Devotional 3-31-14

As a child in the  40's I grew up with my Dad gardening and harvesting. In the spring he would plant lettuce and onions and we would have wilted lettuce made with bacon grease from the pork we had. We had strawberries  and gooseberries  too. Later he would plant green beans, corn, carrots, tomatoes, radishes, beets and potatoes, white ones and sweet ones too. He even grew peanuts too that he roasted  in the oven for us. My Mom would harvest the things that he grew and can them for us to live on in the winter

In the fall my Dad would start to save seeds for the next spring. He would gather them and dry them and make sure they would be good seed for the next years planting. Did all the seed produce for the next year? Of  coarse not. But my Dad knew that and he allowed for the difference knowing that not all seed are a like and therefore you make allowance for the difference.

Is that not what God does with us? He made us to grow and he wants us to harvest and  allow for the seed that may not grow the way we want it to. My Dad knew that not all seed are the same. Therefor you accept the fact and know that your harvest will be the same.

Jean Ramsey

Devotional 3-28-14

John 9: 1-41 Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind

35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”  36 “Who is he sir?”  the man asked, “Tell me so that I may believe in him.”  37 Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”  38 Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.  39 Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”  40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What?  Are we blind too?”  41 Jesus said, “if you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin: but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”

Spiritual blindness is a condition that afflicts many of us today!  Just like the Pharisees in the scripture lesson, we have a tendency to view our world in traditional, legalistic and sometimes a self-justifying manner.  All through Scripture blindness is used to represent the spiritual inability to see God’s word.  Jesus reminds us that we have lived in darkness but through him we can see his grace, love, joy and know his true peace!

Do you have a few spiritual “blind spots”?  I know I do.  There are many times when I fail to do God’s will.  I do not see the many gifts and blessings bestowed on me yet quickly call out to God when I am in need.  I hope you will use this Lenten season to get a “spiritual vision” check.  Once you come to understand that Jesus is the light of the world then you see your spiritual walk in a new way and will be reminded again of this saying:

No God Know God

No Peace Know Peace

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, we thank you for the light you sent for us.  Help us to correct our spirit when we stumble due to being blind to your word and your work.  Help us to see you every day as we live our lives to service in you.  Through your Son, Jesus Christ, all things are possible!  Amen

Marv Jones

Devotional 3-26-14

The leader God chooses is not “in the box”  

Key Verse:  1 Samuel 16:7   “Man looks at outward appearances, but the Lord looks at the heart”

At God’s direction, Samuel set out to Bethlehem, looking to anoint a new king of Israel.  This king would be one who was obedient to God’s word and not swayed by a desire for popularity.  God sent Samuel to Jesse’s household.

Jesse had fathered eight sons, exceptional young men who were handsome, brave, good warriors; figures who literally stood tall above other men.  Surely, thought Samuel as he encountered them in person, one of them was destined to be anointed the new king of Israel.  Yet, as Jesse presented seven (7) of his sons to Samuel, none were suitable to YAHWEH.

God’s choice was David, the youngest and smallest of all the brothers.  He wasn’t even present with the rest of the family, but out in the fields, tending sheep.  Some might call him the “runt of the litter”; he was physically described as “healthy” and “fine boned.”  He was an unpretentious shepherd.  David spent all of his time not as a leader of people, but out in the wild.  His best friends were sheep whom he kept out of harm’s way. He protected the family’s herd of sheep from predators like wolves and even bear with little more than his wits and a stick.

All of Samuel’s preconceived notions about who “is” or “is not” leadership material failed to measure up to God’s expectations.  Samuel was looking “in the box” as it were, the traditional, culturally appropriate approach to finding leadership. God’s choice was made not on outward appearances, but on the innermost thoughts of David’s heart.   God chose one who was “outside the box,” not one of the “beautiful people,” not the typical power broker’s “mover and shaker,” not what most of us would look for in a leader.   God opted for one who showed he was faithful, trustworthy, and obedient even though his task was considered menial and anything but glamorous.  In God’s eyes, though, David’s love for his sheep and willingness to fight to the death for them was credential enough for God.

Perhaps the lesson for us is that we seek God in the wrong places.  Just as the disciples looked for Jesus in the empty tomb after his resurrection, we, too, sometimes look for God in godless places. We seek solace in the “traditional” trappings and wrappings of society, like success and adulation. We hunger for things that leave us spiritually bereft.  We fill our hours with “white noise” instead of seeking a true quiet that opens us to the peace and presence of God.

“Let us listen carefully to God’s call and not mistake the voices of compulsions or guilt or fads or our training for God’s voice”,  Mission:  the Small Church Reaches Out, by A. Papas & S. Planting, ©1993, Judson Press.

Prayer: God, help us to re-direct our lives towards you.  Help us to filter out the competing noises from your voice, so that we hear and recognize only your voice.  Open our eyes so that we see and understand your will for us.  Help us to walk in the light of your goodness.  Amen.

Dorothy Turner-Lacy

Devotional 3-24-14

March 24, 2013

Believing is Seeing

Please read John 9:1-41

Today’s gospel passage deals with a man born blind, a beggar Jesus encounters in the streets of Jerusalem. As he often does, John uses a foolish question to set the scene for Jesus’ teaching: “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (9:2). Physical impairments were, and are, often seen as God’s judgment for an individual’s sin. By the end of the story it is the man born blind who can see and the others who are blind. Jesus teaches that seeing is about believing.

We are all born blind. Our ideologies and our vision are shaped and molded by the belief systems of our families, our culture, our religious institutions, and our political systems. We come to believe so deeply our own traditions that they filter what we see…and what we fail to see. We can be blind to our own faults and the faults of our nation, our family, or our church. We can be blind to any sense of justice or righteousness that is outside our own narrow interests.

Much as we like to sneer and snarl at the Pharisees and ridicule their inability to see Jesus for who he was, don’t the Pharisees represent us? They are upset because the healing took place on the Sabbath. Then they didn’t believe the man was really healed so they interrogated him, then his parents. Their belief systems were challenged. Their customs and traditions were confronted by something new and different. Frustrated by the man’s claims, they threw him out of the Temple. “You were born entirely in sins, and are trying to teach us?” (9:34). Because they did not believe, they did not see.

Often, we get so entrenched in our beliefs and fixed in our interpretation of reality, we are unable to see the truth. For example, we believe so strongly in our nation and its founding democratic principles that we fail, or we refuse, to see the poverty and injustice that exists in our country. Because we do not believe, we do not see.

Jesus challenged the belief systems of religious leaders in his day, and he continues to do so today. May we believe, so that we can see.

Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.*

*Clara H. Scott, “Open My Eyes, That I May See” (No. 454) in The United Methodist Hymnal (Nashville, Tennessee: The United Methodist Publishing House, 1989).

Jeff Taylor

Devotional 3-23-14

John 4:27-42

In the Gospel of John, three different women make significant confessions about Jesus.

In the garden of the resurrection (John 20), Mary Magdalene recognizes the risen Jesus. She runs to tell the disciples the good news.

Just before Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead in John 11, the dead man’s sister, Martha, confesses that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God.

And in today’s text, the Samaritan woman, who gives Jesus a drink of water, runs to tell others what he said and did.

In her excitement, she poses the question,

“He cannot be the Messiah, can he?”

You bet he can!

Others went to hear Jesus because the Samaritan woman challenged them to “Come and see.” That invitation is at the heart of evangelism. We ask others to come and see because,  at the invitation of someone, we once went and saw. What we saw—and still see—is the one who gives the water of life. He cannot be the Messiah, can he? What do you think?

Giver of the water of life, we ask you to fill us so that we will never be thirsty again. Help us to spread the good news by asking others to come, see and drink.

Amen

Are You Thirsty Yet!

Jim Perry

Devotional 3-22-14

John 4:5-26

The Gospel of John contains a number of significant conversations. At one point Jesus talks about his being the light of the world; another time he speaks about being the bread of life. Toward the end of his life, Jesus converses with Pilate about truth. Today’s conversation takes place near the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, and it is about thirst and water. Remember the story of thirst and water with which we began this week?

On one level, the conversation here is between two outsiders, a Samaritan woman and Jesus, who is keeping a low profile. It seems the Pharisees are out to get him because of his upsetting word and witness. On one level, the odd couple in this story are talking about common thirst and cool water. But these are deep waters. They are really talking about a spring of water that gushes up to eternal life. Listen to what these two are saying. And take a deep swallow.

Holy God, creator of light and giver of goodness, you give us water to drink so that we will never be thirsty. Help us drink deeply and embolden us to share that water for any and all who are thirsty.

Amen

Yours In Christ Jesus,

Jim Perry

Devotional 3-21-14

Romans 5:1-11

Access is something that concerns many of us much of the time. People want to have access to good jobs and a comfortable style of living. Others strive to have access to positions of power or prestige, ease or happiness.

Whenever we try to Google something, we hope to gain access to the answers to life’s persistent questions.  Paul in today’s text declares that we have obtained access to grace because we are justified by faith and have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

This latter claim is deep theology. Yet it is a comforting word to the lonely and distressed. It is uplifting to know we have access to grace and to God. It is also a challenge to see if God has access to us. We often boast of our own merits or status. But Paul points out that we should really boast of our sufferings, because suffering leads to endurance and character, which in turn leads to hope that does not disappoint. Talk about access!

Forbid it, Lord, that we should boast, save in the death of Christ our God. All the vain things that charm us most, we sacrifice them to his blood.

Amen

Peace and Grace Through Christ our Lord.

Jim Perry

Devotional 3-19-14

Please read John 4:5-42

In this passage, Jesus meets a Samaritan woman.  Samaritans were, to Jews, outsiders--outcasts, different, marginalized by society.  As a Jew, Jesus could have ignored this woman, but he did not.  Jesus does not treat this woman as a second-class citizen.  Instead, he speaks with her, invites her to return to him at the well, and even reveals himself to her. This theme of God’s concern for those considered to be outsiders is seen time and again throughout the Bible.  Widows, orphans, foreigners--God’s laws call for the care of these people who otherwise may not be cared for: leave some food in your garden for the hungry; don’t over-tax the poor; the good news is for Gentiles.

Take a moment to consider who in our modern society is a “Samaritan.” Who amongst us is marginalized and outcast in our present day?  The potential list is endless.  Many who come to mind include the unemployed, the homeless, LGBT persons, foreigners struggling to learn our language and customs, the uneducated, those with an unsavory background, criminals, the disabled, the underdressed or unconnected, those who are bullied and even those who inflict the bullying. How can you take the lesson of this parable and put it into action in your everyday life?

In John 4, Jesus tells his disciples the “fields are ripe for harvesting…I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor.”  For what are we laboring?  What are we preparing for the reapers who will come after us?  Are we sowing seeds of love, justice, and acceptance among those overlooked by society?  Do we treat all graciously so the reapers of tomorrow will find a generation made to feel included in the Kingdom of God, or do we cast others aside, letting each fend for themselves even in the face of adversity?

Allow this season of Lent to be used for God’s labor.  Make it your time for seeking out, welcoming, and serving those on the edges.  Let us welcome those who have been excluded and turned away, who need to know and feel they belong in the Kingdom.

Loving God, lead us in ministry to those in the margins.  Fill us with your mercy and grace, that we may be merciful and gracious. Amen.

Marcia Canterbury

Devotional 3-17-14

The Power of Prayer

Last Fall my husband, Steve and I took a 45th anniversary trip that included two days in Israel. To say that it was a profound experience would be an understatement. For me, one of the most moving sites was the Western Wall. It is the outer retaining wall of the Temple whose destruction Jesus predicted. It is all that is left of the Temple which was destroyed in 70 AD. For generations it was known as the Wailing Wall. It became the Jews' holiest place of prayer--the closest they were allowed to get to the site of the sacred Temple. As I made my way to the women’s side (yes, it’s divided), I felt a sense of reverence. But nothing prepared me for what I felt when I put my hand on the wall to pray. The wall moved! It felt like it was alive as it vibrated under my hand. Wondering if I had imagined this, I asked a friend if she had also felt it. Yes, she felt it too. (The men's side was too crowded for our husbands to actually touch the wall.) It wasn’t until I was home that I realized that what made the wall move was so many people praying softly. The Jewish people, unlike us, were praying softly out loud. At first I was disappointed to have a physical reason for the wall moving. But the more I thought about it, the more it seemed like a wonderful metaphor for the power of prayer.

Margaret Williams

Devotional 3-14-14

Read: Matthew 4, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 1:80

Have you ever taken a walk in the woods, hiked the Appalachian Trail or just spent time alone? There is something  each of these activities has in common; quiet time, time to think, to talk and listen to God.

Jesus was guided to do exactly this after he had been baptized by John the Baptist. The spirit lead him to the wilderness to talk and listen to what God had to say to him.  Then Satan tried to tempt Jesus and woo him away from his heavenly Father.  But Jesus would not be tempted.

Now,  I have never hiked the Appalachian Trail, but I have walked in the woods and spent time alone. And I can tell you that being alone can affect you in several ways; joy at what you see in the beauty of creation, give you confidence in yourself and time to think without distraction.  Now there may be a down side such as:  loneliness, doubt and depression.  But all that would disappear by talking and listening to God. Open your heart to him, confess your weaknesses and allow him to guide you through the rest of your life,  Isn’t that exactly what Jesus did!

So during this Lent find time to spend with God.

Have a Blessed Lent

Fred Herr

Devotional 3-12-14

Today’s devotional is a special request - from me to you, for this Lenten season.    

How long has it been since you took the time to sit down and just be silent and listen? You, by yourself, with nothing turned on – no TV, no music, no computer, no phone.  Total silence.   How hard is that for you to do?

In a world that is so full of every kind of noise possible, living in a society that never stops and demands constant motion, finding the time to just sit and be still is a tall order for most of us.  I’ve got too much to do.  There’s not enough time to get it all done. I’ve just got to keep on moving.

When you finish reading this devotional, please stop for just five minutes. Sit and be quiet.  God speaks to us in so many ways all the time, but to feel the presence of God and to hear that still small voice of God is so important and so nurturing.

Remember.  “Be still, and know that I am God.”  Psalm 46:10

Rev. Suzanne Ellis

Devotional 3-10-14

John 3:1-17

John 3:16   For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  (New International Version)

Sometimes, I see the 'John 3:16' written out and shown in public places, especially at sporting events.

It is a well known verse summing up God's message to the human race.  Some people want the world to know about God's love through His Son.

What a blessing it is to know of eternal life.  This is especially so with the earthly death of my youngest sister Peggy recently.  It is a warming feeling knowing of eternal life and that I will one day be with her again.  Not only Peggy, but our parents and other loved ones, along with our Lord and Savior.  What a blessing!

I, too, want you and the whole human race of this world, to know of eternal life.

Pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for your Son. Thank you for your Son to follow during this life and to follow into eternal life.  Use me to show others the way to eternal life.  I ask in your Son's name.   Amen

Remember also: Matthew 9:38 (pray for the harvesters)

Kay Lewis

Devotional 2-7-14

I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. --Psalms 32:8

The last two years I've participated in the Love Your Guts 5K Memorial Run* at Barboursville Park. (Don't be too impressed. I don't make any attempt at running, just happily walk in the back of the pack with the likes of Brad Lesher and try not to be last). One of the perks of a 5K, besides getting some needed exercise in the great outdoor and contributing to a worthy cause, is adding to your cache of T-shirts. On the back of last year's Love Your Guts T-shirt were these words:

Follow Me

...Jesus

Mark 1:17

As I was on the home stretch, I started noticing those words (on all the people who were passing me!). We all know Jesus said "Follow me," when he was calling his disciples. But I thought, what if instead of ..., there was a comma, so it would read, Follow me, Jesus. Follow me, Jesus. Pursue me. Chase me down if necessary. Stay right there behind me, guide my steps, pick me up when I fall, set me back on the path when I've strayed. Follow me, Jesus.

Anita Gardner Farrell

*This event is held in memorial of Sarah Beth Napier who lost a valiant fight to breast cancer. She was a person who loved Jesus Christ with her whole heart and wanted to help others enter into a relationship as well. All the proceeds from this race will benefit local churches and other faith based organizations in discipling youth and helping to further outreach in their ministry area. Learn more about Sarah's journey at www.loveyourguts.com This year's event will be May 17.

Devotional 3-6-14

Psalm 26; Matthew 6:1-6

As I write this, my belly is full of pancakes and sausage from the JM Shrove Tuesday Mardi Gras supper that raised funds for "Music at Johnson Memorial."  Today is an interesting transition day in a profound transition week.  Two days ago, we celebrated a transfiguring brightness of Jesus when God made it clear once again that God took pleasure in claiming Jesus as the beloved son.  The day itself signaled the transition from the glory of the mountaintop to the call of Jesus to follow him to the work of discipleship in the valley.  And of course, Transfiguration Sunday marks the transition between and the contrast of bidding farewell to Epiphany and greeting the arrival of Lent.  Tonight, we gorged on pancakes preparing for tomorrow's ashes of penitence.

In morning prayer today, I mused on the contrast of the almost boastful praise of God in Psalm 26 with the private prayer observed in the Matthew 6 text for Ash Wednesday.  Are we boldly and publicly to observe that we have walked with integrity and have proven our steadfast love of God?  Or are we to beware of practicing our piety openly before others?  How do we align a public witness to our faith with Jesus' caution to go to our private places and to pray in secret?

You are probably already a step ahead of me.  We can, and should, do both.  We are called to live our faith publicly not to be boastful but to create an atmosphere of invitation for others to want what we have -- a loving relationship with God and our neighbors.  There really is no quarrel between these two texts. 

Ash Wednesday reminds us of our mortality and calls us to a penitential season of reflection of our lives.  How do we measure up with the calling to live publicly what we say we believe?  Do we spend time in authentic conversation with God - not putting on an arrogant display but having a genuine dialog with God?

Holy Lord, loving God:  we begin our Lenten journey observing your desires that we serve you with honesty and integrity.  Enable us to reflect upon our lives and to see how we align ourselves with your calling for us to love you and to love our neighbors.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

Rev. Jack Lipphardt

Devotional 2-5-14

David's Plea
(based on Psalm 51)

Please, father, have mercy.
I know you love me;
May you remember your love
You compassion,
And forget my sin.

I pray your love will be so large
That it will wash away my sins,
As huge as they are.
I know I have sinned.
I know I have disappointed you.
My sins are like a pile of garbage,
Impossible to miss.

I know I have disappointed you,
Done what you have told me was wrong.
You have every right to shine a light on my wrongdoings,
And to judge my faults.

I can't remember a time when I didn't sin.
My mistakes, my faults and my selfishness
Have been with me forever.

Transform me, Father.
Make me clean, from the inside out.
I have faith that you, and you alone,
Can take away the darkness in my soul.
I long to hear joy and gladness.
My crushed spirit begs to feel happiness.

Make my sins invisible,
And hide my wrongdoings.
Recreate me, God,
So that my heart beats for you,
And my spirit can fly on your wings.

Do not send me away from you,
I would die without your Holy Spirit.
Restore in me the joy of my salvation.
I have lost faith that you can save me
As I stand in the shadow of my sin.

If you can help me, Father,
I will have the courage to teach others of your glory.
I will have the means to convince others
Of your goodness.
I will sing your praises forever.

If I knew another way, dear God,
I would do it.
If forgiveness were in my power,
I would reach for it.
It lies only with you, God
I pray you will accept my repentance.
I pray you will find gladness in saving me.
My only hope is that you will forgive me.

Kim Matthews