Hillside United Methodist Church Weekly Devotion

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

Before I went to Egypt in 1996, I had seen pictures of the Pyramids. They were impressive but nothing like they are in person. When I arrived in Giza just outside of Cairo I couldn't believe it. There is not a word to appropriately describe their size. Each block on the first few rows are as big as houses. To see these triangles of stone rise up out of the barren desert is incredible. It is inconceivable as to how they were built and with the 1000's upon 1000's that it took. And yet, here they were. I felt small, but in a good way. I was in awe.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

God's Big

Pastor's Weekly Devotion

OCTOBER 21, 2009

"God's Big"

Rev. Craig Duke

Rev. Duke is the Senior Pastor at Hillside United Methodist Church in Princeton, Indiana.

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The Weekly Devotion

Psalm 148:1-6 (New International Version)

1 Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD from the heavens, praise him in the heights above.

2 Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts.

3 Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars.

4 Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies.

5 Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created.

6 He set them in place for ever and ever; he gave a decree that will never pass away.

"God's Big"

Now, let's talk about the size of God. There is no word to describe God's size. But in God's presence I feel small in a good way. I know that there is nothing too big for God because he makes the pyramids pale in comparison to his greatness. That is why God is worthy of our praise and worship but the pyramids are not. The psalmist beckons the sun and moon and starts to praise God and rightfully so.

Remember that there is nothing that God cannot handle. There is no suffering, no hurt, no ending, no challenge, no pain, no problem that God cannot take you through. Today, remember how big God is so that your problems will get smaller.

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

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Heckler

Pastor's Weekly Devotion

Wednesday October 14, 2009

"Heckler"

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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Meet Our Staff

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The Weekly Devotion

Matthew 5:10-12 (New International Version)

10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

"Heckler"

It drives both of my dogs crazy; Remy the beagle and Roxy the mixed breed. Almost daily, the little furry fellow sits just out of reach of the two canines and watches them go nuts. Ironic, since nuts are the key to the whole show. This gray squirrel hides walnuts all over our back yard. The dogs dig them up and enjoy a very long chewing episode. But the squirrel loves to get the dogs' attention and then scurry up the fence and take a seat while they jump and bark like mad. The squirrel sits comfortably on a branch or on top of the fence or tree house twitching its tail and chattering. He is teasing the dogs and loving every minute of it. He is enjoying their turmoil and chattering at them at their expense. Make no mistake, he is laughing at them; not with them.

Persecution is never easy to take no matter what form it rears its ugly head. No one likes to be made fun up for any reason. But it still happens. Words do hurt us much more than sticks and stones unlike the old children's rhyme. Jesus says not to sweat it because being persecuted means you are in good company. It has happened to all of his followers and to the prophets before Jesus' time. Jesus knows persecution first hand. If we are being picked on for something that we believe in and are passionate about then so-be-it. Are we passionate about our faith? Are we willing to endure some heckling for Jesus' sake?

I can honestly say that my dogs don't understand their furry Heckler, but I have to admit that once the Heckler is out of their sight then the frustration is out of their mind and they go right back to chewing walnuts. I think there is something we can all learn from them. Have a great day and don't sweat the heckler.

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

She was at home preparing dinner anticipating his arrival shortly. He was on his way home from work. The day before, had been spent together sharing, talking and enjoying some quality time at home. Now, I stood next to his body in examination room of the E.R. She had just arrived moments before and was sprawled across his body wailing. In the blink of an eye her world had been turned upside down. By no one's fault but a tragic accident, her husband was dead and she didn't know how to say good-bye. She wanted to know why, and who caused this and where was God in this. She hurt at a level so deep and resounding that she had never felt before. The nurses, officers, and coroner stood eerily still as some of her pain was transferred to them. You could see in their eyes that they were thinking about their husbands and children and friends. They too were trying to understand why this had taken place and to try and figure out what they would do. Life is fragile and very unpredictable. When confronted with such a scene it is a reminder. It is a reminder that what Christ said was true. Be ready. He meant that the closer we are to God the more the pain is eased with love, time and the support of friends. We do not know when our final day will come. But we can prepare for it with a faith in God through his son Jesus. Before she left, she raised her arms in the air and praised God for the life of her husband. She raised praises for his salvation. Through tears and pain she thanked God for the years they had and then prayed that God would take her too. It's a reminder. It is a reminder that when such sudden tragedy comes, the only one left to turn to is God. It is a cold splash of water in the face that says, "Wake Up" and realize that this day will come. This stark reality is not meant to bring gloom and doom to your day but rather to share the good news that the God of the universe is longing to have a relationship with you. Today, call a family member or a friend in appreciation for his/her life and then pray for God to be close to you. May you feel his presence. May you feel his love. May you feel ready.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

A Reminder

Pastor's Weekly Devotion

October 7, 2009

"A Reminder"

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

Luke 17:33-35 (New International Version)

33Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. 34I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. 35Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left."

"A Reminder"

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