In the Shadow of Angels REUSED

Psalm 34:7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.

While walking along King Arnold St. yesterday I looked down and saw what looked like the abstract shadow of an angel.  It was cast by a street sign capped by one of the curved Hapeville logo signs.  The top made the head and the street nameplate created the wings.  As I stood in the shadow of the angel it reminded me that God does send angels to protect us.  They are not usually recognizable or even visible. Scripture tells us to offer hospitality to strangers because in doing so we may be unknowingly entertaining angels.  ”All night, all day angels watching over me my Lord.”  Comforting, isn’t it?

Holy God thank you for sending angels to guard and protect us.  May we sometimes sense their shadow around us.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Happy Friday!
Paige

Thursday’s Musings: Kindness Wins USED

Modified and used 6/15/20

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
1 Peter 3:8  Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

Sunday night we hosted Connect at the parsonage. After a china coaster clung to my glass of tea then clattered to the table I mentioned that three of my four heart shaped quilted coasters had disappeared.  Betty Barnett said that she had some fabric coasters and actually brought them to me last night. I will enjoy the coasters but her little act of kindness means more.  Our church is full of folk like Betty.  Let’s remember that small things are often just what someone needs.  Kindness will always win over bitterness or indifference.

Thank you Lord for teaching us about kindness.  Help us to find opportunities every day to reach out to someone who needs to be touched by our care. Amen!

Have a great day!
Paige