Devotional 1-6-08

Jesus, who are you?

At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.’ Jesus answered, ‘I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.’

The scripture above and the title were used in a sermon last spring by the Rev. Jim Morrison of St. Andrew By-the-Sea UMC in Hilton Head, SC.

But, upon reading the passage again and thinking about the sermon title, “Jesus, who are you?”; I was trying to imagine how many people, not only in Jesus’ own time, but down through the centuries, have asked that very question. And, I wonder how many have gotten an answer as concise and meaningful as the one I received as a youth.

My recollection goes like this: many years ago I was sitting in the choir loft one Sunday morning (and, you know, I was in a seat about where I sit now) listening to Dr. Rolla S. Kenaston preach on this identical question, “Jesus, who are you?” His answer has etched itself in my mind, and I have remembered it all these years. He said, “Jesus was just as much of God as could be crammed into one human form.”

As a young man, I looked up to Dr. Kenaston as I have very few others in my life. I thought then, and still do – if that description of Jesus is good enough for Dr. Kenaston, it’s good enough for me.

Prayer

Oh, Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your son to us –
To be our redeemer,
To be our savior,
To be our example for living, and
To being us the promise of eternal life.

It is with deepest reverence that we offer these thanks in the name of that self-same Jesus whom you sent to save the world. Amen.

Additional Scripture reading:
Ephesians 3:1-12
Matthew 2:1-12

Charlie Lewis

Devotional 1-5-08

Strong Tower

Please read Psalm 71:1-16

Be my rock of refuge,
to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress. (verse 3)

Refuge

When I wander through the desert
And I'm longing for my home
All my dreams have gone astray

When I'm stranded in the valley
And I'm tired and all alone
It seems like I've lost my way*

What is a refuge? It comes from the Latin word which means to escape or to flee, and it is defined as shelter or protection from danger or something to which one has recourse in difficulty (www.m-w.com). God is our solid refuge – the unchanging rock to which we can always go. Refuge shares a word origin with the word fugitive. Doesn’t that describe us sometimes? We are fugitives on the run, seeking protection from the problems and worries of life, desperate for salvation from our sin. We can run to our God, and he will give us help. It is a promise. It is a rock upon which we can build our lives and our faith.

Fortress

You are my strong tower
Shelter over me
Beautiful and mighty
Everlasting King
You are my strong tower
Fortress when I'm weak
Your name is true and holy
And Your face is all I seek*

What is a fortress? This word comes from a Latin word meaning strong. A fortress is a stronghold or a large and permanent fortification. God is our fortress. He is strong and permanent. He does not change, he never stops loving us, his grace is unending. Not only do we have a refuge, but our refuge is a strong fortress.

Hope

I go running to Your mountain
Where your mercy sets me free

In the middle of my darkness
In the midst of all my fear
You're my refuge and my hope
When the storm of life is raging
And the thunder's all I hear
You speak softly to my soul*

The Psalm describes the hope that we can find in God. Verse 5 says, “For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth.” In God we find hope. Hope that believes that through him, all things are possible. Hope that will allow us to surrender our problems – everything that batters against us – to our God. He is our God. The Message version of this Psalm, in verse 3, says, “you said your door was always open!” God’s door is always open to us. He sent his son to us so that the door would be wide open to us.

So what is our response? As United Methodists we claim that our doors are always open. I know that we have a beautiful building, and sometimes it can feel like a refuge or a fortress, but that’s not our church, and those aren’t the doors that I mean. As a church, as a Body of Christ, are our doors open? As a church, are we a fortress for God’s children? Can people run to us as a refuge? Are we the light of hope to anyone?

We are called to be Christ-like. We are created in the image of God. When the fugitives of life – people just like us – look at us, do they see God? Do they feel God’s presence through our actions and our words?

Standing on this rock, secure in the hope we have in God, what is our response?

*(Lyrics from Strong Tower, Kutless)

Kim Matthews

Devotional 1-4-08

Lectionary Reading: Hebrews 11:23-28, 32-40

Hebrews talks about faith. It is because of faith, this belief in God, that I pray.

My praying consists of bedtime, morning time, praying while driving alone with the radio off in the car, and a plea or thank you prayer here and there, among other times.I have heard of prayer journals and recently read of a prayer bag. I was reading the October 24,2007 entry of The Upper Room. It was written by Robin Priestley of New Mexico, whose friend gave her a "God Bag". It is a brown paper bag in which she wrote in purple ink, "Robin's God Bag". The instructions were to write concerns and worries on slips of paper and to put the slips in the bag.

I think this is such a good idea and hope to use it to help me focus on praying. I do believe I have ADD, Attention Deficit Disorder, and most of the time I will begin praying and end up thinking about something else. I need to focus and am hoping a Prayer Journal or God Bag will aid me in doing such. I do have faith that prayer works and need all the help I can get. I have a lot to pray about these days.

With that in mind, let's pray.

Dear God, I know You know my thoughts and my heart. Please help me to focus and express my joys and concerns to you. Thank you for your Son in whose name I pray. Amen.

Kay Lewis

Devotional 1-3-08

As 2007 ends and the New Year has begun and all the Christmas decorations and gifts have been packed away, we can relax in our warm homes with the love of God and family surrounding us.

Have you ever thought of the workers who were not able to be home for the holiday? Some of them work on the towboats on the inland waterways. Their work makes it possible for the coal, oil, gas, and other freight to be transported for our convenience. These men and women work 30 days at a time 12 hour shifts, in all types of weather. There work takes them far from their homes and not able to enjoy the holidays. They may even miss many important family events.

These persons have a support system that Johnson Memorial U.M.C. has been involved in for several years. This is the Seamen’s Church Institute’s program, Ministry on the River and the program Christmas on the River.

Every year we pack gift boxes for each boat. The boxes consist of devotional material, hand knitted scarves, and this year we added other small gifts for them. The outpouring of gifts from the congregation has sent the message that they are not forgotten and that God loves them.

This ministry is near and dear to our family’s heart, as we know first hand how hard it is for the towboat workers to be away from home. My father, Steele Fisher, was a crewmember until the day he died suddenly in 1976. A while back I met two men who were delivering supplies for us to pack. They had known my father which brought this mission project so much closer to my heart, knowing we were able to touch others who had known him.

Fred and I enjoy being involved in this Ministry, and appreciate all those who have participated in this ministry by providing gifts and packing the boxes to nearly 300 crew members. This act of caring let’s them know they are loved and not forgotten during Christmas.


Christmas is not a time or a season, but a state of mind.
To cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.
If we think over these things, where will be born in us a Savior and over us will shine a star sending its gleam of home to the world.
--Calvin Coolidge

Melanie Herr

Devotional 1-2-08

When I was 11 years old, and a member of Fifth Avenue Baptist Church, I was baptized by Dr. Norman Cox. My sister, one year younger, was to be baptized too, along with 15 others – so Dr. Cox decided that he would (since we were small) put us on his arm together and baptize us as one. All went well until the was bringing us up out of the water – and my sister rolled off of his arm and fell back in! The congregation gasped, and of course, he immediately set me to one side and went back for her! She was fine, but what he thought we be the debut of a “first” – became a definite last double ceremony!

I thank God every day for Johnson Memorial and its beautiful traditions – especially our “safe” baptism ritual.

Quinn Van Nostran

Devotional 1-1-07

The Prodigal Son Revisited
Upon completion of his military service, a young man retuned to his family and the community of his youth with a wife from a different culture. Blending in and reestablishing old relationships proved difficult. Finally he concluded relocation would be in everyone’s best interests. Accordingly, he took his family and moved to a distant state. He promised his parents he would visit often. He did return shortly (alone) to attend his father’s funeral and renewed the promise to his widowed mother.

The years passed and the mother’s health began to fail. Her other children nurtured her and cared for all her needs. She took little note of the love and affection shown by them because her mind was occupied by the other son—the prodigal. He did not call, he did not visit, he did not write! Yet, she cherished each flowery birthday card and each elaborate Christmas card always containing a promise to visit soon. Figuratively speaking, she kept a lamp trimmed and burning in the window as her eyes scanned the horizon for signs of her son’s return.

Finally, the long awaited visit came. He stepped off the bus and greeted his brother. Together, they mounted the steps and went inside to see their mother—at the funeral home. The opportunity for reconciliation and the mending of a broken relationship had been lost.

The beginning of a new year is a good time for all of us to examine our relationships. Has pride or stubbornness caused us to delay mending a relationship with someone? More seriously, is our relationship with God a little frayed? If the answer is “yes” in either or both cases, some self-examination and action may be in order. There is no time like the present—it’s always later than we think.

Anonymous

Devotional 12-31-07

Year's end all
corners of this
floating world, swept.
--Basho (1644-94, Japan)
Well, here we are, the last day of the year. In 2007, I was blessed with the birth of a grandson and heart-broken over the death of an old friend. As I reflect back over the year, I am reminded of those famous words from Ecclesiastes 3, To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die....

Looking back is a good thing but we shouldn't dwell on it. In Luke 9, Jesus told a would-be follower "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." The past is over and done with; we need to move on....with God as our guide.

Here's a poem that's appropriate for New Year's Eve:

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:
"Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown."
And he replied:
"Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God.
That shall be to you better than a light and safer than a known way."

--Minnie Louise Haskins (1875-1957, England)

Anita Gardner Farrell

Devotional 12-30-07

Since Christmas is the season of miracles I would like to share a little miracle story of my own. This is the story of how I came into a relationship with Jesus Christ.

When I was young I would hear about this man named Jesus Christ. This man was turning water into wine, feeding thousands of people with only a few fish and a few loaves of bread, and this man was even bringing people back to life. I began asking myself, how someone can turn water into wine? How can a human possibly raise someone from the dead? I didn’t realize it, but I was slipping away from the one thing that could truly make me happy in life.

When I was in the 6th grade, I participated in 30 Hour Famine. The Youth Group and I didn’t eat for 30 hours to see what it is like to have no food. One of the things we had planned to do was go to a play called The 4th Wall. The play is supposed to help you find Christ. During the play there was a transformation within me. I began to realize that this Jesus was real. During the play I saw people crying. I couldn’t figure out why anyone would be weeping over Jesus. Then my body became completely weak. I realized that I needed Jesus for strength. I needed him to survive. I prayed to God, “Jesus, Come into my heart.” When I spoke those words there was the most amazing feeling in my body. This Supernatural Jesus High made me feel like I was in a completely different world. I began to cry. The tears were pouring off my face just like all of my sins were flowing out of my body.

When we got back to the church, I went into the Chapel to pray. I sat down in the long wooden pew and picked up a bible. I opened up the book and turned to the Book of Matthew. I eventually came to the story of the crucifixion. I had always heard that Jesus died for me, but I never knew about the painful way that he died. While I was reading the story, the mental images were just unbearable for me. I saw my God standing there naked with a crown of thorns on his head, while soldiers were whipping and beating him until he fell to the ground. The sight of the blood running down his face, because of the crown of thorns tearing into his head, was too much for me. They then nailed him to a cross, and he was left hanging on that cross to die. My King of Kings and Lord of Lords shouldn’t be dying like this. I began to cry again, thinking about all of the pain that Jesus must have been going through. The part that was tearing at my heart the most was that Jesus died for me. Jesus Christ died so that I may be forgiven of my sins. I then began to thank God for helping me find My Savior that weekend, and for all of the love that Jesus showed for the entire world.

A few weeks after this experience I had feelings of doubt. I wanted some sign from God that he is real. I went into the sanctuary and sat down in front of the altar. I turned to face the back of the room. My eyes rose up to see the image of Jesus designed into the stained-glass window. I asked him, “Jesus are you real? Did you really rise from the dead after you had died on the cross?” I then began to sing the song “Open the Eyes of my Heart Lord”. As I was singing the song, that Supernatural High came back to me. I stopped singing and the room seemed very still and calm. I was standing on holy ground. I looked back to the stained-glass, and the image of Jesus seemed to come to life. A ghostly white figure of Jesus stepped out of the window and began to walk towards me. He was walking towards me with his arms spread wide as if he were coming to embrace me. The figure disappeared, but I knew what message God was sending me. Every doubt in my mind had vanished. There is no more questioning in my mind. My God is a living God, and He does miraculous things.

Matt Shideler
(a Johnson Memorial youth)

Devotional 12-29-07

In God’s Image
Please read Genesis 1:1-2:4a. How did God create us?

Our scripture lesson for today says that God spoke us into being. With voice, God created us in God’s image. There’s power in words! God imagined us into being.

What does imagine mean? To imagine means to form a mental image. An image is a picture or an imitation. God created us to be an imitation of God. God created us to be a representation of God. God thought us into being, spoke us into being, imagined us. We are a picture of God. You and I look like God. Imagine that!

I love pottery. When I go to arts and crafts fairs, I seek out the potters, and I like to watch them create. Mary recognized how much I like pottery, so one year, she got me lessons in making pottery up at the Museum of Art. I have some cracked earthen vessels to prove it. Maybe someday I’ll take some more lessons.

When you make pottery, you take a lump of clay. Just plain, brownish gray dirt. Nothing special.

The first thing you have to do is called “wedging.” You mix it, knead it, beat it on the table to get all the air bubbles out and make the mixture consistent throughout. Then you throw it on a wheel. That’s what it is called. “You throw a pot.” Creating is tough work. Especially on the clay that gets wedged, thrown, and fired in a kiln.

But when it is finished, it is a beautiful work of art.

The artist will have an image of what it is that she wants to create, and she has the gift to use her wet hands and form the spinning clay into that image. But if you inspect pottery, you will almost always find “imperfections.” Hand-thrown pottery probably hardly ever matches exactly what the artist had in mind. There are variables in the clay, in the speed of the wheel, the pressure of the hand, the glaze, the heat from the kiln…but still, the vessel is useful.

We are compared in scripture to clay in God’s hands, and God is the potter. God has an image for us to live up to. Think about that. We are imagined by God. Created in God’s image.

Do you live the life that God imagined for you?

Jeff Taylor

The Promise
My devotional scripture is Psalm 96.

Now that Christmas is over and all the hustle bustle of the season is behind us…we can now reflect on what Christmas was truly all about and the beginning of a new year. I tend to feel like a deflated balloon after the holidays are over. There is so much excitement and anticipation…especially if you have children or young children in your family. You know what I’m talking about. The air around us is magically charged with this awesome energy. Think about it…I really don’t think the “magic” comes solely from the anticipation of gifts. The magic is all about the ONE we are celebrating! He is on our minds a little more this time of year and He makes the season come alive. So, when the day has come and gone…there’s a feeling of sadness (at least for me there is).

What I found to be so beautiful about this Psalm is it reminds us that we have a new year awaiting us full of promise…“a new song” as David put it. We have a clean slate, a fresh start, a second chance…to get “it” right (no matter what that “it” may be). This puts a smile on my face. Not only does this Psalm remind us to look forward to the new year it reminds us of Christ’s return. Each day is full of promise! God never breaks a promise…and we know that one day He is coming back for us!!! What a wonderful day to look forward to! So…there really is no reason to be sad when you have that promise to look forward to everyday.

Jenny Matthews

Devotional 12-27-07

The Light of Christ Remains
9:2 “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light, to those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light has been shined . . .
9:6 For a child has been born to us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Today is two days after Christmas, the packages have been opened, the mess cleared away, and the left-overs eaten. Now our attention is being drawn forward to the new year. How easily we consider Christmas “over” and move on to new things that occupy or minds. However, when we look outside, the Christmas lights are still glowing. So, lets continue to live in the glow of the Light that came to earth at Christmas.

In the passage above Isaiah described a people walking in deep darkness who saw a great light. He announces that a child has been born to the Jews who would bring light to that darkness. Some believe that Isaiah was speaking of the birth of Hezekiah, one of the great, Godly kings of Judah. But, the same passage is a foretelling of the birth of the Messiah, Jesus the Christ. It was Jesus who brought light to the darkness of the world of his time and ours.

Christ’s coming brought God’s light of love, peace, hope, grace and mercy to all who live in darkness and who give their lives to Christ. As incomprehensible as this seems, it is really very simple. John 3:16 tells us “God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life.” God’s gift of love and grace is offered freely to everyone.

Lets not let the “Light” go out with the taking down of our Christmas decorations. God has entrusted to us His Light so that as we live and work in the world our little piece will be a beacon to others.

Prayer: O God, sometimes darkness seems to overwhelm us. Send the Holy Spirit to help us turn to you so that we can experience the light of your love and grace and take them into all the world. Amen.

Maudie Karickhoff

Devotional 12-26-07

I’ve Lost My Cross

I carry a cross in my pocket. It is not a fancy cross; it is not an expensive cross. But it is a VERY, VERY special cross. It came to me this way; many in the JM family belong to another family whose common link is that they have been on a Walk to Emmaus (see Luke 24). Regardless of where their walk took place, they are now part of the Ashland Area Emmaus Community. My Walk was in Ashland in 2005 and since that time I have had the privilege of serving as part of the team that supports the retreat weekend for new Pilgrims. I was asked to serve for the event this April. When I had committed to the Community that I would help, Kim bought this cross. She carried it and while holding it would pray for me, for the team, for the Pilgrims and for all involved in the Walk. She gave the cross to me, along with its history, as I left for the weekend in Ashland. While there, as a reminder of the Walk and of the information I was responsible for delivering, I gave each person a small silver cross connected by a chain to tiny plastic foot. This symbolized Christian-Action. Because I had the special cross from Kim, I simply attached a foot to the chain of that cross – the one in my pocket. I carry it everywhere, and it is now that my story resumes.

This summer, the youth of JM (along with their leaders) attended a ‘once every four years’ United Methodist Youth event in Greensboro. The Youth ’07 event was called SPLAT (Seek Pray Learn Act Teach). One morning as I was loading my pockets (wallet, keys, spare change, room key, etc) it took only an instant for me to recognize that something was missing. I exclaimed to the room in general, “I’VE LOST MY CROSS.” I knew deep down that iPods, cell phones and Sponge Bob made my declaration rhetorical, but nonetheless I proceeded to tear the room apart in search of my cross. I looked in every drawer, under the beds, around the suitcases – I looked in clothes that I had worn during the journey > I looked in clothes that I had NOT worn. I was desperate. I did find the cross. It was in a very unlikely place. I had inadvertently stashed it in a small pocket of the backpack I carried to and from the event. Wow, what a relief.

In the time following I have veered to the other side of the street to avoid a person that I felt certain might ask me for something I didn’t want to give, I have fussed at fellow drivers for not following “my” rules of the road, I have been less than understanding with my children, WAY less (and more vocal) than understanding with some of my customers, not diligent in my Bible reading … I feel as though I should once again exclaim “I’ve lost my cross. This time it’s the cross given to me by God. The one that teaches me to love and be compassionate, the one that lights my path and shows me the way. I should search as frantically as that Greensboro morning to find this cross. I know that I must strive harder to keep my cross in sight. For in the moments that I am the furthest from God – guess who moved? It’s not the cross that is lost – it is me.

Seek and ye shall find. Knock and it shall be opened.

Steve Matthews

Devotional 12-25-07

The day is finally here…the waiting is over. Our homes are decorated, our hearts have been softened, and we are ready to receive the Christ child. In the midst of our daily lives, we are called to pause on this day to reflect…to think…to imagine.

Think about the newness of a baby…the soft skin…the quiet, gentle noises that the child makes.

Think of the smells of that stable so long ago…the fresh cut hay…the presence of animals. There were visitors that night…the angels that sang…can you hear their Hosannas? The shepherds who wanted so much to see this little boy that they left their sheep, their livelihood there in the field to kneel at his manger.

Think of the innkeeper who without realizing it gave the King of Kings and Lord of Lords the first place on which to lay his head. Think of the Kings who left their land, not really know where they were to go…but these men had faith enough to follow the star.

Imagine yourself in his presence. See Mary, ever so gently holding onto him…rocking him back and forth. Loving eyes looking down on this little child…this miracle in your midst. See Joseph…the new father…staring in awe and wonder at this new child that he will help to raise.

Imagine if you will what it’s like on that evening so long ago. There were no noises of traffic…no real hustle and bustle of the holiday. You have entered a place where it seems that all time is standing still.

Come to that place…return to that place often. Not just on this night, but on nights to follow.

Calm yourself…quiet your thoughts…quiet your heart. Spend time in the Messiah’s midst. Hear his quiet cooing…see the sparkle in his eye.

Quiet your heart…quiet your mind…quiet your soul. This is the day we’ve all been waiting for…it’s finally here.

Rev. Carol McKay

Devotion 12-24-07

Fear Not

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.” Luke 2:10

“Fear not,” the angel said. What is the opposite of fear? While confidence may begin to express it, there has to be a basis for that confidence. Perhaps a better word is trust – and the result…is JOY.

How often we let our fear get the best of us. Afraid of changes in our lives, new situations, or even new people and their strange ways that are not our ways. We let that fear dictate our lives, limiting our possibilities and opportunities. What if the shepherds had listen to their fear and ran away?

But they didn’t. They may have been afraid, but the did not let that fear stop them from hearing the news – the Holy Spirit come down from heaven in a multitude of angels filling the sky with beautiful light!

As advent is winding down and the expectation of Christmas is upon us it is time to notice how our circles of light have multiplied (as with the Advent Wreath), so that what was once a single tiny flicker is now a ring of brightness. If darkness is frightening (a cause of fear), darkness has given way to light!

“Fear not,” the angel says, first thing. For this is the night we are privileged to draw near to the One who is the very Light of the world!

Move forward in faith; the angels point the way.

While shepherds watch their flocks by night,
All seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around.
“Fear not,” said he, for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled mind;
Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind.”

Amy Inghram

Jubilation Remembrance

Getting ready to celebrate,
A birthday of someone we revere.
Salvation for all was His trait,
Yes that time grows near.

Children thinking of the “Claus”,
Of toys and all the sweets.
But all should stop and take a pause,
To remember why our hearts beat.

He was born in a field,
Near a shepherd and his sheep.
Maybe He cried or squealed,
Thoughts of wee Jesus and our souls leap.

Jerome R. Guerrein
© 2007

Devotional 12-23-07

Where you lead me

Scripture: Matthew 1: 18-25; Luke 1: 26-38

“Where you lead me, I will follow. Where you lead me, I’ll give my life away.”

These words from a favorite song of mine speak of faith, a subject I have been thinking a lot about lately. What does it mean to be faithful, to step out in faith? The more I think about it, the more questions I have.

In Hebrews, Chapter 11, Verse 1, faith is defined for us as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Another favorite song describes God as “everything I cannot see...everything I cannot say...you are everything impossible” and tells us that we will find freedom by surrendering. The idea of surrendering myself completely to God’s will makes me nervous. I think some people can do it more easily than others. The writer of Hebrews lists several Biblical giants of faith, including Noah and Abraham who followed God’s lead in very life-changing ways and, as a result, did amazing things, though what they achieved was neither easy nor quick. There are others of us who probably need to take it a step at a time. Jonah comes to mind.

Joseph and Mary, two ordinary people who are the subjects of the scripture passages listed above, took extraordinary leaps of faith when they surrendered their wills, their hopes and dreams to be God’s servants based only on a dream and a visit from an angel. Granted, these unusual events made it very clear to the two of them what God wanted and that He is amazing and in control, but to give up everything you know for an uncertain future and to be responsible for bearing and raising God’s own son? That is surrender, submission, faith beyond what I could imagine, and, of course, it literally changed EVERYTHING.

Most of us will never be called to build an ark, begin a family when our lives are nearly over, part the sea, walk on water, feed large numbers of people with meager resources, or give up our lives to save our brothers and sisters. We are, however, asked by God to step out in faith in many other ways. Look at those in our church who follow God’s leading to teach, preach, work on committees, sing or play music, cook, clean, make others feel welcome or work behind the scenes to keep our church going. They are marvelous examples of faithful and faith-filled people.

I can’t end this without mentioning the profound faith that led a new family into our church who have blessed us richly. Last spring, Bob and Jenny Matthews left behind successful careers, friends and the only life their sons, Nathan and Alex, had ever known to move to Huntington. Let me explain that they were not going to a foreign land - - Bob has family here and spent part of his life in this area. Nonetheless, based on God’s leading, they sold their home and moved here from Virginia not really knowing what was in store for them. They will tell you that God was there at every turn preparing the way, smoothing their paths. Since they returned to this area less than one year ago, Bob and Jenny have joined the church, gone on Emmaus walks, Jenny now sings with the Common Grounds praise team, and she was one of three who preached the sermon on Laity Sunday. Her next venture will be to lead an 11-week religious study in our church despite having had no real teaching experience. She and Bob have a keen sense of God’s will for them and have taken significant steps out of their comfort zones in obedience and service to Him. They and many others in our church are marvelous examples for me, and I hope that, with God’s help, I too will be more comfortable stepping out to do what He asks.

Prayer: Dearest Lord, help us to trust you and believe in you so deeply that we, without reservation, put our hand in yours and agree to follow where you lead. Amen.

Mary Taylor

Devotional 12-22-07

As the Deer Pants for the Water
Psalm 42, Luke 2:8-20, Luke 19:29-34

Two shepherds, young brothers
Sat in the field, keeping watch over their flocks.
The night was lonely,
And even though they had their sheep for company
And each other,
They knew that something was missing.
They yearned for something more.

As a deer longs for the flowing streams
As the deer yearns for water,
Their souls longed for God.
For the living God, to fill their emptiness
They had such a need of their Lord.
They yearned to see him face to face.

The night was cold
The stars were bright.
Suddenly, the heavens were alight with angels,
The glory of the Lord was all around them,
And fear filled their souls.

The angel said,
“Do not be afraid,
I am bringing you good news.
I am sharing with you great joy.
The Messiah is born!”
The angel told them how to find God’s son.
And the heavens were filled with the praise of their song.

The shepherds, young brothers,
Left behind their sheep,
Left behind their doubt,
Left behind their fear,
And went to Bethlehem.

There they found the Lord.
They saw him face to face.
They told everyone what had happened,
And their souls were filled
With the glory of God.
They had had a need of the Lord,
And it had been filled.
They had seen their Lord,
Face to face.

Many years later,
When the baby had become a man
And the shepherds had become men,
The Messiah came to Jerusalem.

Jesus sent two of his disciples
Two of his followers
To a nearby village.
He told them what they would find.
A colt, never been ridden.
He told them what to do,
He told them what to say,
And sent them on their mission.

They found the colt,
Untied it,
And told the questioning owners
As they had been instructed:
“The Lord has need of it.”

The disciples had found the colt,
But they had also found two men,
Who had been changed
When they had met the son
Face to face.

Kim Matthews

Devotional 12-21-07

“More of Him and Less of Me”

John 3:27-30: John responded, “No one can receive a single thing unless it’s given to him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah, but I’ve been sent ahead of Him.’ He who has the bride is the groom. But the groom’s friend, who stands by and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the groom’s voice. So this joy of mine is complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.”

I’m not sure what got me started thinking about verse 30. Maybe it’s the unending media barrage we’re hit with everyday about this person or that group telling us what great and wonderful things “they’ve” done/are doing. Or, maybe it’s something a little closer to home – as in “me” feeling good about “myself” for thinking “I’m” doing a pretty good job at being a Christian, a husband, a father, a son, a brother, a member of the church, etc. Somehow, it always seems to come back around to it being about “us” and what great things “we’ve” done - doesn’t it? John 3:30 reminds me that I all too often forget that any “good” I’ve done or will do in this life is not me… it’s Christ (in me). It also reminds me that I need to keep losing more and more of “me” so I can gain more and more of Him.

The following contains parts of a sermon, “The Improper Balance”, preached by Senior Associate Dean Willie J. Jennings (Duke University) for the 2003 Baccalaureate of Duke Divinity School…….

He must increase, but I must decrease. These words capture the character of the Christian ministry. We who live in service to Christ must interpret our lives through these words. That crucial exegesis of our lives through these words can never end, because God will never bring it to an end. This exegesis is eternal.

There is a truth in John’s words so basic, so terrifying that we often ignore it. What is that truth? God does not share. God does not share our lives with our family, with our friends, with our churches, with our spouse. God does not even share our lives with us. God in Christ seeks to re-pattern our lives so that his voice and his message become our life. There is no balance here. No Christ and me, fifty-fifty, half and half. Failure forms in our life in trying to find a place for the Messiah’s life in our lives. There is no balance, only a holy imbalance.

God has come into this world to do what we cannot do. We must never forget this. We cannot resist the lure of violence as a power that allows us to get our way. We cannot overcome the horror of death. We cannot drive away the despair in peoples’ lives. We cannot transform this world into a beloved community.

John understood this – Christ must increase. We have no power to transform any life. Christ must increase. And increase he shall - God in Jesus has broken the power of death and has taken hold of all creation as the focus of God’s redeeming love.

All that remains is the decrease. The decrease gives us everything. The decrease is not about taking away, but giving away. It is giving Jesus the stage of our lives to do his work. John the Baptist got it just right. The stage must be set (prepare the way) – all that remains is the decrease.

It is not about you or me. It is about Jesus Christ. We preach and live Christ - not ourselves. We prepare the way for him. All that remains is the decrease. And with this decrease, the one sent from the Father will pour out his Spirit on us without measure. With this decrease, God’s restoring and renewing power will be seen in our lives. With the decrease, the Son of God will be exalted and glorified through our lives.

Although this sermon was given to a graduating seminary class, I think it more than applies to us all. Trying to share our lives with Christ won’t work --- we must give our lives to Him totally (a total depletion of self). The key is in the ‘decrease’. It’s what makes room for Christ (i.e., the less there is of us, the more there is of Him). It takes away the “us” which in turn takes away the pride, the boastfulness and the self-conceit. It allows us to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. It allows God free and complete reign to work His will through us. I think that when people see ‘Christ in us’, that’s what they are actually seeing… the part of us that has ‘decreased’ enough to have been filled by Christ. In Philippians 1:21, Paul says “for me, living is Christ….”. And as John H. Jowett says about this verse in his book, “The Friend on the Road” – “what is this but making room for Christ in everything?” As self decreases almost to the point of extinction – that’s when we become complete in Christ.

I think we should all strive to be more like “candles”, as in this passage by “Unlisted”…..

“Look at a candle and how it burns. The more the light shines, the more the candle diminishes. What a beautiful illustration of the believer in Christ! The more he learns of the gospel of Christ, the more precious Christ becomes and the less he thinks of himself. One who is truly the Lord’s, shines forth the light of HIS righteousness, grace, goodness, mercy, forgiveness and truth. In so shining, self does not get bigger and more noticeable --- CHRIST does! The glory is not to self but to HIM.”

A hymn by John H. Jowett from “The Friend on the Road”:

“O Jesus Christ, grow Thou in me,
And all things else recede.”

Bob Matthews

Devotional 12-20-07

"WHY ME?"
When you hear the question asked, "why me?", or ask it of yourself, it's usually because something unpleasant has caused you to bemoan the happening whatever it might be. Some problem may have arisen in your life, perhaps a significant loss of some kind or an unhappy incident, job or financial worries. Whatever it may be you wonder why it had to happen to you.

For quite a while I have asked myself this question, "why me?" but not because of any unhappiness or traumatic incident. Just the opposite in fact. Why have I been so blessed with a happy home and family, a church in which to worship freely, food to eat, shelter, clothing, a job to do, a free country in which to live, so many blessings. I don't have to look very far to see people with problems, ill health, unhappiness, and I wonder "why me?" that I have been spared such.

I had never spoken of this question to anyone until recently when I heard from a friend of mine. As a matter of fact, she was my very first Huntington friend when I came here over fifty years ago. She told me that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and was to undergo a lumpectomy. What a shock.

My friend and I have developed a custom over the years of taking one another to lunch on our respective birthdays. Her birthday was occurring at this time and thankfully not too long after the surgical procedure to remove the malignancy she was feeling well enough for her birthday lunch.

As old friends do we spoke of many things and in discussing her recent surgery she said, "I feel so blessed that everything has turned out well. Why me, when so many other women have been less fortunate." I was amazed that even following upon this trying time in her life she was able to ask why she was so blessed.

What's the answer? I don't know. Why do some lead lives seemingly without great trials and others face huge problems? Perhaps at this happiest of seasons when we celebrate Jesus' birth we can each wonder "why me?". Indeed, "why us" that we are so blessed as to enjoy the birth of our Savior and to know His redeeming grace. I think it is a question that doesn't need an answer, just our love and acceptance of His great gift.

Matthew 1:23 "...they shall call his name Emmanuel, ...God with us".

Count your blessings, Name them one by one,
Count your blessings, See what God has done.
Count your blessings, Name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God has done.

Jean Dean

Devotional 12-19-07

Lectionary Reading: Matthew 8: 14 -17, 28 - 34

These verses in Matthew involve Jesus healing Peter's mother-in-law, driving out demons and healing the sick. Then Jesus went to the Gadarenes region, removed the demons from two men and caused the demons to enter a herd of pigs. The pigs ran into the lake and died. The men who had been healed went into the city and related what had happened. The townspeople went to see Jesus to beg him to leave. They were concerned because Jesus had caused them a large financial loss due to the drowning of the pigs. They were not thinking of the fact that Jesus had taken on the responsibility of others' disorders.

But what does this have to do with a cute little baby born in a barn?

When Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem they had very little. They were not concerned with material wealth but the safety of the baby to be born. The Innkeeper gave them permission to stay in his barn. The shepherds and Wise Men brought gifts to Jesus. They honored Jesus and were blessed by him in return.

From the conception of Jesus, to his birth, life, and crucifixtion there is a common theme. Love and trust one another. Mary trusted what God had told her about the baby she was carrying. Joseph trusted what Mary had told him. They had love for each other and the child. Ths shepherds trusted what the angels revealed to them and did as they were bidden. The Wise Men trusted what was made known to them and did not go back to tell where Jesus was.

No one was concerned with gaining material wealth. The shepherds left their sheep; the Wise Men would surely have been greatly rewarded for telling where Jesus was.

Instead, God, through Jesus, set in motion the lifestyle that we would all do well to follow. Be loving and trusting of others. Care for other's troubles and help as you can. Listen to what Jesus is telling you - about what is truly important in life. What you have is not nearly as important as what you do. We need to do our best to bring the joy that was experienced at the birh of Jesus into the lives of others. We need to trust that Jesus will provide for our needs and is there for us always. Love and trust are more meaningful than any object. The birth of Jesus made it possible for us to have true joy in our lives and to share that joy with others.

Sue Kearns

Devotional 12-19-07

Psalm 61:
Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

The Monday after Thanksgiving in 1970 was a dark and dreary day. I was sitting at my desk looking at list of names. This was supposed to be a special list with surprises beside each name – a list to take as I began my Christmas shopping. Today I could not concentrate on the paper or have the joyous feeling I always have this time of the year. Only two weeks earlier the tragic Marshall University air crash had taken the lives of 75 victims.

Minutes after we heard the devastating news of the plane crash, I received a call to come to Gullickson Hall at Marshall University. I was President of the Marshall Faculty Wives Club at that time. When Phil (my husband) and I arrived, the gymnasium was filled with grieving, hysterical students. Phil helped carry cots from a nearby dormitory for the students, many of whom were receiving medical attention. We stayed until early morning, helping where we were needed, and when we returned a few hours later, I was asked to open the North Parlor of Old Main (remember that room?) The members of the Faculty Wives Club were to provide meals during the evenings, when the MU staff would be working around the clock, and to be present in the North Parlor when family members of the victims arrived. Later that day a member of the club suggested that a fruit basket be sent to each grieving family. I contacted many grocery merchants who generously donated the baskets, which were taken by Marshall representatives to each family who lived in town or were taken by a representative who would be attending an out-of-town funeral. Soon the services were over, but the sorrow and aching remained.

As I sat at my desk that gloomy morning, the telephone rang. A vice-president of Marshall University called with a special request. The owner of the then - Baltimore Colts, a professional football team, had donated a sizeable gift of money to be used to buy Christmas gifts for the 70 children of the victims of the plane crash. Would I buy these gifts for the children, (whose ages ranged from one month to those in their early 30’s)? Of course, I answered, “Yes.” I put down the phone and walked to the center of the room and stood quietly. Tears filled my eyes, and I closed them as I prayed.

“Dear Lord, I want to do this, but I don’t know how. I need your help. Please tell me what I should do.”

As I stood there quietly, a bright light suddenly hit my eyes. In that instant I knew exactly how to go about this new shopping. When I opened my eyes, sunshine was filling the room. I hurried to the phone and called Jean Douglass (whose husband was a Professor in the MU Chemistry Department.) I almost shouted, “We’re going shopping!”

The next morning we headed to downtown Huntington with a list of names and ages. Jean and I were guided with every purchase. As we studied each name, we knew exactly what we wanted for that child, or, if first we saw a gift that we liked, we agreed instantly on the name. We knew we had divine help as we shopped.

On Friday of that week, my living room was filled with the gifts. Each gift was delivered personally by alumni, faculty members or other friends. I never shall lose the memories of that week. Jean and I know God was with us each day, helping us to decide for each child and to see not just a name, but a surprised, happy face. I always will give thanks to Him for his guidance.

We thank you, dear Lord, for being beside us daily. We are at our best when we let you know our needs and let you guide us. Amen

Jean Modlin