Welcome to the JCPC Daily Reflections Blog. Reflections are daily devotionals authored by JCPC pastors, staff and members and provide insight, guidance and comfort to help you make it through each day. If you’d like to receive Reflections each day via email, provide your email address.
Ellen opened her mailbox and discovered a bulky envelope with her dear friend’s return address. Just a few days prior, she’d shared a relational struggle with that friend.
Curious, she unwrapped the package and found a colorful beaded necklace on a simple jute string. Attached was a card with a company’s slogan, “Say It in Morse Code,” and words translating the necklace’s hidden and wise message, “Seek God’s Ways.” Ellen smiled as she fastened it around her neck.
The book of Proverbs is a compilation of wise sayings—many penned by Solomon, who was acclaimed as the wisest man of his era (1 Kings 10:23). Its thirty-one chapters call the reader to listen to wisdom and avoid folly, starting with the core message of Proverbs 1:7: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” Wisdom—knowing what to do when—comes from honoring God by seeking His ways. In the introductory verses, we read, “Listen when your father corrects you. Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck” (vv. 8–9 NLT).
Ellen’s friend had directed her to the Source of the wisdom she needed: Seek God’s ways. Her gift focused Ellen’s attention on where to discover the help she needed.
When we honor God and seek His ways, we’ll receive the wisdom we need for all the matters we face in life. Each and every one.
Prayer for Today
God, remind me that You’re the Source of the wisdom I need. Amen.
John Sowers in his book Fatherless Generation writes that “No generation has seen as much voluntary father absence as this one with 25 million kids growing up in single-parent homes.” In my own experience, if I’d bumped into my father on the street, I wouldn’t have known him. My parents were divorced when I was very young, and all the photos of my dad were burned. So for years I felt fatherless. Then at age thirteen, I heard the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9–13) and said to myself, You may not have an earthly father, but now you have God as your heavenly Father.
In Matthew 6:9 we’re taught to pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” Previously verse 7 says not to “keep on babbling” when praying, and we may wonder how these verses are connected. I realized that because God remembers, we don’t need to repeat. He truly understands, so we don’t need to explain. He has a compassionate heart, so we don’t need to be uncertain of His goodness. And because He knows the end from the beginning, we know His timing is perfect.
Because God is our Father, we don’t need to use “many words” (v. 7) to move Him. Through prayer, we’re talking with a Father who loves and cares for us and made us His children through Jesus.
Prayer for Today
Dear heavenly Father, thank You for making me Your child and for being a Father that welcomes me into Your presence through prayer. Amen.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
-Isaiah 41:10
We have all had difficult moments in our lives. The Pandemic stressed the fiber of our society and our relationships with others. It is at these moments that we can be reassured that God is there for us.
On a recent family vacation to St. Simons Island with my family, I received a greater understanding of John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church. Born in England and a student at Oxford, John was the son of an Anglican Minister and followed in his footsteps. In his 20’s he decided to go to America to evangelize and minister to others in the colonies. He landed in Savannah and began ministering to the “primitive Christianity”, challenging him with hardships. He attempted to mission to Indians, but he felt they “would recruit me”.
When his brother fell ill, he spent time in Frederica, a British colony on St. Simons, taking over duties of his brother while maintaining his responsibilities in Savannah. His stay was controversial, as he fell in love with a woman who rebuked him for another. He got embroiled in court proceedings for not serving her communion. A mess, he slipped out of Frederica one night and returned to England.
When he returned, a somewhat failure, he nevertheless felt a new “spirit” within him. His difficult recent past had invigorated him and would soon form the Methodist Societies, which became the Methodist Church. Wesley used those difficult times to feel the presence of God and steal him for his future.
Prayer for Today
Dear Lord, thank you for being there, when we have difficult times, to support us. We know that you are there for us, answering our prayers and providing you guiding wisdom. Amen.
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
-Psalm 43:5 NIV
For those of you that have been coming to either the drive-in or the indoor service, you might have heard one of the Psalms sung during the Prelude. Heidi and I have been incorporating Psalms into the Prelude almost every week, usually following the lectionary. And we’ve found some really good, and also really crazy, stuff in the Psalms. The blood of goats (Psalm 50), lusty eagles (Psalm 103), and dead bodies given as meat to the birds (Psalm 79). Yikes!!
This Sunday, to go along with the scripture and Brian’s sermon, we chose Psalm 43 to sing, as it is one of many Psalms about hope. It’s quite short, at only 5 verses, but I think this last verse really captures a truly human emotion well. I’m sure you’ve found yourself with a heavy, downcast soul, or a pained and disturbed heart. It’s something we all have to deal with in life.
What’s so great about this Psalm is how the psalmist speaks not to the reader, but to his (or her) own soul directly. “Put your hope in God.” When I’ve been troubled with a heavy heart, I don’t think I’ve ever literally commanded my heart to trust God. Instead, I usually dwell on the pain for too long and mope about. Unfortunately, pain doesn’t just disappear, even if we have the right attitude and take healthy steps to work through the pain.
You may have heard the phrase “fake it til you make it”. I’ve heard it in reference to psychology, but I think the concept can actually work for us in our relationship with God, too. When our hearts are heavy or when we feel distant from God, perhaps we can “fake it” - that is, do just as the psalmist says and praise God, even if you don’t feel like it. When we reach out to God, even in our doubt and despair, God is there to save us. That’s why he’s our savior, after all! If we are to truly call ourselves Christians, then we have to believe that God can and will save us in our time of need.
Prayer for Today
Light of the World, thank you for your saving mercy. Help us to turn to you in times of despair, and fill our hearts and minds with joyful praise for all the many blessings of this life. Continue to shine in the darkness of our lives and our world. Amen.
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.“
-I Samuel 16:7
In my experience, it’s easy for others to judge us quickly and for the things they most dislike. It’s easy for us to do the same. A person can exist in our mind as the sum of the things we observe them doing that upset, disappoint, or frustrate us. It’s been said that in our minds, strangers are a collection of their worst attributes and behaviors, while our loved ones and selves are a collection of the best we care to remember. This can be especially true of teenagers. They’re collectively written off, ignored, or avoided because of their mistakes and learning moments over their accomplishments and sacrifice.
At Montreat, a short time ago, another adult leader and I shared a small group of eleven new kids who’d never met one another. Each of us had one youth in the group from our own church. His was a young man he’d agreed to buddy up with for the week, a boy with special needs who struggled to interact with his peers. The other girl of note sort of frustrated us. She didn’t engage much. She didn’t appear to share interests with these other church kids and put on an air of haughtiness and popularity. It was just enough that I admittedly stopped trying very hard to engage her because it was exhausting and she wasn’t my own youth kid. I put my head down and focused on the kids who seemed to need attention more.
Only a day later, I was sitting with the young man with special needs. We were all making friendship bracelets from long colorful string. He was struggling to get a start and asked for help. This girl got up from her seat and walked straight to him. She knelt by him and gently explained the process, guided his hands, and didn’t take over for him. I figured she’d sit again. Instead, she stayed with him 10 more minutes, abandoning her own work and softly asking him which string would go next and praising his progress. The other leader and I watched her transform in front of us from the girl who seemed not to care about anything but beaches and tans into a teacher with gifts and a sincere presence. As we left, we told her what a special gift she had just given that boy, probably her most important 10 minutes at this conference. She smiled sheepishly and seemed to really understand that.
This week, I hope you’ll take a second look at someone who needs you to see their best. Maybe it’s even a teenager. Maybe your own. Maybe a spouse or a parent or a coworker. And maybe, if we are gentle and compassionate this week, others will see us with new eyes too.
Prayer for Today
Lord, make me slow enough and wide-eyes and willing to see your goodness in others. And make me kind and compassionate so others see your goodness in me too. Amen.
When Joni Eareckson Tada returned home after suffering a swimming accident that left her a quadriplegic, her life was vastly different. Now doorways were too narrow for her wheelchair and sinks were too high. Someone had to feed her, until she decided to relearn how to feed herself. Lifting the special spoon to her mouth from her arm splint the first time, she felt humiliated as she smeared applesauce on her clothes. But she pressed on. As she says, “My secret was learning to lean on Jesus and say, ‘Oh God, help me with this!’ ” Today she manages a spoon very well.
Joni says her confinement made her look at another captive—the apostle Paul, who was imprisoned in a Roman jail—and his letter to the Philippians. Joni strives for what Paul achieved: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (Philippians 4:11). Note that Paul had to learn to be at peace; he wasn’t naturally peaceful. How did he find contentment? Through trusting in Christ: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (v. 13).
We all face different challenges throughout our days; and we all can look to Jesus moment by moment for help, strength, and peace. He will help us to hold back from snapping at our loved ones; He will give us the courage to do the next hard thing. Look to Him and find contentment.
Prayer for Today
Saving Christ, thank You for giving me courage and hope. When I feel weak, help me to find strength in You. Amen.
God loves you in the morning sun and the evening rain, without caution or regret.
-Brennan Manning
Love enters the world of its own accord, for its own reasons. And love is always accompanied by light. That is, love always illuminates the space it occupies. Watch now for love to enlighten your world. Look to see what new understanding is yours in the presence of love. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love.
-John 15:9-10a
It’s a lifelong process of accepting God’s unconditional love each day. In a world that is filled with parameters, conditions and cautions, God loves us through it all.
God teaches us through commandments, the lives of prophets and disciples and Jesus, ultimately to show the best way for us to live.
It's better for us to love our enemies than to hate them. It's better to tell the truth than to lie. It's better to take a day of rest each week than to work without stopping. God knows that when we live by these commandments, we are not only living in the way that better for us, we are living in a way that allows us to experience God’s love more deeply. What are some ways that you have experienced God’s love more deeply recently?
Prayer for Today
God, you have called us to live in ways that at times seem difficult to do. Remind us each day that as we live in the way you have instructed, we are moving closer and closer to you. Make our joy complete, O God. In Christ’s Name, Amen.
As Clerk of the Session, I am supposed to keep church members informed of what happened at the last month’s Session meeting. I try not to include the routine housekeeping type items related to the operation of the church, but rather attempt to transmit the “Flavor of the Session” and any important decisions or items of interest which you need to be made aware off. Some of the items your Elders and staff have accomplished and guided this month include:
First and most important is JCPC is returning to normal operation. We are not quite there yet, but with our weekly estimate of 175 persons attending one of our three services it is a good start to “Worship is the most important thing we do.”
Next, our facility has reopened for our member and community groups. Boy Scouts, AA Groups, Preschool Summer camp weeks, VBS, Adult Sunday School, Bible study groups, prayer groups, knitting groups, all are back happening or scheduled on campus. Fall Men’s and Women’s retreat dates are set. The Fine Arts Academy is gearing up. If you are vaccinated come and join in. Many of these groups are exploring hybrid zoom and in-person meetings so there are options for the vaccine hesitant.
“Not for us Alone” continues to drive our mission work. This month the session approved a near $10,000 payment for monetary support of our local mission partners.
Rev. Brian Daoust reported that Montreat was a great success and well-attended. Participants are deeply grateful to the people and families who provided meals and support. The guidelines made them feel very safe and it was wonderful to return to something so close to normal. Also, we are immensely proud of our kids who were in the Variety Show.
Rev. Brian Daoust additionally reported that JCPC’s annual Mission Week was also a real blessing. From Blood drive to SMART Lunches, to Hands of Christ Landscaping, to cleanup and help at Dream Weavers, and the mural for Good Samaritan Healthcare Clinic, volunteers were enthusiastic and generous with their time, and the mission partners were deeply grateful.
With recent video equipment upgrades, the technology team and staff are transitioning from prerecorded to live streaming worship. So, if you watch the worship service from home, it will now be available at the 11:00 AM service time. Our 9:30 AM drive-in service remains an option and with the in the car FM radio streaming, everyone can listen to the music and sermon at your own volume choice!
Finally, items to remember- Sunday August 29th at 10:00 AM there will be a welcome back to worship concert by Tim Miller who is well known for his Sunday Brave’s game 7th inning performances. He will also participate in the 11:00 AM worship service that day. Then in September we begin the Soles for Souls shoe drive. Please save your gently used shoes for donation to this mission. Plans for men’s and women’s fall retreats are near complete. Watch for updates.
The Session members and JCPC staff are working hard to make JCPC a safe and welcoming place where all can worship and grow in their Christian faith. Interested in joining one of our teams or just volunteering your time? Then let me know and I will put you in touch with a team leader.
This Sunday, our opening hymn is O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing, written by Charles Wesley.
Wesley rote this hymn on the year anniversary of the renewal of his Christian faith. According to Wikipedia, (one of the founts of knowledge on the internet), he was suffering from a bout of pleurisy in May of 1738, and he was plagued by extreme doubts about his faith. One day he was attended by a group of Christians who offered him testimony and basic care, and was deeply affected by this. (All of you caregivers out there, take note: your efforts are never in vain and can have far-reaching impacts on those who receive your care...)
One year after this renewal, Wesley was compelled to write a hymn of 18 stanzas... our hymnal retains 5 of those (short) stanzas, and we'll sing all 5 of those (really short stanzas) in worship this Sunday.
O for a thousand tongues to sing
my dear Redeemer's praise,
The glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of God's grace!
The name of Jesus charms our fears,
and bids our sorrows cease,
Sings music in the sinner's ears,
brings life, and health, and peace.
Christ speaks, and listening to his voice
new life the dead receive;
The mournful waken to rejoice;
the poor in heart believe.
My gracious Master and my God,
assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad
the honors of thy name.
To God all glory, praise, and love
be now and ever given
By saints below and saints above,
the church in earth and heaven.
Now, speaking of the caregiving topic, come to worship this Sunday (in-person, online, or drive-in) to hear about how we can care for one another in the church! It all starts with a loaded two verses of scripture:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God.
-2 Corinthians 1:3-4
I look forward to seeing you Sunday!!
Prayer for Today
Lord God, give us hearts of compassion to console our brothers and sisters who are in any affliction. In your son's holy name we pray. Amen.
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
-Philippians 4:13
Last week at the youth conference, the pastor mentioned several young people who responded to the needs in their communities by creating solutions and organizations. This included a grade schooler who formed a nonprofit to feed hungry kids in his town. That young boy said, “we prefer kid volunteers. They don’t know what’s impossible.” They prefer kids because they see a need and don’t stop to think of excuses or even consider whether it’s possible to help.
What if we learned a lesson from these kids? What if we shared their confidence that problems can be fixed and our imaginations and wills cannot be stopped? What if the God of the universe said that’s exactly how it works... when we have God’s call to serve and God’s help to do it? Because that is not hypothetical. That’s Truth. Our scripture doesn’t indicate we can do what we want. The full book reminds us to align our priorities and our hearts to serving the least of these to the glory of God. And when we do... we have backup so extraordinary we cannot be stopped or divided.
Friends, that’s a mighty promise. Last week was Mission Week here. We responded to the call of need in our community with resources and volunteer hours. Many of you learned about a new way to serve. From Blood drive to SMART Lunches, to Hands of Christ Landscaping, to cleanup and help at Dream Weavers, and the mural for Good Samaritan Healthcare Clinic, volunteers were enthusiastic and generous with their time, and the mission partners were deeply grateful. The Church is called to mighty work and promised mighty strength and love to accomplish it. Thank you for answering the call!
Prayer for Today
Lord, turn my heart to your call and send me with your Spirit to fulfill it. Amen.
