Open Windows Devotional - summer 2012 sample
SUMMER 2012
LARGE PRINT
Southern Baptist Guide for Personal Devotions
OW.indb 1
1/20/12 12:47 PM
SUMMER 2012 Volume 76— Number 4
“his windows being open . . . toward Jerusalem.”—Daniel 6:10 Open Windows provides brief daily devotionals based on selected Scriptures for adults in Southern Baptist churches and others who choose to use them. Open Windows (Large Print) (ISSN 0162-4296, Item 005075106) is published quarterly by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Thom S. Rainer, President. © 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. For ordering or inquiries, visit www.lifeway. com, or write LifeWay Church Resources Customer Service, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0113. For subscriptions or subscription address changes, e-mail subscribe@ lifeway.com, fax 615-251-5818, or write to the above address. For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, e-mail orderentry@ lifeway.com, fax 615-251-5933 or write to the above address. We believe that the Bible has God for its author; salvation for its end; and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter and that all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. The 2000 statement of The Baptist Faith and Message is our doctrinal guideline. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version. Printed in the United States of America
Production & Ministry Team __________________________________ Betty Hassler Content Editor Stephanie Salvatore Graphic Designer Laura Allison Production Editor Chandra Bennett Editorial Project Leader Alan Raughton Lead Adult Ministry Specialist David Apple Adult Ministry Specialist
Management Personnel __________________________________ Bret Robbe Director Leadership and Adult Publishing Debbie Johnson Managing Director Leadership and Adult Publishing Bill Craig Director Leadership and Adult Ministry
Send questions or comments to:
Editor, Open Windows, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0175. Or make comments on the web at www.lifeway.com.
Cover photo: THINKSTOCK
005075106_SUM12_01-54.indd 3
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As you read the “Writers This Quarter,” you often find one or more new names added to our Open Windows family. In this issue we are pleased to welcome four new writers: Gwen Williams, New Orleans, Louisiana; Denise George, Birmingham, Alabama; and pastors Rick Ezell, Greer, South Carolina; and Richard Grisham, Roswell, New Mexico. In addition to the information found on the next two pages, we add more about our writers on Facebook/openwindowsdevotions. Writers come to us in various ways. Some result from recommendations by other writers. Many are asked to write due to their obvious abilities in other avenues of service. And we consistently hear from persons who ask to be considered. These individuals must meet our qualifications and submit sample devotions, which are then returned for corrections or approval. All of our writers consider Open Windows a ministry endeavor. They write not for money or fame but because they are called and equipped by God for this singularly difficult form of writing. Try saying something original, biblical, and profound in the fewest words possible! As you read each day’s devotion, thank God for the writer. Blessings,
Visit us at Facebook/openwindowsdevotions
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Writers This Quarter Joe Beckler (June 1-5) Urban Church Planting Missionary for NAMB, Denver, Colorado; member Bear Valley Church, Lakewood, Colorado Gwen Williams (June 6-10) “Ms. Chocolate”; author, motivational speaker, missionary storyteller; Sunday School teacher and choir member, First Baptist Church, Picayune, Mississippi Denise George (June 11-15) author; teacher; “The Writing Minister” at Beeson Divinity School; member Shades Mt. Baptist Church, Birmingham, Alabama J. B. Graham (June 16-20) director of missions, Appalachee Baptist Association, Monroe, Georgia; retired executive director, New York Baptist state convention. Doris Roberts (June 21-25) administrative assistant, youth ministries, Central Baptist Church of Bearden, Knoxville, Tennessee; teacher, ladies’ Bible studies Billie Friel (June 26-30) pastor emeritus First Baptist Church, Mt. Juliet, Tennessee; interim pastor; adult Sunday School teacher Rick Shoemaker (July 1-10) senior pastor, First Baptist Church, New Carlisle, Ohio; Christian conciliator, Church Transformation Ministries; writer
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Writers This Quarter Heather Crilly (July 11-20) Montessori teacher, Grace Montessori Academy; English professor, Yellowstone Baptist College, Billings, Montana; member LifeWay Church of Billings Rick Ezell (July 21-25) senior pastor, Greer First Baptist Church, Greer, South Carolina; author, consultant, conference leader, communicator, coach Lettie Burress (July 26-31) member Waterville Baptist, Cleveland, Tennessee; serves on Tennessee Baptist Convention committee on Boards; author, writing workshop leader Jean Draeger (Aug. 1-10) adult Bible study teacher, Faith Community Church, Redding, California; business owner and operator Richard Grisham (Aug. 11-15) senior pastor, Bethel Baptist Church, Roswell, New Mexico Greg Miller (Aug. 16-25) associate pastor, LifeBridge Church, Madison, Mississippi; small groups, communications, leadership recruitment and training Barbara Warren (Aug. 26-31) Blue Mountain Editorial Service; member Calvary Baptist Church, Exeter, Missouri; women’s Sunday School teacher; media director; writer
Summer 2011 • Open Windows • 6 005075106_SUM12_01-54.indd 6
1/24/12 9:59 AM
Friday, June 1
Tripping over a Rock Devotional Passage: Romans 9:30-33
Read the Bible Through: 2 Kings 24–25 John 3:1-21
As it is written, Behold, I lay in Zion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Romans 9:33
G
rowing up in Georgia, I enjoyed trout fishing in the southern Appalachian Mountains. Full of slick rocks, streams—winding and twisting through mountain gullies—were beautiful and tricky. The trick was to stay upright while sneaking toward good fishing holes. Every once in a while I would fall, but rarely was it due to a slip. Instead, I would trip on a rock. I usually stumbled when moving too fast and not paying attention, with my mind on other things. Jesus lived in a world where religious leaders kept all the rules but missed out on simple faith. Their rules blinded them. They couldn’t see the truth about Jesus and stumbled on the very Rock who would save them. The great thing about tripping is that it wakes us up. Could it be that Jesus, the stumbling stone, is a gift? If we trip, we may think about what tripped us. What is tripping up your faith these days? A rule? A bad relationship? A sinful habit? Remember that Jesus may trip you up so that you’ll slow down, pay attention, and refocus on the truth. Father, keep me focused on You in simple faith.
Summer 2011 • Open Windows • 7 OW.indb 7
1/20/12 12:47 PM
LARGE PRINT
Southern Baptist Guide for Personal Devotions
OW.indb 1
1/20/12 12:47 PM
SUMMER 2012 Volume 76— Number 4
“his windows being open . . . toward Jerusalem.”—Daniel 6:10 Open Windows provides brief daily devotionals based on selected Scriptures for adults in Southern Baptist churches and others who choose to use them. Open Windows (Large Print) (ISSN 0162-4296, Item 005075106) is published quarterly by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Thom S. Rainer, President. © 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. For ordering or inquiries, visit www.lifeway. com, or write LifeWay Church Resources Customer Service, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0113. For subscriptions or subscription address changes, e-mail subscribe@ lifeway.com, fax 615-251-5818, or write to the above address. For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, e-mail orderentry@ lifeway.com, fax 615-251-5933 or write to the above address. We believe that the Bible has God for its author; salvation for its end; and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter and that all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. The 2000 statement of The Baptist Faith and Message is our doctrinal guideline. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version. Printed in the United States of America
Production & Ministry Team __________________________________ Betty Hassler Content Editor Stephanie Salvatore Graphic Designer Laura Allison Production Editor Chandra Bennett Editorial Project Leader Alan Raughton Lead Adult Ministry Specialist David Apple Adult Ministry Specialist
Management Personnel __________________________________ Bret Robbe Director Leadership and Adult Publishing Debbie Johnson Managing Director Leadership and Adult Publishing Bill Craig Director Leadership and Adult Ministry
Send questions or comments to:
Editor, Open Windows, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0175. Or make comments on the web at www.lifeway.com.
Cover photo: THINKSTOCK
005075106_SUM12_01-54.indd 3
1/24/12 10:00 AM
As you read the “Writers This Quarter,” you often find one or more new names added to our Open Windows family. In this issue we are pleased to welcome four new writers: Gwen Williams, New Orleans, Louisiana; Denise George, Birmingham, Alabama; and pastors Rick Ezell, Greer, South Carolina; and Richard Grisham, Roswell, New Mexico. In addition to the information found on the next two pages, we add more about our writers on Facebook/openwindowsdevotions. Writers come to us in various ways. Some result from recommendations by other writers. Many are asked to write due to their obvious abilities in other avenues of service. And we consistently hear from persons who ask to be considered. These individuals must meet our qualifications and submit sample devotions, which are then returned for corrections or approval. All of our writers consider Open Windows a ministry endeavor. They write not for money or fame but because they are called and equipped by God for this singularly difficult form of writing. Try saying something original, biblical, and profound in the fewest words possible! As you read each day’s devotion, thank God for the writer. Blessings,
Visit us at Facebook/openwindowsdevotions
OW.indb 4
1/20/12 12:47 PM
Writers This Quarter Joe Beckler (June 1-5) Urban Church Planting Missionary for NAMB, Denver, Colorado; member Bear Valley Church, Lakewood, Colorado Gwen Williams (June 6-10) “Ms. Chocolate”; author, motivational speaker, missionary storyteller; Sunday School teacher and choir member, First Baptist Church, Picayune, Mississippi Denise George (June 11-15) author; teacher; “The Writing Minister” at Beeson Divinity School; member Shades Mt. Baptist Church, Birmingham, Alabama J. B. Graham (June 16-20) director of missions, Appalachee Baptist Association, Monroe, Georgia; retired executive director, New York Baptist state convention. Doris Roberts (June 21-25) administrative assistant, youth ministries, Central Baptist Church of Bearden, Knoxville, Tennessee; teacher, ladies’ Bible studies Billie Friel (June 26-30) pastor emeritus First Baptist Church, Mt. Juliet, Tennessee; interim pastor; adult Sunday School teacher Rick Shoemaker (July 1-10) senior pastor, First Baptist Church, New Carlisle, Ohio; Christian conciliator, Church Transformation Ministries; writer
OW.indb 5
1/20/12 12:47 PM
Writers This Quarter Heather Crilly (July 11-20) Montessori teacher, Grace Montessori Academy; English professor, Yellowstone Baptist College, Billings, Montana; member LifeWay Church of Billings Rick Ezell (July 21-25) senior pastor, Greer First Baptist Church, Greer, South Carolina; author, consultant, conference leader, communicator, coach Lettie Burress (July 26-31) member Waterville Baptist, Cleveland, Tennessee; serves on Tennessee Baptist Convention committee on Boards; author, writing workshop leader Jean Draeger (Aug. 1-10) adult Bible study teacher, Faith Community Church, Redding, California; business owner and operator Richard Grisham (Aug. 11-15) senior pastor, Bethel Baptist Church, Roswell, New Mexico Greg Miller (Aug. 16-25) associate pastor, LifeBridge Church, Madison, Mississippi; small groups, communications, leadership recruitment and training Barbara Warren (Aug. 26-31) Blue Mountain Editorial Service; member Calvary Baptist Church, Exeter, Missouri; women’s Sunday School teacher; media director; writer
Summer 2011 • Open Windows • 6 005075106_SUM12_01-54.indd 6
1/24/12 9:59 AM
Friday, June 1
Tripping over a Rock Devotional Passage: Romans 9:30-33
Read the Bible Through: 2 Kings 24–25 John 3:1-21
As it is written, Behold, I lay in Zion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Romans 9:33
G
rowing up in Georgia, I enjoyed trout fishing in the southern Appalachian Mountains. Full of slick rocks, streams—winding and twisting through mountain gullies—were beautiful and tricky. The trick was to stay upright while sneaking toward good fishing holes. Every once in a while I would fall, but rarely was it due to a slip. Instead, I would trip on a rock. I usually stumbled when moving too fast and not paying attention, with my mind on other things. Jesus lived in a world where religious leaders kept all the rules but missed out on simple faith. Their rules blinded them. They couldn’t see the truth about Jesus and stumbled on the very Rock who would save them. The great thing about tripping is that it wakes us up. Could it be that Jesus, the stumbling stone, is a gift? If we trip, we may think about what tripped us. What is tripping up your faith these days? A rule? A bad relationship? A sinful habit? Remember that Jesus may trip you up so that you’ll slow down, pay attention, and refocus on the truth. Father, keep me focused on You in simple faith.
Summer 2011 • Open Windows • 7 OW.indb 7
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