A Prayer...

February 10, 2008
Sunday

Precious Lord, as we walk through this season of Lent, sometimes it seems so easy, but other times the challenge appears to be too much. We want to grow closer to you, we want to grow stronger in our faith, we want to study more, to spend more time in prayer, to help those in need, to be a living example of your presence in the world today, but we can’t always do so. We’ve got really good excuses, family, friends, work, church...we know you’ve heard them all.
Help us to look at only one day at a time, to understand that you provide everything we need, and that it’s not so much what we want to do but rather what you would do through us. Help us to find the freedom that comes in loving you. Help us to find the joy that comes with living in your abundance. Help us to find the healing that comes in the restoring power of your grace.
We pray on this day for ourselves, for those whom we know, and for those whom we’ve yet to meet. In the week to come, help us to be aware of the beauty of our Lenten journey, of places where we should stop and admire and the places through which we should keep traveling.
In thanksgiving for all that you give to us, especially your love through Jesus the Christ, we praise your name. You are our awesome God!
AMEN!

“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia”

February 9, 2008
Saturday

Revelation 3:7-13

The first time that we approached one of the seven cities to which God spoke through God’s Revelation to John, I was amazed. Amid all of the activity of a 21st century town was a little area, it looked more like a little park or someone’s back yard, that was fenced off. Here were the remnants of the city of which God proclaimed “you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and not denied my name.”
Though I was on my renewal leave, I offered to read the words that God had given to this town through John. As we stood and listened to the words, the world continued on. It was amazing to be standing on that holy ground. For a while, the world did indeed seem to stop as we focused on Philadelphia, and more importantly God’s Word.
The same is true where we live, if we allow God to do so. Amongst all of the hustle and bustle of our lives—of soccer games to watch, practices to drive to, work to finish, meetings to attend, television shows to watch, if we will stand, or sit, quietly and listen to God’s word, we can find the peace, the quiet, the focus, and the sacred. It has nothing to do with location but rather reception.
On this day, I invite us to take a few moments to listen to the Word of God. To stand or sit on holy ground—that place where God meets us, and to hear God’s words of encouragement and support. Did you know that God loves you? God does!!! How awesome is that!

Walking where Paul would have walked...

February 8, 2008
Friday




The first road we saw (Lystra) where Paul would have walked….





Rather than reading a specified text today, I want to invite you to consider the spiritual road you are on. I invite you to write (very small as there is limited space) the answers to these questions...
Who are the folks who have walked before you on your road?





How have they impacted your faith walk?





Who will walk on your road after you and what have you done to help them on their journey?

We're headed for New Orleans!

On Friday there are five of us headed to New Orleans to work on homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Imagine, it's been 30 months and folks still aren't back in their houses! Some homes look just as they did after the storm first hit. We'll be staying at the former parsonage of the Felicity UMC in the Garden District. We are joining 17 members of the Bath UMC and Brunswick UMC. The folks traveling with me are Lisa Abbott, Tim Dutch, Ken Murphy, and Rita Murphy. I'll be sharing, in addition to my daily devotional, some of what is happening on our journey. Wait until I introduce you to some of our greatest supporters! They are leaders in their community and our nation and they aren't even out of elementary school yet!! How awesome is that. They are living examples of how we should reach out to others...but if I share more now, there won't be a story to tell. They know who they are and will be following us through this blog. You are the best!!!! Talk with you later...

We fly out of Portland at 3:30 on Delta. Pray for a safe journey and calm nerves for some who are traveling...

“3,000 miles????”

February 7, 2008
Thursday

Read Romans 12

“How many miles before we’re done?” I asked. “About 3,000 over the next 12 days” was the answer. That meant many hours of traveling in our van. Some days we’d drive for at least six hours. It was long. However, along the way we’d see something amazing—a mountain range, a tree standing alone in a field, a family sitting outside their simple home. We’d walk on the very road where Paul and others would have walked. At the beginning, the journey seemed almost overwhelming. By the time we arrived in Istanbul, I wished we could have seen more.
This season of Lent is a long one. Today is may seem that Easter is a long, long way off. However, the object of Lent is not the destination, but rather the road to get there. If we have made commitments to fast, to give up something, to begin a spiritual discipline, let us not get caught up in the view that says “How much longer” but rather may we be on the look out for amazing things that we’ll see and experience along the way.
In reference to today’s reading, for most of us, we won’t suddenly be transformed by the renewing of our mind but rather it will be a deliberate and possibly slow process. However, once we get to that point, I believe we’ll want to continue on. With Christ, the tour doesn’t end in one spot but rather we can go as far as God leads us, and we will follow.
Are we ready for the journey? Can we see the beauty along our path? It’s time to look because we’ll get there soon enough!

Words of Wisdom

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise rebuke to a listening ear. Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest are faithful messengers to those who send them; they refresh the spirit of their masters.
-Proverbs 25:11-13 (NRSV)

Dusty old shoe

I received this in the mail and having just finished studying the spiritual discipline of hospitality (which is far more than just saying hello - it is creating a space where all are welcome and can be accepted as themselves) I wanted to put this up today. How many times in our churches do we think we are friendly when in reality we are only kind to those whom we know or fit a certain mold? How many times have we only thought of what we offer to someone else rather than what they offer to us? More importantly, what God gives to us through them!

I showered and shaved.............. I adjusted my tie.

I got there and sat.............. In a pew just in time.

Bowing my head in prayer......... As I closed my eyes.

I saw the shoe of the man next to me..... Touching my own. I sighed.

With plenty of room on either side...... I thought,

'Why must our soles touch?'

It bothered me, his shoe touching mine... But it didn't bother him much.

A prayer began: 'Our Father'............. I thought, 'This man with the shoes.. has no pride.

They're dusty, worn, and scratched. Even worse, there are holes on the side!'

'Thank You for blessings,' the prayer went on.

The shoe man said............... a quiet 'Amen.'

I tried to focus on the prayer....... But my thoughts were on his shoes again

Aren't we supposed to look our best.. When walking through that door?

'Well, this certainly isn't it,' I thought, Glancing toward the floor.

Then the prayer was ended............ And the songs of praise began.

The shoe man was certainly loud...... Sounding proud as he sang.

His voice lifted the rafters......... His hands were raised high.

The Lord could surely hear.. The shoe man's voice from the sky.

It was time for the offering......... And what I threw in was steep.

I watched as the shoe man reached.... Into his pockets so deep.

I saw what was pulled out............ What the shoe man put in.

Then I heard a soft 'clink' . as when silver hits tin.

The sermon really bored me......... To tears, and that's no lie

It was the same for the shoe man..... For tears fell from his eyes.

At the end of the service........ As is the custom here

We must greet new visitors.. And show them all good cheer.

But I felt moved somehow............ And wanted to meet the shoe man

So after the closing prayer.......... I reached over and shook his hand.

He was old and his skin was dark..... And his hair was truly a mess

But I thanked him for coming........ For being our guest.

He said, 'My names' Charlie.......... I'm glad to meet you, my friend.'

There were tears in his eyes......... But he had a large, wide grin

'Let me explain,' he said........... Wiping tears from his eyes.

'I've been coming here for months.... And you're the first to say 'Hi.''

'I know that my appearance.........'Is not like all the rest

'But I really do try.................'To always look my best.'

'I always clean and polish my shoes..'Before my very long walk.

'But by the time I get here.........'They're dirty and dusty, like chalk.'

My heart filled with pain............ and I swallowed to hide my tears

As he continued to apologize......... For daring to sit so near.

He said, 'When I get here...........'I know I must look a sight.

'But I thought if I could touch you..'Then maybe our souls might unite.'

I was silent for a moment............ Knowing whatever was said

Would pale in comparison... I spoke from my heart, not my head.

'Oh, you've touched me,' I said......'And taught me, in part;

'That the best of anyone............'Is what is found in his heart.'

The rest, I thought,................. This shoe man will never know.

Like just how thankful I really am... That his dirty old shoe touched my soul.

"The Beginning of the Journey"

February 6, 2008
Ash Wednesday
Read Acts 2:1-12

We boarded the plane in Portland, ME and headed for a part of the world we had never seen. Based on what we thought we knew, we would be joining a large group and together we would explore the country of Turkey. I figured we’d meet people from all over the United States who had the one common goal of following in Paul’s footsteps.

When we finally arrived, tired and grungy, we were met by our guide who informed us that there would only be five people on the entire tour! “What does this mean?” I asked. What if we don’t get along with someone? The whole trip could be wrecked!

As we begin our journey through the Lenten season, we may be arriving exhausted, hungry, or grungy. We may think we know what the season will reveal to us and we may even think we know all the folks with whom we will journey. However, there may be other plans in store for us.

Lisa and I learned that we needed to be open to possibilities. Maybe having only five folks would be a good thing. Maybe God had a plan for the five of us. God had brought us to this point and so we needed to trust that God would take care of us.

As we go forth on our spiritual journey, may we be open to possibilities. May we be willing to journey with whomever God places around us. It may not be whom we expect but it may be the perfect person or persons for us today.

We may not know what it all means but I assure you, God does!

A Lenten Devotional based on our journey to Turkey

Good Morning!
As part of the Lilly Foundation Renewal Leave Grant, I agreed, as part of a study discipline, to provide a Lenten devotional for the church.
Since that time I have been thinking a great deal about what to do. How should it be shaped? From where do I pull the scripture verses? What should I write about? After much prayer, I decided to base the whole devotional on the journey that Lisa and I took to Turkey as part of the leave. While the trip lasted only seventeen days, its impact will be with me for the rest of my life. That is what I want, and hope, to share with y’all over these next few weeks.
As for the shape, this devotion will take two distinctly different ones. The first place to read it will be daily on my blog at www.servinginmaine.blogspot.com. The second will be in a weekly supplement to be included in the worship bulletin.
As for content, some days it might just be a picture, or a story, or a prayer, or a thought. There might be a short prayer or maybe it’ll be just one big prayer. The scripture texts will be pulled from Paul as well as the Revelation of John. My goal is to allow the Spirit to create the devotional with me serving as the secretary.
Any and all comments are welcome. May God bless all of us in this experience as we journey to walk, not just in the footsteps of Paul, but also on our personal spiritual path with Jesus.

It all starts tomorrow!

Deserter or Disciple

From Oswald Chambers "My Utmost for His Highest" for December 29th. Something to consider...

Deserter or Disciple?
"From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more" (John 6:66).
When God, by His Spirit through His Word, gives you a clear vision of His will, you must "walk in the light" of that vision (1 John 1:7). Even though your mind and soul may be thrilled by it, if you don’t "walk in the light" of it you will sink to a level of bondage never envisioned by our Lord. Mentally disobeying the "heavenly vision" (Acts 26:19) will make you a slave to ideas and views that are completely foreign to Jesus Christ. Don’t look at someone else and say, "Well, if he can have those views and prosper, why can’t I?" You have to "walk in the light" of the vision that has been given to you. Don’t compare yourself with others or judge them—that is between God and them. When you find that one of your favorite and strongly held views clashes with the "heavenly vision," do not begin to debate it. If you do, a sense of property and personal right will emerge in you—things on which Jesus placed no value. He was against these things as being the root of everything foreign to Himself—"… for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses" (Luke 12:15). If we don’t see and understand this, it is because we are ignoring the underlying principles of our Lord’s teaching.
Our tendency is to lie back and bask in the memory of the wonderful experience we had when God revealed His will to us. But if a New Testament standard is revealed to us by the light of God, and we don’t try to measure up, or even feel inclined to do so, then we begin to backslide. It means your conscience does not respond to the truth. You can never be the same after the unveiling of a truth. That moment marks you as one who either continues on with even more devotion as a disciple of Jesus Christ, or as one who turns to go back as a deserter.

Yes, I am back and will try to write more consistently...