Wednesday, November 25, 2009

A Piece of Cake

  Pastor's Weekly Devotion
November 25, 2009

Rev. Craig Duke
Rev. Craig Duke
Rev. Duke is the Senior Pastor at Hillside United Methodist Church in Princeton, Indiana.
Hillside United Methodist Church Online
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The Weekly Devotion
Psalm 36:7-10 (New International Version)

7 How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find [a] refuge in the shadow of your wings.

8 They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights.

9 For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.

10 Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.

"A Piece of Cake"
Slowly they walked along in a circle. On the floor were brightly colored pieces of paper with a large number on each one. As long as the music continued to play the children kept on walking, carefully stepping from one paper to the next. Once the music stopped, each child made sure he/she was standing on one of the numbers. They all looked to the adult who was reaching into a paper sack and who pulled out a small slip of paper. The he would call out, "Number 7!" There would be an immediate screech of delight as the child ran to the table to receive his/her prize... a homemade cake. The Cake Walk was the most popular event, by far, at our church's Fall Festival Celebration. More popular than ring toss, giant inflatibles, apple bobbing, basketball shoot and face painting. Although the children certainly enjoyed all of the other activities, they kept returning to the Cake Walk which was always full.

And why not? Who doesn't like cake? Cake symbolizes party, fun, celebration and reward. These kids were in hopes of receiving some of the abundance.

Sharing in Faith,

Rev. Craig W. Duke

Contact Info
Senior Pastor
Rev. Craig Duke
(812) 385-2910
Office Administrator
Brenda Witt
(812) 385-2910
Choir Director
Sandy Nixon
Pianist
Debbie Ford
Preschool Director
Julie Goedde
(812) 385-2910
Worship Coordinator
Linda Duke
(812) 385-2910


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Wednesday, November 18, 2009

In Good Company

eekly Devotion
November 18, 2009

Rev. Craig Duke
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
Genesis 5:21-27 (New International Version)

21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. 22 And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.

25 When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he became the father of Lamech. 26 And after he became the father of Lamech, Methuselah lived 782 years and had other sons and daughters. 27 Altogether, Methuselah lived 969 years, and then he died.

"In Good Company"
The first words I heard on the morning of my 50th birthday was, "Happy Birthday Dad, you ol' fart." My 11 year old daughter had been waiting weeks to give her line. She had rehearsed it for some time and now the day was here. Ol' Fart is not exactly an enduring term. The literal words refer to the lingering odor of a passed bodily gas. It would seem that the term would refer to that which is pungent, moldy and unwelcome to the senses. But, in its vernacular use by my daughter, it simply means; the ranks of the fuddy duddies. I was also given the gift of a cap to wear. It supposedly befits my elderly status. I have to admit that it is comfortable and will come in handy on cold days. When I first put it on my daughter said, "You look just like Grandpa!" I made sure to wear it when I drove her to school the next day with the ear flaps down. And so it goes. We humans like to take jabs at one another when we reach those hallmark ages. It's all done in good fun. Unfortunately, some folks have trouble with aging. It really bugs them. I'm not one of them and here's why.

I am in good company. My aging simply means that I am getting closer each day to determining what God has in store for me now! I am coming along side those who in their "old age" served God very well. I am about to become even more useful to God. Look at Enoch who was having kids at age 65 and lived to be 365. His son, Methuselah, lived to be 969! Moses didn't go into the ministry until he was 80 and still put in 40 more years. Now, I don't plan to hit the 900 year mark, but I do plan to give it my all until my all is gone. Turning 50 is a reminder of the many blessings I have had and still have. For 50 years God has guided, prodded and carried me. On my birthday, I give thanks to Him. Today, celebrate your age as a blessing from God.

Sharing in Faith,

Rev. Craig W. Duke

Contact Info
Senior Pastor
Rev. Craig Duke
(812) 385-2910
Office Administrator
Brenda Witt
(812) 385-2910
Choir Director
Sandy Nixon
Pianist
Debbie Ford
Preschool Director
Julie Goedde
(812) 385-2910
Worship Coordinator
Linda Duke
(812) 385-2910


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Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Remember Them Today

  Pastor's Weekly Devotion
November 11, 2009

Rev. Craig Duke
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
Joshua 6:20 (New International Version)

20 When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city.

"Remember Them Today"
Before Moses died he anointed Joshua as his successor. I found it easy over the years to forget just what that meant for young Joshua. He was not to be a great prophet, or to receive the next 10 commandments. Joshua became the "general" of an army. His job was to go into the promise land and conquer it for God's people. In short, he was a soldier. He fought many battles. He killed many men and he took many cities such as the one in our passage today; Jericho. He was at the front line swinging away. After a lifetime of fighting, he retired as a veteran of war. He was laid to rest at the age of 110. As we remember Joshua today, let us also remember more recent veterans. I read in the newspaper this past week that our veterans of WWI are dying at a rate of 1000 a day. The youngest of these vets are in their 80's. They gave all they had for the cause of freedom and now the time is too soon coming when there will be no living survivors. We must remember them today.

I have a rifle in my basement. It sets against the wall in a corner behind some boxes. When my parents moved from their home in Indiana to their home in Florida, the rifle was taken from about the mantle over our fireplace and given to me. It's my Dad's. When he was a young man in the Navy at the end of the war his ship pulled into Tokyo. There were stacks and stacks of captured weapons. Dad and all of the other sailors were invited to take one. It is a reminder to me still of a time when my father was not at home with a family. It is a reminder of a time when he was put in harm's way. It is a reminder that my Dad is a veteran of a time when war was far too common and captivated a nation with rationing, and sacrifice and funerals. We must remember them today.

I despise war but admire the men and women who fight for their country. Today we also remember the men and women of Fort Hood in Texas who, just last week, were preparing to deploy to the place of war when a gunman, one of their own, shot and killed twelve soldiers. When the injured were interviewed about the event and how they helped one another during the tragedy they replied, "It's what any soldier would do." We must remember them today.

Sharing in Faith,

Rev. Craig W. Duke

Contact Info
Senior Pastor
Rev. Craig Duke
(812) 385-2910
Office Administrator
Brenda Witt
(812) 385-2910
Choir Director
Sandy Nixon
Pianist
Debbie Ford
Preschool Director
Julie Goedde
(812) 385-2910
Worship Coordinator
Linda Duke
(812) 385-2910


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Wednesday, November 4, 2009

The Gift of Knocking



Pastor's Weekly Devotion

November 03, 2009

Rev. Craig Duke
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
Revelation 3:20 (New International Version)

20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.


"The Gift of Knocking"
I live on the corner of one of the most popular streets in Princeton on Halloween. Spruce street becomes over populated with hundreds of families dressed in costumes anticipating the big haul of candy from many generous neighbors. Many, like me, decorate their homes and lawns with spooky ooky creatures and sound effects. Porch lights are proudly turned on as if to say, "Please come here!" At each well lit home the costumed children come carrying their buckets and bags in anticipation of something sweet. Over 300 come to my house, knock on the door and when opened they shout, "Trick-or-Treat" and hold out their bucket or bag fully expecting a reward. You know what? They get it. Their just reward for being brave enough to knock on the door is the sweet taste of chocolate, licorice and candy. They say thank you and head off to the next stop. After all, they received their gift from knocking. I have received the gift of their joy by simply opening up the door.

Jesus desires that we receive the gift of his knocking. Today's scripture tells us that Jesus stands at the door of our heart knocking. He promises that if we open the door then he will come in and "eat with us." This is the hospitality that was expected of biblical people. If someone came to your door, you invited them in. We have become so weary of those that come to our door that we open it just a crack to see who is there or peer through the window and decide to pretend that we are not home. But this is Jesus knocking on our heart with his unconditional love. Because we are God's children, our porch light is automatically on inviting Jesus to come knocking. He knows where we live and loves to knock on doors. Many are apprehensive to open the door for fear that Jesus won't really come in to our lives. "How can he really love me?" we say. We fear that we are not good enough, or Christian enough or righteous enough. Jesus does not address those character traits here. That's not what is important. It's our response. He simply invites us to open the door to allow him to love you.

Today,don't be afraid to open the door of your heart to Jesus' knocking. You will receive a gift that is much greater than candy... it's the love of God. Experience the gift of knocking as you open your door today.

Sharing in Faith,

Rev. Craig W. Duke




Contact Info

Senior Pastor
Rev. Craig Duke
(812) 385-2910

Office Administrator
Brenda Witt
(812) 385-2910

Choir Director
Sandy Nixon



Pianist
Debbie Ford



Preschool Director
Julie Goedde
(812) 385-2910

Worship Coordinator
Linda Duke
(812) 385-2910


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