To me there is a very fine line between being very anxious and being afraid.

On the morning of September 20, 1070, I left my three-month-old daughter with close friends and departed with her mother for Dulles International airport. I had a large suitcase with whatever I thought I needed when I arrived in South Vietnam. I flew through Dallas/Fort Worth airport on to Travis Air Force Base in Oakland, California.

Those destined for Vietnam were to depart early the next morning. That night several of us went to the officer’s club for dinner. We ate like it was the “last supper.” We had shrimp cocktail, steak and all the fixings. I was with two hundred plus soldiers on a DC-8 Flying Tiger contract jet. The flight took 22 hours. We stopped in Anchorage, Alaska to refuel and stretch our legs in the terminal looking like stuffed bears and such.

We reboarded and flew to Yokota, Japan to refuel once again. There was not a lot of chatter on the plane, just subdued conversations. I guess were trying to keep our mind off what might be coming next or who would be on the return flight a year later. The flight attendants were cheerful, and the meals were at least adequate. I could sense a quiet anxiety among those on board.

Our apparent anxiety was not helped when the pilot announced that we would be making a quick descent to avoid any gunfire that could occur. Once on the ground, we were bused to a holding station to await our assignment. Again, anxiety over whether it would be a highly vulnerable location and assignment or one less so. During this whole experience, there was anxiety because soldiers are not supposed to be afraid.

At the same time, there was a certain trust or peace that God would see me through this. I was in the Army Quartermaster Corps. That assignment was to supply food, medical supplies, fuel, electronics, etc. and whatever it took to help the ground troops accomplish their mission. The Army personnel office decided, based on my training and education, that I was going to be assigned to the Office of Economic Affairs at the very secure Military Assistance Command in Saigon.

I was not in great danger like many of the troops in Vietnam. I dealt with some survivor guilt from 1971 until 2016. I know what it is to be anxious or afraid. However, I have the faith of things unseen that God will take care of me.

Dear God, help us to put our faith in you and trust that you will reduce our fear and anxiety in the future. Amen.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Years ago, I was giving the children’s message on Sunday morning, and this was our verse. I gave each child a different piece of fruit – a banana, an apple, an orange, a pear, small clusters of grapes, red and white. After getting through the comments “I like oranges, I don’t like pears, my mother cuts my grapes up,” and so on, I asked them why it is important to include fruit in your diet. Again, the expected answers were given: “they have vitamins, they’re good for you, they taste good,” and then one unexpected answer: “they make you sweet.” We did go on and make the connection between fruits of the Spirit and striving to show them in our daily lives – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness.

I hope some of the children really did understand the importance of accepting and exemplifying the fruits of the Spirit, but the more I thought about the answer “they make you sweet,” the more I believe that child was exactly right.

Think about the opposites of these gifts: hatred, unhappiness, anxiety, impatience, meanness, and disloyalty. These are not qualities we seek, nor are they the characteristics of a happy person. I believe God is telling us that through Him we have the capacity and strength to be better people. Without the Spirit giving us the ability to love others, no matter their faults, a Christian is no different from the saddest, meanest, grouchiest person who lives. Who wants to be like that person?

The fruits of the Spirit that Paul lists benefit every one of us. They also benefit everyone who comes in contact with us. The checkout line is long and you’re in a hurry? You can be impatient and grouchy, or you can be kind and encouraging to others in line with you and especially the stressed out clerk. A friend or family member has betrayed your trust or done something to hurt you? You can hold a grudge forever and respond with unkind words or you can forgive and work to repair the relationship, even when that may take a lifetime or never happen at all.

As human beings, it is not easy to be the one who is kind or the one who forgives. Truthfully, most of us cannot do it on our own. We must embrace the Spirit in order to enjoy the fruits for ourselves and to demonstrate Christian joy to others. Through the power of your Spirit, we can.

Heavenly Father, we are so grateful that through the Power of your Spirit, we can behave in ways that go against our instincts. Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness and faithfulness are the fruits you give us so that we can live in a different, Christ-like way that is pleasing to you. Amen.

This devotion was written by Pat Scruggs and read by Bernice Howard.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

You are listening to Grace for All, a daily devotional podcast produced by the people of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee.

This is Scripture Saturday, a time when we pause and reflect on the scriptures we have read throughout the week. If you missed any of our devotionals on these passages, you can find them on our website at firstchurch.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Now, we invite you to listen and receive Grace.

Welcome and thank you for joining us.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

As part of the morning services at our church, there is children's time. It is one of my favorite parts of the service. Usually, it consists of an object lesson and a brief story told to the kids by the pastor. Very seldom does the session end without a reply from one or more of the children that brings joy and, many times, laughter from the adults.

At a recent church Thanksgiving dinner, the pastor highlighted the blessings that he referred to as “dreams come true” throughout the year. Then he invited everyone to share a dream they had for the future of the church by writing it on a sticky note and placing it on one of the large glass windows along the side of the room. The children were included in the invitation. One youngster shared his honest and humorous dream of “playing basketball in Sunday School.” As the saying goes, you can't make this stuff up.

It is encouraging to see young people using their musical talent in various church services. This includes instrumental solos, a youth choir, and a handbell choir. Young people also help with communion, church offerings, candle lighting, and other tasks.

Our scripture relays a story of people being rebuked by the disciples for bringing children to Jesus to be blessed, but Jesus said, "Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for such is the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Proverbs 22:6 proclaims “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Children face some serious challenges in our world and need our prayers, protection, and encouragement. I’m thankful for opportunities for our youth to serve and worship and for parents and family support systems that share responsibility to “bring up a child in the way he should go.”

Thank you, Father, for our young people. We pray for wisdom as we share a community of love and protection for children. Amen.

This devotion was written by Stephen Hankal and read by Judy Wilson.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

(This is the end of the familiar story we know as the Prodigal Son.)

Jesus’s parable is aimed squarely at the Pharisees. I'm no Pharisee, but I am an older brother, and I can relate. As a child, I suffered the hands of both parents for any particular transgression. When it became my brother’s turn, not so much.

I suppose I sought some type of release in school since the drumbeat from home was “work hard, pay attention, work hard, pay attention.” I went on to be named student of the year and consecutive years in junior high, and my classmates selected me for the National Honor Society president in high school. My brother, not so much.

The message of Jesus parable is of mercy and forgiveness.This world is a place filled with traps and snares to hold us back. I know. I have struggled with them and can relate to the older brother.

Heavenly Father, you sent your only son the Messiah to be your messenger.He brought us his own commandment to love one another as I have loved you.Help us to overcome the struggles of this world to love our sisters and brothers and rejoice when they have found peace with you. Amen.

This devotion was written and read by Sam Barto.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

I do not consider myself a strong person. I have faced adversity and been able to stand up and even guide others through difficult times, but my natural inclination is to retreat and turn inward. It is only through God’s provision of power that I am able to behave in a courageous manner in stressful circumstances. It is the assurance of his Love and his commandment to love others that enables my efforts.

Self-discipline is another matter. I am a great procrastinator and have been since my days in elementary school. The project is due Friday? I might not start until Thursday, but I will get it done! As I’ve gotten older, I have realized that procrastinating only makes things more difficult, but I still tend to push those deadlines.

The one part of my life where I have learned to honor the urgency is in Bible study and prayer. If I don’t make my Bible study a high priority and commit to it, my attitude and behavior change, and not for the better. It is the daily reading and study that allows me to continue my journey to become more like Christ, and that is my ultimate goal.

As for prayer, I have learned to respond to thoughts and nudges about certain situations and people. When someone, perhaps someone I haven’t seen or talked with for a long time, pops into my mind, I honor that thought with a prayer for their well-being and peace of mind. Most of the time, I never know why that person came to mind, but I believe praying for someone else is never wasted. Many of my prayers are brief and specific, but I know God honors them wherever and whenever they are spoken.

I thank God for his Spirit which makes us brave, powerful, loving and self-disciplined. I am a work in progress, but every step along the way moves me closer to Him.

Heavenly Father, You never promised that our life’s journey would be easy, but you did promise that You would be with us all the way. It is through your Spirit that we can face our challenges and remain focused on the ultimate destination – Eternity in Your presence. Amen.

This devotion was written by Pat Scruggs and read by Leslie Ragland.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

STRESS, everyone seems so stressed. Is this new? I don’t really think so. Life is stressful. It’s not going to change. Nothing I say here will change how the world and human society operates.

I could say that I’m too busy to write this; too busy to listen, too busy to notice, too busy to care, too busy to help, too busy to love.

I could say that I’m too poor to share; of my money, my time, my love.

Is it that I don’t have enough, or am I stressing the wrong things?

Have you ever noticed that stress also means what we emphasize- what we focus on?

In fact, when I put the “em-PHA-sis on the wrong syl-LA-ble,” I misunderstand and am misunderstood.

We don’t get to choose what happens in life. We don’t get to choose how other people behave. But it has been pointed out that there is one thing, and one thing only, in life that we have control over, and that is how we react to what happens around us. There is an option to be thoughtful about what we focus on.

There is a battle for our attention and focus. What do we choose to focus on?

Being stressed is a choice.

Being thankful is a choice.

Being sad is a choice.

Being happy is a choice.

Living in fear is a choice.

Living in faith is a choice.

Of course, this is not true about the emotion you feel in a split second. This is about pausing, reflecting, and deciding who we want to be in this world. It takes strength and patience to find the peace of Christ in our hearts. Whose image do you follow, and is it something that you do with or without thought?

The choices we make become the habits of our behavior. They form the pattern of who we are. As we weave the tapestry that becomes a lifetime, what picture will emerge from our choices? Will it be random, angry, and fearful, or will it be intentional, loving, and thankful?

The next time you find that you have lost the peace of Christ in your heart because of the stress of life, what choice will you make?

May the peace of Christ rule in our hearts in the quiet times and the stressful times. Give us the strength to follow Your path and emphasize what matters. Give us the strength and the foresight to pause, reflect, and choose. Thank You for Your grace and forgiveness when we fall short of this, and help us to make choices that show our love for You and our neighbors. Amen.

This devotion was written by Jill Pope and read by Judy Wilson.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

I remember as a child being afraid of many things: spiders, heights, talking to strangers, nightmares, and even pulling sweaters over my head! One way I was able to cope with nightmares was to imagine my nose as a “radio knob” and turn it slightly to “Change the Channel”!

While I’ve gotten over being afraid of many of these things, new and different fears emerged as I got older. Some of these were:

• Fear of chronic illness
• Financial instability
• Losing a loved one

I’ve discovered that I can’t “Change the Channel” to alleviate my fears but I can turn to the One who has promised not to forsake us.

Google tells us that “Fear” appears over 500 times in the Bible. And many Biblical figures faced and overcame their fears to fulfill their God-given roles. Moses, Jonah and Gideon all were afraid. However, they were able to understand that they were tasked with a mission and were provided the tools they needed to get the job done. Peter’s fear in the New Testament caused him to deny Jesus. But instead of allowing this failure to define him, he was able to overcome it and it provided a catalyst for spiritual growth.

My goal these days is to go to the Lord in prayer whenever I feel afraid. Just speaking to Him about my fears, lowers the anxiety and helps me to think through things rationally and trust that He will get me through whatever trial I face.

Dear Lord, our lives are often riddled with fearful things. Help us to understand that you are always with us and will always love us. Keep us safe and calm within your presence. Your will be done. Amen.

This devotion was written by Virginia Hardwick and read by Amy Large.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.