Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Boldness for God

Pastor's Weekly Devotion
June 24,2009

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
Acts 9:26-28 (New International Version)

26When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.

"Boldness for God"
It was a journey that I was prepared to take. As we road in the car the short distance from where we were staying with friends, I anticipated the excitement of walking into the enemies lair! I dared my foes to try and quench my enthusiasm. I laughed at the thought of those who would feebly try to diminish my spirit. Dressed in full Chicago Bears attire I was on route to visit the Green Bay Packers stadium. As I got out the car I headed toward the giant stature of Vince Lombardi. Another man saw my shirt and said, "Oh good, another Bear's fan, are you taking the tour?" He was hoping for some companionship as he toured the facility. Another man offered to take our picture by the statue saying, "Hey if you are Chicago Bears fans you can be all bad." And so it was, that I had successfully navigated into the Packer's lair and instead of opposition discovered followers.

Paul applauds Barnabas for, "speaking boldly in the name of the Lord." Are we bold for God today? Are we too concerned about what others think that we shy away from conversations about our faith or choose to where a different t-shirt instead of the one that that has a Christian message ? The key is not to be obnoxious but rather open and consistent. It will surprise you to find out just how many people there are that are hungry for the message of Jesus; love, grace and forgiveness. It is important for Christians to be consistently open about our faith and inviting to others that may have questions or concerns. You just may discover Christ followers in the most unlikely places.

Today, be proud of your faith and open to sharing it with others. Let god surprise you with the experience.

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
Chiyona Bourne
(812) 385-2910
Worship Coordinator
Linda Duke
(812) 385-2910
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Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Rev. Duke's Weekly Devotion

Pastor's Weekly Devotion
June 17,2009

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
Philippians 4:4-7 (New International Version)

4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

PASTOR'S WEEKLY DEVOTION
I had gone back in time. My best buddy from seminary and I took our kids to an old time amusement park. It was right on the bay in northern Wisconsin so the wind was chilly though the sun was warm. Each ride only cost .25 to .50 cents. Hard to believe I know! And they were good rides: ferris wheel, scrambler, bumper cars, giant slide, high flying swings and more. Even the cotton candy and popcornwere inexpensive. We spent the afternoon riding with our kids and also watching our kids have a great time laughing, eating, playing and pulling as much out of the day as possible. It was the kind of day that you didn't want to end. It was refreshing and renewing simply because of the lack of agenda and the embracing of spontaneity. There was no agenda but enjoyment.

Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:4 to "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice!" As Christians, I think it has become to easy to miss this. We tend to feel guilty if our task of the day does not have some great purpose or if it does not involve work and sweat. Don't get me wrong, a good work ethic is important but it is not the end all. We need to take time to enjoy what God has given us; famil y, sunshine, friendships, shared moments and long walks. Our agenda should not rule or ruin our ability for rejoicing. We are to rejoice always in whatever we are doing.

I bought a sweatshirt that toots the name of the place: Bay Beach Amusement Park. Each time I put it on it reminds me of the really great day I experienced with a friend and our kids. It also reminds me not to make it an isolated event. I plan to do it again. I also plan to start rejoicing more where ever I am for whatever reason.

Today, spend some time rejoicing. Allow yourself to enjoy all that is around you. God does not want you to miss it.

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
Chiyona Bourne
(812) 385-2910
Worship Coordinator
Linda Duke
(812) 385-2910
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Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Rev. Duke's Weekly Devotion

Pastor's Weekly Devotion
June 10, 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
Matthew 11:28-30 (New International Version)

28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

PASTOR'S WEEKLY DEVOTION
When I first heard of it I thought of one chaotic and out- of-control experience that I just had to witness. So, I went along. It was the end-of-the-year 5th grade bash. The entire 5th grade were taken to Vincennes University's recreation center for 3 hours, that's right 3 hours, of swimming, bowling, basketball, pool, volleyball and more. Of course, there were treats and soft drinks as well. You can imagine the craziness of letting all those 10-12 year olds loose in a fantasy playground.

It was really cool. What I witnessed was a wonderful 3 hours of teachers and kids letting down the disciplinary walls that normally separate them and building bridges of fun and relationship that brought them together. It was obvious that these teachers really care about these kids and that the feeling was reciprocated by the kids for the teachers. It was a night of hugs and smiles, celebrations and laughter and a sending forth. This rite of passage was an unburdening of all the concerns of the year...

...the lost homework, the need for help at Christmas, the poor self image, the inflated self image, the bully, the class helper, the kid whose parents were always there, and the kids whose parents lost the right to raise him/her, the tight class budget, the lost day of camp, the added day at the park, the struggle with grades, the frustration with Isteps, the joy of achieving students and the challenge of special needs. All these evaporated in a 3 hour period as the balance of power, authority and academics were equalized with caring, sharing and looking forward.

Jesus reminds us that when we feel overloaded there is one place to go; to Him. In Matthew he invites us to stop with him and take stock in what we are doing and why. He invites us to evaluate that which makes us tick most often; that which drives us to do what we do. He claims we will experience a lightening of our load that will quicken our step and renew our strength and vision. He promises that he will give us rest. Our restfulness will come from the discovery of our true joy.

As energetic as the evening was, I experienced a rest as the relationship between teacher and student became evident in the flavor of the evening. It was clear as to why they do what they do. They love kids. They love learning. They love making a difference. It was contagious. Today, take time out to rest in the joy of the moment. Stop and take stock in the "why" of what you are doing. I believe that when you do, you will be renewed to keep on going.

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
Chiyona Bourne
(812) 385-2910
Worship Coordinator
Linda Duke
(812) 385-2910
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