WHERE WOULD JESUS GO?

TODAYS SCRIPTURES:

Jesus talking to Simon Peter: "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." Matthew 16:18

Jesus speaking to his disciples: "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:20

WHERE WOULD JESUS GO?

Bill and I took a couple of days and got out of town. While driving, I noticed many churches. They were labeled by denomination: Lutheran, Church of God, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Catholic, Christian, Seven Day Adventist, Jehovah Witness and Brethren.

They were labeled by other names: Full Gospel with healing service, Restored, Pentecostal, Reformed, United, Community, Missionary, Evangelical and Independent.

Some church names include words: Hope, Faith, Love, Peace and Grace

Some buildings you knew were churches. They had a steeple, a cross or some other symbol on them that illustrated their beliefs. I had Bill turn into one church so I could take this picture.

I can remember a church poster we saw when we were in a small town in Stewart, British Columbia, Canada. It started out saying, "All welcome." Then it gave the name of the church. Followed with, "King James version only." Followed with a few more specific beliefs. By the time I had read the entire poster, I realized not all were welcome.

Thinking about that poster and all the churches we saw on our drive, I wondered, "Why can it not just be called The Church? Why cannot our statement of faith just be I Believe?"

Thinking about that poster and all the churches we saw on our drive, I wondered, "Where would Jesus go?" What church would Jesus attend? How would he decide? Would Jesus be comfortable sitting in the pew of a Methodist Church? A Catholic Church? A Reformed Church? Would any of these churches resemble what Jesus instructed Peter to build?

For all of our differences. For all of our different names. For all of our different creeds and statements of faith. Where would Jesus go? This is answered in the scripture. We know that Jesus goes "where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Remember when you go to church, Jesus is there. Make Him feel welcome.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

How would you answer the question, "Where would Jesus go?" Would Jesus be comfortable sitting in the pew of your church?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Dear Jesus, As believers, we allow mission statements and church doctrine to come between us instead of being united in our common beliefs. Jesus, as I work, play and live let me see the common areas of our faith instead of the small areas that separate us. Jesus, I am working to have the faith of Peter when he said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." When I work for the church, let me work in such a way that You would be welcome and when you enter you would feel at home.… Amen

THE LOST DRIVER’S LICENSE

TODAYS SCRIPTURES:

If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling! Job 23:3

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. Psalm 62:5

THE LOST DRIVER'S LICENSE

I love working at auctions. You meet a very diverse assortment of people. We have our groupies and they become like family. Chatting about their week. Their health. Their new babies or grandbabies. We have those that have never attended an auction and are afraid to blink for fear it will be taken as a bid. We assure them that only happens on TV. We have the ones we like to tease and those we wish would never come back.

The other day we had the man who could not find his drivers license. Honestly, this happens with great regularity and, I am not male bashing, but it is usually a man. (Now admit it ladies. Men will look and look for something and then give up. That is when the female will walk to the garage/kitchen/desk and find the lost object laying in plain sight. I saw that nod of agreement.)

Back to my story: First, his wife came to our table and asked if we had found her husband's license. I had checked this gentleman in and I assured her that I always hand the license back with the bidder number card.

Later that day, the man came to the table to check again and make sure no one had turned in his license. "No sir. Are you sure you did not put it in a different pocket?" I asked.

He said he had checked and as he talked, he patted each pocket. Each empty pocket. Then he took out his money clip.

As he held his clip and assured me that he always put the license back in the same spot, I am ashamed to say I started to laugh. So did the two other ladies standing there. Why?

As the gentleman held his money clip and as we were trying to control our smiles and only laugh a bit, I said, "Sir, would you please turn your clip around."

There, on the wrong side of his money clip. There where he never puts his driver's license, was his license. That is when his wife started laughing. Then the man laughed too.

How often do we know right where to find something and then when we reach for it, it is not there? How often do we need something, but need help finding it?

Sorta like finding God. Sometimes we know right where He is. We feel Him beside us strong and true. Other times it is as if God is lost. We are just not sure where to find Him. But just like the driver's license, God is always there. Sometimes we find Him right away. Sometimes we need someone to show the way. Sometimes it is as easy as turning around.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Have you ever lost something only to have someone else find it quickly? Have you ever felt like you lost God? Where did you turn for help?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Hello Lord. I am so thankful that I can always find you. That I can find you when I feel alone. Or frightened. Or sad. I know you are always there. I am so thankful that I can always find you. That I can find you when I feel happy. Or joyous. Or humble. I am so thankful that I can always find you. That I can find you when I feel you are far away from me. I know you are not. I know you are there, waiting for me to find my way back. Thank you for others that tell me, "Turn around. God is right there. See him. God is waiting for you." And when I find you, I know I will find rest. Amen

Greetings, Thanks to a broken modem I will not be able to post a blog this week. Glad the library has a computer for me to briefly use.

Since I can not post something, read your favorite scripture and let me know what it is.

Have a great week. A blessed week. A joyous week.

Mary

DECISIONS

TODAYS SCRIPTURES:

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." John 14:1-4

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

DECISIONS

"What would you like for dinner?" asked Bill. "It doesn't matter," I replied.

"Do you want to teach during August?" I asked Judy. "I will," she said.

"What do you want to watch this evening?" I asked Bill. He came back with, "All those channels and nothing to watch. You pick."

Decisions! Decisions!! Decisions!!!

From the time our eyes open until they shut, the day is full of decisions. What to eat? What to do? What to wear? Are the errands done today or tomorrow? Decisions of reading or watching TV? Does the yard need mowed? Who gets the last piece of dark chocolate? (Okay, that is an automatic easy decision.) Do I prepare a will? Do I call my sister? Friend?

Do I go to church or decide it is okay to miss? Do I talk to God throughout the day? Do I keep God before me or do I put Him on the back burner when I work? When I talk with friends? Do I notice all of God's creation as I see flowers? Trees? Birds? Do I realize I am touching God, when I take the hand of a child? Do I tell others about Jesus?

Decisions! Decisions!! Decisions!!!

Some decisions are not important. A yes or no works just fine. Either way. No big deal. Sometimes one TV channel is as good as the next. And those errands can wait until tomorrow.

Other decisions are important. Where your next meal is coming from is very important when you have no money for groceries. A will is important. Calling a sister, brother, friend, son, daughter, spouse or parent is important. Your call may change their life. Or yours.

Then there are those DECISIONS!!! Just as some decisions are not important and others are, some decisions are extremely important and need to be made now. Now while you have time. Decisions that will change your day. Your life. Decisions that will help you understand life and help you understand death.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

What decisions do you have to make today? Which ones are not important? Important? LIFE CHANGING?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Jesus, as I try to decide what to wear. What to watch on TV. As I make these decisions, I realize how silly I can be. Some decisions are so unimportant. Other decisions are important. Help me understand the most important decision I will ever make. Jesus, I do not want to have a troubled heart and need your guidance as I make decisions. I believe you are the way, the truth and the life. I come to you seeking peace, knowing that my life will have troubles, but that You can help me face those troubles. I also know that just as You will walk with me in life, You will welcome me into eternal life. … Amen