True Confessions

Pastor's Weekly Devotion
August 26, 2009
"True Confessions" Rev. Craig Duke Rev. Duke is the Senior Pastor at Hillside United Methodist Church in Princeton, Indiana. Hillside United Methodist Church Online Hillside Welcome Meet Our Staff Hillside History Hillside Calendar Hillside Ministries	The Weekly Devotion 1 John 1:9 (New International Version) 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. "True Confessions" As I came into my office in between services, I saw a sticky note on my desk with the message, "call Maurice Drinks" with a phone number. I recognized the phone number as being one of the hotels here in town. When I receive such calls on a Sunday it is usually someone who is passing through town and needs a place to stay or help with a bill. Because of this assumption I decided to let it ride until Monday. Many times, the person never calls back because they move on or get tired of waiting and find someone else to help. Not this time. I got a call Monday morning at the house. It was Maurice. He mentioned that no one had called him back. I felt sheepish knowing that I had ignored his call. He shared that he was trying to get to the edge of town and needed a ride. He was to check out of the hotel by 11:00am. I told him I would check into the ride share program to see if it would go beyond the county line. He shared that he would make some more calls. The ride share program does not go beyond the county line. Maurice called back. He still needed a ride. God wanted me to pick this guy up, it was obvious. So I did. As we drove to Oakland City I got to know Maurice. He had told me he was tall and intimidating and he was not lying. With my front seat all the way back his knees were still sticking up pretty high. He was in his 60's, African American with graying hair on his temples. He'd done time in jail during his drinking days. He had once claimed Islam as his faith. He was still married to the same woman after 33 years and heading back to her after making some life changes. We talked of faith, religion and frustration with the system. When we arrived at Oakland City I was going to let him out and he shared that he was going to go to another church so they might drive him further. I slowed down but knew the small church would be less likely to help. So we drove all the way to Huntingburg where we parted ways. I almost missed it...the opportunity to be God's servant, to befriend a traveler, to pass the time with another of God's children. I confess that my selfishness and tiredness led me the wrong direction but God brought me back. "Thanks Maurice, for being persistent in seeking my help." I always feel better after a good confession. Sharing in Faith, Rev. Craig W. Duke

Contact Info
	Senior Pastor	Rev. Craig Duke	(812) 385-2910	revcraig@hillsideemail.com
	Office Administrator	Brenda Witt	(812) 385-2910	brenda@hillsideemail.com
	Choir Director	Sandy Nixon		sandy@hillsideemail.com
	Pianist	Debbie Ford		debbie@hillsideemail.com
	Preschool Director	Chiyona Bourne	(812) 385-2910	chiyona@hillsideemail.com
	Worship Coordinator	Linda Duke	(812) 385-2910	linda@hillsideemail.com

Open Doors

Pastor's Weekly Devotion
August 19, 2009
"Open Doors" Rev. Craig Duke Rev. Duke is the Senior Pastor at Hillside United Methodist Church in Princeton, Indiana. Hillside United Methodist Church Online Hillside Welcome Meet Our Staff Hillside History Hillside Calendar Hillside Ministries	The Weekly Devotion Colossians 4:2-4 (New International Version) 2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. "Open Doors" It was the first day of preschool and I wandered over from my side of the building to the preschool class to meet the kids. Towering over these little 4 and 5 year old bodies, I went to an empty tiny chair and sat down. Immediately, kids started to come over. They were drawn to the largest kid in the class. "Wanna see my lunch box?" said one boy. "I have a lunch box too," said another and went off to fetch it. "Look, it has Spider Man on it. Wanna see inside? I have a sandwich. Wanna see?" He then proceeded to open his sandwich container and show me the 2 pieces of crust-less bread with peanut butter and jelly in the middle. "I have a new shirt," said a girl. "Look at my shoes," said another. Keep in mind that I had not asked one question upon entering their domain. My only words were, "Hi boys and girls, I'm pastor Craig." From that simple statement I received lots of information from them. I looked to the table next to me where two little girls were engrossed in their giant lego's building project. "What are you building?" I asked. "A castle for princesses." "It's beautiful," I remarked. "Where do the princesses sleep?" "Right here in a princess bed," she said with indignation as if to say, "you dummy, where else would a princess sleep?" This could have gone on all morning. The children were more than willing to open the door to their world, to give me the keys to their kingdom, to include me in their community of friends and adventures. All I had to say was, "hello." Jesus told us to be like them. Now I know why. They are not afraid of new things, they embrace them. They go to others before others come to them. Paul tells us in Colossians that if we are faithful to sharing Christ with others then God will open doors for us. There is nothing more inviting than an open door. There is nothing more accepting than the welcome and unconditional love of children. If the church is to grow and invade the surrounding community with love, then it first must practice open door ministry. We must love unconditionally and invite others to join us as soon as we hear, "hello." Today, I invite you to open the door to your office, your house, your classroom your heart. It is amazing who God will send to walk through. Sharing in Faith, Rev. Craig W. Duke

Contact Info
	Senior Pastor	Rev. Craig Duke	(812) 385-2910	revcraig@hillsideemail.com
	Office Administrator	Brenda Witt	(812) 385-2910	brenda@hillsideemail.com
	Choir Director	Sandy Nixon		sandy@hillsideemail.com
	Pianist	Debbie Ford		debbie@hillsideemail.com
	Preschool Director	Chiyona Bourne	(812) 385-2910	chiyona@hillsideemail.com
	Worship Coordinator	Linda Duke	(812) 385-2910	linda@hillsideemail.com

Legions of Angels

Pastor's Weekly Devotion
AUGUST 12, 2009
"LEGIONS OF ANGELS" Rev. Craig Duke Rev. Duke is the Senior Pastor at Hillside United Methodist Church in Princeton, Indiana. Hillside United Methodist Church Online Hillside Welcome Meet Our Staff Hillside History Hillside Calendar Hillside Ministries	The Weekly Devotion Matthew 26:50-54 (New International Version) 50Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for." Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 52"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?" "LEGIONS OF ANGELS" As the teachers prepare their rooms with posters and colors and pencils and pens they are not alone. In the corner, by the blackboard, just under the video projector, behind the desk around the doorway...they are there. As students fill their backpacks, lay out their clothes, worry about friends, memorize locker combinations, pray for acceptance and lament sitting in class...they are there. As parents wash clothes, buy supplies, gather lunch money, worry about book fees, get concerned over the newness, lament getting up early, fear the unknown, pray for their children's protection...they are there. As administrators sit in meetings about new strategies, discuss policy, plan for parent concerns, lament escalating costs, vision for a better education...they are there. They, are the legions of angels. They hover in the halls, they soar in the skies, they stand by our side, they sail through the office, they float through the building, they sit in the car they guard by our bed they watch in the night they flock to our aid. We are not alone. As school begins and anxiety rises we must remember that we are not alone. Jesus knew this. When they came to arrest him he reminded the Roman soldiers of this. The soldiers were powerless against the forces of God but Jesus gave himself willingly for us. And standing next to Christ ready to take action at any moment were the mighty angels of God just waiting for their orders from the Lord. But Jesus had them stand down that he might save the world with himself. The angels still are among us awaiting orders from God from our prayers. Know that they are there and we are not alone. From the moment my daughter leaves the house until she is safely back in my arms I entrust her care to the Legions of Angels whose commander is Christ. I trust, I believe, I have faith. Today, when you feel most lonely look around and see if you don't catch a glimpse of one of the legions who have come to be with you. Sharing in Faith, Rev. Craig W. Duke

Contact Info
	Senior Pastor	Rev. Craig Duke	(812) 385-2910	revcraig@hillsideemail.com
	Office Administrator	Brenda Witt	(812) 385-2910	brenda@hillsideemail.com
	Choir Director	Sandy Nixon		sandy@hillsideemail.com
	Pianist	Debbie Ford		debbie@hillsideemail.com
	Preschool Director	Chiyona Bourne	(812) 385-2910	chiyona@hillsideemail.com
	Worship Coordinator	Linda Duke	(812) 385-2910	linda@hillsideemail.com

Compromises

Pastor's Weekly Devotion
August 5, 2009
"Compromises" Rev. Craig Duke Rev. Duke is the Senior Pastor at Hillside United Methodist Church in Princeton, Indiana. Hillside United Methodist Church Online Hillside Welcome Meet Our Staff Hillside History Hillside Calendar Hillside Ministries	The Weekly Devotion "Compromises" I had been to the small farmer's market downtown on Saturday. I was excited to get some fresh produce to enjoy during the remaining summer days. I took my bounty home and was anxious to put the cantaloupe in the refrigerator so it would be nice and cold by dinner time. I opened the door to the fridge and discovered that the place I had planned to place my fruit was full...of nail polish! That's right, taking up a large portion of the shelf were small bottles, all the color of the rainbow, of fingernail polish. Now I consider myself to be a reasonable man but this was above and beyond reason. "Why," I inquired of my daughter, "is there nail polish in my refrigerator?" She simply replied, "Dad, it makes the nail polish stick better if it's cold. Mom said it was okay." This is one of many compromises a man must make if he is to be a successful father and husband. My razor is often hidden beneath hair brushes and skin cleansers. There are fluffy things all over my "man cave" that do not enhance my masculinity or testosterone level. I trip over stuffed animals and dolls and I think I remember once finding a finger nail file in my tool belt! Why? You ask. It's all in the name of love. If I didn't love the women in my household it would be a different issue. Besides, they would share with you how I clutter up the place with my stuff, how I leave whiskers in the sink, how I leave my underwear lying around. When we live under one roof, compromise is the name of the game. The church is like that, when we have so many people worshipping under one roof, sharing the same space then compromise is the name of the game. The world is like that, with so many people sharing the same planet, food, and resources compromise is the name of the game. That's Jesus point in Matthew 5: 42 when he said, "Live generously." (The Message Version) Today I invite you to do just that. Live generously with those around you and remember to compromise to maximize the love of God. Sharing in Faith, Rev. Craig W. Duke

Contact Info
	Senior Pastor	Rev. Craig Duke	(812) 385-2910	revcraig@hillsideemail.com
	Office Administrator	Brenda Witt	(812) 385-2910	brenda@hillsideemail.com
	Choir Director	Sandy Nixon		sandy@hillsideemail.com
	Pianist	Debbie Ford		debbie@hillsideemail.com
	Preschool Director	Chiyona Bourne	(812) 385-2910	chiyona@hillsideemail.com
	Worship Coordinator	Linda Duke	(812) 385-2910	linda@hillsideemail.com