Wednesday’s Devotion: Marching with John

2 Chronicles 5:13  The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: “He is good; his love endures forever.” Then the temple of the LORD was filled with the cloud,

Yesterday was the birthday of John Philip Sousa (1854).  Sousa wrote some of our most beloved marches including The Stars and Stripes Forever, Semper Fidelis, and the Washington Post March. He enjoyed great popularity during his lifetime for his bands, his marches and his operettas, yet I wonder if he could know how many feet would eventually march to his music; how many fireworks would spangle the sky and how many flags would be waved to the sound of his compositions. Music is inspiring and uplifting although people have different ideas as to what type music does that. There are many scriptures about the role of music among God’s people from those marching around Jericho sounding trumpets, to David playing music for Saul to calm Saul’s soul. Psalms entreat us to sing and to make music to the Lord.

Ephesians instructs us to replace drinks of spirits with spiritual songs.  5:18-20  “Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,  singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.  And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The next time you listen to music that lifts your spirits, stop and give thanks to the Lord for his great gift to us.

Thank you Lord for putting a song in our heart and for the gift of music. Thank you for those who write and perform inspiring music.  We praise you in word and song. Alleluia, amen.

God Bless,

Paige

Tuesday’s Devotion: Stinky Garbage

Matthew 7:12 (CEB) Therefore, you should treat people in the same way that you want people to treat you; this is the Law and the Prophets.

I really don’t like walking on garbage day. I did pretty good last week until I was almost home.  Someone’s garbage receptacle was overflowing and smelled awful.  What do those people throw away? Ugh.  Joe and I use our garbage disposal for food waste and recycle paper, plastic and cans so we rarely fill up our can.  I’m glad my trash isn’t offensive to others.  Sometimes we let the other type of garbage in our life spill over onto others.  It’s often difficult to put on a happy face and be pleasant when we are stressed out or irritated because of some person or some situation.  Yet we would do well to remember this scripture – it’s the Golden Rule most of us learned at an early age.  Let’s all contain our garbage and dispose of it in a proper way. 

Holy God, we need you constantly in our life to help us stay at peace when things bother us.  Help us to treat others as we wish to be treated. We pray that you remove our anxieties and anger; teach us to let God and to turn to you when we are troubles.  We ask in Jesus’ name, amen.

Blessings,

Paige

Monday’s Devotion: Nature Doesn’t Care but God Does

 

Revelation 22:13 (CEB)  I am the alpha and the omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.

Last night during the Connect Group our thoughts and prayers turned toward those affected by hurricane /super storm Sandy. Each of us could relate an experience with the ravages of nature. Tommy Carraway was without power for 32 days after a tornado struck in North Carolina where he was living. Beverly and I had both gone to Mississippi to help with the aftermath of Katrina. She went right after the storm hit and I went just 2 years ago.  I have observed that the forces of nature have no prejudices.  They strike old and young; rich and poor; caretakers and criminals.  I’ve seen the most beautiful roses growing in the yards of homes in disrepair and fire strike any and all types of structures.  We concluded that while these forces can take all our possessions, our job, our electricity, our homes, they cannot take away our relationship with God. That relationship is the ultimate possession; the thing upon which a good life is built.  The good news is that the Creator of the universe also has no prejudices.  God’s love and grace is available to all. That  we can be very thankful for even when  the storms of life rage around us.

Holy God, thank you for your loving presence. We ask that those who are suffering loss of any kind will feel you near. We pray for your blessings upon us as we begin this new week.  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Have a Blessed Week,

Paige

 

 

Friday’s Devotion: When Normal is Disrupted

Isaiah 54:10-12  Though the mountains be shaken  and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. “Afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted, I will rebuild you with stones of turquoise, your foundations with lapis lazuli.  I will make your battlements of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones.

I had a peaceful 4 mile walk/run yesterday morning.  Other than a preponderance of candy wrappers along the way everything was so normal.  I ran by Judy and Pascal’s house (hill, ugh!) and by Beverly and Hugh’s and Alan’s and Wanda’s and Rebecca’s lifting short prayers for my friends as I passed their way.  The sky was blue and the air crisp.  Even the crowing rooster who lives somewhere between Scott and Becca is becoming the norm for me.  My thoughts turned to the Northeast.  Last week our son Robert was in NYC city visiting friends.  He posted pictures of the sights he was seeing and the meals he was eating. He flew home Sunday on the next to the last flight that left NYC before all flights were cancelled.  Last week his friends, and their friends and neighbors and all those in that region experienced the same type of normal life I experienced yesterday. Then suddenly all was upside down. My prayers go out for them.  The news is filled with stories of individuals who are having to deal with wrecked normality.  The UMC is organizing ways in which to be of help. In the meantime won’t you join me and other in prayer for them?

Heavenly Father, the earth has been torn asunder in many places.  We pray for those who suffered from the effects of Hurricane Sandy. We pray for individuals and businesses that have lost property and the ability to produce.  We pray for the vulnerable who can’t care for themselves; for all without power; for those in hospitals and for those responding to the disaster. We pray that you will help begin the process of recovery and restoration.  In Jesus name, amen.

Have a blessed weekend!

Paige

Thursday’s Devotion: Real Faith

James 2:14-19 (CEB)  “My brothers and sisters, what good is it if people say they have faith but do nothing to show it? Claiming to have faith can’t save anyone, can it?  Imagine a brother or sister who is naked and never has enough food to eat.  What if one of you said, “Go in peace! Stay warm! Have a nice meal!”? What good is it if you don’t actually give them what their body needs?  In the same way, faith is dead when it doesn’t result in faithful activity.  Someone might claim, “You have faith and I have action.” But how can I see your faith apart from your actions? Instead, I’ll show you my faith by putting it into practice in faithful action.  It’s good that you believe that God is one. Ha! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble with fear.”

I had a discussion with someone the other day about the different creeds in our Hymnal.  He asked if we ever used the Nicene Creed.  This ancient creed is more specific in outlining beliefs than the shorter Apostles Creed.   I told him that we have been reciting The Modern Affirmation instead of either of these for a specific reason. The other creeds are statements of beliefs – The Modern Affirmation says, “Ok you believe this but what is your response going to be?”  Actually it puts it this way: “We believe that this faith should manifest itself in the service of love as set forth in the example of our blessed Lord, to the end that the kingdom of God may come upon the earth.”  Here’s the question for you – are you a professing Christian or a practicing Christian?

Holy God, we know that we are saved by faith not works but we also know that true faith, saving faith naturally inspires us to do works.  Show us ways, Lord through which we may express our faith.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

In Christ's Service,

Paige

Wednesday’s Devotion: Dressing Up Bible Style

Matthew 23:5-6 “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues;

The Pharisees loved to dress up in fancy garb in order to emphasize the respect they were due as religious leaders.  They took advantage of their position and preferred to be served rather than to serve.  I saw photos of a Halloween party a few days ago and a guy actually came as a priest.  I thought I dress up like that every Sunday!  I offered Joe my robe and stole for the Holy Ghost Wiener Roast but he decided to go as a Tombstone Territory marshal instead. I was Annie Oakley.  It was easy; we already had our own hats, boots and spurs.

It’s fun to dress up at Halloween but the Bible also gives us a suggestion for every day dressing up. Romans 13:14… clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

In all things, Lord help us to put on Christ so that we may have the purity of heart and desires after his example.  Help those trick or treating tonight to be safe.  In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Have a blessed day and safe Halloween.

Paige

Tuesday’s Devotion: Like the Cowardly Lion

2 Samuel 17:10 Then even the bravest soldier, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will melt with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a fighter and that those with him are brave.

Last week while on my morning walk I was really startled by a large very life-like stuffed tiger that someone had placed at their curb for trash pick-up.  Once I realized it wasn’t alive I thought it was really too nice to throw away. But as I looked closer I saw that the far shoulder had been ripped open revealing the stuffing inside.  I thought, “Some little pooch asserting puppy power probably did this.”  The above scripture comes as Hushai advised Absalom regarding his father David.  He’s saying even the brave will become afraid.  That stuffed tiger made me think that even people whom we fear are often wounded in some manner. Perhaps it’s their wounds that make them act in ways that cause us to fear them.  There are times when we should be wary yet perhaps we should also try to understand others and to get to know them a little better.  Dorothy learned that the lion in Oz was not something to fear once she got to know him. 

Father, you tell us to trust in you and to fear not. Help us to take time to get to know people before making snap judgments as to their character.  Protect us from evil and lead us in our daily walk helping us to care for others as you care for us. Amen.

Blessings,

Paige