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Meditation for Tuesday,  Nov. 6, 2007
Connect, Transform, Serve  

by Barb Reuteler   Service area: Missions, Prayer chain, Quilting group

Matt. 25:35 For I was hungry, and you gave me food: I was thirsty, and you gave me drink: I was a stranger and ye took me in:

A Meditation on Prayer:   Many years ago, as I neared the end of my Nursing education I spent a lot of time in prayer and meditation, seeking God’s guidance and direction for my future.

One day as I was praying I had a wonderful when the presence of God filled that room as a bright light that was most intense in the center as I looked up at it. There was a feeling of warmth and knowledge that this was God and He was calling me in a certain direction. I knew without a doubt what God was saying and calling me to do. I had no doubt of it as I went on that journey into the future, even though it meant leaving all and following Him to a far off place.

My life since then has been an incredible journey. I have had many opportunities and experiences but I cannot say I have always felt God’s presence with me. There have been long periods of time when I thought He had abandoned me, even thought I tried to search for Him and experience His presence.

It took a long time for me to realize that I was looking for that experience again, that I had when he called me to be a missionary. Since that realization I can look back over my life and see that God has always been with me, but not in the way I wanted. He knew that I would need a very vivid knowledge of His call if I were to leave ALL and follow Him, and along the way He knew what was best for me. He provided those needs: a person to give a word of advice or reassurance at the right time; a family who took me into there home in a time of need; a friend when I felt alone, and when we moved to Colorado in a time of new beginnings he showed me this church and many wonderful people who have been a part of my journey. I have been able to minister to some and many have ministered to me.

We are in ministry together, and we can thank God for all the times He shows us His way. His way may be different to what we were expecting but when we are open to His call he can use us as His hands and feet in this world, in ministry for Him and all of His people around the world.

Prayer:

Lord God. Thank you for your presence with us on our journey through life. Help us to know that there are many ways that you talk to us, and many things that You call us to do, if we will only listen. Help us to walk with you in willingness to help others, to be Your hands and Your feet in this world. Amen

Thought: Thank you God for all the angels You have put in my path along life’s journey.

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Wed.  Nov. 7, 2007
Connect/Transform/Serve devotion by Tom Bayer

A PERSONAL CONFESSION

Slithering through the dark back alleys and byways of sin, and exploring the slimy underbelly of life, it is easy to be tempted into a life of pleasure. I know. You can easily fool yourself that your secret is safe and that no one is watching. That secret life, however, may eventually bring you serious punishments to remind you of God’s impatience with sin. When God has had enough, he can abruptly let you know that you have been watched and that you have one chance left to get it right. One chance. What a blessing that is . . . to see the light, to see where faith can take you. To make amends; to open communications and build anew . . . trust, love and hope.

To repent and seek redemption, and embrace God with an abiding faith helps open the door. But once opened, I’ve found that we have to push it open to walk the rocky road ahead. And from there, Love is what enables you to emerge from the abyss and into God’s light. The journey is difficult. It requires dedication, faith and devotion to becoming a Disciple. Through Smoky Hill United Methodist Church, I have found the door of connection and have begun the transformation we all seek. One of the transforming tools is service, which for me has been participation on the church’s Finance and Care Teams, in marketing and PR support efforts and in joining others on the path to Discipleship.

I CONNECTED, I AM TRANSFORMING AND SERVING

LIFE IS GOOD

Tom Bayer

Heavenly Father . . . thank you. Thank you so much for your love through which we can find the path to becoming whole, honest, and loving. Help us avoid getting lost in the wilderness, and for those lost in the forest, help us to find your haven on the other side. Amen

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Thursday  Nov. 8th  

Daily devotion by Darlene Buglovsky -  active SH United Methodist Woman,  Disciple Bible participant,  past Cradle Care team member and leader,  Women’s Fall Retreat leadership team

Scripture: James 1: 17-18

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created."  

Reflection

Isn't it nice to have the gift of friendship and know that you can count of these people no matter what?  I feel I am blessed with many friends from Smoky Hill and one of the ways I have made these friends is through the Women's Retreat every year.  No matter what the program of the retreat, just living with other people all weekend just becomes a joy while we laugh, we cry (a lot when Marti picks the songs), and we worship together.

By just attending the retreat we are connecting to each other and to God simply by coming together in worship and prayer.  Sometimes we work in large groups and sometimes in small groups where we can share our deepest feelings and needs.  This year we all experienced what the Parable of the Seeds meant to us by silently working our way through a Reflection Garden and then sharing.  The whole program this year was on Blooming in Faith and Friendship.

While at the retreat, I feel we are transformed both in making new friendships and in increasing our faith and friendship with God.  By the time we come home on Sunday, I think I can speak for all who attend, that we have grown in discipleship.  It seems like living with someone for a weekend brings out all those unspoken doubts and we grow together.

Being on the planning committee each year is a lot of work and fun, but I enjoy serving God in this way.  Being able to provide this growth experience for all the women is a very rewarding feeling.  I'm sure that after a retreat many women go home eager to serve God and the church in new and exciting ways, or simply continue serving where are.  After this retreat, we would call this "Bloom Where You Are Planted"! 

Prayer:

Dear God, Thank you for the many friends we have within in the church, and help us to connect to you and each other, grow to be mature followers of Christ, and continue serving God with our prayers, our gifts and our service.  Amen.

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