"SHEMA ... HEAR!" (Day 4. Deuteronomy 6)

Day 4. Deuteronomy 6.  Broad Street UMC / Statesville, NC chapter-a-day reading

In a recent sermon, Dr. Ken Broman-Fulks, Sr. Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in High Point, NC, quoted the words, “Prepare the child for the road, not the road for the child.”

Life has its potholes. How will children cope if the road has always been prepared for them? Shema (“hear”), is the first word of the most important prayer in Judaism and is found in our chapter-a-day reading for today. SHEMA… HEAR, O Israel: The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. SHEMA… HEAR. Keep these words in your heart. Recite them to your children. Talk about them with your children wherever you might be, whenever you can. Bind them to your hand, in your mind, and in your home. SHEMA … HEAR. “Prepare the child for the road, not the road for the child” by telling them of the LORD our God, the LORD alone.

"If Only ..." (Deuteronomy 5)

Day 3. Deuteronomy 5 is the reading from Broad Street UMC/Statesville, NC's Chapter-A-Day Bible reading.

IF ONLY. Yes, that is what the LORD said. The LORD said to Moses, “If only they had such a mind as this, to fear me and to keep all my commandments always, so that it might go well with them and with their children forever!”

Too often, we read the 10 Commandments in a check-off manner. On a scale of 1-10, how good am I (or how bad am I)? IF ONLY … if only we would see that when the LORD our God says, “You shall have no other gods before me,” the other commandments will fall into place as a means to a relationship with the one God. IF ONLY we would see that this one and only God, in placing these commandments before us, is removing the stumbling blocks that turn our eyes and hearts from his Holy Presence. There is joy in knowing that.

As you read Deuteronomy 5, know that these words are not from an oppressive god but from the One who IS love.

"Take Up Your Ministry With Courage" (Day 2 ... Exodus 1)

Day 2 from the Broad Street UMC/Statesville, NC Chapter-A-Day Bible reading is Exodus 1.

A pastor and friend of mine sends out the congregation of the church where he serves with a benediction each Sunday that includes the words “Take up your ministry with courage.” As I read today’s Bible chapter selection, I can’t help but think of these words. Shiphrah and Puah, the Hebrew midwives, took up their tasks with courage.

It wasn’t easy for the task that these women were given to do became the PLAN B of the king of Egypt. Kill all Hebrew male babies. Unbeknownst to the king, Shiphrah and Puah chose not to become a part of the king’s PLAN B. They chose to stand in the ever-lasting Covenant between God and Abraham and in the Presence of God Almighty.

Shiphrah and Puah, and their courage to silently refuse to become active participants in this powerful king’s PLAN B, is a reminder to us all that we too can stand and act with courage in the midst of a Plan A, B, or C that is not of God. When standing in this world where an agenda becomes PLAN A, fear becomes PLAN B, or power becomes PLAN C, may we remember God’s promises and presence … may we too take up our ministry with courage.

"In the Beginning ... God's Lavish Love" (Genesis 1-2:3 Day 1 reading)

Welcome to the fourth month of Broad Street UMC’s Chapter-A-Day Bible reading! During the month of December, I will be offering the introduction reflections to the day's chapter-a-day selections that have been chosen by Dr. Mary John Dye, Sr. Pastor of Broad Street UMC in Statesville, NC

Day 1.     Genesis 1-2:3

If you haven’t noticed in your previous readings of these scriptures, Genesis 1-2:3 is beautiful poetry that tells of Creation, beginning with the very breath of God Almighty sweeping over the face of the waters. Each moment of Creation sustains the next. Slowly read these words aloud. Out of darkness and chaos, we step into the daylight of God’s Presence and Love. The story of Creation and Sabbath is just the beginning of the Bible’s account of God’s lavish love for all of creation, including God’s lavish love for each one of us. Perhaps once we read the chapter today, we should break into song. “For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies, for the love which from our birth over and around us lies; LORD of all to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise!”