Monday’s Musings: Roads and Recipes

Modified and used Wed. 5-20-20

Psalm 111:10  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

Colossians 2:8  See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

My musings this morning led me to think about all the conflicting advice out there on a myriad of subjects.  This morning’s news featured a book that said eating butter and bacon is not bad for you.  We are in the throes of political ads that both tout and put down each candidate.  Christians are often challenged with very different perspectives on interpretation of scriptures.   For this reason it is important for each of us to cultivate wisdom, knowledge and understanding.  There are many great scriptures on this subject.  In a conversation this morning I used the images of roads and recipes.  There are often many roads to success (ways to do things) and sometimes to accomplish a goal one will use a number of different elements.  Often we must develop the right recipe by trial and error. I pray to God to help me continue to develop the gift of perception and discernment as those lead to wisdom.

Gracious creator, we pray for the spiritual gift of discernment; for wisdom, knowledge and understanding.  Thank you for all your gifts and blessings.  Amen.

Have a great week!
Paige

Friday’s Musings: Remembering Mother USED

Ephesians 6:2 “Honor your father and mother”   used 5-9-21

Sunday is Mother’s Day.  While I love the fact that my son will spend some time with me, I’m also sad because my mother and grandmothers are no longer here.  I grew up in Columbus, GA but moved to Americus to attend Georgia Southwestern after I finished my first two years at Columbus College.  I never moved back to my home town.  Instead work took me and my family to Atlanta.  Because of that I never had that close adult to adult bond with my mom that many of my friends have.  And yet I carry her in my memories.

Someone posted this great quote on remembering others by Frederick Buechner.
“When you remember me, it means that you have carried something of who I am with you, that I have left some mark of who I am on who you are. It means that you can summon me back to your mind even though countless years and miles may stand between us. It means that if we meet again, you will know me. It means that even after I die, you can still see my face and hear my voice and speak to me in your heart.  For as long as you remember me, I am never entirely lost. When I'm feeling most ghostlike, it's your remembering me that helps remind me that I actually exist. When I'm feeling sad, it's my consolation. When I'm feeling happy, it's part of why I feel that way.  If you forget me, one of the ways I remember who I am will be gone. If you forget me, part of who I am will be gone.”

This Mothers’ Day let’s remember our mothers perfect or imperfect, still with us or in heaven.

Jesus, you promised the thief on the cross that you would remember him in heaven.  We know that you now sit at God’s right hand and intercede for us.  Please tell our moms who are with you that we love them.  We ask in your name, amen.

Have a blessed weekend,
Paige

 

Thursday’s Musings: The True Source of Power

1 Corinthians 4:20-21 (NLT) For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power. 21 Which do you choose? Should I come with a rod to punish you, or should I come with love and a gentle spirit?

Acts 1:8  (NIV)  ….you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.

"Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves"
Now there was a time when they used to say
That behind every - "great man."
There had to be a - "great woman."
But in these times of change you know
That it's no longer true.
So we're comin' out of the kitchen
'Cause there's somethin' we forgot to say to you (we say)

Sisters are doin' it for themselves.
Standin' on their own two feet.
And ringin' on their own bells.
Sisters are doin' it for themselves.

The "inferior sex" got a new exterior
We got doctors, lawyers, politicians too.

 

On this morning’s walk/run this song on my playlist prompted me to think about power.  I had been thinking about my concern for a young man of Hispanic origin who has had a slight set-back in his quest for a successful life here.  I know that as I woman, I have had to work harder and smarter to compete with men in the workplace.  He also will have to do the same to succeed in this country where those born here are favored. 

That led me to think about power in general.  I am so very sad to see news stories almost on a daily basis of shootings.  Statistics show that in these cases the majority of the people know one another.  Maybe behind every gun is a person who feels powerless on their own.  How I wish we could teach everyone beginning with young children that guns don’t solve problems; they only create much greater ones not only for themselves, but for their loved ones and the loved ones of the person whom they have shot.

Power does not come from the rod as Paul mentions but through God.  It comes from a spirit of love and an attitude of responsibility.  Those who are willing to accept the responsibility for all they do whether it be win, loss, or error are powerful people because they can work in a godly way within the consequences of their actions. Let’s help get this message out there as we encourage others to live kingdom lives with the proper power for a successful life.

God you are all-powerful and you have promised your power through the Holy Spirit.  Help us to encourage to see your strength and to live lives pleasing to you. Amen.

Blessings,
Paige

 

Wednesday’s Musings: Caring for God’s House

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 Sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

We often refer to Church as the house of God but scripture also says our own individual bodies are temples in which the Holy Spirit dwells.  To really think about that can really freak me out.   I want my home to be clean and neat and especially if company is coming.  But the thought of the Holy Spirit being a permanent resident within me makes me ask – how am I doing housekeeping with my body?  The answer is much better than before.  I love all kinds of food and struggle with the clutter of fat in my body.  This week I’m eating only raw fruits and vegetables in salads, smoothies and snacks adding some nuts and seeds for variety.  I feel better and also know that maybe it will result in a little bodily housekeeping.  Although modern medical advancements has been able to give us replacement parts, as a whole our body is the only one we have.  The way we care for it is not only a personal decision, it is a faith decision, too.

Father in heaven, you have given us a wonderfully created body.  Forgive us for abusing it in any and all ways.  Show us the path to strong and sound dwelling for your Spirit.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Blessings,
Paige

Tuesday’s Musings: Keep on Doing Good

Modified and used 6-2-20

Galatians 6:9  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

On my walks I frequently pass a slight young man who walks his shih tzu in the neighborhood.  I try to great everyone whom I pass if not spoken to first and almost always receive a greeting of some sort in return. Sometimes those turn into conversation and even prayers.  It eats into my walking time but I consider those divine appointments.  But this young man has never, never acknowledged my greetings or even my presence.  He walks with downcast eyes but even if he sees me, there is no sense that he wants to interact.  I respect his privacy and in fact wonder if he might have some form of autism.  Still, I will not let that keep me from offering him a warm greeting.  It doesn’t matter if he or anyone else acknowledges me or not.  I will not become weary of doing good.

Holy God, we pray today for this young man and his difficulties in greeting strangers.  Help him and other gain the ability to enter into relationships at all levels with others.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Have a great day!
Paige

Monday’s Musings: Finding Love USED

Revised and used 9-15-20 

1 Corinthians 16:14 Let all that you do be done in love.

As a pastor it is my responsibility to watch the news. How can I work to bring the Gospel and the love of God into the world and add my prayers to those who need them if I don’t know what is going on?  And yet, sometimes the meanness depicted day after day gets to me.  Why do people think that shooting someone is the solution to disagreements? Where did the love and value of all life go?  Thankfully it is still there and we can find it in the simple and profound. Love is the neonatal nurse who cares for each child as if it where her own.  Love is the dog who leads the blind horse to pasture. Love is the person who stops to move a turtle out of the road. Love is the child picking dandelions to make a bouquet for his mother. Love is the driving force behind Hapeville Paint the Town.  In fact many of the wonderful things happening in Hapeville are growing out of folks’ love of their community.  Love is meals delivered, the good morning kiss, hymns of praise and the comforting embrace.  Let’s all be an instrument of love today!

Loving God, we who are created in your image have the power to love other as you love us.  Help us in that effort as we pray for your continued guidance and grace.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Happy Monday!
Paige

Thursday’s Musings: Guard Doves

Modified and used for Wed. newspaper and Musings 7-15-20

Matthew 13:44  “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

2 Timothy 1:14 Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.

I never tire of watching the birds on our two bird feeders.  With the exception of the wide tray at the bottom of one they are identical.  That one is filled with safflower seed which the dove and cardinals love but the squirrels won’t eat.  The other is filled with finch food.  The two together attract a nice variety of birds. This morning two doves were nesting on the feeder tray.  They weren’t eating, simply hunkered down, each facing a different direction.  I took it to be that they were guarding their treasure.  We each are blessed with treasures in life.  In addition to spiritual treasures we have other things that are important to us; family, friendships, pets, our health, our wealth, our freedoms. Sometimes due to our inattentiveness they may become lost to us.  Like those guard doves we must be alert and attentive, guarding our treasures and as always offering them into God’s care also.

Each day, Lord I wake thankful for the treasures that you have entrusted to me.  Help me to treasure them and to guard them.  Help me that I may be someone’s treasure.  In your Son’s name we pray. Amen.

Blessings,
Paige