[Membersandfriends] Sunday, October 31, 2004

Sat Oct 30 22:01:17 PDT 2004

The Upper Room Daily Devotional -- E-mail Edition
Brought to You by Upper Room Ministries
Sunday, October 31, 2004

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HOLY TOAST
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John 13:1-7 (NRSV)

Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus answered, "You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand."

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Jesus answered, "You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
-- John 13:7 (NRSV)
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MY father has always been our family's breakfast chef.  As a youngster, I peered through sleepy eyes as Daddy stirred, flipped, cracked, poured, and scrambled while wearing one of Mother's aprons.  Seven days a week, 365 days a year, Daddy used a black, cast-iron skillet, the Bible, and THE UPPER ROOM to turn the huge task of feeding four growing boys into a Southern feast with a spiritual lesson.

Each morning Daddy took his place at the head of the table and the ritual began.  He opened the Bible and picked one of us to read the daily scripture lesson.  Then another son would read from THE UPPER ROOM.  Coming to the prayer in the meditation was Daddy's cue to start the toaster that was already filled with bread.  After he read the prayer and the "Thought for the Day," our toast would pop up right on time as if cooked by a heavenly oven.

Some 40 years have passed since those days of "holy toast."  Much like Jesus wrapping himself in a towel and washing his friends' feet, my father wrapped himself in an apron and served those he loved.  And like those disciples, I had the privilege of experiencing true servanthood in action.

Prayer:  Thank you, Father, for those who show us what real servants look like.  Make us servants too.  Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Spiritual leaders lead by serving.

-- Stephen M. Heape (South Carolina, U.S.A.)

PRAYER FOCUS: To put on the apron of servanthood

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RELATED READING ...

Published for over 40 years, TEACH ME TO PRAY is a modern day spiritual classic that offers all the essentials needed to build a strong and intimate relationship with God through prayer.  Now with a new cover and updated language, W. E. Sangster's little book helps Christians develop a practice of prayer, form a prayer group, and learn how to live in Christ.
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/desc.asp?ep_id=30&item_id=12693

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The scripture quotation is from the NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION of the Bible, copyright (c) 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.