Don't You Wonder?

The Gospel Reading for the First Sunday of Advent:

24 "But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then they will see "the Son of Man coming in clouds' with great power and glory. 27 Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. 28 "From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 32 "But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35 Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, 36 or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”(Mark 13:24-37)

It has always been intriguing to me that all the readings, in the yearly lectionary for Advent, begin at the end of the assigned Gospel for that church year.  Instead of talking about preparing for the coming of the Christ Child, we are asked to talk about the end times. The time when Jesus will come again and take us to himself.  Instead of beginnings, we are talking about the endings. The ending of all we know on this physical earth.  

My entire being has resisted this yearly pattern.  

I resist it because it is the time of year to talk about Mary and Joseph, shepherds and angels.  How unbelievable the story is!  God actually alive in a physical body -- a tiny baby's body -- on earth!  

I want to explore the questions: It is really all true?  Did Mary really get pregnant by the Holy Spirit? And, the big one for me! What caused her just believe the angel?  She was only a teen ager!  

And, why did the child in Elizabeth’s tummy jump with joy when Mary came to see her?

And Joseph??  If we were really familiar with the ancient Jewish traditions; we would know that a young girl, promised to a young man, just did not get pregnant before the marriage was consummated. She would have been banned from acceptable society.  I know!  I Know!  The angel came to Joseph and explained the whole thing to him.  And yes! People in those times were use to angels, and visions, and God popping in and out of their lives.

But Really????

This precious story has been celebrated and worshiped for centuries.  With seemingly very few who question its validity.  We just believe it as true!  At least I do!  However the questions have always played around in my mind.

As a child, when the Christmas story was read, I would wonder:  “Would I have believed the Angel?”  Mary’s response was so unbelievably elegant!  So willing!  So honest!  So innocent!

We could all ask the question:  Is it all really true?

Then there is the wonder about why God would come to earth as a baby?  A helpless child?  Why not a soldier, or a president, or a giant?  Someone big and strong and powerful?  Someone people would pay attention to?  Maybe be afraid of!  After all the Messiah, the promised savior of the world, was suppose to come and to set everybody straight.  Was suppose to make people get along and be nice.

And yet!  The Messiah was a tiny child born in a barn!

What do you think the message is in that?

A Call To Active Prayer!

I am calling for a demonstration of prayer this morning.  I am not talking about the popular trend to “tell God” what needs to be done.  I am certainly not talking about  organizing large groups of people to gather to pray for change once or twice a year.  Often those types of events turn into a major display of popular speakers and a lot of showmanship.  That ultimately are followed with a request for money.  That kind of prayer gathering, breakfast, lunch or dinner, has always come across as fake to me.  I think that they are often meant to be honorable.  But it never seems that way to me.

I’m talking about a private commitment to say a prayer for God's help every time you watch the nightly new!  Or read the headlines in the newspaper!  Or whenever you see, hear or experience behavior that is not acceptable to Jesus. 

You see, I’m thinking, that the everyday ordinary Christian, who loves Jesus, and wants to live his way of servanthood, love and forgiveness.   Feel that they are helpless to contend with the narcissistic political structure that has evolved in our country.  A system that has become so opposite of Jesus that it is sickening.  The feeling of "who are we to change, or challenge, such power?" 

Jesus often did it this way: 35 In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. He also prayed publicly by offering the need, at any-given moment, to God.  Like he did when he fed thousands with a few fish and a small amount of bread. Or when he hung on the Cross and prayed right out loud: “Father forgive them they know not what they do.”

Read the rest of the Mark story below.  Jesus had an extraordinarily busy day and night.  His mind, and body, must have been exhausted.  He needed to go talk to God — to himself — about the need to take a time-out now and then. I imagine that these time-outs were the way he had of reconnecting.  Reconnecting with who he was and why he came to live  on this crazy earth.  A place so opposite!  So opposite, of what He ever intended!   

We are asked to live in the same crazy world too!  Living and praying with Jesus!

I am here to tell you that prayer works!  I do believe that God listens!  And I am convinced that God, as invisible as it seems to us, is actively working against the unjust politics all over the world.  So, it might be nice for him to know that He is not alone in the battle.  That his followers are with Him.  And, if need be, with Him in more than just prayer.  

Having said that, I am not at all sure how that might look on a larger scale.   But I am sure that if God wants us to act; that we will know how to do what ever He asks!  We actually already do that on a smaller scale everyday.  Whenever we are kind, or move over so someone can pass, or give food or clothing to the hungry and homeless etc!  And that is all wonderful!  

However there is another huge — actually tragic — situation going on in our world today among the powerful!  And it has gotten way out of line with Jesus’ call to follow him.  This appalling situation has to do with what I talked about yesterday.  We have a huge choice to make!  Not the choice to believe.  Thats not the issue!  The choice is to act on, and be faithful to, what we believe.

Maybe a better way to say it is, we need to begin believe that God is quite capable to handle what we cannot!   And!  And, God will do it in his time and in his way!  But that does not mean that God doesn’t need our prayers, attention and yes action.

27 They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, "What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." 28 At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee. 29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. 31 He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. 32 That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered around the door. 34 And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. 35 In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and his companions hunted for him. 37 When they found him, they said to him, "Everyone is searching for you." 38 He answered, "Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do." 39 And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons. (Mark 1:27-39)

A Thought About Why God Came to Earth In Jesus' Skin!

The Old Testament Reading, for the first Sunday of Advent, is perfect!  Perfect because, I think, it fore-shadows why God finally came to earth, in the skin of that precious baby boy, on the first Christmas Eve.  It also is a perfect example of what happens when people begin to feel the consequences of their action!

It is interesting how it worked in those days.  The people expect -- actually demanded -- God’s care!  They took God’s care for granted!   They felt that no matter what, God was to be on their side and take care of them.  Regardless! 

And, to be clear!  God did/does promise to be with us and watch over us always and forever.

However!  That does not mean that God will approve of behavior that is dangerous for us and/or our neighbor.  It also does not mean that God’s people can be disrespectful to God; and not have God respond.  

This is where we pick up the story in Isaiah 63 and 64.  In chapter 63 we hear of the great rebellion, and unacceptable thinking, of the people.  They have done a terrible thing!  They know it!  They admit it!  However their actions have all too often been opposite to God.  And God has had it!  To the point of turning his face against them.  The people react with indignant accusations!   How dare God turn his face against them! 

The glitch here is at the very point of humanness!  They want to do what they want!  They want to act in ways opposite of God’s ways!  Actually they intentionally choose to do so!  

And then they expect God to pat them on the head with a gentle reprimand.  

But God is not buying their ungrateful behavior!  They have taken his steadfast love and mercy for granted for far too long.  This time he takes a stand!  He turns his face away in great disappointment.  And they whine!  Not fair!!

1 O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence— 2 as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil— to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence! 3 When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence. 4 From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him. 5 You meet those who gladly do right, those who remember you in your ways. But you were angry, and we sinned; because you hid yourself we transgressed. 6 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. 7 There is no one who calls on your name, or attempts to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity. 8 Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. 9 Do not be exceedingly angry, O Lord, and do not remember iniquity forever. Now consider, we are all your people. 10 Your holy cities have become a wilderness, Zion has become a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation. 11 Our holy and beautiful house, where our ancestors praised you, has been burned by fire, and all our pleasant places have become ruins. 12 After all this, will you restrain yourself, O Lord? Will you keep silent, and punish us so severely?(Isaiah 64:1-12)

I’m not at all clear on the timing of the Bible.  It has always confuse m!  I am easily confused when it comes to any kind of numbers.  But is was this repetitive  cycle of behavior in the relationship between the people and God, that I believe, caused God to come to earth.  And when he came the repetitive game, of crime and punishment. changed drastically.  Actually ended!

When Jesus came the game was simple!  Believe me!  Or not!  Follow me!  Or not! 

Live with the consequences of your choices.  

Unfortunately, all too often people’s choices, when opposite of God, effect those who choose to follow.  

How are we suppose to react to that?

The Manifestation of Grace

Yesterday I gave one the definition of grace: “God’s activity in our lives.”  Today I want to explore how grace manifests itself in our own life.  In our physical being!  It is not at all easy to explain;  because grace is not tangible.  Perceptible only through the senses!  

In the Hebrew and Greek definition of grace is: “A phenomenon, or feeling, of joy.  Which is a culmination of being that raises no problems as such and that strains beyond itself…faith brings this phenomenon.  It is the fruit of the Spirit.”

The one clear place that I have consistently  witnessed grace is at the point of the death of a loved one.  A time when the person left finds strength to deal with their loss. It is a time when they feel that they “can’t handle it.”  “I can’t do this!”  A time when all they want to do is go away  and cry.  And yet they don’t!  And they can do it!  And, they do!  And after the funeral they are amazed at themselves for doing it so well.  Whatever that means!  That is the phenomenon of grace!  God’s very active presence working!  No!  It is no joyous!  But grace doesn’t always manifest itself in a  sense of joy.  

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, 5 for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind— 6 just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.(1 Corinthians 1:3-9)

Check out verse 4,5 and 8. 

 4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, 

5 for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind

 8 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

There is something in verse 8 that give me a feeling of relief.  Read it again and listen to what this really is saying.  

Now let me hear what you hear.

When we have great confidence in the activity and promises of God/Jesus.  There is a sense in us that no matter what we are faced with, good or not-so-good, in the long run it will be okay.  Somehow you know that the God who brought order our of the chaos of nothingness in the beginning.  Will bring order to your present concern. 

It is truly the gift of faith!  

It is an amazingly extraordinary phenomenon!

God Knows We Are Not Perfect!

Tomorrow as people across the nation gather for worship, in most mainline churches, they will celebrate Christ The King Sunday.  The ending of the church year just before Advent (the four Sundays before Christmas) begins.  The readings for Christ the King Sunday are the Old Testament books of Ezekiel 34, and Psalm 95; And the New Testaments books of Ephesians 1 and Matthew 25.  All of these readings, in some way, bring together the importance of God’s reign embodied in Jesus the Christ.  

We move from Ezekiel’s pronouncement of God’s unlimited power and authority.  With a clear judgment of those who lead with no concern for their people.  Feeding themselves lavishly while their sheep go hungry.  To Psalm 95 which is a song of praise for God’s never failing presence and care. Then to Ephesians with an eloquent prayer of thanksgiving for those who, at the very least, attempt to live faithful lives in the hope of what comes with following Jesus.  Followed by the Gospel reading from Matthew that sums up what it means to attempt to be true followers.  Those who live with an awareness of the needs of their neighbors. 

I am praying that those, privilaged to preach God’s word from the pulpit tomorrow, honor God’s/Jesus’ call to follow.  By speaking both Law and Gospel!   That is, not only talking about the grace of God present to all believers.  But, the consequences of living against all that God/Jesus taught.  Because both Ezekiel and Matthew lay out the consequences of self-serving behavior in no uncertain terms.

First we have the  Old Testament prediction: 

16 I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice. 17 As for you, my flock, thus says the Lord God: I shall judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and goats: 18 Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture, but you must tread down with your feet the rest of your pasture? When you drink of clear water, must you foul the rest with your feet? 19 And must my sheep eat what you have trodden with your feet, and drink what you have fouled with your feet? 20 Therefore, thus says the Lord God to them: I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. 21 Because you pushed with flank and shoulder, and butted at all the weak animals with your horns until you scattered them far and wide, 22 I will save my flock, and they shall no longer be ravaged; and I will judge between sheep and sheep.(Ezek. 34) 

Now read how Jesus says it:

41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, "You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' 44 Then they also will answer, "Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?' 45 Then he will answer them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”(Matt 25)

Both the Old Testament and the New Testament are clear!  No matter your status!  No matter your financial means!  No matter your position in the work place!  One’s heart must be in-tune with God’s will.  Because, when you are in-tune with God’s ways you just naturally tend to live being care-full with your neighbor.  You do not have the attitude that you always come first.  That is, you have within you a very different mode of moving through life in a world that tempts you to think of “me first.”

Now I know the kind of thoughts that might be moving around in your mind right now.  You might be thinking that you don’t share very well.  Or you don’t feel too loving towards so-in-so at work who irritates the hell out of you.  You might be thinking how rude you were to the lady at the store the other day. Or, when you honked at that stupid guy who cut you off on the highway yesterday. There are many instances in our lives when we fail to live up to God’s hopes for his human creations.

Thank God He knows we aren't perfect! 

However, there is a huge difference between the daily slips of the ordinary personality.  And the personality that live with the constant attitude of self absorbed thinking, attitudes and behavior.  That is those who: pushed with flank and shoulder, and butted at all the weak animals with your horns… Or those who give no thought to the needs of others. ‘… just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’

I often have used the, very real, example of a neighbor we had when my girls were young.  The family lived in the other half of the duplex we lived in.  The mother was a less than gentle person.  She did things that I judged as awful, rude and unkind. I watched her spit in the face of a little boy who her children didn’t like.  And loudly, so the whole neighborhood could hear, say words to him that I am sure must have embarrassed him to death.  God knew that I did not like the woman!  At the same time! If she was in destress, needed help, I would have helped her in a heart beat.  No questions asked!

We have within our human character opinions, desires, and the ability to be unkind.  That is just part of who we are! However, I would bet that when those who believe in Jesus/God do things that are not so loving there is this tiny voice of conscience that lets them know that they have done something, or said something, they should not have. Oh, maybe not at the moment!  But surely after sometime has past!  That little voice, of conscience, does not affect those who pushed with flank and shoulder, and butted at all the weak animals with your horns…

Do you see the distinction?

Happy Thanksgiving!

1 O my soul, bless God. From head to toe, I'll bless his holy name! 2 O my soul, bless God, don't forget a single blessing! 3 He forgives your sins - every one. He heals your diseases - every one. 4 He redeems you from hell - saves your life! He crowns you with love and mercy - a paradise crown. 5 He wraps you in goodness - beauty eternal. He renews your youth - you're always young in his presence. 6 God makes everything come out right; he puts victims back on their feet. 7 He showed Moses how he went about his work, opened up his plans to all Israel. 8 God is sheer mercy and grace; not easily angered, he's rich in love. 9 He doesn't endlessly nag and scold, nor hold grudges forever. 10 He doesn't treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us back in full for our wrongs. 11 As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is his love to those who fear him. 12 And as far as sunrise is from sunset, he has separated us from our sins. 13 As parents feel for their children, God feels for those who fear him. 14 He knows us inside and out, keeps in mind that we're made of mud. 15 Men and women don't live very long; like wildflowers they spring up and blossom, 16 But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly, leaving nothing to show they were here. 17 God's love, though, is ever and always, eternally present to all who fear him, Making everything right for them and their children 18 as they follow his Covenant ways and remember to do whatever he said. 19 God has set his throne in heaven; he rules over us all. He's the King! 20 So bless God, you angels, ready and able to fly at his bidding, quick to hear and do what he says. 21 Bless God, all you armies of angels, alert to respond to whatever he wills. 22 Bless God, all creatures, wherever you are - everything and everyone made by God. And you, O my soul, bless God! (Ps. 103The Message)

17 God's love, though, is ever and always, eternally present to all who fear him, Making everything right for them and their children…

Happy Thanksgiving!

This paraphrase of Psalm 103 says it all.  Covers all the areas of human living. Each and Everything we could need.  It is an all encompassing song of thanks.  It clearly announces  all that God did -- and does -- to surround our lives with grace.  Not matter if it is November, or any other time of the year, it is good to be reminded of God’s ever present  activity in our lives.  How he forgives our unforgivable-ness, heals our every aliment, saves us from the depths of hell, and wraps us in his love and mercy at every turn.  Providing for all our most critical needs.  

Whatever do people do who do not believe in this all wise and loving God?

Aren’t you glad you don’t have to find out?

Be Brave And Speak Your Thanks!

1 O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. 2 I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. 3 Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! 4 I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. 5 You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy. 6 I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night. 7 Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. 8 I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely. (Psalm 63:1-8 NLT)

 I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. 

Another reminder of Thank-giving!  A time set aside, each November, to think about God's blessings.  Things we are thankful -- grateful -- for.  One day of giving intentional thanks to God‘ --  for who God is and what he does for us. To give thought to God’s grace, God’s activity, in our daily living every day of the year. 

When: our souls thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.  

This image of being thirsty, parched and weary is common in our lives.  We feel tired and sometimes alone.  The psalmist can relate!  However, in the Old Testament times, God was more real to people.  They were very cognizant of the realness of God.  And they somehow knew that God was very active and present in their midst.  

Today we are not so sure about that!  We have become more disconnect from the  idea that God is still working in our world, and in our very own lives.  God is not as real today!  More distant!  Maybe too silent! 

And so, this one week of the year we attempt to focus on what we are thankful for.  One of the common traditions, around a family table, these days is to have each person say what they are thankful for.  All kinds of things are named!  But not often is God on the list!  Except of course  during grace when thanks is given for the delicious fool about to be shared. 

I do not believe that the reason that God is often left out of the conversation is because of a lack of faith in our gracious God.  No! I think it is something like a shyness!   Maybe a concern that people might think you are "too religious."  Or that it will make others feel awkward.  Maybe make the moment too serious in the all the laughter and sharing.

That is sad to me!  Because, if the truth be known, there are probably many around that table that would be glad.  Grateful that someone was brave enough to speak.  Its like praying out loud! The thought of praying out loud makes people sweat!  It make their stomachs tighten up!  And their brains go blank!

They are afraid that they won't do it "right."  Or that their words will seem too simple; or not eloquent enough.  

Do you know what?  God doesn't care about how eloquent you are!

So, as you gather with your family, and friends this year, why don't you speak?  Why don't you say, in your ordinary way, how grateful you are for God's presence in your life?

3 Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! 4 I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. 5 You satisfy me more than the richest feast..... your strong right hand holds me securely.

One More Reason To Be Thankful!

1 Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. 2 For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD.(Ps.117 NLT)

Short and sweet and to the point this morning!  Praise the LORD!

Good words to begin or end our day.  What better, and grace-filled, thing can we do but to give thanks for God surrounding our lives with his love? 

Can you imagine your life being completely guided and sustained by God’s love?  Well, I’m here to tell you that it is!!!   We may fine ways to resist the truth of that thought!  But once God has hold of our hearts his will is done and is being accomplished.  We may not be aware of it at the time.  We may not realize it for months or years.  We may slow the process down with our small human ways of thinking and doing.  But in the long run God’s purpose is lived out through you and me.  And it will often only be in hind sight that we understand this divine process.

What a wonderful thing to give thanks for!  God faithful and active in your life!!

Why Thanksgiving?

O that today you would listen to his voice!

This Psalm is a wonderful reminder of the Psalmist’s  gratitude for God’s continued activity in his life and the world.  It is the assigned Psalm for the last Sunday of the Church year — Christ the King Sunday. The Psalmist begins by the praise due God.  And how that praise looks coming from lives of the faithful. 

When I begin to read this psalm, the feeling I get is one of joy and thankfulness.  But, in verse 8 the feeling changes, as I read of how God responds to the less faithful.  Those, from the past, who have tested God’s love and presence.  The immediate vision is of the Hebrew people, after their exodus from Egypt.  When they spent forty years in “in the wilderness”!  They were a strong necked people who grumbled all the time.  No matter what God did for them, they were never satisfied.  In this short Psalm we have the love and wrath of this God we worship.  

And this is the point of variance in those who follow Jesus.  

In this variance, some of us — me — error on the side of grace!  God’s nonjudgmental nature!  God’s constant willingness to accept us as we are. As long as we believe and desire to follow what Jesus.  Jesus -- God of the New Testament — who came to teach us about Himself.  

Some error on the side of the God of the Old Testament!  A God whose patience was constantly being tested by a people who wanted to do their own thing regardless of God’s will.  A God who was put in the position to punish their choices and behavior; because of their refusal to even care what God asked of them.  The Old Testament is full of  storied replete with the unsuccessful game of: warning, repenting, forgiveness.  This game was  repeated over and over again.  With never any successful results.  The game was a “no win” game!  The people had their own little gods and idols that were more important to them. And, God was put in the continued postion to warn them of their failure to worship him.  

That is why, in my simple mind, God finally came to earth in the skin of the baby Jesus.  Came to  proclaimed: “Believe in me!”  Or not!  Your choice!

No matter what side of the variance you stand, I hope you find a place in your heart for our great God who has never failed us. Has never left us alone!  Who blesses our lives daily with His guidance, love, forgiveness and total acceptance.  

When we are aware of this Gracious and merciful God we can’t help but live in gratitude.  A gratitude that fills us  with a precious feeling of joy.  

I use the word joy, instead of happy, because the feeling of joy brings with it a sense of peace and contentment.  A sense of being loved without exception.  A gift that gives us nothing else!  Nothing else but an awesome sense of freedom.  Freedom in its purest form.  

That is the blessing of faith in  — perceiving of —the God Jesus came to show us.

For that, most simple gift, we all have cause to Give Thanks!

1 O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! 2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! 3 For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. 4 In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. 5 The sea is his, for he made it, and the dry land, which his hands have formed. 6 O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! 7 For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. O that today you would listen to his voice! 8 Do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness, 9 when your ancestors tested me, and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work. 10 For forty years I loathed that generation and said, "They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they do not regard my ways." 11 Therefore in my anger I swore, "They shall not enter my rest.”(Psalm 95)

How Much Is Enough?

“How are we supposed to find enough food to feed them out here in the wilderness?”

The question rings down through history!

What caught my mind this morning is the disciples question “How?”  “How are we supposed to find enough food to feed them out here in the wilderness?”   

The question is particularly interesting since, just a few chapter back in Mark, Jesus had already proven to the disciples that the impossible was possible, with God’s help. He did this by feeding five thousand hungry people with just  five loaves and two fish (Mark 6:38).  So why would they even need to ask how?  

It should have been clear to them that Jesus  takes what food is available and offers the to God.  Trusting that God would provide for the needs of the people. 

We are told over and over again, in scripture, how God provides for our every need.  Not necessarily our every want!  It is clear that Jesus depended on God for all of the marvels and miracles done through him.  Jesus was not fooled by his human abilities alone. And, Jesus asks us to Follow his lead.

What I hear so often, in discussions like this one, is the all too common question: “Well if God provides for our every need, then why are there so many hungry people in out world”?  

Do you know the answer to that pointedly honest question? 

Do you know why there are so many hungry and homeless people in the world? 

Read the story below again and pay attention to how it works!  Jesus asked, “How much bread do you have?”  

Did you get that?  

We are given so that we can share.  

Here is the concept!  

We are to be participants in this world wide hunger problem.  We, who are fortunate — blessed — with enough, are asked to share.  Share a just a portion of what we have to help those less fortunate.  That is how it work in God’s Kingdom!  At least that is the way it is suppose to work!  We all share what we can.  And God makes it enough!  

From the very beginning of The Story God has asked for our participation. It has been clear, throughout history, that God created us to take care of all of creation!  That does mean our brothers and sisters who are in need.  

It is not rocket science! 

I am just saying!

1 About this time another large crowd had gathered, and the people ran out of food again. Jesus called his disciples and told them, 2 “I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat. 3 If I send them home hungry, they will faint along the way. For some of them have come a long distance.” 4 His disciples replied, “How are we supposed to find enough food to feed them out here in the wilderness?” 5 Jesus asked, “How much bread do you have?” “Seven loaves,” they replied. 6 So Jesus told all the people to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to his disciples, who distributed the bread to the crowd. 7 A few small fish were found, too, so Jesus also blessed these and told the disciples to distribute them. 8 They ate as much as they wanted. Afterward, the disciples picked up seven large baskets of leftover food. 9 There were about 4,000 people in the crowd that day, and Jesus sent them home after they had eaten. 10 Immediately after this, he got into a boat with his disciples and crossed over to the region of Dalmanutha. 11 When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had arrived, they came and started to argue with him. Testing him, they demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority. 12 When he heard this, he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why do these people keep demanding a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, I will not give this generation any such sign.”(Mark 8”1-12)